A.N. Ok so I'm afraid I have good news and bad news. I'll get the bad out of the way, I'm gonna have to take a slight hiatus in posting until Monday the 3rd for RL issues but for that week I'll update the Monday, Friday and Saturday

Good news is that I did at least post the last of this Christmas bit before taking the week or so off from posting ;) I know that's a weak upside but still! Anyways I hope you all enjoy this and please guys remember this is a marathon story not a sprint so as much as I'd love to have a story where our girls get together as teenagers (and I might write one in the future) nothing is going to happen romantically for about a decade their time ;) Just a little teaser for things to come! Please review guys, it really makes my day to read them (good and constructive )

Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts. - Janice Maeditere

Chapter Ten - Nonna

They made their way downstairs and went about helping Mrs Rizzoli with making Christmas dinner.

"What time is Nonna coming over Ma?"

"Your Uncle Dan is picking her up any minute, she wants to be here early, I think she wants to make sure I'm not ruining Christmas dinner." Mrs Rizzoli sighed and Jane coughed quietly, hiding her obvious amusement.

"Why would Jane's Nonna think you'll ruin dinner, you're an excellent cook." Maura asked, confused.

"Nonna just likes things to be certain way Maur but only when it come to food, otherwise she's great."

"Nonna Rizzoli is a force of nature," Frank Snr said as he entered the kitchen, "And she'll be here in ten minutes Ange."

"Thanks for the warning Frank dear." She smiled and he gave her a soft kiss.

"Nonna Rizzoli didn't like Ma but she's changed her opinion as she's gotten to know her."

The talk of Nonna Rizzoli stopped as they continued working. Maura knew that Jane thought the world of her Nonna and that she was the only member of the Rizzoli adults that had told Jane he had made the right choice in choosing to join the police. She wanted to meet the person who had influenced Jane so much. She was also the person who had introduced Jane to field hockey, when her favourite sport to watch and play was baseball. It wasn't long before the front door opened. There came the sound of people talking in the hallway and the voices then got louder as they got closer.

"... wanna help, I'm old not useless!" came a voice. Then there was an old lady stood in the doorway. Mrs Rizzoli wiped her hands on the edge of her apron before hugging the older woman.

"Sophia, it's great to see you. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas to you Angela." The lady replied and then turned to Jane.

"Hey there, whirlwind!" She grinned and pulled Jane into a hug, "Merry Christmas."

Maura looked keenly at Jane's Nonna. Jane had clearly got most of her features from her. She had high cheekbones, olive coloured skin and long wavy silver hair. She was tall but had clearly been taller in her youth. Right now she was an inch or two short of Jane's five foot ten inches. She had the warm brown eyes that she was used to seeing in Jane's face too and as she made her silent study, those same eyes, both sets, turned to face her.

"Nonna, this is my best friend, Maura Isles." Jane said and beckoned her forward. She stood close to Jane and offered her hand to the eldest Rizzoli.

"It's nice to finally meet you Mrs Rizzoli." Maura smiled politely.

"None of that, you call me Nonna, everyone does." Nonna smiled and shook Maura's hand.

"I ..." She looked unsure at Jane who just smiled and nodded.

"It's a waste of time to argue, Princess."

"I can see why you call her that, whirlwind," Nonna smiled kindly, "You can't mistake class even if she is wearing your t-shirt amore mio" she smirked. "So tell me Maura, what do you think of our Jane here?"

Before Maura could reply, Jane interrupted. "Maura can't lie Nonna, she goes nasal nagel ..."

"Vasovagal, Jane, I think she's trying to tell you I faint if I try to lie." Maura said.

"So why can't she answer that question then Jane?" Nonna challenged Jane who held her hands up in defeat and Nonna turned to Maura with a questioning raise of her eyebrows.

"Well Jane is my best friend. I think she's wonderful and very kind. She's also very protective and swears a little too much."

Jane rolled her eyes and Nonna laughed. "I like this one Jane, she's a cuore vero," she said, "Jane's told me all about you of course, she really thinks the world of you."

Jane blushed at these words but continued to peel the veg.

"Well I think the world of her too." She grinned.

"Have you been enjoying yourself this Christmas?" Nonna asked.

"Yes I love it here, holidays here are very ... different to what I'm used to. I definitely prefer the Rizzoli way."

"I understand you're graduating as well this year. Jane called and told me the other day, she's very proud of you."

"Nonna!" Jane protested but Maura just replied.

"Yes, she told me and she know I'm proud of her too. She's chosen a very noble but tough career path and I know she's strong enough to make it to Detective."

