Niles put his hand on her forearm and smiled in gratitude. "Thank you, Daphne."
"See, that wasn't so hard, was it?" Martin asked.
"No, but I look like a complete fool in this hat!" Niles said. "Thank heavens there's no one else around to see me like this!"
Daphne couldn't help but stare at him. "You look very handsome, Dr. Crane." She said. The words came out so quietly, she wasn't sure that he even heard her.
But when he gave her a heart-warming smile, she knew that he had.
"Okay, I'll be right back and this party will be underway!"
True to his word, Martin returned seconds later and lit the candles on Frasier's birthday cake, leading everyone in a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday"
"Now make a wish, Dr. Crane." Daphne said when the applause had died down.
"Oh dear God, like any of my birthday wishes ever came true." Frasier said.
"Come on now... This might be your lucky year!" Daphne said, doing her best to be encouraging.
But Frasier only rolled his eyes. "Leave it to Daphne to be the optimist!"
"Please, Dr. Crane?"
"You'd better hurry before we have to call the fire department." Niles quipped, causing Martin and Daphne to laugh.
Frasier however, was not amused. "Very funny, Niles. But you're not that much younger than I am and your birthday isn't very far away!"
"Touché big brother!" Niles laughed.
"Well go on! We don't have all night, and I'm starving!"
"All right Dad, I'll make a wish!"
Frasier thought for a moment and then took a deep breath, blowing out all the candles at once.
A round of applause followed and Daphne rose from the table.
"I'll fetch some plates and silverware."
Niles quickly rose to follow her.
"I'll help you."
In the kitchen as sense of uneasiness came over her and she found it hard to keep from staring at his handsome face.
"This really isn't necessary, Dr. Crane. I'm perfectly capable of gettin' the dishes meself."
"You shouldn't have to cater to Dad and Frasier's every whim, Daphne. Especially when you work so hard."
Her heart warmed at the complement and she wanted so much to hug him in gratitude.
But it seemed wrong.
Instead she smiled shyly. "Thank you, Dr. Crane."
Suddenly feeling uncomfortable, she hurried into the living room and sat the plates and silverware on the table.
As Niles sat down beside her, he glanced at her with concern.
"Are you all right, Daphne?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you." She said her voice barely a whisper.
"All right! Who wants cake?"
Without waiting for an answer, Martin proceeded to cut a slice of cake for himself, prompting Frasier to hand out cake slices to the rest of the party guests.
"Oh, Frasier! I almost forgot!" Niles exclaimed as he took a bite of his cake. "The most wonderful thing happened!"
"Do tell, Niles!"
"Well, I'm quite appalled that I didn't mention it sooner, but Mel's supervisor told her that her most recent surgery success story is going to be featured in the New
England Journal of Medicine!"
"That's tremendous!" Frasier exclaimed. "You must give her our congratulations! Isn't that wonderful, Dad?"
"I hope she knows how proud you are of her, Son." Martin replied.
"I certainly did!" Niles grinned I took her to the new Italian restaurant on Fifth Avenue where I presented her with an exquisite diamond necklace and then took her
home where I showed her exactly how proud I am of her. In fact, I was still relishing in pride the next morning if you know what I mean!" He added with a low throaty
laugh.
Daphne felt her body grow cold as she touched her face, unable to look at him.
"Well Niles, this is certainly an interesting turn of events!" Frasier was saying. "Just a few days ago, you had reservations about this relationship with Mel."
"True, but things have been progressing rapidly since then and I've found myself becoming more and more enamored." Niles replied.
Daphne swallowed hard as hot tears filled her eyes, blurring Martin, Frasier and Niles from her view. As Niles continued to talk about his love for Mel, her throat felt
tight and she found it hard to breathe.
"Well that's understandable." Frasier said. "The more time one spends with a person, the more likely they are to develop some sort of emotional bond with them. Why,
just the other day on my show I had a caller who insisted that-."
"Dr Crane, is it true?"
At Daphne's interruption, all three men turned to look at her.
"For God's sake Daphne, of course it's true!" Frasier said. "Why would I lie about something that happened on my show?"
"Not, you, Dr. Crane! Dr. Crane... I-Is it true?"
Niles' mouth fell open. "I-I don't know what you're talking about."
Daphne took a deep breath and looked directly into the eyes that had pulled her in so many times.
"Have you really been in love with me for six years?"