4 – My Big Fat Gay Wedding

The doorbell rang and Maura went to answer it, leaving Jane sitting on the couch. Jane picked up the remote and hit pause. The television froze on an image of Ian McShane dressed as a pirate and pointing a cutlass.

"Who was that?" Jane asked when the doctor returned a few minutes later.

"Messenger," Maura said sitting down. She was pulling the zip rip on an oversize cardboard envelope. Inside was a large cream colored envelope with Maura's name written in a fine calligraphic script. The flap was sealed with a blob of wax. "Oh, it's from the Cushings."

"Who?" Jane asked, watching as Maura broke the seal.

The lining of the envelope was made of gold foil. Maura pulled another envelope out. "Old Boston family," she said absently.

"Oh those Cushings," Jane said. "Why haven't we had them over for drinks, dear?"

Maura ignored the sarcasm and pulled a card from the nested envelopes and tissue paper. "Mr. and Mrs. Peter and Abigail Cushing," Maura read, "request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Kaye Winifred Cushing to Kris Minot Eliot."

"Who sends a wedding invitation via messenger?" Jane asked. Maura eyed her for a moment until Jane added, "Oh, right. Nevermind."

"Oh, it's in Provincetown and I can bring someone," Maura said. "Want to go?"

Jane blinked in surprise. "Why me?" she asked.

"Well, I'm not seeing anyone else and I think we'd have fun. Provincetown is lovely this time of year," Maura answered.

Jane frowned. "Aren't you afraid I'll embarrass you in front of all those Brahmins?"

"Of course you will, Jane," Maura said with a smirk. "But I'm used to it by now."

"You're not as funny as you think you are, Dr. Isles," Jane said, wagging a finger.

"I'm funnier than I used to be so I'm well ahead of the game." Maura's eyes gleamed with the mischief that always made Jane warm.

"Whatever," Jane said, playing the game. "So what's your connection to the Cushings anyway?"

"Kaye and I were in the same year at BCU," Maura answered. "She went to Harvard Medical School, but we've kept in touch over the years. Her specialty is pediatrics."

Jane nodded as she absently filed the information away, then she scratched her neck as she thought. "It's a long drive to P-town," she said.

"We can fly," Maura said reading the information that was included with the invitation. "The Cushings are providing shuttle service for their guests."

"I've had enough of private jets to last me for a while," Jane said with a grimace.

"They have secured a helicopter, not a jet," Maura said, still looking at the invitation.

"Helicopter?" Jane asked eagerly. "Okay, I'm in."

Maura glanced up. "That's it?" she asked. "A helicopter ride and you're in?"

"Hey, what can I say," Jane quipped with a shrug. "I'm easy."

"Yes, you are," Maura said blandly and Jane threw a pillow at her.

R&I

If Jane had known the helicopter ride was going to take place at the crack of dawn, she might have reconsidered going, but by the time they took off and headed into the rising sun, all traces of tiredness had fled. She glanced at Maura who was sitting in the seat across from her. The doctor was watching Jane's enjoyment of the ride, an amused smile playing over her lips.

"This is great, Maura," Jane said. "Thanks."

Maura simply nodded and smiled even wider when Jane went back to looking out the window, her neck craning nearly to its extreme as she spotting another boat far below in the bay.

The luxury helicopter was filled with two other couples who were attending the Cushing wedding. Maura vaguely remembered one of the women from college and they chatted during the short flight from Boston to Provincetown. A limo was waiting for them at the airport and the driver dropped Maura and Jane off at the guesthouse they were staying at for the night.

"Wow," Jane said, looking up at the small, two story wooden house. "This is a hotel?"

"Inn," Maura clarified.

The limo driver carried their bags inside and then left to take the other couples to their lodgings. The two women were greeted by the owner who led them upstairs to a bright room with multiple windows that overlooked the garden below. Jane glanced into the bathroom while the owner set their bags down next to the queen sized bed.

