Author's Note: Thanks once again to Anika (BaronessBlixen) for allowing me to continue her story, "Dial M for Marriage Proposal." I'm pretty pleased w/ how this sequel has turned out so far. :) Thanks also to Leigh Ann (leighann415) for reading my drafts of this!
Daphne emerged from her room. "Well, I'm all ready for me date." She'd never really thought of the younger Dr. Crane in a romantic sense, but she found herself looking forward to going out with him. Still, she tried not to read too much into it. After all, this was just a date. Once they were out together, he might decide they didn't really have chemistry. She pushed aside these thoughts as she stood in front of Mr. Crane, awaiting his approval on the dress she'd chosen.
Martin looked her over. Her simple black dress was perfect, classy, yet it showed off her figure. He knew immediately that Niles would love her in it. But then, he loved anything she wore. "I'm glad you're giving Niles a chance, Daph." Martin nodded at her, letting her know she looked fine.
"Well, it's the least I could do after he asked me to marry him!" she laughed. She still couldn't believe he'd done that. It had taken her completely by surprise. But it was flattering to know he cared that much. Just then, there was a knock at the door. Daphne felt her heart skip a beat as she went to answer it. She opened the door to find Niles there, dressed in a tux. In his hand, he held a bouquet of flowers. "Here," he said, holding them out to her.
"Oh, aren't you sweet?" Daphne said as she accepted them. "I'll go put these in some water." Niles nodded. Daphne rushed off to the kitchen, quickly placing the flowers in a vase and returning almost immediately.
When Daphne came back into the room, Niles finally had a chance to see her outfit in full. "You look beautiful."
She blushed. "Thanks. You look handsome in your tuxedo as well."
Martin watched the two from his usual chair. Already he could see this would be a night his younger son would never forget. After so much heartbreak from Maris, Niles definitely deserved to be happy for once. Silently, he prayed that this would be the start of that happiness for both of them.