The memory faded and Niles realized that he was still holding the business card in his hand. He returned to his chair and sat down, handing the card to Mr. Peterson. "Here's my card. Call me, day or night. I'll meet you at my office or we can talk on the phone."

Mr. Peterson hesitated but took the card from Niles' hand. "Th-thank you." He stammered.

When Mr. Peterson left, Niles was grateful that he still had the rest of the day free. It was, after all, December 31st, New Year's Eve, and he was very much looking forward to spending the evening with Daphne.


It wasn't a date; not in the traditional sense. In fact, he and Daphne weren't dating at all. But when he'd presented her with a blue sapphire necklace as a Christmas gift, her wonderful reaction (a hug and a kiss; not on his cheek but on his lips, accompanied by a few tears of gratitude), provided him with the perfect opportunity to tell her how he felt. And it was even more perfect that he'd managed to gather his courage as they were standing under the mistletoe.

She hesitated at first, and for that he couldn't blame her. But then her arms went around his neck, and her lips touched his for the softest, most wonderful kiss he could have ever imagined.

"That was nice, wasn't it?" She said as she drew back. "Merry Christmas, Dr. Crane."

"Um, Daphne, there's something…"

"Yes?"

"Daphne… I…"

She laughed. "Dr. Crane, what is it? You seem nervous."

"I-I am nervous."

"You don't have to be nervous around me. I'm your friend."

"Yes, I know… and for that I am truly grateful. But Daphne, what if…"

"Yes?"

"What if I told you that I want to be more than your friend?"

Her eyes widened and she drew back. "What are you saying?"

He swallowed hard. "I'm saying… or trying to say that I love you, Daphne. I've been in love with you since the moment we first met and I want…"

Her answer wasn't at all what he'd expected. She started to cry and threw her arms around him, kissing his cheek and then his lips. "I love you too, Dr. Crane."

He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Y-You do? You mean…"

"Now wait a minute, before you get all excited, let me explain."

His eyebrows rose in confusion. "Explain?"

"I do love you and I've always loved you, the way I love your brother ad your father. But I'm just not ready for… more than friendship. I've never even given it a thought really."

Feeling dejected, his shoulders slumped. "Of course…"

Her hand cradled his cheeks turning his face toward hers. "That doesn't mean that it can never be. It just means… Dr. Crane, will you come to your brother's and spend New Year's Eve with me?"