You know the drill! I own nothing, but love to borrow for fun!

Jane wakes to a wet nose in her ear. "Good morning Jo. Give me a minute." She rolls over and pulls the covers over her head and a minute turns to five turns to thirty. Jo uses her paw to scratch at the lump that is Mom.

"Ok, I'm sorry. Let's go outside." Jane pulls on sweats and a jacket and stumbles out the door. Jo understands that Mom doesn't have the wonderful fur coat that she does, so hurries her business and they are back inside in no time at all.

Jane slouches on the couch and Jo hops up next to her.

"Yesterday didn't go quite as planned Jo. Not that I had anything really planned, but..."

"I don't know Jo. Do guys have these problems? If they do, maybe I should feel a little sorry for them. Nah! Ok, today is a new day. I'll just try again. It's baking day for Ma, so what should I wear? I have a red sweater and a black sweater. Flour would really make a mess of the black, so I'll save that for Christmas. The red will look Christmassy." Jane pulls the sweater and jeans from the closet and puts them on the bed. She thinks some more and grabs the black sweater and black skinny jeans from the closet also.

"Jo! How would you like to visit Bass today? Huh? Yeah! This way, in case I get invited to a sleepover, you will be with me! The website says that sleepovers are good for snuggling. We can watch a Christmas movie and snuggle on the couch. Let's see if we get invited. I'll leave my bag in the car, you know, 'just in case'" Jane grins at the possibility.

Good plan Mom! I'll go grab my favorite toy!

Jane cleans and putters around the apartment until it's time toshower and head to Maura's. She gives herself and extra spritz of the body spray, checks her hair and decides she's ready to go. Jane grabs her overnight bag, the bag of presents and Jo and heads out the door.

"Ok, Jo, remember to be a good girl ok?"

Mom! I'm always a good girl. I just want to play with Bass!

A short ride later and Jane is pulling into Maura's driveway. She leaves the overnight bag in the car, but grabs the bag of presents, Jo follows. Jane walks through the front door. Still not locked, gotta talk to her about that, AGAIN.

"Hello! Where is everyone?" Jane drops the presents by the tree and Jo runs off to find Bass.

"In the kitchen Janie."

Jane walks around the corner and enters the kitchen. Maura looks up from rolling some dough and stops to stare at Jane. Wow. Look at how that sweater fits her. And the color against her skin tone. Oh, my. I wonder if I have any tequila.

"What are you starting with and what can I do?"

"We're working on some strufoli right now. You can help Maura roll the balls while I start to cook them. Later on we'll do some simple butter cookies to decorate and I'll cook a panforte."

Jane walks over to Maura. "Hey. I hope you don't mind, I brought Jo along."

"Not at all Jane. Jo is always welcome here. I like your sweater. The color is very striking on you."

Jane smiles a cocky grin. "Thank you. Can I help you roll some dough?"

"Please, here you go." Maura hands Jane some dough and their fingers brush. Maura tries to hide the shiver she feels at the contact.

"Are we doing the Feast of the Seven Fish tonight, Ma?"

"I do have a nice fish dinner planned, with some shrimp as an appetizer. I think Maura will enjoy it."

"I'm sure I will Angela. I am fascinated by authentic, cultural traditions for the holidays."

The next few hours are spent in the kitchen finishing the desserts, prepping for Christmas dinner and starting Christmas Eve dinner. Ingredients are passed, fingers brushed, smiles shared.

Jane looks over at Maura and sees some flour on her cheek. She reaches over and gently rubs her thumb across Maura's cheek. "You, uh, had a smudge of flour right there." They stare into each other's eyes.

"Girls! Would you like to pour some wine for dinner?"

Maura and Jane jump apart. "Of course. Jane? Beer or wine?"

"I'll have some wine tonight." Maura quirks an eyebrow.

As Maura pours the wine, her doorbell rings. "Jane, can you finish pouring?"

"Sure."

Maura goes to the door and opens it. "Mother!"

"Hello, darling. Merry Christmas. May I come in?"

"Of course you can, Mother. What are you doing here?"

"Your father has a conference in Turkey and I decided I would rather visit you. There are no rooms available nearby, do you mind if I stay with you?"

Jane is listening. No! First Ma dragging her shopping, now Constance here? Will I ever get a break?

"I would be delighted to have you stay, Mother." I can't have a sleepover with Jane if Mother is here. Shit! Oh! Language Maura!

Jo looks to Bass. Our Moms aren't too happy right now.

No Jo, they are not.

Merry Christmas to everyone! Jobee - I owe you a PM! Love to Flanders! Thank you all for the PMs and kind reviews. This update is short - sorry! A tad bit tired, but at least you do have a little reading. I thought this was a good place to end it. Enjoy your day everyone!