A/N: Wow. Thanks so much for the love and positive feedback for this story. Here is the next chapter. This is a little short but I am doing some edits to the next chapter and you may get a two-for-one today. I will say that this has truly been a challenge taking a story that has so close to my heart and molding it to fit the R&I Universe. I never realized the work that goes into taking already established characters and ensuring that you do something different but stay close to the nature of the essence of who they are and whom everyone fell in love with. As always, the good old disclaimer that the characters of Rizzoli and Isles are not being used for any form of profit here and they do not belong to me but to the wonderful people at TNT, Janet, Tess, and Jan. Now, back to the story.
I can't believe the words that just came out of my mouth. Is that Korsak that I see out of the corner of my eye?! Oh God. I hope he didn't hear this. If this gets back to Ma, I am going to kill Frankie, Nina and Frost for this stupid bet. Why did I let them talk me into this?! Something about money. Oh yeah! Money and bragging rights.
I stand in front of Maura, waiting as I try my hardest not to stare at the booth but failing. Frankie looks like he is about to explode from the excitement of the moment. Frost is smiling brightly and Nina, well, Nina's poker face has fallen and she looks pretty nervous. I don't think she wants to come off the money and the suite. I turn my eyes from my friends back to the woman in front of me. She is still looking at me with a smile but her eyes, her eyes are trying to see through my soul. We continue to stare at each other for what seems like an eternity before I hear her voice whisper the answer I wasn't expecting.
"Yes," Maura lets slip from her lips. As the words slip out, she pulls me forward and plants a simple and delicate kiss to my lips. My insides melt as I am rendered speechless. I hear a low whistle as we separate from each other. I guess my face says it all because she says it again, this time a little louder and to the surprise of Korsak who is standing nearby.
"Yes, Jane, I will marry you."
"Hey Frost! Frankie!' I yell as I place the rings in my pocket and lean a little closer to Maura, 'she said yes! Let's get this wedding ceremony going." Looking at the clock, I'm shocked at the time, "I got less than 30 minutes to make her Mrs. Rizzoli. Nina, move your ass! You said we have to make this official so go grab the documents from your car."
"I'll get them!" Frankie yells as he grabs Nina's keys and jumps from the booth and runs out like a kid at Christmas. Nina drops her head on the booth table. A slew of obscenities can be heard from where we stand. Frost has wandered off somewhere. I look at Korsak who is standing with his mouth open. I hope I can trust him to keep his mouth shut.
"Wait, married?! How are you getting married?! Janie, what is going on here?" His questions come at rapid fire. I laugh to still my nerves as I turn to face him but my body lingers close to Maura. For her part, Maura sits quietly, visibly taking in everything and everyone's movements.
"Listen, Korsak, the short answer is that I just won a bet and we are about to have a wedding here in your bar. The long answer I will have to tell you later. But the biggest favor I need from you is to NEVER mention a word of this to my mother. I'll tell her one day. Just please don't say anything. I promise I'll come back by tomorrow and fill you in. Just don't say anything to Ma. So go grab a bottle of the good stuff out the back and just update the birthday cake I know Frost and Frankie snuck in for me with 'Congrats Mrs. and Mrs. Rizzoli'."
Leaving a still confused Korsak to prepare, I take Maura by the hand and lead her over to everyone. As she stands, I am able to truly see more of her. Her designer heels seem to bring her to my eye-level, indicating that she is shorter than me. As we walk, our fingers naturally seem to blend well and our steps already seem to be in sync. I wonder if she notices it too. Once we arrive at the booth, Frankie has arrived back inside with Nina's briefcase. Placing it upon the table, Frankie quickly envelopes me in a hug and does the same with Maura.
"Oh! I'm so excited. This is going to be great! I can't believe we are all participating in this. I can't believe that I'm having to give you $5,000. Ma is going to kill us both when she finds out about this. Remind me not to say anything. What in the world did Korsak put into our drinks?! I'm talking a million miles a minute," Frankie finishes spitting out as he takes a seat in the round booth. Nina has scooted closer to him to allow for us to move in on the other side, leaving room for Frost to come back and complete the semi-circle.
"Maur, I apologize for motor-mouth here. He doesn't get out much. Guys, this is Maura, my soon-to-be wife. Maura, this is my brother Frankie and my sore loser of a friend, Nina."
Extending her hand to Nina, Maura smiled but Nina seemed to not return such sincere greeting.
"Maura, if I wasn't coming out of pocket five grand and your suite for the weekend, I would probably be a little more excited to meet you but right now, you are not my favorite person. What did she say to you to get you to go along with this alcohol-infused bet?" was all that Nina was able to muster as she shook Maura's hand and looked more directly at her.
