This continues from my story, The Drive Back.
Calling It Off
By Amy (amydekanter@yahoo.com)
He followed at a prudent distance. Perhaps not as prudent as it could have been, but he was unwilling to let Daphne completely out of his sight. As they approached the main garden, Daphne was spotted and immediately surrounded by a gaggle of bridesmaids in garish violet dresses never meant to be seen in daylight. When he and Daphne got married, Niles thought dreamily, the bridesmaids could wear whatever they wanted. Italian designers, French designers, hell, even fairy godmothers could pitch in and spin gowns out of starlight... they still would never outshine his bride.
The flurry of activity must have caught Donny's attention because Niles saw of him running down the garden steps. The sea of bridesmaids parted, Roz being the last to step aside, and Donny threw his arms around Daphne. She did not hug him back and Niles' heart cautiously began beating again. Donny stepped away from Daphne and grabbed her hand, smiling, laughing and forgiving, pulling her towards the ceremony. Daphne said something and Donny answered, pointing at his watch. Daphne did not budge and for the first time, Donny seemed to be aware that something was really wrong. He held out his arm in the opposite direction as if inviting Daphne to lead the way and Daphne started off towards the rock garden. Late morning sun dappled her bare shoulders and Niles felt sudden deep pity for Donny. If Donny loved her fraction of how much Niles did, this would prove to be the worst day of his life.
Donny held open the garden gate and Daphne paused. She was holding her wrist and looked down at it. It was the same spot Niles had just kissed. She turned and looked directly at Niles as if she had known all along that he would be there. She was too far for Niles to make out any significant change in her face, but as she stood staring in his direction, she and pressed the wrist to her chest. Niles steadied himself against a tree as Donny followed her into the garden, letting the gate swing shut. "I love you too," Niles said softly.
##
A fair amount of courage had evaporated now that Niles was no longer in sight. Daphne held her wrist tightly to her heart as she turned to face Donny.
"What is it, baby?" he asked, and she knew he knew. Not about her and Niles, but that she was going to call off the wedding. After all, what other excuse could she have for wanting to talk to him in private when they were already running late for their own ceremony? If only he would not look at her that way, with that mixture of love and dread and concern and - worst of all - hope that he might be wrong... There was no other way to do this but quickly.
"Donny, you are a wonderful, wonderful man..." the hope faded from his eyes.
"Oh no," he said. "Oh, god." Color had drained from his face.
"I do love you and I wish so much I deserved... I mean, I thought what I felt for you was enough but... you are the one who deserves more," she was making a mess of things but this wasn't something she had had a chance to rehearse. She took a final deep breath. "That being said, I guess there's no easy way to tell you this: I'm in love with Niles, and I can't marry you."
It came out a lot more brightly than she meant it to.
She waited for anger, shouts, tears or pleading but to her alarm Donny, who had grown progressively paler as she spoke, now started swaying. "Donny, are you all right?" And before she could react he suddenly slumped and fell to the ground, grunting as his head crashed against the rocks. "Donny!"
##
Niles, what are you doing here? Are you alright? Have you seen Daphne?" It was Frasier followed by his father.
"Yes. She's with Donny."
"With Donny? Are you sure? Everyone has been looking..."
"Niles?" He knew whose voice that was.
"Oh, Mel," he said weakly. Worrying about Daphne, he had completely forgotten he had his own gargantuan task ahead.
"Darling, I didn't hear you come in this morning. And I missed you at breakfast." Mel was smiling a tight smile, whether for the benefit of their audience or because she was determined not to fight with her husband of four days, Niles could not tell. All he could tell was that the smile was costing her great effort. "And no one knew where you were before the wedding, which I thought was a bit strange, seeing that Daphne and Donny are more your friends than mine." She took a deep breath through clenched teeth, held it with closed eyes and blew out. When she opened her eyes she did look considerably less irritated. "Well, you're here now. Luckily the wedding hasn't started yet," she lowered her voice in a conspiratorial manner but not low enough, Niles noted, that Frasier and his father would miss a word. "Apparently Daphne is nowhere to be found. Probably recovering from a hangover if she spent the evening with that repugnant family of hers. You really must allow me to help you get a more responsible replacement to care for your father."
Niles didn't know whether to feel furious, guilty or relieved. All he knew was that Mel, who until recently had seemed an acceptable alternative to a life alone, was now effectively making his skin crawl.
"Mel, I need to talk to you."
"I need to talk to you too, my darling, but are you sure now is the best time?" The tight smile was back.
"Yes, I'm afraid it is."
"Fine. One of the sitting rooms is bound to be free." Mel waited until Niles reluctantly offered his arm. He rushed her as much as he dared while Mel made it a point to flash her new bride smile at everyone they passed. Niles was extremely relieved when the first room they found was empty. He ushered Mel inside and closed the door, disgusted to see Frasier and Roz lurking close and curious.
Do you want to start or shall I?" Mel asked. "We have only been married four days, Niles, I don't understand what happened to you. A stag party? With those people? I would have never imagined that was something you would stoop to. And leaving me alone at breakfast with a bunch of near strangers? Donny's failed-marriage friends and your brother's housekeeper's crowd? That was unforgivable, Niles. What was I supposed to talk about? What I need now is reassurance that this behaviour will not repeat itself. After all, if this marriage is going to work you need to..."
"It's not." Niles said.
"Don't interrupt me. What did you say?"
"I said this marriage is not going to work." Mel stared at him, her eyes wide and her mouth moving as if trying to force words out. It was nowhere near a successful effort so Niles rushed on.
"I made a terrible mistake and I never meant to hurt you, but... I'm in love with someone else. With Daphne. I have always been in love with Daphne."
There, he had said it and he was elated. Twice in twelve hours he had stood up and said what needed to be said, once to Daphne, and now to Mel. He was on - as they said - a roll. It took every muscle in his body to keep from breaking into a self-congratulatory victory dance. He tried to keep his face as restrained as his voice and because of such effort, it took him a while to notice that Mel had neither blinked nor stopped moving her mouth.
"Mel, did you hear what I just said?" Niles was concerned. Her face was turning dark and her eyes were starting to pop. Yes, concerned. That was a very good euphemism for terrified. "Say something. Anything."
Mel did say something. It wasn't words exactly, but she said it loud enough to splinter glass. Niles tried to quiet her down but didn't dare touch her. He could not remember ever being so... concerned. He backed into a corner.
