Lisbon rolled her eyes as Jane pointed at yet another ring. The man was driving her batty. To make matters worse, he wasn't listening to a word she was saying. What else was new? He hadn't listened to a word she'd said about the case on the trip over either. He'd just made noises at the appropriate time to prove he wasn't totally tuning her out. She didn't really blame him. It wasn't like she'd found that pivotal bit of evidence everyone had overlooked or broken the case wide open.
They couldn't get that lucky.
Turning her attention back to Jane, she took the ring he offered and slid it on her finger. Shaking her head, she handed it back to Liam before indicating a different ring. That Jane was a man on a mission showed in his single minded determination to get a totally inappropriate ring on her finger…That she was equally determined that wasn't happening showed in how well she headed him off at every pass…She didn't need anything flashy catching the wrong eyes and she wasn't having it.
No matter how hard Jane tried to persuade her otherwise.
"Let me see that one." Lisbon pointed to a bezel set ring before turning to Jane. "I don't want to hear it." Her look silenced his protests before he started. "You might be paying; but I'm wearing this thing."
She had a point there. Sliding the band on her finger, Lisbon studied the ring from all angles knowing Jane could see the wheels turning in her brain. Nodding, she decided it would do.
"I like this one." She said quietly before looking at the price and shaking her head. "On second thought, it won't. It's far too pricey for what it is."
Lifting the loop from the counter, Jane mimicked her earlier actions giving the diamonds a thorough once over.
"Actually, it's priced well below Market Value for what it is." Jane glanced at the tag before making his pronouncement. "While the stones are smaller than anything we've looked at, their quality is far superior to everything we've been shown. Wrap it up, Liam. We'll take it." Jane said quietly shooting Lisbon a look daring her to protest his actions. "You've got a good eye, My Dear."
"It's too expensive." Lisbon repeated. "I like that ring, too."
She pointed to a pretty ring about half the price she liked nearly as well even if it might cause her a few problems in the field.
"No, it's not." Jane nodded for their Sales Associate to continue the paperwork he'd started. "It's a steal for what you're getting and it's an investment I'm comfortable making. Nothing you were shown is out of our price range. I called ahead and Liam did the rest. All you had to do was make a selection you wanted from his offerings."
"What do you mean you called ahead?" Lisbon asked.
"Exactly what I said." Jane repeated.
"This isn't a chain retailer and we aren't from here." Lisbon observed out of nowhere. "How did you know they'd have what we wanted? You didn't have time to do an internet search or call a bunch of jewelry stores in the fifteen minutes I was getting ready."
She supposed he could have done his homework last night or while she was sleeping; but, she doubted it. He'd been curled around her fast asleep most of the night. Even if he hadn't been, she was a light sleeper. She'd have awakened when he slid out of bed no matter how carefully he extricated himself even if she would have fallen immediately back to sleep.
"No, I didn't." Jane agreed. "The owner is an acquaintance from my old life. He owns five jewelry stores including the one in Malibu." It wasn't necessary telling Lisbon he'd once patronized that shop. She was smart enough to read between the lines. "I remembered one of his stores was in San Antonio so I called Sydney, told him what I wanted, and he called Liam here. You know the rest of the story."
"Now I do." Lisbon watched the attractive thirty something carefully boxing her ring. "The selection was just too perfect for things to be as random as they seemed."
Not to mention they'd found just what they wanted in the very first store.
"It wasn't random at all." Jane caught Liam's eye. "We'll take the two gold bands we looked at earlier as well."
He was speaking of the plain yellow gold bands he and Lisbon had favored. They weren't dissimilar to the one he'd worn so long except both were slightly wider.
"We also need to look at a selection of gold chains strong enough to hold her ring without breaking." Jane continued. "Sydney suggested we might like the one behind you over there." Taking the proffered chain, Jane held it out to Lisbon. "What do you think? It's long enough to hide under most of your blouses and sturdy enough to do the job. You'll only need it for a couple of weeks anyway."
"It'll do." Lisbon nodded as she walked across the room to study a case of Estate Jewelry not all that interested in the chain beyond knowing it wouldn't break. "Like you said, I won't be wearing it that long."
"Show her whatever she wants to see in there and put anything she chooses on my tab." Jane suggested. "I'm going to look over the paperwork."
Watching Liam walking over to distract Lisbon, Jane read over the fine print and studied the GIA Report for a few minutes before signing the bottom. Although he was sure she hadn't known what she was doing, his bride-to-be had good taste in jewelry. She'd subconsciously gone for quality over size and picked the perfect ring for her needs. That she liked the simple design was a plus. Lisbon was fully capable of going for functionality over appeal even in an engagement ring.
