She turned away and started to cry, knowing that Martin was standing beside her, wearing a look of confusion. "Daphne…"
"Okay, who wants champagne?" Frasier called.
Daphne turned to find her boss and his brother coming out of the kitchen.
"I'll make the first toast." Niles announced, holding up his glass. "I-." He froze as his eyes met Daphne's and he sat his glass on the table. He went to her at once, taking her into his arms. "Sweetheart, what is it? What's wrong?"
"This is a mistake, Dr. Crane!"
He moved out of her arms, staring at her in disbelief. "What? Daphne…"
Martin cleared his throat. "Um, Fras, why don't we…"
"Of course Dad." Frasier replied. "You know, there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about. Why don't we go down to the lobby?"
"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea." Martin agreed.
Daphne was grateful that the elder Crane men were gone but suddenly she wished that they had stayed. She needed their support at that moment more than ever. She moved to the sofa and sat down, her heart racing when she felt the cushion shift from Niles' weight as he sat down beside her.
"Daphne, if this is about what Dad told you, I am sorry."
She turned to him and took his hand. "Why would you apologize for something like that? You didn't do anything wrong."
"But I didn't mean for you to find out like this. I wanted-."
Tears streamed down her cheeks, and he sighed.
"Daphne, please don't cry. I never-."
"I wish I had known how you felt. But now that I do…"
"Yes?"
Her smile came easily. "I'm surprised of course. I had no idea."
"But-." He prompted.
She rose from the sofa and began to pace the room. "I'm scared, Dr. Crane."
He stood and grabbed her hand, stopping her in her tracks. "Scared? Sweetheart, what are you afraid of?"
"Of this, Dr. Crane! Of us!"
"What?"
"Oh, never mind! I knew this was a bad idea! I'm sorry."
She tried to pull away, but he wouldn't let go of her hand.
"Daphne, you don't ever have to be afraid. I love you and I'll do anything-."
"But that's just it, Dr. Crane! I'm afraid of this! Just a few hours ago I was prepared to say yes to Donny's proposal! I was going to spend the rest of my life with him! And then I saw you… standing by the elevators. Your father told me why you were so upset."
"Damn it…" Niles muttered. But Daphne refused to let him feel guilty. Not about this.
"Don't blame your father. Please don't be angry with him. I made him tell me. I was just… I was so worried about you!" Her hand went to her trembling mouth and the tears spilled onto her cheeks like raindrops from a summer storm.
He held her hand tightly, bringing it to his lips for a kiss. "Daphne, please tell me… why are you so afraid? What did I do?"
She turned and took him into her arms, content to hold him for a bit. "Nothing. You didn't do anything, Dr. Crane. You're still the same sweet and wonderful man that you've always been."
He smiled and squeezed her hand. "Thank you Daphne, but-."
"I-I don't want to rush into anything. I never-I never thought that I could have romantic feelings for you. And when your father told me that you're in love with me, I couldn't believe it. I-I still can't believe it."
He drew out of her arms. "I hope you aren't disappointed."
She couldn't help it. She laughed out loud. "Disappointed? No, never…" Her lips met his, softly. "How could I possibly be disappointed? A handsome, sweet man falls in love with me and I had no idea. I'm so flattered, Dr. Crane. I really am. But-."
"Daphne please tells me. I promise I won't be angry, no matter what it is."
"I just… what if we start this romantic relationship and somewhere down the road we find that we're not compatible? Or that we no longer love each other?"
"No, that will never happen Daphne. Never."
"But you can't possibly know that! And neither can I!"
He nodded, his smile fading. "All right. Fair enough. But if it does…We'll work through it."
"I don't want to lose your friendship, Dr. Crane. It means the world to me."
"Daphne I will always be your friend, no matter what. I promise you that with my whole heart."
She hugged him tightly and then kissed his cheek. "So, what do we do now?"
"Well, Frasier was right. If you're serious about not seeing Donny anymore, then you should talk to him."
"You're right. But I should do it in person. It's the right thing to do."
"I'll go with you, if you like." Niles offered.
She smiled and kissed his hand. "I have to do this meself. He's going to be hurt and most likely very angry, but I'll just tell him the truth. That I'm having romantic feelings for someone else and It's wrong to keep seeing Donny when I feel this way."
"All right, well…"
"I'll do it first thing tomorrow. But not tonight." She turned toward the balcony window and smiled. ""Your brother and father have been out there for a long time. And we never did get a chance to celebrate."
"You're right." Niles rose from the sofa and grabbed two champagne glasses filling them to the top. He handed one to her and kissed her cheek.
"Do you mind if I make the first toast?"
He seemed surprised. "Not at all. May I ask what yhou're going to say?"
She held up her glass until it was level with his. "To us. And to new beginnings."
He smiled, clinking his glass against hers and they sipped their champagne. "I like the sound of that."
She sat down the glass on the coffee table and threw her arms around Niles. "Oh, I love you, Niles Crane."
His mouth fell open in disbelief. "D-Daphne, you..."
"Yes?"
"You just called me Niles. And you said that you love me."
She grinned. "I did, didn't I?"
"Does this mean…"
"It means that we should take things slow. Why don't we start with a kiss?"
"Mm… I like the sound of that." He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, in much the same way that he'd kissed her earlier. They were so caught up in the moment that they barely heard the door open and then the sound of Martin's voice.
"You see Frasier? I told you that things would work out just fine."
Daphne smiled, and hugged Niles tightly, knowing that nothing could ever tear them apart.
~THE END~