"Rizzoli"
Maura glances at Jane as she puts the phone to her ear. The person on the other end of the line is yelling. Maura can hear the speaker's frantic tone from her position in the driver's seat.
Jane furrows her brow. "Wait," she says, "Lydia…wait…slow down." She glances at Maura and rolls her eyes. Maura smiles. It is no secret that Jane does not like the mother of Tommy's baby. It might have something to do with the way she stumbles over the word "detective" like it's five syllables and written in greek. It could also have to do with the way she talks to the twins as though they are infants. But more likely, Maura thinks it has to do with how Angela simply fawns over her; How she is so ecstatic to have another source of grandchildren.
"You haven't heard from Tommy?" Jane says now, and her voice has an impatient edge to it. She rolls her shoulders. "Okay…okay….well when was the ultrasound?"
Maura glances at Jane again, watching her face slide from annoyance to concern.
"And you haven't heard from him at all?" Jane sighs, "No. No…Lydia," Jane makes an impatient noise in her throat, the look of annoyance coming back. "Well technically, you've already called the cops…" She rolls her eyes again, "I mean by calling me, Lydia. I'm the cops."
Maura laughs quietly and Jane shoots her a look.
"I'll find him and bring him to tree lighting tonight, okay?" She pauses, "I'm sure everything's fine…Okay…you too…buh-bye!" Jane clicks her phone off with a snort.
"That woman is the biggest dumb-" She catches herself glancing in the rearview mirror, catching the eyes of her children looking intently back at her. Jane sighs. "Tommy is MIA since the last ultrasound."
Maura bites her lip. "Cold feet?" she says hopefully.
Jane rubs her hand over her face. They are on the way to the airport to surprise Constance at the airport. Instead of the nameless driver waiting for her, the girls have decorated a name plate and are going to wait by baggage claim for her. It was Isabelle's idea, really, when Jane had told her that Gramma was coming for Christmas.
"Why she always comes in that scary car, Mommy?" she'd asked, "Why we can't go get her."
Neither parent had any answer.
"What should I do, Jane? Do you want me to swing you by his apartment?"
Maura is already altering their trajectory, knowing the answer.
"The tree lighting in the square is tonight." Jane says.
Maura turns down the road she knows will lead them to Tommy's apartment.
"So get your brother and meet us there. My mother will understand, Jane."
Jane nods after a moment, "tell her I'm sorry, okay?"
Maura smiles. "okay."
...
There's no answer when Jane knocks on the door of her old apartment.
"Tommy, I know you're in there," she calls impatiently.
Nothing.
Jane sighs, "C'mon, Tommy, open the door or I'm gonna have to use my key. And that will make me feel like Ma, and that will piss me off. And you do not want to piss me off this close to Christ-"
But the door opens before Jane can finish, and she pushes her way in.
The apartment that the detective used to live in is completely different. Tommy has been there for almost seven years, and he has changed it so completely, that it even smells different. Jane looks around the living room, at the beat up old couch, chunky TV, the xbox controllers on the floor.
"This apartment looks like it belongs to a college frat boy," she says turning around and looking at her brother. Her face darkens immediately.
Tommy has gone back to the kitchen, and he is leaning against the counter, his head bowed.
In front of him is a bottle of tequila, a glass of it already poured. Jane works to keep her temper under control.
"Thomas," she says quietly. "What are you doing?"
He doesn't look at her. "I didn't have any," he says.
"That's not what I asked," She replies. "I asked you what you are doing? Were you just going to blow off Christmas with your family. With the mother of your child? Get drunk and-"
"I didn't HAVE ANY!" Tommy yells, "you can give me a breathalyzer test, Jane, if you don't believe me…" He turns away from her, and Jane moves forward, grabbing both the little glass and the handle of alcohol.
She brushes past her brother and dumps them both in the sink, turning to face him. He keeps his head down, and Jane feels her anger building with every breath. She had hoped that having a baby would pull Tommy harder in the right direction. That he would finally feel some sort of purpose in his life, and stop drifting.
"Tommy!" she says, and her voice is half furious, half pleading, "You are going to have a child. You cannot go throwing your life away now. You promised Lydia you would be there for this baby and you can't do that if-"
"Son." Tommy's voice is so quiet that Jane almost misses it.
"What?"
"I'm having a son." He looks up at her for the first time, and Jane sees that he's been crying. His eyes are red rimmed and glassy. "We had an check-up yesterday and," he reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a creased scrap of paper, handing it over to her. Jane realizes it is a photo from the ultrasound. She smiles, feeling the burn of tears herself.
