Chapter 24

"Will you please tell me where we are going?" Jane asked as she was putting suitcases into the car.

"No," was Maura's simple answer. She wasn't going to give in and tell Jane anything until she absolutely had to. "I've told you. It's a surprise."

They were heading out for a weekend away. Maura had originally wanted to take Jane away from the looming review board and the still persistently annoying press and interview requests. But the review board had been dismissed, the press was no longer camping out in front of Maura's house and Jane had gone back to work without incident for the week. So now the weekend appeared to more about celebrating and being together than about retreating and hiding.

"Maura, come on...I hate surprises," Jane whined.

"Actually, you love surprises so stop whining. Jane, you'll see soon enough. We aren't going that far. The weather is cooperating so we won't have any issues with snow. Just relax and try to let it slowly dawn on you where we are going."

Jane pouted but only slightly. She did like surprises. Especially from Maura. And considering the last few weeks they had earned the getaway. She smiled and couldn't help but take solace in the fact that she could smile again. Sean's job was safe. She didn't need to resign. Everything seemed to finally be starting to settle back into normalcy. Or at least normal for the two of them.

She was trying to put the bad feelings behind her. The sadness and guilt still attached to Ricky's death. The now fading guilt for the drama Sean and the guys had gone through. And her guilt over disappointing and probably hurting Maura when she resigned without talking about it with her. She wanted to get passed all of that and she decided a weekend away alone with Maura was an excellent place to start to do just that. If nothing else she needed to try to start making it up to Maura and to show her how grateful she was that Maura had stood by her side throughout everything.

"Ok..ok. I give in. I'm just be a passenger on this journey," Jane conceded and Maura kissed her gently on the lips as she walked by. "Ma promised to watch Bass and Jo so we are all set to go if you are ready."

"I just have to get one last thing and we can head," Maura said as she quickly made her way up the stairs and into her office. Pulling open her top desk drawer she removed what she was looking for and headed down the stairs. Moments later she found Jane And announced she was ready. "Alright, let's go."

They headed out and Jane begrudgingly took her spot in the passenger seat. She was going to have to try really hard not to criticize Maura's driving. Or more accurately Maura's speed. The woman actual obeyed the speed limit. Thinking about it Jane had to stifle a chuckle. Only she would end up with a fiancee who actually obeyed the speed limits.

They drove and chatted. Light, easy conversation for the first time in almost two weeks. It felt good and natural for them both. They were never without things to talk about but both realized how good it felt to be almost carefree as they chatted. They had earned the casualness that washed over them. The farther they drove the more relaxed the both got. Both realized that this trip was definitely a good idea.

It was when Maura stopped for gas and beverages that Jane announced that she knew where they were going. "Maura, now that I know where we are going can I please drive?" she asked her eyes pleading.

"You don't know where we are going. You are trying to trick me into thinking you know so I'll tell you," Maura claimed.

"Maura, come on. I know we are going to Laconia and to my grandparent's house," Jane stated.

Maura frowned, "Was it that obvious?" She knew it wouldn't stay secret for long but thought she would at least make it out of Massachusetts before Jane had guessed. But then again the woman was a detective. Maura should have known. She took solace in the fact that their destination was not the only surprise awaiting them.

Jane chuckled. "Only to someone who drove this route every summer for ten years. But hey," she said pulling Maura into her arms, "I love the idea. I'm very happy you thought of it." She gave Maura a chaste kiss. "Now, can I please drive so we can get there before tomorrow?"

"I drive the posted speed limit Jane," she said trying not to grin. "If the Massachusetts and New Hampshire State Highway Patrols wanted anyone to drive faster they would change the legal limit."

"Maura," Jane whined again.

"Fine, you can drive," Maura conceded and smiled when a grin rushed across Jane's face.

A little over an hour later they pulled into the driveway of Jane's grandparent's house. Maura had asked Angela to see if the house was available. Given the fact that it was December Angela was confident that no one was using the house. Angela had checked and the house was available. She had even got Jane's cousin to open the house and leave the keys in the mailbox again.

Jane grabbed the bags and Maura grabbed the key. Maura was grateful for the mild weather. The weekend didn't have any snow in the forecast and the temperatures were supposed to be in the upper 30s. Jane's cousin Sarah had fully hooked up the couple. She had turned on the heat, stocked the refrigerator and brought in enough wood to burn a fire in the fireplace all night. Jane smiled and made a mental note to get Sarah a very nice Christmas present as a thank you.

"So," Jane started as they had gotten settled. "Now that we are here did you have plans for us Doc or are we just going to wing it?"

"Oh, I definitely have plans for us," Maura said and winked playfully at the detective.

