A/N: So, I actually hadn't planned on continuing my Christmas fic, but I figured a New Years chapter could be fun. I whipped this up yesterday and I'm just getting the chance to publish it. Thanks to everyone for the reviews and follows, I adore them all. Happy New Year, dear readers. I wish you all happiness, love, witty humor, and good health in 2014.
Maura Isles checked the small face of her antique timepiece for the thirteenth time in the past twenty-two minutes.
"You seem nervous." The smirk was apparent in Jane's voice as she leaned in close and questioned her lover. The sweet smell of expensive champagne was lingering on her breath, but it did very little to mask her own natural sweetness. The softness of the dark-haired woman's burgundy silk blouse tickled and exposed, freckled arm.
"Nervous? No. Why would I be nervous?" Medically trained hands passed the champagne flute from one to the other. Typical nervous Maura behavior.
"Oh I don't know." Detective Rizzoli's dark eyes scanned the crowded living room and settled back on the beauty by her side. The large fire that roared in the fireplace and the crowd offered enough warmth to keep Maura in a light green sleeveless top for the evening, and Jane was grateful . "Maybe because there's a large crowd here and you're not quite sure what to do when the clock. Strikes. Twelve." She enunciated each word perfectly and slowly, allowing them to dance seductively from her tongue to reddened ears. Of course Jane would know Maura was nervous, even before the blonde could acknowledge it herself.
On this New Year's Eve they were surrounded by all their friends and every family member that mattered. Even Maura's parents managed to squeeze the occasion into their tightly packed schedule. But the attendance count, the familiar faces, and the usually absent family wasn't what had the good doctor's nerves frayed. It was the small note she found early that morning stuck to the face of her most treasured Christmas present, the one given to her by her most treasured person.
"When the clock strikes twelve you're mine."
The copper-blonde shivered with anticipation, though she was slightly shocked by the goosebumps that the slanted, messy writing brought about, it was no surprise that Jane had this kind of effect. She always had and the doctor was confident that the detective always would. But this tease, this short sentence made up of seven simple words kept her on edge all day.
"Tick. Tock." The deep rumble of Jane's raspy voice echoed in Maura's mind long after she said the two words and walked away. Maura stood alone in the living room for long moments before she was collected enough to check her watch one last time.
Less than three minutes. Maura's hazel eyes looked around frantically to find her red lips their midnight partner. Where could Jane have gone? She asked herself the question as if the answer was as clear as day.
"Two minutes people! Get ready!" Frankie's voice carried through Maura's open home. He walked from guest to guest and handed out small noise makers and random pots and spoons.
The blonde looked from left to right and was distracted by the eldest Rizzoli approaching her.
"Maura, have you seen Janie? I can't find her."
"No, Angela, I was just about to ask you the same." Maura admitted but not before scanning the crowd one last time.
"What am I gonna do with that daughter of mine!" The Rizzoli matriarch stomped off in the direction of her grandson who was currently being bounce on Detective Korsak's round belly.
"One minute!" Frost kept the verbal countdown going.
Maura walked off in search of her girlfriend. She couldn't have gone far. The townhouse was modestly sized but not large enough to lose a grown woman. Jane wasn't in the half-bath or her yoga room. She was absent from the kitchen and the yard was empty and frigid. The frantic ME hurried her way towards the stairs as the thirty second countdown began. Just as she opened the door to the master bedroom she heard the small group shout from below, "TEN!"
"Jane?" The room was dark, a small candle was lit on the dresser and it drew her further inside.
"NINE!"
"Jane! Are you in here?" Her voice was rising in desperation.
"EIGHT!"
"Where are you?!" She felt silly for the small tears that started to form once the reality of not having Jane's arms around her when the New Year began had settled in. It was the only way she could imagine ringing in a New Year.
"SEVEN!"
All Maura could do was sniffle before turning back towards the door.
"Six." A sexy voice counted from the doorway of the master bath and a blonde head spun so quickly the beautiful woman attached almost stumbled.
"Five." Jane continued and stepped closer, her swagger more pronounced as narrow hips swayed from side to side. As she became more illuminated by the small candle, the light revealed the two full champagne flutes in her scarred and gentle hands. "Four." She set the glasses down next to the flame, letting an amber glow come to life with hypnotizing bubbles dancing along. "Three." She closed the distance between their vastly different bodies that fit together perfectly. "Two." Strong arms wrapped around a small waist and pulled the soft woman against her firmness. "One."
"Happy New Year, Jane."
"Happy New Year, Maur."
The screaming and banging that was taking place below them disappeared. There wasn't a sound that could have pierced the silence of their perfect little cocoon in that moment. Once their lips met nothing else was present, just their love. The first few moments of 2014 were brought to life by softness and passion, love and moist promises. Jane deepened the kiss and pushed her lover towards the nearest wall. She reveled in the feel of how Maura's tongue felt against her own. Each kiss reminded her of their first and the same way it punched her in the heart.
A small gasp escaped the ME as her back met the cool surface of her bedroom wall. Before her small hands could bury themselves in abundant black curls, Jane pulled away slightly.
"I love you, Maura Isles." Her near black eyes went between Maura's and her lips. There she saw everything she'd ever need to survive. She saw love, passion, raw need, and adoration. For years she had known that she couldn't live without Maura, but in this moment? Jane Rizzoli knew she needed this beautiful woman by her side forever. A playful smile spread across her sharp features.
"Wanna know my New Year's resolution?" Jane almost giggled at the look of disappointment and confusion on the brilliant doctor's face. A small nod encouraged her to to continue. "To love you more everyday. And you know how I plan to do that?" A small shrug shifted bare, freckled shoulders. "By living with you."
Maura couldn't find any words. She was shocked and ecstatic. The ME was delighted and dumbfounded. It wasn't until Jane's bright smile disappeared and worry became apparent that she realized hat she had yet to speak.
"Yes. Please." She wrapped her arms tighter around her lover's neck. "Be here every morning and hold me every night." She started kissing Jane again, both women smiled into the kiss. She pulled away one last time. "Forget about just 2014, I want to spend the rest of my life with you." She pushed off the wall and walked the taller woman towards the bed. All along the way she spoke of her love and all the plans she had for the two of them.
As soon as their bodies fell to the plush mattress a voice cut through their peaceful heaven.
"Jane Clementine Rizzoli! Are you up there? You better not have left your girlfriend, your LOVELY girlfriend, alone on New Year's."
"Will you still love me if I kick my mother out of your guest house?" She kept her eyes on the ceiling as she spoke and willed her heart to slow. The cool hand making it's way up her shirt did little to help the latter.
"Our guest house." She corrected with delight. "I'll love you always, but I know you'd never do that." Maura placed an open mouthed kiss to the long column of Jane's delicious neck. "We should go back downstairs before she comes up here to get us."
"Good point." Jane stood and held out her hand to help the petite woman up. "Let's go kick everyone out so we can get back to our own celebration."
As Maura looked up at Jane and the strong hand extended before her, she couldn't help but smile at the courageous, loving, kind woman that was not only going to help her up, but would be there to hold her hand through life.
"Lead the way."