He stood by the bed in the guest room and stuffed his clothing into his bags, making sure that he had everything he needed. He moved slower than normal, hoping that by doing so, he would prolong the inevitable; leaving.
He hated the thought of leaving, absolutely hated it. He paused for a moment as a noise distracted him. Quietly he crept into the hallway and stopped in the doorway of his bedroom. He stood for a moment watching her.
She worked diligently moving about the room, opening drawers to gather her clothes. When her bags were completely packed, she glanced around the room as though deep in thought. He took the opportunity to walk inside.
"Daphne?"
She looked up in surprise. "Oh… Niles… I was just… Packing me things. I'll get out of your room so that you can-."
He moved toward her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "You're never in my way, Daphne." He said softly, kissing her cheek. A lone tear slid onto her cheek and she leaned into him.
"Pack your things." She whispered hoarsely. "I'll be downstairs."
They kissed once more and he stood watching her walk downstairs. God how he loved her. How was he going to cope without her by his side, even for a moment?
With a sigh he packed his clothes that he'd brought with him and took a moment to make sure that everything was in order. He was about to walk out of the room and join Daphne in the living room, but at the last minute he retreated into his bedroom. On his dresser lay the ring; the one that had been the cause of so much heartache. He ignored it and made his way down the stairs.
He stood beside her and smiled shyly. "Well…"
"Well…" She replied.
He took her bags in his hand and carried them to the door, placing them onto the floor next to his own. His car keys in hand, he moved about the cabin once more, making sure that everything was in order. And then as quickly as he'd left, he returned to her. The keys slipped into his pocket and he took her hands into his.
"Are you ready for this?"
He was momentarily taken aback by her question. "Ready?"
"To go back to Seattle? To face your father, brother and possibly Mel?"
"Don't worry about her. She's out of our lives forever."
"But Niles, you don't know that!"
"I won't let her hurt you, Daphne. I won't let her hurt anyone I love ever again, all right?"
She nodded, but clearly she was nervous about returning to Seattle. And frankly, so was he.
"Look, there will be things to take care of, but-."
She laughed nervously. "I'll say! Wedding gifts to return, phone calls to make, reservations to cancel.."
"I'll help you in any way I can, Daphne."
"Niles-."
"I want to help you. Anything you need-."
Tears filled her eyes. "I don't want this week to end. I love you so much, Niles."
After a lingering kiss he drew back. "I love you too, Daphne. And I know that it's going to be frightening going back to Seattle with so much left undone, but the sooner we take care of things the sooner we'll be free."
She nodded. "You're right. "And I can hardly wait for that to happen."
"It will. I promise. Let's get started right now." He picked up the bags and opened the door, but then he feigned horror. "Oh my, look at that blizzard!" He exclaimed, trying not to grin. Before she could glance outside he shut the door.
But she was too quick for him and opened it again. "Niles, what blizzard? It's barely snowing at all!" He peered out the window. Daphne was indeed correct. There was no blizzard at all. The snow was coming down, that much was true, but it was so light that it could hardly be considered a blizzard. However, there was no harm in hoping. He frowned at her and closed the door once again.
"No, Daphne. We're definitely snowed in. We probably won't be able to get out of here for two, three days at the very least." He sniffled, knowing full well that his nose was going to start bleeding any second. But it would be completely worth it.
To his surprise, she grinned slyly. "You know, you're right? It is snowing pretty hard. And the thought of you having to drive me all the way back to Seattle in this-."
"For all we know Seattle's weather could be worse."
"It certainly could."
"It's dangerous and ill advised to even try to attempt to go back now." Niles said. "We're much safer here in the cabin. I'll call Dad and Frasier and let them know that we'll be staying a few extra days due to this unexpected… um, snowstorm. I'm sure they'll understand."
"It's for our safety, after all." Daphne replied with a grin. "They've got to understand."
"Yes."
