Jane had promised to be home early. She had tried but she wasn't going to be able to keep that promise. She and Maura were going to celebrate Maura's book. It was doing well. Her book had gained traction after the last case they worked together. Maura had been scheduled on a local talk show to promote it. She hadn't wanted to but Jane convinced her it was a good thing. Her wife was a rock star and people should know. She sent a text to Maura apologizing and as always Maura was understanding.

Jane, sweetheart, it's your job. Finish and come home safely to me. Wake me when you get here

Might be late

Wasn't a request

I see how it is. Big time author ordering people around now. Jane liked teasing her.

I want to see your face

It hasn't changed since this morning

SMH

SMH? Is this Dr. Isles?

Please wake me if I'm asleep

Fine. You were great on the show

You saw it?

Nina recorded it for me. Watched it after court. Got to go sweetie

Bye. Love you

Jane grabbed a beer and dropped onto the couch. The weight of the day heavy on her. She would go up to Maura when she finished. Today was a crappy day and she wanted to leave it downstairs.

"Thought I heard you."

"Hey. Just wanted to wind down."

"I understand." Maura came and knelt in front of her wife. Jane leaned in and was greeted by a kiss.

"Sorry about dinner. I never seem to make it where I should be lately. I thought being Korsak would make it easier to get home to you."

"It's okay. Did you catch her?" Maura asked.

"Yeah. I don't get it Maura. I don't get how someone can do that to their own kid." Maura rubbed Jane's thighs. She knew this case bothered Jane. They were trying to have a child and there were people who seemed to take their ability to do so and their child for granted.

"She's got the same background as me," Jane said staring off into the distance.

"You are not her, Jane. You will not hurt our child. And because you don't understand how people do this sort of thing I know I never have to worry." Jane took a swig of her beer then guzzled the rest. Maura grabbed her hands, stood and pulled her up. She reluctantly followed.

"We have a few things to celebrate," she said.

"I don't know, Maura." Jane wasn't sure she was in the mood for celebrating after today. Maura studied her wife. She could see the day had taken its toll on Jane.

"Come with me, Sergeant. I've been waiting for you all night. I want to spend some time with you. You'll shower then let me hold you for a while. We'll have plenty of time to celebrate another time." Jane smiled. Coming home to her every day made Jane's world better.

They were halfway up the stairs when Maura stopped. "Go on up. I forgot something in the kitchen."

"Cool Whip?" Jane asked. Maura laughed.

"I thought you weren't in the mood for celebrating," Maura responded turning to go back to the kitchen.

"That was three steps ago."

"Three steps?" Maura asked not surprised Jane was changing her mind.

"A lot can change in three steps, Maur," she answered sincerely. Maura shook her head.

"No Cool Whip. Now go."

"So, bossy."

Jane opened the door. Baby balloons filled the bedroom.

"Maura?" Jane called turning towards the stairs. Maura was standing behind her. "Something you want to tell me?"

"We're pregnant," Maura said biting her lip.

"Wow," Jane replied wrapping her arms around Maura and holding her tightly. Maura closed her eyes. She loved the feel of Jane's arms around her.

"You're happy?" Maura asked her wife.

"I don't think happy is a big enough word."

"So, this is happening?" Jane asked.

"Apparently, Sergeant. It seems your child has decided to come early."

"Oh, my child now?" she asked laughing.

"Yes. Patience is not a trait you or this little one seems to have and from these contractions, you appear to have the same temperament," Maura said smiling.

"Ha-ha. Fill me in, doctor," Jane requested as she removed her jacket.

"My water broke when I was at breakfast with my mother and yours." Maura shook her head remembering the panic that followed. She didn't expect that from either of them. Angela had given birth before and her own mother was always so collected yet when she uttered the words – my water broke – they both began to hyperventilate and seemed unable to communicate or move. Maura calmed them down by threatening to take an Uber to the hospital.

"An Uber, Jane," she said appalled at the thought.

"Sorry baby," Jane said truly feeling badly for Maura but finding it amusing.

"Let's agree that neither would be good in a crisis." Maura closed her eyes. Contraction.

"Breathe, sweetie," Jane said her voice soothing. She placed her hand on Maura's stomach and drew circles as she matched the breathing pattern of her wife.

"I am so glad you are here," Maura said relaxing.

"Me too. Should have called me sooner."

"I knew you were out today on a search warrant and I didn't think it was necessary to bother you."

"It wouldn't have been a bother. Besides you would have saved me some paperwork. I shot the suspect." Maura furrowed her brow.

