A/N: Thank you for all the follows, favourites and reviews! I'm glad to know other people are enjoying these :)
"You're alright with shamrot..."
"Shamrock..."
"...And fartreuse..."
"Chartreuse, Jane."
"Fine, chartreuse," Maura's emphasis on the correction was repeated by the off duty detective, her usual roughly edged accent enunciating each of the letters in turn as if she'd been born with a silver spoon in her mouth "But no Red Sox red? Not even a little Bruin's brown?"
"We're talking about the décor of a nursery, Jane. Bruins brown would be far too dark for our child to flourish in. Most people associate it with as much negativity as black, and the shade is often associated with a lack of humour, heaviness, lack of sophistication..."
"Oh darling, of course we wouldn't want that," the upper-class accent was back, Jane unable to hold down the grin that began to split across her lips as her shopping buddy narrowed her eyes "Our kid is never going to lack sophistication with you around, momma Maura."
Frown lines were replaced by the softest of crow's feet as the compliment buoyed Maura's happiness. Even when her back ached, her breasts were tender, and even when her bladder felt ready to rupture one heartfelt comment from her loved one caused her hormones to harbour themselves "Oh, Jane... You're sweet, but I still don't think brown would be right for a baby's room. Or red, for that matter."
"How can you of all people not like red? You work in a morgue."
"So you'd like me to associate our child with death?"
"... Fair point." Continuing to browse through the tins of paint Maura's heels clipped against the tiled floor as Jane pushed the cart idly beside her, occasionally pushing hard enough to raise her feet from the floor and enjoy the ride "Y'know this would be a lot easier if you'd wait until after we've found out the sex of the baby."
"That can only happen after eighteen weeks of pregnancy, Jane. They have to see either the labia, or the scrotum and penis to determine whether we have a girl or boy. The parts are very small and it can be challenging depending on the position of the baby, and by that time we could be knee deep in cases at work, so I think its best we get at least the base coats done now."
"Or that's just a spiel that actually means you're impatient."
Choosing not to grant Jane an answer Maura's eyes continued to scan the labels of the paint tins "How about something like Apricot? Perhaps Flax?"
"All from a woman who favours 'redish-brown stains...'
Pivoting on her heels a very stern faced doctor crossed her arms below her breasts as she questioned Jane's mumble "Do I have to threaten you with begonia, Jane?"
"No..."
"Good," the stern charade stayed in place until Maura faced the shelves again, unable to stop it slipping into a smile all thanks to Jane's meek and adorable behaviour, like a small child knowing that she'd done wrong. A compromise was needed "How about a nice and vibrant, gender neutral shade of Celtics green?"
"Okay, now we're talkin'" eyes bright with enthusiasm Jane's head began to turn as ideas began to form "Hey, do you reckon they have animal stencils in here?"
