"We should go inside. It's getting late." He said after what felt like a million years later.
Daphne sighed against him. "If we have to."
The truth was that neither of them wanted to move. But they knew that they couldn't stay on the porch much longer. The temperature had fallen dramatically and even his down jacket wouldn't be sufficient if the temperature were to drop any further. But there was a bigger truth….
Reality was waiting.
When he looked up, he saw a star streak across the sky. A sign…
And then he heard her voice.
"This is my favorite place in the world."
Daphne's beautiful words warmed his heart like no other words could. He leaned his face against hers and kissed her hair.
"I'd be honored if you thought of the cabin as your home, Daphne. It's yours whenever you need it. "
He could tell that she was deep in thought but they remained in place; enjoying the silence. Minutes later she drew out of his arms. As before, he didn't question her actions, but he felt the loss of her instantly. The scent of her hair, the warmth of her body, the feel of her skin against his; gone a distant memory until he had the chance to experience it again. Oh God, how he wanted to relive those wonderful moments, just for a little while longer.
After several minutes passed, Niles stood and walked toward the lake, his hand was deep in his pocket. He looked back and noticed that Daphne was still sitting on the porch watching him. He returned his attention to the lake and heard the stair creek. When he looked at Daphne again, he saw that she was attempting to stand.
Hurriedly he went to her and extended his hand to help her up. But in doing so, his finger caught on the ring, sending it flying out of his pocket. He watched in horror as Daphne's eyes followed the ring into the air where it soared, arched and then fell, clinging and dancing; colliding with pebbles before coming to a rest to a golden, sparkling stillness at their feet, glittering in the moonlight.
They stood facing each other, their gazes directed toward the band of gold that lay on the ground. Their hands remained joined and Daphne slowly came to a standing position. Seconds later, their eyes met and the helpless expression that she wore surely mirrored his own.
His heart was pounding and he felt like he was trapped in a nightmare. For the secret he'd worked so hard to keep hidden had silently revealed itself.