A week later, Jane, Maura and Jaiden were pulling up outside Jane's parents'. Both sides of the street were lined with cars and the front yard was full of guests.
"Shit," Jane mumbled. "I guess she doesn't understand the phrases 'small gathering' or 'just close friends and family'."
"It will be fine sweetie," Maura said as she brought her fiancées hand up to place a kiss on the back of it. "She promised she wouldn't invite anyone you didn't want here. These people all care about you and want to celebrate you, and us." She then brought her hand up to the back of Jane's neck to pull her in for a kiss. "It will be fine. I love you."
"I love you, too," Jane smiled at her fiancée. She then turned to their son. "You ready for this buddy? I just want you to be prepared. Some of these people may be kind of annoying."
"Jane," Maura scolded.
"Well they are, especially with an adorable kid like him," Jane defended herself. "They're gonna be pinching his cheeks and mussing his hair. Just imagine my mother times, like, one hundred." Turning back to Jaiden, she continued. "If people start bugging you too much, or you start to feel overwhelmed, you come find me or Mommy, okay?"
"Okay," Jaiden smiled at her.
Jane then took a deep breath and said, "Okay…let's get this over with." She climbed from the car and hurried around to the passenger side to open Maura's door for her. She extended her hand to help the blonde out. Once Maura was out of the car, Jane pulled her seat forward to help Jaiden out of the back. She pulled him up into her arms then laced the fingers of her free hand with her fiancées.
"I know you don't like people making a fuss about you," Maura whispered giving Jane's hand a reassuring squeeze, "but you got this. You're awesome."
Angela saw the small family walking up the sidewalk so she hurried over to greet them. She saw the look on Jane's face, so she started talking before Jane could start complaining. "Before you say anything, I know this is more people than you wanted, but everyone here loves you, Janie. When word got out that you're getting married, my phone started ringing off the hook. So many family members and friends wanted to be here to celebrate with you."
Giving a defeated smile, Jane said, "It's okay Ma. I should have figured it would be this big. Small and quiet isn't really your thing." She let go of Maura's hand long enough to put Jaiden down and give her mother a hug. "Just make sure my aunts don't torture him too much okay. I don't want him to have bruised cheeks by the end if the day from all the pinching."
"Okay," Angela smiled. As she watched Jane retake Maura's hand, Angela noticed something sparkled on her daughter's finger. "Is that a ring on your finger, Janie?"
"Hmm?" she said distractedly. She was busy looking at all the people littering her parents' yard. "Oh…yeah," she smiled when her mother's question finally registered. "Maura gave it to me a couple of days ago."
"Well…let me see," Angela replied excitedly. Maura released Jane's hand so that she could hold it up for her mother's inspection. As Angela took hold of her daughter's hand, Maura moved behind Jane and wrapped her arms around her fiancées lithe frame resting her chin on Jane's shoulder. "It's beautiful Janie. And it suits you perfectly."
"I thought that seeing as how I have this ring signifying that I've given my heart to another, Jane should have one as well," Maura smiled. "I know that Jane doesn't really like jewelry and wouldn't be comfortable with a big ring. I saw this and it was the only one I could imagine on her hand."
"It's perfect, I love it baby," Jane replied and she reclaimed her hand to rest hers atop Maura's on her stomach.
"Well, come on you two," Angela said as she ushered the couple towards the crowd. "Let's go say hello to everyone. Everyone is dying to meet your fiancée Janie."
"Okay," Jane sighed. She reclaimed Maura's hand as they walked and also took hold of Jaiden's. She wouldn't admit it to anyone, but she was excited to show off her family.
After an hour or so, Jane finally started to relax. She realized her mother was true to her word and didn't invite those Jane had asked her not to. Everyone was getting along well, the food was great, and most importantly, everyone loved Maura and Jaiden. They were welcomed into the family with open arms. Jane and Maura were sitting on the front porch together, Maura in Jane's lap, watching Jaiden playing with some of Jane's cousins' kids when the brunette felt her lover tense up.
Jane brushed some honey-blonde curls off Maura's neck before placing a soft kiss there. "What's wrong baby?"
"My parents," Maura whispered.
"I know it sucks that they ignored the invitation. I'm sorry," Jane replied with another soft kiss. "But look at all the people that are here. Everyone here loves you and us."
"It's not that Jane," Maura replied hurriedly, but still quiet. "They are heading down the sidewalk," she finished as she nodded in the direction of her parents. Maura then rose from Jane's lap and pulled Jane to her feet. "I honestly didn't think they'd come. I only gave your mother their address to appease her."
"It's okay, babe," Jane smiled reassuringly. "They wouldn't come all this way just to cause a scene…would they?"
"God, I hope not," Maura replied. She then laced her fingers with her detective's and started towards her parents. They met up at the end of the driveway. "Hello Daddy, Mom," she smiled nervously. "I didn't think you two would come."
