A/N: Sorry about the delay in updates. Those of you who are still interested despite the delay are so very, very awesome.
The alarm on Maura's phone had woken her up in time for her to shower and get dressed before picking Chloe up from school, but Jane barely even stirred. Maura debated waking her up, but Jane lying naked and fast asleep in her bed was a sight Maura hadn't seen in years. Her dark curls were splayed out on the pillow and the comforter reached high enough to just barely cover her breasts. The placement of the comforter seemed almost strategic and Maura wondered if Jane had meant to cover herself so fully and whether it was a sign that she was still somewhat nervous about being so exposed in front of Maura. Maura was both her girlfriend and her ex-wife and she wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Jane was still hesitant. They had made love all morning, but now that reality had set in for Maura she remembered they weren't a married couple and Jane wasn't asleep in their bed.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered as she looked at Jane. And she was sorry. They had both wanted to put the past behind them, but Maura knew there was a better solution. She would take what happened to them in the past and, instead of dwelling on it, she'd learn from it and she hoped Jane would, too. They'd no longer cry over their divorce and all of the heartache that came with it. Instead, they'd focus on Chloe and their future together. In time, she wanted to be Jane's wife and she couldn't wait to give Jane the best of her and, although she hadn't thought it was possible before, she now loved Jane even more than she had when they were married.
She had waited four years for Jane and Jane had waited four years for her. With nothing other than a slight glimmer of hope that they would someday be reunited, Maura remained faithful to her and they had been brought together by chance.
For four years Maura had gone without and, as she was reflecting on her morning with Jane while she was in the shower, she knew waiting had made the experience even more satisfying for them. It wasn't just sex. What she had experienced was a way of reconnecting with the woman she loved, the woman she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. Jane was still the same woman she had fallen in love with all those years ago, but making love to her was a new experience for Maura. Jane had become more possessive as they made love. She was afraid of losing her again and it was up to Maura to reassure her that she was hers to keep. Jane's techniques were the same but the orgasm brought on by the strokes from Jane's skilled tongue was unlike any she had ever experienced. As she reached orgasm, Maura let go of not only four years of sexual tension but also four years of longing and loneliness. The thought of it was enough to arouse her again and make her anxious to be in bed with Jane that night.
Maura's goodbye kiss on her cheek was what finally brought Jane out of her deep sleep. "I was going to pick up Chloe with you," Jane mumbled.
Maura's intentions were to kiss Jane's temple, but Jane pulled her down onto the bed, so she could kiss her lips one last time before she left. As they kissed, Maura could still taste the slightest hint of herself on Jane's lips and on her tongue. "I let you sleep so you'd have energy for later."
There were no further questions asked. Jane knew exactly what Maura wanted from her that night.
Maura had already sent an email to Chloe's teacher about her upcoming absences, so her intentions when she arrived at Chloe's preschool were to pick up her daughter and quickly run some errands before returning home to Jane. She was eager to tell Pam what she had experienced with Jane, but talking to Pam meant talking to Michelle, so Maura figured it was best to tell her about Jane and going to Boston during a phone call later that afternoon or the next day.
They engaged in brief conversation, but Maura didn't need to say a single word about that morning for Pam to know what had happened. "You're glowing," Pam brought to her attention. "Jane must have really outdone herself."
"Jane is phenomenal in bed," Maura responded. She had tried not to blush, but the more she thought about being with Jane that morning, the more her cheeks started to redden.
"Congratulations," Pam laughed. "Wait'll I tell the girls that our Maura got laid after four very long years."
"Can I call you later?" Maura asked. "I don't want to be rude, but Jane is waiting for me."
"Say no more," Pam insisted. "After four years, you two have a lot to catch up on."
Maura was surprised to see Jane sitting on the couch in a bikini top and a pair of athletic shorts when she arrived at home. "Why are you in a bathing suit, Jane?" Chloe asked.
"Because we're going swimming," Jane responded.
"Swimming?" Maura asked. "Jane, there's so much I have to do before tomorrow."
"I know," Jane told her as she picked up Maura's daughter. "That's why I'm taking this little one off your hands for a few hours. You get time to pack and I get time with Chloe. When we get out of the pool, Chloe and I will help you with dinner."
As Maura began to kiss Jane, Chloe immediately covered her eyes. "No kissing on the lips."
So she wouldn't have to witness them any longer, little Chloe ran over to her room to look for her bathing suit. She had attempted to dress herself, but when she couldn't get her shirt over her head, she frantically called for Jane and Maura to help her.
The pool was unusually empty for a warm day, much to Jane's relief. She had wanted a peaceful and fun afternoon with Chloe without other kids jumping in and splashing all around them. Chloe wasn't afraid of being in the water, but she still couldn't swim without her floaties, so Jane made sure her floaties were securely on her arms and they stayed in the shallow end.
"Chloe, I have something to tell you," Jane tried to say as lighthearted as she could.
"What?" Chloe asked. She knew Jane was going to say something important, so she doggie-paddled her way over to her as quickly as she could.
Jane playfully grabbed Chloe and wrapped her up in her arms. "You and your mommy are going home with me tomorrow."
"Forever?" Chloe asked.
"Not forever," Jane informed her. "But, just for a little while."
"Okay," Chloe said nonchalantly. "Can we play now?"
Jane and Chloe played in the water for a couple of hours before Jane heard her phone start to ring.
"It's your mommy," Jane told her. "It's time for us to make dinner."
"Five more minutes," Chloe pleaded.
She hadn't known Maura's little girl for very long, but she already couldn't refuse the pleading look on her face. "Five more minutes," Jane responded as she sent Maura a text message.
"Can you marry my mommy now?" Chloe asked when Jane was back in the water with her.
"Soon," Jane promised. "But that's our secret, okay? You can't tell your mommy."
Chloe pretended to zip her lips. "I won't tell Mommy."
"That's my girl," Jane responded. "I'll even let you help me when I propose to her. We'll make everything special for her."
As Jane helped her dry off five minutes later, Chloe wrapped her little arms around Jane. "I can't wait until you're my mommy, too."