October 17 dawned, pleasant and warm, unlike the other days of the month. It was an ordinary day for Adrian Monk, but not for his friends who decided to throw him a party. Even Leland stopped being mad at him when he realized that Monk had given up on the theory that Albright was the killer. Adrian was mentally preparing himself for the day, as he was in no mood for fun as he felt himself falling apart inside. He didn't know what the party was going to be like, nor did he really care, so he wasn't surprised when Natalie hinted that they were going to the Davenport estate that day, at her parents' house. He just hoped that it wouldn't be too luxurious a party that Natalie would go to great lengths for, and he wouldn't be able to be genuinely happy.

Somehow he got out of bed and decided to shave, after several days of refusing to do so. He was glad that Natalie was too busy with preparations for his birthday and her own wedding, so she didn't come for several days. He was also pleased that Leyla did not come and convince him to "force out" justice. He believed she backed off because she realized what trouble he might be in if he continued the investigation. He finished dressing and stood next to the mirror to fix his hair and then took Molly's photo from the shelf nearby.

How he loved that blonde girl, whom he could have met earlier, if only he had opened Trudy's present in time. He would do anything for her, he would even give his own life if necessary. He let his emotions get the better of him as he hugged the photo and felt that Trudy was proud of him. He stopped suddenly, after his gaze shifted from Trudy's photo to Natalina's and felt some indescribable sadness fill his heart. Would he do the same for Natalie? Would he give his life for her? Of course he would. God, what is he doing? But before he could answer that, Natalie hurriedly opened the door and pulled him into her arms.

"Happy birthday, Mr. Monk," she chirped happily, touching his hair, cheeks, and neck. "You look beautiful today."

He focused his attention on her beautiful sequined burgundy dress that accentuated her narrow waist, then returned his gaze to her face adorned with discreet makeup. She was beautiful, so beautiful that he was dying near her and could barely control himself.

"Thanks. You look great too."

Natalie blushed at his new approach.

"Thank you, Mr. Monk. Are you ready? Leland is waiting for us in the car, and Randy and Sharona will come later."

"I'm ready," he answered, trying to look cheerful. "And where's Molly?"

"She's at my parents' house, making final preparations before the surprise party." Then she looked at him slyly. "There's no way you'll guess this, you shrewd detective!"

"Believe me I won't even try, after that party three years ago," he answered honestly. She smiled her ringing smile, and then they left the apartment.

The drive to the Davenports was spent in Leland and Natalie chatting, while Adrian remained silent and looked thoughtfully out the window. If he had managed to put on a fake smile until then, it automatically faded as soon as he saw Steven Albright next to Molly. He had to stay calm, he couldn't let that scoundrel outwit him.

Molly was setting the plates for the table, and Diana, the Davenports' maid, was helping her with this. She looked quite calm, since Adrian had told her about his suspicions about Albright, but he hoped she also believed it wasn't true.

"Adrian!" she shouted as soon as she saw him, "happy birthday to the best stepfather ever!"

Adrian hugged her and let a tear slide down his cheek.

"I hope you're excited for the party. Natalie really tried her best."

"I did," he lied, but not very convincingly.

Steven walked up to him, dressed in a black, elegant suit, and shook his hand.

"Happy birthday, Mr. Monk! I hope you have a great time."

Adrian looked around and then gave him a disdainful look.

"Stop pretending, Lieutenant! I don't want to see you around Molly, is that clear! I've kept my end of the deal."

Steven raised a brow in amusement. "I would like to be as good a father as you are one day. I hope it will be soon."

Adrian swallowed the dumpling and turned his back, colliding with Randy.

"Hey man, what's up? You're kind of too worried and it's your birthday," Randy said cheerfully.

"You're wrong, Randy, I'm very happy," he said, putting on an artificial smile.

"You can say that to him, but not to me," came the recognizable voice of Sharona Fleming, her unforgettable accent. "What's wrong, Adrian?"

"Everything is fine," he defended himself. "Did you two come here to spoil my fun?" he asked jokingly and rested his hand on a nearby tree. Sharona immediately took out a tissue from her purse and handed it to him.

"I haven't used tissues in a long time," he said, waving his hand.

"Randy," his wife called to him, "my ex-boss really got weird, didn't he?"

Randy ate the donut he took from the table and measured Adrian.

"He's always been weird to me."

Adrian rolled his eyes and leaned against the tree.

"You're both boring. Let me celebrate my birthday."

At that moment Julie came, wearing a birthday hat that said "It's my birthday."

"Mr. Monk, I don't know how they didn't give you this. Put it on your head."

"Julie, do I have to?" he protested.

"Sure, do you want mom to be mad at you?", Julie smiled slyly.

"I wouldn't hold it against Natalie if I were you," Randy quipped.

