His hands were on her cheeks, gently brushing away her tears. "Daphne, I'm so sorry. I've deceived you and that wasn't at all my intention. I-."
She silenced him with a kiss and then drew back. "Do you have any idea how wonderful you are, Niles Crane?"
He blushed, looking boyishly handsome. "Well, I-."
"You did all of this for me? The party? The tuxedo?"
"Well, I-."
"No one has ever done something so wonderful for me before. I can't thank you enough. I'm so touched."
The kisses that followed were sweet, tender and more wonderful than she ever imagined. If she could have continued kissing this man forever, she would have been perfectly happy. But when he drew back unexpectedly, she was filled with worry.
"What's wrong? Why did you stop?"
"Nothing's wrong. I… Well, this is a party and-."
"You're absolutely right, Niles." She laughed, watching him pour two glasses of champagne and then place one in her hand. And then he walked into the kitchen, returning seconds later with a plate of hors d'oeuvres, bowing much like a waiter would. "Here you are, Miss."
She took one and bit into it, the flavor exploding on her tongue. "Oh, these are heavenly."
"Thank you. It was quite popular at our wine club gatherings, so I thought that-."
"Will there be music at this party?"
"Oh, where is my head tonight?" Niles exclaimed. "Of course there's music!"
She laughed once more, watching him sprint across the living room where he inserted a CD into the player. Instantly the living room was filled with the most beautiful and romantic music she'd ever heard. His hand appeared before her and she smiled.
"Excuse me, I hate to be so foreword, but you are incredibly beautiful and I can't take my eyes off of you. Would you care to dance?"
"I'd love to."
She took his hand and he drew her close, wrapping his arm around her as they moved slowly to the music. "This is a lovely party, Niles." she remarked as they continued to dance. "Would it be too foreword of me to say that you're the handsomest man I've ever seen?"
Her silly comment brought more kisses and she found it hard to stop.
"And you, my love, are the most beautiful woman the Gods could ever create."
She cradled his face in her hands, wondering how, with each passing moment, it was possible to love him more. "That's the most wonderful thing anyone's ever said to me. I love you so much."
"And I love you, Daphne. You know, I was thinking… This party is quite a success and it could go on late into the night. Perhaps you should stay here. You know, to avoid having to drive home by yourself?"
She kissed him softly and smiled. "That sounds like a lovely idea."
"More champagne?"
"I'd love some."
Her hand trembled as she held out her champagne glass and he poured the pink liquid into it.
"I propose a toast. What shall we drink to?"
"To us… and to my being stranded in downtown Seattle, which brought us together."
"And to the love that will keep us together, forever."
Daphne laughed. "Isn't that a song?"
Niles thought for a moment. "You know I believe it is. But even if it isn't, truer words have never been spoken."
THE END