Chapter 21: To Adrian and Natalie

"Are you happy?" Their foreheads were nearly touching as they slowly moved together on the dance floor.

"I'll be even happier when you tell me where we're going for our honeymoon."

Adrian gave her an impish smile and shook his head. "Not a chance. It's not a surprise if I tell you. To change the subject, have I told you how beautiful you look?"

"Not today you haven't. But while we're on the subject, I want to tell you how handsome you look. When I saw you waiting for me, I wanted to run down the aisle to you."

"I nearly ran upstairs to grab you myself."

"Adrian," she chided, "did you really straighten your tie 27 times?"

"I had to do something during the torturous wait. You are beautiful, and you are mine."

"I have news for you, Mr. Monk. I've been yours for a long time,"

Time ticked by as they moved together. Adrian held her closer, and started absently humming along with the music. They were caught up in their own little world and then the inevitable tap came on Adrian's shoulder. It was Bobby Davenport. Adrian smiled at his wife, and handed her off to her father. His eyes circled around the room until they fell on Peggy Davenport.

He strode across the room and smiled as he held out his arm. "Mrs. Davenport."

"Peggy," she corrected, and she joined him on the dance floor.

"I remember the day I married Natalie's father, Adrian. I was happy to be marrying him. We liked each other very much. But the love didn't come until later. We were fortunate that it happened that way, because there are a lot of miserable marriages among my friends and acquaintances. I envy Natalie, because I could not have made a better choice for her. The simple explanation for that is that in spite of the shy smile Bobby had for me on our wedding day, the truth remains that he didn't look at me the way you looked at Natalie."

"I don't know what to say, Peggy...except to thank you. Natalie may not have said as much, but I know that this wedding- the fact that you planned it for us, it means a great deal to her." Adrian lowered his voice. "I can tell you from experience that we always yearn for our parents to approve of us. Do me a favor, Peggy. Tell her."

Peggy merely nodded at Monk. Then the dance ended.

The reception went on and the small, intimate gathering was the comfortable and happy atmosphere that Natalie wanted and Monk needed. Everyone was laughing, dancing, and genuinely enjoying each other's company. Particularly the newlyweds. They hardly spent a moment away from each other, laughing and exchanging kisses.

But another father/daughter dance took place as well. Adrian delighted in leading his new stepdaughter to the dance floor.

Smiling at Julie, he asked her, "So, are you still Team Monk?"

"More than ever! I always felt like you were a dad to me." Julie still had a carefree, girlish laugh. "When I was younger, I used to wish that you and my mom would fall in love and we could be a family."

Adrian swallowed back tears, overwhelmed by such a candid confession. "Oh, Julie. I'm"

Julie shook her head emphatically. "No, don't feel sad. Everything happens when it's supposed to happen. Didn't you tell me to be patient and wait?"

"Yes, I guess I did. And...we're a family now."

"We always were, but now things are just a lot more conventional,". Then she added, "Adrian."

Adrian squeezed her tighter and whispered in her ear, "I love you, Julie."

Bobby Davenport rounded everyone up, everyone wanted to make their own tribute to the bride and groom.

"As father of the bride, I will start! To Adrian and Natalie. I'm thrilled that my daughter has found such a good man, and I know that he will always take care of my girls."

Cheers and applause abounded as everyone took their turn.

Adrian's former partner Joe Christie stood up. "To Adrian and Natalie. My heartfelt thanks are to both of you. To Adrian, for saving my life when you saved my career. And to you, Natalie. Even though I don't know you very well, it's obvious that you saved my friend- the greatest homicide detective in California, and probably beyond."

Then it was Randy's turn. "To the bride and groom. Natalie, you've been a great friend all these years, and you have some pretty sharp instincts out in the field yourself."

"That's only because I learned from the master," Natalie shot back.

"And to you, Monk. You've brought me out of a lot of scrapes, and most of all, I met Sharona because of you. If anyone deserves happiness, it's both of you."

Julie stood up and threw out that sunny smile that resembled Natalie's so much. "To my parents." At this, Natalie smiled at what her daughter had just said and she just hugged Adrian even harder as they stood next to each other. "They have always been a great example for me. Mom, because she is independent and smart; she has always been there for me. And my new stepdad, because he was always kind and loving towards me, and he's the bravest man I know."

Leland finally stood up. "To Adrian and Natalie, two of the dearest people in the world to me. Natalie, you're the most patient person on the planet. Eight years and you still decided you wanted the position permanently. Monk, you're just a lucky devil. You're a brilliant detective, one of the greatest to ever wear a badge. Best of all, you're now a happy man. Both of you are happy- most of us were just wondering when in the hell you two were going to figure out that you could only be at your happiest together. You both deserve it."

After all the cheers had abated, Adrian leaned over in his wife's ear. "Okay...that's our cue. I want to take you away from here. Let's start to make our goodbyes."

"Are you going to tell me where we're going?"

Adrian smiled softly, and cupped her cheek with his hand. "All in due time, beautiful."

Natalie stood in her old bedroom, still wearing her wedding gown. To her surprise, there was a dress waiting for her on the bed. It was royal blue, and had a note attached to it.

"Mrs. Monk,

Wear this. You'll thank me later.

I love you,

Adrian"

Natalie chuckled, mystified by her husband's request. Then there was a knock on her door. She crumpled up the note. "Come in."

It was Peggy. She came in and embraced her daughter.

"What is it, Mom?"

"Well, I was talking to your husband earlier, and there is something I need to say to you. I wanted you to know that I approve, and don't think I could have dreamed up a better choice for you. He loves you."

A tear slid down Natalie's cheek and she hugged her mom tightly. "Thank you, Mom! You've made me so happy with this wedding, I can't even begin to thank you enough."

Peggy looked down on the bed. "What a lovely dress."

"Um, yeah. Adrian left it for me here. He wants me to wear it...wherever it is he's taking me." She rolled her eyes at her husband's insistence on secrecy.

"I only have one question, dear."

"What's that, Mom?" Natalie absently fingered the dress on her bed.

"How can you stand it?"

"Stand what?"

Peggy looked around, even though she knew they were alone. "The way he looks at you. I love your father, but if he looked at me that way, I'm sure I would absolutely burst into flames."

Natalie blushed. "My husband is a man of many talents, Mom."

"Natalie Jane!"

"You asked. There's your answer. Are you really that shocked?"

"After that business in Berkeley and this light speed wedding, I suppose I'm not." Peggy's eyes narrowed. "Is there something I need to know about?"

Natalie sighed, "No, Mom. Nothing like that. Not yet, anyway. But we are going to try."

"I think that would be wonderful. I'll leave you to finish getting dressed."