I hope the Planner remembered to insert the baby's breath into the floral arrangements running along the aisles as I requested. I know he's been very distracted dealing with both my and Jane's mother the past two days. It simply won't do if the flowers aren't there. Everything will look unbalanced, and I don't believe it would…
"Stop worrying about it, Maura. Jacob is a professional. Your father and I have heard nothing but the highest of accolades regarding his work." Charlotte Isles ran her hand down the back of her daughter's wedding dress, checking to make certain the material was perfectly flat. "Dior has always been flattering on you. I'm glad you chose to use their design house for your dress."
"Thank you, Mother," Maura turned from the full length mirror to face the older woman. "I'm glad you and father decided to be here today."
"Well, despite the unconventional manner you've decided to take regarding your private affairs, you are our daughter, and we want you to know we do support you." Reaching into the purse hanging from her arm, Charlotte produced a small velvet box. "When your father and I were married, I wore these. I think they should do for 'something old', don't you?" She held the black box out to her daughter.
Taking the box into her gloved hand, Maura opened it slowly, her eyes growing wide. "These are Grandmother Isles' diamond earrings. Oh, but, Mother, I can't wear these." The younger woman shook her head holding the box away from her as if afraid she might break the items inside somehow. Mother has worn these for years. I couldn't stand it if I damaged them somehow.
"Don't be silly. Of course you can. They match the rest of your accessories, and," taking the box from her daughter's hand, she pulled one earing from its place and moved to help Maura put it on, "besides, dear, it's a tradition. 'Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue'. If you insist on marrying a woman, the least you could do is follow something traditional." Charlotte plucked the earing Maura was wearing from her ear and replaced it with the one in her hand. "Your father's mother told me she wore these at her wedding, as did her mother's mother. They are actually quite old, so I do expect to see you take very good care of them." She repeated the replacement process with the other ear. "There, that's much better, don't you think?"
Not trusting her voice, Maura turned to face the mirror. The earrings were a perfect addition. If I cry, my makeup may run. Despite the claim of 'water proof', I never fully believe it, and Jane will be very irritated if I am late to our wedding because I had to reapply. She signed. They're perfect. "Thank you, Mother," Maura whispered, her hand going to an ear as if to touch but quickly pulling away before contact was made.
"You're very welcome. Now, have you the rest?" Her mother sat her purse down on the nearby vanity and took a seat on the stool, waiting.
"I… well, no, I don't. It never occurred to me that it would matter." Maura gave a frown, knitting her brow.
"What would matter?" Angela's voice broke the quiet of the room. As she stepped in, closing the door behind her, she looked between the two women. She gave Charlotte Isles a curt nod before turning a bright smile to Maura. "I thought I'd come by and see how you were doing. Jane's a nervous wreck. I haven't seen her like this since her 3rd grade piano recital!" She stepped closer, leaning in toward her future daughter-in-law. "Oh, Maura, those are lovely. Where did you get them?" She motioned to the earrings.
"They are a family heirloom." Charlotte answered. "They belonged to my husband's mother."
"Oh, I see. Well, they're perfect." Angela gave a grudging approval.
"Of course they are." Charlotte countered.
"Mother, Angela, please. You promised you wouldn't do this on our wedding day." With a sigh, Maura checked the clock. "The ceremony will start soon. I wonder where Father is?"
"Oh, he and Frank went outside for some fresh air." Angela chuckled. "I think the two guys are a little overwhelmed with all this wedding stuff."
"As is Jane, if her behavior is any indication." The elder Isles countered coolly.
"Jane is always a bit tightly wound, Mother. It's part of her charm." If they start fighting again, I'm not certain my nerves will handle it well.
"Indeed?" Charlotte lifted a well-manicured eyebrow.
"What are you trying to say about my Jane?" Angela's eyes narrowed, her face growing threatening.
"Nothing. She's saying nothing because Mother knows that I adore Jane." Father, please get here soon.
"Yes, of that I am well aware." Charlotte shifted slightly in place. "Though, I suppose I should give her more credit. She clearly has a taste for the finer things in life. After all, she did ask my daughter to marry her." A small smile played at the corners of the older woman's mouth. "I've also heard a great deal about her protective nature, especially toward Maura. It is much needed, well placed, and much appreciated. Her work record is quite impressive, and I've learned she's well received both within her own circle and our circle, despite her lack of…"
"Thank you. Mother." Maura's tone was clipped, a warning.
"I'll just take that as a compliment and let it go because we promised the girls we'd behave… today. But, I'll remember that for later."
"Angela!" Maura let out an exasperated groan. This is really just too much.
"As will I."
"Mother, please." I'm going to have a panic attack if they keep this up.
"Maura, dear, did you say you were missing something new, borrowed, and blue?" Her mother gracefully changed the subject. "Also, where is Trinity? As Maid of Honor, she should be here assisting you."
"She's gone out to get water and check on things for me since you've insisted that I not see Jane until the ceremony."
"Nor should Jane see you. It's tradition, dear."
"A good one, too. You know its bad luck to see the groom before the wedding." Angela added, then winced. "When did I start thinking about my daughter as the groom?"
