A/N: I know it's been a while since I posted Twist Tie but I did promise a sequel. This starts out as soon as that story ends so it takes place in September 2010. I am attempting to go through the months to bring us up to when they have the wedding in January. This may not be the longest fic I've written but it's taken the most work – and is still being worked on – and I hope you enjoy. I hope to post a chapter at least every other day but there are no promises. Also, I've never planned a wedding before and only ever been to one so forgive me if it's not how the process goes, I did a lot of research to try and make sure it was.

XXXXX

Maura looked down at the 'ring' on her finger. Sure, it wasn't what she was supposed to dream of as a little girl but, somehow, it seemed a lot better. She looked up and watched Jane and her parents interact. She smiled at them and knew that this would be what the rest of her life consisted of: watching mother and daughter bicker lovingly while Jane's father shakes his head.

She excused herself, deciding it best to leave the three of them to talk for the time being, and went across the hall. She nodded to Korsak standing outside of Frankie's room drinking a coffee and knocked on the door gently before letting herself in.

"Hi Frankie." Maura greeted the young officer.

"Hey Maura." He said, turning towards her. "I'm really happy for you, you know that?" He spoke softly, still feeling weak.

She smiled and looked down at her 'ring' again. "Thanks."

"I'm serious. I'm not just sayin' it to be nice. You two deserve each other." He said with all the conviction he could muster in his condition. It wasn't much, but the meaning got through.

Maura just looked down at the bedridden man with fondness. She patted his head as a silent thank you but figured that wasn't enough. She looked down at him as she spoke. "Frankie, thank you. Thank you for talking to Jane. Thank you for pushing me to talk to her. Just – thank you." The emotion behind her words could be heard in her voice and seen in her eyes.

"It's no biggie, really. Like I said before: you two deserve each other."

Maura smiled and bent down to hug him while being wary of his injuries. "You're going to make the best brother-in-law."

"And you're gonna be a great sister-in-law." Frankie replied when she pulled away."Man, I still can't believe it though. My sister's gettin' married." He looked up at her. "You tell your parents yet?"

Maura froze in place. Her parents? She hadn't thought about them yet. She needed to sit down; she felt kind of light headed.

"You okay, Maura?" Frankie shifted to be able to see her. She looked worried.

"I haven't…. told them, that is. I don't know how they're going to take it." Her look turned to panic. "What if they don't like her? What if they hate me for this? What if –"

"Maura!" Frankie tried to snap her out of it. "It'll be fine, I promise. How could they not like Jane?"

Frankie's hypothesis seemed valid. After all, Jane was, at least to her, a very likeable person. If she wasn't then how would one explain Jorge, Grant, and the numerous other men that sought her affection. Regardless, Maura was pessimistic about it. "Thanks, Frankie, but … you don't know my parents."

"How bad could they be?" Frankie asked, trying to comfort her. "They raised you."

"No, actually, I raised me." Maura stated matter-of-factually. She saw the confused look on his face and decided she needed to explain to him her life story.

"Wow… tough break." That was all Frankie could say after she had talked about her childhood and all the benign neglect present then. She also talked about how she pretty much spent most of her young life in boarding schools.

Maura just nodded, not sure if he was referring all or just some of what she said. A semi-awkward silence passed over the room.

"So… how's your turtle?" Frankie asked, trying to make conversation.

"Tortoise." Maura corrected, somewhat annoyed. "I don't understand why you Rizzoli's have such a hard time with – Oh, no! Bass! I completely forgot about him! He must be so alone! And scared!" She darted out of the room without another word, leaving Frankie alone and confused.

XXXXX

Meanwhile, in the room across the hall, Jane was getting the third degree from her mom about being a cop. Again.

"I just don't understand why you won't quit! You're gonna give me a heart attack! Is that what you want? For your mother to die because you're selfish!"

"Selfish? You know what? I'm –"A loud beeping noise interrupted her speech. A few seconds later a nurse ran in.

"What happened?" She asked as she checked Jane's vitals.

"Uh… what do you mean?" Jane hadn't a clue as to what was going on.

"Your heart rate and blood pressure shot up very quickly."

"I wonder why." Jane said dryly, casting a glance at her mother who innocently avoided the gaze.

