December 25, 2010

Adrian Monk awoke to the wonderful reality of his wife curled up next to him. As usual, her head rested on his chest, her arm encircled his waist, and her leg lay wrapped around his. As he listened to the sound of her soft breathing, he smiled in contentment. They had only been married for four months, but he knew this was a feeling he would never tire of.

Natalie felt her husband stir, so she opened her eyes. Shifting her position and looking up, she found him smiling down at her. "Merry Christmas my love," she said.

"Merry Christmas," he said, caressing her arm. He yawned and squinted at the light shining through their bedroom window. "What time is it?" he asked, rolling over and looking at the clock on his nightstand. "Shouldn't we be getting downstairs to open gifts?" He pulled back the covers and placed one foot on the floor. "The girls will be waiting!"

Natalie giggled at her husband's uncharacteristic enthusiasm. "Adrian, relax. Julie is taking care of Sophia so we can sleep in a little. We might as well enjoy it because once she knows what Christmas is, she'll be waking us before dawn every year."

He slipped back under the covers and gathered her into his arms. "Well, in that case, I'll take advantage of the opportunity."

They laid in bed a little longer, enjoying the warmth of each other's arms. Adrian could hardly believe how much he was looking forward to the day ahead of him. In the years after Trudy's passing, he had dreaded Christmas day as it came less than two weeks after the anniversary of her death and only reminded him of his great loss. It had come to a point where he tried not to think about the holiday any more than he had to. After Natalie came to work for him, she had insisted he join her and Julie for the festivities. He always appreciated their kindness, but it was never quite the same as when Trudy was alive. This Christmas was different. This year, he had many reasons to celebrate. Not only was he married to the beautiful woman he was holding, but he had two daughters to celebrate with. He found the things that used to annoy him about the season: the lights, the music playing everywhere you go, the shopping for gifts, was a completely new and wonderful experience as a parent.

He nuzzled Natalie's golden hair and kissed her forehead. Then, he made a trail of soft kisses down her cheek to her lips, on which he placed a lingering kiss. None of the happiness he felt would be possible without her. "I love you, you know," he whispered.

Slowly opening her eyes, she smiled. "I know, and I love you too. Are you ready to go downstairs?"

"Yes, I can't wait any longer," he said, grinning. He gave her one more quick kiss, then they grabbed their robes and headed downstairs, the scents of coffee and cinnamon intermixing with the excitement in the air.

Julie had just finished cleaning up from Sophia's breakfast when she saw her parents. "Merry Christmas!" she said, giving them both hugs.

"Thanks for letting us sleep in," said Adrian, returning her hug.

Natalie removed the tray of the highchair and picked up Sophia. "Hi, sweet girl. Do you want to open some presents?"

They gathered in the living room, letting Sophia open her gifts first. Julie helped her untie the ribbons and rip the wrapping paper. Adrian rolled his shoulder at the growing mess but suppressed the urge to clean it when he saw how much fun the toddler was having with the boxes and wrapping, even more so than with the presents found within. He chuckled at the sound of her infectious laugh as she placed a cardboard box over her head. "I think we could have wrapped empty boxes and she would have been just as happy."

Next, was Julie's turn, and she was delighted to find the new clothes and items she had been wanting for her dorm room. After unwrapping her last gift, she picked out a small, lightweight gift bag from underneath the tree and handed it to Natalie. "This is for you and Dad, from me," she said.

Natalie looked at Adrian, then she tentatively pulled out the tissue paper and felt inside the bag. Feeling the two, small, card-like objects at the bottom, a puzzled look crossed her face. She pulled them out and her mouth dropped open. "Julie! How?" She showed them to Adrian, and he was also surprised when he saw the two theater tickets for West Side Story.

"Julie, this is too much!" said Adrian.

Julie smiled with the pleasure of her parents' surprise. "They weren't as much as you think. I got a great student discount. When I found out it was coming back for a limited run, I had to get them. After Mom's accident last year, you guys never got to go, so now you can, and I'll be home to babysit. You'll finally get that first date you were supposed to have."

"Well, how about it sweetheart?" asked Adrian.

"How about what?" replied Natalie.

"Will you go out on a date with me?"

"Of course!" Natalie laughed, then gratefully hugged her daughter.

Next, Julie pulled out a small, square box from under the tree and handed it to her mother. "This is from Dad."

Natalie smiled at Adrian as she untied the ribbon. She carefully unwrapped the box. As she lifted the lid, she gasped. "They're beautiful," she said running her finger over the delicate pearl and diamond earrings and bracelet.

"They match the necklace I gave you for your birthday last year."

"Thank you. I love you," Natalie said, giving him a tender kiss.

