"What are you thinking about, my love?"
Daphne smiled and rested her head against her husband's bare chest, sighing at the way his body fit perfectly against hers. It had been a day that neither of them would ever forget, filled with pain, heartache, shame and forgiveness that had transitioned into an afternoon of lovemaking unlike anything she had ever experienced.
Niles had made her feel things that she knew she could feel and just when she felt that the moment had come, he knew just exactly what to do to make her responsiveness stronger. And finally the moment came in an explosive burst of passion that shattered them both into a million stars.
Now she lay against him, their legs entwined as she listened to his labored breathing and the rhythm of his beating heart. "I was just thinking about how much I love you and about how happy I am right now."
He sighed deeply and when she heard his breath catch in his throat, she raised her head, surprised to find a tear in the corner of his eye. With the thumb of her bandaged hand, she brushed the tear away.
"I love you, Daphne." He whispered, pulling her into another kiss.
Their kisses turned fiery, resulting in anther blissful union of touching, feeling exploring and pleasuring each other with moments they would always treasure.
Later, they lay facing one another, their gazes just inches apart.
"So how did you know, Niles?"
Niles smiled at her, kissing her hand. "Frasier insisted that I watched The Little Mermaid again. And that's when I saw Prince Eric and I realized-."
"I'm so sorry, Niles. I never-."
He put his fingers to her lips. "No, Daphne. This isn't your fault and I refuse to let you take the blame for this."
She moved closer, kissing him tenderly. "I should thank your brother. Without him, I-."
"I know." Niles said, lacing his fingers through hers. He's a wonderful brother and Dad is a wonderful father. And you… are such a wonderful wife and mother. I guess sometimes-actually much more often than I should-I take the people I love for granted. I'm so sorry. And Daphne? Thank you, for giving me such a perfect gift."
Daphne sighed, thinking of her little boy, the beautiful child that she and Niles had created during a moment almost like this one. "I miss David, so much. But when he rejected me earlier, I-."
"Daphne, David didn't reject you. He's just a little boy, and his mind… well, he loves you. Of that I am certain. When he noticed that you were gone last night, he was inconsolable. And after I watched the movie, I-."
"It's all right. You don't need to explain. I love you, Niles."
"I'll never tire of hearing those words. And the first thing in the morning, we'll go over to Dad and Ronee's and take David home. He loves you, Daphne. No son could love a mother more. And no man could ever love you more than I do."
His sweet words were all that she needed to coax her into pulling him onto her, resuming their passion once more. And his actions in those sensual moments filled with pure ecstasy convinced her that he was no longer angry with her.
Sometime later she fell into a deep slumber, entangled in his arms, dreaming of mermaids, colorful fish, and her wonderful son. But most of all, she dreamt of her Prince, Niles Crane; the man she loved and would always love, fathoms below the world around them.
THE END