As they washed the dishes in comfortable silence, she was only too aware of Niles looking at her.
Slowly she turned her gaze to meet his, surprised to find him blushing.
"Daphne, can I talk to you?"
Of course, Dr. Crane. What's on your mind?"
When he didn't answer right away, she turned to him.
"Is something wrong?"
"Actually I was about to ask you the same thing."
She stared at him in surprise. "You were?"
"Well, you seem a little upset."
Embarrassed, she turned away.
"Is this about Dad and Frasier?"
Daphne sighed deeply, trying not to let the hurt show on her face.
"Daphne, I'm sorry. They had no business treating you so harshly."
"It's not that. It's just..."
"Yes?"
"Oh, Dr. Crane, I don't want to speak poorly about your brother or your father, but I worked so hard tryin' to make breakfast! I know I'm not the best cook in the world and I can't make the gourmet meals that your brother is used to eatin'; but I do me best to take care of them! I guess I was a little hurt by your father's comments about my cookin'."
Niles took her hand and rubbed it gently with his thumb; a tender gesture that made her want to cry.
"I'm so sorry that happened. Frasier and Dad should be more sensitive to your feelings, but please don't ever feel like your work is inadequate. You're a wonderful person and should be treated as such."
At his kind words, Daphne smiled; her eyes filling with tears.
"Oh... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."
"You didn't upset me, Dr. Crane. You're such a good friend and I don't know what I would do without you."
Daphne hugged him warmly, sighing when he held her closer than normal.
"Thank you, Daphne. I feel the same way about you." Niles replied.
Daphne smiled and touched his cheek. "You really are the sweetest man."
After another brief silence, they resumed washing the dishes.
"Oh! You wanted to talk to me about something." Daphne said suddenly.
He swallowed hard. "Right, I did."
"What's on your mind?"
"Well, I was thinking about the other day when Frasier gave you those awful earrings."
"Oh, but they're beautiful! He really shouldn't have gone to so much trouble."
"I know he gave you those genuine sapphires, but I'm talking about the first pair. It's appalling to think that he bought you jewelry at a drug store!"
She sighed deeply. "I know, but he did make amends and gave me that beautiful pendant, so I shouldn't be upset. It was silly of me to think that those earrings were real in the first place; especially since I've never had real jewelry in me life."
Niles scoffed. "It's appalling to think that he led you to believe such a thing, so I've taken matters into my own hands."
The statement made her laugh. "Oh, Dr. Crane, what do you mean?"
"I-I bought you a gift."
She couldn't help but smile. "A-a gift? For me? Dr. Crane, you didn't have to do that. It's not me birthday or-."
"I know. I just..."
Niles reached into his pocket and removed a blue velvet box, smiling when her mouth fell open in surprise.
"Dr Crane..."
She ran her hand over the tiny silver sticker that read Holsteins. It was the most exclusive jewelry store in Seattle.
"W-what is this?"
"Open it."
With trembling hands, Daphne opened the box, gasping at what she saw.
For inside was a pair of diamond and sapphire earrings, accompanied by a matching necklace; jewelry that was far more beautiful than the gifts that Frasier had given to her.
"Th-there must be some mistake. These can't possibly be for me."
"Of course they are."
"But... I don't deserve something so extravagant."
"That's nonsense, Daphne. You deserve them; and so much more."
She blinked causing tears to slide down her cheeks.
"You shouldn't say such things."
"But it's the truth. If I had been able to... well... I should have bought you jewelry a long time ago."
"It's not your place to do so, Dr. Crane. It's not anyone's place, really. And even so, why..."
He took her hand and kissed it tenderly, causing a shiver to run through her body. And when his eyes met hers, she had to remind herself to breathe.
"Because... I love you, Daphne."