The reception room at Owl's Nest Lodge was resplendent with décor that perfectly matched my wedding bouquet. Niles and I had chosen red roses to represent that magical night at the Snow Ball when we'd had our first kiss. Though that kiss had been for show, we had enjoyed it nonetheless. Little had we dreamed then that someday we'd be sharing kisses every day.
Even the glittering chandeliers overhead had garlands of red silk roses woven into them. I made a mental note to thank the hotel staff who'd put so much work into this.
"Oy, Stilts, where's the bar?" Simon asked.
"Niles and I didn't think one was necessary," I said, an edge creeping into my voice.
The other brothers gathered around me and complained loudly until our father arrived. In a rare moment of authority, he ordered them to go to their places and not say a word. Surprised by his commandeering tone, they went almost meekly to their places.
A moment later, when everyone was seated, Frasier tapped on a glass to get our attention.
"This has been one the most incredible days in my life," he began in that eloquent but warm voice he'd perfected from years of helping others. "It's a day I've desperately prayed would happen—when my brother swore his heart to a woman who would truly love him for who he is. It's been a long journey, filled with both joy and heartbreak. When I hired a certain Englishwoman to be Dad's physical therapist, I never imagined that she would be the one who'd give Niles the happiness he deserves."
Frasier paused to smile at his little brother.
"At first I thought it was nothing but a crush on Niles' part, but I quickly realized that it was—is—undeniable love. Even on the evening he thought would be the end of his dreams, he loved Daphne enough to let her go. I'll always believe it was the strength of that love that changed the fate of two people I treasure dearly. Congratulations, Niles and Daphne."
I was moved to tears and Niles had a strange look on his face, like that of one trying not to cry.
"Enough with the waterworks," Martin joked, making the mood of the wedding jubilant again. "I came here for the free food and I'm just about to die of hunger."
The crowd laughed at his jest before settling down to eat the food that the waiters had been laying out during Frasier's speech. Niles, who usually critiqued every professionally prepared meal, was silent. I had expected him to point out that the chicken marsala was dry, and the raspberry flambé flavorless.
When I asked him what he'd thought of the dinner, he said he barely noticed what he was eating—that he could only think about me. Just when I thought I couldn't love him any more…