They arrived at The Rizzoli Household around midday, Jane had fallen asleep somewhere between Banbury and Leamington Spa.
"Jane… Jane"
"Mmmm"
"We're here"
"Oh, I feel asleep. I'm sorry"
"Don't worry. You are very cute when you sleep" Maura smiled
Jane pouted
Their moment was interrupted by Angela opening the car door
"JAAANE, MAURA YOU'RE BACK"
She practically pulled them both out of the car
"C'MON, C'MON I've made lunch for you both… Wait. Who drove you here?"
"That would be me Madam" The driver said, as he got out of the car
Angela walked over to him and held out her hand
"Angela Rizzoli"
"James Watson"
"Well James Watson, you better come inside too. Lunch is ready"
He went to protest, but Angela was practically pushing everyone inside
"I'm really sorry about her, she just gets over excited when she gets to cook for people"
James smiled
"It's fine Ms Rizzoli, it beats service station food"
They all walked into the dining room where Tommy and Frankie were sitting already. Angela starting bringing in bowls of soup for everyone. She brought in her own and started eating.
"Maura, are you staying long?"
"No Angela, I'll leave just after lunch. I've got some engagements to attend tonight"
"Shame. It's nice having you here. It's nice having someone who knows manners"
Jane, Tommy and Frankie groaned. Maura laughed.
They finished their soup in relative silence. James offered to clear everyone's dishes. Angela agreed to let him help, offering a side eye to her kids.
They both walked in again with more plates of food and set them down. Angela went to the kitchen and got a bottle of wine for the table. Everyone had a glass, except James, who was driving.
"Angela" Maura spoke "My Parents have extended an invitation to you all to their Isles Foundation New Years Eve Party"
"Oh. You don't want us Rizzoli's at your fancy party" Angela waved her hand "Tell your parents thank you for the offer though" and smiled
Jane laughed
"What's so funny Jane?" Angela laughed
"I said the exact same thing when they mentioned it to me this morning"
"Oh. Are going?"
"No. I'm staying here with you"
"Oh. Ok"
"Do you not want me to?"
"No.. I do…"
"Buuuuut?"
"But I thought you'd have gone with your girlfriend"
"Nope."
Angela smiled. She was beyond happy that Jane was staying for New Year.
Once dinner was finished and dessert was refused, Tommy and Frankie left to go watch TV. Angela went to put everything in the dishwasher and joined the boys. James left the two ladies alone in the dining room to go and check on the car.
"I'm really going to miss you" Jane said, as she took Maura's hand.
"I'll miss you too. Maybe I'll come up and see you before you go back to Boston"
Jane's face lit up like a Christmas tree
"I'd really like that" she beamed
"Excellent"
James walked into the room
"Ready to go when you are Dr Isles. We'll perhaps need to stop for petrol before we leave Manchester"
"Fine by me James. I'll say my goodbyes and come right out"
"Would you mind if I thanked Mrs Rizzoli for her hospitality?"
"Go ahead James"
"Why did he ask your permission for that?"
"He's on the clock"
Jane looked at her open mouthed
"James is old school, he was a driver in a time when people didn't acknowledge the help. When permission needed to be asked to do anything"
Jane still said nothing
"My parents never ask him to do that, in fact they have told him he does't need to do that, but I believe old habits die hard"
"OK…"
"Some old money thinks it better than other people"
Jane didn't exactly understand what that meant, but she nodded anyway
Maura stood up
"I'll go say my goodbyes also"
Jane got up and walked into the living room with her. James was just leaving and heading to the car.
"Maura, he's so polite"
"Yes, he really is. He's not been with us very long, but he is probably the best driver the family has ever had"
Angela smiled
"Thank you for coming sweetie, it was lovely to meet you"
"Thank you, once again Angela for your lovely hospitality."
They hugged, perhaps a bit too tightly for Maura's liking
She said her goodbyes to Frankie and Tommy and headed out with Jane to the hallway. Jane took Maura's hands in hers, and gave her a kiss.
"I'll see you soon"
"Yes, you will" she said with a smile.
They kissed again and then Jane walked Maura to the car
"I miss you already"
Maura smiled and kissed Jane
"I miss you too Jane"
She got into the car and Jane shut the door. She waved as they drove off. Once they got around the corner and out of site, Jane went back into the house. She grabbed 3 beers and a glass of wine for everyone, and sank into one of the arm chairs.
Angela looked over at her and smiled weakly
"You didn't have to come back if you didn't want to Janey"
"I know, but Christmas is the only time I really get to see you"
"I'm officially retiring next year, so I'll be able to come visit more"
"It's ok Ma, you don't have to"
"I think I want dessert now" Tommy interrupted
"Go get some for everybody then" Angela answered
"What is it?" Jane asked
"Cannoli" everyone else chorused
Jane rolled her eyes. What a stupid question.
Tommy came back into the room and handed her a plate
"Thanks bro"
"No Problem"
They ate their dessert and watched TV for a while, Jane had her nose in her phone texting
They were texting into the evening, before Maura had to get ready for the dinner party her parents were hosting.
Angela offered everyone dinner, but they were all too full to eat. Christmas is the time for over indulging, but this was too much.
They opted to play board games instead. It was always a Christmas time tradition. Plus, it helped Jane take her mind off missing Maura for a few hours.
