A/N: I'm so sad that there's only 1 maybe 2 more chapters left. This is definitely my swan song for IPS - it has everything I've ever wanted to see happen for these characters.
"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"
Mary grinned and stretched up on her tiptoes as Marshall angled his head down to meet hers. He pulled his new bride against him tightly and the chanting of their family and friends faded away as she opened her mouth, inviting him in. Groaning, he gave her an extra squeeze before releasing her, just as Cole tugged on Mary's skirt.
She broke away from his lips with a barely audible sigh and looked down. "What is it, Peanut?"
"Can we have cupcakes now?"
Cam appeared at his brother's side. "Yeah – Nanny said we had to wait for you and Daddy but –"
"All you guys are doing is kissing." Cole made a face.
"Boys!" Sadie's voice called from the kids' table. "Leave mom and dad alone – come have some pizza."
"I didn't see the pizza!" Cole yelled and they ran back to the table.
Mary sighed as she leaned her head on Marshall's shoulder. "I really don't know what we'd do without her."
His hands tightened around her hips. "I'm so glad we don't ever have to find out."
She tilted her head up so she could look him in the eye. "You mean you're glad things have turned out the way they have?"
He sighed and swallowed. "I don't know if glad is the right word – and I'm still feeling guilty about Carmen. Maybe if she had known that I was alive – if I had been able to go talk to her-"
"Hush." She pressed a kiss to his pulse point. "Carmen was – hurting, grieving, and if someone like Dr. Nyguen couldn't help her, well – I don't think she could be helped."
He startled in her arms. "You don't really believe that, do you? You, Mary Shannon – the woman who fought tooth and nail for our witnesses- who never gave up no matter what?"
She nodded. "You're right, I didn't – but now I fight tooth and nail for my family – you and our children. And I think Carmen did the same thing in her own way. I think she knew that Sadie and Emmy would be better off with us-"
"She did."
The couple turned at the sound of Eleanor's voice. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop but when I heard Carmen's name-" she shrugged.
"You have something to tell us?" Mary moved out of Marshall's arms to stand beside him but didn't go far as her new husband kept hold of her hand.
"I went to Riker's and saw Dr. Nyguen. Poor man, he's just devastated about Carmen."
Mary's eyebrow quirked in surprise. "Surely he's lost patients before?"
Eleanor bit her lip. "Of course, but I think there was more to it than that. I think he was in love with her."
Mary gasped and looked at Marshall, who looked as surprised as she did. "He told you this?"
Eleanor snorted. "Of course not – he never let his professional demeanor slip for a moment but still, I could tell he cared for her beyond a patient."
"How unethical of him-"
Marshall poked her in the ribs and she frowned at him. "What? Isn't it against doctor patient whatever to fall in love with your patient?"
Eleanor shook her head. "Only if you act on it – and I don't believe he ever did." She cleared her throat. "But what I wanted to tell you is that Carmen left a note behind stating that she wanted Mary to raise Emmy." Eleanor's gaze swept to Marshall. "Of course if she had known you were still alive, she would have wanted the both of you to raise her. The family courts have already awarded you temporary custody."
Mary cocked her head and gave a long suffering sigh. "What's one more kid?"
Marshall bumped his hip against hers and she grinned up at him.
Eleanor shook her head. "I never thought I'd hear those words coming from your mouth, Mary Shannon."
"That's Mary Shannon-Mann."
Eleanor laughed. "Oh, I almost forgot! I have something for you – think of it as a wedding present." She thrust a thick envelope into Marshall's hand and walked away.
Marshall tore open the official seal on the outside and unfolded the thick document. His face paled and then an enormous grin split his face.
Mary tugged at his sleeve. "What is it?"
His eyes met hers and she was almost knocked off her feet by the love shining out of them. "Sadie's adoption papers. She's ours, Mer!" He lifted her up and swung her in a wide arc, clutching her to him, the paper rustling in a clenched fist.
Jinx tapped the side of her water glass with a spoon as she stood. "Excuse me, mother of the bride here! I'd like to make a toast to my daughter and new son-in-law."
Mary hid her face in the palms of her hands and Marshall sat forward to rub her back. "Let her have her moment, Sunshine," he whispered in her ear. "Soon we'll be back home in England, thousands of miles away."
She turned her head and captured his lips in a quick kiss. "You always know just what to say – don't ever lose that ability, ok?" she whispered back and he chuckled as he pulled her face out of her hands and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"My little girl," Jinx began, smiling fondly at Mary. "I never thought this day would come. After all, you've been engaged before – actually you've been married before too, now that I come to think about it. Not that I was invited to that wedding since you ran away to Atlantic City and-"
"MOM!" Mary and Brandi cried at the same time.
Peter and Marshall both laughed.
Jinx held up the hand that wasn't holding her water goblet. "Sorry, I digress. Anyway, as I was saying: I never thought this day would come. I mean, I could see from the day I arrived in Albuquerque that your handsome partner was head over heels in love with you. I mean, the poor man trailed after you like a little puppy dog that barked every time you called."
Mary turned to look up at Marshall. "Woof," he growled, laughing when she jumped.
