As always, I don't own the ladies, but I do love to borrow for fun!
Jane wakes up Christmas morning with a sense of deja vu. Jo's cold, wet nose was in her ear urging her to get up. Jane groans. Here we go again. I SHOULD be waking up at Maura's house getting ready to open presents before everyone else gets there. Sigh
"C'mon, Jo. Let's see what Santa left you in your stocking." Jane goes over to the small stocking she decorated for Jo. She pulls out a bone, tennis ball and squeeky Santa.
"Ok, Jo. You can pick out one new toy to bring with you to Maura's house. Let's remember to bring Bass his strawberries today, right girl?"
Jane runs into the shower, gives herself the extra spritz and even applies eyeliner without blinding herself. Black sweater and black skinny jeans on, fluff the hair, good to go!
"What are you bringing Jo? Your bone? Good girl! Let's go!" Jane and Jo walk out the door.
One minute later, the door opens again and Jane runs to the refrigerator. "Jo! You forgot the strawberries!" She grabs the container and runs back out the door.
Good Mom. It's Christmas and I want to make Bass happy.
Again they head out the door and are soon in Maura's driveway. Breath deep. How can I find out if Maura likes me more than a friend with both of our moms hovering around. I mean, I'm up for a challenge, but seriously?
She enters Maura's house and shouts out a raspy, "Merry Christmas!" She hears a chorus of Merry Christmases from the kitchen and heads that way.
Jane finds the ladies around the kitchen island. "Hey, Ma." Jane leans down to give her mother a kiss.
"Merry Christmas, Maura, Constance." Jane hands Maura the strawberries. "This is Jo's Christmas present to Bass."
Maura feels her heart melt. Jane is giving a Christmas present to Bass! "Thank you Jane. I believe Bass has a present for Jo." Maura goes to the tree and finds Jo's present. Jane unwraps the bag and finds a braided rope and a package of Greenies. "Those help promote better dental and gum health in dogs."
Jane flashes the trademark Rizzoli grin. "Thank you, Maura, and Jo's teeth thank you."
Maura inhales sharply and feasts her eyes on Jane. She looks exquisite in that black sweater. Simple, yet elegant. Oh, and when she smiles that smile... Be still my heart. How am I going to get through this day without dragging her to my bedroom?
"Girls? You wanna help put out the cheese trays and fruit and veggie platters for people to snack on?"
That's right. That is how I'm going to get through this day without dragging Jane to my bedroom. The mothers are here. That is like a cold shower.
"Be right there, Angela." Maura smiles at Jane. "Time to get to get to work Detective. We have company coming."
Jane grins. She said we. WE have company coming.
Maura goes into the kitchen to help Angela and Jane goes into the living room to put some Christmas music on softly.
The doorbell rings. "Jane, can you answer that?"
"Sure." Jane opens the door to Korsak and Frost. "Hey guys, Merry Christmas! Come on in!"
"Merry Christmas, partner. Merry Christmas Janie."
The guys make their way to Maura to wish her a Merry Christmas and are re-introduced to her mother. "Mrs. Isles, what a pleasant surprise."
"Detective Korsak, please, call me Constance."
"Only if you call me Vince."
Constance smiles at Vince. These are the people my daughter works with. Rough around the edges, but I've seen how they look out for her. She considers all of them her extended family.
Frankie and Tommy arrive a short while later and walk in.
"My boys! Merry Christmas boys, come give your Mom a big hug!"
Jane rolls her eyes. Maura grins at the family. The noise level in her home has risen significantly.
"Presents before or after dinner?"
"Tommy, we're adults! We can wait until after dinner!"
"But before dessert, right?" Tommy looks to Maura with hopeful eyes.
"Yes, Tommy. I see no reason we can't open presents before dessert."
"Yes!" Tommy walks over to his jacket and grabs something from his pocket.
"Dinner is ready!" Angela calls out. Everyone finds a seat at the table.
