See end of chapter for notes, thank you for reading if you're still here!

Chapter 20

It was the early hours of the morning before Jane's guests finally dispersed and the young quarterback stood by the door, bidding her friends goodbye.

"Great party Jane!"

"Same again next year, Rizzoli?"

"Smashed it Jane!"

"Thanks guys!" Jane shouted through a yawn, a sleepy smile playing on her lips as she closed the front door behind the final guest.

"It was a great party Jane," the deep and slightly croaky voice of her best friend sounded from behind her. Frost, as an honorary Rizzoli, was already starting to help tidy up some of the mess before going to bed. As the pair looked around at the once-tidy living room, they heard a faint snore. After investigating, they realised Frankie and Tommy had both fallen asleep on the sofa.

"There might be a way to end this party… with a bang." Frost whispered as he turned to face the brunette.

"Sharpie moustaches?" Jane grinned devilishly back at him, but Frost had a better idea. He reached for the can of squirty cream from the buffet table and sprayed it into each of the brothers' hands.

"Care to do the honours?" Frost whispered as Jane carefully leant forward to tickle both of their noses. Within seconds, both brothers had slapped themselves in the face with a hand full of cream and sat bolt upright, struggling to see through the haze of fluffiness.

"ARGH WHAT'S ON MY FACE?"

"FROST? JANE? WHAT THE –"

"Don't you dare say another word Tommy Rizzoli!" Angela warned as she entered the room and struggled not to laugh at seeing her youngest children covered in cream. While her eldest two (Frost obviously included) were doubled over laughing.

"MA! Look what they did! Frost man, I thought we were cool." Tommy cried indignantly, trying to wipe the cream out of his eyes long enough to look at his sister and Frost.

"I know…how dairy." Angela replied as quick as lightning with a straight face, before crumbling into a renewed fit of laughter.

"Oh, and boys?" Angela managed to choke out as her sons dashed for the stairs.

"What Ma?" they both answered, their annoyance as clear as day.

"There's no whey you're getting out of cleaning up this mess tomorrow!" Angela cackled and fell back into her armchair. Jane and Frost were silent for a moment, not believing the deliriousness of the matriarch, but it only took them to catch each other's eye before they were wheezing again, tears streaming down their cheeks. It was definitely time to go to sleep for the Rizzoli household.

As the laughter finally faded away, Angela managed to stand up and bustle back into the kitchen to continue cleaning up.

Frost nudged Jane's shoulder gently to get her attention.

"You okay Jane?" he asked, noticing she hadn't been 100% herself all night.

"Yeah, I'm okay thanks buddy, I-er the party was just missing someone." Jane sighed wistfully as she turned back to pick up the rubbish bag they'd begun to fill before pranking her brothers. Jane quickly looked at the last text she'd received from Maura, she felt better knowing the honey-blonde was on her way home safely and alone. Miss Mills having been a total success with one, Riley Cooper.

"One day Jane, she'll be right here and me and your brothers will feel violently ill at how mushy you're being." Frost's voice broke through Jane's inner monologue.

"I can't wait!' Jane smirked, as a warmth spread through her chest as she pictured the day, she stood side-by-side with Maura at a family event. Her arm tightly around the older honey-blonde, pulling her close as everyone looked upon them in awe of how in love they were.

"Have you heard from her tonight?" he asked interestedly, lowering his voice as he knew Angela wasn't too far away.

"Yeah," Jane smiled back, "did I tell you, her and Mills invited Riley to try and get her off our case?" Lowering her voice even more as they both sat on the sofa.

"Damn. So wait, Mills knows too?" Frost gasped, thinking how it wasn't a great idea that suddenly more people knew about the forbidden relationship.

"No, I don't think she knows knows. I just reckon she's aware Maura's seeing someone, so wants to get rid of Riley's unwanted attention."

"Wow, Mills done good. Shame she's such a hard ass in class." Frost whistled, leaning back against the soft cushions.

"I know right? I might start doing my homework more often you know, to say thank you." Jane laughed before her eyes widened, "oh crap, we need to talk through my date again before tomorrow. Your Ma still okay to help organise it with us?"

"Of course she is, she can't believe 'her little Janie is all grown up.'" Frost mimicked as Jane playfully shoved him.

