Author Note: Next chapter will be the final one. I already started writing it, and it's going to be a one-shot. Because it will be smut and likely have explicit content, if you feel uncomfortable with such, I guess this will be your last chapter. Xx

Holding a mug of coffee with one hand and grasping a fleece blanket with the other, Maura sat down near Jane. After covering their laps, she snuggled onto her shoulder, watching TJ absorbed in his fantasy world. Now that days were getting warmer, they should start spending less time watching television and more like this—in the patio, enjoying the outside in private.

J: "What the hell is he doing?"

M: "Looking for bugs. If he finds any, he will ask me about its species."

After a while, the blonde looked up to her girlfriend and found her staring at her—a small smile on her lips.

M: "What?"

J: "Can you imagine mini Maura Isles asking me a bunch of hard questions I can't answer?"

Looking down, glowing, the ME started smiling and squeezed Jane's hand underneath the blanket. Then, she looked up, feeling herself melt in the most gorgeous dark eyes she had ever seen.

M: "Can you imagine little Janes running around with a ball while destroying your mother's plants?"

Laughing, Jane pointed to an area on one of the walls.

J: "We could set a hoop net there... it's a pretty good spot."

M: "It actually is!"

Fixing the dark curls behind the detective's ear, Maura shifted her body to face her and began tracing her jawline with her thumb.

M: "I love you."

Before Jane could say anything back, the blonde muffled her mouth with her lips. Modest yet, sweet. Promptly pulling apart when she realized what she did, Maura glanced at TJ—relaxing against Jane's body when she saw the kid being too focused to notice anything around him.

J: "I want us to start telling people. At least our families."

M: "You're right...It's time...but I can't help feeling worried about having a relapse, now that we're reducing the doses."

J: "It's gonna be ok, Maura. I'll be here if anything happens and...my family loves you. You're already family. They never stopped loving you when I was away. I think they even started loving you more if that's even possible. You don't need to be so scared."

Maura briefly looked down to ponder on the situation.

M: "I want Tommy to be the first to know. I know we talked about speaking to Angela and my mother first, but I don't want him to find out through someone else. It's not fair."

J: "It's ok. I'll talk to him."

M: "No. I'll do it."

J: "I'm his sister."

M: "I know, but I need to do this. He needs to hear it from me, and I still own him an explanation, instead of half-truths."

M: "Do you want something to drink?"

T: "I'm good...you ok? You're making me nervous."

Moving quickly, while fidgeting with her hands, the ME sat down on the couch next to her friend.

M: "I wanted you to be the first to know. I'm in a relationship."

T: "T-that's great, Maura. I knew this was about to happen. A beautiful woman like you is only single because they want to...He must be quite a catch! Can't wait to meet him."

M: "It's a woman."

T: "Oh! I didn't know you like women, but...I would always choose a woman over a man, so I think I understand."

Chuckling lightly, the blonde joined him. Suddenly, feeling more at ease.

M: "Actually, this is why I wanted to talk to you. It's not about me being with someone, it's about whom I'm with. You know her."

T: "Who is it?"

M: "Jane. She wanted to tell you, but I asked her to do it."

Getting tense from the silence, Maura observed him cautiously. He was gazing at the floor and had a familiar expression on his face. At that moment, he looked like Jane every time she was thinking hard, trying to solve a case.

M: "Tommy?"

Confused eyes turned his gaze towards her.

T: "Is that why you called things off with Kent and me?"

M: "Yes."

T: "That was months ago..."

M: "We had to work on some things, first."

T: "Were you ever together before she left?"

M: "No...Tommy, you're my dearest friend, and I love your sister."

T: "How long do you like her?"

M: "I don't know. I always found her attractive, and by the time I realized I liked her, I couldn't remember when it first began. I guess my feelings grew naturally, but I was so preoccupied trying to be a good friend that I didn't notice what was going on."

T: "You know...you two...it actually makes sense. It must have been hard when she left."

Nodding gently, Maura began to remember how distressful those first days were. She was in so much agony that her body manifested itself in ways she thought not possible—she read about it, before, but always assumed people were exaggerating, looking for sympathy. No matter how exhausted she was, her heartbeat was too hasty to fall asleep; no matter how clean her meals were, her stomach ached, and she would end up vomiting in the office bin; no matter how much moisturizer and dry oil she used, her skin flaked, and burning rashes appeared in random parts of her body; no matter how friendly people were, she wanted to do nothing but to scream in their faces; no matter how lonely she felt, she kept making excuses to be by herself. For the first time in her life, she thought people could die from emotional pain. Obsessively researching for data on the topic, she tried to find comfort in it—she didn't.

