Chapter Nine - Return
The temperature dropped dramatically at the end of November. Now, as they passed into December, it was beginning to threaten snow, and Maura was a little excited about it.
Back in Boston, when it snowed, she could never really enjoy it. They were working, and snow, the cold, it all hindered things or made it difficult to deal with. But here, in the middle of nowhere, with nothing more to do than write at her own leisure, she could enjoy it.
"Have you got the wood ready, Maura?" Maggie asked, climbing up the wooden steps that led to the deck. Maura waited to greet her at the top with soft lips. Friday afternoons were quickly becoming their time to just hang out. For a long time, Maura had hung on to Fridays, coveting them because they were hers and Jane's night, after all. But Jane wasn't here; Maggie was.
"The wood?"
"Yeah, Maura. The wood, you need to get chopping." Maggie imitated the action of using an axe. "How else are you planning to keep warm?"
"Oh, well the shed is full."
"Let me see, it's gonna get real cold soon, Maura." She wrapped her arms around her. "Though obviously I am willing to help out where I can."
Maura laughed. "I think I like that idea much more than chopping wood." Their lips met again, and this time Maggie allowed her to deepen it. Maura was getting used to losing herself in these arms, until the gentle cough from behind disrupted them. Maura rested her forehead against Maggie's chest. "Mother?"
"Hello Darling, sorry to…interrupt, but I was wondering if you'd planned on visiting Boston anytime soon? Only, I have this small exhibit I am giving and well…It would be lovely if…"
"Of course, Mother," Maura said, turning to face Constance. "When is it? I can make arrangements."
"Oh no need, I've already done it. It's Saturday, at the WALL."
"This Saturday? I don't know…"
"You should go," Maggie said against her ear. "It will do you good, maybe you can do some of that shopping you're missing." She giggled at the gentle elbow Maura threw back at her. Maura turned, a smile wide on her face.
"Why don't you come with us?"
Maggie grinned back. "Really? Cos I'd love to."
Maura kissed her gently. "Then you'd better go pack. I'll organise an extra flight."
~R&I~
Maura sat in her first-class seat and contemplated. She could hear Maggie's excitement with every word she spoke and she tried desperately to cling to it, but images of Jane forced themselves into her mind and poked at her. She was going to Boston, home. Every cell of her body wanted to call Jane and arrange to meet, lay hands on her and fall into her arms, but then she remembered Casey and the baby, Luca. Her mother had told her all about him from calls with Angela. Jane had a family now and it didn't include Maura. So, she concentrated on Maggie and the exhibition.
They would arrive at the hotel and drop off their things. Then Maura had promised to show Maggie some of the sights Boston's illustrious history had to offer before they would return to the hotel to change for the art opening that evening. They would then fly back the following day.
Touching down at Logan sent shivers down Maura's spine. She smiled to herself and waited patiently for the pilot to let them know that it was safe to get up and move around. They would be among the first passengers to get off the plane, and once through security, they would be whisked off by chauffer-driven car.
"I can't believe I just flew first-class." Maggie's face beamed, and Maura couldn't help but be caught up in the moment of it with her.
"Whatever you want to do today, we will do," Maura replied, reaching for her travel bag.
Maggie leant in close. "How about staying in bed?"
"Well, that could be arranged, but we can do that any day. I thought we could take a nice stroll around the Common."
Maggie passed her arm around Maura's shoulder, kissing the side of her head. "Whatever you want, babe. I am all yours this weekend."
~R&I~
Jane had wrapped up well. Luca was snug as a bug in his stroller. She had needed some air and a break from her mother. Since Casey had left, Angela had made it her mission to be there for Jane, to help her through the break up! The last thing Jane needed was her mother's helicoptering around her.
She sighed and thought about exactly what she did need: Maura. By now, she had hoped things would have been easier. Instead, everything seemed that much more difficult. Having Luca helped a lot. The little boy was the only good thing to come out of any of this.
She pushed the stroller and sang gently to Luca as they walked. Not that he was paying any attention to her. Eyes just like his mama's darted around, taking in his surroundings. Familiar surroundings. He loved the trees, even with their bare limbs now, the leaves long gone and withered away. His little button nose was a little red. "Just like Rudolph," Jane smiled down at him. "Santa will be coming soon, little man."
The last thing she expected to see when she turned the corner towards the bandstand was Maura Isles. She sucked in a breath and readied herself to run, pushing the stroller as fast as she could, and then she would grab hold and swing her into the air while admitting just how much she loved her and wanted her to come home. But something stopped her. A gut instinct made her stop and take stock of the scene in front of her. Another woman stood by her side. A woman who was familiar with her old friend. Touching her and…leaning in to kiss her. She felt the air abandon her lungs, her chest hurting in ways she had never felt before. All she could do was turn and walk away.
AN: Many thanks for all the messages and reviews... HBO 123, thanks for the suggestion to write professionally ;) you can find my books on Amazon... just search Claire Highton- Stevenson.
