"Well..." Niles said, turning to Daphne. "I guess this is it."
They'd taken no more than two steps toward the courtroom when they heard;
"Hey listen, just so there are no hard feelings, would you mind if I sat in?"
Niles and Daphne exchanged perplexed looks and then both spoke at once.
"A-actually Donny that-."
"No, I guess not."
After a second's hesitation and a nod of approval from her husband, Daphne sighed deeply.
"All right."
They walked into the judge's chambers where they were joined by Frasier, Roz, Alice, Gertrude and Martin.
"What's he doing here?" Martin whispered a bit too loudly.
"Dad..."
The judge entered the room and smiled at the family.
"Let's get started shall we?"
They all took their places and the room grew quiet.
"We come here today to unite this man and this woman in marriage." The judge said.
"I understand that Daphne and Niles have composed vows that are especially significant to them. Niles?"
Niles took Daphne's hands and looked deeply into her eyes, preparing to pledge his love to her for the third time.
"Uh... I Niles Crane take you Daphne Moon to be my wife. I, I vow to you my... my fidelity and support, honor, respect... uh... honesty, protection, and... support. You are my comfort and joy and... oh shoot, there's one more..."
"One true love." Daphne finished, trying to keep the hurt from her voice.
How could he have forgotten the beautiful words they'd said to one another?
"One true love. That's right." Niles said; the relief evident on his face. "Okay, you go."
Daphne stared at her husband in disbelief. "Okay you go?"
"I, Daphne Moon, do... She looked around the room and then back at Niles. "I'm sorry, this is wrong. I can't stand here and rattle off a bunch of words that don't mean anything anymore! I can't go through with this!"
"YES! I knew it!"
Donny's outburst startled her and she turned to find him punching the air with his fist, the way Martin did when the Mariners scored a home run or the Seahawks scored a touchdown.
Donny pointed at Niles; almost accusingly. "Now you know what it's like to have the love of your life dump you at the alter!"
She could only stare at Donny in horror; the harsh reality cashing down on her.
Shame cloaked her throat and made it almost impossible to breathe but she forced herself to look at him.
"I'm... so sorry Donny." She said in a hoarse whisper.
"Yeah? Well, sorry isn't good enough!" He shot back. "And Niles, good luck trying to find someone better because she just ain't out there!"
Daphne should have smiled at the compliment, but instead the words cut through her like a knife. She could see Bridget's look of horror and could only give her a sympathetic glance.
But there was no mistaking who was at fault.
Hot, stinging tears filled her eyes and threatened to fall like a spring thunderstorm.
Determined not to let Donny see her cry, she ignored Niles' soothing hand on her shoulder and ran out of the courtroom; painfully aware of Niles' calling her name.