"I think I like the sound of that," Jane said as she advanced towards Maura quickly capturing her in her arms. They shared a passionate kiss before Maura pulled away.

"Don't start something we can't finish just yet," Maura warned.

"What do you mean can't finish? You mean we really have plans? Like plan plans?" she was hoping Maura had simply been teasing about sex. Apparently not.

Maura chuckled. "Yes Jane. We have plans this afternoon." She leaned in and kissed the now pouting detective. "But I promise we will have all night for everything else."

That perked up Jane. "Promise?" she asked playfully.

"I'm counting the minutes," Maura admitted.

Jane sighed but took a step back. "Alright, so what are these plans that so clearly can't be interrupted with 'other' activities?"

"That at the moment is still a surprise," Maura stated. "But for right now, I'm starving. Let's see what Sarah brought for food," she said walking into the kitchen.

Maura found food to make sandwiches for her and Jane. They sat down at the table to eat when Maura looked at Jane. "Do you know why I chose to come here?" she asked.

"Free room and board?" Jane answered with a grin.

Maura playfully swatted at Jane's shoulder. It was good to see her relaxed enough to be joking around. "This is where we started. In this town. On the lake. Up on this roof. This is the place where we became 'us'. This place will always be special to me.

"When I first planned this trip I wanted to just get you away from our troubles. Give you a break from the storm and take your mind off of what was still to come. Now, we just get to be together and relax. To enjoy each other's company. This place has such a good effect on us."

Jane smiled. "This town has always been special to me. The trips up here I had to spend time with my grandparents are memories I cherish. But everything here means even more to me now because I can share it all with you. The fact that we started our relationship here is just an added bonus for me. I'm glad this is where you chose."

"Finish your sandwich, we have some place we need to be," Maura gave Jane a mysterious smile.

R&I

An hour later Jane found herself stuck as the passenger again. Maura insisted on driving even though Jane claimed to know the town better than she did. Maura refused to explain where they were going or what it was they were going to be doing. Jane's head turned frequently from looking out the car window over to Maura trying to get a hint of where they were going.

Maura navigated the car down towards the lakefront. Jane started to assume they were either going to stop at the lake or maybe even head down to the marina. But Maura kept driving passed every place Jane thought could be their stop. As she looked around while Maura drove she was now thoroughly confused about what was going on. Finally Maura pulled into the driveway of a house overlooking the lake.

"Maura, what are we doing here? Who lives here?" she asked looking towards the house.

"We do," she answered. "Or at least we will whenever we want to come up here."

Jane's face displayed the shock she felt. "Excuse me?" she asked still trying to comprehend what Maura had just said.

Maura smiled. "I know Christmas is still a few weeks away but..."

"Are you serious?" Jane was still just staring at her. "Maura, Christmas gifts are supposed to be jewelry, ugly sweaters or gift cards. Houses are not Christmas presents."

Maura couldn't help but giggle. "Jane, it's not technically a Christmas present. It's an investment. And it will be our summer vacation home or our weekend getaway location. Just like my penthouse in New York. Or my villa in Tuscany." She could go on naming other properties she owned but she knew that may only upset Jane. "Only this one seems more like its ours than just mine. This one is for just us."

Jane turned her head and looked at the house. She knew Maura had money. She knew Maura owned property all of the world. She was even fine with that. She had stopped comparing herself to Maura a long time ago and the money really didn't bother Jane. Maura never acted like she cared about the money. She never acted like it made her better than anyone else. In fact she never flaunted her money at all.

She owned nice things. Her wardrobe had all the top designer labels. But in the end she was still just Maura. She wasn't an elitest. Wasn't a snob. She was just as comfortable sitting at the Dirty Robber with the guys as she would have been at a fancy restaurant hobnobbing with the rich and powerful. She chose to be with Jane. Maura could have had anyone she wanted, male or female, and she wanted Jane. Jane was secure in that.

A huge smile broke across Jane's face that relaxed Maura immediately. She had been a little worried that Jane may be upset about the purchase of the house. She wanted a place in the town that meant something to both of them. She envisioned spending time in the summer here and she knew the family rented out her grandparent's house for the summer. So she wanted one of their own. One they could bring their children up to for summers. One they could create traditions and family memories. Something that was solely theirs.

"Can we go inside?" Jane asked.

"That was the plan," Maura answered with a smile. "It's not furnished. I wanted to pick things out together. But I think you'll like the layout."

They got out of the car and walked hand in hand towards the house. "I can't believe you own this house," Jane said as almost a whisper.

"We own this house Jane. We." Maura corrected her. They got to the front door and Maura removed the keys opening the front door. They both entered and Jane froze in the entryway turning to stare at Maura.

