The next day, Frasier and Martin went over to check on Niles and David. Frasier had filled his dad in on his own hypothesis as to David's unusually hostile behavior, while Martin smiled smugly, knowing that he was the one to get to the bottom of things.
David ran to his grandfather and hugged him eagerly, even before Martin had time to sit down comfortably.
"David, remember what we've taught you about minding your grandpa's balance.." Niles started, but Martin would have none of that.
"The day i'm too old to handle a hug from my grandkid is the day I stay home, never doing anything for myself, and just resigning to a life full of tv, beer, and just moping around."
Frasier and Niles looked at each other with grins. "Oh, Frasier, let me..let me!" Niles giggled.
Martin scowled, but then David cleared his toys off the couch and held on to his leg as Martin made himself comfortable.
Niles looked on in curiosity. "It looks as if you have yourself a new best friend, Dad," he smiled at the scene unfolding in front of him.
"why act so shocked? You and Frasier had each other to keep company..David's an only child..Niles, there are ways to remedy that, you know," Martin laughed.
Niles, blushing, laughed. "Dad! Not in front of.."
"I know, not in front of Frasier. We both know his love life is less than promising.." Martin and Niles laughed, and Frasier just pouted.
"I'm glad to know that my status as a comfirmed bachelor has not gone unnoticed by my family," Frasier retorted.
"Comfirmed by whom? Yourself, or by nature?" Martin questioned. "It seems to me if you really tried and weren't so damn..sorry, David..if you weren't so darn fussy.."
"As much as I enjoy our playful banter...especially when it's at Frasier's expense, I think this is a conversation best suited for after little ears to to bed," Niles laughed.
Just then, David piped up. "May I watch Peppa, Daddy?"
Martin had to smile, and though David's interest in television clearly went against every one of Niles' beliefs, he conceded. David hugged Niles and ran upstairs eagerly.
"Niles?" Frasier questioned. "We discussed last night about the role of television, and how you ought not cater to his whims..."
"That's okay, Frasier," Niles sighed as he sat down next to Martin. "I appreciate your advice, but it seems as if we were both off base as to the reason he's drawn to this cartoon. Dad helped me see things from a new perspective, which frankly, I'm a bit envious that I hadn't thought of myself."
Frasier looked at his brother, then his father, then shook his head. "It's as if I've stepped into the Twilight Zone."
"Have a seat, Frasier, Dad can explain it all as I pour us some sherry. Dad, I'm afraid I have beer to offer you..that will suffice, won't it?" Niles teased, and Martin playfully pretended to ponder the offer.
"I suppose, yes, an ice cold can of beer will have to suffice. I had the same problem when I had dinner with the Queen of England last week."
"Now wait a minute!" Frasier stood and drew attention to himself. When his voice boomed, his family knew that he was about to go on a tangent, usually of the self-righteous variety. "You and Dad seem awfully chummy..what is going on, pray tell?"
Niles looked confused. "What do you mean? Isn't it just possible that Dad and I are bonding over David..our relationship is redefining itself?"
"Hardly!" Frasier huffed. "Until I had Dad move in with me...I, the unselfish son, whom out of devotion and purity of heart, sacrificed eleven years of my life...I put my dating life on hold.."
"As if I was the reason you couldn't get a date.." Martin grumbled.
"I heard that!" Frasier scowled. "You know what I mean! I had Dad move in with me! I had Eddie...and worst of all, I had to live with that monstrosity Dad calls a recliner! I, Frasier Crane, one of this city's most beloved of radio icons..'
"Don't forget to add most humble.." Niles retorted.
"Hey! I'm in the room!" Martin protested. "you're acting like living with me was such a chore.."
"You have to admit you weren't the easiest person to get along with.."
"Like you were?" Martin retorted. "I do appreciate you treating me like a child, after all these years..."
Frasier knew Martin was right, but wasn't ready to apologize. So in usual manner, he turned the heat on Niles. "Niles only used Maris as an excuse..he didn't want you to live with him either!"
"So you admit you never wanted me!"
"Niles only came by to see Daphne, and you know it!" Frasier continued, not sure of how to stop this downward spiral he was on.
"Okay, okay, Dad, Frasier...what's going on here? It seems to me you're bothered by my new closeness with Dad.." Niles thought as he offered the drinks to his family.
"Of course not!"
Martin shook his head. "You boys will never change. Competitve to the end, aren't you?"
"I am not," Frasier protested.
"Are too.." Niles chimed in.
"Am not.."
"Are too, are too, are too.."
"Boys!" Martin raised his voice. "It doesn't take a genius to understand what's going on here...although Niles comfirmed to me last night that I am the true Einstein of this family."
