Maura nodded, with a little sniffle. "It's a claddagh, hands representing friendship, a crown representing loyalty, and a heart representing love. Oh Jane it's wonderful!" She threw her arms around the blushing detective.
"I just thought it was something you didn't have and..." She was cut off as Maura squeezed her harder. "Maura, oxygen, I need it," However remembering where they were Maura let her go with a smile.
"Well put it on for her Jane!" Jumping from her mother's excitement she fumbled with the clasp but eventually secured it.
As the afternoon quietly wound down to the evening everyone was sat around the living room in varying states of consciousness. Frankie and Sr were both leaning back in their chairs gone to the world, every now and then punctuated a snort or grunt.
"Anyone would think they've had a hard day," Angela turned to Jane to see Maura drifting off herself.
"You know your Christmas dinners cause food comas Ma, even Maura here has probably eaten more today than she would in a week." The doctor was leaning against Jane's shoulder, shuffling closer in her sleep.
"I'm so glad she came, I was worried she would be home alone all day. No family, no presents." For a brief moment sadness swept across her face at the thought of what might have been, and had most probably been years before. "Are you two staying tonight? I think we have an air bed somewhere,"
Jane wrinkled her face at the thought of a terrible nights sleep, "Thanks Ma, but I'm going to take Maura back to her place. Don't know what I'm doing yet."
"I did wonder why you turned down the eggnog, I was kind of hoping that,"
"No! I mean, no Ma I'm not," she sighed out trying to not wake up her friend, "Ma, seriously do I look pregnant? Wait don't answer that. I mean come on I've not been with a guy for like, forever."
Angela nodded sagely still playing a little disappointed. "I'm sorry Janie, just you know I can't wait for tiny Rizzoli's." still she smiled looking over at her daughter as she lifted her arm to let Maura get comfortable. "So, you're not seeing anyone right now?"
Jane shot her a glare, hating any line of questioning that lead back to her more private life. "I didn't say that, just that, well, tiny Rizzoli's might not be on the cards right now." Before Angela could question she continued. "You know how hard I work right now, it wouldn't be fair to do that to a kid. I can't be an absentee mom now can I?"
Unbeknown to Jane and her mother, Maura had already began to wake up; but the snippets of conversation she had heard made her smile. She carefully snaked her arms around Jane, this would normally be welcomed by the detective, but somehow made the awkward talk all the more uncomfortable.
Angela raised her eyebrow at Jane not having noticed Maura's movements, "So you 'are' seeing someone?"
Jane flew her hands up, "Jeeze Ma no, maybe," Maura squeezed Jane's midsection smiling into her jumper, Jane dropped her hands and head. "Yes,"
She meekly looked up through the tresses of hair to see her mother hadn't even reacted, was it shock? Angela warmly smiled at her daughter. "Was that so hard? Maybe I should fix you up some coffee." Without another word her mother merely stood up and made her way to the coffee pot. Jane however, her mouth hung open in confusion. She poked Maura's nose softly,
"Thanks for your help there, I know you're awake so you can stop playing dead." Maura didn't move or even open her eyes, but a small smile gave her away. A further squeeze gave Jane her answer. " you do know she's going to keep asking till she finds out, we either tell her or change the subject!"
"But you're so comfy," all but whining at her caused Jane to roll her eyes.
"Come on you, Ma's making coffee. You cannot let me field this on my own, if I remember rightly you're a part of this too."
"Who's a part of what Jane?" Angela had returned with a couple of steaming mugs, in a vain attempt to dodge the question Jane had lifted hers to her mouth.
"The, uh, the softball team. Yeah, I was telling Maura we can't skimp on practise because, well she's on our team too."
"Team sports have been proven to strengthen working relationships." Jane eagerly nodded emphasising her explanation.
Angela looked a little confused, "I didn't think Maura would want to play on your team Jane,"
Somehow Jane had allowed herself to be affronted by this seemingly innocent statement, "And why not? My team not good enough?"
