Although it has been a few weeks since returning back to the states from Paris. The media were still interested in both Maura and Jane. After less than a week with staying with Angela, Jane was ready to go home and face the media onslaught.
Maura too seemed more relaxed and happy being back in there home. She felt that she didn't need to put on a front for the older Rizzoli. At least at home she didn't need to hide how she was feeling in-front of her wife. And even if she tried, Jane could always read her anyway.
Gradually over the weeks the media circus that was camped outside of their house was getting smaller and smaller until only a few remained. Luckily for them a local celebrity was caught buying cocaine just before they crashed a very expensive and high powered vehicle into a street light. The whole event was very public and had gone viral. Due to them accidentally broadcasting it live all over social media. I guess to the press the Rizzoli-Isles were old news now. Which was fine to both of them.
Jane tried not to overcrowd Maura too much since returning home, not wanting to push her away from her. Walking past the study, she decides to turn around and go in. Pushing the door open, Maura is sat in her big leather arm chair staring out of the big bay window. Jane has always known that it have been hard for her wife to understand and explain what she was feeling. When they first met, some called Maura socially inept or socially awkward. As she would sometimes say truthful but inappropriate comments. Not because she was being rude or mean but to Maura her thoughts and feelings were something to be explained logically and efficiently. This was one of the many qualities that had attracted Jane to her, first as a friend then later as lovers.
Not wanting to startle the blonde, Jane is about to speak before she recognises the familiar ring tone coming from inside one of the drawers in the antique desk.
Lost in her own thoughts at first she doesn't hear the ringing of the mobile in her desk. Ringing again, this time she hears it. Swiveling around in the arm chair, seeing Jane stood there looking at her, startles Maura.
Shaking her head at her wife, Jane indicates for her not to answer the phone.
Reaching down and opening the draw, Maura takes the burner phone and passes it to her wife. She is in no mood or in the right mental state to have a conversation with the man on the other end of the phone. Not today.
Reluctantly taking the phone, Jane answers it. "What do you want Doyle?" she says sounding impatient.
"Ah, Detective Rizzoli, If you don't mind I would like to talk to my daughter". The Irish mobster boss says trying to hide the irritation in his voice.
"Don't you think you've done enough" Jane says no longer able to hide the anger in her voice. Turning her back to her wife trying to shield her from some of the conversation. "You have robbed Maura of getting Justice in a court of law".
Jane is such an honorable and noble person, that even though she hates Paddy Doyle for what he is. She still doesn't want Maura to hear her say anything too bad about him. After all he still is her father and does love her in his own unique way. "Jane" Maura calls out. Jane is about to lay into Doyle some more when she hears Maura's voice from behind her. Turning around she sees those beautiful eyes of hers. Nodding her head that she understands. Jane places the phone down on the desk and puts it on loud speaker.
Doyle thought he could hear the faint call of his daughter in the background. "Detective I do not expect you to understand until you have a daughter of you're own" he says with sadness in his voice. Taking a pause he resolves himself back to the hardened killer he is. "And I would do it again".
Jane is about to respond when Maura interrupts her. "I will never agree to your methods of keeping me safe. And even though I would have liked nothing more than that bastard to have died. You can't just go around killing people". She says with some anger in her voice. "I know that you love me as your daughter. But please do not call for awhile, I need time".
"Of course Maura" feeling a tinge of sadness he understands what kind of man he is. "I will respect your wishes". And before he hangs up he addresses Jane. "And detective, I know what you nearly did".
With that Jane tenses up, remembering how close she came to executing Daryl Jones in that lock-up. Not saying anything she just remains silent whilst looking into Maura's eyes. Still searching for forgiveness for a crime she nearly committed.
"You were willing to kill for my daughter, to protect her honour, and that I respect you for" Paddy says with admiration and sincerity in his voice. As much as he hates that his daughter is married to a cop. He does have genuine respect for Jane, time and time again she has proved her love and loyalty to his daughter. Even when it has compromised the detective's own ideals and morals to protect Maura.
Jane doesn't like that her wifes sperm donor of a father respects her. The only reason she is still listening to him is for Maura's sake. "I don't give a shit what you think" looking deep into her wife's eyes she says "I would die before anyone ever hurts Maura again".
Paddy isn't easily insulted, and not by a cop. But he believes Jane's words. He knows she nearly died trying to get to Maura during the attack. And he also knows that she nearly killed for her too. "I know detective, take care of my daughter, make her happy".
Replying with one simple word before hanging up the call. "Always". Jane says before tossing the burner phone back into the drawer. Making her way round the desk so she is standing behind Maura. Placing her long arms around the smaller blonde woman embracing her in a warm hug. Placing a tender kiss on top of her wife's head. She asks "You ok?".
Not really knowing how she feels. "I don't know". Maura says without looking up at Jane. Fearing her eyes would give too much away.
