EPILOGUE
ONE YEAR LATER
It was December 20th, 2013 and time for the annual Precinct holiday celebration. It had been their tradition that on the Friday before Christmas each year, the law enforcement team would get together to show their appreciation for the each other, exchange small gifts, receive a few awards and enjoy singing both religious and secular Christmas carols as they looked back in gratitude for the year that was coming to a close. It was always a heartwarming celebration, but this year, it was especially dear as they would be commemorating something else as well, a year of new beginnings.
2012 had been one of the hardest years on record, a year of strained relationships, difficult challenges and one in which they had nearly lost their commander for good. Be that as it may, it ended with the blessing of Monk and Natalie's wedding which seemed to herald a turning of the tide to something better. This trend followed them throughout the year. As much as late 2011 and 2012 was full of difficulty, 2013 was full of blessing and love, and it was fitting that those in Stottlemeyer's homicide division take time away from their normally morbid jobs and recognize how blessed they were.
As the clock struck five, the commander stepped out of his office and smiled, observing his wife as she and her new best friend, Sharona Disher, finished hanging the last of the streamers and balloons that made up the bulk of the festivities' decorations. It was good to see her so happy and talkative given that this time last year she was a bundle of nerves, believing that the man who had abused her so terribly soon would be free. Much to her relief, that release never happened for on the day before James was to be let go, he got into an altercation in jail with a gang member whom he beat so severely that the board revoked his parole. Six months later, the man and a few of his friends returned the favor, strangling James to death in the showers thereby releasing T.K. from the fear that he would ever hurt her again. Oh, due to the fact that she had once had a relationship with this man, it did take a few sessions with Dr. Bell in order help her come to grips with the fact that it all was over, but Leland would never forget the day when he came home from work to find her beaming with glee since it had finally clicked. She had no more reason to fear and instead vowed that from that point forward she would no longer live in the past, instead preferring to concentrate on the wonderful man she had married and their future together. Leland was especially gratified as she explained that he had shown her that good men really do exist and she was determined to not allow herself be robbed of enjoying one more moment of life with him by fixating on what could never be undone. She was free at last.
The Stottlemeyers weren't the only couple to have reason to be thankful. There was also the Dishers. Stepping down from the step ladder, Sharona Disher glanced across the floor and spotted her husband standing by a table with ladle in hand, dipping out some punch for himself and for her. Displaying a slight smirk, she walked up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and blew on the back of his neck causing him to do a little shimmy before straightening up.
"Whoever you are, I'm taken." He teased, being forced to set the glasses down as Sharona moved to the front of him and kissed him fully and fervently on the mouth in front of the entire room – not that anyone noticed. The two had grown increasingly affectionate towards one another, even meriting a talking to from the commander when Monk and Natalie came into Leland's office and tattled about what Randy and Sharona were doing together down in the lab. Unsurprisingly, Leland scolded all four of them, the Dishers for being unprofessional and the Monks for not minding their P's and Q's. This provoked Adrian to try to start an argument with Leland over what that expression, "Minding your P's and Q's" even meant. Leland reached into his drawer to get his yoyo, but Monk would not be deterred. If he and Natalie were going to be reprimanded for snogging in the evidence room, then Randy and Sharona deserved the same for making out in the lab. The day was saved when Natalie whispered something into Monk's ears that caused him immediately to blush and Leland chuckled to himself when his favorite detective scampered out the door following his wife like a love-sick puppy dog. It was wonderful to see them all so happy and after all of their trials it was not missed on the lawman that things were finally as they should be.
Back in the squad room, Leland walked over to T.K. and was just about to compliment his wife on the good job she had done with the decorations when bounding through the room came his two sons, Max and Jared, with Julie in tow. Julie giggled breathlessly and looked up with a smile as the Stottlemeyers and Dishers looked her way.
"They're on their way." Julie announced. "Adrian made them late."
Leland shook his head and smirked. "Why does that not surprise me? Is everything okay?"
"Everything is perfect." She replied, looking over at Jared who didn't look at his father but turned a little red as he verbally agreed with Julie that indeed, everything was.
