It was time.

At the sound of the church doors creaking open, the organist struck up the chords of the 'Wedding March'. Murmuring in anticipation, the congregation turned around in their pews to watch me make the way down the aisle with my father. We followed the path of silk rose petals that had been left by Audrey and Alice, who'd been appointed as flower girls.

At the altar, Frasier, Roz, and Claire were standing at attention, ready to carry out their roles as best man and bridesmaids. Niles stood next to the vicar, a look of dreamy expectation on his face. His eyes were fixed on me. I felt a thrill go through my entire body. Until…

A wave of uncertainty hit me, as unexpected as a blizzard in May and I halted, fighting a sudden feeling of anxiety. I was almost panicking, though I willed myself not to show it.

I couldn't possibly be having doubts now, not after all Niles and I had been through. We were "meant to be". Of that I was certain. Yet—at one time I'd been certain that I was meant to be with Donny, too. I felt cold all over, fearing my own hesitation.

My father looked at me with an expression of great concern. I was sure he was wondering if something was wrong. I didn't know what to do.

Unexpectedly, the conversation I'd had with my father just a few months back came to me, the one we'd had after Niles' desperate attempt to reunite my parents. After my parents' fight, I had feared that Niles and I could end up at the same point in our marriage. In the span of a few seconds, I remembered my father's words.

"Well, all I know is, I threw him out of my pub six times and six times he marched back in and yammered me ear off until I went with him to America - all to make YOU happy. I never did anything like that for your mother. I tell you, Daphne, you've got the right one there. A good one."

I began to feel again, released of my irrational fear. Only Niles would have done that for me. He would do anything to make my dreams come true—even the impossible ones.

"Daphne?" my father said, sounding alarmed.

Others were giving us strange looks and the organist had ceased playing.

Sighing in relief, I continued the walk. Unfortunately, not before I heard Simon bellowing in that leering voice I hated.

"I knew it! Stilt's got cold feet again! Wedding's off, everyone!"

Oh dear God, I thought. Simon, be glad we're in a church or I'd…

I saw Niles pale and turn faint, causing me to turn sick with dread. Frasier steadied him and appeared to coach him through his breathing exercises while Roz (good old Roz!) gave Simon a deathly glare. If looks could kill, Simon would have been dead on the spot—and in my current state of mind I wouldn't have cared.

"Shut your face, you useless slimeball! Can't you see poor Niles is nervous enough?"

Mum leapt up from the Moon family pew, almost falling on her face in blind rage. She'd taken pains all of Simon's life that "precious, perfect Simon" (her exact words) never face consequences for being a git. She shook her finger at Roz menacingly, but Roz didn't flinch.

"Don't you dare talk to my boy like that, you common, nasty…"

Frasier intervened before she could say words that did not belong in the house of God.

"Stop it! Now, let's settle down before anyone says something they'll regret. Daphne, Niles, I believe this is your day, so if everyone would please settle down…"

Frasier's calm but commanding tone squelched any further bickering and the guests returned to their state of calm. The vicar's expression of horror turned to one of relief. He nodded at the organist, who resumed playing, and at long last my father and I moved down the aisle.

"That's my girl," he said. "Let's not keep your Niles waiting any longer."

Your Niles. I liked that.

Now everyone was smiling, though Mum's looked as if it took much effort. I barely noticed the kcameras documenting the moment. I only had eyes for the sweet, gorgeous man just ahead of me. And at last, there I was, standing before him. He was even handsomer than usual, in a tux that suited perfectly his graceful, lean form. The bow tie I had chosen for him perfectly matched his mesmerizing blue eyes, and the smile on his face made me melt.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered reverently.

In my state of euphoria, the prayers before the ceremony were a blur, but what mattered was hearing Niles saying in his most earnest voice "I do" to loving me forever and cherishing me always.

(Niles's POV)

I could barely wrap my mind around the realness of the moment. This had once only been a fantasy, my goddess standing in front of me and pledging her heart to me. Hearing her say "I do" to the vows was the most wonderful moment of my life, even more wonderful than when she had chosen me over Donny.

It's really happening, I thought as the vows were ending. My friend, my support¸ my lover is going to be my wife.

At that exact moment I faintly heard the vicar speaking.

"Where are the rings?"

Dad spoke up.

"Oh, Eddie! Come out, boy!"

A look of horror overtook my big brother's features as Dad's beloved dog came out from under the Crane family pew.

"What's going on?" Frasier demanded of me.

