Notes: Wow, this is the last chapter of Evolution and thus brings to a close my Revelations – Disclosure – Shadows series. It's been a long journey, literally and figuratively. I thank all of you that have been reading this series whether you've commented or not I hope that you have enjoyed it.

CH 22: I Carry Your Heart

Sometimes the pervasive feeling of being watched rolls over a person like fog in the early dawn. It settles, heavy and thick on that which it surrounds. It's more than a blanket, it envelopes, completely covers, wrapping around and under, over and through. There's something comforting about that. Looking out on a city covered in grey, as if someone pulled the clouds down to earth. They mask the clutter; make things simple. Jane likes the fog on a lazy day. It's a good excuse to stay in bed, or make a nest of covers on the sofa and watch a movie or read a book. She reads more books these days…because of Maura. She's thinking about fog but it's not about that; not really, there won't be any fog today. Summer is only just officially over and the heavy fog days are still probably several weeks out. Her mental ramblings had strayed towards fog as she thought about being watched.

"You're staring at me," she mumbles out of the corner of her mouth, eyes still closed. She had been asleep on her stomach with her face pressed down into the pillow.

No response at first, only a soft giggle and the light touch of fingers roaming through her hair. The bed shifts and the presence is closer now, laying along side her, she can feel the heat coming off the other body and intermittent breaths washing over her face and tickling at her neck. Jane smiles as plush familiar lips press to her cheek.

"The day after tomorrow," Maura whispered, "we'll be married."

That makes Jane open her eyes. She rolls over and pulls Maura down to her as she wraps her arms around her soon to be wife.

"Mmmm," Jane hummed into Maura's hair, one hand weaving through the sleep-mussed locks to lightly scratch and massage a delicate neck, the other hand following the dip in the center of Maura's back as it caressed up and down. "My wife."

Maura smiled and began to gently kiss and suck at Jane's neck, "My wife," she repeated.

"I can't believe Maura didn't want a bachelorette party!" Gretchen yelled. The Robber was packed; it seemed damn near half the force was crammed inside. She poured another pint and artfully slid it across the table into Jane's waiting hand.

"She left for the bed and breakfast in Bar Harbor with Tara and her parents around lunchtime. Wanted to have tonight and tomorrow morning before we all get there to make sure everything is in order," Jane took a swig of the beer and nearly spat it immediately out as she saw Frankie clumsily attempting to stand and perch atop a barstool. If my best man concusses himself before my wedding, I'll kill him, she thought.

"If I could have your attention!" Frankie lifted his arms and motioned for everyone to quiet down. He reached out and accepted a beer from Frost and raised it in the air as he looked at Jane.

"Oh God," Jane laughed under her breath.

A hush rolled through the bar as the officers turned, passing beers and shots to comrades who needed a refill as the best man began his speech.

"A buddy once asked me if I ever wished I'd had an older brother instead of an older sister. I told him no, that Jane was the best older sibling anyone could ask for, sister, brother or otherwise. I never had to idolize superheroes or tv stars because I had someone to look up to in the bedroom right next to mine. Sometimes she yelled at me and sometimes she roughed me up and most of the time I deserved it. But I never wanted for someone I knew had my back and I never had to look far for the person I wanted to grow up to be just like. A year ago, I almost lost her. I almost lost her because she did what she's always done; she put herself on the line for the people she loves. If anyone in this room deserves true happiness it's Jane. I always knew that Jane loved her family and her job but I could also tell that there was still something missing. When Jane and Maura finally realized what, and not to brag…well ok, maybe to brag just a little, what most of the rest of us could see a long time ago, I could finally see that my sister was whole. Mark Twain said that to get the full value of joy, you have to have someone to divide it with. So, let's divide our cheers in a moment between my sister Jane, and her wife to be, Maura. And Janie, may you get all of your wishes but one, so that you always have something to strive for. Cin cin!"

Loud and raucous cheers rang out through the bar as Jane made her way towards her brother, who with Frost's assistance hopped down from the stool.

"Thanks little brother," Jane whispered as she threw her arms around Frankie.

"Love you, Sis."

