There may yet be more, but with this story we conclude 'And the Dish Ran
Away with the Spoon.' Thank you to everyone who encouraged me to keep
going, with special gratitude to Sydney, Erin, Marissa and Misti, who wrote
after nearly every installment. You are the reason the full episode
finally done got writ.
Dedicated too to Eunice who stuck it up on her awesome site and went
through the trouble of putting this in readable order. Eunice rocks.
Dinner and Dancing
By Amy (amydekanter@yahoo.com)
Between himself and Roz they managed to take three bad short cuts and a number of make-believe detours to drag on the journey home as long as possible. Since he had sprung that lie about his cell phone Frasier could not very well call Dad to make sure deliveries had been made.
At the moment they were double-parked outside an ATM machine, the fourth so far since Roz kept returning with the astounding news that all of them were out of order. Frasier had signalled her to take her time with this one and then come back. They were finally on schedule.
Frasier glanced in the review mirror. Far from being impatient at all these delays, Daphne was off in a world of her own, sitting quietly in the back seat and gazing out of the window. She did not even notice him staring at her.
Daphne was by no means a quiet person and whatever she was feeling, the world caught the brunt of it. Of course, that was what made her so nice to have around; Daphne was among the most cheery and good-natured people Frasier had ever met, which was saying a lot considering she spent the greater part of every day with Dad. Daphne's normally sunny disposition, like it or not, brightened up the rainiest of days and the glummest of moods.
All the same, she was human and in the years she had lived under his roof there had been times Frasier had seen her moody, angry, depressed and broken-hearted. But in seven years he had never seen her like this; muted and with clouds in her clear brown eyes. It was no wonder she had finally come apart today. She had little experience with holding things in, yet that was all she had been asked to do for the past several weeks, starting from the moment she had found out Niles was in love with her.
Now the outburst was over; Daphne sat silent again but there was still something in that new depth of her eyes -- a tempest she was trying hard to contain -- and Frasier did not like it one bit. The old Daphne wore her heart on her sleeve and said whatever was on her mind. As much as Frasier had complained about those very things in the past, he wanted their old Daphne back.
"Niles loves you, Daphne." He did not know what else to say but wanted so much to cheer her up. "You know that, don't you?"
"I do, Dr. Crane." Daphne smiled a small smile. "I was just wondering how far that love goes."
Frasier had no answer for that. Even Niles might not have the answer to that. Damn that Mel. That Niles loved Daphne was certain, but Frasier knew Niles had never stood up for himself -- let alone for anyone else - in his entire life. Not once. Daphne might not know his brother like he did but she had seen him pushed around by Maris for five long years and that was enough to make anyone feel hopeless.
Frasier tapped his fingers against the steering wheel. He had to admit he was feeling pretty hopeless himself. Talking to Dad and to Roz, he realised that they all prayed for one thing: That Mel would find it in her heart to let Niles go. Not one of them considered for a minute that Niles would have the courage to break free on his own even if it meant months or even years of waiting. But even though Frasier knew this would be hell on Daphne, he hoped she would stick it out; he could not even begin to imagine what it would do to his brother if Daphne left him.
"You're his shoe, you know."
"His what?" That caught her attention.
"Years ago he told me he had seen a documentary about the Great Depression or something. Apparently there was this one image that had a profound impact on him: a little boy's face shining with happiness over a pair of new shoes. Niles told me he'd never felt that kind of joy in his life and, well, frankly it broke my heart. Now, because of you I have finally seen that kind of joy on my brother's face."
"Do you really think I can make him happy?" Strong winds stirred the tempest in her eyes. There was no insecurity in Daphne's voice, just the profound desire to give such a gift to the man she loved. Frasier's heart ached. He was half in danger of falling in love with her himself.
"Oh, Daphne, honey, I do. You are the only person who ever has."
"Well, I did a fine job of it today."
"Daphne, you've suffered one huge shock after another." Today was still a sore point with Frasier, one that he had temporarily put out of his mind. "I hope you are not still blaming yourself for that." Frasier himself blamed Niles. Just because he was helping them out did not mean he had forgiven his brother for the atrociously unjust things he had said to him. At least Daphne had had the grace to apologise, but he was still waiting for that call from Niles. Sure, Niles felt his world was crumbling around him, but did that make it so hard to pick up the phone?
"Finally!" Roz got into the car. "Frasier, I think you should say something on your show tomorrow about the state of ATMs in this city."
"Certainly. It's heartening to know that my producer is so clear about the important role my show plays in this society."
"As a producer it would be heartening to see your show do something useful for a change."
Frasier was gratified to see Daphne smile at their bickering. God, did he ever want her back.
They pulled up in front of Elliot Bay Towers at precisely 7pm, just as shadows were growing long.
"Now, I'll not make us late for dinner tonight Dr. Crane; it will be a quick call." Daphne's earlier calm had finally given way to jumpiness. She wrung her hands nervously as the got in the elevator. "I just don't want your brother to think I'm still upset with him or that I've stopped."
"Hey, Daphne, what's that on the back of your shirt?"
Good thinking, Roz. While Daphne twisted and turned trying to get a look at the imaginary 'that,' Frasier pressed the button for the top floor. It was only right before the elevator doors opened that Roz stopped directing Daphne's contortions to say, "Oh, it's nothing."
