Chapter 8 Dr. Bell Gets an Earful
Standard Disclaimer: I don't own Monk.
Notes:~ Thanks for reading and reviewing!
-Finally! It's Monday morning!
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"Congratulations, Adrian" He heard Leland's voice behind him but didn't turn to acknowledge him. Instead, Adrian leaned forward, mesmerized by Natalie. She looked up briefly, her eyes sparkling, and then looked down again. He followed her gaze and caught his breath, instantly enraptured. In her arms, she held the future.
Wincing because of a sharp pain in his neck, Adrian rolled onto his back and sleepily stretched. He reached his arm across the sofa, only to find himself alone under a blanket. As his eyes blinked open, it took only a second for his thoughts to organize and a smile of contentment crossed his face. A vague impression of his dream flit through his mind and mixed with the reality of the previous day. Yesterday with the Teeger girls had been perfect and hearing Julie call him dad stirred unexpectedly joyous emotions. Julie's tearful request had erased Adrian's self-doubts and made him confident that he could be a good father. His longtime dream of being a family man was transitioning into reality and Natalie's house had become like home to him. He almost felt content to stay curled up on the couch. Almost content. Telling himself to relax, he was determined to ignore a compulsion that normally forced him out of bed each morning. But upon hearing a noise in the kitchen, he decided it was time to get up. He tossed the blanket aside and, after hastily folding the blanket, went to investigate.
Julie, sitting at the table drinking coffee and eating a frosted pop-tart, greeted Adrian with an energetic "Good morning, Dad. Mom ran to the store and should be back any minute. There may be some coffee left in the pot, grab a cup and join me!" The table jiggled under her breakfast as her foot rapidly tapped the table's leg.
"Are you sure you've had enough sugar and caffeine with your breakfast, Julie?" Adrian grunted, not being fully awake yet. His night on the sofa with Natalie had stretched into this mornings' early hours, not that he was complaining. He had stopped complaining about a lot of things, all because of Natalie and her unconditional support. Eyeing the coffee sludge at the bottom of the carafe, he decided instead on a bottle of water from the refrigerator. Adrian then joined Julie at the table and asked her about her plans, knowing she soon had to return to school for classes.
"I'm leaving for school in about an hour. Dad, can I ask you something?" Julie, somewhat relieved by the talk she had had with her mother the previous day, still needed to know something. She decided to question Adrian about his feelings for her mom. "Do you remember, duh, I mean, of course you remember, but two years ago you gave me the 'wait for Trudy' talk?" Julie made little quotes in the air and solemnly looked at Adrian.
"Yes?" Adrian felt his chest tighten and unconsciously shifted his shoulder. He remembered everything from that talk; telling her about how he loved falling in love with Trudy and how Julie shouldn't be afraid to 'wait for Trudy'. Did Julie need advice with a boy? Or worse, did she know he didn't live up to his own words? Running his hand across his brow, he took a deep breath and tried to squelch a panic attack. No matter how alarmed he felt, Julie had wanted to talk with him; this was a conversation he needed to not just endure, but to welcome. He reminded himself that a good father was there for his children, no matter how awkward the situation. He cleared his throat "Why? What did you want to know, Julie?"
"I know how much you loved Trudy. I know she was everything to you. Do you love Mom as much, I mean, the same?" Julie's voice was tempered with sadness, sorry to asking the question.
Adrian reached over to Julie and purposefully placed his hand on top of hers. He was grateful this wasn't one of the questions he had expected and relief washed over him. "Julie, I would never compare my love for your mother to my love for Trudy. It's not the same because they're not the same. But I can tell you what I've come to understand, after years of mourning and being alone. Love shouldn't be denied or compared or be rationed out. A person doesn't have a limited amount of love to give; it's endless and deepens every day. I'm overjoyed you're worried about your mother, but there's no reason to be. I love her, Julie." He squeezed her hand and smiled, realizing how he now loved falling in love with both Natalie and Julie.
Julie felt her heart lighten, relieved that her mom was truly loved. She tipped her chair back and crossed her arms, continuing her interrogation. "Well then I have to ask. What are your intentions?"
"Julie, what do you mean?" Adrian was perplexed by Julie's question. While she was about to reply, Adrian glanced to the back door, having perceived movement outside through the window. His attention diverted, he thoughtfully murmured "Intentions?"
As the back door opened, Julie arose and quickly scrambled to behind Adrian's chair to hug him. Tucking her face down next to his ear, she whispered "Thanks for the talk, Dad. I love you." Releasing her grip, Julie turned to her mother and loudly greeted her "That was fast! Did you get everything?"