Taken back, I started to speak up in defense for Maura. I didn't like Nina's tone and it was her whole idea in the first place. Did she really think I was going to get over there and crash and burn that badly? And she didn't need to speak to Maura with what seemed to be disdain. As I started to open my mouth, I felt a hand over mind and a calmness seep into me.
"Well, Nina, you want to know the truth? Jane was honest. She told me the first challenge and how that was messed up and then this wager that was placed. She told me what we would receive and that the marriage would only be for tonight and how much she wanted to have bragging rights. How could I deny someone bragging rights on the eve of their birthday? And I think she's pretty handsome so I figured why not."
Nina just looked at us and scoffed. She couldn't believe that I would be so transparent in my approach. Honestly, I don't blame her response. She lost a bet and she doesn't like being proved wrong on a theory. Her face continues to be stoic as Frost arrives back at our booth. Frankie continues to grin brightly as if he just met Santa Claus and got everything on his Christmas list.
"Well,' Nina began as she switches to her courtroom voice, "This is not part of my normal duties as district attorney but since I am a deputy of the court and notary public, I am able to perform such duties. Plus, this will only be for one night. Now, despite how informal we are doing this, this document will be a legally binding document once you both add your signature. For all intents and purposes, once our signatures are added, you will be legally married. The ceremony just a formality that I want in order to seal this deal. But like I said before, this marriage will be legal for the length of time that it takes me to go and shred the documents in my office. As long as the marriage is not recorded in official state records, then you will not have to worry about anything. Everyone okay with that?"
As Nina looked for us to give a verbal agreement, it started to set in just how serious this moment is. Glancing at Maura, her eyes seem unreadable but the authority and poise in her voice is undeniable. "Since I'm the one who had to be convinced, then yes I understand what is happening. I believe the popular term is let's get this show on the road. Did you know that this idiom became popular during the 1910s in show business when plays and circuses were touring the country? It also was referenced by author James Jones from his 1951 novel From Here to Eternity..." Maura paused suddenly. Sensing her discomfort, I started to speak but was interrupted by her.
"I'm sorry. When I'm nervous, I tend to list out random facts. Let me get my license. I believe someone mentioned a deadline," she finished as she began to reach into her jeans to pull out what seemed to be her ID.
"Maur, your random facts are actually refreshing. Do not apologize for knowing information like Google. Yeah Nina, I think we are both good to go here. Here is my ID." I hand Nina my identification as one of Korsak's new waitresses comes to our table.
"Vince says that he has the good champagne and is ready for the grand toast. Just give him the signal when you all are ready and he'll have the DJ turn down the music and give you all the mic."
"Well, it seems that the stars must be aligned for you two. My bank account is going to cry when this money comes out," Nina utters with a sigh. Looking at us both, Nina reaches out to grab Maura's ID from her hand as Frankie seemed to have turned into Nina's assistant and is passing out documentation for us to complete.
"Maura Isles... Why does your name sound so familiar?" Nina looks at Maura's ID like I study a suspect. For Maura's credit, she is still sitting poised next to me and doesn't say a word. "I know you from somewhere. Definitely not a suspect but it will come back to me where I know you from. You live in Beacon Hill?! If you can afford house in Beacon Hill, I don't think Jane needs to split the bet money with you. Those houses are outside of my tax bracket. And you're 35 as well. Alright. I have all the important information off of this." Nina continues to fill out the documentation as Frost and Frankie continue to observe myself and Maura.
Extending his hand to Maura, Frost greets her warmly, "Beacon Hill is definitely impressive but you shouldn't worry about Nina. We are definitely going to make sure that you enjoy the rewards as much as Jane. Nice to meet you, Maura. I'm Frost. Just want to say that I was rooting for you and knew that you would accept this challenge. I got a good feeling about you. And normally I'm not wrong about my feelings about people. Do you happen to share any relation with Constance Isles, the famous artist?"
Maura's smile falters for a moment before she seems to regain composure and answers as though she is being interviewed for Vogue. "Yes, she is my mother."
Nina pauses as she and Frost lock eyes. I hear Frost whisper a "No way" as Nina seems to go into complete shock mode, "OMG! You're THAT Maura Isles?! The renowned Dr. Maura Isles. The Isles Foundation Maura Isles?!" Maura seemed to shrink a little with the attention. Feeling the need to protect her but also curious about all that Nina had just said, I lean closer to Maura as Frankie take the words right out of my mouth.
