But no sooner had they took two steps forward, Niles froze.
"Damn, it sure is dark in here." His father remarked as they moved a bit further.
"Dark doesn't even begin to describe it!" Niles retorted, trying to feel his way into the establishment. "I can't even see my hand in front of my face! What's going on?"
"I-I'm not sure, Son."
"Dad, are you sure that Duke's is even open?"
"Sure, they're open! He's always open at this time of day!"
Once again, worry crept over Niles. Perhaps his earlier thought that his father's memory might have been failing wasn't so crazy after all. And perhaps it was time to face that fact. "But it's so dark, Dad! I-."
Suddenly the place brightened. "SURPRISE!"
Shaken by the unexpected outburst, Niles looked around the tavern in complete astonishment. All around him were familiar faces; his father's friends, Duke, Stinky, Bud, Wolf Man, Boom Boom (where did they come up with such ridiculous names?), and Jim. And then he saw even more familiar faces; those of Bulldog, Gil, Kenny and even Chopper Dave. But one face stood out in the crowd. It was a face he knew better than all of the others. And suddenly he felt like crying.
However, before he could even begin to react, he was engulfed into a hug.
"Niles, it's so good to see you. I've missed you!"
Niles drew back and smiled at his brother. He wanted to say the words in return, for truer words could not have been spoken. Since his older brother, his best friend, had moved to San Francisco, Niles missed him terribly. After a long moment he drew back. "Frasier…. What are you doing here?"
"Well, that's a fine way to greet your only brother!" Frasier quipped.
Niles chuckled. "I'm sorry. It's good to see you Frasier. Of course I've missed you too, but-."
Frasier grinned; a sure sign that something was up. "Yes, Niles?"
Niles looked around at the sea of faces and then back at his brother in confusion. And when he looked around again, he noticed the décor. The tavern had been transformed. Everywhere he looked there were balloons and streamers in shades of pastel pink, blue, green and yellow, along with a banner that hung on one wall of the tavern. The sign read: CONGRATULATIONS, NILES! And it was decorated in the same pastel colors. He turned to his brother and father who were smiling like Cheshire cats.
"What's all of this?"
"What does it look like, Niles?" his father asked. "It's your baby shower!"
Niles' eyes narrowed. "My baby shower? But I'm not-."
"You're going to be a father, aren't you?" Duke asked. "That's what we were told. Maybe Daphne left out one small detail about who the father of this kid is!"
The men laughed uproariously, leavening Niles even more confused (and a bit appalled at Duke's assumption). "Well of course I'm going to be a father! Why wouldn't I be! You know that! You all know that, but Daphne's' the one -."
"Who the hell says? Why should Daphne get all of the baby showers?" His father asked. "This one is for you!"
Niles wasn't sure why his father was so enthusiastic about something so unusual, or why he'd conjured up such an elaborate scheme to get him there. "I-I don't understand."
"You don't have to understand, Niles!" Frasier said. He ushered him to a long table, where in the middle sat a large sheet cake. The base of the cake was yellow frosting with pink and blue trim. And in the center a cartoon-ish stork made out of white icing was carrying a brown bundle in his mouth beside the blue icing words;
CONGRATULATIONS NILES, IT'S A CRANE!
Niles was so touched that he felt embarrassing tears spring to his eyes. He could hardly believe the moment was real. "I-is this really for me?"
Everyone in attendance laughed. "Not just the cake, Niles! All of it!" Frasier bellowed. "There are gifts too. Lots of them!"
Niles stared at the guests and the cake for several moments. "This is… I don't know what to say..."
"Don't say anything, just open the damn presents!" Kenny joked.
After several pictures were taken of the cake, the presents and the guest of honor with the respective guests, Niles tore open the gifts, revealing an abundance of baby items. There were blankets, diapers, toys, and other items. But the most cherished was a handsome leather-bound book of nursery rhymes from Frasier.
His brother also gave Niles a membership to an exclusive club for children; one that their father and mother had never been able to give to their sons. He was so touched that he hugged Frasier once more. "Thank you, Frasier. So much. This is… truly wonderful."
"Hey, open mine next!" Bulldog yelled, handing Niles a gift wrapped in blue and green paper, adorned with football balls.
"Thanks, Bulldog." Niles said, smiling as he tore open the package. He lifted the lid and removed the tiny blue and green baby outfit, complete with matching blue and green socks. The oohs and ahhs could be heard from all directions as the men moved closer trying to get a good luck. And to satisfy them, Niles held up the outfit, garnering more enthusiasm from the crowd.
"That's great, isn't it?"
Niles turned the outfit around and read the blue and green lettering on the front; "Future Linebacker". And then he glanced at his father and brother in confusion, his father smiled while Frasier only shrugged.
"It's a football term." His father explained. "It's a position…"
"It means.."
His father looked at Bulldog and shook his head. "Never mind what it means, Bulldog. It's pointless to try and explain it. Believe me, I've tried!"
The men laughed at Niles ' father's comment and even Niles had to smile.
"Who wants cake?" Frasier shouted, to which he received a rousing response from the crowed. The men gathered around the table as Frasier handed Niles a knife to begin cutting the pieces of cake for the guests.
"The hell with cake!" Duke yelled. "Who wants beer?"
This, of course, brought an even bigger response of enthusiasm and soon the beer was flowing, case was consumed, conversations became livelier, laughter abounded and Niles looked around the tavern in awe. Aside from the moments he'd spent with his beloved Daphne, he had to admit that he'd never been happier.