I have to write an Epilogue because there is something I need to put in but it has to run into another day so it couldn't happen in this chapter. Plus it really needs a chapter to itself. So apologies for the 'Last Chapter' warning. It really was meant to be the last – and if you stop reading now I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it (sorry it took so freaking long!). But there will be an epilogue in the next few weeks I promise – I'm officially unemployed again so it'll be sooner rather than later! Plus I want to write a couple of one shot Rolivia's and a longer Rizzles I've had on the back burner so it'll give me an incentive to finish this!

CHAPTER 12

The silence in the house was deafening. Jo Friday was at Maura's. Tommy and TJ were asleep and Frankie was at work. And Angela…

3 MONTHS LATER

Angela was suddenly roaring at her from the bedroom. "Jane Clementine Rizzoli, get in here now and choose a dress"

Jane sighed and hollered back "I'm dressed Ma, leave it alone and come on. We have to be in Maura's in half an hour and you know how she gets when anyone is late"

"You are not wearing those threadbare jeans and that scruffy t-shirt to lunch"
"Ma it's a Barbeque at Maura's. And stop shouting, TJ is only down the hall. If you wake him from his nap he's going to be cranky as hell all day long"

"Bit like his aunt" Angela shouted. And at that moment the crying started. Tommy was staying with Jane because he was between jobs and he had TJ at weekends so he needed a permanent address. He'd learned that when the baby slept he slept. And now they were both awake.

"Nice work Ma"
Angela walked out into the living area and gave Jane a scathing look

"If you'd just come into your room and put on something nice none of this would be necessary"
Tommy appeared with a whimpering TJ in his arms

"What the hell is with all the shouting? Look what you did" He gestured to his infant son with his face scrunched up limbs flailing.

"Good thing car rides calm him down. Janie you're going to have to drive around the block a couple of times when we get to Maura's just to make sure he's asleep"

Jane and Angela were both impressed by the way Tommy was stepping up as a Dad.

"Will do little bro"

"Jane, bedroom, dress"

"Ma" Jane whined but Angela gave her that look that was all too familiar now; I got shot, everything else loses as an argument".

Jane moved towards the bedroom uttering words about murder and maiming.

She flicked through everything in her closet that resembled a passable ensemble for lunch at Maura's. She'd put the jeans and t-shirt on because they were comfortable and Maura had admired the t-shirt once saying the burnt orange colour brought out colours she hadn't seen in her eyes before. But deep down she knew her Ma was right.

She eventually settled on a royal blue wrap around dress synched in at the waist with a silver belt, matching royal blue heels and a silver clutch. She tried to bring her hair up in a clip but it was being more unruly than usual today. Maura liked her hair down anyway so she ran some styling gel through it and hoped it would keep.

When she emerged from the bedroom Tommy wolf whistled and Angela's eyes lit up. She walked towards Jane and squeezed her cheeks.

"There's my girl. You are so beautiful Jane why can't you accentuate all that beauty with clothes. I would have thought Maura would have rubbed off on you at this stage"

Jane and Maura had decided when they returned from their trip that they were going to tell the Rizzoli clan together. So they sat them all down that evening and in the end they didn't really need to say much. Jane's smile when she sat on the coffee table taking Maura's hand in hers said it all. They were overwhelmed by hugs as the Rizzoli's congratulated both of them in their different ways, Angela talking about grandbabies, Tommy saying how cool it'd be to have Maura to educate TJ who this week was apparently going to be a doctor – the week before he was going to be an astronaut. And Frankie just smiled. He'd seen it every time he looked at his big sister and the doctor together at scenes, in the morgue, in the pen. He knew and he was just happy they finally knew as well. He pulled them both into a hug and told them that he was there and if anyone in work gave them trouble Frost, Korsak and him would kick their asses. That night as Maura and Jane lay in bed reminiscing about their break away Jane shed a few tears because she finally felt she was truly safe and home. As she fell asleep in Maura's arms for once there was no fear of nightmares no worrying about what tomorrow would bring. She was home.

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Maura was watching out the window wondering why on earth Jane was driving around the block for the last twenty minutes.

When she was Angela lifting TJ out of the car in his carrycot she remembered that it was Tommy's weekend to have him. TJ was obviously restless hence the circles around the block.

She hadn't seen Jane in a few days, work had been manic due to a double homicide that at first didn't seem linked but in the end turned out to be the same killer. She'd stolen a few moments with Jane in between autopsies, paper work and training in a new lab technician because she didn't trust anyone else to do it.

