Dancing In The Rain by Patrick Councilor
[ Dancing In The Rain ]
There is a quaint little park on the counter-balance of Queen Anne Hill called Kerry Park which was just one short block from Elliot Bay Towers. Niles' father came here often to take Eddie for his walks. That was before Frasier had moved away. It captured the same view Frasier's 1901 apartment had.
Niles pulled up to the curb and shut the engine off. They didn't get out right away. Instead, they sat in silence and watched the soft rain come down and admired the view.
"This city is so beautiful, isn't it?" She asked.
"Most certainly." He helped her bundle up before they stepped outside. "Daphne, before we go out there and I accidentally step on your foot once or twice, I just wanted to thank you."
She turned to him. "What in heavens for?"
"For absolutely everything. For who you are and the wonderful mother you are. For bringing so much joy to this old man's life."
She grinned widely. "Silly. I would be thanking you. You bring just as much joy to my life… not to mention that wonderful meal we just had… and the dance performance." She leaned in to kiss him, but stopped just an inch short. She waited there, prolonging the eagerness of the wonderful kiss she planned on bestowing to him.
His heart started dancing inside his chest as he could feel her sweet breath on his cheek.
Inching toward him, she brought her lips into his so softly that it almost made his head swim. Swim indeed, with the sweet scent of cherry bark and almonds she had combed through her hair. She often wore other perfumes, but this was his very favorite.
Niles mumbled something.
"What was that hon?"
"What?"
"You said something."
"I did?"
"You did?"
"Well… I don't know what it could be."
"Come again?"
"Sometimes you have that effect on me."
She smiled and put her hand on his chest as she leaned in to gently bring their lips together again.
"Thank you."
A giggle escaped her. "Niles dear, you don't have to thank me every time I kiss you."
"Well, you had better get used to it if you keep kissing me like that."
She couldn't control her smile. "I love you Niles Crane."
"And I so love you, lady Daphne." He leaned back and let out a deep breath in admiration for the way she made him feel. "Well my lady, would you care to dance?"
"I'd love to." She tucked her purse under the passenger seat as he got out and hurried around the car to open her door. He took her hand to help her out.
Their rain coats had hoods, but with the rain so faint, they really didn't need them. Just the same, Niles made sure they wore them.
They walked over to the cement decking. There was a railing between them and the glow of down town Seattle.
He held out a hand and bowed to her.
She couldn't stop smiling. She opened up her rain coat and retrieved a Walkman that had two headsets attached to it. Opening his raincoat, she then turned the player on and slid it into his coat pocket.
"You've got this all planned out," he said.
She put his ear pieces in first and then her own. She left their raincoats open so she could get as close to him as possible.
As he put his arms around her waist and started to sway with her, she pressed her lips to his and didn't let up. They kissed for three straight songs. Niles doesn't even remember breathing during those three glorious songs.
He held onto his wife like they were dancing on thin ice that they could break through at any moment.
After that third song, Daphne swung her hands behind her and let her raincoat fall to the pavement.
"Daphne, I don't think…" He started to protest, but she silenced him by returning her lips to where they should be… with his.
She wanted to experience the rain in a refreshing and exhilarating way. Her heart was thundering against his chest and even in the rain, she was feeling quite warm.
Niles just couldn't allow himself to be the only one wearing a raincoat. It just didn't feel right. In the past years, when they had danced in the rain, they kept their raincoats on or sheltered themselves with an umbrella between them. At least, for every year except that first year.
He released her to remove his raincoat and fold it over his arm.
She smiled at him. If he didn't want to drop his coat in the rain like she had, she didn't mind at all. She moved back into place… into his arms and wrapped hers around him.
It was exhilarating, it was refreshing, and it was just between the two of them and no one else.
There were a few other people there, admiring the view of the city, as there always was. They had only paid initial attention to the two fools dancing in the rain. Niles spoke into her ear loud enough to be heard over the music, but not loud enough for others to hear. "You can kiss me like that in public only when I'm actually in the middle of a cold shower."
She laughed out loud and held the man she adored. She could feel her heard thundering so.
They danced to two more songs and the city was theirs.
They didn't want it to end, but she knew not to fight Niles' concerns for her getting sick for being out in the rain too long.
He picked up her raincoat for her as they headed back for the car. He was quick to open her door for her before placing their wet raincoats in the trunk. Inside the car, he had high-quality, extra big and thick towels in the back seat. He made sure she had more than she needed before getting any for himself.
"Oh, is me makeup running?"
"Yes, but even with running makeup, you are certainly the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes upon."
"Oh you." She turned her head away from him as she towel-dried her hair. She didn't want him to see her smiling to herself. Truth was, she believed him. She was so lucky to be so in love with the greatest man she had ever known. And Niles had so much love to give.