Adrian Monk stood calmly in front of the mirror of the men's dressing room at the non-denominational Village by the Bay Chapel, just outside of his Marin County hometown of Tewksbury, California. As he fastened his gold and diamond-studded cufflinks, one of the final gifts he had received from his late wife Trudy, he considered the different roads he had travelled over the last decade and a half since her death and how far he had come. Fifteen years earlier, no one would ever have been able to convince him that his life would have turned out the way that it had or that he would know the kind of happiness that he now felt. But there he stood, a man about to marry a woman whom he loved more than life, a man who was actually excited about his future and what it would bring. He would always love Trudy, but he knew that this is what she would have wanted for him and in fact he privately believed she may have played a role in sending Natalie his way. Raising his arm to his mouth, he kissed the right cufflink then looked up and smiled, saying a quiet thank you to his Trudy for his last time as a single man for being his first love then turning around to retrieve his ascot in order to continue getting ready to marry his last. It was destined to be the wedding of his and Natalie's dreams and there was nobody more excited to get the festivities underway than himself.
On the opposite side of the church, Natalie was sitting quietly while Julie finished applying her makeup. In a little over an hour, she would become Mrs. Adrian Monk and the two would embark upon a life together that a year ago she would have thought impossible. Looking at herself in the mirror, she reached up and touched the dainty gold and pearl necklace which was draped around her neck, given to her by her first husband, Mitch. Both she and Adrian had decided to honor their first spouses at their wedding by wearing these items given to them in life. In this small way they shared a testimony that true love never dies but also as a declaration that the human heart has a capacity to produce an equally strong and equally lasting love after a loved one was lost. When Adrian and Natalie married, they were creating a union that encompassed both of their pasts, present and future, and embracing all of the things which had made them the people they were today. As such, it seemed appropriate to thank their former spouses and let the world know that they would never be forgotten.
Arriving right on time, groomsman Randy Disher arrived through the front door of the chapel with Monk's crisp black tuxedo in hand, straight from the tailor. When Adrian had gone in for the final fitting on Thursday, he had noticed that left sleeve hit his wrist about a quarter of an inch higher than the right one and had an apoplectic fit in front of Leland, Randy and the tailor, calling it a 'calamity.' The tailor, who had been warned aforetime about what to expect, simply took the garment back and apologized, promising to have it fixed within a day, and indeed he did. One would have thought the ever-persnickety Mr. Monk would have demanded a subsequent fitting on the day prior to the wedding, but thanks to a talk from Leland about keeping things in perspective, he was able to let it go, trusting that it was going to be okay and willing himself to just enjoy this most important day of the rest of his life.
Walking down the main aisle of the chapel, an aisle that was already beautifully bedecked with Christmas lights, flowers, and tinsel (a bonus that pleased Monk since he didn't have to pay more money to dress up the place), the police captain walked briskly towards the groom's dressing room in order to give Monk the rest of his wardrobe. Randy had moved out of Adrian's place in early October and while he hadn't yet moved back in with Sharona, the two had been seeing Dr. Bell each week and it was clear they were making great progress. He had even begun to wear his wedding ring again and Sharona had privately pulled Adrian aside the week before the wedding to tell him how excited that she was that his and Natalie's nuptials were going to be the first official 'date' that she and Randy had since the breakup. Monk managed to tell her that he was very happy for her and her husband, but Natalie took it as a 'sign' that all was finally right with the world.
The Disher's date wasn't the only first official 'date' that had been planned for that evening. Unbeknownst to any of the other adults, Jared asked Julie to go out with him in the days before the event and reminded her in so doing that she owed him a dance. The happy, soon to be twenty-year-old, giggled that 'he remembered' and told him that she would be proud to join him on the floor; but she added that he shouldn't assume that this was a former date because not all of the elements for such were in place. Since Adrian was paying for dinner and entertainment, she fully expected that Jared would follow up this 'date' with another one after her parents left for their honeymoon. He simply smiled and told her it was a deal.
The only household that had any angst at all was that of Leland and T.K., but the trouble wasn't inside of their marriage which was as strong as ever. It was from the outside.
Just before Thanksgiving, T.K. received a call from the parole board telling her that James was due to come before them the first week of December. Leland's first notification of this was when he came home from work one day and found his wife sobbing in terror in their bed as moments with her ex came flashing before her mind. After a long talk, the two slipped out of town later that week, using the excuse of a 'little time away', and travelled to Georgia where she testified at James's trial. Leaving the Peachtree state, the couple believed everything had gone well. However, the following Wednesday, T.K. crumbled onto their kitchen floor when she received word that James's parole had been granted. He would be released sometime later that month.
