"Here we are." The cab driver said.
At the sound of his voice, Daphne opened her eyes and tried to focus on her surroundings.
"Where are we?"
"You're home." Niles replied.
Wearily she climbed out of the cab and waited while Niles paid the taxi driver. Always the gentleman, he took her hand and walked her to the front door of her apartment building.
"Would you like to come in?" She asked, feeling somewhat shy as they stood to face one another.
"I would love to. But I really should be getting back to my hotel so that I can pack for my flight. Maris-I-I mean Dad will worry about me if I don't make that plane."
"You miss your wife, don't you?" Daphne asked quietly.
She saw him swallow hard, the sheen of tears in his eyes. Wordlessly he nodded.
"Well..."
"I'm so sorry, Dr. Crane. I wish there was something I could do to help you."
"It's all right Daphne. In fact, you've helped me more than you realize."
"How could I have done that? I didn't-."
He took her hand and placed a gentle kiss on her skin.
"You've done more for me tonight than anyone has ever done."
"Well, I'm glad, but it's nothing in comparison for what you've done for me. If you hadn't been there tonight, I don't know what-."
Her voice broke unexpectedly and she turned away in shame. But she felt his fingertips on her chin, guiding her gaze back to him.
"Don't think about that right now. That's in the past. Just try to envision the future. I hope yours is filled with nothing but happiness."
They were the kindest words she'd ever heard and she took him in her arms, kissing him with more passion than she thought possible. His kisses were thousands of times sweeter and deeper than Jerry Seinfeld's would ever be and she found that his lips were as soft as silk against hers.
"Daphne..." He said against her mouth.
"Yes, Dr. Crane?"
"Can I call you some time? Perhaps we can get together the next time I'm in New York."
She smiled and kissed him again. "I'd like that."
With a trembling hand she reached into her purse and retrieved a pen and paper on which she quickly wrote down her phone number and address.
And he, in turn did the same.
"Well... I should be going."
The lump in her throat returned and she found herself terrified at the thought of being without him for even one minute.
"All right. Well... Have a wonderful flight home."
"Thank you."
As she watched him walk down the steps, she could feel the tears blurring her vision once more. The cab arrived and he turned to wave at her from the sidewalk.
But no sooner had he gotten into the cab and she turned to unlock her apartment, she heard him calling her name.
She spun around in surprise when she found him standing just inches from her.
"Dr Crane, what-."
His mouth was on hers, kissing her again and again; those silky lips caressing hers, sending her emotions spiraling out of control. She gave into the kiss, her hands exploring his back and the feelings she'd had earlier at Jerry's began to resurface.
"I want you..." She said breathlessly.
Abruptly he stopped, and she knew she'd done something wrong.
"Daphne, about what this Jerry Seinfeld character did to you earlier... I just... I want you to know that I would never... take advantage of you or force you to do anything you weren't comfortable with. And I certainly wouldn't... go around telling people. I'm so sorry you were treated that way. You are an angel and deserve to be treated as such."
Tears spilled down her cheeks and she took his hands in her face, kissing him again and again. When the kisses ended, she held his hand as he walked down the staircase, finally letting his fingers fall to his side.
Finally the taxi drove off... but not before she stared at the piece of paper he'd given her containing his name and address...
The name and address of the man with whom she'd fallen deeply in love.
THE END