##
Daphne had half dragged, half carried Donny to a nearby bench. He wasn't bleeding, but there would be some nasty bumps on his head later. He had not said a word since he had recovered consciousness. He just sat there and rocked, back and forth and back and forth. Finally he mumbled: "The guests."
"Shall I tell them or do you..." Donny stopped rocking long enough to give her a look. "No, you're right. I should be the one..."
He resumed his rocking.
"So it's little Niles, eh? And I was going to toast him today for being the reason I met you. You couldn't at least leave me for someone with more money? Then I could have held my head high. My kind of people, they understand that." His joke fell flat as his voice cracked. "You said I was the best thing that ever happened to you. God, Daph, what did I do wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing," Daphne fought back tears. "You are everything I ever wished for, everything I always dreamed I wanted."
"I'm just not Niles."
There was nothing to say. That was exactly it. Niles wasn't a sum of his parts, he was just Niles and she had never loved anyone the way she loved him.
"I'm so sorry."
"Yeah, well. There is only one thing you could say to make me feel better and I think we both know you aren't gonna say it, so, it would probably be better if you went right now."
He was right.
"Good-bye Donny." He didn't answer, but through her tears, Daphne saw him give her one last look of his puppy-brown eyes and raise his hand in a half- hearted wave.
She closed the garden gate behind her and leaned back against it with a long sigh. She clutched her wrist and thought of Niles, trying to gather strength to get through this. She had never done something so terrible or hurt anyone so much. She wished Niles were here with her, but no. He was supposed to be off somewhere talking to Mel. And he would. He loved her. Daphne smiled. And she loved him. And there was still one more thing she had to do before they could be together. At least, after Donny, anything would seem easy.
##
Mel had remembered her vast vocabulary and was busy using it. Actually she was limiting herself to words that could be molded into insults. They spat from her lips like projectiles and Niles cowered in his corner, taking the abuse. She had a right to be angry and the sooner she wore out, the sooner he could get back to Daphne. Daphne. He had promised he would be strong and almost certainly she was undergoing her own torment at the moment. As Mel paused for a quick intake of breath, Niles gritted his teeth and braced himself for the next onslaught.
##
"Excuse me, everyone." Daphne used the microphone reserved for the band. She scanned the faces before her. Most of these people were friends and family of Donny's, people she had only met once. Niles was nowhere to be seen but neither was Mel. That had to be a good sign. She didn't see Dr. Crane or Roz anywhere, but - Daphne's heart sank - most of her family was standing expectantly by the bar (which hadn't even set out drinks yet) and gave her their immediate and gleeful attention.
"Hey, Stilts!" hollered Simon, "Nice dress, but who're you fooling? Even your communion gown wasn't white!"
"Shut up ya bleedin' halfwit, that's my daughter you're talking about."
"Ever ask mum for proof?"
"You're the only one I ever questioned, you useless layabout gob of..."
"Dad, please! Everyone, I have an announcement about the wedding."
Daphne glanced around again, desperate for a friendly face and this time she found one. Mr. Crane had eased his way to the front of the crowd. He looked puzzled, but must have seen the despair on Daphne's face because he gave her a thumbs up and winked at her. Daphne could have kissed him. She hoped he still felt the same way after the announcement.
"I want to thank you all for coming, but I'm afraid I have some bad news." Even her brothers settled down for this. Typical. "I'm sorry to tell you... but the wedding is off."
Loud murmurs from the crowd, and through it all, the voice of Simon, triumphant: "See, I told you she was knocked up."
Daphne wanted to scream. She looked down at Mr. Crane. He looked shocked and Daphne silently pleaded with him not to be angry. She knew he liked Donny and he tended to have some old-fashioned ideas about certain things. As if not jilting a wonderful man on his wedding day could be called old fashioned.
Daphne noticed movement through the crowd. She winced as she recognized Donny's mother, flanked by two of his sisters in their bridesmaid dresses. Mother Douglas marched straight up to Daphne, rage in her eyes.
"Did you hurt my son?" she hissed.
Miserably, Daphne nodded. The next moment she was looking sideways and her ears were ringing.
"Hey!" Mr. Crane's voice was furious.
"Hit her back, sis!"
It wasn't the hardest Daphne had ever been slapped, but it was the first time it had happened in front of a crowd of two hundred people. Daphne's eyes stung more with humiliation than with pain. She looked up at Mother Douglas, who also seemed shocked at what had just happened.
"He's in the rock garden," Daphne said. "He needs you." She lowered her eyes and didn't watch them leave.
"Hey Daph," Mr. Crane was standing next to her, putting his hand on her shoulder. "You okay?"
She blinked away the tears and smiled.
"I'm fine." It was true. It was over. Which meant that now everything could start.
"You should press charges." The anger was back in Mr.Crane's voice.
"Never mind, she had reason to be upset," she smiled "My only regret is that Mel didn't get to see it. She probably would enjoy seeing that right about now."
"What does Mel...Ohhhh. You mean you and... er..."
"Me and Niles... yes."
"Well... well... jeeez," his face broke into a wide grin which he immediately tried to hide. "Could you have waited any longer? Look at the mess you two made of everything."
"I know. I'm so sorry." Daphne hugged him. After a second he squirmed and pulled away. He turned her head.
"Here, let me take a look at that." He touched her face gently. "Does it hurt?"
"No," Daphne lied. His face hardened. "Mr. Crane, you can't tell anyone. Especially not Niles or Dr. Crane. Or Roz. It doesn't show, does it?"
"It's a little red, but you could... Daphne, they're going to find out. A million people saw."
"Then let them blab. Not you and not me, especially not today, agreed?" Mr. Crane didn't say anything.
"Come on, old man."
"Oh, alright." He didn't look happy about it. "So, now what happens?"
"I don't know, not much else to do here but get my family back to the airport and go... home."
Mr. Crane nodded thoughtfully.
"Okay, well, why don't you let me take care of your family and you ... go fix yourself up a bit." Without looking up, he made an embarrassed motion by his ear. "Your hair.. uh... it got mussed a little."
"Thank you, Mr. Crane." He waved her off.
"Yeah, yeah."
##
Terror had slowly been replaced by fascination. Mel was still at it and Niles couldn't help but admire the way she had managed to call him every degrading name imaginable - and unimaginable - without actually becoming vulgar. He had started keeping count of all the animal, vegetable and mineral species she had compared him to and would soon have to sub-classify them. Like minerals and vegetables, most of the animals fell into the no brain, no spine category. At one point he'd become bored and made the mistake of drifting off. He had remembered Daphne, bursting into the Winnebago earlier this morning asking if he might be free for a date. The memory made him smile which in turn raised the pitch of Mel's shrieks as she pointed out that Niles had much in common with three separate species of weasel. Since then he had worked on keeping his face intent and on paying attention to every word.
