Memories of a life together: Part 3 –Coming Out
Jane Rizzoli was sat on the sofa, beer in hand, trying to pass the time while she waited for Maura to return home. She hated being on her own without anything to do. It didn't happen very often but when it did, she found it difficult to just sit back and relax unless Maura was with her. She had found Maura's presence to be a great comfort even before they had gotten together and so now waiting for her to return home made the detective feel even worse.
Jane took a sip of her beer before placing it upon the coaster on the table. She never used to have to worry about doing such a thing but it was something Maura had insisted she do ever since they had moved in together. Reaching for the T.V remote, Jane noticed the photo album sitting next to it. Grabbing that instead, she began to look through it. Sorting through all their photos had become her lover's newest obsession; each one would be chronologically placed in order in the right album. Jane noticed that the photos were from early on in their relationship, turning the pages one photo in particular caught her eye. It was of Maura, herself and her own parents. It had been taken on their first Thanksgiving together but that wasn't what had made it special. It was on that day that they had revealed to her parents they were in fact a couple and the caption Maura had placed under the photo summed the moment up perfectly.
"First Thanksgiving- Acceptance into the Rizzoli family."
A smile appeared on Jane's face, she remembered the day fondly, especially considering how nervous Maura had been feeling beforehand.
As Jane stopped at the red-light she took a moment to observe her girlfriend, she had been quietly meditating and taking deep breaths for the past 10 minutes. The detective placed a comforting hand upon Maura's knee.
"Relax sweetheart, it's just dinner with Frankie and my parents, nothing you haven't done before."
"It's not just dinner though, Jane."
"Ok, so yes we're coming out to them but still, it will be fine."
"Jane, you make it sound like we are back in high school. We're letting them know that we're in a loving and committed relationship with one another."
Jane moved her attention back to the road as the light turned green, she noticed from the corner of her eye that Maura had started to fidget, something she only did when stressed. She had to admit she wasn't quite sure how here parents were going to react when they heard the news but she hoped for Maura's sake that it would work out. She knew how important it was for her to have acceptance from them.
The detective pulled up in front of her childhood home and switched of the engine, noticing she was right on time. Taking her girlfriend's hand, she placed a tender kiss upon it.
"It's going to be fine, don't worry."
"What if they don't like me?"
"Maura they already like you, besides they think you're a saint after what you did for me and Frankie that day."
The medical examiner couldn't help the shudder that went through her body as her thoughts went back to the day in question. It was forever etched in her memory as the day she almost lost the love of her life. And although a tragic event, it had ultimately brought them together and for that she was grateful. She was broken from her reverie when Jane opened the car door for her to step out.
"Ready for Thanksgiving Rizzoli style?"
"Ready as I'll ever be."
Jane led the way as they made their way inside; Angela immediately pounced as soon as she heard the door open.
"Janie! It's nice to see you're on time." She enveloped her daughter in a tight hug and then moved to do the same with the woman standing next to her.
"Maura, it's lovely to see you again!"
"Same here, Mrs Rizzoli. Thank you for inviting me over. I hope it didn't cause too much trouble for you."
"Nonsense, it's no trouble at all and please it's Angela. Now come you two, your brother and Frank are already at the table waiting to eat."
The group made their way into the dining room where they settled themselves down. Jane grabbed Maura's hand under the table as she signalled that now was as good a time as any.
"Guys before we start to eat there's something that I want to tell you, or I should say both me and Maura."
As all eyes fell upon her, she knew that it was now and never. She felt reassured when Maura squeezed her hand.
"Well here goes…umm. Maura and I, we're together now, I mean as a couple, dating."
The moments that followed seemed like a lifetime to both Jane and Maura but when Angela jumped out of her seat and pulled the two of them in for a hug they let out a sigh of relief. Jane turned to look at Frank Rizzoli, who was still sitting.
"Are you happy kiddo?"
"Yeah Pop I'm really happy."
"And you love her?" The detective took hold of Maura's hand and pulled her in close, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"Yeah I love her, more than anything."
"Well then, that's all that matters. Maura, welcome to the family." The older Rizzoli then stood to hug both his daughter and Maura.
"Frankie be helpful to your Ma and get the camera. This is a special occasion." Angela ushered the two of the together along with her husband. Jane couldn't help but let out a groan at her parents' antics, something which didn't go unnoticed by Maura.
"Jane, it's sweet, don't be like that."
"Trust me; you won't be saying that once you know my Ma like I do."
"Jane that's a horrible thing to say. Be nice and smile for the camera."
The detective did as she was told and wrapped her arm around Maura's shoulders. While doing so she noticed the look of happiness and contentment on her girlfriend's face and it became clear just how much the moment had meant for the woman she loved.
Jane was so engrossed in the photo and reliving old memories that she hadn't noticed Maura come in. It wasn't until she felt the other woman's arms wrap around her from behind that she noticed her presence.
"Hi sweetheart."
"Hi, yourself." Maura placed a kiss upon the detectives head before moving to join her on the couch.
"Been browsing the photo album I see, there's a lot of good memories in there."
"Yeah there is, we've been lucky." Jane let out a sigh as she continued to flip the pages of the album. Although she knew deep down Maura was happy, there was still one thing that bothered her.
"Maura, do you ever regret being with me?"
The question slightly confused the doctor and she was unsure why the detective had even asked. She moved and gently cupped the other woman's face so they were facing one another.
"Jane look at me…I have never once regretted the choice I made to be with you. I loved you then and I love you now, nothing has changed."
Jane moved to capture the woman's lips with her own in a gentle kiss. "I've never doubted your love for me, Maura."
"Then why ask me if I regretted being with you?"
The detective turned to look back at the photo album on the table.
"Going through all of those I just noticed how many there are of us and my family but there are none of your parents. And I know that I'm the reason for it."
"Oh Jane…Yes it makes me sad that there are none of my parents but it's not your fault. They're the ones who decided not to be apart of our life together and do you know what? It doesn't matter because I have a family."
Maura reached for a photo frame that had been sitting next to the album on the table. "This is my family right here, you, Frankie, your parents and our daughter."
Jane intently studied the photograph before placing it back in its rightful spot. "Your right Maura, we may not be perfect, in fact some would just say we're crazy as hell but we're a family and that means everything to me."
"I know it does, I feel the exact same way. When we got together I finally felt part of a family and yes as you admitted we may be different from time to time but I wouldn't have it any other way."
Maura leaned in and placed a kiss to Jane's temple before bringing their foreheads together and whispering:
"Now why don't we make the most of this empty house?"
A huge grin soon appeared on Jane's face. "I think that sounds like a wonderful plan Dr Isles."
