About a year and a half had passed since Jane and Maura had been together. Nothing particular happened. The usual work, Angela meddling, sibling drama, and life happened. It was coming up on their eighteen month anniversary. They normally did not celebrate anniversaries each month past their one year, but Jane had something special in mind.
Jane took the afternoon off of work to go set up a spot near the lake. She threw down an orange and brown plaid blanket. She placed two candles and an iPod with speakers on the blanket. She was going to pick up food from the little cafe when it was closer to time for Maura arrive. Jane predicted that she would arrive about 6:00 since she had left instructions for Frost to take an envelope containing a clue to her whereabouts to Maura at 4:00.
Jane had recruited help from some coworkers, friends and family members to help pull off Maura's engagement scavenger hunt.
At 4:00 on the dot Frost arrived down in the morgue and handed Maura a pink envelope with Jane's hand writing on it. She opened it an read,
"Don't worry about finishing your work, the boss has you covered. Go to the place where we spend all of our nights and change into something more comfortable."
Maura was thoroughly confused and gave a quizzing look to Frost. "Just go, Doc." Frost said. "What about work?" Maura questioned. "Cavanaugh has already approved this. An assistant ME is coming in to finish anything you're working on."
Maura made her way to her house and bolted upstairs. She had no idea what was going on, but she was ready to find out. On the bed was a beautiful, black, single strap dress and pair of heels. Another envelope lay beside the outfit and she quickly opened it.
"If it were not for this woman I could have very well starved to death growing up. She is waiting for you."
Maura smiled and immediately showered and dressed. She ran downstairs and out the backdoor to the guest house. There was Angela waiting for her in the kitchen. She knocked on the door and was invited in.
"Angela, could you please tell me what is going on?" "I'm sworn to secrecy my dear." Angela replied. She smiled and handed Maura the third clue.
"Ma has a small anniversary gift for you. Oh, and go visit the grease monkey that we have to thank for part of our relationship."
Angela handed Maura a black velvet box. She opened it to reveal a beautiful diamond bracelet. Maura's eyes grew to the size of half dollar coins. It was beautiful and went very well with her dress.
Maura arrived at Giovanni's shop at about 5:45. She walked up to the first bay where she saw him standing. "Looking..." he managed to get out before Maura interrupted, "... hot. I know Giovanni." She rolled her eyes and asked for the envelope. He handed it over making sure to look over Maura from head to toe.
"We both love ice skating. Go to the place where you busted your tail many times this past winter, and I'm not taking about the indoor rink. We agreed that the view of the sunset was much better here."
Maura still had no idea what was going on. She thought that Jane had simply set up a romantic dinner for their year and a half anniversary.
Jane could see the silhouette of Maura peak over the hill. She suddenly felt a swarm of butterflies in her stomach. She knew Maura would have corrected her and explained that it was a release of endorphins caused by a stressful situation. A big goofy smile was plastered across both of their faces. Jane greeted Maura with a small peck on the lips. "Hey, beautiful." Maura said. Jane was dressed in black slacks, a dark blue long sleeve shirt and a pair of black heels. "Hey yourself." Jane replied. "You look stunning." "Well a certain amazing girlfriend picked it out." Maura said through a very large smile. "I'm not all brawn." Jane joked and kissed her girlfriend again. "Care for some dinner?" Jane questioned. "I would love some." Maura said. "Some crazy lady had me running all across town this evening."
Jane and Maura sat on the blanket eating their meal and watching ducks swim across the lake. The sun had began to set and cast a gorgeous orange glow. The candles were lit and a romantic, love play list flowed from the iPod. Michael Buble's rendition of Crazy Love came through the speakers.
"Care to dance, Maur?" Jane asked. Maura smiled and took Jane's hand that she had offered. Jane sang along with a few of the lyrics.
"And the heavens open up every time she smiles.."
This line enticed a radiant smile from the beautiful blonde.
"She give me love, love, love, love, crazy love..."
The song neared its end and Jane could feel her heart skip a beat. She was happy, she was terrified, she was so many things at once. She finally gathered the courage to try to recite the speech that she had prepared.
"Maura, I have loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you. You have brought me more happiness and joy than I could ever explain. You are there for me on my good and bad days. You put up with me and never allow me to slide on my bull crap. You are my one true love."
Maura blushed, "I love you too, Jane. More than could ever be put into words."
"I never want to spend a day without you by my side. I want to spend the rest of my life trying to show you just how much you mean to me."
Maura was beginning to catch on now. Jane dropped to her right knee and pulled a black velvet box from her pocket. She flipped it open to reveal a beautiful four carat asscher cut diamond ring, set in a white gold band, with eight one carat diamonds encrusted on either side of the band. Maura's eyes grew to the size of half dollar coins again. Tears began to fill the corners of her eyes. Her mouth flew open and she was rendered speechless.
"Maura Dorothea Isles. Would you do me the honor and privilege of becoming my wife?"
Maura stammered on her words momentarily. Between gasps for air and tears she managed to get out, "Yes! A thousand times, YES!" A massive smile grew across Jane's face as she slipped the ring over Maura's left ring finger. She flew to her feet and grabbed Maura into her arms, swinging her around in circles. "I love you so much." Jane said. "Oh baby, I love you too." Maura admired her ring and hugged Jane even tighter. "Did you know that the reason we wear engagement and wedding rings on our left ring finger is because it is the only one that contains an artery that goes directly to our hearts?" Maura said. "I do now." Jane said through a grin. She never grew tired of Maura's endless source of pointless knowledge.