19Adrian, Natalie, Leland, and the Dishers stopped by the hospital to visit Preacher on their way to the airport and were happy to see that he was sitting up and was expected to make a full recovery. He said a prayer over them, thanking God for such good friends and for using them to apprehend such a vile criminal as Martin. He asked for travelling mercies to be upon them and for many blessings.
As they reached the airport, Leland told Natalie and Monk that he would not be on their flight but instead was going to stop by Randy and Sharona's for a few days to check out what his former protégé had been up to.
Natalie hugged them all and Adrian gave a sort of clumsy shoulder hug to each of them awkwardly walking to the side as his friends made their way down the terminal towards the flight to Newark.
Natalie held his hand and smiled as they turned to go the opposite way.
"Are you disappointed?" asked Adrian.
"Disappointed in what?" asked Natalie.
"It wasn't much of a honeymoon." He responded.
"Adrian" she stopped. "As long as I am with you, I'm happy."
He stopped in the middle of the terminal and gave her a hug and long kiss.
As they began to walk on, he asked "do you have both of our carry ons?"
"Right here." she said, pulling two bags along.
He stopped and put his hand up and took the handles from her as they continued to walk.
She smiled and began to walk arm in arm with him.
"What's our flight number?" she asked.
"1010" he said.
"Seriously?" she asked.
"No." he smiled. "But it sounded good. Just follow me."
They reached the end of the terminal and walked up to a counter that was unlabeled.
"Sir, can I help you?" asked the porter.
"Yes, my name is Adrian…Monk, and this is my wife, Natalie." He said.
"Ah yes sir, I'll take your bags. We've been expecting you." The Porter responded.
Natalie watched in amazement as they received a king's welcome and were led through the boarding bridge and onto the plane. She didn't even realize until she stepped on board that it was a luxury jet and that they were the only passengers on board.
"Adrian? How?" she said.
"Courtesy the President." He smiled.
"He's got my vote." She joked.
As she sat in a luxurious leather chair Adrian walked over to where their luggage was and began to rifle through one of the bags. He pulled out some books, a headset, two DVD movies and a sleep mask.
Taking his seat next to her, he placed the items on the table in front of them.
"Adrian, the flight is only about 6 hours. Do you think we'll need all this?" she asked.
"We might. You know how much I love to fly." He responded.
She held his hand as the plane taxied down the runway, sped up and took off.
Looking out the window seat she thought back through all that they had been through and how thankful she was that it had all come out okay. He could infuriate her to no end, but she dearly loved this man and couldn't imagine life without him.
About 20 minutes into the flight, a flight attendant came forward offering beverage service.
"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Monk. My name is Heather and I will be serving you today. We have a number of beverages for you to choose from." She handed them a menu. "And will be offering meal service in a couple of hours. May I bring you something?"
Natalie said "Hi Heather, yes. Could I have a Coke and I believe Adrian would like some bottled water?"
Adrian shook his head affirmatively.
Natalie stared lovingly at her husband who was uncharacteristically quiet and uncomplaining. He just looked ahead.
"Whatcha thinking about?" she asked.
He looked at her and grinned.
"What? What is that grin about?" she asked.
He wouldn't answer.
Heather came back and placed their drinks on coasters on the table in front of them.
"By the way, welcome aboard. The weather when you land at Heathrow is supposed to be warm and sunny." she said and began to turn away.
"Wait!" said Natalie. "Did you say, Heathrow?"
"Yes ma'am." Said Heather.
"Don't you mean San Francisco International?" she asked.
Heather smiled, looked at Adrian and walked away.
Natalie looked over at Adrian who was still smiling.
"Adrian, they are taking us to the wrong airport." She said.
"No they're not." He replied.
"Adrian, Heathrow is in London, England. We've got to get them to turn around." She said.
"You worry too much." He answered.
"Whuh…what? I WORRY TOO MUCH?" she said.
He leaned forward and picked up a book for her and grabbed the sleep mask for himself.
"Here's a little light reading for you. I'm going to catch some shut eye." He said, handing her the book and putting the mask over his eyes, leaning back in his chair.
She turned the book over and read Visitors Guide to Bramhall, England.
Confused, she shook her head. Unbuckling her seat belt, she stood up and lifted the eye mask off of his eyes.
"Bramhall, England? What's in Bramhall, England?" she said.
He opened his eyes and said "Bramall Hall." Then pulled the mask back over his eyes.
Still confused, she lifted the mask again.
"What exactly is Bramall Hall?" she asked.
"The historic manor of the Davenport family for several centuries." he said.
"The Davenports? You mean, my family?" she asked.
"Yes. Your ancestors." he said.
"I…I don't understand." She said. "Are we? Are you taking me to England?"
Adrian smiled.
"Natalie Monk, I love you more than words can say. I hate that our honeymoon was interrupted the way it was. You deserve so much better. So, I talked with your parents who still have connections in the area and borrowed the President's personal jet and well, Bramall Hall is going to be our place of abode for the next week and a half."
Natalie squealed in excitement. "We're going to England! We're going to England! I've always wanted to go to Engl…and. Adrian Monk! You kept this as a surprise! Why you little sneak! I'm going to have to get you back!" she said.
"Promise?" he asked.
TO BE CONTINUED.