AN:
The weeks turn into months. Between the cases, baby preparations, ultrasounds, Lamaze classes time flies by. When Jane declared her pregnancy to Cavanaugh, he immediately forbids her to do anything dangerous. She could still work cases, but she could not participate in any potentially dangerous situations. To everybody's surprise Jane agreed – the urge to protect her baby was stronger than to make the arrests. Besides, the arrest is just the outcome that follows an investigation.
The nursery was completed, the walls painted white with small pink details. It was furnished and equipped with everything that little Angie Stevens may need. Jane has gained a couple of pounds, yet she was more beautiful than ever. She had a fairly easy pregnancy, she could not complain about morning sickness and her cravings were manageable. She had her fair share of mood swings, but that was nothing new. Well, she maybe has cried more during her pregnancy than all the time before the pregnancy, but did not embarrass herself or her husband in doing so.
Jane was in her last month of pregnancy and getting more impatient by the day. She could not move as freely as she was used to and jumping on counters was out of the question. She was constantly tired, but sheer stubbornness kept her at work. Which was helpful to solve cases, but disastrous for anybody looking at her in a way that she did not approved.
Maura was already at the crime scene when Frost and Jane arrived. The executive was found dead by his personal assistant in his office. There was no obvious course of death. The scene was secured and there was no reason to prevent Jane from coming. A uniform was sent for coffee and was distributing the orders cheerfully. Jane walked up to Maura to hear if she got them anything.
"I need to perform an autopsy first." The Medical Examiner shrugged. She will admit that she likes teasing Jane with vague cause of deaths, but in this case she was not sure. She was not even sure if the death was suspicious. The executive had many enemies, but was also in good health. He was supposed to be in New York, yet was found dead.
Jane merely nodded. Maura offered her a sip from her coffee, for which Jane quietly thanked her.
"You okay?" Maura asked concerned.
"Just feeling shitty!" Jane admitted.
Maura rubbed her shoulder. "Perhaps you should go home. Our baby is probably getting ready to be welcomed in this world and you could use all the rest you can get." She tries to persuade Jane softly.
"Angie is not due for another 3 weeks." Jane shrugged. "It will blow over."
"Jane?" Frost called. "Are you coming with me to notify the next of kin?"
"Yeah." Jane agreed and left with him.
Maura looked at them worried; it is not like Jane to be so subdued. She made a mental note to check on the detective later and force her home if need be. She signed off on the release of the body and drove back to start with the autopsy.
As Maura was busy accessing the body, Korsak came to the morgue. His eyes were the size of saucers.
"Dr. Isles, Frost just had to take Jane to the hospital." He said.
Maur frown: "Why? Did she hurt herself? Is she okay?"
"Frost said that she experienced some intense pain. He thinks – "
Maura did not need to hear more.
"Gosh darn it! I need to go to the hospital. Shit! I also need to do this fucking autopsy. Sergeant Korsak, did Detective Frost perhaps tell you how far the contractions are? But it could be something else. Perhaps I should first call the hospital." Maura went into panic mode. She was torn between her job and her friend, suffering to determine what should be the higher priority at the moment. If Jane is in labour, it could still take hours in which there will be nothing for Maura to do than wait. However, there is no way that she will be able to concentrate on the autopsy now, even if the entire homicide team was standing on their heads.
"Go!" Korsak nudge her.
"What about him?" Maura asked uncertain.
"He is already dead, Doc, he can wait. Or somebody else can do the autopsy." Korsak said gently.
Maura discarded her gloves, already heading to the change room. "What about Detective Stevens?" she asks.
"Frankie is looking for him. Tell Jane that we can't wait to meet the new Rizzoli."
At the hospital, Maura is taken directly to Jane's room. The attending doctor is confident that it is the start of labour. The detective is shamefacedly hopping through the channels. She is embarrassed that Frost and herself panicked and rushed to the hospital at the very first cramp. She welcomed Maura sheepishly.
