Bass the (Turtle)

Tortoise

Chapter 15

It's been three months since Jane moved in with Maura. They had found out a lot about the female pirates Anne and Mary. The most important interesting fact was they considered themselves married to each other . The investigators from the Isles foundation had translated enough of their letters . The letters found in the treasure chest which Bass had dug up in Maura's back yard.

Out of the ten letters ,one they found was a recollection of both the pirates memories of their private ceremony. As they were dedicating each of their lives to the other forever. The claddagh rings also were found in the bottom of the treasure box . The identical rings turned out to be the pirate's wedding rings.

Jane after finding out about the rings got an idea. She knew Maura had absolutely fallen in love with the romance of the pirate women. She talked non stop about the letter when she found about the wedding ceremony of the pirates. So Jane thought and hoped Maura would like her idea too. The idea was to take one of the pirate's wedding claddagh rings , have it sized for Maura . Jane also after receiving her big check from the treasure decided to add a big expensive diamond to the ring.

When the ring was ready Jane went to pick it up. She was impressed at how it turned out. It looked like a ring that belonged on Maura's delicate beautiful finger. Jane was so happy she was almost skipping back in the house with the ring in her pocket. Jane entered the house got herself a beer plopped herself on the couch. She took a long drink from her beer bottle while pulling the ring from her pocket. Jane sat smiling admiring the beautiful ring. She wondered to herself if she should propose to Maura or wait a little while longer. They had only been living together three month. Maybe it's too soon ,maybe Maura will turn her down,maybe she only wants to live together. Jane worried herself into a corner . She downed the rest of her beer losing her smile completely . Jane sadly placed the ring back in her pocket. She got up deciding to put the ring away in their bedroom where Maura wouldn't find it. She decided after turning the bedroom upside down to place it in her gun safe box. Maura didn't have the combination for the box so it would be safe from her accidentally finding it. Jane discouraged by her doubts goes back to the living room plopping herself down on the couch again.

Maura is standing in the kitchen watching Jane fall into the couch sadly. "Jane honey what's wrong?"

Jane struggles with her disappointment forcing a smile on her face. "Nothing sweetie. Could you grab me a beer from the fridge?"

Maura nods not believing her but turns to retrieve a beer for her. Maura pours herself a glass a wine . Maura carried their drinks with her into the living room. She hands Jane her beer as she sits down next to her.

Jane gives Maura a peck on her cheek "Thanks …..Um , how's your day been going?"

Maura studies Jane's face looking for clues as what was troubling her as she spoke to her. "Oh it was nice . It was fine in the morgue no problems at all today . How was your day off? What did you do?"

"I just ran some errands . Worked out a little, nothing really. I'm glad you had a nice day."

Maura sipped her wine nodding at Jane. Maura had not completely told Jane everything she had done today. Maura was feeling herself starting to itch a little from not telling the whole truth . Her hives were beginning breaking out on her neck. Maura had only worked a half day at the morgue. She had spent the rest of the day at her jewelers. She had unknowingly had the same thought Jane had about the pirate wedding rings. She wanted so badly to redesign one of the rings for Jane to wear. Maura figured Jane wouldn't want a big flashy ring. So she had the two hands that held the heart on the ring encrusted with tiny diamonds. It turned out more beautiful than Maura even dreamed it would .It was elegant and not flashy at all. It was perfect for Jane.

Maura now had to figure out the rest. Maura wanted so much to ask Jane to marry her with the ring. But she was worried that Jane either wouldn't want to get married to her because it was so soon since moving in with her. Or she wanted to be the one to propose instead of her. Maura knowing she wasn't a patient person, just couldn't wait for Jane to ask. She was going to ask Jane to marry her … tonight.

Jane sat watching Maura's face go through so many expressions without her saying anything to her so Jane had to ask "Maura is everything okay with you? You look worried about something. Talk to me sweetie."

Maura half smiled looking at Jane . She summoned up all her courage as she reached for her purse on the table in front of her. Maura stood up then picked up her purse turned her back to Jane then pulled out the little ring box.

Maura turned back to Jane looked down at herself. Maura panics "Oh Jane wait I need to go change my wardrobe first. I can't ask you anything dressed in yoga pants and a t-shirt. Wait here a second while I go change."

