Six Days Later

Jane woke Christmas Eve morning to an empty bed. For the last week Maura had been sleeping in her room along with Noelle. Every morning they would wake when Noelle began to fuss and every night they would all sleep in the bed together.

Most nights it seemed their body's would gravitate to one another and Jane would wake in the middle of the night with Maura's head resting on her chest. To say Jane enjoyed the feeling of having Maura in her arms was an understatement.

Jane stretched as every joint in her body seemed to pop with the motion. She rubbed her eyes and looked over at the clock that read 10 AM. She must have been more exhausted than she thought having not heard Maura or Noelle leave the room.

Jane had spent a lot of late hours over the last few days actively searching for Natalie. She was determined to find her before the New Year. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't dislodge the seed of doubt Riley had planted about the possibility of Natalie not turning up again at all.

Jane shut her eyes for a moment, determined to get a few more minutes of sleep, but that was short lived when her mother's laughter echoed up the stairs. She groaned before sitting upright.

"It's too early for this," she said out loud to no one but herself. She decided she wasn't ready for her mother's cheerful ramblings just yet. First she would get a hot shower then she would go downstairs for lots of coffee and breakfast. Her stomach quickly agreed as it rumbled loudly. By the time she got showered and dressed it was pushing 11 AM.

When she walked into the kitchen she was greeted by her ma.

"Well, it's about time. I was about to send Maura upstairs to see if you were breathing."

Maura laughed. "Don't be too hard on her Angela. She's been putting in a lot of late nights looking for Noelle's mother."

"Still nothing huh? What are you going to do if you can't find her?"

"Why does everyone keep asking that?" Jane asks, unable to hide the annoyance in her voice. "If I can't find her I'm going to adopt Noelle. What else would I do?"

Maura slipped a cup of coffee into Jane's hands.

"Here. Drink this. Maybe it will make you a little less crabby," Maura says with a chuckle. "Be nice to your mom. It's Christmas Eve."

"Yeah! What she said!" Angela piped in. "Between you and Nina, maybe we'll just put you two in a room so you can be crabby together."

Jane glanced over to see Nina and Frankie sitting at the kitchen table. She hadn't even noticed they were already there.

"Hey Frankie, Nina. How are you feeling?"

Frankie's eyes widened as he shook his head no at Jane but it was too late. Nina burst into tears.

"W,w,what'd I say?"

"I'm so sick of being pregnant. She's never coming out!" Nina said as huge tears rolled down her cheeks.

"I promise Nina, never in the history of medicine has a baby NOT come out," Maura said matter of factly. "If you don't go into labor in the next few days we will see about scheduling an induction. The good news is you were already dilated to a three a week ago. When you do go, that should make it a speedier labor."

Nina glared at Maura as if Maura herself was keeping her labor from coming.

"So, what's for breakfast?" Jane asks, changing the subject so she could get Nina's mind off her misery.

"Breakfast? Breakfast was hours ago Jane. It's lunchtime. I brought a sandwich tray for us all to make sandwiches for lunch. For dinner, I'm going to make lasagna."

Jane smiled for the first time that morning. "Of course you are ma. It wouldn't be Christmas Eve if you didn't." For as long as Jane could remember her ma had made her famous Lasagna for their traditional Christmas Eve meal. She couldn't wait to pass some traditions on to her own kids. Speaking of kids.

"Where's Noelle?" Jane asks as she looks around the room.

"She's in the living room with Tommy, Lydia, and TJ."

Jane nodded. "I'll be right back," she said as she leaned in and kissed Maura on the cheek.

"Would you mind opening the door while you are in there Jane? Mom just texted me and said she's going to have an armful. She won't be able to open the door."

"Sure," Jane says.

Jane made her way to the living room and greeted Tommy and Lydia before reaching out for Noelle who was sitting in Lydia's lap. Noelle immediately went to her.

"Good morning kiddo," Jane says as she kisses the little girl on the cheek.

