Adrian Monk felt more alive in those two months after he and Natalie first admitted and then acted on their feelings than he had, possibly ever, in his entire life all put together. He saw things through an entirely new set of eyes. At least, that's how it felt. The sun was sunnier, the clouds fluffier, bird song was clearer, and food was tastier… he knew empirically none of that was true, and it just seemed that everything was different, but he didn't care. He didn't care that his thoughts were running to romantic nonsense. He was so joyful and content; he just didn't care. He leaned against the kitchen counter as he waited for Natalie to ask him for help with something else.

As his mind wandered, he realized he did spend a lot of time these days wondering what brought him to this point. It was as if somebody led him here. He hardly had to steer to arrive where he was at the moment, that this course was planned for him. Of course, he could credit or blame Dale the Whale, but he knew that the evil man wouldn't have wanted this enormous happiness for him. He knew that Natalie believed that destiny guided all human beings' interactions. He never gave credence to things like destiny, but he couldn't dismiss the fact that she had come into his life when he needed her most and vice versa. His mind also wandered over their years together, and he knew that destiny, or whatever it was, had landed them right where they belonged. Together. Forever. He watched as Natalie pulled out serving utensils from a drawer. Every move she made entranced him, fascinated him, intrigued him. How had he been so blind, and conversely, how had he lasted nine years without touching her?

The kids were coming for dinner. At least in his private thoughts, that's how he thought of them all. Their children. Molly and Kyle, Julie and Jason. If life had worked out the way it had started all those years ago, he and Trudy or Natalie and Mitch could have been having this dinner with their kids, separately, of course. But Adrian refused to allow his mind to go in that direction. His mind was focused on the future, and it would stay that way, he reminded himself firmly. So, the kids were coming for Natalie's delicious lasagna and to celebrate Molly's birthday, which had been the week before. It was late Saturday afternoon, and Natalie had spent most of the day cooking and baking. Adrian had done the cleaning. He'd just set the table with their pretty dishes, now a completed service for twelve, and the flameless candles. No matter how much better he was mentally, real candles would never make him comfortable. Too much danger associated with fire and then the smell when you put them out… his thoughts stopped when Natalie asked him to take the lasagna out of the oven and put it on the stove to cool. He complied easily.

"Thank you," she smiled at him when he moved to do as she asked. He could see by her huge smile that she was excited. She was excited because they would tell the kids about their relationship tonight. It was already mid-September, and they'd managed to keep their big secret for five months and their relationship secret for two, and they felt that it was time to let that one go and share their happiness.

"You are welcome." He came to stand behind her as she washed the vegetables she was using to make a salad. He wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck and jawline. Not enough distraction to stop her task, but enough to make her laugh with delight.

Adrian smiled into her hair and inhaled the scent of her vanilla shampoo. He sighed with contentment. Everything Adrian loved and needed would be here in this house in a short time. Even the boys that he just knew were kissing and touching his girls when he wasn't around to supervise their interactions. Adrian gritted his teeth a little and forced the thoughts away. "Do you think they suspect anything?" he asked.

"Well, with the weird stuff we've been saying and doing in the last half a year, I won't be shocked if they aren't shocked," Natalie said with a laugh and turned in his arms. "But one thing I know is they love us and will be happy for us because when someone loves you, they just want you to be happy and at peace."

"Are you happy?" he wondered.

"So happy. And content and at peace. I never thought I'd find those feelings again, Adrian. Because between the day Mitch died, and July fourteenth, I could never find them in my heart or anywhere in my world. I was happy enough, but now, waking up next to you every day, knowing that I have everything I could ever want or need, I have them at last."

Adrian choked up a little, still stunned that this perfect creature loved him that much, but he knew it was true. He felt it from her with every look and every touch. "It's funny that you say 'at peace' because I didn't even realize how much I needed that feeling. I thought it had come from finding Trudy's killer and closing the case. I thought that was peace.

"And to some extent, that was a relief, but I still felt incomplete. Until July fourteenth. If I don't say it enough, sweetheart, thank you for being brave that night."