Julie rolled her eyes as the kiss continued. "All right you two. There will be time for that later. We've got one more present, but this present was too big to wrap, so Dad, you're going to need to close your eyes until I tell you to open them."

"Why?" asked Adrian.

"Because it's a surprise," said Natalie.

"I hate surprises," mumbled Adrian.

While Adrian's eyes were closed, Julie went behind the Christmas tree and pulled out the item she hid there early that morning. "Ok Dad, you can open your eyes now. Merry Christmas from Mom!"

Adrian opened his eyes and had to blink a couple of times. There, in front of him, sat a vacuum cleaner with a big red bow tied to the handle, but this wasn't just any vacuum cleaner. This was a LaserVac, the world's only self-cleaning vacuum cleaner. He had never forgiven himself for killing the one T.K. had let him borrow.

He stood and gingerly touching the vacuum, turned to his wife. "How? Where did this come from? With Bradley Foster dead, I didn't think any more of these would be made."

Natalie smiled broadly. "Well, I got in touch with the lawyer who handled Foster's estate and found out he had a brother. I then got in touch with his brother and found out he had taken the designs and was starting to manufacture them. I got the first one off the production line," she said proudly. "He also sold it to me at cost in appreciation of you catching his brother's killer."

"Natalie, I hardly know what to say…"

"Just say thank you," laughed Julie.

"Ok, thank you," Adrian said with a smile.

Adrian sat back down with the owner's manual and after a few minutes, felt a tug on his pant leg. He lowered the manual and saw Sophia grinning up at him. She held up a silver bow. "Dada, oh," she said, not quite getting the "b" out.

Adrian set the manual down and pulled the toddler onto his lap. "That's right. This is a bow," he said, pointing to the object in her hand. She giggled and stuck the bow on Adrian's head. He took it off only to put it on her own head, sending her into a peal of laughter. Julie couldn't resist the fun and joined in.

Natalie watched from her spot on the floor by the Christmas tree. How very different things were now than they had been a year ago. Natalie had always tried to celebrate Christmas the best she could for Julie's sake, but it was the time of year she missed Mitch most. Julie had inherited her love of Christmas from her father, and the three of them did everything together. Even if his Navy schedule didn't allow him to be home on Christmas Day, he made sure they would celebrate before he left. After Mitch's death, Natalie would often smile through the day as she made cookies or shopped with Julie but then would spend the night in tears. After meeting Adrian, Natalie began inviting him to spend the holiday with them, knowing he was missing Trudy as much as she was missing Mitch. This year, she and Adrian had talked and shared stories of Christmases past and both acknowledged they still missed their first spouses, but the emptiness and pain had been eased with their love for each other and the joy found in the family they had formed. As Natalie watched her husband, the man she'd loved for so long, laughing with their daughters, she felt a depth of gratitude for what she had been given. She pulled out her camera, ready to record the memories of their first Christmas together as a family, in every sense of the word.

A couple of hours later, Adrian, Natalie, and Julie were busily preparing for another Christmas first. Adrian's brother, Ambrose, and their father, Jack would be joining them for Christmas brunch. Ambrose had continued to improve in his ability to leave his house since the August wedding. He was now able to come to Adrian and Natalie's house, as well as Dr. Bell's office. He wasn't quite ready for crowded, public spaces, but he had made tremendous progress in the past year.

Jack Monk, who had made excuses not to attend Adrian and Natalie's wedding, was now retired and didn't have a good excuse when Adrian invited him to come to San Francisco for Sophia's first birthday, on December 14th, and stay through Christmas. The time they spent together that month was not without its bumps, but the often curmudgeonly Jack Monk was won over by Natalie's kindness and his granddaughters' charm. By the time Christmas rolled around, Jack was doting on the two girls as much as any grandfather would.

While Natalie and Julie prepared the brunch, Adrian cleaned up the mess created by the gift opening by the tree. He cheered on his little helper when she followed his example by crumpling up the paper and dropping it by handfuls into the trash bag he held out for her. Then, while the house filled with mouth-watering smells, he held Sophia on his hip while he happily vacuumed to the sound of Christmas tunes playing on the radio. Eventually, Sophia wanted a snack, and after he buckled her safely into her high chair, Adrian set the table. As he did, Natalie noticed the amount of time he was spending trying to perfect the alignment of the dishes, silverware, and napkins, an inordinate amount of time even for him. She walked over and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Adrian, what's wrong?" she asked.

He continued to straighten and rearrange, her question not registering, so she asked again. This time, he stopped and stared at the table for a minute before responding. "I don't know. Having my father here is just…weird."

"Well, it's Christmas and, except for those days on the road a few years back, you haven't spent Christmas with him since you were a kid, so I can see how that would seem strange, but you've been together nearly every day for the last couple of weeks. It will be fine."

