“Would you like to check the push chair now or wait until you get on the plane?” The attendant asked.

“We’ll keep it for a while longer I think” Daphne answered and after they had retrieved their tickets and headed for the children’s play area in the corner . Niles was looking every bit the father pushing Beth in the buggy , pointing out toys in shop windows and even changing nappies. Now he had Beth out of the pram and was on the floor with her between his legs building towers with little wooden blocks. Daphne sat back on the low padded seats and watched them. She was excited and a little apprehensive about returning to Seattle. Niles had called Frasier the day before and told him they would be getting the first available flight home. She had no ties in London and Beth was young enough for it not to be too much of an upheaval . Frasier and Martin still didn’t know about Beth , Niles had decided it would be a nice surprise for them but for some reason she was still filled with fear about the whole thing Niles had been so accepting and unquestioning about the whole thing she only hoped Frasier and Marin would be the same.

“ Are you sure we shouldn’t have told them ?” She asked Niles for the hundredth time.

“I’ve told you , it’ll be a lovely surprise for them”

“But what if they have trouble believing Beth is yours ?”

Niles lifted Beth and put her back in the buggy then sat beside Daphne taking her hand.

“Is this what’s really bothering you ?”

“Yes I mean what if .......”

“What if nothing. They love you almost as much as I do , and they’ve missed you and they would never think you would lie about something like this . Besides They know how much I love you and how much being without you has torn me apart and I know even if Beth was Donny’s they would accept that I wanted you both. Now that’s not going to happen they are both going to be over the moon especially Dad you know how he hates it when Freddie goes home he’ll love having a grandchild so close. Now please calm down we have a long flight ahead of us and Roz is going to come with them to the airport to meet us with Alice you’ll never guess how much she’s changed she’s so big. Just then the final call for their flight was made and they gathered up Beth and headed for the departure gate.

********************

When they entered the airport in Seattle and Daphne looked around and her mind went back to the last time she’d been there , all the hurt , all the fear it suddenly seemed so real again. She remembered her conversation with Roz and how she urged her to be honest with Niles. oh how she wished she had , how she wished she could make up for all the wasted time. When Niles retrieved the luggage they headed toward the meeting area. No sooner where they through the gate than she spotted Martin , Frasier and Roz at the other side of the room , she stopped dead in her tracks.

“I don’t know if I can do this” she said as Niles turned to look at her a puzzled look on his face.

“Don’t be silly” he answered putting his arm around her waist and squeezing her affectionately and looking down at Beth sleeping in the push chair “lets go and introduce my daughter to her family”

Daphne tool a deep breath and followed Niles across the room. She was behind him and before long she could hear Frasier calling. As they approached she felt her mouth go dry and her heart was beating so loud she could hear it in her ears.

“Niles We’re over here” Frasier called “Were is she ?”

She came out from behind him pushing Beth in front of her as she saw the shocked look on both Frasier and Martins faces.

“Hi” She said trying hard not to cry

“hi” Frasier replied hugging her “It’s good to have you home , and who’s this ?” he continued looking down at the baby.

“That..” Niles said as Daphne fought with the mixed emotions she was feeling “Is Beth , our daughter”

“Your daughter ?” Martin said Smiling at them both “My grand daughter ?”

“Yep dad isn’t she beautiful ?”

“She’s gorgeous but I don’t understand why didn’t you tell us ?”

“It’s a long story” Niles said ushering everyone toward the door let’s talk about it when we get home. She’ll be up soon and wanting her dinner.”

As they walked out heading for the car Roz came beside Daphne and gently touched her arm. “I’ve brought a car seat for Beth it’s in my car , why don’t you two ride with me and we can have a chat” she said and 20 minutes later they were on their way to the Montana and her new home.

********************

“So” Roz said “Do you forgive me ?”

“Forgive you ? I could kiss you I would never have had the courage to believe he would want me and Beth and you took that out of my hands. You are a true Fried Roz I am very lucky.”

“So you’re happy ?”

“Never more so. We’ve spent the most wonderful couple of days together and he is great with Beth . It’s amazing I never thought I’d be this happy again.”

They pulled into the parking garage and into a space beside Frasier’s car.

“Well they seem to have gone up” Daphne said “Roz do you think Frasier and Martin are going to be alright about this ?”

“Do you love Niles ?”

“Yes”

“And does he love you ?”

“Yes”

“Well then yeah of course they are going to accept everything as it is if you are all happy then they’ll be happy.”

“I hope you’re right, well lets get up there and see what’s happening.”

When they got to the apartment Niles Frasier and martin were sitting amongst the luggage Laughing and chatting as Niles opened a bottle of champagne. Frasier got up as Daphne came into the room carrying Beth.

“Welcome home” he said hugging her “May I hold my niece ?”

Daphne nodded handing him the baby and going to sit down with Niles.

“I’ve explained everything to Dad and Frasier” he said

“Yeah” Martin said “It’s so good to have you home Daph , and I so pleased about the baby it’s amazing , she’s amazing , actually she looks quite like Hester”

From then the party really got started , while Roz and Daphne caught up and Frasier and Niles chatted about Niles clients ,Martin played with Alice and held Beth tightly on his knee. The night wore on and at close to midnight everyone left and finally Daphne and Niles were alone again.

“See” Niles said as he gathered up the empty glasses “I told you they’d be fine , Dad’s ecstatic and neither of them had any trouble believing that she was mine”

“I know , I know” Daphne replied “I should have trusted you it’s wonderful to be back. I love you” she kissed him gently on the cheek as he headed for the kitchen. While he was there she lifted Beth from the sofa where she was sleeping and went to take her up stairs when she noticed the light flashing on the answer phone.

“Niles honey” she shouted “You have a message”

“Hit play”

She pushed the button as Niles came out of the kitchen and a familiar voice filled the room.

“Niles. It’s Donny I was wondering if you’d heard anything from Daphne I tried calling Frasier’s apartment earlier but there was no reply. I realise it’s the holidays and everything but I thought she may have contacted you over Christmas. Could you call me please , I really want to talk to her , please.”

As the message end bleep chimed Niles and Daphne looked at each other and Daphne cuddled Beth a little tighter.

“Now what ?” she asked.