It felt like we'd barely fallen asleep when the alarm went off early in the morning. It took me a few minutes to realize that it was here at last, the day that marked a new milestone in our lives. I reluctantly freed myself of Niles' snug embrace; he had been holding me wordlessly, as if unwilling to let me out of his arms.

"Guess what today is…" I teased.

"The day your mother has been dreading?" he grinned.

I playfully hit him.

"Very funny. Although it's not untrue. Now, let's go down for breakfast. Everyone's waiting for us."

We were soon downstairs with the rest in the dining room. Everyone was eating, except for my brothers, who were fighting over whether Manchester would beat Liverpool in an upcoming game. My father and Martin were engaged in a friendly argument about which was more exciting, American football, or soccer. Niles and I sat next to Roz and began to eat.

"As soon as we're done, Claire and I are going to take you to your suite and help you get 'spruced up'. Claire offered to do your hair," Roz explained.

"And you'll be keeping out of their way," Frasier spoke up, looking severely at Niles. "You can come to Dad's suite and we'll help you get ready."

Some time later, I was spirited away by my bridesmaids back to the suite, where Claire immediately went to work on my hair, armed with a box of hairpins. With painstaking care, she

braided part of my hair and diligently wound the braided part into a low bun at the back of my head. It was a style she had learned from her German grandmother. She secured it with pins in an almost surgical manner, so nothing would come loose.

Stepping back to assess her work, Claire smiled.

"Daphne, you're stunning. This hairstyle accentuates your lovely face and slender neck," she declared, sounding like she was reading from a fashion magazine. But sincere all the same.

"Oh, you're too nice," I teased, feeling shy at her compliments. "You're a miracle worker."

"Please. It was nothing," Claire protested. "It only looks good because it's on you."

Then both helped me into my dress, tying the stays on the corset-style back, smoothing the skirt, pinning a small corsage of red roses. When all was done, they stepped back and smiled widely.

"You're gorgeous," Roz breathed, and Claire nodded in agreement.

"You two are gorgeous. I have the loveliest bridesmaids," I said firmly, incredibly thankful for my steadfast friends.

I was not trying to flatter them; they both looked amazing. Roz was arrayed in a sapphire blue sheath dress that flattered her curvy figure and Claire's rose-pink organdie gown highlighted her blonde hair beautifully.

Now it was time to see how I looked fully outfitted. I walked to the full-length mirror in the main room.

I drew a breath as I took in the whole effect, almost unable to believe that it was myself I was looking at.

The strapless, satin dress was elegant yet sexy, accentuating my slim figure and graceful legs (if I may be excused for sounding so vain). The skirt was slightly fitted until just past my knees, where it flowed to just above my ankles.

What I liked most about the dress, however, was the color. I had decided to break with tradition—much to Mum's horror, as it seems I can't do anything right—and forgone the traditional white for a pale, twilight blue that went well with my brown eyes and light complexion. I had also disposed with the almost prerequisite veil, replacing it with a headband of tiny, silk roses.

Finally, the incredible moment ahead was real. Joy overtook any nervousness and I only felt glad anticipation. I wondered how Niles was feeling now that our wedding was looming closer and closer.

(Niles' POV)

"For God's sake, Niles, you were less nervous when Dad threatened to send us to the military!" Frasier grumbled, handing me another tissue.

I sat on the bed in Dad's suite, sweat pouring down my face. I had been standing, but I'd become shakier and more nervous by the minute and needed to sit before I keeled over. In less than two hours, I'd marry Daphne. My excitement started to turn into anxiousness and a general nauseous feeling. It was a most unexpected feeling to have seeing that something so incredible was going to happen. Damn it, why was I turning into a wreck over this?

"Shut your big bazoo, Fras'!" Dad ordered. "Every groom is nervous before his wedding!"

"Yes, but not every groom has a deathly pallor and a twitch. Niles, hold your head up! Face forward! Eyes on the future!"

Dad gave Frasier a warning glare and then turned to me.

"Come on, son," he said reassuringly. "You and Daphne are crazy about each other. There's nothing to be afraid of. You picked the right one this time."

I twisted my bowtie, crushing the silky fabric. Frasier pried it out of my hands. Finding myself empty-handed, I picked up a discarded tissue and slowly tore it into miniscule shreds. It was a habit I'd had since childhood; when extremely nervous I'd shred or crush anything I could pick up.

"I know it's irrational, but I'm afraid," I said hesitantly, feeling stupider by the minute. I also felt slightly ashamed. What would Daphne think if she knew I was almost panicking before our wedding? It was irrational! Even I, as a psychiatrist, could not analyze why I was feeling this.

"I-I adore Daphne more than words can ever express, but I've done marriage before, and look how it turned out!"

It took Dad of all people to offer insight into the situation. He gave me what was almost a hug, eliciting a glance of surprise between me and Frasier.

"I know, Niles. You're afraid this could affect your relationship because of your experience with marriage, but nothing could change what you two have. Daphne's not like the others. She's sweet and loving and will always be there for you. I know your mother would be telling you the same thing."

All three of us choked up a little at the thought of Mom, but I squared my shoulders and smiled.

"You're right, Dad. Daphne's special. She's more than I deserve, really. And I know this will be a wonderful marriage."

"Now you're being sensible," Frasier praised. Then, "Go clean yourself up. You look like you just came out of a sauna!"

Dad spoke again.

"You were wrong about one thing, Niles."

I turned around, wondering what he meant.

"You do deserve Daphne. You're a good man, Niles, and you should have all the happiness in the world. I know she's the one who will give it to you."

I smiled once more, thinking of my beautiful fiancée.

"She already has, Dad. This is just another amazing step in my journey with her."

Later that day…

(Martin's POV)

"Is that a purple disco ball, or are my old eyes failing me?" asked Harry Moon as we gathered in the foyer of the church. Frasier, Roz and Claire, who were at the altar with the vicar and Niles, were waiting for the ceremony to begin.

"That's Yvonne, one of the Crane boys' distant cousins," commented Daphne's godmother, a very severe-looking woman. "She was shamelessly flirting with every young man in sight at Daphne's last wedding. And it looks like she hasn't changed."

I threw everyone an apologetic look as Yvonne, her red hair contrasting with her low cut, purple sequined dress, threw herself at a very confused altar server, who had come out of the main part of the church to tell everyone to take their seats. As soon as he extracted himself from Yvonne's choking grip, he directed everyone to their pews. Harry stayed behind to wait for Daphne.

Now the big moment was at hand. My youngest son was about to marry Daphne Moon, and I couldn't think of anything that would make him happier. After two disastrous marriages, he had the right one.

As I reflected on this, it came to me that if I hadn't been shot, I wouldn't have needed therapy, and Daphne wouldn't have come into our lives. Without her in his life, Niles would probably have gone back to that shrewish Maris or (if Mel had still been in the cards in this alternate reality) stayed with that second shrew. At best, he would have stayed alone and hopeless.

I had once found the phrase 'every cloud has a silver lining' trite, but today it took on a new meaning. If I hadn't been shot, Niles would have never met the wonderful woman who possessed his whole heart and loved him as he was. It was strange how life worked sometimes.