Author's Note: Thank you once again to all of my readers and followers, and especially to those who've taken the time to review. I have been humbled and overwhelmed by your kind words.

This story is beginning to wrap up, but let's put aside the sleuthing and the bad guys for now and enjoy the continuing love story of Monk and Natalie for this chapter and 3 more. I hope you will enjoy reading them as much as I have enjoyed writing them.

Nine weeks passed since Adrian proposed to Natalie, and it had been non-stop activity for the couple. They filed a petition for the adoption of Sophia, and Adrian began packing up his apartment in preparation for his move to Natalie's house after they returned from their honeymoon. Big plans were also in the works for their August 21st wedding. The church for the wedding and the venue for the reception were reserved, the invitations sent, the dresses picked out, the cake and the flowers ordered, and the menu set. They had planned to keep it simple, but Peggy Davenport was determined to give her daughter the wedding of her dreams, trying to make up for how they had treated Mitch, Natalie's first husband. It must help to have connections, because somehow, in the short amount of time they had given her, Peggy was able to pull together what promised to be a wedding to remember.

Adrian and Natalie would be picking up Randy Disher and Sharona Fleming from the airport in a couple of hours. They were coming in for the wedding and staying with Sharona's sister, but first, Adrian had one more appointment with Dr. Bell, as a single man.

He walked into Dr. Bell's office and the receptionist greeted him. "Good morning Mr. Monk". "So how much longer until the big day?" He started to ask what big day she was referring to when she rephrased her question. "How much longer until you get married?"

"Oh," he smiled. "Four more days. It's this Saturday."

"Wow, that's soon," she said. "Are you nervous?"

"A little," he admitted.

Dr. Bell then buzzed his receptionist to let her know that Adrian could come into his office.

"So Adrian," Dr. Bell said as he took his seat. "The wedding is this Saturday, right?"

"Yes, you'll be there, won't you?" Adrian asked.

"Oh yes," said Dr. Bell. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Now Adrian, tell me how you're doing with it so quickly approaching. These are big changes you're about ready to face. You're going from living by yourself in the apartment you've occupied for many years to living in Natalie's house with her and a baby, and Julie when she's home. You are not only becoming a husband again, but also a father."

Adrian was silent for a moment. Then he put his hands together and interlaced his fingers. His shoulder twitched just slightly. "Well, when you put it that way, those are big changes. I suppose I've just been taking it one day at a time."

"Do you think you are ready?" Dr. Bell asked.

"I think so," Adrian said. "I've spent a great deal of time at Natalie's house, so it's very familiar and already feels like home, and even though it's been many years, I was married before, so the idea of that isn't brand new. I think the thing that has me the most concerned is being a father. I've helped Natalie with Julie, and with Sophia, but actually being their father is a big responsibility." He paused, thinking again. "Dr. Bell, do you think I'll be a good father? I've been asking myself that for a few weeks now. You know I didn't have a good example of a father growing up. Sometimes I worry that I don't know what that looks like or how to do it."

"You've thought through your feelings very well, Adrian. I'm very proud of you, and I'm honestly surprised at how well you're handling such big changes in a short period of time. As for your ability to be a father, I understand your concerns, but I think those concerns are normal for any man who is facing that for the first time in his life, even those who had a good father themselves. It's a huge responsibility. I would be more concerned for the man who didn't face it with at least a degree of trepidation. It's wonderful, but it's not something to take lightly. Now, as for you, I think you're ready, and I don't think you need to worry. The reason I say that is because of the amount of time you've already spent with both of the girls. Natalie must be pleased with your presence in their lives. Otherwise, she wouldn't have agreed to marry you, nor would she have wanted to adopt the baby with you. She obviously has confidence in you and your ability as a father, so my advice to you is to simply keep doing what you've been doing, and when the challenges of parenting come, as they surely will, you and Natalie will figure it out together, just like you do with all of the other challenges you face together."

Adrian unlaced his fingers and put his hands on his knees. He leaned forward in his seat. Obviously moved by his doctor's confidence, he said, "Thank you, Dr. Bell. That means a great deal to me."

"Ok Adrian," said Dr. Bell. I'm not going to keep you long today. I know you probably have a lot to do between now and Saturday. I just wanted to check in on you and see how you are handling it all, and I must say I'm impressed. A year ago, I was beginning to see you make some big strides, but I still couldn't have imagined that you'd be sitting here today, telling me that in four days, you will be a husband and a father."

