Relief flooded him and he felt Daphne squeeze his hand.
"Well, I'm glad that went smoothly." He said casually. "I have to admit that I was a bit nervous about crossing the border as well. Sometimes these things don't go so efficiently."
She turned to him in astonishment. "You, Dr. Crane?"
"Well, yes... but-."
"Forgive me for sayin' this but I can't imagine you bein' afraid of anything."
He laughed at the thought. "Really? What makes you say that?"
When she smiled, the sight warmed his heart. And when she touched his cheek, he was grateful for the lull in the traffic, for the feel of her fingers on his skin would have surely caused him to lose his concentration.
"Well... You're smart, well-educated, and you always managed to make me feel better when I'm upset or afraid... th-the way I was back there."
She glanced into the rear view mirror, watching the border crossing become smaller and smaller in the distance.
"I'm so ashamed of meself."
His heart went out to her.
"Daphne-."
"Here you are, taking time out from your busy schedule to make me pathetic dreams come true and I act like a frightened child!"
With a sigh, Niles turned on his signal and steered the car onto the nearest exit.
Aware of Daphne's confused stare, he smiled and drove into a nearby parking lot.
"Dr. Crane, what's going on?"
He unfastened his seat belt and got out of the car, hating to see Daphne's worried look. But when he walked around to the passenger side and opened the door, she smiled and took his hand.
"Um, thank you." She said as he helped her out of the car. "But... what's going on?"
"Come here." He said quietly.
She blinked in surprise and slowly walked toward him. "All right... but-."
He drew her into his arms, wishing he could hold her like this forever.
"Dr. Crane..."
He held her closer, breathing in the scent of her heavenly shampoo.
"I don't ever want you to be afraid, Daphne... of anything. I'll keep you safe because I...lo-um... I care about you."
She clung to him, her tears dampening his cheek as she rubbed the back of his neck.
"Thank you, Dr. Crane. You're so sweet. I'm sorry I keep cryin' like this. I can't even imagine what you must think of me."
He smiled and hugged her warmly. "I think you're wonderful."
She drew back and kissed his cheek. "You're wonderful too, Dr. Crane. Now we'd better get going. I know you're looking foreword to seeing those fireworks as much as I am. If they are anything like what I saw on TV last night, I can only imagine that they'll be the the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
He squeezed her hand and helped her back into the car, knowing that there was nothing in the world more beautiful than the woman he was with at that moment.
And by night's end, he was determined to give her his heart.
