Chapter 12

When Frasier and Niles came in the door, there was nobody home. Martin and Hester left the boys a note letting them know what was going on. Martin was called away on an assignment for a possible homicide and Hester went with him to consult on the case. It looks like Niles' punishment would have to wait till morning. Niles decided to take a shower and then work on some algebra homework. Frasier decides to go to bed early, he will be heading back to Harvard and he needs all the sleep he can get for the long drive ahead.

Once Niles finishes his shower, he goes to the kitchen to get himself a glass of water and some cheese and crackers. He needs something to eat while he is studying. He is good at math but he needs a snack to help him concentrate. Hopefully he will be able to keep his mind off Daphne while he studies. He can't let his grades slip or he won't be able to get into Yale. Going to Yale is very important to Niles. He wants to give Daphne a good life, he can see himself being married to her in the future and if he gets into a good college and gets his degree in psychiatry, he can give Daphne everything she deserves. Daphne is the one person that matters now more than anything and he will do everything he can to hold onto her. He wants her to be the mother of his children.

Niles gets down to business and works on his algebra.

Meanwhile on the streets of Seattle…

Martin and Hester are in the car at the crime scene waiting for more information about the homicide. While they wait they decide to have a conversation about the boys.

"I am very worried about Niles, Marty. Ever since he met Daphne, he has changed."

Martin grabs Hester's hand.

"I wouldn't worry about it too much honey. Niles is a good kid and Daphne is a good girl. I really think they are good for each other. Niles is just a typical teenage boy in love."

"Now don't misunderstand me, I like Daphne a lot, she is a good girl and is very good for Niles it's just that ever since he met her he has gotten more rebellious. He has never talked back to you or walked away from you. He has always faced up to his mistakes and took his punishment."

"You are usually the one who disciplines the boys anyway, Hester. They hardly ever listen to me. They are more like you and respect you. They are closer to you. Niles was right when he said that I have never really been a father to him. I am always working and we have nothing in common. I love my boys but we are as different as night and day."

Hester squeezes Martin's hand.

"That is partly my fault. I raised them to be more like me. They aren't interested in what most boys their age should be interested in like sports and things. They like opera, books and psychiatry."

"They are good boys and you have done a good job with them. That is one of the reasons I love you so much. You are a wonderful wife, an even better mother and a hell of a psychiatrist. I just sometimes wish that I could be closer with them and do things with them like most fathers and sons do."

"I know, Marty. Our boys love you, even if they don't show it. You must have done something right because look at the way Niles treats Daphne. He treats her like a queen. He is so good to her and loves her so much. He learned that from you by watching how you treat me as a wife and as a woman."

"A man should always treat a woman like a queen. A woman deserves to be loved and cherished. I still sit here sometimes and wonder why you chose me, a gruff young cop who loved his beer and sports. You were so smart and sophisticated when I first met you but boy were you beautiful and I knew I wanted to get to know you better."

"I will admit at first that I was unsure what kind of man you were but when I tripped over that dead body and you came to my rescue, I fell head over heels in love with you. I knew that you were a gentleman and you cared. It didn't matter to me that you liked your beer and sports; I knew you were a good man. I have never regretted marrying you Martin Crane and I never will, I will always love you."

Martin looks at Hester and smiles.

"I will always love you Hester Palmer Crane, you have made me the happiest man alive."

They both lean in for a sweet kiss until they are interrupted by a call on the radio. It's time for them to get to work; they have a homicide to deal with.

A few hours later…

Martin and Hester finally make it home. It was a tough case. The victim who died was a husband and father of three. It was a random shooting and the perp was caught and put in jail. Martin and Hester will do everything to bring justice to the victim's family. Once they are home they check on the boys. They go into Niles' room and see him fast asleep with his head on his algebra book which is wide open. Hester approaches her son and looks at him for a minute. She then kisses his cheek and ruffles his blond hair.

"I love you, Niles."

Martin watches Hester for a minute with tears in his eyes. He will go easy on Niles tomorrow when he doles out his punishment. They then go to check on Frasier and see him sound asleep in his bed. They have enjoyed having him home and are going to miss him when he goes back to Harvard. It will be hard but he will be back in the summer for a visit. Both Martin and Hester are proud of Frasier, he is doing so well is school and is going to be a successful psychiatrist in a few years.

Martin and Hester finally make it to bed themselves. It has been a long day for the both of them. They really feel bad for the woman and children of the man that was killed, it's all they talk about until they fall asleep.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring but they will all face it together as a family.