I hope you like this. This chapter kept tickling at the back of my mind, so I had to write it. Next thing I knew, it was 4:30 in the morning, and I was still awake.
When their case turned out to be a suicide, they were able to schedule a dinner for that Wednesday evening. Korsak and Frost seemed a little confused by the invitation, but agreed to be there.
Angela insisted on cooking, then badgered Jane until she agreed to help. Maura put on an apron and actually rolled up her sleeves, eager to help.
Nudging Jane, Angela pointed to Maura, who was covered up to her elbows in flour. "Why can't you be more like Maura. All your life, I've been trying to get you to help in the kitchen. Each time was like pulling teeth. I just wanted you to be able to cook for your family, and have someone to pass the family recipes on to. Well, at least I now have a daughter that wants to help and learn. I was afraid the family recipes would die with me."
Jane snorted, working on washing the vegetables. "Ma, you have four sisters. All of them have at least one daughter. Several of THEM already have kids. There was never any chance of the family recipes dying with you."
Maura sniffed, wiping her face on her upper arm. Both women turned to her, concerned, and she waved them off. "No, I'm alright. Really. I just didn't know you saw me that way, Angela. You've said, before, that you were glad to have me in your family, but that's the first time you called me your daughter."
Angela rushed over, ignoring the flour, and pulled her into a tight hug. "Of COURSE you're my daughter. You're marrying my Janie, and I love you. You're family, now. Don't you ever forget that. You're just as much my daughter as Janie is. Love makes a family every bit as much as blood does. If you'd like, you can even call me, Ma."
Maura smiled, hugging her back. "Thank you. I always wanted a mother like you. You don't know what it means to me that you see me as a daughter. I think I'd like to keep calling you Angela, though, if you don't mind."
She smiled, kissing Maura on the forehead. "Whatever is comfortable, for you. Just never doubt that you are well and truly a part of this family. Even if you and Janie decide not to get married, you'll still be a part of this family."
Jane leaned over to give Maura a quick kiss. "Not gonna happen, Ma. I love her too much to let her get away."
Dinner was a loud and energetic affair. Frankie and Frost joined up in teasing Jane, who gave as good as she got. Jane pretended not to notice the looks Korsak and Angela shared. Maura and Frost talked about some play that was coming to town. Angela yelled when Jane and Frankie started arguing over who was the better basketball player. Korsak and Frost started sharing stories about some of Jane's less than impressive moments at work. Maura and Angela traded recipe ideas and discussed the merits of different spices.
While they were cleaning up, Maura pulled Jane into a kiss.
Pulling away, Jane looked at her. "Not that I'm complaining, because I'm not, but what was that for?"
She smiled, gave Jane another kiss, and grabbed another plate to finish clearing the table. "I love you. And, you gave me the family I always wanted. They're loud, they argue and tease each other, but there's love. You all love each other, and now, I'm a part of that. I have everything I always wanted, and it's all because of you. So, that was a thank you. Thank you for loving me, and sharing your family with me."
Jane smiled, kissing her again. "Babe, I would give you the world, if I could. I want you to have anything you want. I just want you to be happy. If sharing my crazy family makes you happy, then I'm glad. I don't think there was ever a chance that they wouldn't love you, though. You're easy to love, and have such a big heart. Anyone who gets to really know you has to end up loving you."
Just then, Frankie yelled from the couch, "Hey, no more mushy stuff. I didn't come here to watch my sister make out. So, tell us why we're really here."
Jane groaned, still smiling. "Are you still sure you want my family?"
Smacking her arm, Maura led Jane into the living room. "Yes, we did ask you to dinner for a reason. We have something to ask each of you. Vince, we wanted to know if you'd be willing to officiate at our wedding."
Korsak looked at Jane for confirmation, smiling when she nodded. He got up to give them both a hug, before answering. "I would be honored to. Thank you."
Jane turned to Frankie. "I wanted to know if you'd be willing to be my best man."
He smirked. "Does that mean you're the groom? I always knew you were the man. You're just too butch not to be."
She smiled sweetly in response. "Would you rather I call you my bridesmaid? We can have it listed in the programs, and everything. I'm sure Maura would be willing to help you pick a dress. Maybe a nice strapless number."
Frost choked back a laugh and Frankie put both hands up in surrender. "Nope, best man's good. I'll shut up, now."
Maura jumped in, to prevent further teasing, "Barry, I wanted to ask if you would be willing to stand with me. After Jane, you are my closest friend, and we might not be together if it weren't for you."
Frost looked a little teary eyed as he answered. "Wow, I'm honored. Yes, I'd be happy to stand with you."
After a few seconds, Frankie spoke up, looking at Frost out of the corner of his eye "Wait, does that mean Frost and I will be walking down the aisle together?"
Jane thought about, turning to Maura. "You know, we hadn't really discussed that. We'll figure it out. Maybe you'll end up wearing that dress, after all, Frankie. You and Frost will make an attractive couple."
Jane's eyes narrowed slightly when Frankie and Frost looked at each other, and Frankie seemed to almost blush.
Shaking her head, she turned back to Maura. "Do you think Mark will have any ideas? I hadn't even thought about it."
Thinking for a moment, Maura nodded. "I'm sure he'll have some ideas how to handle the logistics of having two men standing with us. He's done several same-sex weddings, so I'm sure the issue has come up, before."
After a moment, Korsak asked, "So, will I need to wear a tux?"
With that, the rest of the evening was spent discussing what they already had figured out, and tossing ideas back and forth.
A/N: So, the shorter chapters seem to mean faster updates, since I just wrote three chapters in one day.
I don't have Internet at home, so even if I do write a new chapter (or several) everyday, it may be a few days between updates. That just means, that you may end up with several chapters at once, sometimes.
