Monk realized he had dozed off in the chair at his father's bedside when he heard a knock on the door. He jerked awake just in time to see a tall man about his age poke his head around the door.

"Come in," said Adrian.

"I hope I'm not disturbing you," said the man, who was wearing dress pants, a dress shirt, and tie. Adrian also noticed the Bible in the man's hands and quickly surmised the nature of his visit.

"No, not at all," said Adrian.

"I'm the hospital's protestant chaplain. I was doing my rounds this evening, and I noticed you've been here by yourself for a while. I thought you might like some company, but I don't mean to intrude. If you would prefer to be alone, I will leave."

"No, I... I think I could use some company," said Adrian, surprising himself with his own response.

"May I?" he asked, gesturing to the empty chair near Adrian.

Adrian nodded and his visitor pulled up the chair next to him and sat down. "The name's Patrick Kavanagh," he said, extending his hand.

"Adrian Monk," he said, shaking his hand.

"And this is your father?" asked Patrick, looking at the chart in his hand.

"Yes," said Adrian, wiping his hands. "He suffered a stroke yesterday. We're still waiting for him to wake up."

"I'm very sorry. What is the prognosis?"

"It will depend on how long it takes for him to come out of the coma. The doctors are saying the next twelve to eighteen hours are critical. If he wakes up during that window, he has a good chance at recovery."

"If not?"

"The longer it lasts, the less hope we have.

"Hmm, hope, now that can be a tricky thing, can't it?" asked Patrick, looking over at Adrian. "May I ask who or what you have hope in tonight?"

"For his life?" asked Adrian.

"Yes."

"Well, I figure that's up to God, isn't it?"

"Yes, I suppose it is. Do you trust Him, Adrian?"

"I'm trying. There have been times in my life when I didn't believe in God. I had suffered too much, so I ran from Him. Frankly, I didn't want to believe."

"And now?" Patrick asked.

"Well, I can't say for certain that it's all God's doing, but I've experienced a lot of good in my life lately. I must admit I would be hard-pressed to say it was all a coincidence."

"Would you like to tell me more about it?" asked Patrick.

"It's a long story," said Adrian.

"I like stories. I'd love to hear it, but only if you want to share it."

Adrian looked into the man's grey-blue eyes. Something was drawing him in. It was much like his experience on the plane with Tom Kingston. What was it about these two strangers that made him feel like sharing things he had barely shared with anyone other than his psychiatrist, Trudy, and Natalie? He looked down for a minute and brushed off his pants, giving him time to gather his thoughts. Then, he took a deep breath. He preceded to tell the chaplain his story. He told him of his childhood and his father leaving, of having to take care of his mother and brother, of college, the police force, and Trudy. He told him about Trudy's tragic death, and how he thought his life had ended at that moment. He told him about his dear friend, Leland, and his faithful assistant, Sharona. He told him about Natalie and her kindness and compassion, then about finally solving Trudy's murder and the miracle of Molly. He then told him about the last year, about falling in love with Natalie and their marriage, and about becoming a father to his two beautiful daughters.

"That's quite a story," said Patrick. "Thank you for sharing it. So, it appears that just when you found happiness, you were pulled back into a bit of your past with your father here."

"Yes, it appears so," said Adrian, looking at the chaplain.

"Since you're here, can I assume you have made peace with him after what you experienced as a child?"

"Somewhat," said Adrian, looking at his father's still form. "He reached out to me about four years ago, and I reached out to him this last Christmas. I... I wanted to make peace, and I wanted my family to meet him."

"How did that go?" asked Patrick.

"It could have been better... mostly my fault," admitted Adrian.

"Ahh," said Patrick, nodding his head. "Forgiveness, that's another tricky thing."

Adrian turned his head sharply to look at the man beside him. How could he possibly know...? The chaplain caught the surprised look and returned it with a warm, disarming smile.

"I have a story too. Would you like to hear it?"

Adrian nodded slowly. "I think I would."

The chaplain stretched out his long legs, then he fingered the wedding band on his left hand. "This is not my first marriage either," he said, softly. He sat up straighter and laced his fingers in front of himself. "I was married to my first wife for fifteen years. We had one beautiful daughter together. The three of us were the happiest little family you could imagine, but one night, it all changed." He had Adrian's full attention after that. Patrick leaned forward with his elbows on his knees and continued. "My daughter had a piano recital that night. At thirteen, she was a very gifted pianist and singer. You should have heard her." He was quiet for a moment, immersed in memory. "Well, I couldn't go, or at least I thought I couldn't go. I was in the middle of a big project at work and thought I couldn't take time away from it." He paused, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes. After composing himself, he opened his eyes and continued. "I got a call at my office at 9:22 that night. It was my neighbor telling me there had been an accident. My wife and daughter were hit by a drunk driver..." He took another deep breath. "My daughter was killed instantly. My wife lived for another twenty-four hours, but she never woke up. I felt like you did when you lost your Trudy. I would have rather died with them than continue to live without them, but as you know, we eventually heal."

