"Perhaps we should…"
Daphne stopped kissing him and smiled. "Oh, yes. You're right. I am a bit tired."
"So am I."
He went around to her side of the bed and lifted the comforter, allowing her to climb inside. Once he had tucked her in, he kissed her and smiled.
"Thank you, Niles."
When he reached his side of the bed, he smiled at the way she had lifted the edge of the comforter for him and he slid underneath it, settling himself against the pillows. "Are you warm enough? Because I can-."
She sighed and snuggled against him, bringing a wonderful feeling of happiness. And he was only too happy to take her into his arms.
"Thank you, Niles."
"But I appreciate it."
"I know, but I want to. Thank you, Niles, for making me feel so loved and so happy."
His heart soared with love for her. "You're most welcome, Daphne. I'm only sorry that it didn't happen sooner."
"I'm not. It's perfect just the way it is."
"You're right. It is perfect, isn't it?"
"Thank you for bringing me here. I know I already said that but I can't say it enough. It wasn't part of your plans and most likely it was an interruption of them, but-."
His mouth covered hers and then he drew back. But his expression was serious. "Don't ever say that, Daphne. Don't ever think that you are a disruption of anything, all right?"
"But Niles-."
"No." He said firmly. "I refuse to listen to it."
"But-."
He tried to hold in his agitation but it was becoming difficult. "No. You're not a disruption or a disturbance, all right? You're a wonderful, caring and loving soul, Daphne Moon. When I asked you here, it's true that it wasn't my intention at first, but I needed to get away from life for a while. And the truth was that I couldn't bear to leave you at Frasier's alone in such a distraught state." He turned on his side to face her and she did the same. And as she did so, he brushed the tears from her cheeks.
"Please Daphne. I know that our relationship is different now and we're bound to have countless arguments in the future; God knows we've already had several."
"Niles-."
"But our love… Our love is strong and I want it to stay strong, no matter what, all right? Asking you to accompany me to the cabin is the best decision I have ever made. You have no idea how happy you've made me this week and I love you so much."
"I love you too, Niles."
After a few more kisses, he reached over and turned off his bedside lamp; the one made of cast iron metal with the figure of a bear at the base. Daphne did the same, turning of the light by her bed; the lamp was identical except for the figure of a moose. In the darkened room, she snuggled against his him. He kissed her cheek and sighed.
"Goodnight, Daphne."
"Goodnight, Niles."
They held each other through the night (or what was left of it), but he didn't fall asleep away. He lay there in the darkness holding her as he listened to the soft sound of her her breathing and felt the rhythm of her heart beat against his chest. Soon he drifted off to sleep as well. If this is what heaven felt like, it was better than he'd ever imagined.