"Mommy got all the dirty work this morning huh? Did you give mama a break?"

"Mommy ?" Tommy asks, raising his eyebrows. "Mama?" Lydia pipes in with an equally questioning glance.

Jane shrugged. "I've been looking for Natalie and it's like she doesn't want to be found. Someone has to raise this little girl."

"So you and Maura are going to do that. Together." Tommy had a huge shit eating grin on his face. "Have you at least asked her out yet or are you just skipping straight to sharing a child?" Lydia poked Tommy in the ribs. "That's none of our business."

"Yeah Tommy. What she said." Jane shook her head as she walked over and put Noelle in the playpen.

"I'm going to ask her OK. I've just been waiting for the right time. I want to be sure. I want to know she's not going to run for the hills."

"That's not going to happen." Jane looked up and saw Nina had walked in on the tail end of the conversation. She sat down on the couch beside Lydia.

"Listen, you didn't hear it from me, but I happen to know Maura feels the same way about you. I know for one hundred percent certain there will be no running."

Jane stood there in shock staring at Nina.

"You're sure?"

Nina nodded. "Positive."

Jane was standing there trying to process that when she heard some shuffling outside the door.

"Shit, I forgot about Hope!"

She quickly made her way over to the door and opened it.

"Sorry, H…" She stopped as she saw who was standing on the other side.

"Natalie!"

The young brunette looked alarmed. "I, i'm sorry. I was just dropping off some presents for Noelle's birthday. I, I was just going to leave them here." She wasted no time turning to go.

"Whatever it is isn't going to go away until you quit running Natalie."

Natalie stopped in her tracks.

"I love my baby."

Jane nodded even though Natalie's back was to her and she couldn't see her.

"No one said you didn't. You said in your letter you needed our help. Are you going to let us help you or are you going to just continue running away from whatever it is that's going on?"

Natalie didn't answer but she wasn't running either so that was a good sign.

"Look, do you at least want to see her?"

Natalie turned and nodded.

"If, if I tell you what is going on, will you arrest me?" Natalie asked as tears threatened to fall.

So Coop was right. She was involved in something illegal. Damn it, Jane thought to herself.

"Natalie, I'm not even a cop anymore. I haven't been a cop for over a year. When you saw me at BPD I was just there helping with the nativity for a friend. Come on. It's cold out here. Let's get you inside to warm up and you can see Noelle."

Jane guided Natalie inside, shutting the door behind them. She walked over to the playpen and picked up Noelle before walking her over and placing her in Natalie's arms.

"Natalie, this is my brother Tommy and his wife Lydia, and this is my other sister n' law, Nina."

"Hi," Natalie said shyly.

There was a thud of someone hitting against the door.

"Damn it. Tommy, can you let Hope in? I forgot to leave it open for her.."

"Jane, what's taking so…" Maura stopped when she saw Natalie standing in the living room holding Noelle.

She scoffed. "You have to be kidding me."

"Maur…"

"I don't want to hear it, Jane. There is not a single thing she can say that can change what she did. You have some nerve. Do you really think you can just drop your baby off in front of a police station and then just come waltzing back in like nothing happened?"

"I can explain," Natalie says, tears once more making their way to her eyes.

"I don't wanna…" Jane walked over and placed her hand on Maura's shoulder.

"Let's hear her out, Maura. We don't know what's going on yet."

Jane walked over and took Noelle who started to scream.

"Oh, I know baby. I know. Mama will be back soon. I promise," Jane says as she passes Noelle over to Lydia.

At that point Tommy wasn't sure if Jane was referring to herself or Natalie but he wasn't about to ask.

"Hey everyone, Merry Christmas," Hope says as she comes walking in with an arm load of gifts.

Jane held up her hand. "Merry Christmas Hope. Give us a second if you don't mind," Jane said before turning her attention back to Natalie.

"Natalie, come on. We can go into Maura's office and you can fill us in on what's going on. Then, if you want, you are welcome to join us for lunch and dinner."