"What are we doing here?" Daphne asked, finally noticing. "I have to call Niles."
"You can call him in a second. Just come with me."
"Hi guys." Dad was waiting for them at the top of the steps.
"Mr. Crane, what." Daphne stopped short. Even Frasier who knew about the surprise was stunned by the effect. He had had not had time to leave precise instructions but from the table setting to the candlesticks to the plants, the job had been done and it had been done perfectly.
"Dad, it looks great. Did you do all this?"
"Don't think I can live with you for six years without picking up one or two things?" Dad asked huffily, but he looked pleased.
"What is this?" Daphne had finally found her voice again.
"Well," Frasier explained. "As much as I know you care about me, I did not flatter myself in believing that you really wanted to spend this evening with me."
"I don't understand."
"Mel doesn't want you and Niles to be seen together in public, right?" Dad asked.
"Yeah," Roz chimed in. "Who says you need an audience for your first date anyway?"
As much plotting, work and strain had gone into this, Frasier knew he would have done a thousand times more just for the reward of seeing the change in Daphne's face.
"All this?" she asked. "For Niles and me?"
"For you and Niles, yes."
Awe transformed her in a way that ninety minutes in the beautician's chair could not. Daphne walked around as if in a trance, looking about her with the kind of wonder of someone who has stumbled upon a mystical place where dreams came true. Frasier wished his brother were here right now, seeing the love of his life lit up by the setting sun as if surrounded by a halo of gold.
"Dr. Crane, Mr. Crane. Roz." Dad and Roz were wearing matching grins, probably very similar to his own. Since no one else was taking the initiative, Frasier stepped forward to give Daphne a hug. He thought briefly of that look that had so troubled him before, the one he had not seen before she learned about Niles' affection. That was only one look, he realised. This was the other.
Just like that Frasier forgave his brother. He knew now the old Daphne would never fully come back but nor did he want her. If Niles had made Daphne look sadder than Frasier had ever seen her, he also knew Niles was responsible for the shining glow in her face, the joyous anticipation in her eyes, the gentle lift of her body which made it seem her feet had left the ground.
And speaking of anticipation.
"Now, you can either stay up here with me and help me light candles, or." Frasier smiled at Daphne. "You can go downstairs and change into that new dress to surprise your date when he arrives at seven thirty."
"I will. I. Dr. Crane.thank you."
"I guess you're pretty pleased with yourself," Dad said after Daphne had gone. But he said it with a look that Frasier did not see very often. A look that told him Dad was pretty pleased with him too. Frasier grew two inches taller.
"Yeah, I guess I am."
"I'm going downstairs to make sure your brother doesn't come early and spoil his own surprise." Dad started off toward the stairs. "You're a good boy, Frasier."
"Gee, normally you reserve your 'good boy's' for Eddie." But Dad was out of earshot and Frasier had grown another inch.
"I gather you guys can take it from here?" Roz said.
"I'm certain we can. Are you rushing off for any reason?"
"Nah, it's just that I'm not the most unselfish person in the world after all. As much as I love those two goofs, I'm not really in the mood to watch someone else's happily ever after, especially on a dateless night."
The sunset which had so beautifully illuminated Daphne's face was doing Roz the same favour. Frasier was inspired.
"You know, Roz, I have not cancelled those reservations at Le Cigar Volante. If you are not doing anything else tonight."
"You are not asking me out on a date, are you?"
"Of course not. But you did go through all that trouble. I mean you are. you do look very nice."
"Oh, thanks Frasier. That's really sweet."
"Well, it has been a while since I've been out with a beautiful woman."
"Yeah. It's been a while since I've been out too." The lack of adjectives did not escape Frasier. Pointedly, he raised his eyebrows but Roz continued as if nothing was wrong: "Let me just go home and check on Alice, okay? The sitter told me earlier she could come by if I needed her."
"How very fortuitous." If she was not even going to feign enthusiasm, he wasn't going to either.
"I also want to change. I can't go out looking this good just from the neck up." Suddenly, she squeezed his arm. "You know, it really means a lot to me that you asked. I'd actually love to go out with you."
"Well. what can I say?" Frasier was confused but gratified by her belated display of appreciation. "See you at, say, eight thirty?" He watched as she left, feeling his own sense of appreciation as he imagined what she might have planned to look good from the neck down. Sure it was just Roz, but he wasn't dead.
Dad poked his head around the corner.
"I got Niles on his car phone, he's ten minutes away." Dad was trying to hide it, but he'd been acting tense all evening. This seemed to mean a lot to him. "Daphne should be up in a minute."
"Not without an escort, she shouldn't." Frasier picked a single pink rose from the arrangement. Then he picked another one.
"Two roses?" Dad asked.
"One for Daphne," Frasier explained. "And one," he inhaled their fragrance and smiled at his father. "For my date."
##
There had been a message on Niles' answering machine when he got home:
"Niles, it's me. I hope you are on your way over. I. I miss you. And I love you." For one glorious moment everything had been all right. Niles had struggled back into his coat and was about to rush back to Frasier's apartment when he realised the message had been left this morning, before he had ruined everything.