Mrs Rizzoli sighed, "I still think it's too dangerous."

"Nonsense Angela, we all know that if you had your way, Jane would marry someone and be a housewife like you and I were and that's fine for those that wanted that, we both did, but Jane wants excitement and a career. It is dangerous but she has every reason to stay safe."

"Yeah Ma, plus I'm starting kickboxing this year too." Jane tried to reassure her mother.

"Can I do that too?" Maura asked, Jane turned to look at her.

"You want to learn kickboxing?" She asked.

"Yes a self defence class would compliment my yoga classes nicely."

"Yoga?" Jane pulled a face.

"You should start yoga with me Jane. I haven't started yet but I plan to during the summer."

"No way!" Jane exclaimed.

"Please Jane." Maura looked sadly at her.

"Nope." Jane said, trying not to look at her, she knew she's cave if she looked at her friend. "Don't look at me like that." Jane said as her eyes found Maura's unbidden. "Come on Princess, you don't fight fair." she whined.

"All I said was please." Maura smiled, innocently.

"Oh fine! But you have to go to kickboxing with me too!" she reasoned.

"Of course." Maura replied happily. They were interrupted by Nonna laughing loudly.

"Well you certainly have the whirlwind here wrapped around your little finger Maura." She laughed at the shocked expression on Jane's face. "Oh please Jane, like you hadn't realised."

"Well ... I ..." Jane frowned, "I guess I am." She shrugged and looked at Maura who was a little unsure how Jane would react. "Aww don't look like that, you're wrapped around my finger too ... how else did I get you to agree to wear that t-shirt with no complaints!"

Everyone in the kitchen laughed at this and they all got back to work, including Nonna Rizzoli, who insisted on helping to cook. All the family kept milling in and out of the kitchen, saying hi to Nonna Rizzoli. After about an hour, Christina came into the kitchen.

"Hello Nonna." she said coldly, "Merry Christmas."

"Ah," Nonna Rizzoli said, as she looked at her granddaughter, "I wondered when you would come and say hi il mio rosa piccolo, how are you?" Nonna asked, with an edge to her voice.

"I'm ok." Came the short reply.

"Have you made some new friends recently?" Nonna asked, staring Christina in the eye. Maura knew that Nonna had been to talk to Christina a few weeks before she came to stay at Jane's house for Christmas. Christina has got into some trouble at school after the group of girls she hung around with decided to hand out leaflets at school that made fun of several different students for a variety of reasons including their hairstyles, race and their sexuality. Jane had told her that they had not included her in these leaflets as it seemed Christina's family loyalty had at least extended that far. Nonna had told Christina that as a Rizzoli she had to do better, especially in how she treated other people.

"Maura, cuero vero, tell me? Has Christina been spiteful or mean to you or to Jane since you arrived?" Nonna asked.

Maura's jaw dropped for a few seconds and she looked nervously at Jane who took a few steps forward and was at Maura's side, slightly in front of her, as if shielding her from Christina's angry gaze.

"Nonna, no!" Jane said, firmly. "If you wanna know, ask me."

"I'm asking Maura," Nonna replied with a steady voice and looked at her, "Well cuero vero?

"She ... hasn't been welcoming." Maura tried to evade the question. Jane grabbed her hand.

"Not exactly what I wanted to hear but it's a start."

Maura gulped as she squeezed Jane's hand.

"Come on Nonna, it's Christmas and Maura's first real family one, can we just forget it?" Nonna looked at the pleading look on Jane's face, the embarrassed one on Maura's and the angry one on Christina's.

"You always take Jane's side anyway," Christina said heatedly, "I wouldn't expect anything else when it comes to her girlfriend." Christina spat looking harassed.

Nonna softened slightly at the look. She knew her granddaughters had never really got along and that Christina was usually the one to start the problems between them. She also knew that, as much as she shouldn't have favourites, Jane was definitely the favourite grandchild. She realised that Christina had picked up on this now and maybe that was one of the reason she was acting out, she knew she had to speak to Christina in private about her behaviour. When she did this in front of people it only served to make the situation worse.

"Come on il mio rosa piccolo. I think you and I should have a little chat." She took the girl by her hand and they walked out onto the back porch, closing the door behind them.

There was quiet in the kitchen until Mrs Rizzoli finally spoke. "I'm proud of you Janey, always stick up for Maura like that ... ok?" Jane nodded and squeezed Maura's hand one final time before releasing it. "I love your honesty Maura dear, I'll have to remember that when I want to know things my daughter doesn't want to tell me." Mrs Rizzoli smirked.

