Niles and Daphne gathered their coats and stepped into the aisle. Almost instantly, David came running toward them, almost knocking his parents to the ground.
"Mommy! Daddy! I did it! I sang in front of everybody! And I wasn't even scared!"
Niles picked up his son and swung him around before hugging him tightly. "I'm so proud of you, David. You did it exactly the way we practiced."
"And it sounded beautiful." Daphne added, trying to keep her voice from quivering. "I'm very, very proud of you, Sweetheart."
"Can we go home now?" David asked. "I don't want Santa to miss our house!"
Niles laughed. "Well, we certainly wouldn't want that! All right, David. We'll get home as quickly as possible. I don't want to miss Santa either."
They were joined by Martin and Ronee who hugged David again and again.
"Boy, you were great!" Martin exclaimed. "I wish I could sing like that!"
"From what I hear, Eddie wasn't too fond of your singing." Ronee quipped.
Martin chuckled. "No, he wasn't, and I can't really blame him."
Then his cheerful demeanor disappeared. "I sure do miss that little guy."
"I know you do, Sweetie." Ronee said, giving her husband's shoulder a gentle squeeze.
"I still can't believe he's gone." Daphne added.
Noting his father's sad expression, Niles went to hug him. "I love you, Dad. Merry Christmas. And remember, lunch is at noon tomorrow."
Martin nodded. "We'll be there. Niles, I can't tell you how much it means to Ronee and I that you invited us over to spend Christmas with you."
"Well of course we were going to invite you, Dad. You're family, and we love you."
"I know. And I love you too, Son. You know it sounds crazy but I don't think I could have stood being at home without Eddie. It just wouldn't be the same."
Niles nodded, remembering the annoying but sweet little dog that his father loved so much. He had to admit that when Ronee called to tell him that Eddie had passed
away, he'd cried a few tears. And telling Daphne and David was the hardest thing he'd ever had to do.
Even Frasier had shed a few tears at the news.
He took his father's hand and smiled. "Eddie's with Mom now." He said quietly. "She'll take good care of him."
Martin drew Niles into an unexpected embrace; a gesture that surprised him.
"Thank you, Son. We'll be at your place by noon."
"Loaded with Christmas presents, no doubt!" Daphne laughed.
"Oh, you can count on that!" Ronee added. "I'll be extremely happy to have my closets back! For the past month and a half, they've been occupied by gifts of every
shape and size!"
"You'd better get my grandson home." Martin said. "Because I thought I heard Santa's sleigh bells. The last time I checked, he was in Portland so he's probably flying
over Seattle right now!"
"Dad, that's ridiculous!" Niles said. "You can't possibly hear Santa's sleigh bells all the way-."
He stopped when he noticed his family staring at him in disbelief.
"Oh... right." Niles said finally getting it. "Come on my angel. Come on, buddy. Let's go home."