Chapter 13

Thanks for the reviews, follows, and favorites. I really appreciate it. I had such a fun time planning a baby shower for fictional characters. This chapter has a lot of past characters. I apologize for the delay in this chapter, I've been traveling.

Disclaimer: Don't Own anything

The next week Lisbon invited Alex over for dinner that Jane would prepare for the girls. Lisbon had gotten to know Alex and enjoyed the company. She felt good being a friend to this girl who really had nobody there for her. They enjoyed talking about Chicago and places they knew there. She wasn't spending time with Alex because she wanted to take her in, that wasn't it. Her reasoning was because she wanted to be a friend to a girl in need. Like Jane had mentioned, she was able to help someone without being in danger. It made her feel good that there were other options. Brenda, Alex's social worker, gave her a brochure about the mentor program. She had other children doing that with people. It was to give children opportunities and encourage in their in their lives, they would never have in their home life or a situation in a home. It was a way to help the children without having to foster or adopt and didn't require as much responsibility. That sounded more of something she and Jane could do. He liked the idea. At first, she was nervous about Jane being reminded of Charlotte, since Alex was blonde, but Jane mentioned he was fine. He wanted to do it and be involved. He could still help people as well without going to the office.

Jane was basically done with the cabin with the exception of the electrical work and plumbing Jimmy called her said he would help on the cabin during the week of the party. She wondered about the party. She didn't know who would come to a baby shower, but Annie and Wylie were determined to plan it and invite their friends and family especially the majority of them were faraway.

She picked up Alex, and came to her house. She was planning to put her house on sale soon. She was going to keep some of the furniture and Jane planned to hire a moving truck. She was looking forward to moving in the house Jane had built for them. It had come such a long way since the day he showed it to her.

"How have you been?" Lisbon asked going to the door and opened it leading them to the dining room. Lisbon could smell the food cooking in the kitchen that Jane was busy preparing dinner. Jane was insistent that she invite Alex over dinner because he wanted to get to know her more too.

"Good. The baby's kicking a lot." Alex admitted smiling and placing her hand on her belly.

"Mine too." Lisbon smiled.

"Oh, guess what, Teresa!" Alex excitedly said following her.

"What?" Lisbon questioned leading her.

"Brenda told me she got a foster home for me here in Austin." Alex admitted.

"That's great, Alex." Lisbon exclaimed. She was happy for the girl of getting a family that would take her.

"She said you could still see me. She explained to the family. I told her you're still my friend." Alex said smiling.

"I'm glad we still get to see you." Lisbon stated. "Patrick, we're here!" Lisbon called out. She wondered what Jane planned. She hadn't heard, but it smelled great as always.

Later after the dinner of spaghetti and meatballs, all three of them went to the living room, Jane and Lisbon sat together on the couch and Alex sat on the easy chair. Jane had brought his playing cards and showed Alex a couple of tricks with the cards and coins. That was always a hit with their new guests when they came over. Lisbon saw the surprise in Alex's eyes when he did them.

"How'd you do that?" Alex asked surprised.

"A good magician never tells his secrets." Jane grinned.

"So, you've been a magician?" Alex asked.

"These are tricks I learned from growing up in the carnival." Jane admitted putting the coin in his pocket.

"You grew up in the carnival? That's different." Alex asked. "With elephants, tigers, lions?"

"Yes, I did. We had elephants, but not tigers and lions. Those were more for the circus. I played in a show my dad had me to do." Jane admitted.

"Like a psychic show. How you read me at the clinic seemed psychic." Alex remembered.

"Yes, exactly but I'm not a psychic. There's no such thing. I just pretended to be one at the show. I was the Boy Wonder." Jane explained, then turned to Lisbon. "Of course, Teresa knows how wonderful I am." Jane flirted to Lisbon.

"Don't be too sure of yourself." Lisbon responded sarcastically. Alex grinned at their exchange.

"What did you do in your show?" Alex asked.

"I read minds, supposedly talked to dead people. Of course I read people. That's what I did for a while." Jane admitted but avoiding the topic of why he stopped.

"He's read my mind." Lisbon admitted remembering the first day he read her mind. "A while ago."

"And you blushed." Jane grinned knowing the day she was remembering.

"I didn't blush. That was when I still unsure of you." Lisbon denied.

"Yes, you did. Rigsby saw you blush. He was a friend of ours we worked with in California." Jane explained. "I saw it. You just couldn't resist my charm even then." Lisbon immediately blushed. "You're doing it now." He noticed her red cheeks.

"You two are so adorbable." Alex noticed them.

"I'm going to the restroom. I can't believe how much I have to go." Lisbon got up and headed towards the bathroom.

Jane did his mind reading trick with Alex and she was impressed. "That' s cool."