Suddenly Jane thinks of an idea that would cheer them both up. "Go and run a nice hot bath, light some candles, have a glass of wine and listen to some dead composer and I'll prepare something to eat for supper".
"That sounds like a wonderful idea" Maura says as she gets up from the chair and gives Jane a quick kiss before disappearing out of the study and upstairs to the bathroom.
Smiling to herself Jane knows she has a good couple of hours to sort out her surprise for Maura as some of the classical music scores her wife listens to can go on forever. Heading to the garage she starts to put her plan into motion.
Maura feels so refreshed and relaxed after her bath, plus she did have a couple of glasses of sauvignon blanc which has probably helped too. Heading downstairs she is surprised to see the kitchen empty. She was expecting to see Jane either cooking or sorting take away out for them on the table.
Feeling slightly confused, she didn't think she had been that long in the bath that Jane had gone to bed already without her. Just then she notices the patio door is slightly open. Heading towards it she can hear the faint sound of music playing outside. Pushing the curtain aside what greets is something magical and unexpected.
In the middle of the garden under the pagoda is a teepee tent, one she recognises from the camping trip that Jane took her on a few years ago. It was her first experience outside in the great outdoors and she loved every minute of it. Next there were fairy lights all over the beams of the pagoda. And on the floor in front of the tent was a small bbq. The smell of whatever was cooking on it making her stomach grumble with hunger.
She was just about to call out for Jane when the taller woman grabbed her from behind.
"Surprise" Jane says whilst whispering in the blonde womans ear.
Spinning around to face her wife. Maura is overwhelmed that Jane has done this for her. "Oh, Jane, this is wonderful".
Taking her wife's hand Jane leads her to the tent. "I wanted to do something nice for you, and I figured that you had such a good time when we went camping that we could do it again. And it's such a beautiful evening out" she says with a big grin on her face.
"I would like that very much" Maura says as she starts to make her way inside the tent. She see's that Jane has brought some of the cushions from inside the house out and tried to make it as cosy as possible.
Watching Maura snuggle inside the tent whilst helping herself to the hot chocolate that she made in a flask. Jane turns her attention back to the bbq and starts to plate up. Giving the first serving to her wife. "For you madame" giving the blonde a wink.
"Oh Jane, you do spoil me" Maura says taking the plate from her.
Making herself a plate up aswell before snuggling next to Maura inside the tent. Giving her a little nudge with her shoulder. "You're worth it" Jane says whilst giving her another big Rizzoli grin.
Leaning over Maura gives Jane a passionate kiss. Breaking away she smiles at the woman in front of her.
"What was that?" Jane says smiling back.
It amazes Maura sometimes that Jane just doesn't know how amazing as a person she is. "For being you".
Leaning in Jane gives Maura a kiss back this time. Breaking away and smiling at the blonde woman she says "Anytime".
They stay in the moment for as long as possible. Enjoying the food, the music, the atmosphere and even the hot chocolate. In this moment in time, there back in the woods on that camping trip. Where there is no one else in the world but just the two of them and their love for each other.
Angela had received a call from Frankie earlier in the day to come and meet him at the Division One Cafe at BPD. Always happy to oblige one of her children she arrives a little bit early, grabbing a coffee and taking a table in the corner of the room. After waiting for about 30 minutes she hears the familiar voice of her son calling over to her. Getting up she is greeted by a kiss on the cheek from Frankie.
"Sorry I'm late Ma, got stuck on the freeway, there was a DUI" he says whilst indicating to someone behind the counter that he would like his regular order.
"That's alright love" she says whilst taking a sip of her coffee. "So what's the emergency?". The older woman says whilst looking at her son.
Starting to shift uncomfortably in his seat. Frankie says "I was just wondering if you had heard anything from Jane and Maura". Just then the cafe assistant hands Frankie a brown paper bag as well as a takeaway cup of coffee. "Thanks" he says handing them a $10 bill.
"No I haven't, not since they left my apartment and went back home" Angela says not at all to worried about the girls. Seeing that Frankie isn't happy with her answer she tries to ease his mind. "I'm sure they just need time away from everybody, but if it makes you feel better I will go round there tomorrow morning" she says giving him a motherly smile.
Frankie knows he's probably overreacting but he does worry about both his sisters. "Thanks Ma". Getting up to leave. "Sorry Ma, I've got to eat my lunch on the go, but thanks for coming". Leaning in he places another kiss on his mother's cheek.
"No problem baby, don't work too hard". Angela says as she sees Frankie wave back towards her as he leaves the cafe and starts to make his way upstairs.
Both women had been snuggling up to each other whilst staring at the stars. Neither one saying a word. Nothing needed to be said. It was obvious how much each other cared for each other.
That's why when Maura spoke it sounded almost foreign to Jane's ears.
"I feel cheated" Maura says still staring at the stars.