Despite the abuse and his eagerness to get back to Daphne, Niles felt real sadness about the situation. Mel's dark eyes were alive against her pale skin. Alive with hatred, true, but a reminder of what had attracted him to her in the first place. Niles felt a wave of nostalgia and guilt. He deserved every word.
Ah... Horny toad, jellyfish and truffle-sniffing warthog all in the same sentence. Time to sub-classify.
##
"Can you tell what she's saying?" Roz pressed her ear harder to the door.
"No, can you?" At Mel's current decibels they could have easily heard from anywhere on the premises but they wanted to avoid distractions such as weddings. Frasier didn't know whether it had started yet or not, but told himself they would probably wait for Roz, considering that she was one of the bridesmaids.
"Frasier!"
"Dad! What are you doing here?"
"I'm looking for..." Dad paused as Mel's voice seared through the door. "Oh, so he's told her."
"Well, he's told her something. And whatever it was, it hasn't made her very happy." He eyed his father with interest. "Do you know what's going on?"
"Yes, and you busybodies missed quite a show outside. Daphne called off the wedding."
"She what?"
"Aww, man." Roz was clearly disappointed that she had missed that part of the action.
"And by the sound of it, your brother had something cute to tell his wife as well."
"Where's Daphne?" Roz asked, remembering that aside from spectator she was also bridesmaid and friend.
"She's..." Dad hesitated. "I don't know. But she'll be back, and when she is, it would be best if she could leave as soon as possible. Same goes for Niles. I was thinking we could help them out a bit, Fraisz, maybe take care of things with her family and guests and hotel staff... whatever. She shouldn't have to deal with this now. And if I were Niles and in there, I don't think I'd have enough energy to stand at the end of this either."
##
Daphne was all packed and ready to leave this room, this place as soon as possible. She wanted to go find Niles, but didn't dare knock on his door for fear of running into Mel. She thought about going back to the balcony where she had finally told him she loved him, but it overlooked a garden full of gossiping guests. They had seemed almost elated by the news. That could be explained by the fact that some of Donny's best friends were either divorce lawyers or divorcees, not the most likely group to cry at weddings. Not with joy, at any rate.
Now look at her. While she was probably the firmest believer in happily- ever-after of the lot, it was she who had wrecked the marriage before it could even start.
She took a look at herself in the mirror. Mr. Crane was right. Her hair had taken some of the damage of the slap. At least the red didn't show much; it wasn't like she had a palm mark across her cheek. She tried to straighten up and smile. It would take more than that. She looked down at her wrist and touched it to her lips. "For as long as we both shall live," he had said. When she looked back at the mirror, the lost look was gone and her cheeks were flushed with happiness.
She didn't want Niles to find out about what happened between Donny's mother and herself. She didn't want anything else that would drag out the unpleasantness. She would bear whatever was coming, but all she really wanted was for all this to be over. So she - and Niles - could finally start what she now knew in her heart was meant to be.
Gazing at the glowing bride in the mirror, Daphne raised her hands to fix her hair. All things considered, this wasn't such a bad wedding day after all. At the end of it all, she was going to leave with the man of her dreams.
##
Niles was thirsty. And hungry. And he missed Daphne. He resisted the urge to look at his watch, suspecting that that would only infuriate Mel more. He hoped Daphne was having an easier time of it. His jaw clenched suddenly at the thought of Donny, of anyone, shouting at her. Mel had tried to interject some harsh words about Daphne and Niles' hand had shot out for the doorknob to leave, his only show of strength during this entire ordeal. Mel, apparently deciding that a captive audience was preferable to an absent one, had transferred her rage back at Niles and slowly he withdrew his hand. So long as they understood each other.
Wait a minute. She was leaving. Niles delved into his short-term memory and replayed Mel saying: "...standing there like a lobotomized buffoon. Well, arrange for your own transportation. I'm taking the car."
"Good-bye," Niles said to an empty room. He blinked a couple of times then sprinted back out the garden.
The garden was packed with people, but the mood was very hushed and conspiratorial. Despite the fact that Daphne's brothers appeared to have found the champagne and were generously splashing it out, clearly no wedding had taken place.
Not knowing where else to head, he waded into the crowd. No one was paying any attention to him so they probably didn't know the whole story. Why was everyone still here? As he weaved through tight groups of guests he discovered that they had something much more interesting than a wedding to keep them busy. Without covering ten feet he learned from informed sources that Daphne had called off the wedding, that Donny had called off the wedding, that Donny's mother had called off the wedding, that Donny had disappeared, that Donny had run off with one of the bridesmaids who also had been missing for hours. He also heard speculation about infidelity, tall and pretty trophy wives, vast disposable incomes, green cards, mail- order brides, blackmail, pregnancy, abortions, bad gambling debts, terminal diseases, venereal diseases and countless illegitimate children. Who were these people, Niles wondered dizzily. And where was Daphne? His anxiety attack was starting up again.
"Niles!" Niles was gratified to see his brother coming towards him. He staggered towards Frasier and clutched his arm for support. He was very close to passing out.
"Your bags are packed and in the car. Roz went to find Daphne."
"Is she okay?"
"She's fine," Roz materialized next to him and a murmur went up from groups in their closest proximity, leaving little doubt as to which bridesmaid Donny was supposed to have run off with. Roz gave them a sweeping 'oh, please,' look. "She's been apologizing to her mother for the past twenty minutes, but I think that's nearly done."
"Where?"
Roz pointed and Niles maneuvered in that direction until he caught sight of her. Daphne was standing near the driveway, still wearing her wedding dress and looking even more beautiful than when he had last seen her.
She was hugging her family good-bye. Brothers, parents, cousins, everyone in the Moon clan appeared and disappeared for their turn and Niles smiled as she gave unabashedly preferential treatment to some of them, hugging them tight, while others were lucky if she ruffled their hair, or, as in Simon's case, thwapped them over the head.
She bent over to sweep up a little girl, hugging her so tightly that Niles wondered at the child's ability to breathe. The girl seemed happy enough, hugging Daphne back with enthusiasm. It was only when Daphne swung her around that Niles noticed the eye patch. It was also the moment that Daphne saw him.