It took quite a while for Leland to soothe her after that and he swore to her that he would take every precaution possible to ensure that she would never be harmed by the man again. T.K. was a bit on edge for several days as she wasn't sure which day he would be released. But she relaxed a bit when Leland called on two off-duty policemen to serve as armed guards at the wedding, as much for his wife as for the minor local celebrities that were exchanging vows. If she had stopped to consider things, the officers were really unnecessary since, given its attendees, the Monk wedding was destined to be the safest place in town.
And so, the day had finally arrived and amazingly, everything went off without a hitch from the morning alarm all of the way until just before 'showtime.' That was when the men found themselves having to pass the time as they waited for the minister to come get them. That was when Randy picked up the newspaper. That was when Monk melted down.
Up until that point in time, Adrian had been as cool as a cucumber, reading through his already memorized vows and talking calmly with his best man while they waited for that knock on the door. Randy had just come in from checking on the situation, letting Monk know that it appeared all of the guests had arrived and that the minister was having a few words with Natalie and then would come to get them in about fifteen minutes. Having delivered the message, Disher took a seat at the side of the room and picked up a newspaper, hoping to catch up on the latest sports scores since he hadn't had a chance to look since the rehearsal dinner the night before and the hours afterwards where he spent his time talking with Sharona on the phone from his apartment. Flipping through the paper, he got to the sports page but his attention was diverted to the gossip column on the opposite page where he spotted a picture of Adrian and Natalie.
"Hey, check this out!" he said with a grin. "Looks like you and Natalie made the headlines."
Adrian looked up with interest and started to make his way over to the captain, but Leland quickly stepped into his path.
"Hey, Monk. You don't want to go picking up a bunch of dirty newspaper and get ink all over your hands right before the big event, do you?" he said, trying to come up with some excuse to draw him away.
Adrian stopped. "Ink?"
"Yeah, you know. Newspaper ink. Gets all over your hands, smudges all over everything. Nice clean shirt and clothes and…
Monk furrowed his brow and shook his head. "Is there something you don't want me to see there?"
Leland paused. "Oh, no. Everything's fine buddy. I just know how bothered you get by getting anything on your hands and…"
Monk considered what Leland was saying. "Yeah. I guess you're right." He replied, just before reaching into his pocket for a clean handkerchief then using it to drape his hand as he turned around to pick up the section of newspaper.
"Let's see what they have to say." Monk said, suspiciously as Leland winced. The groom's best friend had already seen the article earlier in the day and had assiduously tried to keep his friend away from it, not knowing what would happen if he read it but figuring it would not be good.
"Famed Detective and Davenport Daughter to Marry." The headline was benign enough and Adrian rolled his eyes at the connecting of Natalie with her parents, as if that was the thing that gave her worth; but he quickly glossed over those words as he had grown accustomed to such comments in dealing with the press. It was the by-line underneath headline that made him grimace. "Have these ill-fated lovers finally overcome a life-long curse?"
Leland saw Monk's expression change from peaceful and happy to disturbed the more he read and he tried to take the newspaper away, but Adrian resisted, continuing to read. "The bride, Natalie Davenport Teeger, comes from great wealth and privilege, being the daughter of Bobby and Peggy Davenport of the Davenport Toothpaste fame, who were unavailable for comment. Sources tell us that it was expected by many when she was younger, that she would carry on the family tradition of marrying well, but to her parents and everyone's surprise, she instead chose to marry a common man, Navy Lieutenant Commander Mitch Teeger who was later killed while on mission in Kosovo. Their daughter, Julie Teeger (who was recently arrested then acquitted of murder) was a young child at the time and rather than depend upon her parents for support, Natalie chose to raise her daughter on her own, taking jobs in restaurants and casinos or anyplace she could find work. In fact, she was tending bar when she met her now fiancé, Adrian Monk, their paths crossing when she killed an intruder in her home in self-defense.
Monk is no stranger to our readers who will recognize him as not only a brilliant detective but as the husband of Trudy Ellison Monk who was murdered in 1997 in a targeted hit. The death of his wife shattered Monk's constitution and from that day forward, sources say he was somewhat fragile emotionally, initially needing a nurse to travel with him before meeting Teeger. At least a decade older than the bride, danger and tragedy seem to follow Monk around. Abandoned by his father as a child and raised by a reclusive mother, he is known to have few friends and considering the differences in age and background, his pairing with Teeger seems to be most strange. However, after the beautiful Ms. Teeger's very public split last year to Navy Lieutenant Steven Albright, who it was later found out had murdered his former fiancé and attempted to murder both Teeger and Monk, one guesses that anything was an upgrade. But who are we to judge? If they can see past all of the tragedy that has pummeled two seemingly cursed lives, more power to them. We wish them well. Services are planned for Saturday at the Village by the Bay Chapel at 6:00 PM and are by invitation only."