Maura tries to turn and walk away as Jane grabs her by her arm stopping her. "Maura don't be silly,you look incredibly hot in what you're wearing." Jane smirks adding "You know I love you in those pants with my old tight so very tight t-shirt on you."

Maura giggles shyly pulling on her t-shirt to get it to cover her belly button . "Fine , well okay Jane." Maura clears her throat as the nerves take over her body slowly. Maura stands directly in front of Jane then she drops down on one knee. She takes a shocked Jane's left hand into hers. "Jane...I.."

Jane shook herself out of her shock looking on though still in disbelief as Maura started to ask her. "Maura wait what are you?...I mean is this ? Are you really? ...Really Maura? I mean really?..No?."

Maura pays no attention to Jane's protests . She is too busy gathering her words and thoughts together to ask Jane in the right way. "Jane honey ,please just let me ask you something?"

Jane still stunned nods at her while sitting quietly waiting. Maura starts again so many emotions taking her over that tears starting to form in her eyes. "Jane Clementine Rizzoli..." Jane makes a face at her middle name then smiles .

Maura chuckles slightly at Jane then continues " I love you ...you are my life ,my love ,my everything. I can not imagine living my life without you in it...so would you do the honor of marrying me?" Maura pulls the ring box out from behind her back holding it out to Jane.

Jane was overwhelmed tears were forming in her eyes too. Jane reaches out taking the ring box from Maura. Jane opens the box seeing the beautiful pirate ring Maura had redone for her. The irony tickled Jane as she was admiring the ring she also began laughing. Apparently she was laughing a little too much for Maura.

Maura upset began tearing up then pouts saying "What is so funny? You hate the ring? I can get you a different one Jane."

Jane can't stop laughing but she wipes away Maura's tears gently with her fingers . "No Maura sweetie I love the ring. Really I do."

Maura smiles through her tears "So does that mean yes? Yes , you will marry me? Oh baby please say yes I love you so much … and I.."

Jane cuts her off she smiles while placing her finger over Maura's lips "Maura I need to get something before I can answer you okay?"

Confused Maura nods as she watches Jane get up leaving her bent on one knee. Millions of scenarios run through Maura's mind as she waits for Jane to return. None of the scenarios are good in Maura's thoughts .

Jane retrieved Maura's ring from her gun safe box. She places the ring in her pocket as she walks back into the living room. She laughs as she sees Maura still down on one knee . Jane gets an idea as she walks over to join her again.

Maura looks up at Jane as she stands in front of her then Jane says "Maura I love you too." Jane gets down on one knee in front of Maura. Maura smiles hoping this is a good sign. Jane and Maura both kneeling on one knee in front of each other .

Jane picks up the ring that Maura had gave her , holds it in her right hand. Jane pulls the ring for Maura out of her pocket.

Maura gasps as she realizes it's a ring box. Jane smirks "Maura I can only answer your question to me if you answer mine first." Jane clears her throat the nerves were hers this time. In a beautiful sexy now raspy voice Jane asks " Maura Dorthea Isles."

Jane opens the ring box showing Maura the matching ring she choose for her . Maura covers her mouth with her hand shyly hiding the huge smile on her face as she notices the huge added diamond on the ring.

Jane watching Maura's eyes as she looks at the ring smiles. "I love you more than I thought I could ever love anyone or thing. Please Maura make an honest woman out of me and marry me?"

Maura nods yes to overcome to answer. Jane smiling places the ring on Maura's finger then kisses it.

Maura tries to correct Jane "Actually I can't make an honest woman of you by marrying you Jane. That phrase really means more about caring for offspring than.."
Jane laughs cutting off her explanation by kissing her. After a long sensual kiss "Now Maura, it's just a saying , I don't care what it really means. Just as long your answer is yes, you'll marry me?"

Maura smiles as they both get up off the floor to sit on the couch. "Yes Jane, I will marry you...Does that mean your answer to me is yes also?"

Jane smiles into a kiss saying "Yes, I'd love nothing more in the world than to marry you."

Maura picks up the ring for Jane . She puts it on Jane's finger kissing it as Jane had done with hers. A loud scraping sound comes from the kitchen. Maura and Jane look at each other knowing exactly what the noise was coming from, it was Bass.

