We have come to the end of this story. Thank you for your reviews. My next story "Mr. Monk becomes an accomplice" will be published in its entirety soon.

Molly and Leyla came around nine o'clock and after breakfast they decided to open the presents they had brought for Adrian. Molly gave him a set of books that he had long wanted on his bookshelf. He gave her a beautiful bracelet that she once said she liked when they were walking by a jewelry store. That brought tears to their eyes.

"I'm sorry you never met your mother. She would be proud of you."

"I know, but let's not talk about it now."

"You're right," he agreed, wiping away tears.

He gave Leyla a brown teddy bear whose sweater said "Dear Friend." She was delighted.

Her gift was a snow globe, inside which was Santa Claus.

Snowflakes fell on him, but when Leyla turned the ball upside down and then straightened it, the snow stopped.

"I bought this ball when I was still in Zemenia. I loved it very much and that's why I packed it in a suitcase and brought it here."

"Leyla, that's wonderful, but you can't give me something that means so much to you."

"Adrian, please don't turn me away. I'll be leaving soon and I really want to give you that snow globe. I don't know anyone who will keep it better than you."

"Thank you," he said softly, hugging her.

"Adrian, why don't you come to the Christmas party being held at my company. Leonardo would be happy to see you. He is extremely grateful to you for proving his innocence."

"You know very well that I'm not responsible for that. You're the one who helped reveal the truth," he said, shaking his head.

"Yes, but nothing would have happened if you hadn't been the first to realize that the lieutenant was a murderer. Will you come with me?"

"I'm not really sure."

"Leyla's right," Molly said. "Why don't you go out, Adrian? You might find it fun."

He shook his head and began to wipe the table, though he did it several times.

"Adrian," Molly cut him off, touching his shoulder. "I know you're depressed and missing Natalie, but it's been over a year and I think you should come back to life somehow. She would want that."

"Molly, you're talking like she's not alive," he protested, his heart aching as it had the day they parted.

"No, Adrian, I'm talking as if she's not there, which is a fact. She'd be sad to know that you've gone nowhere for months because of her, except to the bakery and the supermarket. You know that."

"I know," he replied.

"So? Do you want to go?"

Adrian was silent for a moment, then rolled his eyes. "Could I turn you down when you're so persistent?"

Adrian caught himself humming a certain tune on the way home. He really enjoyed hanging out with Leyla in that fashion house, and the designer took the opportunity to toast the best detective San Francisco had. Molly was right, Natalie wouldn't want him to suffer, she had been helping him out of his suffering for years. He thought about that as he took the key to open the door and then realized it was already open. He was shocked at first, knowing how careful he was and that he had never forgotten to lock the door before. Then he thought that some burglar was inside, and fear seized him. He slowly opened the bedroom door, holding his breath, but soon realized that there was no one inside, which meant that someone was in the living room. He started slowly, ready for anything, but still secretly hoping that it was all one big delusion. A hundred thoughts passed through his mind, from how he decided to leave the apartment after so much time, on Christmas, and that he might become a victim of an attack by a robber or a murderer. He slowly opened the door and his jaw dropped to the floor when he saw Natalie in front of him. She was sitting in his leather armchair with her legs crossed and was watching him penetratingly.

He was in shock. He could expect anything, but not her at all. The feeling of fear was suddenly replaced by a feeling of happiness and relief. She looked beautiful, just like the day he last saw her. Her blonde hair was wavy, she was wearing a tight white shirt and black skirt, and her eyes were sparkling.

"Natalie," he said with a note of joy in his voice, "I can't believe it..."

"What?" she asked, somewhat ironically, waving the key in front of his nose. "Didn't you give me this and say I could come whenever I wanted?"

"I did, of course," he replied and quickly swallowed the dumpling as she came closer.

"Well, I did. I've been planning to come for a long time now, but I did it on this special day."

She paused for a moment, searching for the right words, but there were none. Then she remembered.

"I have something for you."

She opened her purse and took out a book, and handed it to him. Adrian took the book and carefully read the title.

"When love comes late." Then he looked at her and saw the unmistakable longing in her eyes. He thought his mind was playing tricks on him again.

"It's a wonderful book and I'm sure you'll like it."

"I don't doubt it," he replied hoarsely. "What is it about?"

He needed any topic to quench the fire that had suddenly flared up inside him. He also needed a drink, and a hard one.

"It's about two people who love each other, but their love came late. When she was in love with him, he was married to another woman, later when he divorced and got closer to her again, he realized that he loved her , but she could not reciprocate his feelings at that time because she was in love with someone else."

Adrian felt his chest swell.

"What happened next?"

"You have to read the book," she replied, her lips too close to his.

He nodded and closed his eyes, but opened them suddenly when he felt her touch on his cheek.

"I was wrong, Adrian. All this time I spent in Atlanta only proved one thing to me - that I couldn't live without you. I had to leave and I know it took me time to recover from everything, but only when I left , I realized how much I miss you. I don't know if it's too late to say this, but I love you and if you want me, I'll never leave you again."

What did she say? Adrian was beside himself with happiness. His hopes were fulfilled. The beautiful woman he loved stood in front of him and told him she loved him. God, could he have been so happy?

"Natalie," he growled and cupped her hand in his. "I've been dreaming about this for a year. I've been longing for you for much longer. Now that I know you love me too, there is no happier man than me."

She smiled without hiding her joy.

"We should kiss."

Saying that, she laughed louder, remembering one of their cases from the past, when she told him the same thing, and he looked at her in astonishment. So she decided to repeat the whole sentence.

"I didn't say that, I wasn't thinking, I never..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Adrian covered her mouth with his and planted a soft kiss on her, which made her shiver all over.

It was their first kiss and it was amazing. When they broke apart, they both looked at each other, Adrian resting his forehead against hers.

"I love you so much," he murmured and kissed her cheek.

"I love you too, my love," she answered and pulled him into a hug. They stood like that for a while and then lay down on the couch. Natalie was leaning against him, and he was holding her tightly and breathing in the scent of her hair.

"Honey, can I ask you something?"

"Whatever you want, love."

"I know it might be too soon, but will you marry me?"

She raised her head and stared into his brown eyes, which she adored so much.

"It's fast, isn't it?"

She shook her head and kissed his neck, which made his blood boil.

"It's not fast, it's perfect, and yes, I will marry you."

He kissed her gently and felt the simplicity of their lips joining. They were so in tune, so perfect for each other, and now they finally realized it and were ready to start the new life they both longed for.