"I spent some time in a home when I was young." Jane admitted. He might as well tell the girl that he related to her that way. It was not an enjoyable experience. He remembered being sent to the Carson Springs Child Protective Services. He was around 12 years old and his father had just come home drunk. He normally didn't abuse him physically, but mentally when he didn't want to do something with the show and yelled at home. It was the night when he had to lie to the sick girl and her grandmother with cancer. After yelling a while, his dad finally hit him. Apparently somone outside of the carnival heard and called social services about a kid being abused. Carnies would never have called social services.

"Really?" Alex asked surprised.

"Child Protective Services didn't exactly think a carnival was a great place for a kid to grow up in. Not that a home like that is a great place. I was actually safer in the carnival." Jane said. Alex shook her head in agreement. "Also my dad wasn't the greatest dad either. His name was Alex, not that I'm basing the name as bad. You're good." Jane clarified.

"I know. I'm in the home because I have no place to go. My parents were killed. I have no choice. For a while ever since I found out about the baby, foster parents wouldn't take me. But luckily, Brenda has found a family. They still live in Austin."
"That's great news."Jane said.

Later on, Jane decided to to clean up the kitchen and do the dishes. Lisbon decided to talk to Alex some more. She hadn't asked Alex what was going to happen with her baby. She didn't want to intrude on that type of thing, but Lisbon wondered about it.

"How's your baby?" Lisbon asked Alex.

"Last appointment, the doctor said it's fine. You remember the day we met I was finding out what the baby is, do you want me to tell you?"

"That's good. You can tell me if you want." Lisbon responded.

"I'm having a boy. You still don't know yet?" Alex asked.

"No, not officially, but Patrick thinks we're having a girl. I told him we could find out for sure, but he still wants to wait. If you don't mind me asking, what's going to be your decision about the baby?"

"The foster parents is willing to take on me and the baby. I'm keeping him. I know it'll be hard. I'm going to take baby care classes soon this month and next month. I don't want to be the one to regret giving the baby up." Lisbon said.

"You should remember to be a teenager. I wasn't able to do that. I had to take care of my brothers." Lisbon reminded.

"I know, I had a boyfriend in Chicago, that's how I got in this mess in the first place." Alex admitted.

"Speaking of classes, I'm nervous how I'm going to do. Patrick has experience with children." Lisbon admitted. She was nervous about being a mother.

"He has a child?" Alex asked.

"No, he had one. You see his wife and daughter were murdered a long time ago. That's really how we met. I was leader of the team involved with finding their killer. He killed many others too. Patrick came one day and then went on a case and showed his skills and we hired him as consultant."

"That's terrible." Alex said.

A couple of weeks later close to the day of the party, there was a knock on the door to her house. Lisbon answered the door which revealed Annie Lisbon, her niece.

"Annie, this is a surprise. I thought you weren't able to come back for a while?" Lisbon questioned still surprised to see her niece.

"And miss the party? I couldn't miss the party I've been planning for months." Annie stated excitedly. "Your baby is really growing." Annie noticed Lisbon's grown baby bump.

"Yes. Is your dad coming?" Lisbon asked.

"I don't know. I sent an invitation to him. I haven't heard. I have to meet Jason to decorate at the venue in a few minutes." Annie described.

"Where exactly is that?" Lisbon wondered where she and Jane were supposed to go for the baby shower.

"Oh, yes." Annie shifted through her purse and finally pulled out a card that looked to be an invitation with a Fiesta themed background. "Here, this has all the details on it."

Practical Parent Party

Honoring Parents to Be

Teresa and Patrick Jane

Welcoming Baby Jane

6:00P.M

The Harvest Room

Austin, TX 78746

"Practical Parent Party?" Lisbon questioned with a confused look. "You're not calling it a shower."

"Jason and I decided shower was going to be too feminine, since we want to have you and uncle Patrick involved and you have a lot of friends who are guys." Annie explained.

"Hey, Annie" Jane said coming out as well.

Annie left soon after surprising Lisbon and Jane. She was going to prepare for the party. Lisbon and Jane arrived at the location where Annie and Wylie decorated in bright colors. Right away a small table with a guest book was set up so guests would sign in and little pieces of paper for guests to write parenting tips for the new parents. Several tables were also set up with aqua tablecloths and a large buffet table was with a similar tablecloth.

"There you are, our guests of honor." Annie exclaimed as soon as she saw Jane and Lisbon.

"Annie, you really out did yourself." Jane noted.

"Jason said you liked Mexican so we set up a taco bar as the main meal." Annie explained pointing to a long buffet table. "Over there is a gift table." She pointed to another table already with a few wrapped packages on the table.

"Am I supposed to open gifts in front of everyone?" Lisbon questioned worriedly.