"But then you started dating Raph and got engaged to him and Marshall here really did look like a puppy you'd kicked to the curb-"
"Mom, do you have a point?" Mary huffed impatiently.
"Of course, Sweet Pea." Jinx smiled at her before turning to Marshall. "I want to thank you for waiting for my daughter. You talked about her walls and I know that those walls are partially my fault – she never got to be a little girl because James left and I was an alcoholic and I couldn't take care of myself let alone two little girls-" Jinx bit back a sob.
"Mom-" Brandi rose to her feet but Peter grabbed her hand as Jinx waved her to sit back down.
"Thank you, Marshall, for not giving up on my little girl. For loving her and teaching her what that word means. I'm so glad she found someone she can love and trust." Jinx raised her glass. "I wish both of you a lifetime of happiness – to Marshall and Mary."
"To Marshall and Mary!"
The tears were thick in Mary's throat and Marshall squeezed her hand in understanding. "Go to her, Mer."
She leaned over and kissed his cheek before standing on shaky legs, weaving among the few tables until she reached Jinx's side.
"Mom, that was – quite a toast."
Jinx smiled. "Too long?"
"The beginning was a bit-" Mary cleared her throat. "You could have just said that last part and it would have been fine."
Jinx reached out and clasped Mary's hand. "I meant every word. I'm sorry, Mary, for everything. For the woman I was when you were growing up – for not being there-" Jinx bit her lip.
"I know."
Suddenly, she found herself engulfed in her mother's arms. "I love you, Mary."
She sighed as she rested her head on Jinx's shoulder. "I love you too."
"That was quite a toast."
Marshall looked up to see Stan slip into the seat Mary had just vacated. He grinned. "I wish everyone would stop painting me as some kind of saint for tearing down Mary's walls, for waiting for her. I'm not, you know."
Stan chuckled. "No, you're not a saint – but you come pretty damn close. All the shit that woman put you through over the years makes you either a masochist or a saint for sticking around and putting up with it."
"I didn't have a choice."
"We both know that's not true- you had more than your fair share of job offers over the years and you turned down each and every one of them."
"I made a promise – and in light of where we are today, I so made the right choice in not breaking it."
He clapped Marshall on the shoulder. "I'll say. I've never been happier not to have accepted your resignation-"
The sound of an indrawn breath caused both men to look up. Mary stood beside the table, her face nearly as pale as her dress, her body still as a statue. Marshall bolted to his feet, taking a limp hand in his. "I can explain, Mary. It was a long time ago – it doesn't matter now-"
Her eyes finally moved, focusing on his and he felt the breath leave his body. The wall was back in place and that was something he had never wanted to see again. "You were going to leave me?" she whispered, withdrawing her hand from his.
They were interrupted by the sound of a helicopter approaching and landing on the beach just outside their reception tent. Peter appeared in front of them, oblivious to the tension radiating off them.
"That's your ride," he announced with a smile.
"I'm sorry - what?" Mary turned to him with a frown.
"What's going on?" Marshall questioned.
"This is our wedding gift to you."
"A helicopter ride?" Mary frowned.
"No, silly," Brandi laughed as she approached them, two overnight bags in hand. "We've booked a romantic getaway for the two of you on Kauai. Three nights, two days at this wonderful little beachside place Peter knows about-"
"Oh no, Brandi, we couldn't – the kids-" Mary protested, looking over her shoulder.
"Will be fine. Nanny G and Jenna and I will manage just fine."
Mary pulled Brandi aside. "Sadie and Emmy are having nightmares – screaming ones and Sadie can be violent. I don't think I can-"
Brandi placed her hands on her older sister's shoulders. "Mary, how much time have you spent alone with Marshall since you got together – I mean alone without kids?"
Mary was silent.
"That's what I thought. Come on, this is your honeymoon, don't waste it! We'll be fine. Sadie knows Jenna and Emmy can stay with Stan and Eleanor, ok? Everyone will be fine for a few days. Just go and enjoy your husband."
Mary stepped back up to Marshall's side but his gaze was unreadable. "It's up to you."
Grabbing her bag from where it had been dropped in the sand, she went to hug and kiss her kids. Peter looked at Marshall in concern. "Everything OK? I hope I didn't overstep or-"
Marshall clapped a hand on his new brother-in-law's shoulder. "No, it's a great gift. I'm sure we'll have a nice time."
The helicopter ride to Kauai was short but Marshall still had to fight to keep his eyes open. He hadn't eaten anything at the reception for fear it would come back up and now he really just wanted to get to their hideaway and crawl into bed. Mary sat as far away from him as she could get and pressed her face to the window, looking at the gorgeous views. When she felt him lean against her ten minutes into the ride she turned to yell at him only to discover that he had fallen asleep. She leaned back against the seat and repositioned his head on her shoulder, her heart fluttering as he murmured her name in his sleep. She pressed a kiss to his temple just as they touched down and he jerked awake.
"Sorry," he muttered, avoiding her gaze, not wanting to see the pain and the walls she had erected.
