"Brooke!" Jane found the rookie the next morning at breakfast. She had her allotted one cup of coffee in her hand and a plate of fruit and yogurt. She quickly scarfed down a bowl of cereal she didn't get caught with unhealthy options when her girlfriend walked in.
"What's up?" Brooke smiled as she sat down next to Jane.
"Did you get a hold of your ex-girlfriend out here? Is she going to be starting?" Jane inquired..
Brooke shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. "I haven't heard from her. I've been trying to call and text, but all I get in return is 'I can't talk now' or 'I'll call you later'. Yet she never does," the rookie smiled sadly. "It's just something I'm going to have to get over."
Jane nodded her head sadly. "I get it," Jane patted the rookie on her shoulder. "You'll kill it in the starting left forward position tonight and we'll go home winners," she smiled.
"Hey Jane," Katie smiled as she sat beside Jane. "Did you sleep well last night?" Katie winked at her friend.
"I did thank you," Jane smiled. "How about you?"
"I slept well, thank you," Katie laughed. "Danvers stopped by our room while you were asleep last night," Katie casually mentioned.
"Really?" Maura questioned as she sat across from the three. "He stopped by my room last night as well."
"Morning Maur," Jane smiled up at the impeccably dressed blonde.
"That's weird," Brooke joined in. "Why would he be at both your rooms at lights out?"
"Maybe he thought Jane was trying to break the rules and sneak into Maura's room," Katie smiled smugly. "Which is something she'd never do."
"No," Jane feigned. "That's against the rules. I don't break rules," she laughed.
"That's such a lie," Brooke laughed.
"We all know you love to break the rules," Katie laughed with her.
"But Jane..." Brooke looked at Jane shocked. "You didn't?"
"I didn't not," Jane smiled at the rookie beside her. "I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep," she whispered. "We haven't spent a night apart in months," she shrugged. "I think I have to talk to Danvers and get the rule bent."
"One night wouldn't have killed you," Maura laughed.
"It would have affected my performance in the game tonight," Jane smiled. "Now I am fully rested and ready for the day ahead."
"Who wants to go out after the game tonight?" Brooke looked between the three. "Sarah and I were thinking of hitting a bar or something. To get my mind off my ex," Brooke further explained.
"Hmmm," Jane thought.
"I'm down. As long as it's not a gay bar," Katie laughed. "Last time I was at one of those I got hit on like four times."
"Nah I've got good gaydar," Brooke laughed. "Plus, there's those two over there," Brooke pointed to the couple. "They'll have some pull."
"Then I'm down," Katie shrugged. "Maybe I can get over my ex too."
"That's the spirit," Jane clapped her friend on the back. "Look at these two," Jane's smile grew wide. "Trying to get back out there. I'm proud of you."
"You're being weird," Katie shrugged her friends hand off her shoulder. "Why are you being weird."
"I'm not being weird," Jane pulled her hand away and fixed her wide smile. "You're being weird," she stood to put her plate away and grabbed some more water.
"What's with her?" Katie looked towards Maura.
"I don't know," Maura shrugged. "She's been like this since we woke up this morning." Maura smiled at memory of how they woke up.
Maura woke up to light butterfly kisses against her jaw. The brunette had adjusted so half her body was on top of the blondes. She lightly kissed the blonde's jaw until Maura's eyes fluttered open. "Morning," Maura rasped.
"Morning beautiful," Jane smiled up at her girlfriend. "I love waking up to you."
"I love waking up like this," Maura pulled the brunette's lips to hers. "What time is it?"
"Six thirty," Jane smiled brightly at the beautiful blonde below her. "I love you."
"What are you planning?" Maura laughed as she looked up at the brunette's eyes. "Not that I don't love this," Maura stroked the cheek in front of her.
"Nothing," Jane pulled away. "I just love you."
"Huh," Maura sighed. "I love you too," she pulled the brunette closer to kiss her again. "You should get up and head to breakfast. I'll meet you there so it doesn't look suspicious that we show up together."
Jane sighed and nodded.
