A/N: A lot of time may have passed, but the disclaimers remain the same.
They didn't discuss it directly until hours later. A dreamy and ideal plan circled the drain and disappeared more quickly than they had expected. As a doctor, Maura knew the statistics and the facts of their situation. To plan the way they had up until now seemed silly. Maura chastised the reflection that stared back from the bathroom wall, labeling that hopeful woman a fool. Their tense, silent dinner played back in her riddled mind.
The scrape of Jane's fork against her plate echoed through the kitchen. Dark eyes remained on a barely touched piece of chicken that sat beside a pile of broccoli so high she'd normally tease her fiancée about it, but she didn't have the energy. Nothing about the day felt normal, why should she act as such?
Maura sipped at her wine despite the urge to gulp it down and numb her feelings. When the ME tried to connect her eyes with her lover she was met with heavy lids and a sad expression. Jane's pallor would have concerned her if it were any other day, if they hadn't just spent the afternoon with the doctor.
"I still think it's bullshit!" Jane's raspy outburst had pulled Maura from the hazy recollection and she finished brushing her teeth before joining Jane in the bedroom.
"It's for the best," Maura spoke calmly as she removed her robe, placed it neatly along the back of a nearby chair, and slid beneath the down comforter.
"I want a second opinion." Jane tried her best to fold her arms over her chest defiantly but given her current state it was a fruitless effort. Beside her, Maura took a deep breath.
"Do you trust my opinion?" The blonde asked in a whisper. She was exhausted, but most of all she just wasn't used to speaking of her own misjudgments.
"Of course I do," Jane shifted to her side in order to look at Maura fully. Thankfully, her body found comfort in the new position.
"Over fifty-three percent of twins are delivered via cesarian section, whether planned or emergency." The facts were so easy to face now. Where was her Google knowledge seven months ago? "In most cases it's the safest option-"
"But what about the other forty-seven? What? Do they just not give birth? Do the twins not survive?" Jane was getting agitated and due to her size she was forced to just lie there. It was uncomfortable, as well as frowned upon by her doctor, to walk around pacing. It was simply out of the question and her fingers were so swollen it was painful to clench her fists. Fortunately, her jaw had yet to betray her, so she was still able to at least clench that.
"A natural birth of twins can be successful, but the doctor explained that it's just not the case for us. Olivia seems to be as stubborn as her mother," Maura tried the joke but her audience was less than amused, "and isn't making her way to being head down." Maura moved around a bit under the covers to find a comfortable position. With her left hand under her head and her bare shin pressed against Jane's legs, she couldn't contain the words she wanted to speak since they had left the doctor's office: "I'm sorry." Jane's face screwed up into an odd expression, one that Maura couldn't discern as confusion or heartburn. Knowing her fiancée it was both.
"Unless you conspired to keep Olivia in an upright position, you have nothing to be sorry for." Jane's reassuring smile fell as she watched Maura's chin quiver. "That's why you encourage me to go to bed so early, isn't it?" Jane playfully grinned. No matter how uncomfortable she was, the detective couldn't allow her beautiful lover to be so upset over something was was completely out of her control. "You talk Olivia into keeping her feet down! What is it? Better posture? Practice for the heels you'll buy her for her first birthday?" Maura giggled softly but the pride Jane felt at her success shattered the moment a deep sob broke into the space between them.
"Oh no," Jane reached for Maura, only able get her hand far enough to barely wrap around her shoulder. "Please don't cry." She patted her awkwardly. God, she couldn't wait to be able to hold this woman properly once more. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Maur."
"I'm a doctor, Jane!" Her loud volume took the brunette aback. Maura pulled away from the small yet comforting touch and looked into Jane's eyes. Fiery anger lit up shimmering hazel. "And a damn brilliant one!"
Modest too. Jane kept that playful comment to herself. Now was not the time.
"I should have known better than to plan for something that was statistically unlikely!" The doctor sat up and ran her hands through her hair before grabbing a small elastic ring from the nightstand and piling her golden waves atop her head. It was messy and Jane couldn't help but notice just how sexy it was as well. Maura Isles in any sort of disarray got to her every time- Jane was almost fully distracted when Maura spoke again. "This shouldn't have been a surprise."
