Dr. Bell's idea worked masterfully. Word had apparently spread about Susanne Campana's exclusive interview, and by Wednesday there was not a single reporter left at their house.

Adrian, meanwhile, was preoccupied trying to reach Dwight and Marcia Ellison to tell them about Trudy's award and the upcoming ceremony. Apparently the Ellisons had taken an extended vacation to Italy for their fiftieth wedding anniversary, and between the different time zones and their erratic travel schedule (they were, according to Dwight's assistant, on a driving tour through Italy, visiting many different cities as well as several out-of-the way villages and villas) he hadn't had much luck.

He had been trying off and on to reach them for the better part of a week with no luck, the language barrier and time zone differences impeding his efforts. Finally, at Natalie's suggestion, he recruited Ambrose for help. Ambrose spoke fluent Italian and was able to leave a detailed message at the hotel at which Dwight and Marcia were expected to stay on the last leg of their trip.

Adrian and Natalie were eating breakfast Wednesday morning when Adrian's cell phone rang. He answered, and his face was suffused with delight and relief when he exclaimed, "Dwight! Thank goodness; I've been trying to get in touch for days."

Natalie put down her fork and listened intently on Adrian's side of the conversation.

"Yes, Trudy's being awarded the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, posthumously," Adrian was saying. "For her role in the investigation." He had already called Dwight and Marcia shortly after the New Year to fill them in on the whole story, so he didn't need to do so now. "We're planning a ceremony here in San Francisco on May first. Can you make it or should we reschedule?"

He listened to Dwight's response, and smiled. "That's great."

He listened some more, nodding, and then said, "Call me when you get in and I'll let you know if anything's changed… yes, this is my cell phone number."

He laughed at whatever Dwight said. "Yes, believe it or not, I have a cell phone."

Natalie grinned at that.

"Okay. Thanks, Dwight. Yes, I will. Give my love to Marcia, too. We'll see you soon. Have a safe flight home."

He ended the call and stuck the phone back in his pocket. "They're scheduled to fly back to California on April twenty-eighth, but Dwight's going to see if he can change their flight so that they fly into San Francisco instead of Los Angeles. If he can't do that, they'll just book another flight from L.A. to here for the day they get back."

"We could just postpone the ceremony," Natalie suggested, "if they'll need more recovery time after a long plane ride like that."

Adrian waved her suggestion away. "Leland's already booked the Center for Captain Mayrick," he said, referring to the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, where the SFPD typically held their award ceremonies. "And Dwight says once they get back they'll spend a day or two laying low at the hotel, which should give them plenty of time to rest before the ceremony." He was grinning ear-to-ear, genuinely excited at the prospect of seeing his former in-laws again.

Natalie, however, seemed less enthused. "That's good news," she said with a halfhearted smile, returning her attention to the morsels of pancake left on her plate.

Adrian gazed at her, his own smile fading. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," she said, but she didn't meet his eyes.

"You have your worried look on your face," he countered.

"What do you mean, 'my worried look'?" she asked, indignant.

"Whenever you're worried, you get a little wrinkle in the middle of your forehead," he said. "And you bite your bottom lip."

She hadn't realized her emotions were so transparent. Then again, he was the greatest detective in the free world. "It's just… I'm nervous about meeting them," she confessed.

He laid his fork on his plate, focusing his full attention on her. "Why?"

"Adrian, they're Trudy's parents," Natalie said, as though her words were explanation enough.

"So?" he said, utterly baffled.

"So," she said, exasperated, "what if they don't like me?"

"How could they not?" he said with complete sincerity. "Besides, everyone likes you."

"That's not true," she said, flushing with embarrassment.

"Yes, it is," he insisted. "I can't think of a single person who doesn't."

"Paul Buchanan. Julian Hodge. John Hannigan."

"They don't count," Adrian said dismissively. "They're psychopaths. And they're in prison."

"They still don't like me."

He rolled his eyes slightly. "Okay, everyone who isn't an imprisoned psychopath likes you."