"Well whatever it was," she started, putting her stethoscope back around her neck, "don't let it happen again." She gave Jane a pointed look and then left the room.

"Jane, I –"

"You heard the woman, Ma." Jane warned, really not wanting to get into it again. "Why don't you check on Frankie? And send Maura back in."

Angela sighed but nodded. Normally she wouldn't have given up so easily but being in a hospital bed kind of swayed the argument in Jane's favor. She left.

Frank patted Jane on the shoulder before following his wife.

Jane exhaled, slightly annoyed. She didn't like dealing with her mother sometimes, especially when she got on her case about her job. She knew she shouldn't be stressing about this so she just decided to close her eyes and await Maura's return.

XXXXX

"Oh, Bass, sweetie! I'm so sorry!" She leaned down and patted the reptile's hard shell. Bass looked up at her, seemingly with a look of forgiveness. Maura's face broke out in a grin. "I knew you'd understand!"

She stood back up to scan the area. With a promise that she'd be back, the M.E. began to gather some things she left behind in the craziness of a few hours ago.

"Did you even tell them that you left?" Korsak asked, slightly irritated at being Maura's chauffeur for the day.

"No." She handed him the varied items she gathered before picking up Bass and placing him in his carrier.

"Whoa!" He jumped back, seeing Bass for the first time. "You just let that thing walk around here? You don't even put it in a box?"

"A box! Bass is very well mannered. If he can roam my residence I don't see why he can't explore my workplace."

"It's a turtle!" He said,

"Tortoise."

Korsak rolled his eyes. "Does it matter?"

Maura shot him a look that was quite similar to being faced with the barrel of a gun.

"Sorry."

"No… I am. I know we've all had a rough day. I'm sure all you want to do is go home but I keep making you drive me around. I can call a cab, you go home."

Korsak shook his head. "Nah, I'm fine. Besides, it's better than trying to help sort out the mess that Bobby made."

Maura nodded. As she brought her hand up to grab something else off a nearby table she saw her ring again and remembered that Korsak hadn't heard the news. "Oh! Um… Jane proposed to me."

"What? Really? I didn't even know you two were dating."

"We weren't but, thanks to your quick thinking, she wanted to make it official. Now we really are engaged."

"You're kidding me."

"No. Not at all."

"I mean…. I knew you two would… but not this soon." He was surprised at the news but also very happy. "Anyway, congratulations, Maura. You two are going to be so happy together."

The M.E. nodded in agreement. "Thanks. I think so too."

"So… you two think about a date yet?"

"Not yet. I haven't even told my parents."

"Oh… right, well I guess it did just happen."

"Yeah." She said nervously. "But I guess I probably should tell them."

"I can take him to my car while you call them." Korsak offered, pointing at Bass' cage.

She nodded and pulled out her cell phone. "Thanks." She dialed the number, watching the detective pick up her beloved pet and walk out the door.

"Hello Mother." She said to the answering voice. "I… uh… have some news." She tried to make her voice sound happy and excited, even though she was dreading the likely response. "Well… I think it might be best to tell you in person. Tomorrow? Um… sure, I'm free." She sighed internally, wishing it would be later so Jane could be by her side. "Alright, see you then!" Without giving herself time to dwell on her new plans, she grabbed the rest of her previously forgotten items and met Korsak outside.

XXXXX

"Thank you for driving me today." Maura said while she took Bass' carrier out of car.

"It's no problem, Maura." He smiled at her. "You sure you don't need any help with that?"

She shook her head slightly as she answered. "No. I've taken enough of your time today. You can go. I'll take my own car."

He nodded and waited for her to get inside before he drove off.

Maura put down Bass' cage and opened it, letting him roam free, before she collapsed on her couch. Her mind was going wild with possible conversations for tomorrow, all ending badly. Jane wasn't exactly who her parents had in mind for her to marry. They always pictured her with someone more like herself, like Garret was. Nevertheless, she would stand her ground. Maura loved Jane and would rather lose them than lose her.

A tap on her foot broke her from her thoughts and caused her to look down. "Oh, hi Bass. You must be hungry, I'm sorry." She got up to fill his bowl with some of his favorite vegetables.

She watched Bass eat, happy that he seemed to be getting better, until her phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Maura? Where are you?"

