A/N. Some slight "gagging" moments ahead but I promise you it will be worth it later on.
Please just stick with me. I apologize for any errors. Thank you for all the follows/faves and Reviews. Love to hear the feedback.
As always, I own nothing.
Chapter 7
Jane placed her hands over her face and sighed in frustration. "Maura...I'm never gonna pass this Mid-term"
Maura laughed " Yes you are Jane. You're going to do great. You know your stuff " she encouraged.
"Well right now I can't retain anything I'm reading. All I can think about is cheesy Nachos and Ice cream...ohhh, Ice cream on Nachos" Jane said thinking about her craving
"That could quite possible be the most disgusting thing I've ever heard of" Maura quipped.
"Hey..they're your kids...blame them" Jane joked.
Yes...kids! They had found out at their last ultrasound that 2 of the embryos had taken and Jane was pregnant with twins. There were no words to describe how over the moon Maura was at the news. After the initial shock in the Doctors office , her main goal was to calm Jane down. Her emotions of late were all over the place. Wild cravings, mood swings and with the news of the twins she now had an invitation to eat for 3.
Maura laughed as she sat beside Jane at her kitchen table. She placed a hand on Jane's swollen belly. "Are you babies hungry? Mommy will make you something to eat. "
Some people would think the two of them were nuts. But to them, Maura speaking to her children in Jane's belly was perfectly normal. Over the past few weeks of their pregnancy they had spent a lot of time together. Maura's plan to "be mindful of her actions" went right out the window. Maura didn't want to miss a single thing. To Jane's credit, she wanted to share it all with Maura. She really wanted to make her feel like this was her pregnancy. This was the 3rd night that week that they were together. This time in Jane's apartment. Maura had come by after work to see Jane. Usually they would study, Jane for her midterms and Maura would help her.
"Ok. I will make you nachos and you can have a little Ice cream for desert." Maura chimed "Separately and only if you have some salad" she added with a chuckle.
Jane looked down at her belly "your mom takes the fun out of everything. "
"You think I'm bad, wait till their father gets back. He's the king of health food. He will have you eating rice cakes and carrot sticks...through a straw " Maura warned teasingly.
Jane gasped." I refuse to drink my dinner Maura. I'll save that for when I'm 90 and have no teeth"
Maura laughed. She loved Jane's sense of humor. She especially loved that she had the opportunity to spend all this time with her. Now that Ian was coming home she imagined things would change some.
"So when does Ian get back anyway" Jane asked
"He arrives on Saturday. I'm so excited to see him and tell him about the babies. I didn't want to tell him over the phone when we spoke last week." Maura gushed as she placed the tray of nachos in the oven. "Jane, if its not too much to ask, can you come over this weekend. I'm sure Ian will want to see you himself "
"Yeah..yeah sure I can come over but...don't you think you two will want to have some..you know..alone time. You haven't seen each other in months. I'm sure he is going to want to reconnect with his wife." Jane said "I know I would" she whispered to herself without Maura hearing.
"I realize that Jane, and I want to 'reconnect' with him too and there will be plenty of time for that. How about you come for lunch on Sunday. ?" She asked.
"Ok. I can do that, on one condition"
"What's that" Maura asked "
" We have pizza and wings for lunch" she smiled.
"Is that all you think about...food" Maura laughed
"Hey..I told you..your kids. Not my fault"
They spent the rest of the night laughing and talking. After dinner Maura cleaned up and helped Jane study some more. Jane was in awe of Maura's knowledge, was there anything this woman did not know. After a yawning fit by Jane, Maura took that as her clue to leave. With one last pat of Jane's belly Maura was gone.
Jane took a deep breath and placed her hand on her bump.
"Your mother is something else kiddies. You two are sooo lucky to have her. She is going to be an amazing mother. Your dad...I don't know. Don't really know him too good. " Jane sighed. "He sure is one lucky basta...guy" she thought better about swearing.
Jane didn't want to admit it to herself but she was beginning to have feelings for Maura. She chalked it up to her hormones and tried to push it aside. One thing was for certain, she was not looking forward to spending the afternoon with HIM. Especially after knowing all the reconnecting they would have done the day before.
She would have to suck it up. Maura was his wife and these were their children. Their family. The quicker she believed that, the better off she'd be. The better off they all would be.
The Sun was beginning to set as the room got darker. The only illumination coming from the fireplace as the flames flickered and danced. Maura was laying on her husbands chest running her fingertips up and down while deep in thought. She was thinking back to the moment she told Ian that they were expecting twins. She was slightly disappointed in his reaction but pushed it aside due to the mere joy of having him back home. Now, in the still of the moment while her thoughts loomed, she could not stop thinking about it. Was he not happy? She needed to know.