Jane and Maura jump up to go see Bass . They both walk in and sees Bass and Clemmy searching for their dinner. Maura smiles as she goes to fix them their dinner plates. Maura tells them both "It'll just be a minute you two be patient ."

Jane bends down in front of Bass. She is holding out her ring to show him. She then starts to tease him. "Ha ha you see this buddy . I'm marrying Maura . That means" Bass turns away from Jane. Jane pulls him back "You are going to listen to this pal. No more humping on me . I'm a taken woman now , got that pervert." Jane looks over to Clemmy "Hey Clem you need to keep your man in line girl. Maybe we should make it a double wedding. You and Bass can get married too? Two women , two turtles get married . Sounds good huh Clemmy?"

Maura laughs kneeling down next to Jane as she places the food plates down on the floor. She is completely touched and amused when Jane talks to the tortoises.

"Tortoises Jane not turtles. I think that would be adorable to see them marry each other. But I am not going to share my wedding with them. I want it to be just you and me on our wedding day. Which is going to be soon right Jane?"

Jane bumps her shoulder into Maura's smiles , Jane teases Maura knowing she wants a big wedding. "Yes as soon as you want . We can go to the Justice of the Peace get married tomorrow if you want ?"

Maura pouts "Well I guess if that's what you want to do we can."

Jane feeling bad for teasing her starts taking her in her arms saying "Oh ,oh ,oh I'm sorry no of course we will have a big wedding like you always wanted. I'm sorry for joking about it. You can name the date. Any time you want,really sweetie."

Maura wraps her arms around Jane's neck pulling her in for a kiss. "Thank you Jane. I love you."

Three months later the wedding day is today. Jane is scrambling around trying to get everything arranged for the wedding. Jane is in her mother's new house . Her mother had bought with her share of the money she got from the pirate treasure.

"Ma where is my boutonniere?"

Angela easily finds it in her kitchen . The boutonniere is made out of a light pink weeping willow flower. Angela brings it to Jane then pins it on her long coat jacket for her. Angela looks at Jane's wedding suit up and down. All white satin suit with light pink pearl buttons. The form fitting shirt underneath cut really low down in a v cut that barely covered her breasts. Angela can't believe how beautiful Jane is in it. "Oh Janie you look beautiful. I really wanted you to wear a gown but you are stunning in this too. "

"Thanks Ma."

Angela fluffs Jane's hair in her hands. "Are you going to put your hair up?"

Jane brushes her Ma's hands away "No Ma, Maura likes my hair down like this." Jane shakes her hair then jokes "She thinks it shows off my wild streak , wild hair,wild sex."

Her Ma slaps Jane's arm "Oh Jane stop it...It does look good down too I guess."

Meanwhile Maura is in her house trying to organize everything. Maura was going crazy running around doing everything she needed to do for the wedding. Her mothers were both there with her, Hope her biological mother and Constance her adopted mother. Maura was so happy that they were both there with her and also helping her so much with the wedding planning.

The wedding was taking place in Maura's huge back yard. It had taken the wedding planner team a month to set everything up like Maura wanted. Maura was in control of just about everything. Jane had insisted on handling a few things though. Maura wasn't happy to give up any control but did trust Jane to do what she wanted to do.

Maura's door bell rang . Hope went to answer it. It was Maura bridal gown being delivered finally after a few last minute tailoring adjustments.

Maura almost knocked over Constance as she ran to retrieve her gown. Maura looked over the gown closely to make sure the gown was okay. "Oh yay , they put the third row of lace on. Um I'm going to go put this on. Can you two handle the rest out here ?"

Hope and Constance smile at each other. Constance says "Of course dear ..Go , go get ready." Maura walked fast to her room to get ready.

Hope says to Constance "I still can't get over Vera Wang personally designed Maura's wedding gown. It's just beautiful ."

Constance proudly states "Vera is an old friend of the family. She does beautiful work ." Hope very impressed nods.

Back in Angela's house Jane is inspecting the best man's tux. She holds it up to her mother and asks "What do you think?"

Her mother shakes her head "I still can't believe that is the best man?"

"Ma c'mon , Bass is my best man just accept it. He was supposed to be standing by Maura but he refused to wear a dress." Jane laughs. "He likes the tux so he is my best man and Clemmy is the maid of honor. So that leaves Jo Friday as the ring bearer. It's cute c'mon Ma admit it?"

