His Brother's Proposal
Frasier hadn't been around to help Niles with his proposal to Maris. It wasn't as if Niles asked for his help, and even if he had, he was sure he would have declined. He was never subtle about how he felt about Maris. Now, when Niles asked him to help him prepare for his proposal to Daphne, Frasier jumped at the chance. What could be better than to help his little brother take that next level with the woman of his dreams? Maybe that was why he was so cold to Maris; maybe on some level he knew she was not Niles's soul mate.
Being Cranes, everything just had to be perfect. And being that the woman Niles loved was Daphne, Frasier was going to do his best to make sure things were perfect because she certainly deserved it. He hated to admit it, but Donny's proposal was heartfelt and beautiful, and if he could help Niles do the same, he would.
It was a disappointment when Daphne finally did show up with a nasty head cold. He could hear her sneezing and sniffling all the way in the kitchen. Though Wolfgang Puck didn't seem too pleased to hear the proposal was being postponed, Frasier figured it would be for the best. He and Niles may have had differing opinions on a lot of things, but they would always agree that Daphne should have a flawless proposal she could enjoy.
It was a bit of a hassle getting everything out before Daphne could see. He probably couldn't have done it if it hadn't been for Niles and his incredible ability to stall and distract. Especially in that moment where he leaned in to kiss her, giving Frasier enough time to clear out the Montana.
When Frasier was at the foot of the stairs, sighing over the day's events, he kept Niles and Daphne in sight. Daphne was sitting on the armchair, and Niles was kneeling in front of her, his hand stroking hers. Niles, who was always so easily frightened by illness, kept as close to her as he could possibly get. The sight made Frasier smile.
"It's funny, isn't it?" he heard Niles say. "You can plan the perfect evening… and you'd never come up with this." He was silent for a moment, as if considering something. "Daphne, I have to ask you question."
Frasier glanced up at him. Did he really just say that?
"Hold on." Daphne began to blow her nose loudly, and Frasier couldn't help but cringe. Hopefully this evening would turn out perfect anyway. "You were saying?" she asked once she had finished.
"Daphne Moon," Niles said, seemingly unfazed by her noisy interruption. "Will you, and your beautiful toes and your exquisite ankles and your precious knees, elbows, and arms and fingers and shoulders…" He trailed off and brought the ring into her line of vision. "Will you marry me?"
There was silence as Daphne processed what he had just said. Then, she broke into a happy cry, "Oh, Niles! Of course I will!"
She immediately threw her arms around him, and Niles held her tightly, as if she was precious commodity that would disappear if he didn't. Frasier put a fist to his mouth when he felt himself start to choke up. He couldn't believe his little brother was going to be married to the love of his life. Seeing him so happy... it was glorious.
The End
Author's Note: Then Frasier proceeds to tackle a trumpeter.