AN: Sorry it took me so long to get this next part out. RL has been rather difficult lately.

9/?

Maura awoke the next morning to find herself alone in bed. Deciding she didn't like that feeling, she rolled over to get up and saw Jane coming out of their ensuite. The brunette was buttoning up her shirt, giving her a tantalising glimpse of taut abdomen that Maura ached to run her fingers over.

Jane smiled. "Hey beautiful." She sat on the side of the bed, and bent down to kiss Maura deeply. "I was going to let you sleep since you had such a big night."

Maura slipped her hand underneath Jane's shirt, indulging her need to touch. "Mmm, can't I convince you to come back to bed?" She watched Jane's eyes close at the touch and decided to continue. Maura wiggled down, pressing a kiss to the warm skin on Jane's abdomen.

"Maura…" Jane grasped Maura's hands and kissed the knuckles. "That's not playing fair."

"You're not coming back to bed?" Maura pouted.

"Stop that. The pouting thing is not fair." Jane bent down and pressed a kiss to Maura's lips before standing up and doing up the rest of the buttons on her shirt. "Ma's meeting me so I can get my clothes for the wedding. And you know that if I don't show up, she'll turn up here and find us in bed and I'm NOT having that happen."

"Are you going to give me a hint as to what you're wearing?"

"Not a chance." Jane kissed her fiancé once more. "I'll be home later, okay?"

Maura nodded. "Have fun."

Jane rolled her eyes. "That's not funny."


When Jane arrived at the store she found her mother waiting outside, looking at the windows. She parked and got out of her car.

"Hey, Ma."

Angela turned around to look at her daughter. "Jane, this is a boutique! Custom-made everything. And you're late."

Jane rolled her eyes. "Nice to see you too. And I know what kind of store it is. Maura helped me choose my first tailored suit here. Maura and I share everything, Ma. Including our money. I know how much she'd love to see me in a suit that was done nice, and Gregor is good like that." Jane paused as she realised something. "Ma, you're not upset I'm not wearing a dress, are you?"

"Why would I be upset?"

"Because your only daughter is marrying a woman and she's going to be wearing a suit."

"Jane, I love you. I'm proud of you. I love Maura, and I love that you're marrying her." Angela patted her daughter's cheek. "Besides, I never really saw you as the frilly wedding dress type."

"Thank God for that," Jane smiled, opening the door to the boutique.

Gregor appeared when the door closed and he smiled when he saw Jane and her mother. "Jane! So wonderful to see you. This must be your…sister?"

Jane lifted an eyebrow. "Yeah, sure. Ma, this is Gregor."

"It is an honour to meet you," Gregor kissed the top of Angela's hand. "I have heard much about you."

Angela sent a glance Jane's way. "Oh, really?"

"All complimentary," Gregor smiled. He turned back to Jane. "This is a very big day for you, Jane. You and your mother sit here, and I will get the champagne!"

Before Jane could protest, she and her mother were sitting on a long couch as Gregor disappeared to the back room to get the drinks.

"He's a charming man," Angela said, looking around the boutique. "Do you get all your suits here?"

"Most. Maura likes me in the suits from here and I like her to be happy. Plus they feel nicer than off the rack ones."

"Who would've thought," Angela smirked, "my Jane being interested in fashion. I'll have to thank Maura for that next time I see her."

Jane glared at her, but was stopped from commenting by Gregor's return. He handed a glass of champagne to each of the women.

"To Jane and Maura," Gregor smiled.

Jane and Angela clinked glasses and then took a sip.

"Jane, you are going to be a beautiful bride," Gregor told her. "You and Maura…ah, love is so wonderful."

A thought occurred to Jane. "Gregor, I don't suppose you know what Maura's wearing, do you? Ma usually can't keep a secret but she won't tell me."

"And so she shouldn't," Gregor replied. "You know it will be worth the wait."

Jane nodded, because that was one thing she did know. Maura was going to be absolutely stunning. She stood up. "Okay, Gregor. Let's make my Ma proud and my fiancé smile."


