He stared at her for a long moment, wishing like hell he knew what to do. It hurt watching her grieve like this and he was partially to blame. He was the one who'd suggested trying for another child and at the time he truly thought he was doing the right thing. And even now, perhaps it was the right thing. Another child would be such a blessing and Lillith was such a wonderful mother. He had no doubt that Frederick would love to have a brother or sister and Frasier had to admit that he missed holding a baby in his arms. Nothing could compare to the feeling of holding his newborn son for the first time, and he'd give anything to experience that feeling again, if only for a moment. But now was not the time. Lillith needed more than sexual satisfaction; so much more.

When he saw her shiver from the cool breeze that swept through the bedroom, he reached for his robe and gently draped it around her bare shoulders.

"Here, Darling." He whispered, kissing her cheek. "Put this on."

She sighed deeply and slipped her arms into the sleeves while Frasier climbed off of the bed and took one last look at her angelic body. She gave him a grateful smile as she wrapped the robe around her waist and cinched the belt.

"Thank you, Frasier."

He took the opportunity to sit beside her and drew her close.

"Darling, I'm so sorry." He whispered into her hair. "I guess I acted in haste when I suggested that we have another child. I want another son or a daughter very much. But right now you're hurting and perhaps-."

She looked at him tearfully. "But we can try again, can't we?"

He drew back and smiled as he lovingly stroked her hair. "Of course we can. Anytime you'd like."

"Do you love me, Frasier?"

He couldn't believe what he was hearing. The question and the voice that asked it sounded strange to him, as though a child had spoken them. He brushed the tears from her cheeks and stared lovingly into her beautiful eyes.

"Oh Lillith, how could you ask such a thing? I know I haven't been the best husband or the best father and I've said and done things that I'm not proud of, but you must believe me, I love you unconditionally. You and Frederick are my whole life."

The words were true of course but he never expected to feel them so deeply in his own heart and he was sure that she would be moved by them as well. So he waited somewhat impatiently for the embrace and passionate kisses that he would surely receive in return.

Instead, she bowed her head and began to cry again. The sight tore his heart in two.

"Lillith..."

"When you... stopped making love to me just now, I thought..."

She didn't need to say any more and if she had, he was certain that his heart would shatter into a million pieces.

"My God... I've ruined things between us again, haven't I?"

He was shamed beyond belief and he could hardly believe that she was comfortable being in the same room as he. How could he possibly convince her of what was so honestly and completely true? That he wanted her more than he'd ever wanted anyone; sexually, emotionally and any other way it was possible to want another human being.

If he'd wanted to, he could have removed his clothes and climbed back in bed, determined to plant the seed of the child she so desperately wanted. His body responded to his unspoken thoughts and if it weren't for his ethics and the advice of his little brother, he would have wasted no time in fulfilling his desires.

But that wasn't what Lillith needed. Not now anyway.

"Darling..." He whispered against her neck. "Please... Don't ever think that you're unloved or unwanted. When we made love, it awakened something in me that I had no idea existed. Your body fits so perfectly against mine that it feels as though we were made for one another. I've never felt so satisfied, so loved. You're so beautiful and I want nothing more than to explore every part of you."

"Frasier..."

He cleared his throat and turned to her. "Tell me about Whitey."

Her eyebrows rose. "Why, so you can ridicule and mock me?"

He spoke softly and caressed her shoulder. "Sweetheart I would never do that. I just... think you should talk about him; release your anger and sadness."

She nodded as tears spilled onto her cheeks. "All right. Well, he was... very cooperative. Never seemed to be bothered by the fact that we were doing research on him and despite the public's disgust with animal testing, ours was very respectable."

"I'm sure it was."

"Whitey was... the sweetest little thing. Always happy to see me and he was always a willing participant. I'm afraid that the same can't be said for Montgomery."

Frasier wanted so much to chuckle at the seriousness with which Lillith was speaking about a rodent. But to laugh would be detrimental to what he was trying to do here.

"Montgomery, huh? I don't remember hearing about him."

Amazingly the question seemed to lift her spirits and he saw the beginning of a smile.

"Oh, he was quite a character, always running from us when we tried to approach him, but we knew that he loved us."

Frasier smiled and rubbed her back. "Of course he did. Who wouldn't love someone like you."

"Thank you, Frasier."

"I'm sorry for interrupting your story. Go on. Tell me more about Whitey."

"There's not much more to tell."

"Do they know what caused..."

Frasier's voice trailed away but he knew that the unspoken words were understood. However, to his dismay, Lillith adamantly shook her head.

"No... All I know is that I walked into the room, prepared to do another set of extensive and, might I add, informative tests, and as soon as I came near him, I knew something was wrong. His breathing was shallow and staggered, his little eyes were glassy and that's when I realized..."
Her voice broke and she began to sob uncontrollably.

"Oh Darling, come here." Frasier said as he instantly gathered her into his arms. She slumped against his chest, sobbing as she soaked his pajama shirt with her tears. And as her body slowly released the pain she'd held in for so long, Frasier tightened his hold around her, never daring to let go. As she cried, he thought of all the times that he should have responded in this manner instead of reacting with haste and ridicule that began to unravel their bond. Her relentless tears continued and he stroked her hair feeling somewhat guilty for taking pleasure in the silkiness beneath his fingertips.

He said nothing but instead let her cry until he was sure that she had no more tears left. And then he looked into her pained eyes as he brushed the dampness from her cheeks. When their eyes met he smiled.

"I love you, Lillith."

"I love you too, Frasier."

At that moment, no words were more truthful.

The kisses that followed were gentle, unrushed and filled with emotion.

"Come on..." Frasier urged, smiling when she looked at him in confusion. And when his eyes moved across the bed, she smiled knowingly.

"You mean..."

Wordlessly he climbed into bed, waiting for her to join him. But instead of disrobing and resuming where they'd left off, he pulled her toward him. Almost as if on instinct, she fitted herself against his body, still wearing his robe, cradling her head onto his chest.

And it was there that he held her through the night, but they didn't make love again until much later the next afternoon.

At that moment Lillith needed more than sex. She needed someone to hold her and tell her that he understood, and that everything would be all right. I was through their caring and understanding that their relationship began to grow, and with it, their passion.

Late into the next evening after they made love again and again, he sighed contentedly as he listened to Lilith's gentle breathing while she slept soundly in his arms.

As before, their naked bodies fit perfectly against each other, like two pieces of a puzzle and he knew that there was no place on earth that he'd rather be. Their love making was finished for the time being but he hoped that soon she'd wake up and coax him into trying again. However, he was all but certain that within a few months, he'd be calling his parents to tell them that they would soon have another grandchild.

But first things first.

As soon as he woke the next morning, he was going to call Niles and thank him for the much needed advice. For it was because of his brother that Frasier learned the true meaning of family and what it meant to love someone.

THE END