Headcanon: They're resting in the hospital together the day after Maura delivers their baby. She notices Jane has a splint on one finger. Maura broke it squeezing her hand and Jane never even said anything.

Origin: thepriceismeg

A/N: A fuzzy little story, of course. Maura and Jane have to get through this last part, bringing their baby into the world. It's warm, it's fuzzy, it's fluffy, it's cute. Maybe a little funny. Maybe a little emotional. I dunno. What do you think? In any case, hope it did justice to the headcanon, all thanks to thepriceismeg and her ingenious mind. Hope you enjoy!

Maura slowly drifted in and out of consciousness. She could feel the exhaustion in her entire body, expected after an activity as tiring as delivering a baby. Somewhere in her subconscious, she registered the press of a warm body by her side, recognised it as Jane's.

She could hear the brunette's voice in the next room, calling out to her. But before she could respond, she suddenly doubled over as a pain took over. Then she felt the wetness. And her eyes widened in realisation.

"Jane?"

"Yeah?" Jane's head popped out from around the corner.

She raised her head, wide hazel eyes meeting dark brown.

"My water just broke."

Maura's mind continued to remain its floating state, as the tiredness tried to keep her from fully waking up. But she was starting to grow more aware of her surroundings, as the sounds of the hospital began to slowly filter through.

"Ohmygodohmygodohmygod, okay, what do I do? Um, um, right! Hospital. Are you okay? Are you in pain? Here, let me help you, I'll get us to a hospital."

Jane was a ball of nerves, and if Maura wasn't about to go into labour, she'd have laughed. Instead, she gently laid an arm on the panicking brunette, and it was as if that one move managed to calm the detective down, and bring her clear mind back. Jane gave a nod, reaching out to help Maura, supporting her as she grabbed the keys to her cruiser off the table, and the bag they had kept in the event of Maura's going into labour.

Despite the fact that she could feel her body going into the natural process of labour slowly, Maura found the time to give a small nod of satisfaction. Based off the results from their tests and check-ups, and the additional reading on pregnancy stages, this was just about the right time to be going into labour.

Jane's arm was looped around her back, the other clenching the keys in a vice grip. After settling her into the passenger seat, the brunette dashed around to the driver's side, jumping in and throwing the lights on. Before Maura could open her mouth in protest, she forestalled it.

"The lights are going on. I'm not gonna risk anything, and this will get people out of the way without me having to drive too fast and scaring you."

Maura couldn't help smiling at the overprotectiveness and concern. But then she let out a gasp as she felt her walls contract again. Jane's eyes widened.

"Hang on, Maur, I'll get us there!"

Maura could definitely hear the sounds of the hospital now. Though it was distant, like she was in her own little bubble, away from the busy side of the place. A small part in her mind seemed to recall that she was in a small, private room. And something else nagged at her.

Jane burst through the doors, arm still protectively around Maura's waist, other hand entwined with hers, as the detective hollered for attention. Two nurses were immediately upon them, seeming completely unperturbed by a panicking soon-to-be parent. It probably wasn't an unusual occurrence.

Maura was quickly directed to a gurney, and helped up onto it just as another contraction took over. Maura let out a groan, but it was still early. Jane hovered, wide eyed and worried, her hand never leaving Maura's as they waited for the doctor.

A few minutes later, a familiar woman in a lab coat and scrubs entered, smiling, clipboard in hand. Dr Ronsten greeted them warmly, before turning to Maura.

"How are the contractions coming along?"

"They are roughly about ten to fifteen minutes apart at the moment, it's still quite early. Jane was very fast in getting me over here."

"Well, everything seems to be coming along nicely, you're only a day earlier than we predicted. Does everything feel normal?"

Maura nodded. "Based off all my readings, I would say things are progressing quite naturally. I didn't feel any of the symptoms indicative of a complication." She squeezed her wife's hand in reassurance as well, knowing Jane was probably half-terrified by the events.

"Excellent!" Dr Ronsten nodded. "There are some ice chips there for you, and I'll be back to check on you soon. If anything happens in the time, just press the button there." She indicated a small button right next to the bed, before giving them both a smile and leaving.

Her wakefulness was slowly returning to her, though her mind still tried to hold onto the comfortable sleep she'd been enjoying. She felt a shuffling next to her, and moved her arm out instinctively for Jane's hand. She frowned a little when she didn't find it. But a larger part of her subconscious was reaching out, for something else. Or someone else.

"Okay Maura, deep breaths, take a deep breath, you're okay. Now push!" The nurse's voice was authoritative, yet calm and comforting. "You can do this, Maura, deep breath, and push!"

Maura pushed with all her might, letting out a sound short of a scream, but not by much. One hand was gripping the bed railing with an iron grasp, the other holding on just as tightly to Jane's hand. The brunette seemed to overcome her own fear and panic in the face of her wife's struggle, and encouraged her gently.

"C'mon, Maur, you can do this. Hold onto my hand, alright, squeeze it as tight as you need to. Deep breaths, you're almost there, she's almost here. C'mon Maur. Breathe."

The contractions were only seconds apart now, and Maura knew they were almost done. Then Dr Ronsten's voice came up. "She's crowning! I see her head. She's almost here."

