Dr. Maura Isles was not in the Christmas spirit. She always spent her Christmas's the same way: curled up on the couch with a cozy blanket and a stack of DVD's and her faithful tortoise, Bass. Usually, she was pretty OK with her plans but for the past couple months she had been listening to Jane and Frankie talk non stop about their Christmas plans. The Rizzoli family was going to Paris for the holidays. Jane and Frankie had only agreed to go if the other was going. Neither would dare to spend a holiday with their parents alone, without the other.
At first Maura was really happy for them and gave them loads of information from the history of Paris, tourists sites and famous monuments, and even gave them both a list of basic phrases in French. But then, after a while all their talking and laughing and planning made her realize how lonely and empty her Christmas plans were. Maura didn't want to be alone. She had tried so many times to date, but for some reason they seemed to lose interest when she tried to enlighten them of their medical issues. She wasn't sure why. She would most certainly want to know if she was suffering from a genetic disease or something of the sort.
Maura sighed as she poured her peppermint tea and reclined on her couch. She looked around and closed her eyes. She was tired of coming home to an empty apartment. Sure she had Bass and she was incredibly grateful for him, but she couldn't really laugh and talk to him or make him dinner or offer to massage his shoulders when he was stressed. She didn't have to pick up after him or tuck him in bed and read him a bed time story. He couldn't wrap his arms around her and hold her when she was scared or just hold her in general. She wanted more. She wanted someone to love her and she wanted a family.
Growing up she didn't have much of her family. Her adoptive parents didn't spend much time with her and she was sent to boarding school at an early age. Maura watched the Rizzoli's and couldn't help but feel envious. Even though they didn't always got along and they drove each other crazy, they loved each other so much and had each other's backs in everything. They were the family Maura never had.
As Maura watched the sun set over the horizon, she allowed her mind to wander to the man she wished she could start a family with. Frankie Rizzoli. Everyday she worked with him and everyday she hid her feelings from him. He was so strong and confident in his work. He made her heart do flips just by walking into the room and her breath short just from smiling at her. Maura couldn't wait to see him every morning and she spent her mornings curling her hair and applying her make-up to perfection. She knew Frankie wasn't the kind of guy who really cared if she looked her best everyday, but it mattered to her. And there were times when she noticed him looking at her legs. And she definitely noticed when his eyes lingered longer than they should on her chest. When his gentle chocolate brown eyes gazed into her hazel eyes, there were times when she saw a flicker of something more. Something she couldn't really put her finger on.
She knew he would make a good boyfriend and maybe even a husband someday. He was smart and funny, brave and strong. Frankie always knew the right things to say to make his friends and family feel better. When she was distressed over her father, it was Frankie who came to her apartment the next night. He held her close while she cried into chest as he murmured into her ear that everything was going to be OK and he was here for her no matter what. Maura tried her best to convince herself that she was clinging to his shirt because she was sad and needed his shoulder to cry on. But she couldn't help noticing his muscular chest and abs as well as the masculine cologne he was wearing. It immediately became her favorite scent.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knocking on her door. She looked around and realized she had been so lost in thought that the sun had completely set and she was sitting in the dark. She flipped on her living room lamp and went to the door. Maura opened the door to see Frankie standing there with a big plastic bowl tucked under his arm and a bottle of wine and a movie in the other.
"Hi Frankie!" she exclaimed. Frankie grinned sheepishly and held out the bowl. "I... uh, I was hoping you haven't eaten yet. I actually cooked..." he said as he held out the bowl of pasta. Maura smiled and stepped aside to let him in. She took the bowl of pasta and stared in amazement. "I thought you couldn't cook! Frankie, this looks amazing!" she said as she uncovered it. Frankie blushed and said, "I can cook. I just don't tell Jane or Ma because I like them cooking for me." Maura laughed and playfully punched his arm. "That's horrible." Frankie laughed and watched as Maura took out two wine glasses and plates. Frankie poured them both some wine while Maura served up the pasta. The two sat down at her kitchen island for dinner.
"Wow... Frankie. This is so good! I love it." Maura gushed as she took a bite. Frankie puffed out his chest proudly. "Thanks! It's a family recipe." There was that word again: family. Maura didn't know any family recipes. Frankie noticed a flicker of sadness in her eyes and a slight hunch in her shoulders. He gently laid a hand over hers and looked into her eyes curiously. "What's wrong, Maura?" he asked softly. Maura looked up into Frankie's questioning eyes. "Oh, it's nothing. Don't worry about it." she said as she took another bite of pasta to avoid the question. How could she tell Frankie that she was madly in love with him and wanted to start a family with him? Frankie knew that it most definitely wasn't "nothing". He squeezed her hand and she looked up to see him smiling down at her. Her heart began to do flips and she ran short of breath as Frankie's gentle brown eyes bore into hers as if trying to read her thoughts.
He had always been in love with the beautiful doctor, but he never told her. Maura came from a life of wealth and he didn't have much to offer her. He couldn't shower her with riches and luxury cars and he couldn't afford $1,000 purses and shoes for her. He couldn't buy her a mansion in Italy or even half a mansion. She deserved someone better. Someone who could give her all the things she would want. But he could love her unconditionally. He could hold her when she was scared and protect her from anyone that ever tried to hurt her. He could give her a family and a nice home (even though it may be smaller than she's used to).
Maura was staring at Frankie now as if trying to read his thoughts. She noticed his eyes were staring off into the distance and she wanted to know what he was thinking. She reached over and placed her small hand over his larger one and smiled at him. Frankie knew what she wanted and he laughed.
"No way Maura! If you want to know what I was thinking about then you have to tell me what you were thinking about." he compromised. Maura thought for a moment and smiled sadly. "I can't. It's too embarrassing." Frankie watched as she looked down in shame and he felt his heart break. He gently tilted his head so she was looking at him. "You know you can tell me anything." he whispered to her. Maura shook her head and said, "Not this."
