"I'm so sorry!" Daphne sobbed. "I had the best night of my life at the Snow Ball and I hope that you did too! Oh, Dr. Crane I had no idea that you felt that way about me!"
He sighed and looked away, unable to stand the way he was feeling at that moment. And then he felt a soft pair of lips against his cheek; Daphne's lips.
"I'm so sorry." She whispered.
He turned to find her making her way toward the exit. Once again he'd missed his chance. But it didn't have to be that way. He loved her. There was no denying that. And he couldn't let her leave. She might never return.
And so he called to her.
"Daphne-."
She turned around in surprise. "Dr. Crane, just let me say one thing and then I promise I'll leave."
Please don't leave! You can't! His heart begged. But he simply nodded. "All right."
She took a deep breath. "I'm afraid I overheard you when you and your brother were talking in the living room earlier."
He was so stunned by her confession that he could barely breathe. "Y-you…"
"It was completely by accident, I swear!" She said, her voice almost frantic. "But I heard the things you said about me."
A sense of panic filled him. "Oh…"
And then she took his hand. "Those were the sweetest, most romantic words I'd ever heard in me life."
He felt his cheeks flush and he was grateful for the dim light. But then she began to cry again.
"I'm so touched and I can't tell you how those beautiful words made me feel." Her voice broke and she headed for the door again, prompting him to call to her once more.
"Daphne-."
She whirled around in surprise. "Dr. Crane…"
They stared at one another and he knew that he had to make amends. His anger had gone too far. He'd hurt her deeply. What was wrong with him?
"Daphne you have nothing to be sorry for. The fault is mine. I've treated you horribly. I was disrespectful and cruel and I have no right asking, but I hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive me because-."
She moved closer until she was so close that he could hear her soft breathing. And then something astonishing happened. He looked down at his hand to find that she'd placed a red rose in it. He wanted to cry. It was the most romantic gesture he'd ever encountered.
"Daphne…"
Her hand was on his cheek, caressing it softly. "Niles Crane, I adore you."
He was absolutely euphoric and the smile found its' way to his face.
"Daphne, I-."
Suddenly they were kissing; a kiss that was even more heavenly than the kiss they'd shared at the Snow Ball. It was nothing short of blissful. The kiss deepened and he increased his hold on her, wanting to hold her like this forever. But all too soon the kisses ended. They continued to stare at one another, touching their foreheads together. And it was oh so easy to kiss her nose.
"Daphne, can I tell you something?"
"Of course." Her hand was on his cheek, brushing a tear away.
"I love you."
She began to cry once more and he pulled her toward him, taking her into his arms.
"I love you too, Niles."
He wasn't sure if it was coincidental or not, but at that moment the most romantic song began to play. "Would you like to dance?" he asked without hesitation.
In response she ran her hands through his hair and kissed him. "You're the only one I'd dance with."
Their fingers entwined he led her to the dance floor, and they began to dance. He in his casual shirt and khaki pants and she in her jeans and sweater.
And it was the best night of his life. Even better than the Snow Ball. For he knew that he'd never be lonely again.
The End.