When the kisses ended she pulled out of his arms and stared into his sea blue eyes.
"Dr. Crane..."
His breathing was labored and he gently brushed the hair from her face.
" Am I dreaming?"
She simply couldn't stop staring at him. It was like a scene from one of her romance novels. But when he touched her cheek once more, she knew that it was real.
"I-I don't know... Unless I'm dreaming too. D-did you just tell me that you love me?"
"Yes." He said without hesitation.
She took a moment to process this information, and even then she found it hard to believe.
This man... this dear, sweet wonderful man... was in love with her.
"Are you all right, Daphne?"
"I-I think so. I just can't believe... You're in love with me?"
"Yes." He said again.
"Dr. Crane... That's..."
"I've upset you."
"What?"
He rose from the sofa and began to pace the room.
"Damn, I knew this was going to happen! I had this whole scenario worked out! I was going to ask you over and present you with a wonderful evening and tell you how I felt about you. I knew that my plan wouldn't work but I've wanted to say something for so long and just..."
She swallowed hard, wondering if it was the champagne or the romantic music that had such thoughts running through her head but she had to say the words that were forming in her heart. Words that she'd never dreamed of saying to him before but now begged to be released. The things she felt were very new to her, but perhaps those feelings had been there all along.
"A-actually Dr. Crane, your plan worked perfectly."
He froze and turned to her.
"Daphne, what are you saying?"
Slowly she moved toward him until she was so close that she could feel his breath on her face.
"I'm saying that I love you, too. I-I think I've loved you for a long time, actually."
Amazingly his eyes filled with tears.
"Oh Dr. Crane..."
"Daphne..."
He kissed her tenderly and then drew back, staring into her eyes.
"Oh Daphne..."
Before she could respond, he kissed her once more.
"Please don't cry..." She whispered, brushing the tears from his cheeks.
"I'm sorry, I'm just... so happy right now."
Daphne took him in her arms and held him close.
"I'm happy too. In fact, I'm happier than I've been in a long time."
"Well..." He said struggling to regain his composure. "I wonder if that monster movie marathon is still on."
"But Dr. Crane, that movie frightened you!"
Niles smiled and kissed her cheek. "As long as I have you, Daphne I feel like the bravest man in the world."
They sank onto the sofa and turned on the television. Sure enough, a new monster movie began.
But Niles and Daphne weren't paying attention to the screen. They were too busy enjoying the sweetness of Halloween and of each other's kisses.
Even if it was November 1st.
THE END
