The small gathering of friends and family took their seats along either side of the O'Byrne Gallery as a small folk band made up of violins, bass, acoustic guitars and piano played light classical and folk songs. Members of the Davenport family, the Monks, and friends from the San Francisco Police and their families all enjoyed relaxed fellowship as they waited for the ceremony to begin.
The atmosphere in the room was light and airy as a cool breeze and shimmering light came through the tall open antique doors on the right hand side of the room. Each door being accented on either side by alternating pink and white cherry blossom branches wrapped in silk.
At precisely 10:00 AM, Preacher Armstrong entered the room accompanied with Adrian, Leland, Randy, Natalie's brother Jonathan, and Sharona's son Benjy. All were dressed in the same color scheme though Adrian was the only one to wear a pale pink rose boutonniere.
The men lined up in single file in front of an unlit fireplace with Preacher in the center and every other man in a single line to the right of him. Once in place, Adrian turned to Leland and whispered something, and Leland gave him a reassuring nod and smile. Randy smiled as well, though he was a little distracted thanks to a bumble bee that had decided to join the male side of the wedding party. He shooed it away, drawing a little attention to himself, but then settling down and smiling at his friends.
"You okay?" asked Leland.
"Yeah, fine. Fine." Said Randy.
The band stopped playing and then picked up with the mellow notes of Pachelbel's Canon in D as Natalie's nephew Jonathan Jr. and Randy and Sharona's year and a half old daughter Ophelia made their way down the center of the aisle, haphazardly throwing rose and cherry blossom petals along the cream colored aisle runner that ended just before reaching the groom's party.
Following the children came Julie, Molly, T.K., and Sharona in matching blush pink sleeveless silk and lace bridesmaids' dresses with bouquets of cream and pale pink roses in their hands. The smiles on the ladies' faces as they entered matched the general feeling in the hearts of everyone as this event was not just another wedding they were attending but marked a vibrant new start for two of the dearest people in their lives who had fought so long and hard for happiness and had finally found it.
The band stopped playing Canon and Preacher Armstrong said in a commanding voice "All Rise!"
At the starting notes of the Bridal March Natalie walked arm in arm with her father Bobby down the center of the aisle, oblivious to anyone else in the room but the man she was about to marry. Adrian's breath was taken away and his countenance beamed so brightly that the room hardly needed any light at all. She looked stunning, like an angel he thought as he did all that he could to hold back the tears, but that was no use. At that moment in time he had no fear, no sorrow at all, only love in his heart for the woman who would soon be his wife.
Natalie reached the end of the aisle and stood four feet from Adrian when Armstrong asked, "who gives this woman to be married?"
"Her mother and I" was Bobby's response as he leaned forward and kissed Natalie's cheek before taking his seat beside Peggy.
As Natalie walked over and faced Adrian, they took each other's hands and Preacher began to speak.
"Dearly beloved. We are gathered here on this most beautiful of days in the sight of Almighty God and these witnesses to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. If there is anyone among us that has some reason that Natalie Jane Albright and Adrian Monk should not be joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
"Aayyyyyy!" shouted Randy as he was suddenly stung by the bee who had made its return. "Awe dang it! Oww owww owww" he continued shaking his hand and stomping around.
The horrified wedding party and congregation gasped and turned his way as they awaited to hear his objection.
Preacher walked forward and asked," Uh, Randy? You, you have an objection?"
"Oww, huh? What?" he said, suddenly realizing that everyone was looking at him.
Sharona buried her face under her hand.
"Oh…no! No! No objection here! I just got stung by a bee, I'll be okay. Just a little…sting…but you can go ahead…"
In unison the entire wedding party rolled their eyes and resumed the ceremony.
"There being no objections, let us now ask the Lord's blessings on this union." Preacher said, praying a beautiful and heartfelt petition for God to bless two people who had in this life been through so much and for whom he wished the greatest of happiness.
Next, he came to the part where he gave the charge.
"Marriage is a gift from God, and not to be entered into lightly. Of course, I don't believe we have any danger of that since I understand that even from the womb, my friend Adrian has never entered anything lightly…" he said as the crowd chuckled. "But what I mean to say is that it is something to be cherished as the gift that it is. When God created Adam, He said it wasn't good for man to be alone and He created Eve to be his helpmeet, not out of his foot that he should walk on her, nor from his head that she should rule over him, but from his side that she might walk beside him and that together they might complete that need in each other. "
"In all my years, I have never seen a couple that exemplifies this sort of a union as much as Adrian and Natalie. You depend on each other and love each other and value each other with every breath you take. And sure, while you both at times get on each other's last nerve, and probably always will, your friendship that has now blossomed into this love relationship which we honor today has stayed strong."
"Adrian, never take this woman for granted. She is loyal and trustworthy. Learn to relax and enjoy this gift from God, and know sometimes you'll have to meet her half way or even let her have her way entirely against your strongest impulses; and, Natalie, always remember to be patient with Adrian, keeping in mind that even when he is making you nuts that in this man there is a tender heart of gold that would give anything and everything just to make you happy."
"Now here we come to the good part." Preacher said.
"Adrian and Natalie have written their own vows. Please turn and face each repeat your vows to one another."
Adrian looked at Natalie, tears flowing down his cheeks, and said "Natalie, I stand here today marrying my best friend. You have taught me to love again and to laugh again and to want to live again, and I promise that as your husband that I will stand with you through wealth and poverty, sickness and health, good times and bad times and will do everything I can to protect you, make you happy, cherish you and honor you, forsaking all others, as long as we both shall live."
