"Look… I'm gonna go in and take care of Eddie." Martin said, clearly uncomfortable with the conversation happening around him. "I'm sure he'll go crazy when he sees Niles. He won't understand the wheelchair and all and well, I don't want him to hurt you, Niles. You've been through enough."
"Dad, it's all right."
"No, I can't take any chances so I'll put him in my room."
Niles smiled and reached for his father's hand. "Thanks, Dad."
"Sure, Son. Just give me a minute and I'll come back when he's settled. But stay out here in the hallway, all right? I don't want him running all over the apartment!"
"That makes two of us." Frasier said with a roll of his eyes.
Frasier, Niles and Daphne waited in the lobby, making small talk about the weather and Frasier's updates on the happenings in the building and on his radio show since the accident occurred. But after what felt like much too long, Frasier became restless and his patience was wearing thin. "Dear God, what is taking them so long?" He shouted. With an annoyed sigh, he pushed the door open and peered inside.
"Dad, what in the hell is going on?" He yelled into the foyer.
"Give me a minute, will ya?" Martin's muffled voice answered.
"You've had… seventeen minutes already!" Niles shouted, glancing at the gold watch on his wrist. "How long does it take to put away a dog?"
Martin appeared at the door. "Give me a break, okay? He didn't understand and I had to explain it to him!"
"Really, Dad? You had to explain it to him? In what, dog language?"
"No, wise guy!" Martin said. "For your information, Eddie understands English just fine! He barked the other day when Griffey made a home run!"
Niles and Daphne snickered, but Martin's scowl remained.
"Fine, Dad. Eddie understands English." Frasier said. "Does he understand that we've been standing here for almost… twenty minutes? I'd like to enter my home if you don't mind!"
"All right, your Majesty!" Martin said, making a sweeping motion with his arm followed by a bow. "You may enter your castle!"
"Thank you." Frasier said, shooting his father a disgusted look as he moved past Martin and into the condo.
"Are you ready, Niles?" Daphne asked, bracing her hands on the handlebars of his wheelchair.
"As ready as I'll ever be." He replied.
When they found themselves face to face with Martin by the doorway, Daphne smile and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Martin."
"For what?"
"For everything."
"You're home, Niles! What do you think about that?" Martin said as enthusiastically as possible. "What do you think about that?"
"It's wonderful, Dad." Niles replied.
Martin beamed with pride, staring at his youngest son as Daphne pushed him through the doorway and into the condo.
"It sure is, Son. It sure is."