Till Death Do Us Part
Part 19
Rizzoli and Isles is the property of TNT and Tess Gerritson. I am just borrowing them for a little fun. I hope you all enjoy these last few chapters. A couple of things, I have never heard Maura say the name of her adopted father. So I made one up. If you all know tell me when ya review and I will change it.
Please review. I appreciate everyone who has been following the story. I may not be able to respond quickly enough, but I do appreciate you all. We have a few surprises at the reception and the wedding. Not to mention an interesting Epilogue that will surprise a few of you. So keep reading still a few chapters to go.
"Take slow deep breathes." Jane took a deep breath in. She did not feel any pull or pain. "Good, breathe in and out slowly." Dr. Merrick listened as she continued to follow his instructions. He moved the stethoscope around her back and then to the front. Maura waited nervously in the nearby corner chair. Rebecca sat on the couch waiting her turn. Dr. Merrick was thorough to say the least, making Jane do several different moves and positions then checking blood pressure, lung sounds, and heart. Maura had known him since medical school. She knew he wanted a break from the snobs in Boston. So she had called him up and had him flown down for Rebecca's inspection. Rebecca and he had bumped heads at first making the young man think he hadn't gotten the job. He was wrong. Rebecca said she needed someone who stood up to her. She hired him on the spot. He would stay through the wedding and go back to pack up his apartment after to make the move to Texas. He double checked Jane's healing wounds that were fading fast. He looked up at Maura and nodded. "She's all yours. I would suggest a steady, but slow return to activity. I also recommend Jane that you have physical therapy for your arm and leg. But I can declare activity may start fulltime again." He winked toward Maura who was smiling. She came over to Jane and wrapped her in a hug. The relief made her feel almost dizzy over Jane's returning health.
"Thank God!" Jane said as she hugged Maura back. Outside the wedding preparations were going on full bore. Jane's and Maura's family were thoroughly enjoying themselves. Frankie and Jake were out by the corral, Constance and Angela were fussing over the food preparations, and Maura's father was with Korsak after his abrupt arrival from Spain. He and Jane were to have their little talk soon. Jane had a surprise for Maura, one she wasn't sure how she would take, but for good or bad Jane knew it was something she had to do. "Now can I have a beer?" Jane asked Maura. The medical examiner giggled and nodded. Ever since Rebecca and Jane had gotten caught in the backyard Edward and Maura had kept a closer eye on them to make sure there were no sneak a ways.
"Now for you Rebecca." Dr. Merrick said as he turned to look at the woman in question. Maura and Jane went to move out of the room.
"No, stay please. I feel a little more comfortable with you two here." Jane and Maura nodded and moved off to the side. Edward hugged Rebecca and helped her over to the couch. Dr. Merrick began his examination. Rebecca was definitely still suffering a great deal of pain, but she attempted to mask it from the doctor.
"You know Rebecca I can tell you are going to be a tough patient." Dr. Merrick stated as he went through his exam. Merrick was quiet for fifteen minutes making small notations on a chart. "Well, you are healing quickly Rebecca. However, it is going to be another two weeks before you are where Jane is currently." Rebecca nodded accepting the doctor's diagnosis without argument. The usually boisterous and argumentative woman had been overtly quiet since Edward's proposal in the backyard. "But, some mild exercise won't kill you as long as Edward is there to supervise." Dr. Merrick stated the twinkle in his eyes hinting at the deeper meaning.
"Good, now can we get on with the wedding fun? I think we all need it." Rebecca said the gentle sparkle entering her eyes. About that time Jake came running into the house.
"Rebecca, I need Doctor Merrick. It's Frankie." Jane and Maura followed behind Jake and the doctor. Edward walked over to Rebecca and picked her up.
"Uh uh. I will take you out there. But I am sure they will come back in here. So question is do you want to walk holding my arm or me to carry you out to the porch?" Rebecca leaned into Edward's strong chest and inhaled deeply relaxing.
