Dancing In The Rain by Patrick Councilor
[ He Had Forgotten He Was Wearing The Paper King's Crown ]
Niles was feeding Lynda at the breakfast table.
"Niles, you haven't heard a word I've said."
He glared over at Daphne. "What's that, Hon?"
"I was talking to you."
"I'm sorry, Darling. My mind was drifting. What did you say?"
"I was commenting on how you quote/unquote 'dropped by' Le Pied du Cochon on the way home from McDonald's last night."
"I'm sorry, my dear. I just don't think my pallet will ever be compatible with anything 'McGrilled'."
"I know, Love. Don't apologize to me. It was the blokes at your restaurant that were giving you the stink-eye."
"Well, can you blame them? They compromised their policy in preparing my lemon-steak as a carry-out."
She smiled. "I can still hear the maître d', 'Our entrées are to be savored, not boxed'."
"I didn't embarrass you, did I?"
"No Love. I sort of get used to it. Remember what happened when you stopped by a five star restaurant the last time we took the kids to Burger King?"
Niles smiled as he wiped his daughter's mouth with the white cloth napkin. "Oh, and thanks so much for rescheduling our date."
"You're welcome sweetie. It's another light rain in three nights from now. Don't forget."
"No chance of that. I am so looking forward to it. I'll ask Dad and Ronee if they are available to baby-sit that night."
"Why do you think they were so eager to have us change our plans, like you've said?
"I don't know, but we will find out soon enough tonight."
[ The Office of Dr. Niles Crane ]
Niles sat forward from this office chair and closed is leather-bound novel and placed it on his desk. Pressing the intercom, he spoke into it, "Mrs. Finch, when is my next appointment?"
"You're next appointment isn't for another two and a half hours."
"Why don't you go to lunch? I'll head home and have lunch with my family."
"Thank you Dr. Crane. Enjoy your family time."
"I will. Have a great lunch."
By the time he collected his things and opened his office door to leave, he was faced with a man and a woman.
"Doctor Crane," the man said, "We're sorry to be dropping by un-announced like this…"
Niles smiled. "Nonsense. Mr. and Mrs. Daniels. Please come in. How wonderful to see you again."
He asked them in to have a seat. He watched as they sat together and held hands. It harmed his heart.
"Doctor Crane," the woman said, "Thank you so much. We have never been happier."
Niles nodded with satisfaction. "I am so happy for the both of you."
"Look at us," the man said. "We came to you with our troubled marriage and it's been four years now and we're still like newlyweds."
"And we have you to thank for it," she said with a great big smile on her face.
"Seeing you two together the way that you are is so rewarding on a paramount level. Thank you so much for coming in."
"We're heading out to Rio tomorrow. Another honeymoon," the man said.
"A second honeymoon," Niles sounded. "That's wonderful."
The couple shot each other a quick look. "No, it's our fifth honeymoon."
"Fifth? My word."
"That's right doc." The man kissed the back of the hand of his wife's that he had been holding. "We've been on a honeymoon every year since you set us back on the right track."
Niles smile was beaming bright for them. He was so proud to be a part of such a strong union. He also loved the tradition that he was so looking forward to in just a few short days.
Mr. Daniels jumped up. "We didn't want to hold you up." He shook Niles' hand with a grip of appreciation. "God bless you sir."
Then Mrs. Daniels hugged him tightly. When she pulled away she had tears in her eyes and was unable to speak. While her husband led her toward the door, she mouthed the words to Niles. "Thank you."
Niles waved good-bye to them. What a wonderful day. He retrieved his briefcase and headed out for the Montana.
[ Home ]
Niles opened the door. He was eager to tell his wife what had just happened. But it was all quiet… all too quiet. "Daphne!" He checked the kitchen and the bedroom to see if she was napping while the kids were down. No, he was home alone. He took a deep breath and exhaled. He looked around the room in great appreciation. He loved his home at the Montana. He went upstairs and into the reading room. There, he admired his book collection. His eyes fixed on the chess set that Frasier had given him before he left Seattle. The board was already set in motion with an unfinished game that he and Frasier were playing. He hadn't moved a piece since. Frasier hadn't been around much lately and Niles would carefully dust around the pieces as to not disturb them when he did so. He would stare at that board for hours. Not trying to determine any clever killer moves, but just missing his brother. Sometimes he would turn on KACL almost expecting to hear his brother's voice. It was just force of habit.