I am SO sorry about posting to the wrong story last night. I was half asleep and wasn't thinking. Of course when I got up this morning I had a whole bunch of emails telling me of my mistake (thanks!). So, this is an apology (because I know how frustrating it is for a reader to think a new chapter is up, only to find it's the wrong story) and a new chapter for Mrs. Jane. It's short as I pounded it out on the train on the way to work this morning. Just a short "I'm sorry for the screw up" chapter.
By the time they reached Abbott's office Jane had calmed down. It had helped that Teresa kept teasing him as well as the fact that she seemed quite pleased by the whole thing – go figure. When he realized that she wasn't, in fact, upset that he'd gone all caveman on her, but that she was actually pleased at his defense of their relationship, it had taken away any lingering anger he was feeling.
When he thought about it calmly he knew that he probably would have acted worse than had Pike. Jane knew himself well, and recognized that he could be a bit of a bastard when things didn't go his way. In retrospect, it was surprising how kind he'd been to the man from day one, even when he was still dating Lisbon.
But he also recognized that his deepest feelings – beyond his own selfishness and personal desires – were always to protect her and make sure she was happy. For once in his life he had tried to put someone else first, and it had almost blown up in his face.
He truly did sympathize with Pike. He'd lost the woman he'd loved to another man. It had to be like a hot knife to the back. And he hadn't expected to see Jane on his own turf, so he'd probably acted without thinking. He could forgive the man, but that didn't mean he was going to let him get by with commenting on their relationship.
"You're looking rather pleased", his wife suddenly said. A minute ago Jane had looked stressed and angry and now he had a small smirk on his face.
Jane leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. "Why wouldn't I?" he commented. "I have a beautiful wife who is going to give birth to my children in a few months and I'm here to see a good friend. Only things to be happy about."
"And you're over the episode with Pike?"
"Meh! What's to get over? He lost, I won", he gave her a devilish grin. "I can afford to be magnanimous."
She laughed and shook her head. "Right! You, magnanimous. Well, I'm glad you didn't let it upset you because there's absolutely no need. I made the decision months ago to be with you and I don't regret it. And I think I'm the one who won!"
He couldn't contain the smile or the happiness that flooded through him. Damn, he was a lucky man.
"Jane, Lisbon!" a voice called out. They both glanced up to see Abbott walking towards them, a big grin on his face. "So good to see you." He gave Teresa a huge hug. "You look gorgeous", he whispered in her ear. "Congratulations."
"Thank you", she smiled back, pleased to see this man who had become such a dear friend – and who had been instrumental in bringing Patrick and her together. "It's good to see you."
Abbott stepped back, still smiling, and turned to Jane. "And congratulations to you too!" The two men gave one another a hug – with the requisite manly back pat. Abbott took a look at the two of them and shook his head. "I really didn't think I would ever see you happier than on your wedding day, but now – I don't know. You're both looking very pleased with life."
"We are", Jane smiled. "Life is good."
Abbott stared at him a moment, his face serious. It was amazing what a few months, and the love of a good woman, had done for Jane. He looked years younger than he had when he'd first returned to the United States, and he looked as if a huge burden had been lifted from his shoulders. In a way Abbott supposed it had. Years of grief and vengeance had to have weighed him down terribly. Now there was a lightness about him that spoke of a man learning to live– and to enjoy life again.
Suddenly Abbott grinned. "You realize that I deserve a lot of the credit for you two."
Teresa frowned slightly, although with a twinkle in her eye. She knew he was right. He'd been a good friend to the two of them and one of the few people Jane actually listened to – other than her of course. She laughed softly to herself. At least he listened to her now – mostly.
"Yes you do", Jane agreed. He glanced at Teresa, not sure if she really knew how much the man had actually done. "Abbott was cheering us on from day one you know. He kicked my butt a few times to try and get me to say something to you when you were with Pike."
"Why the hell didn't you?" she asked, grinning, although she already knew the answer. They'd discussed this months ago.
He shrugged. "A momentary lapse in judgment", he answered, with a grin of his own. "But you have to admit that when I did say something I did it with style!"
She snorted. "Right – embarrassing me in front of a whole plane-load of people and getting arrested on top of it. Although I agree, it was a very Jane thing to do."
"And Abbott let me use his car and I got to speed down the highway with the lights and siren blaring", Jane remembered with a gleam. If he hadn't been so afraid he was going to be too late, he would have enjoyed that. He wondered if he could ask Abbott to borrow his car again?
Both Abbott and Teresa laughed. "But that's the last time you get to do that", Abbott unconsciously answered his silent question. "If anyone had found out I would have been in it deep."
Teresa couldn't help but smile. She guessed she hadn't realized how much Abbott had actually done. She looked at the two men and marveled. A couple of years ago – when things were going down with Red John and with Blake she never would have imagined, in her wildest dreams, that these two men would become such friends.