Maura scoffed but Jane gave her a pleading look and she relented. "My office is just over here," Maura remarks, the edge still present in her words.

Jane motioned for Natalie to follow Maura before turning to Tommy and Lydia. "Can you two..."

"We got it sis, go on," Tommy said before Jane could ask. Jane nodded and headed to Maura's office.

Once inside Jane shut the door and turned to Natalie. "Start talking," she said as she leaned against Maura's desk.

Natalie took a seat in one of the nearby chairs. Having dealt with Jane before she knew there was no way to beat around it.

"It all started when Noelle was about six months old. Everything just went downhill so quickly I didn't know how to stop it. I lost my parents, my job and then my apartment. I had to do something, so I started prostituting myself again. I needed more money so I started working for a pimp. He could help me bring in the big money you know? He started having me sell drugs for him as well. I needed the money so I didn't argue."

Natalie paused and swallowed down the lump in her throat as she fought to hold back her tears.

"It was okay for a while until one day I didn't make as much as he hoped so he threatened me with Noelle. He said if I didn't start bringing in more he would take her and sell her to the highest bidder. So I took Noelle one day and left. It wasn't long after that that I found a small place in the suburbs to live and began to strip for high end clients."

Maura stopped Natalie there as she held up her hand. "Where was Noelle when you began to strip?" Jane placed her hand over Maura's to keep her calm.

"Go on Natalie," Jane said calmly.

"I would leave her with the sweet lady who lived above me. She had two kids of her own so I knew Noelle would be okay while I was gone. I was doing what I could to take care of her on my own but after a few weeks I got word that he was looking for me. I had to keep Noelle safe. He could find me and do whatever but I couldn't let him get to her. When I saw you two outside the station I knew what I needed to do. I knew she would be safe with you. I didn't have anyone else to turn to," Natalie finished as she looked down at the floor.

Jane scoffed before hardening her gaze on Natalie.

"You could have just approached me, Natalie. Instead, you decided that the best option was to leave your baby girl out in the freezing cold?!" As Jane's voice began to rise Natalie started to sob.

"Why didn't you come to me BEFORE you did all this stupid shit? Did you not learn from before?! What would have happened if some stranger would have come across Noelle rather than Maura and I? Huh? Or him? What if he was trailing you? What were plans for after New Years? What, were you just planning on showing up one day like, Hey I'm Noelle's mom. Thanks for taking her in, I'm just going to take her and disappear now!"

With each word Jane said Natalie began to weep louder and harder.

It was then, as Maura heard the sobs emitting from the young girl, that she finally took in her appearance. She was thin, almost fragile. What exposed skin Maura could see showed signs of bruising that was now fading. Maura came to the conclusion that some of Natalie's "high end clients", as she called them, had become rough and handsy at times.

When Natalie looked up, her eyes red rimmed, Maura's anger completely dissolved and her heart broke. Here was a young woman with a one year old who lost everything and tried her best to do whatever she could to take care of her child.

Maura didn't condone the decisions Natalie made but she could respect her for doing whatever necessary to keep Noelle safe. She could understand that because there's nothing she wouldn't do or lines she wouldn't cross herself for that little girl.

Maura was brought back to present when Jane had abruptly pulled away from her. Jane went to speak but Maura intervened. She understood Jane's frustration but the last thing Natalie needed right now was someone, a former cop to be exact, to point out her mistakes. She could see the regret and shame in the young woman's eyes.

Stepping forward, Maura placed her hand on Jane's shoulder and spoke softly.

"Jane, I know you're upset because you care for Noelle and Natalie both deeply but sweetie the last thing she needs right now is for you to yell and feel like we are judging her."

Maura watched as Jane's features softened as she looked from her to Natalie, seeing fully what Maura had only moments ago realized. Jane took a deep breath before taking a seat next to Natalie.

"Maura's right, you don't need me yelling at you but for what it's worth Nat, you've made some stupid decisions but I think you realize that don't you?"

