A/N: Written for Leigh Ann as a birthday gift and a token of my appreciation for her friendship! *hugs*
Niles sighed with irritation as he attempted to read over his report for a third time. He loved David but now was not the time to be listening to his exciting story about something his five year old son had seen on television. He knew that it was wrong to sit David in front of the television with a bowl of popcorn and venture off into his office but it was the only way he could get some peace and quiet.
Not that David was a nuisance; far from it. He was the brightest child that Niles had ever encountered and he knew that in saying such a thing he was being a bit snobbish. After all, David was his son, but he was also extremely bright.
Normally occasions like this would be used for meaningful interactions, perhaps sitting in his library listening to a CD of classical music especially designed for young children. It was a gift from Frasier of course, who said that a similar CD worked wonders for Frederick.
But Niles had no time for that now, nor did he really have time for David. He was so swamped with work that he rarely had a moment's time to spend with his family. He regretted it of course, for he always put his family first. However, his actions had cost him and now he was falling further and further behind until he could no longer afford to keep rescheduling and canceling appointments.
People were beginning to talk and it was becoming increasingly harder to ignore that several of his patients had simply given up on ever finding out what their diagnosis was and had stopped using his services all together.
The realization left Niles worried and ashamed. He feared that the finances he'd worked so hard to obtain for his wife and son would soon begin to disappear. Perhaps it was rather premature to think about such things, for even if the unthinkable did happen and he was forced to give up his practice due to lack of patients, they would have more than enough to comfortably live on.
As unsettling as the thought was, it was nothing compared to the shame he felt in his heart. How could he consider himself a good husband and father if he wasn't even able to provide basic needs like food and shelter?
Daphne, the angel that she was, would say that he was being ridiculous. But he couldn't muster the courage to discuss his fears with her, which was definitely a first. He could always talk to her about anything, even if he knew that it was wrong to be discussing personal information about his work with his wife. She was the one who always seemed to understand better than anyone; even better than Frasier.
So instead he worked long hours at the office and came home late at night, grateful that Daphne understood why he was away so often. But even so, David was already in bed and some nights so was Daphne; both of them sound asleep.
Because he was exhausted as well, he wasted no time in changing and climbing into bed with her, content to feel her snuggle against him and occasionally awaken to show him how much she missed and loved him.
However, once Niles confirmed that Daphne had at last fallen into a deep sleep, he quietly climbed out of bed and crept downstairs, remaining there in his office until the morning light appeared. And only then did he manage to climb back into bed, only to be awakened moments later by his alarm clock, thus coaxing him out of bed and to the office once more.
After a quick breakfast and kisses for his wife and son, Niles was out the door to begin another day. It was a vicious cycle and he knew he should take some time off, but it was next to impossible.
So when Daphne announced that she wanted to spend the day shopping with Roz and that she needed to find a sitter, Niles didn't hesitate to offer to stay home with his son. It was a Friday after all; a day when he rarely scheduled patients. He was only too happy to give Mrs. Woodson the day off, thus letting her have a three day weekend.
He felt a tinge of guilt about keeping David out of school for a day, but he knew that had he driven the three blocks to the school to drop him off, the inevitable would set in and he'd find himself in a traffic jam on the way home. This would most likely result in a huge delay in picking up David.
So in the interest of his son, he decided to keep him at home. Besides, Niles could teach him a lot more than the Seattle Public Schools ever could. Why on earth did they neglect to teach children about the value of opera and fine wines? Sure, David was much too young to drink now but that information would be invaluable in the future.
Niles found himself wishing that he and Frasier had been exposed to such subjects instead of the ridiculous antics of gym class. The thought still made him shudder and he prayed that David would never have to endure what his father and Uncle Frasier went though.
Yes, David was definitely safer at home.
