*hides!* Sorry, it's been so long, I could give you a list of excuses but I won't...anyway, this chapter probably won't be worth the wait but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless!
A few days later JJ and Maura were relaxing on JJ's sofa, JJ's arm draped over Maura's shoulder, holding her close. "Oh, before I forget. I have something for you?" JJ reminded herself. "Don't get too excited though." She teased.
JJ produced a key from her coffee table drawer. "I figured that since we're really doing this, you know for real, then you should have your own key." JJ shrugged, hoping Maura wouldn't find it too forward.
Maura took the key from JJ with a surprised look on her face. "Oh Jay, I wasn't expecting this, but thank you, it was a wonderful thought." Maura said genuinely.
"S'okay." JJ said shyly. "Just don't rob my house when I'm not here, yeah?" she winked.
Maura laughed. "I'll try and restrain myself." She teased back before leaning up to give JJ a firm and intimate kiss. Maura's phone rang breaking the moment, before she went to answer the call in the kitchen, returning minutes later.
"Everything okay?" JJ asked, concerned at the look on her girlfriends face.
Maura sighed slightly. "Yes, everything's fine, it was my half-sister on the phone." Maura told JJ, although that didn't explain much, as she hadn't told JJ much about her biological family. Maura sank back into JJ's arms on the sofa.
"I know I've not told you much about that part of my life but I think I should." Maura said, JJ had made a huge effort to be open with Maura, the doctor felt she should do the same.
"It's okay, take your time." JJ kissed the crown of Maura's head.
Maura sorted through her thoughts inwardly, wondering where to even start. "A few years ago, I found out I had a half-brother, because he ended up on my autopsy table. Anyway, that led to me finding out who my biological father was, Paddy Doyle, an Irish mob boss." Maura almost cringed as she spoke, half ashamed, half embarrassed.
Meanwhile, JJ tried not to react, even though she wasn't expecting it, she wanted to let Maura work through everything she had to stay.
"For obvious reasons, our relationship was very complex." Maura shook her head, recalling how Jane had shot Paddy and the aftermath that followed. "I ended up tracking down my biological mother, whom Paddy had told that I died shortly after she had given birth to me, of course I didn't know that when I told her I was her daughter and she reacted by rejecting me and calling me a liar."
JJ's heart broke for Maura, she herself knew about troubled relationships with parents but this was something else entirely.
"Eventually, she believed me and she couldn't deny it, at which point she asked me to donate my kidney for her daughter, my half-sister, Cailin, who was very sick. I didn't hesitate and decided to donate, but I didn't want Cailin to know where the kidney came from as she didn't particularly like me either or it was probably more the fact that she didn't like the idea of her mother having this other life that involved another daughter." Maura explained honestly.
"However, she did find out in the end and we actually build quite a good friendship, not a typical sister relationship, but our own type of friendship which works for us." Maura smiled slightly at this.
"My biological mother, Hope, has never apologised for…well anything really and has never tried to get to know me, not even since the kidney transplant, which is why I'm wondering why Cailin has just phoned to tell me that Hope wants to have lunch with me next week." Maura sighed in confusion and frustration.
"Wow, that's um…I wasn't expecting that, I gotta be honest." JJ chuckled slightly.
Maura laughed. "Don't worry, no one ever does. Thank you for listening." Maura said curling herself, further into the warmth of her girlfriend.
"Don't be silly, it's what I'm here for. Thanks for telling me, it couldn't have been easy." JJ said knowingly.
"No, it wasn't, but you make it easier." Maura said smiling up a JJ.
"Well aren't you a smooth talker." JJ teased her girlfriend playfully.
Maura laughed as she enjoyed the comfort of JJ's embrace, both of them falling into a content silence. Maura hadn't considered the possibility of leaving Boston since meeting Jane and being welcomed into her family. But she was staring to easily imagine herself staying here in Virginia with JJ. Jane would always be her family after all, no matter where she lived. Perhaps she should start thinking more about her future, where to spend it and who to spend it with.
"Jareau." JJ answered her phone at 5am the next morning.
"Sorry to be the evil deliverer of bad news Gumdrop, but we have a case." Garcia said apologetically.
JJ sighed inwardly; disappointed that Maura's visit had just abruptly come to an end. "I'll be there soon." JJ told her friend before the call ended.
"Baby." JJ said softly in Maura's ear as her head lay on JJ's chest, obviously still fast asleep. Maura's eyes fluttered open gradually as she woke. "I'm really sorry, I've got a case, need to be at the office as soon as." JJ told her girlfriend.
"Don't apologise Jay." Maura said sleepily, reassuring JJ. "I'll book up my flight for this afternoon." Maura added, feeling as disappointed as her girlfriend.
Just thirty minutes later, JJ was dressed and ready to leave, go-bag in hand.
"I'll see you soon?" JJ asked as she stood at the front door.
"Of course you will, I had a wonderful time with you the last few days." Maura said with a smile, draping her arms around JJ's neck and pulling her closer.
JJ hummed in agreement. "So did I." JJ said absentmindedly, as her hands found their way to Maura's gorgeous hips. "Text me when you land okay?" JJ added.
Maura nodded, before pulling JJ into her embrace, her arms wrapping around the back of her neck and shoulders, holding her close. JJ responded by sliding her arms tightly around Maura's waist, squeezing gently. Maura pulled away after a few moments before kissing the FBI agent passionately, unsure of when they would see each other again.
"I love you." Maura sighed, her breath tickling JJ's lips.
"I love you too." JJ said resting her forehead gently against Maura's before kissing it. "I better go." She added finally. Maura nodded before they both separated and said their goodbyes, with Maura waving JJ off as she drove away.