Natalie nodded. "But you should know that we have both come to love that little girl out there and so has my family. So if you're planning on just taking her away from all of us..."

Jane didn't get to finish as Natalie shook her head. "I wouldn't do that. I mean, that was my plan before, but when I saw you all at the Christmas parade I knew that you all care for her as much as I do."

Natalie paused as she began to fidget. She looked over at Jane and then Maura.

"I'm scared, I don't know what to do from here. If he finds her..." This time it was Maura who cut in and spoke.

"Natalie, we know you are scared but that's not going to happen. We won't let that man get to you or Noelle."

"W,what do I do from here?" Natalie asked, tears starting to run down her face again. Maura reached out and wiped them away.

"We don't have to figure that out right this minute okay? Right about now you are probably in one of the safest places you could be. There's two police officers in this house right now, three if you still include Jane. Plus, there's two more coming that should be here any minute. So for right now, Jane's offer still stands. We would like it if you joined us for lunch and stayed for dinner as well and I know Noelle would love to spend time with you."

Natalie looked from Maura to Jane. Jane nodded with a smile of reassurance. The young woman looked back at Maura with a small smile of her own.

"I would like that a lot, thank you."

"You're welcome," both women said in unison.

Natalie chuckled, "I have to say, you two are the cutest couple. I'm glad I left Noelle with you two. Your future kids will be so lucky to have you."

Maura and Jane both blushed at Natalie's comment before Jane changed the subject as she cleared her throat.

"Uh, who's hungry? Ma should have everything ready."

"Right," Maura said as she tried to calm her rapid beating heart. Natalie didn't seem to notice the embarrassment she caused as she stood from her chair.

Maura and Jane walked her to the door. As Natalie stepped out Jane put her arm around Maura's shoulders and kissed the side of her head.

"Thank you for helping me keep my cool and knowing just what to say and when to say it." Jane mumbled against the side of her head.

Maura smiled as she leaned into Jane's side a bit more. "Anytime Jane. I'll always be there when you need me."

Jane stepped back a little and smiled the one smile she reserved just for Maura.

"You really mean that?" She asked as she looked deeply into hazel green eyes. Oh how I want to kiss Maura at this moment she thought to herself as Maura smiled back up at her.

"You know I can't lie Jane."

Jane laughed before she pulled Maura into a side hug. "Let's go have lunch."

Jane was making herself a sandwich when her phone chimed. She pulled it out of her pocket and looked.

"Ry said she'll be here shortly."

Angela nodded. "Korsack is on the way as well."

Jane focused on finishing her sandwich and went and sat at the table next to Maura, and the rest of the family filed in with their food as well.

"So, you and Maura haven't forgotten about midnight mass right?"Angela asked.

Jane stopped and stared at her ma mid chew before swallowing, then she replied.

"Come on ma! I'm a Catholic. You know that but, not like, you know, one of the church going ones. We go through this every year."

Natalie snorted as she laughed, sending her water she was drinking up through her nose. "Sorry," she said, as she picked up a napkin and cleaned up the mess. In her lap, Noelle was trying in earnest to help her.

"OK. I'll make you a deal. I will go if Maura does." Jane knew there was no way Maura would go.

"Why would I go Jane? You know I don't believe in the great sky fairy that lives up there in the sky. It's just as much of a fairy tale as that San…" Maura stopped mid sentence, remembering TJ was at the table. "I'm just saying, it's more of your thing."

Suddenly Maura felt someone hit her in the back of the head. "Ouch!" She rubbed at the offended spot while turning to look to see who hit her.

It was Angela. Jane, Tommy, and Frankie all laughed and laughed.

"Welcome to the family Maur. Ma does that to everyone she loves. Ow!" Jane said as Angela hit her in the back of the head next. "What was that for?"

"For that not a church going Catholic comment. Now, maybe I was misunderstood. Let me clear up any confusion. This wasn't a discussion. It was an announcement. We are all going to church tonight as a family and we're going to enjoy it damn it!"

