A/N: Continuing with my collection of Rizzle holiday celebrations, here's the next chapter. Happy Valentine's Day, all. To those who don't celebrate, I hope you just enjoy all the ooey-gooey fluff. Reviews are welcome, appreciated, and simply delightful. Thanks for reading and I do hope you enjoy!
"Will you be my Valentine?"
The deep, raspy morning voice whispered quietly into a pink ear that was buried deep beneath caramel colored waves. For the past five mornings Jane Rizzoli had asked her girlfriend the same question, at the same time, waiting for the moment that the amber sun started to kiss the gray winter sky. And every time Maura Isles would answer by pressing just a little harder into the warm body that enveloped her from behind. She'd burrow deeply into the security and arousal that the expanse of bare skin offered. In her sleepy state Maura would mumble a simple yes, pure pleasure pulling her full lips into a small smile at the feel of butterfly kisses across her naked shoulders.
Normally Maura would ask why Jane continued to inquire after she had already said yes. She wasn't even sure why the detective had asked in the first place. They started the year off by moving in together and they were surely in love. There was no need to question whether Maura would be Jane's Valentine. She hoped to be the brunette's valentine all year, every day, until the very moment she died. But she buried her inquisitive nature because these mornings were just too precious to shatter with insignificant questions. If Jane wanted to be cute, an action Maura knew better than to acknowledge aloud, the doctor would simply relish the rare display. She pulled the thick duvet over their heads and turned in the lean woman's strong embrace. Feeling their bare breasts mold into each other, Maura let out a hum of approval. Just like the rest of the week their hectic day would start soon enough, but for the moment it was just them in a sleepy, delicate cocoon. Maura's mind drifted as she thought back to how wonderful their week had been.
Sunday morning the couple barely left the bedroom all day after Maura had melted at Jane's small, romantic question. Monday morning they fought to get ready for work after wandering hands kept buttons from being secured and belt buckles from being fastened. Tuesday morning left the two women with cold eggs and pink cheeks as they fought their way through a poor excuse for being a half hour late to work. Wednesday they knew better and had breakfast at the cafe, forfeiting a home cooked meal for something much more fulfilling. And this Thursday morning seemed to be starting much like the rest, kisses growing in passion, hands tangled in unruly curls, and nails digging into creamy flesh. A longer than usual shower together and far too many "see you later" kisses in the car before heading into the station.
Work was busy all week, busier than usual with two bodies that seemed routine at first but started to unravel into something much more complicated. The detective hadn't had the chance (or a good excuse) to see the ME until late night hours. Hours that should be spent at home but instead were now dedicated to two victims who deserved and finally received justice. Jane sauntered into the morgue at the same moment Maura was removing her gloves. The doctor stood in her black scrubs, looking down at the body of a teenage girl. Her face was open and full of remorse for the stranger that lay bare before her. Though they had solved the case, tying the two murders together, contentment didn't come.
"Hey." Jane spoke quietly and gently as to not startle the other woman. The detective felt a swell of emotion when she noticed Maura visibly relax at the sound of her voice. She'd never understand what she had done to deserve Maura Isles' love, nor would she dare to ever question it.
"Jane." The name fell from Maura's lips in an exhale. The single syllable was all she needed to say. Maura wasn't sure what it was about their most recent case; maybe it was the brutality of it all. Maybe it was the way the days of that week started with so much happiness and then were overtaken with a darkness she couldn't ignore. Or maybe it was having such love, such a significant other in her life that caused Dr. Isles to focus on the mortality of it all. Her mortality and Jane's as well. The feel if two steady hands on her shoulders startled Maura from her morose thoughts.
"We should head home. There's nothing more we can do." Thumbs sought out knotted muscles and started to work them into a relaxed state. Maura's head fell back into Jane's chest in appreciation.
"I should finish up the reports." The ME's voice held little to no conviction.
"It's late. The paperwork will still be here in the morning and we both could use a couple hours of sleep. Come on." Jane grasped Maura's hand in her own and pulled the shorter woman towards her office to change and gather her things.