"It's not your fault-"
"I saw your face when the doctor told us. I saw that smile, the one that gets bigger and bigger each time we get updates on the babies, just disappear. It didn't come back," Maura swallowed thickly, "Not after your surgery date was confirmed, not after you heard their heartbeats, and not even once we got home." She fell back against her pillow. "You should've known..."
"Hey," Jane cooed softly. "Look at me." When Maura remained still Jane huffed. "Maura, please don't make me move." The blonde head turned and watery eyes locked onto Jane's. "I was in shock, yeah, but I'm okay with this. It's almost comforting now that I know the exact day we'll be meeting our babies. No more fear of going into labor while the guys are over for the game." Jane's heart lightened when she heard Maura's laugh. The doctor moved to lay with the top of her head against Jane's chest and placed her right hand on her fiancee's large belly. She giggled when she felt movement below her palm.
"They're active tonight," The blonde noted with a sweet smile.
"I think they're as ready as we are for this to be over." Jane spoke against a pile of caramel colored hair. The scent of Maura's expensive shampoo started to lull her into a relaxed state.
"I like you being pregnant." Maura snaked her hand beneath the cotton tank and started rubbing small circles against Jane's taut skin after she spoke.
"I promise that you'll like me better when I have my old body back and there's two cute babies outside of it." Maura brought her head up so she could look at Jane.
"It's funny to think that you've been pregnant this whole time that we've been a couple."
"Yeah, what if you don't love me when I'm no longer a human incubator?" Jane's face contorted with faux concern. "What if pregnant women are just another one of your kinks?"
"I do not have a 'kink' for pregnant women," Maura shoved playfully at Jane's shoulder. "I do, however have quite a thing for tall, dark, and handsome female detectives." Maura's sights zeroed in on Jane's plump mouth. The pregnancy had managed to make Jane fill-out in the most wonderful of places.
"I think I know one I could set you up with if you're interested."
"Sorry, I'm taken." Maura raised her left hands and waved it, the low light of the lamp sparkled in the diamond. She pressed her lips to Jane's and smiled before lying back down. The tension of the day had finally left her body.
The two women lay closely, just the sounds of their breaths could be heard in the still room. Just as sleep had started to claim Maura, she heard Jane whisper words that resounded in her heart and her mind as she found peaceful slumber.
"Only one more week."
The hours passed peacefully in the darkness. Gentle snores were muffled by pillows or piles of fragrant hair. The cold wind whispered against oversized window panes and the dull thud of a traveling Bass echoed throughout the lower level of the opulent home.
The pregnant woman barely moved save for periodical trips to the bathroom, trips that didn't disturb the comatose blonde that had taken up most of the bed during her fiancee's absences. There was a point for Jane, somewhere around five in the morning when her bladder had finally killed any hope she had of going back to sleep. The most she could muster was partial comfort while sitting in an overstuffed armchair that had been situated by the cribs at Maura's urging. Now she watched as Maura did a spot on impression of sleeping beauty.
It was times like this, no matter how much her body protested physically, Jane's spirit found true peace. It was rare and it was overwhelming in its restoration. Each time Maura shifted or her nose wrinkled or when her eyes would flutter with what Jane hoped was a happy dream, the detective was lost in a wonder that at once was fantasy, but now was her everyday. Her fingertips ran lazy circles over her large belly, memorizing the topography of it subconsciously, and her eyes fluttered closed into delightful dreams.
"Mama!"
"Hey there little man!" Jane bent to scoop up her son. She swung him back and forth before covering his face in sloppy kisses. His giggles lightened her heart immediately.
"Where's Mommy?"
"She's still at work. It's been a hard day for both of us."
"Did the bad guys get away?" He asked so innocently, his tone also held a hint of disbelief.
"No way!" Jane plopped down onto the sofa and stretched out with the little boy on top of her. "Not when we're on the case!" She tickled him under his chubby chin.
Mother and son lay together silently. Jane basked in the quiet stillness of their home, the only sounds she could make out were suckling noises coming from the little boy on her chest.
"What did Mommy tell you about sucking on your thumb?"
"That its bad for my teeth."
"That's right."
"Our secret?" He looked up at Jane, his eyes were so bright and resembled Maura's so closely, she melted.
