"Here we are, all dressed and ready for company." Daphne said carrying David down the stairs.

Niles' eyes widened at the sight of his son and wife, all dressed in their Sunday finest.

"Wow!" he said, causing Daphne to laugh.

"I'm glad you approve, Darling but I'm afraid we don't look that spectacular."

"Are you kidding me? You've never looked more beautiful." Niles said.

Daphne blushed, glimpsing at the soft blue dress she was wearing. She'd bought it several months ago and wanted to wait until the perfect occasion to wear it. What better time than Easter Sunday to show it off.

"Thank you Sweetheart but it's hardly the red dress I wore to the Snow Ball. You had the same reaction when you opened the door and saw me standing there, remember?"

"I'll never forget that glorious night." He said kissing her hand. "And before you say anything more, I've long since forgiven you for what happened, although there really wasn't anything to forgive."

"But if only I had known..."

He sighed deeply. "We couldn't be any happier than we are right now. Things happen for a reason and although I've never been a particularly religious man, I know in my heart that you and David are a gift from God."

Tears streamed down Daphne's cheeks at her husband's words. "Oh Niles..."

"It's true, my love. I thank God every day for you and David."

"I don't know what to say." She whispered, kissing him repeatedly. "I love you so much."

Niles grinned. "Well, perhaps you could show me later."

"I'd love to." Daphne said. "I think there's still another bottle of champagne in the fridge, although I can't imagine how it got there."

Niles chuckled and leaned his forehead against hers. "I'll never tell."

"That's all right." Daphne replied. "I think I have an idea."

The doorbell rang causing Daphne to jump in surprise. "Oh no, they're here! Lunch isn't quite ready yet. Oh Niles, they'll be so disappointed!"

"Don't worry, Daphne. I'll just keep them occupied while you finish up. I'm sure they'll understand. It smells wonderful."

"You're just saying that. I know how much you hate my cooking."

Niles said nothing, giving Daphne the answer she expected. "It's all right. I understand. I just hope it's worth all this work I've been doing."

"It will be wonderful, Daphne. Now why don't you answer the door? David and I will be in the kitchen getting things finished?"

"Daddy's sweet, isn't he David?" She said, kissing her handsome son's cheek. The baby laughed and reached for Daphne who wished she didn't have to leave him. He was so handsome in his little suit and it was sure to be covered in food soon, but she didn't care. As she went to answer the door, she couldn't hide the smile on her face.

"Martin! Ronee!" She exclaimed, hugging her father and mother in law. "We're so happy you could come over! And Roz!" She hugged her friend tightly. "I'm sorry you weren't' able to go to Wisconsin for Easter but I'm so glad you're here!"

"Thanks for having me over, Daphne. Alice and I would have been miserable at home by ourselves."

Daphne smiled at the little girl holding tightly to her mother's hand. "There's my sweet niece. Come give Aunt Daphne a hug!"

Alice reached for Daphne who scooped her up in her arms for a hug, unable to ignore the feeling that she might never get a chance to hold her own daughter. She looked away, hoping no one could see her pained expression but not surprisingly Roz was the first to notice.

"Hey, are you all right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Daphne lied.

"Don't give me that. I know when something's up. What's wrong?"

"It's nothing. I don't want to ruin Easter for everyone."

"I'm not just everyone." Roz said, taking Alice from Daphne's arms. "Here Alice, why don't you go play with Grandpa Martin and Grandma Ronee for a while?"

"Where's David?" Alice asked.

"I don't know." Roz said.

"He's in the kitchen helping Niles with lunch. I'll go see what's keeping them."

"Oh no, you don't!" Roz said, gently grabbing Daphne's arm. "Not till you tell me what's going on. Are you and Niles having problems?"

"No, nothing like that. On the contrary we're getting along very well." Daphne beamed, thinking of the blissful morning they'd shared.

"Then what is it?"

When Daphne sighed, Roz pulled her into the library and closed the door. "Spill it." She ordered as they sat down on the plush leather sofa amid the many shelves of books.

"All right. I had one of me visions last night about buying Easter dresses for a little girl. My little girl. But Roz, Niles and I had so much trouble getting pregnant the first time that I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to have any more children! I love David so much and Niles does too but I hate that I can't give him the daughter he wants!"

"Have you talked to Niles about this?"

"Of course and he thinks I'm being ridiculous. He didn't say that obviously, but I'm sure he does. David's still just a baby and here I am thinking of having more children."

"There's nothing wrong with that." Roz said. "I know this sounds crazy since I wasn't planning on having Alice but sometimes I find myself thinking of having more children. I just haven't found the right man."

"But I have, Roz. I love Niles and I want to give him as many children as possible."

Roz smiled and clutched Daphne's hands in hers. "And you will, Daphne. I promise. Knowing Niles, I'm sure he'll be more than happy to work on that with you."

Daphne laughed at Roz's mischievous grin and hugged her friend. "Thank you, Roz."

"Lunch is served!"

At the sound of her husband's voice, Daphne jumped off of the sofa "Oh Sod! I meant to help Niles in the kitchen!" Daphne said. "He's probably so angry."