"This is lovely, Gary," Maura said.

"Thank you," the grey-haired man said. "There's breakfast set out in the garden or if you want there is a café around the corner. What time do you need to leave for your event?"

"We have to be at the church at three," Maura said.

"I'll have the car ready by two-thirty then," he said and then backed out of the room. "Enjoy your stay, ladies."

Jane used the bathroom while Maura unpacked their overnight bags and carefully laid out their dresses for the wedding, checking each one for wrinkles as she pulled it out of the garment bag.

"Everything okay?" Jane asked, coming out of the bathroom.

"Yes," Maura said.

"Great," Jane said and then paused, her hands stuffed into the back pockets of her jeans. "Um, Maura, it just occurred to me that this room must be costing you a lot. I mean, when I used to come to Provincetown during college, it was always a bunch of us piling into a cheap room to crash for the night after partying. It still cost an arm and a leg. Are you sure I can't chip in?"

Maura looked at her for a long moment and then stepped forward until Jane could feel the warmth that always seemed to radiate from the doctor's body, even in the coldest weather. "Jane," Maura began, putting her hands on Jane's hips. "I would have stayed here regardless. That you're here with me makes it all the more wonderful. I treasure the time we spend together. That means so much more to me than money, Jane."

Jane smiled as she looked deep into Maura's eyes. "You only deserve the best, Maura."

"As long as I have you, then I already have it," Maura said.

Jane took Maura's hand in hers. "Then let's go," she said, pulling her friend to the door. "As magnificent as this room is, it's been a while since I've been to P-town and we've got a few hours to explore."

"Oh, let's hit the art galleries," Maura said as Jane led her from the room.

"Sounds great," Jane said. "And I know a great place for lunch. I'm in the mood for lobster rolls. That all right with you, Dr. Isles?"

"It is indeed, Detective Rizzoli," Maura said, staring into her friend's happy eyes.

R&I

Jane, her eyes hidden behind a pair of mirrored aviators, was leaning back in her chair with her boots propped on the wooden railing in front of her, her long, jean-clad legs crossed comfortably. They were sitting at a small, beachside food dive, the remains of their meal of lobster rolls and French fries littered the table between them. Jane picked up her bottle of ale and drained it as she continued to watch the colorful tourists strolling past.

Maura, dressed in a pleasant sundress, looked lovely with her hair pulled back into a ponytail, a few stray strands shimmering in the light breeze. The doctor was reading from a magazine she had picked up at a newsstand. They had spent the morning hitting several art galleries and antique stores, Maura making several purchases, including an antique brass and wooden umbrella stand she thought Angela would appreciate for the guest house. Jane had simply smiled as she watched Maura blithely make her purchases and shipping arrangements.

"What is it?" Maura asked, realizing that Jane had been staring at her.

Jane shrugged. "Nothing," she answered. "I'm enjoying myself, just you and me with no kids or mothers or, thank god, murders to worry about. It's nice, you know?"

"I do," Maura said, but then glanced at her watch. "However, I'm afraid we really must get back so we have time to get ready. I want us to look our best today."

Jane laughed as she stood up and dropped a few bills from her wallet onto the table. "I can't speak for myself, but you always look good, Maura."

Maura smiled sweetly. "Thank you."

R&I

The wedding ceremony was held at a moderately sized Episcopal church on Commercial Street. As Jane followed Maura up the steps to the lobby, she couldn't help but admire her friend's long legs, the doctor's muscular calves highlighted by a pair of heels so high that Jane herself would never brave.

The lobby was filled with equally fashionable people of all sorts. Jane recognized a few and when Maura went over to speak with someone, Jane walked over to a tall and beautiful woman.

"Good afternoon, Catherine," she said.

The woman turned around and gave Jane a cautious smile. "Jane," she said. "How nice to see you."

