A/N: This chapter takes place in "The Doctor is Out".

"Are you eager to attend the opera society ball tonight?"

Daphne asked this question as she slipped into an elegant maternity dress, the emerald-green material perfectly complimenting her auburn hair. Niles paused for moment to appreciate the sight, and smiled in approval before answering.

"For sure. Alistair Burke is brilliant. And I can't wait to see how long it takes Frasier to realize Alistair has a crush on him," Niles said, laughing as he imagined his brother's reaction.

He took Daphne's place at the mirror in their expansive closet, taking several moments to adjust his tuxedo and bowtie. Daphne smiled as she took a a long look at him; noticing, Niles noticed, laughed good-naturedly.

"Like what you see?" he said playfully.

"I always like what I see," Daphne said affectionately. "But you look especially handsome in a tuxedo."

Niles gave her a teasing grin. "You say that about everything I wear."

"That's because it's always true," Daphne said. "But as much as I enjoy looking at you, we should get going. I know you'll enjoy tonight, it'll be so relaxing after you were seeing patients so late last night."

A stab of guilt dampened Niles' cheerful mood. These feelings had been surfacing more often over ever since executing his plan to avoid travelling to the flower show with Gertrude in tow. A plan that involved deceiving the woman he loved...just because he didn't want to put up with her mother for one afternoon. This wasn't something he could hide, Niles realized. The increasing guilt was proof enough of that. He had to tell Daphne the truth, even if it changed their relationship.

"Daphne...about that..." he began, almost unable to hold her gaze. "I-I wasn't with patients last night."

Daphne froze, shock flashing across her face.

"What?"

"I was with Frasier. We played squash and then he insisted on tracking down Roz's boyfriend."

"Oh? So you're the 'friend' that Frasier was talking about!" Daphne almost shouted. Her voice turned cold as she went on. "Why, Niles? Just tell me why. I thought...I thought you liked being with me!"

The hurt in Daphne's eyes filled Niles with even more shame and remorse. And he'd thought he couldn't feel any worse! He reached for Daphne's hand to take it reassuringly, but she stepped away.

"When I heard your mother was going along, I just couldn't face the idea of being in the car with her for hours," Niles confessed. "She seems to forget I'm a psychologist, not a gynecologist, and some of her questions are so...graphic. But it was no excuse for lying to you, or trying to get out of it. I know you really wanted me to come. I'm so sorry, Daphne."

"I would've enjoyed your company today, Niles," Daphne said, her voice cracking.

"I know. And I should have gone with you," Niles said. "I do love spending time with you, my love, and I shouldn't have let my feelings about your mother get in the way. Will you forgive me?"

He gave her a hopeful smile and daringly took her into his arms; to his relief, she accepted his embrace.

"I forgive you," Daphne said. "I know I've messed up in our relationship, too. We're only human, after all."

Daphne did not expand on her comment, but Niles caught the meaning behind her words. He knew she was thinking of a particularly challenging time in their relationship involving one of his patients. But he only smiled at her.

"So, are we good?" he asked cautiously.

"Well, there's one thing you can do to make it up to me," Daphne said.

"Anything."

"Well, Wazoo's botany department is having 'botany festival' next week."

Niles blinked bewilderedly.

"What on earth is a Wazoo?"

Daphne smothered a laugh.

"I should know by now you don't pay attention when your father talks about college football," she said mildly. "That's Washington State University. The festival is supposed to be excellent, if you don't mind a bit of a drive."

Niles gave her a lingering kiss before he answered.

"I said I'd do anything," he reiterated. "I know I really hurt you, and I want to make it up to you."

Just then, the alarm on Daphne's watch chimed. She noted the time, and turned back to Niles.

"We'd better get going. Frasier would kill us if we're late to the opera club function," she pointed out.

As they hurried out of their apartment, Niles returned to their previous conversation.

"You know, a day out of the city actually sounds nice," he mused. "The countryside of eastern Washington is beautiful, if I remember the road trips with Mom and Dad correctly. Maybe a long day out with my beautiful wife is what I need."

"Well, it won't be just us," Daphne said slyly as they stepped into the elevator. "Mum's coming, too."

Niles groaned. "Oh, no..."

"You said anything," Daphne said, not holding back her laughter at her husband's look of alarm.

"I know, my love. And I meant it. I just need to steel myself for some awkward conversations. At least I have until next week to resign myself to the idea."