He stayed in the rest of the day, listening to the tape again and again, to the sound of Daphne just a few short hours earlier, when she still loved him. The voice on the tape drowned out the voice in his head. The voice was also Daphne's, using a very different tone to the tender one that had left the message on his machine. It was the voice she had used moments later when she nearly said she wished she had married Donny after all.
Niles had no appetite but he nor did not allow himself more than a single stiff drink. Daphne had shouted at him this morning but Niles had heard the panic behind her anger. The memory of the fear in her voice was why it now was so hard to keep himself from emptying the whole bottle, the whole damn bar.
When Daphne had come to him the morning of her wedding she had been so sure of herself and of her feelings, but Niles had whittled away at her conviction and today he had seen, for the first time in three days, doubt. Was it his love she was questioning or her own? Or was it both? He could not think about it. Not if he wanted to keep his will to live.
Niles knew he could not defend himself. He hoped Daphne would never find out that he had spent the night before kissing his wife. He knew she would not understand disgust he felt towards Mel and towards himself, much less his inability to put a stop to the charade. He had promised Daphne he would be strong but Mel was any person's kryptonite.
When Dad called and asked whether Niles would like to go with him to the Natural History Museum Niles said yes at once. Not only did he need to get out of this apartment before going insane, but he also needed to be nearer to Daphne, even if it only meant sharing the same building for a few minutes.
Without the tape for protection, on the drive there Niles was at the mercy of echoes of this morning's fight, including the most painful of all: Niles' own voice suggesting that Daphne be more understanding Mel's situation. Mercilessly he relived the iciness that crept through him as soon as the words were out of his mouth, freezing him as they froze Daphne, both of them stunned by what he had said. And by what had been implied.
With those words Daphne had become The Other Woman.
Niles' hands were white on the steering wheel. He would have to curl up and die some other night. Tonight he was taking Dad with him to the Natural History Museum.
"Hi Dad," Niles strained to look over his father's shoulder into the apartment. Neither Daphne nor Frasier were anywhere to be seen.
"Hey, Niles. Come in, I'll get my jacket."
As casually as he could, Niles strode over towards the kitchen, straining to hear any sounds from Daphne's bedroom. Nothing. His father stood by the doorway, waiting patiently for Niles to finish his rounds.
"Ready?" Dad asked when Niles slumped in defeat.
No. He was not ready. He was nothing except empty. As empty as the night he had spent by the lake trying not to think about life without Daphne.
"Good idea, Dad," he said, covering. "An evening out, just the two of us." He should have been saying that those words to Daphne tonight. "I had no idea you enjoyed the Natural History Museum."
Dad answered something but Niles couldn't concentrate.
"So, where's um..."
"Oh, she went out with Frasier to a restaurant for dinner."
"Oh." Even as pain yawned wider inside him, Niles was glad. Daphne deserved a night out. "She happen to ask about...?"
"Sorry." Of course not. If he were Daphne he would not ask about him either.
Niles had bet himself he could wait until the second exhibit before bursting into tears and begging his father for advice. Now it looked like he'd be lucky if they reached the lobby dry. To make things worse, Dad had pressed the wrong button and they were going up instead of down.
When his father urged him up onto the roof to look at some pigeons Niles began to suspect that maybe his father was not interested in going to the museum after all. But couldn't he have just said so? To Niles it did not matter one way or another. He had only agreed in the first place because it gave him an excuse to drop by and at least see how Daphne was doing, even if she wasn't speaking to him. Now, having been to the apartment and not having seen her, Niles could not think or care about anything else.
"Dad, I don't think I handled things very well today." Which was the understatement of a lifetime. "Do you think Daphne will ever forgive me?
"Why don't you ask her yourself?" Dad stepped back from the door.
Breathing and heartbeat stopped with Niles as he stared. This could only be a place in dreams. A place where light came from stars and candles and where colour and perfume came from flowers. A place where a woman who was the envy of angels sat -- as if waiting for him -- with a tender smile. Exactly how high had that elevator brought him?
The whole world was waiting for him to speak.
"You look stunning," was all he could say although words had not been invented that could describe the way Daphne looked.
"Thank you. You look dashing." Her voice was the voice of this morning when she hoped he was on his way over. When she loved him.
"I trust this will be to your liking?" Frasier asked. In a dream, Niles sat down.
"Everything is to my liking." Her hair was different. Softer and even lovelier than usual.
"Looks like we're having that first date after all," Daphne said softly.
"You went to so much trouble." She was wearing the new dress. 'It's much too expensive, but you're worth it,' she had told him this morning. She was wrong. Nobody could be worth this much.
"It wasn't me, it was your brother."
"Well, you know me," Frasier was saying. "I hate to butt in."
"Oh." He tried to say more but could not.
"It's all so overwhelming," Daphne said.
It was she who was overwhelming. Niles knew he should thank Frasier and apologise from the bottom of his heart. He tried to but could barely think to form the words; his entire being captured by one person alone. Daphne thanked Frasier for him, and his father. She was so beautiful. One of them said something about having a lovely evening but Niles could not take his eyes off Daphne. He barely noticed them leave.
She shone with candlelight and happiness at being with him. She loved him. Even after the way he had behaved this morning.
"Daphne, about today..."
"Let's just forget about that. Why don't we start from here?"
"I would love that." He would have agreed to anything she wanted but he was grateful all the same. He held up his champagne glass. "To us."