Sunday lunch was interesting, as Angela was recounting various memories of Maura's bachelorette party. Jane was unsure how her mother could even have memories, considering she'd apparently been completely trashed, but she wisely kept her mouth shut and enjoyed her mashed potato.

"Barry did a wonderful job of organising your party, Maura."

Maura nodded. "He was very efficient. I certainly think he'd be a marvellous wedding planner."

Frankie smirked. "I bet he'd love you to tell him."

Jane kicked her brother under the table. "Shut it, Frankie."

"Behave you two," Angela said. "We're at the dinner table, and you shouldn't behave this way in front of Maura."

"Might as well get her used to it now," Frankie said.

Frank looked over at his daughter. "Janie, your mother tells me you chose what to wear for the wedding?"

"Yeah, I did. I hope you like it."

"You always look beautiful to me, Jane, you know that."

"Your father's right, Jane," Maura said. "You are always beautiful. In anything." She leaned over and whispered in Jane's ear, "and especially in nothing."

Jane smiled at her, squeezing Maura's thigh. "Thank you. You're sweet."

"It's the truth. You know I can't lie."

Angela continued her discussion on the bachelorette party. "Your Nonna was quite taken with that stripper. I think she has a crush on him."

Jane wrinkled her nose and took her hand away from Maura's thigh. "Ew, Ma, gross."

Maura glanced at her. "What's the matter with Nonna being attracted to a perfectly healthy male specimen?" She was a little miffed the hand from her thigh had gone.

Jane lifted an eyebrow. "Really? Maura, it's my grandmother."

"Didn't we have this discussion when I had dildoes and penises on the cupcakes?"

Frankie choked on his dinner. "What?"

"This chicken is wonderful, Angela." Frank was calm, not even blinking at the conversation.

Jane glanced sideways at her father, who winked at her.

"Relaxation is key to survival," he told her. "Just continue on as if nothing happened."

"I think that's called denial, Pop," Frankie said.

"Whatever it is, it has served me very well over the years of some interesting Rizzoli family dinners. "

"Yeah, like the year Frankie had his imaginary friend," Jane chuckled. "We had to give him a plate of food and everything."

Maura looked at Frankie. "You had an imaginary friend?"

Frankie glared at his sister. "Yeah, well Jane wanted to be a horse."

Maura lifted an eyebrow. "You did?"

"I was five!" Jane turned to Frankie. "And the only reason you know about that is because Ma and Pop told you."

Maura looked at Jane oddly. "A horse?"

"I was five, Maura."

"I don't think I've ever met anyone who wanted to be a horse. Was it just equus caballus or equus ferrus caballus?"

"It was a horse, Maura. You know, the ones that neigh?"

Angela chuckled. "She was neighing around the house for weeks!"

"You didn't think of therapy?"

"Oh geez." Jane turned to Frankie. "Now look what you've done."

"It's okay, Maura," Frankie assured the ME. "She grew out of it."

"I can't tell you how relieved I am to hear that," Maura murmured. She put her hand on Jane's thigh. "You know, if you really want a horse I can buy you one."

"Let's uh…let's move on from horses, shall we?" Jane suggested. "How about we discuss the month Frankie decided to dye his hair blonde and he forgot to dye his eyebrows as well?"

Frankie's eyes widened. "You said you weren't ever going to mention that again!"

"Payback's a bitch."

"Jane!" Maura said. "Language!"


Jane returned to work on Monday with a spring in her step. She felt sure that Maura would light up the minute she saw Jane's outfit. So after saying goodbye to Maura at the elevators, she entered her squadroom feeling confident – until she saw the smirk on Frost's face.

This could mean nothing good for her.

She narrowed her eyes, and sat in her chair. Making sure that no one was in earshot, she leant over to Frost. "What?" she hissed.

"I'm wondering if I should give you a medal or something."

"Are you still drunk from Maura's bachelorette party? She said you were trashed."

"I'll admit there are some parts later in the evening that are a little fuzzy, but I do remember the three in one night."