"Let's go to the porch, I got a feeling Jake tried to show Frankie how to ride one of the horses." Edward carried Rebecca out to the porch tucking the blanket around her. Even though it was warm, the cool spring breeze chilled Rebecca easily. Edward and Rebecca watched as Frankie was helped from the rear of the barn to the porch by Dr. Merrick and Jake. Jane was chuckling and Maura was scolding her for not having any sympathy. Frankie did not sit upon arrival.
"So, what happened?" Rebecca asked as Frankie looked away embarrassed. Jane, however, got a kick out of her brother's predicament.
"Seems Frankie got thrown off one of the horses and ended up landing in that cactus next to the barn Rebecca." Jane chortled and slapped Frankie on the back. This caused Frankie to grimace and shoot a look toward Jane. Rebecca winced as did Edward. Cacti were nasty and painful.
"Come on Frankie, we will lay ya on the table in the back bedroom and start pulling out the thorns." Dr. Merrick said shaking his head. "We want you to be able to enjoy the wedding festivities tonight." Rebecca shook her head as Frankie was helped inside.
"Jane, that's cruel. Hopefully, his jeans kept the majority out." Rebecca replied. Maria brought lunch out and the couples were soon joined by Constance and Angela. Sandwiches made up from egg salad, tuna salad, and cheese pimento, a Texas favorite. There were cut vegetables and dips, fruit, and mini brownies. The latter of which Jane tried for and got her hand slapped by Maura.
"Nope, not until you have a couple of sandwiches and vegetables." Jane made a puppy dog face at Maura causing the woman to cave in on one brownie. Constance and Angela broke out laughing. Even Rebecca found the interaction amusing. Jane looked over at Rebecca slapping the quilt gently.
"Cruel? You call me cruel? Oh that's rich. This from the woman who decided to shove me into a bramble bush when we were playing football with the crew in the park. If I remember correctly you said all was fare when going for the goal!" Jane took a bite of her egg salad sandwich. Maura was relieved about the light fare, though she was sure Jane and she would burn off any extra calories. The rehearsal was tonight out by the grotto. Maria had planned a Mexican dinner spread. Then tomorrow would be wedding and reception with a Texas BBQ. Doctor Isles approached sitting down with the ladies and grabbed a sandwich. Maura looked up at her father seeing the sparkle in his eyes. She could tell he liked Jane. The conversation drifted to other things as Dr. Isles motioned Jane to walk with him. Maura was preoccupied with her mother and followed Dr. Isles around the corner of porch area.
"I should be mad at you for not coming to me first and asking for her hand." Dr. Isles said. He noticed Jane about to argue and held up a hand to stop the detective. "But then I probably don't have much right to tell Maura what she can and cannot do. I haven't exactly been the best father. I'm happy she is giving her mother a second chance. I'm happy she found you Jane." Jane stood there for long moments taking the measure of the man she hadn't seen much of in the past. In fact, Jane was pretty sure she knew Constance better than she ever knew William Isles.
"She loves you deeply and has only ever wanted your approval. She needs to hear it from you. She needs to know why you took a back seat to loving her all those years after you adopted her." Jane said, staunchly defending and standing up for her fiancé. "I'm not sure how you could freeze her out and let your work become your life. She is an amazing woman. She has an innate curiosity and childlike innocence that drew me to her at first." Jane chuckled a little remembering Maura and her first conversations. "She has a deep appreciation for the human ability to create and innovate. She has seen the dark side of humanity, yet she doesn't let the dark side ruin her life; instead she speaks out giving victims a voice and families closer. I feel sad for you because you have missed an opportunity in your life to see all that and more. So yes, I will ask for her hand in marriage from you out of respect. However, I believe it was never yours to give since you spurned the gift you were given." William Isles looked at Jane his face a mixture of pain, sadness, and anger. Who was this woman to tell him what he had done in Maura's life had been wrong? God, he had only been trying to make a better life for her, provide for her. "You know, while you are making all those excuses up in your mind about how I am not worthy of telling you your place I want to remind you of one thing. You have been conspicuously absent for the last three years except for three visits. All of which you made Maura come to you. Never once did you come to her." Jane's face was filled with anger she was attempting to hold in check. When she had called Constance out for the neglect of her friend she had been a little more kind seeing the regret in her face, but William wanted to be free of guilt and Jane would be damned if she would let him off easily, even for her lover.
