A/N: normal disclaimers! I own nothing!

CH 4

"We're home! Jacksy is ready for bathtime and beddy-bye! Girls?" Maura and I came in from the back yard with Jo at the sound of my mother's voice.

"Yea, Ma…we're here. We were just outside enjoying the night and letting Jo play a bit."

Maura reached Ma first and took Jackson into her arms. "Hi, precious boy." She gathered her baby in her arms and to her chest and she spoke softly to him, kissing him. "Aw I missed you baby. Did you have fun with Nonna?"

"Of course we had fun! He took a good nap on the way over and slept even a few more minutes at Sylvia's. Then he showed off his smile, and just watched everything with such interest. He is going to be doctor or a scientist, I know it. He is so much more alert for his age than any of you kids were."

"Thanks, Ma. We were dullards…probably just big lumps until we were 5…course some of us didn't outgrow it…not callin' any names or anything…" my smirk confirmed to Ma that I was teasing her.

"Janey…you know your sarcasm will rub off on Jackson. You should watch that."

"yes, Ma…I will try to do much better in the future…what do ya' say, buddy? Do you forgive me for being sarcastic to your Nonna? Huh?" I take Jackson from Maura and head toward the bathroom, "We are going to take a sarcasm free bath, aren't we bud? I'll bring him over to say goodnight to you Nonna!"

"So did you girls have a good day, Maura?" I am fairly certain that I flush just a little bit at the question and the memories it brings forth…

"Oh my God…Jane, that feels….oh…so good." Jane continued to kiss my neck and clearly became more comfortable touching my breasts.

"Maur…jeez…I can't believe I'm really doing this, but damn if I can stop. I don't want to stop. You feel so good to me. And you are so beautiful." After a few more minutes, I decide we need to get more comfortable.

"Jane, let's go to the sofa."

"Ok, M."

Jane releases me after another few sweet pecks and removes her hands from under my shirt. She takes my hand and leads me into the living room. We look at each other and break out into face-splitting smiles which turn to giggles. "wow…we really are dating, aren't we?"

"I hope so, Jane. I don't normally get felt up by my friends."

"Maura Isles! Did you just say 'felt up'? Good use of colloquialism! I'm impressed."

"I'm learning and so are you apparently…good use of a big 'Google-ish' word, Jane…and I want to learn more, Jane…may I?" I leaned into Jane and began to tug at the bottom of her shirt while I looked at her for permission.

"Maur…yes…the thing you said to me earlier about permission? I feel the same. I want this, and you don't have to ask me…but can I say something first?"

I sit back and release her shirt, "of course, Jane."

"I can't say this enough…Maura, I love you. I am in love with you. Your mind, your eyes, your humor….your body. I've never felt this way before…..Geez! I sound like a love-sick teenager! But I need you to know straight-up that I want everything with you. I want Jackson to be our son. I think I might even…ya' know…want more kids. Kids with you. God, we already have a dog and a turtle."

"Tortoise."

"Really?! Now?"

"Sorry…continue."

"Thanks …Maura, do you see things the same way? Do you see us as a real family in a year? Or five years? Or in 35? Or do you think that maybe…this is just some sorta response to Jackson…"

I have to blink away tears despite the moment of levity about Bass. After feeling alone my whole life, the Rizzoli's gave me a family. Jane, gave me a family. I have belonged to something more than myself for almost 5 years now, so I think I understand the vision Jane has just described. I absolutely could not have grasped what all of her words and depth of meaning were without the experiences with this family and with our work family over the past years. I was so awkward I didn't even dare to dream of my own family. Dr. Maura Isles was not going to be a wife or a mother or anything more than Doctor and a professional. Now? Now my mind can so easily see diapers and baby food and carpools and soccer practice and parent-teacher meetings and laughter filling a house with love. That vision has Jane at the center. Her smile, her wit, her grace, and her strength. She is the center…my center. Can I see us together in 35 years? With 100% clarity.

"Yes."

After what felt like an eternity waiting for a little more than one word from Maura, I gave up. "Ok….yes? yes to which part, Maur." I giggle a bit from nerves. "I mean I'm not the kind to pour out my heart and talk about things, but I did and all ya' got is 'yes'? Can you Google a little bit here or something?"

Maura lunged forward pushing her hands into my hair and pulling me into a passionate embrace and kiss. Tongues melted and tasted, hands roamed, and Maura ended up almost on top of me. When she pulled back, she looked at me with such love and joy I swear I can't breath.

"Jane Rizzoli. You are my center. I want to be with you, the mother of your children…several by the way…I want to grow old with you and laugh with you and fight with you and work with you…I just want to be with you. I love you more than I could have ever imagined. Yes, Jackson brought all of this out and forced certain things to the surface, but do not doubt that it was already there. These feelings have always been there. You have become my life…and God, I really want to touch you now."

I am pretty sure Maura has never talked that fast in her whole life, but after her rapid-fire speech, my only response to her is, "yes."

"Maura?"

"Oh! I apologize, Angela. I just allowed myself to be lost in thought for a moment. Yes, we did have a good afternoon. We were able to rest for a good while, had dinner, chatted a bit, and ended right before you came home with some fresh air with Jo. Thank you so much for taking Jackson. I know he had fun, and it was good for Jane and me to get to decompress for a bit."

"Well, anytime…I'm going to go back to my house…tell Janey to bring my little man over for a night kiss after bath? OK?"

"I certainly will. I am going to check on them right now."

Nonna got her good-night kiss from Jackson. Jo had her last trip outside for the day, and Bass was good for the night. Jackson had snuggle time with both of us and had a last bottle before he went to his bed. "Good night, precious boy. I love you, Jackson Rizzoli," Maura whispered to him as she bent to kiss his head one last time.

"Night little, man. Sleep well, I've got your back…always,"and I give him a pat on the head. Maura takes my hand as we leave the nursery and head to our bedroom.

"Great day. I don't think I could have planned a better one. I feel more relaxed and more rested than I have in while; how about you, Maura?"

A dazzling smile complete with the best set of dimples God ever created, turned to me, "Pretty damn good day."

"Dr. Isles! I am horrified! Language! I have a small child."

"Oh dear, you are a mother? I'm sorry if I offended you. I'm also sorry that you are married…I was hoping we might could go out sometime. You are a beautiful woman."

Wow…where had this playful side come from? But I can play along with the best of them. "Well, thank you for the compliment, but I'm not married."

"Really. I cannot fathom anyone letting you go. So if you aren't in a relationship maybe…"

"Oh, I said I wasn't married. I am, however, in a serious relationship. Sorry."

"OK…well I hope he knows how lucky he is to have secured your loyalty."

"Actually, it isn't a 'he'. I am involved with and have a son with a woman. Does that shock you?"

"No. Should it? It does turn me on, though."

And at that we both break down into a fit of giggles. Life will never be dull with Maura.

Once bedtime rituals are complete, we climb into bed and immediately meet in the middle to embrace each other. We find no need to push anything farther than we already had today. We kissed, talked, and gave tender caresses not intended to excite but to love. Soon a peaceful slumber overtook everyone in the Rizzoli-Isles household.

TBC...