When the detective got out of the car her heart skipped a beat. The dress was clinging to every curve, her curls were loose and barely tamed and her legs were elongated perfectly by the royal blue heels and just above knee dress Maura had helped Jane pick out a few weeks earlier.

The silver locket Jane had around her neck contained a picture of TJ on one side and a picture of her and Maura they'd taken one night on her sofa on the other. Maura had given it to her as a gift for their 1-month anniversary. Jane almost laughed until she realised Maura was serious about a 1-month anniversary and so she had bit her lip having to make it up to her girlfriend with sexual favours, many sexual favours and breakfast in bed the next morning.

When they walked in greetings and kisses were exchanged, Jane wrapping Maura in a hug and kissing the side of her head gently as she whispered into her ear "You owe me big time, you know what happens when you get this many Rizzoli's together in one place"
Maura laughed as she pulled back and said quietly "Yes I do. Belching contests, conversations about grandbabies, potential future wives and the possibility that your Aunty Theresa might just actually be an atheist.

"You look beautiful by the way" Jane said running her eyes over the cream figure hugging dress with the black velvet ribbon tied at the back that Maura was wearing that she hadn't seen before. She was used to that. In fact she was convinced there was a secret door at the back of Maura's closet that lead to four more to store all the clothes she had.

Korsak Frost and Cavanaugh appeared at the back door to tell Maura the Barbeque was lit and they were ready for the food.

The Rizzoli's stepped in to help carry the food into the yard and Jane took TJ out of his carrycot to settle him in the travel cot in the living room that Maura had bought for when he came over, which was often. She was leaning over the cot making faces at her nephew who was giggling, when she felt Maura's arms come around her waist from behind.

"You know he can see you properly now even from this distance because his vision is fully focused. His hearing and sense of smell are also well developed"

"Good to know. I'll be sure to play classical music and cook haut-cuisine from now on"
She felt Maura squeeze her tighter kissing her neck as she said

"Haha very funny Aunty Jane" looking over her shoulder into the cot to talk to TJ she said "Isn't your Aunty Jane so funny TJ"

TJ began to wiggle and smile. He knew Maura's voice and she always had a way to make him laugh even when he was in a bad mood. She reached into the cot and picked him up.

"Maura, I'm just after putting him down. He's never going to settle if you keep picking him up and putting him down like you love to"

"Relax Jane I've got something for him in the garden I think he'll enjoy". Maura walked towards the backyard and Jane laughed as she heard Maura talking to TJ about his grouchy Aunty Jane and how she "eats baddies for breakfast if they don't behave".

When she got to the backyard she realised they were the last to arrive. Frost, Korsak and Cavanaugh were at the Barbeque arguing over the best way to cook burgers; Frankie, had finished work and he and Tommy were shooting hoops, Angela was seated in the shade watching everyone else do the catering for a change and Maura's mother who was in town for a new installation had visited for a few hours. Maura had hyperventilated for a good half hour over the fact she was inviting her mother to a Barbeque and not a twelve-course meal but Jane finally calmed her down enough to remind her that Constance had managed to eat a burger and drink a milkshake at the Dirty Robber without it causing a national disaster. It took a lot of talking Maura down but Jane managed it. Maura's concerns about what everyone else thought of her had calmed significantly since she had started dating Jane. So much so that Maura had managed to tell her mother about her relationship with Jane during a phone call. Face to face was almost impossible because Constance's diary was so unpredictable so Maura gathered her confidence and although it had been a difficult conversation and her mother was shocked at first, Jane sat with her the whole time rubbing her leg and handing her tissues as mother and daughter spoke. As Constance watched Jane and Maura walking into the yard now, Maura with TJ in her arms, Jane shouting something about the boys about them being lucky she was in heels, she smiled. Maura's childhood had been focused on academia. They wanted the best for her. But Constance realised that the best wasn't always pretty clothes and expensive schools shoes, expensive fee paying schools and tutors all of which Maura had. Sometimes the best was a hug or a kiss on a cut knee or to watch a film because it was fun not because it was educational.

Maura's present for TJ was a swing with mirrors and various other musical and colourful accoutrements that had him fascinated the minute she put him in. He squealed in delight when Maura pressed a button and row-row-row your boat started to play.

Tommy and Frankie joined them as they saw the food moving towards the table and Tommy thanked Maura for TJ's gift telling her again that there was no need for her to spoil him.

"I like spoiling him Tommy. Besides it's an educational centre, he can learn about colours and music and his reflection from it"

Jane sighed as she leaned her head on Maura's shoulder. This was perfect. Much as she hated to admit it because it would involve acknowledging she liked family gatherings, Jane was never as content as she was when she had everyone she loved around her.