She passed it off with a wave, "it's just you get so competitive. Remember you gave Frankie a black eye playing badminton, badminton Jane!"
Maura smiled, "It's ok Mrs Rizzoli, I like playing on Jane's team very much." She pushed her elbow into the detective's ribs, Jane couldn't help the smile that she had to quickly cover up. Maura's hand rested at the base of her friends back, daring slightly to let fingertips ghost under the fabric there.
"I think it's getting late, don't want to get the good doctor home too late do we?" Jane had practically leapt off the sofa earning a strange look from her mother and a stifled giggle from the cause.
"Thank you so much for inviting me Mrs Rizzoli, this has been amazing," Angela beamed but played it down with a happy smile, standing and opening her arms. Jane quickly moved to her mother's arms for a brief embrace.
"At least take some of this food with you, I don't want the boys here to eat everything!"
With heartfelt goodbyes and a small mountain of food they loaded Jane's car once more. Waving from the windows the car gently rolled into the road and they were on their way. The radio had been turned down low, but vaguely festive ballads permitted the air. Maura reached over placing her palm on Jane's thigh,
"Thank you so much Jane," the detective smiled, briefly relinquishing the wheel to place her hand on Maura's. "I'm serious, this has been the best Christmas I've ever had." The hand on hers squeezed returning the gesture. The remainder of the short drive was spent in a comfortable silence as if preying the world would still be the same when they emerged from the safety of the car.
Before long the car pulled into the expanse of the Isles driveway. Cutting the engine Jane turned to Maura, neither had made any attempt to leave yet. "Well here we are I guess, do you need some help with your things?" She had begun to lose her nerve, fidgeting in her seat unsure of what she should do or say.
Maura had noticed, she too had grown anxious the closer they got to her home. But if this was going to work one of them had to step up, waiting for Jane to grow a pair would just not be soon enough. She drew in a breath taking Jane's hands in her own. "I still haven't given you your gift yet, come inside."
The detective visibly swallowed yet nodded, as calm as she could muster she left the car and began to busy herself with Maura's things. The front door was held open as Jane walked through to the kitchen depositing everything on the table. She set about putting the food away while Maura decanted a bottle of ludicrously priced red wine. Waving an empty glass at Jane she received a small nod. Placing two glasses on the counter she walked over to Jane who was trying and failing to look small in the expanse of the kitchen.
Maura brought one of Jane's scarred palms to her mouth gently kissing the knotted skin there, "What's wrong? I can see you fidgeting, do they hurt?" Jane shook her head but stood forward pressing into the smaller woman, her other hand brushed golden locks behind an ear.
"Is this really happening Maur? Is this what you want?" Jane's head was gently encouraged lower where upon soft lips met before her forehead rested on the blonde's.
"Pour the wine Jane, have some even." She reached up tenderly cupping the detectives face, "then I want you to go wash up and change, you still have a set of pyjamas here." Jane nodded with a weary smile. "I'll go lay them out for you in my bathroom," she placed a small kiss on the taller woman's nose before she glided from the room. Glad to let her take the lead Jane poured out two glasses of wine, she took a genteel sip savouring the taste. Looking to see that Maura was out of sight she leaned her head back and emptied the glass in two loud gulps. She let out a long breath before refilling her glass, taking the other in hand she headed up to the bathroom.
Jane had never been envious of Maura, but she certainly wanted a shower like that in her own apartment. High pressure jets rained hot water down soothing her mind. Reluctantly stepping from the shower the smiled as true to her word Maura had done her best to lay out an old pair of sweat pants and a little worse for wear academy t shirt. Walking from the bathroom she was using her towel to try and dry just some of her unruly tresses, as she drew it from her face she looked up for the first time. The towel fell to the floor,
"Merry Christmas Jane,"
- Fin -
AN: The story will end here for me, this was an exercise in fluffy fun. However should anyone wish to take up an M rated epilogue feel free but please link to the story! Have fun.