Turning her head Jane looks at her wife. Not saying anything knowing that it could stop Maura from opening up to her.
"What Paddy did, I feel like I got no Justice" Maura says trying to keep her voice steady. Feeling a gentle squeeze of her hand she continues. "I wanted everyone to hear and know what he did to me, to us. That he was a horrible human being".
Jane's heart breaks for her wife. Placing a hand on the blonde's face she turns her head so she is looking at her. "What can I do?".
A single tear rolls down Maura's face. Feeling Jane brush it away. She asks "Hold me, and don't let me go".
Without saying a word Jane scoops the smaller woman into her arms, embracing her in a tight hug. She can feel Maura snuggle her face into her chest. Holding her tighter, she places gentle kisses on the top of the blonde's head, whispering promises that are only meant for Maura to hear.
After a while she can feel the smaller woman relax in her arms. Listening she can hear the faint sound of snoring. Not wanting to move to wake Maura, Jane snuggles up closer to her. Feeling tired she closes her eyes and hopes to have happy dreams filled with love and hope for the future.
The next morning Angela had kept her promise to her son and went to check on both Jane and Maura. Checking her watch she knew that it wouldn't be too early. Knocking on the door she patiently waits. Nothing. So she knocks again. And again nothing. Odd she thinks to herself. Trying the door handle to see if it is unlocked it doesn't budge. Looking around she can see that both their cars are parked on the drive way.
Pulling her phone out of her pocket she calls Jane. The older woman thinks she can hear a ringing coming from inside the property. Glancing through the window she can see a phone vibrating and lit up on the kitchen counter.
They must be in she thinks, as Jane wouldn't go anywhere without her phone. Making her way around the back she hopes that the patio doors are unlocked. Once she is through the back gate what she sees melts her heart. Quietly she moves stealthly into position so as to not wake both Maura and Jane. Who are both cuddled in each other's arms in a teepee in the back garden. Quickly before they wake up she snaps a picture of the two.
Smiling at the two she realises she is staring longer than needed and it now starting to get a little creepy. So instead the older woman decides to leave them be a bit longer and goes to prepare breakfast for them.
Sneaking into the house she starts to look through the cupboards and the fridge to see what she can rustle up. Thankfully she finds what she needs and starts to get to work.
Both women seem to wake up at the same time, whether or not it was because one or both of them started to stir. But either way, the first thing each other see's is the eyes of there true love staring back.
"Morning" Maura says before leaning in and giving Jane a kiss on the lips.
Stretching Jane snuggles into Maura for more warmth as it's a little cool this morning. "Morning gorgeous, sleep well?".
Smiling back Maura actually felt pretty good. "Better than I have in a long time".
"Good" Jane says hoping that her surprise worked. Smiling at the blonde in front of her she realises she can smell bacon and eggs. It smells amazing. Looking at the house she can hear someone in the kitchen "Someone is making breakfast". That's when she realises who it must be. And at the same time Maura comes to the same conclusion and in unison they both say "MA".
Not able to resist the smell anymore, both their stomachs rumble. Entering the house they are greeted by an amazing breakfast spread on the dining room table. There is everything. Juice, Coffee, Fruit, Oatmeal, Bacon, Eggs, and Toast. And at the head of the table is Angela, looking so proud of herself.
"Morning Ma" Jane says giving her a kiss on the cheek. "This looks amazing" she says whilst taking a seat. "Thanks Ma".
Maura is a little overwhelmed by all this. Normally she wouldn't eat Bacon and Eggs but today it smelt and looked so good she couldn't refuse. "Oh Angela this looks wonderful" she says whilst giving her mother in law a hug. "Thank you".
"Anything for my babies" Angela says. Removing her apron she puts it on the counter. "Right I will let you enjoy your breakfast in peace". Both of the girls look at her with confusion. There is so much food on the table that it seems a shame for her not to stay.
Pulling out a chair for her mother. "Come on Ma, join us". Jane says indicating with the empty seat.
"Yes, please do Angela, there is far too much for the both of us here" Maura says with a big grin on her face.
How can she refuse them. They both look so happy and light. Like a big weight has been lifted off of the pair of them. Smiling, Angela places a kiss on the top of each of their heads before taking the offered seat.
The next couple of hours are filled with laughter and talk. Nothing in particular but no mention of Daryl Jones or Paddy Doyle. It fills Angela with love and hope, knowing that both women have made it through the dark and back into the light. She can see it in both their eyes. The spark, the zest and drive for life has returned. And that's when she knew. Her babies were ok.
Authors Note:
Thank you all once again for your kind words of encouragement and support. I will be doing one more chapter for this story to bring it to its conclusion. However I do have plans to write a prequel on how they met, and subsequently fall in love. And I have plans for a sequel too, with plans of starting a family together. :-) So watch this space.
Peace and Love
Paula