"Marci Maven."

That fazed him for a moment. "Well… she isn't in prison, but I don't think psychopath is that far off."

Natalie grinned.

"Besides," Adrian continued, "Dwight told me on the phone to give you their love. They can't wait to meet you — they told me so when I originally called to tell them we were engaged."

"They were just being polite," Natalie murmured.

"They were being sincere," Adrian disagreed. "Natalie, they're going to adore you. Just trust me on this one."

She was still more worried than she wanted to let on, but she put on a brave smile. "I'll try."

Natalie did try, but she still brooded about it as the days flew by. What if they resented her for taking Trudy's place? What if they thought she wasn't good enough for Adrian? After all, who could compare to Trudy, who — like Mary Poppins — was practically perfect in every way? She couldn't even talk to Sharona about it, because Sharona had never met Trudy's parents. Leland had met them, years and years ago at Adrian's first wedding, but she doubted he'd remember them clearly enough to be of any help.

Instead of obsessing over the upcoming meeting, she tried to keep herself busy with wedding details now that she felt safe enough to leave the house again. She and Adrian made a special trip to Faddis Fine Jewelers to pick out their wedding rings. She was happy to have the opportunity to thank Mr. Faddis in person for her absolutely smashing engagement ring, and to discuss another idea she had in mind as well.

She also went to the bridal shop to try on her newly-altered wedding dress, which now fit perfectly. She sent it home with T.K., who had promised to keep it hidden at her house until the wedding so Adrian wouldn't accidentally see it.

They met with the photographer, one Cassandra had recommended, who often shot weddings at the Four Seasons and who seemed especially patient with Adrian's request for all even numbers when it came to the participants in group shots. They also met with the videographer and the emcee for the reception, as well as the DJ for the dance.

In the meantime, the RSVPs began to pour in. Natalie could hardly believe it — not a single person had sent regrets so far. Adrian had insisted on sending invitations to several highly-placed people — the mayor, the deputy mayor, the police commissioner, the chief of police, and the district attorney, just to name a few. He had assured her that the invitations were being sent only for form, out of professional courtesy, and the parties invited would likely decline due to busy schedules. However, to their mutual shock, every single one of them accepted.

"Well, what did you expect?" Julie asked them one day while helping Natalie record the RSVPs. "This is practically a celebrity wedding now. Everyone who's anyone wants to be there."

Susanne Campana's article had certainly helped with that. As she had intimated, it appeared the Sunday following the interview, and overall Adrian and Natalie were pleased with the job she'd done — so much so that they had sent her flowers as a gesture of thanks.

The story had been respectful, even a bit reverential, and had contained a bit of sly humor as well. She hadn't gone into embarrassing detail about their love story, but she had woven a pretty bit of narrative that informed the public without wholly mortifying the couple about whom she'd written.

Adrian told her that Susanne had called and asked if she could be present at the awards ceremony as well, to cover it on behalf the Dispatch, and he'd given his permission. Natalie approved, but it only served to underscore how nervous she was about meeting Trudy's parents. It was going to be nerve-wracking enough meeting them for the first time at such an important event; now there'd be possible media coverage of it as well.

Dwight called Adrian the evening of April twenty-eighth to tell them that their flights had gone smoothly — he had indeed managed to change their itinerary so that they flew into San Francisco instead of L.A. — and they were resting comfortably at their hotel.

Adrian gave him the important details for the ceremony — time, address, and so on — and spent the rest of the day practically walking on air.

Natalie wished she could share in his excitement, but she was still too nervous. She tried reminding herself that it was an important day for Mitch and Trudy, and that everything else was secondary, but she couldn't seem to keep her anxiety over meeting the Ellisons at bay.

She'd noticed that, since the accident, anxiety crept up on her much more easily and was harder to manage. Dr. Bell had offered to prescribe medication, but she'd declined, at least for now. She had never liked the idea of using pills to manage her emotional state – it was something both she and Adrian had in common.

