Chapter 3

Cake

Frasier was dreading today. It was his birthday, and the entire station was throwing him a party, despite his specific instructions for them not to make a big deal. He just knew Roz was behind it. She knew he didn't want a fuss, and she did it anyway. That was just like her!

He didn't even try to act surprised when they appeared from underneath his and Roz's booths. He merely said in a deadpan voice, "Oh, I'm so surprised."

It would have been great if they would have let him get straight with his show, but Roz wouldn't hear of it.

"Come on, Frasier! You've gotta have the cake!"

Frasier didn't want one of those store-bought cakes they had at every station party, and he resented Roz for making him do this. He sighed and urged them on; it wasn't like they were going to go away.

"Close your eyes," Roz ordered.

"Roz…"

"Do it."

"That's what she tells all the guys," Bulldog laughed; he ended up with a smack to his gut.

Frasier closed his eyes, hoping for this moment to be over quickly. He had a show to do, and he hoped they would let him go once he made his wish and blew out the candles.

"Okay, open them!" Roz announced, and slowly, Frasier opened his eyes, expecting the worse.

However, instead of seeing the frozen Sara Lee cake that everybody got on his or her birthday, there was a German chocolate cake sitting on his desk. It looked freshly baked.

"Roz?" he asked uncertainty.

She was grinning. "I know you don't like the parties, and I know you don't like those cakes, so I made you one."

Frasier didn't know what to say. All he could do was stare at the cake in awe.

"It's probably not as great as those fancy cakes you and Niles eat, but I really wanted to make this special for you."

Frasier finally tore his eyes off the cake and turned to smile at her. "Roz, this is so thoughtful. Thank you." He got up from his chair and hugged her. He truly was grateful to have someone like Roz in his life.

"Okay, okay!" Bulldog yelled. "Hug any tighter, and you might as well get a room."

Frasier pulled away from Roz to glare at Bulldog. "Fine, who wants cake?"

Frasier sank the knife into the cake and began serving out the slices. As he had handed Roz hers, their eyes met, and they shared a soft smile.