It's been a while! I've actually had this sitting here for quite a while but didn't feel motivated to proof read it!

FYI...Reviews definitely motivate me :)

xxx

The food was eaten, toasts made and everyone was plied with enough alcohol to create a happy buzz. It was time for the first dance with the fathers of the brides and Maura had been glancing at the door every few minutes. As they had sat down for dinner, Louisa had shown her a message from her mother saying the plane had been delayed in Paris due a technical problem which had put them back by some hours but that they had now landed and were on their way. It eased the tightness in Maura's chest a little, for she had begun to tick through all logical explanations and had fixated on the one where her parents hadn't shown because they disapproved so strongly of the marriage.

She felt Jane's hand squeeze hers from under the table, felt the lips of her wife brush against her cheek and murmur reassurances in her ear and she squeezed back, her eyes not leaving the entrance. They delayed the first dance as long as they could, until Lauren sidled up and said that had to start, so reluctantly Maura rose and took Korsak's hand. They were about to step onto the dance floor when she saw them enter. She ran towards her father and flung her arms around him.

'You came, daddy.'

To the crooning tones of Louis Armstrong's 'What a Wonderful World' the brides danced with their fathers. As the song finished Mr Isles kissed his daughter on the cheek and told her he was proud before placing her hand in Jane's. He congratulated them both and retreated to join his wife. The music had started again and everyone flooded onto the dance floor. Jane had pulled her close and twirled her about and with the bodies pressing in on them, she could only catch a glimpse of her mother who had sat in a corner, her face pinched and cold.

It wasn't long before both Maura and Jane were being requested for dances and Mrs Rizzoli was there, thrusting la borsa at all the men and chiding them for not paying for the privilege until Maura heard Jane hissed that if she didn't want to be kicked out of the reception she'd better give up on this particular tradition. Maura found herself accosted by Giovanni who breathed his beer breath all over her and insisted he give her a kiss for good luck but instead of going for a chaste peck on the cheek, he seemed intent on landing her a big fat one on the lips. To her immense relief Jane stepped in before he could carry through his intention and the fierce look in her eyes must have worked because he threw his hands up in surrender and went to claim another beer.

At the end of the song, Maura decided dancing was becoming too hazardous when a rotund, belching middle aged man she didn't know asked to step in. She had no more excuses. She made her way over to her mother. The walk between the tables seemed to take an age and she felt strangely like a naughty cub with her tail between her legs, about to be peared down to size by her elder. She stood there and fingered her wedding gown. What she wanted to say was that they were late and that her father wasn't been there to give her away, but she didn't, she was afraid she would whine the way she had when she was little. Her mother had always hated that. She waited.

'You look divine, darling.' Her mother said, glancing to her, 'I see you kept to the original design.'

'I did.'

'The back looks splendid and I compliment you on your choice of hair style, works beautifully with the dress.'

'Thank-you.'

'And the venue, you've chosen very well. Did you organise everything yourself?'

'We had a wedding planner. Jane and I are frequently busy with work.'

'Yes, quite.'

The mention of Jane seemed to dry up any further conversation.

Then, 'can I get you something to drink? Or perhaps I can ask for some food to be brought out for you? You missed dinner.'

'No, darling, I'm quite alright. Your father has gone to fetch me some champagne.'

That seemed to be that. Maura wanted to ask if their encounter with the Baron and Baroness of Longsdale was why she was so stiff and distant now. Had things been said in certain circles, was she now whispered about behind her back because of her? She'd felt as though they were finding a way to each other on that trip and yet, here they stood, like strangers and it broke her heart.

Maura was about to leave when Jane sidled up behind her and slipped her arms around her waist. She noted her mother taking it in and felt a flutter in her stomach.

'Hey baby, the moment you left I was pounced on by every Tom, Dick and Harry. I think it's safer here, with you. Hi Mrs Isles. I'm so glad you made it.' Jane's eyes glinted dangerously.

'This is important to my daughter, of course I am here.'

'Weddings usually are.'

'Yes, well…'

'Are you going to dance?'

'Oh, I don't know. I don't think Brian cares to and I'm quite fatigued by the trip.'

'I'd be happy to dance with you.'

Mrs Isles smoothed dress.

'Oh no, I don't think so.'

'Why? Because I'm a woman?'

Maura gently squeezed the hands resting on her stomach in warning.

'It's not exactly traditional.'

'I think we can safely say that this wedding is not about being traditional, don't you agree, Maura…'

Maura could see this talk quickly degrading into a heated argument, so she

turned in Jane's arms.

'Jane, honey, can you get me a drink? Red wine?'

Jane nodded and then glancing to Mrs Isles, cupped Maura's face and kissed her. Her mother looked pointedly away her lips pursed.

'I'll be right back, baby,' Jane said and moved off.

Maura murmured a sorry but her mother didn't respond so after a moment, she left, dangerously close to tears.

xxx

They had cut the cake, thrown the bouquet and smashed a vase for good luck before they made their exit under a shower of rice. They entered the vintage rolls Royce and waved to the guests as they took off down the drive way. They had opted to take a hotel closer to the airport as they had a flight mid morning and had no intention of being up early. They had agreed on a honeymoon in Mauricious at the Maradiva Resort and Spa. Jane had been reluctant at first, resorts with 24hr butlers sounded a little too high-brow for her but Maura could be incredibly persuasive and the opportunity to try scuba diving did appeal. They had booked the beach front honeymoon villa for two weeks.

As they sat back for the ride to the hotel, Jane knew that Maura was not thinking about the honeymoon. She knew she was thinking of her mother excusing herself shortly after the cutting of the cake.

'Hey, sweetheart. Don't dwell on that.'

Maura looked out the window at the stars in the sky.

