Not gonna apologize this time. My life is pretty hectic but I'm using one of my breaks to write, so here you go. Enjoy!
Chapter Twenty Five
"Have you got it?" Izzy asks as TJ scrambles into the backseat. He nods and pulls out a tiny red wire.
"I almost got electrocuted, too," he grumbles as Angela presses on the gas and sends them forward. All three kids turn to look out the back window, just as the girls' mother pops out of the house, brandishing a flashlight that she doesn't need with the late summer sun still up, though not for much longer. They watch as she disappears around the back of the house, and then completely as they turn the corner.
"Ma's gonna be so pissed," Izzy comments, turning forward.
"Why would she get inebriated?" Maddie asks, in return.
"The colloquial for that is different in America, darling," Constance softly corrects from the front seat. "I believe Izzy means that your mother will get very angry. I also believe that that is a curse word, Isabella," she adds, sternly.
"It is," Angela agrees. "One dollar in the swear jar when you get home, young lady." Izzy groans and slumps down in her seat.
"Don't ruin my dress," Maddie warns.
Izzy groans again and throws her hands in the air. Angela laughs.
R&I&R&I&R&I&R&I
"Did you fix it?" Maura asks as Jane reenters the house.
"Yeah," Jane replies, "can't you see all the beautiful lights on?"
"There's no need for sarcasm, Jane," Maura sighs.
"Oh, come on, Maur," the brunette practically growls, "aren't you still a genius?"
Maura quiets, looking down at her plate and pushing the food around. Suddenly, Jane feels like a jerk and plops down into her own seat, across from her ex-wife. She watches Maura pick at her food for a while, watches her brows crinkle and her mouth twist just slightly. Finally, she sighs and reaches for her free hand, covers it with her own and cups her long fingers around Maura's tinier digits.
"I'm sorry, Maura," she says, softly. "I just…you know what a small temper I have and I guess…well, with everything that's happened, I just…" she falters. "I'm so sorry."
She feels Maura take a deep breath, before her hazel eyes are locked on Jane's face, a weak smile pulling at her lips. "It's alright," she says. "It was a stupid question on my part."
"But that doesn't make you any less of a genius," Jane reminds her and Maura's smile becomes more genuine.
"No," she says, "I suppose it doesn't." They share a look that speaks volumes of their history together; a look that is so unfamiliar and, at the same time, so reminiscent of better days. Days when they would hold hands like this and—
"We should eat the ice cream in the freezer," Jane says, suddenly, startling Maura from her thoughts.
"Huh?" the blonde asks.
"Ice cream," Jane repeats, pulling away. "It's the only thing we won't be able to save before we get this damn fridge fixed. Or TJ brings back the wire."
"The wire?" Maura asks.
"You're just full of questions tonight, aren't you?" Jane teases and Maura twists her mouth again. "I just kidding, Maur, but…yeah. I saw TJ running towards Ma's car just before they pulled out. I'm pretty sure he knows how to cause a blackout; Tommy's been teaching him pretty good."
"Well, Jane," Maura corrects.
"Whatever. The point is, all the meat and frozen stuff will last until they get back, but the mint chip and rocky road? Not so much." With that, Jane stands and makes her way to the freezer, opening it up and pulling out two tubs of ice cream. She reaches for the silverware drawer and pulls out two spoons, before bringing them all over to the table.
"Jane, you don't really expect us to eat that right now, do you?" Maura asks, her nose wrinkling in disgust. "We haven't even finished dinner yet."
"But the lasagna isn't in danger of melting," Jane points out, "and we can just reheat it later; the oven is gas anyway, so dig in." She shoves the tub of mint chocolate chip towards Maura, but the other woman pushes it back.
"Dinner first," she says, firmly, picking up her fork and scooping up a bite. She holds it out towards Jane and the brunette shuts her mouth, stubbornly.
"Are you really going to make me hold your nose, like a child?" Maura asks, leveling her gaze on Jane. The woman nods and Maura sighs, standing and walking around the table, with the forkful of lasagna held in her hand. "Open up, Jane," she says, but Jane shakes her head. Maura rolls her eyes. "Jane Clementine Rizzoli, you are going to eat this lasagna one way or another so might as well—"
Before she can finish her sentence, Jane is standing and backing away from her, a grin stretching her closed lips. Maura stalks after her like a predator, holding the fork like a weapon. Jane snorts and shakes her head, sticking her tongue out and practically squealing when Maura starts towards her. She misses and Jane backs up faster, bumping into the side of the couch and stumbling back before she can catch herself.
Maura takes the chance and jumps on her, spilling some of the pasta onto the carpet, but does not falter as she pinches Jane's nose. The woman runs out of breath rather quickly and Maura is able to shove the half forkful into her mouth, before dropping the fork and using her free hand to cover her mouth.
"Chew," Maura demands and Jane reluctantly obeys. Maura sits up, straddling Jane's hips and pulls her up with her. "Swallow," she says, and Jane does so, coughing a little. Maura smiles in triumph, throwing her hands in the air and letting out a tiny 'whoop!' Jane just rolls her eyes and pokes her in the side.
At the unexpected touch, Maura squeaks and her impulse sends her forward, knocking Jane back down, both of them groaning with Maura's body pressed against Jane's. They lay there for only a moment before Maura begins to pull back, surprised to find Jane's hands linked at the small of her back, keeping her from moving back another inch. Maura's eyes widen and Jane's mirror her, the two pairs locking on one another. Blushes bloom on their faces, but neither woman moves.
Jane's deep brown eyes search Maura's hazel—but for what, she has no clue—and Maura's lower slightly, locking on her lips. Jane notices this and opens her mouth to speak.
She gets no further than the first syllable of the other woman's name before Maura's lips are falling down on hers.
Okay, guys, I hope you liked that. REVIEWS!