Maura was breathing heavily, trying to take in the deep even breaths she knew she was supposed to. And then she heard her name, over and over, coming from the brunette beside her. And she looked up into dark brown eyes, filled with equal parts terror and excitement. But more than anything, there was love in them, and Jane smiled.

"Maur. You can do this. It's almost over. Our baby girl's almost here. You can do this, okay? Deep breaths. Deep breaths, Maura."

Maura nodded, turning her attention back to her breathing, and when the nurse told her to push again, she let out an anguished sound, pushing as hard as she could. And it became a cycle, Maura losing track of the surroundings, only aware of the voice instructing her, and the thought of holding their child in her arms.

And then it was done.

"She's out!" A quiet settled over the room, as Dr Ronsten straightened up, beaming, a little swaddle of blankets in her arms. Maura's eyes darted to the woman beside her, the look of awe and fear on her face as she stared at the tiny bundle of blankets. Her own eyes followed the gaze, but instead of overwhelming fear or excitement, Maura felt a peacefulness settle over her. And she watched with adoration as Dr Ronsten came over, and gently passed the baby into Jane's shaking arms. It was only then that Maura realised she was still holding onto the detective's hand, and she let go, allowing Jane to cradle their baby girl.

"Do you have a name for her?" Dr Ronsten's eyes were a crystal blue, but they were filled with warmth, not ice.

"Yes." Both women spoke in unison, before smiling at each other.

"Olivia." Maura watched Jane stare down at the baby, and she wondered if she'd seen anything so beautiful as the dark brown eyes, glassy from unshed tears. And then Jane knelt down, and gently moved their little girl into Maura's arms. A small gasp slipped out of Maura, her exhaustion forgotten, as she stared down at the baby in her arms. And when Olivia opened her eyes, Maura realised she'd been wrong a few moments ago. She was looking into beautiful deep brown eyes, peering up at her with curiosity, and Maura swallowed the lump in her throat as she let out a small choke, tears streaming down her face. Olivia had her mother's eyes. She had Jane's eyes.

Maura's eyes fluttered open, and the outside world moved in, surrounding her with reality. She was looking up at the cream coloured ceiling of the little room they'd been given for the night. There was the surprisingly comforting sounds of voices and footsteps outside, a plethora of nurses and doctors on hand. While her mind worked on registering the environment, her arms had moved out, searching for something. For Olivia.

"Good morning, beautiful." The husky voice by her ear made Maura turn her head, and she was met with a smile and gentle kiss.

Maura smiled back, before her eyes quickly sought for the little crib they'd placed by the bed with Olivia in it. But her eyes found Jane's cradling arms first, and the little bundle nestled there. The image of Jane holding their child made her smile. "How's our baby?"

"A really well-behaved, quiet baby." Jane smiled. "I know she's got my genes, but I think she probably sucked some of your qualities in while she was in there." She nodded at Maura's belly, eyes dancing.

"That's ridiculous, Jane. Genetics and traits don't pass on that way," Maura laughed.

Jane only raised her eyebrows, a cheeky twinkle in her eyes. "Well, my gut instinct tells me that our little girl is probably gonna be a whole lot more like you, but with my dashing looks. I can promise you I was never this peaceful as a kid."

Maura chuckled again, holding her arms out for the sleeping child. "I have no complaints."

She felt Jane kiss her temple. "Neither do I."

Maura gently pulled the dark haired baby to her chest, but as Jane moved her arms away, Maura noticed a splint on her right hand. Frowning, she held Olivia close to her chest with one hand, and quickly grabbing a hold of Jane's arm with the other.

"What happened to your hand!?"

"Oh," Jane cleared her throat, a small smile dancing on the side of her mouth. She shrugged it off. "It's nothing."

"Jane! What happened! How did you break your finger?" Maura frowned up at the tall woman beside her.

"Don't worry about it, Maur. Really. It's nothing, it's not even my left hand, so I'm fine!"

She shook her head. She wasn't going to let go of Jane until she got an answer. "What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything!"

"Then how did you hurt your finger?"

Hazel eyes bored into brown, and finally, Jane relented, throwing up an arm and looking down bashfully. "Uh… well, you kinda broke it."

"What?"

Jane chuckled a little, leaning in and kissing Maura's forehead again. "Last night, while you were in labour. You were holding my hand, and near the end, well, you hung on real tight."

"Oh god, Jane, I'm so–" a pair of lips silenced her.

"Don't you dare say you're sorry."

"Bu–"

"Uh uh." Jane shook her head. Reaching out with her uninjured hand, she cupped Maura's face. "You gave us a beautiful, healthy little girl. You went through nine months of crazy hormones and all that stuff to give us Olivia. My finger can be a casualty if it means we have our family."

Maura was smiling, tears coming to her eyes again, as they both lowered their eyes to the angel in her arms. A thumb wiped her tears away before they fell, one of Jane's hands gently resting on Olivia's swaddled belly, the other dabbing at Maura's face.

"You could have at least told me."

The warm chuckle drifted into Maura's ear. "I think I had other things on my mind." Maura watched as Jane gently caressed the cheek of their sleeping daughter. Then a finger came under her chin, gently tilting her head up. A small kiss. A whisper.

"Thank you, Jane."

And there were those beautiful glass tears again, shining in Jane's eyes. "No. Thank you."