Tommy was all settled down and ready for bed.
"Stowy," Tommy said
"Okay," Adrian replied and settled Tommy down in his lap to tell him a story.
"Once upon a time there was a man. He was a lonely man-"
"Why he wonwly daddy," Tommy asked
"He was lonely for a lot of reasons," Monk said, "but most of all he was lonely because the one he loved the most disappeared. An evil warlock, that's a male witch, put a spell on her to make her disappear. The man was sad because he couldn't find her and that made him very sad."
"Me no want him be sad," Tommy said, "Me what him be happy"
Adrian kissed the top of his son's head and continued.
"Once day the man was gathered to talk to some friends and he found a little boy who he instantly loved. The little boy was so cute and sweet but sadly the little boy was also alone. The man felt so sad to see this little boy all alone"
"Wittle boy no wike being aww awone," Tommy said, "Wittle boy find it scawy"
"The man asked if he could take the little boy home with him and the woman in charge of the little boy said yes," Monk continued, "It was only supposed to be for a little time but then the man realized that he couldn't give up the little boy. He loved the little boy and the little boy loved him. He decided to see if he could keep the little boy"
Tommy clapped his little hands.
"At first the man's friends were against the man keeping the little boy.
"One of the man's friends even went as far as to say he didn't think it would be a good idea. The man was really upset at his friend even though he knew he was saying it out of concern for the man. But the man knew it wasn't the end. He wasn't giving the little boy up without a fight. Then one day the man proved that he could take care of the little boy."
Adrian smiled remembering that day. He had gone out and Julie was babysitting. Dr. Kroger had giving him a ride home and when he got in he saw Tommy asleep on Monk's Trudy pillow. His friends thought he would be upset but instead he just brushed the hair out of Tommy's eyes, kissed him on the head and walked out of the room quietly to let him sleep.
"I guess he has a new pillow," Monk said with a smile and a tear in his eye.
"You know Adrian," Doctor Kroger said, "you just proved something today. You proved that you are capable of being a father. I can officially recommend you become Tommy's adopted father"
"Not 'adopted' father," Monk said, "His father. I love him just as much as if he were my biological son"
"And so," Monk ended the story, "the man and the boy lived happily together. The man was no longer lonely. The boy was no longer lonely."
Tommy fell asleep and Monk put him in his crib, brushed the hair out of his eyes and kissed him goodnight so he could sleep
"I love you," he whispered to Tommy