Natalie's chest felt tight with nerves as she slowed the car to a stop in front of her house. The squad car was already there, which caused her more apprehension. Now she would not only have to explain this to Mr. Monk (which would be impossible!), but also to Randy and the Captain.

With a sigh she got out of the car and grabbed her purse. Seconds later she stood at the front door; her heart racing.

Okay Natalie, you can do this. You've been calmer when investigating murder scenes!

Her hand trembled as she put her key into the lock, but before she could turn the doorknob, the door opened.

Adrian stood there, his expression angrier than she'd ever seen before. She swallowed hard, determined to tell him the truth.

"H-hi. Mr. Monk, I'm so sorry that I'm late."
"Damn right, you're late! Do you have any idea what time it is?"

Natalie was stunned by his outburst. He'd never sworn at her before.

"I-I'm sorry. I just... I lost track of time."
"Julie has been worried sick about you, Natalie!" Adrian yelled.
Tears welled up in her throat and threatened to fall.

Damn... She hadn't thought about how Julie would react to this.

"Oh God... Is... she okay? I've got to talk to her... to explain..."

"Natalie, you don't have to explain anything." Leland said, putting his hand on her shoulder. "I just checked on her, and she's sound asleep."

Natalie almost melted with relief, but this wasn't over yet. Not by a long shot.

"How was your date?" Randy said, snickering at the last word.

"Randy, I think we're finished here." Leland said. "Let's let these two talk, okay?"

"Thank you, Captain." Natalie said. "I really appreciate your looking out for Julie."
"Monk here deserves all the credit. He was just worried about you, although I think he overreacted a bit." Leland said.

Natalie raised her eyebrows.

"You're right. This is Adrian Monk we're talking about. Goodnight, Kids." Leland called from the door before closing it behind him.

Natalie swallowed hard; and took off her jacket, laying it carefully on a nearby chair. "I-I'm gonna go check on Julie for a minute."
"I just checked on her. She's fine." Adrian snapped.

Wordlessly, Natalie walked away and went into Julie's room. The room was dark except for the autumn moonlight that shone through the window. She picked up the comforter off of the floor and covered Julie, causing her to stir.

"Mom?" Julie said groggily.

"Yeah." Natalie whispered. "I'm sorry I woke you. I just wanted to check on you."
Julie sat up and threw her feet over the edge of the bed, adjusting her eyes to the brightness of the moonlight.

"Where's Mr. Monk?"

"Oh... He's... in the other room. I guess I should go talk to him. He's pretty mad."
"Yeah, I heard him yelling." Julie said.

"Oh God..." Natalie said, covering her face with her hands. "I'm probably gonna get fired."
Julie smiled. "I doubt that."
"Look, I wanted to explain why I was so late."

"You don't have to, really." Julie said.

"No, actually I do."
"Well, first tell me about your date. How was it?" Julie asked, excitedly.

Natalie felt her face redden.

"Oh my God, Mom! You're blushing! You had a good time?"
"It was wonderful, actually." Natalie said. "I mean... we didn't do much, obviously."
Julie laughed and Natalie joined in, grateful for the happy moment.
"So... elaborate!" Julie said, motioning with her hand.

Natalie sighed. "Well, we talked about you, and Mr. Monk, mainly. Ambrose made me dinner..."
"Pasta primavera?"
"Yes." Natalie said, laughing at the memory.

"Ambrose showed me around the house, and then we watched TV. Remember that movie that I told you that your dad and I saw on our first date?"
"The Cary Grant one?"

"Yeah." Natalie said in amazement. "How do you remember that?"

Julie scoffed. "Well geez, Mom. Every time it comes on, you start crying. How could I not remember? Oh no... Tell me you didn't cry at Ambrose's house?"
Embarrassed, Natalie looked away.

Julie laughed. "Wow... That must have been some date. So do you like Ambrose?"
Natalie thought for a minute. "Yes, I do. I like him very much."
"What about Mr. Monk?"
"Oh God, I really need to talk to him. He was so mad. I've never seen him that angry before."

"He was worried about you." Julie said, unable to stop smiling.
Taken aback by this news, Natalie sat down on the bed. "Really?"

"I think he was jealous." Julie said.

"Mr. Monk was jealous? Of me?" Natalie asked.

"No... Of Ambrose."
Natalie was touched beyond words, and enveloped her daughter in a hug.

"Thank you, Honey. I really needed to hear that."

"You're welcome. Now go talk to Mr. Monk."
Natalie kissed Julie on the forehead. "Goodnight, Honey. I'll see you in the morning."
Julie lay on the bed and snuggled under the comforter. "Goodnight, Mom."

"Oh, Julie?" Natalie said from the doorway.
"Yeah, Mom?"
"I never told you the reason I was late."
"Let me guess... You fell asleep?"

Natalie's eyes widened. "How in the world did you know that?"

Julie scoffed. "Mom, get real. I've never seen you actually stay awake through an entire movie!"

Natalie laughed as she closed Julie's door and walked into the hallway.