Dancing In The Rain by Patrick Councilor
Author's Note: Dedicated to Andrea "ILoveRomance". Your works are great inspirations and your friendship is a true treasure.
[ Scrambled Eggs and No Tossed Salad ]
Her beautiful mahogany eyes stared back into his. The pulse of his heart beat, he could feel through his entire body. It warmed his skin. It was like nothing could bring his skin to a chill at this moment. Nothing at all. He loved coming home to her. After all these years, everything still seemed brand new.
"What is that funny little grin all about," she whispered from her lips that were less than an inch from his. She could feel his breath on her lips and it was intoxicating.
"I was just thinking…" He brought his lips to hers for a quick kiss. "How wonderful our relationship is?"
She gave him a quick kiss back. "Go on. I'm all ears."
"Frasier called the other day and asked how we get along so well."
"He did?" she asked, looking ever so longingly into his eyes. "What did you tell him."
"I told him the truth. Sometimes we do get into small arguments just so we can make up."
She smiled at that. "You think so?"
"I do."
She kissed him again. "I think so too."
"I love you Daphne Crane."
"And I love you Niles Crane."
Their lips met gently like a whispering breeze so welcome on a hot summer day.
"Would you care for some more wine?"
"Yes… Yes, I would," he said without taking his eyes off of her. "It goes so well with the chocolate covered strawberries."
She poured.
"What is the name of this wine?"
"It's Apothic."
"Let me see," he asked. He took the bottle. "Apothic Crush ~ Limited Release." He turned the bottle to read the back label. "A blend of petite Sirah and Pinot Noir to create luscious aromas of caramel and chocolate." He turned back to her. "It really is quite splendid."
She looked longingly into his eyes and stoked his hair. "We go together like caramel and chocolate."
"I agree." His smile faded. "I have something I have to tell you."
Her smile never faded. "You can tell me anything."
"What if I told you that I had to leave here?"
Her smile expectantly grew larger. She reached out and touched his cheek. "I will follow you anywhere."
"I love you so much," he told her. He reached out for her and pulled back a pillow. "What?" He opened his eyes. He had just awoke from a deep slumber. He reached out again, but Daphne's part of the bed was empty. Where was that beautiful woman of his? He rolled over to sit on the edge of the bed. He slipped his feet into his slippers and donned his robe. That's when he caught the wonderful smell of bacon jaunting through the house.
He went down stairs to find the kids in their seats, David in his booster seat and Lynda in her high-chair. There were plates of scrambled eggs, orange juice, toast, and bacon. "Wow! What's going on down here?"
"Daddy!" David called out.
"Da-da-da-da", Lynda tried her best to call to him.
"You look like knights at the round table with quite a feast set before you." He kissed David on the head and then went over to lift Lynda's face to kiss her cheek.
"I Oh Ou," Lynda said.
Niles smiled. Life just doesn't get any better. "I love you too." He found the newspaper neatly folded and carefully placed beside his place setting.
Daphne came in from the kitchen with breakfast cinnamon rolls in a basket covered with a cloth. "Good morning, love."
He grabbed her and gave her a big kiss. "Good morning, my love. What is the big occasion?"
"What occasion? We always have breakfast together."
"Yes, but it's usually cereal or hot oats."
She smiled.
"What is it?" he asked as he took his seat. He knew that it wasn't a special occasion. He had those all memorized.
"There's a light evening rain tomorrow."
He took up the paper and unfolded it. "This is Seattle. It always rains." Then he stopped and shot her a look. He smiled. "No."
She smiled. "Yes."
"Really? That would be splendid," there was excitement in his voice.
"Whot Mommy?" David asked as he shoveled eggs into his mouth, getting them all down his bib as he did.
Daphne put the rolls down on the table and took her seat. "Well, you see David, Daddy and Mommy went dancing in the rain when we started dating."
"Right out there in front of the café," Niles added.
"Now, at least once a year, your fatha and I relive the moment by making a night of it."
"Can I go, Momma?" David asked.
"I go bye-bye," his little sister chimed in.
It made Niles and Daphne laugh. "I'm sorry. This is just for Mommy and Daddy," Niles announced. "How about we celebrate with the whole family tonight by going to McDonald's?" He cringed at the thought of eating fast food, but it made his kids so happy.
"Do-ads!" Lynda called out as a victory yell as she lifted her spoon into the air.
"That's right." Niles leaned over and kissed his daughter's nose. "Donald's!"
"I'll call and make reservations at the Pink Door. You call Dad and Mum and ask if they can babysit," Daphne said.
"Sure thing, my love." He looked around the table. "Daphne, did you make any coffee?"
"No, sorry. I thought you would want to pick some up at Nervosa on the way to work."
He smiled and gave her a wink. "You know me all too well, don't you?"