Chapter Twenty
Jane quickly walked through the empty apartment and took in the particulars. She mentally ran down the list of must-haves versus the wants: yes, this place would do. She ran her hand through her hair and sighed. She went to visit the management office, to put in an application for the apartment.
An hour later Jane left the complex, the extra keys added to her keychain. The apartment was theirs. Now she just had to pick up the kids, deliver Caitlyn to Maura for their shopping expedition, and Jane and Angelo could do their own shopping.
Maura gave Jane a list of items she knew they'd need, so they could move into their apartment as easily as possible. Maura knew Jane might forget one or two items and didn't want the detective and her children to stress over such a quick move.
"Caitlyn, you mind Dr. Isles, do what she says. Be a good girl," Jane cautioned Caitlyn. Maura smiled. Jane was such a good mother.
"Don't worry, Jane, she'll be good. We'll have a wonderful time," Maura said, taking Caitlyn's hand in hers. Jane glanced back at her daughter and Maura and liked what she saw. Maura is a good mother, Jane thought briefly. She filed the thought away to tell Maura later.
Caitlyn and Maura went to the kids' bed store first. Maura spent the morning researching furnishings for an apartment, wanting to have a list of items Jane and her kids would need. They were starting from scratch, thanks to Joey. Maura allowed Caitlyn to take the lead. The little girl automatically went to a pink canopy bed with princess sheets and bedspread. Maura almost giggled when she thought of Jane's possible reaction to the fact that Caitlyn wanted the exact same type of bed her mother had as a child. Next, Caitlyn walked over to bunk beds.
"You think Angelo wants bunk beds?" Maura asked her. Caitlyn nodded.
"We have a problem, Caitlyn. You two will be sharing a room. If we get bunk beds you'll both have to use them because we can't fit them and the pink bed in the same room," Maura said. Caitlyn frowned.
"I guess we have to get bunk beds then," Caitlyn said, her eyes downcast. She really wanted the pink princess bed.
"I have a suggestion," Maura said and walked over to the corner. Several beds designed with boys in mind were over there. She saw the racing bed as soon as Caitlyn noticed the pink bed. "I think we should get Angelo the race car bed and get you the princess bed, what do you think?" Caitlyn's eyes grew big and her eyes shone. Maura giggled and made arrangements to have the beds delivered to Jane's new apartment.
"Now for some clothes shopping," Maura said. She took Caitlyn's hand and they headed for the mall.
Jane wished for the thousandth time she could have gotten their toys from the house before Joey got there. At the moment, though, she also wished Angelo would get down from the drum set on display in the toy store. Her son had no rhythm, Jane heard, and she wanted him to leave the drums alone before he broke something.
"Nothing this loud, son, we're moving into an apartment," Jane said. Angelo started to sing along with his drumming, "no, no, can't have drums, live in a cell." Jane started to laugh. "Come on down, Angelo, it isn't that bad."
"If I can't have drums it's bad, Ma," he said.
"Maybe at some point in the future," Jane said. Angelo frowned but scrambled down from the drum set.
"Can I have a robot instead?" he asked, pointing to a display of an Angelo-sized robot in the aisle.
"No, you'll chase your sister around the house with it," Jane replied.
"Cool idea, Ma," her son said. Jane groaned.
"Come on, Angelo, we wanted to get a doll for Caitlyn, remember?"
"Why do I have to get Caitlyn a doll? I'm not playing with it."
"Yeah, please remember that when we get it home. You dismembered one of them and I had to write a note to your teacher because you wrote an essay about it. She thought we were raising a future serial murderer."
"Yeah, Ma, about that. Why would anyone want to kill cereal? I like the stuff," Angelo said. Jane hid her smile and took the opportunity to change the subject.
"Okay, we now have a doll for Caitlyn," Jane said, holding the large box. The box promised the doll cried and wet so Jane knew Caitlyn would love it. "What do you want, Angelo?"
"Drums."
"Not now. Pick out something else. Something quiet."
"I'll take two action figures and a bike." Jane groaned. Their bikes were still in the garage.
"Pick out the action figures, Angelo, and I'll see what I can do about your bikes," Jane said. She pulled out her phone and texted Maura.
We're almost done here. You guys?
A few more things and we should be ready to meet for dinner, Maura replied.
How did you do at the toy store?
Okay. Had to talk my son out of a drum set but no blood.
Drum set?
NO, Maura.
Jane grinned. Maura wanted everyone to have what would make them happy and if Angelo needed a drum set, well, then, Maura Isles was apt to buy him one. Jane didn't want her to do that.
"Let's go, Angelo. Dr. Isles and Caitlyn are waiting for us at the restaurant."
"Ma, is Dr. Isles your girlfriend?" Angelo asked. Jane stopped.
"Why do you ask, Angelo?"
"Dad said something one time about you and Dr. Isles being more than friends. I asked Uncle Frankie what that would be and he told me to ask you."
Thank you, Frankie, Jane thought.
"Right now we're just friends, Angelo. That's all we've been these last few years," Jane explained.
"Oh, okay. So Dad was wrong?"
In so many ways, Angelo, Jane thought. "Yes, he is."
"When can I see him?"
"I'll have to find out. He's been busy lately."