"I know, but I just don't want anything to ruin it. It's been perfect so far."

"Oh, he won't do anything to ruin it. He loves you and he loves the girls. It will be so good to have him and Ambrose here, and how wonderful for him to spend Christmas with his family after all these years. Too bad Jack Jr. can't be here too."

Adrian smiled at his wife. He often wished he could be as kind and gracious as her. He pulled her into his arms. "Do you know how special you are?"

"Oh stop," she protested. "I just love your family because I love you."

The doorbell rang and she kissed his cheek before they went to answer it.

A little while later, the Monks sat at the dining room table, eating their Christmas brunch. "Natalie, these cinnamon rolls are delicious," said Ambrose.

"Actually," said Natalie, "Julie made those."

"Oh, a hidden talent," said Ambrose, smiling at Julie.

Julie ducked her head bashfully and Natalie turned her attention to her father-in-law.

"So Jack," Natalie said. "Now that you're retired, what are you going to do with yourself?"

"Oh, I don't know," replied Jack. "Maybe I'll take up gardening or fishing or something."

"I've been trying to talk him into moving back here," said Ambrose enthusiastically. "Wouldn't that be great!"

"That would be wonderful!" said Natalie. "What do you think Adrian? Wouldn't that be great!"

Adrian looked back and forth between Jack, Ambrose, and his wife. He had never considered the possibility of his father moving back to San Francisco permanently. He wasn't quite sure how he felt about it.

"Adrian…" Natalie touched his arm, trying to get his attention.

He looked at her and blinked. "What?"

"Your dad…moving back to San Francisco. What do you think?"

"Oh…" He tried to think of what to say. "Sure." He looked down and smoothed his napkin, trying not to look anyone in the eyes. "If he wants to."

Jack's smile faded as he looked at his younger son. "I don't know. I'm so used to Midland now. I just paid off my house, I've got friends, and besides, my retirement wouldn't go nearly as far here as it does there."

"You could live with me," protested Ambrose. "Then you wouldn't need as much money."

"I don't think I could do that," said Jack, putting his napkin on his plate. "That house has too many memories and a lot of them not so good. Now, how about we go to the living room. I have some gifts for you all."

Once in the living room, Jack began pulling out the boxes he brought with him. He gave one to Adrian, one to Natalie, and what looked like a Christmas card to Julie. Sitting down, he pulled Sophia onto his lap. Ambrose brought in a chair from the table and joined them. Natalie unwrapped hers first. It was an elegant set of crystal glasses and a crystal drink pitcher.

"Oh Jack," these are just beautiful. You didn't need to get me these."

"I should have been there," Jack said, growing more serious. "I should have been at your wedding. I know this doesn't make up for it, but it's for that and for Christmas. I'm glad Adrian found you, Natalie. I can see how happy you make him."

"Well he makes me just as happy," Natalie said, smiling at Jack and then at her husband. "Thank you. I'll treasure them always." Natalie then turned to see what Adrian was pulling out of his box. It was a book, a leather-bound book of fine craftsmanship. "What is it?" she asked.

"It's Sherlock Holmes," he said, fingering the leather cover. "A special edition." Immediately, Adrian's mind was flooded with memories of his father reading it to him as a child.

As if he knew what Adrian was thinking, Jack said, "I'm sorry that tradition stopped way too soon, son. I thought maybe you could start a new tradition with your children."

"Thanks, Dad," said Adrian, his voice barely heard.

Breaking the tension, Ambrose piped in. "Dad got me a new set of encyclopedias. You should see them!"

They laughed a little, then noticed Julie, staring at the card in her hands. "What did you get sweetie?" asked Natalie. Julie didn't answer. She just held out the card for her mother to take. Natalie took the card and opened it, then she showed it to Adrian, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Jack, what is this?" he asked, looking at the check made out to Julie for $10,000.

"There's one in here for Sophia, too," Jack said, handing Natalie another card. "Julie's is for college. You can put Sophia's away for college if you want or use it for other needs along the way." He was now bouncing the toddler on his knee, saying "Giddyap horsy", which made Sophia laugh in delight. He didn't realize that Adrian and Natalie were staring at him.

Finally, Adrian spoke. "I can't take this kind of money from you!"

"Sure you can," said Jack. "They're my granddaughters and I can give them a gift if I want to."

Suddenly, Adrian stood. "I'm going to go get some fresh air."

Natalie watched him walk out the door to the back patio, then she mouthed "I'm sorry" to Jack and Ambrose and followed him out.

