Sorry for the delay in posting the next chapter, had a little bit of a stop in motivation to write this past week. I'm trying to be back more because this story means a lot to me, somehow it feels like I haven't updated in two weeks, it's only been about one lol. It mostly deals with Maura.
When Maura, Jane and Susie got to the Rizzoli-Isles household after Jane picked up her car from BPD Jane insisted that Maura go take a nice relaxing bath and her and Susie would prepare something for dinner.
"Jane, you should go with her, make sure she's okay and I'll start dinner for you guys," Susie offered.
"Really? You'd do that?" Jane asked, watching to make sure Maura made it upstairs okay.
"Yeah she's going to need help," Susie rested her hand on Jane's shoulder, "Just keep the bath G rated please," she added, causing Jane's cheeks to flush.
"Yeah, yeah, why would it be anything other than G rated, Maura needs her rest not that kind of activity." Jane shook her head in amusement before heading upstairs. She didn't find Maura in the bathroom yet, she was sitting on the edge of their bed. "Hey Maur, what's wrong? You're not feeling light headed already, are you?"
"No, just thinking about this change I'm going to need in my lifestyle, and it's not even by choice. I'm not sure I can promise that things won't get worse for me."
"Maura, don't say that, we can make a change so it doesn't get to any serious stage," Jane rested her hand on Maura's back. "We got this okay Maur."
"But Jane what if it does get worse and I need a kidney transplant, who knows if the transplant will be successful and what if it doesn't work, then what if I... I don't want to miss our children's lives..." Maura sniffled and it broke Jane's heart, she wrapped her arm around her shoulders, kissing the top of her head.
"Hey you're one of the strongest people I know, just you need to take care of yourself better, no matter what, alright? I'll be here for you the whole time, I swear, we can overcome this, just like we overcame everything else. I love you Maura and we have to keep a positive mind on this stuff. If we think about the negative effects then we'll fall into a depression state and that's the last thing that I want to happen."
"I didn't want anything to be wrong with me, that's why I didn't want to go to the doctor, that's why I believed that I had everything under control," Maura admitted. "I didn't want to know any bad news so I thought no news was the best way to go, but then this happened, and this is all I'm going to be able to worry about. How did everything get so screwed up Jane?"
"I-I don't know sweetheart, I know that's probably not exactly what you want to hear, but I wish there was nothing wrong either, the thought of losing you, it fuckin' kills me Maura, life without you scares the living hell out of me. We're going to do whatever it takes to make sure that doesn't happen, alright? I'm going to be by your side this whole time, I promise. Let's go get you in the bathtub and then we can go downstairs to eat, Susie offered to make dinner so I can be with you, can we do that?"
Maura wiped her eyes and nodded, "Thanks Jane, I think that I can. I just... I don't want to think negative about this, but that's all I can do right about now."
Jane nodded, getting up to take Maura's hand in hers, helping her off of the bed and led her to the bathroom, starting to fill the tub, as she sat on the edge of the tub.
Maura got undressed and slipped into the tub once it was filled with warm water and bubbles. "You're going to join me, right?"
"Of course I am, the whole reason I'm here," Jane smiled softly at the beautiful wife before getting undressed and joining her, pulling Maura into her arms. "Are you thinking about positive thoughts now babe?"
"Sort of," Maura looked over her shoulder, smiling at Jane before kissing her. Jane felt relieved that Maura was acting normal, she groaned, remembering Susie's words before pulling away. "What's wrong Jane?"
"It's just that, Susie kind of instructed me to keep our bathtime rendezvous G rated."
"And you're just going to listen to Susie?"
"Um yeah, better than her listening to us, you know," Jane blushed, causing Maura to laugh.
"You're so sub."
"I'm what now?"
"Submissive, you're going to do what someone, who isn't your wife, tells you to do."
"I'm not submissive Maura, I'm just respecting of Susie's wishes, that's all."
"Mhm, if you say so Jane. Here I thought we were both dominant people, guess I was wrong," Maura shrugged nonchalantly.
"I see what you're trying to do here, and it's not going to work right now."
"Ah, I see, not right now."
"There's plenty of time to do things later when you know, you get food in your system and I know you're not going to faint or black out on me."
Maura sighed, listening to her wife's words, "Well there goes my positive thoughts, thanks Jane."
"I'm sorry, I just don't want to get too carried away right now."
