Wedding Day – Evening

Jane couldn't help but notice that Constance looked rather sulky as she stiffly walked to the front of the room, head held high. She knew that she'd gotten the matriarch's blessing, but she didn't know why. For everything in the world, it still looked as though Maura's mother disapproved of this entire endeavour. So why was she here?

Her eyes flicked over to Korsak as he shuffled through the doors – Maura-less – and to a seat near the front. It must have had something to do with Jonathan. It was the only logical conclusion her mind could come to. Of course, logic wasn't exactly her area of expertise; she preferred to leave deductive reasoning to her better half, but she'd picked up a few helpful hints over the years.

Oh yeah. Jonathan definitely did something. The only question was: what?

Her heart skipped a beat inside of her chest before picking up its rhythmic pounding tenfold. The Wedding March's first notes permeated the air and within instants, the atmosphere was charged; electric and energising.

And then there she was: the woman of her dreams, present in her reality, with a dazzling, proud smile and looking as gorgeous as ever. Beside her, a triumphant father escorted her towards Jane, smiling broadly at the gathering of people before them, showing off just the smallest bit.

Jane was sure that her jaw literally dropped open at the pure vision which was slowly stepping toward her in signature high heels. Her own signature Rizzoli smirk was replaced with an impossibly wide grin and a faint blush grazing her cheeks. Her palms felt sweaty and clammy. She barely had enough time to discreetly wipe them on her clothes before offering her hand to Maura and letting Jonathan place the doctor's hand in her own.

He lightly squeezed her arm as he moved away to sit beside his wife. Constance's features had yet to shift from the stony, impassive stare she'd been sporting since she'd waltzed through the door, but a gentle rub of Maura's thumb across the back of Jane's palm immediately drew her eyes to the most entrancing pair of hazel eyes she'd ever come across.

She exhaled deeply as she fixed her make up in the bathroom mirror. There had been one moment during the ceremony when she feared that all of their hard work, all of their relationship would be put on a hiatus for an indeterminable amount of time. But Constance hadn't said a word or made any movement to get up when the official asked if anyone had grounds to object to the matrimony.

Maura had gone off with her father to do her own make up, while Jane had practically forced her Ma to leave her alone for these five blissful minutes of silence. So, it was to her great surprise when someone rapped on the door, not quite quietly enough to ignore, but definitely not loud enough to be any relative of hers.

She opened the door softly, peeking around the edge to see who was disturbing her. Taking a step back with her eyes wide, she allowed the door to fall open and the person on the other side of the door took that as a sign to enter.

Jane wasn't sure if that was good or bad.

"What, uh, what can I help you with Mrs. Isles?" Jane said confidently, regardless of the fact that she was so beyond confused. Shouldn't this woman be attending to her daughter with her husband?

"I find myself in the difficult position of blessing this union while at the same time not being able to completely wrap my head around it." Constance paused, fiddling with her ring. It was such a Maura thing to do and suddenly Jane realised where the doctor had gotten the habit.

It was the question of nature versus nurture, right? So instead of pushing her as she would a suspect she didn't know, she waited. Just as she would for Maura, she gave the woman time to sort out all the thoughts which were no doubt jumbling in her head.

"Tell me again, please. Help me convince myself that this is a good thing, a wonderful thing for my daughter. Tell me she'll be safe and you'll give her everything we couldn't. Show me that love isn't wrong," Constance's eyes burned into Jane's with the intensity of the request.

Almost involuntarily, Jane took a step towards her, her heart filling with happiness because she finally had her answer. Maura had spent years wondering if her mother loved her. Yes, her mother pushing her out of the way of that car was a big hint, but Maura didn't deal in hints. Now she had proof though. All Constance wanted was for her little girl to get what she deserved.

Jane couldn't bring herself to loathe her anymore. She reached out and took those fidgeting fingers in her own before staring earnestly into slightly frightened eyes. "Mrs. Isles, I love your daughter more than anything in the world. I love the way her eyes light up when new shoes arrive on her doorstep. I love the way she talks and walks and lives. I love how she can be so ridiculously sweet and goofy one minute, but then fierce and protective the next. I love how she's complex, how she's not a puzzle that's easily solved and I'm okay with that. I will devote the rest of my life to helping her with the broken pieces, to taking care of her, to protecting her, and to loving her.

"My heart beats faster when she's around and if she's in the room, she's the only person my eyes are on. She makes me feel safe and she gives me a place to call home; a place with her. She loves my scars and my family and God knows that the Rizzolis require the patient of a saint. We make each other better. She smooths out my rough edges and I help her live a little.

"We – we complete each other. Apart, I'm a star and she's a supernova, but together? Together we're unstoppable; we're a brand new galaxy and we're so much more than we were on our own. We make each other happy, Mrs. Isles, and if that is wrong or if that is something other people frown upon, then let them believe that. Because you know what I believe?

"I believe everyone gets one shot at being truly, unequivocally happy in this life. She's my one shot. Even if I could have another, I'd pick her because how could you not? Loving someone is never wrong and her loving me is a miracle. Miracles are to be cherished and I swear to God, that I will cherish her until my dying day and if there's time beyond that, I will cherish her then, too."

As she finished her speech, the tears in her eyes were obvious by the catches in her voice, but she didn't try to hide them. She could see other tears mirrored in the eyes staring at her in wonder and she knew it was okay. Emotions don't make you weak; they make you stronger.

Before she could see it coming, Constance had pulled her into a fierce hug, whispering "Thank you," over and over into her ear. When they pulled away, they smiled at one another, finally both on the same page.

"Congratulations, Detective," Constance said happily.

Jane laughed, "Come on, let's go take you to say that to your daughter." And she opened the door, gesturing Constance out before her.

There was a brief pause and then a soft, "I just did."

Alright guys, I can leave this where it is and label it 'complete' or I could add another chapter, possibly two, concerning the reunion of Maura and her mother. I think it comes to a nice, neat ending here, but it's as much your story as it is mine, so feel free to share your thoughts.