"To us." The slight jarring contact of their clinking glasses reminded Niles of something that had been put off for far too long. As if reading his mind, Daphne stood as he did, leaning forward over the table to meet him for a kiss.
"I'm usually so nervous on a first date," she admitted. "But not tonight."
He still could not stop looking at her. It was as if he had been starving for her since this morning. Or for the past 24 hours. Or for the past six years. Or for his entire life. Her kiss retained its flavour on his lips. His soul was pulling him towards her, pleading to let it have her near.
"Would you like to dance?" he asked.
"I'd love to."
He was stronger than he realised. If he could feel this way and neither collapse nor float up to the stars he was the strongest person in the world.
Daphne was in his arms. They were dancing. They were together on their first real date.
"So, where you from?" he asked.
"Manchester, England." That would explain the enchanting accent.
"Oh, my. Big family?"
"Hideously. And you?"
"I'm from a small mountain village in Tibet." Daphne laughed. "Tenzing Norgay used to carry me to school." She laughed again. His heart was so full it hurt.
"You know what I've always wondered?" he asked.
"I think I can guess."
"Yeah." Niles closed his eyes. Slowly his heart accommodated to its new size and the pain melted and washed away. Then Daphne's soft cheek brushed against his and fresh love pushed hard again at the walls of his chest.
"All that lovely food is getting cold," she murmured.
"Shall we stop and..."
"No," she sighed happily. "We've only danced a couple of times before and each time I just wanted it to last forever." There was shyness in her voice. "It's the first time I can tell you that."
"Then let's dance forever," Niles pulled her close against him, living the dream of her body pressing smoothly against his.
"That's all I want," she said. And after a while: "So, why did you leave this little village in Tibet?"
"To meet a girl from Manchester."
"How romantic." Her eyes and smile had held him all evening. Both were warm and alive and full of love.
"If you met her, you'd understand." The music changed and he swung Daphne into a slow waltz along the rooftop. She stayed with him as if they had been born dancing together, responding to the subtlest pressure from his fingers at her waist.
"You are a wonderful dancer," she said. "But then, I already knew that."
"Here is something you might not have known about me," Niles said. He dipped her back and held her there. "I've always had an enormous crush on my dance instructor." He lifted her back up.
"Oh?"
"She was a great dancer herself, of course, but also a very patient teacher. And unbelievably sexy. Believe me, it's relevant," he added as Daphne blushed.
"How?"
"Well, because she taught me so well that I tried showing off at social functions. I asked other women to dance and soon they were asking me but... it never felt the same. Truth be told, I only ever want to dance with her."
"Because she's so sexy?"
"Among other things. but now that you mention it." Daphne moved close, her lips grazing his neck. Niles caught a gasp in his throat. Unbelievably sexy. A little too sexy for the agreement they had made this morning to keep things slow. Niles suddenly pushed Daphne out and twirled her three times under his arm before pulling her back towards him, though not as close as before. Oblivious, Daphne's laughter rose to the heavens.
"It really is a beautiful dress," he said, recuperating. It really was. With a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful woman inside.
"How very kind. I bought it with a certain handsome bloke in mind."
"Ah, too bad. I'm almost certain it looks better on you." It was a weak joke, but Daphne laughed again as if out of sheer joy. He loved her like this, so relaxed and natural. The Daphne she had been before all this mess started. "So, tell me about this ...bloke."
"For one thing, I'm madly in love with him." Niles smiled at her. "For another, I have reason to believe he is madly in love with me. Do you know how lucky that makes us?"
"Yes. I especially know how lucky it makes him."
"Us." Daphne punctuated the word with a gentle kiss that made the stars pulse, then rested her head against him as they continued to dance. She even smelled beautiful.
Eventually she pulled back a bit.
"I want to look at you," she said as way of explanation. That was fine with Niles. As long as he could keep her in his arms, he wanted to look at her too. That painfully lovely smile that could launch a hundred thousand ships and give them wings to sail to the heavens.
"Are you happy?" He wanted to hear her say it.
"Oh, Niles. Yes." There was absolutely no doubt or hesitation in her answer and she had been radiant all evening, yet for some reason Niles suddenly thought about the crumpled tissues strewn about the living room last night and about what he had said to her this morning. Daphne must have read the agony on his face. Their dancing slowed and her hand caressed his face.
"Not all wonderful things have to be easy," she said gently. "This bloke, it took a long, long time for us to get together. Now it has happened and no matter how long it takes for things to get sorted out, I just have to keep reminding myself that he is worth it."
Strictly speaking, it was their first date and if they were going to go through the motions correctly, perhaps it was a bit early to say I love you. In reality this first date was an occasion that could mark the beginning of what Niles wanted more than anything: a future shared with the only woman he had ever truly loved. Niles turned to kiss Daphne's hand. They were off to a good start, he thought, for despite the absence of those three words Niles knew that 'I love you' was all they had been saying to each other all evening; through words, looks, movements and touch.
"I hope to god the bloke deserves you." Niles said softly.
"So do I," Daphne said, smiling as if not the faintest bit of doubt existed -- or had ever existed -- in her mind.
Among flowers, candles and stars the beautiful woman in the beautiful dress said I love you again, softly offering her lips to the handsome bloke from Tibet. He accepted her silent words as he offered his, their kiss deepening until they were no longer dancing; just holding each other tightly under Seattle's night sky.