They stood and Dr. Bell put his hand on Adrian's shoulder. "Congratulations again, my friend. I will see you on Saturday."

Monk had a few extra minutes before he would need to pick up Natalie, so he decided to make a quick stop. He pulled into the cemetery and walked to Trudy's gravesite. The path was familiar, but it seemed so different now. He noticed things he hadn't noticed before, like how green the grass was and how brightly colored the flowers dotting the landscape were or birdsong in the surrounding trees. The sun was shining and warm, reflective of the way he felt most days now. Long gone were the cold days filled with gloom and loneliness. His heart was filled with gratitude. He knew he was a blessed man.

He stopped at Trudy's grave and squatted down on his heels. "Hi Trudy," he said. "I wanted to tell you that I'm getting married this Saturday. Can you believe it? I know you're happy for me. I know you wanted me to find love again. Do you know what else is amazing? I'm a father. I can't believe it myself, but Natalie and I are adopting a beautiful little girl named Sophia Faith. She's eight months old now and the joy of our lives. There's something else special about her. She was born on December 14th, the anniversary of your death. When you died, I thought I died with you. I didn't even really want to live, but little did I know, all these years later, a child…my child would be born on the day of the year I dreaded the most. Now, that day will be filled with joy and hope instead of the grief that nearly ate me alive. I can't help but wonder if you sent her to us, knowing that I needed her as much as she needed me." He paused. "Thank you, Trudy. I will always love you." He stood up, then bent down and touched the headstone before leaving.

One hour later, Adrian was waiting at the airport for Randy and Sharona. Adrian and Natalie were surprised, but pleased that they not only accepted their invitation to the wedding, but had also agreed to be part of the wedding party. Their plane arrived, and as the passengers disembarked, Adrian stood on tiptoes to see over the crowd. After a few minutes, he saw Sharona's blonde, curly head bobbing as she walked.

Adrian waved and Sharona saw him, or at least she saw who she thought was Adrian Monk. He had Adrian's curly, black hair and expressive, dark eyes, but he looked so different than when she saw him last. Not only was he dressed differently, but he looked peaceful, happy, a little younger even. She had rarely seen him smile, but now he smiled broadly as he saw her. She ran over to meet him, enveloping him in a big embrace.

"Adrian! You look fantastic! I knew Natalie was good for you. By the way, where is Natalie," she asked, looking around.

Randy quickly caught up to them. He started to pat Adrian on the shoulder, but Adrian instead put out his hand for a handshake.

Randy gladly shook it and said, "Monk's shaking hands? What has Natalie done to you?"

Adrian then pulled out a disinfectant wipe and Randy laughed. "That's more like it, he said."

As they retrieved Randy and Sharona's bags from the baggage carousel, Sharona asked again, "Where's Natalie?"

"She's waiting in the car with…"

Before Adrian could finish, Randy grabbed his shoulder and said, "I still can't believe you two are getting married! I didn't even know you were dating."

Adrian had heard this many times in the two months since their engagement had been announced, and he wasn't surprised. After all, they had dated for less than two weeks before he proposed. "Well," Adrian explained again. "We weren't strangers. We had been close friends for a long time, and once we knew how we both felt, we figured, why wait?"

Once back to Natalie's SUV, Monk helped Randy put the bags in the rear cargo section. Then, he got in the passenger seat, and Randy and Sharona climbed into the back, one on each side. Once they were inside, they realized that they would be sharing the back seat with another passenger. They looked at the car seat between them and saw two curious green eyes looking up at them. Sophia had grown considerably in the time since Natalie first brought her home, almost three months earlier. Her dark hair was longer now, curling around her chubby cheeks and she had a toothy grin. As she looked back and forth at her new guests, she giggled with delight at their surprised expressions.

"Moonnk," Randy said slowly. "Is there something you and Natalie haven't told us? Is this the reason for the quick wedding?"

"Oh Randy," said Sharona, rolling her eyes. "She can't be their baby. Was Natalie pregnant when you left? She would have had to have been pregnant by then to have a child this age. And besides, I'm sure someone would have told us."

"But she looks just like them," Randy argued.

"Actually," Natalie said, smiling. "She is ours."

"What?" Randy and Sharona said at the same time.

"We're adopting her," Adrian explained. "We investigated her mother's death, and it turns out she has no living relatives to take her in. After I asked Natalie to marry me, we put in a petition for adoption, and once everything is complete, she's ours officially."

