Maura walked out the back sliding door onto the patio where Jane was stoking the charcoal on the grill. A large, flat Tupperware filled with steaks was in one hand, and a maroon hoodie was in the other. She wore a simple blue dress with a square neckline and short sleeves (you know the one). Jane's oxford sleeves were rolled up to her elbows and she'd traded her dress shoes for socks.

Maura handed the hoodie to Jane who had gotten cold in the cool, shaded back yard. "Are you ever going to tell me what's in your marinade?" she asked, taking off the lid and smelling the rich, tangy marinade that covered the steaks

The brunette slipped the garment on, zipped it up and scoffed, "Uh...ma would kill me if I did."

"But she's already given me the meatball recipe that you said she'd never give out."

"Yeah...but this one. This one is really private." she took the Tupperware from her girlfriend and set it down on a side table. "It's been passed down from generation to generation."

"Okay. So, if we get married, then will you tell me?"

"I don't know." Jane sighed dramatically, "I'll have to consult the family elders."

Maura playfully pushed Jane's shoulder, "You brat. I could just take a sample to the lab and have it traced."

"You wouldn't." the brunette clicked the tongs at her girlfriend menacingly

"Don't tempt me." Maura raised a seductive eyebrow

Jane placed the grate over the charcoal and replaced the lid to let the grill finish heating up.

"How's your mom doing in there?" Jane gestured towards the house

"Oh, she's fine. They're talking about Italy, actually. Something about your aunt?"

"Yeah, Ma's sister Flor lives over there. Her husband's family owns a huge vineyard. We went a few times as kids when Pop's business was good. Flor's been trying to get us to come over for a few years."

"Maybe we could go over sometime; take your mother. I'm sure she would love it. I think Mother knows a few artists that summer in Italy. Perhaps she knows someone with a home we could rent."

"Yeah. Maybe." Jane sat on the lounge chair next to her girlfriend and pulled her into her arms

"How are you not more tired?" Jane asked

"Adrenaline, probably. I should be much more tired, and I will probably crash later tonight. I barely slept last night."

Jane turned her head towards the blonde, "How do you feel, Miss I-have-an-MD-now?"

Maura took a deep breath with a smile, "I feel good." She sighed, "I feel accomplished. On one hand, I can't believe it's done. And on the other, I am so happy that I've finally graduated. The last four years of this have been so long and stressful." She reached into Jane's pocket and fished out the brunettes phone, "I want to see the pictures your mother took at the ceremony." She quickly found the photos and started scrolling through them. "Hayley Mae is getting too big for me to hold." Maura mused at one particular picture where she was holding the now seven-year-old. Hayley Mae had taken Maura's graduation cap and placed it on her own head.

"Yeah, she should really start shooting up here in the next year or so. By the time I was eight, I was already five-foot. Skinny as hell, but taller than all the boys. They'd get so mad when I'd hold the basketball above their heads." Jane chuckled

"I will miss holding her like that, that's for sure." Maura sighed, her thumb still swiping from picture to picture.

Jane looked at the smaller woman with a soft smile, "Well, maybe you just need another one to hold…"

Maura looked up from the phone with confusion.

"I know we've glanced over it in the past, but would you be interested in having kids?" Jane was becoming more and more visibly nervous as Maura looked at her.

"Are you asking me to have children with you?" Maura's smirk was growing.

"Well…I was really more asking if you want more children. I know Hay is already part of the package."

"Of course I would like more kids. I love Hayley Mae more than anything. And even if we didn't pursue the possibility of more, I would be perfectly content. But…" her cheeks pinked cutely, "I would love to have a family with you."

Before Jane could say anything, the back door opened and Frankie stuck his head out, "Hey quit makin' out back here. Ma wants to know when the steaks are gonna be put on."

Jane rolled her eyes and turned towards her brother, "I'll put them on now. You really know how to ruin a moment, ya?"

Frankie cheekily smiled and shut the door as he went back into the house.

Maura turned back to the phone and immersed herself in the pictures of the day once more.

xxx

xxx

It was a picture-perfect day for Maura's graduation from med school. The sun came out from behind the clouds just as they were exiting the auditorium. Maura's parents had flown in to surprise their daughter at the ceremony. Angela had attended as well, along with Frankie at her side. Hayley Mae sat on her uncle's lap so Jane could take pictures. (Frankie had already sent Maura his favorite selfies he'd taken with Hayley Mae. Along with pictures of an annoyed Jane at his side.)

Arthur had demanded to sit next to Jane so he could talk about his latest book finds in Madrid. Halfway through the ceremony, Hayley Mae had climbed down from her uncle's lap and scooted in between the legs of three people till she was finally in front of Constance. She lifted her arms and was soon seated in the older woman's lap, content. Jane watched the woman turn to her husband with a beaming smile as Hayley Mae settled herself.

xxx

xxx

After a load of pictures in the courtyard, they had all piled into their cars and returned to Angela's home for a grill out.