"I'm at home, Jane. Sorry I just left. I had forgotten about Bass."

"It's okay. Are you coming back?" She asked, hopeful.

Maura smiled into the phone. "Yes, of course."

"Good. I can't wait to see you." Her voice was flirty and so full of love.

"Same here." She sighed and then was struck with a thought. "Wait… didn't you leave your phone at work?"

"I'm using Ma's."

"Her cell phone?" Maura's tone turned disapproving. "Jane, hospital policy clearly states a banning of cell phones. It could interfere with the machines."

"Jesus, sorry Maura. I'll turn it off."

"No, I'm sorry." Maura said, realizing she may have overreacted. "I just don't want there to be any chance of danger to you."

"Aww… I didn't know you cared." Jane said jokingly.

Maura didn't catch it, as her expression turned quizzical. "Of course I care. I'm marrying you, aren't I?"

"I – never mind. Just get here soon, Isles."

"Sure thing, Rizzoli." She responded with a slight chuckle before hanging up. She made sure Bass was doing okay and had enough water before she gathered a few items and left the house.

XXXXX

Maura arrived back at the hospital rather quickly, being lucky to not run into a single red light – a rare feat in Boston. After parking, she headed inside and nodded to the receptionist before making her way towards Jane's room. She saw Frank and Angela through Frankie's open door and gave them a slight wave before turning to Jane's door.

Jane heard a light knock and prayed it was Maura and not another pushy nurse again before she called for them to enter.

"How are you feeling?" Maura asked, even though it hasn't been that long since they last saw one another.

"Better now that you're here." Jane said honestly. She scooted over and patted the empty bed space next to her, wanting the doctor to come over next to her.

She complied, climbing onto the bed. It was a tight fit but they managed. Jane had wrapped her arm around the M.E.'s shoulders, allowing the other girl to snuggle into her closely.

They laid in silence for a few minutes, not really needing to say anything at the moment.

Jane looked down in confusion when she felt Maura's body moving. It took her a moment to realize she was sobbing. "Maura?"

Maura just pressed herself further into Jane's uninjured side. No matter how much she willed them away, the tears wouldn't stop.

Jane rubbed Maura soothingly, trying to comfort her. After a few minutes she felt Maura pull away and look up at her. She wiped the tears staining her love's face away.

"I'm sorry." Maura said, voice breaking slightly with emotion.

Jane shook her head. "Don't be. It's been a rough day."

"Yeah… I just – I guess it just really caught up to me. I could have lost you today." More tears started to well up. Jane wiped them away immediately.

"Well, you didn't. I'm here. You're not gonna lose me anytime soon."

"You can't promise that." Maura said. "Things happen, Jane. Today is just proof of that."

"Okay, you've got me there. But today also proves that I'm not going without a fight. I'm gonna be here, Maura."

The M.E. looked up at her fiancée and smiled. She shifted just enough to place a kiss on Jane's awaiting lips and cupped her face, staring into the brown eyes. A tear escaped her eye but this time it was not due to distress. "I really do love you, Jane. So so much." That was the first time those words have been spoken to Jane and Maura felt fantastic.

Jane beamed. "I love you too." She wiped away the stray tear with her thumb and brought Maura in for a passionate, loving and very intricate kiss. When they pulled away she spied the white object on Maura's finger. "And I promise to get you a better ring when I get out of here."

"You don't need to go through the trouble, Jane. It's an unnecessary cost."

Jane laughed. "You're telling me you don't want a ring?"

"No. I'm telling you you don't have to get me one."

"But you deserve a real one." Jane urged. "Not some piece of trash!"

Maura looked offended and held her hand close to her, protectively. "It's not trash! It's the sweetest thing anyone's ever done for me!"

Jane laughed at Maura's actions. "But you won't be able to keep it forever." She stifled a laugh when Maura seemed absolutely heartbroken over that fact.

"I don't need a diamond ring, Jane. This one's special."

Jane was unconvinced but dropped it for now. "So how's Bass?" She asked after a few minutes.

"He's doing better. He was eating earlier."

"That's good to hear." Jane said with well hidden mock-sincerity. It's not that she wanted Bass to be sick she just didn't really care that much about the reptile. She had a suspicion Bass held similar feelings towards her and she really didn't want to compete for Maura's affection.