"I'm pretty sure you would have been brave that night if I hadn't spoken up first."

"Maybe. I was really teetering on the edge of being ready anyway."

"Well, here we are at last," she leaned in and kissed him. His lips curved up as he received the best gift he'd ever received, Natalie Teeger's kisses.

"Want to help me with the salad?" she asked, unwillingly pulling her lips from his.

"Sure," he replied as he caressed her cheek and then turned to wash his hands. Yes, he was happy and content… and at peace.

𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ

Julie and Jason arrived just as the salad and lasagna were on the table. Molly and Kyle came in moments later. Jason had a pretty bouquet of flowers with him, which he handed to Natalie. Natalie put those in the crystal vase that was often filled with flowers from Adrian. Once again, Adrian was impressed with Jason's thoughtful behavior and punctuality; he and Natalie exchanged glances and nodded. They were both happy with Julie's choice of boyfriend. Molly had the promised ice cream for Natalie's apple pie a la mode. She slipped into the kitchen to put it in the freezer. Molly said she preferred pie to another birthday cake.

Everyone sat for dinner and started in on the salad; the talking and laughing and passing of plates, salad dressing, and drink pitchers began. The complete one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn from Adrian's mostly solitary meals just a year before still amazed him as he watched the passing, listened to the chatter and bathed in the love and attention.

Once the group settled, Molly cleared her throat and said, "Um…everyone, Kyle and I have an announcement to make."

That caught everyone's attention, and Molly took her hands out from under the table, where Adrian had noticed she'd been fidgeting with them. Only she hadn't been fidgeting. Instead, she'd been adjusting her jewelry. Molly held up her left hand. Upon which a pretty diamond ring sat on her fourth finger.

"Kyle asked me to marry him yesterday, and I said yes! We're engaged!" There was a second of silent shock, then everyone burst to life and excitement as Julie jumped up from her seat, grabbed Molly's left hand for a closer look, and pulled her into a tight hug.

"Congratulations! This is beyond exciting!" Julie then turned to Kyle and hugged him firmly too. Jason stood and shook Kyle's hand and hugged Molly too. The four had become very close in recent months. It looked like both "boys" were sticking around for the long term.

The newly engaged couple then turned to Natalie and Adrian. "Well? What do you think?" asked Molly.

"This is the best news! I'm thrilled for you," Natalie said with happy tears. She pulled them into a three-way hug and said, "A wedding! Hooray! We haven't had a wedding to celebrate since the Stottlemeyers'! Randy and Sharona were party-poopers who went to Vegas and left us all behind! This is going to be such fun!"

By this time, Adrian had risen and walked to the woman who might have been his stepdaughter had life been different.

"Molly, I'm so happy for you. Beth and Andy must be so excited." He hugged her tightly too, and then in a rare gesture, held out his hand for a handshake with Kyle. "Your folks must be excited too. Look at the daughter-in-law they're getting!"

"Adrian…" Molly mumbled, embarrassed.

"Oh, they are very, very happy, Adrian, but no one on Earth is happier than I am right now," Kyle responded to Adrian, but he only had eyes for Molly.

Natalie sniffed her happy tears away and said, "This calls for a big celebration! Let me get some wine! But wait…I think I have prosecco in the fridge!"

"I snuck some champagne into the refrigerator when I put the ice cream in the freezer," Molly said with a wink.

"Perfect!" Natalie almost sang. "Julie, come help me get the glasses!" Moments later, the Teeger women were back with the glasses and the bottle of champagne. As Kyle wrestled with the cork and the four young people talked excitedly, Natalie took Adrian aside momentarily.

"I guess we'll hold onto our news for a bit longer?" she asked with a shrug. He nodded his agreement and covertly squeezed her hand. She was a thoughtful person. He loved her more than he ever believed possible at that moment. The moment that she put Molly, Trudy's daughter, ahead of herself. Ahead of them. It was then that he understood what parental love really was all about. And how lucky he really was now.