"I didn't quite say that.."
"I'm so smart I read into your facial expressions" Martin continued. "Frasier, you're feeling left out..you're too stubborn to admit it. It's always the same, one of you boys wants what the other has..only when the other has it. Frase, you know what our time at the condo meant to me...but geesh, I'm still alive and kicking. You can call or drop by my place with Ronee anytime, and you know it."
"Yes, well..."
"And Niles, you always were afraid of standing in your brother's shadows. He was more outgoing, you were the shy one..so yeah, you relish any bit of attention you get, even if it comes from your old man. It's not me you boys are fighting over...you both just have to prove you can still best each other from time to time," Martin sighed, taking a long sip of his beer.
"Dad..it's not that simple. Really..a lot of it has to do with my becoming a father," Niles chimed in. "I guess..having a child of my own makes me rethink a lot of our relationship. Parenthood is harder than I thought it would be."
Martin eyed Frasier, then Niles. "Tell me about it."
"Dad, I'm trying to be honest.."
"I know, Niles. I know. You think I don't know what you're going through? Tell me, Niles..wasn't your biggest fear before David was born was that your child would wind up like the Moon boys.."
"Can you blame him? They are crude, rude, and.."
"I'm well aquainted with Daphne's brothers," Martin continued. "You think you're the only dad who has to accept when his kid's interest is something that he's not really into? How do you think I felt raising you boys?"
Frasier looked at Niles. "He has a point."
"All my life I thought that it was you that was different than Frasier and myself," Niles conceded. "But what if we were the ones that were different...I never stopped to look at our relationships from your point of view, Dad."
"And until you became a parent, you could't possibly understand. David's still young...forget about worrying who he takes after...let David be David. He might like sports, books, art, or a good pizza..he might like none of these or he might like all of them. You don't need David to be a clone of you..that's why you have Frasier," Martin laughed.
Frasier scowled, but allowed his father to continue.
"You think I knew what I was doing when you boys were growing up? To this day I still have no idea what you guys are talking about most of the time..but I listen, pretend to care, and tell you you're good boys. That's what being a father is all about."
"Dr. Spock couldn't have said it better himself," Frasier replied with a trace of sarcasm.
Martin glared at him. "You know what I mean! You boys think you had it bad, having a dad who likes tv, beer, bars, a good card game now and then. But who was the one who picked up extra shifts to pay for your extra classes..i was too busy working to attend them, but I paid for them. They weren't classes I would have chosen for you ...but I worked hard to make sure you boys had the kind of life you wanted. So go ahead and complain about my beers, Eddie, my chair...but when you see your boys have the kind of life that mine do..then you'll feel free to give yourself a pat on the back."
Frasier and Niles looked on, wondering where all of this insight was coming from.
"Dad..you are right. Niles and I...we both have a lot to thank you for."
"All I ask of you boys is to be happy. Take time to smell the roses. Call Freddy now and then..for no reason than to ask how he's doing. And Niles...all I want for you is to enjoy this little family you deserve. And another six pack of beer."
They laughed. Martin looked at Frasier. "You think I'm kidding?"
"I'll go get my keys. Thanks Dad. And Niles...you're doing well with David. Daphne would be proud of you."
"Thank you, Frasier. And Lilth, as your co-parent would be p..let's face it, she'd be rigid, frigid, and quite unbearable to converse with."
And they all laughed and were interruptted by a little voice. "What's funny, Daddy?"
"Oh, grown up stuff."
"Were you laughing at Aunt Lilith?"
They all looked at David in astonishment.
"What? Mommy doesn't like Aunt Lilith very well. Mommy likes everyone. Why doesn't Mommy like Aunt Lilith?"
Frasier grabbed his keys.. "I'd better go on that errand for Dad now, Niles. Good luck with that conversation.."
Martin laughed and waved his hands in the air. "Don't look at me. I did my talking for the day. Go on. Tell David all about why his mom might not like Aunt Lilith.."
"Um, well, gee...Why don't I join you upstairs to watch a quick episode of Peppa?" Niles thought quickly.
Martin laughed. "And you never understood why I watched so much television when I was around you boys.."
David took Niles' hand, and when Frasier returned, the Crane boys continued to enjoy their visit together.
Tbc
This was originally meant to be a one shot- but I caught the date I first wrote the first chapter..it was the day before I gave birth to my daughter. And the end where Niles cuddled up with David to watch Peppa to help him sleep was very prophetic..my hubby took to doing that as I recovered from childbirth. This little one shot just became more special to me, and I have another chapter or so to go before I'm ready to say goodbye to it. Thanks for reading!