Maura was standing outside the bed and breakfast as the Rizzoli family caravan pulled up with Frost, Korsak, Gretchen, Deena, Sarah and Michelle in tow as well. Family and a few close friends, Maura smiled as they all began to exit their vehicles.

Jane trotted over and cupped Maura's face as she placed a heated kiss on her lips and whispered, "One more day."

"Mmhmm," Maura smiled into the kiss, wrapping her arms around Jane's body.

"Is everything all taken care of? No problems?"

Maura laced her fingers through Jane's and led her and the group inside, "So far so good. Nothing left to do but the rehearsal and the after rehearsal dinner tonight."

"Great, so can you perhaps spirit me away from my family, especially my mother who is as close to driving me stark raving mad as she's ever been in my entire life so that we can spend a little time together…alone."

Maura laughed, Angela on a good day could be quit the handful. Angela the day before her daughter's wedding…it was the one time Maura was glad to have an overly reserved mother. "We have a couple of hours until the rehearsal. I think we could safely slip away to my room once everyone is settled. But you should drop your bags off in your room first, lest you get any ideas." Maura winked.

"Sticking to that whole, no seeing me on the wedding day until you walk down the aisle thing, huh?"

"Tradition," Maura reminded her teasingly.

"So this is our honeymoon suite?" Jane asked as she entered the room, looking around and then opening the French doors to the outside.

It was perfect. Not some cold generic hotel room, the location was visually stunning, the ambience warm and inviting. The Inn itself was perched on an overlook of Frenchman's Bay and Maura had secured an ocean view suite with a private balcony. The cobalt expanse of rolling water rolled into the emerald lawn of the inn's grounds and converged on the pristine white of the balcony. The color of the room approximated a variant of teal though tending towards a more slate tinted blue. There was a subtle Victorian era style in the room's accents but it was classic, almost academic with its hardwood floors, dark hued tapestry rugs, fireplace, and leather furniture in the sitting area. Jane eyed the massive king size bed with crisp ivory linens. We'll make good use of that, she mused.

"It is. Do you like it?" Maura stepped out onto the balcony and put her hands on Jane's hips as she rested her cheek on the familiar shoulder.

"I love it." Jane turned around in Maura's arms and captured her lips. The surroundings and the anticipation breathed fire into the kiss forcing Jane to reluctantly exercise some self-control. A little more waiting would only make the following night that much more passionate. She slowly let her lips pull away and delicately ran her fingers over Maura's face.

"Have you written your vows yet?" Maura asked, darting forward to steal one more peck from Jane's unsuspecting lips.

Jane laughed, "Nope."

"Jane!" Maura gave her a playful swat on the shoulder and headed back into the suite.

"Hey! Never doubt Jane Rizzoli under pressure. I promise to have something brilliant and inspiring by tomorrow afternoon." Jane pulled her shoes off and crawled onto the massive bed. "But for now, take a nap with me." Jane reached out and hummed with satisfaction as Maura settled into her arms.

"I would never doubt you," Maura pressed her lips to Jane's once more.

"Mmm," Jane smiled, "Now, no funny business while we nap, Doctor. I'd hate to have to fend off any hanky panky. You know, tradition and all."

Maura snuggled in as closely to Jane's body as she could get and let her head fall to the pillow, eyes fluttering shut with a contented smile on her face.

This time it was Jane who leaned in to sneak a kiss as she whispered, "Isn't your dress going to get wrinkled for the rehearsal?"

Maura giggled, "No. I have another outfit for that."

Jane rolled her eyes jokingly though Maura's were still shut and oblivious to the gesture, "Of course you do."

"I just think your hair would look better up!" Angela fussed, pacing around in front of her daughter as Maura's stylist put the last touches on Jane's now expertly smoothed, rolled and long curls. He checked the fresh orchids that were pinned to the sections of hair he had pulled back from her face and laughed under his breath.

"Ma, just be glad I'm letting Philippe DO my hair and makeup. You know I could have just rolled out of bed today and thrown the dress on…" Jane waited for it.

"Jane! You wouldn't have dared!" Angela gasped.

"No Ma! I wouldn't have! Geez, will you lighten up! You're not going to make me nervous, Ma, I swear to God you're not. I'm…completely…zen," Jane closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"You should be nervous! Everyone's nervous on their wedding day. You're going to walk down the aisle in less than an hour and make a lifetime commitment to something other than the Red Sox!"