The six champagne glasses were filled, and Adrian made the first toast, "To Molly and Kyle, may you have a long and happy life together!"

The toasting, clinking, and drinking went on for a few more minutes as Natalie served the lasagna, and the inevitable questions began.

Julie asked, "When are you guys thinking about getting married?"

"Well, we were thinking about next spring, possibly April," Molly answered. "But we have to check with all the people who will be involved, find a place, and all that stuff!"

Adrian sat back and simply smiled as he listened to the flurry of questions from Julie and Natalie and the happy, hesitant answers from Molly and Kyle. Some questions went unanswered. Jason smiled patiently through it all, much as he was doing himself, Adrian noticed. Adrian's mind also went off in another direction. Thinking about Natalie and him and their future. Would she say yes if he proposed, or was she content with how things were? It was a little too soon to bring it up after two months, but maybe in the not-too-distant future. He'd have to think about it and find a way to feel her out about the subject. Maybe Dr. Bell would have some advice.

Adrian cleared the dishes with Jason's help while Julie and Natalie served dessert, and Molly made coffee with Kyle. They were a delightfully efficient team. Adrian was so happy to be part of different teams in his life these days. The work team was Leland, Randy, Natalie, and him. Their tight-knit friends were Leland, TK, Sharona, Randy, Natalie, and him. Then there was this little family group of Molly, Kyle, Julie, Jason, Natalie, and him. The common denominator amongst them all was Natalie. He wouldn't have these strong connections and happiness if not for Natalie. He was a damn lucky man, and each day his luck seemed to get better and better. He wasn't sure how he had been so fortunate a second time, but he wasn't going to question it, and he wasn't going to do anything to lose it.

𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ𝕸ɳ

Later that night, Natalie exited the bathroom when Adrian was reading in bed. When he heard the light click off, he glanced up casually and then back down at his book. But he looked back quickly when he saw what Natalie was wearing. A black satin negligee with lace trim around the plunging neckline and a high-cut skirt. She looked incredible. Sexy, gorgeous, desirable. He instantly forgot about his book and tossed it on his nightstand. Adrian immediately reached for her as she pulled back the comforter.

"You are so, so beautiful, sweetheart." He placed kisses on her bare shoulder and down to her decolletage. The scent of her perfume was intense there, and he reveled in it as he trailed his lips against her soft flesh. Then, finally, his lips met hers in a searing kiss. "I love you so much. I love our life so much. I'm sorry we had to put off our announcement tonight."

"It's alright, Adrian. We can wait. I didn't want anything to take away from Molly and Kyle's joy tonight."

"You are so selfless and kind." He continued kissing her neck.

"I'm not sure that's true; I am a little disappointed." She pulled away from him then. "So I guess I am a little selfish."

"But you didn't act like it. All you did was celebrate the kids. You always put others before yourself. I am so grateful you could put Trudy's child above your happiness tonight. It takes a big heart to do something like that."

"No, it doesn't. I adore Molly. And yes, she's a part of Trudy. Trudy is a part of you, which makes her a part of us. We won't ever forget our past lives or loves. It's what brought us together. I never want us to let go of Mitch or Trudy. Maybe we don't need them as much as we once did because we have this now," she gestured between them, "but they are entwined in our story, which is just as it should be… don't you think?"

"I think I don't have any idea what I did to deserve you," Adrian replied with eyes bright with tears.

"You sent out a signal to the universe. You were in pain, you were lonely, you were in need. I was all of those things too. Then we collided. It took a while for us to get it together, but now look at what we have!"

Adrian nodded. They had an embarrassment of riches. A love that was perfectly in tune because of all they shared and the history between them that was so fulsome and rich.

"We can tell them next week or the week after. "As long as we know what's what, everything and everyone else can wait," Natalie said, kissing him softly.

"Whatever you want," he smiled against her mouth.

"Right now, all I want is you."

"You have me."

Natalie grinned a very naughty grin and said, "Not yet, I don't…" as she unbuttoned his pajama top. After that, the rest of the night was just sighs and few words except for murmurs of love.