The limousines carrying the wedding party arrived at the Fairmont Hotel at precisely 7:00 pm, after formal pictures were taken in a picturesque garden outside of the church. As they entered the doors of the Grand Ballroom, there was a collective gasp. The room was absolutely resplendent in its elegance. The theme of white calla lilies with lavender roses and baby blue peonies had been carried over from the wedding ceremony, but lush shades of violet, indigo and a dark pink were added. Huge bouquets graced the room with smaller ones on each table. Around the room, hung rows and rows of tulle and small white lights. The crystal sparkled and reflected the lights, a band played lively music, and waiters in black and white tuxes were bustling about, serving champagne, non-alcoholic, sparkling cider, and a choice of Tiger Prawns or Filet Mignon, along with delectable salads and sides. Adrian and Natalie walked in holding hands, and when Natalie witnessed the scene, fresh tears began to form. She had never felt so loved, with her new husband, daughters and friends at her side, and knowing this was all done at her parents' expense, to give her the wedding of her dreams.
The joy in the room was also evident as the wedding party came in to take their seats at the head table. Once the guests saw them, they shouted and cheered, and Natalie was silently thankful for Adrian's great progress, for all the handshakes and hugs offered at that moment would have sent him running just a short time prior. The bride and groom finally made it to their table, and the waiters quickly served them. Natalie squeezed Adrian's hand and whispered, "Are you ok?"
"Never better," he smiled. "I just married the girl of my dreams."
When the meal was finished, Bobby Davenport thanked everyone for coming and toasted the newly married couple, then it was time for the best man's toast. Leland Stottlemeyer stood, but it took a minute for him to begin speaking. He was obviously emotional. Finally, he began.
"Well, I want to thank everyone for coming. This is certainly a special day. I was very honored when Adrian asked me to be his best man. I've known Adrian for over twenty years. We met when we were made partners, shortly after he joined the force. I knew immediately that Adrian had a brilliant mind, even if it was a little strange at times." That drew a chuckle from the crowd. "What I didn't count on, was what a good friend he would end up being." The often-gruff police captain was fighting tears at this point. "We've been through a lot together, good times and bad, but we always had each other's back. One of the great pleasures I've had over the years is watching this romance between him and Natalie grow to what it is today. She first came into his life as his assistant, but that quickly grew to a close friendship. Even though Adrian didn't realize it at first, Natalie was the best thing that ever happened to him. She's been the most patient, supportive, loving friend anyone could ask for. She was there for him in a way that even I couldn't be, and for that I am grateful. I know Adrian loves her too, more than anything in the world. I'm glad they found each other because I love them both and they deserve the greatest of happiness." He raised his glass. "To my best friend and his beautiful bride: the new Mr. and Mrs. Monk."
When the toast ended, the band began to play, The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra. Adrian stood and extended his hand to Natalie. "Will you do me the honor?" Taking his hand, she smiled, and they made their way to the dance floor for the first dance of the night. He put his hands around her waist, and she put hers around his neck. The rest of the world disappeared and for that moment, it was just the two of them. They allowed themselves to be lost in each other's eyes as the singer crooned.
"Someday, when I'm awfully low, when the world is cold I will feel a glow, just thinking of you and the way you look tonight.
Yes, you're lovely, with your smile so warm, and your cheeks so soft. There is nothing for me but to love you, and the way you look tonight."
As the song continued, Adrian smiled at his bride and began to mouth the words. "With each word, your tenderness grows, tearing my fear apart, and that laugh… wrinkles your nose, touches my foolish heart." He touched the end of Natalie's nose and she laughed, causing it to wrinkle in the way he loved. He then placed his hand on her cheek. "I will never forget the way you look tonight, Natalie. You are so beautiful."
"I love you," she said, before he bent his head and kissed her.
He leaned his head against hers. "Leland was right. You are the best thing that ever happened to me." She blinked back tears and he hugged her tighter as the song finished.
When that song ended and the next song began, they knew it was time for the father-daughter dance. Bobby Davenport tapped Adrian on the shoulder, saying, "I hate to interrupt this, but I think it's time for me to cut in."
