N: here it is! another chapter, the second to last! Wheee! anyways read on, i will ramble later about things and the future!

One year later – Summer

"Fucking fuck, it's hot out." Tamsin grumbled, throwing her gear into her locker.

I let out a groan of relief as I removed my heavy vest. The cool air hitting the sweat soaked t-shirt underneath. "It is. I don't know how many times I heard it was a record breaking week for high temps." I dug in the small pocket where my trauma plate sat, removing my engagement ring and slid it back on. "I am very glad we have the weekend off. I can spend it sitting in the dark with the AC running on high." I peeled off my sticky shirt and looked over at my best friend struggling with untangling herself from the polyester uniform pants. "You want to do a Scully marathon tonight? Bo is going to be working super late at the DA's office."

Tamsin stumbled and fell into the locker, cursing as she ripped the pants free. "Fucker." She swiped her hair away before looking up at me with flushed cheeks, "I'm always game for our favorite federal agents." She quickly stripped off the rest of her uniform, "Lieutenant skankface stopped me in the hall when we rolled in. She's pressing me to get you to apply for the Sergeant's opening." Tamsin rolled her eyes and sat down on the bench.

I rolled my eyes and reached for the worn Counting Crows shirt hanging up. "I've told her no a hundred times. I'm still learning the ins and outs of being a patrol officer."

Shaking my head at Tamsin's murmured cursing agreement, I set to work on hanging up the rest of my uniform. I had only been on my own as a Boston police officer for the last couple of months, I was nowhere near ready to apply for a position to lead others when I was still learning.

"I told the skankface that. I also told her that you were too busy planning a wedding that is never going to happen." Tamsin stood up, glaring at me. "Are you two ever going to get hitch or is this going to be a fifteen year engagement?"

I sighed, "We're just so busy." I leaned against the locker, "Bo is so busy and stressed out that I don't think throwing a wedding into the mix right now would be good." I scrunched my face up, "I think she's still mad at me for last month's debacle." We had been engaged for just over a year and even though it was discussed, we had no wedding date set and no solid plans to make it official.

"Yeah, well I was pissed at you. You shouldn't have gone in the house alone. I was right behind you." She started to giggle, "But it was funny seeing you fend off a crazy old lady swinging a porcelain cat statue at you."

I ran my fingers along the new scar on the bottom of my chin. Courtesy of said porcelain cat figurine. "I scared her. She did apologize after telling me a lady shouldn't be in such a brutal unladylike profession." I rolled my eyes, looking down at the ring on my finger. "Bo tore me a new one and she had a slip up."

I frowned. Bo had done well throughout the time in the academy and through my training months. She would just cling to me at night when I got home. But after getting cat attacked, Bo lost it on me and she spiraled out of fear. The band aid on my chin reminded her of that frat boy pawing at her that first night she spoke my name again after eight years. I had to hold her for hours as she sobbed and let out all of her new fears. Life was overwhelming her with our new jobs and she was so afraid she would lose me to the job, figuratively and literally. I held her and then sat next to her as I forced a paint brush into her hand and made her paint. After that, Tamsin and I both promised Bo that we would never separate. Tamsin became my forever partner and we both made silent deals we would never talk about our days with Bo.

After that day, I resolved to shove permanent wedding plans to the back burner indefinitely. I knew Bo and I would get married, I just want to make sure it was when we were both completely ready to sit down and plan. Sit through endless rants with her mother and mine picking out arrangements, seating charts and go to a million tastings.

I rubbed my forehead, feeling I desperately needed a long cool shower. "To be honest, I'd marry her tomorrow in the backyard if I could. Just be done with it. Simple and easy. We don't need an extravagant affair." I looked up at Tamsin, "Shit, I'd marry her in this locker-room if I could get a priest in here."

Tamsin scrunched her face up, her deep thinking look plastered all over it. She suddenly snapped her fingers and grinned, "I have a grand fucking idea." She started digging in her duffle bag like a maniac, "So Freddy was going to come over on Saturday to grill up these Omaha steaks his parents sent him." She yanked out her phone and started squinting at it, pounding out text messages. I stared at her in confusion for a few moments until she snapped the phone shut and winked at me. "Saturday is your wedding day. Your mom is getting the word out to the rest of the important crew."