"Dad wanted Eddie to be a part of the wedding," I said, trying not to laugh, "and since Frederick declared himself 'too old' to be ringbearer the role went to Eddie. Frederick helped Dad smuggle him into the church because he knew you'd make a fuss."

My nephew and I exchanged a wicked grin as Frasier gave him a withering glance.

An anxious whine brought us back to the more important task at hand. Eddie stood before me, holding a small velvet box in his mouth. He wagged his tail politely and dropped the box into my hand. The audience "awwed" in delight and even Frasier smiled. Eddie was behaving himself nicely and looked very formal in his freshly groomed fur and a black bowtie collar.

As if sensing that his role in the wedding was complete, Eddie trotted back and jumped onto Alice's lap, to her delight.

"Well…this is it, Daphne," I said, taking one of the wedding bands and slipping it onto her slender finger. She did the same thing for me

"I now declare you husband and wife," the vicar said with a smile as he closed his Bible. "You may now kiss the bride."

Wife. The word had never sounded so wonderful to me. True, Maris and Mel had held the same title, but they had made it more like a role, something to be carried out. I had been forced to play along to their orders. I had never shared my life with a woman who would accept me as imperfect.

Until now.

I had made many mistakes in my love life, and my biggest mistake had almost caused me to lose the angel I'd been drawn to like a moth is drawn to a flame. Now a wonderful future was before me: a marriage where I didn't have to meet rigid expectations or play a role. And that was only one of the many reasons I loved her.

I leaned in and touched her soft lips with my own.

"I love you, Daphne Crane."

"I love you, Niles," she said tenderly.

(Daphne's POV)

Daphne Crane.

Niles' words filled me with joy. It sounded so right. So beautiful. And the love in his voice as he had said it was almost overwhelming. He was mine, I was his, until the end of time.

The wedding attendants stood up and burst into applause, bringing us back to reality. We left the altar hand in hand, trailed by Roz, Frasier, Claire, and the vicar. Alice was carrying Eddie.

When Niles and I were back together with our family and friends, there were teary but joyful congratulations and hugs all around. Even Simon turned sentimental, and Mum at least put on her best effort at cordiality.

Martin took me aside specially, his eyes misty.

"Thank you, Daphne," he said, hugging me tightly.

"For what?" I asked, wondering what I could have possibly done to make Martin Crane show his feelings.

"For making my son so happy. You've given him a new life. And… I've never told you this before, but I need to. Daphne, over the years that you've been with us, you were more than just my physical therapist. You've become like a daughter to me."

I couldn't speak for the lump in my throat, but I hugged him tightly. Martin was like a father to me, despite his sometimes-gruff ways. As I stepped back, he sniffled suspiciously. Niles and I exchanged amused glances but knew better than to tease Martin about his unusual show of emotion.

"All right, now what should I do with this bouquet?" I asked, allowing Martin a moment to compose himself.

I prepared to throw the bouquet to the most quick-witted woman (or man) as was tradition. Roz took a step back; I knew she had no intention of 'settling down' yet…at least until she realized she and Frasier were perfect for each other. In my opinion, anyway.

A blur of purple glitter and vivid red hair ran into her, nearly sending her falling backwards. Roz steadied herself just in time to see Yvonne make a leap forward, grabbing the bouquet in mid-air, crushing the red roses in her haste to get it.

"Sorry, Roz," she panted, and then her voice rose. "All right! I got it! It's good luck! Watch out, future hus—"

Zora gave Yvonne a dangerous look and said something in Greek. Whatever she had said was effective, for Yvonne acquired a facial expression appropriate for a funeral. She followed everyone out of the church with the solemnity of a saint. A few more firm words from Frasier calmed the gossip of the crowd. The vicar looked relieved that Frasier had taken charge of the situation once again

"Come to the reception with us, Vicar?" Niles asked solicitously.

"I wish I could," the vicar answered. "It's been a most exciting day—but I have a funeral this afternoon."

Back at Owl Nest Lodge…

The limousine carrying Niles and me back to Owl Nest Lodge pulled up to the rustic doors leading into the lobby, soon followed by the rest of the wedding party. We scrambled out, still holding hands, and the whole entourage streamed into the hotel. And then we saw someone we'd never imagined we'd ever run into again.

A/N: Eddie was briefly slated to be ringbearer in Daphne and Donny's wedding (ep. 'Dark Side of the Moon'). I thought it was a cute idea so I put it in here!