It was morning, the sun was up, she could feel it on her skin, but as Jane slowly made her way to consciousness she realized something wasn't right. The bed didn't feel right, the mattress was smaller and lumpy; the sheets weren't as soft and the light blanket not as cuddly. Then she realized that the body beside her was not Maura's, the hand playing with her hair was not Maura's. Jane's dark eyes flew open as she bolted slightly onto her elbows. She looked around the room and then instantly felt like a dork. She was in her apartment, in her bed… wait, with her mother?

"Ma!" Jane groaned as she turned to look at the grinning like an idiot older woman beside her. "I said you could stay the night with me if you slept on the couch."

"My little girl is getting married today." Angela said, still smiling, though her voice was laced with tears.

"Ma." Jane said in a much soft voice. "Please don't start cryin' already. I haven't even peed yet. It's to damn early for this shit."

"Language Jane!" Angela scolded.

Jane flopped back down onto the bed and covered her face with her pillow, which by the way didn't smell like lavender the way Maura's pillows smelled. Whose dumb idea was it for them to spend the night away from each other again? Oh, right, their mothers. Jane groaned again and thrashed the bed.

"Oh now you're just being ridiculous." Angela said as she got out of bed and headed for the bedroom door.

Jane's pillow muffled reply was, "Go away Ma!"

In the quiet of her room with her pillow still pressed to her face Jane couldn't keep the smile off her face. She was getting married today. She was getting married to Maura today. Jane hadn't ever thought this day would come, she'd sworn off marriage her whole adult life, and then all those years ago without her knowing it that choice slowly began to change. All those years ago when some snobby, prissy, little blonde put on a latex glove to had her twenty dollars because she was dressed like a hooker, Jane had no idea that that prissy little blonde would end up becoming her best friend, the love of her life, and in a few hours her wife.

Tossing the pillow aside Jane reached for her cell phone to send Maura a text. 'I know you're awake. Are you awake?'

A minute later Maura's reply came back, 'Good morning Jane. Yes, I'm awake.'

Jane smiled as she sat up, her back pressed against her headboard. 'It's really disturbing to wake up next to my Ma when I'm use to waking up next to you.'

'You didn't really expect her to sleep on the sofa did you?' Maura replied. Jane could practically hear her chuckling softly. 'You're sofa is horribly uncomfortable, Jane.'

'She could have been in her own bed if they hadn't insisted on this whole spending the night apart thing.' Jane sent back. 'What are you up too?'

The apartment was quickly filling with the smells of breakfast and it was making Jane's stomach rumble as she waited on Maura's reply which was, 'Having breakfast with my parents at the county club before heading over to the spa. You?'

'Ma's cooking. I'm still in bed.' Jane said and then with an evil smirk she sent, 'Wanna know what I'm wearing in bed?'

'Gray Boston PD athletic t-shirt, black cotton bike shorts, white socks.' Maura sent back.

Jane laughed and shook her head. 'You suck at what are your wearing.'

"Janie!" Angela called out from the kitchen. "Breakfast!"

Jane was smiling so brightly the sun would have been jealous. 'Gotta go eat. See you soon. I love you.'

'I Love you too, Jane.' Maura sent back.

Jane's stomach followed her nose to the kitchen just in time to see her Ma smack Tommy's hand with a spatula. "That's your sister's stuffed waffle!"

"Aww, Ma!" Tommy whined. "I'm hungry!"

Angela pointed her spatula at both her boys. "Today is Janie's day. I won't have either of you spoiling it so be on your best behavior."

"It's gonna get cold by the time she comes out." Tommy pointed out.

"No it won't." Jane said as she walked over and pushed Frankie off the bar stool so she could sit. Once she was comfortable she pulled her plate over and smiled. "Strawberry and cream cheese stuffed waffles and bacon? You're the best Ma!"

"Hey!" Frankie gripped when Jane took most of the bacon. "You eat all that and you're not gonna fit in your dress."