"He's alive. Just needed to slow him down. Got tired of chasing him."

"Are you okay?" Maura asked.

"Me? I'm fine," Jane answered dismissing her concern. "Let's get back to you and the crazy grandmothers."

"I dilated to a seven quicker than I thought I would," Maura continued. "That's when Angela called Nina to get you here."

"What are you now?" Jane asked.

"An eight." Jane kissed Maura's stomach. Maura placed her hand on Jane's head.

"Hey little one. I see you are anxious to get out into the world. Your mommies are pretty anxious to meet you so don't make incubator mommy have to wait too long." Maura smiled as she listened to her wife – so loving. She got all the Janes that no one else got. They had tough, sarcastic Sergeant Jane Rizzoli. She had those as well but also sweet and caring Jane, gentle and compassionate Jane, kind and loving Jane, funny Jane, and horny Jane. She was quite partial to the last one.

"I don't know what to call you baby," she continued, "which incubator mommy will say is my fault because I begged her not to find out what sex you are. I wanted it to be a surprise. FYI, incubator mommy doesn't like these types of surprises so we won't be doing this again." Maura chuckled although she didn't want to encourage Jane.

"Please stop referring to me as incubator mommy." Jane ignored her wife.

"You'll know incubator mommy because she is the most beautiful person in the whole world. You'll see in just a little while and when she smiles at you, you'll know that everything is okay. She will always make you feel safe and loved. There's an added bonus too. She has the best breast to lay your head on. Trust me I know. We'll have to share them though." Jane felt Maura hit her. "Even though she is hitting me right now, she knows she does. You'll like them. They are perf- breathe, honey." Jane grabbed Maura's hand and helped her through her latest contraction.

"So, you've been here for about seven hours?" Jane asked Maura who nodded still breathing through the end of the contraction.

"My mother called father. Your mother called Tommy so he could get TJ then she called Vince to let him know she wouldn't be in. I told her she could go to work but…"

"Seriously Maur? You thought she'd leave?" Jane asked surprised Maura would even make such a suggestion.

"I wasn't thinking," Maura admitted.

"It's okay. You are doing everything for two. Maybe some of that big brain has been siphoned off to the baby."

"You are ridiculous," Maura said laughing. Jane loved to hear her laugh.

The doctor came in to check the progress.

"Hi Jane."

"Hey Dr. Bennett." Jane sat upright.

"I am thrilled you could join us. I believe your wife was refusing to have this baby without you here," she said signing into the computer. "If I remember correctly there was a that Jane Clementine Rizzoli thrown around last time I was here. Interesting middle name Jane." Jane looked at Maura who smiled sheepishly at her. Jane shook her head. Dr. Bennett smiled. She liked these two. She enjoyed their easiness with each other.

"Refuse is a strong word," Maura replied embarrassed at being called out by their doctor. "I may have had a small meltdown."

"Really?" Jane inquired raising her eyebrow and staring at her wife.

"In fairness to Maura," Dr. Bennett explained, "her support at the time were two overwhelmed soon to be grandmothers. I would have used your middle name as a curse word too, Jane." Jane laughed and kissed Maura.

"I had to tell them to come in one at a time. Both of them together was much too overwhelming. They were agitating my patient. I don't think they care for me much after that," the doctor said washing her hands.

"They'll get over it," Jane said. "And if they don't so what. It was what was best for Maura." Dr. Bennett nodded.

"Let's take a look."

Baby Rizzoli-Isles was at a nine. The contractions were coming faster and harder. Jane had changed into hospital scrubs, been issued a birthing center ID and continued to hold, encourage and support her wife. There were horror stories from the guys at work but so far Maura wasn't screaming at her or telling her she hated her. She hadn't even called her by her full name. Jane thought this was a good sign.

"Breathe for me, baby," she said encouraging her. Maura simply nodded. "You've got this." Jane let down the rail of the bed to get behind Maura. She liked to be spooned. She continued to whisper in her ear and rub her back. Maura closed her eyes and found comfort in listening to Jane's voice.

"I'm not sure I can do this, Jane," Maura said exhausted.

"You are the strongest person I know, Maur. If anyone can do this, it's you," Jane said to her as she continued to hold her.

"Do you think everyone is still here?" Maura asked.

"Probably and a few more too," she replied. She hadn't left Maura's sight since she arrived.

"Maybe we should tell them to go home," Maura suggested. Jane chuckled.

