''I have already made plans to go to Uganda Jane'', Maura whispered. She was desperate for a modicum of strength. The moment was make or break for her. She could supress her feelings for Jane like she did all those years ago and just move on, or she could finally be with the love of her love. All of a sudden both choices seemed unattainable.
''Then change them. Stay here with me'', Jane wasn't above begging. This was now or never for her. If she let Maura slip away this time around, she knew that would be it. There would no longer be any hope of them being together. Worst case scenario, she would never see Maura again. That thought alone was frightening enough. Jane didn't want to know what not being able to see Maura would be like.
''How Jane? You have a HUSBAND, and children. It's not as simple as it was back then. We can't just fall into each other's arms and live happily ever after. It's all too complicated''
''It was simple back then, but we still never tried. So don't use that as an excuse. I'm not saying it's gonna be a walk in the park Maura'', Jane reasoned. ''but things that are worth it are difficult. And if you think I'm going to let you go now that I'm SURE you want me – forget about it. I'll climb mountains and run miles if I have to. Heck, I'll even go to Uganda with you''
''You're not a doctor Jane'', Maura smiled despite herself. The brunette was often very humorous, regardless of the situation.
''It doesn't matter. I can just watch you work''
Maura was starting to lose her resolve and she didn't like it one bit. She looked at Jane intently for a long time, slowly making up her mind. When her thoughts, and thus words, were arranged to her liking, she spoke with as much authority as she could muster. ''My belief is that we should hold on to our friendship, and let go of this dream love affair we think we can have. I know that you love me, as do I. But as it turns out, not every feeling needs to be acted upon. If you love me as much as you say you do, as much as I think you do, then let me go Jane. Let me be free of this torture. Let me try to find a little bit of happiness elsewhere. Let me feel like I am contributing to the world. Let me HEAL, away from Boston, away from your family. When I am certain I will not cause harm to anyone's feelings, I will come to visit. I can promise you that''
''I will leave him. Today Maura, if I have to'', Jane begged unabashedly.
''I refuse to be the cause of a divorce Jane. How do you expect me to live with myself knowing I have caused your family pain?''
''You won't cause anyone pain. Dean is a grown man, he will manage just fine. The children will be equally fine. My family already loves you Maur''
''They do now. Things change after different events occur. When things get messy they won't be quite so taken with me anymore. That would be an even more troubling predicament than the one I am in now''
Maura looked about ready to leave and Jane was crying, unable to find the right words to make her Maura stay. It was new territory for the detective, and she was drowning bit by bit.
''Ok, ok, ok, just hold on a second Maura'', Jane rubbed her face vigorously trying to pull her herself together. ''So when are you leaving then?''
''Tuesday morning'', came the short reply.
''Okaaaaay'', Jane nodded in understanding. ''Can I at least bring the children for a sleepover, so they can spend some time with you before you leave?''
Jane waited desperately hoping to God that Maura would agree.
''That will be quite alright''
Jane exhaled in relief. ''So can you pick them up after school on Monday, then I will be there for them on Tuesday morning''
''I have to be gone fairly early Jane. I intend to leave the house at 6am''
''I will be there before that. I promise''
So with these arrangements in order, Maura departed Angela's place. Jane quickly texted her mother to ask if she could stay with the children and then take them to school the next Monday morning. Angela only assumed the worst had happened between her two big girls, but all she could do was assist Jane in the what she asked of her.
In the evening, after Jane had done some serious thinking, she went back over to Angela's to have a word. The children were exhausted from their day out with their Nana, and Jane tucked them in as soon as she got there.
''I hope you are not going to think I am crazy Ma'', Jane began.
''Of course not baby, what's the matter''
''Maura is really going, and I can't stop her''.
Angela placed a soothing hand over her daughters. ''What are you going to do then?''
''I'm going with her''
''What?'', Angela asked in absolute shock.
''Don't try to stop me Ma. There is no other way. I'm not letting her go this time around, I just can't''
Angela had never seen her daughter that serious about anything, and she knew better than to protest. When Jane's mind was made up, it was a done deal. ''what about the children Jane? And Gabriel?''
''I am going to talk to him about it tonight. And I am taking the children with me''
''What?'', Angela shout again. ''You can't do that''
''They are my kids Ma, have you forgotten that?''
''Jane honey. Why don't you just take some time to think about this ok. There is no need to take such drastic actions''
''I have thought about it, and I don't have the time to keep thinking. I checked all of Maura's plans in the database. She's got a one way ticket to Uganda. She already has someone to rent her house from Wednesday'', Angela looked horrified as she realized that Maura was indeed leaving. ''Her indefinite leave from work has already been granted starting tomorrow. I couldn't talk her into not going''
''So what's your big plan Jane? You just whisk the kids to Africa? Did you tell her you are going with her?''