Angela made a noise in the back of her throat as she glared at her middle child.

While the Rizzolis were settling in for a loud boisterous family breakfast at Jane's apartment, the Isles family were finishing their quiet breakfast on the patio of Maura' country club. Her father had come in from Europe a couple of days ago after finishing up the semester at the university he was currently teaching at. Maura and her mother liked to joke that Edward Isles' favorite time of year is the end the full academic year when he gets to sit on graduate student's review committees because he likes to terrorize unsuspecting masters and doctoral students who up until that point just think he's a kind and understanding professor. Edward teases back that he rather enjoys the look of shock that flickers across his students' faces when he begins to interrogate them on their work, picking apart their theories, and making them defend their conclusions.

It was wonderful spending so much time with her parents. Maura hadn't stopped smiling since her normally reserved father had given her a hug at the airport when she and Jane picked him up. Maura knew that part of her mother's desire to reconnect with her had come after she and Jane had had words, but she wondered if perhaps her father's renewed interest in her life was due to suddenly feeling as if there were a bit of a threat to his fatherhood. It wasn't such a far-fetched idea. Maura had noticed that her father become even more attentive after he'd found out about her contact with Patrick. At first she hadn't put much thought into it but then she noticed the same behavior in her mother after telling her about her run in with Hope. Maura hoped that her parents knew that she loved them and would never ever choose Patrick and Hope over them.

After breakfast Maura and Constance headed over to the spa for a bit of pampering before Maura had her nails and hair done. Maura was hoping that while they were there she'd get a chance to see Jane, but Daniel had the timing set perfectly so the two women never overlapped.

"Maura put that away." Constance scolded when Maura went for her phone yet again. "You'll see Jane soon enough."

Maura had the good manners to look sheepish. "Sorry Mom."

Constance just smiled gently and shook her head at her daughter. "I want you to enjoy and saver every moment of today darling. Today is one of those days that you'll want to remember always, much more so then almost anything else. More then any other day you've had so far and you've had several very special days, graduating from college and medical school will dim in compassion to this day."

"Almost anything else?" Maura asked softly. "What could be better then my wedding day?"

"The day you hold your child in your arms." Constance said honestly as she cupped her daughter's face in her hands and then pressed a kiss to her forehead.

When they arrived at the church several hours later Constance's sister Dorothy was waiting on them. The woman who Maura had turned to so many times when her mother was unavailable wrapped her arms around Maura and hugged her tight. "I just can't believe it Constance, I refuse. Our little moppet is getting married!"

Maura was blushing over all the attention. One of Daniel's assistants brought in champagne for them along with a beautiful floral arrangement. As Maura walked over to check the card she was laughing at a story her aunt was telling about their older brother, Albert, who'd tried to pick a fight with her father at her parents wedding reception. Uncle Albert had never been thrilled with his little sister marrying an American, even if Edward was wealthy and cultured, he was still a damn bloody yank.

"Poor Albert was so drunk he ended up missing Edward and giving the Vicar a black eye!" Dorothy said with a bark of laughter. Dorothy was the polar opposite of her younger sister in just about every way, which is why she and Jane had hit it off so easily when she and Maura had been in London. Even Constance had been chuckling over the story but both women stopped when they noticed Maura had gone still and quiet. Constance got up to see what had suddenly changed her daughter's mood, stepping up behind Maura. "Maura?"

"The flowers." Maura said softly, timidly, almost afraid to say whom they were from in fear it might hurt her mother's feelings.

"Who are they from my darling?" Constance asked as she put her hands on Maura's upper arms to reassure her.

Maura took a moment and then said softly, "Hope Todd."

Constance read the card over Maura's shoulder; it was just a simple best wishes on your marriage. "Well wasn't that kind of her. You'll have to send her a thank you note darling."

