One day, for being such a good boy, Daphne decided to surprise her only child. David was seven, old enough to handle responsibility, so she stopped by the local animal shelter to pick out a pet for her child. She wasn't really sure what she wanted; she just figured she would know the right animal when she saw it.

And of course, she was right. After looking at the dogs, she made her way over to the kitten section. The first one that caught her eye was a little black and white kitten, who immediately started to purr when she picked him up. As it had been for Niles with Daphne, it was truly love at first sight.

She took him home, where she immediately set up food, water and a litter box. The kitten sure had a spacious house to look around. Daphne, for a second, was afraid that she wouldn't be able to find it when David came home from school.

But that was not a problem. Everywhere Daphne went, the kitten started to follow. She loved it so much already, and she just prayed Niles would not be mad at her for making such a big decision without consulting him first.

David came home at three, and his eyes were immediately drawn to the newest Crane household member. "What's going on, Mommy?"

"You've been so good lately, I wanted to surprise you. I saw this little fellow and decided to bring him home, just for you. Do you like him?"

David held his arms out, and the kitten ran straight to him. David gently picked him up and started smiling like he never had before. "Can we keep him, Mommy? I promise I'll take good care of him!"

"Of course you may keep him."

"Oh Mommy, I'm so happy! I never thought this day would come. I always wanted a pet...now I can see I was waiting for Toby!"

"Toby?" Daphne smiled.

"Can we name him that?"

"You may name him anything you like. I think I even like the sound of it."

So David spent the afternoon getting acquainted with his new pet. They were the best of friends immediately. So when Niles walked in, he was greeted by his son and Toby.

"What's this?"

"Mommy got him for me. His name is Toby! Do you like him? Do you love him?"

"I don't...where is your mom at?" Niles smiled hesitantly.

"Here I am darling. I hope you're not mad at me, but he's been such a good boy. It doesn't look like he'll be having a brother or sister so I wanted to give him a companion. I hope you don't mind. I know I should have asked you first, but look, Niles. Look how happy David is!"

Niles took one look at his son and knew that he couldn't begrudge his son a pet. He knew that Frasier had a dog for a while in Boston, but pets had never been their thing. Still, to know that his wife was so thoughtful that she went out to make his son that happy...how in the world could he hold that against her?

"Yes, David, you may keep him. Of course, pets are a big responsibility; they need fed and watered and of course, there is the whole litter box issue..."

"Daddy I won't let you down. I promise," he smiled in that toothy grin of his.

Niles reluctantly went over to pet the kitten. As it turned out, David wasn't the only one that Toby loved. Toby lept into Niles' arms, and even Niles was hardpressed to frown upon such an event. This pet liked him! It was even purring, a sign of contentment. Yes, Daphne had been right, as usual. More than ever he was grateful that fate had picked Daphne Moon to be his wife, and even more importantly, the mother of his child.

The end