Maura can smell the Rizzoli lasagna as she mounts the stairs to Jane's apartment. Inhaling deeply, she smiles to herself before knocking and entering her friend's apartment.
"Jane?" Maura calls into the apartment.
She discreetly deposits her overnight bag by the door. One way or another, Maura thinks to herself, the night was ending with Jane Rizzoli wrapped up in her arms, nose tucked in her neck.
Maura enters the kitchen as Jane looks up from spreading garlic butter on crusty French bread.
"Hey." Jane says in a low voice, a wide smile on her face.
Maura takes in Jane's "Kiss the Cook" apron and sidles up to her and lays a warm kiss on her cheek, a quick squeeze around her waist.
Stepping away, "Hey, yourself. Do we have wine?" Maura asks hopefully, smiling widely back.
"Why yes we do, Dr. Isles. Let me put this bread in the oven and I'll get us some."
"Well, thank you, Detective Rizzoli." Maura says giggling. "Where's Jo?"
At hearing her name she bounds into the kitchen looking for some love. Maura obliges the pup, squatting down and rubbing her belly, scratching behind her ears. After a few moments, Maura straightens up and moves back to the counter where Jane has poured two glasses of red wine.
Jane pushes one towards Maura who leans her hip against the counter next to Jane.
Taking a sip, "Hmm, Jane, this tastes just like the delicious wine we had a couple of weeks ago at The Rusted Leaf. It's delicious; the overtones of oak don't over power the fruity essence of…" Maura trails off as Jane lays her warm fingers on her forearm.
She smiles into Maura's eyes, can see the warmth creep up the doctor's neck from the deep vee of her blouse to her ears, chuckling, "I know, I found out what it was and bought us a couple of bottles."
Maura found herself inching closer to the inviting eyes and warmth of her friend. "You did?"
Jane leans in as Maura's lashes flutter shut at Jane's closeness. She nudges her nose into Maura's neck and leaves a kiss. "I did." She moves even closer to Maura leaning against the counter, working her face gently into the crook between Maura's shoulder and neck.
"God, Maura you smell really good." Jane husks into Maura's sensitive neck.
Maura chuckles, wrapping her slim fingers around the back of Jane's neck, "Thank you…" breathlessly.
The ding of the timer on the oven startles them apart.
Jane smirks, "and on that note, let's get this out and set up dinner."
"Jane this smells really amazing." Together they make quick work of the table, bringing over wine and food and before they know it they are sitting next to each other digging in.
After eating and smiling goofily at each other for a while, Jane starts, "So…how was your day?" She asks cheekily.
Maura laughs, "Well, fine overall. I finished my reports for the Petersen autopsy." She looks up at Jane, "but I must say I was a bit distracted most of the day."
Obliviously Jane murmurs around noodles and tomatoes, "Why? Do you feel OK?"
Maura smirks at her friend, "Actually most of my stitches have worked their way out, and my mouth feels fairly good. How was your day?" She asks raising her eyebrow at her friend, and takes another bite of lasagna goodness.
"Good. My day was good, loads of paperwork to finish up." Looking up at Maura sheepishly, "You know how all the writing makes my hands ache."
Maura watches Jane's hands involuntarily flexing. "I can help you with that after dinner." Maura says softly, pushing her now empty plate away from her.
Jane smiles at the doctor, "Thanks." She pauses, "So…I'm nervous." Jane blurts.
Maura can't help the laugh that leaves her throat. She blows out a breath, "Oh, thank goodness, me too. All day all I could think about was tonight, you-us."
Jane pushes her empty plate across the table, settles her chin in her hand gazing at the doctor, smiling, "Me, too."
"Oh, Jane, "Maura says breathlessly, "I want this so much. I'm nervous that I will do something wrong."
Jane looks at Maura thoughtfully and just widens her smile, "I think we just need to be open and honest with each other like we normally are, even if we are scared."
She reaches across the table for both of Maura's hands. She looks at their fingers twined together and then up at twinkling hazel eyes.
"Maura we are best friends. I trust you with everything, my person, my heart, my scars, everything."
Tears seep out of Maura's eyes as she listens to Jane, Jane's thumbs reach out to wipe away the wetness, "Oh, please tell me these are happy tears."
Maura nods, "Jane, you understand when we start this, my hope is for forever, my life, and your life merged together, growing, laughing, loving…is that too much to ask right now?" Maura whispers timidly.
Jane's eyes are serious as she stands up abruptly and walks over to stand next to Maura. She extends a hand toward her friend. Maura looks up questioningly, allows herself to be pulled up so the two are standing flush against each other.
Maura's can't help but worry she went too far at Jane's lack of verbal response. Jane just winds her long arms around Maura's neck and back, holding her snugly against the front of her body, tucking her face into a neck. Jane takes a deep breath, her nose filling with the heady scent of Maura, all lemongrass and grapefruit.
Maura sinks into the comforting arms, allowing herself to relax, to trust in Jane, in herself, in them. She wraps her own arms around the welcoming heat that is Jane.
Jane leans down near the doctor's ear, warm breath fluttering along Maura's neck, "Ummm, Maura, if it's OK with you maybe we could have our first kiss before I promise you forever." She smiles into a warm neck lowering her voice even more, "But let's be clear, I intend to promise you forever."
Maura can't help the warm feeling spreading through her chest as a laugh of relief finds its way up her throat. "Oh, thank goodness." She murmurs before wrapping her hands around the back of Jane's neck and dragging their mouths together.