That's where they were now. Jane was acting weird with all of her friends sitting around her. They were all starting to take notice of it as well. Jane usually was so reserved in her own happiness, never overtly showcasing it. Today? Today Jane was in glowing happiness.
Jane returned with a couple glasses of water and a strikingly large smile. She winked at her girlfriend and silently sipped her water. She was silent for the rest of breakfast and watched the group around her. At some point Sarah had joined them and was talking adamantly about the game tonight. But, Jane's mind couldn't stray for what she had on her mind recently.
While sleeping last night, Jane had figured out how to make Danvers bend the rules. Her and Maura had been seeing each other for just under nine months and it was time. When she saw her girlfriend dressed in a wrinkle free pencil skirt and a pink button down blouse, she knew it was time to start planning. First step...buy the ring. Second step...find out how to propose to the woman she loved.
"What is up with you?" Katie laughed as the pair returned to their room to change for practice.
"What do you mean?" Jane raised her eyebrows. Jane knew exactly what she was talking about.
"You can't take that stupid smile off of your face. It's starting to freak me out," Katie put her hair in a ponytail.
"I had a dream last night," Jane shrugged. "It was a great dream and it gave me some ideas."
"Did this dream involve sex with Maura? Because if it did, I don't want to know what it was about," Katie sat on the edge of her bed to tie her sneakers.
"It wasn't about sex," Jane laughed. "I had a dream that I proposed to Maura."
"Wow," Katie looked up at her best friend. "You look like you've already made a decision to do it."
"I have," Jane's smile widened… if that was even possible. "I just have to figure out what kind of ring she would like best. I'm not sure if she'd want something simple or something showy. Mind helping me out a bit?" Jane pleaded to her best friend.
"How am I supposed to do that?" Katie laughed.
"Just casually bring it up in conversation," Jane all but begged.
"Oh yeah," Katie laughed. "Maura what type of engagement ring would you like?" Katie imitated herself. "That wouldn't be obvious."
"Fine, see if Brooke can just like…" Jane stuttered. "Just bring it up. It wouldn't seem weird coming from her, she's totally one who would just bring it in conversation."
"I'll talk to her at practice," Katie laughed.
"Preferably tonight," Jane winked at her best friend. "After the game of course."
"Wow, you're really serious about this."
"Of course," Jane stood by the door ready to go. "I was serious the last time I said it."
"You were a little emotional the last time you said it. Forgive me for not taking you seriously," Katie laughed at her best friend.
Jane was falling hard and fast for this woman and Katie was somehow okay with it. Maura was perfect for Jane. She complimented all of Jane's quirks. She was somehow able to convince Jane to do what was best for her and her body. She was able to handle Jane when she's an emotional roller coaster. She knows when to pull her close and when to keep her at a distance. Katie spent the last couple of years taking care of an emotional Jane, and it's hard work. Maura inserted herself into their lives and has been such a tremendous help in all that is Jane.
"She's going to say yes you know," Katie pointed out.
"I sure hope so," Jane's smile widened again.
"Let's go kill this game so we can celebrate afterwards."
The three sat at the bar table in the back of the bar and watched as the rookies grabbed a round of drinks from the bar. They played a good game against Houston, it wasn't their best. They barely beat the team, but they did end up pulling out a win in the end. Brooke ended up scoring the winning goal in extra time.
"Brooke is becoming a really great asset to the team," Maura smiled at Katie and Jane.
"Yeah," Katie agreed. "Maybe she'll beat you in goals scored this season," she laughed.
"Ha," Jane feigned laughter. "You're really funny."
The two rookies returned with drinks and placed them in front of their respective owners. "What's funny?" Brooke smiled.
"We were saying how well you played today," Maura smiled.
"You were good today kid," Jane patted Brooke's shoulder.
"Thanks," Brooke smiled.
Jane saw Katie nudge Brooke slightly. Jane's eyes searched to meet her best friends. A silent conversation between the two, and a nod confirmed the conversation they had earlier.
