He glanced at her and smiled warmly.

"Good evening Daphne."

"Dr. Crane..."

He looked her up and down, the way he'd done a hundred times before. But things were different now. Suddenly she knew why he'd been looking at her this way for

so many years. And since that fateful moment in Frasier's bedroom, she hadn't been able to stop thinking about him.

She smiled in anticipation of the sweet compliment that he was sure to give her.

"You look different somehow. Have you done something different with your hair?"

She sighed, wishing all men were as sweet as Niles Crane. He was always noticing her hair or outfit; something not many men did and certainly not Donny.

Remembering the ridiculous party hat that sat on her head, she reached up and removed it.

"Oh..."

"That must be it." He said absently.

And then her heart sank when, to her amazement, he walked away, without another word to her.

It was so unlike him, and she felt the strangest urge to cry. For at that moment she wanted so much for him to pay attention to her.

Instead he smiled at his brother.

"Well, hello Frasier. Feeling better?"

"Much better." Frasier replied, glancing at the small box wrapped in black and silver paper that Niles held in his hand. "That must be a present for me."

Niles laughed. "It certainly is. And I must say Frasier that you're going to be pleasantly surprised."

"Oh Niles, you know I'm not that materialistic. I don't need gifts or all of this attention! The only reason I'm going along with this little shin-dig is because Dad insisted."

"You're damn right, I did!" Martin said. "So put this on and join us."

Niles stopped in his tracks when he saw the paper hat that Martin held in his hand.

"Actually Dad, I think I'll pass."

"Row you wront!" Now prut it on? Prease?"

Niles gasped in disbelief and stared at Eddie who responded by staring back at him.

"H-How..."

"Oh for God's sake Niles! Eddie isn't really talking! That's Dad using his silly walkie-talkie!"

"It's not a walkie-talkie, Fras! I told you, it's a-."

"I don't care what it is, Dad! Let's just get this little party over with, okay?"

"Well, this all looks very festive." Niles said as he sat down at the table. "It's too bad that Mel couldn't be here."

At the mention of the name, Daphne swallowed hard.

"How is Mel?" Frasier asked.

"She's wonderful." Niles replied. "She sends her love but she had a patient emergency at the hospital."

"Here, Niles." Martin said, handing him a party hat.

"What's this?"

"What in the hell does it look like?" Martin asked.

Niles laughed as he stared at the party hat. "Like a child's nightmare! I always hated wearing these things when we were kids."

"Well you're not a kid now so put it on!" Martin bellowed.

The younger Crane's mouth dropped in horror.

"Dad, you can't be serious!"

"You're damn right, I'm serious! Look, I've got one, Daphne has one and even Eddie has one! It won't kill you to participate in one lousy family birthday party!"

"But Dad-."

"STOP!"

They stared at Frasier, who held his hand in the air.

"I don't have time for this drivel nor do I care to listen to it! All I would like is to get this party underway. Dad went to a lot of trouble, Niles and the least you can do is

wear that ridiculous party hat!"

Niles rolled his eyes and scoffed. "All right fine. But I'll only do it for Dad's sake."

At this, Martin chuckled and patted Niles shoulder. "Thank you, Son."

Daphne couldn't help but smile when Niles slipped the party hat over his head and appeared to be struggling to make it stay.

"I'll help you with that."

Daphne rose from her chair and gently adjusted the thin rubber band on Niles' hat, shivering when her hand brushed his soft cheek. As she returned to her chair, her

heart was beating so loudly, she was sure that he could hear it.