Adrian sighed and obeyed Julie. With the hat on his head, he looked like a real celebrant, only his smile was fake.

Julie took him by the hand and led him to the other guests, who were seated at a table in the magnificent Davenport estate.

Peggy, Natalie's mother, approached Adrian and wished him a happy birthday from the bottom of her heart, and Natalie's father, Bobby, did the same. Although they were initially reserved towards Monk, they came to realize that he is a good man, especially after he saved their son on his wedding day. They gladly accepted Natalie's suggestion to organize a party at the estate, happy to do something for that man.

The lunch was in a great mood, the guests were having fun, so no one noticed that Adrian was secretly following Steven Albright's every step, pretending to enjoy it. When he finished eating, Natalie took Adrian's hand and led him to a place where chairs were set up like in a movie theater. It looked like an open-air cinema. She told him to sit on the first chair that was set aside, and the other guests sat behind him. Adrian was confused but didn't ask too many questions.

"Are you ready for a surprise, Mr. Monk?" she whispered to him, settling into the chair next to him.

"More than ready," he replied.

Natalie snapped her fingers and soon a pleasant tune could be heard coming from the radio, and around the corner appeared, no less, no more than - Joey Heatherton.

Adrian was in shock. His favorite actress, although in her seventh decade, looked stunning and agreed to come to his birthday party. Although he stopped bothering with famous people a long time ago, ever since that incident with Christine Rapp, he could not deny that the presence of his favorite actress touched him. He looked at Natalie, a look she luckily didn't see, and one filled with pure adoration. Once again, this incredible woman made him feel good, despite everything that was going on in reality. How he's going to miss her, he thought with a heavy sigh. Then he looked at Joey.

She was in a blue costume, and on her head she wore a fancy hat. She approached him and held out her hand.

"So nice to meet you, famous detective Monk!"

"You've heard of me?", Adrian was confused.

"Oh, sure, well, you're a famous person. You've put the city of San Francisco in so much debt, it would be a shame not to know you."

Adrian blushed a little at this compliment.

"Thank you for coming," he said.

"Thank you to this charming lady for inviting me," she replied, looking at Natalie.

She just smiled and patted Adrian on the shoulder.

Joey asked for some quiet time so she could do her famous show, the one that Adrian adored. He listened with pleasure, and Natalie's heart was full because of it. When the show was over, Adrian pulled Natalie aside to thank her.

"It's a little thing, Mr. Monk, and you know how much you mean to me," she said, her voice strained with emotion.

"I know, Natalie," he whispered. "I'm sorry that there had to be a conflict between us, after all these years we spent together."

Natalie frowned and arched her right eyebrow.

"We said we wouldn't bring it up again, didn't we? You made a mistake, it can happen to anyone, but the important thing is that it all ended well in the end. Don't beat yourself up about it, Mr. Monk."

Then she pulled him into a long hug.

"Okay, enough emotions, it's time to open your presents, and then it's the turn of the birthday cake."

"Natalie, do I still have to wear this?" he pointed to the birthday hat on his head.

"Sure," she smiled, "but as soon as you're done with the cake, you can take it off."

He sighed and followed her to the other guests, who left gifts on the table. Adrian was touched but thought it was too much.

"Happy birthday, Mr. Monk."

Hearing a very familiar accent behind him, he immediately turned around and was left in awe. Leyla was standing not far from him, in a light green dress, and was looking at him penetratingly. He separated himself from the others and approached her with hurried steps.

"Leyla," he muttered barely audible, "what are you doing here?"

"I came to congratulate you on your birthday and to give you a present," she replied.

"What...What gift?"

"You're curious?" she asked slyly, looking at him under the eye.

"Leyla, please, you have to go..."

But before he could finish his sentence, Natalie walked up to them and greeted Leyla politely, even though she had been as angry with her recently as she was with Adrian.

"Well, Leyla, I'm surprised to see you here," she said somewhat reservedly.

"She's leaving," Adrian interjected, looking at Leyla pleadingly.

"No, why?" Natalie protested. "Look, she's your friend and if she came to the party, then she'll be here. There's no need for us to be bitter," she said, more to herself. "Leyla, welcome."

"Thank you, Natalie," she replied politely and followed her, leaving a stunned Adrian in awe.

Soon, Diana brought a birthday cake, which Molly picked out, and they insisted that Adrian blow out the candles and make a wish. He knew exactly what he wanted. His gaze involuntarily found Natalie's, but in addition to joy, he also felt indescribable fear when he saw Steven next to her, and then Molly. His emotions were stirred and he suddenly blew out the candles, and then there was a thunderous applause. He hastened to remove his hat from his head and politely thanked those present. The party was over, or so he thought it was.