"But we don't have to call them now." Daphne said. "We'll call them later. In the meantime why don't you start a fire and I'll find us a nice blanket to keep us warm while we snuggle on the couch?"
Niles pressed his lips to hers. "That sounds wonderful."
"Oh, I have a better idea." Daphne said. "How about some hot cider? I know it's early, but-."
"Hot cider sounds perfect. I just need to go outside and get some more wood. I won't be long." He helped her remove her coat and hung it on the rack.
Outside he worked quickly to gather the wood and when he returned she greeted him at the door with a kiss and a mug of hot cider.
"You're cold, sweetheart. Come and sit by the fire."
"I'm afraid it's gotten colder, Daphne. We might need more wood soon." He remarked. But it could wait. He sat down beside her on the sofa and she draped the blanket around them as they sipped their drinks.
"This is nice…" She said. "Thank you for letting me stay in your room."
"Daphne, you've already thanked me for that so many-."
"I meant last night, Niles."
He turned to her and touched her cheek. "Holding you in my arms last night was one of the most wonderful nights of my life."
"Mine too."
When she shivered he became concerned. "Are you cold? I can get another blanket or put some more wood on the first."
She started to stand, but he stopped her. "No, allow me. I'll be right back. I'll get something warmer." He headed for the stairs en route to his bedroom. It didn't take him long to find exactly what he was looking for. He returned moments later holding the sweater in his hands. And he smiled at Daphne's reaction.
"Niles…"
Here. This should keep you warm."
She took the sweater from him and slipped it over her head, taking a moment to inhale the scent of the fabric.
He sat down beside her. "Are you warm now?"
She snuggled against him. "Yes, thank you, Niles" She closed her eyes and he ran his fingers though her hair. After a few moments of silence he spoke again.
"Daphne, may I ask you a question?"
She lifted her head. "Yes, of course."
"When did you wear my sweater?"
"What?"
"My sweater. When did you wear it?"
"I-."
"When I put it on to go outside shortly after we arrived, I couldn't help but notice-."
"I'm sorry, Niles. I know I should have asked your permission first. I found it in your room and I was cold."
"Why didn't you tell me? I would have gotten you some more blankets, or-."
"I'm sorry I wore your sweater. It wasn't right."
"Of course it was right. And I'm not angry. You looked beautiful wearing it."
She sighed and kissed him. "Thank you, Niles."
They held each other for a long time, but then she rose to her feet.
"Where are you going?"
"It's too quiet in here." She said. "We need some music."
"That's a wonderful idea. Pick any CD you like."
She grinned at him. "Actually I had something else in mind."
His eyebrows rose. "Oh… All right."
"I'll be right back."
He watched her in confusion as she went to the door and unzipped her bag. She rummaged around as though looking for something.
"Do you need some help?"
"No, I found it."
"If you don't mind my asking what is it you're looking-."
He froze as she removed a familiar object. It was the snow globe that he'd given her for Christmas to replace the gift that his father had broken at Frasier's Christmas party. He knew how much she loved unicorns and when he found the snow globe, he'd ordered it for her immediately. He just never expected to see it in her hands, at his cabin.
"Daphne-."
"When you asked me to come with you to the cabin, I had to bring it. I hope you don't mind."
"No, of course I don't mind, I just-."
"I know it's silly, but I hated the thought of being without it. This is one of my prized possessions."
His heart warmed. "Really?"
She sat down beside him on the sofa, cradling the snow globe in her hands. "I absolutely love it, Niles. Its' the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
"And I could say the same thing about you, Daphne Moon." He touched his lips to hers. "I'm so glad that you like it."
"Thank you so much for this, Niles."
"You're welcome, Daphne."
She turned the small knob on the bottom of the snow globe and then pushed the switch beside it. The sounds of Debussy floated out, filling the room with its beautiful melody. The fire burned brightly and the snow fell outside the window. Niles and Daphne sat on the sofa, wrapped in each other's arms, warming each other with their love.
THE END