Angela smiles thinking about it "I guess as long as Maura doesn't have a problem with it. Does she?"

"No she loves the idea." Jane looks at the tux again. "This is just so cute Ma look ." Angela waves it out of her face.

Maura comes out of her bedroom. Hope and Constance gasps looking at Maura in her wedding gown.

"Oh Darling you are gorgeous." Constance walks completely around Maura inspecting the gown. "Just gorgeous. I love your hair also, wonderfully arrange . The light pink small flowers are a nice addition."

Maura proudly smiles "Thank you Mother."

Hope comes up to them " Maura beautiful just stunning. So I guess this is the new , the dress? So what about old, borrowed and blue? If you would like I would like you to borrow this." Hope holds out a lovely diamond necklace to Maura.

"Oh Hope I love it thank you . I would be honored to wear it for the wedding." Hope places it and fastens it around her neck for her.

Constance pulls out a baby lacy blue garter from her purse. "Maura darling I wore this at my wedding to your father. If you would like it ,it's yours to wear."

Maura smiling takes it "I would love to ,thank you mother. And my shoes are old so I guess I'm all set. Old , new ,borrowed and blue. " Maura hugs both Hope and Constance.

Door bell rings ,Hope goes to answer the door again. She opens it sees Frankie with a man and a woman .

"Hello Frankie , come in please." Hope opens the door to let them all in.

Frankie comes in spots Maura ,he is blown away "Wow, Maura! You look beautiful."

Megan the tortoise handler who is now Frankie girlfriend says "Yes Maura really gorgeous."

Maura smiles even though she still is a little jealous of her when she is around Jane. "Thank you Frankie...Megan thank you too."

Pieter the other tortoise handler says "I've truly never seen a more beautiful bride."

Maura smiles and gives each of them a thank you hug goodbye. Maura then leaves to check on all the last minute wedding arrangements.

Frankie leads Pieter and Megan out to the back yard. They are there to be the tortoise handlers during the wedding. If the tortoises move they are there to put them back. They volunteered to do this for Maura and Jane's wedding. They even volunteered to dress them for the ceremony. Megan had Clemmy's dress but they needed Bass's tux.

Just as Megan began to worry Jane showed up in the back yard holding Bass's tux out to her.

"Here ya go Bass's tux. Um are you guys going to handle or whatever you call it for Jo Friday too?"

Pieter looks at Jane's suit "Ah yes we are. Jane you are stunning wow!"

Jane blushes slightly "Oh thanks Pieter. And thank you both for handling the animals."

Three men in white bakery suits come in the back yard carrying a huge covered plate.

Jane sees them runs over to them "No, no guys that goes inside. I'll show you. Frankie go inside make sure Maura knows I'm coming in for a minute."

Frankie nods and runs in the house. Finding Maura he says "Maura Jane says she needs to come in the house for a minute or two."

"Oh okay tell her to come in. Why is she asking to come in?"

Frankie looks at her confused "You know bad luck to see the bride before the wedding and all?"

"Oh that's silly I'm not superstitious tell her to get in here." Maura goes to the window to see if Jane is outside.

Frankie opens the back door and waves Jane to come in the house. Jane leads the bakery men in the house. The plate was so big it barely fit through the doorway.

Maura went to find a coat to put over the dress so Jane wouldn't see it until she walked down the aisle to her.

Jane found the table to sit the plate on. She then looks up sees Maura. "Maura! No ! It's bad luck to see each other before the wedding."

Maura play slaps Jane's arm "Oh please I don't believe in that superstitions stuff Jane. What did you bring in?"
Jane looked at the huge coat wrapped around Maura. " What's under here is a surprise. But what is with the coat?"

"I don't want you to see my dress before the wedding."

Jane nods "Oh okay I guess." Jane smiles "How you doing? Everything okay with the wedding plans?"

Maura was barely listening because she is struck by what Jane's wearing. "Um yeah fine everything is fine. Jane you are stunningly gorgeous in this . I mean it I've never ...Wow!"

Jane blushes and tries to take Maura's coat off so she could see the gown. "Thanks so let me see your gown then?"

