"What did you give Nina?" Tommy whispers over Jane's shoulder.
The priest was reading from the Bible that Nina's parents had given her when she first joined the force. With a voice that lacked any type of inflection, the audience was finding it difficult to focus on his words. Still, he took his time reading over the scripture at an excruciating pace. Jane was beginning to get antsy, shifting from one foot to another as she tried to distract herself by looking around the chapel.
Jane keeps her eyes forward as she whispers back, "Remember that little plastic inspector gadget ring that I found at the bottom of my cereal box one morning before school?"
Tommy grins. "Of course I do. Frankie was obsessed with that thing. He begged you every single day for months to wear it just for his fingers to be too small when you finally agreed."
"Yeah. Well, I found it while I was cleaning out my locker at work the other day. I gave it to Nina so she could put it on his finger instead of the wedding ring. I thought it would be funny."
With a mischievous smile, Tommy looks exactly like what TJ looked like when he was caught ruining his appetite by eating candy before a meal. "That's hilarious, I can't wait to see his face."
Angela shushes her children from the front row and Tommy holds his hands up, mouthing, "Sorry, Ma." Both of the siblings turn their attention back to the priest, who is still reading in a monotone voice. Tommy pretends to fall asleep, which makes Jane snicker before elbowing him in the gut.
They finally get to the exchange of vows, with Frankie's hands shaking as he unfolds and holds up a piece of paper.
"Nina, you have shown me that it's okay to be who I am. From UFOs to doomsday preparations to the Bruins, you have never made fun of my interests. Instead, you supported them, making me feel as if I was at home. When I fell in love with you, I realized that you are my home." Taking a breath, Frankie continues.
"A few months after we met, you had gifted me a telescope and keys to the roof. After that, I would sit up there for hours, looking at the stars while I thought about how wonderful of a woman you are. We fit together like french fries and Thousand Island dressing and I never want to imagine a day without your laugh and love. I love all of you, your mind, your smile, your eyes, and most importantly, your soul. I promise to take care of you in sickness and in health, and to always learn new things for you, whether it is magic tricks or sitting through hours of Opera."
Tucking the piece of paper back into his suit jacket, Frankie wipes a few stray tears away as he beams at Nina.
As Nina begins her vows, Jane realizes that she has been staring at Maura and that Maura was staring back as well.
"Frankie, years ago, I had convinced myself that I would never fall in love again. Then, I met you, and all of that went out the window. You have made me realize that it is better to have experienced that love while it lasts than to go without it. You are the sweetest man I have ever met and I love that we can talk for hours on end. When we are together, it's just our own little world and I will cherish that until the day that I die. Your generosity, your loyalty, and your goofiness are everyday reminders that there is love all around us."
Jane watches as Maura takes a tissue out, feeling the tears well up in her own eyes as well.
As Frankie and Nina put their rings on, Jane sees Nina whisper to Frankie before placing the inspector gadget toy ring on his finger. His laugh is filled with joy as he turns to Jane, giving her a wink. The priest turns to the audience. "By the power vested in me by God and man, I pronounce you wife and husband. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. Frankie Rizzoli, you may now kiss your bride."
As Nina and Frankie sanctify their marriage with a kiss, Frankie dips Nina into his arms as loud cheers erupt around them. Frost and Jane are the loudest among them, as the two of them whistle and whoop. Tommy grabs the flower girls' basket, making flower petals rain down on Nina and Frankie as they make their way down the aisle as an officially wedded couple. Halfway down, Nina and Frankie stop to kiss each other again, which inspires even more cheering from everyone. As the two disappear behind the other side of the double doors, people begin getting up from their seats as they make their way to the reception hall.
Maura stays in her seat until the crowd clears out a bit, giving Jane enough time to get off the stage.
"Nice vows, huh?" Jane says, offering another tissue to Maura.
Maura nods, unable to say anything as her nose is stuffed from crying. Jane offers her arm to Maura and Maura steadies herself against it as she stands up.
"Hey, before we head to the reception. I was hoping we could talk a little," Jane offers.
Maura wraps her hand around Jane's arm tighter, giving it a squeeze. "Okay," she says.
The two women settle down around a fire pit, the flames providing warmth in the midst of a chilly fall evening. Jane watches as the flames dance around each other to the sound of wood cracking.
"Maura," Jane begins, "I realized something during the wedding while listening to Frankie and Nina's vows."
Maura shifts her gaze from the fire to Jane, trying to ignore how good Jane looked as her face was illuminated by the flames.
Jane continues, "That whole bit where they talk about how it's better to have been able to love than not at all? It really made me think. And I agree. I rather have loved and lost, or loved and suffered, than not love at all. I can't go on the rest of my life ignoring the fact that I love you. That I'm in love with you. I also know this feeling won't ever go away. And I don't really know what to do about that."
Some of the wedding attendees exit the building, letting in the sound of dancing and talking through the door for a few seconds. Two men walk over to a different area to smoke, giving Jane and Maura friendly smiles.
