His entire body tensed at the sight. He swallowed hard, glaring at the woman whose singular purpose in life seemed to be making the Crane brothers miserable.

"Lilith..." He said through clinched teeth.

"Hello, Niles." She said with a smile. "It's so nice to see you. Frasier will be so happy you've come over, as am I."

Niles stared at her, unable to believe he'd heard her correctly. "You're...happy to see me?"

"Well of course! We're family aren't we? I mean, you are my brother-in-law. I couldn't love you any more than if you were my own brother!"

Dizziness set in and he grabbed the door frame for support.

"Why Niles, what's wrong?" She asked with genuine concern in her voice. It was the sort of tone he'd heard Daphne use for years. The kind that made him fall in love

with her.

"Oh no! Don't tell me you've gotten another one of your dizzy spells! Come with me and have a seat on the sofa."

To his amazement, she hugged him and then took his hand; leading him into the living room.

"Would you like some wine?" She asked.

Before he could even open his mouth to answer, she touched his cheek; almost like a caress. "Oh God, what am I thinking, offering you wine when you're experiencing

dizziness? Here, I'll get you some tea."

When she disappeared into the kitchen, he looked around his brother's living room. Something was different. He just couldn't figure out what it was.

"Uncle Niles!"

Niles turned to find his nephew in the hallway, excitedly running toward him.

"Freddie! What a nice surprise! I had no idea you... Umph!"

Freddie ran into his uncle's outstretched arms, knocking the breath out of him.

"I love you, Uncle Niles." Frederick said, hugging Niles tightly.

Niles was touched at the young boy's sentiment. "Oh Freddy, that's very sweet. I love you too."

"Oh my... Would you look at that?" Lilith exclaimed stopping to admire the tender uncle/nephew moment. "What a beautiful sight. He really does adore you, Niles. Talks

about you all the time!"

Niles was astonished by this news. "Are you serious? But that's imposs-."

Lilith handed Niles his tea and smiled. "Now don't go denying it, Niles Crane! You're a wonderful uncle and Frederick thinks the world of you! Come to think of it,

Frasier and I do as well."

The door unlocked, causing Lilith and Frederick to head for the door. They stood dutifully in the foyer waiting for it to open.

"Frederick, Daddy's home!" Lilith exclaimed with great excitement.

When the door opened, she clutched her hands to her heart and sighed.

"Hello, Darling." She said, wrapping her arms around Frasier.

"Hello my beautiful wife." He said with a smile.

When they kissed passionately, Niles' eyes grew wide. Wife?

"Frasier, what's going on?" Niles asked, watching Frederick run into his father's arms for a bear hug.

"Frasier, Niles is here to see you. He seems a little upset." Lilith said. "I think he really needs some brotherly advice."

"Niles, what a wonderful surprise!" Frasier said, walking over to the sofa to hug his brother. "It's been much too long."

"It has?" Niles asked, wondering where this sudden sentiment had come from.

"Well of course it has. How's Maris by the way?"

Niles was mere seconds from fainting... and there was no fainting couch in sight. Come to think of it there wasn't one at the mansion either.

"Um... Maris?" he asked, his voice trembling.

"Well yes. You do remember Maris, don't you? Your wife?" Frasier asked with a grin and a wink toward Lilith.

"Of course... but Maris and I-."

"Are happily married! And I couldn't be prouder to have her for a sister in law!" Frasier said.

"Married?"

Frasier laughed. "Oh Niles, don't tell me you've forgotten what that band of gold on your left hand means!"

Niles looked at his hand in horror, stunned to find that he was indeed wearing a very familiar gold wedding band.

"Frasier... I really need to talk to you... right away." he said, grabbing the side of the sofa for support.

Lilith smiled. "Well I think that Frederick and I will go play some video games in his room while you boys talk. It's so wonderful to see you, Niles."

"Have fun." Frasier said, kissing Lilith. "Don't let him beat you by too much, now!" He added with a chuckle.

"I'll try not to get to terribly distraught when he annihilates me at Space Wars." Lilith said, blowing Frasier a kiss from the hallway.

"Oh... And Niles, do tell Maris hello for me. I'm sorry I haven't called her, but I've just been so terribly busy. Tell her that I promise to make it up to her. We'll do lunch

next week."

"Oh... All right." Niles said wearily.

What in the world was going on?