After six years of hard work, getting married to one of Carla's grandsons, and having another little girl named Aria Carla Tortelli, Elie graduated medical school and joined her father, aunts, and uncles at their practice. Elie's husband adopted Kasia when she was two years old after marrying Elie. The family stayed at Nora and Frasier's because they knew how important it was for their children and their grandparents.
Nora and Frasier had now been married for fifty-five years, had seven children, twenty-six grandchildren, and so far twelve great-grandchildren with four more on the way. On Frasier's 98th birthday, Lina gave birth to twin boys named Frasier Woodrow and Martin Stanley. On Nora's 96th birthday, Elie gave birth to twin girls. She named one Liliana Kelly and the other Nora Megan. Baby Nora nearly died at birth, but like her mother, aunt, and great grandmother, she held on with all her might.
Two months after Frasier's birthday he became ill. He shrugged it off, but his family was concerned. Frasier was pretty sure what was wrong and how things would end. He didn't want to go to the hospital. Frederick had hospice set up at the house. Nora tried to take care of her husband, but he wasn't having it.
"Do you remember the first time we met?" he asked in bed one night.
"Yeah, I found you egotistical and arrogant," Nora laughed.
Frasier smiled, "I found you gorgeous and sweet."
"That changed quickly."
"I promised to protect you. I feel that I haven't done the greatest job with that."
"Frasier, you have been the most wonderful husband. There are things that are out of our control. You have done so much for me and I have never been able to repay you for that. You are kind, loving, caring, funny, and gentle. I am so lucky to have found you to grow old with and have a whole litter of children with. I love you more than I ever thought I could love another human being."
Frasier smiled again, "you, my love, are the most incredible human being I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. You made each day on this planet better and better. You have made me the happiest husband and gifted me with the most wonderful children. I am proud to be your husband and to have you as the mother of my children. I am still hopelessly, passionately, and madly in love with you." That night Frasier wrapped his arms around his wife as they fell asleep. When Nora woke up the following morning she realized that her husband had passed during the night. She screamed for Frederick and held onto her husband for as long as she could. Frasier died at the age of 98 from pneumonia holding the love of his life. That's the way he wanted to go and that's the way he did.
Nora wasn't doing well after Frasier's death. He was her best friend and the love of her life. She also couldn't fall asleep as easily without being in his arms. Frederick, Meg, and Elie were living there and trying to help Nora as best as they could. After the burial, Frederick wheeled Nora into the house.
"You can just take me to my room," Nora said.
"Why don't you stay out here with us?" Frederick asked.
"I really don't feel up to it."
"Dad, I'll take grandma to her room and sit with her for a little while," Elie said. The young woman took over for her dad and wheeled her grandmother to her bedroom. She shut the door behind them and pushed the chair a bit further before locking the wheels. "Do you want me to help you change?"
"Yes, please," Nora was beyond depressed and honestly, her family didn't know how much longer she would be able to hold on.
Elie helped her grandmother change into some comfortable pajamas before helping her to lie down in bed. She crawled in next to the woman and under the covers. Some things never changed. "How would you feel if I kept staying in here with you for a while?"
"You don't have to, but I would like that."
"Good, because I want to anyway so you really didn't have a choice."
"You used to do this all the time growing up," Nora said with a smile, "even when you needed someone to lift you up here. I loved when you would crawl into bed with me or I woke up and you were nestled right next to me. The first night you slept in here I was in terrible shape. You rubbed your hand on my belly and told me that it was alright."
"I don't know why I became so attached to you. We all love you, but I was different."
"I don't know the answer to that either."
"I was an awful teenager," Elie said.
"Only for about a month."
"Grandma, as much as I love you and want you to live forever. I want you to know that you don't have to be afraid of leaving us. I know how lonely and upset you are right now and how much you miss grandpa. You don't have to hold on for us. It'll be terrible to lose you just like it's been terrible losing grandpa, but we would understand."
"That's sweet," Nora said as she hugged her granddaughter, "and if you had said it any other way I would have thought you were trying to get rid of me." The two laughed and Elie would stay in her grandmother's bed every night. She held her to help her fall asleep. It wasn't the same, but it did help.
Two months after Frasier's death, Nora passed away at the age of 96 from heart failure caused by endocarditis in her mechanical valve. The family was devastated, but in many ways relieved. Nora was finally free from all the physical and mental pain she had to deal with her entire life. She was now with the man who had made her life worth living. The Crane children adored their parents and knowing they were together again brought them some peace. Frasier had been buried in an extra-wide casket. Once Nora had passed, the casket was exhumed, and Nora was placed inside in her husband's arms. When Nora opened her eyes, she looked around and realized that she was no longer at home. She didn't feel any pain and was standing on her own two feet unaided for the first time in decades. She turned around and saw him. Without any difficulty, Nora ran and jumped into his arms. The two kissed and when they pulled apart, Frasier spoke, "my word, how I've missed you."
