Frasier wondered if he'd been crazy to do this. After all, traveling cross-country with a newborn was no easy task. Especially since he was making this trip alone. But he knew there wouldn't be a better time to do this. It had only been about a month since Frederick was born, but suddenly, a friend of Lilith's had asked her to give a speech out of town. Much to Frasier's astonishment, she had readily agreed to go. But once Frasier got over the shock, he realized it was an ideal opportunity to bring his son out to Seattle to meet his uncle and grandfather.

In Frasier's arms, Frederick began to fuss. "Sh," Frasier said. "We'll be at your grandfather's soon. I know he'll be anxious to meet you." As soon as he said the words, he knew they were a lie. Ever since his mother's passing, Frasier had noticed his father growing more and more distant. His younger brother's marriage to Maris had hardly helped. But, still, he hoped that this baby might help forge some sort of father/son relationship. Even though he loved his life in Boston, he'd recently begun to feel guilty about being so far away from the only real family he had.

Just then, the cab made an abrupt stop. "This is it," the driver said, holding out a hand to ask for the fare. Frasier quickly handed over the bills and got out. The cabbie retrieved Frasier's bags, including the ones carrying all of Frederick's paraphernalia. Frasier could hardly believe how much stuff one little baby could need.

But, looking up at the apartment building, Frasier pushed those thoughts aside. He'd traveled three thousand miles for this, and he couldn't turn back now. He somehow managed to carry all of the bags, plus the baby, into the building. He made his way onto the elevator, trying not to think about the kind of reaction he was likely to get when he arrived at his father's door.

Before Frasier knew it, the elevator had stopped, and his father's apartment was just across the hall. Feeling more nervous than ever, he walked over and pressed the doorbell.

From inside, Martin heard the bell. He muted the baseball game he'd been watching, just to make sure he'd heard it. When the sound repeated, Martin reluctantly got up. "I'm coming," he said. He walked over to the front door and opened it. "Whatever you're selling, I'm not buying." Then he saw it was his son. "Oh, it's you. Didn't expect that."

Frasier smiled, in spite of the less-than-warm greeting. "Well, Lilith is away giving a lecture, so I thought Frederick and I might come out for a visit."

Just then, Martin noticed the small bundle in Frasier's arms. His grandson. "Oh," he said. He knew he should be overjoyed. Many of the guys he knew on the force talked endlessly about their grandkids. But Martin knew this visit would be awkward, to say the least. He and his son had nothing in common, especially now that Frasier was living in Boston.

"Well, here he is," Frasier said, holding the baby out. "We came all the way across the country to meet you. Aren't you even going to let us in?"

"Yeah," Martin said. "I guess." He stepped back, allowing father and son to enter. He decided it was best just to mention the proverbial elephant in the room. "Look, I know you meant well, bringing the baby here and all, but you and I have nothing to say to each other."

"I know that, Dad," Frasier admitted. "But this baby is your flesh and blood. Don't you at least want to see him? He has Mom's DNA, too, you know."

At that, Martin softened. He missed Hester more than he could ever say. He knew his sons did, too, but their shared loss had driven them apart rather than together. "OK, you're right, Frase. Let me see him." He carefully sat back on the couch, and Frasier put the baby in his arms.

Martin could hardly believe that he was holding his own grandchild. The baby began to squirm and fuss, obviously not liking the unfamiliar surroundings. "Hey, calm down, kid," Martin said. "I'm not gonna hurt you. I'm your grandpa." To his own surprise, he felt himself smile. "You know, he's kind of cute. Doesn't look a thing like the Ice Queen."

Frasier chose to overlook his father's remark about Lilith. "See, Dad, I knew Frederick would win you over."

"Yeah," Martin replied, nodding. "Hey, Niles should see this. This is his nephew, after all."

"You're right, Dad. But what about…..?" Frasier could hardly picture his sister-in-law being in the same room as a baby, much less holding one.

"Ah, Maris never sets foot in this place," Martin said dismissively. "I'll call Niles and invite him over. We'll surprise him."

Suddenly, Frasier found himself smiling, too. Maybe this trip hadn't been so crazy after all.