Time slowed enough for him to notice every strand of hair as it fell against her cheek, every minuscule change in her face as the laugh lines smoothed then deepened again, the stop-motion with which she brought the child back close to her body and started towards him, still carrying the girl.
"This is Audrey," Daphne said. Her voice was music. "Audrey, this is Dr. Niles Crane."
Audrey shyly hid her face against Daphne's shoulder. Niles almost put out his hand to touch the little girl but, as a psychiatrist, felt it might be perturbing for her to see a grown man cry. This four-year-old had given him a greater gift than any he had ever received, let alone hoped for. By his third attempt, he was able to speak.
"I'm serious about the car, you know."
Daphne laughed.
"Audreeeeey!" the yell came from within the midst of the Moon family.
"Your mum is calling," Daphne said, putting the little girl down. Niles looked over and sure enough - he shook his head in wonder - searching the ground frantically for her daughter was a woman ... wearing an eye-patch.
Daphne smiled at him shyly. Niles was feeling a bit awkward himself, not at all sure how to proceed. This was, after all, the start of his life.
Audrey tugged on her aunt's hand and Daphne bent down. Solemnly, Audrey cupped her hands to Daphne's ear and Niles could hear the lisping hisses of a child's half-whisper. Daphne turned bright red and stared after her niece as Audrey scampered off.
She looked at Niles.
"She said..." Daphne still blushing fiercely. "That I'm the happiest bride she's ever seen."
##
As Frasier watched the two, he remembered, for the hundredth time, the day Niles confessed he had never known real happiness. More than Frasier would ever admit, those words had cut and haunted him. It was sad enough to think of anyone who had never been happy - he had had quite a few patients who felt that way. But when that person was your own brother...
It depressed Frasier even more when Niles orchestrated his own misery, marrying Maris and staying with her no matter how twisted and warped the relationship became. And then his marriage to Mel; that was a disaster waiting to happen. It was so obviously an act of desperation; so classic that he was amazed Niles could not see it. Impulsively marrying Mel days before Daphne's wedding, wanting to believe that it would save him from the loneliness and heartbreak of having to give up something that had sustained him for seven years.
Not that Frasier led an ideal life, but he was happy. He had been happier, but that was good too. He always felt he had that to look forward to. He never lost hope that he would again know the joy he had known before.
Poor Niles, on the other hand, had no point of reference. His only joy was what Frasier had dismissed as fantasy; the idea that someday Daphne would accept him as more than a friend.
No one had been more shocked than Frasier when Daphne confessed she had feelings for Niles. No one more delighted. No one more eager to see these two people he cared about... loved... come together.
Look at them now. Standing across from each other, with feeling as palpable as it was last night on the dance floor. What luck that they had him to step forward and play that vital part in bringing them together. And to think Dad had warned him about interfering. It wasn't interfering. It was acting on the side of fate, of love. It was being a hero for destiny. Athena's champion, if you will.
Daphne was holding out her hand now and, without lowering his eyes from her face, Niles took it. Damn, now Frasier's eyes were tearing up. He still couldn't get over the way Daphne looked at his brother. Sure, he had seen that look on Niles for seven years, but he had never expected to see that dreamy, love-sick expression on Daphne's face. Not for his own little brother. Frasier sniffed.
And Daphne still in her wedding dress. And his brother handsome in that perfectly tailored, very expensive Italian suit. They looked like they were moments away from exchanging vows. No, later than that. They'd just been pronounced husband and wife. And now, before all their guests, his family and hers, they were leaning in for the... oh my god!
Before he could stop them their lips touched and, more ominous than thunder, but clearer and louder, came Simon's gloating voice: "That's the one, I tell you. That the father of our Daphne's child!"
Frasier spun to face the crowd of open-mouthed guests. It was worse than he thought; Mel had chosen that moment to leave the hotel with her bags while Donny - were those bruises on his face? - was just being led in. They both happened to be standing on the garden stairs, with a first-class view of Daphne and Niles, two deer in headlights with the realization of what they'd just done.
Frasier tried to take control of the situation, not an easy task when he was in full-fledged panic.
"No, wait, she's not pregnant!" He told the crowd. He hesitated and looked at Daphne in sudden trepidation. "You're not, are you?"
"Oh god." He supposed Daphne could hardly be blamed for finally snapping, but it certainly didn't look good that she collapsed against Niles, burying her face against his neck. Nor did it help that Niles immediately put his arms around her, looking as fierce and protective and loving as Frasier had ever seen. Frasier kicked himself for his hasty words but knew that anyone else could not be blamed either for assuming it was true.
All of a sudden the wedding guests were buzzing with new excitement and Simon was lapping it all up. He had plenty more to say to anyone who would listen and everyone seemed to be listening. Mel stood completely still on the hotel steps and Donny was helped, staggering, into the hotel.
"Niles, I can't leave like this... I need to go explain to Donny," Daphne was already trying to pull away from his bewildered brother.
"You not doing anything of the sort." Frasier was surprised to hear Dad speaking with vehemence. "His mother is with him..." Dad faltered as Daphne shot him a pleading look. "I mean, he has all the support he needs. And it's not necessary to go around to every guest explaining either," he added, giving Frasier a warning look. Frasier opened his mouth to argue, then snapped it shut, guiltily. "I say we get out of here and find a way to explain later."
"Look, if it makes you feel better, I'll stay and try to explain to Donny," Frasier stared at Roz in surprise. That seemed uncharacteristically noble of her. "It shouldn't be as bad as you think. After all, Daphne, Donny has met Simon." After a second, she threw her arms around Daphne and Niles. "Now, you two, get out of here."
"Come on," Dad urged. Luckily, they had left the car in the driveway after loading the suitcases. Niles opened the car door for Daphne and held her hand as he helped her in. Frasier groaned inwardly. To everyone who did not know Niles was naturally attentive it could very well seem he was helping someone who was invalid. Or pregnant. He really should go explain to their audience...
"In the car, Fraisz," his father said. "Now." The words and tone were those he had used when Frasier was a boy but now as an adult he still felt no urge to disobey. As he strapped himself in he glared at Niles and Daphne in the review mirror.
"Do you two think you can keep your hands off each other until we at least reach the highway?" he snapped.
Daphne buried her face in her hands and Niles, after shooting one concerned glance in her direction, stared at Frasier blankly.
"Just drive, Fraizs," Dad said.
