Chapter 15
Maura and Jane had finished their coffees well within their limited time and even shared one more tender moment before they parted ways. Being that close to each other felt so right, being able to meet in a coffee shop sounded so simple and domestic, but it was perfect. Both women couldn't wait for a year from now when this dream could be their reality.
After watching the older woman to her car (and stealing one more kiss through the open car window) the brunette started to walk back in the direction of home. She took the opportunity to enjoy the warm sunlight beaming down on her skin, before she was cursing how hard it was to run under it later. She sent a text to her mother to say she was on her way home and was about to press play on her running playlist when suddenly, she felt a hand lightly grasp her shoulder.
"Geez!" Jane exclaimed, fully expecting the worst, but then surely an attacker wouldn't have tapped her on the shoulder, right?
"Jane! Sweetie, what are you doing up this early?"
Jane froze as she turned around to the familiar voice.
"Aunt Carla, hey," the brunette struggled to get out before she was pulled into a bone crushing hug.
Carla (or Carlotta) Parilla was Angela's younger cousin in her late-30s (although her actual age was cloaked in secrecy) and was the mother to Jane's two favourite little cousins. Her dark hair was speckled with auburn highlights, her natural waves stopping just below her shoulders. Carla was wearing slightly heavier make-up than usual, but there was a glint in her eye that Jane couldn't quite place.
"In all of the years I've known you Jane Rizzoli, you've never been up this early. Any special reason?"
Jane rolled her eyes at her aunt's question. In reality, Carla only really noticed things if she could use them to her advantage. Oh shit, what did she see?
"Actually, I run quite a lot, it helps with the stress of senior year. You'd know that if you stayed at social gatherings for longer than 5 minutes," Jane replied playfully, trying to steer her aunt away from any awkward conversations.
"Cheek, I'll put that down to you being a senior, and 18 this Friday. You really are growing up so fast!"
When Jane didn't respond right away, Carla took that as a cue to continue the bombardment.
"Are you excited for the party? Your Ma hasn't stopped talking about it. All of your friends are coming right?" Carla continued to beam, but Jane noticed her tone change, as if she was digging for information.
"Yeah, Ma throws a great a party and, in all honesty, I'm just looking forward to the food! She has promised me first dibs of her chocolate fudge cannolis. But I really should go, you know, 'Rizzoli Sundays' wait for no man." Jane insisted while tapping her watch, she had already cut her time short by spending an extra 5 minutes with Maura, and she still needed to run back.
"Oh shoot, I promised your Ma I would go with you this week. I swear when Fr. Vincent sees me in the street, he just ignores me now. Do you need a ride back honey? I should probably apologise to my cousin in person."
"She's not gonna be happy you're ducking out again Aunt C," Jane laughed, knowing full well Carla hadn't been to church with them for the past year, despite promising every week she would.
"Which is why," she took Jane by the arm, "I am using the fact I'm dropping you off as a good deed to hopefully save my soul."
"Yeah, you're gonna need more than that." Jane smirked, knowing Carla was one of the family members she could wind up without getting into trouble.
"Tell me about it kid, now get in, before your Ma has both of our asses!"
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"Ma? We're back." Jane called through the Rizzoli household, it seemed quiet considering they would normally be leaving in about 15 minutes.
"We? Who's 'we' Janie? You brought someone special I can meet?" Angela rushed through the house in her 'Sunday best' to the front door, her smile dropping when she saw her cousin standing with her daughter instead of the mystery girl she was hoping for.
"Oh… Carla. I wasn't expecting you today. You remembered where we live then?" The matriarch rolled her eyes and began to turn back towards the kitchen.
"With a greeting like that, you're lucky if I come back." Carla joked, moving forward to hug Angela.
"Okay I need a shower, I'll be quick. See you around aunt C!" Jane shouted as she ran up the stairs to grab her towel. Hoping her brothers weren't messing about in the bathroom.
Angela pulled herself apart from Carla and looked her up and down.
"I take it with that outfit, you aren't coming to worship this morning?"
Carla looked down at her heels and her short skirt and looked back at Angela with an innocent smile.
"Sorry Ang, I've got a date at 11am."
"A date comes before church? Before your family? Who even has a date so early in the day Carla?"
"He's taking me for brunch, he's a classy guy this time Ang. Plus you know that's not true! I love you guys, I would just rather see you on a Friday, than on a Sunday when I've got to be on my best behaviour."
"Mmhmm, I've heard it before Carla."
"But! I did bring your favourite daughter home and I may have some information for you."
Angela spun around and looked deep into her cousin's eyes.
"First of all, she's my only daughter. Secondly, what do you mean? What kind of information?"
"Well, as the first question you asked when Jane walked through the door was 'is there someone for me to meet' and I happened to see Jane in very close proximity to someone before I bumped into her, I just thought you might want to know… but if you want me to leave."