"I get it Jane, we should get downstairs soon, I'm getting hungry," she started bathing herself, and soon she was out of the tub, wrapped in a towel to go get them some fresh clothes from their bedroom, she came back fully dressed and placed Jane's clothes on the counter. "Meet you downstairs Jane," Maura gave her wife a nod before heading downstairs. Jane leaned head head back and groaned, resting her hands on her stomach.
When Maura got downstairs she was greeted by Frankie who was just coming inside. "Hey Maura, Susie called me and told me what happened, are you okay?" he asked, giving her a hug.
"What all did she tell you exactly?" she glanced over at her friend who was finishing the dinner she was making now for the four of them.
"About your incident at work, ending up in the hospital... the thing that happened with Kent. I can't believe that he could be so stupid," Frankie shook his head. "I'm really sorry about all of it actually."
"You don't have to apologize for any of it Frankie."
"I should have told you honestly when you asked me if he had a thing for you, instead of telling you no, and he caught you off guard."
"It's not your fault Frankie, alright? He crossed the boundary on his own doing, and honestly I prefer not to talk or think about him anymore, can we do that? And I rather not discuss the other thing either."
"Sure Maura, of course, anything you want to do and I'll do it. So where's Jane at?"
"Finishing up her bath, she should be down soon." Maura told him, smiling as she heard Jane's footsteps. "See told you she'd be down soon."
"Hey Frankie, what are you doing here?" Jane asked and Frankie smiled.
"What else would I be doing here, eating dinner my beautiful fiancé is making, I was invited, plus I was stuck at work since Susie drove us today, so I'm also dropping off Maura's car. Hope it's okay if I drove it Maura."
"Yeah it's fine Frankie, as long as you didn't make a mess in my car and put the seat and mirrors back to how you found them."
"Yes ma'am I did," he smirked and Maura rolled her eyes.
"Don't ever call me ma'am."
"Of course, my bad," he chuckled causing Jane to hit him on the back of his head. "Hey, what was that for?"
"It was a love tap Frankie, be a man."
"I heard you almost made Kent lose his balls. Susie was telling me how amazing it was watching him fall. He definitely deserved it, I told him to watch it."
"Wait, hold on a minute. You knew Kent liked Maura and you didn't say anything."
"He told me to keep it a secret and he told me he wouldn't even try to make a move I told him good because you wouldn't like that. He knew what trouble he was getting into."
"Fine, but if anyone likes my wife let me know I'll knock some sense into them before they get kneed in the nuts."
"Oh trust me, I learned to not hide anything from either of you."
"Enough talk about Kent, who's ready for dinner?" Susie spoke up knowing none of them really wanted to be talking about Kent.
For the next week Maura was under the watchful eye of Susie at work and Jane at home, making sure that she took care of herself. Jane knew Maura could probably handle it just fine, but she wanted to make sure, doing something 30 days straight can cause a change in habit to stick according to what she read up on. If you stopped doing your routine for three days it could make it hard to continue the process and this was a very important process Maura needed to take, with friendly reminders along the way.
Maura kept a journal on what her blood sugar levels were, and she also wrote down what she ate and when, it was very tedious and kind of exhausting to remember things and form this new habit. She also had an alarm set for when she had to take her medicine. The last thing Maura wanted was for things to get worse for her health wise and for Jane to get mad if she wasn't taking it seriously.
She was in her office at work, she kind of missed Kent coming in to check on her but whenever she thought of Kent and what he did it made her mad and it made her feel stupid for thinking he just wanted to be friends.
"Well Doctor Isles, I must admit this is a pleasant surprise."
Maura dropped her pen and cringed at who's voice she heard. "Doctor Pike, what may I ask are you doing here?"
"I got a call from BPD stating that you needed some assistance since your last assistant resigned quite suddenly."
"The last thing I need is help, from you. I don't remember mentioning that I need another assistant."
"Well someone did, thought you needed my expertise so you're able to do your job more properly."
Maura stood up from her desk, "I am perfectly fine at doing my own job, thank you very much. Now if you please excuse me, I have to have a talk with the Lieutenant and don't you dare touch anything."
"I wouldn't dare dream of it Doctor Isles," he smirked, moving to sit on the couch like he owned it.
"It's Doctor Rizzoli-Isles to you," Maura huffed going upstairs not pleased with this turn of events. She got to Cavanaugh's office, crossing her arms.
"May I help you with something Doctor Isles."
"Yes as a matter of fact, I have a question of why Doctor Pike is claiming to be an assistant for me."