It is Christmas dinner, so everyone tries to share only funny stories, so laughter is shared on this day. Rondo stories, dumpster diving, flying tackles to 300lb suspects. Jane sits diagonal from Constance. "How long to you plan to visit Maura?"
"Well, as a matter of fact, I'm trying to convince Maura to come spend a few days in New York with me. We could do some shopping, go to some shows and museums."
Jane feels ill and swallows. She looks to Maura and raises an eyebrow. Maura shrugs. "I'm thinking of going. It would be lovely to spend some time with Mother." Maura sees the crestfallen look on Jane's face. "Just a couple of days."
Seriously? What else can go wrong?
Dinner is finished and the clean up process is begun. The guys get their beverages of choice and make their way into the living room. Tommy 'accidently' drops a napkin in the archway. "Hey, Maura? How do you change the music in here?"
Maura walks toward the living room and stops to pick up the napkin. Tommy come up next to her and grins. "Look up, Maura!"
Maura looks up and sees mistletoe hanging above her. Oh, no. Wrong Rizzoli!
There are hoots and laughter as Tommy gives a Maura a chaste kiss on the lips. Jane had just turned the corner in time to see the kiss. Her mouth drops open. Son of a bitch!
Frost takes a look at a look at Jane's face and runs up behind Tommy. "Hey, isn't it supposed to bring luck to kiss under the mistletoe? I need some luck!" He kisses Maura on the cheek.
Frankie starts to stand up, but Jane shoots him a death glare and he decides to sit back down.
Korsak whispers to Frost, "What are you doing? I saw Jane reach for her sidearm that she luckily isn't wearing!"
"Don't worry old man. I'm just trying to win our bet."
"Huh! Ain't going to happen with Mama Isles right here. No way Jane will kiss Maura under that mistletoe with all of us here. I still say Valentine's Day."
Frankie walks over to the two whispering. "What are you two old ladies gossiping about."
"The Bet."
"I still say it's going to be New Year's Eve."
A flustered Maura walks away from the mistletoe. "Let's open some presents!"
Presents are traded. Wrapping paper strewn all over the place. Paper balls go flying through the air. Constance sits in a slight bit of shock at the noise and mayhem.
Jane opens her present from Maura, a beautiful watch. "It is supposed to be the highest rated for ruggedness, for when you tackle those 300lb suspects. It also has a GPS and heartrate monitor, to help with running and even an alarm." Maura realizes that she is rambling, so adds quietly, "And an inscription..."
Jane looks at the back of the watch. "To J, (heart) M, Be Safe" Jane gets up and hugs Maura and whispers in her ear. "Just like Little Bass." Maura nods happily.
"Now your turn."
Maura opens the first gift. It is a picture ornament with only the year marking it. It is the picture of the two of them that Angela took when they went out to dinner. Maura smiles and immediately goes and hangs it on the tree. She sits back down to open the second box. She removes the packing and takes out a intricately designed glass ball. "It's beautiful Jane!"
Constance looks over at the gift. "Oh, that is a Josh Simpson World. He is a contemporary glass designer"
Of course her mother would know what that is. She is an artist.
"Yes. I like his world series, uninhabited, possibly inhabited and inhabited worlds. Maura, you have an inhabited world." Jane explains to Maura.
Maura clutches her world and hugs Jane. "Thank you for such a treasure!"
Jane is happy that Maura likes her gift, but so wishes she could have given it to her alone, when everyone else had gone home. She mentally sighs. The important thing is that she looks happy.
"Hey, Maura! Are you going to pass under the mistletoe any more tonight?" Tommy yells over to Maura.
"NO! She is not Thomas!" Jane growls at her brother. Way to ruin the moment bro!
A Rizzoli and Isles Christmas Day! Time is getting short people. I know, that's a happy and sad thought! Thank you for the PMs and reviews. You bring me such joy! Love to Belgium! One review asked, why doesn't Angela M. just tell Maura? That will be explained tomorrow! I hope you all had a lovely day! Another update tomorrow! Hugs!