There was a collective groan from everyone at the table.

"Hey! Where's everyone at?" Jane heard Riley call from the front door.

"We're in the kitchen Ry. Get in here and get you something to eat."

Riley came walking in with Korsak trailing behind her, as well as Maura's sister Cailin, who they had not expected until later.

"Hey Cailin, we didn't think you were going to make it in until later," Maura says as she stands and hugs her sister before nodding at Korsak and Riley. "Glad you two could join us."

"I had some last minute shopping to get in this morning but I got it done earlier than I anticipated. Thank God. It's a madhouse out there."

There was a chorus of activity as everyone greeted everyone else and talked amongst themselves.

Jane caught Riley staring at Natalie.

"I'll explain later," she mouthed. Riley nodded.

After lunch everyone enjoyed spending some quality time together.

There were lots of Christmas sweets baked,including a special batch for TJ to take home for Santa.

"What about Noelle Aunt Janie?" TJ asks as he looks up at Jane with curious eyes.

"We've talked about that buddy. Remember? Noelle is too little."

TJ laughed. "Not for Noelle silly. For Santa when he comes to see Noelle!"

"Oh! You're right! You hear that ma? We need another bag for Santa!"

They also had an ugly Christmas sweater contest. Korsack won. They played a game called Chinese Christmas which was good for tons of laughs. Then they all watched It's a Wonderful Life with the exception of Angela and Hope who were in the kitchen working on dinner.

After they ate dinner there was more movie watching along with popcorn. Finally, it was time to head to midnight mass.

It was a short drive to the church, everyone taking their own separate cars so they could head home afterwards. They would reconvene Christmas day for dinner.

Music, More Music. Prayer. The telling of Christ's birth story at which time Maura had to poke Jane several times to keep her awake. It was past her bedtime. Communion, more music. Jane was starting to think this was going to go on forever. She was so grateful when they announced the closing prayer she accidentally breathed an audible sigh of relief which earned her a glare from her ma.

As they prayer began, Nina, who was down a ways from Jane, felt a sudden tightening of her belly, followed by a gush of water going everywhere.

She quickly sat down. "Frankie."

She tried to call him quietly but he wasn't hearing her.

"FRANKIE!" She said louder.

Everyone looked down towards her and Angela shushed her.

"My water just broke," she mouthed to Frankie.

"Are you sure?" He mouthed back.

"Well, it's either that or I pissed my pants," she said sarcastically.

Frankie leaned beside him where Cailin was sitting with Hope.

"Tell Maura Nina's in labor." The message then went through a line of people like an old fashioned game of telephone.

However, Maura didn't have to wait for the message to make it to her as Nina announced it to the entire congregation as she screamed SON OF A BITCH! GOD THAT HURTS!"

A gasp swept through the crowd.

"Oh come on! I know you people aren't going to act like you haven't ever heard a damn curse word. Shit. See ma. This is why I don't go to church. It's always full of hypocrites," Jane said loudly as Angela turned beet red.

"Come on. Let's get her out of here," Maura said.

The entire congregation watched as the huge family made their way down the pew, down the church isle, and out the double doors leading to the foyer.

"I'm going to go get the car," Frankie said, as he disappeared outside just as Maura hung up the phone.

"We have a problem. Labor and delivery at Mass General is full and that's the hospital where mom and I have attending rights.

Nina grimaced as another contraction hit her and she spoke through the pain. "Great! I'll just show myself to the nearest freaking manger!"

Maura chuckled. "Don't be silly. We'll just take you to the next nearest hospital. There are other doctors out there. It will be fine and mom and I can stay with you."

Nina shook her head. "No. You're my doctor. I don't want anyone else delivering this baby. We discussed Hope if there's an emergency but no one else."

"Well Nina, I've been looking forward to delivering this baby for months. Of course I want to deliver her but I can't deliver at just any hospital. I have to have attending rights. It's an insurance thing."

