A/N: This is the seventh installment of this series of romantic short stories about Niles and Daphne that I have written in AU form to have them interact in every single episode (even when they had no scenes together!). Four more of these will follow, but since they all will eventually, if not sooner, fit together in some way, like pieces to a puzzle, it might help to read Part 1 first. Each story represents a season (this one being Season 7) and each episode is a chapter title. Thanks for reading!

(Niles' POV)

Not one of the Crane men spoke on the drive from the cabin back to the Elliott Bay Towers. But there was no question that each man knew what the other was thinking about. Or rather, whom. Ever since Frasier began dating a beautiful woman named Mia, memories of Hester Crane had swirled in all of their minds and in their hearts. At first Frasier was oblivious to the fact that his new girlfriend was the mirror image of their mother, but when it dawned on him, he promptly ended things with her. It was too bad because they made the perfect couple, but Frasier couldn't deal with the similarities, and frankly, neither could Niles.

Niles had thought that transferring their dad's old home movies to video to bring them to watch at the cabin would have been a good idea, but now he wasn't so sure. He should have been pleased that the gift was the only one that Martin Crane seemed to truly love. He'd actually hugged Niles and Frasier; something he very rarely did, especially on his own.

As the three Crane men sat in the living room watching home movies, Niles was reminded (not that he'd ever forgotten) of how much he'd loved his mother and how beautiful she was.

But now as he drove home in silence, glancing every so often at his brother and father, he was reminded of how much he missed her.

A few times he found himself blinking back tears, but he wasn't about to cry in front of anyone; even his family.

Finally they turned onto the street that would take them home and when the Elliot Bay Towers came into view, he felt an overwhelming sense of relief. The silence between the Crane men continued as they rode up the elevator and crossed the hallway.

Niles stood at the doorway facing his father and brother. "Well, for what it's worth, I had a wonderful time. Thank you Dad… Frasier."

Martin nodded. "Yeah. Thanks Niles; Frasier. It was a pretty good birthday, even though…"

"Dad, you don't have to say anything. It was my decision and although I'm probably going to regret it…."

Niles smiled and put his hand on Frasier's shoulder. "You did what you felt was right and you shouldn't beat yourself up over it. I probably…. I probably would have done the same…thing." Dear God, his voice was breaking and he was on the verge of bursting into tears; something he hadn't done in as long as he could remember. "I-I'm gonna go, all right?"

"No, Niles. Stay. Please."

His brother's comment surprised him. "Really?"

"Sure. Just have a seat, relax…"

"Oh, well… all right."

Frasier opened the door and Niles breath was taken away by the sight of his angel. "Daphne…"

She smiled and opened her arms wide, greeting each man with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Oh, I missed you all so much. Did you have a good time?"

"It was great!" Frasier said a bit too enthusiastically.

"How did things go with…"

Frasier looked awkwardly at Niles and Martin. "I'm going to… I'm beat. I'm going to take a nap."

"That sounds like a good idea. I think I'll do that too." Martin said.

"Goodnight, Dad, Frasier." Niles called to them. Just as his brother was about to enter the hallway, Niles called to him. "Frasier?"

Frasier turned around. "Yeah, Niles?"

"It's going to be all right, you know. If it's meant to be, it will happen."

Frasier smiled. "Thanks Niles."

When Niles and Daphne were alone in the living room, Daphne looked at him in confusion. "What was that all about?"

"Oh… Well things between Frasier and Mia didn't work out and I think he feels guilty about that now."

"Because of how much she looks like Mrs. Crane?"

Niles swallowed hard and nodded. "Um… yes… I…"

He turned away, rubbing the tears from his eyes. "I-I should probably go."

But then he felt her hand on his back, prompting him to turn around. "Dr. Crane, are you all right?"

He looked into her eyes and knew that he couldn't lie to her. "A-actually no… I…"

Concern filled her eyes and she took his hand. "What's wrong?"

"Well, we were watching those home movies, a-and I-I couldn't help remembering…"

"Oh… I see…"

"I-I miss her and I never thought…"

He was horrified when his voice broke but he found himself in her arms, where she held him for a long time. And when the long moment passed, she continued to hold him, stroking his back while he cried.