Maura turned to look at her mother and said, "I'm sorry. I didn't expect her to send anything. I didn't even know she knew. We didn't send anything to her or Patrick. Not that we would have known where to send anything to Patrick, his whereabouts are still unknown, though Detective-Sergeant Korsak thinks he might have fled to Ireland…"

"Maura." Constance said softly at first and then a little more sharply just to get her daughter to stop rambling. "Maura!" When those beautiful hazel eyes finally looked into her own Constance smiled softly. "It's alright darling. I don't have a problem with Hope wishing you well. I hold nothing against her. I wouldn't have you if not for her, but I'm you're mother, you are my daughter, and nothing nor no one will every change that. Alright?"

"Alright." Maura said with a soft smile and a nod.

Dorothy chuckled softly and shook her head. "She gets that from you Connie."

"Oh hush Dottie no one was talking to you." Constance replied with a teasing smile.

Maura was a little shocked with the ease between her mother and aunt. The more her family interacted with Jane's the more they acted like a normal less starched family. When her mother wasn't looking Maura sent Jane a text, 'My mother and my aunt are acting like you and Frankie. It's so weird!'

"Maura!" Constance scolded. "Give me that bloody phone young lady!"

Jane laughed so hard at the text that it caused her head to jerk which caused the hair stylist to pull on a good chunk of her hair. "Ow!"

"Sit still Janie!" Angela ordered and then heaved a heavy sigh, the kind of sigh that could only come from an Italian-American mother with a daughter like Jane Clementine Rizzoli. "I bet Constance isn't having this much trouble with Maura. Now give me that damn thing so you can get your nails done."

Jane pouted when her mother took her phone away. "Hey! Give that back!"

"Not until after." Angela said as she stuffed the device into her purse.

"Not until after what?" Jane asked.

"Everything." Angela answered and then gave Jane that look that said she dared her to argue because she wasn't too old to get her behind smacked.

Jane glared back for all of five seconds before dissolving into a pouting five year old. When she felt another series of bobby pins going into her hair she groaned. "I'm going to be picking bobby pins out of my hair for the rest of my life."

"A nice long life with Maura and lots of babies." Angela said with a huge smile.

"Ma." Jane groaned. "Geesh."

Since Maura was in the bride's room at the church that left Jane with the groom's room. One of Daniel's assistants helped her into her dress while another was helping Angela. After the assistant was finished Jane stood in front of the full-length mirror taking herself in. Her dress was a new take on the old a-line style with a plunging v-neck and hand beading at the bust line that really drew focus to her breasts. There was draping in the bodice that melted easily into the skirt and was nicely pulled together at the hip with a brooch. A chapel length train and functional corset finished off the dress. Jane had wondered how true the functional part would be but as she turned and twisted to look at herself she realized it was true. She had no problems moving in the beautiful white gown. It was stunning and Jane had to admit that with her dark hair pulled up, her slightly tanned skin glowing as backdrop to the white satin she looked amazing.

"Oh Janie." Angela breathed out in a hushed, reverent whisper. "You're so beautiful."

Angela was in a charcoal and silver tea length silky taffeta dress with a ruffled jacket. The necklace she had on matched the accent piece on the waist of the dress, and her hair was done up in a French twist. Her hair and make-up had been professionally done, and so had her nails. Jane smiled as her eyes stung with welling tears. "So are you Ma."

It took them both several moments to fan away their tears so they wouldn't ruin their make up and swallow the lumps in their throats. "I have some things for you." Angela said as she moved closer to her daughter. "Something old, something new, something barrowed and something blue."

"Something barrowed." Angela said as she pulled a beautiful Rosary with oval hematite beads from a velvet pouch.

"Ma." Jane said, breathless. "That's your Rosary, the one your great-grandfather sent to from Italy for your first communion. It's been blessed by a Pope!"

Angela nodded as she carefully laced the beads around Jane's hand. "Guess we could use it for something old too." She said with a teary chuckle. "I held these during all the big moments of your life, Janie. This time I want you to hold them."

All Jane could do was nod and then throw her arms around her mother in a crushing a hug.

