Niles walked alongside Daphne as she carried David out to the car.

Neither could speak, as both were thinking about how this was the last time they'd ever make this drive from Frasier's apartment to theirs. When Niles turned to look

at his wife, he saw her blinking back tears.

"Oh, my love," he whispered, touching her cheek.

"I was just thinking, this is the only time David will ever see Frasier's apartment, and he won't even remember it. And this place wasn't just Frasier's home; it used to

be me home, too. I've had other jobs here in the States, but I never got this close to a family I was working with before."

Niles' heart broke, seeing Daphne in such pain.

"I know we're all going to miss Frasier, but you heard what he said the other night. This isn't supposed to be a sad thing. This job in San Francisco is a great

opportunity for him. Frasier's always been there for us, and the least we can do is be happy for him!"

"I am happy for your brother. He deserves this. But I'm just sad he won't be here to see David grow up. I know how much Frasier loves his new nephew, and I know

it's breaking his heart, too," Daphne said.

"I'm sure Frasier will be here for all the important occasions in David's life: birthdays, piano recitals, school plays. If our son takes an interest in sports, I'm sure Frasier

would even come out to see David hit a slam dunk in his first baseball game."

Daphne smiled at her husband's familiar misuse of sports terminology. At a moment like this, Niles could still make her laugh. One more reason she was glad she'd

married him. As she stood there, looking into his eyes, the baby in her arms began to fuss and squirm. "I guess we'd better get him home."

Niles nodded. "I'm sure he's tired." He reached over to brush a tear that remained on Daphne's cheek. "Will you be all right?"

Daphne smiled, touched by the gesture. She nodded, but tears still shone in her eyes. "I think so. It's going to be hard to get used to Frasier not being here, though."

They resumed walking.

"It sure is," Niles agreed. Though he would not say anything to Daphne, his heart ached at the thought of his older brother leaving. They had always been competitive,

but they'd also become the best of friends in the past eleven years.

By this time, Niles and Daphne had reached their car. Daphne carefully put her sleeping son into his car seat, kissed his cheek, then got in the vehicle herself. "Oh,

darling, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed.

"My angel, what could you possibly have to apologize for?" Niles asked.

"Well, here I've been going on about missing Frasier, and I should be the one comforting you. I love Frasier like he was me own brother, but he's not. He's your

brother. He's your best friend."

Niles leaned over and kissed his wife. "No," he said matter-of-factly, "You're my best friend. You always have been."

Daphne's heart melted from the kiss, as well as her husband's words. "Thank you. But I know you could never talk to me about your wine or your opera. I know you'll

miss him."

"You're right. I'll miss Frasier quite a bit. But it helps when I think about all he gave me," Niles said. "Because of him, I'm married to the most wonderful woman on

earth."

"Oh, Niles," Daphne whispered, wiping tears that had nothing to do with sadness.

"And, on top of that, I have the most beautiful son. So, yes, I do miss Frasier. I suspect that I always will. But, Daphne, I have so much more to be grateful for."

Daphne leaned over, kissing her husband deeply.

When they finally broke apart, Niles smiled, overwhelmed by her kiss.

"Besides," he said, "I don't think I'll have as much time for wine and opera as I used to. My priorities have changed a little recently." He nodded toward the backseat,

where David was still sound asleep.

Daphne smiled and squeezed her husband's hand.

If Frasier could be brave enough to start a new chapter in his life, so could Niles and Daphne. Tonight might have been an ending, but it was also a new beginning.

THE END