Jane and Maura looked at each other across the table at the Dirty Robber.
"Rizzoli-Isles?" Jane suggests.
"Isles-Rizzoli?" They both scrunch their noses, unsure how they like either one.
"Do you think we should, one of us take the other's last name?" Jane asks taking a sip of her beer.
"Convention would say that we share one name." Maura trails off thinking. "I don't want you to take this the wrong way but I've been Maura Isles for a long time. It would be strange to be Maura Rizzoli, Dr. Rizzoli. Not bad strange but it might take some time to get used to. I'm open to talking about it. Your family is more my family than my own so having that last name might be appropriate." Maura nods thoughtfully.
It was less than two weeks until their wedding. Most things were all set, planned out –flowers, music, food but there were little loose ends they needed to tie up. Planning had gone well, Maura and Jane had been surprised how what they wanted their wedding to look like was often the same considering how different they were. Certainly concessions on both sides were made but overall they were feeling good.
They just needed to decide on last names, jewelry, Jane's shoes, little details that were driving Jane crazy. How Maura remained so serene and patient and disgustingly happy was a wonder to her.
"You're right. I'm not sure how I feel about Jane Isles, Detective Isles. She rolled it around in her mouth, her head. I don't know. And you are a part of the Rizzoli family, we would be lucky if you took our name, my name…" Jane trails off looking into Maura's bright hazel eyes smiling back at her.
After a moment and a hearty sip of her drink, "Gahh, how in the world can you stay so calm?" Jane asks exasperated.
Maura tilts her head to the side, grins and reaches across the table to hold Jane's hand, rubbing soothing circles along the faded scar.
"To tell you the truth, I have no idea. Normally I would be absolutely crazy but the thing is…I'm sure. Sure about us, doing this, saying yes, getting married so I'm choosing to believe it will all work out." She shrugs.
Maura can see Jane's face and shoulders relax visibly at her words.
Jane sighs, "I know Maura. Thanks for being the voice of reason. I know there was a reason I kept you around." She gave Maura a wink, took another sip of her beer.
Moments later, Maura spots Korsak and Frost coming towards them drinks in their hands.
"Hey guys," Maura says cheerfully as both women scoot over allowing the men to sit.
Frost briskly rubs his hands together enthusiastically, "So how's the wedding planning going?" He says almost too gleefully.
Jane can't help but roll her eyes and Maura can't help but laugh.
"Don't mind Jane, maybe you can help us out with something. We are trying to figure out some last minute things, one of them being what will our last name be? What do you think we should do?"
"You can't just keep your same last names?" Korsak asks.
"We could, I guess we are feeling like a change though, marking this change in our lives." Jane says holding her hands up. "Other ideas?"
"Hyphenated?" Barry offers.
"We thought about that. I guess we like Rizzoli-Isles best if we go that route. But what else?" Maura asks
Frost lets out a laugh and quickly looks down, covering his mouth.
"What?" Three voices demand.
"Well don't hit me but what about Rizzisles or Isloli? Or Risles? You know combine them…" He trails off at the looks on everyone's faces. Both women reach over and swat him. They can't stay stern for long though and soon they all are laughing.
Jane is wiping tears from her eyes, "Seriously, Rizzisles? Just make up a total new name?"
"Alright, alright." Maura waves her hands. "OK, Jane, here's my idea. Let's both change to Rizzoli-Isles officially. At work, professionally we can still be Detective Rizzoli, Doctor Isles if we want but then legally, personally, when we have children we can be Rizzoli-Isles, have the same last names. What do you think?"
"Our kids are gonna have hyphenated pretentious last names?" Jane blurts, a smile hidden in her eyes.
"Well…" Maura stammers, thinking Jane just said 'our kids'.
She only lets Maura open and close her mouth like a fish for a few moments until she saves her.
"Maura, I'm kidding. That sounds good to me. And our kids will be so amazing-they'll be able to pull off the hyphen, no problem."
Maura huffs playfully, "Oh, you're funny. Good thing I already said yes." Maura stands up to lean across the table and kisses Jane square on the mouth. "You said our kids…" she whispers into her lips.
"I know, Maura, I love you." Jane murmurs into Maura's lips.
"Me, too."
They can hear Frost and Korsak making gagging noises but they continue to smile goofily at each other as they both sit down.
"Oh, shut up, you two." Jane mutters.
Maura rubs her hands together mirroring Frost's earlier enthusiasm, "Now about Jane's shoes…and don't roll your eyes at me, Jane."