Suppressed Niles by Pat Councilor

Martin hurried into the room just as fast as his cane would take him. "Oh, I didn't mean to interrupt," he said in a very unconvincing way of concern and without slowing his momentum. "Niles can I see you in the kitchen."

"Sure Dad." Niles stood right away and headed for the kitchen, but the old man with the cane still beat him there.

Martin let him have it, when Niles stepped away from the kitchen door, "What the hell are you thinking?"

"I… I don't know. I've always picture the perfect night… perfect setting and the perfect moment. Perhaps it's the décor of the apartment. Did you notice that dreadful excuse for African art?"

"Niles, pull yourself together. You've got a wife that is willing to rent an apartment for a day and furnish it just to give you a chance to experience something you feel that you missed out on. The perfect moment… the perfect night. You have that every night you spend it with someone that loves you that much. I tell you, there are probably less than one percent of people on this planet that get a second chance like this and you're a fool not to take it. I love you son, but all of this is ridiculous to me. You two have exactly what you want. You don't need to be concerned with the smallest of details that helped you get to the greatest things in your life."

Niles looked at the flooring. Suddenly, he felt an inch tall. "You're right Dad."

"Daph went to so much trouble. Now go out there and tell her what you need to say and what she needs to hear." He hugged him. "I love you son."

"I love you too."

Martin headed for the kitchen doorway. "I'm going home to Ronee."

Niles turned to him. "Thanks Dad… for everything."

He smiled back at him. "Anytime Niles."

Martin tried to make something up as he headed to retrieve his coat. "Daphne, I'm going to go see how well Frasier's date is going." He waved his hand in the air as if he realized that he messed that excuse up. He closed the apartment door behind him.

Niles slowly exited the kitchen. Daphne looked as if she was about to cry. He cleared his throat. "Daphne, could I have another word with you?"

She nodded. He went over and squatted down in front of where she was sitting. He took her hands in his. "Daphne, there's something I've been waiting to tell you for a very long time."

"Yes, Dr. Crane?"

"I can't stop thinking of you."

A tear made its way down her cheek.

He went on, "When I see you, you take my breath away."

She gasped for air and her hands trembled inside his trembling hands.

He looked longingly into her tearing eyes. "What I'm trying to say is… Daphne I love you. I've always loved you."

She started bawling and hugged him like she was holding on to dear life.

Finally, she pulled back, but kept her arms around him. They stayed there with their foreheads touching. "I love you too, Doctor Crane." Her tears dropped between them and even a tear from Niles' cheek dropped as well.

He smiled. "You can start calling me Niles now."

"I love you Niles." She pressed her lips into his.

"Thank you so much for doing this. You went to so much trouble. You are the greatest wife."

"Wife?" she said in an accusing way. "Doctor Crane, let's take this slow."

They held each other and laughed.

They went over to the couch and sat together with her head on his shoulder. "I think we don't need to worry about taking it slow," he said, "since you are carrying my child."

She laughed.

"So Frasier's old apartment…" he started to ask.

"It's currently rented." She sat up and looked deeply into his eyes. "I love you Dr. Crane."

"And I love you Mrs. Crane."

She slowly brought her lips to his and their hearts ran wild.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'd like to greatly thank Andrea (Merry Christmas Andrea!) for getting me to write again and all of you who read this. I'd also like to give a special thanks for all who have left a review.