"The gardens."

"What's that?"

"My next 'first'. I've never been to the Botanical Gardens, Dr. Crane."

Daphne and Niles were standing outside his apartment at the Montana. "You haven't?" She shook her head. "Well then, you're going to love it. I'll be your tour guide." He opened the door, ushering her inside.

"I'd like that."

He smiled placing the numerous shopping bags, both his and hers, on the fainting couch. "Let's take a breather before we head out again," he suggested. "But we're taking my car this time."

"Agreed." She sat next to him, noticing the bag from the lingerie store and taking out the night gown. "It really is pretty, isn't it?"

Not again. "Very." He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, unable to tear his eyes away from the gown.

"Someday Dr. Crane," she sighed, "this little frock will be put to use. The man, whoever he is, will come home and find the pace dimly lit with candles, maybe soft music-"

"...fruit on a platter..." he continued.

"...champagne..."

"...a massage-"

"That I'll provide," she added. "Then I'll take your hand-"

"And lead you-" his breath caught in his throat.

"Upstairs," she finished, picturing the scene with...Dr. Crane. Daphne cleared her throat, snapping out of whatever it was that possessed her to say such things to her friend. "So, how about the...um...uh...gardens?"

"Y-yeah," he stuttered. "Let's get going."

They stood at the same time, blatantly trying to avoid making any physical contact. But that brilliant plan failed miserably when they clumsily bumped into each other and their faces nearly collided.

"Ladies first," he gestured.

They walked out of the Montana with faces as red as beets.

OooooooOooooooO

For the first twenty awkward minutes of their drive, neither spoke a word or even dared to look at each other. Despite the embarrassment, Daphne couldn't stop thinking about doing all those things together. The idea intrigued her and suddenly it didn't seem like such a bad thing.

It was a day of "firsts" after all.

The thought of it made Daphne blush, leading to a fit of giggles she couldn't control. Niles turned in her direction, confused by her laughter. Soon they were both laughing hysterically at what had happened back at the Montana. It was their unspoken way of apologizing and cutting the tension that nearly ruined the day.

As soon as they arrived at the Botanical Gardens, Daphne was immediately struck by the majestic scenery before her.

"It's beautiful!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

As promised Niles acted as her tour guide; he led her through different areas of the gardens, naming one by one the varieties of flowers and trees that covered the grounds. Rhodies, pink fawn lilies and lady slippers were some of the native plants Niles pointed out during their tour. Daphne listened fascinated as he explained in detail the names, origins and blooming seasons of the individual flowers.

"How do you know so much?" she asked.

"I've done my share of research since I've been coming here. I like to know what I'm looking at." She nodded in agreement.

For the remainder of their visit, Niles and Daphne walked in silence as they enjoyed the rest of what the gardens had to offer. For years she'd been meaning to visit the Botanical Gardens but never got around to it. She always thought of it as a place one should visit accompanied by a friend or perhaps a boyfriend.

Even though their "date" was purely platonic, Daphne started to wish that for just a second she and Niles could be something more. She always felt comfortable around him. Seeing him so relaxed, so carefree and charming, made her look at him in a whole new light. I can't believe that after six years I'm beginning to...no! But it's funny how time flies.

"Speaking of time," he stated as they stepped outside.

"Who's speaking of time?" she teased. Although it was strange how Niles guessed she'd been thinking about time at that precise moment.

"What's next?"

"By my count, it's your turn, Dr. Crane."

"Oh, right." He thought for a moment trying to pick the next "first" from his list, until a neon sign caught his attention. "Karaoke."

"Beg your pardon?" she asked confused.

"I've never sung karaoke. Most of my so-called friends thought it was gauche but why not try it?"

"Come to think of it, I've never tried it either."

Niles looked down at his watch. "Since we're doing karaoke next, why don't we first grab a bite to eat at that little sidewalk cafe next to the bar?"

"Fine by me. I don't know about you but me feet are killing me."

"I can carry you," he offered, suppressing a giggle. "I can be like a sherpa...minus the mountain climbing experience."

She laughed, giving him a playful slap on the wrist. "Come on you loon, I'm hungry.

Daphne and Niles got some much needed rest during their hour long sit and meal at the Treiner Brother's sidewalk cafe. Having been on their feet for most of the day, a hearty meal and a comfy chair was just what they needed to replenish their strength.

"So, when did you first see Breakfast?" she inquired.

"I read the book when I was nine years old."

"I was 14."

"I was in my mother's study browsing through the bookshelf when this white paperback fell out as I pulled out another book. At first I just put it back on the shelf dismissing it as a children's book because it was so small and thin. Then I got a good look at the title and immediately thought it was some sort of cookbook. BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S doesn't exactly strike you as the name of a best-selling novel. From a very young age -and yes I'm aware nine is young enough- haute cuisine had always been an interest of mine so I took the book thinking it would provide me with recipes for cooking breakfast someday. I opened it and started reading but I quickly realized it wasn't a cookbook. Yet, the opening paragraph was so eloquently written that I couldn't put it down. At first I was hesitant about letting mother know I'd taken it because I thought it was a girl's book. I also never took it to school because I was picked on to begin with and this book would only fuel the fire."

"When did you tell your mother?"

"She found it in my desk at home."

"How did she react?"

"Her only question was why I hid it from her. After I told her my reasons she assured me that that book was for anyone who loved to read. Male or female." He paused for a drink of water. "I didn't take it to school, though. As a precaution."

"Wise," she said.

"How about you, Daphne? How did you discover it?"

"Like I said, I was 14 and I had this American friend at school. We were inseparable and would spend most afternoons doing our schoolwork or just having fun. Simone -that's her name- had a beautiful antique bookcase in her room. It was filled with all kinds of books but there was one in particular that looked like she'd never opened it. The spine didn't have a single line of wear. Every once in a while I would take it out and read bits and pieces of it because I was curious. I always thought I was subtle about it but she did notice. Before she left England, because her family was moving back, Simone gave me the book as a farewell gift. She also wrote a message on the inside cover about how much our friendship meant to her, among other things. It was lovely and sad. When I got home that day, I started reading it and simply fell in love with it." He nodded in agreement. "I didn't see the film until much later because I didn't know there was a film version of it."

"I didn't either until mother let me know," Niles added.

"And now here we are, reenacting a scene from it...sort of," she mused.

"I have to say, I'm really enjoying myself."

"Let's go to our next 'first' then," she said.

"Bit of a warning, though; I may not know some of the songs they play."
She laughed. "Don't worry about that. It's what karaoke is about. Just have fun with it."