"You know detective I have friends in high places who could have you broke to nothing. For good or bad, though, you have stood by, protected, cared, and befriended my daughter. You have loved her honorably and admirably. So you may have her hand with my blessing for what it's worth." William held out his hand for Jane to take. Just around the corner Constance held Maura in check as both watched out of view.
"I will not accept it until you tell Maura you are sorry. Until you tell me you are sorry for the harm you caused out of your lack of compassion and ignorance to my friend." William cleared his throat and turned looking off into the distance. The man's squared shoulders seem to sag inward as he nodded to some decision he had made. He turned back to face Jane. "I'm sorry Jane for hurting Maura. I have been every day of her life. I promise to try and make things right between us." Jane stepped close to the man taking his hand.
"Don't promise, just do!" Maura stepped around the corner of the porch with her mother then
"Daddy? Is everything okay?" Jane looked at William never letting his eyes go. William took a deep breath in and then turned, releasing the detective's hand.
"Yes, baby. Come here and let me see you." William held out his arms as Maura walked over and hugged him. Jane smiled at them and moved to join the others on the porch. As she passed Constance, the older woman stopped her briefly.
"You are a force to be reckoned with Jane Rizzoli. I never thought I would see William cave in to anyone. It's nice to know Maura has such a strong defender." Jane leaned over and kissed Constance on the cheek.
"She has more than one Constance. She has more than one." Jane then walked back to where Angela was regaling Rebecca with tales of Tommy and Frankie. Edward had gone to help in the backyard.
"Mom, can you help me get Rebecca inside for a nap. I am thinking she will need one if she is going to stay up tonight." Angela smiled.
"Oh where are my manners. Of course Jane." Angela and Jane helped Rebecca rise picking up the quilt and bring it into the house. Maria had already turned down the bed in Rebecca's room. Angela and Jane helped tuck her in snug as a bug in a rug. Well, Angela did for the most part. "Thank you for saving my little girl. Thank you for giving her this wedding." Angela kissed Rebecca's cheek.
"Anytime, Anywhere, Anyplace Ms. Rizzoli you call after this is over if you need help with Jane." Rebecca's eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Yeah, yeah…alright. Mom, don't you have something to do?" Angela kissed her daughter on the forehead and left the bedroom. "You know she will take you up on that offer." Rebecca just nodded. Jane played with the edge of the quilt they had settled over Rebecca. "You know I was unfair to you when I first got here. I said some things I shouldn't have said." Jane turned and looked at Rebecca seeing the pain, exhaustion, but deep amusement sparkling in her eyes. "I was wrong. You came here to rebuild your life. It is full of life and vibrant. It is also peaceful." Jane looked away and felt Rebecca grab her hand.
"I remember the anger Jane. I remember the nights feeling lost and lashing out at you. Stalwart and true were the words that came to me after you left me here with my father. You found a place in my heart that Wendy once occupied, but I knew it would always be friendship. I figured out pretty quickly that if I ever let love back inside it would be my undoing." Rebecca dropped Jane's hand and looked out the nearby window. "At least that's what I thought. I was wrong. Just as you were. All is forgiven."
"Will you tell me something then? Truthfully?" Jane asked earnestly. Rebecca knew she was going to regret agreeing, but she couldn't say no to her friend. Rebecca nodded. "What is wrong? I can tell something is wrong still. You have agreed to marry Edward. I know he loves you and you love him. But something is wrong. I can tell."
"Don't Jane. Just leave it." Rebecca's voice was a whisper.
"You know me better than that. You may have fooled everyone, but you cannot fool me. What is it? What am I seeing?" Rebecca turned away, but Jane was having none of it. She gently grabbed Rebecca's face and turned it back. It only took Jane a moment looking into the young woman's eyes to guess. "You are afraid, but why?"