They were off to a very good start. He loved Daphne and Daphne loved him. And they were, still, together.
Dinner and Dancing
By Amy (amydekanter@yahoo.com)
Between himself and Roz they managed to take three bad short cuts and a number of make-believe detours to drag on the journey home as long as possible. Since he had sprung that lie about his cell phone Frasier could not very well call Dad to make sure deliveries had been made.
At the moment they were double-parked outside an ATM machine, the fourth so far since Roz kept returning with the astounding news that all of them were out of order. Frasier had signalled her to take her time with this one and then come back. They were finally on schedule.
Frasier glanced in the review mirror. Far from being impatient at all these delays, Daphne was off in a world of her own, sitting quietly in the back seat and gazing out of the window. She did not even notice him staring at her.
Daphne was by no means a quiet person and whatever she was feeling, the world caught the brunt of it. Of course, that was what made her so nice to have around; Daphne was among the most cheery and good-natured people Frasier had ever met, which was saying a lot considering she spent the greater part of every day with Dad. Daphne's normally sunny disposition, like it or not, brightened up the rainiest of days and the glummest of moods.
All the same, she was human and in the years she had lived under his roof there had been times Frasier had seen her moody, angry, depressed and broken-hearted. But in seven years he had never seen her like this; muted and with clouds in her clear brown eyes. It was no wonder she had finally come apart today. She had little experience with holding things in, yet that was all she had been asked to do for the past several weeks, starting from the moment she had found out Niles was in love with her.
Now the outburst was over; Daphne sat silent again but there was still something in that new depth of her eyes -- a tempest she was trying hard to contain -- and Frasier did not like it one bit. The old Daphne wore her heart on her sleeve and said whatever was on her mind. As much as Frasier had complained about those very things in the past, he wanted their old Daphne back.
"Niles loves you, Daphne." He did not know what else to say but wanted so much to cheer her up. "You know that, don't you?"
"I do, Dr. Crane." Daphne smiled a small smile. "I was just wondering how far that love goes."
Frasier had no answer for that. Even Niles might not have the answer to that. Damn that Mel. That Niles loved Daphne was certain, but Frasier knew Niles had never stood up for himself -- let alone for anyone else - in his entire life. Not once. Daphne might not know his brother like he did but she had seen him pushed around by Maris for five long years and that was enough to make anyone feel hopeless.
Frasier tapped his fingers against the steering wheel. He had to admit he was feeling pretty hopeless himself. Talking to Dad and to Roz, he realised that they all prayed for one thing: That Mel would find it in her heart to let Niles go. Not one of them considered for a minute that Niles would have the courage to break free on his own even if it meant months or even years of waiting. But even though Frasier knew this would be hell on Daphne, he hoped she would stick it out; he could not even begin to imagine what it would do to his brother if Daphne left him.
"You're his shoe, you know."
"His what?" That caught her attention.
"Years ago he told me he had seen a documentary about the Great Depression or something. Apparently there was this one image that had a profound impact on him: a little boy's face shining with happiness over a pair of new shoes. Niles told me he'd never felt that kind of joy in his life and, well, frankly it broke my heart. Now, because of you I have finally seen that kind of joy on my brother's face."
"Do you really think I can make him happy?" Strong winds stirred the tempest in her eyes. There was no insecurity in Daphne's voice, just the profound desire to give such a gift to the man she loved. Frasier's heart ached. He was half in danger of falling in love with her himself.
"Oh, Daphne, honey, I do. You are the only person who ever has."
"Well, I did a fine job of it today."
"Daphne, you've suffered one huge shock after another." Today was still a sore point with Frasier, one that he had temporarily put out of his mind. "I hope you are not still blaming yourself for that." Frasier himself blamed Niles. Just because he was helping them out did not mean he had forgiven his brother for the atrociously unjust things he had said to him. At least Daphne had had the grace to apologise, but he was still waiting for that call from Niles. Sure, Niles felt his world was crumbling around him, but did that make it so hard to pick up the phone?
"Finally!" Roz got into the car. "Frasier, I think you should say something on your show tomorrow about the state of ATMs in this city."
"Certainly. It's heartening to know that my producer is so clear about the important role my show plays in this society."
"As a producer it would be heartening to see your show do something useful for a change."
Frasier was gratified to see Daphne smile at their bickering. God, did he ever want her back.
They pulled up in front of Elliot Bay Towers at precisely 7pm, just as shadows were growing long.
"Now, I'll not make us late for dinner tonight Dr. Crane; it will be a quick call." Daphne's earlier calm had finally given way to jumpiness. She wrung her hands nervously as the got in the elevator. "I just don't want your brother to think I'm still upset with him or that I've stopped."
"Hey, Daphne, what's that on the back of your shirt?"
Good thinking, Roz. While Daphne twisted and turned trying to get a look at the imaginary 'that,' Frasier pressed the button for the top floor. It was only right before the elevator doors opened that Roz stopped directing Daphne's contortions to say, "Oh, it's nothing."
"What are we doing here?" Daphne asked, finally noticing. "I have to call Niles."
"You can call him in a second. Just come with me."
"Hi guys." Dad was waiting for them at the top of the steps.
