Chapter 25
Since Niles was awake and doing much better, he insisted Daphne go home and get a good night's sleep since she would be bringing the kids by to see him. He would also be starting his physical therapy and Daphne wanted to be there. She was hoping they would allow her to help out. Since Niles has been in the hospital she hasn't had any clients and she really misses it. She is still very concerned about Ashling even though Frasier talked to her which seemed to help. Daphne never imagined that her daughter was struggling so much. Daphne decides that since Niles is doing better, she can spend more time with the children. She will spend some quality time with Ashling hoping that will help her get over what is bothering her.
Once she gets home after Frasier and Charlotte drop her off, she finds the girls crashed out on the sofa and floor in front of the TV, with their sleeping bags. From the mess surrounding them, she concludes that they did each other's nails, did makeovers, watched movies and listened to music. Daphne smiles as she kisses Emily's forehead. She looked in on David and his friends, in his room and they were all crashed out with the TV still on. Daphne turns the TV off and goes to bed herself, she was happy to be finally sleeping in her own bed for a change. She smiles because it won't be long before she and Niles are sharing their bed again.
As soon as Daphne's head hits the pillow, she's out like a light.
The next day...
Daphne is awakened by noises coming from the children. She hears talking, giggling and crashing sounds. She reluctantly drags herself out of bed and puts her robe on. She wipes she sleep out of her eyes as she opens the door of her bedroom and goes to face the children.
Once she reaches the kitchen, she sees Emily with her head in the fridge, David sitting at the table with a big bowl of cereal; Katie and Sarah are sitting at the table drinking some juice and talking, another girl that Daphne doesn't recognize is standing at the counter watching the toaster. David's friends have all gone home already.
Daphne enters the kitchen hoping to make her some coffee; she will need it to get through the day. She opens the cabinet looking for the coffee and that's when Emily sees her.
"Good morning mum, I had no idea you were home!"
Daphne smiles at her daughter.
"Yes I came home last night. Your father insisted that I do."
Emily nods as she pours herself a glass of milk.
"How is daddy doing?" she asks.
"He's doing very well. He's anxious to see both you and David." Daphne explains as she finally finds the coffee and starts making a pot.
David gets up from the table to put his bowl in the sink. He gives him mother a kiss on the cheek.
"I'm glad your home, mum. I'm going to go take a shower so I will be ready when we leave to go see dad."
"Okay, David." Daphne tells her son as she smiles at him.
David leaves to go take a shower. Emily sits down at the table with her friends to eat her toaster strudel. Vanessa passed out one to each of them as they all eat.
The coffee finally finishes brewing as Daphne pours herself a cup. She starts to head to the living room to watch some TV and relax for a bit when Emily stops her.
"Oh mum, I almost forgot. I want to introduce you to someone." she says as she chews her food.
Daphne approaches the table as she waits for Emily to finish chewing.
Emily finishes her bite of food as she points to the dark haired girl across from her.
"Mum, this is Katie's cousin Vanessa, she is here visiting from New York. Vanessa, this is my mother."
Daphne extends her hand to Vanessa, who shakes it.
"It's lovely to meet you, Vanessa."
"Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Crane."
Daphne smiles at her as she pulls her hand away.
"So whereabouts in New York are you from, Vanessa?"
"Brooklyn."
"That's what I thought from hearing your accent."
Vanessa nods.
"Yes and Emily tells me that you are from England, and from your accent I can definitely tell."
Daphne becomes slightly embarrassed as she puts her hand up to her face.
"Is it really that obvious?" Daphne asks.
All the girls nod and laugh as they answer.
"Yes."
Daphne laughs as she takes a sip of coffee. She excuses herself and lets the girls be alone to finish their breakfast.
Vanessa is the first to say something.
"Your mom is very nice, Emily. I love her accent, I know you told me she was from England but her accent isn't what I was expecting."
"Yes my mom is great. I love her very much and yes her accent is very unique but that's what I love about her. That's one of the things my dad fell in love with too. It was love at first sight for him."
"Aw that's sweet." Sarah exclaims.
Emily just smiles at her friend as they all finish their breakfast.
An hour later...
It was finally time to leave for the hospital. They had to wait until Emily's friends left so they had to wait on their rides to pick them up, once they were all safely on their way home it was time to leave for the hospital. Since David's car is at the shop, they all have to take Daphne's car.
Once they are all properly situated in the car, Daphne lets David drive since she needs to talk to them about Ashling. As David drives, Daphne gets their attention.
"There is something I need to talk to you two about."
Emily looks up at her mom from the backseat.
"What is it, mum?"
"When I was at the hospital last night with your father, your sister was there with Grandpa Martin and Grammy Ronee."
David and Emily nod.
"Well, we all found out that your sister has been cutting herself for weeks now. I found a razor blade that had fallen out of her pocket. She tried denying it at first, but I got the truth out of her and she admitted to it."
Emily and David are both shocked.
"Oh my God, that's awful!" Emily cries.
David looks over at his mother.
"Why is she cutting herself, mum?" he asks.
"Well according to your Uncle Frasier, she said that she was doing it because of the pain she felt about your father being so sick. She thought he was going to die and she couldn't handle that. She even said that she saw me crying meself to sleep at night over your father, and she thought that by cutting herself that the pain she felt from that would ease the pain I was feeling about your father."
"Wow." is all that David and Emily can say.
"So I want you two to be nice to your sister and just be there for her in whatever way you can, because this is going to be a long and difficult time for her, okay?"
David and Emily both agree.
"Sure." they both say.
They finally make it to the hospital and pull into the parking lot. The sun is shining, making the puddles from the rain the night before, shine like crystal. They all pile out of the car and head to the entrance and then once inside, they go straight to Niles' room. Once they get there, they see Roz has arrived and she and Niles are talking.
Niles or Roz doesn't see them at first until Daphne clears her throat. Both Niles and Roz turn and look at them. Niles sees his wife and children as a smile spreads across his face.
Roz speaks up.
"Hey you guys!" she says as she stands up and approaches them. She gives them all hugs.
"Hello, Roz." Daphne replies as she hugs Roz back.
David and Emily head straight for their father. They are so happy to see him awake.
Emily gives her father a big hug.
"Oh daddy, I have missed you so much! I'm so happy you can see again!"
Niles hugs his daughter back.
"I have missed you too, Emily. It's great to see your beautiful face again."
Emily pulls out of the hug and grins at her father.
David grabs his father's hand.
"Hi dad, it really is great to see you awake. I have missed you as well."
Niles smiles at his son.
"David, my son. I am so proud of you for taking such good care of everything while I was in a coma."
"No problem, dad." David replies as he sees the love and admiration in his father's eyes.
"Come over here and give your dad a hug."
David lets go of his father's hand and reaches over to give him a hug. Niles hugs David so tightly.
"Dad, I can't breathe, you're hugging me too tight."
Niles slacks off a bit while still holding David.
"Sorry son, I'm just so glad to see you. I have missed you."
"I know dad."
David pulls out of the hug and looks at his father. Daphne, Roz and Emily just look on. They are all enjoying this family moment when they are suddenly interrupted by someone tapping on the open door.
They all look up to see Donny standing there.
To be continued...