1-Carol

Niles sat at the table sipping his latte while he skimmed the notes from his last session. It had been a complete disaster, but try as he might, he simply couldn't understand how things could have fallen apart so quickly. He was a good psychiatrist and he had always regarded himself as such. But now he was beginning to have his doubts. If he couldn't cure one patient-

Suddenly a sound interrupted his thoughts as it floated into the café. It was the most beautiful sound he'd ever heard. And it instantly brought him to his feet, the disastrous session quickly forgotten. It had to have been some sort of mystical, cosmic force that had him moving toward the entrance of the café, intent on finding the source of the sound. But when it stopped suddenly, he froze in his tracks. For there, standing in front of the window, was the most beautiful angel he'd ever seen. And the familiar face was truly a welcome sight; especially after the day he'd had.

He approached her carefully, not wanting to scare her. "H-hello, Daphne."

She looked up, smiling as their gazes met. "Oh, hello Dr. Crane. I didn't expect to see you. This isn't the time of day you normally come here, is it? Your brother didn't say anything about meeting you this afternoon."

He sighed, not wanting to bother her with his sad story of his terrible day. "I-I was just… I decided to come over here to have a quiet place to relax and do some work. But then I heard this sound and I followed it; only now it's gone and I-."

A look crossed her face; one he couldn't quite read. "Um, I'm sorry. Did I say something wrong?"

"No, I-I'm the one who's sorry, Dr. Crane."

"I don't understand. Why are you apologizing?"

"Because it's my fault. You see, I'm afraid that I'm the one who was making all of the noise."

Niles couldn't believe his ears. That beautiful sound was coming from his angel? "Y-you?"

"Yes, and it won't happen again, I promise. It's just that this time of year I can't seem to help meself."

"I'm not following you."

"It's the bloody stores and the radio stations! They play Christmas carols twenty four hours a day and I seem to have gotten me favorite carol stuck in me head! I'm sorry, Dr. Crane. I didn't mean to disturb you. I didn't think anyone would be able to hear me out here. But I guess I was wrong. Your brother and father complain when I sing at home so I thought if I was outside-."

"Nonsense, Daphne. The fault was mine. You just go on and sing to your heart's content. I-I don't believe I've ever heard you sing before. Not alone, anyway."

She smiled and blushed. "Well, it's not something I like to advertise. I sing mainly for meself. Not many people would want to hear me singing anyway. I'm not a good singer at all. Not like you and your brother."

"That's not true, Daphne. You have an absolutely beautiful voice."

She looked as though she might cry. "Really?"

"It's heavenly."

He gasped in surprise as she dropped the shopping bags she was carrying and engulfed him into a hug. "Thank you Dr. Crane. That means so much to me, really. And I'm sorry I disturbed you."

"It was a welcome intrusion, although it wasn't an intrusion at all. I've had a terrible day and hearing your Christmas carol made it a little brighter. So thank you, Daphne."

Her lips touched his cheek. "You're so sweet. Why don't you let me buy you a cup of coffee and then I'll be on me way?"

"It is I who should be buying you a drink."

"Please. I-I insist. It's the least I can do. You've had a bad day."

He smiled, falling in love with her all over again. "Please, allow me. I insist."

She grinned. "All right. Thank you,Dr Crane, but next time it's my treat."

He bent down and picked up her bags for her and then followed her into the café. "Just sit here and I'll be right back. What would you like?"

"Cinnamon tea, please."

He nodded. "Ah, I should have known."

His heart leapt in his chest and he walked up to the counter, where Taylor smiled warmly. "Hello. Dr. Crane. What can I get for you?"

"A non-fat haf caf latte-."

"-with the faintest hint of cinnamon." Taylor finished with a grin.

"Exactly. You know me so well. But I'd also like a cup of cinnamon tea. Large, please. And a biscotti. No, actually make that two."

"All right. Cinnamon tea, your latte and two biscotti's coming right up." Taylor said.

Niles opened his wallet to pay for his purchases and put a handsome tip into the tip jar. "I hope they give you a portion of this."

"We split it between the staff." Taylor explained. "It's not much but I'm saving every penny I can. I want to go to Italy."

"Well in that case, here." Niles opened his wallet again and pulled out fifty dollars, folding it carefully before he placed it into Taylor's hand.

The barista gasped. "Dr. Crane, what's this?"

"Merry Christmas, Taylor."

"But this is too much!"

"Not at all. Please, take it. I insist. It will get you closer to Italy."

She squealed and removed her green apron, ignoring her coworkers as she ran out from behind the counter and threw herself into his arms for a hug. "Thank you, so much,

Dr. Crane! You have no idea how much this means to me! Thank you so much!"

He squeezed her a little tighter and smiled. "It was my pleasure."

She drew back, and brushed away a tear. "I-I'd better… get back to work."

Niles smiled knowingly. "I'll just wait over here for my drinks."

Again she gasped, this time in horror. "Oh God, I-."

"It's all right. Actually I'll keep Daphne company. Just let me know when they're ready."

"All-um, okay. Coming right up, Dr. Crane." Taylor said.

Niles chuckled as he returned to Daphne. "She's going to bring our drinks in a bit."

"So I heard." Daphne replied. "That was very sweet of you, Dr. Crane, giving her that money. She looked so happy."

He turned to see her showing her coworkers her gift. "So she does." Suddenly he felt Daphne's hand slip into his and he shivered from the touch of her skin. And then he heard the sound again; the sweet sound he'd heard earlier.

He squeezed her hand and leaned back in his chair, content to close his eyes; the sound of her singing making him happier than he'd ever dreamed.

Suddenly he had a new appreciation for Christmas carols.