She looked around the table. Frost, Frankie and Tommy were grabbing for food as if there wasn't enough for seconds and thirds with the amount Maura had bought. Constance was talking to Korsak about her installation – Korsak pretending to understand what the cultured woman was saying but failing miserably. And Cavanaugh and her Ma were beside them talking quietly. Her boss had been a frequent caller since Angela had been shot. At first Jane had been freaked out. Flashbacks to the night they found him flat on his back in the yard in just his vest and boxers still haunted her. But recent events had taught her that happiness was something everyone should have.

She looked down at TJ who was still absolutely fascinated by his new toy even though he'd pressed everything repeatedly by now. She was in awe of how simple the life of a baby was and also how similar some of the squad were maturity wise in comparison to TJ. She laughed to herself and Maura felt her head move on her shoulder.

"Making yourself laugh with your wittiness again detective?"

Jane lifted her head off Maura's shoulder and stuck her tongue out making Maura laugh.

"Very mature Jane"
"Actually I was just thinking about maturity and how some of the guys are about as mature as TJ but I guess I just turned into one of them didn't I?"

"Yes sticking out your tongue is quite juvenile. So is your complete inability to eat anything without dissecting it into tiny bits"
Maura had put a salad in front of Jane and she was using a fork to break it up

"There could be anything in this thing. I'm going to find a green fly one day, I'm telling you"
Maura stuck her tongue out and Jane laughed.

Angela piped up from the other end of the table "You two seem full of they joys today"

"Yes Angela your daughter is just proving how even though she is the eldest of your children in terms of age, in terms of maturity she is actually the youngest"

At that exact moment Tommy slapped Frankie upside the head for stealing the burger bun he wanted and Frankie reacted by squeezing the ketchup in his hand into Tommy's lap

"You were saying?" Jane asked accusingly

The whole table burst out laughing as Angela got up and smacked them both upside their heads for acting like toddlers and ruining Doctor Isle's chairs.

"It's ok Angela, the dry cleaners can get ketchup out"

"You're not paying for these two idiots Maura, I'll clean them. And they'll pay by washing up when we're finished, isn't that right boys" Angela had a grip on the tip of each of their ears so there wasn't going to be any argument "Yes Ma" came the joint response.

Korsak made his way back to the Barbeque to retrieve some more food for the table. There was still enough on the plates but he was looking more perplexed as the minutes passed by what Constance was talking about.

Constance moved to sit beside Maura and Jane moved to lift her head from Maura's shoulder and instantly she felt Maura slip an arm around her waist to keep her close. She was unbelievably proud of her in that moment. She knew that move took a lot of strength on Maura's part.

Constance hadn't spoken to Jane since she had arrived so she said hello as she sat.

"Jane it is lovely to see you again"
"You too Constance"

"Maura, you look radiant"
Maura blushed at the compliment. She was getting more used to accepting them – Jane told her every day how beautiful she was. But she couldn't quite accept them from others yet.

"I've never worn this dress before but it's quite out of fashion. I really should have purchased something more this season but our workload has been quite heavy and the delivery company I use for online purchases has been less than reliable recently. Maura heard Jane whisper quietly into her ear "Take the compliment Doctor"
"But thank you mother" Maura finished her ramble there.

"Jane you look quite stunning as well"
"Thanks. Your daughter has good taste" Jane laughed but Constance looked at her sincerely as she said "Yes she does".

Jane smiled as Constance got up and kissed them both on the head as she returned to sit with Korsak.

Maura had a tear in her eye as she turned to kiss Jane lightly on the lips.

"Wow" was all Jane could manage.

"I know, wow"
Jane smiled, "So talking Encyclopaedia Britannica with a built in dictionary doesn't actually have a synonym for every occasion"

Maura didn't hear her however. She had shifted her gaze to her mother who along with Korsak was cooing over TJ. She looked at everyone around the table and realised that this was her life now and it made her more content than she'd ever been. This was how it would be from here on, which is why today was perfect for her surprise visit from a special guest.

She checked her watch and got up from the chair kissing Jane quickly promising she'd be back in a moment.

Jane moved towards the other end of the table to chat to Korsak and her Ma. She noticed that Cavanaugh was holding her mother's hand under the table and she smiled. She reined in the thoughts trying to burst loose of how awkward this could get. Having nearly lost her mother for all she cared Angela could start dating Stanley once he treated her well.

Inside Maura opened the door before her guest had a chance to knock.

"Hey Doc"
Maura's nerves were getting the better of her and her guest could see it. He pointed towards the back patio and Maura nodded.

