He grinned, feeling like a teenager (or rather, the teenager that he wished he was) in love. He would never tire of hearing her say "I love you".
"I love you too, Daphne. But if you don't mind my asking, what it is that you need to do?"
She looked at him in confusion and he nodded.
"Earlier you said that you needed to do something and I was just wondering-."
"Oh, right. Would it be all right if I used your phone?"
He laughed out loud, feeling strangely relieved. "Of course you can. I meant what I said, Daphne. I want you to think of the cabin as your home."
She kissed him in gratitude. "Thank you. I won't be long. I'll just use the phone in your room. I-I mean my room."
"Of course. I'll give you all the privacy that you need. Use the phone in my study if you like."
"Niles, I can't thank you enough for letting me stay with you. But now that I know that my room is really yours, it's only right that you reclaim it."
He held up his hand in protest. "No, Daphne. You're still my guest and I insist that you keep it. I'll stay in the guest room. I don't mind at all."
"But I do! I mind!" she replied, her voice raising an octave.
"Daphne, really. It's not a problem. It's fine."
Gently she pressed her palms against his chest and kissed the cleft of his chin. "I know it's not any trouble, but you've done so much for me; more than you could possibly know. I want you to be comfortable."
He grinned despite himself as an idea came to his mind. It was a wonderful, heavenly idea; one that he'd dreamed about many times before, but one that he'd never spoken of. The time wasn't right at all, until now. His heart pounded in his chest when he thought about what this moment meant.
"All right. I'll sleep in my room tonight. But only one condition."
She laughed trailing kisses down his neck. Oh God, he loved this woman. "And what condition would that be, Dr. Crane?"
He pulled her into a deep, passionate kiss and then drew back to gaze into her eyes.
"Stay with me tonight, Daphne. Please."
Her initial reaction was not what he expected and one that he feared. Her smile vanished and she stared at him. Her expression was almost… angry.
"What?"
To show her that the request was meant with the deepest love, he took her hands and brought them to his lips. "I want you to stay with me in my room tonight, please."
She turned away and said nothing. He knew that she needed a moment to think about it. In the silence that followed, he couldn't resist massaging her shoulders and returned the favor of trailing kisses down the back of her neck. But his actions caused her to move away. Damn, he knew that it was too soon to present such a bold question. And now he'd ruined everything.
"Daphne, I'm sorry. I just-."
Slowly she turned to him and smiled. "I love you, Niles. I do. And you know that I always will, but-."
"You don't have to say anything more, Daphne. I completely understand."
"Yes I do have to say something. You see, I just don't think that I'm ready."
"Well, I can certainly understand that."
"I'm afraid that it might be too soon."
He sighed deeply and ran a hand through his hair. "Daphne, you really don't have to explain."
"I'm sorry Niles. I want to make love to you, but right now…"
He froze in disbelief. Dear God, is that what she thought he was referring to? Making love? Amazingly when he'd posed the question of her spending the night with him in his room, he never even considered that she might think that he was referring to sex. His mind began to race with unnecessary thoughts of what it would be like to make love to her in his room, in his bed… Suddenly the air around them was much too warm, despite the frigid temperature, and he found it hard to breathe.
"Niles? Are you all right? I'm sorry. I really am. I didn't… I mean, this is so unexpected. I meant what I said. I do love you, but I think its best that we wait."
"The fault is mine, Daphne. When I asked you to spend the night with me in my room, I meant for sleeping. As much as I'd love to make love to you, you're right. It is too soon. Please believe me I would never pressure you into doing something that you're not ready to do or take advantage of you in any way. When the time is right, we'll know, but until then…"
"Thank you Niles." she pressed her lips against his. "Please don't apologize. I should have never assumed… and yes, we'll know when we're ready. Until them, my answer to your question is yes."
His heart beat steadily. "Yes? As in-."
"Yes, I would love to spend the night with you in your room, Niles Crane."
He was blissfully happy and hugged her tighter than ever before. It was as though she'd accepted his marriage proposal. And in a strange way, it was even better.
"I love you so much, Daphne."
"I love you too, Niles."
Their arms around each other, he kissed her again and again, making up for years of longing; of when he wanted her so badly but could not have her. Tears of happiness filled his eyes and became dangerously close to falling. But he didn't care. He was happier than he'd ever been. And he knew that tonight, he'd become even happier.