"It's your choice, Aunt Teresa." Annie said.

"You are the guest of honor, my dear." Jane grinned.

"You are too, Uncle Patrick." We're having this party for both of you." Annie stated. "Also we are having guests fill out parenting advice as they come in."

Guests arrived who included Sam and Pete Barsocky, Stan Lisbon and his family, Grace and Wayne Rigsby and their kids, Tommy and Jimmy. Lisbon was surprised everyone showed up and traveled to Austin.

Lisbon noticed that Alex showed up after several guests came. "Alex, it's a surprise to see you."

"Yes, I called your phone earlier and Patrick answered and said you were having your baby shower today and he gave me the address. My foster parents gave me a ride here. They thought I should go and I wanted to." Alex admitted smiling. Lisbon decided to introduce her to Annie since they were close to the same age. "Alex, this is my niece, Annie."

"Hi, how are you doing?" It's good to meet you. My aunt mentioned you and said you've been a good friend to her." Annie said.

"Good, you arranged this for your aunt?" Alex asked.

"Yep, and so did Jason Wylie, my aunt's coworker and friend. I live in Chicago going to collge." Annie said.

"I met your aunt at the clinic, she and her husband Patrick have been friends to me. I used to live in Chicago, but they sent me to a group home here in Austin, but now I have family." Alex explained.

Lisbon watched Alex and Annie talk about Chicago, movies, and school and various other topics. It was nice to see them talk. Alex went to live with JoAnne and Max DeWinter. They were a nice couple in their fifties who had lost their teenage daughter to a car accident a couple years before. They had decided to turn to being foster parents to help another girl who needed a family. When they were introduced to Alex, they decided they would take her because she was the same age of their daughter who died. They didn't mind the fact that Alex was pregnant. They wanted to help her out the best they could. Alex introduced Lisbon to them a couple days later.

"Ladies and gentlemen, before we get started , we would like the guests of honor to go first, my aunt and uncle." Annie announced after guests arrived and were ready for the meal.

Lisbon blushed at being the center of attention again. She hadn't been that thrilled with having a large party but Annie insisted. She did liked seeing her friends and family. She wondered who else would show up. Certainly, not everyone could make it. She and Jane went ahead and went to the table. "Well, my dear, we might as well enjoy this. Annie was so nice to have this for us."

"I know, it's just overwhelming that people are coming." Lisbon admitted.

"It's a big deal to them too that we are happy. This is a long time coming." Jane admitted. Soon, Lisbon noticed Wayne, Grace and their kids came behind them.

"I still can't believe you two are married and it's been months and now you're having a baby." Grace smiled.

"Teresa can't resist me." Jane teased. "After all these years, she can't stay away from me."

"Jane, I just realized you haven't met our kids." Grace realized. " This is Maddie. And Ben."

"Hello, how are you?" Jane said. "You look like a big girl."

"She's walking now." Wayne said. "It's hard to keep up with her."

"Ben, I remember seeing a picture of you when you were a baby." Jane said to the five year old boy in glasses. "I'm Patrick, I worked with your daddy and Grace."

"I'm a big boy and Grace is my mommy too. I have two mommies." Ben said.

" You are a big boy. Grace is a nice mom for you. I always liked her." Jane replied. Following Wayne and Grace everyone else came in the line. Later after finishing up with the meal, some of the kids gathered to do some baby shower games such as guessing the jellybeans in the big plastic baby bottle, guessing the moms that go with the baby animals and drawing babies.

Afterwards Wylie and Annie set up the computer and screen to show a slide show. "Here's a slideshow of the excitement to look forward to throughout the years." Wylie announced.

"Since we don't know what Baby Jane is, we decided to include a boy and a girl growing up." Annie announced as well. Wylie clicked a remote to the computer and intermixing pictures of both Wylie and Annie to the song "Forever Young" growing up from babies to toddlers to elementary to graduation.

Lisbon enjoyed watching Annie as a child. Her brother was lucky to have her as a daughter. He really did a great job raising her to the young woman she was now. After the slide show, Lisbon noticed Jane going where the kids were including Stan's older children, Ben, and Hightower's kids. Speaking of which, Lisbon was quite surprised to see Hightower and even Minelli. They hadn't had a chance to talk to them yet. Lisbon stayed on the table while sitting with Grace while Wayne and Cho were talking with Minelli.

"It's great to have the team back in one room." Grace noticed. "And it's good to see Jane so free and happy." Grace noticed Jane playing with the kids.

"He's happy now, Grace. Though he's a little overprotective over me. I know it's because he loves me. He's been doing a great job with our cabin."

"Wayne and I would love to see that, while we're here." Grace said. "I never imagined Jane to be a builder type considering I've seen him on the couch or planning crazy schemes."

