In her room she worked quickly, gathering as many things as she could. Her trembling hands slowed her progress, but she refused to stop; refused to think about him. It was
over. She was leaving.
The condo was empty, but she knew that Frasier and Martin would return home soon. But she planned to be gone long before then.
She paused for a moment and looked around her room. There were so many memories that surrounded her. The outfits she'd worn to various functions, the photos, the
gifts… it all swirled in her mind. Annoyed, she shut her eyes, doing her best to will the images away. This was no time for memories. She needed to leave as soon as possible.
She was about to begin filling a second suitcase when there was a knock on the door. She froze and her heart skipped a beat. Perhaps if she ignored it, whoever it was would
go away. But then there was a second knock, and a third.
"Daphne!"
Once again she stiffened. Martin.
She'd simply pretend that she wasn't there. Feign a headache. She stayed as quiet as possible, but his booming voice through the door was persistent.
"Daphne! Hey, open up! I wanted to ask you-."
To her horror, the door opened and suddenly he was there. She could tell exactly what he was thinking as his eyes moved around the room.
"What's all this?"
She considered lying but he'd only see right through her. He was a detective, after all. His eyes met hers and she knew that he wouldn't leave until he had answers.
"I-I'm leaving."
"Yeah, I see that. Why?"
Her eyes widened. "Why? Why do you think, Mr. Crane?"
Martin sighed deeply. "Look, I know this is hard, but you have to believe that Niles… Daphne he loves you."
Daphne swallowed hard. Why was it so hard to hear those words? "I-I know. But… well, it doesn't matter anyway. I told him about the baby and that's that. He doesn't need
to concern himself with any of it. I'll be fine."
"But you're not fine, Daphne! Don't you see that? Niles would do anything for you! I know damn well that he wouldn't just abandon you. You're going to have his baby for
God's sake!"
"Stop reminding me!" Daphne sobbed. "I have a reminder of it right here!" Gently she placed her hands on her stomach. "I ruined Niles' life! Don't you see that?"
"No, I don't, actually. I know that this has been a hell of a shock, but-."
"What's going on in here?"
They looked up to see Frasier standing in the doorway.
Martin shook his head. "Aw, you talk to her, Frasier. I can't seem to get any sense into her!"
Daphne was stunned. "Mr. Crane!"
Martin's expression softened and he went to her, laid his hand on her back. "I'm sorry, Daphne. And for what it's worth, we all love you. Frasier, Niles… and… well you're my
daughter, aren't you?"
Daphne's head snapped up. "What did you say?"
Martins' cheeks turned pink. "I-I said… Oh, all right, you're not really my daughter because then this whole damn thing would be way too weird, but…you might as well be. I
just meant-."
Daphne dropped the shirt from her hands and went to him, engulfing him into a hug. She held him tightly against his wishes, crying into his short sleeved plaid shirt. "I love
you, Martin." She whispered. "I love you so much."
"Daphne-."
Giving him a gentle squeeze, Daphne kissed his cheek, even as he pulled out of her arms.
"I-I think that Frasier wants to talk to you, so I'll see you later, Daphne."
As Martin walked out of the room and nodded at Frasier, Daphne realized that she'd never loved him more.
When they were alone, she looked at Frasier, taking note of his concerned expression. He gestured to the chair in the corner of the room. "May I?"
She nodded, suddenly unable to speak.
"Sit down, Daphne."
Dutifully she cleared a space on the bed and sat down.
"Yes?"
"Daphne-."
The dam broke and she began to cry again. "He hates me, doesn't he?"
"On the contrary, Daphne, he loves you very much."
"No… no that's impossible. I've ruined his life!"
"Niles certainly doesn't see it that way. In fact-."
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
Martin appeared before them. "Niles is here.""
Daphne looked worriedly at Martin and then at Frasier.
"Dad, give us a minute."
"All right. I need to talk to him anyway."
"Dad-."
"Just a little fatherly advice. I'll save the psycho talk for you."
"That's psychiatry, thank you very much."
Martin shrugged. "Same thing to me."
"Tell Niles we'll be there in a few minutes."
"Okay."
When Martin was gone, Daphne's heart was racing so fast that she could hardly breathe.
"Daphne, what's all this?"
Her eyes moved to the piles of clothes on her bed. "I'm leaving."
"I can see that. Why?"
"Because, Dr. Crane… I-"
"Look, Niles loves you. He's told me a hundred times since he first met you and probably a hundred more tonight. But that goes for me and Dad, too. We don't want you to
leave for any reason, but especially not because of this baby. And Niles doesn't want you to leave either. I know you have a lot to discuss and it's going to take some time but
just talk to him, okay?"
"But-."
"Dad and I are here for you-always. We love you."
Daphne brushed away tears and hugged Frasier tightly. "I love you too."
"Okay, go on. Niles is waiting."