"Okay you two, bedtime!" Angela announced as she shuffled back into the room, "and thank you for starting to clean up," she nodded to the forgotten bag in Frost's hands. The two friends stared at each other, really hoping Angela hadn't heard what they were just discussing.

"Thanks for a great party Ma, I couldn't have wished for anything better." Jane sincerely replied as she kissed her mother on the cheek. She didn't notice, however, an uneasy smile began to grace the matriarch's face at hearing Jane talk so openly to her best friend.

Teachers are involved? I've met Miss Mills she's very beautiful, is she Maura's friend? Barry's mother is helping with the date? What on earth is Jane hiding from me?

I need to talk to Camilla.

Angela watched as the pair deposited the rubbish bag by the back door before sluggishly ascending the stairs. She took a moment to think of all the questions that were now whirring around in her head. The night had surely taken a toll on everybody.

Upstairs, the two best friends changed into their nightwear and they started to laugh at how similar they were. Jane had pulled a white, fitted tank top with the Red Sox logo emblazoned on her chest and paired it with black basketball shorts; just to see Frost standing there wearing a scarlet Red Sox baseball shirt and black basketball shorts.

"Dude you're turning into me!" Frost laughed as he took in his best friend's pyjama choice.

"You mean… dude looks like a lay-dayyy!' Jane began to sing in her raspy voice, jumping on her bed and pretending to play air guitar in her best Steven Tyler impression.

"You're hilarious Jane, now text your lady and go to sleep. Tell her of your hilarious talents." Frost muttered as he got comfortably underneath the duvet of the cot bed that had been made up beside Jane's.

"Oh, I'll tell her about my talents alright." Jane smirked, picking up her phone and pretending to ring Maura.

"Oh god I'm going to sleep before I'm haunted any more. Goodnight birthday girl."

Jane chuckled her goodnight in reply, before turning her attention back to her phone. She realised she had unopened picture messages from Frost who had been taking photos throughout the night, until she found the perfect picture to send to Maura.

I hope you're home safely by now Maur, me and Frost have just gotten into bed, but I couldn't go to sleep without texting you. I miss you and I can't wait to see you tomorrow. I've sent a picture of what you could have had if we didn't have to hide ;) Sweet dreams beautiful xxxx

Across town, Maura Isles had just turned the key in the lock of her front door when she felt her phone vibrate.

I hope it's Jane.

As soon as the honey-blonde was inside of the house (with the front door locked again behind her) she fished inside of her black leather handbag to find her phone.

The doctor's heart started to race as she saw Jane had not only text, but she had sent a picture message as well. The honey-blonde sat upon her kitchen stool with a glass of water as she took in the image in front of her. It was a simple photo of Jane, her shirt half untucked but fitting around her biceps and breasts perfectly. Maura's eyes noticed a few dark curls were hanging loosely in front of her left shoulder, but what really caught Maura's eye was how happy Jane looked. The trademark Rizzoli smile was fully on display and the doctor's heart couldn't help but melt at the dimples her girlfriend possessed. Realising she hadn't sent a full-length photo of her outfit to Jane, she positioned herself in front of the mirror and quickly captured her appearance. Deciding the photo looked much better in black and white, Maura changed the filter and clicked send along with a short message. Sensing Jane wouldn't reply until the morning, the doctor lightly padded up the staircase, delicately pulled down the zipper of her dress and stepped out of the garment, placing it neatly in the hamper in her en-suite. Deciding against pyjamas tonight, Maura pulled her exquisitely soft duvet cover over her and slept soundly until her alarm woke her the next morning.

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"Today's the day!" Frost sang as he hit a sleeping Jane with his pillow.

"Dude, the fuck?" the brunette sleepily replied, brushing the hair out of her eyes.

"Thought you'd want to get an early start and set up." Frost replied, buttoning his shirt up.

"You've already showered? Okay now you're worrying me." Jane said as she turned over, pulling the duvet over her head once more, "ten more minutes?" her raspy voice sounded through the cover.

"Yeah yeah, I'll make us some pancakes, but you better be showered by the time they're done! We've got a long day ahead of us."

As soon as the door closed, Jane rolled over to her bedside table and cracked one eye open to check her messages. Unsurprisingly, Jane had a little over thirty notifications tagging her in photos, as well as more birthday messages. However, one text stood out amongst the rest.