I opened my mouth in shock, "But…what the fuck are you saying?"

Tamsin grabbed my arm, "I was ordained as a minister of the church of southern eastern northern lower Manhattan. I'm a recognized entity of the religious law to perform marriages. "She giggled, "I did it last month when I was hammered with Freddy and we booked that stupid trip to Jamaica."

I stared at her, blinking blankly, "Again, use your words, Tams."

Tamsin slugged me in the arm. "You're getting married on Saturday. I'm performing the service, all we have to do is tell your future wife pants that I'm having a rager of a bbq then make her come over to shut it down. Boom! Surprise wedding!"

I shook my head, rubbing my temples. "Bo won't buy into this. She'll end up killing you."

"Nope. She won't. She's been talking about how she wishes you two could just run away and elope." Tamsin winked at me, "She's been buying my silence with extra jelly doughnuts when I meet her in the coffee shop next to the courthouse."

I glared at her, "Is this why you make me sit in the car down the street while you run and get our daily coffee?"

Tamsin nodded and linked her arm in mine, "Yup. Now let's get home. We have a surprise shotgun wedding to plan."

I groaned, but didn't protest. I actually thought that Tamsin had a great plan and deep down I was getting super excited to finally marry Bo and call her my wife. "Fine. But I'm not going to stop her when she threatens to rip your throat out."

Tamsin giggled and ran out the locker-room.

I couldn't believe I just let my best friend plan my wedding.

Saturday-

I fidgeted in the living room, the music from Tamsin's backyard was loud enough that it half-filled our house with deep bass beats. I kept looking at the clock, Bo was going to be home in a matter of minutes from a long day at court. She sounded exhausted on the phone and told me that she had decided to take the next day off so we could finally spend more than an hour or two together. Alone.

That was what scared me. Bo was adamant she wanted to be alone with me all day. No friends, no family, no anyone but her and I sitting and doing whatever. We had not been able to spend much time alone over the last few weeks due to our ever conflicting schedules. I missed Bo tremendously and it suddenly made me worried that this last minute shotgun wedding was going to bomb hard.

I jammed my hands in the back pockets of my jeans and looked down at the nice white button down I had put on. I was already sweating even though the house was cool as an iceberg. I let out a few shaky breaths when I heard Bo open the door.

"Lauren? Do you hear the noise next door? What the hell is Tamsin doing? Having a goddamn block party?" Bo stepped into the living room and threw her briefcase down on the floor. She looked exhausted but still gorgeous in her pale grey skirt and white sleeveless blouse. "I'm very tempted to go over and tell her to turn the music down before I call the cops." She let out a sigh and went to take of her heels.

I grinned, feeling the butterflies in my stomach flutter like crazy. This was it, I was confident now looking at Bo. I was about to marry her in the next five minutes and I was about to jump out of my skin in excitement. "Bo, we are the cops." I held out my hand to her, "Come, let's go next door and tell her to knock it down to a five. She's having a BBQ, so maybe we can steal a burger or two before we plan out the rest of the night and tomorrow."

Bo looked up at me, studying the stupid grin on my face. "You have that look on your face. What's up Lauren? What did you buy on Ebay now?"

I chuckled, walking closer, "I haven't bought anything yet. But we are going to New York next month to the comic con." I shook my head as my nervousness began forming into rambling. I grabbed Bo's hand, "Let's just go be neighborly before we tell Tamsin to shut the shit down. You can say hi to Freddy."

Bo sighed softly as she took my hand and walked into my arms for a hug, "I do like Freddy. He gets Tamsin to say fuck less." She squeezed me, "I missed you."

I kissed the top of her head, "I missed you too."

Bo leaned back, "Are you sure you're okay? Your heart is racing like you just met Scully." She looked around the house, a playful look on her face. "Is she in here? Is this why you are dressed up nice on a day off?"

I leaned forward and kissed Bo. "She left ten minutes before you got here." I smiled and grabbed Bo's hand. "Let's go. When we come back, I promise you, you'll be glad you went next door."