Maura giggles as she struggles to get away from Jane's hands pulling on the coat. "Patience baby , you'll see it soon."

"Fine . Is the wedding party dressed and ready yet?" Jane was talking about all their pets.

Maura sees Megan through the window coming to the back door. "I don't know but here comes your girlfriend to the back door. Ask her if they are ready or not."

Jane turns seeing Megan walk in the door. Jane laughs covering her mouth to hide it from Megan. "Hi Megan. Every animal dressed and ready yet?"

Megan looks Jane up and down liking Jane in her wedding suit. "Wow Jane you look really great ...oh the ani...Pieter is finishing dressing them. I came for some tape if you have any?"

Maura gives Jane a dirty look seeing she was enjoying Megan's compliments. "Yes I have tape Megan. Jane could you get it for your g... for Megan?"

Jane smiles bigger nods to Maura and goes to get the tape. Maura walks to the fridge for a cold bottle of water. She turns around sees Megan walk back outside.

Jane walks up to her holds her teasing "You are still jealous of her? On our wedding day you are still jealous. She is Frankie's girlfriend you know that right?"

Maura smiles "I know and I'm not jealous." Maura teases Jane "So you still want to marry me after seeing Megan then right?"

Jane hugs Maura tightly laughing and kisses her on her neck. "Yes I do want to marry you. But first how about a quickie before the ceremony starts just to make sure ."

Maura smacks Jane's arm hard "Not Funny!"

"Ow , sorry. But I would still love to have a quickie." Maura gives her a mean look . Jane says laughing "What you said I looked good c'mon girl ."

Jane and Maura laugh as Angela walks in the back door.

"Oh girls it's bad luck to.."

Jane stops her "Yeah , yeah we know. We're not superstitious it's okay." Jane gives Maura a kiss.

Angela walks over and takes the cover off the big plate the bakery guys sat down. "What in the hell? Janie you had to be the one who did this?"

Jane stops kissing Maura sees what her mother did. Maura sees it laughs loudly then covers her mouth with her hand.

Jane upset says "Ma! That was supposed to be a surprise for Maura ,thanks a lot Ma."

"Well sorry I was just curious to see what was under there. I'm sorry Janie."

"Okay Ma that's alright I guess. Could you go check to see if those handlers are finished dressing the pets?" Angela nods and leaves mouthing sorry to Maura .

Maura grinning goes up to the table . "So this is the big surprise?"

Jane smirks nods "Yeah it is , you like the bottom it is white cream filled."

Maura laughs even harder "You are so bad Jane. But I do love our wedding cake shaped like the Cookie Monster sitting on a big cream filled cookie ." They fell into each other laughing.

Jane adds "White cream ,a really delicious white cream." Maura smiles hitting Jane's arm again.

Three hours later all the guests have arrived . Tommy seated them all. All two hundred guests were sitting patiently waiting for the wedding to start. Half the guests were from the police station . The other half friends and family. Once everyone was seated Tommy joined his now wife Lydia and their son TJ in the front row.

Korsak walks out in his dress blue uniform. He will be officiating the ceremony. He will marry his friends Jane and Maura. Korsak went online and had himself ordained as a minister just for their wedding. Jane and Maura decided on a traditional wedding instead of trying to write vows. They thought their personal vows to each other were private and should only be shared between themselves.

Pieter and Megan guide and lure the tortoises next to where Jane and Maura were going to be standing. Bass dressed in his tuxedo and Clemmy with a pink lace dress on with the bottom looking like a tutu on her. Pieter placed some British strawberries for the tortoises to make them stay where they were then sat down in the front row to watch them closely.

Jane walked in from the side taking her place next to Bass. She nods at a smiling Korsak. Jane and Korsak both look down the flower petaled aisle as the wedding march started.

Constance beautiful and classy as ever was walking Maura down the aisle. Jane seeing Maura gasps loudly struck by how beautiful Maura was walking down the aisle to her.

Jane thought to herself in disbelief. "Maura is walking down the aisle to marry me. Me marry me oh my god! How did I get so lucky? Wait not lucky blessed . I'm going to do everything in my power everyday to try and make her happy . God I love that woman. She's smiling oh thank god she's smiling."

Constance hands Maura off to Jane smiling then takes her seat next to Hope and Angela in the front row.