She didn't say anything but let him help her out of the helicopter and linked their fingers together as they walked up the beach path to check in. Marshall was so tired that he stumbled slightly on his feet as they shuffled towards their bungalow.
"Here, stop a minute." She wound an arm around his waist, and he wrapped one around her shoulder, leaning on her heavily. She accepted his weight without effort and resumed walking.
"I thought you were mad at me."
She grunted. "No."
"Then-"
"Later – you need sleep first."
She kicked open the door to their bungalow and together they staggered inside, dropped their bags on the floor and shuffled down the hall towards the bedroom. Marshall collapsed facedown on the bed.
Mary turned on the ceiling fan and Marshall flipped over, slowly blinking in the dim light of the room. She planted her hands on the sides of her hips. "Are you going to get undressed?"
"Mremf," he mumbled around his hand. Turning onto his side, he pulled a pillow towards him and within a minute his breathing was deep and steady.
She shook her head. "Some wedding night this is shaping up to be."
Jenna looked around the tent for Jacen but her son was nowhere in sight. Knowing that he had snuck off with Sadie didn't help lessen her anxiety – deep down she knew he was fine, but after everything that had happened she still wanted him to remain within eyesight. Especially now when both of her girls were having meltdowns; she was digging in the diaper bag for Jada's pacifier while Josie stood next to her, screaming in her ear.
"I want Jay!"
Jenna sighed. "I don't know where he is right now, baby. Let me just find your sister's-" she pulled out a sippy cup, the lid loose and some of the juice had leaked out, leaving the cup sticky. "Crap."
Jada reached for the cup and managed to wrap her little fingers around it and the lid came off, giving Jenna and Jada a juice bath. Jada screamed louder and Jenna felt close to tears herself.
"Anything I can do to help, ma'am?"
Her head snapped up to see a young man about her own age squatting beside her chair, his brown eyes full of concern.
"I'm sorry – who are you?"
The man smiled. "I'm Charlie – I used to work with Mary and Marshall-"
"Oh, right." Jenna nodded as Jada clocked him on the side of his head with her sippy cup. "I'm so sorry!"
He laughed. "It's all right – do you want me get her some punch – or water, maybe?"
Jenna sighed in relief. "Punch would be great."
He held out his hands and Jada practically threw the cup into them. "I'll be right back."
She used the time he was gone looking for baby wipes to clean up the sticky mess and try to get Josie to calm down. Charlie came back with the sippy cup half full and held his hand out for the lid.
"You better screw it on tight – I think it's defective," Jenna grumbled as she passed it to him.
"I'll be careful," Charlie reassured her. He tightened the lid and then held out his arms for Jada. She launched herself at him and he caught her easily, helping her hold the cup.
Jenna blinked at him in surprise. "Wow – she doesn't usually take to strangers so fast. Do you have children?"
The smile slipped from Charlie's face. "No, uh, not yet. I was engaged but-" the words trailed off and he looked down at the little girl in his lap.
Realization swept over Jenna – this was the man that had been engaged to the woman who had kidnapped Emmy and MJ. She had an overwhelming urge to snatch her child back but something made her hesitate and when Charlie finally lifted his eyes to hers again, her breath hitched at the pain she saw.
"I'll understand if you don't want to talk to me – I mean, now that you know who I am."
Jenna snorted. "Don't be ridiculous – you didn't have any idea your fiancée was – OW!" She bent over as a pain gripped her lower abdomen.
"What's wrong?"
She bit her lip as she shook her head. No, no, no. It's too soon – just relax, baby. You've got to stay in there for awhile longer.
Charlie saw the way she was holding her stomach and knew instantly that something was very wrong. He set Jada down in the stroller by the table and turned to the other little girl. "What's your name, sweetheart?"
"Josie," she sniffled as she clutched Jenna's skirt.
"What a pretty name," Charlie smiled as he scanned the nearly empty tent – but his eyes lit on the Mann family nanny over in the far corner. "Do you see Nanny G over there?"
Josie nodded.
"Can you go tell her that your mommy needs help? I'll stay here until you get back."
Josie clutched Jenna's skirt tighter. "No."
Jenna moaned. "Baby, I need you to do it – please."
With a last look at Charlie, Josie released her mom's skirts and ran. Charlie pulled his chair close and whispered, "Are you pregnant?"
Jenna nodded. "It's too soon-" she gasped through another wave of pain and felt moisture running down her legs. "No-" she moaned.
He looked down and saw the watery puddle mixed with blood and knew it was time to get to a hospital. Charlie stood and leaning down, he swept Jenna into his arms, cradling her against his chest. He hadn't taken more than two steps before Stan, Eleanor, and Nanny G surrounded him, demanding to know what was going on.
"I think she's losing the baby."
Nanny G gasped. "Go – I'll stay with the children."
"I'll call Mary and Marshall," Stan promised.
Jenna lifted her head from Charlie's shoulder. "No – don't bother them – on honeymoon – I'm ok-" she panted. Her fingers tightened around him before going lax as she passed out.
A/N: Oh no, Jenna! (I'm evil, I know. I just had to give you all one more mini-cliff hanger) Reviews are LOVE!