Finishing the text, Adrian bowed his head then crumbled up the article, laying it down on the table before shuffling over to a chair and sitting down. Bowing over, he placed his hands in his face and lamented "Oh, Leland…what am I doing?"
Stottlemeyer shook his head incredulously and took a deep breath, wishing he had his yoyo to keep him calm. "What are you doing?" he said, trying to sound cheerful. "You're getting married to the woman you love in about ten minutes."
"I'm about to ruin her life." He moaned.
Furrowing his brow, Leland bellowed a little louder than he had intended, "You're about to…Monk! What the he—heck are you talking about?" he replied, mindful that he was in church.
Adrian looked up at him. "Leland, I should have seen it before. All of the tragedy that has happened in my life, no friends…"
"Gee, thanks.." Leland said sarcastically.
"Abandoned by my father. Fragile. Can barely take care of myself…"
Stottlemeyer sighed and looked over at Randy with an accusing glare which caused Randy to stand up to try to cheer their friend.
"Monk. I wouldn't have mentioned anything if I knew it was going to affect you this way. Seriously man? Are you telling me that you're going to let some gossip columnist wreck this beautiful day? Really?!" the police captain said.
"But you read it, Randy. I'm cursed!" Monk snapped.
"Whoa..whoa..whoa..whoa…" he said, walking over to Monk and laying the back of his hand on his Adrian's forehead. "Taking talk of curses seriously? Are you feeling okay, man? I mean this doesn't even sound like you. Did you like take a sip of something before coming over here today?"
Monk drew himself away from the younger man. "No, Randy! I did not take a little sip of something nor am I feeling bad."
"Then what?" Leland asked. "What is wrong?"
Adrian looked at Leland with almost a child-like expression. "I don't want her to get hurt, Leland. You know, some people take it that the fact she used to work for me, that somehow, she's 'marrying up.' I know it's ridiculous, but I've heard some of the guys at the station say it and I want to pop them every time. I'm the one who is marrying up. She's so beautiful and kind and loving and she could literally have any guy she wanted who could give her anything that she wanted."
"Well, there's where you're wrong, Monk." Leland smiled softly.
"I am?"
"Yes. Any other guy can't give her what she wants because all she wants is you." He replied. "And I think you know that."
Monk paused and looked down. "Yeah, I do." He replied before lamenting, "What's wrong with her?"
Leland and Randy both shook their heads holding back a chuckle as the commander placed one arm around his long-time-friend's shoulder. "Nothing is wrong with her, Monk. And nothing is wrong with you. You are not cursed. You are blessed. You have somehow managed to make lightning strike twice and have found this perfect angel who is just right for you, a second time. That's nearly impossible." Then he chuckled, shaking his head. "I figured you were handling this life change a little too well and wondered when this moment would come; and I must say, your timing is spectacular. But trust me buddy, all you are feeling right now, these negative feelings, it's just nerves…"
"Nerves?"
"Yes, and they soon will pass, you'll…"
A knock came on the door which immediately opened and the minister poked his head in at the three men. "We are ready to start." He announced. "Remember, wait for the music."
Leland looked at the minister and nodded and then turned back to his friend as the preacher shut the door. "Now everything is going to be fine, Monk. Isn't that right, Randy?"
Randy smiled. "Of course, it is. Don't pay any attention to that stupid article. Probably one of those gossip columnists that are mad because you wouldn't give them the exclusive."
"That's right." Leland echoed, causing Adrian to look up at him hopefully. "Now, you're going to stand up straight and take a deep breath and you're going to just let go of all of your worries."
"All of them?"
"Yes," Stottlemeyer replied. "Just stand up, close your eyes and breathe in deeply. "
Adrian stood and closed his eyes inhaling deeply. "That's it, Monk. Just focus on your breathing and let go of all of the negativity." Monk continued to breathe with his eyes shut as Leland began to walk him towards the door.
"You sound a bit like Karen." Randy whispered as the three men continued to walk.
