21-Ghost

Niles looked at his notes one last time and then back at his patient. "All right, Mrs. Miles, I think that's all the time we have for today, so why don't you think about what we've discussed and we'll talk more next week?"

She looked at him tearfully and took his hand. "Thank you, Dr. Crane."

Niles smiled, always grateful when he could help someone. "It's my pleasure. Now go and call your daughter, all right?"

"Okay, I will. Thank you."

He was still smiling when Mrs. Miles walked out of his office and closed the door. He stood for a few moments starting at the door and then sat down at his desk to review his notes once again. He had to admit that he felt sorry for Mrs. Miles. She was at odds with her mother and had been since she was a child. It didn't seem right that parents and children should dislike each other, because as Niles knew all too well, time was a gift that could never be given back once it was gone.

There was a soft knock on his door. "Come in." he said absently, still glancing over his notes. The door opened and he felt someone enter the office. "Have a seat and I'll be right with you."

"Oh Niles, this is a beautiful office! Your father told me that it was nice but I never dreamed…"

Niles froze at the sound of the voice. That sweet voice. He hadn't heard it in oh so long and even now he couldn't believe that he was hearing it. And then he looked up, unable to believe what he was seeing. It wasn't possible, although he wanted it to be, so badly. If only…

"Niles, honey? Are you okay?"

He rose from his chair in one fluid but wobbly motion and went to her. She looked… different; younger… but yet she looked exactly the same as she had when…. He swallowed hard, tears filling his eyes.

"M-Mom?"

She smiled and moved closer to him. "That's right, Niles. It's me."

He was so stunned that he almost laughed. "B-but how-."

"I've been watching over you and I wanted to-."

"Mom, is it really you?"

She laughed again. "Yes, Niles. It's really me, but-."

At once he began to sob and engulfed her into his arms. "Mom! Oh God, Mom!"

She rubbed his back as she'd done so many times when he was sad and hurting; as a child and even as an adult. And he clung to her, relishing the warmth of her body, the scent of her hair.

"Shh… It's okay Niles. Don't cry. Mom's here now."

"I missed you so much." He cried. "I love-."

"I've missed you too, Niles. I love you so much too. And I love your father and Frasier and miss them terribly. I wasn't ready to leave. It just… It happened. But you're so strong and I'm so proud-."

He hugged her tighter never wanting to let go. But all too soon she drew back. And he was amazed to see that she was crying too.

"Mom?"

"I have to go now."

"No, please! You just got here! Don't leave! Not yet!"

She blotted her eyes with a handkerchief and he wondered where it had come from. "I h-I have to go, Niles. But you know that I'm always with you." She pressed her hand

to his chest, and he covered her hand with his own. "Right here…" She continued. "In your heart."

He kissed her cheek and closed his eyes and in return she kissed his forehead, stroking his hair the way she'd done when he was a child. "I love you Niles. I'll always love you. You may be a grown man with a beautiful wife, but you're still my little boy and I'm so proud of you. I've always been proud of you and I always will be."

"Thanks, Mom. I-."

He looked around, perplexed to find that he was alone, sitting in his chair.

There was a knock on his door and he rose to answer it. The sight took his breath away.

"Daphne…"

She smiled and kissed him softly but then drew back. "Hello, sweetheart. I'm sorry I'm late for our lunch date. Your father-."

"Lunch date?"

"Don't tell me you've forgotten. You promised-."

"I-."

Her annoyance gave way to concern and she touched his cheek. "Are you all right, Sweetheart? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I-I… M-my mother-."

"What about your mother?"

"Sh-she was here, Daphne. Right here; just a few minutes ago. I… I talked to her. Sh-she kissed my cheek. And I-."

Daphne put her arms around him and held him. "I'm sorry, Sweetheart. I know it's hard, this being her birthday and all."

He drew back staring at his wife in amazement. He couldn't believe that he'd forgotten. "H-how did you-."

She laughed. "How can I not know? You remind me every year and-Oh no…"

"What's wrong?"

"Oh Niles, I feel awful!"

"Why?"

She sighed deeply. "Because, I yelled at your father so much today. He just wouldn't cooperate when I was trying to get him to do his bloody exercises. And he looked upset but I thought it was because the Mariners had lost that bloody baseball game! I never imagined-Oh Niles, do you think…"

He bought her into his arms once more and held her. "Dad will be fine. We all will. Thank you, Daphne."

"For what?"

"For reminding me of what a wonderful family we have. I have an idea. Why don't I take the rest of the day off and we can go back over to Frasier's."

"Well, if that's what you want, but I was hoping-."

He smiled and kissed her. "I know, and we will; just the two of us. But let's take Dad and Frasier out to lunch at Mom's favorite restaurant."

His comment brought her into his arms once more. "That sounds like a wonderful idea. Mrs. Crane was awfully lucky to have a son like you. I wish I had known her."

"She said you were beautiful." Niles blurted out. And then he gasped in horror. Dear God, Daphne would think that he was completely out of his mind.

But instead she smiled at him; her eyes filled with tears. "That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me, Niles Crane; but it's especially nice because it came from your mother."

Once again he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Y-you mean, you believe me?"

She kissed him again. "Of course I believe you. And I know how much you love and miss her, Niles. So I'm glad you finally got to see her again."

He held her close, still unable to believe that the visit from his mother had been real. But the love he felt for Daphne had never been more genuine.

~TBC~