Author's Note: Many thanks to Melinda (samanddianefan10) for helping me with the medical aspects of this. Sorry if I took a bit of license. :)

Niles sat in the waiting area outside the delivery room. Next to him were his father and Ronee. In Ronee's arms lay eighteen-month-old David. Mercifully, he was sound asleep, unaware that on the other side of a set of large double doors, his mother was giving birth to his new brother or sister. "Dad, I don't think I've ever been so nervous," Niles whispered.

"Niles, get a grip. I know you wanted to wait a couple years before having another one, but sometimes it doesn't work out that way. It'll be a little tougher, but you'll get through it. David's going to love being a big brother."

"Yeah, but what if he doesn't? Frasier sure didn't. One of my earliest memories is of him staring down into the playpen, looking as if he were planning to murder me! I still have nightmares about it!"

Martin rolled his eyes. "That's when you were kids. But you grew out of it, and now look at the two of you. I'm not saying things will be perfect, but you'll handle it."

"You're sure?"

"I have no doubt. Everything's going to be fine."

Niles nodded, willing himself to believe his father's words. But a moment later, his calm was completely shattered. Two doctors were rushing into the delivery room, their expressions serious. His heart pounding, Niles walked to the doors, opening them just a crack. "What – what's going on?"

"There's been a complication," a nurse answered. "We're doing everything we can." Before Niles could ask for further explanation, she turned back around, clearly more focused on her patient at the moment.

"Dad," Niles said, returning to where his father sat. "Daphne….."

Martin stood. "That doesn't mean it's a big deal. Don't panic."

"I'm a doctor!" Niles exclaimed. "I know how they're trained to act in front of the family. Whatever's going on in there, it's bad. What if I lose her? Oh, God. Why couldn't it be me instead? I can't do this without her!"

"Don't get ahead of yourself. You heard them, they're going to do everything they can. Daphne's very healthy. I'm sure she's going to be just fine."

"What if it really is bad news, and they just don't want to tell me yet? Oh, God, I'm not cut out to be a single father!"

Ronee watched her husband and stepson. She could see that Martin wasn't having much luck getting through to his son, so she stepped in. "Niles, there's no reason to panic yet," she said, adjusting David's head on her shoulder as she stood. "I'm sure as soon as things calm down, they'll come out and tell you what's going on. Right now, the best thing you can do is just keep your cool."

"'Keep my cool'?" Niles asked. "How am I supposed to do that, when the woman I love is in there, possibly dying?!"

"I know how much you love Daph," Martin said gently. "I love her, too. She's like my own daughter."

Ronee nodded her agreement. "I mean, I know I haven't known her that long, but she's very sweet, and she's such a wonderful mother to David. She'll be great with this one, too."

"She might not get the chance," Niles said. "If-if something happens in there…."

Martin put a hand on his son's shoulder. "If something bad does happen to her, you can't fall apart. David's going to need you more than ever. Ronee and I'll be here, no matter what. You won't be alone."

Niles looked over at his stepmother. David still peacefully rested on her shoulder. "You're right, Dad. David and Daphne are my family. They're my responsibility, and if there's one thing you always told us, it was to take care of the family."

"Good, son." Martin said, nodding.

Suddenly, Niles wasn't paying attention to what was going on around him. His mind took him back in time, to the first time he saw Daphne. It was as if it had happened yesterday. From the moment Frasier introduced them, Niles had known it was love. But their story was far from easy. Three years later, they stood at the Snow Ball, making heads turn. Even now, Niles could smell her perfume, feel her breath on his cheek as they danced. Then came her almost-wedding to Donny, both the saddest and happiest day of his life. Then Niles remembered how it felt the first time he'd watched Daphne give birth. He had thought he couldn't possibly love her more. But now, when her life hung in the balance, the love he felt was ten times stronger. Remembering these times calmed him down, helped him remember that it was his job to handle whatever happened to his family from here on out.