They pulled into the parking garage of the Elliott Bay Towers and climbed out of the car. Niles went to her at once, looking at her with concern. "Daphne, are you sure you want to do this? Because it can wait until-."
"No, I want to do this now, Niles. I need to."
Niles smiled and kissed her cheek. "All right."
She could feel Niles' warm hand on the small of her back as she carried David into the building and stepped into the elevator. David was still asleep and Daphne wondered if he could feel the rapid beating of her heart. But Niles didn't seem worried at all. He kissed David's forehead and then Daphne's cheek. She was amazed at how soundly their son was sleeping, but she wouldn't have been at all surprised if Mrs. Woodson had worn him out playing in Niles office. The thought made her smile. She loved Mrs. Woodson as though she were part of the family. And in a sense, she was.
Before she knew it they were standing in front of Frasier's door. Niles rang the doorbell, making Daphne's heart race even faster. A wave of nervousness washed over her. She had no idea what would happen once they passed through the door, and she was barely aware of Niles lifting David out of her arms.
"Niles, Daphne… and David! What brings you here?"
Daphne smiled at Frasier, and accepted his hug. "Hello. We were just… in the neighborhood and-."
"Well this is certainly a surprise."
"No it's not!" Martin called from a distance. As she caught a glimpse of her father in law, Daphne's heart clinched in her chest. "They always come over unannounced."
"Dad, please! Oh my goodness, is this my nephew?" Frasier said, gushing over the baby. Seconds later, Niles handed David to his brother. Daphne smiled. Frasier certainly had a way with children; his nephew in particular.
"What brings you by?" he asked, glancing at Martin.
Daphne feigned innocence. "I-Is Martin here?"
As a matter of fact he is!" Frasier said. "Dad! Daphne's here!"
"I can see that!" Martin snapped.
Daphne and Nile stepped into the foyer but Daphne froze when she saw movement in the kitchen. One glance at her father in law was all it took for her to burst into tears. She knew that Martin was not a man who was uncomfortable with sentiment but she didn't care. She ran into his arms and sobbed into his plaid flannel shirt.
"I'm so sorry, Martin! I'm so sorry!"
His hand moved slowly up and down her back and she knew that he had forgiven her. But she couldn't let go of him, no matter how much she wanted to. And honestly, she didn't want to let go. She needed to be held by him, at least for a little while. She needed it like air.
"Hey, come on now." Martin said, clearly growing more uncomfortable by the minute. "It's all right."
Slowly she drew out of his arms and looked at him in disbelief. "How can you say that after all of those horrible names I called you?"
"Well I deserved them."
She shook her head, refusing to believe it. "No. No one deserves it, especially you. I'm the horrible one. I never should have-."
To her surprise, he hugged her again and kissed her cheek. "I'm sorry too, Daphne."
"Martin-."
"Look, it takes two to have an argument and I wasn't nice to you at all. You were only trying to help and… Well I appreciate everything you've done for me, more than you know. I'm just not very good at showing it."
"I think you are, Dad." Frasier said.
Daphne smiled. "Thank you Martin. I love you so much."
"We love you too, all of you." Martin said, his eyes moving from Daphne to David to Niles.
Daphne turned to Niles who looked as though he might cry.
David began to fuss. "I think someone is tired." Frasier said.
Daphne smiled and walked over to Frasier, lifting her son out of his arms. "I'll take him. Maybe we should get him home."
Frasier and Martin exchanged what looked like worried looks.
"Well, actually Daphne if you don't mind, I'll get him settled in my room." Frasier said. "Niles, do you mind giving me a hand?"
"Not at all." Niles said.
Suddenly alone with Martin, Daphne looked around in confusion. "Is something going on?"
"Is there anything I can get you, Daphne?"
His question surprised her. "Um, no. Thank you I'm fine. But-."
"But what?"
"Martin is something wrong?"
"Why would you think that? Oh hell, who am I kidding? Actually yes, something is going on."
"What is it? What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. It's just that… well, I have something for you."
"For me? But why? It's not my birthday."
"Just think of it as an I'm sorry present."
"Martin-."
Before she could protest any further, he handed her a slim box. "Go on, open it."
Her hands trembled as she untied the purple satin ribbon and lifted the lid. Cradled in purple tissue paper was the most beautiful sapphire necklace that she'd ever seen. The sight made her gasp.
"Martin…"
"Do you like it?"
The necklace was blurred by her tears. "I-You didn't have to go out and buy me this… I'm sure it must have cost a lot."
"Actually it was Hester's. I want you to have it."
She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "What? No, I-."
"Please. Niles and Frasier are okay with it and I know that Hester would be okay with it too."
She lifted the necklace from the box and began attempting to fasten it around her neck. At once Martin went to her and helped her connect the clasp. And then he stepped in front of her and smiled.
"Looks great."
"I-I don't know what to say." She hugged Martin tightly and kissed his cheek. "Thank you so much for this. I'll treasure it forever."
"My sentiments exactly."
She was startled by the sound of Niles' voice and quickly went to hug and kiss him. "Thank you Sweetheart. And you too, Frasier." She kissed Frasier's cheek and hugged him tightly. "This is… so wonderful."
"You're wonderful too."
Frasier and Niles went to hug her and amazingly Martin joined in. Never before had she felt so loved… or loved the Crane men so much.
The End