**Disclaimer I do not own R&I**
Nothing is means more to life than being awake. It means the day can start and life could be continued. Those who awake you can do it multiple ways. Today Jane was awoken by her love. Maura Isles greeted her sweetly in bed. As everything came back it had all seem made up but it wasn't.
It was also the day a major step in their relationship was going to be taken. They were going to finally come out together as a unit. They already were living together. They had been through so much to get to where they were and had so much more to undergo but they were slowly moving on and healing. The next days would bring with it a slow recovery for one another and with one another.
Jane called her family and everyone was set to be there. The dinner came rather fast. Preparation was key. They were in the kitchen cooking.
The sauce was spread over the spaghetti.
"This smells delicious!" Exclaimed Jane as she put the meatballs within the pot.
"I made it with love." Maura said with jovial tone.
Ding dong, ding dong, the doorbell went off.
"Are you going to get that or shall I?" Jane smiled down.
"Mmmm it's your family."
"OUR family." Jane corrected coolly and with might.
"I just like hearing you say it." Maura smiled.
"I got it." Jane said kissing Maura on the cheek.
The door opened. It was her mother followed by the rest of the clan. Frankie, Lydia, TJ, and Tommy himself came behind. This was the door of opportunity.
"Hey everyone come on in!"
"Jane this isn't you house!" Tommy jokes.
"Yeah kid, I just live here." She punches him in the shoulder.
"Sis, how about that game?" Frankie asked.
"Come on Frankie, you know my team has got it, don't be a sore loser!"
"Alright alright, no sports talk. It's dinner time." As Maura sets the table and everyone sits down a hum overcomes the crowd.
Regular discussion occurs and the night is thoroughly enjoyed.
Jane feels Maura grab her thigh under the table. Jane places her hand over it while cupping it within her own.
She clears her throat to signify to the table she wished to speak but no one pays attention, she then states, "I have something I need to say, it is rather important."
Everyone immediately becomes still and eyes land on her.
"What is it baby?" Angela asks.
"Yeah Janie, spill!" Frankie seemed oblivious to her tone.
Jane was only nervous as excitement filled her.
"Well." She pulls her and Maura's hands from underneath the table and exposes their hands which are still intertwined. "I love you all and I really wish you can accept me for who I am. The thing is…"
"OH MY GOSH IS THIS ACTUALLY HAPEENEING?!" Angela yells.
"Ma…I… I told you! I thought…"
Just then Angela starts to cry and can't breathe.
"I'm sorry, she, I, we love each other. You can understand that right?!"
No response.
"Get her a paper!"
"I…I… It is just so exciting…. I am sorry…. I've waited a long time for this Janie!"
Maura gives a breath of relief she didn't even realize she had been holding in."
Jane then looks to Frankie.
"Frank…Frankie…?"
His mouth is just wide with wonder.
"Janie you, you're?"
"I don't know brother. It's just what she does to me."
He laughs to himself.
"Well I should have known. You are moved in together. Casey, I mean, all the guys never worked out, for either of you come to think of it. Wait, you mean Maura was the… secret admirer?"
"Yeah." Jane says through a laugh.
"Aw, well sis. You should have just said that. I'm happy if you are happy."
"I'm proud of you Jane. You got your girl." Korsak smiled.
"You helped Korsak." She grinned.
Only one person had not spoken.
"Tommy?" Maura asked.
He walked out of the dining room to the kitchen.
"Maur… should you or I?"
"Wait so you guys mean you weren't already together?" Lydia posed in her ditzy voice.
This earned a laugh from everyone from the group except the girls.
Maura leaned into Jane and stated she would take care of it and went into the kitchen. Maura smiled as Jane told them how it all happened and answered all the obvious questions. She figured that Jane would tell them why they decided to come out, and could tell they already guessed the main parts.
"Tommy?" Asked Maura quietly.
"Maura why Jane? You could have any guy you want, heck you had me at your beck and call. Frankie would have loved a shot, why her? Why wouldn't you just let her be normal?"
"Tommy she's still the same girl, she is your sister. Nothing has changed."
"You are blindsided that is understandable. We expected some people to be."
"Don't do that, don't use we. It…"
"It what Tommy? It's real. I love her. I know she loves me. We need help. That's why we decided to do this. I would love for you to still be a part of all of this. You know TJ is important to be, he is like my own son."
"How could you think it is healthy to be exposed to this Maura? That's my son. I almost lost him, I don't want to corrupt him!"
"Is that what you think? We are corrupted?"
Hearing the tone Tommy immediately felt apologetic for his word choice and wished he could take them back.
Instead he slowly released the pit of breath in his lungs, slowly, cautiously.
"No, I don't think you are. You are wonderful, Jane deserves that."
"I wouldn't say I am wonderful but I do believe Jane deserves the best."
"Don't sell yourself short. If you will let me, I suppose…I'll help in any way possible. You just need to let me adjust."
"I can do that." Maura quickly takes the man in for a hug. "You know, you have grown up so much. It's wonderful to see. You are more of a man than you ever were. Don't feel like the black sheep. I know it must be hard at times, but I know Jane has faith in you."
She remembers how Tommy had once caused a rift between them but their mutual want to prove him innocent took priority. Maura had grown fond of him and their son. They were part of the family, Maura's new family and she would not have it any other way.
"Now, would you like to go back and finish eating?"
"Yeah Maura."
"Wonderful."
Tommy always had a droll about him, never the brightest but still Maura could see his potential.
The youngest was often underestimated and the most resilient and individualistic then their siblings. Maura could see this in Tommy. He was out of place, but to her it seemed as if he belonged.
The dinner went with explanation and went accordingly. It was all very exciting for both girls. Now their independence was twined in a new way. Jane knew that she was not the same person but that was alright. Maura knew she was not the same person but that is alright. They were looking for the next logical steps. See, the therapy was about them and not the baby. It was the parts of them that they detested and had to work through. This was forward movement for both, a new way in life.