A/N Many thanks to Kristen and Melinda for their encouragement when I experienced a horrible case of writer's block while trying to write this story!
The atmosphere was festive as the party guests sang, laughed and mingled, but Daphne's heart just wasn't in it.
She looked over at Frasier and Martin, who were enthusiastically singing Christmas carols and her eyes met with Donny's. He was playing the piano, leading them all in a rousing version of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."
Abruptly the playing stopped and he smiled at her.
"Hey, honey! Come over here and join us!" he called. "We could use some more voices!"
Frasier raised his glass and smiled. "That sounds like an excellent idea! Join us!"
With an exasperated sigh, she quickly looked away, pretending that she hadn't heard. Although she loved Donny, she just couldn't deal with him right now; not after her entire world had been turned upside down.
She was getting married in mere months; a fact that she still couldn't get used to. Donny was a dear and wonderful man and she cherished the moments they had spent together.
She should be happy; blissful, even. But instead she was confused, apprehensive and more than a little scared.
Until just a few days ago, her life was wonderful. She was proud to be Donny's finance and couldn't wait to spend the rest of her life as Mrs. Donny Douglas.
But now everything was different. It was funny, how one small moment could change a person's life forever.
After all, it wasn't every day that a woman finds out that her best friend was in love with her.
She'd never thought of Niles in any other way except a wonderful friend, and through the years that they'd known each other; they'd grown closer and closer.
He was always there for her; ready to listen when she had come home from yet another bad date with a new man, or when she needed to vent about her mother's constant nagging or an argument that she'd gotten into over the phone with one of her brothers.
Frasier and Martin had long sense tired of her stories about her family and about her adventures as a girl in Manchester, making any excuse possible to leave the room whenever she started talking.
But not Dr. Niles Crane. He sat and listened; his eyes full of marvel at the way she spoke, giving every detail of her childhood.
It was only when Frasier was delusional from his back pain medication that she finally learned the truth. It was scary enough, thinking that her boss might be in love with her, but when she confronted him about his feelings for her, she got the shock of a lifetime.
And days later, she still couldn't believe that it was possible.
"When I said to your father 'Dr. Crane's in love with me.' he said it's been going on for six years now. What did he mean by that?" She'd asked Frasier as she massaged his aching back.
"Oh that... He meant Niles."
"Wh-what?"
"Niles... He's crazy about you!"
She shuddered, remembering how her insides had gone cold, unable to believe what she was hearing.
No... It wasn't possible. It couldn't be. He'd never so much as hinted...
But when she returned to her room to get ready for Eddie's birthday party, she found that she couldn't concentrate. Her every thought was filled with those of Dr. Crane's brother.
When her eyes landed on the picture of Niles, Frasier, Martin and Eddie that sat on her dresser, she picked it up and ran her finger over the glass frame. At the sight of Niles' sparkling blue eyes, she felt her heart skip a beat; something that never happened when she was with Donny. It was then that she realized just how handsome her boss's brother was.
Just looking at his picture conjured up a million memories; His warm hugs, the kindness he had shown her, the way he complimented her perfume or her clothing; the way she caught him glancing at her just a little too long; Frasier's blatant attempts to divert Niles' attention away from her; the sadness in Niles' eyes as he watched Donny lower himself to one knee and promise her the stars.
And suddenly it all fell into place. How could she not have known?
She was so deep in thought that she barely heard Frasier speaking to her.
"Daphne, can you get that?"
She looked up, blinking in surprise. "What?"
"The door, Daphne!"
"Oh... of course."
Normally she'd be annoyed at Frasier's harsh tone and apparent exasperation, but tonight she was grateful for the distraction.
When she heisted a moment too long, she heard Frasier's voice again; harsher this time.
"Daphne, the door? I hate to keep Niles and Mel waiting."
At the mention of his brother's name, the familiar uncertainty filled her once more and she swallowed hard, fighting to keep her tears at bay.
Her chest was heavy with anxiety when she crossed the room and went to the door.
It shouldn't bother her that Niles had found someone new. In fact, she'd told him time and time again how happy she was for him, to which he'd hugged her warmly. She could tell right away that Martin and Frasier weren't happy with his choice of companions, but she could tell that he was in love... and that's all that mattered.
Finding someone that you care about so deeply wasn't something that happened every day and Niles was finally free from Maris. She'd never seen him so happy before.
She took a deep breath, determined not to let the ridiculous tears that filled her eyes fall, but it was impossible to ignore the pounding of her heart.
However, no matter what anyone's opinion of Mel may be, Daphne owed it to herself to be as polite as possible. Niles had certainly done the same for her when he saw her with Donny.
He was the most gracious and kind man she'd ever known.
With trembling fingers, she thrust the door open. When their eyes met, she was sure that he could hear the beating of her heart; or the gasp in her throat as her breath was taken away.
He was devastatingly handsome in his dark blue suit and olive green tie. For a moment she felt like a girl in Manchester, coming face to face with a boy she'd admired from afar for the first time.
His eyes sparkled, like the waves of the bluest ocean and she had to fight to keep from getting lost in them. As she stared at him, she realized there were so many things about him that she'd never noticed before; the way his hair, once blonde had deepened into a shade of light brown which made him appear even more handsome.
"H-hello, Dr. Crane." She said holding the door open for him.
His eyes met hers and she braced herself for the heart-warming smile that was sure to follow.
But something was wrong. The smile never came and his eyes that usually lit up when he saw her were filled with pain.
And it was only then that she realized that he was alone.
