Niles was elated. For months and months, he'd imagined this moment. The moment when he would finally be able to gather enough courage to put the past behind him. He'd planned the entire scenario to the letter; where he was going to do it, the words he would say and even the events that would occur after he received his answer.

He grinned mischievously at the thought of the events that would come after and for a split second he considered ditching the formalities all together and going straight for the after-celebration. It was a heavenly thought of course and the idea made him weak in the knees and his urges stronger than they already were, but he wanted to do this right. He'd waited a long time for this moment; much too long. And now that the moment was almost here, he needed for it to be absolutely perfect.

Nothing less would do.

The moment he'd made his decision, he found that he couldn't wait to share the news with his family. He worried that they might not share his enthusiasm, for Mel Karnofsky was not their favorite person. But he hoped that in time, they'd be happy for him.

His heart was pounding with excitement as he stood at his brother's front door, unable to stop smiling. His hand trembled and he reached to ring the doorbell. He was grateful when the door was opened almost immediately; revealing a sight that made his heart beat faster.

"Oh! Hello Dr. Crane."

He tried not to think about how beautiful Daphne looked. Her smile, her eyes, the way the purple sweater and jeans that she wore hugged her curves. And her hair… The scent wafted toward him, causing him to feel a bit dizzy. He almost wished that Daphne was the focus of his incredible news instead of-

"Dr. Crane?"

He looked up and the fantasy vanished almost immediately, bringing him back to the present. "What? Oh, I- Hello, Daphne. You look lovely."
She laughed, her eyes moving up and down her body. "You're sweet, but I look a mess! I've been doing laundry all afternoon. I must smell like laundry detergent."

"A-actually it smells like…" he moved closer until his nose was almost touching her hair. "Cherry bark and almonds." He finished.

She gasped in surprise. "I believe that's exactly what kind of shampoo I used this morning. You're very bright, Dr. Crane!"

"Thank you, Daphne."

"Oh what's wrong with me today?" She said, opening the door wider to allow him to come in. And then he noticed the way that she was looking him, along with an approving smile.

"My, don't you look handsome? You always do, but today… Is it some sort of special occasion?"

His cheeks burned from her compliment. Hearing Daphne calling him handsome made him feel like he could fly. Dare that he hope-

"Dr. Crane?"

Once again he was brought out of his fantasy and he smiled. "Thank you, Daphne. Yes, it is a special occasion, actually. I-."

"Hey Niles!"

Niles smiled at the sight of his dad who had entered the living room from the hallway and made himself comfortable in his well-loved chair.

"Hey Dad."

"What brings you here? Aren't you usually at work now?"

"Yes, I am, but I couldn't wait to come over. So I rescheduled my last appointment and… well, here I am!"

"So what's going on?"

"I have some news!"

"Did I hear my little brother say that he has some news?"

Frasier entered the living room and headed straight for the bar. "Sherry, Niles?"

Niles grinned, hardly able to contain his excitement. "Actually Frasier, I think that champagne might be more appropriate!"

"Champagne? Oh my! What's the occasion?"

Niles' grin turned into a proud smile and he looked at the three people before him.

Daphne was smiling brightly and she seemed almost as excited as he. "Well, go on! Tell us!" she said her voice rising in octave. "What's the big news?"

He took a deep breath, unable to believe that he was about to say the words. "Dad, Daphne… Frasier… I'm getting married!"