Author's note: thank you very much for all the reviews; suggestions more than appreciated (I take note and try to insert them one way or another)

Chapter seven – Building A Home

"The enemy's approaching... This outpost is way too close for a soldier like you! Go backwards, TJ! Go... Err... Behind that pole; second pillow on your left, the green one. There!"

"Your cookies are ready, Jane."

Frown. Discreet motion of the head towards TJ. Teeth clenched to make sure that the little boy would not overhear what she was about to say. "We are in the middle of an invasion, Maura."

Plate of cookies in hand, the honey blonde raised confused eyebrows and looked at the scene without understanding anything. "Who is invaded these sheet and the cushions you have piled up all around?"

Indignation. Second glance at TJ who was happily pulling on Coco Loco's tail. Surprisingly, the cat did not seem to be bothered by it.

"This is a fort, Maura. Our fort. And the enemy is near."

The scientist bit into a cookie and repressed a laugh, crumbs escaping from her mouth in the process. "Oh come on, Jane! This isn't a fort! Your castramentation is completely off. And where are your caponiers, exactly?"

Jane blinked, desperately quiet before her partner's remark. How come Maura's comments still found a way to surprise her? After all these years...

"You know, Maura... If You weren't coming with these cookies I baked, I think you would be banned for life from our fort."

Amused, the medical examiner knelt down and passed the plate to Jane who eagerly grabbed a couple of cookies before handling one to TJ. The toddler's eyes grew wider as a grin played on his lips. He had grown up during their stay in Punta Cana. He was a big boy, now.

"I see. Does that mean I am the enemy you are chasing?"

Pout. Eyes squinted. Glad to see that Maura was finally giving in, Jane cast a glance at TJ and smiled at her nephew. Time to play.

"What do you think, Sergeant TJ? Is that Isles a friend or an enemy?"

Within a second, the little boy let go of his cookie and screamed of delight as he jumped on Maura to hug her tight; his giggles joyfully filling the living-room. Taken aback by the sudden gesture, the honey blonde lost her balance and fell backwards, bursting out laughing.

"What is going on, here?" Flowers in hand, Angela passed the door of the patio and frowned at the scene. Pause. She smiled, shook her head. "I see this babysitting is going quite well. Janie, stop eating these cookies. You'll never fit in your wedding dress."

Eye roll. And that was why she had avoided her mother until now. With the case going on, it had been rather easy but as soon as Lydia had offered her to spend the afternoon with TJ, she had known that – at some point – her mother would show up and make a couple of allusions to something she was not herself sure about.

It got the effect of a cold shower, ridiculously enough. Cookies in hand, she stood up and went to put the plate back down on the kitchen top.

"Wouldn't it be great if TJ had a cousin too?"

Awesome. Wedding and grandchildren within five minutes. Probably a record, here.

"Although if you could get married first, that would be nice."

And again. Was her mother on a roll or what? Pouring orange juice in a glass, Jane raised an eyebrow – rather unconvinced – and shrugged at the comment. It was not that she didn't want to talk about it but somehow, it made her feel uncomfortable. She hadn't forgotten her Google research nor the way that Tiffany ring had haunted her mind for a while after that. And now...

The case. Think about the case. Don't lose yourself in anything else. You have a day off – fine, spend it with TJ and have fun – but don't lose yourself in anything else that would not be solved before the end of the day. Like a potential wedding. A freaking $11,000 engagement ring.

"What would a wedding change, exactly?" Leaned against the counter and sipping her fruit juice, she looked at Maura playing with TJ. They got along really well. Subconscious smile. Way to focus on your case. Way to not lose yourself into any wedding talk.

"Why it would be nice if, for once, I had a grandchild born from a marriage; from a legal union. It's not like you can't get married, besides. Why are my children allergic to marriage?"

And drama mode: activated.

Jane shook her head, rolled her eyes. "We aren't allergic to marriage, ma'. Yet I don't see what it will change if I had a child without tying the knot with Maura... The kid would still have two arms and a head."

"Unless the child is suffering from agenesis. It happens a lot more than what people think."

Jane made a face as Maura approached holding TJ in her arms. Of course, she would come up with a medical remark. Of course. But for once, the brunette decided to focus on her messy hair; her pink cheeks. In spite of what she kept on saying herself, Maura interacted well with children and managed to let go rather easily.

She would make a good mother. A bit quirky but nonetheless good.

Jane was sure of it.

"You have crumbs in your hair, Maur'."

Immediate reaction. Maura sat TJ in his chair and ran a hand through her blond curls before adjusting back her shirt. She might let go of things, it only lasted for a little while. At the end, she always came back to her own routine; her own reflexes. It wasn't her fault. She had been raised that way.

As if she were feeling Maura's latent guilt, Jane put a lock of blond hair behind her partner's ear and planted a soft kiss on her cheek. It was a nice day, the very last one before she went back to being on call; walking to crime scenes, working on a new case. Mabel Smith hadn't talked yet, the file was not closed. But still... Life went on, no matter what.

And every day that was passing by took her further and further from Punta Cana.

…

"I have a surprise for you."

Freshly out from the shower, Jane frowned but nonetheless followed Maura to her walk-in closet. TJ had left an hour earlier when Tommy had showed up to pick him up. It was getting late – she had to get up early the next day – and they still had to have dinner but obviously the medical examiner had other things in mind for the moment.

Proud smile. Glimmering eyes. Theatrical gesture as she motioned at an empty rod.

Jane blinked, uncertain how to interpret the whole thing. A thousand scenarios bumped into each other in her head and – a bit disarmed – she chose the one that seemed to make the most sense. "Why, Maura... You have finally managed to pick out a few clothes to give to a charity. I'm proud of you!"

Gasp. Scoff. Alright. Wrong choice of scenario. What had she just said? What had she just done? Her smile – a forced one – began to hurt on her lips. She was hungry. An argument was not something she wanted on the menu right now.

"I made room for your own clothes, Jane." Pause. Cold stare. "What were you insinuating exactly with the charity thing? Do you think I am unable to pick out clothes I could give out?"

Yes? No. No was definitely the answer she had to give if she wanted to avoid a tense evening. Yet she had not forgotten that evening spent in this exact closet with her mother and Maura as her partner had desperately tried to get rid of a few pairs of shoes.

"I just made room for you... I wanted... I wanted you to feel at home. This place is mine as much as it is yours." Shyly – twisting her hands nervously – Maura looked down at the floor and shrugged almost apologetically. Perhaps she had got carried away by their day spent with TJ. It had felt so great, so perfect. The exact idea she had always had of a family. "I mean err... You... You already used to leave... Clothes, here. But maybe... Maybe you will feel more comfortable with a whole... With a bit more room."

And the truth is that I miss you too. I miss having you around all the time like at the Club Med. I miss it all. I wish you moved in with me – gosh I would even move in at your place if you preferred to – but... I will not dare to ask you. Not yet. I am not that brave to ask you if you want it too. Because I know I do. I want to build a home with you, Jane. I really do.