Everyone watched carefully to gauge Martin's reaction to seeing his first grandson. To their delight, he approached Freddie with open arms.

"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes? I'd forgotten how big you've gotten. Goes to show you how far a letter to your old grandpa would go every now and then," Martin smiled as he hugged Freddie.

"Oh, Grandpa, you're not old. Now Dad, on the other hand..."

Everyone laughed. "So Freddie, what brings you to town? Have some fancy interview at one of Seattle's finest schools?"

"No, grandpa. I'm actually here to see you. That is okay, isn't it?"

"Sure, why not. Maybe while you're here we can take you to the cabin I rent with my best friend every year. How'd you like to do some ice fishing while you're here?"

Freddie made a face. "Ice fishing?"

"He'd be used to the climate. After all, Lilith is his mother," Niles quipped, to which Frasier gave a disapproving look.

"Maybe next time. I just thought I'd stay and hang out and get to know my little cousin. Hey, David. Remember me? I'm your best cousin Freddie."

David clung to his mother, who smiled warmly at her nephew. "It's not you, Freddie. David's been clinging close to the apron lately. It seems he doesn't know what to make of becoming a big brother soon," she said as she patted her very pregnant stomach.

"It's okay. Say, Grandpa, want to watch the game?"

"Sounds good to me. Frasier, hand me the remote will ya?"

Frasier started to protest but the look on Ronee's face shut him up. If his father wanted to watch a game in his own house, who was Frasier to protest? There was once a time when he would have argued over the television with his father, but that was not the son he wanted to be. Not anymore.

"Oh, crap. I dropped the remote. I'll get it."

Before anyone could protest, Martin bent over to pick up the remote, without using his cane for balance. In one fell swoop he fell, causing everyone to rush to help him and for David to hold on tightly to Daphne.

Frasier and Niles stared at each other, both so frightened that for the moment, they temporarily forgot they were doctors and were only the children in a situation that seemed to be growing by the day.

TBC