Jane did a double take when Maura walked towards them with a man in a tuxedo, hair slicked back, looking like he hadn't worn a suit in decades.

Frankie shot a look at Jane "Is that?"
"I think so"

"Vanilla, Mrs. Vanilla, fine detectives of the BPD. How are we all this wonderful afternoon?"

Maura was standing behind him smiling.

The people seated around the table were more than slightly bewildered, half of them knowing who Rondo was, the other half not.

Angela stood up and went to hug him.

"You doing ok Mrs. Vanilla"

"I'm good thank you Raymond. You scrub up well. Just how I remember you back in the day"
"Yeah I'd forgotten what this stuff felt like, kinda itchy" he said, pulling the shirt away from his neck.

Maura had disappeared back inside and reappeared with a single speaker and a mic attached and a stereo.

Jane was becoming more and more confused as Angela enthused "Raymond, are you going to sing for us"

"If that's ok with you Mrs. Vanilla. The Doc and me got to talking when she was taking care of me for that gunshot and she's a real good listener. I told her some stuff about me singing in the past and well she needed a favour. Couldn't say no after she looked after me the way she did"

Maura handed him the mic and he took a seat on the stool she'd brought out from the kitchen.

Maura held her hand out and Jane stood to join her as Rondo began to sing a slow version of Human Nature by Michael Jackson. It appeared they had agreed a set list because music began to play from the stereo.

Maura took Jane's hands and pulled her close, encircling her waist and kissing her gently.

"Maura what the hell?"
Maura laughed.

"Seriously?" Jane said in that high-pitched tone that all members of BPD knew all to tell meant time to run.

Maura just continued to laugh and Jane became concerned she was going to hyperventilate.

"Maur?"
Maura leaned her head onto Jane's shoulder and asked softly "Be quiet, just for a minute. Listen to him sing. He has a wonderful voice"

And Jane had to agree as she listened to Rondo sing. He had real talent. The others had joined them slowly, Angela dancing with Cavanaugh; Korsak with Constance and Frost Frankie and Tommy had formed a circle with their arms in the middle of which they'd placed TJ. They were twirling him around to a warning from Angela "If he pukes on any of you don't come running to me"

Jane could almost hear Maura's mind turning over, her heartbeat strong and fast through her chest.

Rondo started into the next song. It was an all time favourite of Maura's called Kentish Town Waltz. It was an old Irish song, which she loved before she knew anything of her roots. She'd shared it with Jane one night as they sat talking and Jane ended up humming it for a week, much to her annoyance and Maura's delight. It was a love song, which referenced a couple, who no matter how bad it got, always stuck together.

"There's ups and there's downs

But you're the one for all my life

My true love I have found

Yeah you my love I've found"

Rondo's words filled the space as Maura waltzed with Jane. For a moment it didn't feel like there was anyone else there. The sun was shining giggles and soft whispers and kisses were being exchanged as Rondo continued.

"But we stuck with each with all our might

We pulled together and held on tight

And I'm glad for us yeah I'm glad mo chroí

But it's nothing to anyone 'cept you and me"

Jane felt Maura still in her arms and take a deep breath. She pulled back to look into those hazel eyes she loved but she missed them by seconds and she wasn't quite sure why. It seemed like everything was going in very slow motion as she realised where Maura was.

Everyone around them had stopped dancing and she was pretty sure she heard her mother shriek but she wasn't quite sure.

She looked down at Maura on one knee in front of her, tears in her eyes. She was trying desperately to focus on what her beautiful girlfriend was saying but she was finding it rather difficult to breath.

"Jane?"

Jane shook her head to try and clear the fog as she looked down again at Maura just to make sure she was really there. Then she listened.

"You told me a while ago that I was a better Rizzoli than you are. We established it's not true; it's so very far from true. But if you allow me, I want to try every day to be part of your wonderful family and make you part of mine. Jane Rizzoli will you marry me?"

"Jane?" Maura was getting seriously worried that Jane was having some kind of absence seizure.

Jane stepped out of her heels and knelt down on the ground beside Maura.

"Yes, of course I'll marry you Maur, I love you"
Maura threw her arms around Jane's neck and kissed her passionately forgetting that anyone else was there until they heard the cheers and applause from behind them

"I love you so much Jane"
Jane stood up brining Maura with her slipping her arms around her waist and swinging her around, feet off the ground, as she kissed her neck.

"You had all this planned didn't you?" She put her girlfriend down and saw the shy nod and grin.