"So before this whole separation happened between my ex and I, she kept sending me engagement ring photos, now I don't know what to do with all of this ring knowledge," Brooke smirked at Jane. Katie had passed the message to Brooke, and here she was. Being super obvious about it. But, Maura's ears perked up.
"I didn't realize you were that serious," Maura smiled sadly. "I'm sorry it didn't work out."
"Water under the bridge at this point," Brooke waved Maura off. She didn't want to put the conversation on her emotional breakup, but towards the conversation about the ring. "It got me thinking though. What kind of ring would I want. Katie, have you ever thought about what kind of ring would you want?" Brooke showed pictures of different types of rings on her phone.
"I know the exact kind of ring Katie would want. A gold band, small diamonds surrounding a pear shaped larger diamond in the center," Jane piped in. "She's told me a hundred times," Jane laughed.
"Hmmm," Maura thought. "Gold?" She looked down at her ring finger. "I've always loved the idea of a platinum or white gold," Maura smiled at the idea. "A round diamond in the center, surrounded by smaller diamonds. Maybe in a setting that sits off the finger," Maura smiled down at her finger.
Jane looked at Katie, they both stared in surprise. That was a lot easier than they expected.
"I've always liked the stark contrast between the gold and the sparkle of the diamond. It's always appealed to me that way," Katie shrugged.
"What about you Jane," Maura looked at her girlfriend with raised eyebrows.
"Me?" Jane laughed. "I've never really thought about it. I've never really had any interest in wearing jewelry."
"You've never thought about it?" Sarah laughed. "Doesn't every girl just dream about it?"
"I honestly can't say I've ever dreamt about it. It's not something I thought would ever happen," Jane shrugged.
"That's kind of sad," Brooke looked at her mentor.
"I didn't grow up in a household that accepted being gay. A religion that didn't accept two women marrying each other. I certainly wasn't going to marry a man," Jane shrugged again. "I just came out to my family a little over a year ago. I've always accepted the fact that I wasn't going to get the happy ending," Jane took a large gulp of the beer in front of her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her girlfriend push the glass of water closer, inch by inch. Jane put her beer down and laughed. "It wasn't until my ex pushed me to come out to my mother, that I actually did it. It was a rough year, but I think it worked out for the best," Jane winked at the blonde beside her.
"I think, rough year, is an understatement," Katie laughed.
"Brooke," Jane nodded her head in the direction of a woman standing at the bar. "She's been glancing over here quite often."
"Probably not at me," Brooke shrugged.
"Oh my god," Jane laughed. "Put a smile on your face and pretend you're having a good time," she stood head in the direction of the woman.
"Where are you going?" Brooke tugged on her jacket.
"To talk you up," Jane laughed, like it was the obvious decision.
"No," Brooke panicked. "No way."
"What?" Jane laughed. "What is wrong with you?"
"I'm not ready," Brooke released her grip on Jane's jacket.
"You'll be fine. You're not getting into a relationship with her. You're just talking to a woman, dipping your toes back into the dating world," Jane laughed. "You'll be fine."
"She's right," Katie laughed. "Dipping your toes."
"When you talk to another guy, I'll talk to another girl," Brooke argued.
"Fine," Katie smiled and got up and walked towards a group of guys in the corner of the bar.
"That's her flirty face," Jane smiled. "Give me five minutes," Jane walked towards the woman at the bar.
"She's really good at talking people up," Maura smiled at the brunette. "I have personal experience in that field. She had me hooked in a couple of minutes."
"Really?" Brooke scoffed. "I don't believe it."
"You're talking to the woman who never went home with anyone or even called them the next day. Usually just a quick fuck in the bathroom," Maura remembered her one night stand days. "I danced with that girl for hours, went back to her apartment, slept over, and met her mother the next morning. Then I saw her that night," Maura laughed. "Believe me, I was hooked."
Jane leaned against the bar near the woman that was glancing back at their table. She was playing it off like she was waiting for the bartender to notice her. She clutched her empty beer in both hands and sighed. She could tell the woman next to her was eyeing her.
