It was part of her night routine. She would get into bed, sign onto her alias twitter account and look for any activity from her daughter or her daughter's friends through the day. It was a way of keeping in touch, without interfering. It was enlightening but also very entertaining.

Today Constance was not looking in vain. She never knew Maura was scared of spiders. Although, judging from the tweets it seem not like something that Maura would care to admit. Jane was – like always – a bit more forthcoming. "Well I just . . . . when you said you 'had my back' I didn't think you were gonna literally hang onto it."

Constance chuckled. Maura was never good in communicating her needs, yet around Jane she seemed comfortable enough to get what she need. Constance would never in a million years imagine Maura literally clinging to somebody's back because of an inconvenient arachnid. And Constance is an artist; she made millions with her imagination.

It was even more surprising that Maura had almost 19 000 followers – virtual friends perhaps? Sure, Jane Rizzoli had 21 500 followers, but not many people can claim that they have more than 10 000 followers. It was not something Constance expected for her only child. Maura was always socially awkward. Sure, there were always people who did not mind spending time with her. Maura was more than enough: very smart, very rich, very coordinated, very successful in all her endeavours. According to some of her peers she was also very boring, but in a useful sense. Yet, Maura never learned to capitalize on that. She never traded favours for favours. If she could help you, she would do so without expecting anything in return.

Constance put her I-Pad down and settled down. It may not be obvious, but she always adored Maura. From the moment that Patrick Doyle introduced her to the newborn he had to her. She did not even have to think about it. She fell in love immediately with the baby girl and was eager to give her a home.

However, what was a lot more obvious is that Constance was never any good at it. Her intentions may have been good, but she just did not know how to do it. It was fairly easy to become a mother. One of her students showed up with a baby, her family's lawyers took care of the paperwork and arranged for a closed adoption. She and Henry signed the dotted line and became the parents of Maura.

That took care of the formality, not about the practical considerations. The Isles' diary was booked in advance for about 6 months. It was not that they did not want to be parents; they just not expect to have a baby fall into their laps unannounced. Their schedule just did not allow for a baby.

Constance tried that first night to be a mother. The baby cried and cried and cried. Constance had no idea why the baby cried. Her nappy was dry and clean. Every time Constance checked, the baby became more agitated. Constance and Henry did not have the foggiest idea of how to check or change the nappy while keeping the baby comfortable. Maura didn't want to drink. They followed the instructions to the letter, even sent out the butler to get different kind of formulas, but all was in vain. She did not know if the baby was sick, in pain or simply just missing her mother. Constance was told her mother died in childbirth.

At the end, Constance was crying just as hard as the baby. It did not take much for Henry to convince her the next morning that they needed help: a nanny and a nurse for good measure as well. The truth was that Constance did not know what the baby needed. Her schedule did not allow her to find time to get to know the baby. There were professionals that would know what Maura needs and wants. They could take better care of Maura than what Constance could. Constance promised herself that she will become Maura's primary caretaker when she is old enough to tell Constance what she needs.

Ironically enough it turned out to be the one and only night that Maura was difficult. Her caretakers always ensured Constance that she was an easy child – healthy, curious and intelligent. She was often described as a ray of sunshine, promising to be a joy for her adoptive parents.

Constance tried to spend as much time as possible with her new baby. It was not much at all, but it was all Constance had to offer. Maura grew used to her over time. She would sit with her mother whenever Constance wanted her, but she was always glad to go back to her nanny.

When Maura was about two years old and could walk and talk comfortably, Constance decided to surprise Henry with a visit at his site. Her nanny was on leave and Constance recently decided that a fulltime nurse was actually a waste. She was sure that she could take care of Maura for a few weeks. She would have her assistant with her; she knew her child's routine and Maura could ask if there was anything else she wanted.

As they were rushing through the airport, Maura was not keeping up. Constance grew rather irritated with the toddler. They were almost late and the last thing she needed was to drag her child with her.

"Maura Dorthea Isles, hurry up! Behave like a big girl." Constance scolded her.

Maura determinedly run next to her mother, trying not to disappoint her. She was only two years old and the airport was a very big place. They did not get very far before she fell. Constance pulled her up impatiently.

"What is going on with you?" she demanded angrily.

Maura's bottom lip started to quiver. Immediately Constance felt guilty, but she was not sure why. She was not unreasonable, but Maura needed to understand that they needed to hurry. They were first class passengers, but the plane was not going to wait forever for them.

"Mrs. Isles?" her assistant said hesitantly.

"What is it, Tessa?"

