He stared at her for so long that she thought he might have become inexplicably catatonic and she was suddenly terrified. . "Dr. Crane, are you all right?"
"This is for my birthday? But my birthday was…"
"I know, and I'm sorry it's so late. I wish I had known. If it hadn't been for that calendar of your brother's in the kitchen I might not have known at all!"
"All of this… is for me?"
"Of course."
"But why?"
"I can't believe your brother and father completely forgot your birthday! It was over a week ago, wasn't it?"
"Well, yes… but…"
"And did you get anything for your birthday? Have any celebrations at all?"
"Um… no actually, but-."
"That's terrible!"
"It's all right, Daphne. I don't-."
"It's not all right, don't you see? All I could think of was you, spending your birthday alone, with no one to celebrate it with. It's wrong, Dr. Crane! Birthdays are special and it's-." She inhaled deeply, feeling flustered. "Look, why don't you open your presents?"
Before he could protest, she handed him the wrapped boxes, smiling as he carefully tore away the colorful paper on the first gift. "Daphne, you didn't have to do this."
"I wanted to-."
When the first gift was completely unwrapped, he smiled as he lifted the lid from the box. He looked inside and his eyes sparked. "Daphne, this is wonderful!"
Daphne felt her cheeks flush. "You're much too kind, Dr. Crane. It's just a man's dress shirt. I hope you like the blue stripes. I-I didn't know what kind to buy and I don't even know if it's the right-."
He reached for her hand and squeezed gently. "It's wonderful, Daphne. Thank you."
"Well, there's more."
She handed him another box wrapped in the same colorful paper. In return he gave her a smile of appreciation as he opened it.
"This is…"
"A bit extravagant I know. I just-."
His eyes seemed to be taking in the beauty of the small wooden clock with roman numerals.
"Daphne, this is exquisite and I appreciate it so much, but I can't accept it. It's -."
"Please… I want you to have it. The man at the store said that it was a classic. I wasn't planning on buying a thing, but I saw it in the store window. I just couldn't take me eyes off of it."
"I know that feeling…"
But he wasn't looking at the clock when he said the words. He was looking at her. And suddenly her heart was beating even faster as she glanced at his handsome face.