It was the warm hand on her back that made her turn around, but when she did, she wished that she hadn't. To look into his beautiful eyes was even more painful than realizing how bloody stupid she'd been for thinking that her best friend, a man like Dr. Crane who was her polar opposite, could possibly be in love with her. She tried to turn away, but the gentle touch prevented her from doing so. And there was nothing she could do but look into his gorgeous blue eyes.
"Dr. Crane, I'm sorry, I-."
"No, Daphne. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. What I said about dinner-."
"You don't have to explain, I understand. I never should have assumed-."
"Please, hear me out. I didn't explain myself at all. What I meant to say was, I should have said-."
"I'm so sorry." She said again.
"What could you possibly be sorry for? You haven't done anything wrong. If anything I'm the one-."
"I'm sorry for being so stupid, Dr. Crane."
"You're not stupid, Daphne. Please don't ever think-."
"I am stupid, Dr. Crane! For thinking that you could possibly love someone like me!"
His mouth fell open. "Daphne…"
"It's your brother's fault!" She blurted out. "When your father confessed to sending me that rose, your brother assumed that it was you who had sent it."
"H-he did? But I never-."
"He was quite angry about it but when your father said that he was the one who sent it, your brother had no choice but to explain why he was so angry. And then your father confessed to knowing the secret as well. They never came right out and said as much but I just assumed-." She took a deep shuddering breath as the tears streamed down her cheeks. "I- I guess I was wrong. I'm sorry."
Suddenly he moved closer and gently cradled her face in his hands. "You're not wrong, Daphne. I do love you. I love you very much."
She gasped in surprise and before she could even consider what to say, he was kissing her. His lips were soft and warm and she wrapped her arms around his neck in an effort to draw him closer. She couldn't think, couldn't breathe, nor did she want to. Every doubt or fear that she'd had about loving him began to melt away, leaving a feeling of complete and utter happiness and love for her best friend that was so intense that she couldn't believe it was real.
The kisses ended and she looked into his eyes suddenly realizing that perhaps he had loved her for a long time. She never thought about the possibility before but at once the pieces finally came together, forming a beautiful picture. She didn't have to ask him why he had been so hesitant to tell her. Frasier's immediate reaction when he assumed that Niles sent the rose made that abundantly clear.
"I love you, Niles… I love you very much." She whispered, trying to keep her voice steady.
He smiled and smoothed her hair with his hand and then touched his nose to hers. "I love you too, Daphne."
Their kisses resumed, more intense than before and she found that she couldn't let go of him. She wanted to hold onto him forever.
But suddenly, she drew back and gasped. Frantically looking around the parking lot.
"Oh no, please tell me that I didn't lose it! I'll be so upset if-."
"You mean this?"
She gasped in surprise when he showed her the object in his hand. It was the tissue paper covered rose that Mr. Crane had given her. With trembling fingers she took it and inhaled the wonderful aroma.
"Thank you, Niles. Where was it?"
"In my office. You must have dropped it when you-."
Her eyes closed and she smelled the rose again. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"
"Yes, Daphne. You're very beautiful." He whispered, kissing her again.
"You know…" She said thoughtfully after the kisses ended. "I never did properly thank your father for the gift. I should do that."
"And I need to thank Frasier."
"Your brother? What for? He didn't give me a gift."
"But he gave me a gift. One that I will cherish for the rest of my life."
She held him close, listening to his heartbeat. Standing in the parking lot of his office next to her car was hardly romantic, but at that moment it was the only place she wanted to be.
THE END