The first thing Niles noticed was how vivid everything was. Daphne was as beautiful now as she was in real life. He could tell that it was several years into the future. What was this, some sort of Christmas Carol thing, a glimpse into what was to come? Before Niles could figure out exactly what was going on, he saw a young boy walk up to where Daphne sat on the couch. It didn't take a genius to know that this boy was an older version of baby David. He seemed to be about ten now. "Mom, how come Dad wasn't here to watch me play in the recital?"

Daphne smiled at her son. "We've talked about this. Your father loved you so much, and he'd be so proud of how you play. He'd be here to see you if he could. But he always had a heart condition, and even though he did his best to stay healthy so he could watch you grow up, it just wasn't enough. I'm so sorry."

"It's not fair! Everyone else's dad was there!"

There was nothing Daphne could say. She hugged her son tightly, wiping a tear from her cheek.

Niles woke with a start. "Daphne!"

"Darling, what is it? Is it David?"

"No," Niles said, shaking his head. "I had a dream. David was older, and he was asking you why...why I wasn't around to see him playing the piano. You told him I had a heart condition, and that I tried to stay healthy, but it wasn't enough. David was growing up without me!"

"It was just a dream, darling. You're perfectly healthy. The last time you went to the cardiologist, he said you were just fine."

"I know," Niles admitted. "But that was before David was born. I keep meaning to make another appointment, but I've got patients of my own..."

"Just because you had a dream doesn't mean your heart is going to stop working. David isn't growing up without his Daddy."

"My love, you don't know that. It was hard enough losing my mother as an adult, but the death of a parent is so much harder on a child. I've seen it with my patients."

"You aren't going anywhere. Now just try to relax and go back to sleep."

Niles looked into her eyes and tried to do as she asked. But he just couldn't do it. He kept picturing David growing up fatherless, and Daphne left with no partner to help raise him. It was a very depressing image.

Daphne's heart broke at the expression on her husband's face. She wanted so much to comfort him. She kissed his cheek. When that did nothing to cheer him up, she tried something else. Without saying a word, she slipped her arms around him. She rested her head on his chest. Immediately, she heard his heart beating. It was a comforting sound, one which confirmed what she'd been telling him. "I can hear your heart. It sounds like you're going to be here for a very long time."

Niles inhaled, and his senses were filled with the scent of her shampoo. It reminded him of the years when he'd smell her hair every chance he got. Back then, she'd been unaware of the deep love he felt for her. He was suddenly able to release the breath he'd been holding. The relief he felt was overwhelming. "Thank you, my love. I don't know what I'd ever do without you." He kissed her hair, smelling its scent once again. For a moment, he waited, wondering how she would respond. But her breaths were slow and even. Apparently, she'd fallen asleep holding him.

She had saved Niles' life many times before, given him hope during the darkest times in his former marriages. Sometimes it seemed as if her love was all that held him together. Here in her arms, he felt safe. If anything could keep his heart going, it would be her presence. Realizing that, he began to give in to sleep. It was OK. He had no doubt that he'd be here to see her wake up. There might never be a guarantee of what the future might hold, but he had the present, and he could never ask for more than that.

The End