''No''
''Jane'', Angela's heart broke for the measures her daughter was taking for love. It was sweet, but a little too much. ''What is Dean going to say about all of this?''
''Like I said, I will speak to him when I get home''
''I don't think this is a good idea''
''Well its happening. I will deal with the consequences when they arise''
There was obviously no getting her daughter out of this, so she offered support. ''When do you leave?''
''On Tuesday morning. Maura will take the kids from school tomorrow and they will spend the night with her. I will think about the details more carefully after speaking with Dean''
At that moment Deal rang to tell her he was home. She gathered her belongings and left.
When she got home she immediately led her husband to the dining table where they sat opposite each other in serious conversation.
''I don't know where to begin?''
''From the start'', Dean knew whatever Jane had to say was big. His heart was already beating out of his chest as he waited with bated breath.
Jane had thought about this all day. Her first thought, the most simplest, was to just lie to Dean and have her way fast. But she realized that would have tremendous consequences in the end. The truth was harder, and had the potential to yield undesired results, but the outcome would not be as messy – so she went with that.
''I slept with Maura a little before we started dating''. Gabriel didn't flinch.
''I thought as much''
''What?'', here she was thinking her and Maura were being all discreet about their sexual encounter.
''I had a feeling after seeing the sexual tension between you two''
''How come you never said anything?''
''It didn't seem to matter Jane. You were clearly moving on from it, there was no point in mentioning it if you hadn't brought it up''
Great, Jane thought, where do I go from here.
''Is that all you know?'', Jane asked hesitantly.
''I am starting to get the feeling there is more I SHOULD know''. One of the things Jane liked about Dean was that he was a very patient man. He was calm, never raised his voice and was all understanding.
''I don't know how to say this to you Dean. It's really not the easiest of things and you're a really nice man and there are no right words to –''
''Jane'', he said sweetly. ''just say what it is you sat me down for. I already know its not a good thing, so just say it and get it over with''
Jane took a deep breath. ''I would like to get a divorce'', she winced in anticipation of what was to come. Nothing came. So she finally made eye contact with her husband for the first time, wondering why he had not said anything.
''How long have you wanted this?''
''What?'', Jane was expecting a certain level of anger at least.
''How long have you wanted a divorce?''
''Since this morning''. Jane was surprised to see Dean smiling a little at her.
''You know one of the things I have always loved about you is your honesty. And you have stood by that right until the end. I'm not pleased Jane, but I am consoled by the fact that I didn't stay longer that you wanted me to. You made your decision today, and you informed me today. Thank you for that'' Jane just stared at him not sure what to say. ''I probably sound emotionless to you right now, but I know you Jane. If there was something I could do to change your mind I would ask, but I know you are sure of your decision and there is not a damn thing I can do about it. I love you Jane. Please tell me you know that''
''I know''
''I know I'm just contradicting myself here, but what can I do Jane? Why are you leaving me, our family?'' Dean reached out to take his wife's hand in his own.
''I care about you a lot. And if my heart is not in this I can't continue to deceive you''
''Have you been cheating on me?''
''I would never do that to you Dean''
''You want to be with Maura?''
Jane blanked out for a beat, unsure how truthful to be. Honesty was the best policy, so she went with that, ''yes''
His heart finally broke. His wife of eight years was leaving him for her female best friend, the God-Mother of their children. It honestly couldn't get more painful than that.
''Why are you doing this to us Jane? After such a long time''
They went back and forth – the begging and apologizing. It ultimately came down to one thing, the divorce.
''So what now?'', Dean eventually asked.
''I want to take the kids somewhere for a little while. Is that ok?''
''Where Jane?''
This was the hardest part. ''To Uganda''
''With Maura?'', he said with a hint of bitterness in his voice.
''Yes. I promise I am not doing anything funny. We'll have equal custody of them. I am just asking this one time if I can just take them away for a bit''
Dean wasn't scared Jane would pull a fast one on him, he trusted her, and he knew she was anything but deceitful.
''What about school for Alanna and Johnny's nursery?''
''I am planning on going to the school first thing tomorrow morning''. The children went to a private school where Maura had gotten them into, and the Isles Foundation was sponsoring their fees payments all the way till high school. So their absence was not going to be a problem at all.
''Did this little trip have to be now. Could you not wait till the holiday or something?''