"Then take me back home. I mean, take me to your house. Damn it! What's taking Frankie so long! Did he go to another country to get the damn car!"

"I have no problem taking you back to my house if that's what you want and you don't mind a natural delivery."

"I am about to squeeze something the size of a watermelon out of an opening the size of a lemon. There's nothing natural about that!" Nina piped back just as Frankie came running back in.

"I've got the car. Let's roll. Can you ride with us Maura? You know, just in case?"

Maura laughed. "I'll ride with you but I'm sure it will be a while. There's been a change of plans though. We're taking Nina back to my house."

"Um, what? Why? She's having a baby."

"Yes, but there was no room at the Inn," Jane said with a chuckle. Frankie stared at her blankly.

"The labor and delivery ward at the hospital is full," Jane said, drawing Frankie a fuller picture.

"What if something goes wrong?" Jane could see panic on her brother's face.

"She will be fine Frankie. Even if something did go wrong, you know she's in good hands with Maura and Hope. Don't borrow trouble OK?"

Frankie nodded.

"Good. Let's get going. Give me your keys," Jane says, holding out her hands.

"What? Why?"

"Because you're a nervous wreck already and have no business driving. I'll let Natalie drive my car back home." She looked at Natalie to make sure that was OK and she nodded.

Everyone loaded up into the various cars to make their way back to the Isles residence for what Maura had jokingly called a birthing party.

Jane helped Maura prepare the guest room for an impending birth while Frankie helped Nina into the bathtub, something that Maura said may ease her pain.

When they finally emerged from the bathroom Maura helped Nina into the bed.

"I'm going to check you OK Nina?"

Nina nodded.

Frankie looked over at Jane. "What does that mean?"

Jane grinned. "Well, she's going to stick her hand up inside your wife and once both hands can fit, you're ready to rock and roll."

Jane swore she saw Frankie turn green.

"That's not how it's done Jane. You…"

Jane cut Maura off before she could finish. "It was a joke, Maur. Come on Frankie. You look like you need some air."

"You have five minutes! Don't you dare run off screwing around and miss your baby's birth!"

"He's going right downstairs Nina. He won't miss anything, I swear."

Man, Jane knew some women could be testy but Nina was something else.

She and Frankie made their way downstairs and out the front door.

Frankie sat down on the nearby porch swing and groaned. He didn't have to say what he was thinking. Jane could read his mind.

"It'll be over soon," she said with a chuckle.

"You got a smoke?" He asked.

"You don't smoke Frankie."

"Maybe not but I would go for a cigarette right now."

Even though they were outside with the doors closed, they heard Nina scream inside as another contraction hit.

"Man, I bet the neighbors are loving us tonight," Jane said with a laugh. "Come on. She's got to be pretty close with all that screaming she's got going on."

"Whatever happened to the good ole days when the father waited in the waiting room and handed out cigars," Frankie mumbled as they made their way back into the house.

"Oh Frankie, man up," Jane said as she laughed.

"You're just in time," Maura said as they walked in. "Believe it or not, she's ready to push. I told her she would have a quick labor."

"Hello, I'm right here," Nina grumbled as there was a knock at the door.

Hope came in and whispered something to Maura who stuck her head out the door and talked to someone for a second. She turned and glanced at Nina.

"Hey Nina. You know my sister Cailin is in medical school right? She was wondering if you would mind if she is here for the birth?"

"I don't care who is in the room. Anyone that wants them can have front row seats as long as you get this baby out of me!"

Maura took a quick glance around the room to make sure everyone that wanted to be in the room was present; Frankie, Angela, Hope in case there was an emergency and Maura needed her help, Cailin. Maura looked over at Jane. "Are you going to stay?"

Jane nodded. "Yeah, but I'm going to sit over there," Jane said, pointing to the other side of the room. "No need for front row seats despite Nina's eagerness to give them out."

Maura laughed.

"OK everyone! It's showtime. Let's have a Christmas baby!"

"Another Christmas baby," Jane said with a smile.