Maura's hand takes Jane's in hers. She says to herself as she situates herself in front of Korsak. "I'm so happy . I'm home , I belong here with her. I've never belonged anywhere before. This feels so right . Jane is my home where I belong. Where I have always belonged."

Jane and Maura exchange loving smiles. Korsak starts the ceremony.

"The step you are about to take is the most important into which human beings can come. It is a union of two people founded on mutual respect and affection. Your lives will change,your responsibilities will increase, but your joy will be multiplied if you are sincere and earnest with your pledge to one another. Jane Clementine Rizzoli," Laughs come from the guests because of Jane's middle name, Jane turns giving them a dirty look causing everyone to laugh. Vince laughs and starts again. " Jane Clementine Rizzoli, will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to love her, comfort her , honor and keep her forsaking all others, keep you only unto her for as long as you both shall live?"

Jane smiles "I will."

"Maura Dorthea Isles ,will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to love her ,comfort her ,honor her and keep her forsaking all others, keep her only unto you for as long as you both shall live?"

Maura tearing up her hand shaking that's holding Jane's says softly "I do."

" Take hands and repeat after me ." Jane smiles holds up showing Vince they were already holding hands. Korsak shrugs then continues.

"Repeat after me . I, Jane Clementine Rizzoli, take you Maura Dorthea Isles,"

Jane repeats ,"I ,Jane Clementine Rizzoli, take you Maura Dorthea Isles,"

Korsak "to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better or worse, for richer or poorer ,to love and cherish, from this day forward."

Jane choking up a little repeats " To be my wedded wife,to have and to hold , for better or worse, richer or poorer, to love and cherish from this day forward."

Korsak motions to Maura " Now Maura repeat after me ."

Maura starts without Korsak's prompting "I Maura Dorthea Isles, take you , Jane Clementine Rizzoli, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold , for better or worse, for richer or poorer, to love and cherish from this day forward."

Korsak looks to Jane asks "Do you have a ring for your bride?"

Jane nods then turns looking down the aisle . She whistles then everyone watches and laughs as Jo Friday with a pillow wrapped around his body with the rings attached to it runs to Jane down the aisle. Jane and Maura pet Jo as Jane takes the rings off the pillow.

Korsak says " Please place the ring on your bride's finger and say with this ring I thee wed."

Jane's hands shaking now places the ring on Maura's finger then says "With this ring I thee wed." Maura smiles at Jane mouthing I love you.

Korsak asks Maura " Do you have a ring for your bride? Please place it on her finger and say with this ring I thee wed."

Maura places the ring on Jane's finger then says " With this ring I the wed."

Korsak says " Let these rings be given and taken as a token of your affection, sincerity, and fidelity to one another. In as much as Jane and Maura have consented together in wedlock and have witnessed the same before this company , and pledged their vows to each other , by the authority vested in me by the Universal Life Church online, I now pronounce you wedded wives. You may now kiss your bride."

Jane and Maura kiss as the guests erupt into cheering and applause.

Maura whispers in Jane's ear "I love you so much. We're going to have such a wonderfully happy marriage together."

Jane feels something on her leg. She looks down sees Bass licking her ankle . Jane says to Maura " Yeah a happy marriage just the three of us. Me , you and the little pervert." Jane points down to Bass on her ankle.

Maura starts laughing as Jane tries to shake him off. Then out of no where Clemmy comes running up to Bass knocking him off Jane's ankle. Then Bass takes off running with Clemmy in hot pursuit of him. The guests all start laughing as they watch Bass and Clemmy running down the aisle away from Jane and Maura.

Maura laughing hugging Jane "Yep the four of us are going to have a great life together."

Jane laughing as Clemmy catches Bass knocking his shell which turns him over on his back. Jo Friday goes to the tortoises and starts barking.

Jane points laughing at them says "Make that the five of us will have a great life together."

Maura agreeing nods as her and Jane go running down after Bass to save him from Clemmy's jealous rage.

.

And so they all lived happily ever after.

,

.

A/N-You win the prize as my favorite reader . Because you actually finished the longest chapter I ever wrote on here, 5,425 words . Thank you for reading my story!

I also wanted to thank Tracy for her patience and inspiration. Her amazing Bass story encouraged me to finish mine.