The four spent the next several hours together, talking, laughing and getting to know one another. Daphne soon felt as if she'd known these three all her life, and they felt the same. When it was time for Daphne to pick David up from school, she hated to say goodbye.

The next day, Melanie decided she wanted to go see the Space Needle, the monorail station, the acquarium, and Seattle's other tourist attractions. Joy, on the other hand, wanted to visit with Daphne again. After hearing Daphne go on the previous afternoon about how wonderful Niles was, Joy decided she had to meet this man and find out if men like that really did exist outside movies and romance novels. So the three decided to split up: Joy would make plans with Daphne while Victoria and Melanie went sightseeing. Victoria was reluctant to accompany Melanie, but Melanie refused to go alone. "I don't want people to think I'm so pathetic that I'd go sighteeing by myself!" she complained.

"So, in other words, you want to blend in?" Victoria asked. Melanie nodded. "And you think being accompanied by an internationally known soap star would help you do that?"

Melanie rolled her eyes. "Just come with me!"

Joy sat in the hotel room, wondering what she should do. She knew that Daphne was a stay-at-home mom, except for the times when she looked in on Niles' father to make sure he was doing his exercises each day. If Daphne was free, maybe they could go shopping together. Daphne was a nice enough person, but Joy definitely thought she could use a little style advice. She remembered Daphne mentioning that she lived in a place called the Montana. Joy Googled it and found the address. She hoped Daphne wouldn't mind an unexpected visitor.

Half an hour later, Joy was knocking on Niles and Daphne's front door. She was impressed with this place. Niles' practice must be doing well, she thought as she looked around. Moments later, the door was opened by the same blonde man she'd seen in Daphne's pictures. He did not invite her in, or even say a word when he saw her standing there. "I'm Joy." She offered her hand to him, hoping it would snap him out of whatever trance he was in.

"Hello. Sorry for staring. It's just-" Niles said as he shook her hand.

"I know. The barista at Nervosa thought we were related," Joy replied. "May I come in?"

"Of course," Niles said, stepping back. "Daphne's out running some errands. But she should be back soon if you'd like to wait."

"All right," Joy said as she entered. "This place is lovely."

"Thank you," Niles replied. He could still remember giving Daphne a tour of the apartment when he'd first moved in. Back then, Daphne couldn't have imagined she'd one day be calling it home. He offered Joy a seat on the fainting couch, then sat on one of the chairs beside it. The two looked at one another awkwardly, having no idea what to say to one another.

A few minutes later, a boy came down the stairs. "Dad?"

Niles turned around, but before he could ask his son what he wanted, he saw David's eyes widen when he noticed Joy. "Mom?"

In a flash, Niles recalled what Daphne had told him last night about Joy's past. He knew that seeing David now would likely be painful. He was about to tell David to go back upstairs when Joy interrupted him.

"No, it's all right. You must be David."

"How'd you know that? And how come you look like my mom?" David asked.

"Well, I'm not really sure why I look like her. But I knew your name because your mom showed me pictures of you yesterday. She says you're a very smart little boy."

David beamed at that. "That's 'cause Dad's always reading me books. Right, Dad?"

Niles nodded. "Right." Joy could see in Niles' face that he was very proud of his son. She wished she could say she was proud of her son, but she had no idea where he was or what he was doing.

David turned back to Joy. "You're pretty," he said.

Joy's heart melted. Daphne hadn't been kidding when she said her son was sweet.

"But not as pretty as Mom, right, Dad?" David asked, looking at his father for approval.

Just then, Daphne let herself in the front door. "Right, David. Nobody's as beautiful as your mom," Niles said, never taking his eyes off Daphne. He immediately got up and kissed Daphne on the lips.

Joy watched the two kiss. It was clear that even after all this time, Niles and Daphne were still deeply in love. It was a kind of love Joy had never known, and the thought made her sad.

"Joy, what are you doing here?" Daphne asked, suddenly aware there was someone else in the room.

"Melanie dragged Victoria off to go sightseeing, so I thought maybe you and I could do some shopping."

"That sounds wonderful," Daphne said. "If Niles doesn't mind baby-sitting."

"Go ahead, my love," Niles said. Spending time with his son was a small price to pay to see Daphne happy for once.

Daphne kissed her husband and gave him a look that said she would thank him for this tonight. Then she saw David. She bent down to his height and gave him a hug.

Seeing Daphne hug and kiss her son made Joy once again think of the boy she'd given up so long ago. When Daphne turned back toward her new friend, she could easily read the sadness in Joy's eyes. She silently reached over and squeezed Joy's hand.

"Shall we go?" Daphne asked. "I haven't been out with a friend like this in a long time! I'm so glad we met!"

Joy smiled, understanding that Daphne wasn't simply talking about having someone to go shopping with. "I am, too," she said. Joy took one last look at Daphne's home and loving family. Then, without saying a word, she followed Daphne out of the apartment. As she did, Joy thought about her life. She might not be living a fairytale, but spending time with Daphne had taught her one very important thing: Sometimes, fairytales really do exist.

The End