I don't own Monk and I don't own Natalie but I do own this cute little story
Natalie laughed
"I know how to do that," she said, "fact #1 this is a crime scene-"
Monk rolled his eyes laughing
"You know Natalie," he said, "you would pass stating the obvious 101 with flying colors"
"Ha, ha, ha"
"No it's true. You would"
"Tell you what," Natalie said, "pretend I'm her"
"Her? I should pretend you're her?"
"Yes," she said laughing, "pretend I'm her"
"Why should I pretend you're her?"
"Because I'm having a really rough day and I could use a hug," she said letting the cheerful versed in her voice slip.
He looked at her for a minute.
"Oh Natalie," he said, "remember what I told you"
"You told me a lot of thing," she said, "let's get more specific"
"I told you that you're my friend. You don't need to be her in order to get a hug," he told her pulling her close to him, "all you need to do is just be you"
"But you loved her"
"Always have… always will," he said, "but I love you too"
"You love me," she sniffled
"Of course I do"
"Why do you love me"
"Why? I love you because you have a pure soul. I love you because you're a friend who I can always turn to. I love you because you genuinely care about me. I love you because you know how to make me laugh. I love you because you see things through different eyes. I love you because I know you will never let me down. I love you because you never get mad at me… annoyed sometimes but never mad. I love you because you have the kindest face I have seen in 5 years. I love you because you don't challenge me or second guess me even when what I say doesn't make any sense. I love you because you are so positive. That is why I love you"
"So like…"
"Come're," he said pulling her into a hug, "lets just take it one day at a time"