Author's note: thank you for the reviews, the antibiotics get me tired so I still don't update every day and all. Sorry...!

7 years old

Jane focused on the workbook – bit her lower lip – and restrained a sigh before looking up at Aly in a mock that didn't leave much to the imagination. It had to happen at some point, she should have know it. Or better said, she had known it but had preferred to ignore the issue in itself and let it go. But now that she was facing the dreaded situation, she couldn't help feeling like a perfect idiot.

"Hey, June Bug... You know what? We're going to work on your math first, okay? I guess Maura will do just better with your French than I ever will."

When the scientist had suggested that their daughter could attend a French school, Jane had agreed right away. After all, Maura's parents lived in France and it would come in handy at some point. But perhaps the detective should have herself learned about it on time because now that Aly had homework to do in the language, she couldn't help her properly nor check the exercises the little girl had done.

Aly was about to reply when Maura entered the house, a few files in hand. Obviously the scientist had planned on working late at home that evening.

"Someone needs your help, Maur'..."

Immediately, the honey blonde discarded files and bags then rushed to the table. She sat down on one of the chairs and cast a glance at the exercise, addressing her daughter in French.

Jane felt left aside, vaguely stupid and most of all helpless. Without a word, she stood up and went to feed Bass, Jo Friday following her in her journey to the fridge. Something made her feel empty inside, a sort of melancholy that would spread its net over her insidiously.

Later that evening – while both women were reading in bed – the brunette turned to her wife and bit her lower lip as if suddenly timid.

"Teach me French."

Surprised by the unexpected request, the honey blonde closed her book and looked at Jane.

"Why now? You have always refused..."

The detective shrugged. Maura's question was fair enough, especially after all these years of turning down the offer in spite of their frequent stays in France. Jane started biting her nails. She was quite nervous.

"I couldn't help my own daughter to do her homework, today."

And she hated it. What kind of mother could she be if she wasn't able to help Aly? It was a failure or at least did she live it that way. She couldn't stand it.

With all the care in the world, Maura's fingers brushed Jane's cheek. Slowly, she bent over to capture her partner's lips in a kiss that said it all. No words were needed.

Now

The sky was gray – contrasting in a unique way with the stones of the house. A bit further ahead, Aly kept on playing with a large dog Constance had bought a few months before. The teenager looked a lot better than when she had left Boston; a peaceful smile lighting up her features.

"How did it go? She looks happy."

Hands in her back while walking through the park of the house, Constance smiled at Jane's question as her typical serene expression embraced her face.

"Fine. I have to say that being a grandparent is an advantage... Your grandchildren don't consider you the way they do with their very own parents. Her French is also perfect. She is a bright girl."

A wide smile appeared on Jane's lips as a sentiment of pride seemed to spread on her heart. The last months had been hard but all in all – and in spite of the doubts – she knew that Maura and her were raising their child correctly. Aly wasn't a bad person.

"Elle a bénéficié du meilleur professeur dont on pouvait rêver."*

Constance smiled – a soft laugh sliding on her lips – as she looked at Maura who had passed an arm around Jane's waist. Their vacations in Italy had gone smoothly even if five days weren't enough to their taste. Now back to France for a week, they would have less time for themselves but they didn't care. They wanted to spend these days with Aly; and Maura's parents. The countryside would be quite relaxing even if – at some point – it always drove Jane crazy. She was a city girl and would always be.

"Elle l'a surtout appris à l'école. C'est ton français à toi dont je me suis chargée."

Jane pouted then planted a chaste kiss on her wife's cheek. Over the years, she had learned to appreciate Maura's parents and if speaking French had been tough at the beginning, she spoke it fluently enough to go around and about every summer they spent there in the southwest of the country.

Constance's cell phone rang. The woman took the call, leaving both women alone wandering through the park of the property. It was an old farm that the scientist's parents had bought a few years ago and now restored, it was a lovely place to spend a few days.

"I didn't make any grammar mistake, right?"

Jane's question made Maura burst out laughing. For some reason, the detective was still nervous when dealing with her parents, especially when another language was involved. Coming closer to her wife, the medical examiner let her lips brush Jane's neck in a stolen kiss.

"It was perfect."

The dog barked. Both women looked up only to see Aly burst out laughing, a tennis ball in hand. They had been looking forward to such moment; serenity finally embracing back their family. For how long, though? Other tough moments were probably waiting for them on the road.

"I hope it will stay that way when we go back to Boston."

Something in her voice betrayed Maura and immediately, Jane grabbed her hand to hold it tight.

"Were going to do just fine, don't be worried."

The honey blonde smiled – took a deep breath – and nodded.

...

*"She got the chance to get the best teacher one could dream of."

*"She mostly learned it at school. It's your French I got to be in charge of."