"Ma! You can't do that!" Jane exclaimed. "That's taking advantage of her!"

"Jane, I was joking about that part." She rolled her eyes, "Besides I can get you to tell me things yourself eventually, it just takes longer, now let's finish getting this dinner ready."

Jane dropped what she was about to say and they got back to making dinner which was then later enjoyed by the entire Rizzoli family. Maura was a little overwhelmed by all of Jane's very loud and very Italian cousin's, aunts and uncles but Jane never left her side, even quietly explaining things to her when she didn't understand. After Nonna and Christina had come in from outside, they both had red eyes and Christina was subdued for the rest of the day. After dinner they all sung carols whilst Jane played the old beat up piano. Maura had asked her to do this after her mother had given up begging, she had looked at her and with a quiet please, Jane had relented and pulled Maura with her to sit on the other half of the piano stool. After about an hour of this, Jane's hands were cramping so Maura took over and started playing contemporary songs, whilst the family spoke quietly to each other. It was a late night that night so when Jane got into before Maura, she fell straight to sleep. A few minutes later, Maura walked into the bedroom turning off the bathroom light and seeing Jane lying peacefully asleep, she smiled and carefully slid into bed beside her. She turned off the table lamp scooted closer. In her sleep Jane reached for her friend and Maura rolled into Jane's side. She hesitated as Jane mumbled in her sleep but then wrapped her arm around Jane's waist and rested her head on her shoulder. She let out a deep breath, smiled and closed her eyes. She fell asleep quickly.

The next morning Jane woke up first. She blinked in the morning light and tried to stretch but realised she was pinned to the bed and there was a weight down her left side. She looked down and smiled as she realised their sleeping position had changed. She hadn't remembered Maura being in bed when she had fallen asleep and this was certainly different to how she normally slept when Maura was there but she decided this was comfy too. Maura had her head resting on her left shoulder and her arm was wrapped around her waist, pulling them closer together. She had also rested her left leg between her own and she could feel Maura's breath on her collar bone. There was something very soothing about being able to feel her friend's breath next to her. As she lay there, just enjoying the moment, she felt Maura stir against her.

"Morning." She whispered into Maura's hair.

"Good morning." Maura mumbled. They both stood up and went about their morning routine, neither feeling the need to mention their new sleeping position. When they went downstairs it was to Aunt Julia and Mrs Rizzoli standing cooking breakfast. They all exchanged morning greetings and Jane and Maura sat at the dining table as Aunt Julia turned to face them.

"So Jane what did Maura get you?" She asked with a smile. Jane told her about the bracelet and the hoody but then paused. She wasn't sure how her mother would react to the third gift.

"She also kinda got me a piano." Jane said and she winced as Mrs Rizzoli turned around and sharply said.

"What?!"

"Well Jane loves to play, I thought that it would be nice for her to be able to play whenever she wants and ..." Maura stepped in and tried to explain.

"But that's an awful lot of money ..." Mrs Rizzoli replied but she trailed off at the steady look Maura was giving her.

"She's my best friend." She stated simply. Maura knew the Rizzoli's were sensitive about money. She knew her trust fund probably had more money in it than they would ever see and she wished she could share it with them but knew they would never accept. Mrs Rizzoli seemed to accept what she said easily though and although she did at first look like she was going to protest, she didn't.

The next week ran by quickly and before they knew it, New Years Eve had arrived and they were celebrating by watching the ball drop. At midnight they all hugged and after a round of sparkling apple juice, they all headed to bed, where Maura couldn't help but frown as she realised she was flying back to the UK on the 3rd, she only had tomorrow with the Rizzoli's, as she had told her parents she would be back at home on the 2nd.

"What's wrong Princess?" Jane yawned as she noticed the look on her friends face.

"I've just realised tomorrow is my last full day here." Maura told her. Jane paused as she too realised this and pulled Maura tight against her.

"Don't worry, it won't be long until you're back here for good and then you'll be sick of me." Jane mumbled against her neck.

"I will never be sick of you." Maura whispered, "You're my best and only real friend."

"Other people's loss is my gain." Jane said firmly. Maura didn't reply to this. After all their years of being friends, she still did not really understand why Jane thought so much of her and why she was such a good friend but she tried not to question this as often as she questioned everything else in her life. "Stop it." Jane said restlessly.

"Stop what?" Maura asked, as far as she was aware, she hadn't been doing anything.

"Stop thinking, you're all tense." Jane muttered as she wriggled to get closer. Maura melted against Jane. "Better." Jane smiled sleepily.

"Night Janey."

"Night Princess."