"Yes, ma'am. I sure did." Natalie carried a grocery bag over to Adrian and placed it on the table in front of him. "Surprise! Now don't take all morning, Julie has to leave in less than an hour and she'll want to say goodbye."
Adrian opened the bag and looked back at Natalie, full of appreciation. She truly understood him and accepted him as he was. The morning compulsion that he had been trying desperately to deny and disregard had been graciously honored by Natalie. She had gone out and purchased all of his favorite brands and sizes of his toothpaste, toothbrush, floss and mouthwash. Knowing relief was imminent, he grabbed the bag and hurried to the bathroom, swearing to be back in half an hour.
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As Julie got in her car and left for school, Natalie stood on the porch beside Adrian. When her car turned the corner, Natalie ran her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest. Nuzzling close, she coyly asked if he had anything planned "You know, date wise?"
Adrian took her hand, led her back into the house and closed the door. Drawing her back into an embrace, he lightly kissed her "Not until tonight. I have my appointment with Dr. Bell and have to meet with the district attorney to prepare for an upcoming trial. But I'll see you tonight, if you're available?"
"What time?" Natalie whispered as she reached up and stroked his unshaven face. She had never seen him so untidy and found him so breathtaking, so ruggedly handsome. Natalie's eyes narrowed as she ran her hand down the side of his neck, grasping his shirt collar and pulled him down for a fiery kiss. Releasing him, she slyly grinned "I'm available whenever, Adrian."
His thoughts were rattled as he tried to decipher her grin. A grin that made him stammer. "Seven? I, I'd better get going. I'll call you later, but let's plan on seven."
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"So how have you been, Adrian? Have you considered what we discussed in our last session?" Dr. Bell opened the door and motioned Adrian into the office. Following Adrian to the chairs, Neven impatiently waited for Monk to sit down before taking his own seat. Their last session had been, in Dr. Bell's estimation, groundbreaking and he was anxious to hear of any positive changes in Adrian's life. Pen poised over his notepad, Neven waited.
Adrian shifted and re-shifted in the seat, trying to get comfortable. He had so much to talk about, but was flustered by how to begin. He had said things and done things unimaginable only a week ago. Change had touched almost every part of his life and he wanted to tell Dr. Bell everything, down to the smallest detail. But one thing that hadn't changed in his life was his indecisiveness. There was too much to talk about. Adrian let out a small laugh and looked to Dr. Bell, his eyes shining brightly.
"Adrian, you seem almost giddy today. Look at me. Are you on some type of medicine?" Dr. Bell leaned forward and made eye contact, trying to determine if Adrian's pupils were dilated.
"No medicine, you know I don't like the idea of chemicals, Dr. Bell." Adrian shook his head and suddenly stood and started to pace. Back and forth. Back and forth. Where to begin? How should he start? What was the most important thing? Adrian stopped dead in his tracks and returned to his seat. With a slight shift of his shoulders, he looked at Dr. Bell and took a deep breath. "I'm in love with Natalie."
As his pad fell from his hand, Neven scrunched up his face in shock and confusion. In the last session, Neven had asked Adrian to merely consider some questions. He had never expected such a life altering declaration. He became cognizant that his mouth hung open in surprise. Dr. Bell closed his mouth and retrieved his pad from the floor. He was both intrigued and dumbfounded by Adrian's proclamation. Trying to remain professional, he squelched the first question that came to mind and instead uttered "Pardon me?"
Adrian brought his closed fist to his mouth, trying to suppress another laugh. Then he returned to his feet and paced excitedly as he recounted what had occurred during the past few days. Dr. Bell sat spellbound for the next forty minutes as Adrian talked, and paced, non-stop. He spoke quickly, tangents twirling off from his story only to return and reconnect with other parts of his narrative. As their session neared its end, Adrian finally returned to his seat and looked to Dr. Bell "Did you have any more questions, Doc?"
Neven briefly looked to his blank note pad and resumed eye contact, a gleam of amazement caught in his blue eyes. He wished Charles had been here to witness this transformation. "Can you come back at 1PM, when I have lunch, for an informal session? Free of charge, of course. I know this isn't customary, but I'd like to hear more about your breakthrough. I'd also like to discuss a type of behavioral therapy that, if properly implemented, can be an effective tool in dealing with your OCD. It can be difficult Adrian, but I think you're up to the challenge. "
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End Notes: Please excuse the vagueness of Dr. Bell's therapeutic approach –Doctor/Patient confidentiality, you understand. –Not to sound preachy because ya'll know this, but- OCD is a very real problem that should only be handled by trained, certified, caring professionals. Therapies can vary according the needs of each individual patient and I wouldn't presume to recommend one type over another.
Next chapter – perhaps it's time for an actual 'date'?