"Why not?" he challenged. Maura looked up into his eyes and melted. "Because it's about you." Now Frankie was intrigued. "Oh, now you have to tell me!" he laughed. "No way I'm letting this go." Maura rolled her eyes as she silently cursed herself for letting him know that one piece of information. She looked down at her finished plate of pasta and moved to clear her's and Frankie's plate when Frankie grabbed her wrist and gently pulled her close to him. He pressed her in between him and the counter so she couldn't escape. Maura's knee's went weak as Frankie's body covered hers and he completely filled her senses. Frankie wrapped an arm around her waist to steady her and he leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Please tell me what's wrong."
Maura knew Frankie wasn't going to let her go until she told him. "I'm tired of being alone. I'm tired of coming home to an empty apartment and no one to ask me how my day was or no one to cook dinner for. No kids to help with homework or tuck in bed. I don't want to be alone. But I'm scared." she admitted to him. Frankie tucked her hair behind her ear and brought his mouth close to hers. He brushed his lips over hers so softly she thought she imagined it. Maura tilted her head and pressed closer trying to get his lips on hers, but to her surprise he pulled back a couple inches. She opened her eyes and he whispered to her, "It doesn't have to be that way." Maura stared back at him with her wide innocent eyes looking at him, full of curiosity.
Frankie closed his arms around her tiny frame and said, "You don't have to be alone. I know of someone who would give anything to be with you. He'd do everything to make you happy. And he might not be able to shower you with wealth but he would spend the rest of his life showering you with love. He would give his life to protect you and make sure you are safe everyday. And I'm positive he would love to give you a family of your own. I know for a fact he finds you mesmerizing and beautifully mysterious: a mystery he'd want to spend the rest of his life learning about. Maybe you could teach him of your ways and he'll teach you of his..."
Maura's eyes filled with tears as she buried her head in his chest. She knew exactly who he was talking about and the fact that he felt all those things for her and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her made her unbelievably happy. She slowly wrapped her arms around his neck and gently kissed the base of his neck. "Do I know this amazing man you've described?" Frankie chuckled and Maura marveled at the way his chest vibrated against her. "I certainly hope you know him. You have your arms around him right now and you just kissed his neck." Maura giggled as Frankie brought her head closer and he pressed his lips to hers. They stood like that together, eagerly exploring each other's mouths as they held onto each other. When air became necessary, Frankie pulled back for a moment to take her hips in his strong hands and lift her up onto the counter. Maura wrapped her arms around his neck again pulled his lips back to hers. Frankie's eyes rolled to the back of his head when Maura pulled him back for another kiss and her hair fell over his face and shoulders, the scent of raspberries and citrus surrounding him. He tightened his arm around her body as his other hand went up to gather her thick hair in his fist pushing her lips into his.
Maura leaned her forehead against him and rubbed her nose against his. Frankie chuckled and held her close to him. "You're so amazing, Frankie." she murmured in his ear. Frankie nuzzled her neck and said, "You're pretty amazing yourself, Maura." They smiled and held each other close. "Will you go out with me tomorrow?" he asked her. A small smile played on her lips. "Are you asking me out on a date, Frankie?" she asked playfully. Frankie grinned. "Yes, ma'am. So what do you say?"
"I say that sounds like a good idea." They grinned and pulled each other in for another kiss. Frankie was over the moon. He never expected Maura to want him. He wasn't rich, but he's starting to think maybe Maura didn't really care how much money he had. He began to pull away, but Maura gripped his shirt and muttered, "Stay with me tonight." Frankie tilted her head up. "Are you sure?" Maura looked into his eyes and said confidently. "Yes. Please stay. I mean not for sex but... I just want you to hold me tonight." She blushed and looked down but Frankie was faster and captured her lips and gathered her in his arms. He carried her to her bedroom and gently laid her down on the bed. Maura giggled when her bent his head to suck lightly on her collarbone. "Absolutely, I'll stay with you." Maura nipped his jaw triumphantly as she pushed him off her. She went to her drawers to pull out her pajamas. "I'll be back. Behave yourself." Frankie grinned as he watched her bounce over to the bathroom to change and brush her teeth.
Frankie took a moment to look around. Her room was exactly like he imagined Maura's room to be. Her bed was a soft lavender and the sheets made of Egyptian cotton and silk. He took his shoes off and debated whether to take his shirt off or not. She didn't want to have sex, she just wanted to be held. And Frankie respected that. He was more than happy to do anything to make her comfortable with him. As he was debating what to do, Maura came out wearing a pair of cotton shorts and a tank top. She looked absolutely gorgeous even when she was going to sleep. Frankie let out the breath he didn't even realize he was holding as she walked over to him. Frankie stood up. "Uh... do you have maybe an extra toothbrush... or.. uh?" he wasn't sure how familiar Maura wanted to get with him. Maura smiled at his hesitation and leaned over to kiss him. He moaned as he tasted her minty toothpaste and smelled her citrusy lotion. "My toothbrush is in the little holder by the sink next to the toothpaste." she said. Frankie smiled and got up to use the restroom and brush his teeth. Maura went out to turn out the lights and make sure Bass was good for the night. When she got, back the two of them climbed in bed. Maura curled up in Frankie's chest and sighed happily as he wrapped his muscular arms around her. Maura pulled back a little and slid his shirt off before curling up into his chest again. "Much better." she whispered. Frankie kissed the top of her head and reveled in the fact that Maura was comfortable enough to let him spend the night with her. He kissed the top of her head, pulled her even closer and smiled when he heard the happy little noises she was making into his chest. The couple fell asleep, each of them thinking about their new relationship and wondering where this was going.