Daphne breathed a sigh of relief as she made her way home from a long day of errands. It was only when she got into the car that she realized how late it had become. It was much later than she intended to be away from home and arriving home late meant that the hundreds of other chores and errands she needed to do for Frasier would be postponed yet again, thus forcing her to work twice as hard. She knew that she shouldn't complain. After all, when she was hired as Martin's physical therapist, her life changed in so many ways and the most wonderful change was falling in love with Frasier's brother.
If anyone had told her that she would end up falling in love with a man who was the complete opposite in intellect, style and tastes she never would have believed them. Now she realized that leaving Manchester England and coming to Seattle, Washington was the best thing that had ever happened to her. But despite all of her happiness, it was difficult to ignore the feeling of annoyance deep inside. Extra work also meant more nagging from Frasier, who, although she loved him, always had to have things just so.
She realized, when she pulled out her key to unlock the door, that her late arrival was not the fault of Frasier, but her own. And she had a very good reason for arriving home late, despite the opinion of the sophisticated Dr. Frasier Crane.
It was supposed to be a simple trip to West Seattle to check out a brand-new gourmet deli that Frasier had talked continuously about for days. And Martin and Daphne were at their wits end, hearing about it. Her mind trailed back to the day before when Frasier finally managed to drive both Daphne and Martin mad with his constant drivel.
Bless Mr. Crane for finally speaking up.
"Aw geez, Fras, if it's that fancy of a place, why don't you get your butt in your car and drive yourself down there? Check it out?"
Frasier glared at his father as though Martin had asked him to buy a cat as a companion for Eddie. "Dad, please! I can't just waltz in there without a care in the world! These things have to be done carefully and precisely! First I have to make sure-."
"Oh bloody hell, I'll go!" Daphne yelled, unable to take any more. "Just… tell me where it is and I'll swing by there on me way home! I can even take pictures if you like! Or better yet, I can buy something in there!"
Frasier gasped in disbelief. "Really Daphne? You'd do that for me?"
"Yes, if it will get you to shut up about the place!" She snapped. "Just give me the address and I'll go there tomorrow!"
Immediately she was engulfed in a surprising hug. "Thank you Daphne. You have no idea what this means to me! And I promise to make it up to you in a big way!"
She pulled out of his arms and looked at him skeptically. "You will?"
"Yes, absolutely."
"Well… All right then. But I'm holding you to that promise, you understand?"
"Of course, Daphne. I meant what I said."
"Okay, then. I'll go tomorrow. Will there be anything else?"
"No thank you, Daphne. That will be all. If I think of something else, I'll let you know."
"Gee thanks." She mumbled under her breath. With a roll of her eyes, Daphne went off to her room eager to get away from her boss, if only for a little while.
The next morning she left early right after breakfast and jumped into her car en route to West Seattle. What was supposed to be a short visit to the coveted gourmet deli turned into an ordeal as she took out the long list of questions that Frasier had insisted that she ask and carefully jotted down the answers from the exasperated employee.
When she was finally able to leave, she was completely spent. As she pulled onto the freeway, something caught her eye; the sign for the popular beach that overlooked the Seattle skyline; Alki Beach. A walk on the shore was just what she needed.