"Honestly Maura, I think it's for the best. Kent Drake gave his resignation and we sent him here to help you out at work. You can't do everything by yourself and it doesn't hurt to have more help."
Maura placed her hands on her hips, "I don't quite understand why I need to have help, I'm capable..."
"I know but when Drake was here there was a lot more work done and cases actually got solved faster. Doctor Pike is an experienced medical examiner and two heads are better than one," Sean Cavanaugh explained. "This isn't because I doubt your capabilities its just better to have help. Since losing both Vince and Jane the department hasn't been the same and Doctor Pike said he'd be on his best behavior."
"And you believe him?"
"Just give it a chance Maura. I need to get back to work now and you should do the same. Tell Jane that I miss her here, her and Vince."
"Of course Lieutenant," Maura nodded, leaving the office not pleased.
"Hey Maura," Frost walked up beside the woman. "How are things going?"
"They could be better. I should get back downstairs before Pike makes himself at home in my office."
"I'll come with you, we can discuss some wedding plans, get your mind off of your unwelcome guest."
"Thanks Barry," they headed towards the elevator and Frost pushed the down button. "So you and Tommy pick a date yet," Maura asked as they stepped into the elevator.
"Yeah, we're going to send the invites out in a few days."
"Nervous?" Maura asked as she seen Frost shift on his feet.
"Just a little bit, I mean my father isn't talking to me, I wish he would just get over himself and support me, you know?" Frost leaned his head back.
"Has your head been feeling well?"
"Most of the time yes, except when I think about things that stress me out."
"Maybe you should meditate relieve all the pain of being stressed. Honestly I could use some time to meditate with this current problem I have, called Doctor Pike."
"So it's true he actually is here to assist you."
"He's not going to be that helpful with assisting," Maura shook her head as they got off of the elevator and headed to her office, seeing Pike sitting at her desk chair, fiddling with things on her desk. "I thought I told you not to touch anything."
"You were gone longer than I anticipated," he shrugged. "Good afternoon Detective Frost, you're not here to remove me, are you?"
"Why would I do that?" Frost looked at the older man. "But you should probably let Maura have the office back, it is hers after all. There is a vacant office a few doors down the corridor you know, one without Maura's name on the door. She has things to do and she rather not be bothered, right Doc?" Frost looked at Maura who nodded.
"Yes if you want to assist me Doctor Pike, why don't you take some files and go use the other room."
"I know when I'm not welcomed, you know where I'll be when you need me, and I know you're going to need me at some point," Pike stood up taking some files and his briefcase along with him, Maura rolled her eyes at the man's comments and closed the door behind him.
"Thank you so much Barry for the help."
"Not a problem sis," Barry laughed and Maura nudged him. "I'm ready to get my meditation on."
"Glad to hear it," Maura kicked off her shoes and sat on the floor crossing her legs, Frost did the same. He closed his eyes and tried to clear his head which was pounding. He listened to the gentle breathing of Maura, he opened his eyes to look at her.
"I don't think this is working Maura."
"Well we just got started Barry, just focus on nothing except for the calm atmosphere. No interruptions just..." Maura stopped once she heard a knock on the door. "Dammit, what does that man want now," she got up from the floor and Frost couldn't help but smirk at how easily Doctor Pike could frustrate the usually calm Maura.
Maura opened the door and it was her wife, "Hey Maur, was this a bad time?"
"No, good a time as any for you. Barry and I were just meditating."
"I see that didn't mean to interrupt." Jane sat down on the couch. "I brought you lunch."
"You didn't have to Jane, but thanks."
Frost glanced up at the two, "I can still stay here for a bit, right?"
"Don't let my presence run you off Barry," Jane smiled handing Maura a salad and some fruit, as she bit into her sandwich.
"So were you done with training the recruits today?"
"Yeah Davies said it was okay if I went home to get some rest, felt a little tired today. Thought I'd drop by to see my favorite lady before I headed home and to see my favorite guy as well. So what's new with things?"
"Doctor Pike is here to help assist me, Cavanaugh thought it would be best if I kept an assistant around to get more work done. I have this odd feeling Pike has some ulterior motive to prove that I am not equipped to be Chief Medical examiner."
"I'm sure that's not why he's here Maura."
"It's Pike we're talking about. Always trying to prove he's better than me."
"Well he's not better than you Maura, you know this, hell Frost and I know this," Jane rested her hand on Maura's leg.