Adrian relinquished his hold on his wife and walked over to Peggy. It was time for their dance, as well. Adrian smiled and offered her his arm as they crossed over to the dance floor. "Peggy," Adrian began, "I can't thank you and Bobby enough for doing this for Natalie and myself. It means so much to her, and to me as well."
Peggy smiled up at him, thinking him quite dashing in his wedding attire. "You know Adrian, when we first met, I thought you were possibly the strangest man I'd ever met, but when you stopped my son from marrying that awful woman, I was impressed," she paused, "and grateful." "That gratitude allowed me to listen more closely when my daughter would brag about you. I know my daughter, and I recognized the tone she used when she spoke your name. I knew she had developed feelings for you. I honestly thought she was being foolish, and I was relieved when she started dating Steven, but she never spoke Steven's name the way she spoke yours. I realized that you were the one who made her happy, and then seeing how you love Julie and Sophia too, I frankly couldn't have picked a better match."
Somewhat overcome, Adrian humbly answered, "Well, it's Natalie who makes me happy and who has changed my life for the better. I wouldn't be the man I am today without her."
Peggy patted Adrian on his shoulder and smiled a genuine smile. "You're good for each other. Just take good care of her, ok?"
After those dances were complete, Adrian took turns dancing with Molly and Julie, and Natalie danced with her brother, Jonathan.
Natalie was about to find her way back to Adrian after her dance with Jonathan, when she spotted someone sitting by himself at a far table. She made her way over to the table. "Ambrose! Please come dance with me," she said as she approached him.
"No, no Natalie. I don't think I can do that," protested Ambrose. "It was all I could do just to get here."
"I know," said Natalie, "and I'm very proud of you for coming, but please, just one dance." Ambrose finally, very hesitantly rose from his chair and followed Natalie to the dance floor. "There we go," Natalie said as she took his hands and smiled. "It really means a lot to Adrian and me that you came. Thank you."
Ambrose smiled shyly. "I couldn't miss it. I've missed too many things in life because of fear, and it's so good to see Adrian happy again. Thank you for making him happy again, Natalie."
When the song ended, Adrian and Natalie made their way off the dance floor to sit and rest for a minute. They smiled at each other as they sat down. Natalie could tell that Adrian was beginning to become almost overwhelmed by the love that was being outpoured on them that day and his emotions were threatening to overtake him. She grabbed his hand and held it until she felt him relax again. This was a big day for him, in more ways than one, and he was doing remarkably well. She noticed Dr. Bell occasionally look his way, and he looked very proud of his patient and friend.
After a few minutes, Natalie noticed Adrian watching Randy and Sharona dance. When the song ended, he turned to her, giving her a light kiss on the cheek. "I'll be back in a few minutes. There's something I need to do." He walked onto the dance floor and tapped Randy on the shoulder. "May I borrow your lovely date for a moment?" He asked. Randy was hesitant, but Sharona shooed him away and took Adrian's hands. "You look great Sharona," Adrian said shyly.
"Aww Adrian. Why thank you! You clean up pretty well yourself. This wedding is something else, that's for sure."
"Thank you for coming, you and Randy. It means a lot to Natalie and me."
"Are you kidding? I wouldn't have missed it for the world! And you! Look at how well you're doing. I never would have dreamed that you'd be here today.
Adrian smiled, then took a deep breath, knowing this wouldn't be easy. "Sharona," he began. "You and I go a long way back don't we?"
"Yeah, I guess we do," she agreed. She could tell he was having trouble and encouraged him, "It's ok, Adrian. What did you want to say?"
"Well, you really put up with a lot from me, and I don't think I ever really said thank you. I think I took it all for granted. I wouldn't have the life I have today: my job, Natalie, the girls, if it hadn't been for you. I'd probably still be locked up in my apartment, so I just wanted to say thank you for all you did for me."
Sharona, touched by Adrian's confession and gratitude, simply replied, "Aww Adrian…"and then she lovingly embraced her old boss. "Believe it or not, I loved working for you, and sometimes I still miss it."