And in that happy mood, they started back home.
Calling It Off
By Amy (amydekanter@yahoo.com)
He followed at a prudent distance. Perhaps not as prudent as it could have been, but he was unwilling to let Daphne completely out of his sight. As they approached the main garden, Daphne was spotted and immediately surrounded by a gaggle of bridesmaids in garish violet dresses never meant to be seen in daylight. When he and Daphne got married, Niles thought dreamily, the bridesmaids could wear whatever they wanted. Italian designers, French designers, hell, even fairy godmothers could pitch in and spin gowns out of starlight... they still would never outshine his bride.
The flurry of activity must have caught Donny's attention because Niles saw of him running down the garden steps. The sea of bridesmaids parted, Roz being the last to step aside, and Donny threw his arms around Daphne. She did not hug him back and Niles' heart cautiously began beating again. Donny stepped away from Daphne and grabbed her hand, smiling, laughing and forgiving, pulling her towards the ceremony. Daphne said something and Donny answered, pointing at his watch. Daphne did not budge and for the first time, Donny seemed to be aware that something was really wrong. He held out his arm in the opposite direction as if inviting Daphne to lead the way and Daphne started off towards the rock garden. Late morning sun dappled her bare shoulders and Niles felt sudden deep pity for Donny. If Donny loved her fraction of how much Niles did, this would prove to be the worst day of his life.
Donny held open the garden gate and Daphne paused. She was holding her wrist and looked down at it. It was the same spot Niles had just kissed. She turned and looked directly at Niles as if she had known all along that he would be there. She was too far for Niles to make out any significant change in her face, but as she stood staring in his direction, she and pressed the wrist to her chest. Niles steadied himself against a tree as Donny followed her into the garden, letting the gate swing shut. "I love you too," Niles said softly.
##
A fair amount of courage had evaporated now that Niles was no longer in sight. Daphne held her wrist tightly to her heart as she turned to face Donny.
"What is it, baby?" he asked, and she knew he knew. Not about her and Niles, but that she was going to call off the wedding. After all, what other excuse could she have for wanting to talk to him in private when they were already running late for their own ceremony? If only he would not look at her that way, with that mixture of love and dread and concern and - worst of all - hope that he might be wrong... There was no other way to do this but quickly.
"Donny, you are a wonderful, wonderful man..." the hope faded from his eyes.
"Oh no," he said. "Oh, god." Color had drained from his face.
"I do love you and I wish so much I deserved... I mean, I thought what I felt for you was enough but... you are the one who deserves more," she was making a mess of things but this wasn't something she had had a chance to rehearse. She took a final deep breath. "That being said, I guess there's no easy way to tell you this: I'm in love with Niles, and I can't marry you."
It came out a lot more brightly than she meant it to.
She waited for anger, shouts, tears or pleading but to her alarm Donny, who had grown progressively paler as she spoke, now started swaying. "Donny, are you all right?" And before she could react he suddenly slumped and fell to the ground, grunting as his head crashed against the rocks. "Donny!"
##
Niles, what are you doing here? Are you alright? Have you seen Daphne?" It was Frasier followed by his father.
"Yes. She's with Donny."
"With Donny? Are you sure? Everyone has been looking..."
"Niles?" He knew whose voice that was.
"Oh, Mel," he said weakly. Worrying about Daphne, he had completely forgotten he had his own gargantuan task ahead.
"Darling, I didn't hear you come in this morning. And I missed you at breakfast." Mel was smiling a tight smile, whether for the benefit of their audience or because she was determined not to fight with her husband of four days, Niles could not tell. All he could tell was that the smile was costing her great effort. "And no one knew where you were before the wedding, which I thought was a bit strange, seeing that Daphne and Donny are more your friends than mine." She took a deep breath through clenched teeth, held it with closed eyes and blew out. When she opened her eyes she did look considerably less irritated. "Well, you're here now. Luckily the wedding hasn't started yet," she lowered her voice in a conspiratorial manner but not low enough, Niles noted, that Frasier and his father would miss a word. "Apparently Daphne is nowhere to be found. Probably recovering from a hangover if she spent the evening with that repugnant family of hers. You really must allow me to help you get a more responsible replacement to care for your father."
Niles didn't know whether to feel furious, guilty or relieved. All he knew was that Mel, who until recently had seemed an acceptable alternative to a life alone, was now effectively making his skin crawl.
"Mel, I need to talk to you."
"I need to talk to you too, my darling, but are you sure now is the best time?" The tight smile was back.
"Yes, I'm afraid it is."
"Fine. One of the sitting rooms is bound to be free." Mel waited until Niles reluctantly offered his arm. He rushed her as much as he dared while Mel made it a point to flash her new bride smile at everyone they passed. Niles was extremely relieved when the first room they found was empty. He ushered Mel inside and closed the door, disgusted to see Frasier and Roz lurking close and curious.
Do you want to start or shall I?" Mel asked. "We have only been married four days, Niles, I don't understand what happened to you. A stag party? With those people? I would have never imagined that was something you would stoop to. And leaving me alone at breakfast with a bunch of near strangers? Donny's failed-marriage friends and your brother's housekeeper's crowd? That was unforgivable, Niles. What was I supposed to talk about? What I need now is reassurance that this behaviour will not repeat itself. After all, if this marriage is going to work you need to..."
"It's not." Niles said.
"Don't interrupt me. What did you say?"
"I said this marriage is not going to work." Mel stared at him, her eyes wide and her mouth moving as if trying to force words out. It was nowhere near a successful effort so Niles rushed on.
"I made a terrible mistake and I never meant to hurt you, but... I'm in love with someone else. With Daphne. I have always been in love with Daphne."
There, he had said it and he was elated. Twice in twelve hours he had stood up and said what needed to be said, once to Daphne, and now to Mel. He was on - as they said - a roll. It took every muscle in his body to keep from breaking into a self-congratulatory victory dance. He tried to keep his face as restrained as his voice and because of such effort, it took him a while to notice that Mel had neither blinked nor stopped moving her mouth.
"Mel, did you hear what I just said?" Niles was concerned. Her face was turning dark and her eyes were starting to pop. Yes, concerned. That was a very good euphemism for terrified. "Say something. Anything."
Mel did say something. It wasn't words exactly, but she said it loud enough to splinter glass. Niles tried to quiet her down but didn't dare touch her. He could not remember ever being so... concerned. He backed into a corner.