"Out!" Jane pointed towards the door, interrupting her mother's protests, "Out! Out! Out! Frankie, get her out!"

"Come on Ma," Frankie tried to usher the flustered woman out the door, "It's uh, bride and best man time anyway."

"Technically dear, wouldn't you be the maid of honor?" Angela questioned. Never underestimate a mother scorned.

"Out Ma!" Frankie gave her one last push with Philippe hot on her heels, snickering all the way out.

Jane was standing when Frankie turned back around, her hands nervously brushing down the front of her dress over and over again. He didn't get to see this side of Jane often and it had nothing to do with her being in a dress. No, this was Jane in her rarest form, stripped completely down. There was no façade of toughness, no affected swagger, only nervousness, vulnerability and complete and unabashed love. It had taken a special person to get his sister here. It had taken Maura.

"Quit staring at me and say something," Jane grumbled.

"I hope one day that I have a bride that looks as beautiful as you do," Frankie said as he stepped forward and reached for her hands.

"Say something else you mush," Jane laughed.

"Check list, right, Ma made me promise, something old?"

Jane rolled her eyes, "What is it with you people and these wedding things?"

Frankie shook his head, "It's tradition! Now come on, something old?" Jane held up her left hand and flashed Mrs. Isles' engagement ring. "Something new…the dress, something borrowed?"

Jane pulled her hair back, "Ma's diamond earrings."

"Then that just leaves something blue," Frankie looked his sister over from head to toe and then over at the bouquet. No blue.

"Uh?" Jane bit down on her lip, "Guess I forgot the blue."

"You're a mess Janie, not even…you know," he motioned towards his own chest and lower, "under there?"

"Because it's my wedding day and you're my…maid of honor," Jane quipped, "I'm going to let it slide that you just asked me about underwear."

Frankie blushed slightly as he laughed, "Well, I sort of thought you'd forget the blue part." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a jewelry box. "Tommy, Pop and I, we all went and picked it out for you."

Jane opened the box and pulled out the delicate gold bracelet dotted with glimmering sapphires, "Frankie…" she sniffled, fighting the tears.

"No tears," Frankie ordered as Jane pulled him into a hug, "Ma will kill you if you mess up Philippe's work."

Judith Isles dabbed at the corners of her eyes as she looked over her daughter. Philippe had pulled Maura's hair up and the same orchids she and Jane had selected adorned her coiffure as well. She ran over the tradition checklist, "Old," glancing down at the ring, "new," the dress, "borrowed…my pearls do look lovely on you, Maura. And blue…yes, well, I think Tara and I saw that earlier," she ended with a sly smile. "If you don't need me, I'm going to go get seated…"

"I'm good, Tara can help me if I need anything else," Maura reached for her mother and placed a light kiss on her cheek.

Maura waited a few seconds after the door had shut, "Oh, I thought she'd never leave. She's never fussed over me so much and made me this nervous in my entire life!"

Tara laughed, "You're her daughter and you're getting married; it's the way things are supposed to be." Tara fought the sadness at the thought that when her wedding day came she would have no mother to fuss over her. She smiled, trying to hide the fleeting sentiment.

Maura pulled her into a tight embrace, "I'm so glad that you could come back from Ireland to be here."

"Of course," Tara tightened her grip around Maura, her…family, "I wouldn't miss my sister's wedding for anything."

There was a light rap at the door followed by Frankie's voice asking if everyone was decent. Tara took her cue and slipped out.

"Maura…" Jane's voice drifted in through the cracked door.

"Jane, you can't come in," Maura fidgeted nervously as she looked towards the door, fighting the urge to run to it and fling it open.

"I know. I…there's someone out here who would like to see you. Is it ok if he comes in?" Jane stepped back and motioned towards the door.

Paddy Doyle stepped into Maura's suite and closed the door behind him. He wore a simple grey suite with a white dress shirt and a tie close to the same shade of orchid as the wedding color accents. He smiled, looking Maura up and down. She ran all of their interactions over in her head and she was quite sure it was the first time she'd seen him smile out of what looked like genuine pride and happiness.