Angela grabbed Carla's wrist and pulled her into the kitchen and closed the door.
"Tell me everything."
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Jane had emerged from the shower feeling refreshed, her muscles only slightly aching from her workout earlier, but nowhere near as much as she expected. She was also still floating from her time with Maura, how just spending time drinking coffee with another person could result in this much happiness, was still baffling her mind.
She quickly pulled on her best black skinny jeans (with no holes, specifically for a Sunday) her beige boots and a navy shirt teamed with a white vest top underneath. Deciding she didn't have time to battle her curls, she applied some gel and hoped to calm them at least a tiny bit. Admiring herself in the mirror, she snapped a quick photo and sent it to Maura.
Sunday best, miss you already xx
As she came down the stairs, she noticed Frankie and her Pop were standing there in their suits, but Angela and Tommy were noticeably missing.
"Hey, where's Ma and Tommy?" she asked, concerned as they always went to church together as a family.
"They're already in the car, just waiting for you kid," Frank replied, trying to fix his tie in the mirror without much success.
"You look nice Janie, is that new?" Frankie asked with a smile, noticing the extra effort Jane had put into her outfit.
"Yeah it is, thanks Frankie." Jane blushed, knowing that she'd bought it online one night when she was with Maura.
"Yeah, yeah we all look great, can we go now?" Frank barked, he hated being late, even though the Rizzoli's had their own (unofficial) pew at Church, he still had a fear he wouldn't get there in time.
"Sure Pop, come on Frankie." Jane ushered her little brother out of the door as Frank locked up behind them, his tie crumpled in his hand.
"Ang, you need to do my tie when we get there." Frank demanded of his wife as he got behind the wheel.
"Sure." Angela simply replied from the front seat. The lack of sarcastic comment took the other four Rizzolis aback, even Frank who instead of replying, just mumbled a quick 'thank you' as he put the car into drive.
The ten-minute car journey to their church was the most awkward Jane had ever experienced. All three kids had tried to make conversation with their mother, but it just fell flat with one-word answers.
What the hell did Carla say? Jane wondered as they pulled into the carpark.
I wonder if she saw us. Fuck, did she see Maura? Fuck fuck fuck fuck-
"Jane come on!" Frankie pulled on her arm, not knowing why his big sister had just stopped walking in the middle of a busy carpark.
"Sorry Frankie, I'm just a bit distracted."
The siblings paused as they passed through the giant, hand-carved oak doors, and dipped their fingers into the holy water.
"Well my offer still stands Jane, if you ever needed to talk." Frankie said, as he placed the sign of the cross on his forehead.
"You're a good little brother you know." Jane smiled as she mirrored his actions on her own forehead.
"I know." Frankie replied with a smirk.
"Yeah yeah, come on, we're late for our weekly lecture." Jane whispered, pushing him forward towards their seat, waving and smiling at various neighbours and family members they passed en route.
They finally took their seats, Frank followed by Tommy, Frankie, Jane and then Angela at the other end, which Jane thought was peculiar as her Ma usually stood next to her Pop. As the priest welcomed the congregation, the tension between mother and daughter was brought to breaking point. As they picked up their hymn books, Jane looked at her Ma and gave her a look to ask if everything was okay. The older woman looked away, and gently shook her head, causing Jane's stomach to drop.
"Jane…" She whispered so only Jane could hear as the first notes were played on the organ, "I'm going to let you think if there's anything you want to tell me."
"Ma, I don't know what Carla told you but-."
"No, the house of God is no place for this discussion." As she continued to sing the hymn, without any of her usual conviction, the words falling flat on her lips.
I the lord of sea and sky,
"But Ma-" Jane tried to argue quietly, without raising any suspicion.
I have heard my people cry,
"Not now Jane."
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save
Angela reached out her hand and placed it on Jane's, trying to calm the panic she could see on her daughter's face as she continued to sing.
Here I am Lord,
Is it I lord?
I have heard,
You calling in the night,
I will go Lord, if you lead me,
I will hold,
Your people in my heart
Jane had never really thought of the words she was singing, for years now she had just gone through the motions, as if she was on autopilot. But today something had changed, and it felt as though she was listening to the hymn for the first time, the words resonating within her.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak My word to them,
Whom shall I send?
Jane could feel a sense of dread starting to rise up at the thought of the conversation she would be having with her Ma after the service. What would happen if her very Catholic family found out?Could I really break their hearts of stone? Will my family accept me regardless of whom I love? Will I be able to do this?
Jane soon felt her brother tugging on her sleeve, as she realised the rest of the congregation had sat down after the hymn apart from her. As she took her seat once more, she looked up again at her mother who was sitting so proudly, how could she tell her the mystery woman she desperately wanted to meet was not only 6 years older, but her teacher?
"I'm sorry Ma," Jane managed to whisper, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to fall, "but you always wanted me to be happy and I am. I really am."