"Danny and Mark said he's in jail." Jane let out a breath.
"No, he isn't in jail. He talked to a judge and he's at home."
"Then why aren't we with him?"
"Your father and I are having some problems right now, Angelo and we decided to separate for awhile. That's why I rented an apartment for the three of us."
"Is that why we're getting new things?"
"Yes. This way you'll have your things with your dad and your new things with me."
"And with Dr. Isles?"
"We will probably see her too."
"Are you and Dad getting a divorce, Ma?"
"I don't know, Angelo. Maybe." Jane led Angelo over to a bench outside the mall.
"Let's talk about this a little. Have a seat." Jane waited until Angelo climbed on the bench beside her.
"Angelo your father and I have had some problems in the past and we may not stay married. This has nothing to do with you and Caitlyn, we both love you very much. But if your father and I do get a divorce you'll spend part of your time with me and part of your time with your dad. Is that okay?" Jane asked. She almost held her breath waiting for Angelo's answer.
"I guess. Hey can I get the drum set?" he asked.
"Not right now, kiddo. Let's wait awhile, shall we?" Jane stood up and they resumed walking to the restaurant. She saw Maura and Caitlyn waiting outside.
"Look, there's your sister and Dr. Isles. Let's catch up with them and we'll talk more later, okay, Angelo?"
"Okay, Ma. Oh, and Ma?"
"Yes, son?"
"If you and Dr. Isles are girlfriends, she's real pretty." Jane reached out and mussed Angelo's hair.
"You noticed that, huh?" Angelo grinned at his mother.
The four of them finished dinner and headed home, equally tired from their day. Caitlyn clutched her new doll and Angelo had unpacked his action figures. Jane and Maura discussed the delivery dates for the children's beds.
"I think you should stay in my guest room until this weekend, Jane. No need to uproot the children and take them to a motel for a few days," Maura suggested.
"I'm just concerned that Joey is going to see it as if I'd moved in with you, Maura. I can't give him ammunition to use at me."
"I think a judge would understand a mother wanting to keep her children in familiar surroundings during a time like this," Maura countered.
"Thanks, Maura. We'll stay but just until the weekend." Jane smiled at Maura. She reached across the table and patted Maura's hand.
"I appreciate you're being here for us, M. It means a lot to me."
"You're welcome, Jane."
"I think we should take two very tired kids home," Jane said. Caitlyn was nearly asleep at the table, her arms wrapped around the doll she named Mary Margaret. Angelo's eyes were seriously drooping.
"I'll meet you at your place, Maura," Jane said. They escorted the children out of the restaurant.
As the two women drove their cars to Maura's house they saw a sheriff's car parked in front of Maura's home.
"What the hell?" Jane muttered. Maura arrived just ahead of her and as she got out of her Mercedes was met by two uniformed officers. Maura shook her head.
Jane parked on the street and got out. She left Angelo and Caitlyn in the back seat.
"Detective Rizzoli?" Jane could tell the officer greeting her was a sheriff's deputy.
"Yes. I am Detective Jane Rizzoli," she answered.
"I'm sorry Detective but we have orders to take your children to their father's home."
"What?" Jane yelled. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Angelo's head bob up as she yelled.
"What is this about, Sheriff?" Maura came over to stand next to Jane. She placed her hand on Jane's back in a supportive gesture.
"Mr. Grant got an order this afternoon allowing him full custody. Given the situation he felt more comfortable enforcing that order through the Sheriff's office. We've been waiting for your return."
"Why couldn't Joey have called and asked me to bring the children to him?"
"According to the paperwork we have, Detective, he asked you to bring the children back to their home with him and you refused."
"When?"
"I don't know, ma'am. We need to enforce the order. You can take it up tomorrow with your attorney. Are these the minor children?" the second Sheriff's deputy walked toward Jane's car. He opened the back door.
"Wait, Sheriff. Let me do this," Jane asked. He nodded.
"Guys, guess what? Your dad wants to see you and this Sheriff is going to take you to him. Isn't that great?" Jane faked an enthusiasm she certainly didn't feel. She was in shock. Joey was taking her kids from her.
"Can we run the siren?" Angelo asked.
"I don't know, Angelo. Come on, Caitlyn. Let's get you over to your dad's house." Jane picked Caitlyn off the seat and kissed her warm cheek. She choked down a sob. Caitlyn handed her doll to Jane.
"Take care of Mary Margaret for me," Caitlyn whispered. Jane nodded. She bent down to kiss Angelo goodbye and mussed his hair one last time.
"Be good for your dad," she whispered. The sheriff's deputy led the children to their squad car and buckled them in. Jane watched as the cruiser disappeared down the street. She turned to Maura and fell into her arms, sobbing.
Maura led Jane inside, into the bedroom. Jane curled into a fetal position on the back side of the bed and sobbed, her shoulders shaking. Maura stretched out behind Jane and wrapped her arms around her. She knew it was going to be a long night.
Damn you, Joey. Damn you to hell and back. You knew there wasn't any reason to be this cruel, Maura thought. You're just being hard on Jane because of me. At that thought Maura's own tears began to fall. She cried for Jane, and for Jane's broken heart because of Joey's actions.
TBC