"Our secret, Sam, our secret." Jane wrapped her arms around the small body and closed her eyes as he nestled closer.
"Cuddles!" Another body launched itself onto the pile and Jane lost herself in a fit of giggles.
"And where have you been hiding, Miss Olivia?"
"I was playing with Bass."
"You didn't put makeup on him again, did you? Mommy will be very upset."
"No," the little girl huffed, "but I did make his shell pretty!"
Jane's eyes widened. "I don't want to know." She shook her head and looked quickly to the clock- it was nearly the children's bedtime and she still hadn't heard from Maura. Looked like tuck-in duty would be a solo effort this evening.
"Fifteen more minutes and then it's bedtime for-"
"Hey everyone!" The front door swung open and both children went tumbling off of Jane as Maura announced herself.
"They don't have a favorite..." Jane mimicked her wife's voice under her breath before standing to meet Maura by the door. She kissed her softly. "How'd everything go?" Jane took Maura's coat. Both children were gripping to the blonde's legs.
"The evidence was anything but circumstantial. We got him, Jane." Maura's smile was bright and proud.
"Yes!" Jane fist pumped before kissing Maura again, this time her lips lingered.
"Yes!" Jane looked down at the small, mocking voice only to see Sam mirroring her actions.
"Wise guy!" Jane ruffled the mass of curls that sprung from her fiver year old's head. She looked back to Maura with deviant ideas sparkling in her eyes. "You know, Nona called earlier. She asked how the kids were and was wondering if they'd like to have a sleepover." A dark eyebrow rose.
"What did you tell Angela?" Maura removed her fitted blazer on the way to the kitchen. Both kids followed.
"I didn't say anything...yet." Jane tried to convey her less than innocent intentions again, this time with by wiggling both eyebrows. Maura stared blankly, causing Jane's head to fall back as she huffed. Her son mimicked her for the second time that night. "So we could celebrate?"
"Oh." Maura looked at Jane, understanding was slowly creeping it's way into her brilliant mind. "Oh."
"That's right." Jane smiled broadly, naughtily as she picked up her phone.
After a surprisingly quick and expectedly loud conversation, Jane looked to her kids. "What do you say, Sam and Olivia, wanna stay at Nona's?"
"JANE!"
"What!" Jane's eyes flew open and she was assaulted by newborn rays of sunlight. Maura stood above her, hazel eyes full of worry and amusement.
"You fell asleep sitting up and that's not beneficial to any part of you- pregnant or not. Not just your posture is affected, but your blood flow-"
"Samuel." Jane's brain worked haphazardly to retrieve the small bits of her dream that still lingered. The two little cherub faces that looked up as she called their names were clear in her memory.
"Who's Samuel?" Amusement fell from Maura's face and nothing but concern was left in its wake.
"Our son." At Maura's wide-eye glance Jane amended quickly, "I had a dream. Our kids were maybe five in it and his name was Samuel. I have no idea where it came from but..." She looked at Maura. "I like it."
"Samuel Barold Rizzoli-Isles." Maura stood in thoughtful silence for a moment, feeling how the name fell from her lips and settled in her heart. "I think it's perfect." Maura bent and kissed Jane's lips so softly, the touch was barely there. "What else happened in this dream?"
"We solved a big case and, uh-" Jane blushed lightly and she averted her eyes to the brightening window. "I sort of called my mom to take care of the kids for the night so we could celebrate." She smirked.
"Why would your mother..." At Jane's scorching look Maura ended her question. "Oh."
"Funny, you said the same thing in my dream." Jane reached out and pulled on the hem of Maura's nightgown, effectively tugging the short woman to stand between her spread legs. "I'm going to brush my teeth and then I expect a proper good morning kiss. Got that, Dr. Isles?"
"It'll be my pleasure, Detective Rizzoli." Maura gripped her fiancee's hands and helped her stand. "My absolute pleasure."
A/N 2: A special thanks goes out to the readers who have reached out to poke and remind me about this story. It was nice to hear that someone was enjoying it that much. Also, I never really forgot about the story, I just lost a bit of inspiration along the way. I think I have enough now to finish this up without much delay. I also apologize if this chapter is lacking, it was a small struggle to get back into the swing. Thanks again to everyone who has read this and who is back on board with me. Expect another update soon.