"You finished the autopsy already?" She asks, glad to have something constructive to concentrate on.
"I was on my way to start when Korsak called me." Maura grinned.
"Well, apparently this could take hours still. Perhaps you can do the autopsy and then come back." Jane offered.
"Or he can wait. It is not like he has other engagements to fulfil."
Jane chuckled at the joke and Maura does her own examination to satisfy her concerns. Jane did go into labour, but there is nothing to worry about. She has barely started to dilate. Between her and Frost's panic (probably accompanied with a lot of intimidation techniques and perhaps a thread or two) the attending doctor probably admitted her to soon. However Maura was glad that Jane was safely in hospital. The Medical Examiner had nightmares of delivering the baby on one of the autopsy tables. Beautiful contrast, but that would be too weird. Even for Maura Isles.
She changed into shrubs and found Angela with Jane on her return. The women was happily keeping each other company, updating Frankie, Tommy, Frost, Korsak and even Frank senior regularly. When Jane's contractions were 10 minutes apart, Maura phoned Frankie. There doesn't seem to be any complications and the Plan A was put into effect. Maura would assist Jane bringing the baby in the world. However, if Stevens wanted to see his baby girl entering the world, it is time that he gets to the hospital.
That was not as easy as it should have been. Stevens was on a stake out and has turned his phone off. Frankie has left messages with dispatch, his boss, his co workers, on his desk, phone and at his house. There was nothing more that he could do.
Maura felt the anger rising in her, but she tried to see reason. It may be dangerous for Stevens to keep his phone on and Jane was still 3 weeks from her due date. She has been with Jane in the hospital for more than 10 hours and there was not much she could do for the brunette in that time.
Maura contemplated her options. She doubted that Stevens will be in time for the birth. She can let Angela be supporting Jane through it, while she delivers the baby. Alternatively she could get the gynaecologist and then stand in for Stevens. Jane however wanted Maura to deliver the baby from the start and Maura did not want to back off now. It will have to be Angela then. Jane has not asked for Stevens yet nor threatened to kick Angela from the room. That may change as the contractions become more frequent.
Maura went back into the room and sat down next to Jane.
"Jane, we cannot find Dan yet. It will be you, me and Angela. Is it okay?"
Jane gasped as another contraction hit her. Maura hold onto her hand, whispering words of comfort. Jane fell back against the bed and Angela swept the sweat from her face. She nodded quietly.
Maura looked at Angela, silently asking her consent. Angela forced her lips together, clearly not happy with her son in law. If he doesn't want to welcome his daughter in this world, Angela is more than happy to take his place.
It was after midnight when Jane was dilated enough to start the birthing process. Maura gently coax her through the process. Angela provided as much comfort as she could. Jane really tried to control her swears and insults. After all, these women had nothing to do with the condition she found herself in.
Jane had decided to do the birth as naturally as possible. She was able to survive Hoyt and Dominic. Surely she can survive Angie. Unfortunately when Jane discovered it hurt a lot more than anticipated, it was too late for drugs. She tried her breathing exercises, but did not find them very helpful. She crudely explained this to Angela when the older Rizzoli tried to show Jane how to breathe.
"Okay, Jane!" Maura said as she lightly squeezed Jane's legs. "I need you to start pushing with the next contraction. Let's bring our baby home."
Jane growled in pain with the contraction, but tried to follow Maura's orders. It took a few pushes before the head was crowned.
"Jane, honey, just one more hard push!" Maura encouraged.
Jane complied and Maura stood with the baby in her hands. She could not help the tears that were running down her cheeks. While she quickly examined the screaming baby, Maura vowed that she will always be there to love and protect the baby. She would do whatever it takes.
She handed Jane the baby and kissed her forehead. "You have done great, Jane. We have a gorgeous, beautiful, healthy little girl. Congratulations."