''If I could Dean you know I would have. Please. That's all I ask of you, even though I know I have no right''
Eventually Gabriel conceded. He hadn't ever seen Jane beg and knew it must be very important. He also knew he could be selfish and deny Jane what she requested just to spite her. But the future still led to her being with Maurra whether he liked it or not. So he maturely forwent the drama. Jane had purposely left out the fact that Maura wasn't even aware they were coming with her. The next morning Jane spoke with the school and purchased tickets for the three of them. She spent the day packing and requested leave from Cavanaugh. Maura took the kids after school and painfully enjoyed their company till she put them to bed at 8pm.
She was surprised when Jane walked into her house at 5am on the dot. She had expected her to be there at 6am instead. And to add on to that, the brunette had three large suitcases with her.
''Jane?'', she eyed the luggage sitting near the entrance suspiciously.
''We're coming with you Maura, and you can't say no''
Maura had never known a love so deep. A love that would drive a woman to drag two small children across the world just for her. She wept as she stared at the woman she loved whole heartedly. She didn't know whether she should be happy, or guilty , or scared. All she knew was that she loved Jane.
The brunette had spent a small fortune on travelling expenses but wouldn't change it for anything. She was doing it for Maura, and no price was too much.
''We're getting a divorce'', she said into the silence.
''Jane'', that's all Maura seemed capable of saying. Her dreams were all coming true and it seemed surreal and enjoyably terrifying.
''It's not your fault. It's my decision. I told you that I was not letting you go this time around. I love YOU. And I will follow you to the end of the world if I have to. I was at a loss for words to say to you. I didn't know what I could tell you that could make you stay. So I figured my only option was to go with you, so you could see how serious I am''
Never had a love been declared so honestly to her before. Never had anyone made such a brave gesture for her. And for the first time in many years, she did what she had wanted to do so badly. Maura ran into Jane's embrace and hugged the life out of her. She pulled away slightly and took the rest of Jane's breath away in a bruising kiss.
''Thank you for not giving up on me again Jane. I love you so much'', she said into Jane's ear when they embraced again.
''Love is about never giving up. Let's get out of this place''. Jane always knew what to do with the mood.
So they got the kids up and told them where they were going. Naturally the two were excited about the trip, and got moving fairly quickly. Maura changed her ticket to economy were she joined Jane and the kids. During their long airplane ride, Jane told Maura about her conversation with Dean and they made brief plans about what they'd do once they arrived in Uganda.
It was a life changing experience for all of them. Jane saw a part of the world she had never seen before, so did her children. They stayed in a hotel together and enjoyed looking around while Maura did her work. The blonde had to be there for at least three months, which wouldn't do for Jane and the children. They talked about it in great length, till they reached an amiable conclusion. Maura had to travel to work in the villages the following week, so Jane scheduled for a return then. Maura contacted the lady renting her place and regrettably informed her that she would be returning.
With no great pleasure, Jane and her children were separated from Maura. When they got back to Boston, Jane and Dean began the divorce proceeding. It was a simple matter really. They split their money in half, and had equal custody. Dean got the house, because Jane was moving in with Maura.
After a month apart Jane had had it up to her neck from missing Maura so she planned another trip to Uganda – alone this time. The doctor still had another month and a half there and the skype calls were not doing it for Jane. Their time together this time around was much more blissful. It was filled with five days of passionate love making and talk about their future. Jane sullenly returned to civilization and patiently awaited Maura's return. She had already moved into the blondes house and spent her spare time arranging things to make it their home. Skype calls were occasionally filled with banter about Jane occupying the wrong side of the closet or shoes being placed incorrectly. They had both missed that aspect of their friendship/relationship and hence welcomed it with great joy. Most people who knew them well weren't surprised about Jane's divorce; they were more surprised at how long the marriage had been going on for. Jane and Dean delicately explained the situation to their children. Johnny obviously didn't know anything at only three, but Alanna at six had a small idea of what was going on – not that it affected her much to be honest. Nothing about the children's lives had changed really. They spent half their time at Maura's and the other half at their house, which was what they did before.
When Maura got back, the children started to realize that instead of their Mama staying at home with Papa, she was now staying with Mimi. And subsequently Mimi's house had now become more home, than the home they knew before. In fact, they now lived there. It was confusing but they did their best to make Alanna understand. It would only be a matter of time before the picture made absolute sense, or maybe it never would – but the kids were happy and loved, and that's what mattered.
A few months later the divorce was finalized and life took a new turn for the new couple. Every moment was spent cherishing each other and making up for the pain the past decade had caused. All in all, Maura and Jane finally got their 'happily ever after'.
The end.
AN: Thanks to everyone who found this interesting, I appreciate your support. For those interested, I will start posting my last story right after New Years. It will be an AU, and I'm so excited about it. I may also post some one shots occasionally on tumblr – link is on my profile page (ultracollinsj). Thanks again guys