Frasier could hardly believe he and Charlotte were here. This trip to Seattle had been spur-of-the moment. He had only called his brother last night and informed the family they were coming. Now they stood outside Niles' door at the Montana. As he prepared to walk inside, he squeezed Charlotte's hand. He could tell she was no less excited. He couldn't resist glancing at her hand. The ring that was on her finger had cost a fortune, but Frasier had no doubt he was doing the right thing.

All at once, he opened the door. "Hi!" Immediately, they were being mobbed by Niles and Daphne. After they'd been hugged and kissed for several moments, Daphne spoke up. "So, what's the big surprise?"

"Now, now, Daphne, we don't want to rush our announcement," Frasier said, giving his sister-in-law another hug. "We should at least say hi to Dad."

"Son," Martin said from his place on the couch. "It's….good to see you." His tone sounded less than enthusiastic, but it was clear there was genuine emotion behind the words.

Frasier and Charlotte went over to him. "Dad." The hug said everything Frasier wasn't able to put into words. What they'd shared during the eleven years when they lived together had brought them close enough that they were able to communicate their feelings, even without saying the words.

Charlotte politely hugged Martin too. She was already beginning to feel like part of the family. "Frasier, I think we better tell them," she said. "Otherwise, I think I'm going to burst."

"Well, all right, then. I brought Charlotte out here for a very special reason. I've…asked her to marry me."

Even though Daphne had suspected as much, thanks to her powers, she still couldn't quite believe the news. "That's wonderful!" She hugged Frasier yet again, and hugged Charlotte as well. "Welcome to the family," she said. "These boys are quite a handful sometimes, but you'll get used to it," she laughed.

"I've known Frasier long enough by now that I figured that out."

"Well, Frasier, it took you long enough!" Ronee laughed. Everyone knew they were probably going to marry one day, but they'd put it off for years.

"When's the big day?" Niles asked. He shook his brother's hand. It seemed Frasier had finally found the same happiness he and Daphne shared.

"Well, we're thinking six months should give us enough time to plan. Of course, we're going to need some help, since we can't do everything from Chicago."

"You want to get married here in Seattle?" Daphne asked. She'd never imagined that being the plan.

Frasier nodded. "We figured it's easier for us to come here than for you all to come out there." He couldn't help gesturing at the couch as he spoke. His main concern had been for Martin's well-being. He didn't see a reason to make his elderly father travel unnecessarily. Then his eyes wandered over to the one member of the group who'd been quiet so far. "Charlotte and I are going to need a ring bearer," he said, walking over to his young nephew. "After what happened at Dad and Ronee's wedding, we think it's probably best to have someone who won't swallow the ring." He chuckled. "We'd be honored if you'd be our ring bearer, David."

"Really?!" David asked. "You want me?"

"Of course," Frasier said. "We'd like to have a little boy, and I couldn't think of anyone more worthy of the job than my favorite nephew."

"I'm your only nephew," David said, rolling his eyes. At just five, he was already growing up faster than anyone had imagined.

"So, will you do it, David?" Charlotte asked. "Your dad has told us both how smart you are, just like him and your uncle. I don't really have any little kids on my side of the family."

David looked uncertainly at his parents. He knew this was a big job. He'd heard the stories about his grandfather's wedding, how Eddie had swallowed the ring and made everyone go to the vet's office. That led to his very unconventional birth. Both his mom and dad were looking at him, waiting for his answer. Even though he was a little scared, he decided he couldn't let everyone down. "Sure..." he said. "I guess."

"All right, that takes care of one person," Frasier said. He turned his attention to Niles. "I need a best man. I already spoke to Freddy last night. He's happy for me, but he knows he wouldn't be my first choice. Who else could I pick, other than my kid brother and best friend?"

For a moment, Niles felt a lump in his throat that made it almost impossible to speak. It was so hard to imagine that, after all their squabbles and competitiveness, they'd become this close. "Of course, Frasier. I'd be thrilled. I'm sorry I didn't ask you when Daphne and I got married."

Frasier gave a dismissive wave. "That's ancient history. I'm just glad this is finally happening."

"Have you told Roz yet?" Daphne asked. In all of the excitement, she'd momentarily forgotten that not everyone in the family was there.

"I called her last night, too. She wanted to be here, but apparently, there was some business at the station she had to attend to. We've made plans to go to dinner tomorrow night with her and Alice. You're all welcome to come if you like."

"Of course, Frasier," Niles said immediately. "This will certainly be a celebration."

Suddenly, Martin got up. It was clear that it was an effort for him, so he obviously had something to say. "I'm really happy for you, Frase." He engulfed his son in a hug that reminded them both of the night he'd left Seattle all those years ago. "And I imagine there's somebody else who's probably happy right now too." He looked up. "She always said all she wanted was for you boys to be happy."

"Dad…." Frasier almost couldn't speak. He knew his mother was never far from his father's thoughts. He still missed her a great deal too. "As pleased as I am to be with Charlotte, the even greater blessing is that I get to do this with all of you." He looked at them, the people he loved most. It was just one more reminder of all that had happened since he'd made the fateful decision to return to Seattle from Boston. He regarded that as the best thing he'd ever done. But, right now, he might just have topped even that.

The End