"Natalie?" Preacher said.
Natalie looked into Adrian's eyes with tears brimming her own and smiled "Adrian, I stand here today about to marry my best friend. You have taught me to love again and to see the world in a whole new way. You've shown me bravery in the face of fear, loyalty in a world that is often not, and perseverance against all odds. I promise as your wife that I will stand by you, support you, cheer you, be your helper even as you are mine, through wealth and poverty, sickness and health, good times and bad times and will do everything I can to respect you, make you happy, cherish you and honor you, forsaking all others, as long as we both shall live."
"Do you have the rings?" Preacher said as the bride and groom received the rings from Leland and Sharona.
"These rings are a token of the marriage covenant. They are a perfect circle and represent the wholeness and love you have in one another. They are unbroken and represent the never-ending commitment which you have made to each other today. Whenever you look at them, remember that commitment and the love which they represent as a great gift God has given to you." Preacher said.
He continued. "Adrian, will you repeat after me. Natalie, with this ring I thee wed."
Adrian placed the ring on Natalie's hand and said "Natalie, with this ring, I thee wed."
"And Natalie, will you turn to Adrian and repeat after me. Adrian, with this ring, I thee wed." said the preacher.
"Adrian, with this ring I thee wed." she said holding his hand and smiling.
"Because you have pledged to love, honor and cherish one another in front of God an all of these witnesses, by the power vested in me, I am happy to pronounce you as husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride."
Adrian hesitated slightly not sure whether to tilt his head to the right and left, but Natalie took the decision making away from him and drew him in for a great big kiss. He put his arms around her and continued the kiss not ever wanting to let go. Still, the kiss ended and they turned to the congregation as Preacher announced.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now my privilege to introduce to you "Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Monk. What God hath joined together, let no man put asunder."
The congregation broke out in cheers as Natalie and Adrian walked down the aisle and went through the doors into the hallway followed by the bridal party who walked out arm in arm to the continued applause of the congregation.
After formal pictures were taken, the reception was held under the Portico area outside the gallery where there were tables set up surrounding a circular area for the band to play as the people celebrated and danced. They received toasts with non-alcoholic champagne and were served a choice of Beef Wellington, Chicken Marsala, Wild Caught Altantic Salmon or a vegetarian pasta dish. The catering company was paid extra due to the requirement that every entrée and side dish had to have its own plate with no food touching.
When it came time for the first dance, Adrian and Natalie picked Ashokan Farewell as the song they would dance to. Meant as a goodnight waltz, they had both seen it in a documentary on the Civil War where it was played as background music for the reading of a letter written by Union officer Sullivan Ballou to his wife while on the battlefield. The letter reminded them of the love they had for one another and they just had to include the music at their wedding.
As dusk began to fall, Adrian and Natalie said goodbye to their friends and travelled by limousine down the block to the White House where President and Mrs. Stoddard made good on their invitation to allow them to stay at the White House as Presidential guests. As White House staff carried their luggage up to the Lincoln bedroom, they were greeted by the Stoddards who instructed staff to treat them as if they were visiting royalty.
While they waited for their room to be set up, they held hands and strolled through the rose garden making small talk, giggling, and recounting the events of the day. They stood in the night and kissed each other as a full moon bathed them in a beautiful glow.
A Butler showed them up to their room and left them alone in the open doorway.
"I love you, Natalie Monk." Adrian said, kissing her on the lips.
"I love you Adrian Monk." She said, wrapping her arms around his neck and returning the kiss.
"I love you more." He said, kissing her three more times.
"Are you sure?" she said teasing.
"Oh, I'm very sure." He said pulling her close to himself.
"Then prove it." she said as she gently tugged on his necktie and led him into the room, shutting the door behind them as the two became one.
Around Midnight, Adrian turned over to find that his wife was not by his side. He sat up on one elbow and looked around enough to see her standing in a silk robe by the window facing the street, out at the night sky.
He slid out of bed and put on a robe and walked and stood beside her, gently kissing the back of her neck and wrapping his arms around her waist.
"You okay?" he whispered.
"I'm very okay. Just excited. Couldn't sleep. We did it! We really did it! We are now Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Monk! " She said, content in his arms.
"Yes we are. Would you like me to order up some tea or something?" he asked.
"Sure, that sounds nice." She replied.
About 15 minutes later, a residential staffer brought up a tray with tea and scones on it for the bride and groom. Adrian asked that they take it to the Truman Balcony where he walked out with Natalie and danced with her with no music at all. They sat down beside one another, and she put her head on his shoulder, holding hands and sipping on the tea. They had a perfect view of the Washington Monument and the DC night sky.
"It's beautiful" she said, sipping her tea.
"Yes, you are." He said.
She turned and smiled and gave him another kiss.
"Oh look!" she said. "A Shooting Star! Make a wish!"
"I already have everything I could ever wish for." He said.
She closed her eyes for several seconds, looked over at him and smiled, then turned back towards the monument and took a sip of tea.
"What was that?" he asked. "What did you wish?"
"I can't tell you that, or it won't come true. Here have some more tea!" she smiled.
He leaned over and kissed her on the nose, put his arm around her and pulled her in tighter.
They sat there watching the night sky feeling very peaceful and content within.
Adrian Monk was experiencing true happiness once again, and a true partnership in marriage. He had been greatly blessed.