Author's Note: Thank you to Andrea (iloveromance) whose story "100 Moments" sort of planted the seed for this. It turned out longer than I planned (it was supposed to be a one-shot!), but I'm pretty proud of it! :)
"Well, David is sleeping soundly," Daphne announced, returning to the master bedroom. But she looked around and found that she was talking to no one. Where was Niles? Slightly alarmed, she began looking around. He wasn't in the bathroom. Perhaps he was in his study. He frequently got up in the middle of the night after remembering something he'd forgotten to do with his notes. Before she'd gotten to the study, she found Niles sitting on the fainting couch, apparently looking over old photo albums. "Niles, what on earth are you doing?"
Niles looked up at her, sighing. He knew it was late, and he should be in bed. But something had been on his mind more and more lately. He knew it probably wasn't rational, but sometimes emotions didn't work that way. "Oh, I've just been thinking about some things, now that we've got a baby."
Daphne came and sat beside him, gently taking his hand in hers. "I hope you're not still thinking you won't be a good father. I can tell how much you love David already. He couldn't ask for a better father than you."
"Well, thank you, my love. But that's not what I'm thinking about," Niles replied, glancing once more at the photos in his hand.
"What are you doing with these old photo albums?" Daphne asked.
Once again, Niles sighed. "I just keep thinking about Mom. She was always so proud of everything that Frasier and I did. Even when Dad didn't care about our science awards, or the papers we wrote, she always encouraged us. Now Frasier's a famous radio psychiatrist, and I'm finally a father. But she isn't here to share any of it with us. She'll never get to meet David. Or you."
Daphne reached out, touching his cheek with her finger. It was a gesture that never failed to make him smile. "Maybe she isn't here, but that doesn't mean she isn't connected to David. I've heard your father tell Ronee that he thinks David has her eyes. I know it hurts to miss someone you love, but she wouldn't want you to feel this way, would she?"
Niles hadn't considered that. He remembered when he was a child, and he used to complain about being picked on, or some petty argument with Frasier. His mother always told him that sitting around feeling sorry for himself was no help to anyone. "I suppose you're right, Daphne. Mom wouldn't want me sitting here, mourning over her, when I've got a beautiful wife and a wonderful son who need me."
Daphne kissed him. "We both love you very much. I've heard your father and brother speak of Mrs. Crane so often, I sometimes feel like I know her. I've always thought something had to have brought me to your brother's apartment that day. Perhaps it was her."
For a moment, Niles was quiet, considering the idea. "Well, none of us could've imagined what you'd bring to all our lives. You truly were the answer to our prayers. Maybe Mom did bring you to us. Not only to help with Dad's therapy, but to completely change my life."
"I never would've imagined how things would turn out when I first met your father and your brother. When David is older, I'm sure we'll tell him all about your mum and how much you loved her. Without her, I wouldn't have you or David. Even though I never met her, I'm very grateful to have the both of you in me life."
Suddenly, Niles found himself feeling much better than he had earlier. It was amazing how Daphne always knew exactly how to turn his mood around. He sighed, once more looking at the old black-and-white photos. "You know, it's been a while since I visited my mother's grave."
Daphne smiled sadly. "Perhaps the three of us should go. I mean, unless you'd rather go alone."
For a moment, Niles was tempted to say that it would be better if he spoke to his mother in private. After all, grief was a highly personal thing. But Daphne and David were the two most important people in his life now. And if his mother couldn't be here to see them in person, this might be the next best thing. "I think that's a wonderful idea, my love. Thank you."
When Niles leaned over to kiss her, Daphne couldn't help smiling. She would do almost anything to make him happy.
