Dimming of the Day

Chapter 6

Disclaimer: Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles do not belong to me. No infringement intended and no profit will be made from their use.

This chapter wraps up this story. This is a bit more sappy than I usually like to write, but it happens. Thanks as always for reading!

Jane drove Maura home and walked her to her front door. Maura gave her a light kiss on the lips and said, "Thank you for tonight. I'll talk you tomorrow, okay?"

Jane nodded and watched Maura go inside. Jane drove back home and cleaned up the remains of their dishes before taking Jo Friday on a short walk around the block. Jane felt good. She thought she had done her best and told Maura how she felt as honestly and completely as she could. Now it was up to Maura.

When Jane got back to her apartment after the walk, her heart rate quickened. Maura was sitting on the floor outside her door, still in the same dress and heels she was wearing earlier. Jane gave her a hand to help her up and said, "What happened? What are you doing here?"

"Can we go inside and talk?" Maura asked.

Jane unlocked the door and let Maura in first. She bent to let Jo Friday off her leash and Jo ran past Maura into the kitchen for water. "She's gonna want to go for a walk again in ten minutes. She has the bladder of an old lady," Jane joked. "Come sit. What's going on?"

Jane sat down on the couch and Maura did the same. "Tonight was about family, right? You want me to know that I'm part of your family."

Jane nodded.

"I made a mistake," Maura said.

Jane panicked. "What do you mean?"

"No, it's okay. It's just that I like to analyze everything. It's probably more accurate to say I need to analyze everything. You know I don't like to make guesses or assumptions. I like to be methodical. I want to make sure I've considered every possibility before coming to a conclusion. I thought that's what I needed to do about us also, just like I would with everything else. But after you dropped me off and left and I was alone in my house, I realized I was wrong. There isn't anything to analyze. Everything about tonight was perfect. I would be overjoyed if this could be our life. You said you want to be with me."

"Forever," Jane said quickly.

"Then there isn't anything else for me to think about. I love you and I want to be with you too."

"Oh my god, I'm so happy." Jane moved across the couch and wrapped her arms around Maura, stroking one hand through Maura's hair. "I love you so much. I will never let you down." Jane leaned back and kissed Maura's lips gently before pulling back and asking, "What happens now?"

"I think we figure it out as we go. I am committed to you and that isn't going to change. We have to tell everyone that we are together."

"Oh, yay, that'll be fun," Jane deadpanned.

"I know you're being sarcastic but I think it will be fun. We'll get to see everyone's reactions."

Suddenly Jane's whole face lit up in a huge smile. "How about we completely blow their minds?"

"Um, I don't know. You're making me a little nervous."

"Don't move." Jane ran into her bedroom and Maura could hear her rummaging in her dresser.

Jane returned a few minutes later with one hand behind her back. She stopped in front of Maura and took a deep breath and then knelt on one knee. She brought her hand out revealing a small gold band carved with leaves and flowers. "Maura Isles, I love you with all my heart. I want to be with you forever. I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else." Jane's eyes started to water and she took another deep breath before continuing. "Will you do me the insane, tremendous honor of marrying me."

Maura was crying but she started laughing when Jane said 'insane.' "Oh, Jane. This is crazy, but yes, of course I will. Why wait? Let's blow everyone's mind."

Jane took the ring out of it's box. "This was my great grandmother's wedding ring. My mother's grandmother. It was the only thing she brought from Italy when she came to the United States. She was an old lady when she came here. I never met her. She gave this ring to my grandmother who gave it to me. I'm not really sure why my grandmother gave it to me. I doubt that this is what she envisioned. I know it's not much, but-"

"Jane, it's beautiful. And I love that it means something to you. I'll be honored to wear it."

Jane again wrapped her arms around Maura and they kissed deeply. When they stopped Jane said, "Ma is going to flip."

Mention of Angela made Maura's eyes go wide, "Oh no, is this too crazy? Are we making a mistake?"

"Yes and no. We can hold off on the marriage thing if you want. It's okay. But I fully intend to marry you one day Maura Isles and you said yes. You aren't getting out this now."

Maura laughed. "Okay, but maybe we'll hold off on telling people for a little while. Now...I have a request."

"Anything."

"Take me to bed."

Several hours later Jane lay sweaty and naked on top of an equally sweaty and naked Maura. "I love you, Maura."

"Mmm, bedroom Jane," Maura murmured.

"Uh, honey, we're already in the bedroom."

Maura giggled. "I know where we are. It was a nickname I made up for you."

Jane raised her eyebrows. "Bedroom Jane? Really? And since when do you make up nicknames?"

"It was because you have all this sexy confidence in the bedroom. You do at work too, but with other matters of romance or relationships it was the opposite. Until the past few days anyway. Bedroom Jane has been all the time Jane."

"I have no idea if you are making any sense at all. As long as you are happy though I don't think I care."

Maura stretched beneath Jane. "Mmm, I'm very happy. Do you think we should try to get some sleep?"

"I don't know," Jane joked. "I think we're only gonna get sort of engaged once. Shouldn't we make the most of it."

Maura tangled her hands in Jane's hair. "Jane, we are really engaged. We're just gonna wait a little while before telling people."

Jane smiled, "So you're saying we should be celebrating all night?"

Jane didn't wait for an answer. She dipped her head and sucked on Maura's earlobe until Maura was writhing beneath her again trying to create more contact. "You aren't still sleepy are you?" Jane asked.

"God no," Maura answered as Jane's fingers entered her again.