"A boy," she says finally looking back up at Tommy. "T…Brother. That's wonderful!"
But Tommy turns away from her moving to the living room and flopping down on the couch. "No. It's not. It's horrible."
Jane frowns, following. "What do you mean?"
Tommy lowers his head into hands, "I've been doing the reading. About what boys need in their lives to be stable and happy and…I gotta be solid and firm and provide for him and take him to Sox games and teach him…teach him."
Jane comes and sits down next to her brother. He looks at her, tears in his eyes. "I can't Jane."
She smiles, "You can."
"I can't…I'll…I'll hit him."
There he is. Their father. Jane knew he was in there somewhere. She reaches out and puts her hand on her brother's knee, squeezing until he looks up at her.
"You're not dad."
"I hit people." He says simply. "I wasn't even drunk when I hit you. And Maura…"
Jane shakes her head, "You're not dad." She says again. "Yeah, he got in your head and he dictated a lot of your actions for a long time. And you made some bad choices and you had and addiction." Jane puts her other hand out gripping her brother's arm, "but you also made my children the most beautiful place to sleep, and you play hide and seek with them...and you are gentle, Tommy. So gentle with them. And they are not afraid of you. And your son won't be either." She pauses, looking at him, sighing when he doesn't seem convinced.
"I should have protected you."
"What?" his head snaps up to look at her.
"I should have protected you from him…more. You were just a little kid and…"
But Tommy is shaking his head so hard that the couch vibrates. "NO! No…"
The sit in silence for a while, listening to a group of carolers who seem to have congregated outside of the apartment.
Tommy looks at her suddenly, "They are so small when they're born. I'm worried I'd hurt it and not even know. But I've been practicing."
"huh?" Jane looks at him, confused.
He stands and heads back to the kitchen, "babies," He repeats, as if she hasn't heard. "They are so small. I measured it out…and…I've been…" but his voice is muffled as he bends down, rummaging around for something. Finally he comes up, and Jane bursts into laughter.
He is holding up what looks to be a tiny pillowcase, stuffed full, with the open end sewn shut. On the front of it, in black marker, Tommy has written Baby. Four days old, 6-8lbs.
"Oh, my God, Tommy," Jane says, trying to get ahold of herself. "Did you make that?"
Tommy looks a little embarrassed. "Well. The book said…"He looks down at his creation. "I wanted to practice…"
"What did you fill it with?"
"Rice. I was gonna make one for three months…but…that's a lot of rice."
Jane clutches her stomach, laughing so hard she could burst. She stands and moves towards her brother, pulling him into a hug when she gets close enough. He hugs her back after a moment, and she feels him start to chuckle too.
"There's your proof, baby brother." She says, pulling away, looking up into those familiar brown eyes.
"Pop would never have done that."
...
Jane and Tommy make it to Boston Commons with five minutes to spare, but they have no trouble spotting the Rizzolis through the crowd. Sofia sits atop Frankie's shoulders, pointing excitedly at the tree, and Constance does anything but blend in, her bright red silk and cashmere pea coat giving her away immediately.
Jane and Tommy wend their way towards the group, and Angela is the first to see them. She bends down to Isabelle, who is standing next to her, and points.
"Mama! Uncle T!" She darts through the crowd towards them, and Tommy catches her when she launches herself towards them.
Constance turns too, and she looks genuinely happy to see Jane as they walk up.
"They got you alright?" Jane asks, holding out her hand.
Constance takes it, smiling, "It was a wonderful surprise," she says. And then, as if to add to the night's wonders, she pulls the detective into a hug, real and warm and lingering. Jane hugs back, looking at Maura over the older woman's shoulders, astonished.
Maura merely smiles.
"I hear you two are thinking of having another baby," Constance says quietly as she releases Jane.
The brunette is about to ask what Constance thinks of that, but when she looks at her face, she realizes she already has an answer.
She grins back before turning to embrace her own mother.
Frost joins them briefly, clasping hands with everyone, and giving Jane a light punch on the arm. "You coming to dinner, Frost?" Jane asks, turning towards the middle of the Commons where the countdown has begun.
Frost smiles but shakes his head.
"Got a previous engagement, partner," he says mysteriously, and no matter how much Jane prods him, she cannot get him to spill.
"It must be a woman," Maura says, coming up from behind as Frost moves away to talk to Frankie, "Look at how he's walking."
"Strutting," Jane says smiling. "Do I walk like that around you?"
Maura laughs "Yes."
Each woman picks up a girl when the countdown makes it to 15 seconds, so that they will be able to see the giant tree fully when it lights up.
"Three...Two...one!"