"Well, congratulations," said Sharona. "She's beautiful!"

Once the shock of Monk becoming a father wore off, Randy and Sharona were as excited for their friends as everyone else."

They drove straight from the airport to the bridal dress shop where they would be meeting Leland, T.K., Julie, and Molly. The ladies needed one last fitting before the wedding. While the ladies went into the shop, the men were told to wait outside. They couldn't risk the chance of Adrian seeing Natalie in her wedding dress before the big day, so they sat on a bench outside the store while Sophia had a snack and played with toys in her stroller.

"So, are you getting nervous yet," Leland asked Adrian.

"A little," Adrian said, truthfully.

Randy was making funny voices with Sophia's toys which was making her laugh. He said, "It's a good thing she's such a good-natured baby."

"Why?" Adrian asked

"Well, you'll be newlyweds and all…speaking of," Randy continued. "How are you going to work that out with your, um, issues?"

"What on earth are you talking about Randy?"

"You know, most women like to be kissed and…"

"Leland!" Monk shouted, hoping his friend would stop the conversation before it went any further.

"Hey, don't look at me," said an amused Leland as he stroked his mustache. "He doesn't work for me anymore."

Adrian was saved by the bell on the top of the dress shop door as the ladies came out.

Natalie walked over to her fiancé and said, "Hi handsome."

Adrian suddenly smiled and drew her in for a fiery kiss.

"What was that for?" She asked, once she recovered from the surprise of her fiancé kissing her like that in front of their friends.

"I just missed you," he said.

"Oh, I see. I might have to go away more often," Natalie said as they headed towards her car.

As they walked past Randy and Sharona, who stood with their mouths open, Adrian looked back at Randy and winked.

"Well, I guess they got that figured out," Randy muttered.

Leland couldn't hold it in any longer and burst out laughing. He slapped Randy on the back. "It's good to have you back," he said.

Friday night came, as did the wedding rehearsal. Adrian, Natalie, their friends and family gathered at the church to go over the details of what would be the wedding ceremony the next day. As the men waited their turn to gather at the front of the church to begin the rehearsal, Randy pulled Adrian aside.

Putting his hand on Adrian's shoulder, he said, "Hey Monk, I'm sorry if I embarrassed you the other day. Sometimes I speak without thinking first."

"I hadn't noticed," said Adrian dryly.

"I wanted to ask you, how did you know Natalie was ready for this after such a short time. I know you guys have known each other a long time, but marriage is a big step. Don't say anything, but I bought a ring a while ago. I'm just not sure if Sharona is ready, especially since she's already been through a divorce. I've been a little afraid of scaring her off."

Adrian was surprised that Randy was asking him for relationship advice. "Well," he said, looking over at Leland, "A wise man told me that when it's right, it's right. I was originally planning on waiting longer to ask Natalie, but we were honest with each other, and it turned out that marriage was what we both wanted, so once we knew that, we didn't see any reason to wait. I think you should just be honest and talk to her."

"Ok, thanks man," Randy said. "I really am happy for you guys."

After the rehearsal, the friends and family headed over to Antonio's for the rehearsal dinner. Antonio's had become a special place for Adrian and Natalie since it was after their first dinner there, that they had declared their love and their whirlwind courtship had begun. Tonight, they were ushered into the restaurant's private dining room, and were treated to a delicious array of salads, soups, pastas, entrees, and desserts. The friends enjoyed their meal, laughing and swapping stories about the honorary couple until they couldn't eat another bite.

Once everyone had said goodnight, Adrian and Natalie walked hand-in-hand back to his car, but before they got there, Adrian suddenly turned to Natalie and said, "How about a walk before I take you home?"

"I'd love that," she said.

They walked along the water until they found what they liked to think of as 'their' bench. They sat down and talked about their eventful day and week and the coming day and days ahead. When it was time to go, they stood, and Adrian took Natalie into his arms. She laid her head on his shoulder as they each reflected on the fact that this would be their last time in this special place before becoming husband and wife. Adrian kissed Natalie's head and she sighed.

"I wish we didn't have to go," she said. "I wish you could hold me all night."

Adrian sighed too. "Trust me, sweetheart, I don't want to go either, but think about it. This will be the last time I will have to kiss you goodnight on your front porch, then go home. After tonight, we won't have to say goodbye."

She lifted her face, her eyes twinkling. "You will still kiss me goodnight, won't you?"

"Oh, Natalie," he said huskily, before his lips found hers with a longing he had held in check until now.