Abandoning the completed contract, Jane meandered over to join the rest of his party in front of the display case secretly pleased Lisbon was still playing with jewelry. It was nice to know she could get as captivated by gemstones as she was with guns. He'd hand it to his old friend; there were a lot of tempting trinkets on display. Nothing as flamboyant as the emerald and diamond set Lisbon had turned down years ago. But, Syd's offerings were appealing none-the-less.
"We'll take that, too." He said quietly liking the way the Edwardian ring looked on Lisbon's hand. The center pearl, enhanced by alternating mine cut diamonds and sapphires neatly spaced in a round platinum setting, was nicely sized though not overpowering. "You can wear it on your ring finger until it's time to replace it with your wedding band."
"I can do that." It wasn't like anyone would think twice about a pearl on her engagement finger. "You know you're spoiling me."
Marcus had spoiled her as well; but, this was different and Lisbon wasn't quite sure how she felt about it.
Jane wasn't trying to impress her by buying her expensive things or taking her to expensive restaurants. He honed in on the things she really liked instead. That was more than anyone had ever done for her. While nothing they'd purchased was extravagant, certainly not as excessive as that lovely set she'd refused so many years ago, she'd looked at far costlier diamonds he'd been willing to buy.
"Let me see the provenance." Jane said quietly accepting the yellowed Bill of Sale Liam handed him along with a handful of other papers. "I'm going to spoil you some more. We'll take the matching necklace and earrings as well." He nodded to the adjoining case. "This set was commissioned in 1905 for a minor actress by someone you'd recognize so I'd say you have your something old and your something blue."
"You don't have to do this." Lisbon said ignoring Jane's comments knowing he'd tell her the rest of the story later. "The ring is enough."
"Why would you want to break up a beautiful set like that when it isn't necessary?" Jane asked. "Try the necklace on. I'm sure it'll look perfect around your neck."
Fastening the necklace, Jane gave Lisbon a gentle push towards the mirror.
"You're right." Lisbon gave in. "It's perfect for my dress. But you know that don't you?"
"I know no such thing." Jane reassured her. "I don't know anything about your dress except what you've told me. I can assure you Paulie didn't spill your secrets. She wouldn't do that. I do know the delicate lines of that necklace suit you so I think you should accept my gift."
"We'll take the necklace and the earrings, too." Lisbon agreed. "The earrings are beautiful."
She studied the studs as Liam removed them from the case deciding they were large enough to see yet still tastefully discrete. Catching Jane's indulgent smile, she decided he was reading her mind again and wanted to smack him. He knew her much too well.
Watching Liam pull an aged box from beneath the counter, Lisbon reluctantly handed over her ring. Carefully arranging the pieces in their appropriate spots, he closed the lid before ringing up the set and accepting payment. Handing the bag over to Jane, he waited hopefully to see if anything else would catch their eye. When his boss had called him earlier and advised him to overlook Mr. Jane's eccentricities in favor of cultivating a good sale and a repeat customer, he hadn't been lying on either count. While his fiancée was clearly a down-to-earth woman, that Jane was as strange as his name. But, Liam didn't mind his foibles. He was also an excellent sale and, hopefully, a repeat customer as his boss had indicated.
If that came to pass, Patrick Jane would quickly become one of his personal favorites.
"What do you say, Lisbon?" Jane asked. "Are we done here?"
"We bought more than we came for." Lisbon nodded. "So, yes, I'd say we're done."
"Then it's on to the Texas Ranger Museum." Jane smirked slightly at the thought Liam probably thought he was dragging the little woman there when nothing could be farther from the truth. Their next stop was Lisbon's pick of the day. She was the one far more fascinated by badges and guns than she was pretty rings. He was looking forward to the River Walk instead. "Maybe we'll run into a nice place to eat between here and there if you can wait that long."
"I can wait." Lisbon waved goodbye to Liam as Jane escorted her out the door.
#
Removing the yellow gold ring from the chain around her neck, Lisbon slipped it on her finger for the first time in the two weeks since it was bought. After that first night she'd stopped wearing her engagement ring quickly deciding taking it off the next morning hurt too bad. It was far easier to leave the ring on the chain around her neck until the day came when it was finally encircling her finger for good.
Fortunately, today was that day.
