As she turned to leave, her heart began to race. She had no idea what was in store for her, but she was nervous just the same. However, she had no time to ponder any of it, because at that moment, the doorbell rang. She gasped in surprise and her rapidly beating heart seemed to stop, if only for a second.
"He's here..."
"I'll get it." Frasier announced.
"No, it's all right. I will." Daphne said. But just as she reached the foyer, Frasier gently took a hold of her arm. "Daphne…"
They stared at one another for a moment before he spoke again.
"Yes, Dr. Crane?"
"Are you sure about this? Are you really sure?"
She thought for a moment. "No, actually I'm not sure about it. He's my best friend, you know and he's also your brother. But after all we've been through… I want to try."
To her relief he smiled. "All right, well… Niles is a good man. He'll take care of you."
She hugged Frasier warmly. "Thank you. I know he will. And I promise I'll take care of him."
"Daphne, I-."
"Frasier, just… let her answer the door, all right?"
Daphne smiled gratefully at Martin, who was glaring at Frasier from his chair.
"Dad, I'm just trying to-."
"I know, son. And I'm sure that Daphne appreciates it, but they know what they're doing, so leave them alone, okay?"
Frasier smiled at Daphne. "I'm sorry. Dad's right."
She squeezed Frasier's hand. "Thank you."
The doorbell rang again, making Daphne's heart beat faster.
"Is someone gonna answer the damn door or are you going to let him stand in the hallway all night?"
Frasier looked at Daphne and when their eyes locked, she smiled. "We'll be fine, I promise."
"Maybe I'd better let you…"
"All right." She walked to the door and opened it. The sight of him standing there made her heart flutter yet again. "Hello Niles. I'm sorry for taking so long. It's just-."
His eyes moved approvingly up and down her body. "It's all right. I was afraid that you might have-."
She moved forward and kissed him softly on the lips. "No, I would never forget or change my mind. Your brother was just-."
"Frasier-."
"Its fine, Niles. I'm happy for you. And for Daphne. I wish you both the best."
Niles held out his hand. "Thank you Frasier."
"Well, I'd better get some work done. Dad, do you-."
Martin rose from his chair. "Oh yeah, that's right. I have that… thing I have to do. Come on Eddie. Have a good time, kids. "
The little dog scampered behind his owner, leaving Niles and Daphne alone in the living room.
She turned to Niles and smiled at the way his eyes were moving approvingly up and down her body. "Daphne, you look…" His voice trailed away, and he blushed, making her smile at the unspoken compliment.
He looked wonderful too, in a crisp white dress shirt, a cream colored blazer and dark pants. It was an ensemble that she'd never seen him wear before and she liked it. She liked it very much.
"Well, aren't you sweet? You look very handsome as well. Is that a new tie?"
He looked down at his chest and then his eyes met hers. "Um, yes… actually. Yes it is. I just bought it-."
She took the end of his tie in her hands, running her fingers gently down the blue and green satin material. "It's beautiful." She replied. "The blue matches your eyes."
"Thank you, Daphne."
In the silence that followed it was she who looked him up and down. He really was handsome, even more so than any man she'd ever dated before. And she wished that it hadn't taken her so long to notice how wonderful he really was.
"Daphne?"
Startled by the unexpected sound of his voice (and the fact that she still held his tie in her hands), she looked up. "What?"
"I was asking if you're ready to go."
"Oh… yes. I'm sorry, what's wrong with me?"
"Nothing. Nothing at all. You're perfect."
Her cheeks flushed. "Niles…"
"I-I mean it, Daphne. You're-."
"Let me get my purse and we can go."
"Where are you kids headed?" Martin called from the hallway.
Niles and Daphne looked at each other in embarrassment.
"Oh..." Daphne began. "I guess we hadn't really discussed that, had we?"
"No, I guess we didn't."
"I'm sorry Niles. I guess I was so excited about our date that it didn't even occur to me where we'd go. But you have excellent taste, so wherever you like is fine."
He smiled at her thoughtfully. "Actually Daphne, you know, technically you asked me out tonight, so why don't you choose the place?"
For what seemed like the hundredth time, Niles had surprised her.
"Are you sure that you want me to choose where we go on our date?" It just didn't seem possible.
"Of course. After all, it's only fair. You did the asking. But if it makes you uncomfortable-."
"Not at all, I just wasn't expecting this."
"I trust you."
She reached for his hand and brought it to her lips. "That means more to me than you'll ever know."
"Shall we, then?"
"I'd love to." She turned to Frasier and Martin who were standing in the hallway, watching them. Normally she'd find their presence a bit intrusive but under the circumstances, she enjoyed their presence.
"I'll see you both later, all right? I promise I won't be home too late!"
Martin and Frasier chuckled.
"I'll take good care of her." Niles promised, kissing Daphne's cheek.
"You'd better!" Martin scolded, giving Niles a mock glare.
"Have a good time." Frasier called to them.
"Thank you, we will." Daphne said.
Minutes later, still holding onto Niles' hand, Daphne led him out of the condo. She could hardly wait to see what the night had in store for them.