"I haven't seen you or your friends around before," the woman started. "Are you new to the area?"
"No, we're here on business," Jane smiled up at her. It was technically true, she didn't want to start off the conversation with the nature of their profession.
"Business huh?" The woman looked surprised. "None of you look like business women," she laughed as she slyly peaked in the direction of their table. "Well, maybe the blonde one in the dress."
Jane laughed, Maura always looked like she was ready for a business meeting. "That's my girlfriend, she's always dressed to impress," Jane tried to stake her claim on Maura but also to take her attention away from Maura and onto Brooke.
"So my gaydar was correct," the woman licked her lips. "I'm Mia," she stuck out her hand for Jane.
"It was indeed," Jane laughed. "I'm Jane," she smiled as she shook the woman's hand.
"I'm not going to lie," Mia smirked. "I'm kind of disappointed you have a girlfriend," Mia looked Jane up and down.
"You should meet our friend Brooke" Jane nodded her head in the direction of the rookie. "She's single."
"The brunette?" Mia inquired.
"The brunette," Jane confirmed. "She's just like me, except she's much more shy," Jane laughed. "Take it easy on her," Jane winked as she grabbed her refilled beer and wine from the bartender. She winked at Mia and returned to the table. "You're welcome," Jane whispered to Brooke as she noticed Mia walking towards their table.
"Hey," Mia smiled at the group.
"Mia," Jane nodded. "This is Maura, Sarah, and this is Brooke," Jane pointed out to her friends. "Everyone, this is Mia."
"Hello Mia," Maura stuck her hand out to shake the woman. "It's nice to meet you."
"So Jane said y'all are here on business," Mia spoke. "Where are you from?"
"Jane and I are from Boston," Maura pitched in.
"Technically we all are from Boston," Brooke laughed. "But I grew up in California."
"Ah Cali girl, huh?" Mia flirted. "What is this business trip y'all are on?"
"We're professional athletes, we had a game tonight," Brooke explained.
Jane laughed at the wide eyes of the woman. Brooke was not good at this subtle thing. She was not good at maintaining the mystery.
"I'm not a professional athlete," Maura corrected. "But, I am the team doctor."
"Maura," Jane laughed. "You're not making it any better."
"What," she shrugged. "I am the team doctor."
"What sport?" Mia laughed. "Hockey? Soccer?"
"Soccer," Sarah joined in. "Hey, Mia?"
"Yeah," Mia looked at Sarah. "Have you ever thought about what engagement ring you would like?"
"Oh, all the time," she laughed. "Why?"
"Jane's never thought about it," Sarah shrugged. "I just thought it was something everyone did."
"It's not weird Jane. My ex never thought about it. She said that she always saw herself doing the proposing," Mia shrugged.
"I don't know about that," Jane shifted nervously.
"Everyone is different," Mia winked. "So soccer players huh?" Mia started. "Are we celebrating or are we drowning our sorrow?"
"We're celebrating, thanks to Brooke," Jane laughed. "She scored the winning goal in extra time."
"Impressive," Mia smirked as she gently placed her hand on Brooke's shoulder.
"Thank you!" Brooke smiled at Mia.
"We should head out," Jane took Maura's hand and helped her out of her chair. She pulled her close and dropped a kiss to her girlfriend's lips. "We should definitely head out," Jane whispered against Maura's lips.
"We're going to head out," Maura laughed as pulled Jane towards the front door.
"We gotta tell Katie first," Jane laughed as she pulled Maura in the direction of where Katie was standing with a group of guys. "Hey Kate," Jane laughed as she approached, she was obviously drunk. "We're headed out. Do you want to come with us?"
"Nah," she smiled at her best friend. "I'll head out with the rookies."
"Okay," Jane smiled. "We'll see you tomorrow," Jane leaned in to kiss her best friends cheek. "Be safe."
The pair exited the bar and walked towards their hotel. "So you are sleeping in my room tonight right?" Maura winked at the brunette.
"If you'll have me," Jane leaned in to kiss Maura and pulled her closer.