Jane sits deep in the plush grey linen covered sofa in her best friend's sitting room. The room could have been torn directly from the pages of home and garden magazine but the photographs that had appeared sporadically over the past two years gave it a decidedly homely feel. The fire had been stoked and crackled in the background as Jane pulled her laptop into her, resting it on her elevated legs that were propped on the ottoman. Jane had made a decision. This year Christmas shopping would not involve a mad dash around the mall on the 24th December, or as in the case of two years ago a trip around a sketchy 7-eleven on the way back from a crime scene on Christmas morning.
Browsing through gift websites Jane allowed the feeling of utter contentment to wash over her, enjoying the fires heat moving over her skin and the smell of dinner drifting through from the kitchen. Clicking on the next item that caught her eye Jane began to read the embellished description excited to find a seemingly perfect gift for old partner and mentor Korsak. As she read the soft hand of Dr Maura Isles touched on the left shoulder, the good Doctor peering over her shoulder as she simultaneously offered a cold bottle of Jane's favourite beer. Grateful for the thoughtful gesture Jane turned her neck to look back at her friend in thanks.
"Hey" Jane said smiling with a goofy look completely unfamiliar to anybody besides Maura. Taking the bottle from her friend "thanks."
"So…" Maura smiled back before looking at the laptop screen "are you shopping?" The excited yet shocked look on Maura's face at the prospect of Jane voluntarily shopping, albeit online, looked like Christmas morning had come early.
"Yeah, I wanted to get some really nice gifts this year… I don't know, I just feel like I wanna make this Christmas extra special" Jane blushed as she spoke "I mean it's TJ's first propper Christmas where he knows whats happening, your folks are coming, ma's finally moving on from the divorce and I just don't wanna be the one handing out six packs of Sam Adams, boxes of batteries and 'windshield wonders' because I'm too disorganised to get you, I mean all of you guys, the gifts you deserve… I want to put some thought into it."
"A collar mounted lightweight video unit?"
"Yep, its ace… I just can't decide whether to get it for Vince or Jo Friday!"
Maura giggled and shook her head smiling. "I'll leave you to it, dinner will be ready in half an hour." As she walked away the young doctor's hand brushed over the detective's shoulders.
Maura walked back into her kitchen, the very heart of the house. When she had first purchased this property she had approached it in the only way she knew, in the way she had her first apartment in Paris, her town house in Oxford and her first condo in Boston back when she was at BCU. She arranged for the most exclusive and highly sought after interior designers and decorators, her mother had sent a selection of art work both from the family collection and newer pieces she had picked up traveling around the European art scene. It had been a complete success. They had created a tasteful yet comfortable environment as requested. It was the epitome of style. Classic in its American architecture yet with influence from Europe and Africa. That was just over three years ago when Maura started working as the Chief Medical Examiner of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Since taking up this prestigious position Maura found herself with an unrecognisable life. She had met her best friend, detective Jane Rizzoli, at work and after a bumpy start they developed a close friendship… a best friendship. Friendship with Jane came with nights out at the local cop bar the Dirty Robber, friendship with Jane's partners Vince Korsak and Barry Frost and adventures with Jane's loud Italian family. It was the inclusion in this family that Maura treasured so deeply and nine months ago after inviting Angela to move into her guesthouse following her unexpected divorce Maura found herself embroiled in every aspect of Rizzoli life. Her house is now home, full of people, full of laughter, full of drama, and slowly full of items and objects that were not part of the designers original concept! On the mantle sat a signed baseball Jane has purchased at the first charity auction they attended together, a basket sat neatly stacked with toys in the corner of the sitting room for TJ, and a high chair was a permanent fixture at the dining table and various items of sporting equipment filled the hall closet. Photographs litter the sideboards and windowsills, many in ad hoc frames, documenting occasions and events that Maura's held so dear. Even on the kitchen side, nestled in with the state-of-the-art coffee machine and waffle maker sat a photograph taken at the Boston police Department softball competition, when Maura had played her first game. In the photograph, taken by Vince, Jane stood behind Maura, her chest to the other woman's back, a strong long olive tan arm locked around the front of her neck, proudly hugging the doctor close. Maura looking back at Jane the widest grin brimming with pride at winning the game.
Maura was content, happier that she'd ever been in her life and excited by the thought of the upcoming holiday. Despite this, the socially awkward Doctor longed for something more. She was unsure what this "more" was so she repressed the feeling and carried on revelling in her happiness.
"Crap"
Brought back abruptly from her drifting thoughts Maura could hear frustrated cursing in the form of a gravelly voice coming from the sitting room.
"… Just here… Piece of shit browser… Double-click damn you…"
Smiling to herself she should've known that Jane could not spent more than a few minutes shopping without this reaction.
The cursing continued and a smile spread across Maura's face as she walked towards her blaspheming friend.
"Jesus… You were right here for God's sake… Where the hell has it all gone…"
Maura walked in front of the sofa and sat slowly next were best friend. Reaching a right hand out and gently stroking Jane's leg the seething brunette could be seen to physically calm.