"Nina, you're making it seem like Maura is some celebrity," Frankie laughs out as Nina, Frost, and Maura go quiet. "Wait, is she?!" Frankie and I look at Maura waiting for a response. Frost beats her to it.
"The Isles family is long money. Constance Isles is an international artist whose family's wealth combined with her husband's family's wealth just makes them richer than rich. They are richer than the Fairfields rich. Maura graduated the youngest and top of her medical class from BCU. She is world class in her field. I'm sorry, Dr. Isles. I just, I am a fan of your mother's work but I also have a friend from the academy who worked with you in Los Angeles. She said you are the most amazing Chief Medical Examiner she has ever worked with and how much you advanced their department's closed case rate. I'm sorry, Detective Simone is her name. I just spoke with her about a week ago and she told me that you were no longer with the Los Angeles police department. She said everyone was so sad to see you go but that you left the medical examiner's office with capable hands. Wow. This is really a small world".
Frost sat in awe as Frankie and I tried to close our mouths after hearing all this information. Maura definitely does sound like royalty. What the heck am I doing?! She doesn't need to be involved in this stupid bet. And I can't believe that I thought splitting the money and a suite at Boston Harbor Hotel would be impressive to her. She probably has stayed in better. How do I get out of this and not make an ass of myself?
Stealing a glance at Maura, her facial expression I can't read. I can feel Nina staring at us and knowing my internal struggle. I am way out of Maura's league. I just need to call it quits now. Before I can speak, I feel Maura's hand upon my thigh as she speaks for the first time, looking at Frost and adding on to what he just shared.
"Please, Frost, call me Maura. I remember Detective Simone fondly. She was a true pleasure to work with. Yes, I am apart of THAT Isles family but please do not let my family's status intimidate you. I still want to go through with this as I made a promise to Jane and I want her to win this bet. I will say that you do not have to put me up at the Harbor Hotel. I just need assurance that after tonight, these documents will be destroyed. If my parents find out about this, they will have a field day and I do not want to involve them in my Friday evening choices."
I could feel the smirk that Frost was wearing as I continued to look at the paperwork in front me, completing as efficiently as possible. Listening to Maura speak, I was determined to not let Nina off the hook for this stupid bet. Stealing another glance at my wife-to-be, I feel her face soften and a smile grace it. Leaning closer, I let my lips graze her ear as I spoke softly to compete with the noise.
"Thank you for this. If I never see you again, please know that you have given me a level of confidence tonight that I will never be able to repay you for. So thank you."
As I go to lean back, lips that are still foreign press lightly upon mine. As I look into her eyes, everything seems to disappear. As her hand travels upon my cheek, I close my eyes as I hear her voice again. "Thank you for asking me to participate in this. I will say that I have never felt such a thrill as I am right now. Well, not since the time that I rode horseback naked through campus. But that was for a protest. We have a bet to win so let's finish this paperwork and get this show on the road."
Immediately I miss the warmth of her hand but am able to turn around with a smile to complete everything. Looking at the paperwork, I believe I've completed everything. Handing it all to Nina, I simply wait. As I watch her and Frost review what I have handed over, I reach into my pocket to remove the rings that my friends weren't even aware I wore daily.
"Janie, are those…" Frankie hesitated saying more. Hearing his hesitation, Frost and Nina halted to steal a glance at me. "Yes they are," I whispered as I watch Maura's body language. I can tell she knows there is more history behind the rings I'm choosing to use but she doesn't want to ask any questions. As she passed her paperwork to Nina, the table falls into a hush. As I look at the rings I have laid upon the table, I feel delicate hands grab the one in my lap as our thighs touch together.
"You know, it's okay if you are having second thoughts." I laugh as I feel a delicate breath whisper in my ear. Turning my head, I looked into kind, gentle eyes that seemed to have a true concern for my well-being despite knowing me for less than an hour. "No, I'm sure I want to make you Mrs. Rizzoli and have bragging rights for at least a year if not more." Not wanting to press it further, I feel Maura lean further into my body, making soothing patterns upon my palm. I breathe deeply and look at my friends. All three are watching us and our interaction. I think we all have become sober in that moment. Then we hear a shout from the bar.
"Rizzoli, you got 7 minutes before midnight so if you are doing this crazy thing you said you are, my DJ is ready to lower the music to get this show on the road," Korsak yells over the crowd.
I look to Nina as she slides over the marriage license. All that is needed is our signatures as Nina has already notarized the document. I move the document to Maura. "Future wife first."
Laughing, I watch as she takes the pen and signs with elegance that makes me unsure I will be able to just walk away from her after this moment. Kissing my cheek, I feel the pen press into my hand as I sign my name in the appropriate spots. Taking the license from me, I feel my face curve upward as I extend my hand to Maura as we exit the booth.