"Shut up, Randy!" Leland replied tersely, causing the captain to take a few steps back while the commander continued the routine. As he followed his friends out of the men's dressing room into the hallway, a grin reappeared on Randy's face as he considered there was Monk being Monk and the Commander being the Commander, and here he was in his place just enjoying the show. Normalcy had returned to their lives at last.
In the Bride's dressing room, everyone was getting ready to walk out as well. T.K. had just finished straightening out Natalie's train and Julie was fixing a pin on her bodice before taking her place in the line. Looking up at her mother, whose was adorned in a gorgeous crème colored off-the-shoulder three-quarter length sleeve taffeta wedding gown, she choked back tears at the vision of happiness and at the knowledge of the hard-fought path they had taken to get there.
"Oh Mom!" she said, reaching over and hugging her gently, careful to not disturb her gown. "Adrian is going to be floored. You look so beautiful! I am so happy for you."
Natalie smiled as tears filled her eyes. "Thank you, sweetie. I'm happy for us. I did good, didn't I." She reached up to brush away the tears lest they ruin her makeup.
"None of that, now." Julie laughed. "Yes, you sure did do good. I always hoped it would happen but had given up. But I suppose all good things come to those who wait."
"So true." Natalie giggled. "We made it! We really made it!"
"Yes, we did. And, he's perfect for you and he's perfect for us. I love you both so much!" Julie replied.
"As we do you." Natalie smiled just as the door to the ladies dressing room opened and her brother, Jonathan, walked into the area, stopping for a moment to enjoy the image of his sister adorned in all of her splendor. He moved over to her and extended his arm, offering her an escort into the chapel area.
"You look gorgeous, sis. That Adrian, he's one lucky guy" He said smiling.
Natalie bit her lip and grinned. "I'm the lucky one. He has made me so very happy."
"Then he's okay by me. You ready to go do this thing?"
"Beyond ready." She smiled.
"Then, let's do it!" he replied as he led her out the door.
The music started and a pianist and harpist gently played through the melodious strains of Canon in D as the groomsmen and groom joined the minister at the front of the chapel in front of about twenty-five people. Members of the San Francisco Police Department, the Mayor and the Commissioner all sat in their seats as did Natalie's neighbor, Mrs. Baylor who smiled gleefully from what normally would have been the bride's side of the building but really was common, since they had common friends. Reaching his spot, Monk was physically shaking as he nervously looked out at the congregation, waiting for the arrival of the ladies.
His nerves eased slightly and he nearly began to cry when a scuffle was heard from out in the foyer and in walked his brother Ambrose and his father Jack. Both were dressed in suits and Jack had gotten his hair cut and cleaned up well. It was all such a surprise because it had seemed unlikely that Ambrose would even make the event given his struggles with agoraphobia. Taking part in the actual wedding was completely out of the question. Consequently, Julie had planned to live-stream the event for him at home, something that Adrian fully understood and anticipated. Now, seeing not only Ambrose but his father too, it was all so overwhelming. The three men locked eyes and smiled, the elder Monk giving his son the thumbs up as Adrian nodded in appreciation, reining in emotion just as the song came to an end.
The next sound that was heard was the familiar chords of Richard Wagner's Bridal March as they began to echo through the halls of the room, causing the case of nerves to return. Monk began to slightly hyperventilate and indeed began to feel a little faint. When T.K. entered the room, she and Leland smiled at one another but she got a slight look of concern on her face when she saw how pale the groom looked. Wordlessly, she nodded at Leland who looked over as well and immediately put a comforting hand on his shoulder, whispering that it was going to be fine and telling him "You've got this."
Next, Julie entered the room. Dressed in a classy off-the-shoulder burgundy maid-of-honor's dress, to match the Christmas décor in the chapel. She looked up at her future step-father and smiled. Adrian sniffed back a tear and composed himself as he watched this young lady come all the way down the aisle and then take her place. Turning towards the door, she still managed to throw Jared a wink as they waited for the bride and her brother to appear.
A moment later and there she was, a beautiful dream whose smile seemed to illuminate the room more than any light. At first sight of her, Monk's nervousness melted away and was replaced by a love-filled awe that immediately made him begin to shed tears. Knowing this would be the case, Natalie deftly pulled a clean handkerchief out of her glove to hand to him the moment that she reached the altar; but Leland and Randy both had already thought of it and by the time she got there he had not one, but two, handkerchiefs dabbing his eyes as he beamed for joy at the beautiful woman who was about to become his wife. While it was true that Monk hardly ever forgot a thing, he knew that the scene before him would stick with him for the rest of his days and she knew it too.