Staring at her finger, she decided she still liked her ring every bit as much as she had when they'd picked it out in that quaint shop in San Antonio. The shop that looked like nothing special from the outside but specialized in custom high ticket items. Nothing flashy, her trophy was a simple ring composed of three bezel set diamonds, two rounds with an oval in the center, whose value lay more in their quality than in their far from impressive size.
While a part of her appreciated Jane's desire to give her a statement piece, she'd wanted something delicate and understated she could comfortably wear in the field. A ring that wouldn't catch a criminal's eye or get snagged in a chase. Being an FBI Agent coupled with her petite size invited enough trouble without asking for more. Jane had gotten her message and finally bowed to common sense. He had, however, won the final battle as only he could.
That dainty, understated bit of clear stone and gold adorning her finger cost more than the majority of the more ostentatious rings they'd considered.
Shaking her head, Lisbon decided she might as well give up now. She was never getting one over on Jane or not very often. She hoped to goodness this kid took more after her than him or she was done for. Two Janes playing mind games was more than anyone could handle. It wouldn't matter she was a Jane by marriage. That didn't count. It wasn't the same. She lacked that inherent sneakiness permeating a certain carney's DNA.
But, being half Jane, her kid wouldn't.
Turning her attention to the garments laid out on her bed, Lisbon decided she'd worry about baby antics when the time came. Right now, she needed to get dressed. Jane would be unlocking her front door in less than a half hour to haul her away. It wouldn't be that long before she'd be signing Teresa Jane on that piece of paper. She wasn't sure how she felt about that.
Maybe trepidatious and excited covered all the bases.
Sliding into her panty hose, Lisbon shrugged into her slip before reaching for her dress. She'd sworn she was never wearing those stupid things again; but, somehow, the thought of passing such an important day bare legged didn't sit as well as it should. Pulling her dress over her head, she settled it over her hips before reaching behind her to fasten the zipper. Stepping into her shoes, she reached for the aged box setting on top of her dresser. Opening the lid, she unhooked the pearl pendant and lifted it against her skin deciding it looked as good with her dress as she'd thought it would. Reaching for the studs, she attached them to her ears and fluffed her hair. Stepping back, she surveyed her reflection in the mirror.
She looked pretty good considering the circumstances.
The ecru lace dress discretely dotted with a smattering of seed pearls was fancier than she usually wore. But, it wasn't over the top for her wedding day when coupled with the matching plain leather pumps that elongated her calves becomingly. Paulie's words not hers. She'd never say anything elongated her calves becomingly. Snorting at her reflection, she burned the image in her mind for eternity. She wasn't looking like this ever again so she might as well remember it.
The only thing missing was some kind of hat or veil and there was no way in hell she was wearing one of those…Not even for Jane.
Taking one last look in the mirror, she stepped into the bedroom to grab her purse and matching jacket before heading for the stairs. Jane was already waiting for her downstairs. She could hear him knocking around in the den. If she didn't miss her guess, he was pacing back and forth between the kitchen and her patio still not happy she'd refused to let him stay over last night. She'd given him some lame excuse about wanting to be as traditional as possible under the circumstances. That meant she didn't want him seeing her until the last possible moment which meant right before they left her place since he was driving. He'd finally capitulated to her insanity though he clearly hadn't liked it.
He'd also probably realized the truth behind her play: she didn't want him underfoot while she prepared for the most nerve wracking, important day of her life. Lisbon thought that was closer to the truth. If it weren't, he'd have reminded her nothing about what they were doing was traditional. They'd already put the cart in front of the horse in getting pregnant. He hadn't anything of the kind. He'd given into her wishes instead. He'd known how desperately she needed that down time to collect her thoughts and prepare for the major changes in her life.
She suspected he needed the time as well. Jane hadn't been married in a very long time. What they were about to do had to bring up memories of both the pleasant and not so pleasant kind.
"Hey." Lisbon said as she stepped into the kitchen. "You're early."
"I am and you're beautiful." Jane walked over to take both of her hands in his ignoring her nerve driven small talk. "Paulie didn't steer you wrong."
He meant "Paulie" as in Paulina the good looking Amazon of a Sales Associate in the high end boutique he'd taken her to. Lisbon shook her head wondering briefly how in the world the man ended up with so many attractive women wound around his little finger and if she seriously wanted to put up with that particular talent for the rest of her life. Fortunately, he'd proven his disinterest in any of them beyond the particular function they served over and over again.
Mercifully, none of those functions had been remotely intimate if she discounted Lorelei including Paulie.