Walking in circles, after reheating the kettle for the third time, the ME worried about what was taking so long. It had been over an hour, and Jane was still in the guest house talking to Angela—talking about them. She never wanted for things to happen this way. This was never part of the plan. They were supposed to invite Angela for dinner. After a lovely evening, Maura would make an excuse to go upstairs and leave the two women by themselves. Only then, her girlfriend would lead her mother to the couch and gingerly start the conversation. They messed it all up and got themselves into a situation that could be easily avoided.

When Tommy left with TJ, it didn't take too long for them to have one of their usual moments. Out of habit, Maura laid on the bench with Jane on top of her, adjusting the blanket around them. She couldn't remember accurately for how long they stayed that way, but she was sure it was for over half an hour. Whispering sweet nothings to each other and imagining a future together that now seemed so near and possible. The blonde kept an arm wrapped against Jane's neck and a hand resting underneath her sweater, occasionally caressing the toned waist. At the same time, the detective supported herself with one arm that was placed next to Maura's head, while running her fingers through her cheek. Starting to kiss her gently, Jane slid her hand to the blonde's stomach. Gently tickling a particular spot, she knew she would be more successful at. Between kisses and giggles, the women were so focused on each other that they didn't hear the gate that led to the street opening. When they heard a low cracking voice, Maura pushed her girlfriend away, thinking she could die of embarrassment at the exact instant. Thankfully, Jane recovered quickly, and before the ME reacted, she was already talking to her mother and pulling her to the guest house.

Maura looked at the two mugs on the counter and went to get another one. Then, grabbed the same one and put it away. After looking at the mugs, again, she decided it was best to put all of them out. If Angela didn't join them, Jane would feel bad for seeing the extra mug: if Angela did and saw only two mugs, she could feel uncomfortable thinking the couple wanted to be alone. Maybe she was overthinking…

Seeing Jane entering the house, Maura immediately grabbed two mugs and poured them some tea.

M: "I made tea."

J: "Thanks."

Placing a kiss on her forehead, the detective took a sip from her drink.

M: "H-honey...are you ok?"

J: "It's fine. She just needs time."

M: "What happened? Was she very upset?"

J: "I think she was more upset because we didn't tell her before and because I never told her I like you. But it's fine. She's just shocked...She also said that as long as we're happy, that's all that matters."

Smiling softly, Maura stroked her girlfriend's side, trying to give her some comfort. Jane brought herself closer and brushed their cheeks together. On that moment, the front door opened, causing them to, gently, pull apart while still remaining near each other.

M: "Angela! Would you like some tea?"

A: "No, but I'm hungry. Have you girls had lunch, yet?"

M: "Actually, food would be a good idea."

A: "Great! Because I'm about to teach you how to make the famous Rizzoli gnocchi recipe."

J: "Wha?! How come you never taught me?"

A: "You don't even know how to make ragù! What's gonna happen when I get old? Someone will need to teach my grandkids, and I know it's not gonna be you!"

J: "Ma!"

Laughing, Maura followed Angela around the kitchen.

A: "You picked a difficult one, at least, she's funny!"

M: "And cute!"

With the remark, Angela began smiling and shaking her head from side to side.

M: "Your mother is right, Jane...I have no doubt you're going to teach our kids amazing things I know nothing about, but I'll stick with the cooking tutoring."

J: "So...kids...not a kid?"

Maura felt her face burning. They never really discussed having children before. There was never a discussion because it was never needed. They knew for a fact that both wanted to be mothers. During the years, in her weak moments, Jane confessed it many times after a few drinks or during emotional draining cases. And even though the blonde stated many times she thought she would never have kids, there was always a quiet understanding that this was more about her fears of becoming like her parents instead of lack of desire. Still, neither of them expressed nor talked about how many they would like to have. Sure, they made jokes and daydreamed a lot, but they also daydreamed of many things they didn't necessarily want—It was about possibilities. Just because something was possible, it doesn't mean they would agree on it. Fantasies, no matter how good they felt, sometimes could be very far from reality aspirations.

In a second, all of the blonde's growing worries ceased. Jane's strong arms came wrapping around her waist, and a full smile began pressing her face in a clumsy kiss.