The ceremony was scheduled for 4pm, with a brief reception afterwards. It wasn't going to be a large, public ceremony — Adrian and Natalie had chosen to keep it small and private in light of the recent media attention — but even so, almost all of Stottlemeyer's Homicide division (with the exception of a small skeleton crew to man the desks) had elected to be there.

Several members of Mitch's old unit were coming, including Captain Mayrick and Lieutenant Gautier, who would be doing the presentations on behalf of the Navy, and a few of Trudy's former colleagues, along with the Ellisons, Natalie's parents, Julie, Sharona, T.K., and Drs. Bell and Hector. Cassandra had been invited, but unfortunately she had a wedding to work that day. Jonathan had originally planned on coming, but he'd fallen ill with strep throat at the last minute and was unable to make the trip from Seattle.

Also invited were Ambrose and Jack Monk, Sr., although Adrian was steeling himself against disappointment in case Ambrose decided that he wouldn't be able to show up.

Natalie spent the day of the awards ceremony in a paroxysm of nerves, so much so that even Adrian noticed and tried — but failed — to calm her down. It was only after he threatened to call Dr. Bell that she made an effort to relax by engaging in the deep breathing exercises the psychiatrist had recommended to help quell a panic attack. The exercises did help, enough that Adrian was satisfied enough not to make good on his threat.

Picking up Julie helped as well, as being with her daughter had a calming influence on her. Julie looked lovely in a trim black sleeveless dress, similar to the one Natalie herself was wearing, and she saw right away that Julie was wearing Trudy's pearls for the first time. She could tell Adrian noticed, too, by the pleased glances he kept giving the rearview mirror as they drove.

When they entered the Center, Adrian glanced around eagerly, and to his delight he spied Dwight and Marcia almost immediately. Like him, they'd arrived early, and he was grateful for the opportunity to talk with them before the ceremony began.

They'd barely changed at all in the years since he'd last seen them in person, back when he'd helped Dwight solve the Treasure Chest case, although Dwight's hair was thinner on top than he remembered and they were both sporting deep tans from the Italian sun.

Marcia embraced him affectionately after he hailed them over, and once she released him he exchanged a hug and a hearty handshake with Dwight.

"Adrian, you look wonderful," Marcia gushed, scanning him from top to toe with approving eyes. "Just wonderful."

He no longer had the lost, haunted demeanor he'd carried with him on his last visit. On the contrary, he looked years younger. His eyes were bright and his face was animated, just as they had been during his marriage to Trudy. In fact, in every way, he seemed to be Adrian they had known while their daughter was alive, instead of the wrecked, hollow shell of the man he'd been in the years after her death.

Natalie and Julie had hung back slightly during the initial greetings, but now Adrian turned and waved them over. "Dwight, Marcia," he said beaming with happiness as he took her hand and drew her forward, "this is my fiancée, Natalie Teeger."

Despite her nerves, she managed to smile shakily at the older couple. "It's a pleasure to meet you," she said, fibbing a little in order to be polite.

To her amazement, Marcia – who looked, to her, like a several-decades-older version of Trudy – had tears in her eyes. Rather than a handshake, she gave Natalie the same enthusiastic hug she'd given Adrian. "The pleasure is all ours, dear one," she said, her voice quavering with emotion.

Dwight embraced her as well, and when he drew back, his eyes were suspiciously moist. "Well, Adrian, you certainly have a knack for picking beautiful women," he said to his former son-in-law, although his warm gaze didn't leave Natalie's face. Natalie blushed at the praise.

"It's a gift," Adrian said solemnly, although his eyes were shining with pride.

"And a curse?" Marcia said, her lips quirking.

"No, just a gift," he said, grinning.

Flustered, but pleased, Natalie reached over to pull Julie into their little circle. "This is my daughter, Julie."

Julie nodded at them respectfully, her hands clasped in front of her. "It's very nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Ellison."

"No need to be so formal," Dwight said heartily as Marcia embraced Julie. "It's Dwight and Marcia."