"Ma'am, she is only a baby. Her legs can only go this far and this is an awfully big place. She tried her best, she did better than expected, but she is only a baby. She needs somebody that will carry her."

Constance looked back at her child, still with a quivering bottom lip. A lump grew in Constance's throat. She failed her child yet again. She once again did not see what her child needed. Maura was so eager to please her that she did not ask for help.

Constance squatted down and reached out to Maura. She fully expected the child to reject her. That was what she deserved. Yet, Maura walked into her arms without hesitation. She picked her up and Maura settled against her shoulder.

"I am sorry, Baby." Constance whispered while she hurried down the corridor. Maura has fallen asleep by the time that they reached the boarding gate. Constance felt like she was in heaven. It was the first time that Maura done something like that with her. It was the first time that Maura showed her that she trusted her.

Constance learned something with that trip. Even if Maura was capable of asking for something, she would not necessary ask.

The next few years Constance and Maura got in a routine if and when Constance was at home. Maura was a fairly independent child. She could spend hours with Constance in her studio, playing with art supplies and indulging Constance in art projects. When Constance was occupied in a new project, Maura would be content with building blocks, puzzles or books. Once Constance gave her Henry's Rubik's Cube, it was something he toyed with it for years. He could not solve it. To her surprise her 5 year old solved it in one afternoon.

Constance then decided that Maura should be enrolled in school. She sent her to the best private school in the city. To Constance delight, her little girl excelled. She also signed her up for classical ballet. Henry enjoyed discussing his research with Maura and always showered her with books. Her eyes always sparkle when she got a new book.

Constance never knew how to elicit the same amount of joy from her daughter. She still needed to travel a lot. She was an up and coming artist and she had to establish her name. Constance had a faint idea of what Maura needed: she needed 3 meals a day, a snack at 11 and another at 3; every season she needed a new wardrobe; once a year she needed to visit the paediatrician to make sure she stay healthy and the school will sent a letter for whatever she needed there. Constance even knew that Maura does not need to be carried anymore. She discovered that Maura was partial to chocolate one Easter and from then knew that was something she could give the child as a treat.

The Isles' were ready to give Maura anything she asked for. The problem however was that she never asked.

Maura's sixth birthday was coming up and Constance was determined to give her something that will make her little girl heart leap with joy. Something personal and not the expensive toy that is the latest craze. Maura was lying on her stomach in the studio and paged through a National Geographic. Constance thought that she fallen asleep, but when she looked at her, the girl was engrossed in an article. She lied down next to Maura to see what she was reading.

"Do you like turtles, Darling?" Constance asked interested.

"It is a tortoise, Mother." Maura explained patiently. "I love them."

Constance smiled happily. She knew exactly what to get Maura for her birthday. For the first time ever she saw her daughter jumping up and down from excitement. She loved her African Spurred tortoise and promptly named him after William M. Bass. It did not occur to Constance to wonder why her 6 year old knew the name of this forensic anthropologist. She was just happy that she could make her child happy.

Maura was always happy with whatever Constance and Henry could give her. She did not demand anything more than that. They learned that she won't ask anything and they employed people to ensure that she is taken care off. They showered her with gifts and hoped that everything is covered.

Constance arrived home for two days before her next trip. It was already late and she found Maura in bed with a book.

"Hello, Darling." She greeted her and kissed each cheek.

"Good evening, Mother." Maura greeted politely.

"How is my girl doing?" Constance asked.

Maura shrugged and Constance took the book from her.

"Talk to me, Maura. How is school?"

"It is boring. I already know everything. The other children call me Maura-the-Bora."

Constance was really tired; she could barely keep her eyes open. "Then we find you another school, darling. Anywhere in the world, one that would stimulate you."

Constance was planning on giving the matter attention the next day, but there was just so much to do. When Maura came home from school, she immediately buried her nose in her books.

"Did you do your homework, Darling?

"Yes, Mother."

Constance was satisfied with that answer and turned her attention to Maura's nanny. She needed to establish that her child was taken care of. She heard a thud behind her. She turned around and saw that Maura fainted.

"What is wrong with her?" Constance demanded to know.

"I don't know." The nanny was stunned.

"Did she eat today? Is she well? When was the last time that she saw the doctor?"

"Yes –" while the nanny was vehemently defended herself, Maura came to.

"Mother," she cried. Constance was shocked. Maura was still a baby the last time she saw her cry.

"What is wrong, darling?" she asked concerned.

"I am sorry. I lied; I did not do my homework. It is just such a waste of my time."

Constance hugged her, smiling a bit. She never thought about checking up on Maura.

"Darling, is that why you fainted?" she asked gently.

