He swallowed hard, looking as though he was about to cry, concerning her once again. He was much more emotional than she'd ever seen him. "Dr. Crane… I hope I didn't upset you, by buying you something so extravagant."

"No… it's perfect, Daphne. It will look wonderful right over here on the fireplace mantel."

Daphne smiled and looked around the room. "Your apartment is lovely, Dr. Crane. It's been a long time since I've been here and I'd forgotten how lovely it really is."

"Thank you, Daphne. I'm quite proud of it even if I am here alone."

She reached for his hand and smiled. "You're not alone, Dr. Crane. I'm your friend and I'll always be here for you, no matter what. Now… why don't you open your other present?"

"Daphne…"

"Please?"

He reached for the tall slender gift bag and gasped as he removed the bottle of wine. "Daphne, Dear God, this is…. How did you possibly…."

"I hope it's the brand you like. Your brother wasn't home but I looked through his wine collection and just picked one at random. I recognized the label when I saw it at the store. I can return it if you like."

"Nonsense. This is…."

"Well I'm glad you like it, Dr.-."

Her breath caught in her throat as she found herself the recipient of the warmest most gentle hug imaginable l. She leaned into his embrace, enjoying the feeling of being in his arms more than she should have. And after a long moment, she drew back.

"I…. We should probably eat so that you can have some cake afterward. I made it meself."

"It looks wonderful."

They ate their sandwiches and cake, enjoying one another's company as they made small talk, discussing his father's physical therapy, Niles practice and his latest opera experience. And when the meal was finished, she cleared the dishes and carried the cake into the kitchen. Minutes later she returned holding the cake which was lit with candles.

"All right, now make a wish."

The lit candles gave the room a romantic glow and he stared at it in awe. "This is beautiful Daphne, but I don't know what to wish for. I already have so many wonderful things."

Daphne smiled. It was so like him to say such a thing. "There must be something you've always wanted. Something you've always dreamt about."

"Well, actually there's one thing."

Niles closed his eyes and blew softly across the flames, dissolving them into a puff of smoke.

"May I ask what you wished for, or is that bad luck?"

To her surprise he took her hands in his and smiled. "Come sit with me on the fainting couch."

"But what about -."

"Please, Daphne. It would mean so much to me."

"All right."

Her heart beat faster as they sat on the sofa side by side, staring into each other's eyes. "Daphne, I can' thank you enough for this. I'm absolutely overwhelmed."

"But Dr. Crane, it really wasn't-."

"It was everything and it means the world to me."

Daphne's cheeks flushed once more at his words. "You're my friend and I care about you."

"I care about you too, Daphne. Perhaps more than I should."

"That's ridiculous, Dr. Crane. How could you possibly-."

Because you've done all of this for me and it's given me the courage to say something that I've been wanting to say for a long time. But until now I was afraid. And I suppose I still am. But-."

Her trembling fingers brushed lightly against his cheek. "You're so sweet, but you shouldn't be afraid. You can tell me anything."

He swallowed hard, brushing the hair from her forehead. "Daphne, the first moment I saw you, I fell in love. Dad and Frasier thought I was crazy. I thought it was infatuation, but the feeling has only grown deeper. I loved Maris and perhaps it was wrong to be in love with another woman while married to another, but I can't help the way I feel. Now I realize…"

A tear slid down Daphne's cheek and he brushed it away softly with her thumb.

"I love you, Daphne."

"Dr. Crane…"

"Please don't cry. I didn't mean to upset you. It's just that I love you, and…."

His sweet words made more tears fall and she leaned to kiss him softly on the lips. The touch made her want to kiss him even more, but she didn't want to rush this. Instead she spoke from the heart. "

"I love you too, Dr. Crane. You're my best friend. You've been there for me when no one else was. I don't know what to make of all of this, but it's nice. I never thought that I would feel this way about me best friend and I don't want to rush into anything. I hope you understand."

"Of course, Daphne. I…. feel the same way."

Slowly their faces moved toward each other until their lips met in a series of sweet, soft kisses. And when the kisses faded, they held each other close.

"Dr. Crane, you never told me what you wished for."

"Well-."

"Actually it doesn't matter. It's none of my business anyway. "I'm sorry."

"There's no need to be sorry. You're an absolute angel. And as for my wish, I didn't wish for anything."

"You didn't? But why?"

"Because…. You're all I ever hoped for. This is the best birthday I could ever have imagined and I'll never forget what you've done for me. Thank you so much."

She smiled through her tears and kissed him softly. She could hardly wait to celebrate his next birthday.

THE END