Chapter 4

Once they enter Niles' room, they are taken aback by what they see. It doesn't look like the person they saw hours before. His skin is pale, he has a bandage wrapped around his head, he has tubes coming out of his arm, and he is hooked up to life support with a respirator in his mouth.

Daphne has a really hard time seeing her husband like that as she breaks down crying and almost collapses to the floor. She ends up falling to her knees and crying her eyes out. The kids are upset and scared themselves and don't know what to do.

The doctor approaches Daphne and helps her up. He takes her over to the nearest chair and sits her down. He hands her a few tissues as he checks on her one more time. He goes to check on the kids to see how they are doing and they are just standing there staring at their father. David has his arm around Emily, Emily has her arm around Ashling, Ashling is leaning against Emily. David has tears in his eyes and the girls are quietly sobbing.

They just can't believe that their father is sick like this. To them he has always been healthy and strong, and to see him lying in a bed is almost too much for them to take.

Just when the doctor is about to escort the kids out, Frasier and Charlotte show up. As soon as Ashling sees her Uncle Frasier she runs to him and jumps into his arms. She is too big to be doing that but at this point, it doesn't really matter.

"Uncle Frasier!" Ashling cries as she wraps her arms around his neck.

Frasier just wraps his arms around his niece and holds her.

Charlotte sees David comforting Emily, as she cries into his chest. She approaches them and takes them out to the hall to sit down. Once she has taken care of them, she goes to check on Daphne. Daphne is still sitting in the chair, but now she is leaning back staring at the ceiling as the tears fall down her cheeks. Her arms are crossed in front of her as she clutches a tissue in her hand.

Charlotte approaches her.

"Daphne?"

Daphne is startled as she looks down and sees Charlotte.

"Charlotte?"

"Hi, Daphne."

Charlotte sits down next to Daphne as she wraps her in a hug. Daphne breaks down on Charlotte's shoulder. She just lets Daphne cry as she comforts her.

Before long the doctor asks everyone to leave the room since he has to run some tests, but Daphne won't have any of it.

Charlotte stands up as she takes Daphne's hand to help her stand up. But Daphne doesn't budge.

"Daphne, we have to leave now, the doctor needs to run some tests."

"I'm not leaving Niles. I am staying here until he wakes up."

The doctor overhears and approaches them.

"Mrs. Crane, I'm afraid I can't let you do that."

"Then you will have to drag me out of here, that's what it will take. I refuse to leave me husband!"

Daphne stands up and approaches Niles' bed. She takes one of his hands in hers.

"Niles, I love you and I'm not going anywhere. I will be here when you wake up, just like I was all those years ago when you had your heart surgery. You pulled through that, and you will pull through this. I can't lose you, and the kids can't lose you. They need their father. What will Ashling do if you and her can't play the piano together and can't listen to classical music together? She's just like you, Niles and I don't think she can make it without you.

Emily loves you and you are the only one she can talk to about what is going on at school and with her friends. David and you don't have a lot in common, except art and you are the only one he can talk to about that. He is the only boy, and he needs you Niles. We all need you.

Daphne lays her head on Niles' chest as the tears roll down her cheeks. The doctor and Charlotte watch Daphne with tears in their eyes. The doctor decides to let Daphne stay with her husband. By this time everyone is gathered in the hallway by Niles' room.

After Frasier has comforted Ashling, he leaves her with the others as he tries to reach Roz, his father, and Ronee. He is able to finally reach Roz. She is on her way home from visiting Alice at college. She will be coming straight to the hospital instead of going home.

He is finally able to reach Martin and Ronee. When David had called earlier, they were sleeping and had their ringer off, so they didn't know David had called or had been trying to call. They promise to be there immediately.

Once Frasier makes the phone calls he joins his family once more. The kids are sitting next to each other on the couch, as Charlotte sits on the arm next to David. They are just all sitting there quietly with solemn looks on their faces. They are so worried about their father. Frasier begins to tear up as he thinks about his brother lying in there. He has never been more proud of his brother than right at this very moment. He is proud of him because of the beautiful family he has raised. His three beautiful children, and then there is Daphne. Dear, sweet Daphne. The woman that stole his brother's heart, gave him three amazing children and made him the happiest he has ever been. Niles can't die, he has too much to live for and Frasier will make sure the doctors do everything they can to save him.

Charlotte sees Frasier standing there staring with tears in his eyes. She stand up and approaches him as she wraps her arms around him.

"Just thinking about Niles, honey?"

Frasier wraps his arms around Charlotte and kisses her head.

"Yes, I'm just wondering what's going to happen if he doesn't make it. What will happen to Daphne and the kids?"

"You can't think about that right now, Frasier. All you need to concentrate on is being there for the family and Niles."

"You're right, Charlotte. I am the strong one, the rock. I have to be here for my family now."

"I can see it in your eyes Frasier, you are not just worried about Daphne and the kids, you are also worried about yourself. You don't know what you will do without Niles."

"He's my little brother and I love him. I don't want him to die."

"I know you don't Frasier, none of us do."

Charlotte snuggles up against Frasier to offer a little extra comfort.

"Frasier!"

Frasier pulls out of the hug and sees Roz running towards them. She reaches them and wraps Frasier in a hug. Frasier picks her up and spins her around as he holds her for a minute. She lets go of Frasier and then gives Charlotte a hug.

"Roz, I am so glad you finally made it!"

"Yes, I'm sorry Frasier. I had my phone shut off when I was visiting Alice." Roz replies as she pulls out of the hug and looks at Frasier.

"Well, you're here now and that's all that matters."

Roz nods with tears in her eyes as she spots the kids and begins talking to them.

"I'm going to get a cup of coffee, does anybody want anything?" Charlotte asks.

Frasier and Roz both want coffee. The kids don't want anything. Charlotte excuses herself to get the coffees.

While she is getting the coffees, Martin and Ronee show up.

They all greet each other and exchange hugs. Charlotte finishes getting the coffees as Martin and Ronee each get one for themselves. Once they get the coffees they join the others.

As soon as the kids see their grandfather their faces light up as they jump up to give their grandfather hugs.

"Grandpa!" they all cry.

Ronee stands there feeling all left out as Martin has the kids' attention. But, before long the kids give hugs to Grandma Ronee.

Once the initial excitement wears off the kids go back to being their somber selves as they sit back down on the couch.

Martin pulls Frasier to the side to talk to him.

"So how is Niles?"

"It doesn't look good, dad. From what I heard he is in the advanced stages of a brain tumor."

Martin lets out a gasp of shock as he starts to cry. He suddenly can't catch his breath as he leans over as he puts all his weight on his cane. Frasier grabs his father and sits him down in the nearest chair.

"Frasier, I can't breathe! I can't breathe!" Martin gasps.

Frasier gets Ronee's attention.

"Ronee, go get a doctor!"

Ronee looks at Frasier as she registers what he is telling her. She then runs off to get a doctor.

Frasier focuses his attention back on his father.

"Dad, just take deep breaths, and breathe slowly."

Martin tries that but he just can't seem to catch his breath as he collapses in Frasier's arms and everything goes black.

Is Martin okay? What does the future hold for Niles? Stay tuned!