Jane tried to stuff down the little burst of pride at her achievements, but she couldn't help grinning a little. "What, jealous, Frost? Want some tips?"

Frost chuckled. "Nah, just impressed."

"You know if you ever tell anyone your balls will suffer an unfortunate accident and never be seen again, right?" She knew he'd never breathe a word, but felt compelled to threaten him anyway. It was the right thing to do.

"Yeah, I know." Frost smiled. "You know earlier, when you told me how important this all was for Maura?"

"Yeah?"

"She had a great time. She really did."

Jane paused. "But?"

"I kinda got the feeling she would have been just as happy to be at home with you." Frost booted up his computer. "You mean a whole lot to her, Jane. And like I said that night – you're all that she really wants."

"You're not going all Oprah on me, are you?"

"Nah, that's Korsak's job."

Jane smiled and booted up her own computer. "Oh, and Frost?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

Frost grinned. "Anytime."


It was unusual for Jane to arrive home earlier than Maura, and she didn't like the quiet. She liked coming home with Maura, laughing together; or coming home to find Maura curled up on the couch for her.

She snorted. She was becoming such a stereotype who came home to her little woman.

Joe came scampering out, almost sideswiping Bass who was lurking under the hall table.

"Hey Joe! Hey Bass." Jane picked up Joe, hugging her. "Maura's gonna be home soon. She has to harass some assistant. You hungry? Let's go find something."

Jane walked towards the kitchen, pausing when she realised the light was on. She knew Maura was still at work and neither of them would have left the light on in the morning, so she put Joe down and drew her gun. She entered the room, prepared to shoot and then froze when she saw who it was.

Patrick Doyle narrowed his eyes. "Put the gun down, Jane. We both know you're not going to shoot me when you're about to marry my daughter."

Jane frowned. "You can't just break into someone's house!"

"It's my daughter's house."

"It's still breaking and entering. Let's not forget about the murders and the..." Jane looked at the bottle beside him. "Is that my beer?"

"You took longer than I expected to come home." Doyle gestured to the seat next to him. "Come on, Jane. Put the gun down, sit down and let's have a drink. We need to talk."

Jane was instantly on edge. "Maura? Someone else knows you're her father?"

"Nothing like that. She's safe."

Jane relaxed slightly, but still kept her fingers on her gun.

"That reminds me, all your family is protected as well."

"Excuse me?"

Doyle sighed, resigned to the fact Jane wasn't going to sit down. "I've seen the way Maura is with you and your family. I know how much it would hurt her if anything happened to any of you. And since Maura is my family, so are you. If I can help it, nothing will happen to anyone she loves."

"I can protect my family, and Maura, just fine."

"By shooting yourself in the gut?" Doyle lifted an eyebrow.

Jane put her gun in the holster. "You've got five seconds to explain what you're doing here before I arrest your sorry ass."

"I just wondered why you didn't ask me permission yet."

Jane stared at him for a moment, torn between the urge to shoot him and the urge to laugh. "Seriously? Have you even met Maura? First Andrew wants permission and hates me on sight, then you want permission? Screw it. I asked Maura to marry me and she was the only person I needed to ask. If anyone has any problems with that, screw 'em!"

Doyle stood up. "Despite my better judgement, Rizzoli, I like you. I can tell you love my daughter."

"I do," Jane said quickly. "More than anything. She means the world to me and if it means I have to protect her from you, I will do it."

Doyle nodded. "I'm glad."

Jane faltered, taken unaware by his reply.

"I know you and Maura think I'm a monster, and in many respects I am. But do not doubt the love I have for her."

"Maura told me you went to all the important stuff, like graduation."

"I did. I may have given her up for adoption so she could be safe, but I never stopped loving her. Neither did her mother." Doyle pushed a package across the table. "I want you to give that to her."

Jane glanced at it. "What is it?"

"Open it."

Jane did as he asked. She picked up the package and opened it to find a golden locket inside. It was an antique, and when she opened it, there was a picture of a woman holding a baby inside. Jane looked up at Doyle. "Is this who I think it is?"

