"Jane how many people are coming over today for the cookout?" Maura asked her wife as she cooked their breakfast.
"Just the usual suspects babe. You know Ma, Frankie, Nina, Tommy, TJ, Susie, Frost, Korsak and Kiki" Jane replied as she got out the plates and set the table for their breakfast.
"Did you get the sparklers for TJ?" Maura asked, knowing that her wife might have gotten them but not brought them in the house yet.
"Yes, they had so many different types so I got some of each. I got him snakes also, they had different color snakes so I got some of each color. They had them with cars, trucks and frogs and so many different things. I got some parachute toys also that make noise when they hit the ground. I placed all the firework stuff in the garage. I also picked up some items to help clean up the mess after we have our fun with the fireworks. I don't want the neighbors to be upset with us. Oh, I think Frost said something about bringing his girlfriend. He felt it was time she met his extended family." Jane stated as she hugged Maura from behind as Maura took the bacon out of the pan. Jane tried to reach and grab a piece of bacon but Maura slapped her hand and she had to drop it back on the plate.
"Oh, that is great. I have been wanting to meet her. They have been dating for months now and we have not seen her yet. Not sure if TJ will still be awake when the finale starts, it might be too late for him. I think we should be able to see the larger fireworks from here. Our we planning on going to Boston Gardens or just staying here to watch the fireworks?" Maura said as she brought the food over to the table with Jane in tow. Jane had reached in the refrigerator and grabbed the orange juice and water.
"The plan was to just stay here unless you really want to fight the crowds at Boston Gardens. Last year we were able to see almost all of the fireworks from here. The smaller ones were hard to see but the larger ones we saw just fine. TJ enjoyed the fireworks last year until he fell asleep right before the finale." Jane said as she remembered last year's celebration and sat down at the table.
"Frankie and Nina are coming over early, right?" Maura asked as she plated some food for Jane and then herself.
"Yes Maur, I am letting Frankie cook this year and Nina is his official helper. I am stepping back and letting him handle it. I want to light the sparklers and snakes with TJ and generally just drink a few beers and have fun." Jane said as Maura handed her a plate of food.
"You really are a big kid, aren't you?" Maura laughingly asked.
"No, I just enjoy having fun and making sure our nephew has a good time. I am sure he has seen some of the fireworks that have been going off throughout the city in the last few days." Jane thought for a moment and then said, "Okay, maybe I am like a big kid. I just like to have fun, is there anything wrong with that?" Jane questioned as she took a bite of bacon.
"No, not at all, love. That is one of the things I love about you. Around me you are not afraid to be yourself. I like seeing all these different sides of my badass detective."
"Maur, I love you and I am myself, my true self around you. You can't tell anyone about my nice and gentle sides though, I have my reputation to uphold and you are right I am your badass detective, only yours."
"Of course, Jane. I wouldn't do anything to diminish your reputation." She walked over and gave Jane a big kiss and then said, "Did you know that fireworks have been used to celebrate the 4th of July since 1777? The display is seen as a sign of happiness. The Chinese developed fireworks somewhere between 920 and 1200 AD. They felt the use of sound and colors would ward off evil spirits."
"No, I didn't know that. I never really thought about why we use fireworks on the fourth of July. That is cool though. Do you think TJ knows all that? Maybe you can tell him when he gets here."
"I am not sure how much he knows. I guess we will find out when he gets here. I love how he is fascinated when I impart my wealth of knowledge on him. He is like a sponge taking it all in." Maura said.
"He loves you Maur, he wants to talk with you and learn from you. He always has. Sometimes I think he loves you more than he loves me." Jane stated.
"That's not possible love. I think he loves us equally, maybe differently but equally." Maura said as she rose to take her plate over to the sink. "Now what time are we starting the fireworks tonight?"
"Well, we want it to be dark so about 20 minutes after it starts getting dark, we should start. Everyone will be done with all the cleanup from the cookout by then and we will have all the chairs set up." Jane said as she also took her plate to the sink. They washed the dishes and cleaned up the breakfast mess and then shortly afterwards Tommy and TJ arrived.
"TJ wanted to get over here as soon as we could. He said he wanted to play with his favorite Aunts. I swear that young man loves the two of you more than me sometimes." Tommy said as he looked in the refrigerator for something to eat.
"Just help yourself to our food little brother." Jane slapped her brother on the back as she walked by him.
"Ow, Janie, that hurt. Maura said I could help myself anytime I came over so that is what I am doing. My sister-in-law makes sure I am taken care of." Tommy said as he frayed annoyance at the slap Jane had laid on his back. Tommy walked over towards the TV he wanted to watch the parade.
"Well, I think Maura and I pretty much have everything ready. Frankie will be cooking this year and all the burgers are prepared and waiting in the refrigerator out by the grill with the hot dogs. Right now, I just want to light up some sparklers and snakes with TJ." Jane said as she walked over to her nephew.
"TJ do you want to light up some sparklers and snakes?" Jane asked TJ as she approached him.
"Yes, Auntie Jane, I would love to." TJ gladly answered.
"Okay buddy, let's go out to the garage and get what we need. There is a spot out by the pool that we can use to light up the snakes and watch them grow." Jane said with a smile. She really was looking forward to doing this with TJ.
"Hey can I join you guys?" Maura asked as she watched Jane and TJ walk towards the garage.
"Yes, Auntie Maura, come on." TJ motioned for her to join them and reached out and took her hand when she got close enough to him. Jane just looked at her nephew and then at Maura. TJ hadn't motioned to take Jane's hand so she just reached down and lightly grabbed his other hand. Maura just looked at Jane and whispered, "It's not a competition Jane. He loves us both." Jane just made a face and led them into the garage to get the supplies they needed. "Jane, I'm speaking the truth, he loves us both."
"I know I guess I just feel like he loves you more and I shouldn't feel that way. You're right he loves us both." Right then TJ walked up and hugged his Aunt Jane. "Thank you, Auntie Jane for getting all these fun things for us. You always try and make sure I have fun and I appreciate that."
"You are welcome buddy. I love you so much. I enjoy it when you come over to play with me, with us." Jane said as she took her wife's hand.
"Good, can we play now? I want to set up our snakes and see if we can get them to grow into each other and see how high they will climb up each other."
"That sounds like a great plan buddy. Let's do it." Jane said as she helped TJ and Maura take the snakes and sparklers out to the backyard. About an hour later Frankie and Nina arrived. Frankie wanted to make sure he had everything ready so the burgers and dogs would be ready on time. An hour later the rest of the extended family arrived. With everybody present and all the laughing and joking Jane thought to herself 'This will be a great 4th of July celebration.'