"Yeah Jane's right Maura, don't let the old man get you down," Frost smiled, getting up from the floor. "I'll come back down to meditate with you later Maura. I should probably get back to work."
"Alright Barry, see you later."
"Nice seeing you again Frost," Jane smiled at her friend.
"Jane you see me all of the time."
"Not when you and Tommy hang out with Kent."
Frost rolled his eyes at the mention of Kent. "He's such a buzz kill, but he helped Tommy out while I was in the coma, so I feel like I owe him."
"You don't need to explain yourself to me Barry, I understand just knowing he's not anywhere near me and Maura. It makes me feel better."
Frost just offered a nod before leaving, closing the door behind him.
"So I seem to have you all to myself now," Jane glanced over at her wife. "Are you alright? Sorry for mentioning Kent."
"No it's fine. To be honest it's kind of odd him not checking up on me, but everytime I think of him here helping I get angry all over again."
"Maybe what you need is some time off..." Jane suggested.
"And admit to Pike that I'm struggling, I'd rather not. He's going to change everything the moment I leave to go anywhere. Being at work is the best idea for me at the moment."
"If you say so, I don't want you to overdo yourself though."
"It's not like my job is that physical Jane, I can't really overdo much," Maura rested her head on Jane's shoulder, groaning.
"Maura what's wrong?" Jane pulled away slightly.
"Nothing, there's just a little tension in my neck."
"Here I can help you out," she placed their food on the coffee table and Jane rested her hands on Maura's shoulders.
"Jane you don't have to help, I'll be alright."
"I don't think you will be until I help," she started massaging Maura, causing Maura to groan out loud.
"Jane..." Maura closed her eyes, giving in and letting Jane continued with her hands.
"See, you needed this, and here I thought I was the tense one," Jane teased, placing a kiss on the back of Maura's ear.
"Don't do that Jane."
"What? Don't do this," Jane ran her tongue slowly against her ear.
"Jane, Doctor Pike is only a few rooms away, I feel weird doing this knowing he's nearby."
Jane groaned as she mentioned the older man, "Geez Maura, way to kill the mood," she went to grab their food, handing Maura's back to her. "Knowing he's even in the same building just... ugh. Gives me the creeps."
"Now you know how I feel, sorry to kill the mood by bringing him up."
"Don't worry about it babe, we can continue when you get home, Tommy and Frost are taking care of Kate and Todd tonight, we have the place to ourselves."
"I think you forgotten Jane, Susie and Frankie are coming over tonight for dinner."
"Tonight?" Jane frowned.
"Yes, you invited them over, remember? We're supposed to help them with wedding plans."
"How could I forget such a thing," Jane finished up her lunch. "I guess I should get home and clean up some before our guests arrive. Will you be alright here with him?"
"Trust me Jane, I plan to avoid Pike at all costs. Or any assistant Cavanaugh deems necessary for me to have. He said he misses you by the way, you and Korsak."
"Well I don't miss him, always setting my woman up with not so amazing assistants. You sure you'll be fine?"
"Yes Jane, plus if he makes me real uncomfortable it'd give me great joy if I'm able to get him to resign. Maybe I should pick up some of Pike's annoying habits, drive him away."
Jane shook her head, "Yeah good luck with that babe. I have a feeling this man is not going anywhere," she kissed the top of her head. "Don't forget to write your lunch down in that journal."
"Yes Jane, I know. You don't need to remind me, I promise I'm good."
"Okay, I'll see you at home, don't go getting any crazy ideas on how to get rid of Pike."
"I won't, I promise," Maura smiled at her wife before she left leaving Maura alone to finish her lunch.
Jane was almost to the elevator when she ran into Pike. "Hey Detective Rizzoli, are you doing alright? You're looking different somehow," the older man observed her, trying to figure it out, he was staring too long so Jane thought she'd help him out to move this conversation along.
"Yeah, I'm pregnant with twins almost done with my first trimester."
"Wow twins, didn't expect you to be the one to get knocked up."
"Technically I'm not knocked up, I did the IVF process."
Pike nodded, "Aah I see. Science has come a very long way. I hope all goes well with you and the pregnancy."
"Thanks Pike, I do have one thing to ask."
"What's that Jane?"
Jane sighed, "Can you be on your best behavior with Maura? She's been going through a lot lately and we'd both appreciate it if you didn't give her a hard time."
Pike looked at her in surprise, "Now why would you think I would give Doctor Isles a hard time?"
"Because you always do, she's one of the best and I wish you would treat her as such."