"Ian...are you awake" she asked still laying on his chest
"Mmmhmmmm" he mumble from his sex induced state
"May I ask you something"
He stirred "Sure darling. You may ask me anything" he said
"Earlier, when I gave you the news about the twins, you didn't seem very happy about it "
His eyes shot open. "What! What do you mean. Of course I'm happy about it" he assured her almost defensively.
"It didn't look that way. You looked more excited when you told me about all the interesting artifacts you uncovered in Africa" she added
Ian shifted so he could look Maura in the eyes. " Its big news. I was a little shocked that's all. Our lives are going to change drastically and its just taking me a moment to come to terms with it. Please know darling, I am happy. I'm very happy that we are going to have a family. I love you Maura. " He leaned in to kiss his wife.
Maura moaned slightly at the feel of her husbands lips " Ok. I'm sorry I doubted you. Of course you are excited to be a daddy. Just think of all the things you can teach them."
Ian smiled at the thought. " I can't wait to teach them about all the interesting things I've found in my travels. I am looking so forward to watching our family come together "
Maura's eyes got misty. She shifted to straddle him and leaned down to kiss him. His hands found their way to her ass and up the length of her spine. she deepened the kiss and was getting lost in the moment. With her eyes closed she pulled away smiling at the intense feeling. She opened her eyes and looked into intense brown eyes and a mane of black hair fanned out on the pillow below. She gasped as she blinked her eyes and shook her head. When she re-opened them, she saw her husbands concerned look.
"Maura, are you ok?" He asked
"I'm fine. Sorry, I just got a shiver. I must be cold" she lied.
"Let me put another log in the fire" He said as he motioned to get up from under his wife.
Maura could feel her chest rising and falling, she began to sweat. Her little white lie was causing her hives to appear.
She quickly rose from the bed and jolted into the en suite bathroom.
"There, that should do it for another few hours " Ian said as he turned to his wife only to find the bed empty. "Maura, where did you go?"
"In the bathroom. Be out in a minute" she answered from behind the locked door
"Are you sure you're ok" he asked
"Yes I'm fine. Get back into bed. I'll be out in a minute" she assured him
"Ok...but hurry" he looked down at his excitement in his boxer shorts " I'm ready for round 3" he said as he resumed his position in their bed.
Behind the closed door Maura was splashing cold water on her face. "What the hell just happened" she whispered to herself. Did she really just imagine kissing Jane. Yes, it was definitely Jane. She would be able to pick those dimples out of a line up if she had to. She took a moment to calm herself down and thought about it rationally.
"No, its because we have been spending too much time together. That's what it is. It has to be. I'm not attracted to her. Even though she is absolutely stunning, not to mention the fact that she is glowing as she carries my children. Oh my god. I need to stop this.".
"Maura...who are you talking to" she heard Ian ask
"No one darling. Just mumbling to myself " that technically was not a lie.
"Ok. Pull yourself together. " She took a few more deep breaths and composed herself before returning to join her Husband in bed.
How she would get through 'round 3' without imagining Jane was beyond her.
~~~~~~
The next day proved to be difficult for Maura. She could not shake what had happened to her the previous night while in bed with Ian. Thoughts of Jane kept running through her mind and it was disconcerting to her. She busied herself with making lunch for the 3 of them to enjoy. She decided to compromise and make Jane her pizza instead of ordering the greasy kind and currently had some chicken wings in the oven for her. She was putting the last touches on the Salad that she was preparing, at least there would be some greens on the table that maybe she could convince Jane to eat. She was lost in thought at how adorable Jane's eating habits were that she jumped when she felt strong arms wrap around her waist.
"Hey..its just me. " Ian said "Why are you so Jumpy today. "
"I'm not jumpy, you just startled me" she answered as she turned to face her husband.
"Ok...I don't believe you but I'll settle for a kiss" he leaned in and captured his wife's lips.
She smiled at him and rested her hands around his neck. "I'm happy you are home" she said.
"As am I darling. " He was just about to lean in again when the doorbell rang
"I'll get it " he said.
He opened the large mahogany door and smiled at the sight before him.
"Jane..look at you. You've gotten so big"
The smile from Jane's face fell.
"Ian.. You never tell a pregnant woman she looks big. Where are your manners" he heard Maura reprimand him from behind.
"Gee thanks Ian..nice to see you too" Jane shot back jokingly.
"If you ask me she looks beautiful." Maura said.
Jane blushed a little.
