Same disclaimers as always...the characters of R & I are not mine!

Ch 10

From the initial call out on Monday morning until we had made the arrest of two suspects in the wharf murder on Wednesday late, work was a blur. Maura was able to go home at a normal hour and completed all of her last minute details both for the wedding and for the office in preparation for being away for a few days. I had no such luck. I came home as quietly as I could at night and fell into bed with my clothes on after midnight only to get rolling again first thing after 5 or 6 hours of sleep. I was able to see Jackson just a little over those couple of days, and I hated it. It sucked. I know I will have to get used to it, but even when I do, it will still suck…suck big…like the Yankees suck. I don't even want to start with how frustrated I am by not seeing Maura except in passing.

"Jane, you gonna be able to get all of your paperwork done on this bust before the end of the day?" Korsak probed. I think the big teddy bear of a man was just checking on me…Jane, his surrogate daughter not Jane his subordinate detective, "I mean I can help if you need it."

"Thanks, Korsak, but I'll get it. I've got some done already, and it's going fast. I think I'll even be able to finish it before three, so I can maybe slip out and get a little nap before tonight."

"Excellent! If you change your mind or if you see you are getting hung up, just yell. I'll help you."

"Thanks, man." I smile as I get my head back into my paperwork with every intention of putting it behind me as quickly as possible.

Shortly after 3 o'clock I get a text from Jane: Babe got all my ppwrk dn hdng hm to c jack & slp a bit

My reply: gld u r dn x jack 4 me lv u

LOVE u

I complete all of my work that must be filed and processed before I can be out of the office. My staff can handle most anything, but I do have to make certain that some things are done by my hand. The sooner I can leave today the better I will feel. I have two short errands to run before I can go home and get ready for the rehearsal tonight, and I will be gone until next Tuesday from the office. Tomorrow I am going to the spa for a day of pampering before the wedding; Jane is going to a different spa at my encouragement. She needs to be pampered, too, but we decided that spending the day apart would make the ceremony even better. After the wedding and reception for the small group of family and friends who will be in attendance, we will spend Friday thru Monday morning at an exclusive hotel on Nantucket. We considered going to New York, but neither of us wanted to be far from Jackson. The beachfront hotel is lovely, has large sunken bathtubs, fireplaces, and private access to the beach. At this time of year, Jane and I should have much of the area to ourselves. This was exactly what I wanted. After our encounter on Monday evening, I was having a hard time keeping my hands to myself. If our case had not kept Jane out of our bed until she fell exhausted into slumber, my best of plans would have perhaps been tossed aside. It has been a long time…too long. And with the added aphrodisiac of being with Jane for the first time and becoming her wife…well, I am beginning to feel sexually needy…continuously. I will have to be cautious not to wish away the next 24 hours. These will be indelible memories for us to share and ones that I want very much; I do not want to hurry them along just to get to the sex.

I am finished with the tasks that must be done, so I proceed to check things one last time with Senior Criminalist Chang. Feeling certain that all is in place, I shut my office down, grab my things, and head for the elevators. As I shut my door, I pause to look at my nameplate. "Dr. Maura Isles, Chief Medical Examiner". The next time I open this door it will be wrong…I need a new one…"Dr. Maura Rizzoli-Isles, Chief Medical Examiner". With that thought and a smile, I head home.

"Man! That nap did me wonders! I am raring to go! Chop, chop, Maur! We need to be at the Common in 25 minutes." I yell toward our bathroom/closet area while I make sure I look presentable in the full mirror on the back of the bedroom door.

"Jane, I'm ready. No need to yell…" I turn to face my fiancé, and it feels as if I get hit by a two by four to the gut. I'm speechless and out of breath in an instant. She is stunning in a strapless short dress and matching shall…it's a greenish color. I'm sure she'll tell me later exactly what color, but all I know is how great it looks with her hair and skin. "Jane…hello? Do you like it?"

"Uh…Uh…like it? Your dress?" Damn Rizzoli! Shut your trap and stop drooling long enough to talk will ya'? "Absolutely, Maur…I just can't form a complete sentence right now. You are gorgeous…God, I love you, c'mere…" I pull her into my arms and kiss her with all the passion that I can since words are failing me.

"Mmmmm….Jane, we have to go….and I don't want my hair and makeup disturbed before the evening, but hold that thought, sweetheart."
"I've been holding that particular thought since Monday…in 24 hours, I will not be put off, Doc."

With the seductive smile that I am just now learning all about, Maura agrees with me, "you are right about that Detective….you will NOT be put off."

Oh boy….."Let's get little man, and hit it!"

Jackson is the center of attention when we arrive. My parents, Korsak, Frost, Riley, Lieutenant Cavanaugh, three couples who have been lifelong friends to my family and with whom I have worked on various charities since returning to Boston, Uncle Steven and his wife, along with Angela and Frankie are present and cooing over Jack. He looks smartly handsome…well, as smart a month old can look in his baby clothes. He is in a pair of khaki slacks, light blue turtleneck onesie, and a Ralph Lauren yellow sweater vest. He will be disheveled after the first diaper change, but it is worth it to see him now. My sweet boy.

