Chapter 13
One year later
Monk and Natalie pulled up to the crime scene, and walked over to Stottlemeyer and Randy who were talking to the coroner. "Hey Captain." Natalie said holding a coffee from the Hardback Café.
"Hey Natalie, Monk, I hope I wasn't interrupting anything, but we have a double homicide." Stottlemeyer said walking back to the bodies.
Natalie stayed behind with Disher. She wasn't really a big fan of the deceased. "So Natalie, anything interesting happen yet?"
"That is none of your business, but no we want to wait." Natalie said. She looked over at Monk and waved to him.
"God Natalie it's been a year already…what exactly are you waiting for?"
"Leland can I show you something?" Monk asked digging into his pocket.
"Yeah sure what is it?" Stottlemeyer asked. When he turned to face him, Monk was holding a single solitaire diamond. "What is that?"
"It's an engagement ring. I'm going to ask Natalie…you know." Monk said as he put the ring back in his pocket.
"You're really going to do that? Congratulations…when are you going to do it?" Stottlemeyer asked patting him on the back.
"I was thinking about tonight at my place. What do you think?" Monk said putting the ring back in the velvet box and in his pocket. He looked over to Natalie who was now walking towards him.
"Sounds great. Good luck and let me know what happens. I'm proud of you Monk." Stottlemeyer said as he signed the coroner's release form.
"Hey baby, what are you talking about?" Natalie asked Monk. She put her arms around him and laid her head on his chest.
"Nothing…why do you ask?" He said rubbing her back.
"Monk why don't you go home I think Randy and I can get this one. Besides you have something tonight…" Stottlemeyer reminded him.
"You're right we'll see you later." Monk said and him and Natalie walked back to the car.
"So…what do you have going on tonight?" Natalie asked him as they were driving back to her house.
"Nothing I don't know what he was talking about. So what did you want to do tonight?"
"I don't care. I just want to be with you."
"Well I was thinking dinner at my place, and I have a very special surprise for you." Monk said kissing her hand.
"Natalie, there's something I need to ask you. I just want you to know that you can feel free to say no if you want to but I hope you don't." Monk said when him and Natalie sat down on the couch next to each other.
"What is it baby?" Natalie asked climbing onto his lap and looking in his eyes.
"Ok I'm just going to come right out and say it. Natalie…hold on," he reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring box, "Natalie, will you marry me?" he asked holding the ring to her.
Natalie felt a tear fall down her cheek. "Oh, I love you so much." She wiped her eyes and kissed him passionately.
"So is that a yes?" Monk asked.
"Of course it is. Nothing would make me happier than to be Mrs. Adrian Monk." Monk smiled at her and slipped the ring on her finger. She looked at the ring and gasped. "And I love this too." She kissed him again and they laid down on the couch in each other's arms. Natalie looked at the ring again and then looked up at Monk. "Baby, this had to have been at least…"
"Natalie, don't worry about the cost. I got it because I love you." Monk said and kissed her forehead.
"I love you too." Natalie said and laid a small peck on his chest. "Oh, I need to go so I can take Julie to school in the morning…would you want to come with me?"
"Of course I would…let's go."
When they got to Natalie's house they went up the stairs and slowly passed Julie's room. Luckily, Julie's door was shut so she didn't hear them come in. When they got to Natalie's bed, they climbed in and cuddled each other. For the past year they had done this pretty much every night, so it was a regular routine.
"I love you." She said.
"I love you more." he whispered in her ear.