Over the past year the two of them had continued to grow closer. Julie made a decision that she wasn't going to continue her theatrical studies, instead opting to sign up for law school where she would study to become a lawyer. The move surprised her mother since, prior to this, such an occupation had never been discussed within their home. But as Julie explained it, her theatrical skills made her a natural for giving oral arguments in a court of law and her experience within the legal system gave her insight into both the criminal mind and the plight of those incarcerated who, like herself, weren't actually guilty. From her time in jail, she also knew there were many young women whose lives had gone off track in some small way, but they were basically good. For these women, some of them just girls, she knew they needed someone to advocate for them, so studying to be a defense attorney really appealed to her, though her love of justice might eventually drive her towards being a prosecutor as well. Regardless, her parents gave her their enthusiastic blessing for this shift in majors and her boyfriend, about to graduate, helped her navigate all the rest.
Boyfriend, yes, Jared officially became her boyfriend, much to Monk's chagrin. However, it helped to calm her step-father's nerves regarding the situation when Julie explained to him that despite the closeness between herself and Jared, the two of them had decided to take it slow. The purpose for this was threefold. It would give them more time to really get to know one another. It would give her time to advance her education and decide which way she was going. And, it would allow Jared time to get established in a law firm somewhere in town. In fact, she promised Monk that any talk of a more serious commitment was still a few years away, leaving him pacified, for now. But secretly, the long-term state of their relationship was often on their minds, though it was something by mutual consent they had tabled, for now. The telling of their story and how would turn out would have to wait for another day.
All of the sudden a ruckus was heard in the hallway, coming from the general direction of the elevators outside. Sharona poked her head out the door, noticing Natalie picking up some presents from the floor while a frustrated Adrian explained to her that he would get them.
"You've already got your hands full. Let me get them" was all Natalie would say. "You don't have to do everything for me, Adrian. Really, it's just fine!"
Sharona jumped back inside the room, excitedly announcing in a loud whisper. "It's them! Everyone, take your places!"
Immediately, the entire squad room gathered around the edges of the room and Randy moved over to the CD player. At the precise moment that Natalie and Monk walked through the door, he began playing Elvis Presley's Merry Christmas Baby on the machine and the entire room shouted "Surprise!"
The couple both stopped dead in their tracks and stared but smiles soon appeared on both faces as they recognized what was happening. Natalie clasped her hand to her mouth as she looked around at the decorations which were largely meant just for them, while Monk nervously took a peek at the package in his hands to make sure that Natalie's Christmas gift to him, one-and-a-half-week-old Alisa Joy Monk, was still sound asleep in her carrier.
"A baby shower?" Natalie squealed with glee.
Leland stepped forward. "That's right. With my god-daughter's arrival, we figured we'd mix this year's celebration up a bit and welcome your new addition to the precinct in style."
"Since you were on bedrest the last month of your pregnancy, we never got to throw you a proper shower." T.K. further explained. "So, we all got together and thought what better way to celebrate the year and to welcome baby girl Monk into the SFPD family."
Monk grinned from ear to ear, walking into the room further and looking around at the decorations which were a mixture of a Christmas and a baby theme.
As if in awe, Monk smiled. "Pink and white Poinsettias? Where on earth did you find those?"
Sharona stepped forward. "Oh, I got those at Rayford's downtown – those and the silver and white streamers."
"Amazing."
T.K. stepped forward with a plate in hand, offering the two of them an hors d'oeuvre. "And instead of the normal Christmas gifts for each other, the gifts are all for Alisa. They are right there on the table over there."
"She's going to be spoiled." Adrian mused with pleasure, smiling down at his little bundle of joy.
"As well she should be." Sharona said, lifting the baby blanket from over top of her so that she could see her for the very first time. "Oh, Adrian…Natalie. She's absolutely beautiful!" she gushed. "Look at all of that dark brown hair, and…oh…she's got your dimples!"
Monk rolled his neck, uncomfortable with anyone, including Sharona, being that close to the newborn but Natalie had warned him ahead of time that people would want to see the baby and that he would have to let them, so he tried not to let on.
"She has Natalie's features." He responded.
"You keep saying that." Natalie jumped in. "But, she has your eyes and smile."
"No, sweetheart. She doesn't have my mouth at all. Look at that cupid's bow. That belongs to you." He protested.
"Well, regardless, she's a beautiful blend." Sharona smiled. "And Randy and I…we are so…so happy for you."
