Flying had never made Maura nervous before. Taking a plane to Ethiopia with dozens of boxes worth of medical supplies or flying to and from other places in Europe with loaded with newly acquired pieces of art to decorate her house or her office. It was all too familiar for her.

Maura took a look at the screen that showed her flight information. She looked at the bright red letters and numbers and couldn't help but think it felt like a countdown. To what; she did not know.

'Abdi, sweetheart, can you reach in my bag for Boobo and give it to your sister?'

Her kids were a joy -so easy, to travel with; they were patient and reasonable. And Maura had met so many families and witnessed so many scenes in her travels to know how lucky she was.

The little boy did as told, finding the ragged bunny stuffed in one of the inside pockets of the over-sized travel bag. He went back to his previous position, sitting cross legged beside Maura and picked the sticker book he had been occupied with.

'When are we going to see Grandpa and Grandma?'

'We'll see them again soon, sweetheart' She felt truly bad for Abdi.

Sometimes she found herself feeling guilty of doing the things she had promised herself not to do so many times before.

'Remember Grandma promised to see us in Boston for your birthday?'

He just nodded

'Your birthday is after the summer; so we won't have to wait long to see her'

'And dad?'

She took his little hand in hers; tried to calm her quivering voice.

'I'm sure he'll also come and visit you and Lola very soon, Abdi'

She had had to do this many times before; tried to find a balance between being honest and hurting her son's feelings. Five years old was too young to get a lesson on reality and expectations, Maura thought.

She had had to do it numerous times before, but it was getting harder and harder each day.

Going through security and boarding the plane was relatively painless. Once in the plane she grabbed blankets and pillows for everyone and settled Lola against her; it didn't take long to the little girl to fall asleep.

She hadn't really stopped to think about this trip back. Between goodbyes, and removal companies and real estate agents she had managed to avoid it.

There had been moments when mind had started to wonder about the consequences of going back to Boston. But then there was always a meal that needed to be prepared; or a phone call that needed to be made. Life put a stop to that.

She looked outside through the airplane window, it was dark and it was raining.

Was it like admitting defeat, going back to Boston? Maura wondered. She didn't want it to look like it, although Maura couldn't help but feel defeated sometimes.

'Mom?'

Maura thought her pillow clutching boy was asleep by now.

'Yes, Abdi?'

'Is Jane also a mom?'

It had started when Ian left to go back to Ethiopia for the first time after Abdi's adoption was official. Maura became the person in charge of the bedtime stories.

Her tales provided fun, happy endings before sleep time; and for Maura they were also a way of remembering. Keeping Jane alive in the distance.

That was how Abdii got to hear all about bad guys, handcuffs and rescue animals.

In her son's head Jane became stronger, bolder. Jane the heroine. Jane who ran faster than perps and fought to keep Boston safe.

The first night, when she finished with her story; she closed Abdi's bedroom door trembling. She cried quietly against the corridor wall thinking she missed Ian.

It wasn't until she was lying in bed later that night that she realized she had conjured Jane with words. And she was able to do it every night after that one.

'Why not?'

Abdi's natural curiosity brought her back to reality.

'I don't know, Di.' She reached fluffed up the pillow her son was holding, placing it on the armrest of his seat. 'Some people are very busy and they don't have kids; they are busy working, or travelling, or-

'But you wanted me and Lola' Even though scientifically impossible, Maura felt her heart melt.

'I did; and I got two wonderful babies'

He buried his face in the blue pillow, almost embarrassed.

'But I'm not a baby, Mom'

'I know' Maura stoked his head 'But you are going to be one very tired big boy if you don't go to sleep; we will be there very soon, Di'

She put her hand on his back -just like she used to do the first nights he slept home with them after being in the hospital, to feel his breathing. Like a balm for the question is he going to be all right? Is everything going to be all right? It put Maura's mind at ease when she needed it the most.

A/N As nervous as I am about publishing my little story, reviews are very much appreciated.

Any mistakes are entirely mine -and as a non native English speaker, they are bound to happen!

Ps. I own nada!