(Niles POV)
Niles smiled as he hung up the phone. "Well, everything is all set for a rustic Thanksgiving at my cabin in the mountains. I have everything planned to the letter and this holiday should be nothing less than perfect! I can hardly wait!"
His words were true, and had never been truer. He wanted this Thanksgiving to be the best ever, for there was no way it could possibly be worse. Thank God for Frasier and his father. He wasn't sure if it was the spirit of the holidays or a lack of oxygen to their brains, but both men were surprisingly sympathetic. He knew that they disapproved of his choices and he was sure that they would say "I told you so" a million times over after they heard the news.
But instead they'd been reassuring, kind and had even touched Niles' heart with their affectionate , it was just the occasional pat on the back and even some hugs, but they had no idea how much those things meant to Niles. If he wasn't so shy and cowardly, he might even find the courage to thank them. But not now.
Their mother always said "A handshake is as good as a hug." But Niles began to wonder if maybe she wasn't entirely serious. Hugs were the most wonderful things in the world as far as he was concerned. It worked for his patients and they were definitely working wonders
"I have to admit that I'm a bit jealous." Daphne was saying now.
"I don't understand." Niles replied. "You'll be with us, so why-." And suddenly he realized what she meant. It pained him to know that she couldn't afford the things that he could afford. Granted the cabin had been inherited in the divorce, but he couldn't say the same for his luxury car, his clothes or his expensive tastes. And, dare he ever get the chance, he vowed to show Daphne how much he loved her by buying her whatever luxurious items she desired. No price was too big for the happiness of Daphne Moon.
"No I won't." She said, interrupting his thoughts.
"I-I'm sorry, what?"
"I won't be with you."
He grinned sheepishly. "Well, not in the same room, perhaps, but-."
"No, I mean… not at all. I can't come."
"What?" he shouted.
"Niles, just calm down, okay? I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation-."
"Daphne, what are you saying?" Niles asked, focusing only on his angel. At that moment she was the only one who existed.
"I'll be in San Francisco. With me Uncle Jackie."
His jaw nearly dropped. "What? But why-."
"Because I love him." She blurted out. "And because I haven't seen him in years. And now that I live so close it felt right to accept his invitation to spend Thanksgiving with
him. You understand that, don't you?"
"I-."
"Of course he understands!" Frasier interrupted. "We all understand, don't we Dad?"
"Yeah, Daphne has family too!" Martin tried to reason. But it didn't make the hurt any easier. He'd been looking forward to this for months, ever since the inevitable happened. Finally he was free to be himself in the company of an angel. But now his holiday was ruined. He'd never, ever blame her but if she had been able to come with them, he wouldn't be feeling such disappointment.
And then the unthinkable happened. She took his hand in hers, making him shiver from her touch. "I wish I could be there, but I promised me Uncle Jackie. I promise I'll be with you all for Christmas. Uncle Jackie's going to Rio of all places! Who goes to Rio Rio De Janeiro for Christmas?"
"Obviously your Uncle Jackie." Frasier quipped.
Daphne laughed. "Yeah but he's a transvestite and that's the perfect place for him to try on all of the dresses he wants and no one would be the wiser."
Frasier's eyebrows rose. "Ah…"
But she couldn't help noticing Niles' quiet mood. "I can hardly wait for Christmas." She said, trying to diffuse the tenstion in the air.
"Right…" He said, nodding again.
"I know you're upset but I think you should know something , Dr. Crane."
"What's that?"
Her arms went around him, holding him close as she rested her head on his chest. "I'll miss you. Dr. Crane."
He held her closer than ever before. "I'll miss you too, Daphne."
Truer words had ever been spoken.