They sat in the living room reading contently; Niles on the sofa and Daphne sitting across from him when Martin hobbled into the room and sat in his favorite chair. Almost instantly Eddie bounded into the room and jumped into Martin's lap. Martin looked around the living room and groaned at the sight. "Oh geez, how long are all of these flowers and balloons going to be here? It looks like a damn florist in here!"
Daphne was appalled at Martin's sudden insensitivity when it came to his youngest son. "Mr. Crane, how can you be so cruel?" She yelled.
"Dad, for God's sake!" Frasier echoed as he entered the living room, clearly as annoyed with his father as Daphne was. "What is wrong with you? Don't you realize that these aren't merely flowers, cards and gifts? These are symbols if you will. Symbols of the miracle that has occurred. Niles is alive! He almost-."
Frasier was stopped by Niles' hand on his forearm.
"It's all right, Frasier. I don't mind. And Dad, you're right. It is a bit unorthodox to keep balloons, flowers and gifts around here, especially since the flowers have begun to wilt and the balloons are slowly losing their air. But looking at them reminds me of all the people who cared about me and wanted me to get better. If it hadn't been for my own stupidity, I wouldn't even be here right now. I could have…"
When Niles' voice trembled, Frasier put his hand on his little brother's back. "Niles, it's all right. You don't have to do this. No one blames you."
"Don't you get it, Frasier? I could have died! I'm… so sorry!" Niles yelled mere seconds before a sob escaped. The tears that followed brought Frasier, Martin and Daphne to his side, each of them trying their best to comfort him. The men sat on either side of him on the sofa and Daphne knelt on the floor grasping his hands in hers as she caressed his soft skin.
"It's all right, Son." Martin said, stroking Niles' hair. "Just let it out and don't worry about what anyone else thinks. I'm…. sorry for being such an ass."
"No Dad. You were right." Niles said tearfully.
"Well, maybe. But I shouldn't have said anything. You deserve every flower, card and balloon. A lot of people love you Niles, but none of them more than your family. If your mother were here she'd be damn proud of you, finding the courage to tell Daphne how you feel about her. I know I'm proud of you."
"But I almost died, Dad!" Niles yelled in protest. "I was stupid and-."
But you didn't die!" Martin reasoned. "You think I didn't realize how close to death I was when I got shot? I felt it! It takes a strong man to go through what you did and I'm not just talking about the hospital and the surgery and medications! I mean standing on your own two feet and braving the weather to do what you had to do! You went through hell and back and Niles I'd give my life to have gone through it for you, but look at the reward. That's one hell of a reward if you ask me."
It was then that Daphne realized that Martin was referring to her and she rose to her feet to hug him tightly. "Thank you, Mr. Crane. I love you too."
"Enough of that Mr. Crane stuff." Martin said, surprising her with his words. "From now on you can call me Martin. You saved Niles' life and if that doesn't make you part of this family, then I don't think anything ever will. Except of course, a proposal."
All eyes turned to Niles and they laughed together.
"Dad, I think you're jumping the gun a bit, don't you?" Frasier asked.
Daphne smiled and hugged him again as tears streamed down her cheeks. "All right… Martin." She said, loving the way his name sounded on her lips.
It was another moment that was forever etched in her memory.