Natalie stepped onto the patio but didn't say anything. She stood with her arms crossed, watching her husband pace back and forth. After a few minutes, Adrian stopped and looked at her. He scowled then threw up his arms. "What does he think he's doing, Natalie?"

Natalie sighed. She should have known this reunion wouldn't have been as easy as she had hoped. "He's your father and the girls' grandfather. He just wants to show his love and be part of our lives. You're the one who invited him here. What did you expect?"

He began pacing again. "I can take care of my own family. I've been taking care of myself and my family since I was eight years old!"

Natalie put her hands on her hips. "Oh, is this a pride thing? You've got to prove that you don't need your father's help?"

Adrian threw up his hands again. "No Natalie, this isn't a pride thing, but does he think he can just buy his way back into our lives? Does he think he can make up for all the years of neglect by throwing some expensive gifts our way?"

"Oh Adrian, I think he has so much regret for what he did. He's just trying to show his love again." She walked towards him and pulled him into a hug, whispering, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have jumped to that conclusion." Then, she put his face in her hands and forced him to look into her eyes. "What's really going on babe? I could tell you weren't too happy with the idea of him moving back here either."

"Well, you heard him. He doesn't even want to move back."

"I think he only said that because he thinks you don't want him here." She looked deeply into his expressive eyes. "Aren't you happy to have him back in your life?"

"I…I don't know. I know I should be happy...but I just feel like it won't last."

"I think I get it. I'm not Dr. Bell, but I think you're afraid if you open your heart to him again, it will end in heartache, or that he'll leave again."

He gave her a slight smile. "How do you know me so well?" He took a deep breath. "I can't go through that again, and I can't let you or the girls go through it either."

She reached up and touched his cheek. "Is he worth taking a chance on, Adrian? That's what you've got to ask yourself."

"I just don't know…"

"Well, for now," she said as she grabbed his hand and took a step towards the door. "I think you owe him an apology and you need to rejoin your family. It is Christmas, after all."

Adrian adjusted his neck and sighed. "Ok, for you. We'll accept these gifts, but I still don't know how I feel about him moving back."

"It's ok. Give yourself time. It's a lot to think about."

They went back inside and saw Ambrose and Julie cleaning up from brunch. Jack was sitting on the floor, playing with Sophia.

"Dad," Adrian began.

Jack interrupted with a lift of his hand. "Don't mention it, son. I know my being here isn't easy, and I am very grateful you invited me." He looked down at Sophia and kissed her head. "Having a chance to meet Natalie and these girls…it…it means so much."

Natalie put her arm around Adrian's waist. "We're happy to have you, Jack. You're welcome anytime."

Adrian just stood and watched his family for a moment. It truly was good to have his brother and his father with them that day. He just hoped he could relinquish the fear that it was too good to be true. He wanted to love and trust his father again, with all his heart he did, but could he?

Later that evening, Ambrose and Jack had gone back to Ambrose's house, Sophia was in bed, and Julie had gone to her room to read. Natalie walked into the kitchen just as Adrian walked out, having finished the last of the supper dishes. He grabbed her around the waist before she could go any further. "Fancy meeting you here, Mrs. Monk," he said with a roguish smile."

"What's so special about this spot, Mr. Monk?" She returned his smile, her green eyes dancing.

He pointed to the mistletoe that hung from the ceiling just above them. "It's tradition." He pulled her to himself, capturing her lips with his own. Then, he leaned back and looked at her more seriously. "Thank you," he said, tucking a wayward strand of hair behind her ear.

"For what?"

"For making today so perfect, for being patient with me when I act like a fool, for everything."

"I should be thanking you, my love."

"Why?"

"For giving me the best Christmas present ever."

"What? The earrings and bracelet?"

Natalie slipped her arms around his neck and threaded her fingers through his dark curls. "I love them Adrian, but I meant you, your love, our marriage. That's the best gift ever." Then she pulled him to herself. "Come kiss me goodnight," she whispered in his ear, before taking his hand and turning off the light.

Nineteen miles south, in the city of San Mateo, California, Antonio Bertinelli sat alone in the living room of his 1950's era home. He sighed deeply as he looked at the few pictures he had of himself and his wife, Gia. This was his second Christmas without her, and the loss was still palpable. His usually busy schedule didn't allow much reflection, but on this rare day off, it seemed she was the only thing he could think about. He shook his head and closed his book. Rising from his chair, he made a decision. He would drive up to his restaurant on the San Francisco waterfront. He would also be alone there, but at least, he could find things to do to keep busy. As he drove, he didn't notice the dark car following him from his home to his restaurant. He also didn't notice the same car parked across the street when he walked up to unlock the door. The only sound on the empty, quiet street that Christmas night was the clicking of a camera shutter as Antonio was unknowingly photographed.