"I think so, but I cannot be sure." Maura answered honestly. "Are you going to punish me?" she asked scared.

Constance realised something at that moment. In Maura's 10 years on earth, she was never reprimanded or punished. Constance did not even know what an appropriate punishment would be.

"Well, Maura, lying is serious. I always thought that I could trust you, but how can I trust you when you lie to me?"

"I am sorry, I promise, I will never again." Maura was still crying.

"I will hope not, darling." Constance said dryly. "You will faint and we will all know why."

Maura looked at her expectantly and Constance realised that she was waiting on her punishment. She looked at the nanny who shrugged. She also never had to punish Maura before. Constance thought back to her own childhood. She was also raised by a nanny and her nanny would sort out any issues with a few smacks to her rear. She hated the idea and considered other options. Maura was a very isolated child and putting her in time out seemed silly. She could not ground her, Maura never went out. She could not put her on restriction; she hardly ever watched TV or ate sweets. She was already studying all the time.

"I won't punish you this time, Maura. I think you have learned your lesson." Constance sighed.

"Mother, you are supposed to. It is your duty." Maura insisted.

Constance was frustrated. She did not know what to do and thought to ask the nanny to take care of it. However, she was Maura's mother and discipline was ultimately her responsibility. She sighed again and sent Maura to her room. She evaluated her options again, but Constance was not in the mood for a prolonged punishment for something that was punished already in her eyes. She went to Maura's room with a heavy heart. Maura was an interesting child. Who else will faint for telling a lie and then insist on punishment?

Maura was sitting at the desk and was doing her homework. Constance sat on her bed and watched her finish the homework. There was not much. When Maura finished her homework Constance called her over.

"Are you ever going to tell a lie again, Maura?" Constance asked sternly.

"No Mother." Maura answered immediately.

"Do you still think you deserve punishment?"

"Yes, mother."

Constance then pulled her gently over her lap. Once Maura was settled, she raised her hand and gave Maura just one smack in the middle of her bottom. It was not hard and Constance was willing to bet everything she own that it did not even sting. Maura did however cry her heart out. Constance turned her around and comforted her until she fell asleep.

It was hardly punishment at all, but it turned out to be enough to keep Maura on the straight and narrow for the rest of her life. Constance never had to have a disciplinary discussion with her daughter again.

When Constance got home after her next trip, there were brochures for a few good boarding schools in her study.

"What is this?" she asked Maura.

"Last time Mother said that I should find a more appropriate school." Maura said politely.

Constance flushed, she totally forgot about Maura's school problems. She did not really like the idea to send her child to another continent, but on the other hand, she herself was more in Europe than in the States. She sighed and studied the brochures in detail. It was a sad task, yet she was also so proud of Maura. It was not every 10 year old that could find herself very good boarding schools in Europe.

Finally Constance and Maura settled on a school in France. Maura will be allowed to study at her own pace; there were several interesting extra mural activities that interested her such as fencing. She would have her own room and she could take Bass with her.

Constance asked her assistant to take care of it and Maura went abroad at the start of the new school year. Constance visited her as much as possible and always took Maura with her whenever she had vacation. By the time that Maura reached 16, she was a well educated young lady ready for college. Maura was fluent in various languages and there were few countries she never saw.

Maura was happy to go back to Boston, to study at her parents' alma mater. Of course she took extra subjects and it was not long before she completed her medicine studies. Constance actually had to pinch herself when she and Maura discuss her future at the end of her studies. She was still so young, recently broke up with her first serious boyfriend, Garrett, and yet she was a qualified medical doctor.

Maura wanted to give something back to society; she wanted to join Doctors without Borders. The Isles' were always proud charity supporters. Constance of course gave her blessing. She made sure that her schedule was clear that she could take Maura to the airport herself. She was off to Ethiopia. Constance was so proud of her.

Maura was 2 years with Doctors with Borders. Constance invited her for Christmas after the second year. She wanted her daughter back in civilisation. She asked Maura if she did not want to further her studies. She was happy to hear that Maura was interested in specializing. She was not even shocked to learn that Maura wanted to be a pathologist.

And today she is the Chief Medical Examiner of the Common Wealth of Massachusetts. Constance was so proud. For a moment she considered to phone Maura, but then realized that it is the middle of the night in the States. Instead she composed an email – it was time to remind Maura again how much she loved her.

AN: Just something that was twirling in my mind for quite some time.

This will be a two shot, the second chapter will deal with Constance relationship with Maura as an adult.

I hope you all enjoyed it.

I don't own anything regarding Rizzoli and Isles. The tweets that started Constance musings were between Jane and Maura on 4 April 2013.