"Aren't you just lovely," Marcia said admiringly, drawing back to frame Julie's face with her hands. "Just like your mother. Oh, I'm so thrilled to finally meet you." She pulled both Natalie and Julie into another effusive hug.

Over Marcia's shoulder, Natalie caught Adrian's eye. He raised his eyebrows and mouthed, See?

She grinned at him sheepishly.

"Adrian, if the three of you don't have plans after the ceremony and reception tonight, we'd love to take you out to dinner," Dwight said.

"That sounds great," Adrian said, after sending a questioning glance Natalie's way, and receiving her nod in return.

"Wonderful," Marcia beamed. "I'm so looking forward to getting to know the two of you better."

"Adrian, Captain Mayrick is here," Natalie murmured to him as she saw the Navy officer come in.

"Excuse us for a moment," Adrian said to Dwight and Marcia, and he and Natalie hurried off to confer with Mayrick.

Marcia smiled fondly after them, and then she turned to Julie. "Julie, dear, I wanted to tell you that your pearls are beautiful. We gave Trudy a necklace just like that one when she turned sixteen."

"Actually," Julie said, twisting her hands together nervously, "these are — were — Trudy's pearls. Adrian gave them to me for Christmas."

After a moment of stunned silence, Marcia smiled. "I'm sure she'd be pleased. What a lovely gesture."

"And very appropriate," Dwight added, smiling paternally.

The Davenports came in at that juncture, and Julie called out to them happily, gesturing them over.

"These are my…" she began to tell the Ellisons, but trailed off in mid-sentence. Peggy seemed rooted to the floor, staring in shock. Marcia looked similarly taken aback. The men were gazing at one another with creased brows, as if they recognized one another but couldn't remember from where.

"Marcia?" Peggy finally said, her tone unsure.

"Peggy?" Marcia responded in kind.

The two embraced like long-lost sisters.

"I can't believe this!" Marcia exclaimed.

"It's been, what, thirty years?" Peggy said, actual tears in her eyes.

"At least!"

"What on earth are you doing here?"

"What am I doing here?" Marcia repeated, drawing back. "I was about to ask you the same thing!"

Peggy smiled, but her expression was bemused. "My late son-in-law is being awarded a medal."

Marcia smiled too, her expression matching Peggy's. "So is my late daughter."

"But that means — "

"You're — "

"Mom, is everything okay?" Natalie asked warily. She and Adrian had finished their conversation with Captain Mayrick and rejoined the group.

Peggy whirled on her. "You never told me that Trudy Monk's maiden name was Ellison!"

Marcia turned to Adrian. "And you never told me that Natalie's maiden name was Davenport!"

Both Natalie and Adrian took an instinctive step backwards. "It never came up," Natalie said, glancing between the two women uncertainly.

"I didn't think of it," Adrian said at the same time.

"I take it that you two know each other?" Julie said, tongue-in-cheek.

"Of course we do!" Peggy said emphatically. "Marcia and I went to boarding school together; we were best friends! But she was Marcia Alexander back then."

"And you were Peggy Montgomery," Marcia said. "Not to mention a bridesmaid at my wedding."

"I wanted you to be a bridesmaid in my wedding, but you were nine months pregnant at the time," Peggy said reminiscently.

"It's a good thing I didn't, because Trudy was born three days later." Marcia hugged Peggy again. "I still can't believe this!"

"I thought I recognized you," Bobby said, shaking hands with Dwight. "You had a lot more hair back then."

Dwight grinned. "We both did."

Adrian and Natalie could only stare at them, dumbfounded.

"You and Bobby need to come to dinner with all of us afterwards so we can catch up," Marcia told Peggy. "As long as that's all right with you, Adrian? Natalie?"

"I — of course," Adrian said, a little dazedly, as Natalie nodded her assent.

Captain Mayrick came over, then, to tell them that they were ready to get started, and there was no time for any further conversation as they filed into the auditorium.