It was still early by the time Daphne reached the corner of Third and Pike. She climbed out of the car, shaking her head in disgust.
She'd come here as a last resort, determined to prove herself wrong. However, she'd already checked several other places that Niles could have gone.
Her frantic cell phone messages had gone unanswered, but she refused to worry. He was perfectly fine.
Smiling casually at a man and a woman who passed her on the sidewalk, she made her way to the entrance of Café Nervosa attempting to be as inconspicuous as possible...
After all, she had no reason to be nervous.
"I'll just look in the window and when I don't see him, I'll turn right around and leave. He'll never even know that I was here!"
Slowly she walked to the window and peered inside, filled with a mixture of relief and anger.
He'd lied to her yet again.
But this time he wasn't going to get away with it.
She stormed into the café, grateful that she'd dropped David off at Ronee and Martin's. Her son certainly didn't need to witness this confrontation between his parents.
Sure he was just an infant and he wouldn't remember it anyway. But she couldn't help but think that he was a bit psychic like his mommy.
He'd definitely sense that something was going on. And it was bound to come back and haunt him.
As she opened the door, she saw Niles sitting at his usual table, drinking a latte with the faintest hint of cinnamon as though it was the most casual thing in the world.
Why, he probably gave no thought to the fact that his wife was deeply concerned about him and now she wondered if he even remembered that he had a wife!
It was a completely irrational thought but it tore through her heart.
The café was busier than she had hoped, but what she had to do couldn't wait any longer.
Slowly she approached his table and stood before him, dismayed that he was oblivious to her presence.
Finally he looked up and smiled warmly, a gesture that nearly caused her to forget what she came here to do.
"Daphne! Well, this is a wonderful surprise! What are you doing here?" he asked as he rose to kiss her.
"I should ask you the same thing!" she replied bitterly. Seconds before his lips met hers, she moved away abruptly.
"Sweetheart... what..."
"Don't you Sweetheart me! Bloody hell, Niles Crane! What are you doing here? You're supposed to be at work!"
"Ah... Well, I'm having a latte! You're welcome to join me. In fact... Taylor, would you get my wife-."
"Oh to hell with your bloody latte!" Daphne screamed, feeling her insides begin to quiver.
The café fell silent and she was aware of all eyes on her, glancing up to see Niles' stunned expression.
"Daphne-."
"What, Niles?" She snapped.
The smile leaving his face, he rose from his chair and turned to face the crowd of customers who were staring at him.
"You'll have to forgive my wife, everyone. You see, she-."
"That's right, Niles. I'm your wife! Me name is Daphne and you've got an older brother named Frasier and a father named Martin!" she yelled. "I was beginning to think that you had forgotten!"
He reached for her hand but she pulled it away. "Daphne... How could you possibly think that I'd forget about you and David? I love you both! You're my whole world!"
She refused to give into the warmth that filled her chest as a result of his kind words.
"Well you could have fooled me!" She snapped.
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about your fixation with this... bloody café!"
A few gasps could be heard among the patrons.
"Don't talk about Café Nervosa like that!" Niles yelled.
Daphne's mouth dropped in horror, and when she was finally able to speak,
the words came out in an angry rush.
"For God's sake, Niles Crane! What in the hell is wrong with you? Why are you so bloody obsessed with Café Nervosa? Look, I'm sorry that the place is closing and all but this obsession of yours just isn't healthy! Even your father could tell you that, provided that you call him once in a while! Ever since you heard about this place closing, you've been completely impossible to live with! Now what is so bloody special about this place? And don't tell me it's because of their lattes with the faintest hint of cinnamon! Why, that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard in my life! Now I want the truth and I want it now! Why are you so upset about some stupid coffee shop?"
She stared at her husband, painfully aware that she had hurt him. There was the unmistakable glimmer of tears in her eyes that would normally break her heart, but now she didn't care.
"Well? I'm waiting!"
When he didn't answer she turned around, fighting back the hot angry tears that threatened to fall.
Suddenly she heard him sigh.
"You're right. I owe you the truth and I'm sorry for lying to you. The real reason I've been so upset about Café Nervosa's closing is... Well... it's you, Daphne."