Frankie had quickly changed into shorts and was playing a pickup game with his friend from down the street, in their driveway. Jane turned from her watch of the steaks when Maura stood from her seat. She wrapped her arms around the brunette from behind and whispered, not wanting to disturb the quiet of the backyard, "Should I go wake the sleeping beauties?"

"Yeah, the meat'll be done soon."

Maura extricated herself from the embrace and made her way into the house. As she walked through the kitchen, she passed their mothers who were standing at the kitchen island, pouring over one of Angela's family recipe books.

"So you add sour cream…" Constance asked, sounding amazed as she flipped back and forth between well worn pages.

"Yes, and then…" Angela commented. Maura lost the rest of the conversation as she stepped into the living room.

She found her father, fast asleep, with Hayley Mae curled into his side, watching a video on her tablet; her eyes drooping slightly. The book he had been reading lay on his chest, still open to the page he'd left off.

"Daddy," she whispered, touching his shoulder

The man's eyes opened quickly, then softened at the sight of his daughter, "Darling, I fell asleep."

Maura chuckled, "Yes, you did. Dinner is almost ready."

"Perfect." He cleared his throat, "I'm starving."

The blonde leaned over the back of the couch and tousled Hayley Mae's hair, "Sweetie, It's dinner time."

Brown eyes shot open, "Yes." Was all she said before she jumped off the couch and sprinted towards the porch.

"Wash your hands!" Maura called after her.

"She sure is a spitfire, isn't she?" Arthur laughed

"Angela says Jane was just like that when she was younger."

"Oh I believe that." Arthur groaned as he stood up from the couch

xxx

Only a few moments later, Maura and her father had joined the whole clan on the back porch where a table had been set up for them to eat. Jane set the platter of steaks down as Angela and Constance laid down the sides. They tucked into the food after Frankie said a quick prayer.

"So, Maura, when do you take your boards?" Frankie asked

"Three weeks. I have a lot of studying to do till then."

"You'll do great sweetie." Angela promised

"Of course, she will." Arthur agreed, "She's an Isles."

Maura turned to her girlfriend and whispered, "Do you want to tell them now?"

Jane shrugged, "sure." She cleared her throat, "Everyone, I'd like to announce something."

The table turned their heads towards her.

"Um, I've decided to go back to school."

"Where?" Constance was the first to ask

"I've been accepted for a Master's program at Brown. For education."

The table erupted in cheers at the news."

"That's amazing. Congratulations." Arthur raised his beer.

"Thank you. We're really excited." she took a deep breath, "Things are about to get pretty busy around here. Maura's boards and eventual residency, my classes, and work on top of that. Any help will be greatly appreciated."

Maura's parents shared a look before Constance turned to the group, "We might be able to help with that."

"What?" Maura asked, curiously

Arthur smiled, "We've decided to move back to Boston, permanently."

The blonde's jaw dropped dramatically.

Constance took her daughter's hand, "We see that you're starting this new life here, with Jane and the little one. And we realize that we've spent enough time apart from you and that we'd like to be a part of this new life."

Maura pulled first her mother, then her father into a bone crushing hug.

"So we'd love to do whatever we can to help you two." Arthur kissed his daughter's head

Dinner was a short affair. Hayley Mae was dragging her chin in her piece of pie; eyes half closed. Arthur and Constance retired back to their home and Frankie left to go finish his game with his friend.

xxx

xxx

As Jane and Angela were finishing clearing the table, Maura stepped onto the patio and grabbed Jane's hand, "Can we take a walk?"

Jane looked up to her mother who had a suspicious glint in her eye, "Go ahead, girls." The matriarch smiled.

The brunette wiped her hands off on a napkin and took Maura's hand. They walked out the front door, and down the sidewalk towards the end of the street.

"Man." Jane commented, "I haven't gone a walk about the neighborhood with someone since…" she trailed off

Maura turned to her girlfriend, "Since?"

The taller woman blushed slightly, "Since Casey and I dated. In high school."

Maura turned her eyes back to the sidewalk.

"He didn't have a car, so we'd walk to the diner for dates."

"Do you think…" now it was Maura's turn to trail off.

"What?"

"I'm just curious…do you think you and Casey would have lasted had he stayed around rather than joining the army?"

Jane thought a moment, "No…well, maybe? I always thought that he was a stand-up guy. Until he left for the army and left me alone pregnant with his child."

"Without trying to sound insensitive…is he still living?"

Jane laughed, "Yeah, he's stationed in Germany, last time his mom and I talked."

"Oh, is she around here?"

"No. They're originally from England. His dad was American, his mother British. When he was stationed in London, they met, and Casey lived there till he was 10. Then his dad was stationed in Boston, and he was transferred to my school. When his dad died, his mom moved back to London."

"How does she feel about Hayley Mae?"

Jane shrugged, "We exchange Christmas cards. I send holiday and school pictures. She sends me information on Casey. It's all very civil. She was pretty pissed when she found out I was pregnant. I really think she's the reason he joined the Army; to get away from her."

"Does she ever come to see Hay?"