Dr. Catherine Cordell was not one of Jane's regular acquaintances, despite the doctor having been married to one of Boston's homicide detectives for several years now. The brilliant trauma surgeon worked as long hours as her husband did and only on occasion joined him for the more formal department functions. Jane also wryly reflected that the memory of her and Catherine's unfortunate shared experience made them both uneasy in each other's presence. Still, Cordell was an exceptionally brave and strong woman Jane could not help but admire.

"Moore's on call this weekend," Jane said, her gaze firm. "So I'm a little surprised to see you here."

"I came by myself," the doctor answered, refusing to flinch under Jane's scrutiny. ""But just for the ceremony. I'm returning to Boston immediately afterward."

Jane simply nodded, knowing it must have taken a lot for Cordell to come here without her husband.

"Jane," the beautiful woman continued. "Thomas told me what happened at the prison. What you did." She paused. "To him." The last was said with bitter rancor in her voice.

Jane stared at the doctor for a few long moments. "Well, it was incredibly stupid of me to get caught by him a third time," she said rubbing her neck sheepishly. She glanced across the room at Maura who had also been caught up in Hoyt's insanity.

"Third time was the charm though," Cordell said softly. "What matters is that you're alive and he's not. So I want to thank you."

"You don't have to do that," Jane said, uneasily.

"Yes, I do," Cordell said with a firm nod. "After all these years, I can finally sleep through the night again."

"Let's just call us even, then, okay?" Jane said.

"All right," the doctor agreed. "Enjoy the wedding, Jane. You and Dr. Isles both look lovely."

"I'll tell her you said that," Jane said, finally giving the other woman a smile. "Take care, Catherine."

Jane watched as the doctor walked into the church.

"Was that Dr. Cordell?" Maura asked, rejoining Jane.

The detective nodded and turned to her friend. She glanced down at Maura's outfit. "Have I told you how beautiful you are today?" she asked.

Maura nodded. "Three times so far," the doctor answered, her smile outshining Jane's. "But I don't mind."

"Good," Jane said and took Maura by the hand to lead her into the church. "Because I just might have to do it several more times before the day is over."

R&I

"Didn't you think that was a beautiful ceremony, Jane?" Maura asked.

The two of them were sitting at one of the many dining tables filling the large tastefully decorated reception hall. The food was excellent and despite having had her fill of lobster rolls earlier that day, Jane was eating heartily.

"Sure," she said after swallowing a bite of her roast beef. "The brides were both lovely."

"You were a lovely bride," Maura said after a few minutes.

Jane snorted. "I looked like a cow in a pantsuit."

"You did not!" Maura admonished.

"How long have you two been married?" the doctor sitting next to Jane asked.

"Oh no," Jane laughed. "We're not married. We've just been friends a long time."

As the dinner concluded and the party moved to the speech portion of the evening, Jane found herself watching Maura. The Medical Examiner's eyes were shining and Jane's eyes lingered on the graceful way Maura's throat rippled when she drank down another toast.

As she was laughing at another joke made by the best man at one of the bride's expense, Maura turned to Jane and caught her staring. "What?" she asked, her voice hitching from the intense expression in Jane's eyes.

"You're glowing," Jane finally said. "You're not pregnant, are you?" Jane narrowed her eyes to let Maura know she was playing.

"No," Maura laughed and shook her head, the long curls of her hair dancing prettily over her shoulders.

"Good," Jane said, taking the doctor's hand in her and lacing their fingers together. "It's just that I don't think I've see you this happy in a long time." It was true, she reflected to herself, at least since Maura finally had the sense to cut Father Asshat out of her life.

Maura squeezed Jane's hand. "It's all because of you, Jane."

Jane smiled at the warm sincerity in her friend's eyes. "Can I have the first dance?" she asked.

"And the last," Maura promised.

