Chapter 48: Daphne
Daphne was nervous. She stood outside the meeting room, waiting to be called in for the deposition. Replaying the previous evening with Donny didn't help. It was still intimidating. Daphne felt she didn't do a very good job of convincing Donny that there was nothing there, so what hope did she have today? She looked around, but couldn't see Niles. Even though they had agreed that they wouldn't, Daphne still held out hope that she would be able to see him before she went in. Maybe have Niles reassure her that everything would be okay. But no such luck today.
Maria, Donny's receptionist came out and waved her over. Daphne took a deep breath.
Well, here we go.
It ended up not being as bad as she thought it would be. About 20 minutes in, before they had gotten to anything too difficult, someone came in and whispered something to one of the other lawyers. That lawyer came back over.
"Miss Moon, we're going to call a quick recess here. Go grab a coffee, we'll call you back in about 15 minutes."
Daphne did just that. She stood outside the room, coffee in hand as 15 minutes came and went. She started to get fidgety, worried about how long things were taking. Then Frasier showed up, as he was supposed to be directly after her. Daphne smiled at him, trying not to look worried.
"Hello, Dr Crane."
"Hi, Daph. Uh, are you finished?" She shook her head.
"No. They called a recess. It was supposed to only be for 15 minutes, but it's been nearly half an hour now."
Frasier shrugged, unable to provide any answers, and waited with her. Another 10 minutes passed, when the lawyer finally came back out.
"Miss Moon, thank you for waiting. We won't be needing you any further for today. You're free to go."
This surprised Daphne. They had barely touched on anything to do with the Snow Ball, let alone try and establish any infidelity, or if she and Niles had a relationship. The lawyer then turned and spoke to Frasier.
"And Dr Crane, we won't need to speak to you today either. You're free to go as well."
With that, the lawyer turned and went back into the room.
"Do you know what's going on?" Daphne looked at Frasier, confused at this turn of events. Frasier shook his head, as confused as she was.
"Uh, maybe I'll see if I can find Donny. Or Niles. Find out what's going on." Frasier walked back towards Donny's office.
Daphne stood there a moment, unsure what to do. She then decided to do what the lawyer had said, and leave. If she was needed again, they could call her. As Daphne headed towards the exit, she ran into Donny.
"Oh, hello, Mr Douglas."
"Ah, call me Donny, please. Mr Douglas is too formal."
"Alright, Donny. Dr Crane just went looking for you."
"Niles?"
"No, his brother."
"Oh, right. I'm guessing Whalan & Lockhart have already dismissed you both?"
"Yes. I didn't get very far into my deposition, and Dr Crane didn't even get a chance to speak to them. Is everything okay?"
Donny grinned, clasping his hands together gleefully.
"Things are afoot. If Niles is lucky, we'll have this whole thing sorted by this afternoon." Daphne was surprised by this.
"Really? What happened?"
"Well, let's just say some new evidence came to light, that the soon-to-be-ex Mrs Crane would like to keep hush hush."
That didn't make anything clearer for Daphne, but it sounded like good news for Niles.
"Well, that's wonderful news."
"Sure is. I've got to go and get some stuff drafted, and I might be able to catch Frasier as well." He paused for a second. "Uh, listen, Daphne?"
"Yes?"
"I almost never do this, but I had a great time with you last night. I mean, when I wasn't trying to grill you on a hypothetical relationship with your boss's brother." He chuckled, and Daphne laughed along, agreeing with the sentiment. "Would you like to get coffee or something after I'm done here?"
The question caught Daphne off guard; she wasn't expecting it.
"Oh, that's lovely of you to offer, but I'm, um, seeing someone at the moment." Donny didn't seem deterred by that.
"Ah. Well, maybe just as friends? I thought we had some real chemistry last night, and I wanted to get to know you better. I would really love if you would just give me a chance, see if there is something more there." Donny gave a hopeful smile. "Please?"
Daphne felt put on the spot, unsure what to say.
When Daphne walked into Café Nervosa later, she saw Frasier and Niles sitting together. Niles had finally got his divorce sorted, just as Donny said, and she could hear Niles updating Frasier on the events of the day. Niles had his back to the door, so he hadn't seen them enter.
"And I never dreamed I would get a financial settlement like that, either. Frasier, thank you again for convincing me to see Donny."
"Thank you, Niles. I'm-" Frasier spotted Daphne, and who she was with, and suddenly looked nervous. "Well, let's not forget Roz's part in all this."
Niles shrugged at Frasier.
"Well, it doesn't matter who did what. I'm just glad it's all over. I'm now free."
Niles turned around, and spotted them. He looked like he suddenly understood why Frasier was suddenly nervous, and let out a small laugh.
"Hey, you two, come join us." Niles smiled, pleased to see them.
Daphne and Roz walked over. Roz hit Frasier playfully as she sat down.
"Damn right, 'Can't forget Roz's part in this'. If anything, I'm the one who set it all up."
"Yes, yes, Roz, but you can't fully diminish my part in these events." Frasier still wanted the largest slice of the praise.
"What part? You did nothing!"
"Are you forgetting that I was the one that plucked Niles from the precipice of indecision and-"
As Frasier and Roz bickered half-heartedly with each other, Daphne tuned it out, not caring what they were saying. Only one thing mattered right now.
Daphne looked at Niles, and smiled warmly. Niles looked back and shared a similar smile.
No words needed to be said.
Niles was divorced. They were free to be together. And they couldn't be happier.
