Coffee At Midnight In Seattle by Patrick Councilor

Niles went up to the counter at Café Nervosa to order drinks for the both of them. He would have ordered for Roz, however she was running a tad bit late. He ordered their coffees and patiently stood there waiting for the drinks as he checked his watch. It was nearly ten forty. Roz must have been caught up trying to find a parking place. He glanced over at his wife and time seemed to slow to a near standstill, just as it did when they were shopping at Macy's. She was nearly up at the counter and he was holding the items she was about to purchase when it happened. The people around them seemed to slow way down when she looked at him with those warm, deep-mahogany eyes. She was wearing her hair long and straight with the bangs just short of those amazing eyes that shot him the looks that warmed his heart like fifty-year-old brandy on a cold winter day.

She was beautiful… she was gorgeous and how could an angel like Daphne be just as beautiful in mind and spirit?

The drinks came and when he brought them back to the table and set them down, he cleared his throat. "I love you."

She started to say something, but he continued.

"I will never tire of saying that and I hope you never tire of hearing it."

The comforting smile was her reply as she touched his hand and leaned in for a kiss. "Black Friday is fun, but it's so much more special to be sharing it with you."

He gave her hand a squeeze and took a drink of his double cappuccino. The coffee was so good here at Nervosa. "Daphne, I was thinking…"

"Yes?" Her eyes caught his and he had her complete attention.

"Why don't you and David come with me to New York?"

"Really?" her voice was filled with joy.

"Certainly. I should have asked you days ago. I'll be tied up during the day, but we could have the evenings together. We could dine and anything you would like."

She placed her hand gently upon his in admiration. "Oh Niles, that would be wonderful. I have an overpowering urge to kiss you."

A grin started to immerge. "Well… who am I to stop you."

She leaned over to kiss him, but slowed. She could feel his warm breath on her face long before their lips touch. It was such a gentle kiss, but it gave them both wonderful chills.

"Hey you guys, get a room." Roz put her purse on the table and sat down. "Oh, I need to sit. I have to park several blocks away and my feet are killing me."

"Well, your feet have the right idea," Niles joked about their kiss being interrupted.

"Thank God the rain lightened up," she said as if to dismiss his comment. "How did your shopping go?"

Daphne looked to Niles. She knew that Roz had just opened the flood gates.

Niles perked up. "Well, we found these cuff links for Frasier that were sixty percent off. They are dazzling two-toned white gold. White gold, " he repeated. "They were sixty percent off," he said again in a louder tone as if she were hard of hearing. "Oh, and we found this oversized television remote control for Dad that is five times larger than a regular one. The only way this gift could be any better is if it could sing Dixie Land if you called to it."

Roz smirked at him as if to give into his enjoyment. "Really?"

"Yes really. And I found this incredibly rare and handsomely polished shoe horn made from this extraordinary rock found only in the Himalayas."

"Oh and who did you buy that for?"

Niles' only reply was a gentleman's smile.

Daphne leaned in. "It's the only way he's going to get anything from the Himalayas."

Niles' smile did not fade. He sat there for several more moments, poised with his smile. "Oh, and we found this wonderful Origins hand cream that is calm to your senses. It is lavender and vanilla body souffle. It is just wonderful."

"And who is that for?" Roz asked.

Niles' smile returned. "Just feel the back of my hand." He held it out and Roz felt it.

"Wow that is smooth."

Niles smile widened. "Thank you."

"And the sale we found on high-end Egyptian cotton body towels is 'over the rainbow' crazy." He started to go through their bags to find them.

"Darling," Daphne gently touched his arm as she interrupted his actions. "I think that Roz and I should be off."

"Oh? But she didn't even get the chance to smell the 'Frasier Fir" WoodWick candle."

Daphne and Roz stood from their seats. "Perhaps another time," said Roz.

Daphne leaned over and kissed her husband.

"I'll take these bags to the car. I'll meet you…" he checked his watch, "how about in an hour?"

"Thank you dear. What will you be doing?"

"Frasier has a case of wine to buy me at Pike's Market."

"Oh, that's right."

"Frazier's out on Black Friday?" Roz asked.

"It's a long story," Daphne said. "I'll tell you me short version on the way." She gave her husband another kiss. This one was on the cheek. "I'll see you shortly love."

"Be careful out there." As he watched them leave, something in the pit of his stomach wasn't right. Was it something he ate? He couldn't help but think not. He shook it off. This was decaf, of course?