A/N: This is a loose sequel to my A/U story, The Union of Moon and Crane, in which Niles and Daphne have an actual wedding. You do not need to read that story to understand this one.

This story is more on the "M" side and contains detailed (but not explicit) sex scenes. If you are uncomfortable with this kind of content, you may want to skip.

It was nine o'clock on the night after my and Niles' wedding, and I was being led by him across the grounds of the bed and breakfast.

Blindfolded. This was one of the unique surprises he had ever planned. He didn't give a clue as to where we were going, and didn't speak until paved paths gave way to the crunch of grass beneath our feet.

"And...we're here," he said softly, removing the blindfold.

I gasped at what I saw.

"Niles..."

Spread out on the grassy bank of the lake was a blanket, piled with pillows and encircled by rose petals. A frosty bottle of champagne and a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries had been placed to the side. Softly flickering candles cast an inviting glow, accompanied by the glittering stars overhead and moonlight shimmering on the lake.

"When did you plan all this?" I asked.

"I figured that at we would celebrate our marriage at some point before we headed home, so I had the staff on call."

I threw myself at him, taking Niles in my arms.

"Tis is beautiful."

"You're beautiful. And funny, sweet, and charmingly outspoken. You're...I just love you," Niles ended simply.

"I love you, too," I said, linking my arms around his shoulders to keep him close.

I kissed him deeply and he responded in kind, parting my lips with his tongue. Our tongues twined as we kissed fervently, only breaking apart to come up for air. Niles gave me the smile that always sparked that delicious stirring within me, and I knew I couldn't wait any longer. And judging by the way Niles possessively slid his hands down to my backside, he couldn't, either.

Wordlessly, I stepped away to shrug off the robe I'd hastily donned and plucked self-consciously at my plain, cotton negligee.

"Now I wish I'd packed something more exciting for the occasion," I apologized.

"I love when you dress up for me, but you're beautiful in anything, "Niles assured me. "Besides, it's like a wrapped gift. Yes, the wrapping is pretty, but it's what's underneath that counts."

"Then unwrap me," I whispered.

I didn't need to tell him. He made short work of stripping negligee and panties away, and then stepped back to look adoringly at me. It was like he was drinking me in, before touching me.

Niles touched me reverently, his hands down my arms and sides, pausing on my hips before he slowly worked his way up again to cup my breasts.

"You're absolutely exquisite," he breathed.

"Shh. Enough talking," I commanded.

Niles fell silent and I swiftly undressed him. I took in the sight of him, able to savor his lean, slightly toned form, the way his chest hair framed his torso, even in the faint light of the moon and the flickering candles.

We both wanted each other, badly, and stumbled toward the blanket. Niles gently laid me down against the pillows before lowering himself to. He kissed me while exploring my body, and I returned the favor, caressing every part of him I could reach.

"Daphne, you're incredible. You make me feel...so much," Niles breathed.

"You're not so bad yourself," I flirted.

His careful attention continued as his mouth moved over my most sensitive areas; with his gentle hands, he touched me in all the right places. Then again, he always had been good with his hands.

No man before Niles had taken such care to learn and remember the small details of what I enjoyed and what aroused me most.

"Now. Please," I urged almost incoherently, close to the edge.

Smiling knowingly, Niles gently pinned me down and entered me in one perfect movement. I moaned softly, encouraging him to give more, and he obliged readily. Our movements were in perfect sync even as he went deeper, faster, bringing me to the heights of pleasure.

It was a perfect night, cherishing each other under a starry sky as evening breezes cooled our heated bodies. The night sounds of insects and the waters of the lake lapping at the shore set the mood better than music.

It was a perfect moment.

"Tired?" Niles smirked after he'd fully satisfied me.

I sank against the pillows and flashed him a pleased smile

"Maybe a little," I said as he settled at my side.

"Only a little? Then I'm not doing it right," Niles joked.

Waving the joke off with a good-natured eyeroll, I nodded toward the delicacies laid out before us.

"Maybe we should have some refreshment after all that workout," I suggested.

Moments later we were enjoying champagne and feeding strawberries to each other, the latter of which turned out to be surprisingly erotic.

"Well, shall we head back?" Niles asked a little later. I noted a hint of reluctance in his voice.

"Not yet," I said.

I slipped my arms around his waist and flipped him over like a griddle cake.

"Daphne, what are you..."

I silenced him with a kiss, his lips still tasting of strawberries and chocolate.

"You gave me an incredible night and satisfied me in every way," I murmured. "Now it's time to repay you."

A/N 2: And done. My first fic on the mature side of things, hope I didn't make it too cringeworthy. :P I may write a followup story from Niles POV, picking up where this ends.