Bo huffed, "Fine. Only because I love you."

I chuckled and lead Bo to the back door.

The music was blaring and I couldn't help but grin wider the closer we got to the gate. I could hear my mom's unique whistle when I opened the gate. Bo was oblivious behind me, cursing Tamsin under her breath. "Lauren, I swear to god. It's too damn hot and I'm too damn tried to play friendly."

I walked us into the backyard, feeling my eyes well up at the sight of the makeshift altar and all of our family and friends milling around. Tamsin winked at me as she stood under the altar we made out of flowers and strings of light, wearing a tuxedo t-shirt and linen shorts.

"Lauren? Did you hear me?" Bo moved next to me, looking up at me when she noticed the tears in my eyes, "Are you okay?"

I nodded and directed Bo to look around the backyard before looking back at her, "Will you marry me, today?"

Bo slowly scanned around the backyard, her eyes landing on our parents then the whole setup. "What did you do?" The words came out quiet.

I squeezed her hand, "I want to marry you. Right now, right here, Bo." I pointed at Tamsin, "She came up with the idea when I told her I would marry you in the middle of a diner if I could." I looked a stunned Bo, "We can keep waiting and putting it off, planning the perfect wedding and all that comes with it." I looked down at her engagement ring, "But I felt that wasn't us. I felt that our love should always come first and who cares about fancy dresses and cakes, I want to marry you and I want to marry you today." I started to worry that Bo's silence meant I had fucked up big time.

Bo studied my face as tears filled her eyes. She bit her bottom lip as a slow smile crept across her face. She squeezed my hand harder, "Then what are we waiting for." She kissed me before whispering, "Let's go make this official, Mrs. Dennis."

I gave her a dirty look with a smirk, "Let's, Mrs. Lewis."

Bo rolled her eyes, turned and yanked me towards Tamsin, "We'll talk about that later, Mrs. Dennis, but first let's get hitched."

XXXXX

There we stood among our family and friends with Tamsin officiating the ceremony. It was the most bizarre thing ever but I was also in a crumpled suit and standing barefoot in her backyard grinning like an idiot because Lauren and I were actually getting married. It was something I didn't think would ever happen between me working my ass off down at the prosecutor's office and Lauren's shifts at the police department. I was hoping to drag her to the courthouse earlier this week but a case had prevented that from happening. But we were here now and that's all that mattered.

As Tamsin talked I stared into Lauren's eyes. I thought my heart was going to burst from my chest from how much I was feeling in this one moment but then I realized that this was the moment that started my forever with the woman that I loved. We were going to have our ups and downs. Lauren's job would always put the fear of god in me and I was always going to be a functioning nut job that caused her to hover sometimes but we would always be there for each other and love one another until our last breath. Lauren's smile turned into a grinned and she mouthed, "I love you," to me. I gave her hand a light squeeze. I was beyond excited.

"All right so now that I have expressed how happy I am to see these two love birds get married. I think one of them has something to say," Tamsin said as she winked at Lauren.

Crap. Vows. I didn't have anything prepared. I didn't know I was going to be getting married today. I took a deep breath and didn't worry about it. I was just going to let Lauren's words of love and happiness inspire me. Lauren let out a small chuckle then cleared her throat before she said, "I know you don't have any vows prepared and I know this is all a surprise for you but I wanted to let you know how happy I am and how proud I will be to call you my wife." She smiled. "Bo you are an extremely resilient person who has gone through hell followed by more hell and though there was a time where the light at the end of the tunnel was unreachable, you managed to reach it. You came out the end of that stronger, your resiliency reinforced, and your heart was bigger than ever before." My vision began to blur as tears came to my eyes.

"I know you'll say that I had a hand in that but it was all you Bo. You did it all. And to be in love with someone whose strength is so incredible is a beautiful thing and have the honor to stand by your side is something that I will never take for granted. So from this day forward, Ysabeau Dennis, you will be my rock, my partner, and every other cliché thing that signifies that you are my always. I love you and I will never stop loving you."