##
Daphne had half dragged, half carried Donny to a nearby bench. He wasn't bleeding, but there would be some nasty bumps on his head later. He had not said a word since he had recovered consciousness. He just sat there and rocked, back and forth and back and forth. Finally he mumbled: "The guests."
"Shall I tell them or do you..." Donny stopped rocking long enough to give her a look. "No, you're right. I should be the one..."
He resumed his rocking.
"So it's little Niles, eh? And I was going to toast him today for being the reason I met you. You couldn't at least leave me for someone with more money? Then I could have held my head high. My kind of people, they understand that." His joke fell flat as his voice cracked. "You said I was the best thing that ever happened to you. God, Daph, what did I do wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing," Daphne fought back tears. "You are everything I ever wished for, everything I always dreamed I wanted."
"I'm just not Niles."
There was nothing to say. That was exactly it. Niles wasn't a sum of his parts, he was just Niles and she had never loved anyone the way she loved him.
"I'm so sorry."
"Yeah, well. There is only one thing you could say to make me feel better and I think we both know you aren't gonna say it, so, it would probably be better if you went right now."
He was right.
"Good-bye Donny." He didn't answer, but through her tears, Daphne saw him give her one last look of his puppy-brown eyes and raise his hand in a half- hearted wave.
She closed the garden gate behind her and leaned back against it with a long sigh. She clutched her wrist and thought of Niles, trying to gather strength to get through this. She had never done something so terrible or hurt anyone so much. She wished Niles were here with her, but no. He was supposed to be off somewhere talking to Mel. And he would. He loved her. Daphne smiled. And she loved him. And there was still one more thing she had to do before they could be together. At least, after Donny, anything would seem easy.
##
Mel had remembered her vast vocabulary and was busy using it. Actually she was limiting herself to words that could be molded into insults. They spat from her lips like projectiles and Niles cowered in his corner, taking the abuse. She had a right to be angry and the sooner she wore out, the sooner he could get back to Daphne. Daphne. He had promised he would be strong and almost certainly she was undergoing her own torment at the moment. As Mel paused for a quick intake of breath, Niles gritted his teeth and braced himself for the next onslaught.
##
"Excuse me, everyone." Daphne used the microphone reserved for the band. She scanned the faces before her. Most of these people were friends and family of Donny's, people she had only met once. Niles was nowhere to be seen but neither was Mel. That had to be a good sign. She didn't see Dr. Crane or Roz anywhere, but - Daphne's heart sank - most of her family was standing expectantly by the bar (which hadn't even set out drinks yet) and gave her their immediate and gleeful attention.
"Hey, Stilts!" hollered Simon, "Nice dress, but who're you fooling? Even your communion gown wasn't white!"
"Shut up ya bleedin' halfwit, that's my daughter you're talking about."
"Ever ask mum for proof?"
"You're the only one I ever questioned, you useless layabout gob of..."
"Dad, please! Everyone, I have an announcement about the wedding."
Daphne glanced around again, desperate for a friendly face and this time she found one. Mr. Crane had eased his way to the front of the crowd. He looked puzzled, but must have seen the despair on Daphne's face because he gave her a thumbs up and winked at her. Daphne could have kissed him. She hoped he still felt the same way after the announcement.
"I want to thank you all for coming, but I'm afraid I have some bad news." Even her brothers settled down for this. Typical. "I'm sorry to tell you... but the wedding is off."
Loud murmurs from the crowd, and through it all, the voice of Simon, triumphant: "See, I told you she was knocked up."
Daphne wanted to scream. She looked down at Mr. Crane. He looked shocked and Daphne silently pleaded with him not to be angry. She knew he liked Donny and he tended to have some old-fashioned ideas about certain things. As if not jilting a wonderful man on his wedding day could be called old fashioned.
Daphne noticed movement through the crowd. She winced as she recognized Donny's mother, flanked by two of his sisters in their bridesmaid dresses. Mother Douglas marched straight up to Daphne, rage in her eyes.
"Did you hurt my son?" she hissed.
Miserably, Daphne nodded. The next moment she was looking sideways and her ears were ringing.
"Hey!" Mr. Crane's voice was furious.
"Hit her back, sis!"
It wasn't the hardest Daphne had ever been slapped, but it was the first time it had happened in front of a crowd of two hundred people. Daphne's eyes stung more with humiliation than with pain. She looked up at Mother Douglas, who also seemed shocked at what had just happened.
"He's in the rock garden," Daphne said. "He needs you." She lowered her eyes and didn't watch them leave.
"Hey Daph," Mr. Crane was standing next to her, putting his hand on her shoulder. "You okay?"
She blinked away the tears and smiled.
"I'm fine." It was true. It was over. Which meant that now everything could start.
"You should press charges." The anger was back in Mr.Crane's voice.
"Never mind, she had reason to be upset," she smiled "My only regret is that Mel didn't get to see it. She probably would enjoy seeing that right about now."
"What does Mel...Ohhhh. You mean you and... er..."
"Me and Niles... yes."
"Well... well... jeeez," his face broke into a wide grin which he immediately tried to hide. "Could you have waited any longer? Look at the mess you two made of everything."
"I know. I'm so sorry." Daphne hugged him. After a second he squirmed and pulled away. He turned her head.
"Here, let me take a look at that." He touched her face gently. "Does it hurt?"
"No," Daphne lied. His face hardened. "Mr. Crane, you can't tell anyone. Especially not Niles or Dr. Crane. Or Roz. It doesn't show, does it?"
"It's a little red, but you could... Daphne, they're going to find out. A million people saw."
"Then let them blab. Not you and not me, especially not today, agreed?" Mr. Crane didn't say anything.
"Come on, old man."
"Oh, alright." He didn't look happy about it. "So, now what happens?"
"I don't know, not much else to do here but get my family back to the airport and go... home."
Mr. Crane nodded thoughtfully.
"Okay, well, why don't you let me take care of your family and you ... go fix yourself up a bit." Without looking up, he made an embarrassed motion by his ear. "Your hair.. uh... it got mussed a little."
"Thank you, Mr. Crane." He waved her off.
"Yeah, yeah."
##
Terror had slowly been replaced by fascination. Mel was still at it and Niles couldn't help but admire the way she had managed to call him every degrading name imaginable - and unimaginable - without actually becoming vulgar. He had started keeping count of all the animal, vegetable and mineral species she had compared him to and would soon have to sub-classify them. Like minerals and vegetables, most of the animals fell into the no brain, no spine category. At one point he'd become bored and made the mistake of drifting off. He had remembered Daphne, bursting into the Winnebago earlier this morning asking if he might be free for a date. The memory made him smile which in turn raised the pitch of Mel's shrieks as she pointed out that Niles had much in common with three separate species of weasel. Since then he had worked on keeping his face intent and on paying attention to every word.