The crowd around them gives a collective gasp as the pine tree comes to life. Neither Jane or Maura sees the actual tree, however. They are both too busy watching delight and awe play across their children's faces.
"Oh...Mommy," Sofia says from her mother's arms.
"Can it be Christmas for always?"
...
Dear Santa,
My favorite color is blue, so if you could please bring me a new blanket for my bed that is blue I would be very happy. Also I would like a Soccer ball and cleats so I can practice in the yard.
Please, also, if you can, make the baby a girl so that she does not smell and can sleep with me in my bunk bed.
Please make sure Mama does not get called in for Christmas and that Mommy gets a new cookbook.
I am tired of chicken.
Please also bring me and Fia a new baby sister too.
Not a boy.
Thank you, Santa,
Isabelle Alessandra Rizzoli-Isles.
...
Christmas Eve Mass. Jane, Angela, Maura and Constance sit side by side in the giant cathedral. The holidays have become like one long list of traditions. Get the Christmas tree from the same place every year. Make the same type of gingerbread cookies.
Have a snowball fight that ends in hot chocolate and a Rudolph movie.
But this tradition is one of Maura's favorites.
The choir near the altar is singing O Little Town of Bethlehem and Constance reaches out and puts her hand in Maura's.
The doctor closes her eyes momentarily, wanting to hold onto it all: The sound of the harmonies as they drift towards her. The smell of candle wax and mahogany. The way that Jane lays her head on her mother's shoulder during the song, one tear slipping down her nose and into the folds of her scarf.
The way Angela wraps her arm around her daughter's shoulder, but doesn't say anything.
As they leave the church, however, Angela clears her throat. "Um...I'd like to give you both your Christmas present now...If that's alright." She says quietly.
Jane, who has slipped her arm around Maura, turns and looks at her mother.
"Now?" she says, confused, "You have it with you?"
Angela nods, reaching into her bag and pulling out a piece of paper, "Yes. Well, just a copy. You'll have to get your real ones down at the precinct after the holiday."
Jane's confusion increases. "At the precinct? My precinct?"
Angela half smiles, and holds the document out to Jane, who takes it and looks it over. Her face changes immediately, though Maura cannot tell what it changes to. She looks over Jane's shoulder at the paper.
Order of Restraint
She looks up at Angela with wide eyes.
Angela nods. "It covers you, Jane, and Maura and your children, Constance and Me." she pauses and when Jane doesn't say anything she shifts a little nervously. "I can get one to cover Frankie and Tommy...I just thought that...Since he's only really ever gone after..." She trails off as Jane looks up at her.
"You filed this against Pop?" She asks, and even Maura can't tell what her tone is.
Angela looks scared. She nods.
And Jane steps forward and hugs her. Hugs her and lets out one quick sob. before pulling back, wiping her face and striding off towards the car.
Angela looks after her affectionately, and Maura rushes to hug Angela before running after her wife, her feet crunching the hard snow underneath them.
When she reaches Jane, she realizes that the brunette is crying. Crying and laughing.
Maura puts her arm through Jane's giving her a squeeze.
Jane smiles through her tears.
"Best. Christmas. Ever." She says.
Maura can't help but laugh.
...
Dear Santa,
Please bring me glow in the dark stars so I can put them on my bunk bed and make a universe. Please also bring me a microscope and a new stuffed bear that is exactly like the Ted I have now. Please bring me a diary so I can write down what I think. Please bring me a book on the solar system.
Please make my new baby cousin a boy so that he does not want to play with my toys.
Please bring mommy a new cookbook because I am tired of chicken.
Mama does not need anything except "more time off" I don't know how you make that…but if you could please bring it to her. She fell asleep watching Nemo last night. That is most not good.
Thank you Santa,
Love,
Sofia Emilie Rizzoli-Isles.
...
Santa does it all. He keeps all of his promises. He brings a microscope and glow in the dark stars for Sofia and a soccer ball and cleats for Isabelle.
He brings the little golden girl a blue blanket so soft it's like clouds, and nugget gets a giant book on the solar system, so thick and heavy she has trouble opening it up.
Maura finds a new cookbook tucked away under the tree and Jane's phone stays silent on the counter from Christmas eve all the way through Christmas day.
Someone has put a giant silver bow on Bass' shell.
Tommy arrives with Lydia and Jane manages to be civil. Even when the young woman announces that she is thinking of naming the baby Maximus, Jane does not roll her eyes, although Maura sees her squint, like it's taking real effort.
Maura sits down next to her Mother on the couch, smiling as the girls rip the wrapping paper off several new books, and two new outfits.