"How did you?" Maura started to ask.

"Jane. She tracked me down and invited me. If you don't want me at the ceremony I won't go, but I did want to see you on your wedding day. You look beautiful Maura. I wish Margaret could be here; she'd be so proud," Doyle moved closer to his daughter.

"No, of course I want you to come to the ceremony. I've told you I…want to get to know you. There are a lot of things about your life that I can't accept, but I want to know you. I want to understand where I came from," Maura let her biological father take her hand.

"I wanted to give you something," Doyle reached into his blazer pocket and pulled out a handkerchief, folding back the white linen corners to reveal two antique hair pins of simple pearls. "They were my mother's, she wore them on her wedding day. I'd like you to have them."

Maura smiled, "They're beautiful, would you?" She turned to allow Doyle to slide the pins down into her hair on either side of Philippe's exquisitely and intricately crafted bun.

Doyle reached for her face and placed a soft kiss on her cheek, "Live each day loving her, cherishing her. Learn from my mistakes. Never take for granted the gift of her in your life."

"I won't."

A light breeze stroked across the Inn's vast lawn as it rolled in from the bay bringing with it the refreshing notes of the early fall salt water. Jane glanced up at the pristine sky and then past the Reverend from St. Saviour's Episcopal Church who had graciously agreed to preside over the blessing and out over the vast expanse of the water. A few sailboats were in the bay and Jane smiled watching them cut lithe trails through the waves. The Reverend cleared his throat and smiled at Jane, nodding towards the garden where Maura was emerging, escorted by her father as the string quartet had struck up Beethoven's Ode to Joy from his 9th Symphony. Caught up in the scenery and the anticipation Jane had failed to notice the start of the music, but she turned now and watched; tears threatening to breach the stoic façade she had tried so hard all day to maintain. And then, there she was, William Isles reaching for Jane's hand and linking it with Maura's.

They hadn't wanted anything fancy, simply a public expression of their commitment to one another with a religious element to satisfy Jane's family. The Reverend had suggested an adaptation of the Episcopal wedding short form that he had previously used for same-sex blessings. There was an opening blessing, Tara and Tommy each did a reading and before they knew it the Reverend was directing them to read the vows they had each written.

Maura took both of Jane's hands in her own and looked into dark brown eyes. She had to pause for a moment and compose herself, taking a deep breath before beginning, "Jane, I've been captivated by you since the moment we met. At that time, I had no idea what it would become. I thought I knew what it felt like to love someone before you; but the day I almost lost you I realized that everything I thought was love before was so shallow compared to what I felt for you. I thought I had loved, but I never had until I loved you. I thought I had been loved but I never was, until I was loved by you. I bring myself to you today to share my life with you, to cherish you every minute of every day we are blessed to spend together. You are everything I have ever needed and wanted; you are the answer to everything my life has ever lacked. You are my best friend, my heart, you make me whole."

Tara stepped forward and handed Maura the wedding band she had selected for Jane.

"Maura," the Reverend began, "As you place the ring on Jane's finger, please repeat after me. I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow…And with all that I am…and all that I have…I honor you."

Jane let go, let the warm tears spill over and streak down her face as she watched Maura's trembling hand slide the ring onto her finger. She took a deep breath and attempted to still the quiver she felt in her voice as she began to speak, "Maura, since the moment you first kissed me I knew that in the best way possible nothing about my life would be the same. I wasn't sure I could find the words to say today that could possibly convey what having you in my life has meant to me. But I found some inspiration in the words of someone much more eloquent than myself: I carry your heart with me; I carry it in my heart. I am never without it. Anywhere I go, you go. I fear no fate; I want no world, for you are my world. Every part of me belongs to you and all of the strength and good things that I have found in myself over this past year are because of you and the love you have given to me. Everything that is me, belonged to you long before today and continues to be yours for every day after. I love you, without question, without reservation, for all that you are and for all that you have made me."

Jane took the ring from Frankie and waited for the Reverend's prompt.

"Jane, as you place the ring on Maura's finger, please repeat after me. I give you this ring as a sign of our covenant under God…And with all that I am…And all that I have…I honor you." The Reverend raised his hands, "In as much as you have pledged to the other your lifelong commitment, love and devotion, I now pronounce you joined together. Those whom love has joined, let no one put asunder. You may seal your bond with a kiss."

