Hi everyone. As I always say, I own none of these lovely characters, but I do love to borrow them and play!

Ding

Maura looks down at her phone to find a text from her friend Angela.

Angela: Hey Maura sweetie! What's news? It's been forever!

Maura: Angela! What a pleasure to hear from you. Yes, it has been a long time since our last communication.

Angela: So, has tall, dark and sexy proposed yet?

Maura chuckles at Angela's description.

Maura: No, she has not yet.

Angela: Think it will be at Christmas, or maybe Valentine's Day?

Maura: I really don't know what she has planned, but I could tell you MY plans...

Maura didn't need to wait long, instead of a text, her phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Spill the beans, Doll. What are you doing? Are you going to propose? Where? When? How?"

Maura laughs at her friend's ramblings. "Angela! One thing at a time! What do you want to know first?"

"How about where and when?"

Maura looks around for Jane. She decides to head into her office and close the door.

"Paris on New Year's Eve. I plan to give her the trip as a Christmas present."

"Wow. What about the ring. Please don't tell me it's a 2 carat diamond from Tiffany's. That will freak out our practical detective."

"I know. I had a local goldsmith make me a beautiful white gold ring with an emerald stone. I also had her make a matching necklace that I plan to give Jane on Christmas."

Angela pauses on the phone. "Emerald is a nice choice, but why."

"Jane says that at times, my eyes remind her of sparkling emeralds."

"Very romantic, my friend. OK, now, tell me how."

Maura twirls in her chair to face her computer. "Well, I have to rethink that. I had thought to dress warmly and be outside to watch the fireworks over the Eiffel Tower, but Jane does not like crowds. I have to give that some thought."

Angela wanted more information. "Where are you staying."

"The Hôtel Plaza Athénée, of course."

"Of course, silly me for asking that! Is it a room with a view?"

Maura checks her computer. "Yes, we will be able to see the Eiffel Tower from the room."

"Maura, sweetie. What do I keep telling you? Keep it simple sweetie. Why not room service, champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and a proposal while watching the fireworks from the comfort of your room."

Maura ponders Angela's suggestion. She could cancel the dinner reservations she had. Jane would possibly prefer to have a romantic evening in the room.

"Angela, thank you for that suggestion. I think that will solve my dilemma."

"Great. I have to run now honey. Jack is waiting for me. I will be in touch before Christmas. Bye, love."

"Good bye, Angela. It was a pleasure to talk to you."

"Hey, Maur! Where are you?" Jane shouts from the kitchen.

Maura answers Jane. "I'm in my office."

Jane walks through the door as Maura casually closes out of her browser. "Ready to go grocery shopping?"

Maura checks her phone. "Yes, I have the shopping list right here."

"Can we add Captain Crunch cereal?" Jane puts on her best puppy dog face.

"Jane, I thought we were going to try to eat healthier for the holidays."

Jane kicks at the rug. "Oh, all right. Fine." Make a note. It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission. Next time, try to sneak it in the carriage and distract her at the cashier.

They head to the grocery store...

Jane pushes the carriage in the grocery store. Maura is looking at the grocery list on her Smartphone and the items in their carriage.

"I think we have most of our items."

They round the corner and Jane sees the Christmas display filled with holiday colored candies. Excitement fills Jane.

"Um. You know. I don't think we have any apples left. Could you run back and get some?"

"Jane, we have some Fugi apples right here."

"Uh, right. Um. Ma wants to make an apple pie and she uses McIntosh. Could you go get a bag and I'll meet you at the cashier?"

"Of course, Jane."

As soon as Maura is out of sight, Jane looks at the colorful display. What to choose? She spots something that intrigues her. Cotton Candy in little plastic containers decorated with either Santa Clause or a snowman. "I didn't get any cotton candy this summer. Perfect!"

Jane puts the cotton candy in the carriage, hiding it beneath the kale. She hurries to the cash register line. She sees Maura coming with the bag of apples. She quickly gives the cashier their bags and begins to load the belt. First item - cotton candy.

Maura is handing Jane the apples. Jane sees the container is not yet in their bags. "Hey, Maura. Isn't that Susie over there?" Jane points down an aisle.

Maura looks over her shoulder. "Where, Jane?"

Cotton candy in bag! "Oh, I must be mistaken. Hey, I'm sure you have plenty to do when we get home, why don't you let me put away the groceries."

Maura arches an eyebrow. "Well, thank you, Jane, but we can do it together."

"No, no. I insist. Why don't you make sure all the Christmas songs are in our playlist so we can get into the holiday spirit?"

"If you don't mind doing the groceries, I will organize our music."

Jane smiles. It's a small guilty pleasure to sneak something past Maura, but she also knows that she will confess it at some point tonight. She may even be able to tempt Maura to sample the sugary confection.

Ok, I missed a day. As you can (hopefully) see, I'm trying to string these together and be more fluid with the chapters instead of one shots. Thank you to all you wonderful readers. I really enjoy getting the reviews. Thank you again. I hope you are enjoying the story. Do you like Maura's plan? :)

Hugs to all!

My love to Belgium!