After a few minutes of visiting, Uncle Steven announces "Ladies and gentlemen, if you would all go to your places if you are in the ceremony, please. Jane has informed me she wants to get this 'show' on the road."

"Amen…let's roll!" Jane proclaims to the group.

The rehearsal goes smoothly and doesn't take long at all. Once we are done, the intimate group head to one of the top steak restaurants in the city for dinner. Angela wanted to pay for something, but my parents insisted that they had finances earmarked for my wedding since I was born and they wanted to handle it all. In consultation with Jane, Mother made the reservations and set up the room with the owner. It all looked lovely and tastefully understated with fresh flowers and candles adorning the tables. Soft music serenaded the group of less than 20, as everyone was seated and wine was distributed. With a tone from his wine glass, my Father arose to address the group.

"Everyone…first, let me thank you for attending this dinner in honor of my daughter and her fiancé. You are here because you are important in their lives, and as an often absent parent, I thank each of you for caring for my daughter. She has grown from an amazingly precocious child into an inquisitive teen to a brilliant professional at the top of her field. Since arriving back in Boston five years ago, she has changed so much. We have changed so much; I feel more like a father than perhaps I ever have. Thank you for supporting her and in many cases keeping her safe. She is the light in our life…I sincerely hope she understands that and how much we love her…Maura, congratulations sweetie…you have found someone who loves you without limits, and I have no doubt that your marriage will be long and happy. Motherhood looks wonderful on you…you are a natural…thank you Jane for completing my daughter and for making me a grandfather…let's all raise our glasses…to Maura and Jane…."

"To Maura and Jane!" Everyone said together. The sound of fine crystal tinkling filled the room. Then a subtle roar overtook as guests began to visit.

I leaned into Jane to whisper to her, "I'm sorry Tommy didn't come."

She shook her head quickly, "It's ok, babe…don't worry about it…he will show tomorrow or he won't. I really am not thinking about it…I don't give a rat's ass who shows up tomorrow as long as you do."

I take in the sincerity of her smile and the love in her eyes and see she is being very honest with me. "Ok. Let's enjoy tonight then….I love you, Jane."

"Oh, I love you, M…more than I can say."

The entire evening went without a hitch. Lots of wine and good beer…friends and family sharing stories about me and Maura. We laughed and just had fun. But as parents of young children often have to do, I had to cut it off at 10 p.m. "Folks, I'm sorry to cut out on my own party, but my son needs to hit the hay! He has a big day planned tomorrow, ya' know. Thank you so much for being here and for supporting Maura and me in our marriage. I just want you all to know…I am happy.."

"No shit, Jane….ohhh…sorry, Dr. & Mrs. Isles! I meant…you're kidding, Jane," Frost put his foot in his mouth, but at least he could blame it on the alcohol.

"Good job Barold…seriously, you all know me…I've had some ups and downs and happy isn't a place where I've always been…God, sometimes I didn't even know where it was to visit it!...but with Maura…I don't have to try to be happy…I just am." I raise my last bottle of beer to the group who follow suit, "so one last toast of the evening to my future wife…to Maura…"

"to Maura!"

Maura stood beside me and placed a tender kiss on my lips…for many in the room it was the first time they had seen us kiss. After the initial shock wore off, we got the expected catcalls. It was a great night.

"Night, night precious boy…tomorrow your mama and I will be married. We won't be able to put you to bed for a couple of days, but we love you even when we aren't here. We will be home soon, and if you need us, we will come back…I promise…I love you, Jackson Michael Rizzoli."

"Jackson Michael Rizzoli-Isles soon…" Jane comes in behind me to kiss his little head and hug me.

"yes…soon." I reach back to kiss her. "Good-night, baby." I place him down in his crib and give him a caress as I turn to leave.

"Night, bud. I got your back…always…" She kisses him on the head before she leaves.

"Jane, did your mother calm down about you staying with me tonight and breaking wedding tradition?" Angela was none too happy when she found out Jane intended to sleep with me on the night before the wedding.

"Yea…she didn't like it, but I told her we were not going to be separated from Jackson for another night…that neither of us wanted to leave and miss being close to him right before leaving for a few days," Jane talked as she followed me into our bedroom and shut our door. "She could understand that part, but she fussed anyway."

"Did you tell her I would protect your virtue and would not ravage you tonight?" I smirk up at her as I go in for a hug and quick kiss.

"Hmmm…no I chose to leave that part out…she is probably thinking of us having wild lesbian monkey sex in here…" Jane laughed a little before kissing me with a little more pressure and purpose. "How about we get some sleep after a little making out and be ready for monkey sex tomorrow?"

With another kiss, I take Jane to bed. "Why, Detective…I think that is a sound plan…love me for a little while, Jane." I take one of her hands in mine and place it on my breast as I reach behind her head with the my other to draw her into a deep kiss.

"As you wish, sweetheart…as you wish."

TBC...with a wedding...