"God, how can you ask that?" Rebecca jerked her face from Jane's hand and attempted to move away. This only caused her to increase her pain, though not emotionally. Jane grabbed her arms and helped her settle. "I've lost so much in this life Jane. I'm scared to ask for or accept anything of real value. I don't think I could handle it being taken away." Jane sat thinking. It made perfect sense. Rebecca was a risk taker with her assets, land, and money because she really didn't care if she lost them. People, however, were another thing. She had lost Wendy and her father. So she had retreated behind the business woman persona. It was why in the hospital she had shoved Jane out of the way and taken the bullet meant for the detective.
"You can't live like that Rebecca. Pain is a part of our lives." Rebecca turned on Jane again.
"Really? I seem to remember a few weeks ago friend you asking to be dead because you thought Maura was dead. Where was your desire for life then?" Jane sighed and shook her head.
"Probably where my head was up my ass." Rebecca looked at Jane for a moment and then laughed. "I'm sorry Rebecca I have been a royal pain in the butt." The young rancher just shook her head wondering why she kept being pushed into trying again and again. Maybe because deep down inside she wasn't a quitter.
"God Dammit Jane I think you just get a perverse sense of pleasure out of torturing me sadistically emotionally. Why is it you're the only one who can do this to me?" Rebecca wiped away the tears that were falling angry at her emotional weakness. "Alright you win."
"Because you're my friend." Jane pulled her into a hug. "You need rest, get some sleep."
"You too, I know you're tired." Jane nodded and left the room as she listened to her friend grumble. "Pain in the ass Italian detective who thinks she knows everything." Jane called back to her friend.
"I do!" Jane responded as she heard the sound of a pillow hitting the door and laughed.
Out on the porch Maura sat in shock as she had replayed her father's apology. Never once in her life had she seen the man break down or cry. Today she had and it had shaken her little world. She also knew it was because of her lover and best friend.
"Daddy what's wrong? Did Jane say something?" William pulled out of the hug he had given his daughter and walked over to the chairs nearby. He helped her sit down and then pulled the other in front of her and sat heavily into it. He reached forward taking Maura's hands suddenly realizing as he looked at them how much of her life he had missed out on. They were strong hands, lithe, agile, but womanly. God, if he could only go back and make things right. He couldn't, so he had to take the time he had left on this earth and fix the things he had done wrong from this point on. He looked into his daughter's eyes seeing confusion, pain, and held in check anger.
"I haven't done right by you. I pushed you off to the side thinking that by providing you a home, education, and wealth I could fix everything in your life. Jane reminded me that family is about being there, enjoying the day to day, and creating memories. The latter of which I seem to have very few of beyond graduations and such." William's head dropped and he sighed deeply. "I know I haven't been a very good father Maura. I would like to try and start anew with you, if you're willing to let me back into your life." Maura was shocked beyond belief. How Jane had maneuvered her father into apologizing she would never know. She couldn't believe all the changes that came to her life since meeting this woman. She had sought out Maura's deepest pains in such a gentle manner and then stood at the precipice defending and making others make amends.
"No, I want you in my life. Daddy, I've missed you so much." William pulled his daughter into a hug. Maura was flooded with memories from when she was three sitting in her father's lap as he read the Iliad to her. The smell of his aftershave and old parchment wrapping around her as his strong arm kept her safe and protected. "We need to talk after the wedding. I need some answers from you for questions I have had for a long time." She felt him nod and squeeze her tighter. Another little piece of her life fit back into place. Gently he pulled back and looked her in the eyes.
"I know it would be very presumptuous of me to ask, but can I have the pleasure of giving you away to Detective Jane Rizzoli tomorrow? I know I have no right. In fact, Korsak probably has more right than I do? But I would be honored if you allowed me to give you away." Tears welled up into Maura's eyes as all she could do was nod. "I'm sorry baby. I am so sorry I have been a bad father." Father and daughter cried together on the porch.
