I'm back, with the final chapter! If Lisbon seems a little out of character, blame the hormones. Really.
For those of you who were asking:
Jello is another name for the Lisbon/Jane pairing. Some people like Jello better than Jisbon.I didn't create it, and I'm not really sure who did. lil smiles explains more in the story "Good Father" if you want more info.
In the last chapter, Van Pelt was away on maternity leave, and Jessica is her replacement. Sorry if you were confused.
In case anyone didn't know, the title refers to the two pink/red lines in a positive pregnancy test.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Thanks for all of the reviews! I never thought this story would be so popular.
This chapter is dedicated to PhoenixWytch
And now you finally get to read it.
"Lisbon?" he murmured, careful not to disturb the calm that had settled around the room.
"Hmm?"
"Can I ask you a personal question?"
"mmm."
He sighed and continued toying with her hair, running his fingers through it, gently untangling any knots. Kevin had left for the last conference he would ever have to take and, despite Lisbon's protests, had refused to leave her home alone. Of course, Jane had volunteered to stay over while he was gone.
"I know you said it was Kevin's idea to get married."
Lisbon sighed and forced herself to sit up. They had been resting on the couch, Jane sitting on one end with Lisbon stretched out, her head resting in his lap. Now, at 25 weeks, she looked significantly more pregnant, and he was caught between wanting to smile and wanting to cry whenever he looked at her stomach.
"Yeah?"
"But why did you agree to it?"
She hesitated. Jane let her think over the question, waiting impatiently to either get an answer or get slapped.
"I've always thought that I would eventually start a family. I didn't plan on it happening now, but I always planned on having a husband, kids, house, white picket fence. You know – the whole thing. And…and I…you…"
"You wanted to start a family with me?"
She blushed, "Not exactly. I mean, I know you still love your wife, but I wanted to maybe…I dunno. Try."
He thought about it. Living with Lisbon, waking up every morning to see her face, spending time with her whenever he wanted – that he could picture easily. But actually being married to her, not so much.
"I don't know that I could…I don't think I can handle marrying again, but I would love to get a house and with a white picket fence with you." His small joke had the desired effect, and she smiled.
"Marriage wasn't exactly in the picture for you," she admitted. "But then you left." Whatever levity he had brought to the conversation was killed as she spoke.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't look so sad. If those eyes look any more hurt I won't be able to look at you." Her lips twitched, and he struggled to shove back the pain he knew he was showing. He hadn't meant to ruin her dream of starting a family. If anything, he had wanted to protect it.
"Anyway, then Kevin came. His work had transferred here, and we met up. We sort of started dating. It wasn't quite boyfriend/girlfriend, but it was more than friends. And then..." she shrugged her shoulders, another blush staining her cheeks. "And I found out I was pregnant, and he asked me to marry him, and it was like I had another chance to have my little family. And yes," she added with a smile, "I realize how corny that sounds. But I didn't think you were coming back, and I didn't like anyone else. And I had a baby, and a husband, and we could get a nice house later on, and it could be just like I always wanted. So I said yes. And it feels wrong to just tell Kevin 'I'm sorry, but something better came along and now I'm dumping you'. I mean, marriage is about staying together, and I promised to stay with him. For better or worse."
Jane wasn't quite sure how to reply. "Couldn't Kevin not be your husband? I mean, Lisbon, when have you ever followed the conventional way of doing things? You're the head of your own police unit – if you wanted the pretty little family you would have learned how to cook and clean. So, can't you, just…not be married to him, and still visit with him? Since you guys aren't in,"
"Mad passionate love?" she interrupted with a grin.
"Exactly," he was more than grateful to her for releasing the tension. "Since you guys aren't in mad passionate love, then the divorce wouldn't be crazy, or disruptive. And your little bundle of joy could live with Kevvy-Sweetheart and you could live with me, and she could stay with us when we got home. Kevin could move into an apartment in the building, and problem solved. No white picket fence, but we can worry about that later. I mean, I know you feel like you're betraying Kevin, and the whole marriage thing, but it won't feel like that to him, and I hate to tell you, but eventually, you guys are probably going to break up anyway, or be really miserable. So you'll only be hurting him worse than if you split now. And you guys might not even get hurt if you split now. So everyone wins." When she said nothing Jane added, "Yay!"
"Jane?"
"Yeah?"
"Did you just ask me to move in with you? To leave my husband and move in with you as a boyfriend/girlfriend?"
"Um – yes?" he waited for a slap, or a disdainful comment, but none came. He glanced up at her fearfully. Lisbon was smiling, a dreamy look on her face. "Are you okay?"
"It's like a movie where all my dreams come true," she sighed happily, playing the part of the contented princess with relative ease, and then gasped. "Jane!"
"What's wrong?"
"I think she likes the idea."
"Huh?" Lisbon grabbed his hand and settled it on her stomach. The tiny girl inside was kicking wildly.
"Well, it is a pretty brilliant idea if I do say so myself."
"You know, sweetie," Lisbon told her daughter, "You'd better stop before his ego gets any bigger."
"Can she call me Dad? or Daddy? or Father Dearest? or -"
"You know I haven't actually agreed yet."
"But you're going to," he told her, grinning.
"Maybe I'll say no just to spite you. How would you like that?" She did her best to cross her arms and glare at him, but it was difficult when he still had his hand on her belly, his eyes wide with the joy of another baby.
"You'll say yes," he said, confidently.
"How do you know?" she asked, the corners of her mouth betraying her attempt at looking stern.
"Because you are hopelessly in love and hopelessly hormonal."
"Shut up."
Fin.
Review!