'You shouldn't have done that.' She said softly

'Done what?'

'You antagonized her, Jane.'

'I antagonized her?'

'You were rude.'

'I was rude? Maur, she was rude! Her nose was scrunched up like she smelt something off the entire time she was there. She didn't make the effort to talk to anyone, she didn't even congratulate us on our marriage. Did she even apologise for not being there?'

'You bated her, knowing she is sensitive about my marrying a woman. She came, Jane. I wasn't even sure that she would.'

'That's exactly my point! You didn't even know if she would bother to turn up! Don't think I didn't notice how you'd go quiet every time we talked about your parents leading up to the wedding. I hate seeing her hurt you like this.'

'That doesn't give you the right...'

'Then what am I supposed to do? Let her treat you like this? ' Jane exclaimed.

'Yes.'

Jane opened her mouth, ready to allowed all the anger, fear and disappointment she felt on Maura's behalf to churn forth but instead she moved away to the other window and quelled her fiery Italian blood. Silence rode with them in the dark. Jane took some measured breaths and clenched a fist on her knee, trying to gain perspective, fighting the urge to snap a nasty reply.

'I'm sorry, Maur,' Jane said eventually, quietly, 'I should have been more sensitive. I hope I didn't ruin today for you.'

Maura turned to see her, her back pushed into the far corner of the seat, her white gown now glowing dully in the grey scale of night, her earrings catching the errant strands of light as they re-entered the perimeters of the city.

'Apology accepted. And no you didn't, Jane.' She slid her hand across the leather seat, holding it out, 'today has been beautiful. Let's not fight. It's our wedding day.'

Jane slid her hand across the divide and moved in closer, entwining their hands together.

'No. Let's not fight.'

They were soon at the hotel and Maura thought no more of her mother. She thought only of Jane.

They had made love many times before, but somehow, tonight, it felt like the first time. They were shy. Maura felt a warm flutter in her abdomen as Jane unbuttoned her dress slowly, allowing it to fall to the floor in the middle of the honeymoon suit. Jane took her hand and Maura stepped out in her white lace undergarments.

"Oh Maura." she hummed with approval. She took in the pink of Maura's nipples pressing against the lace, the pale smooth skin that curved out at the hips, the satin garters that held up her thigh highs and where her panties should be – none.

Maura could see the dilation in Jane's pupils. She blushed, feeling the heat flush her cheeks as she stood there. Jane moved in close, but not quite touching, her lips tantalizingly near, their eyes locked and Maura slowly undid her dress and allowed it to fall to the floor too. She took Jane's hand and pulled her towards the bed and sat her down at the end. She traced the red satin of Jane's bra with her finger tips, skimming over the breasts as she straddled her wife and brought their lips together. Their kiss deepened and Jane's her fingers tracing her spine and cupped her bottom, leaving goose bumps in its wake. Any sadness and hurt from their words before, from her parents, melt away with each loving caress, with each sigh, each kiss.

She murmured words of love against the hollow of Jane's neck and loosened the chocolate hair so she could run her hands through it. She moved down the body tracing the silk of her skin, her lips seeking out those sweet secret spots then pulling down the material of her bra to suck on one nipple then the other. She moved further down the stomach and Jane lifted her hips so she could slip the panties off. Her legs fell open and Maura could see how slick she was, could smell her and too impatient to wait, she dipped her head and tasted her wife. Slowly, she traced the tip of her tongue up, dipping in further to stroke the clit, making Jane gasp and her hips rise, her hand snaking around Maura's head and a leg lifting to rest on her shoulder. When Maura looked up, she could see Jane's arched back, her head thrown back as she moaned her approval. She dipped her tongue into the opening and Jane bucked. She did it again, thrusting deeper and Jane whimpered and the hand at the back of her neck fisted. Maura slid a couple of fingers in and stroked her as she continued to lick and she knew Jane wouldn't last long like this. She wanted it to last though. As the crescendo began to build, she pulled her fingers out and Jane growled but not for long as she watched Maura remove her bra and let it fall revealing her firm breasts and hard nipples. She was left in only her garters and pumps. She climbed onto Jane and pushed her down, lowering their pussies together, rocking, feeling the skin on skin and the friction of each thrust, Maura's nipples skimming the swell of Jane's breasts as a delicious sensation moved throughout her body. Their rhythm started slow and built, their breaths came jagged and hot, watching each other with their bedroom eyes, giving over to their desires. They clung to each other, their lips captured in a slow counter rhythm to their thrusts, their tongues tasting each other hot, slow, deep, building, building building... Jane looked completely undone lying beneath her. And just as it was beginning to built to the point of no return, Jane flipped her under.

"My turn, I think." she said, holding Maura's arms above her head with one hand and snaking the other to bury itself inside her. Maura gasped. She could feel how wet she and she wrapped her legs around Jane's waist to give her deeper access. It felt like heaven. Each thrust tightened the coiled tension in the pit of her stomach. When Jane took a nipple in her mouth she mewled. She gave over entirely to the sensation feeling wild, sexy, wanton and so so close. Then Jane flicked her clit with her thumb while deep inside and unexpectedly she orgasmed, her muscles clenching around the fingers and she cried out long and hard as the waves pulsed through her.

When it subsided, she lay there quietly drifting, Jane's arms warm and strong around her. She felt safe. She felt like she belonged. She'd never felt that way with anyone but Jane.

When she'd recovered enough, she turned her attention to pleasing her wife and later she watched Jane's chest rise and fall in the darkness of their hotel suit, the lights of the city dancing in the background like tiny diamonds. With her middle finger, she traced the shadows of light and dark that played on Jane's skin and she reflected on their day.

'Do you think that parents are the only people who can love you unconditionally? she asked softly.