It wouldn't have mattered if Jane had felt differently. Paulina had proven far more interested in earning her commission than she was in the man paying her. Once Jane said she was to have whatever she wanted, they'd taken him at his word and Paulie had swung into action with far more gusto than she'd have expected from such a self possessed woman. She'd actually had a blast trying on things she'd never have considered if the other woman hadn't brought them to her. She'd been shock that quite a few of those things had suited her perfectly.
"No, she didn't." Lisbon agreed smirking evilly at him. "Trust me, she enjoyed every second of that steering and we put a healthy dent in your credit card."
"It wasn't as bad as I expected." Jane smirked back. "In fact, the bill is already taken care of and those last few outfits you put back are hanging in the back of your closet."
It was apparent Lisbon had yet to see them.
"You shouldn't have done that." Lisbon protested. "I won't be able to wear any of that for much longer."
The very practical reason why she'd discarded them.
"Sure you will. If you can't, don't worry about it." Jane said. "You'll be able to wear them later. I seriously doubt it will take that long to get back to your pre-baby weight once all of this is over."
"You think so?" Lisbon wasn't sure considering all the horror stories she'd heard over the years. "I'm not so sure you're right about that. From what I've heard, having a baby changes your body."
"For a lot of women it does and I'm sure it'll change yours some." Jane agreed. "However, I doubt you'll change that much. Your hips may get marginally wider and your breasts fuller for a while; but, I'd say that's about it. You'll still be able to wear those outfits if that happens."
"We'll see." Lisbon gave in deciding it was Jane's money to blow. "Knowing I have to go back into the field right after maternity leave is enough to keep me on a tight rein."
They both knew the part about going right back in the field wasn't true; but, if that's what Lisbon wanted to believe he wouldn't try to dissuade her. She could take additional unpaid time to bond with their child if she wanted. He wouldn't try to stop her. In fact, he'd probably prefer she did it that way. However, they both knew she wouldn't. Lisbon would eventually be champing at the bit to get back in the field and when that time came, she'd be ready. There was no way she'd fail her physical fitness test the first go round. She'd probably outdo the guys if he knew her. There was nothing the woman liked more than a challenge.
He doubted she be with him if she didn't.
"Then there isn't a problem." Jane's tone said there never had been. "One day you'll figure out you can spend what you please within reason."
"One day you'll accept I have my own money." Lisbon said quietly suddenly realizing she had no idea what kind of funds Jane had squirreled away.
All she'd ever really known was when he needed large sums of money he'd always found a way of getting it. Most having nothing to do with delving into the reserves she'd always suspected he had. She'd ask him about all of that one day soon after they were married.
When she felt she had the right.
"One day you'll accept we're in this together." Jane said quietly. "What's mine is yours."
"I have no idea what that means." Lisbon told him honestly. "What I do know is we're splitting the bills so don't go macho on me."
"I expect nothing less." Jane said quietly knowing she was too independent to accept anything different. "However, you should know we're comfortably set if neither of us ever earns another dime."
"Okay." Lisbon absorbed his words. "But that doesn't really change anything does it?"
"No, it doesn't." Jane agreed. "I'm still moving in here and we're selling the RV. Neither of us is leaving the FBI. Nothing is really changing after today except you'll be Mrs. Patrick Jane and our family is expanding."
"That works for me." Lisbon said glancing at the clock on her stove. "We need to get a move on or we're going to be late."
"We don't have an appointment so we can't be late." Jane gently reminded her. "We have to make it before the deadline is all."
It had taken them almost two weeks from their outing in San Antonio to find a day they could safely cut out without anyone asking unnecessary questions. Today was that day. Jane had left first since everyone was used to him disappearing for a few hours when they weren't working an active case. Lisbon had left an hour later pleading personal business. That wasn't unusual either. They all did it every once in a while. The only difference was this time neither she nor Jane were coming back.
Tomorrow morning would be soon enough to deal with the fallout caused by their sudden disappearing act.
"We still have plenty of time." Lisbon watched Jane walk over to her refrigerator to open the door. "What's that?"
"What does it look like?" Jane asked handing her the mass of white Gardenias elegantly wrapped in an ecru silk ribbon adorned with a hint of seed pearls. "Every bride should have a bouquet."
Lisbon wasn't going to ask how he'd pulled off having a custom made bouquet on hand when neither of them had known what day they were getting married. Knowing him, he'd probably charmed some vulnerable florist into dropping everything for however long it took to create the simple perfection she was holding in her hands. She hoped he'd paid her well for her time and trouble.