"Well, we were sent an invitation," Maura's father replied smiling. "It would have been rude of us to ignore it. I'm sorry we're late, I've never driven in this part of town before." He gave his daughter an awkward hug before turning his attention to Jane. "You must be Jane. I'm Richard Isles, Maura's father. It's a pleasure to meet you." He extended his hand to.
"Jane Rizzoli and the pleasure is all mine," Jane replied as she firmly shook his hand with her right. Her left hand stayed on the small of Maura's back, silent reassurance and comfort.
"I'm sorry," Maura said regaining her composure. She smiled at the feel of Jane's hand on her back and took a deep breath. "Daddy, Mom, I would love for you both to meet my fiancée, Jane Rizzoli. Jane this is my father, Richard, and my mother, Constance."
"It's nice to meet you dear," Constance smiled at Jane. "Although I wish we could have learned of your engagement from you instead of from the mail," she said to Maura.
"I am sorry about that, but," Maura started before turning to Jane. The smile she saw there gave her the strength to continue. "After the way you both reacted to the idea of Jane and I just dating, I guess I assumed you wouldn't be too thrilled at the thought of us getting married."
"Dr. Maura Isles assumed something? We've got to alert the news," Jane whispered into Maura's ear eliciting a soft giggle and an elbow nudge from the blonde.
"We are sorry about that," Richard replied. Maura could hear the guilt in his voice.
"You caught us off guard is all," Constance said reaching for her daughter's hand. "As far as we are aware, you have only dated men. So the idea of you being with a woman and so soon after your divorce…it surprised us."
"After you left, we both took the time to think about it," Richard continued, "and we realized that if being with Jane is what makes you happy, then who are we to deny you that? Especially after everything that you've been through."
"And she obviously makes you happy," Constance said. "I don't think I've ever seen you like this, so unbelievably happy. It's unmistakable that you two are in love. I saw it the moment I saw you sitting together on the porch."
"I have never been this happy before," Maura replied. "I've never before felt half of the things I feel when I'm with Jane. I love her more than anything in the world, apart from our son of course."
"Our son?" Maura's mother inquired.
"Yes. Our son," Maura said as she leaned into her detective's side. "Jane got David to severe his parental rights and after we get married, Jane is going to legally adopt Jaiden. And even if she wasn't able to legally adopt him, she is more of a parent to him than his father ever was. We just want to make it official so that she is recognized as his mother. He'll be starting school soon and I want the school to treat her as such."
"From what I understand you are the one that got my daughter away from that man," Richard directed at Jane. "I never got the opportunity to thank you."
"It's not necessary, sir," Jane replied. "I would do anything for Maura." She wrapped her arm around the blonde's waist holding her in place.
"I can see that," he smiled at the couple. "But anything you want, name it and it's yours. And please, call me Richard."
"Thank you Richard," Jane smiled back. "But the only think that I want from you is your blessing to marrying your daughter. I know it would mean the world to her to have both yours and your wife's blessing."
"Well that you can definitely have," Richard replied. "You just promise me you'll take good care of my little girl."
"I always have," Jane said. "And I plan on spending the rest of my life taking care of her and Jaiden, making them happy."
"I love you," Maura smiled as she tiled her head up to press a kiss to her fiancées jaw.
"I love you, too," Jane smiled back at the blonde. After a moment of being lost in her lover's eyes she remembered that her soon-to-be in-laws were still there. "Would you two like to meet my parents?" she asked. Before they could reply, Jaiden ran up and tugged on her pant leg.
"Mama!" he said to get her attention.
"Yeah buddy?" she smiled as she knelt down to be eye level with him. "What is it?"
"I can't find your football and we wanted to play with it," he replied. "Will you help me?"
"Well, I'm kinda in the middle of something, but I promise I'll help if you haven't found it by the time I'm done. Okay?" she answered.
"Go head sweetie," Maura said to Jane. "I am more than capable of making introductions."
"Are you sure? You know how Ma can get," Jane replied skeptically.
"I'm certain," Maura said as she leaned over to kiss her lover. She gave Jaiden a quick hug and kiss before saying, "you two go have fun."
"Thank you Mommy!" Jaiden shouted as he grabbed Jane's hand and pulled her towards the back yard.
"I see what you mean about those two," Richard said after observing the family interaction.
"He's gotten so big," Constance beamed. "How long did it take him to start calling her that?"
"He's always called her Mama," Maura smiled as she watched her family disappear into the backyard.
"Really?" Constance replied shocked.
"They have always been close," Maura said turning her attention back to her parents. "Are you ready to go meet Jane's parents?"
"Of course dear. Lead the way," Richard replied.
