Hey Party People, school is over. So I promise to update all my active stories shortly. Remember reviews are love. Also, I do not own Rizzoli and Isles and no copyright infrigement is intended. The story is mine.
"What is that," Maura asked as she cocked her head to the side? Jane sped past her to the fire place trailing leafs, snow, and footprints across their hardwood floor. Maura rolled her eyes, sighed at the big mess, and stared at the shrub that her wife dragged in the house.
"A Christmas tree, Maur," Jane smiled as she danced in front of the fire place.
"A Christmas tree," Maura quizzed "It looks more like an overgrown bush."
"It's a Charlie Brown Christmas tree," Jane grinned.
"What happened to the tree I ordered, the Abeis fraseri, the Fraser fir? Jane tell me you didn't get into a spat with Smitty my family has been ordering trees from there since I was a little girl. Not to mention he delivers which is why I don't understand why you and Frankie had to pick the tree up? "It's Rizzoli tradition to pick up the tree or trees." I haven't gotten a call from Ma so I'm guessing, she got her tree not the bush I see before me."
"Yes, Ma got her tree," Jane smiled by this time she'd shimmied out of her boots and coat. She walked over and kissed Maura's forehead.
"So where is our tree," Maura huffed?
"Rachel Clark is having a hard time with Christmas this year. She didn't take Danny's death well and his little girls deserve a decent Christmas. They've been through a lot this year. So Korsak, Frost, Frankie, myself and a bunch of officers are trying to help out," Jane sighed "I gave them our tree. I'm sorry I didn't ask you first that was wrong but after collecting for presents, new coats, we were short a tree. I didn't realize how exclusive or expensive the tree was until we picked it up. Maur, don't be mad."
"How I could I be mad? That is so unbelievably sweet, Jane. Although, I was prepared to blow a gasket. The Isles family takes Christmas very seriously. I don't have many fond childhood memories except for Christmastime. My parents would dote on me. We had a tree trimming party every year until I was in college. My mother baked sugar cookies herself and I've must have seen every Christmas movie ever made. Even with all the holiday parties they attended, they made time for me during the holidays."
"Now I feel like a douche bag. I should've known because your house always looks like a Macy's window after Thanksgiving. I'm surprised you didn't hire Christophe to decorate this year."
"I thought this year would be a little low key. The Clarks aren't the only people that had a rough year," Maura exhaled as she slipped her hand under Jane's turtleneck and rubbed her fingers over the exit wound scar.
"I feel guilty sometimes that I survived and so many other good cops didn't. Danny was one of the few guys who didn't give me shit in the Academy. Although we ended up working different beats and departments we still were friends. I still remember he and Rach's wedding, I think the entire precinct was completely wasted that night. Those little girls look so much like him." Jane spoke softly. She took a deep breath to fight the tears that welled in her eyes.
"Jane," Maura whispered as she pulled the detective in a tight embrace. "I think it is amazing what you guys are doing. I can't imagine what those girls or Rach are still going through. Don't feel guilty Jane because you had no control over what happened eight months ago. We may never get completely over what happened that day. There were moments when I felt guilty too but guilt will destroy you. What I am now is thankful and humble that I wasn't made a widower only after one week of marriage. I'm gracious that I didn't have to bury another little brother. You should only feel blessed and privileged you get to come home to disappoint your wife with a shrub."
"Maur, I love you so much. You are definitely my better half," Jane whispered while she kissed the doctor's forehead.
"I know," Maura chuckled "Now please explain to me why you thought a shrub would be a proper replacement for an nine foot tree."
"I have no fucking clue what I was thinking," Jane laughed "Smitty was going to throw it away and I know how much you wanted the Fraser fir so I thought since I couldn't get one anywhere in Boston. Trust me I called around I would give at least a piece of one."
"Sometimes I question your logic, Det. Rizzoli. I can put maybe four ornaments on this disaster of a tree," Maura smiled.
"Relax, I know how much you like to decorate trees. So I told Rach and the girls that we would have a decorating party tomorrow at noon. And I know you have special ornaments, so I made sure Ma left you a few spots on the tree over there."
"You think you're sly don't you," Maura smiled.
"More like cunning," Jane shrugged.
"Well make sure you use all that cleverness, when you mop up all those needles and slush you tracked on our floor. I'm going to your parents house to help put popcorn on a string."
"Wait, do you have to tonight? I was thinking Chinese, the Celtics, and a couple of bottles of cabernet," Jane whined.
"Later when I get back," Maura cooed.
"But it so late and cold and I want to snuggle. I've spent all day wrestling trees," Jane huffed.
"It seven o'clock, Jane. You left work at five to get the tree. Plus, I promised your mother that I would help her with the tree. You are more than welcome to join us," Maura shrugged.
"I guess at least I get to yell at the screen with Pop," Jane smirked.
"Only a couple of hours. I promise," Maura cooed.
Jane laughed "Honestly it is a shame how much you coax me into going to MY parent's house. You would think they were my in-laws. Maura you are truly the daughter my mother wished she had."
"Mop, so we can go. I'm going to collect the ornaments that I want to put at your mother's house.