"There's no rule that says that we need to have everything figured out, Jane. I am perfectly okay with taking things in stride and working through life's ups and downs, as long as we handle them together. I'm not asking for you to never put your life in danger again, nor am I asking you to stop being the dedicated cop that you are. I understand the risks associated with your job and I accepted those risks the day I fell in love with you. It means a lot that you care for my safety, but in the same way that you care about mine, I care about yours. So let me care."
"It's not that easy, Maur."
"Maybe not, but you're choosing to walk out before we ever get a chance to give it a try. Is that something that you want on your conscience for the rest of your life?"
Jane sighs. "If it means having you alive and safe, then I don't care what burdens I need to bear."
"Do you realize that being alive without you brings me as much anguish as if my life were to be cut short, Jane?" Maura asks. "What's the point of being alive if I can't love the love of my life?"
Jane leans forward and her next words barely come out in a whisper. "I'm the love of your life?"
"You always have been, Jane. Even if you choose to leave me at the end of this month. You always will be."
The door opens again, this time with Tommy bursting through. "Get in here, you guys! Your presence is needed on the dance floor," he says while waving them in.
Jane wants to tell him to leave them alone, but she knows that she should go in, for Frankie and Nina. This conversation could take place later, but for now, she is about to school her brothers.
The DJ had played all of the classics and although Maura had started off stiff, Jane had convinced her to let loose a little. Jane danced exaggeratedly as she rolled her body, shook her hips, and wiggled her shoulders in ways designed to make Maura laugh. Jane was ready to take a break, so she excused herself to the open bar to grab a drink. On her way there, she stops by the DJ's booth. Slipping him a $5 bill, she asks him to play one of Bon Jovi's best love songs, "All About Lovin' You". As she orders a Merlot for Maura and an old fashioned for herself, she sees the DJ gives her a nod. Jane gives him a thumbs up, setting her drinks down as she walks with purpose back to Maura.
"Hey. May I have this next dance?"
Maura gives her a weird look, as they have been dancing together the entire night. Regardless, she puts her hand in the one that Jane has offered, and their bodies press together. As the guitar belts out the first few chords, Maura instantly recognizes it and her smile confirms that Jane has chosen the right song. Maura thinks back to the conversation that they had about this band in Frankie's room and how badly she wanted to kiss Jane then.
They sway together as his voice fills the room.
"I started residency the year this song came out," Maura says, leaning her head on Jane's chest.
Jane slides her hand to Maura's upper back, holding her closer. "I was still a rookie detective then. I used to cry in my car to this song."
Maura looks up, holding eye contact with Jane as the song continues. Jane sings the chorus softly and Maura feels as if the lyrics were written just for her. Maura is locked in a tight embrace with Jane, feeling as if this woman is slipping right out of her hands. Jane leads, and Maura follows, as they move together in perfect synchronization with the rhythm of the song.
Around them, couples are holding each other as the artist croons. With Maura's forehead pressed against Jane's cheek, everyone around them disappears as they soak in this moment. 3 minutes and 45 seconds pass by all too fast, and before they know it, the song has ended and transitioned back to a bass-driven, upbeat, pop song. Their brief escape from reality was over and it was time to face the music, both literally and figuratively.
The two women separate, their eyes still fixated on one another.
"I got us some drinks, would you like to sit down for a bit?" Jane suggests.
Maura agrees, grateful that she can rest her tired legs. As they sit down, Maura takes a sip of her wine. "Did you request that song?"
Jane grins from ear to ear. "Was it that obvious?"
With a wink, Maura says, "A bit. But it's only because I know you."
Taking a sip of her old-fashioned, Jane promptly sets it back down and makes a small grimace. "I really should stick to beer. I never like these things but I'm always trying to convince myself otherwise."
Maura laughs. Jane Rizzoli is a woman of consistency. "If you want, I still have a few of the ones that you like in my fridge."
Jane thinks about how it's been weeks, possibly months since she has been over to Maura's place for longer than five minutes. She also knew that they were out of beer the last time that she was over, as Maura had reminded her to bring some over next time. After the whole drama, there had never been a next time.
"You bought more for me? Even though we haven't really been talking?"
Not knowing whether she should feel hopeful that Maura did this or sad that she had hurt this thoughtful woman, Jane feels conflicted.
Maura blushes, having been exposed. "Yes. I bought some each time I visited the grocery store. Maybe it was wishful thinking that you would come around and drink it sometime. Or maybe it was out of habit."
"That's really sweet, Maur."
Maura's eyes were just as sad as they were intense at that moment. "I don't ever want to stop buying beer for you, Jane. I don't want to ever stop doing the things that are in our familiar routine or forget things about you like, how you take your coffee or the side of the bed that you sleep on. I like our intimacy and how you know me well enough to pick a song at a wedding or order me dinner when you know I'm too tired to cook for myself. What am I going to do with all that information about you when you're gone?"
Jane reaches for Maura, but she shakes her head, choosing to wrap her arms around herself instead. "I don't know, Maura. It's the same way how I won't know what to do when every little thing reminds me of you. Even things that are random remind me of our inside jokes or a case or memories that we have made. I can't get you out of my system."
"Then don't, Jane. Let me stay inside of you and your heart until you can't take it anymore and you give in, forgetting about your ego or self-control or sense of responsibility."
Jane stands, placing her hands on the back of the chair.
"I can't."