"What do you say?" Jane calls from the corner, where she is sitting in front of her mother, back against the older woman's knees. Angela's hands run idly through her daughter's hair.
Everyone is happy.
Sofia and Isabelle take turns listening and talking to Lydia's stomach.
"Hello baby...you in there little cousin?"
"Hey. I'm going to teach you to do a somersault, baby."
"Hey...hey boy, you better not be smelly."
With the help of their uncles, the twins manage to put on one of the most hilarious, confusing, historically inaccurate Christmas shows that Maura has ever witnessed.
She goes to correct them, to tell them that the three wise men did not bring beer, olive oil and lettuce to the manger where Jesus was, but she looks over at her mother to see her shaking with silent laughter, and she holds her tongue.
Christmas dinner is messy and loud and the twins spill twice and Lydia spills at least three times, but no one seems to care.
At the end of the night, everyone is full and happy nearly waddling to their cars, and when Constance kisses Maura good night and heads towards the guest room she says,
"I do regret that we never had Christmases like that when you were growing up."
Maura thinks her jaw will start to hurt from how big she is smiling.
...
...
"Ready?"
Jane's eyes flutter open and she looks up at her wife.
The girls are down and the family is gone. Constance is in her guest room for the night.
Jane smiles. Of all their Christmas traditions she likes this one the best. She sits up and motions that Maura should join her on the couch. The doctor obliges immediately.
"Do you want to go first or do you want me to?"
Jane bites her lip, she looks suddenly nervous. "You go first."
Maura smiles and reaches behind her to pull out a paper thin package, wrapped in silver paper.
Jane takes it curiously and pulls at the golden ribbon.
One piece of paper falls out of the wrapping and onto her lap, and Jane picks it up, glancing over it.
To: Dr. Maura Dorthea Isles
Cc: Detective Jane Clementine Rizzoli
Re: Application for adoption
Dr. Isles,
It is with great pleasure that I inform you that your application for fostering and adopting children in the State of Massachusetts has been accepted. Please note that this acceptance is contingent upon your ability to follow...
Jane looks up at Maura, her eyes wide. "Adoption?" she says quietly.
Maura nods, and it's her turn to look nervous. "We've been going back and forth forever, Jane. should we have another you. Should we have another me...why not do neither? Why not give a baby who really needs it a home?"
Jane doesn't say anything, just looks back down at the piece of paper in her hands, and Maura realizes with a jolt, that the detective is shaking. She leans forward quickly, putting her hand over Jane's heart.
"Honey!" She says, alarmed, "your heart is racing!" She pushes Jane back against the couch, slipping in beside her, wrapping her arms around the detective's skinny frame.
"It's not a done deal," she says quickly, placing a quick kiss to Jane's temple. "Just because we've been approved doesn't mean that we have to do anything right away. And...and...the waiting period for babies is enormous. It could be an entire year before-"
But Jane silence's Maura with her finger, pulling the blonde woman to her body tightly.
"I love you so much, Maura," she whispers, and She shifts a little bit to reach into her pocket, pulling out a little velvet box.
Maura flips it open and smiles, tears instantly in her eyes.
It's a new necklace. Jane has been promising to get her one for almost five years now. she runs her finger along the tiny diamond on the front, next to her name. Maura. But now, below it, there's another name.
Jane.
"Turn it over," the detective whispers in her ear.
She does, and a tear drips down her face.
Sofia
Isabelle
And underneath it, enough space for another name.
Maura turns to say thank you, but finds Jane's lips instead. The kiss is slow and easy and deep and long. It makes Maura feel like she's floating.
"I think adoption is a wonderful idea," Jane says as she pulls away from Maura's lips.
The doctor smiles.
"I love you, pretty girl," she whispers, feeling Jane's arms snake around her.
"Merry Christmas, Maur."
Happy Christmas! Now say good bye to your fluff...my fluffer is broken (that's dirty) and it's time to get some drams up in here.
Youthink, Thank you! That means so much to me! Ashlee, Abigail, JMpack, AnnieMJ, TVcrazed, Ireallyneedalife: AH. you guys...I'm so happy you like the girls. I love them too.
BNH, bookiewookie,kayla,nikki, maygan, rizzcg! ugh. I'm running out of ways to thank you. I honestly want to give each of you a cookie and like...my undying affection. lol.
Sockslost, gemsofodin...which is it? love or hate? lol. You don't have to decide now. I'll let you wait until after the next couple of chapters...although...if you say hate I might cry. :)
jobee, davis, ts, AE and FA. My life and my first born to you people. honestly.
happy reading!
tc.