The music faded and Jonathan quickly gave his sister a kiss on the cheek after 'giving her away' and then it was just the two of them, holding hands, looking into one another's eyes and giving their lives and hearts to one another forever. There wasn't a dry eye in the room.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of God and these witnesses to join this man, Adrian Alexander Monk with this woman, Natalie Jane Teeger, in holy matrimony. If anyone sees any reason why the two of them should not be joined together let him speak now or forever hold his peace." The minister announced.
Randy leaned into Leland and whispered, "Adrian Alexander? Monk's middle name is Alexander?"
Leland simply turned his head and raised one eyebrow, a warning shot for his protégé to stop talking. Turning back around he saw that the minister was looking his way and rolled his eyes.
"No objections here." The commander smiled, motioning for the man to continue. Monk was so enthralled with Natalie that he didn't even notice what was going on behind him and just kept staring at her with a broad smile on his face.
"Very well then. Adrian and Natalie, it looks like nobody here objects to the two of you getting hitched."
Natalie giggled, but Monk looked confused. "Why would they?" he asked. The minister cleared his throat and Natalie squeezed Adrian's hand with a wink letting him know that it was an attempt at humor. He chuckled, turning his head towards Leland and whispering "he was joking." Leland smirked.
"Now I haven't known this couple for very long, only having been introduced a few weeks ago as we prepared for this ceremony, but I had actually heard of both of you through the news through the years. And while many would look at these lives and see tragedy and sadness, I see something else. I see the power of people to persevere even when proverbial rug has been ripped out from under their lives and it seems all hope is lost. I see the realization that not only does love transcend time but that one can love again. I see the beauty in the understanding that God often takes the broken fragments of our lives and through His creative power is able to remake them and shape them into something quite astounding and lovely and pure.
Adrian and Natalie, your lives, while certainly not following the path that you would have chosen for yourselves when you were, say, Julie Teeger's age, have nevertheless led you to become who you are today and have led you to this point where you both know that you have each found that one person who is perfect for the other – oh, not perfect morally, or spiritually, or physically - - but perfect in the sense that you have become so much a part of each other that the next logical step is that you formally become one before God and man. And so, it is my privilege and honor to not only have gotten to meet two people whose lives have exemplified the power of God's healing hand but to officiate this simple ceremony whereby you declare your love and commitment to each other.
And so, without further delay, Adrian I know you have prepared a few words you would like to say to Natalie?"
Monk didn't take his eyes off of his bride but calmly smiled. "Yes, sir."
"Please do." The minister said, taking one step back.
Monk swallowed and his eyes glistened even as his expression beamed through the words that he had written. It took all of the energy that he had just to be able to hold back the emotion which threatened to overwhelm, but the love he felt in his heart towards this woman would not be hindered from coming forth.
"My dearest Natalie." He began. "You came into my life seven years ago and immediately I knew that you were special. It was not just that you were beautiful and smart but you had this quality about you that immediately put me at ease – which is really saying a lot, because very little puts me at ease. Some have told me that you're a lot like Trudy and in terms of your kindness and…yes… your patience with me, I can see that. But really there is so much more to you than that. Your fire, your spark, your courage, your love of life…these are all things which are uniquely you, things which have not only captured my admiration but also my heart. I never thought it was possible that I could love again this deeply, but you have caused me to do so. How on earth could I have resisted? You rescued me from a life of pain and self-torment and you have given me a gift so enormous that I can never hope to repay, though I will spend a lifetime trying. You have given me the gift of wanting to live again, with you at my side, and the gift of hopefulness about the future, and again the gift of a love so deep that it's impossible to explain unless you're experiencing it. My love, I promise you on this our wedding day that I will pour forth every part of myself with the singular goal of making you as happy as you've made me. I will endeavor to support you in all things, to care for you when you are down and to protect you with my very life if need be – for truthfully, I know now that you possess my heart and nothing and no one can diminish my love for you. And although I honestly feel like you're getting the short end of the stick, I'm yours, Natalie Jane, and will always be until I take my last breath and beyond."
Natalie couldn't help but hold her hand up to her face as Adrian finished his pledge to her and was grateful when Julie tapped her own the shoulder and handed her a small handkerchief that she had tucked into her bouquet.
"Always come prepared…where have I heard that before?" she whispered to her mother while smiling at Adrian as Natalie laughed and took the cloth, dabbing her eyes before turning back to her groom.
"Natalie, do you have something to say?" the minister said quietly, allowing her time to regain composure.
