A/N: It has been a very long time since posting chapter 8... My apologies...

This year has been a rough one for everyone and we are praying for the world. Please stay safe.
Thank you to ClaireBear for being here for me during this trying time and for being my "Beta Half"
Enjoy!

The topic was a balloon chandelier when Jane walked into the living room after being out all day, ticking off the items on her to-do list in a very timely manner.

She had to get her outfit for the engagement party, order their wedding rings, get her hair done, buy a gift for Maura, pick up the mystery decorations from a mystery art dealer as per Constance's instructions (without opening the package). Constance made sure that she informed the art dealer, an old college friend of hers who was now one of the best photographers in the city, to ensure that there was no way Jane would know what was inside the package.

Jane also had to go wedding cake tasting. She would have loved to do this with Maura but also wanted to surprise her with the entire wedding. Maura could not know of any plans. All she needed to do was pick a dress and show up. Well, and be well enough to show up.

Jane's to-do list included engagement party items and wedding items. She, however, could not stop herself from walking into a baby boutique once her eyes fell on a Babygro. Soft yellow, with the words "I love my mommies, yes, I have two" on the front. It felt very cheesy when she thought about it, but she loved it. Who has she become, she was starting to like cheesy things like romcoms and picnics in the park? Maura Isles had softened the hardcore, badass, stubborn; 'my life, my rules Detective Rizzoli'.

Picnics in the park. That's it! That was the theme she wanted. She pulled out her phone in the middle of the boutique and informed Constance and Angela. Apparently that fit in beautifully with what they had already started planning for the engagement party in Maura's backyard.

"A balloon chandelier hey?" Jane said sounding very confused. "Yes." Angela replied. "You will love it, I promise. And if you don't, I know that Maura definitely will." Jane saw about one hundred helium filled balloons line half of the ceiling in the lounge. They were champagne coloured and had ribbons a shade darker than the balloons hanging from them. The ribbons were not all the same length which she found odd. Most of them were right about eye level, or a bit lower, since Jane was a bit taller than everyone else. She also saw that there were around ten people in the backyard, setting up long tables made from pallets. They were two pallets high. Fairy lights were weaved through the bottom pallets. Blankets and cushions were strewn around the tables, everything was coming together nicely. A thought popped into her head, 'how was Maura going to sit on those cushions, she won't be very comfortable'. And just as she was about to turn around and bring this to the attention of Constance or Angela, she saw two really big bean bags at the end of one table. "OK, these ladies have really thought about everything!" The house was abuzz, everything falling into place.

Constance decided to leave the house once she had ensured that although this engagement party was rushed, it would still be a very posh event.

Arriving at the hospital, Constance expected to see her little girl in the hospital bed. Not a grown woman, expecting a baby. Constance had never experienced that, but the love she had for Maura had not differed from any other mother out there. Maura was asleep, she looked so peaceful. Her baby bump evident under the thin hospital gown. Constance smiled, knowing that Maura must have fought against wearing the hospital gown just as she had when she was a little girl having her appendix removed.

Maura woke, feeling her mother's presence and suddenly felt very embarrassed and uncomfortable. Immediately covering herself with a blanket. Feeling like the little girl the look on her mother's face gave off.

Constance noticed. "Oh, my sweet girl." She motioned to hug Maura which was very unusual for the pair. They both broke down and, for a lack of a better term, sobbed. They stayed like this for what seemed like an eternity but was only a few minutes.

Maura was the first to break the silence. "I am sorry, Mother."
"Whatever could you be apologising for sweetheart?" Constance asked.

Just then, Ian walked in holding a clipboard.

"I thought we've been over this Ian?" Maura questioned.

"I just thought that you would like to know that you have been discharged." He spoke.

"Well, anyone could've told me that. But thank you." Maura took the release forms from him and expected for him to leave the room, but he didn't. For some reason he thought that Constance would have his back. Unfortunately for him, she didn't even acknowledge his existence. She had no reason to. She had no reason to question her daughter. She was with Jane and that is all that mattered now.

Constance stepped out of the room to call Jane, letting her know about Maura's discharge from the hospital. Jane was to pick Maura up from the hospital in order for Constance to go home and finalise the surprise for Jane and Maura.

Jane arrived at the hospital with Maura's outfit for the party which totally confused her because she had a change of clothes in her hospital bag. She wore it anyway. Jane took her to the park until they got the 'ok' to head back home. Maura knew that something was up because Jane was acting strange and she picked up a few detecting skills over the years. She let it slide though, not wanting to ruin the surprise. If there was one.

There were no cars in the driveway, except for a hired vehicle which probably belonged to Constance. Nothing out of the ordinary when they pulled up. Perhaps Maura's detective skills were not as sharp as she thought afterall.

Jane helped Maura out of the car, then went back to the car, putting the hospital bag back into the car stating that she will get it later, that was weird.

When the two entered the house, they could not believe their eyes. A hundred balloons lined the ceiling. It was so beautiful. At the end of the ribbons were pictures of them. Now Jane understood why the length of the ribbons differed. It was like walking through a chandelier of memories. Beautiful memories. "Jane, you did all of this for me?" Maura asked as she turned to look at Jane, but as she saw Jane's face she noticed that Jane was just as surprised as she was.

The photos were a chronological map of their relationship, revealing the metamorphosis of their friendship into a love story, starting at front door leading towards the backdoor. As they reached the pictures of the day Jane proposed, Jane opened the door. They stepped outside and that is when Maura saw everyone. Tears running down her face. She still hadn't seen the setup of the backyard. She was so overwhelmed by all her family and friends being there. It was so beautiful; Maura was at a loss for words.

Maura enjoyed the party for as long as she could. Which was just until they had received the last gift. She couldn't keep her eyes open any longer, they greeted and thanked everyone and headed into the house.

The party continued without the couple, everyone understanding that they had had a rough couple of days. Jane had also insisted that the guests not waste a good party due to the couple's exhaustion.

As Jane tucked Maura in after a shower, her phone rang. "Rizzoli...I'll be right there." She headed over to Maura who looked pretty sad that Jane would not be sleeping beside her just yet.

Jane kissed her softly and headed downstairs, that's when she bumped into Korsak who had also received a call. The pair headed to the crime scene together.