I wiped at my eyes then I went to go kiss her but Tamsin stuck her hand between our faces. "Nuh-uh. You're not going to jip me from saying 'you may now kiss the bride.' I've been waiting for this for almost ten years." I scowled at her then wiped my eyes. Tamsin cleared her throat. "Now if anyone-"

"Tamsin wait a second," I said interrupting her.

She looked at me with curious eyes. "Are you going to run or something? Because I will tackle you then sit on you until you come back to your senses."

I chuckled and smiled at her then I looked at Lauren. "No I just want to say something."

"Bo you don't-" I pressed a finger to Lauren's lips.

I smiled. "Yes I do have to. I may not have had the time that you've had to prepare something but I think I'll let my heart and mouth go and see what comes out." I lowered my finger form her lips then took a deep breath then said, "I was in the dark for so long. The dark was my everything. It was where I felt safest because I felt that no one would ever be able to love or accept the real me. My parents and Laurel saw glimpses of my real self but they never saw that vulnerable, weak side of me. Then you came back into my life and the second layer of makeshift skin I had created was ripped off of me, exposing every raw and exposed nerve.

I swallowed to moisten my throat so I could continue. "You said that I did all the work in reaching the light at the end of the tunnel but it wasn't just me. It was also you. You were there making sure that when I faltered I was taken care of. You were there being the silent support when I would go into myself. You have never judged me or resented me for not being a whole person and we know that it's not as bad as it was but I'm still not whole but you don't care. You love me as is. It's that love that has given me a place to be vulnerable. A place where I know I can lose it and everything will be okay. A place that if I don't have the strength I know you'll have enough for the both of us." I chuckled a little. "Even after a long seventeen hour shift." Lauren smiled at my mention of the freak out I had after she had gotten hurt on the job. "I love everything that you have done for me and that you want to stand beside me for the rest of our lives. I love you Lauren and there will never be a day where I won't love you."

I smiled as I wiped away a tear that was trailing down her cheek. She sniffed then murmured, "I love you so much Bo."

I grinned and told her, "I know."

She leaned in so that she could kiss me but Tamsin's hand blocked her. She glared at the other woman and Tamsin remarked, "There is pomp and circumstance to this wedding thing." She looked between Lauren and I then asked, "Do either of you have any more words that you would like to say?" We shook our heads. "Okay in that case….it give me, with joy of a thousand what-the-hell-evers , to pronounce you both wife and wife. You two can suck face now."

I met Lauren for what was supposed to be a chaste kiss but as soon as lips met it became a kiss that was so full of love, forever, and hope for what the future was to bring that I never wanted it to end. When the kiss lasted to long we heard someone clear their throat then my dad said, "Bo, pipsqueak this kiss is bordering on inappropriate in front of guest."

I pulled away from Lauren and she muttered, "He's my father-in-law now, can I tell him he can kiss my ass?"

I laughed then gave her a quick kiss before I whispered, "You can go ahead and do that but I would like for you to way a day before you make me a widow."

We shared a laugh then Lauren said, "We have to sign the certificate to make all this official."

As the party to celebrate our marriage started up Lauren and I along with our parents went into the kitchen so we could sign the marriage license. As I signed my name I couldn't stop grinning. It was official. Lauren was my nerd.

After numerous congratulations I was surprised to see Dr. Greenbaum come walking over to me. She gave me a hug then as she pulled away from me she said, "I'm very proud of you Bo."

I chuckled and told her, "Well if it weren't for you and Lauren I probably wouldn't…."

She nodded. "But you did all the work. You fought tooth and nail to be here and look what your hard work has earned you. A wife whom you have a bright future with."

I spotted Lauren talking with Laurel and Michaela who had become something when they both started working for Keating's law firm. Lauren had a radiant smile on her face and I couldn't help but to fall helplessly in love with her. I grinned then looked at Dr. Greenbaum. "I did, didn't I?"

"You did."

I smiled at her then I gave her another hug and whispered, "Thank you Dr. Greenbaum."

"Don't thank me Bo. I just assisted you in helping you navigate things and if you ever need help, you know where to find me."