"My mother has the most impossible schedule and I wanted everyone here". This is the only weekend everyone was free until next November. Maura reached into the band of her dress, which she'd, sewn a little pouch into for this occasion. She didn't care that she'd ruined an expensive dress, what was in the pouch was far more precious.

The crowd behind them was descending so Maura put her hand up to halt them for a moment as she took Jane's hand in hers. She slipped a white gold band onto Jane's ring finger. The front of the band split in two and the white gold bands intersected at the mid point – one plain the other with small diamond and emerald stones.

She took the second identical ring and gave it to Jane. Jane slipped it onto Maura's ring finger and enveloped her in a hug tears falling quietly on both women's shoulders.

Angela's tears replaced Maura's as her mother grabbed her and spun her round quickly grabbing Maura with her and wrapping them in a bone-crushing hug.

"My girls, my beautiful girls" Jane wriggled as she tried to get out of her mother's grasp but it was pointless. When she finally released her grip Tommy and Frankie had her sandwiched in.

Jane managed to turn her head to the right to see Constance holding a still crying Maura in her arms.

"Who'd have thought Maura wore the trousers" Tommy said. He regretted it as soon as he said it when he felt a dig in his ribs on either side – one from Jane one from Tommy.

Korsak was next over TJ in his arms "I'm impressed Janie, marrying a doctor eh? Who'd have thought it?"
"I'm not sure if that was a compliment or an insult Korsak but thanks"

He pulled her in for a hug "A compliment Janie, definitely a compliment. I'm so happy for you and the doc"

Cavanaugh raised his glass to her and smiled. She nodded in acknowledgment as she walked towards Maura but was intercepted by Frost.

"Seems I lost to a better woman"
"Frost I don't know how many beers you've had but I'd advise you to stop talking right now"
He nodded as he kissed Jane on the cheek "She's a lucky lady Rizzoli, real lucky"

Jane smiled awkwardly as she sidestepped him. He'd come close to declaring his undying love after a few drunken nights in The Robber but Jane had laughed it off. Just now he looked sincere and Jane was both worried and amused in equal amounts. He'd get over it.

She finally made it to Constance and Maura, the former enveloping her in a hug.

"Did you know she had this planned?" Jane asked accusingly.

"I had no idea Jane. I wish I had I would have made plans to stay longer in the city and celebrate with you. But I will make a concerted effort to come back before the wedding.

Jane's face dropped slightly. She forgot about the wedding bit – she was still concentrating on the engagement. There was going to have to be some serious negotiations on who when what and where when it came to their big day. Right now Jane just let it wash over her as she made her way towards her girlfriend, no her fiancée she corrected herself in her head.

"I didn't think it was possible to love you more. But right now…"

Jane's words trailed off as she took Maura into her arms and kissed her temple.

Maura nodded against her chest "I know what you mean darling. Loving you gets better every day"

Rondo was now singing a Leonard Cohen number as the guests continued to congratulate the ladies and talk about dresses and Angela's favourite topic, grandbabies and who was going to have them – both according to Angela. This was ideal; they could have twice as many babies. Jane shuddered as Maura squeezed her hip and smiled. She reassured Jane "Don't worry Angela will have her hands full with TJ for at least another four years – we have time"

Oddly enough talk of babies didn't panic Jane half as much as big white dresses and table settings.

They danced for another hour until there was a bit of a chill in the air. Maura insisted that Rondo stay and have dinner. Korsak made some more food for him. Constance bid them all fair well and promised again that she'd be back to see them before the wedding. Eventually after a feed TJ settled for a nap and Tommy and Angela decided it was time they made a move while he was settled. Tommy and Frankie had fulfilled earlier promise to wash up and so as the last of their guests left Maura and Jane settled on the sofa for the evening, changed into sweats and t-shirts so they could fully relax.

Maura took Jane's hand interlacing their fingers – engagement rings glittering in the firelight. She leaned in to kiss her fiancée and moaned as Jane moved her hands up her sides and cupped her breasts through her t-shirt and bra.

"Maura Isles-Rizzoli – it has quite a ring to it Maura said as she smiled into Jane's kiss.

"Eh Isles- Rizzoli? And why exactly would your name be first?"

"I proposed"
"That is not a reason"
"It comes first alphabetically"
"That is not a reason"
"It sounds better"
"That is not a reason"
"I'm not wearing any panties"
"That's a reason"

Jane leaned in to recapture Maura's lips as she lifted her up and began to carry her to the bedroom.

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A/N: Epilogue will be up one I get it absolutely right. Apologies for any typos above – they're all mine! Please feel free to review and make any suggestions!