I've just got home Jane, thank you for caring so much. I have also just realised I hadn't sent you a full body photo of my outfit tonight, I just wish you were the one to unzip me. Good night Jane, I hope you had a wonderful night and I can't wait to see you tomorrow.

Jane's jaw dropped without hesitation as she took in the image of her girlfriend. The fitted black dress left nothing to the imagination, it clung to her breasts and curves perfectly and Jane thought it had to have been sculpted by the gods. Her honey-blonde curls draped perfectly over her left shoulder.

A cold shower it is then.

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As Jane descended the stairs, she heard her mother and Frost laughing in the kitchen.

"Barry, can you stay over more often? I can't remember the last time I had breakfast made for me."

"Then I shall endeavour to make you breakfast more often, m'lady" Frost laughed back, Jane had to admit, Frost was a natural in the kitchen and he was loved by her mother.

"You are a wonderful friend to have Frost. You came to my party, helped to tidy up and you even make me food in the morning. What more could a girl ask for?" Jane smiled as she joined the duo in the kitchen and bit the head off a bunny pancake that was waiting for her.

"I'm just waiting for you to pay me back one of these days." Frost winked as he too sat down and tucked into the food in front of them.

"So, big date today Janie. Which is why your hair is looking so nice? But I do hope you're changing into something more special! Am I allowed to know any more details?" Angela tried to ask nonchalantly, after fussing over her daughter's wrinkled tshirt. She took a sip of her coffee to give Jane time to formulate a response.

"I-er, well, I'm taking her out somewhere special." Jane decided on, taking another bite of her pancake.

"Shouldn't she be the one taking you out, as it's your birthday?" Angela asked, thinking that sounded slightly suspicious.

"Normally yes, and that's what she wanted. But I wanted to do something special for our first proper date." Jane admitted, not understanding why her Ma was getting so worked up.

"And is this special 'thing' happening anywhere I'd know?" Angela asked with an overly sweet smile.

"Ma, I'm not telling you anything, in case you decide to gatecrash." Jane replied, holding her hands up, knowing full well how much her Ma wanted to meet Maura.

"Jane Clementine Rizzoli, you really think I'd gatecrash your date?" The matriarch looked offended. However, she backed down as soon as her daughter raised her eyebrow at her.

"Oh fine, I might, but I just want to see her in person Janie. She seems so special to you. Can you really blame me for wanting to meet her?"

"She is very special, Ma. Which is why I'm not introducing her to you just yet. Plus, it's not as if I can bring her around the house is it? I'll need to actually tell Pop, Frankie and Tommy that I like girls first."

"She could just be a friend? For now?" Angela proposed but not sounding convinced herself.

"I'm not pretending she's something she's not Ma. It's either all or nothing." Jane replied simply, she and Maura were already hiding enough. She wasn't about to suggest they hide even more.

"Okay sweetie, I understand. So, are you erm- coming home tonight?" Angela tried to ask subtly.

"MA!" Jane exclaimed, her cheeks turning bright pink, as Frost descended into laughter.

"What? I know it's a special night and I know you're an adult now. And you know, I want to know how many people I'm setting the table for?" Angela replied as if it was the most normal thing in the world asking if her daughter was planning on getting laid tonight.

"I won't be home." Jane mumbled into her orange juice.

"Sorry Jane, what was that?" Frost asked loudly.

"I said I won't be home." Jane said again in a loud whisper.

This time, Angela and Frost both started laughing before they were interrupted.

"Smells good Ang, what's cooking?" Frank was still wearing his pyjamas and had a newspaper tucked under his right arm, he smiled at the people before him and then took a seat at the table, the one Angela had just vacated.

"Barry here made us pancakes," Angela boasted as Frost looked shyly away at his juice.

"A man that likes to cook. How modern." Frank laughed and slapped Frost on the arm, "so I was thinking we go to the game today you two, and your brothers of course. What do you say?" Frank asked Frost and Jane, missing the look of panic both of them shared. Luckily, Angela stepped in.

"Oh Frank, you should have asked sooner! These two were just saying they're going out with the football team later, for pizza right?"

"Urm, yeah yeah, Steve just text me." Frost replied, lifting up his phone to indicate it had just happened.