After Angela covered something old and blue they had to wait for the something new. The something new came from Constance who gasped softly as she beamed brightly at the sight of Jane. "You look absolutely stunning my dear." Her soon to be mother in law said before presenting Jane with a beautiful jewelry set of necklace, earrings and bracelet all with small diamonds and done in white gold. The jewelry was in Jane's taste, meaning very simple and tasteful, and the pieces looked amazing on her, but Jane was fairly sure the set cost as much as a new car or small house or something. She thanked Constance with teary eyes and then grumbled at both women about making her all girly and bitched about having to get her make-up touched up.

Down the hall Maura was getting her own gifts. "That was the tie I wore the day I married your mother." Edward said as he watched Maura rub the blue silk handkerchief he'd just given her between her fingers. "Since you're mother is letting you wear her silver south sea pearls I thought this would be some of me you could carry with you."

"It's perfect Dad." Maura said as she wrapped her arms around his neck. When she felt his arms go around her Maura sighed and actually snuggled close. She couldn't remember the last time she'd snuggled close to her father but she was starting to realize she'd missed it.

A new silver charm bracelet with a little silver good luck horse shoe which her aunt said was a British tradition, a bride always carried a hidden horse shoe on her person on her wedding day, her mother's borrowed pearls, her father's blue tie turned hanky, and her something old was the strip of Angela's wedding gown, which had also been used as Jane's little christening hat, and then a hanky for her to carry during first communion, was now wrapped around the stem of Maura's bouquet. Maura was ready, or at least she thought so.

"One last thing." Dorothy said as she fished something out of her pocketbook. "Give me your shoe moppet."

"My shoe?" Maura asked as she looked at her mother questioningly.

Constance laughed. "Just do it darling."

Maura shrugged and handed over her shoe. She watched as her aunt took a sixpence coin and dropped it into her shoe before handing it back. Constance chuckled at the look on her daughter's face.

Dorothy shook her head and chuckle. "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe."

"The horse shoe is for good luck." Constance explained to her daughter. "The sixpence wards off evil. It's silly superstition but tradition nonetheless."

"Lords often gave their brides a sixpence as a wedding gift and it was also used in dowries." Dorothy continued, knowing how much her niece loved little facts like that.

Finally Maura smiled while slipping her shoe back on. "Thank you." She said softly. "For everything."

"You are most welcome my darling." Constance said with a huge beaming smile.

Now all she had to do was wait and as she did so Maura turned to get one last look at herself in the mirror. Her gown was a slim line gown with a dipped neckline and corset closure. It was white Point d'Esprit and embellished lace, hand beaded with Swarovski crystals, a satin bow in silver gray with a brooch at the empire waist, and matching tulle shoulder wrap in the same silver gray as the bow that attached to the satin. It was classic and romantic and Maura looked astonishing in it.

Stepping up behind her daughter Constance couldn't help but smile. Her gown had a vintage look with its luxe taffeta strapless bodice, full-length skirt, and matching jacket in black and mica. The dress helped to accentuate what Maura was wearing perfectly. "I know I should have said this to you more while you were growing up." The elder Isles said as she looked into her daughter's hazel eyes through the mirror. "But I'm going to make up for not saying it then by telling you more now. I love you Maura and I am so proud, so blessed to be your mother."

Maura didn't know what to say. She simply turned and wrapped her arms around her mother and held her just as tightly as Constance was holding her. "I love you too." She finally whispered back. "I'm really glad I got to be your daughter."

"So am I my darling." Constance whispered. "So am I."

As the music began to play everyone in the church, which was done up in whites, creams, grays and silvers, stood and watched as two sets of doors off to the sides were opened. There had been a long debate over who would walk down the aisle first, who would be the one who got to stand at the alter and watch the other come down next, and in the end it was decided that since both Jane and Maura wanted to see the other coming towards them that they would forego the center aisle as an entrance and come into the church from the front side aisles. This way they got to see each other as they walked towards the center aisle and then take the three steps up to the alter together.