"Mr. Crane, what." Daphne stopped short. Even Frasier who knew about the surprise was stunned by the effect. He had had not had time to leave precise instructions but from the table setting to the candlesticks to the plants, the job had been done and it had been done perfectly.
"Dad, it looks great. Did you do all this?"
"Don't think I can live with you for six years without picking up one or two things?" Dad asked huffily, but he looked pleased.
"What is this?" Daphne had finally found her voice again.
"Well," Frasier explained. "As much as I know you care about me, I did not flatter myself in believing that you really wanted to spend this evening with me."
"I don't understand."
"Mel doesn't want you and Niles to be seen together in public, right?" Dad asked.
"Yeah," Roz chimed in. "Who says you need an audience for your first date anyway?"
As much plotting, work and strain had gone into this, Frasier knew he would have done a thousand times more just for the reward of seeing the change in Daphne's face.
"All this?" she asked. "For Niles and me?"
"For you and Niles, yes."
Awe transformed her in a way that ninety minutes in the beautician's chair could not. Daphne walked around as if in a trance, looking about her with the kind of wonder of someone who has stumbled upon a mystical place where dreams came true. Frasier wished his brother were here right now, seeing the love of his life lit up by the setting sun as if surrounded by a halo of gold.
"Dr. Crane, Mr. Crane. Roz." Dad and Roz were wearing matching grins, probably very similar to his own. Since no one else was taking the initiative, Frasier stepped forward to give Daphne a hug. He thought briefly of that look that had so troubled him before, the one he had not seen before she learned about Niles' affection. That was only one look, he realised. This was the other.
Just like that Frasier forgave his brother. He knew now the old Daphne would never fully come back but nor did he want her. If Niles had made Daphne look sadder than Frasier had ever seen her, he also knew Niles was responsible for the shining glow in her face, the joyous anticipation in her eyes, the gentle lift of her body which made it seem her feet had left the ground.
And speaking of anticipation.
"Now, you can either stay up here with me and help me light candles, or." Frasier smiled at Daphne. "You can go downstairs and change into that new dress to surprise your date when he arrives at seven thirty."
"I will. I. Dr. Crane.thank you."
"I guess you're pretty pleased with yourself," Dad said after Daphne had gone. But he said it with a look that Frasier did not see very often. A look that told him Dad was pretty pleased with him too. Frasier grew two inches taller.
"Yeah, I guess I am."
"I'm going downstairs to make sure your brother doesn't come early and spoil his own surprise." Dad started off toward the stairs. "You're a good boy, Frasier."
"Gee, normally you reserve your 'good boy's' for Eddie." But Dad was out of earshot and Frasier had grown another inch.
"I gather you guys can take it from here?" Roz said.
"I'm certain we can. Are you rushing off for any reason?"
"Nah, it's just that I'm not the most unselfish person in the world after all. As much as I love those two goofs, I'm not really in the mood to watch someone else's happily ever after, especially on a dateless night."
The sunset which had so beautifully illuminated Daphne's face was doing Roz the same favour. Frasier was inspired.
"You know, Roz, I have not cancelled those reservations at Le Cigar Volante. If you are not doing anything else tonight."
"You are not asking me out on a date, are you?"
"Of course not. But you did go through all that trouble. I mean you are. you do look very nice."
"Oh, thanks Frasier. That's really sweet."
"Well, it has been a while since I've been out with a beautiful woman."
"Yeah. It's been a while since I've been out too." The lack of adjectives did not escape Frasier. Pointedly, he raised his eyebrows but Roz continued as if nothing was wrong: "Let me just go home and check on Alice, okay? The sitter told me earlier she could come by if I needed her."
"How very fortuitous." If she was not even going to feign enthusiasm, he wasn't going to either.
"I also want to change. I can't go out looking this good just from the neck up." Suddenly, she squeezed his arm. "You know, it really means a lot to me that you asked. I'd actually love to go out with you."
"Well. what can I say?" Frasier was confused but gratified by her belated display of appreciation. "See you at, say, eight thirty?" He watched as she left, feeling his own sense of appreciation as he imagined what she might have planned to look good from the neck down. Sure it was just Roz, but he wasn't dead.
Dad poked his head around the corner.
"I got Niles on his car phone, he's ten minutes away." Dad was trying to hide it, but he'd been acting tense all evening. This seemed to mean a lot to him. "Daphne should be up in a minute."
"Not without an escort, she shouldn't." Frasier picked a single pink rose from the arrangement. Then he picked another one.
"Two roses?" Dad asked.
"One for Daphne," Frasier explained. "And one," he inhaled their fragrance and smiled at his father. "For my date."
##
There had been a message on Niles' answering machine when he got home:
"Niles, it's me. I hope you are on your way over. I. I miss you. And I love you." For one glorious moment everything had been all right. Niles had struggled back into his coat and was about to rush back to Frasier's apartment when he realised the message had been left this morning, before he had ruined everything.
He stayed in the rest of the day, listening to the tape again and again, to the sound of Daphne just a few short hours earlier, when she still loved him. The voice on the tape drowned out the voice in his head. The voice was also Daphne's, using a very different tone to the tender one that had left the message on his machine. It was the voice she had used moments later when she nearly said she wished she had married Donny after all.