"Most likely around the moment you began to…"
"Mother," the warning from Maura was clear.
"Yes, you're right, dear. That said, if you were dressed in a 3 piece suit, I would think of you as 'the groom' as well."
"Oh, but Mother, she looks so handsome in it. Don't you think so?" Maura gave Angela a nervous glance. Please agree with me. Please agree with me. Please agree with me…
"I do. With the tailoring, she looks stunning in the Armani, and the blue accents you chose look stunning against her darker features as well as your lighter ones. As always, you have exquisite and impeccable taste, dear."
"Thank you, Mother." Will wonders never cease? Maura let out a sigh of relief as she watched Angela's face relax from what Jane referred to as 'attack mode' to something resembling passive.
"Maura, you need something borrowed, right? I think I have just the thing!" A grin spreading across her face, Angela dug through her purse, pulling out a small wallet. "Hold on, I think it's in here," with a look of triumph, she pulled out a small card with well-worn edges. "This," she turned the small card around, "is St. John Francis Regis. He's the patron saint of matrimony." She handed it to the young woman. "You should carry it with you during the ceremony. It has a blessing of marriage on the back." Angela was beaming.
"Oh, that's perfect. I'll tuck it away under my skirt. Will that do?" Maura raised her skirt as she spoke.
"As long as you don't put it somewhere that you wouldn't want me to see," Angela gave a wink.
"No, of course not, I was thinking my garter if that's okay?" Angela nodded. "Thank you. That takes care of two of the four requirements. Now, I'm to have something blue and something new. Is that right, mother?"
"Yes, the blue should be easy." She reached to the bouquet Maura would be carrying and plucked a small group of baby's breath from it. "They've been dyed blue. It will do." Standing, she placed the flowers in her daughter's hair, behind her ear. "I still think you should have worn your hair up, dear."
"Jane prefers it down." As I've said at least a dozen times by now.
"Something new? Right?" Angela stood, looking around the room. "Too bad the dress doesn't count." She frowned.
A gentle knock came at the closed door. "Maura?"
Thank heavens, it's Father. "Come in!" The relief was evident on Maura's face as both Frank Rizzoli and her father entered the room. "How was the fresh air?"
"Great, if you like taking it with twenty other guys trying to escape." Frank chuckled as he gave his wife a peck on the cheek. "Maura, you look great."
"Stunning, darling," Arthur Isles agreed as he went to stand beside his wife. "Have we missed anything important?"
"Mother and Angela were telling me that I should wear something new, other than my dress, during the ceremony today. But, we are at a loss." She frowned.
"Oh, no problem, we got it covered," Frank nodded to Arthur, "Right?"
"Yes. We took some liberties, which is why we were gone for so long. Frank, if you'd be so kind?"
"Oh, yeah, sure," reaching into his breast pocket, Frank pulled out a small envelope. "Sorry it's not in a box, but, you know, us guys aren't that great with the whole shopping thing." He smiled as he handed it over.
They went shopping together… for me? Oh my… Opening the package, she pulled out a small barrette with diamond and sapphire accents running the length of it. "It's lovely."
"We know Janie likes your hair down, Maura, but we thought something little like that would be okay." Frank gave a shrug, his face full of uncertainty.
"Will this work with the rest of your ensemble?" Arthur mirrored Frank's unease.
This is so touching. "Yes, it's actually perfect. I can use it to lift my hair to keep it from catching on the flowers." She turned to the full length mirror again to add the barrette. "You see, it's just the right fit. Thank you both." I mustn't cry.
"Sure thing." Frank gave his wife's shoulder a little squeeze as she sniffled quietly. "Ang, we should go back to check on Janie. Frankie's in there, but, you know." His face said volumes and none of it spoke well of his son's health.
"Okay, Frank. Maura, you look perfect. We'll see you after the ceremony." Angela gave Maura's hand a quick squeeze. "Arthur, Charlotte," she paused, willing her face into something pleasant as she made eye contact with her counterpart. "Truce?"
"I suppose it's in our best interest, yes." Charlotte offered her hand and gave something between a grimace and a small smile as Angela took it. With a quick handshake, they sealed the deal. "Maura, your Father and I will send Trinity back in." She followed the Rizzoli's outside the room.
"I'll be back soon, darling. Will you be okay alone?" Her father gave her a questioning look much like she often gave to Jane.
"Yes, Daddy, I'll be okay. Frankly, I think I need the quiet time. They're very trying, you know." Her smile was strained.
"After over 25 years of marriage, I'm well aware. But, I love her. You understand." He smiled, kissing his daughter on the cheek before following his wife outside.
Into the sudden quiet of the room, Maura said simply, "I do."
I don't know why I put Jane in a suit. It just seemed to work in my head. I thought about giving more detail about both parents... the coming out to both of them. But, I wanted this story to be more about Maura's new experiences with Jane and less about the other things around it. So, I'm leaving it to you to fill in the gaps of what's happened based on what's going on in the scenes with the parents. I trust your judgment. ;-)
I feel there are two, possibly three, more chapters to this story. I'm posting it as I write it, but it's nearing an end, so I hope you've enjoyed reading it thus far. Thank you for the reviews. They have been much loved and appreciated.