Author's Note: I'm still working on my plan to give some Christmas present stories to the wonderful friends I've met on this site, butt I decided to do this story without dedicating it to anyone. It's based on a a real-life experience. I never expected the story to be this long, but you know how it is! Happy holidays, everyone! :)

"Me husband's going to love this," Daphne said to the cashier as she placed the expensive bottle of wine on the counter.

"I'm sure he will, Mrs. Crane. Dr. Crane's been asking for weeks when we would get a shipment of this vintage. Believe me, you definitely got the perfect Christmas gift!"

Daphne blushed. "Well, Niles and I have such different interests, it's hard to know what to buy him. Luckily, me brother-in-law knows a thing or two about wine, and I did a bit of research online." Just as Daphne handed over her credit card, she glanced out the window in the shop's front door. There was no mistaking the man approaching. "Bloody hell. That's Niles. He can't see me here!"

"Don't panic, Mrs. Crane. Just hide in there, and I'll take care of him." The cashier pointed toward the small office located at the back of the store.

Without a word, Daphne nodded gratefully at the young man, then quickly left the room.

"Good afternoon, James," Niles said as he entered his favorite specialty wine shop. "Do you have anything for me?"

"No, I'm afraid we don't. Just the usual bottles that I know you already have."

Niles let out a frustrated sigh. "How can this be? I read on the internet this morning that you had gotten a shipment of that rare wine that I've been looking for for weeks!"

"We did, but I'm afraid you're late, Dr. Crane. Someone just bought the last of it a few minutes ago."

"I've been a loyal patron of this shop for years, and this is how I'm treated?!" Niles felt his blood pressure skyrocket. "This is an outrage. You do know that I'm a well-respected member of Seattle's largest wine club, right? Shouldn't that mean something?"

For a moment, James considered telling Dr. Crane the truth. He'd never expected this reaction. But he thought of poor Mrs. Crane, wanting so desperately to do something special for her husband. He couldn't ruin her surprise. "I'm sorry, Dr. Crane, but you never reserved a bottle. We had to sell on a first-come, first-serve basis. That's how it works."

Niles saw that he wasn't getting anywhere. "Well, if that's how you do business, then I guess I'll be finding a new wine shop. Luckily, there's more than one in Seattle." With that, Niles angrily left the store.

Daphne waited till she was sure the coast was clear before emerging from her hiding spot. "I never thought he'd get that angry over a bottle of wine!"

"Neither did I!" James agreed. "I hated lying to him like that, but I know how important this was to you. Dr. Crane's a good customer, and you seem like a nice person. You deserve to have a nice Christmas."

Daphne smiled as she once again handed over her credit card. "Well, thank you. You have a good holiday as well." She squeezed James' hand before leaving.