"A. I am not leaving you and B. I am not telling them to leave. Remember crazy grandmothers? I would like to live to see our child." Maura smiled. Jane put a cool cloth on her forehead and neck then had her sip a little water.

"I am so tired."

"I know. Rest when you can."

The doctor returned. "You've dilated to a ten. Are you ready to get this show on the road and start pushing?" she asked.

"Yes," Maura said in obvious pain. Jane repositioned herself next to her wife. She took her hand in hers and kissed it.

"Jane, you can hold this leg," Dr. Bennett told her. She nodded and lifted Maura's leg.

"I love you, Maura Isles. And thank you."

"Push Maura," Dr. Bennett instructed." The tears were streaming down Maura's face. She was working hard but the baby as impatient as it was initially wasn't helping. Maura was fatigued. She hadn't slept well in the last few weeks and this was taking every bit of energy she had remaining. Jane could see her struggling and knew she was beginning to calculate the probabilities of every possible thing that could go wrong. She needed to bring her back. She motioned for the other nurse to take Maura's leg, pulled her hair back into a ponytail and climbed on the bed behind Maura. Maura leaned back into Jane. She knew she could draw strength from her. Jane reached around her wife until her hands were under her thighs.

"I've got you," Jane said kissing the side of Maura's head. "We'll do this together. You grab my arms and use them to push down."

"I don't want to hurt you."

"Maura, you are having a baby. I can handle this. Now, we need to push. You and me. Ready?" Maura nodded.

"Push," Dr. Bennett commanded.

"Push Maura," Jane was whispering in her ear. "Push baby."

"Keep pushing," the doctor called out.

"You heard her Maura. Keep pushing. You've got this. I am so proud of you. Push."

"Last one Maura. Give me a good one."

"Come on Maur. Come on." With her final push, baby Rizzoli-Isles entered the world and was placed directly on Maura's bare chest. She held their child while Jane held her.

"What the hell Maura?" Jane asked.

"Jane," she whined.

"No. If it's a boy, you want to name our child after a man you wanted to marry," Jane teased Maura.

"I was twelve," she protested.

"Still. I'm saying no to Antonio Burrito." Maura shook her head. Jane was unbelievable.

"Antonio Benivieni, Jane." She shrugged undaunted by the correction.

"Potato. Potato. Still no."

"Antonio is Latin and means worthy of praise, sweetheart. Isn't our baby worthy of praise?"

"Don't go using the meanings against me to get your way," Jane demanded playfully.

"Jane," she whined. Jane chuckled.

"Well what do you suggest?" she asked sighing. Jane smirked.

"Hey there Aiden Antonio Burrito Rizzoli-Isles." Jane said chuckling. "That's a lot of name for a little fellow."

"I did not agree to that." Jane looked up to see her wife smiling at her. Her eyes tired but her face radiant.

"Hey beautiful."

"Hi. How is he doing?" Maura asked. She had drifted off to sleep when the nurse took him away for his bath. Jane had insisted on going with him to the nursery to observe. Maura knew observe meant protect and make sure no one did anything to their son that he didn't like. Maura was quite sure the nursery staff would be afraid of her wife before they left this hospital.

"He's perfect, Maur. Just perfect. You did great." Maura watched Jane staring closely at their son. The love on her face was unmistakable.

"How are you new mommy?" Jane asked still looking at Aiden. Maura was sure that Jane Rizzoli had fallen in love with someone else besides her.

"Not incubator mommy?" Maura asked repositioning herself in bed.

"You graduated. Congratulations."

"I'm good. Tired."

"You say that like you shouldn't be. Just a few hours ago this eight pound, ten-ounce human was inside you." Jane raised the head of the bed a little and stood. She placed Aiden in Maura's arms then kissed Maura's head. Maura didn't realize how empty her arms were until she held him again. Jane wasn't the only one who had fallen hard.

"Can I get you anything?" Jane asked. Maura shook her head.

"Thank you." Jane saw the tears before she heard the sniffling.

"Maur, honey?" Jane quickly pulled the chair near the bed and gently rubbed her leg.

"This is our baby," Maura said through tears. Jane nodded. This was their baby. Aiden Alexander Rizzoli-Isles.

"He's beautiful."

"Just like his mom," Jane replied as she reached up and wiped Maura's face. "You okay, sweetie?"

"I'm better than okay, Jane," she said to her wife as she pressed her lips to their son's forehead and inhaled his newness. There were so many emotions running through her. She was exhausted and relieved. She was scared and overjoyed. With all that, she knew her heart was full of love for Aiden and for Jane. And she was most certainly better than okay.