"It's beautiful." Lisbon rose up to give him a kiss. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Jane watched her lift the bouquet to her nose knowing Lisbon was clueless to its meaning.
However, he knew what he was saying and that was enough.
She'd been his secret love long enough.
#
"Are you alright?" Jane reached over to entwine his finger through hers ignoring the look Lisbon shot him. "I don't need both hands to pull into a parking space."
"I don't guess you do." Lisbon said. "I'm fine."
"You should be more than fine." Jane said quietly as he put the car in park and killed the engine. "Everything went off without a hitch."
Lisbon had to agree. For a Court House ceremony, she didn't have any complaints. Jane had found a quaint little town about forty miles from Austin where they could do the deed in a scenic atmosphere. The Officiant had been a warm woman she'd liked immediately. She gotten to wear a pretty ivory sheath that clung becomingly to her still slender frame while Jane had worn a very ordinary suit in his current style. He'd cleaned up nicely as she'd known he would. They'd waited their turn, repeated their vows, slid simple gold bands in place, and signed the appropriate papers before they were done. They'd even had a few photographs taken. While seemingly nothing special, Lisbon didn't think she'd ever experienced anything more beautiful and she was sure Jane felt the same. He'd said as much as they'd slid into their car.
Now they'd come home where the simple dinner they'd planned days ago was waiting for them. She'd held off on eating any fish all week because they were having some kind of elegant seafood salad as well as sparkling juice and slices of that wedding cake Jane had insisted on buying. Knowing her husband there was probably more; but, she wasn't sure.
"Yes it did and the ceremony was beautiful." Lisbon repeated. "This just feels strange."
"But it isn't." Jane gently reminded her. "Nothing's changed all that much. We'll drive into work in the morning like we do every morning. We'll start our day as we always do. I'll make you a cup of decaff and myself a cup of tea. We'll bitch and bicker as we always do. The rest of the pieces will fall into place, It'll take everyone however long it takes them to connect the dots as to why we're wearing matching rings on our fingers and we'll deal with the fall out when they do. We'll go home at the end of the day. It's as simple as that."
"Are you really as calm as you seem?" Lisbon asked. "I don't see how you can be."
"Yes, I think I am." Jane said. "Why shouldn't I be? I have what I wanted and I think you do too."
"What are you talking about now?" Lisbon asked. "You're always confusing me."
"The ring on your finger." Jane responded. "We're Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Jane. That's all that really matters. You and me. We're legally married and there's nothing anyone can do about it. In a few months we'll have our son. As strange as it sounds, there's nothing left to do but live. It doesn't get better than that. Not for us. Not after the last few years we've had."
"I like the way that sounds." Lisbon agreed. "But, that doesn't mean I'm as comfortable with everything as you are."
"Let me handle tomorrow." Jane said. "It isn't anything you need to worry about."
"Everyone's reaction to us sneaking off and getting married is nothing I need to worry about?" Lisbon snorted. "I think we should both be concerned with the fallout."
"Why?" Jane asked. "It's no different than if you'd married Pike."
Which, thank goodness, she hadn't done.
"Of course it's different." Lisbon corrected him. "We work in the same unit and I'm pregnant."
"While that may be true, we aren't both Agents." Jane reminded her. "I'm a Consultant in case you've forgotten. If worst comes to worse, I'll transfer to a different unit. As for you being pregnant, that happens every day at the FBI."
Just not her being pregnant by him.
"Abbott won't like you transferring." Lisbon stated unnecessarily. "He views you as his personal property."
"Yeah, well, I'm counting on Dennis to step in if we have any problems." Jane smirked knowingly. "He won't give me up without a fight and he has enough clout I think he'll win."
Abbott's trump card was that encrypted disc.
His trump card was he'd cracked that encryption over the past few weeks even if he was the only one who knew it.
"I don't believe you." Lisbon said. "You're absolutely shameless. You don't care about the trouble you cause do you?"
"No, I don't." Jane agreed. "Not when it comes to getting what I want and I've wanted you for a long time."
"The feeling's mutual." Lisbon gave him a kiss.
"Then we have nothing to worry about." Jane kissed her back. "I've got everything under control."
Lisbon snorted at the thought, "Yeah, right, in typical Jane fashion."
She might as well get ready for that roller coaster ride before it started.
Nothing was going to turn out as they'd planned.
She was sure of it.
But, everything would be all right.
She was sure of that, too.