When they all got bored of board games, they moved on to watching a film. There were plenty of Christmas films to choose from on the many streaming services, but they finally settled on Die Hard.
Jane checked her phone and seen she had a text from
Just in case you missed me ;) xx
it was a picture of her in a dress
You're so Beautiful xx
I miss you xx
I miss you too Maura. Can't wait to see you again xx
Can't wait to see you either xx
Before Jane could reply to her, she sent through another text
Dessert is about to be served. Would you like me to call you after? xx
Definitely. Have fun babe xx
Jane put her phone away and carried on watching the film.
The film ended and Jane once again checked her phone. She had a message from Maura.
Ready when you are xx
It was timestamped over half an hour ago
Sorry, we were watching a film. Are you free now? xx
Always free for you Jane xx
Jane smiled, she made her excuses to leave and headed up to her room. Her mother had made the bed since she'd left. She plugged in her headphones, found Maura's number and hit dial. It only rang once before Maura picked up.
"That was quick" Jane laughed
"I had my phone in my hand waiting for you"
"How was dinner?"
"It was fine, mother had planned goose for the main course. It was beautiful"
"I've never had goose. I imagine it just tastes like chicken"
"It does" Maura laughed
They carried on talking for over two hours, until Maura yawned
"What time is it?" she asked
Jane checked the clock on her bedside table
"11pm. It's late. I should let you go. You've had a busy day"
"Thank you Jane. Oh, before I go, I have some bad news"
"What is it?"
"Well, I checked my diary to see when I'd be able to get back and visit, and it turns out I won't be able to see you before you go back"
"Oh…" Jane replied
"I'm sorry. I didn't realise that I had a few Isles Foundation events to attend whilst I was over"
"It's fine, don't worry about it"
"It's not fine, and I do worry. I really wanted to see you before you went. I don't think I can wait until I get back to Boston"
Jane could tell that Maura was on the verge of tears
"Heyyyy it's fine. Don't worry. I'll come pick you up from the airport. It can be like in the movies. I'll wait there with a sign that has your name on it, and you'll drop your suitcase and run into my arms and give me a kiss. It'll be romantic"
Maura laughed. She felt a little better
"Are you flying from London, or Manchester?"
"Manchester"
"Oh. Ok"
"Why?"
"Oh, If you had have been flying from London, I was going to offer you to come down here the night before"
"Sorry"
"It's not your fault"
"I know but I'm still sorry"
Maura yawned again
"Go get some sleep beautiful"
"Goodnight Jane"
"Goodnight Maura"
They hung up, and Jane got changed and got into bed. She realised just how tired she was, and fell asleep straight away
New Year came and went in a blur, Maura and Jane texted each other as much as they could in between family time and family events and before Jane knew it, she was packing her suitcase to go back to Boston.
"I'm gonna miss ya Janie" Frankie said
"I'll miss you too Frankie. Come visit me sometime eh?" she joked.
Angela was helping Jane pack by folding her clothes and putting them away in the case.
"If neither of you are going to help me, please leave the room"
Frankie ran off, and Jane turned to help
"Thanks for your help Ma"
"You're welcome Janie. Pass me your socks"
Jane passed over the socks from the dresser
"I'm sorry you didn't get to see Maura before you left"
"It's fine. I'm picking her up from the airport next week"
"Aww, young love"
Jane rolled her eyes
Once the suitcase was packed, Jane lifted it down the stairs and put it in the hallway ready to go in the morning
"Are you sure you're alright to give me a lift to the airport in the morning?
"Of course Jane, what time do you want to leave?"
"My flights at 9, I'd like to be there at 7/7:30, so quarter to 7?"
"Sure thing"
She looked at the clock
"It's late. You better get some sleep, you're up early"
"Thanks Ma"
"Jane?"
"Yeah?"
"Make sure you set an alarm"
Jane laughed, and double checked she set one.
Her alarm went off at 6am, she got up, got dressed and went downstairs. Angela had prepared a full breakfast for her
"I don't want you being hungry at the airport. Their food is expensive. I've made you a packed lunch too, I know you think airplane food is gross.
"Thanks Ma"
Angela put the sandwich in Jane's hand luggage and put a plate of food in front of her. Jane ate quickly as it was nearly time to go.
When she was finished, she grabbed her suitcase and hand luggage and put them on the back seat of the car. Her mother had already turned the ignition on so the car would heat
They got to the airport in less than 20 minutes, Jane kissed her mother on the cheek and entered the terminal. When she got there there was a large queue, but it was moving fast. She eventually got the check in desk
"Oh, you could have used the fast lane Miss Rizzoli. You're in first class"
"What?"
"You've got a first class ticket" he said as he handed her her passport back and gave her her ticket.
"Thank you sir"
"Maura must have upgraded my ticket" she smiled to herself.
She was still half asleep when she was going through security. Her first class ticket afforded her the fast lane. She browsed the duty-free stores and settled down in a chair until her gate was called.
She got on the plane, and made her way to first class. She checked the seat number on her ticket, looked along the ceiling to find the matching number, she arrive and noticed that someone was in her seat
"Sorry to bother you but I think you're in my seat"
The lady in her seat got up, and spoke
"Apologies detective. Please, sit down"
"MAURA? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? I thought you didn't leave for another week?"
"I missed you" Maura replied.