"Oh, come on, can't even make time for your old man now Janie? You're never here." Frank asked, rather annoyed as he opened the paper.

"Pop, I promise I'll spend time with you soon, just not today, okay?" Jane tried to reason with her father, taking his hand and smiling.

"You're lucky I love you. Fine, have fun tonight Janie." Frank smiled back and watched as Jane and Frost ran up the stairs to collect their things.

"Ever feel like you're gonna blink and she's going to be all grown up and she'll be off to college?' Frank sighed, looking towards his wife with a melancholic expression.

"Frank, these last eighteen years have all gone past in a blur. But, our little girl is an adult now and she's happy. Let's just be grateful for that, eh?" Angela replied, placing her hand on her husband's shoulder and squeezed gently.

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"I didn't think we were gonna escape that one."

The two best friends clambered into Frost's car without looking back, both panting at the speed they had gathered their things together and left the house.

"Me neither. Since when does my Pop get all sentimental on me? I can't remember the last time he wanted all of us to go out somewhere together." Jane answered, her head leaning onto the cool glass of the window.

"Maybe he too doesn't want his little Janie to be all grown up." Frost smirked.

"Dude you should be thankful you're driving." Jane playfully snarled back.

"Yeah, yeah, why don't you answer your phone that's been buzzing non-stop?" Frost jerked his head to Jane's pocket, which she didn't realise had been ringing.

She had 1 missed call from her favourite number.

Maura.

Without hesitating, Jane called her girlfriend… girlfriend? We should really talk about that back.

"Hey Maur," she said shyly, to the amusement of Frost.

"Hey beautiful, I just wanted to ask what time you wanted me ready tonight?" Maura's voice was thick with sexual tension and Jane's brain immediately forgot how to function.

"I-er, if you're ready for about 6?" Jane asked, looking to Frost to make sure she got the time right.

"You sure about that, mi amor? And what is it exactly do you want me to be ready for?"Maura asked, clearly amused by Jane's lack of cognition.

"I… I just want you to be comfortable. So erm, smart casual? So probably extremely casual for you Maur… I mean -er…do you even own casual clothes?" Jane laughed awkwardly.

The fuck is wrong with me? And I really wish Frost wasn't laughing his ass off right now.

Luckily, they had arrived at Frost's house and Jane could escape the confines of the car. Motioning for Frost to keep walking, Jane turned her back on her best friend and leaned against the car.

"Jane…breathe…" She heard Maura whisper down the phone.

"Sorry Maur, I just got a bit nervous talking in front of Frost."

"Why were you nervous? I only asked what time to be ready for?" Maura replied coyly.

"You know exactly why, Doctor Isles. You have an effect on me that I can't explain. It's like my brain stops working and my whole body turns to jelly."

Jane paused and felt her confidence returning as she heard Maura laugh down the phone.

"So, we were just in the car coming over to Frost's house to get ready for tonight. We've finally made it, so I can escape him and his incessant smirking. So, I feel like I can talk to you properly now."

"I'm interested Jane, what do you want to say to me now that you can't in front of your best friend?" The honey-blonde softly asked.

"That I miss you. That I can't wait to have you in my arms. That I can't wait for my lips to be on yours and just finally have an uninterrupted moment that's ours." Jane replied without missing a beat, her confidence returning and her heart swelling.

"Oh Jane, I feel exactly the same way. Just a couple of hours and I promise all of that will come true. You and I, no interruptions."

"Not long Maur, I can't wait to see you. I'll text you soon and I'll pick you up tonight?"

"I'll make sure to text back mi amor, see you later."

"Bye beautiful ."

As Jane hung up the phone, she couldn't help the smile that graced her lips. The night she had been longing for was finally here. Just a few more hours.

"Come on Romeo, time to sort out the finer details."

Frost called to Jane from the doorway where he was waiting with his mother. They were both wearing matching smiles and Jane could only roll her eyes at how much love was emitting from her second family.

"Here we go," Jane thought to herself, "tonight's the night."

So it's been a while! My apologies, I've got so many plans for this story but I felt I needed to post this bit of filler to see more interaction between Angela (as helicopter mother) and Jane growing into who she is. The date was originally going to be in this chapter but it was already 3500 words! Won't be too long for the date I promise and thank you very much if you're still here! x