A nod to Tess Gerritsen and TNT: Thank you for creating these lovely characters that we love to play with at times.

Ding

Jane grunts and cracks an eye open. "It's Ma, she wants to know if we are awake."

"Mmmmph."

Ding

"She's baking."

"Hmmm?"

Ding

"Cranberry scones with white chocolate chips. They'll be ready in 15 minutes."

A smile appears on Maura's face. "Yes, we are awake."

Jane gets up on her elbow and texts Angela back.

We'll start the coffee.

"Are you sure you don't want to cuddle for a while?" Jane tries to pull Mara closer.

Maura holds up a hand preventing Jane from pulling her too close"Jane, I love you, but…. Scones."

"You are totally right, let's go down and start that coffee."

The ladies are sitting at the island when Angela walks through the door with a small wicker basket covered with a cloth napkin. Angela places the basket on the island and lifts the napkin. A delicious smell wafts to the ladies making their mouths water.

"Here you go girls, let me know what you think." Angela is looking around while Jane and Maura reach hungrily for a scone. "Um, do you plan to decorate for Christmas?"

Maura is nodding her head as she chews. Jane talks through half a mouthful of scone. "Oh, my God Ma. These are the best yet. Yea, this weekend or next weekend we'[l decorate. We've got plenty of time."

Angela raises a Rizzoli eyebrow. "You do realize that Christmas is only two and a half weeks away, right?"

"What? No, it's like three and a half weeks, isn't it?"

Angela is shaking her head. "Thanksgiving was very late this year. Christmas is sneaking up on a lot of people."

Jane pulls out her phone to look at the calendar. "Damn, she's right." She shows her phone to Maura who is happily eating a second scone. Her eyes widen.

Angela rolls her eyes. "Ok, what are your plans today? I'm going to help you." Jane and Maura look helplessly at each other but realize they could use her help.

"Jane and I were going out to dinner and then to look at the city's decorated Christmas trees tonight."

Angela is nodding. "That sounds nice, and you have all day to start decorating the house. Maura, you get the boxes. Jane, you go get the tree."

Maura starts coughing. Jane pounds her on the back as Angela gives her a glass of water. "You ok, sweetheart?"

Maura sips the water and clears her throat. "About the Christmas tree. We don't have one right now, but I do expect one to arrive today or tomorrow."

Jane is confused. "What? What happened to our tree?"

Maura concentrates very hard to believe what she is about to say. It was difficult to try to surprise Jane. She couldn't 'lie' without breaking out with hives. "Well, ours was getting a little old, so I thought it would be nice to donate it to a women's shelter and buy a new one."

Jane looks at her suspiciously but decides not to push the issue. Maura was up to something."Ok… Well, then. I'll go get the boxes of decorations. Ma will help us today and we'll decorate the tree tomorrow."

Angela is rubbing her hands together. "Do you have garland for the staircase? You know, I heard that Home Depot has a sale on poinsettia plants. Jane, you should go buy some today or tomorrow."

A trip to Home Depot, a pizza lunch, and the three ladies look at their handy work. Garland ran down the banister, the mantel was decorated, poinsettias framed the fireplaced and were scattered throughout the house. A wreath was on the door with a poofy red bow. Angela is nodding, "Good job ladies. This place looks very festive now."

Maura agrees. "Thank you, Angela. We couldn't have done it without you."

Jane has to tease her mother, "Well we could have, but not as well or as quickly, and with a lot less bossy comments."

Angela huffs and slaps Jane with a dishtowel. "Well, if that's the way you feel about it…"

Jane ducks the towel and goes to hug her mother. "Just joking, Ma! Thank you for your help."

Mollified, Angela looks at her watch. "Plenty of time for you to get ready and go out."

"Why don't you come with us, Angela?"

"Yea, Ma. That sounds like a good idea. Have dinner, walk around and look at the Christmas trees."

"Aw, that's very sweet of you girls. Thank you, but I have to go home and get ready for my own date tonight." She smiles and walks out the door.

"Wait, what?" Jane looks at Maura who can only shake her head and shrug.

Happy Saturday everyone! It is a sunny day here and I will be doing some Christmassy things myself.

Stay sane!

Hugs to all