Epilogue

Everything came together very quickly after that, yet somehow it never seemed rushed. Jane had a magical ability to make Lisbon's worries evaporate, and even though she'd spent years trying to resist it, now was the perfect time to give in. They had a real church wedding because he insisted on making the occasion the way she had always envisioned it. VanPelt was Lisbon's maid of honor, with Cho and Rigsby as co-Best Men, and Wayne's son serving as ring bearer. In addition to Jane's jokes during his thank you speech and the perfect intimacy of their first dance, Teresa had a few other favorite moments to reflect on for years to come.

She couldn't help but be pleased when Kim Fischer caught the bouquet and then Cho was the recipient of the garter. Between this poetic foreshadowing and the way those two had been looking at each other lately, Lisbon theorized that a romance would soon be brewing there. On the day that she and Jane returned to work after their honeymoon at a sweet, southern Bed and Breakfast, she had teased Cho about his pointed glances in Fischer's direction. "Since when did you become so in love with love?" Cho asked in a clipped tone, unable to deny his growing emotions towards Kim. "Just don't tell anyone," he charged her. Lisbon knew there was no need to say a word. Fischer obviously knew all about it and was loving every second. And since when had Lisbon become such a romantic? Since the day she'd met Jane…she just hadn't wanted to admit it until recently.

Once Jane and Lisbon outed themselves as a couple, no grand, earth-shattering reaction had come from anyone. Fischer seemed to immediately let go of any residual attraction to Jane out of respect and happiness for them, and that was made easier by the fact that she'd already started to move on in her heart of hearts. Abbott, who had allowed himself to be charmed by Jane's mischief fairly early into his joining the team, had put on a stern act and warned them not to allow their feelings to get in the way of their work. But the slight twinkle in his eye, along with his never mentioning this command again afterwards, showed that Abbott had really rooted for Jane and Lisbon to get together since he'd known them. Well, Teresa mused, if Abbott's reasonable nature at work hadn't revealed his being at peace with their relationship, his enthusiastic performance of the Electric Slide at their wedding reception certainly had.

Far from impeding their ability to work together effectively, Jane and Lisbon's romance and marriage had only sharpened their skills. They were happy and strong together, free from the angst that had hampered their joy for so long. Now, as she chopped carrots for dinner in her home, the home they now shared, Lisbon smiled to herself at the thought of the news she had for Jane once he returned with the wine he had gone out to buy. She wouldn't be able to drink any of the wine, as she had learned that afternoon at her doctor's appointment. Excitement lit up Teresa's features as the door opened and Jane came sweeping in, immediately scooping her up in an embrace and steamy kiss as he placed the bottle to one side and held out a bouquet of roses.

"What?" Jane asked when their lips parted, scanning her face with rapid analytical scrutiny. "Something's up, isn't it?"

"You're right," Lisbon grinned, stepping back and placing her hand meaningfully on her stomach. There was no way she could resist telling him for a second longer.

"No," Jane breathed, but he didn't mean the word as a statement of displeasure. He was stunned in numbingly overjoyed disbelief.

"Yes," Lisbon assured him, laughing at his shock. It wasn't easy to surprise Patrick Jane, and she might be the only one with the power to do so, though not for long.

Tears sprang into his eyes as he regarded her standing there in a simple, pretty gray slip-dress, flushed with excitement. Lisbon loved the sight of Jane in his tried-and-true casual suit, handsome and nervous in equal measure. She stepped forward and clasped his face in her hands, kissing him tenderly as his arms wrapped around her warmly.

"Are you glad?" Teresa whispered, sighing as he ran his fingers through her hair, her head nestled against his shoulder.

"I've never been more glad about anything," Patrick told her, and as Lisbon envisioned the years they would spend together, now as a family, she knew that she felt the same way, and that she always would.