Disclaimer: These characters belong to Tess Gerritsen, Janet Tamaro and TNT. I make no profit from their use. I enjoy taking them out to play every now and then.
Chapter 25
Jane walked off the elevator, wondering how Maura might be doing. She opened the morgue doors, expecting to see the m.e. up to her elbows in someone's body and was not expecting to see her fiancée crying at her desk.
Walking up behind Maura Jane started to put her arms around Maura. Maura covered her face with her hands, sobbing like her heart was about to break. Very gently Jane pulled Maura around to face her. Looking into the doctor's face, she said softly, "Maura honey what's wrong?"
"J-Jane, I've ruined everything. You might wish to call off the engagement now while you have the chance." Maura moved as if to take her ring off and give it to Jane.
"What did you do, Maura, finally kill your sperm donor?" Jane chuckled lightly. She hated when Maura cried and tried to do everything to keep that from happening.
"I heard Shawn. She's denying my application for adopting Angelo and Caitlyn. Jane I love those kids like they're my own."
"I know you do, sweetie. They love you just as much. You've seen Caitlyn during her hospitalization, you're the first one she went to. Angelo loves you, too. Her decision doesn't matter, Maura. We're a family no matter what."
"I don't like this feeling, Jane. I feel dirty, rejected. Why is she doing this?" Maura started to cry again. Jane held her close. Catching movement out of the corner of her eye Jane saw Shawn Coates heading for the morgue doors.
"Why don't you ask her yourself, Maura?" Jane peeled Maura away from her body and turned her toward Shawn.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything, Dr. Isles. I wanted to correct something I believe Detective Rizzoli misunderstood."
"You bet there's been a misunderstanding, Ms. Coates. My fiancée is the most wonderful person in the world, just like I told you upstairs. I can't understand why she's being denied her wish to adopt my kids but it doesn't matter to me. Official or not Maura Isles is the mother of my children, do you understand?"
Shawn began nodding her head. "That's why I believe there's been a misunderstanding. Detective that phone call you overheard was on another case. It had nothing to do with Dr. Isles' application. In fact, the interview with your mother was merely a formality. I had to make sure I crossed all the t's and dotted all the I's, otherwise someone could accuse me of playing favorites."
"You mean Maura's application isn't denied?" Jane asked.
"Of course not. When the department received Maura's application I took the case. I have a large caseload already but I knew this one was going to be a slam dunk. It was merely a formality of paperwork. We bend over backwards to make sure no favoritism is shown to upstanding citizens or city employees."
"Everything's all right, then?" Maura asked softly. The tone of her voice, the vulnerability in it, broke Jane's heart. She loved this woman so much she knew she could never adequately describe the depth of love she held for Maura.
"Your paperwork goes before the judge tomorrow afternoon, Dr. Isles. If you'd like to meet me in Judge Wilkins' chambers around three, you should be out by four." Shawn looked at both women and smiled.
"I'll be leaving now, I'm sorry for the misunderstanding and your upset, Dr. Isles. I couldn't seem to get a word in edgewise when I spoke with Detective Rizzoli."
Jane blushed as she watched Shawn leave. When she'd left Jane turned to Maura.
"Congratulations, Maura, you're going to be a mother." The smile that greeted that statement lit up Maura's face. She grabbed Jane and hugged her.
"Motherhood tomorrow afternoon and a wife by Christmas, it's perfect," Maura said.
TBC