"Shhh," Frank whispered loudly, leaning over her brothers, "Jane you know better."
Jane leant back, and let out a deep breath she didn't realise she was holding in. Frankie put his hand over hers and squeezed it reassuringly.
'It's going to be okay', he mouthed.
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"Ma, can we talk?"
Jane walked out onto the patio, finding her Ma with a magazine still dressed to the nines, but she had traded her wedges for cream fluffy slippers. Since the Rizzoli clan had returned home, Angela had spent most of her time preparing for Sunday lunch, alone. After the family had left, the matriarch had cleaned, tidied and was now sitting in the conservatory, enjoying the last rays of sunlight beaming through the windows. Therefore, while everyone was caught up in their own activities (Tommy and Frankie on the Playstation and Frank reading his paper) Jane took her chance and closed the glass door behind her.
"What about?" Angela replied, not looking up from her magazine.
"Whatever is it that Aunt C said to spook you." Jane said, taking a step closer.
"It didn't spook me." Angela admitted truthfully, still not looking up from the article she wasn't actually reading.
"Then will you care to explain why you've been avoiding me since we got back? You were all smiles at dinner but then nothing."
"Jane, remember I am still your mother, watch your tone." Two pairs of chocolate eyes met, brimming with emotion.
"Yeah, my Ma who said she'd be there for me no matter what!" Jane's voice was starting to crack with desperation as she took a seat next to Angela, her hands grasped in her lap.
"Janie," Angela put down the magazine on the wooden coffee table and took Jane's hands into her own, "I will be there. I am here! I just… you need to tell me who it is you've been sneaking around with."
"Aunt C didn't tell you?" Jane asked, quite puzzled.
"She couldn't give me a name. However, she did see you leaving Boston Joe's with an older woman who was driving a silver Mercedes, and then saw you kissing her through the open window. Hardly subtle Jane."
"Oh…" Jane's heart started beating faster, maybe if Aunt Carla only saw the back of Maura, there might still be hope.
"So, this woman is clearly older, I've learned that much. How many kids your age can afford a brand-new Mercedes?" It didn't escape Jane's attention that Angela stressed the word woman, making it clear to Jane she knew this stranger couldn't be the same age as her daughter.
"Erm… yeah." Jane finally replied.
"Yeah? Gonna need a bit more than that Janie." Angela rolled her eyes at the lack of information her daughter was parting with.
"She… is a little bit older, yes."
"How much older?" Angela pressed her daughter.
"A couple of years… not much Ma, okay?"
"How many is a couple?"
"Does it matter?" Jane moaned, her head sinking into her hands. She knew her Ma wasn't going to be okay with this, which is why she didn't want to say anything.
"Yes." Angela stated, gripping Jane's hands tighter.
"You and Pop are 8 years apart! You're married and happy, so why does age matter?"
"You are nearly 18 Jane. This stage in your life will be completely different from hers. How can you want the same things?"
"We want each other. Surely that's what matters Ma? I'm happy. So so happy. You don't have to accept me, or her, but you need to know I'm not giving her up." Jane said with a finality her mother hadn't seen before.
"There's no changing your mind is there?"
"No, she's everything to me."
"Then Janie, I guess I'll have to accept it and how you feel about her, but you need to be careful. I will not be held responsible for my actions if she hurts my baby."
"She won't hurt me Ma, I know she won't."
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So my Ma knows you're slightly older.
What?
Incoming call from Jane 3
Jane? Are you okay?
Yeah, just a bit shaken up, I guess.
What happened?
Jane proceeded to tell Maura all about her run in with aunt Carla outside the coffee shop and her chat with her mother back at the house.
So, she basically said she'll accept me really liking an older woman, she just hates the thought of me getting hurt. She kept going on about us being in different stages of our lives. As if age matters!
Age rarely matters Jane, it's all about physical and mental compatibility.
Physical compatibility huh?
Which you know we have…. More than enough of.
It's only 6pm…
What are you thinking?
That I still have time to see you tonight…
Have you done your homework for Miss Mills tomorrow?
See, I knew I didn't like you hanging out with Mills.
Miss Mills Jane, and she mentioned that you and Frost have a habit of not turning your homework in.
We just forget… and creative writing can be hard!
Just because it's hard Jane, doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't do it.
I can't decide if that made me horny or not.
Darling, I could talk about funghi and it would make you horny.
Now I can't tell if I'm offended or not.
Jane, do your homework… if you're a good girl you can come home with me tomorrow.
In that case, I think I might actually turn this assignment in. Night Maur, sleep well.
Goodnight Jane, I'll be dreaming of you. As always.
5 days to go…
So it's been a little while... I really hope those of you still here enjoy this chapter and I promise it won't be long before chapter 16 hits your inboxes! As always, reviews and follows are welcome