I nodded as I pulled away from her. "I know. And thank you for coming to the wedding."

She grinned and winked at me. "I wouldn't have missed it for anything." She pointed over to the grill and said, "I think I'll snag me a burger then head out."

I smiled and told her okay. I was headed over to where Lauren was at but then I felt two strong hand land on my shoulders and pull me back. I groaned as my dad wrapped me in a bear hug and lifted me up. "Dad put me down. I'm a grown ass woman."

My dad laughed as he put me down. "I know you are and today proved to me how much you have grown up but you are still my little girl." I turned to look at him and there was a proud smile on his face. "It was a beautiful ceremony Bo. You two looked happier than anything."

I grinned and told him, "Well she makes me happy."

"Well then in that case…" He reached behind his back then presented a white envelope. "You won't be needing this."

I raised an eyebrow. "What is that?"

My dad examined the envelope and said, "Well the parents decided that since we weren't blowing money on an extravagant wedding we had all this money to use. I said we could buy a boat but the moms seemed to think the money still be used for something for you girls despite what I thought.

I folded my arms over my chest and narrowed my eyes at him. "What did you do? I still haven't forgiven you about the engagement ring thing."

He cringed then remarked, "I thought I was being a good dad. Anyways this was money we all had saved up so the money was going to you two anyway. And we got you guys a vacation home down in the islands for a month." I was about to protest but my dad held up his hand. "No arguing. You can use it whenever you want and it doesn't have to be used all at once. No arguing Bo. Now take the present and tell me you like it and that you love me."

I glared at him as I took the envelope from him. "Thank you dad and I love you."

"What no hug?"

I pointed at him and said, "Do not push your luck. Wait until my wife hears about this."

He grinned at me. "You just wanted to say the word wife didn't you?"

I tried not to smile but I ended up failing as a huge one came to my face. "I still don't approve of the present."

He gave me a normal hug and kissed the side of my head then said, "It's okay. I'm proud of you either way Bo-Bo."

I returned the hug and said, "Thanks dad." The hug lingered for a moment then I moved away from him. "Now I'm going to tell Lauren about this."

He chuckled as I started to walk over to where Lauren was. When I was close to her I gave her the envelope. She frowned at it and asked, "What is this?"

I gestured towards the envelope. "Open it and find out."

Lauren opened it then she pulled out the sheet of paper. After she read it she said, "Holy shit. Bo we can't accept this."

I scoffed and told her, "You go tell your father-in-law that. Then our moms and we'll see how far you get."

She scowled and I laughed. I moved closer to her then gave her a quick kiss and said, "I'm glad you understand how futile that will be. Isn't there supposed to be cake at this thing?"

Lauren rolled her eyes and remarked, "You don't want cake. Tamsin got the cake."

I was a little apprehensive as to what kind of cake Tamsin had gotten but I smiled and said, "Come on let's do one cheesy wedding thing."

Lauren blew out a breath and muttered, "Okay but don't say I didn't warn you."

I laughed at her. The cake wasn't going to be that bad and Lauren was being dramatic. I was more excited to get the party over with so that I could spend the night with my wife. I took hold of Lauren's hand and I gave her cheek a kiss then whispered, "I love you."

She smiled at me. "I love you too Bo."

If this was what forever was, then I definitely was a fan of it.

XXXXX

Two months later –

I held up my left hand, staring at the platinum band with a thin line of diamonds in the middle. It fit perfectly with my engagement ring, creating a unique, storytelling dynamic between the two rings. I rotated my hand in the bright sunlight, letting the stones catch the bright Carribean sun. I smiled and dropped my hand down and squinted out into the water in front of me.

The water was a deep pale blue color and whispered against the sandy beach, threatening to come closer to where I was laying. I sat up when I heard a quick splash in the water and caught sight of a brunette beauty walk out of the water and towards me.

Her hair was wet and the sun was reflecting off the water that was running down her tanned skin, only stopping when it met the edges of her bright red bikini. I sucked in a quick breath at the sight and bit my bottom lip, grinning as the brunette made eye contact with me. "A married woman shouldn't be staring like that."