"Jane…" Maura spoke the name slowly "I believe you may have broken your own record in having a computer-based breakdown". A look amusement was plastered on Maura's face as she looked up at her friend.
Jane pouted, her lower lip shooting out as she looked from the doctors hazel eyes to the screen. "But Maura, I was keeping little tabs open with all the awesome gifts that I found and now they all disappeared."
Maura chuckled at the four-year-old style antics of her friend. "It's not funny Maura, took me ages to find all that and now they have all gone. You'll probebly just get a Snickers Bar and shammy cloth for your present now."
Maura slid her right arm behind Jane shoulders so she could get closer to the brunette and the laptop. Reaching her left arm over she effortlessly clicked icons and with a final look directly at Jane's face loaded the close tabs. Not breaking eye contact Jane smiled and quietly whispered "thank you."
The bond between the two women was stronger than ever. Searching her friends eyes Maura lent forwards, the magnetic pull leaving her mind blank, her eyes flickering between Jane's lust filled orbs and her mouth. Jane licked her lips, her heart thudding deep in a chest…
The shrill sound of timer crashed through their moment, both women pulling away in a confusion of clearing throats, blushing cheeks and averting eyes.
"That will be the dinner. I'll just…" With that Maura left the sitting room leaving Jane staring at her retreating figure.
Jane and Maura eat in silence both lost in thought of what had nearly occurred moments earlier on the sofa. Realisation slowly hitting both women simultaneously.
"Are you" Jane squeaked out and then laughed. Clearing her throat she tried again "Are you sure you're ready for what this Christmas has to hold? The entire Rizzoli clan will be here for three whole days and one day of their unique brand of craziness is enough to drive anyone to the edge."
Maura looked at her dramatic friend and smiled "I'm sure I'll cope."
"what about ma? Her maternal instincts are going into hyperdrive at this time of year, she'll be cooking enough food to feed the 5000, she'll be fussing over everybody in the house and whenever TJ is here the whirlwind that is Angela will turn into a typhoon!"
"Jane, you know I love your family and am looking forward to a Christmas like I've never had. Anyway I want to meet the extended family. Angela talks about them fondly. I'm sure they will all be fun to spend time with. Now if you had enough food go back to your shopping… I'll pop these bits away and then maybe we can find a film to enjoy."
Curled up on the sofa with 'The Holiday' playing on the large screen TV Maura snuggled closer into Jane. "So tell me more about the Rizzoli Christmas traditions."
Jane mindlessly traced patterns on Maura's leg with her thumb "well… First off my mother enters her Christmas spirit with a bang on 1st December. I guess every year since we were kids she's used it as an excuse to have Tommy Frankie and me spend time with her. When we were kids we were always off goofing around, playing sports and hanging out with the neighbour kids so when December came round she started organising "Christmas" activities that were compulsory! This year with pa gone I guess she'll be even worse. If we survive the buildup to Christmas then the real terrifying activities start to take place. On Christmas Eve the entire Rizzoli family gets together for a day of food and drink. This year's Ma's year to host so they will be invading here. It's a pride thing, a competition on whose grandkids are the cutest, who has the most grandkids, whose kids have made the best marriages… Between the divorce and us three ma doesn't have much to gloat about."
"How could you say that Jane. TJ is a beautiful baby, Frankie is preparing for his detective exams and is a gentleman, Tommy has turned his life around and is providing for TJ, and you. You are beautiful, highly decorated detective, the hero of Boston. You will embody what love means, selflessly…"
Before she could finish Jane kissed Maura, taking her bottom lip between her own, the thumbs stroking the porcelain cheeks of the best friend.
Realising what she had done Jane freezes in place sucking a gasp of shock and with it the taste and scent Maura. Unmoving.
Maura quickly grabbed Janes face holding in place, her lips still brushing those of the Italian. "Jane, Jane please don't pull away… It's okay… don't leave me… I love you… I'm in love with you… Please don't panic… I love you Jane... don't panic."
Jane opened her eyes immediately finding comfort in Maura. With a single tear rolling Jane takes a sharp intake of breath. "Your eyes have stars in them."
Maura let out a sob of relief.
"Maura I love you but I'm not ready. I'm not ready to face ma or the family. And I'm scared, I'm scared I'm going to screw this up and ruin the best thing that ever happened to me. You, you're the best thing that ever happened to me and I can't lose you".
"You won't Jane, I promise I will let you" Maura Kiss Jane again and again "I love you."
Jane rested her forehead on Maura's and let her eyelids drop. "But the rest of them"
"It's simple Jane, we won't tell them. They won't notice any change in our relationship status until we decide to tell them. I promise I won't rush you."
Jane opened her eyes and looked again at Maura "in that case, this could be fun." With a grin and a wink Jane tentatively leaned in to capture her best friend's lips once more in an ever deepening Kiss.