After a silent drive home, their tired forms stumbled through their front door and went straight for their bedroom. Dinner wasn't even a thought, all they wanted was the comfort only a bed could provide. Stripping down to her underwear, Jane slid between the high thread count sheets Maura insisted on buying and gave the mattress beside her a pat, beckoning the other woman to join her.
Maura looked from Jane to the bed, down to the pile of clothing the detective left on the floor next to her, and back to Jane. She could straighten up tomorrow. At that moment all Maura wanted was the feel of her lovers arms and the steady thump of her heartbeat. A designer dress and bra joined the pile and both women were asleep within minutes.
The next morning Maura awoke to the sinful sensations she had come to expect since the beginning of the week. Soft caresses that drew her gently from her slumber and the pressure of delicate kisses that zeroed in on the most sensitive spots at the back of her neck. Each kiss Jane placed with purpose and those deliciously soft lips came closer to Maura's ear that was already perked and awaiting the detective's question.
Maura had been thinking about this morning; Valentine's Day morning. She wanted to answer the question she came to expect differently. At first she thought employing sarcasm would be the best way to go, knowing the detective was partial to that type of humor, but ultimately she decided against it. She didn't want to destroy the romance of the moment. She thought about beating Jane at her own game and asking her first, but then she'd miss that sexy voice, her greatest vice in this lifetime, and decided to be selfish. Settling in, Maura gave up on thinking and focused on feeling. She savored the way Jane slowly stroked her bare thighs and kissed her behind the ear, the tip of her thin nose slowly following the curve of soft skin before another kiss was planted on the tip of Maura's ear. Holding her breath, the doctor waited for the question, but what Maura expected never came.
"Will you be my wife?" The deep, raspy morning voice was thick with emotion as the request fell into the silence. Jane's heart was hammering in her chest and she was sure Maura could feel it against her back. The brunette had this planned for a while now, but it didn't make the moment any less terrifying, it didn't make her any less vulnerable as she waited for the answer she was afraid wouldn't come. In the quiet she heard all her doubts, all the reasons why Maura Isles shouldn't marry a woman like her. Just as she was about to reel her words back in, maybe even give the doctor an out, Maura flipped onto her other side in order to face Jane fully.
Hazel eyes were filled with sparkling tears but their brilliance didn't match that of Maura's smile. She searched Jane's eyes and saw so much love, so much adoration, but she was taken aback by the fear that was present also. It wasn't until a few seconds passed that she realized the fear was born of her own lack of an answer. Maura Isles, the dumbest genius in Jane's eyes, had to remind herself how to speak.
"Yes, Jane. Yes, yes, yes." Maura framed her lovers face with her hands and placed kisses along soft lips and an angular jaw. Kisses landed on eyelids and especially on a dimpled chin and cheeks. When Jane pulled back, Maura was relieved to see all the traces of fear gone. Jane slid her hand beneath the pillow Maura had been resting her head upon and extracted a shimmering solitaire diamond engagement ring.
"How long has that been there?" Maura didn't hide her surprise.
"Since I woke up. I had it hidden in my jacket pocket since yesterday." Jane chuckled to herself, proud that she had managed to keep the ring and her proposal a secret. No one knew what she had been planning to do, and that would make telling everyone all the more special.
"Good thing I didn't clean up after you last night."
"That's why I distracted you with my nudity and got you into bed as quick as possible." Jane grinned at her success and the hearty laugh she earned from Maura.
"Quickly," Maura had gently corrected through her tears, "and you certainly did distract me." She admired the diamond that Jane had slid onto her left ring-finger after she had finished rolling her eyes.
"So," Jane cleared the small lump from her throat, "you'll be my Valentine and my wife?" A tear fell silently along a sheet-creased cheek.
"Until death do us part, Jane Rizzoli." Maura brought her fiancée in for a searing kiss. Breathing words of love and passion each time their mouths parted. Jane shivered as the cool metal of the new platinum band slid along her heated flesh. "Happy Valentine's Day."
"Happy Valentine's Day. I love you, Maura Isles." Jane whispered her final words into the awakening morning as she started to come up with another excuse for their inevitable tardiness.