"What?" she asked confused. Her eyes went from Maura to what was in front of her.

Or more correctly who was in front of her. Standing in what was most likely the living room of what was now their home was her family. Their family. Angela, Constance, Frankie, Tommy, Vince, Barry and Sean. All with goofy grins plastered on their faces. All with a look like they knew exactly what was happening and enjoying knowing Jane had no clue.

"What?" she asked again turning her attention to Maura.

Maura reached down and took Jane's hands in hers. She looked into Jane's eyes. "Marry me," she said.

"I already said yes to that," Jane said trying to recover and have her mind catch up to what was going on.

"Marry me. Here. Now." Maura said still holding Jane's eyes captive.

"We have a wedding mostly planned for April," Jane answered. "There's like a thousand people coming."

"Our wedding is right here. Right now. Marry me," she replied with a smile.

"But your dream. The dress. The...the everything," Jane stammered.

"Everything I want is right in front of me. I don't care about a dress. Or flowers. Or venue. Or guest lists. I care about you. Us. I want us to start our lives together. I don't need the social event of the year. I just need you."

Jane turned her head enough to look at the people in the room again. They all were still smiling watching Jane try to catch up to the moment. That's when she finally noticed the one additional person she missed when she first walked in. The minister. Maura was completely serious about the here and now.

"Are you sure?" Jane asked looking back at Maura. She had never wanted Maura to settle for anything less than exactly what she wanted for a wedding.

As if reading her mind Maura answered, "Jane, that wedding I told you about. That fantasy wedding. That came before I ever knew what having a family was really like. What loving someone was really like. It was a school girl's fantasy and never based on reality. This," she indicated to the people in the room, "this is our family. You are who I love. This is the wedding of my reality and I couldn't ask for anything better than that. Marry me."

"Yes," Jane said. She couldn't deny the woman in front of her anything. Including this.

R&I

They made their way into the living room and found themselves standing in front of the minister. He directed them to take each other's hands and he spoke.

"Marriage is about two individuals coming together to live a single life. A life filled with love, compassion, understanding and joy. A life filled with family and friends. A life devoted to being something that is better when enjoyed together than it would be to experience apart. Marriage is a commitment. An agreement to love each other. Take care of each other. Encourage and support each other. Respect each other. Trust in each other. Accept each other for who she is.

"Marriage is an agreement between the two of you. It's an agreement to be the best self you can possibly be for each other. To see each other's potential but also each other's limitations. To put her needs ahead of your own. To make her your priority even when life seems to be demanding your attention. To always remember the reason you fell in love with her. To compromise when she wants something other than what you want. To be open to all that the future will bring you.

"Most of all marriage is about love. Love for each other. Love for yourself. Love for family and friends and a love of the gifts and joys life has in store for you both.

"Jane, do you freely and willingly agree to enter into marriage with Maura? To provide for her. To love and honor her? To make her your priority over all others? To love her for her faults and shortcomings? To be faithful to her and her alone?"

Staring intently into Maura's eyes Jane answered. "I do."

"Maura, do you freely and willingly agree to enter into marriage with Jane? To provide for her. To love and honor her? To make her your priority over all others? To love her for her faults and shortcomings? To be faithful to her and her alone?"

Without hesitation Maura answered. "I do."

"And to the family of Jane and Maura, do you all promise to support and guide this couple on their journey through life? To love them and help protect the life they build with each other? To remind them of the uniqueness of that love? To laugh with them, cry with them and share in all the significant moments they will have throughout their lives?"

There was a collective chorus of 'Yes' from the group standing behind Jane and Maura.

"The rings?" the minister asked. Maura turned her head to Frankie who stepped forward and handed two ring boxes to the minister. He opened the first box and handed the ring to Jane.

Jane gently placed the ring on Maura's finger. She repeated the lines the minister requested.

"With this ring I make you my wife, my world, my everything. I am bound to you and no other. I will love you with all that I am for all the days of my life. Today two lives become one. Two hearts now beat as one."

The minister then opened the second box and handed the ring to Maura.

Maura gently placed the ring on Jane's finger. She, too, repeated the lines the minister requested.

"With this ring I make you my wife, my world, my everything. I am bound to you and no other. I will love you with all that I am for all the days of my life. Today two lives become one. Two hearts now beat as one."

"As each woman has so freely given herself to the other in front of family and friends, it is my great honor to present this couple to you all as happy newlyweds. You both may kiss your wife."

Shouts, hoots and hollers were heard from the family witnessing the union. But neither Jane nor Maura heard a sound. They had stepped closer into each other and when their lips met everything else faded away. Two hearts beating as one. Forever.