Angela was in awe with her new granddaughter. After Jane and the baby were cleaned up, she went to inform the guys about the new family member. Maura stayed with the exhausted Jane. She has ordered a crib for the baby and promised the new mother that she will keep an eye on Angie while Jane rest.
Maura studies the red face intently. As far as Maura was concerned she was a splitting image of her proud mother. Her head even support a bush of soft hair already. Maura picked her up from the crib, unbuttoning the top of her shirt and rested the baby against her chest. She softly started to talk to the newborn.
"Hi, Sweetie. I hope that I am your godmother. If not, well, you will see so much of me, you will assume that I am your mother in any case. Welcome in this crazy world. You are just like your Mama, and I know that you will be just as impatient, stubborn, loyal and passionate as she is. You can be really proud of her; she will be the best Mama ever."
After a while, with Angie still on her chest, Maura fell into a light sleep as well. Both ladies awake when the baby starts whimpering. Maura hands Jane the baby with a soft smile.
"Guess she is hungry." Jane smirk, helping Angie to latch on to her breast as the nurse explained. If Maura did not experience Jane with TJ before, she would have been amazed on how comfortable and gentle the detective is with the baby. The tenderness from the normally rough and crude woman brings tears to Maura's eyes.
"Shouldn't you be going home, Maur?" Jane asked concerned.
"Don't you want me here?" Maura asks slightly offended.
"No!" Jane chuckle a bit. "I just think you have to be tired."
"I am a bit." Maura admits. "But I rather stay with you for now."
Angela of course had to stop at the hospital on her way to the cafe. She found Maura alone with the baby in the room. Angela immediately came for the baby and Maura handed the precious cargo over with a smile.
"Jane went to the restroom." She explained Jane's presence.
"Still no Dan?" Angela asked softly.
Maura shook her head. However, Jane returned from the bathroom and neither woman wanted to address the big elephant in the room in her presence.
But the elephant decided that it is time to make his appearance. Dan Stevens casually strolled into the room, looking well rested and fresh. He came to Jane's bed and quickly kissed her.
"Oh no, Sugar! Did I miss it?" he said, but it was clear that he was not really bothered.
"Where were you?" Angela asked angrily.
Dan glared at her, but then addressed Jane in his response. "Well, Sugar, you know how it is with stake outs. I was totally exhausted when I was relieved. I went straight home and to bed. I only got the messages this morning. Besides, with Monica it took more than 48 hours before she was born. You know how much can be done in 48 hours that could make the difference in solving a case." Dan was using his lazy smile Jane was crazy about.
Jane gave a sad smile, ready to forgive him anything. She loved the fact that he was so passionate about his work. Maura just glared at him. She would pay to give him a piece of her mind now, but she does not want to upset Jane.
Stevens reach for the baby in Angela's arms. "Is this my little Bianca?" he asks in best pretend-to-be-excited-voice.
Maura sees Angela's face fall. Jane has yet to announce the name, but it is clear that Angela has put her heart on it. Yesterday Jane was still referring to the baby as Angie. Maura wanted to correct it, but she was uncertain how Jane will feel about it.
Jane's mind however was made up. "Baby, we have settled on the name months ago." She stated firmly. "And the name I have chosen was not Bianca."
"What is her name, Sweety?" Angela asked breathlessly.
Jane gives Dan one of her potent Rizzoli glares. "Dan?"
Maura can see the flames in his eyes. She gives him another glare for good measure and he relents: "I am only teasing, Angela. Her name is Angela Maura Stevens."
This is news to Maura as Jane never said anything about a middle name.
"After the two most important ladies in our lives." Jane smiles, showing off her dimples.
"I need to get going." Dan stared at his watch meaningfully.
"No need detective." Maura stopped him. "You are entitled to a few days leave after the birth of your child. Jane would be released this morning and then you can take her home."
Maura does not really leave any room for argument. She kisses Jane's cheek and turn to Stevens to kiss him on the cheek as well.
"Start acting like a proud daddy!" she hisses in his ear and then leave with Angela.