David took a deep breath as he walked up to the podium. Next to him was the casket where his grandfather lay. He glanced over at it, feeling his throat tighten. But he remembered what he came here to do. He looked up, seeing that it was a dark, cloudy day. Of course, that was typical Seattle weather, but David liked to think that, perhaps, even nature was in mourning.

As he looked at the crowd before him, David smiled nervously. "Well, I won't bore you all with a bunch of facts about my grandpa's life. You already know he was a cop. And that he was shot stopping a robbery at a convenience store. My dad likes to say that bullet is the best thing that ever happened to him, because it brought my mom into everyone's life. If you haven't heard the story of how my parents got together, you should really ask my dad about it. He usually tells it to anyone who'll listen." He laughed, looking over at his parents. He saw them both smiling at him proudly, and that gave him the strength to continue with his speech.

"I wanted to make a speech today because I knew there were parts of my grandfather's life no one else would be able to talk about. From the time I was little, my parents used to leave me with Grandpa and Ronee, who insists she's much too young to be my grandmother. But she did used to babysit my dad and my uncle when they were little, so I'm not really sure that's true." He gave an apologetic look in Ronee's direction. He saw her smile, even as she wiped a tear. "My grandpa would always let me stay up later than I was supposed to. He'd let me watch a Mariners game, or some old movie. I didn't understand what was going on most of the time. But I just knew I liked being with him."

"As I got older, I began to realize why Grandpa loved to spoil me. You see, my dad and Uncle Frasier didn't get along so well with Grandpa when they were kids. Grandpa liked beer and sports. They liked opera and classical literature. It wasn't until they were adults, after my mom came along, that things started to change. It wasn't easy, but I know we're all grateful for the way things turned out. When I was born, Grandpa really wanted me to love sports as much as he did. My dad….well, he had other ideas. But they both understood the idea of compromise, so now I do understand football, but I also listen to classical music sometimes. My mom says I've got a little of both sides of the family in me." Once again, David's eye was drawn to his parents. Their smiles told him that everything he was saying was the truth, and they couldn't be prouder to hear him say it.

"I'm in high school now, so of course, my teachers keep asking me what my plans are for the future. I don't really have all of it figured out yet. One thing I do know, though, is that whatever path I choose, my parents will both support me. My dad says that, from the moment I was born, he knew he wouldn't try to force me into one career or another. Even if I end up doing something that's not exactly what he would've picked, he knows he can't make the choice for me. That's something he learned from his father. So, you see, my grandfather may be gone, but his influence lives on. In my parents, my uncle, and all of our family. And I know it lives on in me, too. I'll never forget that." He glanced again at the casket. For a moment, his throat was so tight he couldn't speak. He managed a small nod, before walking back over to where his parents were sitting. He felt an overwhelming sense of relief, knowing his speech was over.

Almost before David had reached them, Daphne was out of her seat. "That was a lovely speech." She hugged him tightly.

"Thanks, Mom. It was harder than I thought, standing up there in front of everybody. But I knew I had to do it, because no one else was gonna say all that stuff."

Niles stood, shaking David's hand. "I'm glad you spoke about Dad's personal life. He was never one for sentiment, but we always knew he loved us, even when we didn't get along."

David nodded, understanding what his father meant. Before he could say thank you, David was pulled into yet another hug, this time by his uncle.

"Well, if I had any doubts as to whether you had inherited any of those Crane genes, they're certainly gone now!" Frasier said. "When I took Dad in all those years ago, I had no idea it would lead to this." He gestured to all of them, referring to the family.

"None of us could've seen what a blessing that would turn out to be," Niles agreed. He slipped his hand into Daphne's, kissing her cheek. "I not only found the love of my life, but I had the greatest son a father could ask for."

David smiled, feeling himself blush. He knew the casket would be buried, and Martin Crane's body would be laid to rest. Even so, the family he'd helped to create would remain. David looked at the others, sensing that they were thinking the same thing. The Cranes were far from perfect, but they were a family. That was one thing that would never change.

The End