Sunlight and the crisp morning air flooded in the open French doors, ushered in by the swirling soprano notes of the gulls that circled the beach. Jane lay propped up on her side as she looked down at Maura, still asleep. Her hand reached out and traced the trail of goosebumps on the nude form beside her, down one collarbone, between Maura's perfect breasts, Jane smiled running her fingers lightly over erect nipples before letting her hand continue its travels down to a smooth stomach and then lower.

Maura's eyes fluttered open and she smiled as Jane leaned down to meet her lips tenderly, almost reverently.

"Mmm," Maura hummed, "It's a little cold." She wrapped her arms around Jane and pulled her body down, arching her back as she felt Jane's hand stroke over her hip and down the outside of her thigh.

"Good morning," Jane whispered as her lips sought out their favorite target under Maura's ear and then worked across her neck. "Getting warmer?"

"Yes," she gasped as Jane's fingers teased over the top of her thigh and then begged for more intimate contact. "Today is really the beginning," Maura smiled guiding Jane's lips back to her own.

"Let's start it off right," Jane pushed herself up to straddle Maura, their hands seeking each other out, setting a familiar and practiced rhythm. "Beautiful," Jane moaned, watching Maura's chest rise and fall, the swell of the breast cupped in her free hand, the sparkling hazel eyes that looked back at her and never broke away.

"I love you," Maura's voice was almost a whisper as her back arched further off the bed, seeking more of Jane. "My wife." The words tumbled out gracefully and simultaneously weighted with the deepest devotion as she climaxed, trembling quietly around Jane's touch.

Jane's lips covered hers; strong arms gathering Maura into an embrace as her body finally gave in to Maura's strokes. "My wife," Jane panted into Maura's neck, now glistening with a warm sheen of sweat despite the chill in the air. The orgasm rolled through her body, "My heart…my everything."

Their bodies melted together, limbs tangled; the slight variance in their complexions the only mark of where Jane's body began and Maura's ended. Lips met and traded I love yous between smoldering kisses that waned only as exhaustion from the previous day and late night reasserted itself. Jane fought it at first, eyes falling shut only to flash open and be soothed closed again by soft kisses to her forehead as Maura's fingers raked tranquilly through her hair.

"Sleep," Maura hummed as she pulled the covers around them and closed her own eyes.

"Every minute I'm sleeping is a minute I'm not looking at you and telling you how much I love you…" Jane lightly protested.

"Make it up to me later today, tonight, tomorrow…"

"And everyday for the rest of our lives, I love you." Jane finished.

"I love you," Maura whispered as she slipped into sleep, Jane all around her, skin on skin, heartbeat over heartbeat, the sensation of breaths ghosting over her skin and the smoky professions of devotion echoing in her ear.

Author's notes: The poem Jane references in her vows is e.e. cumming's "I carry your heart." Additionally, I just want to give a little bit of an explanation on the wedding since some may be interested in the reality of what I wrote. Obviously I make the assumption Jane and Maura procured a valid marriage license from the state of Massachusetts. Maine does not currently recognize same-sex unions; however, the Episcopal Church leaves it open to individual diocese to decide whether they will officiate over same-sex blessings. It is widely known that some Episcopal priests will officiate over same-sex blessings whether or not their diocese "formally" allows it. In these instances, it is my understanding the ceremony in this case would likely not be held in a church. I did find a draft document from the Bishop of the Diocese of Maine that allows individual discretion by priests in performing same-sex blessings. The Diocese does not allow the Book of Common Prayer, which holds the formal wedding ceremony - both a short form and a full mass version, to be used in same-sex blessings. Any other liberties taken are my own and should not be in any way associated with the real St Saviour's Church in Bar Harbor or the Episcopal Diocese of Maine. I also omitted using the name of the actual clergy from St. Saviour's Church because I do not know if in fact that Reverend agrees to perform same-sex blessings though the church's mission statement explicitly welcomes people regardless of sexual orientation. In any event, I thought this was an explanation/disclaimer that was warranted given the sensitive nature of the subject with some.