"I'm always on my best behavior, you have nothing to worry about Jane, I can assure you of that," Pike smiled and Jane nodded.
"Alright I'll believe you until she tells me otherwise. Have a good day now," Jane pressed the elevator button glad the door opened shortly and she could leave the man behind, silently hoping that Maura would be okay.
Maura was done eating, writing in her health journal when her phone started to ring. She didn't recognize the number, she picked it up since the phone didn't say it was spam.
"Hey Maura, it's me Constance."
"Was there something that you needed?" Maura asked in a bitter tone.
"I no, I just wanted to see how things were going for you, Kent called me the other day told me you were in the hospital."
Maura groaned, of course he did. "Well if you spoke to Kent I'm sure you realize him and I are not on speaking terms."
"He told me what he did, how you reacted, how Jane reacted maybe a little too intense for my liking."
"He got what was coming to him Constance, please don't defend him."
"Violence is never the answer sweetie."
"I really don't want to talk about Kent if you don't mind. How's rehab?"
"It's going pretty well, thanks for asking. I do hope that you're taking good care of yourself, don't need you ending up in rehab or suffering with CKD."
"Thanks for the concern, but I'm doing perfectly fine as of now. I need to get back to work now."
"Alright sweetie, I want to keep in touch with you while I'm in here."
"I don't think us keeping in touch is such a good idea," Maura spoke, hearing a sigh on the other line.
"I guess I understand, I just worry about you sweetie."
"I know that you do mother but life is pretty hectic right now and I don't need more people being worried about me."
"I'm sorry that you feel that way."
"Goodbye Constance, I hope you fix whatever problems you have in life. I'm sure you'll be okay with Kent involved with your life."
"Kent is a very nice gentleman Maura, I wish you could see that."
"And I wish that you could see that I'm happy with Jane and I'm always going to be in love with her. Sorry you have a problem with it, but that's the way things are. Goodbye Constance."
"Goodbye Maura," she sighed before hanging up.
Maura slammed her phone down in frustration, leaning back in her desk chair, rubbing her forehead. "I swear there's something really wrong with that woman." She was glad everyone else was supportive of her relationship with Jane. Maura went to go sit on the floor, crossing her legs before meditating, hoping that will help calm her and her frustrations down.
Hours after Maura's phone call with Constance and calmed after her meditating session, she finished up her work and headed home, almost forgetting that Frankie and Susie were coming over. She seen their car and sighed, somehow she didn't feel like having any company around. Jane could tell the moment her wife walked into the house. She went to go greet Maura at the door with a kiss.
"Is everything alright?" Jane asked when Maura didn't kiss back so eagerly
"Yeah, just a little out of it. And you would think Pike was the problem, it was actually Constance. She called me. Told me Kent was talking to her, I honestly can't believe the stuff she said. She honestly thinks I'd be better off with Kent, like what in the hell, I really don't understand it. I get she doesn't like you with me, it's just so frustrating, I bet rehab was telling her to be honest with her loved ones and maybe she'll feel better," Maura sighed. "It doesn't make me feel any better at all."
Jane pulled Maura into her arms, "I know and I'm really sorry that you're having to go through this, a parent not approving of your life. I wish she would just give it up. We love each other and there is nothing in the world that will change that. At least you're not having doubts on that right?"
"I would never have doubts on that, we've been through so much together and here we are still together, even though we had some bad days the majority of them were great. I'm grateful for everyday I wake up and you're still here."
"I wouldn't let what Constance says bother you so much, her opinion doesn't mean much and it's making you upset, which I hate to see."
Maura looked up at Jane, "Promise me you won't go visit her in rehab and have a talk... I know you Jane and it could make things worse."
Jane sighed, "You know me a little too well, I promise I will not go visit Constance in rehab."
Maura smiled, leaning up to give her a kiss. "Good. I guess we should join Susie and Frankie for dinner now."
Jane nodded, wrapping her arm around Maura's. "Good because I'm starving."
Isn't Constance just the worst? Get over yourself lady. Maura's having it rough, Pike is assisting her at work, which she doesn't need and she's in fear that things will get worse with her kidney and she won't get to be there with Jane and the kids, it's enough to keep her up at night the poor thing. At least she has family and friends like Frost, Frankie and Susie alongside Jane (their moments are always the cutest). We'll get you through this Maura. Will Jane keep her promise and not go visit Constance though, we'll just have to wait and see. Let me know your thoughts.