Doyle nodded. "Maura's mother wanted her to have it. It's one of the few photos of Maura and her mother, and we both knew it would mean a lot to her."

"It will." Jane paused. "You don't want anything in return?"

Doyle smiled. "I won't be at her wedding, Jane. Too many cops."

Jane glanced at the locket then back at Doyle. "You want pictures."

"Even just one."

Jane nodded. "You'll get it."

"You're a good woman, Rizzoli." Doyle made his way to the back door. "I'm glad my daughter has you in her life. Take care of her."

Jane watched him go. "I will."


Jane had spent the time waiting for Maura trying to decide how she was going to bring up Doyle. There wasn't really an easy way to explain to your fiancé that her criminal father had broken into their house, had a beer, talked and left a present for her.

She was still trying to decide on a course of action when she heard the front door open and shut, and Maura's familiar call of "Jane, I'm home!"

Jane stood up, wringing her hands. She still hadn't thought of what to say to Maura. She got up and smiled as she saw Maura walk in.

"Hey," she said nervously, her eyes running over Maura's form.

Maura immediately looked worried. "Jane…is something the matter?"

"You read me very well."

"Jane?" Maura walked over, her eyes scanning the brunette. "Are you injured?"

"No…no sweetheart, I'm fine." Jane pulled her fiancé close and kissed her softly. "I'm fine. I just need to talk about something."

Maura stood back and nodded. "Alright. But you must be worried about it."

"It's fine," Jane reassured her. "Have a seat."

Maura sat down next to her. "What's the matter?"

"When I came home tonight, your father was in our kitchen."

Maura looked confused. "My father? I'm surprised since he assured you that he wasn't coming to our wedding."

"No…honey…" Jane corrected. "Doyle."

Maura's eyes widened. "Doyle was here? Are you okay? He didn't hurt you? Why didn't you arrest him?"

"Slow down," Jane said. "He didn't hurt me. He just wanted to talk."

"I can't see that there would be anything to talk about."

"Yeah well." Jane opened Maura's hand and dropped the locket into it. "He brought something by for you."

Maura looked at the locket in her hand. "Jane…"

"Just open it," Jane encouraged her.

Maura opened the locket and stared at the photo inside. "It's me?"

Jane nodded. "Yeah. And your mom. Doyle said they wanted you to have it for your wedding day."

The honey-blonde stared at the locket for a few moments. "I look like her."

Jane smiled and tucked a strand of Maura's hair behind the woman's ear. "Yeah, you do."

A thought occurred to Maura. "Did he tell you her name? Anything about her?"

"No, honey, I'm sorry." Jane's hand rested on her fiance's thigh. "He wanted to make sure I'd take care of you, and to make sure you had this."

"I can take care of myself." Maura's chin jutted out in defiance.

"Yeah, you can." Jane kissed her forehead, and then pulled the doctor into her arms. "But sometimes, I like taking care of you instead."

Maura smiled and leant against Jane's body, her eyes still on the picture in the locket. "Thank you. For not arresting him."

"You're welcome." Jane kissed her softly. "You were an adorable baby. And you're an exceptional woman."

Maura handed Jane the locket. "Will you put it on me?"

Jane nodded and brushed Maura's hair out of the way so she could do up the clasp of the locket. She pressed a tender kiss to the soft skin of Maura's neck and accepted the doctor's body as she leant back against Jane, comfortable in the embrace.

Maura opened the locket and looked at the picture inside. She noted the empty space on the other side and nestled closer to Jane. "I'm going to put a picture of you on the other side," she decided, surprising Jane. "My past and my future."

Jane smiled. "I like that. I like that a lot." She kissed Maura's neck again. "I love you, Maura."

"I love you too, Jane."

Maura rested her head against Jane's shoulder, thoughts of anything else needing to be done that night leaving her mind. All she wanted was this – an extraordinary woman who accepted her for everything she was and everything she is.

TBC