Niles had no appetite but he nor did not allow himself more than a single stiff drink. Daphne had shouted at him this morning but Niles had heard the panic behind her anger. The memory of the fear in her voice was why it now was so hard to keep himself from emptying the whole bottle, the whole damn bar.
When Daphne had come to him the morning of her wedding she had been so sure of herself and of her feelings, but Niles had whittled away at her conviction and today he had seen, for the first time in three days, doubt. Was it his love she was questioning or her own? Or was it both? He could not think about it. Not if he wanted to keep his will to live.
Niles knew he could not defend himself. He hoped Daphne would never find out that he had spent the night before kissing his wife. He knew she would not understand disgust he felt towards Mel and towards himself, much less his inability to put a stop to the charade. He had promised Daphne he would be strong but Mel was any person's kryptonite.
When Dad called and asked whether Niles would like to go with him to the Natural History Museum Niles said yes at once. Not only did he need to get out of this apartment before going insane, but he also needed to be nearer to Daphne, even if it only meant sharing the same building for a few minutes.
Without the tape for protection, on the drive there Niles was at the mercy of echoes of this morning's fight, including the most painful of all: Niles' own voice suggesting that Daphne be more understanding Mel's situation. Mercilessly he relived the iciness that crept through him as soon as the words were out of his mouth, freezing him as they froze Daphne, both of them stunned by what he had said. And by what had been implied.
With those words Daphne had become The Other Woman.
Niles' hands were white on the steering wheel. He would have to curl up and die some other night. Tonight he was taking Dad with him to the Natural History Museum.
"Hi Dad," Niles strained to look over his father's shoulder into the apartment. Neither Daphne nor Frasier were anywhere to be seen.
"Hey, Niles. Come in, I'll get my jacket."
As casually as he could, Niles strode over towards the kitchen, straining to hear any sounds from Daphne's bedroom. Nothing. His father stood by the doorway, waiting patiently for Niles to finish his rounds.
"Ready?" Dad asked when Niles slumped in defeat.
No. He was not ready. He was nothing except empty. As empty as the night he had spent by the lake trying not to think about life without Daphne.
"Good idea, Dad," he said, covering. "An evening out, just the two of us." He should have been saying that those words to Daphne tonight. "I had no idea you enjoyed the Natural History Museum."
Dad answered something but Niles couldn't concentrate.
"So, where's um..."
"Oh, she went out with Frasier to a restaurant for dinner."
"Oh." Even as pain yawned wider inside him, Niles was glad. Daphne deserved a night out. "She happen to ask about...?"
"Sorry." Of course not. If he were Daphne he would not ask about him either.
Niles had bet himself he could wait until the second exhibit before bursting into tears and begging his father for advice. Now it looked like he'd be lucky if they reached the lobby dry. To make things worse, Dad had pressed the wrong button and they were going up instead of down.
When his father urged him up onto the roof to look at some pigeons Niles began to suspect that maybe his father was not interested in going to the museum after all. But couldn't he have just said so? To Niles it did not matter one way or another. He had only agreed in the first place because it gave him an excuse to drop by and at least see how Daphne was doing, even if she wasn't speaking to him. Now, having been to the apartment and not having seen her, Niles could not think or care about anything else.
"Dad, I don't think I handled things very well today." Which was the understatement of a lifetime. "Do you think Daphne will ever forgive me?
"Why don't you ask her yourself?" Dad stepped back from the door.
Breathing and heartbeat stopped with Niles as he stared. This could only be a place in dreams. A place where light came from stars and candles and where colour and perfume came from flowers. A place where a woman who was the envy of angels sat -- as if waiting for him -- with a tender smile. Exactly how high had that elevator brought him?
The whole world was waiting for him to speak.
"You look stunning," was all he could say although words had not been invented that could describe the way Daphne looked.
"Thank you. You look dashing." Her voice was the voice of this morning when she hoped he was on his way over. When she loved him.
"I trust this will be to your liking?" Frasier asked. In a dream, Niles sat down.
"Everything is to my liking." Her hair was different. Softer and even lovelier than usual.
"Looks like we're having that first date after all," Daphne said softly.
"You went to so much trouble." She was wearing the new dress. 'It's much too expensive, but you're worth it,' she had told him this morning. She was wrong. Nobody could be worth this much.
"It wasn't me, it was your brother."
"Well, you know me," Frasier was saying. "I hate to butt in."
"Oh." He tried to say more but could not.
"It's all so overwhelming," Daphne said.
It was she who was overwhelming. Niles knew he should thank Frasier and apologise from the bottom of his heart. He tried to but could barely think to form the words; his entire being captured by one person alone. Daphne thanked Frasier for him, and his father. She was so beautiful. One of them said something about having a lovely evening but Niles could not take his eyes off Daphne. He barely noticed them leave.
She shone with candlelight and happiness at being with him. She loved him. Even after the way he had behaved this morning.
"Daphne, about today..."
"Let's just forget about that. Why don't we start from here?"
"I would love that." He would have agreed to anything she wanted but he was grateful all the same. He held up his champagne glass. "To us."
"To us." The slight jarring contact of their clinking glasses reminded Niles of something that had been put off for far too long. As if reading his mind, Daphne stood as he did, leaning forward over the table to meet him for a kiss.