"I'm sorry Jane. It was not my intent to offend you" Ian apologized
"Its all good. I know I'm big. But I swear your kids are hungry all the time" she said
Ian smiled when he heard the statement. He went to place his hand on her belly and suddenly stopped "May I " he asked.
Jane smiled " You may"
He placed his palm down on the swollen belly and smiled. He had such a feeling of pride that his children where in there. "Hello there you two"
After an awkward minute Maura cleared her throat.
"Um Ian..you think you can let Jane in now. Its a little chilly outside."
Ian looked up at Jane and removed his hand. "Of course. Sorry Jane, please come in" he stepped aside for Jane to pass through.
"Hi Maura" Jane went to hug Maura and noticed she was a bit stiff.
"Hh...how are you feeling Jane" Maura stuttered.
Jane creased her brows "I'm fine..you ok Maura?"
"I've been asking her that all day" Ian added
"I'm great. Come in, lunch is ready" Maura turned and headed to the kitchen leaving a baffled Ian and Jane behind.
The conversation throughout dinner touched on different topics such as Ian travels and all the interesting things he recovered, to Jane's upcoming midterms and even how Jane's family was coping with he whole situation.
"Surprisingly my Pop seems to be ok with the whole thing. Its my mother that is having a little more trouble. But we are managing and she has been supportive regardless of how she feels. I just keep reminding her of how happy you two are and it seems to ease her mind knowing what this means to both of you"
Maura put her fork down. "Jane, I can't thank you enough. I know I've said it before but we really do owe you more than just a payout at the end of this. I know in my heart we will always have a friendship" Maura smiled
" I'm counting on that Maur" Jane responded
Maura's heart fluttered at the nickname Jane had just used for her. She had never said that before. Her heart warmed at how comfortable Jane was with her. They both held the gaze a little longer then was appropriate when they heard Ian.
"More wine 'Maur" he said laughing as he held the bottle up.
"No thank you, that's enough wine for me. I'm going to start cleaning up" she said.
"Oh let me help you" Jane rose from her chair
"No, its ok Jane. I've got it. You just rest"
"Maura, I've been resting all weekend. I want to help" Jane said as she began to clear the dishes.
"If you ladies will excuse me, there is a bottle of Aged Scotch that I brought back from Africa that I'm dying to try. " He rose. and went over to Maura " I'll be in the study if you need me darling" he gave her a peck on the cheek. This action caused Maura to slightly blush and Jane to look away.
"Ok. Enjoy your Scotch. And no smoking cigars inside the house" she quickly added
"Fine.. I'll be in the garage then "
Jane laughed as he hung his head and moped all the way out of the kitchen.
"Maura, I wanted to ask you if you would mind picking me up next Fri for our Ultrasound. I have an afternoon class and it would just be easier if you picked me up from school" Jane asked as she approached with a few dishes
"Of course I can pick you up. I was going to offer anyway. Glad you beat me to it"
They worked quietly in the kitchen as they loaded up the dishwasher. Maura's close proximity to Jane was causing her body temperature to rise. With Maura's foggy brain she didn't see the knife that was sticking upright in the dishwasher and cut her finger.
"Ouch! Shit...oh... I mean...Shoot. Sorry" she yelped as she held her finger to herself
"Are you ok..let me see" Jane asked concerned
"I'm fine..its just a small scrape"
"Uh Maura...I'm no Doctor but I'm pretty sure small scrapes don't bleed like that" Jane pointed to the counter and the droplets of blood. She walked over to her and grabbed her hand to see.
"Here, put it under cold water"
Maura let her guide her hand under the tap. All the while staring at Jane. She couldn't take her eyes off of her, she was mesmerized and she felt an electricity between them. Jane didn't seem to be reacting the same as she made quick work of cleaning the cut.
"Band aids?" She asked
"Huh!" Maura was mystified
"You got any Band aids" Jane asked again
"Uhh,..ye...yeah. Corner cabinet bottom shelf".She pointed "Most people keep the firsts aid kits in the bathroom but I think the kitchen is a much more efficient place for it since most house hold burns and cuts occur in the kitchen" she rambled
Jane came back over to Maura once she found the kit. "And that's why you're gonna be a great mother Maur" she said as she cleaned the cut with an antiseptic wipe and prepared the bandage.
Once it was secure she looked up at Maura who was gazing in to her eyes. The two of them held that gaze for a moment before Maura broke the silence.
"Thank you Jane" she said.
Jane let go of Maura's hand " you're welcome."
The two continued to work silently in the kitchen as they both thought about what just happened. They were both feeling something toward the other. Jane especially made a mental note of what she had seen in Maura's eyes.