Adrian was moved by the deep understanding in his heart. "I'm sorry. I do know. Thank you for sharing as well, but may I ask what it has to do with my father and me?"

"Thank you, Adrian." He smiled warmly. "I thought you might ask that. Well, you see, after the accident, I was challenged with a choice of whether or not to forgive the drunk driver who hit my wife and daughter."

"Forgive the drunk driver?" Adrian asked, his forehead wrinkling as he tried to understand. "Why would you need to forgive a stranger?"

"That's just it. He wasn't a stranger. He was my brother."

"Your brother?"

"Yes, my alcoholic brother," he said, leaning back in his chair. "You see, he was on his way to my house to beg for money at the same time my wife and daughter were coming home. They collided in the street just outside my home."

"That's awful," said Adrian. "Did he survive?"

"Yes," replied the chaplain. "He's serving his prison sentence now."

"And you forgave him?" asked Adrian, leaning towards him. "How?" He leaned back in his chair. "Oh, I suppose it comes with the job description."

"You mean my job as a chaplain?" Patrick chuckled. "I see how you would think that, but this wasn't my job at the time. Remember when I said I was in the middle of a big project at work? I was a civil engineer. It wasn't until after the accident that I returned to college to become a chaplain."

Adrian was really curious now. "Why, may I ask?"

"To put it simply, I owe my life to the hospital chaplain where my wife passed away. I didn't even believe in God at the time, and the change in that belief wasn't immediate. I ran as far from God as I could, and I started drinking, even though that's what had taken my family, but Paul, the chaplain, never gave up on me. He checked on me regularly, and he was the one who found me when I had drunk myself unconscious. He got me into rehab and remained my friend when everyone else abandoned me. I can't blame them. I had become a very bitter, angry person, but he just wouldn't leave. Once I got sober, I realized he was different. He had something I wanted, so I started to read the Bible he had given me. It was this one actually." He touched the black Bible he held in his hands. "Then, I started to ask questions. Eventually, I gave my life to God. It was the only thing I could do really. I was at the end of my rope and the end of myself."

"I'm glad you found hope," said Adrian, "but when did you forgive your brother?"

"I'm glad you asked. That didn't happen right away either. Even though I found God, I had no intention of ever talking to my brother again. I justified my attitude by saying he hadn't asked for forgiveness, which he hadn't. What I didn't realize was, he too was grieving and was too ashamed to even try to reach out to me. Unbeknownst to me, he had also been meeting with another chaplain, the prison chaplain. Being in prison, of course, also forced him to sober up. His life changed. Two years after the accident, I received a letter from him, in which he told me he was a changed man and begged for my forgiveness."

"Did you forgive him then?"

"No, not right away. My heart was still too hard, and I feared if I allowed myself to love him again, he would go back to his old ways, and I would again be hurt."

"What changed your mind? How did you do it?"

"Let me say first, it wasn't easy, but I started talking to my chaplain friend. The truth was, I missed my brother and I was tired of the anger and bitterness. First of all, he told me that forgiveness is not a dismissal. It is not saying your story or your pain doesn't matter, but it is your choice. He helped me to see it was for my benefit as much as my brother's. He encouraged me to grieve over what was lost and to acknowledge the ways I had been wounded. Then he said, when I was ready, I would need to seek God's help. It's not something we can do on our own, but if we remember how much God forgives and loves us, it is easier."

Adrian was quiet as he looked at the floor. Slowly turning his head towards the chaplain, he asked, "Do you think God would forgive me? I believed in Him as a small child…my mother took me to church before my father left, but as I said, I've been running for a long time. I know I need to trust Him, but it is still hard at times."

Patrick smiled and, putting his elbows on his knees, leaned closer. First John 1:9 says, 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.' Adrian, God loves you. He's waiting for you with open arms whenever you're ready for a relationship with Him."

Adrian nodded and looked the chaplain in the eyes. "And forgiving others…that's what God asks us to do, isn't it?"

Patrick nodded. "It's not always easy, but yes, we are to live by His example. Colossians 3:13 says, 'Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you'."

Adrian was quiet for a moment more. Then, he asked, "And now? How are things now between you and your brother?"