The rest of the afternoon went much smoother that either Jane or Maura could have hoped. Both sets of parents got along well and Jane could sense how happy her fiancée was at that fact. Jane herself was relieved that Maura's parents had shown up. She knew that although Maura said she didn't care, it would have hurt her deeply to know that her parents didn't even take notice of their impending nuptials. When Richard gave them his blessing Jane could see the last bit of tension leave her fiancées body.
They decided to head home when the sun started to set. Not without receiving another round of hugs and well wishes from those who hadn't left yet. Jaiden had fallen asleep in the car on the drive home so Jane carried him in. She laid him in his bed and both his mommies tucked him in and kissed him goodnight.
"Today went wonderfully," Maura beamed as she was undressing to get ready for bed. "I can't believe my parents actually showed up. And they got along so well with you and your parents." When she was down to just her panties, she pulled Jane's Red Sox jersey from their closet and slipped it on. She felt Jane's strong arms envelope her from behind and she leaned back into the embrace.
"Yeah," Jane said as she kissed her lover's neck. "Today surprisingly didn't suck." Maura turned around to wrap her own arms around Jane and reach up to kiss her. "The only thing that does suck is how damn tired I am," Jane said.
"That is unfortunate," Maura said with a sly grin. "I was planning on having my way with you tonight." She then released her hold on the detective and climbed into bed. Jane was in bed with her in a flash, pulling her against herself.
"I'm not that tired," Jane lied.
"Liar," Maura smiled back. She then watched as Jane, unsuccessfully, tried to suppress a yawn. "See? Get some sleep my love," Maura said as she maneuvered Jane under the covers. She then snuggled into Jane's side, resting her head on the brunette's shoulder. "I know you'll make it up to me."
"You're damn right I will," Jane replied yawning again.
In less than a minute, Jane was fast asleep. Maura lay there listening to Jane's heart beating until she too drifted off.
"You're doing it again," Jane mumbled without opening her eyes. It was still early in the morning, the sun just barely shining through the windows.
"Doing what?" Maura smiled as she pushed a few stray curls from her fiancées face.
"Watching me sleep," Jane said as she slowly opened her eyes.
"I like watching you sleep," Maura replied innocently. "You look so peaceful." She ran her fingertips along Jane's jaw line, stopping at her chin to turn the detective's face toward her own. She then placed a soft kiss on her lips. "Good morning."
"Mmmm…" Jane sighed. "Morning. Whatcha thinkin' about?"
"What makes you think I'm thinking about anything?" Maura asked.
"You mean besides the fact that I know you're always thinking about something?" Jane smirked. "You get this look on your face when you're contemplating something." At that moment Jane took hold of her lover and rolled them over so she was hovering over her. "I think it's cute," she added placing a quick kiss on Maura's lips. "So, what is it?"
"It's nothing really," Maura smiled running her fingers through Jane's chocolate tresses stopping at the base of her neck. "I was just thinking about how I can't wait to be Mrs. Jane Rizzoli."
"Really?" Jane beamed. "You want to take my name?"
"Of course I do," Maura replied with an expression that, if Maura Isles said such things, would say 'well duh'. "Unless of course you don't want me to."
"Of course I want you to Maur," Jane replied, "I just figured we'd hyphenate. You know, Rizzoli-Isles or Isles-Rizzoli. I didn't think you'd want to change your name."
"Why? Is it because I didn't take David's name when we got married?"
"I dunno…I guess so."
"Jane our relationship is absolutely nothing like the relationship I had with him. I didn't take his name because I didn't think a name mattered, and honestly, I preferred the way Maura Isles sounded as opposed to Maura Lafferty." Maura pulled Jane down for a kiss before continuing. "But your name means something. Your name stands for family, strength, loyalty, and so much more. It means something to be a Rizzoli and I want to be a part of that."
"Maura Rizzoli does sound really awesome," Jane smirked. "What about Jai?"
"Well, don't you think it would make the most sense for him to have the same name as both of his parents?" Maura smiled back. "And I think Jaiden Rizzoli has a nice ring to it as well."
"Yes it does," Jane said as she leaned in to kiss Maura. "Do you think he'd like it?"
"I know he would," Maura replied. "I took him to the park the other day and he met some kids on the playground. You know how he introduced himself?" Maura watched as a huge grin appeared on her detective's face. "Jaiden Rizzoli. He has already laid claim to your last name. He doesn't want to be Jaiden Lafferty anymore, and I would change it to Isles, but I know how badly he wants it to be Rizzoli. Once we're married and you've adopted him, he'll get to be Jaiden Rizzoli."
"I love you," Jane smiled. She captured her lover's lips in a searing kiss before pulling back to run her thumb over kiss swollen lips. "I'm not tired anymore," she smirked. "And I did promise to make last night up to you." She then began to trail kisses down the M.E.'s neck and started undoing the buttons on the jersey.
"Yes you did," Maura breathed tangling her fingers in the detective's dark curls.