While Niles carefully laid out the wood by the hearth and tended to the fire, he heard Daphne disappear into the kitchen. She turned on the water and from the soft clanging; Niles knew that she was washing out the mugs. He felt slightly guilty. Every time he'd come over to Frasier's, Daphne waited on him hand and foot, save for his regular glass of sherry. But she was in his home now and he wanted to be the one-
He heard her footfalls and turned to find her smiling at him. The kitchen was dark and he quickly finished what he was doing to take her hand. Her expression must have mirrored his own because there was no mistaking that they were both a bit nervous.
"Well, are you ready for this?"
Daphne smiled. "I am. I-."
"What is it?"
She brought her hand to her lips. "No. You'll think it's silly."
"I won't. I promise." He reassured her. "And if you're as nervous as I am-."
Her eyes widened. "You are? You mean-."
"Yes, but I'm not sorry about it and neither should you be."
"You're right. No apologies."
"It's late." He reminded her with a gentle squeeze of his hand.
She smiled rather mischievously. "So it is."
No words were spoken as Niles moved about the cabin, turning off lights and checking to make sure that the doors and windows were secure. The danger of wild animals and bugs was very real and in the mountains, one couldn't be too careful.
When at last he was satisfied that the cabin was secure for the night, he slipped his hand into hers once more. They walked toward the stairs, guided by the soft glow of the moonlight that streamed through the windows. They'd barely reached the landing when she let go of his hand.
"Daphne?"
She was moving about, almost frantically. Naturally he began to worry yet again; especially when she didn't answer him.
"Daphne?"
She turned to him with a worried expression. "I-I need to call me mum."
His eyebrows shot up. "Now?"
"I should have done it earlier instead of calling your brother. He would have understood… eventually anyway. That is, if I'd told him anything. But me mum-Oh, she'll never understand this."
Niles wasn't at all fond of Gertrude Moon to begin with but the fact that Daphne worried so much about her mother's opinion angered him.
"You don't have to tell her, you know."
She turned to him in annoyance. "Niles, she's my mum! Of course I have to tell her! And she's bound to find out sooner or later anyway!"
"But it's so late! Look, I admire your dedication to your family; especially to your mother, but you know how she is, Daphne. Once you tell her the truth, you know that she won't make life easy for you."
Her eyes held a look of rage and he realized that he'd overstepped his bounds. They weren't married; hell, they were barely a couple, and he was already talking to Daphne as though Gertrude was his mother in law. It was wrong on so many levels.
"If I don't call her now I never will, all right? I have to do this, Niles. She thinks that she's bringing the whole bloody family to Seattle for a wedding soon; a wedding that isn't going to happen. And I for one-."
"Daphne-."
"I thought you of all people would understand, Niles. But I guess I was wrong."
She walked away and stared out the window into the darkness. When he saw her touch her cheeks, he knew that she was brushing away tears. He'd made her cry. He'd hurt her, after all of his promises to make her happy. Her mother was none of his concern. She had every right to call home and he shouldn't have interfered.
He approached her slowly and gently touched her back. But she continued to stare out of the window.
"You're not wrong, Daphne. I do understand. I know that we made a pact to dispose with apologizes, but this time I insist. I am sorry. I was out of line and I'm sorry for what I said about your mother. It was wrong and I've made you cry again. That hurts me more than you can imagine. You have every right to call your mother."
"Niles-."
"I love you, Daphne. And loving you means loving everything about you, including your family. Of course you can call your mother. You can use the phone in my study again or any phone you choose."
She turned to him and sniffled, the tears glistening on her cheeks. Instantly he took her into his arms and held her for a long time. As he stood there holding her, he could hear her crying softly. It was pointless to ask why she was upset. He already knew. And he knew that she would tell him that she was worried about her mother's reaction to the news. But he knew the truth and the truth was that she was upset about what he'd said to her about her mother's personality. He sighed and kissed her cheek.
"Thank you." she whispered, giving him a lingering kiss. She shuddered and he glanced at the fire.
"Are you cold? Because I can-."
"No, I'm just…" She smiled nervously. "I'm not looking forward to this phone call; not one bit. You were right. Mum is capable of anything."
"You won't be alone, Daphne."
"I know, but-."
"I mean, literally. That is if you don't mind my being here."
"Of course not. Why would you say-."
"Why don't we call her together? We'll use my cell phone and put her on speaker."
"Really? You'd do that for me?"
He took her hands and kissed her forehead. "This is minuscule compared to the things that I would do for you, Daphne."
"Thank you." She replied, her voice quivering.
Niles cell phone lay on the coffee table. They stared at it for a long time and then drew out of each other's arms. Finally Niles picked up the phone and handed it to her.
"Just take a deep breath and dial. I promise I will stay here beside you the entire time."
She looked nervous but she smiled and kissed him. "All right."
Her trembling fingers dialed the long number and he could hear the faint ringing as she pushed the button to turn on the speaker. He reached for her hand and squeezed. Seconds later the ringing stopped.