As soon as the doors swung open and Jane saw Maura on the other side of the room she gasped and whispered to Frankie, who looked handsome and sharp in his black tux with the tie and vest the same brown from their Ma's dress, "She's so beautiful."

Across the aisle standing in the other set of doors with her father Maura beamed brighter then the sun, moon, and all the stars as she said, "Look at her Dad. Isn't she stunning."

The music played as the brides walked towards each other on the arms of their escorts. It was all either of them could do not to disrupt the flow by stopping to give each other a long, slow, kiss when they finally met at the top of the center aisle. They whispered softly to each other how beautiful they were as they joined their hands and then turned to step up to the alter together.

Father George smiled as he began, "Welcome family and friend to this beautiful celebration of love as we bare witness to the joining of these two women as they pledge their love and lives to each other. Who here gives these women to be married?"

From their places in the front rows Constance and Angela stood and said in unison, "We do."

"Jane and Maura." Father George continued. "Today you are surrounded by your friends and family, all of whom have gathered here to witness your marriage and to share in the joy of this special occasion. Today as you join yourselves in marriage, there is a vast unknown future stretching out before you. The possibilities and potentials of your married life are great; and now falls upon your shoulders the task of choosing your values and making real your dreams. Through your commitment to each other, may you grow and nurture a love that makes both of you better people, a love that continues to give you great joy, and also a passion for living that provides you with energy and patience to face the responsibilities of life."

Both Jane and Maura zoned out on what else was said, some readings that they had each picked, and was solely focused on each other in that moment. As they looked into each other eyes, grasping each other's hands, more was said in that moment then would be said during the whole ceremony. Thiers's was a love built on friendship, respect, desire, two totally different women whose unlikely friendship brought them unconditional love and support, and a light that lead them both out of the dark.

When Jane heard her name she finally stepped out of the bubble she and Maura had been in together and looked at Father George who'd said something about vows. Then she looked back at Maura, taking both of Maura's hands in her own and began, "I Jane, promise you, Maura, that I will be your wife from this day forward, to be faithful and honest in every way, to honor the faith and trust you place in me, to love and respect you in your successes and in your failures, to make you laugh and to be there when you cry, to care for you in sickness and in health, to softly kiss you when you are hurting, and to be your companion and your friend, on this journey that was make together." They'd written the vows together and would say the same thing except for one single line. "I also promise that you will never be or feel alone again."

It took a moment for Maura to recover form how beautiful Jane's words were even though she knew what Jane would say, and especially from her promise that she wouldn't be alone anymore. It didn't help that Jane reached up to brush at the tear on her cheek. Finally after several quiet and meaningful moments Maura said, "I Maura, promise you, Jane, that I will be your wife from this day forward, to be faithful and honest in every way, to honor the faith and trust you place in me, to love and respect you in your successes and in your failures, to make you laugh and to be there when you cry, to care for you in sickness and in health, to softly kiss you when you are hurting, and to be your companion and your friend, on this journey that was make together." She paused, smiled, and then added, "I also promise that I will always have your back."

There were very few dry eyes as Father George asked for the rings, which Tommy walked up to him. Even Korsak and Frost were misty eyed. Father George blessed the rings and then handed Maura's to Jane.

As Jane slipped the platinum band onto Maura's finger she said, "I give you this ring, as I give to you all that I am, and accept from you all that you are."

Maura took Jane's ring from Father George and slipped it onto Jane's finger. "I give you this ring, as I give to you all that I am, and accept from you all that you are."

The ceremony ended with Jane and Maura sharing communion and lighting a unity candle. Then Father George pronounced them married, their kiss made their family and friends cheer, and they were introduced for the first time as Jane and Maura Rizzoli-Isles. The people they loved cheered as they walked down the aisle together, following them with words of congratulations and happy tears. Jane and Maura both gasped in surprise at the sight that greeted them when the doors of the church were opened.