"I'm usually so nervous on a first date," she admitted. "But not tonight."
He still could not stop looking at her. It was as if he had been starving for her since this morning. Or for the past 24 hours. Or for the past six years. Or for his entire life. Her kiss retained its flavour on his lips. His soul was pulling him towards her, pleading to let it have her near.
"Would you like to dance?" he asked.
"I'd love to."
He was stronger than he realised. If he could feel this way and neither collapse nor float up to the stars he was the strongest person in the world.
Daphne was in his arms. They were dancing. They were together on their first real date.
"So, where you from?" he asked.
"Manchester, England." That would explain the enchanting accent.
"Oh, my. Big family?"
"Hideously. And you?"
"I'm from a small mountain village in Tibet." Daphne laughed. "Tenzing Norgay used to carry me to school." She laughed again. His heart was so full it hurt.
"You know what I've always wondered?" he asked.
"I think I can guess."
"Yeah." Niles closed his eyes. Slowly his heart accommodated to its new size and the pain melted and washed away. Then Daphne's soft cheek brushed against his and fresh love pushed hard again at the walls of his chest.
"All that lovely food is getting cold," she murmured.
"Shall we stop and..."
"No," she sighed happily. "We've only danced a couple of times before and each time I just wanted it to last forever." There was shyness in her voice. "It's the first time I can tell you that."
"Then let's dance forever," Niles pulled her close against him, living the dream of her body pressing smoothly against his.
"That's all I want," she said. And after a while: "So, why did you leave this little village in Tibet?"
"To meet a girl from Manchester."
"How romantic." Her eyes and smile had held him all evening. Both were warm and alive and full of love.
"If you met her, you'd understand." The music changed and he swung Daphne into a slow waltz along the rooftop. She stayed with him as if they had been born dancing together, responding to the subtlest pressure from his fingers at her waist.
"You are a wonderful dancer," she said. "But then, I already knew that."
"Here is something you might not have known about me," Niles said. He dipped her back and held her there. "I've always had an enormous crush on my dance instructor." He lifted her back up.
"Oh?"
"She was a great dancer herself, of course, but also a very patient teacher. And unbelievably sexy. Believe me, it's relevant," he added as Daphne blushed.
"How?"
"Well, because she taught me so well that I tried showing off at social functions. I asked other women to dance and soon they were asking me but... it never felt the same. Truth be told, I only ever want to dance with her."
"Because she's so sexy?"
"Among other things. but now that you mention it." Daphne moved close, her lips grazing his neck. Niles caught a gasp in his throat. Unbelievably sexy. A little too sexy for the agreement they had made this morning to keep things slow. Niles suddenly pushed Daphne out and twirled her three times under his arm before pulling her back towards him, though not as close as before. Oblivious, Daphne's laughter rose to the heavens.
"It really is a beautiful dress," he said, recuperating. It really was. With a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful woman inside.
"How very kind. I bought it with a certain handsome bloke in mind."
"Ah, too bad. I'm almost certain it looks better on you." It was a weak joke, but Daphne laughed again as if out of sheer joy. He loved her like this, so relaxed and natural. The Daphne she had been before all this mess started. "So, tell me about this ...bloke."
"For one thing, I'm madly in love with him." Niles smiled at her. "For another, I have reason to believe he is madly in love with me. Do you know how lucky that makes us?"
"Yes. I especially know how lucky it makes him."
"Us." Daphne punctuated the word with a gentle kiss that made the stars pulse, then rested her head against him as they continued to dance. She even smelled beautiful.
Eventually she pulled back a bit.
"I want to look at you," she said as way of explanation. That was fine with Niles. As long as he could keep her in his arms, he wanted to look at her too. That painfully lovely smile that could launch a hundred thousand ships and give them wings to sail to the heavens.
"Are you happy?" He wanted to hear her say it.
"Oh, Niles. Yes." There was absolutely no doubt or hesitation in her answer and she had been radiant all evening, yet for some reason Niles suddenly thought about the crumpled tissues strewn about the living room last night and about what he had said to her this morning. Daphne must have read the agony on his face. Their dancing slowed and her hand caressed his face.
"Not all wonderful things have to be easy," she said gently. "This bloke, it took a long, long time for us to get together. Now it has happened and no matter how long it takes for things to get sorted out, I just have to keep reminding myself that he is worth it."
Strictly speaking, it was their first date and if they were going to go through the motions correctly, perhaps it was a bit early to say I love you. In reality this first date was an occasion that could mark the beginning of what Niles wanted more than anything: a future shared with the only woman he had ever truly loved. Niles turned to kiss Daphne's hand. They were off to a good start, he thought, for despite the absence of those three words Niles knew that 'I love you' was all they had been saying to each other all evening; through words, looks, movements and touch.
"I hope to god the bloke deserves you." Niles said softly.
"So do I," Daphne said, smiling as if not the faintest bit of doubt existed -- or had ever existed -- in her mind.
Among flowers, candles and stars the beautiful woman in the beautiful dress said I love you again, softly offering her lips to the handsome bloke from Tibet. He accepted her silent words as he offered his, their kiss deepening until they were no longer dancing; just holding each other tightly under Seattle's night sky.
They were off to a very good start. He loved Daphne and Daphne loved him. And they were, still, together.