Randy walked up beside his wife and put his arm around her. "Couldn't be happier." He grinned. "Or honestly more surprised. As a matter of fact, the gang and I had a bet…"
Immediately, Sharona elbowed Randy in the gut, causing the captain to wince. "What?"
"Not appropriate. Just enjoy the baby. Don't start anything." She said, looking at him seriously.
Monk blinked. "You had a bet?"
"Nuh…no." Sharona lied. "At least, not like you think, probably…just forget about it. Do you mind if I hold her?" she asked.
Monk stood frozen for several long seconds as Natalie, Sharona and Randy waited for his answer. Finally, Natalie replied.
"Of course not, right Adrian?"
Monk looked down at the baby and then back at Natalie and then at Sharona. "Be careful with her?" he said meekly.
Sharona reached her hand out and touched Monk's sleeve. "Don't worry, Adrian. I'm a nurse, remember. She's in safe hands."
Reluctantly, Adrian relinquished control of his daughter as his wife reached out her hand and rubbed his back, providing the overanxious dad a measure of comfort. As he looked over towards her, a concerned look in his eyes, she winked at him then wrapped her arms around him, hugging him and kissing his shoulder. "She's okay, daddy. I love you."
Monk was still nervous, but as usual, Natalie's presence kept his anxiety under control.
An hour later, after the group had watched Natalie open baby gifts and watched Monk clean up the mess, a few speeches were made and one of the younger officers, who had joined SFPD especially because of his admiration of the talents of Adrian Monk, asked the detective what all he had planned next, since his partner and he now had a young child at home, did he have any plans for slowing down.
Monk looked over at Natalie and took her hand and shrugged. "Truthfully, things have moved so quickly this year that we haven't really discussed it much. I mean, with us having Alisa now, I'm sure things will slow down a little, but Trudy's daughter once reminded me that there is a whole world out there that needs justice brought their way and…well, Natalie and I…we make a good team. I honestly can't imagine us doing anything else."
Natalie smiled and nodded. "Wherever he goes, I go. And, I'm proud to do so." She squeezed his hand.
Leland grinned, watching the two interact. "Well, I for one am happy to hear it. And, I'm happy to see you happy again, buddy. It was too long."
"This is very true." Monk nodded.
"So…since 2013 was such a great year, what are we going to do to keep the good cheer rolling?" Lieutenant Marcina Vega asked.
Randy stepped forward. "Well, you're all invited to a wedding."
"A wedding?" Julie asked. "Who is getting married?"
Monk looked over at her like it'd better not be her and Jared and she rolled her eyes.
"Randy and I." Sharona announced. "We are renewing our vows at Bayview Gardens on Valentine's Day."
T.K.'s mouth gaped. "What?! You didn't tell me that!"
"Just happened." She responded.
"Well, congratulations Sharona! Congratulations, Randy!" Natalie replied.
Monk looked towards his friend and nodded. "Yeah, Randy, Sharona. I'm so glad things worked out. I told you they would."
Randy smiled. "Yes. Thank you, Monk. Thank you for everything."
The party ended at eight o'clock and everyone dispersed except for Monk, Natalie and Alisa. While Natalie waited with the baby in the squad room, Monk, Leland and Randy carried all of the baby gifts down to the family's car before turning around to retrieve his bride. Returning to the room alone, he smiled when he saw his beautiful Natalie standing by a table, securing their child into her carrier after feeding Alisa her dinner. He quietly walked up to her and put his hand on the small of her back.
"She asleep again?" he asked.
"Yes. Enjoy it. She came a little early so it's normal for her to sleep a lot." She replied. "But when she catches up…Katie bar the door."
He grinned. "Hey, come here a minute." He said, taking her by the hands.
"What?" she asked suspiciously, enjoying a moment of playfulness that they hadn't had for the last few months of her pregnancy since she was on bed rest.
"I just want to show you something." He replied. "Two things, really."
He took her over by the window where the light was just so, took out a handkerchief and dusted off the windowsill then invited her to sit. Once she was seated, he took a seat next to her and then pulled a small box out of his pocket offering it to her.
Natalie furrowed her brows, a slight smile on her face. "What? What is this? It isn't time to exchange presents yet."