" I know. When he showed me he bought it and said he wanted to build us a house, I didn't know what to think. He's done great on it along with some help from my brothers and other guys. He'd be thrilled to show you." Lisbon admitted.

"Jane knows how to surprise us." Grace said.

"He did have a hard time when our colleague died and had to get away for a week. I didn't know if he would come back. That was when I found out I was pregnant. Since, he decided to not to answer my calls, I sent out a BOLO out to arrest him." Lisbon described.

Grace laughed at the thought of Lisbon arresting Jane. "He's here now and that's important."

"Yeah, it is. He was so thrilled about the baby when I told him on our wedding night." Lisbon admitted.

"That would've been the perfect wedding gift. I'm so glad to come back and see you two." Grace said.

"Well, you can thank Annie, my niece and Wylie for this party." Lisbon said smilng looking over at Annie and Wylie talking. Grace left to go to the restroom leaving Lisbon at the table alone. "Is anybody sitting here?" Kim Fischer came up to the table. Lisbon was surprised to see her.

"Kim, you can sit here with me." Lisbon said.

"So, you and Jane are married now and expecting a baby." Fischer noticed.

"Yes, we are. It took us long enough." Lisbon admitted.

"He did say something to you on that plane, I assume." Fischer said.

"Yes, he did." Lisbon stated.

"Honestly, Teresa, I didn't think he would settle down. He was so aimless , not to say anything bad, considering how much trouble he gave me at first."

"I understand what you're saying. He has been for years." Lisbon admitted. "He's happy now."

"I knew you were his stabilizing force. I knew he wasn't happy about the idea of you leaving." Fischer admitted.

"I know, but he's still the same Jane. How's your mother doing?" Lisbon asked.

"She's better. She needs someone close. That's why I need to be there." Fischer explained.

"Hello, Fischer, glad to see you." Jane said coming up to the table and sitting down by Lisbon.

"Good to see you, Jane." Fischer smirked.

"Have you missed me driving you crazy?" Jane grinned.

"Well, I don't know." Fischer said putting her finger to her chin. "I'm quite relaxed, less headaches." Fischer smirked. "Ok, I sometimes miss the unpredictability. I can't imagine, Teresa having two Janes around."

"Our child will be delightful." Jane said.

"I'm ready for it." Lisbo smirked.

Later on Jane and Lisbon finally caught up with Hightower and Minelli.

"So, you did it. I heard what happened. I'm glad to see you now. I was quite shocked I received the invitation to this party." Hightower said.

"My niece is responsible for this party." Lisbon admitted. "At first, I didn't want it, but she wanted to plan it." Lisbon admitted.

"I'm glad I got invited and was quite surprised you two got married. When I worked at the CBI, you were complaining about your pain in the ass consultant." Hightower admitted looking at Lisbon.

"Now he's my pain in the ass husband." Lisbon teased.

"But you adore me, Teresa." Jane stated grinning.

"Though I do have to admit I did think something was brewing with you two." Hightower said.

"Your kids have really grown." Lisbon observed look at Hightower's children getting cake and ice cream at the food table.

"Yes, Mimi is almost a teenager. Congratulations about your new little one. Now you're have two Janes around."

"I know. I look forward to it." Lisbon said.

"I want to thank you and your team keeping us safe during that time. I'm not sure if I told you that." Hightower continued.

"You're welcome." Lisbon said.

"I never thought when I told you to tag along with Lisbon you 'd go this far." Minelli said to Jane observing Lisbon's baby bump.

"Yes, indeed. She just warmed her way into my heart."Jane responded happily

"Why didn't I get an invitation to the wedding?" Minelli asked.

"It was kind of a last minute thing. We married the same week he proposed and didn't send invites. We didn't plan on having too many people." Lisbon admitted.

"Who arranged this party?" Minelli asked noticing the decorations.

"Our niece and a friend and coworker of ours." Jane answered looking around.

"So, Virgil, how are you doing?"

"May and I are great. I'm still enjoying retirement. We've done a lot of traveling like to Europe."Minelli said.

Afterwards Jane went to talk to Sam and Pete.

"Where was our invite to the wedding, Paddy?" Pete asked.

"Our wedding was last minute and we didn't have time to invite a lot of people." Jane admitted.

"Well, we're glad to see you celebrating the arrival of your little one." Sam smiled. "It's so wonderful you and Teresa married and great to see you now. " Sam raved. "You deserve it, Patrick, to be happy."

"And Angela would be very happy for you." Pete reminded.

"I know. I'm very happy now. I love Teresa and our baby." Jane admitted.

Feedback is appreciated. I took some creative liberties with why Jane was at Child Protective Services he mentions in Red John's Rules. It was fun getting all the characters in there.