She cleared her throat and nodded then looked up into his warm chestnut eyes sparkling with dew, and softly declared her love for him.
"Adrian- my love, my life, and the man of my dreams - from the moment I met you even to this day you have filled my life with excitement and growth and adventure and have taken me places I never in a million years ever thought that I would be. At first, I wasn't sure how to take you because you were more different than any man I had ever met. Brilliant, handsome, a bit brooding – you were to me a bit of a mystery in and of yourself, and enigma I had to discover. But soon, I saw the real you, underneath that protective shell was a man of great character, loyalty, wholesomeness, tenderness and love. It wasn't long after that you stole my heart – but my love for you was something I could never really share, not even with Julie (although I think she knew)."
Julie smiled at these words as her mother continued.
"Although you were at first my employer, you became to me a friend and then truly a member of our family. I convinced myself at the time that it was enough - and for a while, it was. But then I thought I had lost you and it was the worst feeling I had ever felt since losing Mitch – in fact, it was very much like a deja vu. How would I go on? Finding out you were really alive was the best feeling I ever had and while I knew that we weren't ready for anything more, it taught me one thing, I could never be without you in my life.
Time came and went and through various fortunes and misfortunes we began to grow closer and closer together. Other men came and went in my life but truthfully there was only you and there only could ever be you. And when at long last that barrier was broken through, after you nearly died trying to save my daughter and after the many weeks we shared nursing you back to health, I found that dreams really can and do come true. From that night on the dance floor to your romantic proposal on the rooftop, the events of our lives have been everything a woman in love could want. And yet, the thing that awes me the most is that after we finish saying our vows today, we get to be together for always, me as your wife and you as my much beloved husband.
Sweet Adrian, I promise you my heart and devotion. I promise you my support and respect. I promise you my loyalty and my love – in good times, and in bad times, in tears and in lots of laughter, now and when we're both old and grey. I will never leave you and I will try to fill you as full of joy as you have me."
At that moment, the minister invited the couple to step forward and walk up to the altar and pick up two glass vases filled with sand, Natalie's white in color and Adrian's dark. Crossing arms, they each poured their individual sand into a heart shaped vessel as the minister recited the words "Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and returned into their individual containers, so too will your lives, hearts and family forever be intertwined." Setting the vases down, they each looked at one another and smiled and Natalie patiently waited (and those who knew him snickered) as Adrian tilted and tapped the crystal heart container they had just poured the sand into until its contents were perfectly level, then they returned to their places in front of the congregation.
"And now we come to the part of the ceremony that we've all been waiting for, the declaration of intent and the exchanging of rings.
Adrian. Do you take Natalie to be your lawfully wedded wife? From this day forward, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?"
Adrian blinked through tears and lovingly smiled, saying "'I do."
"And, do you, Natalie, take Adrian to be your lawfully wedded husband? From this day forward, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?
"Yes. I do." She said through tears of her own.
"Do you have the rings?" the man inquired. Monk turned towards Leland who handed him the diamond-studded wedding band that Natalie would wear along with her engagement ring, and Natalie took Adrian's simple platinum ring, which contained a straight line embedded with ten small but flawless diamonds, from Julie and turned back to one another.
The minister turned towards Monk.
"Okay, Adrian would you please take the ring you have selected for Natalie in your hand. And as you place it on her finger, repeat after me: 'With this ring, I thee wed.'"
Quietly, Monk did as he was instructed. When he had finished, Natalie repeated the ritual with Adrian's ring, her eyes never leaving his own.
The minister raised one hand above them as a sign of blessing the couple.
"In so much as the two of you have consented together in holy matrimony, and have pledged your love and loyalty before God and this company, by the authority vested in me by the State of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Adrian, you may kiss…"
Before he could finish, Monk wrapped his arms around Natalie and drew her in for a passionate kiss.
"…your bride." The minister laughed.
Adrian stepped away from his wife and they bashfully joined in the laughter as the preacher happily announced.
"Ladies and gentlemen, It is my honor to present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Monk!"
A loud cheer erupted from the crowd as Natalie looped her arm through Adrian's and he reached his left hand across his body holding hers and they travelled down the aisle past their guests. Their friends beamed with pride and happiness as they witnessed the culmination of a love story that took long to develop but was most satisfying to behold.
After the couple left the chapel auditorium the wedding party followed, with Leland looping arm with T.K., Randy smiling and nodding towards Sharona, and Julie raising and lowering her eyebrows towards Jared, letting him know that she would see him at the reception. After all, the evening had just begun.