Roz peered out of the library smiling at the sight of Niles, clad in his apron, holding David in his arms.

"He doesn't look angry to me. He looks like the happiest father in the world."

They sat down at the table and although Daphne wanted to help, Niles insisted that she sit and relax while he played host.

"Is that my grandson?" Martin exclaimed, eagerly taking David out of Niles' arms.

"Look at you, David! So handsome! Boy you'd look great in a Mariners' cap! I saw one just the other day when Ronee and I were downtown and-."

"Marty don't start that again!" Ronee warned.

"Dad, I don't mean any disrespect but I don't want David wearing a football cap. It's just not his style!"

Martin sighed. "First of all, the Mariners are a baseball team, Niles and secondly what's wrong with starting the kid off right by introducing him to sports? He's just a baby now but he'll be grown before you know it! I can't wait to teach him how to throw a baseball and-."

"Dad, please!" Niles said with a shudder. "The last time you tried to teach Freddy how to throw a ball he ended up with a swollen nose!"

"Yeah? Well what about you? Frederick broke out in hives because you let him have anchovies and-."

"Stop this right now!" Daphne yelled, startling them to silence. "I was hoping to have a nice Easter with me family and I hate to see you two arguing!"

"I'm sorry Daphne." Niles said, kissing her cheek. "You're right. We shouldn't be fighting."

"I'm sorry too, Daph. I guess I just got a little carried away." Martin said.

"Don't tell me you're sorry. Tell each other!" Daphne ordered.

Martin and Niles rose from the table and moved toward each other.

"I'm sorry Dad. I'm glad you came over. And a Mariners hat for David sounds wonderful."

"I'm sorry too Son. I guess I just miss being able to see Freddy and having a grandson to spoil."

They embraced, causing the people around them to sigh before they quickly pulled away from each other.

"I'm starving, let's eat!" Martin said.

They ate their meal sharing conversation about Frasier and the happenings within their family as well as Roz's stories about being the head of KACL. Daphne couldn't remember when she'd had such a wonderful Easter.

When dinner was over, everyone helped clear the table while Alice and David played in the living room.

"Who wants desert?" Daphne called from the kitchen to an enthusiastic response.

"All right, now it's time for the presents." Martin said.

"Dad, it's not Christmas and I can't imagine what you could have possibly-."
Martin opened the many bags he had brought and produced several Easter baskets filled with toys, in which David excitedly hurried to examine.

"This is for you, Niles."

Niles took the slim blue bag from his father. "What in the world?" When he pulled out the wine bottle he gasped in shock. "Dear God, where did you find this? A 1972 Cabernet!"

"Whatever the hell that is. Your brother told me that you'd been looking for this. He and Charlotte send their love."

"Dad... I don't know what to say. Thank you, so much."

Martin hugged his son awkwardly. "Well... You're welcome. But I have something for you too, Daphne."

"For me? Martin that's not necessary!" Daphne said.

"Well, we wanted to." Ronee said, handing Daphne the bouquet of soft pastel colored tulips. "Although it seems like Niles beat us to it."

Daphne smiled, glancing at the flowers that covered the mantle and the fireplace. "I have the most wonderful husband and I can't thank you enough for hiring me all those years ago. I don't know what I would have done had I never met him. I feel so blessed."

"I may not always say it, but I love you too, Daphne." Martin said, accepting her embrace.

"That goes for me as well." Ronee said.

"And me." Roz said, hugging Daphne. She looked at Niles and a slow smile began.

"Oh come here, Niles."

He smiled when she hugged him. "Thank you for taking such good care of my friend, Niles."

"It's my deepest pleasure, Roz." Niles replied.

They shared laughs and memories, reliving good times and bad but all too soon it was time for everyone to leave.

"Thank you so much for coming." Daphne said. "I had a wonderful time."

"We did too, Daphne. But your father seems a little tired." Ronee said. "I'm going to take him home and see if I can wear him out even more."

Niles blushed deeply. "Oh come on, Niles I'm just kidding! You know your dad's too old for that sort of thing!" Ronee said. But only Daphne saw the wink that Ronee gave to her husband.

When they were gone, Daphne hugged Niles, resting her head against his chest. David lay on the floor, sound asleep, holding one of the stuffed bunnies in his hands.

"Look at him... Such a sweet little boy." Daphne said.

"He certainly is." Niles agreed. "But we should get him upstairs to bed. He's had a long day."

Together they carried their son upstairs and changed him into his pajamas before placing him gently into his crib. He was asleep within seconds and both Daphne and Niles kissed him as they turned out his lamp. Almost instantly the ceiling began to glow with the stars that came from his nightlight.

"Goodnight my sweet boy." Daphne whispered. As she closed the door behind her, she turned to Niles and kissed him deeply.

"If only he had a little sister to play with."

Niles took her hand and kissed it. "Why don't we start working on that right now?"

"Sounds like a perfect way to end this joyful celebration." Daphne said as she led him to their bedroom.

THE END