I held up my hand for Bo to take, "She can if the woman she's staring at is her wife, Mrs. Dennis-Lewis." I half rolled my eyes, "You could've kept your last name, I kind of prefer it over the hyphen you seem to be carrying on with." I sighed when her hand met mine and pulled her to sit down next to me.

Bo chuckled, reaching up to brush hair away from my face, "I don't intend to keep it. I told my parents and yours before we left, that I was going to become a Lewis." She kissed me softly, "I wanted to torture you a little longer in revenge for our wedding cake."

I frowned, looking down at her left hand the matching wedding band on her finger. "I didn't know Tamsin was going to get us an alien boob cake for our wedding. I trusted her when she said she knew a good cake person. I just didn't know it would be Tamsin who made our cake."

Bo giggled and leaned back in the sun, giving me an incredible view of my wife's body. "She did make a tasty cake, but I still can't believe she went so far as to make an alien boob cake."

I laid a hand on her thigh, squeezing gently, "Well, she figured putting my two favorite things together would be hilarious. Freddy wants her to open up a cake shop and quit the force." I paused, looking over the woman I married two months ago. "Can you believe that we're married?"

Bo titled her head up towards the sun, "I can, since we're on our honeymoon. Remind me to get gifts tomorrow for the parents. We do owe them for this private island trip. It's so nice to be away from Boston, work, life and everything." She looked over at me, "And to be alone with you for extended periods of time, naked." She grinned at me as I blushed. Bo laid a hand on my cheek, "Why do you still blush like you did when you were sixteen when I compliment you?"

I shrugged, sighing, "Because, whenever you say it, I know it's real and the truth and it makes me love you a million times more." I grabbed her hand and kissed the palm, "Plus I still can't believe the hottest girl in school married me."

Bo rolled her eyes and scooted closer to me, placing her hands on the sides of my face. "I think I'm the one who can't believe the most beautiful woman in the world married me. Found me, fought for me, sticks with me and loves me every day I wake up." She looked down as her eyes glossed over, "In so many ways, I wish I could go back in time and get those eight years back for us."

I shook my head, "I don't. I think we wouldn't appreciate our love if we didn't wait like we did." I grinned at her, "You're the one fight always worth fighting. I love you Ysabeau Lewis."

Bo sniffled and grinned back. "And I love you Lauren Lewis." She leaned forward, kissing me deeply, spurring up a thousand inappropriate thoughts when she whispered, "I'm am, however, incredibly grateful Tamsin packed your bags. This tiny blue bikini is not anything I'd ever imagine you picking out."

I sighed as Bo ran her hands down my sides, sending shivers over my heated skin. "She said it was your wedding present." I kissed my wife again, murmuring, "You can unwrap me tonight, but first we should go enjoy some sights."

Bo smirked, running her eyes up and down, "I am enjoying this site." She winked at me and stood up, pulling me up with her. "Let's go swim and make out in the middle of the ocean. Knock one more thing off my bucket list."

I gave her a strange look, "You have a bucket list?"

She nodded as she dragged me in the sand, "I do. A very dirty bucket list that I intend on fulfilling for the next two weeks of our honeymoon."

I raised my eyebrows, knowing I was in trouble. I smiled and shook my head, "Well, that will make it impossible to tell our children the story about our honeymoon."

Bo shrugged, "We can tell them, we will tell them. Our entire story." She spun around and grabbed both of my hands to look in my eyes. "We can call it How the nerd got the girl, a beautiful love story."

I scowled at my wife before scooping her up and throwing her over my shoulder. "I'm still a nerd, am I?" I smacked Bo's ass as I carried her to the ocean. She giggled and wrapped her arms around me, "Yes you are, my nerd."

I laughed and ran into the ocean, throwing the both of us into the deep blue water, laughing and kissing as we settled into our lives as a married couple.

Looking back, I would change a damn second of what Bo and I had gone through. It gave me the foundation to be able to love a woman like Bo with my entire being and taught her to love herself and allow the love she deserved into her heart.

I grinned as I watch Bo swim away, I was her nerd. Forever and to my last breath.

aren't these two idiots adorable? More To come!