"Yes. But…" She sighed. "I talked to my mother today."

"You did? Is she upset about this?"

"I didn't tell her. I'm going to see her tomorrow." She said, worry evident on her features.

"And you're nervous." It wasn't a question. Jane could tell without even needing to look at her.

"Yes. I wish you could be there with me. I don't really feel like confronting them alone."

"Confronting them? You're engaged! It should be a happy thing!"

"You don't know my parents."

"I'd like to."

Maura sighs. "Well, let's hope they share the same sentiments."

Jane patted Maura's hand. "You'll be fine. I'm sorry I can't go with you."

"Don't be. Though I thought there would be a much greater chance of them being happy for me if they met you first."

"Then why don't you just wait to tell them?"

"I told my mother I had some news that would bet best shared in person. I can't just not tell them now."

"You don't have to tell them it's me. Just say that you want them to meet me before you reveal my identity."

"That seems more suspicious than not." Maura said.

Jane shrugged. "Well you can always bring them by here."

"Unlikely. I doubt she would even consider it." She sighed once again, realizing she'll have to just face it when it comes. "But I'll keep it in mind."

Jane smiled and cupped Maura's face once again, looking deeply into her hazel eyes. "Whatever you do, you'll do great!" She placed a soft kiss upon her lips. "I believe in you."

Maura's eyes started to fill with tears again, thanks to the strong connection between her amygdala and her lacrimal gland. "No one's ever said that to me before. Thank you Jane." She returned the kiss with gusto. She didn't pull away until she heard a knock at the door.

A second later Jane's doctor walked in. He paused for a moment, assessing the situation, and realized he's seen much stranger things. It wasn't odd to see two women together – this was Boston, after all – but two grown women sharing a hospital bed was a different story.

"Jane?"

"Yes?" Said woman answered, keeping a grip on Maura who seemed to want to get off the bed at first sight of the doctor.

"We'll have to keep you here for a while – a week at minimum – but there didn't seem to be any permanent damage. After we release you, you'll have to take it easy for awhile after."

"Take it easy like how?"

"Well… you certainly can't go back to work unless you stick to your desk. No heavy lifting. I wouldn't even advise light lifting the first few days."

Jane glowered. "So basically I can't do anything? That's great…"

"And um…" he continued, unfazed by Jane's attitude, "you two should take things easy with the… you know." Even if the news of the adorable engaged couple wasn't spreading around the hospital, he saw the love in their eyes the moment he walked in.

Jane's face reddened slightly with a blush as she nodded.

He looked over her chart one last time before looking up at them. "So, any questions?"

They shook their heads, no pressing issues on their minds about Jane's recovery.

"Alright, just alert a nurse if you need anything." He said before exiting.

Angela took the opportunity of the doctor leaving to enter the room.

Jane rolled her eyes and groaned, wanting some alone time with the woman to whom she was newly affianced. "Ma! Can't I have just five minutes with Maura without you sticking your nose in here?"

Angela frowned at her daughter's attitude. "I let you have your time. You two had more than five minutes when Maura first got here."

Jane sighed and muttered. "Whatever." She was irritated… and sore.

"Anyway, I came in here to talk about your wedding!"

Jane groaned. "Can we hold off on the wedding talk right now? It hasn't even been a day."

"Well excuse me for getting excited, Janey."

"I'm sorry, Ma. I'm just tired and it's been a long day."

"Then maybe I should go." Maura made a move to get off the bed. Jane caught her.

"No, wait, Maura. Stay for just a little while?"

Maura nodded, now sitting up on the edge of the bed.

"Fine, fine, I'll go." Angela said. "But I'll be back tomorrow." She waggled her pointer finger at the two in some sort of warning fashion before she stepped out of the room and closed the door.

As soon as she was out of the room Jane turned to Maura, even though it was slightly painful for her to do so. "Maura?"

"Jane?" She looked at her.

"Can you please stay with me tonight?" She asked in a tone of voice that was rare for the usually confident Rizzoli. It was full of insecurity with a hint of fear and a dash of hesitation. "I get that it's not the most comfortable of places but – "

Maura stopped her with a finger on her lips. "Of course, Jane. You don't even need to say anything." She simply replaced herself in the detective's arms and they laid there like that until they fell asleep.