Love Letters pt 6

It had been six months to the day since the letter incident and Niles sat in cafe nervosa contemplating how his relationship with Daphne was progressing. Everything had been very cautious at first , he was determined not to ruin things by going too fast but now things seemed to be going very well and he could never imagine them being apart. He didn't think it was possible for him to love her any more but , everyday he did and everyday he wanted her more , but he was going to take her lead and until she made it clear she wanted to take things further he would be happy just being with her. He looked at his watch . They had a dinner date and he should have been home already , he was due to pick her up in an hour.

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Daphne stood in front of the mirror and looked at herself up and down. Shoe could hardly believe the change in her own feelings over the past six months. Not it was an anniversary of sorts and Niles had something planned. He'd told her to dress smartly , he was taking er somewhere a little bit special , so that day she'd gone shopping and bought something very special . Looking at herself now she knew she'd made the right decision . The midnight blue velvet traced the curves of her body and the dipped neck line revealed just enough of her cleavage . Her hair was fastened with a silver clip incrusted with tiny blue stones which perfectly matched her dress. Smiling she slipped on a pair of flat strappy saddles and sprayed a little obsession , then lifting the little clutch bag off her bed she rushed out of the room just as the door bell rang.

Niles was standing by the door talking to Frasier when she came into the room, seeing her he stopped mid sentence

"Oh Daphne" he said when he'd gotten his breath back "You look amazing . That dress , and your hair and....... well I'm speechless."

"You really like it ?"

"Well , yes , I mean if I could get my eyes back of these stalks and slow my heart rate I'd tell you again" Niles looked at his watch "We better get going or we'll miss our reservations. Frasier I'll call you about that referral in the morning"

"That's great Niles" Frasier replied smiling at Daphne as she walked past "and he's right ," he continued "you do look amazing"

"Thank you" Daphne said blushing a little as she rushed into the elevator "She had no idea where Niles was taking her but he defiantly didn't want to be late.

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As they drove through the Seattle streets , the calm stillness of the warm spring evening made Daphne smile .

"Where are we going?" she asked placing her hand on Niles knee

"Oh now he replied with a mischievous grin "that would be telling , you are just going to have to trust me"

She sighed contentedly she had no problem trusting him , he'd never let her down and if he had something panned she was sure she was going to love it . Looking around as familiar land marks flew past she was sure of one thing , they were heading for the pier . As it came into sight she was struck , as she always was , by the contrasts it had . Here , like no where else she knew , fast food restaurants and top class bistros where you never underdressed and were never late for reservations could live side by side. Niles pulled into one of the parking lots close to the edge of the shingle beach and turned off the engine. There were very few cars around and Daphne knew it was some distance to any of the restaurants. Then right on cue a horse drawn carriage drew up and marked time by the car.

"Your carriage awaits" Niles said smiling

Now it was daphne's turn to be speechless , no wonder he'd been so worried about being late. He was out of the car and opening her door he extended a hand to help her out , when she was beside him he locked the doors and helped her into the waiting carriage. As they sat side by side , his arm draped loosely around her shoulders and a fine cotton rug covering their knees the carriage trundled along taking them to their destination. All around them people milled enjoying the mild evening and other couples cuddled together in carriages identical to theirs . The carriage pulled up outside a brightly lit restaurant and the driver waited as Niles climbed down and helped Daphne back on to the pavement.

When they were seated and Niles had ordered wine from the stiffly dressed waiter who showed them to their table he relaxed back in his seat and looked across the table at Daphne.

"This place is wonderful" she said "and the carriage , Niles how do you think of these things ?"

"Nothing is too much trouble for you" he replied "and besides it's an anniversary, six months together and still writing" he smiled at her . The relaxed atmosphere and the comfort he now felt in her presence gave him courage and he decided a little taking stock may be in order "Do you think you made the right choice?" he asked .

Daphne looked at him , breathing deeply she was about to answer when the waiter came to take their order . When he'd gone Niles looked at her waiting to hear what she was going to say

"You know , it's funny you should ask that" she said sending Niles heart racing and giving him butterflies in his stomach , what if she said no ? "I spoke to Donny last night" the butterflies were fast turning into seagulls and Niles thought he might be sick "He asked me the same thing , you see if we'd gone ahead we'd have been married yesterday. That was the date we never got to announce . By now I would have been Mrs Donny Douglas"

Niles was beginning to feel like the room was spinning he wasn't sure he wanted the answer to his next question but he asked it anyhow. "And what did you tell him?"

"I told him I'd never been more sure of anything , that things were going great between us and I can't remember the last time I was so happy"

In spite of his own relief Niles couldn't help but feel sorry for Donny. To have the woman you were supposed to marry , tell you , on the day you were supposed to marry her , that she was so happy with someone else would be awful . The feeling passed quickly as his own sense of relief took over.

They talked incessantly all throughout dinner , they discussed what they both hoped for the future and about the mundane everyday things people want to hear about each other when they are completely in love. Niles complained about his awkward patients and Daphne told him the latest news from her eccentric mother and mad brothers . When they had paid the bill and were back outside Niles took her hand , he was about to hail and carriage to take them back to car when Daphne stopped him .

"It's a lovely evening"she said "lets walk back"

"If that's what you want"Niles replied smiling broadly at her as they started toward the car.

The night was warm and clear , the sky was a blanket of stars above them and the crescent moon appeared to be smiling at them . Other couples passed them by and all around them the night seemed to be celebrating love . Niles was absorbed in his enjoyment of the moment when the car came into sight.

"I guess we should get you home" he said squeezing Daphne's hand as he reached into his pocket for the keys . As he went to unlock the door she pulled him close

"You know" she said "I don't have to go home tonight , I'm sure they could manage without me for breakfast"

Niles kissed her , then rested his forehead on hers "Are you sure?" he asked

Daphne nodded "I love you , I want to be with you" she replied

Niles felt like everything in his world was finally perfect , seven and a half years of patience had finally paid off , she loved him , she was his , with a smile he opened the car door ;

"I love you too" he said "see I told you this story would have a happy ending , now lets go and start writing volume two"