Angela's POV
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Personally, I was never sure I believed this. I mean sure some pictures capture moments we can treasure forever; while other pictures don't do the real moment any justice.
I am a mom so I like to document everything. I took pictures of all my children at all different ages and many of their different accomplishments: first steps, field hockey tournaments, high school graduations, police academy graduations, family events, and the list could go on and on.
Jane is my only girl and my oldest child. She is also the one who always baulked the most at having her picture taken. She would constantly put her hands up in front of her face or turn her head. Inevitably I would hear 'Ma! Put the camera away!' But I needed these pictures; I want to remember these moments, and I know down deep she wanted these moments too. The proof sat on her mantle.
Jane had very few pictures up in her apartment. She wasn't much for decoration outside of sports memorabilia. But this picture made its way up in her living room. You see this picture was special; it had to be or it would have never even made the frame. So as I stand in her apartment with all of our friends from the precinct, including Jane's BFF Dr. Maura Isles, it hits me like a ton of bricks. Everyone here is laughing and having a grand ole time; we are celebrating Korsak's retirement. I look around the room and it thrills my heart to see all the smiles. But the smiles on Jane's and Maura's faces as they talk quietly in the corner like no one else is even in the room are what solidify my thoughts about that picture. How did I never see that in the photo before?
The picture was taken about 2 months ago at our summer BBQ at Dr. Isles home in Beacon Hill. We decided to have it there this year because not only were all of these same people there, but many more showed up as well. Jane of course was running late from tying up some loose ends on their most recent case. Everyone was eating, drinking, dancing, and having a good time out on the back patio during that beautiful day. We couldn't have asked for better weather. The camera was permanently attached to my hand as I documented the night. I remember looking around, snapping pictures, and watching everyone have a fun time when my eyes landed on the doctor. She stood on the patio looking out on everyone's good time, smiling. But the smile didn't quite reach her eyes. I knew she was waiting on my Jane to arrive. Those two were attached at the hip and didn't function too well without each other.
As I was about to ask her if she was okay, I saw Jane sneaking through the house and heading out the back door to the patio. I knew what was coming; she was going to try to scare this sweet doctor. I had a good feeling that this would be a great moment to catch on film so I positioned myself ready to shoot. Jane finally reached her target and snatched her hips from behind causing the doctor to jump as she turned to look. I snapped the picture and was really unsure of how it would turn out. Little did I know how good it would be.
And here that picture sits, framed and on the mantle. It caught them perfectly. Jane is standing behind Maura with her hands resting on the doctor's hips. Her eyes are cast down with her head turned slightly to the side to catch Maura's glimpse up at her. My daughter has the biggest, sweetest smile on her face. Dr. Isles head was caught frozen in time as she swung it around to look at who took hold of her. Her golden hair shines in the sunlight as it drapes off to one side with the momentum of her head turn. Her hands immediately went to the hands on her hips out of instinct, and her eyes shine bright as they look at my Jane. And there is that smile that is only reserved for her, the one that reaches those hazel eyes. Neither one of them are looking at the camera, and that is what makes it even more perfect. In this shot, they only have eyes for each other.
This is one of those pictures that speaks more words than any of us could even utter.