Their mugs of hot chocolate long since empty; they were seated on the porch swing once again, holding onto one another. He turned his face toward hers and pressed a kiss into her hair.
"It's late." He said quietly. "We should probably get inside."
"No…" She whispered, sounding almost childlike. She clung to him and kissed his lips, her eyes still closed. "Please…just a little while longer."
A cold breeze moved the swing slowly back and forth and when he saw her shiver, his lips brushed against her cheek. Her skin, he realized, was cold to the touch. "All right. We'll stay a few moments longer, but you're shivering. I'd never forgive myself if something were to happen."
He adjusted his down jacket around her shoulders, hoping that she was warm enough. He didn't want to leave the contentment of the porch swing or the warmth of her arms, but it wasn't right to leave her outside in the frigid cold. As always, however, she was relentless.
"Nothing will happen, I promise." As though to seal her promise, she kissed his cheek.
But he couldn't help but worry.
The gentle motion of the swing lulled him to sleep. He woke sometime later to the soft touch of her hand on his arm. His eyes opened and he lifted his head, momentarily forgetting where he was. And then he saw her beautiful face.
"Daphne?"
She smiled and ran her fingers lightly across his cheek. "Yes, sweetheart, it's me. And it's much later than before. Let's go inside."
They rose from the porch swing and Niles paused to give her a warm embrace. "I'll be right back." He promised. "I want to make sure that there's enough firewood to keep us warm tonight. I want to do everything in my power to make sure that you're comfortable."
She smiled and squeezed him gently. "I will be. As long as I'm in your arms. I love you, Niles."
"I love you too, Daphne."
"I'll be right here waiting for you."
"I won't be long. You're welcome to wait inside where it's warm."
"No, I'll wait right here, where I can see you."
He smiled to himself as he hurried to gather some extra wood for the fire. True to his word, he returned as quickly as possible and smiled when he saw that she was standing by the front door. She kissed him softly and followed him into the warmth of the cabin.