Despite the abuse and his eagerness to get back to Daphne, Niles felt real sadness about the situation. Mel's dark eyes were alive against her pale skin. Alive with hatred, true, but a reminder of what had attracted him to her in the first place. Niles felt a wave of nostalgia and guilt. He deserved every word.
Ah... Horny toad, jellyfish and truffle-sniffing warthog all in the same sentence. Time to sub-classify.
##
"Can you tell what she's saying?" Roz pressed her ear harder to the door.
"No, can you?" At Mel's current decibels they could have easily heard from anywhere on the premises but they wanted to avoid distractions such as weddings. Frasier didn't know whether it had started yet or not, but told himself they would probably wait for Roz, considering that she was one of the bridesmaids.
"Frasier!"
"Dad! What are you doing here?"
"I'm looking for..." Dad paused as Mel's voice seared through the door. "Oh, so he's told her."
"Well, he's told her something. And whatever it was, it hasn't made her very happy." He eyed his father with interest. "Do you know what's going on?"
"Yes, and you busybodies missed quite a show outside. Daphne called off the wedding."
"She what?"
"Aww, man." Roz was clearly disappointed that she had missed that part of the action.
"And by the sound of it, your brother had something cute to tell his wife as well."
"Where's Daphne?" Roz asked, remembering that aside from spectator she was also bridesmaid and friend.
"She's..." Dad hesitated. "I don't know. But she'll be back, and when she is, it would be best if she could leave as soon as possible. Same goes for Niles. I was thinking we could help them out a bit, Fraisz, maybe take care of things with her family and guests and hotel staff... whatever. She shouldn't have to deal with this now. And if I were Niles and in there, I don't think I'd have enough energy to stand at the end of this either."
##
Daphne was all packed and ready to leave this room, this place as soon as possible. She wanted to go find Niles, but didn't dare knock on his door for fear of running into Mel. She thought about going back to the balcony where she had finally told him she loved him, but it overlooked a garden full of gossiping guests. They had seemed almost elated by the news. That could be explained by the fact that some of Donny's best friends were either divorce lawyers or divorcees, not the most likely group to cry at weddings. Not with joy, at any rate.
Now look at her. While she was probably the firmest believer in happily- ever-after of the lot, it was she who had wrecked the marriage before it could even start.
She took a look at herself in the mirror. Mr. Crane was right. Her hair had taken some of the damage of the slap. At least the red didn't show much; it wasn't like she had a palm mark across her cheek. She tried to straighten up and smile. It would take more than that. She looked down at her wrist and touched it to her lips. "For as long as we both shall live," he had said. When she looked back at the mirror, the lost look was gone and her cheeks were flushed with happiness.
She didn't want Niles to find out about what happened between Donny's mother and herself. She didn't want anything else that would drag out the unpleasantness. She would bear whatever was coming, but all she really wanted was for all this to be over. So she - and Niles - could finally start what she now knew in her heart was meant to be.
Gazing at the glowing bride in the mirror, Daphne raised her hands to fix her hair. All things considered, this wasn't such a bad wedding day after all. At the end of it all, she was going to leave with the man of her dreams.
##
Niles was thirsty. And hungry. And he missed Daphne. He resisted the urge to look at his watch, suspecting that that would only infuriate Mel more. He hoped Daphne was having an easier time of it. His jaw clenched suddenly at the thought of Donny, of anyone, shouting at her. Mel had tried to interject some harsh words about Daphne and Niles' hand had shot out for the doorknob to leave, his only show of strength during this entire ordeal. Mel, apparently deciding that a captive audience was preferable to an absent one, had transferred her rage back at Niles and slowly he withdrew his hand. So long as they understood each other.
Wait a minute. She was leaving. Niles delved into his short-term memory and replayed Mel saying: "...standing there like a lobotomized buffoon. Well, arrange for your own transportation. I'm taking the car."
"Good-bye," Niles said to an empty room. He blinked a couple of times then sprinted back out the garden.
The garden was packed with people, but the mood was very hushed and conspiratorial. Despite the fact that Daphne's brothers appeared to have found the champagne and were generously splashing it out, clearly no wedding had taken place.
Not knowing where else to head, he waded into the crowd. No one was paying any attention to him so they probably didn't know the whole story. Why was everyone still here? As he weaved through tight groups of guests he discovered that they had something much more interesting than a wedding to keep them busy. Without covering ten feet he learned from informed sources that Daphne had called off the wedding, that Donny had called off the wedding, that Donny's mother had called off the wedding, that Donny had disappeared, that Donny had run off with one of the bridesmaids who also had been missing for hours. He also heard speculation about infidelity, tall and pretty trophy wives, vast disposable incomes, green cards, mail- order brides, blackmail, pregnancy, abortions, bad gambling debts, terminal diseases, venereal diseases and countless illegitimate children. Who were these people, Niles wondered dizzily. And where was Daphne? His anxiety attack was starting up again.
"Niles!" Niles was gratified to see his brother coming towards him. He staggered towards Frasier and clutched his arm for support. He was very close to passing out.
"Your bags are packed and in the car. Roz went to find Daphne."
"Is she okay?"
"She's fine," Roz materialized next to him and a murmur went up from groups in their closest proximity, leaving little doubt as to which bridesmaid Donny was supposed to have run off with. Roz gave them a sweeping 'oh, please,' look. "She's been apologizing to her mother for the past twenty minutes, but I think that's nearly done."
"Where?"
Roz pointed and Niles maneuvered in that direction until he caught sight of her. Daphne was standing near the driveway, still wearing her wedding dress and looking even more beautiful than when he had last seen her.
She was hugging her family good-bye. Brothers, parents, cousins, everyone in the Moon clan appeared and disappeared for their turn and Niles smiled as she gave unabashedly preferential treatment to some of them, hugging them tight, while others were lucky if she ruffled their hair, or, as in Simon's case, thwapped them over the head.
She bent over to sweep up a little girl, hugging her so tightly that Niles wondered at the child's ability to breathe. The girl seemed happy enough, hugging Daphne back with enthusiasm. It was only when Daphne swung her around that Niles noticed the eye patch. It was also the moment that Daphne saw him.
