Then it was as if someone had hit the play button because everyone started approaching them all at once. Angela led the mob and stopped a foot from the couple. She blatantly eyed Maura up and down, mentally critiquing her. Jane held her breath waiting for an array of rather colorful language. Before either of them knew what happened Angela squealed and threw her arms around Maura's neck. Jane let out the breath she was holding in a whoosh as everyone started talking, words like 'beautiful' and 'lesbian' were heard from the crowd, but based on the way Maura was being passed around for hugs, everyone seemed to accept it.
Jane tried her best to keep Maura's hand as she was passed from one person to another, but it was too much too fast and she felt her fingers slide from the other woman's and resulted to chasing her while dodging hugs and high-fives.
Maura had not made a sound through the entire ordeal. She was not accustomed to this type of behavior and was trying hard not to hyperventilate. She needed to be near Jane, she needed some sort of solace, this was definitely different than the air cheek kisses she was used to. Her eyes found Jane's and watched as the brunette pointed to the side of the house.
After the last person hugged her and gave her similar compliments about her appearance she began making her way over to where Jane was waiting for her. Without saying anything Jane just held her hand out for Maura to take and she did so gratefully, linking her fingers with Jane's. That's when Maura realized this was another first for her, she had never held hands with someone until today and it was quickly becoming one of her favorite things.
"I'm really sorry about that," said Jane as she squeezed Maura's hand, "I bet you didn't think that was what you signed up for huh?"
"It was definitely a surprise. Everyone seems to think I am quite attractive," replied Maura with a smile.
Jane couldn't help but laugh at that, "That you are Maura. Let's go grab seats at the table together before someone takes you away from me again and we're forced to sit at opposite ends."
Maura leaned over and whispered in Jane's ear, "You know when we were walking back here I thought there was at least 30 people waiting for us based on the noise. There is only 12."
"Wait until my brothers get here and the wine and beer start flowing. It will sound more like 100," Jane said with a grin.
Throughout the rest of dinner Jane kept her word and never left Maura's side. The only time she let go of her hand was when she ate. Maura was relieved that everyone kept their questions to easy things that she didn't mind answering. Everyone was surprised to find out that she had only been in Boston for a short time and was eager to tell her where she should go. The only thing she thought was strange was Jane's vague response when they were asked how long they had been dating. As Maura opened her mouth to say it was their first date Jane had interrupted and said it was fairly recent and left it at that.
"This is when the beer and wine starts to flow," Jane whispered to Maura, her lips almost touching her ear. Maura shivered at the contact, but only smiled in return, "Now my Ma and some of the other crazy women are going to begin making dessert while drinking too much and gossiping probably about us. The others are going to start a massive poker game in which my Uncle Niko is going to take his shirt off and hit on you. I apologize before it happens."
"Janie, what the hell?" said a male's voice. Jane dropped her hand and stood up quickly turning around. It appeared to Maura, that based on her posture she was bracing herself for something.
Just as she thought that two men began to tackle her as she punched them both in the ribs and tried slapping them both on the back of the head.
Maura just stared at the strange three people attempting to beat each other up on the ground next to her feet. She caught brief flashes of faces and immediately noticed the family resemblance. They both looked very similar to Jane, albeit not as attractive as Jane, but definitely similar. She deduced that these must be her brothers.
Just as she made the connection she felt a hand on her thigh and a chin on her knee. She looked down into Jane's smiling face and bright eyes and couldn't help but smile back at her.
"Maura, these are my baby brothers. This moron is Frankie and this idiot is Tommy," she said as she pointed to their confused expressions.
"You are hot. Like really hot. What're you doing here?" Tommy asked.
"Can it, she's my date," Jane hissed back.
"Wait, you're doin my sister?" asked Tommy with a disbelieving expression.
At that both Frankie and Jane slapped Tommy in the back of the head.
"Ow, what hell was that for? Am I the only one who didn't know Jane was a carpet muncher?" asked Tommy as he punched both of his siblings in the arm.
"Nice to meet you," said Frankie as he extended his hand to Maura.
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well," responded Maura as she pulled Jane up from the ground.
Jane took her spot next to Maura as she watched both of her brothers make heaping plates of pasta while Angela fussed over their mussed up hair.
"Again, I'm sorry about that," said Jane as she took Maura's hand.
"Stop apologizing I like your family. They're fun and refreshing."
"Well, that's one way to describe them I suppose."
It wasn't until Maura promised she would be fine long enough for Jane to use the restroom and grab a beer did Jane reluctantly leave her seat next to her to head into the house.
When Jane came back to the yard she didn't see Maura where she left her and she began to frantically scan the card game thinking Niko had conned her into playing. That's when she heard the distinct sound of her mother laughing that caused her to look over. What she saw took her breath away.
