A/N. Thank you all for the reviews and follows. I appreciate them all.
Writing is such an amazing thing. A writer has the power with a few simple words to drastically alter the course of a story. Words are so powerful. I as the writer can choose to give us all what we want with just a few lines. What fun is there in that? I promised you all Rizzles and Rizzles you will get, but some other shit needs to happen before that. Hope you will all stay on for the ride.
Trigger warning in this Chapter. Small mention of a child's death.
As always...I own nothing.
Chapter 11
The days following Maura and Jane's heart to heart seemed to pass quickly. Ian had come back from New York for all of 3 days before he was off again, to England this time to visit with his parents. Jane had repeatedly asked Maura to join her and her family for Thanksgiving dinner. The mere thought of the beautiful blonde being alone broke Jane's heart. Maura had assured her that it was fine and she couldn't get away from work.
The big day was finally upon them. A day to give thanks for all the blessing one has in their life. A day to spend with loved ones. Or, like in Jane's family, a day to spend in the kitchen. That is where she found herself at that very moment. Elbow deep in dish water scrubbing pots so they can be re-used for something else.
"Jesus Ma, is there an end to these pots...and how come you won't let me cook anything...why do I get stuck washing?'" She asked
Angela turned from her half peeled potato to respond to her daughter. " Cause this year you'd probably eat more than you cooked. Half the food would be gone before it reached the table"
"Hey...don't you think you are exaggerating a little Ma?"
" Yeah, and that's why I'm stuck peeling more potatoes. Did you enjoy your little "snack" Jane?"
"I was hungry...I am pregnant you know. I'm eating for 3" she bent her head down "right guys" she asked her belly.
Angela just shook her head. "So your Aunt Carmela and Uncle Tony will be here in a few minutes. Any idea what you going to tell them about ...uh " she pointed to Jane belly. "you know"
"I'm gonna tell them the truth Ma. I'm not ashamed of anything that I'm doing."
"Ok. But you know how judgmental they are"
"Yeah no kidding wonder where they get if from" she mumbled.
"What was that Janie?". Her mother asked
"Oh..nothing. I'm all done here. What do you want me to do next?" she asked
Angela took a moment...unsure. "Can I trust you to layer the Lasagna" she asked
"Pfft...yeah. But you know, I don't get why you make a lasagna its Thanksgiving Ma, turkey, stuffing , mashed potatoes, where does Lasagna fit in"
"We're Italian, we eat Pasta with everything. Now get started" she ordered.
They chit chatted a while and Jane told Angela all about Maura and how her husband was out of town and that she was all alone. She mentioned how she had asked Maura to join them but the Doctor just couldn't. While they were prepping the side door opened and in walked Angela's sister Carmela her beefy husband Tony and their 3 kids, Vinny 19, Robby 17 and Samantha 15. They all said their hello's and the Sam and the boys went to find Tommy and Frankie. They were told not to be too loud while their Uncle Frank was napping. He had been called out for a pipe bursting across town at 4am. Uncle Tony was lurking around for food, and Carmela rolled up her sleeves to help her sister.
"So how you doing Janie? You're looking good, you filled out a little and your glowing. If I didn't know any better I'd say you were pregnant". Carmela laughed
Angela and Jane shared a knowing look. "Actually Aunt Mel...I...uh...kinda am pregnant" Jane said nervously.
Her uncle Tony stopped mid dunk as he had found the rolls and the pot of tomato sauce. Her Aunt looked at her shocked
"Whadaya mean 'kinda' you either are or you aint..How can someone be 'kinda pregnant' which one is it?"
"Ok...I am pregnant" she shuffled nervously "with twins" she added. "And their not mine"
That last statement had Aunt Mel scratching her head. " Janie.. Are you in some kinda trouble or something.." She looked over at her sister "Ang, what's going on here. I didn't even know she was seeing anyone"
"Jane, explain to your Aunt what you did before her brain explodes " Angela asked as she continued preparing their dinner.
Jane explained everything to her Aunt and uncle.
"So your a Gestational Surrogate" her uncle stated. They all looked at him wondering how he knew that. "What...I watched Oprah"
"What the hell are you doing watching Oprah" his wife asked
"I was off work sick. There was nuttin else on. " He justified.
They all chuckled and turned their attention back to Jane.
" I gotta tell ya Janie, that's some way to make a quick buck. But hey, if you can do it, and walk away at the end of it all, then I say more power to ya" Carmela walked over to Jane and wrapped her in a hug. "You are glowing, pregnancy agrees with you"
Angela stood shocked and her sisters reaction. Mel noticed "What! Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked
"I'm just a little surprised at your reaction is all" Angela said
"Oh please Ang, we aint livin in the stone ages. Women now a days can do whatever they want. We have power!" she turned to her niece and gave her a wink
"Thanks Aunt Mel. " Jane said
They all continued to work away in the kitchen and it was finally time for them to head over to the park for their annual football game. Jane of course sat out this year much to the chagrin of her cousins who wanted retribution for the previous year when Jane made a fool of them as she tackled them to the ground.
They all made it back to the house and dinner was finally ready. Angela's youngest sister Patty had arrived with her latest boyfriend and her 2 kids. Frank carved the Turkey after the Lasagna was consumed and they all ate and drank. Throughout dinner Jane was the recipient of comments and a few fat jokes. She took it all in stride and vowed to get them all back. Once they finished eating their weight in food, had their Espresso's and finally finished cleaning up they were all lounging around in a Turkey induced coma.
Jane had slipped back into the kitchen and went at the leftovers when her mother came in.
"Jane, what are you doing? You can't possibly be hungry" she said.