R&I

After the wedding and despite the lateness of the hour, Maura was still full of energy and asked Jane to go for a walk with her. Jane immediately agreed and after changing, Jane in jean shorts and a tee shirt and Maura in to a light blouse and pedal pushers, the two made the short walk to the beach where they quickly shed their shoes and headed for where the waves met the surf.

"I've always loved the feel of sand in my toes," Jane said as they started walking along the waterline. In the back of her mind, Jane noted she was holding Maura's hand and it felt like the most natural thing in the world.

"I never was much for the beach," Maura commented, shaking her head.

"You never went as a kid?"

"Oh, I was there all the time during summers," Maura answered. "Our family home in Hyannis has its own private beach, but a beach without people enjoying it always seemed so lonely to me."

"Yeah, I can see that," Jane said, sad for the solitary childhood her friend had. "Private beaches are only fun if you have someone to share them with."

Maura smiled at her through the darkness. "Maybe I'll invite the whole Rizzoli clan over for a clam bake."

"Ma would love that," Jane said.

The two of them continued to stroll down the beach, chatting comfortably about their shared colleagues, friends and family. Finally, a gust of wind lifted the dark hair draped over Jane's neck. Looking up, she saw flashes of light skimming through the bulging clouds moving in. "We should head back," she said. "Storm's moving in."

Maura nodded and the two women quickened their pace. Jane thought they were going to make it, but they were still a quarter mile from the hotel when the heavens opened up and within minutes they were both drenched. By the time they ran through the gate to their guesthouse, they were laughing.

Jane pulled Maura up the porch steps and spun the doctor around as she came to an abrupt stop. Caught off guard by the sudden move, Maura stumbled, but Jane clutched her easily, holding the slightly shorter woman firmly in her arms.

"Are you all right?" Jane asked.

Maura, out of breath more from Jane's proximity than from their race through the rain, nodded.

Jane searched Maura's face as she held her friend. "Maura?" Two syllables, the second raised slightly to turn the word from a name into a query and not simply of a single question, but of many. Lightning flashed overhead and the immediate crash of thunder shook the porch.

"Jane," was Maura's answer to all of the detective's questions. She brushed her hand along Jane's raindrop kissed face.

"Maura," Jane said again and this time it was not a question. She leaned forward. Maura's eyes fluttered shut, but they both froze as the door to the inn opened and the jovial owner of the inn stepped out, carrying two fluffy towels.

"I thought you two might need these," he said.

Jane and Maura looked at each other for another long moment and then Jane reached out for the offered towels.

"Thanks, Gary," she said and handed one to Maura as she stepped away from the doctor.

In their room, they dried off and changed into their sleep clothes. When Jane came out of the bathroom, Maura was standing at the window watching the storm.

"Cold?" Jane asked when Maura shivered.

The doctor turned around and their eyes met. Maura nodded.

"Come on," Jane said and turned off the light. She pulled the covers down and when Maura laid down, she tucked them both in. Scooting close, Jane took Maura into her arms. "Better?" she asked.

"Much," Maura said with a contented sigh. "Good night, Jane."

"Good night," Jane said and listened as the other woman's breathing settled into the regular pattern of sleep.

Jane lay holding the other woman in the darkness as the storm ran its course outside their room.

Sleep for Jane was a long time coming.

R&I

Author's Note: Dr. Catherine Cordell was Hoyt's obsession before Jane. She was the other woman in that basement when Jane was stabbed in the hands and it was her who saved Jane from Hoyt. Prior to that, though, there had been a lot of conflict and jealousy between Jane and Cordell. Strong women characters like Catherine are the main reason I keep reading Gerritsen's books.

By the way, in the books, Hoyt is still alive. When Jane shot him in The Apprentice (pilot ep), she took out his spinal cord leaving him a quadriplegic. Hoyt does nothing except lie in bed and think…about Jane. Interesting tidbit: Gerritsen was planning on killing off Jane, but positive fan feedback changed her mind. I bet the doc is glad she didn't make such a foolish move.