A note from the author:

Hello to whoever may have stumbled upon this story. I can't believe it has been over two years since I last updated this fic. Though life got busy and I started writing stories, I never forgot about this story and these characters. I went back and reread the original story, this story, and watched some episodes of Cheers and Frasier for inspiration. In order to continue this story and eventually give it the ending it deserves, I have decided to make a few changes: Analeigh is a 17 year old junior in high school rather than a 16 year old sophomore, and I now prefer to write in 3rd person point of view rather than 1st person. Keep in mind that while no time has passed in between this new chapter and the last, time has passed here in the real world and I have grown as a person and an author.

Though Lilith and Frasier had been getting along fairly well since his unexpected arrival, nothing was able to create tension like a meeting with lawyers. It had started pleasantly enough. Analeigh sat next to her mother and across the table from Frasier. It seemed only right that she have some say in the matter of custody arrangements.

"I guess we can follow a similar arrangement that we had with Frederick." Frasier proposed. "I want to be able to have regular contact with Analeigh and see her during her school holidays."

"Well, we also have to take into consideration that Analeigh's life is in Boston and may not be able to plan around trips to San Francisco or Seattle like Frederick did." Lilith countered. "This situation is different."

"That's why I said 'a similar arrangement', Lilith. Please don't start this."

"Start what?" Lilith asked, still remaining composed though her patience with Frasier was already wearing thin. "I was only trying to remind you that Analeigh hasn't grown up planning vacations around visitation dates. Even Frederick didn't make regular trips to see you. They have lives outside of us."

"I understand that." Frasier nodded. "But I also had time over the course of his life to make up for time we lost due to extracurricular activities. But I only have a year and a half left with Analeigh and I would like to make the most of it."

"Okay, I'm graduating next year," Analeigh interjected. "Not dying. Of course I'll visit you when I have the time, but I don't want to have to choose between my life in Boston and being able to spend time with you."

"Analeigh, have you already begun making plans for spring break?" Lilith asked.

"No, I would be more than happy to spend spring break with Frasier." Analeigh nodded.

"We don't have any specific plans for the summer yet so I think we should wait to nail down a visitation decision until closer to that time." Lilith continued.

"Is it safe to assume that Analeigh will spend the week of Father's day with me?" Frasier asked.

"Of course." Lilith smiled, trying to ease the tension. "Frasier, would you mind coming to Boston for Thanksgiving? We would be happy to have your family visit with us as well."

"I suppose that will work, though I'll need to discuss with Niles and Dad if they would want to do that. I don't see why they wouldn't, but just in case."

"Wonderful." Lilith agreed.

"And Frederick would just spend Hannukah with us and go with you for Christmas, right?" Analeigh asked.

"Right." Frasier confirmed.

"Normally that works, however," Lilith began cautiously. "This year Hannukah overlaps with Christmas. But Analeigh can visit you after and spend New Year's with you."

"But you've spent every Hannukah with Analeigh, I've never had a Christmas with her."

"To be fair," Analeigh added. "I also didn't grow up celebrating Christmas like Fredrerick did."

"I think this is one of the situations where her life in Boston will take priority."

"The only reason she didn't grow up celebrating Christmas like Frederick did is because you never told me she existed!" Frasier pointed out. "Lilith, if you had been honest with me from the beginning, Analeigh would have grown up with the same childhood Frederick had."

"Frasier, we've talked about this!" Lilith argued. "There's nothing that can be done to change the past and my mistakes. We can only move forward and deal with the life that we have before us instead of wondering about what could have been."

There was a moment of tense silence.

"I'll spend Christmas with Frasier and New Year's with Mom." Analeigh sighed with frustration. "I'm going to the car."

Analeigh hated that her parents couldn't get along for an hour. Nothing about the situation would ever be easy and Analeigh was wondering if maybe she made a mistake in meeting Frasier. Maybe she should have just left well enough alone. Why didn't she just ask her mother about him instead of going across the country like an idiot? Analeigh was suddenly getting herself caught up what could have been and what she should have done. She made so many mistakes in going to meet Frasier! There were so many more reasonable options!

Analeigh walked out of the law office and outside where it was raining. She groaned as she remembered that she left her umbrella in the car. They had parked across the street, too. The rain was pouring down hard but Analeigh didn't want to wait around for her parents to stop arguing. She walked over the crosswalk just as it changed for her to cross. Eager to escape the downpour, Analeigh put her head down as she crossed.

Just as Lilith and Frasier walked out of the office, they heard a horn blaring followed by a loud thud.

"Please, no." Lilith breathed with a sinking feeling. She rushed into the street where she saw Analeigh on the ground unconscious.

"Analeigh," She pleaded, her breath beginning to catch. "Analeigh, can you hear me?"

Frasier was close behind as he pulled out his cell phone to call an ambulance. Lilith attempted to lift Analeigh's head and put her coat underneath. The khaki trenchcoat became soaked from the rain and the blood seeping from the back of Analeigh's head.