Starting at the top of the stairs going all the way down to the sidewalk were two lines of dress uniformed Boston Police officers from their unit and a few extra forming an honor guard arch. Jane and Maura walked through the tunnel of colleagues and friends who were alternating between saluting and holding up their batons, with beaming smiles and joyous tears.

The reception was at one of Boston's most luxurious hotels with the actual party in the grand ballroom and the cocktail hour in one of the smaller but still stunning party rooms. Both rooms were on the top floor and looked out over Boston, with most of the grand ballroom being nothing but floor to ceiling windows. While their guests gathered for drinks, and after a ton of pictures were taken, Jane and Maura were whisked away by Daniel's assistants to change into their after ceremony dresses, which were shorter, more flowing, perfect for each woman's personal style, and fun, they were true party dresses, but they were still elegant and beautiful. Their make up was touched up and their hair styles let down to match the more playful dresses and once their guests had been moved into the ballroom they met up at the main doors to be introduced. This time when Jane saw Maura, how breathtakingly stunning she was she didn't hesitate in pulling her close and giving her a kiss.

"You're stunning Mrs. Rizzoli." Jane whispered which caused Maura to blush. Oh Jane liked that, she liked making Maura blush like that and she was going to do it as much as possible from now on.

"So are you Mrs. Isles." Maura replied with a smile so bright it put the gleaming lights of Boston to shame.

The ballroom was done up in blues, silvers, golds, and other colors that accented the spectacular backdrop of the city. When the doors opened and they were once again introduced and Jane and Maura Rizzoli-Isles they stepped into the room to the sound of cheering and wolf whistles. They were hugged and kissed by their mothers, Maura's father, Jane's brothers and even Korsak and Frost. Everyone who was close to them, who knew them and loved them, were on cloud nine to see them together like this. They all knew and understood that Jane and Maura could, would, and have gone through all the ups and downs two people can go through and they have and will always come out stronger together for it.

Dinner was had, toasts and speeches made. Jane's making Maura cry and Maura's getting that soft, touching smile Jane only smiled for her. Angela was a blubbering mess by the end of it all. Then Jane and Maura made their way to the dance floor for their first dance, which had been a debate for weeks when it came to which song. The debate came to an end one late night when they'd both been to tired to sleep so that decided to see what was playing on late night cable. They'd come across an old movie and by the end of it they'd both known what song to use. As Jane wrapped her arms around Maura's waist, Maura's arms going around Jane's neck, the live band started playing Everything I Do I Do It For You. In that moment only the two of them existed. As they looked into each other's eyes and moved to the music, the words of the song playing through their minds, everyone around them melted away and it was just them. As the song began to wind down they came back to the present knowing that people would soon be joining them and that made them both smirk because as their song ended the live band let the D.J. take over and suddenly the slow romantic early nineties ballad was replaced by Kelly Clarkson explaining that My World Would Suck Without You.

Jane threw her head back and laughed as romantic first dance waltzing Maura was suddenly replaced with club bopping Maura. The party was on now and went late into the night. When Jane and Maura finally made it up to the honeymoon suite it was well after two a.m. Needless to say they didn't get any sleep before their eleven a.m. flight out of Logan, though they'd spent hours in bed. They would fly into Naples, then up to Rome where Angela and Constance would meet them for a couple of days, and then onto Florence, Tuscany, San Marion and Ravenna, Venice and finally Milan. Just the two of them, for the most part, in a beautiful romantic country with personal meaning, it was the perfect way to start of this new part of their lives.

It was absolute proof that taking a risk on each other was well worth it.

"Jane." Maura said softly as they sat on the plane.

"Hmm?" Jane replied with her eyes closed, her hand laced with her wife's, a small smile on her lips because now Maura was her wife.

"I'm really glad I took a risk on telling you I was in love with you." Maura said with such sincerity it made Jane opened her eyes and look over at her.

Jane sat up and leaned over to kiss Maura softly. "I'm really glad you did too."

The End

Continued in the Squeal:

Well Worth Taken