"No. She stopped by the hospital the day she was born. And I haven't seen her in person since."

"I don't mean to pry."

Jane shrugged, "It's really nothing secretive, Maur. I get a check once a month with postage from an Army base in Germany that goes into her college fund. He lives his life, we live ours."

"Has he met her?"

"No." Jane sighed, "He wrote me a few times, telling me he wasn't ready to be a dad. I didn't push it. Especially since he offered to pay child support." Jane felt her stomach turn a little. Talking about Casey always depressed her, "Can we talk about something else for awhile?"

Maura smiled, "Yes, actually." She looked up and found she had steered them in the right direction. Two blocks from Angela's house, and one street over. "Yes, actually. I have a different question."

"Shoot."

"Have you ever thought about moving into a bigger house? Not that I don't love our house."

Jane nodded and finally looked at the scenery around her. "Actually, it's funny you ask that."

"Why?" Maura smirked to herself

"I never saw Emily and I moving past what we were. But ever since the first moment I met you, I imagined us in that house, actually." Jane pointed to the two story house at the end of the street they were walking down. It was much bigger than her own house, and a little bigger than her childhood home. It had a large yard and a wrap around porch.

Maura's heart skipped a little at the confession, "Why that house?"

Jane smiled softly. She stopped their pace and looked up at the old house, "It's crazy that I haven't told you this yet, but my grandparents lived there when I was a kid. Pop's parents. When they died, my pop's older brother sold it. I was so mad. I loved that house. I've kept my eye on it for years. There's been four owners since then, but it's remained relatively empty all these years."

Maura turned towards her girlfriend, "Why not buy it yourself?"

"I looked into it." Jane insisted, "But it's too expensive." She pointed to the Sold sign by the mailbox, "And it always gets scooped up quickly. It was just for sale a few months ago. I looked into it again, but the price was just too high."

"You know. It's curious you like this house."

"Why?" Jane snorted

"A few months ago, I asked your mother about this house. I happened to drive by and saw the for-sale sign. Your mother told me how it had been your grandparents' home for many years. And that you loved it and had been keeping your eye on it. She asked why I was interested." Maura paused, "I only told her that I'd seen the for-sale sign. But truthfully...When I first drove by, I had this vision of us living here. Hayley Mae playing in the yard, maybe with a dog...or even another child. This house made me want to have all those things so deeply. I love you so much."

Jane leaned down and captured a kiss from Maura's lips.

"Stop that." Maura complained, "I'm trying to tell you something."

"Okay. Go ahead." Jane acquiesced

"Anyways…"

Maura nervously took a small box from her pocket and handed it to the other woman.

Jane took the box and slowly opened it to find a key nestled inside. "What's this?"

"I asked to see the interior, and as I walked around…I could see us. I could see our future. Every moment, every up and every down. When your mother told me your connection to this house, I knew it was fate."

Jane looked down at the key again, "Maura, did you buy this house?"

"I did." The blonde said simply.

"You bought the house. You bought the house. My house? The house I've been dreaming of. You bought my house?" Jane seemed to be struggling with the information

"I did."

"It's all done? It's actually ours?"

Maura's heart jumped at the word 'ours', "Yes. It's been official for a week." This was not the reaction she'd been hoping for. She was thinking Jane would be a little more excited, but she seemed more upset than anything. "Jane, did I do something wrong?"

Jane finally seemed to snap from her haze and looked up at her girlfriend. She lunged forward and pulled the smaller woman into a hug, "No, Maur. Of course, you didn't do anything wrong. I'm just..." she pulled away and looked up at the building, "I'm just speechless. I don't know what to say."

"Can you tell me how you feel? I'm at a loss of what to do."

"I'm so happy Maur. I... I've been dreaming of living in the house since I was a kid. I just don't know...my dream came true. And I don't know what to do with myself now." She looked up at the house, "Can we go inside?"

"Of course."

xxx

They walked up the path to the front door. Jane's hand fell on the doorknob. She hadn't been in this house for almost fifteen years. She'd spent so many years dreaming of this house and what she'd do with it. And who she'd grow old with in it.

As her skin came in contact with the brass doorknob, images flashed before her eyes. The two of them married. Maura pregnant. Maybe pregnant herself. Hayley Mae going off to high school. College. A pack of dogs. Their two cars in the driveway. They grandkids playing in the yard.

Her heart was so full. Her future was so bright.

All she had to do, was open the door.

xxx

xxx

xxx

A/N

*falls down on the floor with a heaving sigh*

I never thought I'd finish this. This has been over two years in the making. This was originally slotted at 12 chapters and published by the end of 2019. But I just discovered so much about these characters throughout and I'm so happy with what it's become. Thanks for sticking with it. Your comments have kept me pushing to finish this.

For those who have read Baby Blankets, I've put that on semi-permanent hiatus. My original plan for it is wanting to deviate to another course. So until I can figure that out, I'm sorry but there won't be any updates.

Stick around. I have a lot of things in the works I'm excited to share.