Alone in her room, she fought the ridiculous tears that threatened to fall. Hadn't she cried enough for one evening?
The muffled voice startled her out of her thoughts.
"Daphne? I found your gift. It was sitting on the... what's wrong?"
She looked up at Niles, her heart warming at the sight of him.
"Nothing's wrong." She lied.
Her comment drew him closer and he took her hand. "It doesn't seem that way, judging from those tears in your eyes."
She turned away trying to find a Kleenex, when he handed her his handkerchief.
"Thanks."
When her eyes met his, he brushed the hair from her face.
"Frasier's waiting for you. He's anxious to see what you got him."
"Just tell him it's nothing. I'll take it back and get something better."
"Daphne what's wrong? You seemed so excited about giving it to him earlier. Dad was saying-."
She sighed deeply. "What was I thinking, buying your brother a ridiculous gift?"
"Well, Dad didn't tell me what it was, but I'm sure that whatever you bought is wonderful."
"I doubt that. But it doesn't matter. It could hardly come close to what you and your father bought him. The watch you bought your brother is absolutely beautiful and I
wish..."
"What?"
"I wish I would have given him something just as grand."
"Daphne, don't do this to yourself."
She looked away, blinking back tears. "I just hope he's not too disappointed. I-I'm sorry."
He drew her into his arms and the gentleness of his touch soothed her as she rested her face in the crook of his neck.
"Frasier loves you. He'd never be disappointed in anything you got him. I'm sorry if Dad and made you feel uncomfortable."
"I know I'm being ridiculous, but I couldn't possibly afford something as nice as a watch or a sport coat and sometimes it makes me feel so-."
"Daphne, I love you and it has nothing to do with what you can or can't afford. I would love nothing more than to tell you all the reasons that I love you, but we'd be
here until Frasier's next birthday."
She looked into his blue eyes and smiled through her tears.
"Thank you, Niles. I love you."
"I love you too, Daphne."
They kissed deeply and then returned to the party; their hands joined together.
"Daphne, is everything all right?" Frasier asked. "We were getting worried."
"I'm sorry, I was just..."
"Um, Daphne is still a little upset about... what happened earlier." Niles explained.
"Well.. it seems that I have one more gift to open." Frasier said.
Daphne looked at Niles, smiling when he squeezed her hand. Then, almost reluctantly she handed the gift to Frasier.
He opened it eagerly and she felt her heart race, watching in anticipation of his reaction.
But it wasn't at all what she expected.
His hand went to his chest and he stared at the book in awe.
"Daphne..."
"Do you like it?"
The words fell from her mouth and suddenly she felt like a child seeking approval from her father.
"It's wonderful."
His eyes brightened as he flipped through the pages and then ran his hand over the smooth surface of the colorful book jacket.
"How could you possibly have known how much I wanted this book? I never-."
"You were always lookin' at it when we'd go to the bookstore, hidin' in some corner thinkin' that nobody was watching. So I just-."
To her surprise, Frasier rose from his chair and hugged her warmly.
"Thank you, Daphne. I'll cherish this forever. I can't imagine a more wonderful gift."
Daphne hugged Frasier tightly and glanced at Niles; her heart warming at his smile.
"You know? On second thought I take that back." Frasier said causing Daphne to abruptly pull away.
"What are you saying?"
"There is something that is far greater than anything I could have received and that is seeing the love that you and Niles have for each other. I've never seen the two
of you so happy."
Daphne hugged Frasier once more and then went to hug Niles. But once more she drew back suddenly.
"Daphne? Is something wrong?"
She sighed deeply; her fairy tale suddenly coming to an end.
"Donny..."
At the name, the three men stared at her.
"What about Donny?" Martin asked.
"God, I can't believe I didn't think this through. How am I going to tell him that I can't marry him?"
At her worried look, Frasier touched her shoulder.
"Daphne, just speak from the heart."
"But he'll never understand. How can I possibly-."
Niles wrapped his arms around her.
"Mel's not going to understand either. In fact, I'm sure she's bound to be livid over this news. But let's not think about that right now. All I want to do is relish this
perfect day."
"I'll just have to tell Donny the truth. That I'm in love with another man."
"I'll drink to that!" Martin said. "I need a beer!"
"Thank you, Dr. Crane."
Frasier looked up in surprise.
"Daphne, why would you be thanking me?"
She smiled leaned against Niles, placing a kiss on his cheek.
"Well it may be your birthday, but you've given me the most wonderful present."
THE END