"Getting there," said Patrick. "Some days are harder than others, but I've found that new memories edge out the bitterness."

Adrian was quiet as he thought through all the chaplain had told him. It was a lot to think about and a lot to consider. He looked at the floor as he pondered it, and Patrick patiently waited for him to speak. Slowly, Adrian lifted his head and turned to him. "One more question. Was it worth it?"

"Let me allow one of my favorite authors, C.S. Lewis, to answer that. He said, 'To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give it to no one… Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken. It will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.' I believe love is always worth the risk, Adrian. You must have considered that before you married again." Then he patted him on the shoulder. "I won't take any more of your time, but may I pray for you and your father before I leave?"

"Yes," Adrian, said, looking at the man beside him. Prayer wasn't something he had practiced in a very long time, but something deep inside him was calling out for the peace and assurance his new friend seemed to possess.

After the chaplain prayed, he shook Adrian's hand once again. This time, Adrian did not use a wipe afterward. "You have my card," said Patrick. "Please call me if you need anything, anytime day or night." He started towards the door but then turned back. "Thank you for letting me tell my story."

"And thank you for listening to mine," said Adrian, sincerely.

After Patrick Kavanagh left, Adrian sat watching after him for a time. Finally, he shook his head. How is it possible? he thought. How is it possible that I would meet two men on the same day, who were complete strangers, but both could read me like a book? What is the coincidence that these two strangers would have stories so much like mine, and would have the exact words I needed to hear?

Adrian sat pondering the words of the two strangers for a couple of hours. Jack's nurse came to check on him. There was no change. Adrian's sadness was as palpable as ever, but he made a decision. There was one person who he desperately wanted to tell, but it was after midnight and he didn't want to wake her or Sophia, so instead, he found some hospital stationary and pulled out his pen.

My dearest Natalie,

I desperately miss you sweetheart, and I love you, more than I can ever fully express. I feel as if a part of me is missing, a very large part indeed. By the time you get this, I will hopefully have been able to speak with you over the phone, but I couldn't wait. I needed to tell you what's on my heart right away. First, there aren't sufficient words to tell you how much your letter meant to me today. I barely even noticed that I was on an airplane because, after reading it, I was floating, and would have still been, even if my feet had been firmly planted on the ground. Your love sustains me like nothing else. It comforts me, nourishes me, and pushes me, all at the same time. Natalie, I know I've told you this, probably more than once, but I simply wouldn't be the man I am today without you. It wasn't solving Trudy's murder or even finding Molly that brought about the healing of the past year. It was you and your love. I am convinced of that. You tell me I am brave, but it is only because, at the end of the day, I have you to come home to.

As I write this in my father's cold, sterile hospital room, all I can think about is how I wish I was home with you in our warm bed, in your warm arms. I don't know how long we will be apart, but I too will miss waking up with you, to the feel of your head on my chest and your arm wrapped around me. I will miss the scent of your golden locks, and I will miss how your beautiful, green eyes smile at me. I will miss your sweet lips on mine. I too will miss sharing my work and meals with you, and I will also very much miss my darling Sophia. Please tell her that her daddy loves her.

Thank you for your prayers, and please also thank Molly and the Evans. I know God was listening because I had an unbelievable set of coincidences today. It's too much to tell you here, but I will as soon as we are together again. Let's just say I heard exactly what I needed to hear before I speak to my father, and I am feeling a great peace come over me as I write this. I believe he will wake up, but even if he doesn't, I have made a decision that has freed my heart like little else in my life has. I have decided to forgive him, Natalie. What he did wasn't right, and yes it hurt me as well as my mother and Ambrose, but he knows that as much as I do. He made a mistake. We all make mistakes. God knows I have, and I have been fortunate to have people in my life who have forgiven me-Trudy, Sharona, Leland, you…I don't deserve it, nor do I deserve your love, but it's there, freely given. Who am I to withhold the same from my father after he has admitted his wrong, and asked for my forgiveness, as well as beg for a second chance? This decision doesn't excuse what he did, nor does it erase the effects it had on me and my family, but it ends the cycle. As long as my wounds are unhealed, I risk lashing out because of the pain they cause, and I now see that forgiveness is the only path to true, permanent healing.

Thank you for believing in me sweetheart, at times when no one else did. I could never repay you, even if I spent a lifetime trying. I know you are here with me now, even as I am with you because our hearts are forever intertwined, inseparable. I will run home to you as quickly as I can. Nothing can keep me away any longer than I need to be.

Your loving husband,

Adrian Monk