She knew that Jane, for all his showmanship and air of friendliness, often had trouble making close friends. She knew that some of it had come from his fear of opening up to people, of getting close and then of losing them. She thought back to his reaction when Michelle had been killed and knew that he felt these things deeply. It spoke to the depth of the man – and his sensitivity. That was why it was so good to see the respect and liking he had for their former boss. She suddenly wondered if he had always been like this, or if it had developed after the loss of his wife and child. She might never know, although she supposed she'd find out as they moved forward.
"So, Lena is going to meet us at the restaurant. She can hardly wait to see you, although I'm worried what it might do", Dennis said with a sigh.
Teresa looked at him with a puzzled expression. "Do?"
"Well, she's loving her job, but the administration will be ending in another year and a half and I'm afraid those maternal hormones are starting to kick into high gear. She's going to take one look at you – and the glow – and I'm afraid she might decide not to wait until the end of her appointment."
Jane smiled, looking quite pleased with himself and the world. "I can highly recommend it Dennis. And you'll be amazing parents. No job in the world is as great as being a Dad – or Mom", he winked at Teresa.
"See", Dennis sighed. "I can already tell that I've lost this argument. Well who knows, maybe our kids will grow up together."
"Do you think you'll return to Austin once you're done here in DC?" Jane asked, as they continued on towards their rental car. Abbott was driving with them as he usually travelled to work on the Metro.
"We'd like to. We still have the house there and we like it. As great a place as DC is, I don't know if I'd want to live here permanently. I'd have to find out if there was a job for me there though. Although who knows, maybe I'll stay home and become a house-Daddy."
They all laughed at that, although Jane also gave Teresa a wink. It's what he was seriously thinking about himself.
They continued to chat all the way to the restaurant, where they found Lena waiting for them. She gave them both a hug and a kiss, and then proceeded to ask Teresa all about her pregnancy and what they planned for the babies. Jane looked at Abbott, who was rolling his eyes, and laughed. The two men then began to talk about the cabin renovation and the training institute. As happy as Jane was to be a father again, he didn't really care that much about listening to the women talk all things baby.
"That was fun", Teresa yawned as they returned to their hotel that night. "I miss them."
"Mmm, me too. I wouldn't be surprised to see them again in Austin."
"No, me either." She grinned. "Nor to see Lena pregnant. They'll make great parents."
"That they will", he yawned and turned on his side and grabbed his wife. Pulling her to him he spooned around her. "Now, enough talk of the Abbott's. How about we concentrate on us for a while."
"Sounds good Mr. Jane."
"Wonderful, Mrs. Jane."
They returned to Austin at the end of the week. They'd enjoyed their trip but were both glad to get back home. Teresa was surprised at how settled she felt. She had never thought she'd enjoy living in Texas, but had to admit that Austin was a great city. She did miss California but in many ways decided that starting out in a new place, without all the memories – at least the bad ones – wasn't a bad thing.
"Do you ever miss California?" she asked Jane one evening as they were relaxing in the living room. He lifted his head from the book he was reading – she'd never seen anyone read quite as much as Jane, except maybe for Cho.
"California?" he asked with a frown. He thought about it for a moment. "Some things. I miss not being close to the ocean and I miss some of the people. It would be nice if Wayne and Grace were closer and I'd like to see Manelli again."
"Do you miss not being able to go to the cemetery?" she asked quietly, scooting over towards him so that she was next to him on the couch.
His put his arm around her and he bent his head so that his lips touched her hair. "I didn't go very often when I lived there", he admitted. "Only a few times."
"Really?" she lifted her head and looked at him. "I'm surprised."
"Why?"
"Well – I don't know. I guess I thought that's what most people do."
He grinned slightly. "And since when did you ever think of me as 'most people'?"
"True", she chortled but quickly sobered. "Did it bother you?"
He took a deep breath. "It made me sad", he admitted. "I guess it was also hard because it was so stark a reminder that they were gone. If I believed in the afterlife maybe it would have brought me some peace, I don't know. All I knew was that when I'd see their graves it reminded me that that was all that was left of them – their names on pieces of stone."
"But you're wrong", she whispered. "Even if their spirits aren't out there somewhere – and you know I believe they are – well, even then, there is more of them than that. There's you." She placed her hand on his chest over his heart. "They both live on in you – in who you are, in what you do, in your memories and in how you live your life. And they will live on in our children as a result." She placed his hand on her stomach. "Never think they are just names on a stone. They're alive because of you."
He pulled her close and wrapped himself around her. Neither of them said anything, because he couldn't and because she'd said all she'd wanted to say. Teresa didn't look at him or ask him anything, knowing that right now he needed her, but he also needed privacy to deal with his feelings.
Although Jane made it clear he was happy - so very happy – she knew that there were times when the thoughts of Angela and Charlotte would still make him incredibly sad. She knew enough to give him space for these times, but to be there when he needed her. He had told her once that her presence, just being there, made a difference. He'd been alone in his grief for too long.
It was a long time later – and Teresa was almost asleep – before Jane spoke. "I'd like to go back sometime", he said softly, into her hair. "I'd like to take you to the cemetery with me. Would you come?"
"Of course", was all she said. It was all she would ever have to say.