Maura came back to reality as the cool spring breeze played with the errant hair around her shoulders. She needed to find Jane. She got up out of the chair and slipped inside the house. Maria was in the kitchen with two other helpers getting the food for tonight ready. The aroma's drifting out of the kitchen were unbelievable. She moved down the hallway which had been remodeled while Jane and Rebecca had been in the hospital to her and Jane's room. She found the detective asleep on the bed a soft smile covering her face gentle twitches letting Maura know the detective was dreaming. Maura removed her shoes and carefully slipped into the bed next to Jane. Softly she feathered kisses across Jane's brow. Jane responded to her lover even in her sleep turning her head and finding Maura's lips. The kiss was slow and caring, but soon deepened. Jane woke to her lover spread across her body. Maura's warm lips pulling her from the comfortable haze she had drifted in for so long. She gently pulled out of the kiss humming her approval.
"Too what do I owe this enjoyable wake up?" Jane asked her voice hoarse with sleep. Maura just kissed her deeply again straddling the woman she loved. She pinned Jane's arms to her sides and began her interrogation.
"You spoke to my father?" Maura asked softly. Jane was wide awake now that her lover was straddled on top. She gazed up into Maura's eyes and nodded. "I heard you Jane. So did mother." Maura leaned down laying a sizzling kiss on the detective. Jane moaned deeply. Maura pulled back again. "No one…absolutely no one has ever defended or fought for me against my father." Maura leaned down kissing Jane along her jawline to the pulse point on her neck. She firmly bit down causing Jane to moan loudly and buck her hips. The ME pulled back once more the fire in her eyes causing Jane to shiver in excitement. "Why me detective? What do you find so amazing about me?" Maura continued her assault nipping along Jane's collar bone. She moved Jane's right hand into her left hand to be held with the other. She then ran her hand down Jane's side deftly removing the shirt from that side. She repeated the action for the other side switching hands. Jane's body was on fire as she writhed beneath Maura.
"Why not you? Maura, your…beautiful…wild." A gasp elicited from Jane as Maura grabbed her breast. Jane's hands were released and she rose grabbing Maura around the waist. Her hands rose removing the ME's shirt even as Maura released the bra from around her breasts. Jane grabbed Maura's nipple in her lips as the ME's bra fell away tweaking it with her lips and pulling it hard. The ME gasped pressing Jane tighter to her. Jane released the nipple pulling Maura's lips to hers. "You're my everything. How could I not be there for you?" Jane crashed her lips against the ME's. "No more talk Maura." The couple fell back into the bed taking and giving of each other filling the cuts and holes that had developed from their recent adventures. Jane held nothing back opening herself for Maura completely. It was like Maura couldn't get enough of Jane. Likewise Maura released the pain of years of isolation coming hard for the only woman, the only person who had sought to extinguish the desolation and pain. Fire and Ice wrapped up in two people shared back and forth. Hurt, pain, and anger didn't stand a chance against the raging passion that took the couple. Orgasm after orgasm shared as gifts of their love
Hours later the two lay in bed together naked and satiated. The sun had begun to move toward the horizon. A knock on the door caused Jane to throw the blanket over Maura and herself. Rebecca stepped inside as Edward held back in the hallway. The smirk on her friends face made Jane hide under the covers.
"It's time to head out. I hope you two are ready for a short ride and a party. Seems you have already had your own party!" Jane blushed even as Maura chuckled next to her. "Oh, Jane you can thank me now. Your mother was coming to get you when I intercepted her." Jane groaned.
"Thank you Rebecca. We will be right out." Rebecca nodded. She turned and Jane heard Edward mumble to Rebecca.
"I hope Maura didn't make her bow legged for the next two days." Rebecca laughed.
"Are you kidding, they are both going to be bow legged after that fiery session." Both women in the room melted below the covers.
"Jane, make sure we find someplace away from everyone next time." Maura whispered. Jane shook her head no.
"I want everyone to know you're mine and I'm yours. I love you Maura Isles." Jane kissed Maura and hopped out of bed. "Time to go."
Maura watched as Jane searched out clothes for the evening for both of them. She sent a quiet thank you to whoever had been looking out for her over the years and for her future. Maura rose eager to face that future with Jane.
TBC