Niles was so stunned that he couldn't believe what he was hearing. He rose from his chair in one fluid motion. "Y-You love me? As in-."

Daphne smiled. "Yes. I do love you, Niles."

"But I-in Frasier's room, you said-."

She looked around the table as a wave of commotion broke out. Frasier, Martin, Lilith and Frederick all began speaking at once. Daphne rose from her chair and walked over to Niles.

"What's the meaning of this?" Frasier demanded.

Lilith wore a sheepish expression. "I'm afraid this is my doing, Frasier."

"Your doing? What on earth are you talking about?"

"Well, Niles and I were in your bedroom and-."

"WHAT?" Frasier shouted. "What were you doing in my bedroom?"

"Frasier calm down! We weren't doing anything! Just playing video games."

Frasier's eyebrows rose. "Video games?"

"Yes! Now will you please let me finish?"

"Be my guest! But I want answers and I want them now!"

"You'll get them as soon as you shut your big bazzoo!" Martin said. "You're making me miss the game!"

"Lilith?"

"Well, I might have spoken to Niles about us."

"A-about us? What on earth-."

"Aw geez, Frasier, let her finish!"

Lilith smiled. "Thank you Martin."

"I may have mentioned that… well, I thought that you wanted to get back together and since he was there I just thought-Well then he mentioned Daphne and-."

"I overheard. I'm sorry Dr. Crane… Niles."

"I'm not." Niles said.

"Well, this is…"

"None of our business. Now we've had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner-and I mean it Daphne. It was wonderful. I know I don't say that very often, but-."

"You never say that, Dad!"

"All right wise guy, well I'm saying it now. Dinner was…"

"It was amazing!" Frederick said.

"I second that." Niles added.

"Thank you all. I know you're not fond of my cooking so I'm glad you're at least pretending to like it." Daphne said.

"No, really. It was wonderful." Niles said.

Daphne put her arms around him and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, sweetheart."

Frasier's eyebrows shot up. "Sweetheart?"

"Look, Fras, this is really none of our business how it started or why or-."

"You're right. Perhaps we should-."

"No Lilith. Niles and I will go out on the balcony and talk."

"But it's freezing outside."

"I have a coat. It'll be all right. Just finish your dinner and we'll be back in after a while. Don't worry about the dishes. I'll take care of those. Enjoy your football game, Mr. Crane."

"Thanks, Daphne. Hey Freddie, come over here and we'll watch the Cowboys beat up on the Bears!"

Frasier still looked skeptical, but Daphne walked over to Lilith and smiled. "Look, I know we haven't really gotten along but for what it's worth, I'm glad I overheard you talking to Niles."

"Thank you Daphne. And I wish you and Niles every happiness."

"Thank you."

"Niles can I see you on the balcony, please?"

"Yes, of course. Oh, let me get your coat. It's freezing out there."

"I just said-."

"Frasier, can it, okay?" Martin yelled, making Niles and Daphne laugh.

On the balcony, Niles held Daphne's coat for her as she slipped into it. "Thank you, Niles."

They stared at each other for a moment.

"Daphne, when you said that you love me…"

"Yes, I did say that, didn't I?"

"Um, yes, and before you said you just loved me as a friend."

"Well, I might have been wrong about that."

"Y-you were?"

"You're very sweet… and very handsome. And you're a wonderful friend."

"Thank you, Daphne. You look very beautiful tonight. But you always look-."

She moved closer and kissed his lips. "You're sweet."

"Daphne, I-."

"Right… about what I said. Dr. Crane, I've been doing some thinking and… well, maybe it's not so crazy, the two of us trying to be more than friends. We already know an awful lot about each other and we're good friends, so maybe-."

"Really? You mean it?"

"As long as we take it slow and don't rush into anything."

"But what about Frasier?"

"I think he'll be okay, once he gets used to the idea."

"The idea?"
"The idea of you and I becoming a couple."
He felt like he could fly. But instead he felt her gently brushing his cheeks with her fingers. "W-what are you doing? Not that I… mind of course."

"Brushing the tears from your cheeks."

"Tears? But I-."

She smiled and kissed him again. "It's all right, Dr. Crane. I'm happy too."

He took her into his arms and held her for a long time. When he looked up, he couldn't believe his eyes. "Daphne, do you see that?"

She looked up. "What?"

"It's snowing."

"What?"

"Look!"

Around them the snowflakes fell like mad in large white chunks. It was the most beautiful sight that Niles had ever seen; escept for the angel he held in his arms.

"I was going to ask if you wanted to go Christmas shopping tomorrow but if this keeps up the roads will be trechorous."

"That's right. And I'd hate for you to get into an accident on your way home. Pehrps you should stay here fror the night."

"Where would I sleep?"

"I'll make up the sofa for you."

"All right. That sounds wonderful. But what about tomorrow?"

She smiled and brought him closer for a kiss that sent his heart soaring. "I bet we can think of something."

THE END