"My gift does not come from some fancy store, all wrapped in glittery paper. My gift comes from my heart. Tonight I intend to sit each one of you down and tell you in my own words exactly how much you mean to me."
Like a bad memory, Frasier's words came back, reminding Niles once more of how grateful he was that his family had managed to convince his brother to change his mind. A relaxing massage like this one was so much better than listening to Frasier bestowing praise up his family. Praise that, no doubt, wouldn't be repeated until next Christmas Eve.
A gift from the heart indeed! Preposterous!
Or perhaps it wasn't so preposterous.
He closed his eyes and as if on cue, an image of the most beautiful angel ever to grace the earth filled his head...
Daphne Moon.
Never in a million years did he dream that someone as perfect as she would ever come into his life. And he would give all the money and possessions he owned if she were to tell him that she loved him in return.
But who was he kidding? It would never happen. As much as he'd come to despise his ex-wife, here hurtful words still resonated in his ears.
"You'll never find someone who loves you, Niles. You're just not the type of person who's capable of being loved. I was only doing you a favor, posing as your wife for twelve miserable years."
Tears stung his eyes, for the words couldn't have hurt more if she had slapped him across the face.
"Niles, don't be ridiculous! Of course you're capable of being loved! You just haven't found the right woman!"
His brother's reassuring words returned followed by memories of the comforting embrace. But Frasier simply didn't understand. Niles had already found the right woman. In fact, he'd loved her from afar for years.
Surely Frasier didn't think that the many visits Niles paid to the Elliot Bay Towers were to see him and his father. Niles loved his family but he just couldn't seem to stay away from Daphne.
And when he returned home, he lie awake in his bed, alone, missing his angel so badly that it pained his heart.
Was it really so wrong to love her?
His history of shyness when it came to talking to women hadn't helped.
But perhaps Frasier's words were meant as a sign.
And maybe, just maybe on this night-Christmas Eve-the most beautiful of all nights-he could find the courage to say the words that he'd wanted to say for so long. And give the goddess Daphne Moon, the gift of his love.