"Korsak, we're ready!" Frankie yells as we walk over towards the DJ booth. The music lowers and we hear Korsak's voice get on the mic. "Ladies and Gentlemen, we're sorry for the interruption to your Friday night groove but we are doing a first here at the Dirty Robber. Tonight, one of our regulars, Jane, is about to take the plunge and marry this young woman, Maura. So, if we can get your undivided attention for just a minute that would be great."
Taking the mic from Korsak, Nina clears her throat as the crowd parts like the Red Sea, leaving only myself, Maura, Frost and Frankie in the middle of the dancefloor as patrons wait with fascination. I look to my bride for the evening as I seek to calm my anxiety that is slowly rising. Sensing my unease, our hands connect as I feel her press her palms gently into mine as if she is transferring all of her calm and peace to me in this one gesture. Taking a deep breath I turn my eyes to Nina as our hands continue to stay connected.
"Dearly beloved," Nina starts and sounds such a natural at this. I'm surprised she doesn't do this more often. "We have gathered here today to unite these two woman in holy matrimony. Marriage is a sacred union, a bond that unites two souls as one. Jane and Maura have decided to take this plunge on tonight and we are excited to take part in this. So, with that being said, let's get this show on the road."
Turning towards me, Nina clears her throat as she recites what I have heard many a movie, "Jane, do you take Maura to be your lawfully wedded wife? For better or worse. For richer or poorer. In sickness and in health. To love and to cherish. From this day forward until death do you part? If you agree, please say I do."
Looking up at the crowd around us, I feel a lump build in my throat until I feel the gentle pressure again as I look into amber eyes that I can become lost in. Finding my voice I whisper, "I do."
Smiling for what seems like the first time since we started this whole thing, Nina turns towards Maura as she repeats the same words, "Maura, do you take Jane to be your lawfully wedded wife? For better or worse. For richer or poorer. In sickness and in health. To love and to cherish. From this day forward until death do you part? If you agree, please say I do."
Wearing a smile I hear her speak with a confidence I should have in this moment, "I do."
"Alright, can we have the rings?" Looking at Nina, I want to protest but Frost hands her the rings I'd left lying on the booth. Breathing deeply I watch as Nina holds the rings high for everyone to see.
"These rings are a symbol of your union. Please repeat after me," she gives us both the appropriate ring. Looking at each other, we hold our rings as we wait for Nina to say the words. "With this ring, I thee wed."
In unison we repeat the words as we slide the ring on each other's finger. I can feel the air around us become electric. Beaming, we wait to hear the words that I didn't think I would hear right now in my life.
"Now, by the power invested in me, by commonwealth of Massachusetts, I now pronounce you Wife and Wife. Jane, you may kiss your bride." A stillness falls over us as I feel the anticipation the room full of strangers have at this moment for our moment. Moving closer to Maura, I place my hands upon smooth skin as I slowly connect our lips. A round of applause happens as I forget about our surroundings and feel lips smile into mine. For a moment it is just the two of us, sharing a true first kiss that breathes life into the both of us. A throat clears as I open my eyes to see everyone standing and clapping. A hand lands upon my shoulder as we turn to face the crowd.
"I present to you, Mrs. and Mrs. Rizzoli!" Frankie yells as he grabbed the mic from Nina and hand it back to the DJ. As we walked side by side back to our booth, I feel the air had shifted into a spellbinding instance that couldn't be described with words. Sliding into the booth, I looked to my new wife and humbly witnessed her exquisiteness. I heard my friends around me laughing and interacting as I observe. A smile is plastered upon my face as I enjoy the euphoria of what just happened in the past hour. Never would I thought my birthday, which I always dread, would result in me getting married on a dare to a complete stranger. The reality of everything is slightly paralyzing but then I feel my hand being held in the lap of my new wife. Her thumbs soothing the taunt skin upon my palms as if she can sense the change. I turn my head as I feel her eyes upon me. She wears a smile that causes me to smile.
"It's midnight. Happy Birthday Mrs. Rizzoli," I hear her whisper as we share another kiss. Champagne is brought as everyone around us starts to sing Happy Birthday. I laugh and determine that I will enjoy this moment as long as I can. Tomorrow would be another day.
A/N: As I tried to take the story that I already had and mold it to R&I, I saw with this chapter that everything is definitely going to change from what I wrote to what is being adapted for the R&I Universe. I hope that you all enjoy this. This is truly a challenge for me but its one that I am excited about. Looking forward to your feedback and I will try to be more consistent with the posting. At least once a week if not more.