Chapter Twenty-Three – The Night Before The Wedding

Erica was enjoying watching the reactions on the lady's faces as she came out in the dress and modeled it for them. She knew right away that the first two dresses were a quick 'no' and hoped that the third dress would meet everyone's expectations because she loved it. The third dress was everyone's favorite by far. The seamstress made some adjustments with pins and she was done.

Maura, Nina, Chloe, Angela and Constance all picked out new dresses. The manager knew Maura's tastes and after finding out the colors she had selected a few dresses that she thought would meet Maura's taste and she was correct. Maura loved doing business with people that paid attention to details. They had Angela and Constance's measurements also and selected a few 'Mother of the Bride' dresses for them. Maura had sent over Nina and Chloe's measurements, although she thought they had them on file already.

They had a fun afternoon and went out to an early dinner after. Jane took the children for pizza while the others went to one of Maura's favorite restaurants. Chloe enjoyed not having to cook for the evening. She had never been to the restaurant that Maura took them to so it was a treat for her. With Chloe's work schedule she didn't get too much opportunity to frequent other restaurants. When she was off work, she enjoyed spending time with Tommy and the children.

Arthur, Tommy and Frankie would all go by the tuxedo shop later and be fitted for their tuxedos. Maura decided she wanted all the Rizzoli and Isles men dressed alike. It would be esthetically pleasing, especially for the family pictures.

Maura spent Thursday, Friday and Saturday finalizing all the plans for Sunday. Chloe had modified the menu and serving staff to accommodate the wedding. Constance insisted that the staff be paid a higher wage than normal as this was now a longer event than what was initially planned for. Chloe knew better than to argue with Constance and revised the payment that her staff members were to receive.

Nina called her friend to ensure the flowers would be ready on time. All they had to do now was get through Saturday night. Maura knew that Jane and Kelly would put up some sort of resistance to not spending the night with their significant others but it was tradition. Jane pouted but eventually agreed because Maura was happy and if Maura was happy then she was happy. Jane being the great wife that she was, she understood the motto of a happy wife, happy life.

Kate took a long nap on Saturday and was still awake at 11 PM when Constance and her driver were set to leave to retrieve Maura and Erica. Constance was a woman of her word and Maura and Erica were coming over to her house for the night. Kate had insisted that she go as she wanted to say goodnight to her mama and Kelly. Constance thought it was so cute so she agreed. She was finding it very hard to say 'no' to Kate.

Kate looked at Constance as she climbed into the back seat with her and said, "Grand-mére we need to stop and get a six-pack of root beer. Mommy said that she doesn't want mama and Kelly drinking beer after she leaves but they can have root beer." Constance thought that was so cute that Kate was thinking of her mama like that.

She wasn't sure if Maura would have stopped to get root beer so she made sure that they would stop and purchase some. She instructed the driver to take them to some place that would sell root beer. The driver drove to the closest convivence store and parked the car. He told Constance that he could go in and get the root beer for her. She said thank you handed him some money and he ran into the store to purchase a six-pack of root beer and then they were back on the road.

When they got to the house, Kate grabbed the six pack of root beer and ran into the house. She was surprised that the front door was unlocked. She saw her mama sitting on the couch so she ran over and climbed into her lap. Jane was surprised to see Kate. After hugging her mama and Kelly. Kate handed them each a root beer and told them, "Mommy said you couldn't drink beer before the wedding so I got some root beer because I know she will let you drink this kind of beer, and I like it."

The three of them sat on the couch drinking root beer while waiting for Erica and Maura to come back to the room with their overnight bags. Jane was sharing her root beer with Kate as she didn't want Kate to have too much before she went to sleep. Constance was sitting with them but she decided not to have any root beer. She wasn't really sure if she would like it and it was so late at night.

Maura thought it was so cute how Jane, Kelly and Kate were chatting and drinking their root beer. Constance was all smiles as she listened to Kate tell her mama and Kelly all about how she wanted to be a chef when she grew up and she hoped that maybe her Aunt Chloe would let her work in her restaurant when she was older. Kate had told Jane of several occupations she was going to have but this particular seemed to be sticking around.

Just after 11:30 PM, Constance, Maura, Erica and Kate all said their goodnights to Jane and Kelly and headed to Constance's house. Kate held onto her mama until she have to walk out the door she was going to miss her, even though it was only one night, Kate hated being separated from her mama.

When they arrived at Constance's, Kate asked, "Mommy, can I sleep in your room tonight?" Maura had to think quickly if there was anything for her to wear as sleepwear in her room as she normally slept in the nude.

