The Light At The End Of The Tunnel

A/N: This fic is a little different from my others. It is based on the events in my life of the past six months, writing this has been cathartic. Also apologies for those who read this before 10.30pm GMT, accidentally uploaded the wrong file, my sincerest aplogies.

Timeline: Mid-season 10

Usual disclaimer applies, and once again I have nothing of value, unless you value odd socks, old copies of Top Gear Magazine and many, many pictures of Jenson Button.

It started as a normal morning for the Cranes, Martin complained about his breakfast, even though she had been married to Niles for the past six months Daphne still insisted on bringing Bran Flakes over for his breakfast, knowing full well if it was up to him his breakfast would consist of a multitude of fattening foods, made all that better for him by virtue of being fried.
Frasier left the apartment at 10am, knowing that Daphne would be arriving within 10 minutes to help Maritn do his excerises. Meanwhile Frasier made his way to Cafe Nervosa for his daily coffee with Niles, although he was happy that Niles and Daphne were so happy together he couldn't face another morning of his brother's incessant gushing.

Daphne as usual made her way up to Frasier's apartment, on opening the door she was met by the strange sight of Eddie sat in front of Martin's chair barking loudly, clearly something was wrong, Martin wasn't reacting at all. She rang Niles' cellphone, thankfully Frasier chose that moment to enter the cafe. She decided not to tell them the bad news then, but chose to wait until they arrived. On entering the apartment Niles and Frasier found Daphne sat on the sofa staring into space, clutching a cold cup of coffee. Whilst Niles went to comfort his wife, Frasier went over to his father's chair and discovered what had caused Daphne's evident shock.

"Niles, can you come into the kitchen, I want a quiet word" when they entered the kitchen Niles could tell from the expression on his brother's face that it wasn't good news,

"Niles, I think you have probably worked this out by now, but Dad's died, I'm going to dial 911, I think Daphne needs you, and well visa versa."

The next few days were filled with calls from and to, distraught relatves, along with the funeral plans. Daphne had become very withdrawn, despite her frequent comments about him, and seeing the way he was with Freddie she knew he would be a wonderful grandfather when she and Niles had children. Niles was clearly just in a daze, he would go over to Frasier's intending to help with the funeral arrangements, but when he arrived he would sit on the sofa and stare into space, or turn around an leave almost as soon as he arrived. Daphne hated seeing Niles in ths state he was in, he was just a shadow of himself, he even stopped going to Nervosa.

All too soon the day of the funeral arrived. Frasier had done all the organisation. The service was to take part at 1pm in the same church that he and Hester had married and where her funeral had been held. As this was the first time since both Niles and Frasier had been since then it further opened the raw wounds associated with the death of a parent.

The church was packed to the rafters, there were police buddies, high school friends, men he served with inn Korea, even a couple of guys from the dog park, who Daphne recognised and of course, the crowd from both Dukes and McGintys.

All too soon it was time for Daphne to deliver her eulogy, as neither Frasier or Niles felt up it.

"Martin Crane was many things to many people, a husband, a father, a policeman and a soldier, but to all he was a friend. He came into my life 10 years ago, he was my client, I wish I knew then what an amazing influence he had on everyone he met. I may have called him a grumpy old sod, but I could tell from the start that he had a good heart. I know we will all miss him very much, but especially his sons, Frasier and Niles, who are the wonderful men they are today because of him" Thankfully Daphne was able to stem the tears until she sat back down, when they burst forth with a vengance. Niles held tightly to her hand, both to comfort her and as a gesture that he was proud of the fact she could get up and say such lovely things.

Then it was on to the cemetary, Frasier had managed to get the plot next to Hester's so his parents could be together once again. Before they made their way to the wake Niles insisted they lay flowers on Hester's grave, as it was a Friday and he went up every week.

Despite Niles' protestaions when Frasier told him where the wake would be, the group made thier way to McGintys. Frasier insisted the assemble guests make a toast, as it was quite obvious that most of them would be in no fit state later in the day, most shunned the offer of champagne instead accepting cans of Ballentines that Duke had been keeping in case of an event like this, they had agreed that whomever died first there would be a toast using their favourite beer, natually it had been kept in a safe place since it hadn't been made for a couple of years and both knew they wouldn't be able to resist one last can.

As always happens the solemnity became seconary to reminicing about amusing stories involving Martin, Fraiser and Niles both attempted to tell the story of thier ill-fated fishing trip. Natrually they both blamed each other for losing the car keys, and Niles finally admitted to Daphne that the only reason he went was to try and impress her, evidenty this wasn't a shock.

Eventually the group drifted back to their homes, or in the case of the people who were clearly regulars, stayed to take advanatge of the open bar.

As usual I crave feedback.