Daphne loved feeding Eddie. It reminded her of the days when she lived with Frasier. Even though the dog was older now, she was sure he could feel it too. When Eddie was finished eating, she gave him a thorough scratch behind the ear. Then, with a smile, she stood to go back up to David's room.

Predictably, Eddie followed her. When they arrived at the nursery, David stood in his crib, already awake. He smiled as he saw Daphne enter the room. But once he saw Eddie, his expression changed. "No dog!"

Daphne lifted her son from the crib. "Now, David, don't say that. Eddie's only here for a few days. He isn't going to hurt you."

"NO DOG!"

Daphne sighed. "Now, David, please. Don't say that. Eddie's a very nice dog."

David didn't say anything, but his expression showed that he was more than a little unconvinced.

Daphne bent down, placing her son on the floor. She took a seat next to him. At her signal, Eddie walked over. "You know, I've known Eddie for a long time. Even longer than I've known your father, if you can believe that. I met him the same day I met your uncle and your grandfather. Back then, your grandfather wasn't the same man who kissed you goodbye yesterday. He was angry about having to give up his independence to move in with his son. And your uncle wasn't any happier about having him." As she spoke, Daphne softly stroked Eddie's fur.

Somehow, David's expression changed just the slightest bit. He began to see that the dog was harmless.

"Eddie really isn't so bad," Daphne said, seeing that her son now seemed to be curious. "Your uncle used to hate the way Eddie stared at him all the time. But I think Eddie grew on him a bit. Just like I did." She laughed to herself, remembering how her future brother-in-law had wanted nothing to do with her back then. "Your grandfather and I got on pretty well, even if he was a grumpy old sod a lot of the time. But of course, your father was the only one who really liked me. In fact, liked is sort of an understatement. He was crazy about me for seven years before I even realized. I'm glad I found out when I did, because otherwise, you might not be here." She couldn't resist taking David in her arms and kissing him. "Eddie's not going to bite you," Daphne said gently. "Why don't you pet him?"

Cautiously, David reached out a hand, imitating his mother. He could feel how soft the dog's fur was. Before he knew it, he was smiling.

Niles stood in the doorway, watching the adorable mother-son scene play out. It never ceased to amaze him how patient Daphne was with David. But, then, she'd always been that way. It was precisely why he'd fallen in love with her.