Time slowed enough for him to notice every strand of hair as it fell against her cheek, every minuscule change in her face as the laugh lines smoothed then deepened again, the stop-motion with which she brought the child back close to her body and started towards him, still carrying the girl.
"This is Audrey," Daphne said. Her voice was music. "Audrey, this is Dr. Niles Crane."
Audrey shyly hid her face against Daphne's shoulder. Niles almost put out his hand to touch the little girl but, as a psychiatrist, felt it might be perturbing for her to see a grown man cry. This four-year-old had given him a greater gift than any he had ever received, let alone hoped for. By his third attempt, he was able to speak.
"I'm serious about the car, you know."
Daphne laughed.
"Audreeeeey!" the yell came from within the midst of the Moon family.
"Your mum is calling," Daphne said, putting the little girl down. Niles looked over and sure enough - he shook his head in wonder - searching the ground frantically for her daughter was a woman ... wearing an eye-patch.
Daphne smiled at him shyly. Niles was feeling a bit awkward himself, not at all sure how to proceed. This was, after all, the start of his life.
Audrey tugged on her aunt's hand and Daphne bent down. Solemnly, Audrey cupped her hands to Daphne's ear and Niles could hear the lisping hisses of a child's half-whisper. Daphne turned bright red and stared after her niece as Audrey scampered off.
She looked at Niles.
"She said..." Daphne still blushing fiercely. "That I'm the happiest bride she's ever seen."
##
As Frasier watched the two, he remembered, for the hundredth time, the day Niles confessed he had never known real happiness. More than Frasier would ever admit, those words had cut and haunted him. It was sad enough to think of anyone who had never been happy - he had had quite a few patients who felt that way. But when that person was your own brother...
It depressed Frasier even more when Niles orchestrated his own misery, marrying Maris and staying with her no matter how twisted and warped the relationship became. And then his marriage to Mel; that was a disaster waiting to happen. It was so obviously an act of desperation; so classic that he was amazed Niles could not see it. Impulsively marrying Mel days before Daphne's wedding, wanting to believe that it would save him from the loneliness and heartbreak of having to give up something that had sustained him for seven years.
Not that Frasier led an ideal life, but he was happy. He had been happier, but that was good too. He always felt he had that to look forward to. He never lost hope that he would again know the joy he had known before.
Poor Niles, on the other hand, had no point of reference. His only joy was what Frasier had dismissed as fantasy; the idea that someday Daphne would accept him as more than a friend.
No one had been more shocked than Frasier when Daphne confessed she had feelings for Niles. No one more delighted. No one more eager to see these two people he cared about... loved... come together.
Look at them now. Standing across from each other, with feeling as palpable as it was last night on the dance floor. What luck that they had him to step forward and play that vital part in bringing them together. And to think Dad had warned him about interfering. It wasn't interfering. It was acting on the side of fate, of love. It was being a hero for destiny. Athena's champion, if you will.
Daphne was holding out her hand now and, without lowering his eyes from her face, Niles took it. Damn, now Frasier's eyes were tearing up. He still couldn't get over the way Daphne looked at his brother. Sure, he had seen that look on Niles for seven years, but he had never expected to see that dreamy, love-sick expression on Daphne's face. Not for his own little brother. Frasier sniffed.
And Daphne still in her wedding dress. And his brother handsome in that perfectly tailored, very expensive Italian suit. They looked like they were moments away from exchanging vows. No, later than that. They'd just been pronounced husband and wife. And now, before all their guests, his family and hers, they were leaning in for the... oh my god!
Before he could stop them their lips touched and, more ominous than thunder, but clearer and louder, came Simon's gloating voice: "That's the one, I tell you. That the father of our Daphne's child!"
Frasier spun to face the crowd of open-mouthed guests. It was worse than he thought; Mel had chosen that moment to leave the hotel with her bags while Donny - were those bruises on his face? - was just being led in. They both happened to be standing on the garden stairs, with a first-class view of Daphne and Niles, two deer in headlights with the realization of what they'd just done.
Frasier tried to take control of the situation, not an easy task when he was in full-fledged panic.
"No, wait, she's not pregnant!" He told the crowd. He hesitated and looked at Daphne in sudden trepidation. "You're not, are you?"
"Oh god." He supposed Daphne could hardly be blamed for finally snapping, but it certainly didn't look good that she collapsed against Niles, burying her face against his neck. Nor did it help that Niles immediately put his arms around her, looking as fierce and protective and loving as Frasier had ever seen. Frasier kicked himself for his hasty words but knew that anyone else could not be blamed either for assuming it was true.
All of a sudden the wedding guests were buzzing with new excitement and Simon was lapping it all up. He had plenty more to say to anyone who would listen and everyone seemed to be listening. Mel stood completely still on the hotel steps and Donny was helped, staggering, into the hotel.
"Niles, I can't leave like this... I need to go explain to Donny," Daphne was already trying to pull away from his bewildered brother.
"You not doing anything of the sort." Frasier was surprised to hear Dad speaking with vehemence. "His mother is with him..." Dad faltered as Daphne shot him a pleading look. "I mean, he has all the support he needs. And it's not necessary to go around to every guest explaining either," he added, giving Frasier a warning look. Frasier opened his mouth to argue, then snapped it shut, guiltily. "I say we get out of here and find a way to explain later."
"Look, if it makes you feel better, I'll stay and try to explain to Donny," Frasier stared at Roz in surprise. That seemed uncharacteristically noble of her. "It shouldn't be as bad as you think. After all, Daphne, Donny has met Simon." After a second, she threw her arms around Daphne and Niles. "Now, you two, get out of here."
"Come on," Dad urged. Luckily, they had left the car in the driveway after loading the suitcases. Niles opened the car door for Daphne and held her hand as he helped her in. Frasier groaned inwardly. To everyone who did not know Niles was naturally attentive it could very well seem he was helping someone who was invalid. Or pregnant. He really should go explain to their audience...
"In the car, Fraisz," his father said. "Now." The words and tone were those he had used when Frasier was a boy but now as an adult he still felt no urge to disobey. As he strapped himself in he glared at Niles and Daphne in the review mirror.
"Do you two think you can keep your hands off each other until we at least reach the highway?" he snapped.
Daphne buried her face in her hands and Niles, after shooting one concerned glance in her direction, stared at Frasier blankly.
"Just drive, Fraizs," Dad said.
And in that happy mood, they started back home.
