Martin looked away from the Seahawks game, knowing that it would be a mistake. The Seahawks were losing to the Steelers; badly in fact. But experience had taught him that the game could change in an instant. Still it was hard to concentrate, what with Niles slumped on the sofa, sighing deeply. He knew that he should be sympathetic to his youngest son's… whatever it was that was bothering him, but instead he was just plain annoyed. "Niles, what's the matter with you?"
As Martin expected, Niles seemed oblivious to the fact that he'd been acting like a complete jackass. But he decided to give his son the benefit of the doubt.
"What? Oh, Sorry Dad. I guess I was just feeling sorry for myself."
Well at least Niles was honest. Martin almost smiled in satisfaction. He'd taught his sons well. But now he was curious.
"Why?"
Niles sighed again. "I was just thinking about all of the things I wanted to do with my life."
"Like what?"
"So many things, like write a book, win the Pulitzer Prize; perhaps even go back to school. I just feel as though I have so much more to give to myself and to my patients and frankly I don't have a lot of time left."
"Are you going somewhere?"
Niles shot him a look. "Dad, you know what I mean!"
"No, actually I don't, Niles. I-." And then he froze in alarm, panic-stricken. No, not again... not this... "Niles, what are you saying?"
"Well Dad, I'm certainly not getting any younger and my life seems to be passing before my eyes."
Relieved, Martin smiled. "Niles, you can't do it all at once. This ambition of yours, well it's impressive. Hell, I was never that motivated, so you must have gotten that from your mother. But it's a good trait to have. Just pick the one thing that you most want and go from there."
Niles chuckled. "That's good advice, Dad. Where did you hear it?"'
"From you. And Fras. Look I know that I'm not much for sentiment but for what it's worth I'm proud of you. Both of you. You and Frasier."
The next thing Martin knew, Niles was on his feet, moving toward him. And then his youngest son's arms were around him. "Thanks Dad. I love you."
Martin would never admit it, but that hug and those words meant the world to him, just as Niles and Frasier meant the world to him too.
~Fin~/TBC~