Author's notes: Thank you as always for your wonderful reviews, it's a pleasure hearing from you. And thanks for the follows and favs and for reading. Hopefully you will enjoy this chapter.
Teresa isn't sleeping well, she laid awake on his chest until he moved her over to turn on his side. She'd going through all sorts of scenarios through her head. The best, that it's her imagination playing up on account of her dream, the worst, that she would never be Mrs Patrick Jane, that life's unfair enough to rob him of the happiness he desperately deserve. She feels him stir and his arm wraps around her. She feels his breath on her neck and his voice is sleepy and concerned.
"You're not sleeping. Everything all right?"
She attempts a smile hoping it translates into her voice.
"Everything's fine. It's been a big day."
He snuggles in closer to her.
"Teresa Lisbon, the hardened cop, being kept awake with wedding plans."
"I've not one of those women who have it all planned out, I've never really thought about it before."
"Okay, tell me what you've come up with so far."
Lisbon's mind's racing trying to think back to weddings she's attended, it hasn't many and it's been a long time. What's she seen that she likes? She has nothing. A thought strikes her and she silently sends up thanks.
"To be honest I haven't got very far, I'm stuck on which brother I should have give me away. How do I ask one without offending the others?"
He kisses her on the back of her neck, she shivers and she feels him smile.
"It seems to me that you have three solutions to the problem."
She turns in his arms so she's facing him, triumphant that he's believed her.
"Which are?"
"You can choose the oldest, hard to argue with that logic. It's seems in this day and age anything goes so you could have all three walk you down the aisle, or have none and make the walk by yourself, like the independent woman you are…..oh there is a fourth option…."
"What's that?"
"Tell me what's really keeping you awake?"
Teresa's hope deflates.
"How did you know?"
Patrick raises up on one elbow and looks at her.
"The Teresa Lisbon I know, wouldn't be kept from her beloved sleep with wedding plans. Her first night back in her own bed, she'd be enjoying the best night's sleep since we left. The Teresa Lisbon I know certainly wouldn't be making wedding plans in the middle of the night. Finally the Teresa Lisbon I know is a terrible liar, it's in your voice every time."
"I lie to you and you don't catch it."
"I let you get away with it, but not tonight and I'm not letting you change the subject either."
Patrick studies her face, she settles her features in to a smile and sets her mind the task of not thinking of anything. Patrick enjoys her attempts, but she's obviously worried about something, it's the only thing that would keep her awake, stating it will break down her guard and the rest will follow.
"You're worried about something."
He stares more intently. Lisbon squirms under his gaze trying to keep her mind clear but she knows she's lost.
"You're really worried about something"
He reaches out and moves her hair, for no other reason than to touch her.
"Tell me."
She gives in with a sigh. Her hopes to give him a good night's sleep dashed.
"I think there's something wrong with your heart."
She sees him reel back a little in shock, he obviously had no idea the reason for her worry."
"My heart? What makes you say that?"
"Well, it may not be your heart, I'm no doctor, but there's something wrong. You're breathing's irregular, Looking back I think it was there last night but tonight it's stronger. You need to call Doctor Polly in the morning."
He smiles reassuringly at her.
"I'm sure everything's fine."
"No, remember my dream, you have to call her."
He studies her face once more, she's clearly very worried, he doesn't want to make her worried.
"Okay, I'll call, but I'm sure there's nothing to worry about, I feel fine."
His words bring her relief.
"First thing?"
"First thing, now get some sleep."
Teresa nods. They cuddle together and soon she's asleep, after a while Patrick moves on to his back and stares at the ceiling, listening closely, trying to hear what Teresa hears, he relaxes when everything seems fine. He'll call Doctor Polly anyway as he wants to talk to her.
Doctor Polly made time to see him that afternoon. Patrick gives his name to the receptionist before sitting down next to Teresa. He scans the magazines on the table and with a small smile that Teresa doesn't see, he plucks one from the bottom.
"The receptionist said that the Doctor is running a little behind and that it could be a half hour wait before she sees me. Here's something to help you pass the time."
Teresa holds out her hand and take the magazine.
"Thanks..."
She looks at the title and slaps him on the arm with it.
"I bet you think you're so funny?"
Patrick shrugs feigning innocence.
"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about?"
He picks up a copy of the Reader's Digest.
"I haven't read one of these in ages. If you're not interested in your magazine we can do the word definition quiz together?"
"The word definition quiz."
Patrick rolls his eyes.
"Have you never read this iconic magazine. There are words that you've never heard of before and you get a choice of three definitions to guess which is right."
"And you want me to play it with you?"
Patrick nods.
Teresa pretends to think about it.
"I'll pass, this article here in my magazine sounds much more interesting 'What does the choice of groom say about you' I'm expecting to make the category labeled 'What were you thinking, marry the best man instead."
Just then the call goes up.
"Patrick Jane."