"Are you almost ready Niles?"

Niles sighed deeply, staring in the mirror as he straightened his tie. "I guess, but I still don't understand why we have to make an appearance at this party. The last thing I wanted to do was spend my evening with some of Frasier's obnoxious friends from the bar."

Daphne stood behind him and put her arms around him, kissing his cheek. "It means a lot to your brother and besides; we don't have to stay very long."

"Well, that's good because our reservations are for 9:00 sharp! I was told in no uncertain terms that we were very lucky to get a reservation in the first place. Not surprising given the reviews I've read about L'Espalier! I want this night to be special for you, my love."

"And I love you for it." Daphne replied, kissing his cheek once more. "But this party sounds like fun and it will be nice to finally meet these people that your brother keeps referring to."

Niles rolled his eyes. "One can only hope, anyway."

"Look, I promise, we'll only stay for a little while and then we can enjoy a nice romantic dinner... well, as romantic as possible with your brother and father along."

"Well, Daphne I wanted it to be just the two of us! I can always call and change-."

"No, just leave it the way it is. This is a good way to make amends with Frasier for... whatever it was that he said about you. Niles, I really wish you would tell me-."

He silenced her with a series of kisses that left her breathless. "Tell you what? How much I love you?" He said, smiling at her surprised expression.

"I love you, too." She said kissing him one last time. "Now, come on... we don't want to be late for Cliff's party. Frasier and Martin are waiting for us."

He sighed deeply and looked her up and down. "You look stunning."

"Well, aren't you sweet?" She said, wrapping him in a hug. "And you... are the most handsome man I've ever seen."

"Thank you, Daphne. You know... I highly doubt that Frasier would miss us if we were to miss this little party. What do you say we make sure that the bed is up to our standards?"

Daphne laughed and hit him playfully in the arm. "There's plenty of time for that later, Niles. And besides, from what I remember we already tested it... several times in fact!"

"Well, there's no reason why we can't test it out again."

Before she could respond, he kissed her deeply, leaving her breathless once more.

"We really should go, Niles."

"No... Let's stay here..." He said trailing kisses down her cheeks, her neck and into the hollow of her throat. "I love you so much... Daphne..."

"And I love you..." She said, finding it hard to pull away from him. "You know, maybe you're right. Perhaps we should-."

A knock on their door startled them apart.

"Daphne? Niles? You ready? Let's go! We don't want to be late for the party!" Frasier's muffled voice said.

"We're ready. Come in." Daphne said, giving Niles a sympathetic look.

"What the hell is taking so long?" Martin asked. "We should have left twenty minutes ago!"

"What's your hurry, Dad?" Niles asked. "You don't even know these people! And how could you even associate with people who think you're dead? I still can't believe Frasier would say such a thing! There's no telling what he said about me!"

"Niles, don't start that again!"

"Well, I have every right to be upset Frasier, after you told the entire population of Seattle that I-."

He stopped suddenly, catching a glimpse of his wife. "Um... never mind. Come on, Frasier. Hopefully there will be a lot of alcohol at this party, and it will make me forget about this whole... disaster!"

"Niles, why are you being so secretive about this?" Daphne asked, touching his shoulder.

"Because, Daphne it's... Just... come on... The sooner we get there, the sooner we can leave and I don't want to miss having dinner at L'Espalier!"

Martin scoffed. "Oh geez, if this is one of those fancy schmancy restaurants, you can count me out! I'd much rather go to Cheers! I've heard so much about the place, I feel like I've lived there!"

"Dad, you haven't lived until you've been to Cheers, believe me." Frasier said. "But unfortunately, Cliff told me that Sam has the bar booked for a Red Sox reunion. Boy it would have been nice to see him again!"

Martin's eyes widened. "The Red Sox, really? I'd love to meet some of those guys! Imagine, me, Martin Crane, talking it up with Barry Givins or Frank Pascino!"

"Dad, you don't even like the Red Sox! You're always making snide comments about them whenever they come up to bat!"

"So? What's wrong with me wanting to meet a famous ball player?"

"You've met a famous ball player!" Frasier snapped. "In case you don't remember, the very famous Sam Malone was in our living room!"

Marin scoffed. "Oh right. The one who thought I was dead. Gee, thanks a lot Frasier! Now come on, I need a beer!"

As they walked out of the hotel room, Niles helped Daphne with her coat and grabbed his wallet. "And remember Frasier, the reservations are for 9:00. If we're a minute late-."

"I know, I know... Mr. Pasqual will give away our table." Frasier finished. "Trust me, Niles, we'll make it to the restaurant in plenty of time! I promise!"