"Yes, Kate, that would be fine." Maura said once she remembered that Jane some shorts and t-shirts in one of the drawers, so she would be okay. Maura and Kate fell asleep rather quickly as they were both tired. Maura had no idea what was happening at her house with Jane and Kelly, when she left, they were sitting on the couch, drinking their root beer and trying to find a game to watch. Their likes and dislikes were very similar. She assumed that is why Kate took such an instant liking to Kelly.

Kelly asked Jane, "Are they really thinking we will stay here all night and not try to sneak over to the house?"

"Yes, Kelly that is what they think. They also think we won't drink any beer if they are not here." Jane replied.

Kelly thought for a moment and then replied, "So what time are we going over there?"

"Kelly, are you trying to get me in trouble?" Jane asked as she smirked at Kelly. Kelly knew that Jane wanted to be with Maura just as much as she wanted to be with Erica.

"No, well, the plan is I am hoping we don't get in trouble." Kelly said as she raised her eyebrows and tilted her head Jane's direction.

"My wife would kill me and I rather like being around. I mean, I can't stop you but it is in my best interest to stay right here."

"You are so whipped."

"Yes, I am and I am proud of it. I love my wife and my life and I don't care to change anything about it."

"So, Maura really does wear the pants in the family then." Kelly stated as she laughed at Jane.

"Hey, that's not fair. We make decisions together and I agreed with this, even though I am not a big fan of being away from her, I am here for you. We made this decision for you and Erica because you are my friend and it wouldn't be right for you to have to spend the night alone. Same for Erica, she is surrounded by people that love and care about her."

"God, you guys really do care for us, don't you?" Kelly said as tears fell down her face. After losing both of her parents she felt so alone except for Erica. Finding Jane and Maura has been the best thing that has happened for her and Erica. They both feel a sense of belonging and with what the family is doing for them by giving them this wedding celebration, they know that they are loved.

"We do, I would think that would be obvious by now. You are part of the family, and that won't end when you no longer are taking care of the children."

"I know, it is just so hard to believe sometimes that you guys would take us in like this and do all of this for us. We have struggled for so many years and it is just a little bit overwhelming at times."

"Well, get used to it because you are stuck with us for the rest of your lives."

"I think I like that very much."

"We better get some sleep. Do you want to sleep in the guest room so you don't have to be out in the guest house by yourself?"

"Sure." Kelly said as they took their empty root beer bottles to the kitchen and rinsed them out and put them in the recycle bin before going upstairs.

At 3 AM Jane's cell phone rang. It said it was Maura, but Jane knew Maura would be sound asleep, she answered it. "Hello?"

"Mama, I miss you." Kate said as she was crying slightly, Jane could hear it in her voice.

"Aren't you with mommy?"

"Yes, she is right here asleep. I am in your bedroom with her. I didn't want her to be lonely without you. but now I am alone because she is asleep."

"Little one, you are not alone. Mommy is still with you she is just sleeping like you should be."

"I don't want to sleep. You didn't get to read me a story tonight."

Jane immediately got up and ran to Kate's room and picked up the book they had been reading. "How about we switch this to a video call and I will read to you? Does that sound good?"

"Yes, mama, I would like that."

"Okay, let me push the button to switch to a video call. Make sure you push the button to accept the call, okay?"

"Hello mama." Kate said as she saw Jane's face appear on the phone.

"Hello Kate, now lay back and get comfortable." Kate laid on Maura so that she was resting her head on the crook between Maura's shoulder and head. Jane could tell that she was comfortable and she knew that Maura was probably going to wake up soon hearing her voice.

"Okay, let me turn to the page we were on." Jane turned to the correct page and started reading. About three minutes later she saw Maura's eyes open and they smiled at each other as Jane kept reading to Kate. Kate had no idea that Maura was awake. Maura tightened her grip on Kate and brought her in for a tighter hug. Kate's heartbeat and breathing stabilized and Kate fell asleep.

Jane continued talking to Maura until they both were falling asleep. They said goodnight to each other and disconnected the video chat. Jane fell asleep with a minute of ending the call. Maura moved Kate into a more comfortable position and then snuggled up with her and was asleep a few minutes later.

The wedding was set for noon so they didn't need to get up too early. Just early enough to feed the children and make sure that they had everything ready for the wedding. Jane agreed to take Kelly to breakfast and then come back to the house and get changed before they head over to the Isles' house.