The music stopped and the wedding director called for everyone's attention. She announced that it was time to cut the cake, and the cake was then rolled in on a round table and moved to the center of the room. It had a cascade of the same blue and lavender roses that adorned the room and four large layers in graduated sizes, along with three additional layers on each side, making it a total of ten perfect layers. The baker had just shrugged and said, "Well, that's different" when Natalie ordered it, but she did it for Adrian and she knew that he knew when he slipped his hand around her waist and whispered, "I love you so much" into her ear.
After they cut the cake, Adrian and Natalie dutifully fed each other a piece. Natalie tried to do it neatly, but he inevitably ended up with frosting on his face and crumbs on his tux. As soon as she saw the old familiar shoulder twitch, Natalie handed him a wipe from a package she had hidden behind a plant. He smiled at her and she winked.
After serving the cake, the music and dancing slowed down and Adrian and Natalie determined that this would be their time, and that wish was respected. They held each other close, just enjoying the feel of each other's arms, whispering private things, and occasionally kissing, much to the delight of their guests. They swayed slowly, Natalie's head resting on Adrian's shoulder.
They stayed that way until they heard a baby crying. Both looked in the direction the cry came from, suspecting it might be Sophia. It had been a very long day for her. Once they determined it was her, they left the dance floor to find her. T.K. had taken her from Julie, but she was continuing to fuss as she was simply worn out. Upon seeing Adrian, she reached out for him. He took her in his arms. He talked to her softly and rubbed her back. She quieted some as the band began to play My Girl by The Temptations. Adrian began to sway his little girl to the song.
"I've got sunshine on a cloudy day. When it's cold outside, I've got the month of May
Sophia began to smile again as Adrian sang along to the song.
"Well I guess you'd say, what can make me feel this way? My girl, talkin' bout my girl."
Before he realized it, he was back on the dance floor, dancing with his girl, who was now bouncing in her father's arms with excitement. After a minute, Adrian looked over and saw Julie standing and watching them. He motioned for her to join them. She hesitated, but Natalie smiled and nodded at her to go. As she joined them, Adrian wrapped his free arm around her waist and the three of them swayed to the song. Julie laughed and began to sing along too.
Natalie watched, as the man she loved more than anything, danced, sang and laughed with his girls, their girls who she loved more than anything. She had dreamed of a day something like this, but never in her wildest dreams, could she have imagined something so wonderful. The tears began to form just as T.K. sat down and handed her a tissue. She put her arm around her, then Sharona sat on the other side and put her arm around her too. Leland and Randy stood behind them, also watching. Leland had to blink back tears, his heart filling with joy for his best friend.
When the song ended, it was time to say goodbye. Adrian and Natalie, along with Julie and Sophia lined up at the doors and shook the hands of their guests as they left. Finally, it was time for the happy couple to say goodbye to their family, and this time, Sophia was ready. As Molly held her, the sleepy baby rubbed her fists against her eyes and yawned a huge yawn. Adrian kissed her head and said, "Mommy and I are going away for a few days, but your big sister is going to take good care of you."
"Bye Adrian," said Molly. "Have a great time!"
Natalie hugged them and kissed Sophia on her cheek. She then hugged Julie, making sure one last time, that she had all of the instructions and everything she needed for the baby. "Don't worry, Mom! We'll be fine. You two just go have fun."
Adrian turned to Julie. "Thank you for taking care of her."
Julie shrugged. "Anytime. She's my sister, you know." Suddenly filled with great emotion, she reached out to embrace Adrian. "I love you, Dad," she said as she hugged him tighter.
Wrapping his arms around her, he said, "I love you too, very much."
After waving the last goodbye to the girls, Adrian took Natalie's hand and said, "I think it's time to go." He led her to the elevator and up to the waiting bridal suite where they would spend their first night together. When they reached the suite, Adrian paused to take a long look at Natalie, memorizing how she looked in that moment.
She smiled and her eyes sparkled. "Did I tell you how good you look in that tux?"
"Me?" He said, pulling her close. "You are simply exquisite."
Natalie slipped her arms around his neck and said with a purr, "Come kiss my goodnight Mr. Monk."
Adrian swallowed hard. "Whatever you say, Mrs. Monk."
"Mrs. Monk," she sighed. "I sure do like the sound of that," and before she realized what was happening, Adrian had opened the door to the suite and had swept her into his arms. He carried her over the threshold and into their new life as husband and wife.