The Anniversary to Remember Chapter Four

"Jane, if I had a brother I wish he'd be just like Frankie!" Maura walked over to the bed and pulled back the quilt and draped it over three end of the footboard of the bed.

Jane smiled as she noticed Maura's subtle hint that she would like to move from in front of the fireplace to the bed. "Though you should be careful about what you wish for, because I could tell you a lot of stories about my brother, but every once and while he surprises you."

Jane walked over to the bed, "you looked so beautiful on our wedding day, that image of you in your wedding gown, is something I will remember to my dying day."

Maura smiled as she took off her robe and climbed into bed "Come to bed Jane."

Jane removed her robe and climbed into bed and Maura snuggled beside her. "You know Jane you were a beautiful bride yourself. Remember when we had the meeting with the priest to discuss the ceremony?"

Jane turned over so she was looking at Maura "Oh Frankie was so funny! He was trying so hard to not say anything wrong that everything he said just came out tongue tied."

Maura smiled "I thought he was being sweet, but I know this was awkward for him. He kept going back and forth about whether he was going to be the best man or maid of honor except he's not a maid, so did that make him the man of honor?"

Jane let out a sigh "he was pretty bad."

Maura looked into Jane's eyes "why did you decide against wearing a gown?"

Jane smiled "you remember I told you once my dream wedding would be at home plate in Fenway Park wearing a Red Sox jersey?"

Maura laughed, "I didn't think you were serious!"

Jane continued "well I probably was serious for a girl in junior high! The thing is the gown was never necessary to my dreams, but the gown was your dream so I wanted you to have your day. So I wore my uniform, and besides I got to show off my new sergeant stripes."

Maura was playing with Jane's hair "Well Constance was there, and Arthur to walk me down the aisle. Hope and Cailin who actually was my maid of honor."

Jane smiled "Tommy was there, and Vince and Kikii the only person who wasn't there was Ma. Yet Frankie was great, cracking jokes and just letting me know things were going to be okay. Then the music started, the people stood and you processed in on your father's arm, I will always remember you like that."

Maura smiled "Well I think you know why I always like you in your uniform. Did you see your mother come in?" Jane nodded " just as the organ began the overture Frankie spied her and pointed her out standing in the back of the church. I think she would have just stood there if Tommy didn't walk her down to her seat. I smiled at her but she just looked down."

Maura put her arms around Jane and drew her closer. "You and Frankie looked dashing in your dress blues, and I think he was relieved when you told him he was best man."

Jane looked nervously at Maura "I don't..." Maura smiled as she stroked her hair "relax I know, I am a doctor, your injury has left you with decreased mobility and a lessening of sensation below your injury site. It is hard for you, I know, and I don't need for us to try and recreate our honeymoon night. I just need you here by my side."

Jane kissed Maura passionately " I just don't want to disappoint you." Maura kissed Jane back "You never disappoint me."

Maura laughed as she looked into Jane's eyes "Tell the truth please, the canopy of steel and the bagpipes as we left the church was that your idea or Frankie." Jane smiled "That was all Vince, including the smack on your rump with the sword welcoming you to the force." Maura kissed Jane on the lips and Jane allowed her lips to part slightly so their tongues could explore each other passionately as they collapsed into each other's arms.

Maura and Jane were snuggling each other toward morning when Maura's mobile phone began ringing. She reached for the phone which was on the nightstand, and glanced at the number before deciding to answer. "Hello, this is Dr. Isles. Oh, hello Canon Wells, I think you dialed the wrong number, but Jane is right here let me get her for you."

Canon Wells quickly interjected "no, I need to talk to don't want to upset Mother but I am at the hospital, Mother Jane's mother was just rushed to the emergency room. They think she had a stroke."

Maura shot up in bed " Is she okay! And she was watching Alice..."

The venerable old Canon cut her off "Mrs. Wells and I are sitting with Alice until your sister can get here. Angela's husband is driving back from Providence where he was at a medical conference. I'm just glad the police found your list of phone numbers and called me."

Maura took in the information "Thank you Canon, we're heading back immediately. Please have my sister call me as soon as she gets there."

Canon Wells replied "I most certainly will! Please tell Mother that I will be praying for her. Traveling Mercies."

Maura smiled at the genuine concern Canon Wells shows for Jane. "I will, goodbye Canon, we'll see you in a few hours.

Maura nudged Jane "You need to wake-up! That was Canon Wells... Jane it's about Angela, she may have had a stroke." Jane sat there in the middle of the bed her knees drawn up close to her chin as she rapped her arms around her legs. Tears ran down her face, as Maura hugged her and rocked her in a soothing manner. "Jane, you need to take a quick shower and get dressed as I pack, then I'll clean up as you check us out."

Jane nodded, then she turned and looked into Maria's eyes "Maura, she's going to die, isn't she?" Maura looked down "I can't tell you, I'm waiting for Cailin to call, she'll know the questions to ask... but right now, I don't know."