Wearily, Daphne entered the condo and sank onto the sofa, not even bothering to take off her coat.
"Everything okay, Daphne?" Frasier asked.
Daphne glared at Martin who was sitting in his chair, engrossed in a basketball game.
"Daphne, you should have heard Dad singing for the Elliot Bay Tennant's Association! He was a big hit! And since he couldn't be in the Christmas-."
"Oh, to hell with your bloody pageant!" Daphne yelled.
Startled by her outburst, Frasier walked toward her.
"What's gotten into you?"
"Why don't you ask Mr. Crane here? It's his entire fault anyway!"
"Dad, what's this about?"
But Martin shrugged. "Beats me! I'm just trying to enjoy the game here!"
"Mr. Crane! How can you sit there and pretend like nothing happened?" Daphne asked. She turned to Frasier and sighed.
"He had me convinced that he was dyin! Talkin' non-stop about it all bein' over so fast and what he was supposed to say when he sees Jesus for the first time. What was I supposed to think?"
Martin sighed. "Daphne..."
"Mr. Crane, I just... love you so much and the thought of losin you was more than I could bear. I kept thinking about what would happen to your sons if..."
When she began to cry, Frasier put his hand on her shoulder.
"Oh Daphne... I'm so sorry. Why didn't you say anything?"
Martin rose from his chair and went to her.
"I'm the one who's sorry." Martin said. "I should have just told you about that damn pageant instead of trying to keep it a secret. I just didn't want you all thinking that I looked stupid standing on the stage in that church."
"Oh Mr. Crane, I would never think-."
"Yeah, I know... I went about it the wrong way and I'm sorry that you were so upset."
Daphne smiled and hugged Martin. "Thank you, Mr. Crane. And I meant what I said. I do love you."
Martin looked at Frasier and smiled. "I love you too, Daphne."
After a few seconds, he pulled away and went to pick up the phone.
"Well, I'd better call Niles and tell him-."
"Tell Niles what?"
They turned to find Niles standing in the doorway.
"Niles! How in the hell did you get in here?" Frasier demanded.
Niles grinned and held up a shiny metal object. "Spare key, remember?"
"For emergencies only!" Frasier yelled. "Loosely translated... matters of great importance!"
"Ah... Well, I think wanting to see my father is a matter of great importance, don't you?"
"Well, yes, of course! But..."
"Niles is here to see me, Fras, not you!" Martin snapped as he crossed the room.
"Hey Dad."
"Niles, look. I'm sorry for getting you so upset earlier." Martin said. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
Niles hugged his father warmly. "I love you, Dad."
"I love you too, Son."
"I think this calls for a celebration!" Frasier said. "Who wants egg nog?"
"Oh that sounds lovely!" Daphne said. "I'll get it started right away!"
"Actually I'll do the honors." Frasier said. I have a secret recipe."
"You mean Mom's secret recipe?" Niles asked. "Well, Daphne is practically family and-"
"You stay here Niles. I'll help him." Martin said. "The guy damn near made me choke last time. He put paprika in my egg nog!"
"It looked like cinnamon!" Frasier protested.
Niles and Daphne looked at each other in surprise and then laughed.
