"Come on, Ma! We're going to be late." Alessa pulled at Jane's hand, eager to get her mother going.

"First of all," Jane replied, a small amount of annoyance in her voice, "we're only going to BCU. It's not like we're off to the airport or something. So, chill, we can't really be late. Second of all, it's cold out here and you grabbed my hand."

"I… oh… I'm sorry, Ma. I wasn't thinking. Are you okay?" Her daughter's excitement was suddenly drained away, replaced with concern. "I know we can just call Janie if we're running a little late."

"Yeah, but you're driving. They hurt like bit…"

"Language." Maura stepped out of the house, carrying a hand warmer and a camera.

"Really? I think I've earned the right to cuss from time-to-time. The kids are old enough now, Maura." Jane rolled her eyes but gave a grateful nod as she took the warmer from Maura.

"You're well aware that I was correcting on your language long before we had children. Now, give me the keys. Neither one of you is driving."

"Bossy." Alessa handed the keys off with a huff and made her way to the backseat.

"Since the day I met her." Jane pointed out as she slid into the passenger's seat.


"I want to hear everything. How's school? Are you seeing anyone? What's it like there? Do they all talk about Mother like she's some kind of goddess or what?" Alessa and Janie sat in the backseat like they did as children.

"You hear everything anyway, Alessa. We talk on the phone all the time. School is challenging, but I'm enjoying it immensely. No, I'm not seeing anyone. BCU is lovely, and I'm enjoying the atmosphere. They do talk about Maura, but one of the text books I'm using this year was written by her." Janie glanced at the driver in the rearview mirror and smiled coyly. "I meant to tell you that, and it slipped my mind."

"That's okay, Janie. I understand," Maura commented, keeping her eyes on the road.

"What about you, Alessa? How's law school?" Janie's voice was closed, guarded as she asked.

"Hard, but it's fun. I already know a lot about law because, well," she motioned to her parents, "and I'm thinking that I really do want to go into criminal law. The family court stuff is just too much. I'd rather put murders away, you know?"

"That's my girl." The pride in Jane's voice was only matched by the smile that spread across her face.

"Thanks, Ma. Love you, too."

"She's right. It is admirable. It must be a family trait, to want to take care of people and be… What's the term? Bad ass?" The young blonde again glanced in the rearview mirror.

"Yes, that's the correct term," came Maura's reassuring reply.

"I, um, well… yeah. I mean, Rizzolis are totally awesome. It's just who we are, right Ma?"

"Yeah. We're awesome." Jane was trying not to laugh at her clearly flustered daughter.

"Alessa, are you blushing?" Janie was clearly teasing. The wink gave it away.

"No! I'm just… suddenly warm." The young Rizzoli pulled at the collar of her jacket. "Mother has the heat on, and, you know, I'm wearing my winter coat in the car."

"Of course, Alessa. That must be it," Janie deadpanned as she glanced again in the rearview mirror, this time, to see if anyone else was amused as she was. They clearly were.