Jane laughed. "God no Ma, its not for me. I'm gonna go down to the coroners office and bring Maura some dinner. Just cause she couldn't come here doesn't mean I can't bring it to her. No one deserves to be alone for the Holiday"
Jane piled the container with Turkey and mashed potatoes, homemade stuffing ,corn and green beans. She added a healthy serving of Lasagna In a separate container. She packed it all up into a box and looked at her mother.
"What?" She asked
"Be careful Jane. Remember what you're doing." Angela advised
" I will Ma, It will all be fine. I'm gonna go say bye to everyone. Can you do me a favor and add a couple of rolls...ohhh..and some Pumpkin Pie.." Jane made her way out of the door and quickly turned back " and..."
"I know...the Apple pie too. Way ahead of ya kid"
"Thanks Ma, you're the best"
Jane said her goodbyes and soon she was off to see Maura. Her insides were bubbling with excitement about seeing the Doctor. Or was that gas, she couldn't decide. Once she arrived she signed in and got a pass. She had told them that she was a friend of 's and was just there to bring her dinner. They allowed her to go through and even gave her directions as to where to go.
She reached the basement and cautiously entered the room. To make her presence known she lightly tapped on the door.
Maura was in deep concentration with something on the computer when she looked up.
"Jane, what are you doing here?...are you ok?" She asked surprised
"Hey Maur, I'm fine, everything is great. I just wanted to surprise you with Thanksgiving dinner. " Jane said as she slowly entered the room. "I hope its ok?"
Maura smiled at the gesture " Of course its ok. That's so nice of you. Thank you" she motioned for Jane to enter.
"I brought the whole meal for you. I didn't want you to miss out on anything." Jane said.
"That is so sweet of you but you didn't have to go through the trouble. "
"Its no trouble. I just felt bad you got stuck at work. "
"Its ok, I don't mind. I would just be alone at home anyway. "
"Uh...Maur, hate to break it to ya, but your kinda alone down here" Jane said as she looked around." Nothing but a bunch of dead people" she added
"They may look like a bunch of dead bodies, but I assure you Jane, every one of them has a story to tell" she looked down as if to remember something Jane could sense the sadness.
"What is it Maura. Are you ok" Jane asked
"Yes...I'm fine..its just,...its just the last body that was brought in was a child. Those are always the hardest to get through"
"Do you wanna talk about it" Jane asked
Maura took a deep breath " Not just yet. Let's see what you have in that box"
She dug into her food and moaned with almost every bite. She especially liked the homemade lasagna. After Jane insisting she wasn't hungry, she caved and Maura shared her food with her.
"So, I can tell you're still upset , you ready to talk now?" Jane asked.
Maura smiled "How is it that in such a short time you have come to know me so well?"
"Hey, I pay attention. I notice things about you"
"Do you now , and what do you notice ?" Maura asked intrigued
"It all in your eyes. If you ever want to really know someone just pay attention to their eyes. Like with you, for example, your eyes light up and glimmer when you talk about two things" Maura creased her brows and Jane continued. "Science, and your babies".
Maura blushed slightly as she looked down at her plate a little embarrassed "Those are the two things I'm most passionate about. ".
"I can tell. You almost get giddy " Jane added. "Its the cutest thing I've ever seen"
Their eyes locked for a moment. They could swear there was an electrical current running through them. Maura took a deep breath.
" He was 9 years old. Got hit by a car while running out in the middle of the street chasing a ball. We picked him up this morning. The look on his parents face was heartbreaking. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy". Maura looked off trying to fight the tears that were threatening to fall. "I...I just...Sometime I wonder if I have chosen the right career path. Seeing those poor kids makes me second guess myself."
Jane took hold of the emotional blondes hand. " Maura, I know its hard seeing those helpless bodies. Its a terrible thing that no parent should have to go through. Parents should not outlive their children. Unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world. Accidents happen and there are also some crazy people out there. That's what fuels me to become a cop, to keep the streets safer. To spare parents from having to bury their children. I know I can't save the world but maybe if I can save one mother or father or sister or brother from that heartbreak , then its all worth it.". She looked into Maura eyes
" I know, its the same for me too. I want to give them a voice when they can no longer speak. I want to expose the truth when it has been lost and swallowed up by lies. I want to give them justice. " Maura said
"Sounds to me like you know exactly why you need to continue on your path. They need you Maura. They need someone who will speak for them and fight for them" Jane assured her. She reached up and with the pad of her thumb wiped a stray tear under Maura's eye. At that moment their eyes locked again and mere seconds felt like an eternity. Realizing the gesture, Jane quickly pulled her hand back as if it had been burned in a fire.
After a nervous moment , Maura shifted. "Thank you Jane. Thank you for reminding me of my passion, and thank you for this wonderful dinner. It really was very sweet of you "
"You're welcome Maura. There was no way I was going to let you spend the holiday alone. Besides, gives me an excuse to eat again" Jane smiled as she swiped her fork through Maura's pie and with her mouth full said "Mmmm, dis iz ma favet pawt "
Maura laughed "um Jane, I think you got some whipped cream on your chin"
"Saving it for later" she said smiling.
She spent the next two hours there and Maura even gave her the grand tour. Maura was amazed at how comfortable Jane was around a corpse. She didn't seem to be bothered by it at all. Jane had said that it was because she had been to a lot of family funerals and had seen the bodies in the open casket.
It was getting Late and Jane was showing signs of being tired. Maura insisted that Jane go home and rest. Without arguing, Jane said her goodbye and went home. Her thoughts for the remainder of the evening until sleep overcame her, were never far from the gorgeous blonde.