Frasier grumbled when the phone rang, interrupting his reading yet again. How was a man supposed to get through a thin, one-chapter book with these constant interruptions? If it wasn't Eddie's incessant barking, it was Martin's yelling at the television. Frasier scoffed at the image. Surely his father didn't think that yelling at the Seattle Supersonics would make them a better basketball team! It would take a miracle for that to happen! And now the ringing phone began to raise his heart rate. It continued to ring and he glared at his father, who seemed oblivious to the noise.

"Dad, aren't you going to answer that?"

"It's your house. Why don't you answer it?"

"Because Dad, it's just common sense that the person closest to the phone-."

"WHOA-HO! SLAM DUNK!" Martin yelled, annoying Frasier even further.

"For God's sake!" Frasier grumbled as he put down his book and crossed the room. "Hello?" he spat into the phone.

"Dr. Crane?"

"Speaking."

"This is Dr. Watson from Seattle General. I'm calling about Dr. Niles Crane."

Frasier's body went cold and he lowered himself onto the arm of the sofa.

As expected, the movement caused Martin to look over in concern. After all, Niles was the only one who ever sat on the sofa arm. It was then that Frasier realized he might never witness that again.

"Dr. Crane? Dr. Crane, are you there?"

Returned to the present, Frasier gasped in surprise. "What? Oh, yes. I'm here. Wh-who is this?"

There was a soft chuckle that was barely audible and then a sigh. "This is Dr. Watson from Seattle General. I'm calling about Niles Crane."

Frasier squeezed his eyes shut and a headache settled into his head at full force. "Yes, right… Niles… I'm sorry. I'm just…. H-how is he?"

"I'm happy to report that he's out of the coma and-."

Dr. Watson continued to talk quickly, but Frasier paid no attention to the doctor's words. In his mind, he heard all he needed to hear. "We'll be right there."

In a daze he hung up the phone and stared into space. No longer interested in the basketball game, stared at his eldest son, accompanied by Eddie.

"Fras, what's wrong?"

Frasier's heart pounded. "I-I…"

"You what, Fras? Who was that on the phone?"

"It was…."

"Come on, Fras, tell me! Was it about Niles?"

"No… it…"

"The hell it wasn't! That was the hospital, wasn't it? What's going on?"

When Frasier continued to stare into space, Martin grabbed his cane and hobbled over to the sofa. "Damn it, Frasier! Niles is my son and I forbid you to keep news about his health from me! He could be dead for all I know and yet you just sit there and-." He stopped suddenly, at Frasier's face. "No… No, please… tell me he isn't…" He turned away from Frasier and began to sob. "Oh God… Oh God… I knew this would happen! I knew this would-."

Frasier opened his mouth to speak, forcing the words out. "H-he's not dead."

Slowly Martin turned around, looking at Frasier in disbelief. "Wh-what? Y-you mean…"

Frasier swallowed hard. "H-he's out of the coma. He's alive."

Martin lowered himself onto the sofa and put a hand on his chest. "Oh my God…"

Both men were silent for a few minutes, each of them trying to absorb the news.

"It's a miracle." Martin choked out.

"It sure is." Frasier agreed.

"Oh my god… All this time I kept hoping, even praying. But then I kept thinking that…"

"You might never see him alive again." Frasier finished.

"M-my son." Martin whispered as his voice broke. "My little boy… he's alive."

When Martin began to cry openly, Frasier's tears began as well. It was the first time he'd seen his father cry since his mother's funeral so long ago. And to think that they almost had to plan another one…

The image clinched Frasier's chest and soon he was sobbing as well. He rose to his fee and looked at his dad through tear-filled eyes. "I'm so sorry I kept it from you, Dad. I just…"

Instantly he was engulfed into his father's open arms, the soft sound of Martin's cane clinking as it fell to the floor. They held each other, each man crying for what they had almost lost and for the miracle that had occurred.

After several minutes they drew back, unfazed by their lack of composure as they dried their eyes. Frasier smiled as he glanced at the television in time to see the Sonics player score a basket, bringing the crowd to their feet. Miraculously they were winning in overtime.

"You know Dad, there's still some time left in the game if you want to-."

"To hell with the game!" Martin said, ignoring Eddie's barks as he quickly crossed the living room. The dog continued to bark when Martin pulled on his jacket and hurried to the door.

"No boy." He said to Eddie. "I'll take you on a walk later. Right now, I have to see my son."

Frasier smiled and grabbed his own jacket following Martin out of the condo. But as soon as Martin crossed the hall to push the elevator button, Frasier paused in the foyer.

Eddie sat before him, whining as he held his leash in his mouth. And Frasier couldn't resist kneeling down, smiling as Eddie put his front paws on his knees and licked his face.

"Dad loves you, Eddie. I'm sorry if it feels like he's neglecting you. But you see, we just got some… miraculous news about Niles. You remember Niles, don't you?"
Eddie barked happily, making Frasier smile again and he scratched Eddie's head.

"Niles will be home soon, Eddie. I promise. He loves you, just as Dad and Daphne do. And for what it's worth, I love you too."

As Eddie licked Frasier's hand, the radio psychiatrist was oblivious to his father standing in the doorway, smiling through his tears.