Adrian looked at her with admiration, reaching his hand up and brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "Natalie, truthfully, you're the best gift I've ever been given. God knew what I needed and you showed up right on time. I mean, your love, your support, and now by giving me our daughters, Julie and now Alisa…sweetheart,you have already gifted me with everything I ever wanted. I can say without hesitation that they have been more than I ever could have imagined and more than I deserve."
"Does this mean I should return your gifts?" she teased.
Monk raised his eyebrows. "Oh, I wouldn't go that far. We will open those things on Christmas day though. I just wanted you to have this tonight. Just a little something I picked up."
Natalie grinned and then took the box in both of her hands and slowly lifted the lid. Inside was a silver and gold charm bracelet with a series of charms on it. There was a toothbrush, an anchor, a spyglass, a heart with their initials and then two smaller hearts that Natalie recognized right away contained the girls birthstones in them.
"Oh, Adrian! How beautiful!" she gasped.
Monk smiled. "I ordered it special for you online. I guess you can understand why I'm not exactly…keen…on going into jewelry stores to pick up custom made jewelry."
She nodded. "I get it."
"But, when we were watching one of your shows a few weeks back I noticed once of the women actresses had on something similar and I got the idea of giving you something that would reflect your life thus far…with plenty of room to expand."
He then went on to describe the meaning behind each charm, even though they were pretty much self-evident, and he showed her that their heart was also a locket which contained a photo from their wedding inside.
"Well, as I said, it's beautiful honey - and, so are you. If you think you're happy, you've made me the happiest woman ever." She said, caressing his cheek. "But what's the second thing?"
"Huh?"
"You said there were two things. What is the second thing?"
"Oh." Monk replied, a mischievous grin appearing on his face as he again reached into his pocket, pulling out a little bag. Reaching into the bag, he pulled out a spring of mistletoe and held it over their heads, midway between them. "This."
Natalie looked up at the mistletoe and then at him then placed her arms around his neck, pulling him towards her for a passionate kiss. About that moment, Leland Stottlemeyer reentered the room and spotted the action. Rolling his eyes, he put his hands on his hips then cleared his throat.
"What did I say about public displays of affection in the workforce?"
Monk and Natalie broke their kiss and Monk turned to Leland and scowled. "We're off the clock!" he protested.
Leland continued to walk through the squad room towards his office. "Doesn't matter. I reprimanded Randy and now I turn right around and here's you and Natalie doing the same thing."
"But it's Christmas!" Natalie responded, adding her complaint to Adrian's.
Reaching his office door, Leland smirked and then turned around then sighed. "Oh, I suppose you're right. I'll let it go just this once."
The couple looked at one another and smirked then turned back to Leland.
"Merry Christmas, Leland!" they said, in unison.
"Merry Christmas, you two. And Merry Christmas to your little family. Seeing you all so happy, I can't think of a better way to end the year."
"Nor can I." Monk replied. "And here's to many more happy years to come!"
"I'll kiss to that." Natalie said, again wrapping her arms around her husband's neck and drawing him in for a kiss, which he enjoyed as the Captain closed his office door in order to supply them with a little privacy. And so, their joy was complete and after so many years of wandering and pain, Adrian and Natalie were happy at last.
Author's Note: Christina and I would like to take a moment to thank our readers for their support and encouragement throughout this tale. The core four were stressed in so many ways this go around, but at the end of the day their friendships and love are as strong as ever. And this is as it should be. The love that Monk and Natalie have shared both on the screen and in these fics is truly special and it has been our pleasure to bring this story to you all. Special thanks to Alex Hoodle, Ljd21690, Country2776, Alkibiades13, jrchandlerfan, Guest, and all of those of you who faithfully followed but did not leave reviews – your input has meant a lot as has your continued presence within our readership stats. The Monk fanbase has some of the greatest people and we're happy to have met a few.
I'd also like to take a moment to thank Christina for what was many month's worth of hard labor, late nights, edits, reedits and discussions in order to produce this series. Our collaboration has helped me to grow as an author and I have enjoyed our time spent writing this universe. I believe the collaborative type writing definitely helped to produce a higher quality product in the end than I myself would have come up with and I just thank you for being my friend and partner in crime-writing. Best wishes to all, Janine.