Jane headed for the supply closet as Maura went to the basement. She looked through her ornaments which were neatly packed and labeled. She chose about a dozen to take over to the older Rizzoli household but set aside four for her "tree". The ornaments that were to decorate the Charlie Brown tree were too special to leave Maura's possessions. The first was a silver ornament with Maura's baby picture imprinted on it, it was inscribed with Maura's first Christmas 1980. The second ornament was a porcelain ballerina in mid pirouette, her mother bought it for her the year she was a sugar plum ferry in the Boston production of the Nutcracker. The third was a wooden drummer boy made by a village child named Kofi, when she was apart of Doctor's Without Borders in Zaire. The last was a tiffany's frame with a picture of her and Jane in Santa hats. It was another Frankie photograph, they both had whipped crème on the tips of their nose and cocoa mustaches with a childish grin.
Maura paused and smiled at the picture. Tears slid across her face at the thought that would've been their last Christmas if Jane hadn't lived. She centered the diamond on her wedding ring in the middle of her finger and wept big sloppy, ugly tears. Maura was just a centimeter from losing the only thing she ever wanted, a family.
"Maur, I'm finished," Jane yelled from the basement door.
"Ok, I'll be up in a sec," Maura cracked.
Jane noticed the difference in her wife's voice which cause her to run down the stairs. She found the petite blond holding their picture covered in tears. Instantly, she wrapped her olive toned arms around the alabaster skin of her partner.
"One centimeter," Maura whispered.
"I promise I will never be on your slab or anyone else's until I'm old and gray. I promise to never put you through anything like that ever again. Maura I couldn't let Frankie die or for that asshole to open fire on any other officer," Jane protested.
"I know," Maura halfheartedly smiled. She wiped her tears with the corner her sweater sleeve, then she kissed Jane slow and sweet like two teenagers first kiss. "We better get moving, I told your mother seven thirty and I'm sure we going to be late now."
"Ok. Do you need help carrying anything?"
"No," she shook her head. "Start the car, I'll be up in a minute."
By the time Maura entered the car, Jane had gotten the car warm to Maura's optimum temperature. The doctor placed the ornament box on the floor of the car and slid inside. The ride through the lightly dusted streets was quiet and unassuming. Jane asked Maura if she wanted to talk more but the ME replied that she had her moments. When they arrived at Jane's childhood home, the detective opened her wife's door, grabbed the box, and offered a hand across the slippery drive. Maura fumbled with the keys before she could unlock the door it swung open with Frankie, on the other side with a mouth full of candy canes.
"Hi, Frankie," Maura said as she pecked him on the cheek.
"Hi, Maur," He smiled "I see you didn't kill my sister for that ridiculous bush she brought home."
"Hi, asshole," Jane chided. "Are you going to let us in? It is fucking freezing."
"Language," Maura and Frankie admonished in unison.
"Don't start Franco," Jane warned.
The detective hung their coats and went to living room where she heard her father yelling at the game. Maura went to the kitchen to find Angela. Her mother-in-law was holding a bowl under the air popcorn popper as she sung "Silent Night".
"I'm here, Ma," Maura raised her voice just over the machine.
"Great, I was starting to worry. Usually you're not late at all, then I remembered my daughter went home after she dropped off the tree," Angela smiled "Jane will be late to her funeral."
When she saw Maura's face wince, she turned off the machine.
"What happened," Angela cooed?
"Nothing, um Jane was telling me what she was doing for the Clarks. I guess it put me in an emotional mood thinking about Rachel and the two little girls. Now I can't seem to shake the eeriness of how close I was to becoming a widow. Jane can be so reckless, I cringed when she was cleared for work. I thought I was ok but I'm not. My heart stops when Frost calls the office, when they're out in the field or he comes downstairs instead of Jane. It just this overwhelming sensation of uncertainty. It's almost like I'm waiting for the day he says "I'm sorry Maur, she didn't make it.""
"Have you talked to Jane," Angela asked?
"We talk and every time she says I promise to never hurt you or doing anything like that again. Jane has to be superwoman, it's her nature. I know if a situation similar were to happen again, Jane wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice herself. I'm terrified," Maura sighed.
"Jane will be ok. I make my children wear a St. Michael shield. I know you're not very religious and neither is Jane but I have my children, when other parents had to bury theirs. Jane will be Jane. She spent a lifetime spraining ankles, wrists, broken noses and collarbones. Jane has knack for getting herself banged up of which you're already aware. You're right she would give her life for others. You have to love her for who she is and not be broken by or hate her for what she'll never be. Trust me Maur, you'll get the hang of it. You two had a rough start as newlyweds, there will come a time when the dust will settle."
"It doesn't feel that way," Maur exhaled.
Unbeknownst to the two Mrs. Rizzolis, Jane was listening on the other side of the kitchen door. Her heart sunk into her shoes, the last thing she would ever want to do was make Maura sad and anxious. The familiar sensation of helplessness washed over her, she inhaled deeply, and put on a brave face.
"Just grabbing a few beers and Dad wants to know if there's any bruschetta left," Jane asked?
"In fridge, in the red Tupperware, the bread is in the box," Angela replied "Janie are you hungry, there is ravioli in the fridge."
"No, Ma we're going to get Chinese after you and Maura gussy up the tree. Dad finally got it in the perfect spot. Is everything ok?"
"Everything is fine, baby. Maura and I was just talking shop on what it is to be married to a Rizzoli. Help you father finish pulling all the decorations out of the attic."