Hi, everyone! Thank you all so much for the wonderful reviews! Happy reading!
Thankfully for Jane the next two weeks went by rather quickly. She couldn't wait to see Maura. They had had some really great conversations recently and Jane was more confident than ever of her future with Maura.
After their phone call two Thursdays ago, Jane had made a point of calling and texting Maura more often. She was thrilled that after about four days of her initiating more contact, Maura began to do the same. Jane loved the little random things Maura shared with her throughout the day. She forgot how much she missed the doctor's adorable quirks.
Updates from her family made Jane feel like she was walking on air. Frankie had let her know that Maura went out to lunch with him and Nina and had joined them at The Dirty Robber last Friday after work. These were both things Maura hadn't done since Jane left. Angela was beginning to see changes as well.
"Oh, Janie, it's so wonderful to see her smile," Angela had told her one night. "It's still not quite the same, but I feel like she's starting to come around."
Jane's heart beat a little faster every time someone mentioned Maura doing better. Jane could tell too. She could hear it in Maura's voice when they spoke on the phone. She could see it in Maura's eyes when they FaceTimed. Jane wasn't foolish enough to think that she alone was responsible for Maura's improved demeanor, but it warmed her heart to know that her presence in Maura's life made the doctor so happy. Jane loved that role. Making Maura happy felt completely natural to her. Jane knew she wanted to be the one to make Maura happy for the rest of their lives.
It was finally the day of her surprise trip. Jane was so excited she had to stop herself from getting to the airport ridiculous early. After a couple of months of just going through the motions, she finally felt like she was living. She was finally so close to the life she wanted, she felt as though she could reach out and grab it. After this week, nothing would ever be the same and Jane couldn't wait.
Frankie met Jane in the lobby and escorted her down to the morgue before word of her visit got out. Thanks to Kent, Jane knew Maura was in her office and not in the middle of an autopsy. Jane couldn't believe how nervous she was. Well, nervous and excited. Either way, her heart was beating wildly. Jane chuckled at the thought that she might go vasovagal.
She took a deep breath as she reached Maura's open office door and then everything just… stopped. Jane's heart rate slowed. The noises from the lab across the hall faded away. Everything ceased to be, except for Maura. There was only Maura. It was always only Maura. Jane stood quietly in the doorway and observed the doctor for a moment. Sitting just a few feet away from her was the most wonderful, loving, and beautiful person in the world. Jane was briefly overcome with emotion, but regained her composure. She watched as Maura diligently filled out her paperwork. She watched as Maura grabbed another file and read over a report. She watched as a strand of honey blonde hair came loose and Maura reached up to put it behind her ear. It took all of Jane's restraint to not run into the office and take Maura into her arms. One more deep breath.
"Excuse me, Dr. Isles?"
Maura froze. Pen still in hand, she slowly raised her head until her eyes met those of the tall brunette in her doorway.
"Jane…" Maura said in disbelief.
A shy smile blossomed across Jane's face.
"Hey, Maur."
Maura suddenly stood and walked towards Jane, each step faster than the previous until she was close enough to throw herself into the arms of her best friend. Jane eagerly wrapped her arms around the doctor and held her tightly.
"You're here. You're really here."
"I'm really here."
Jane relished the feeling of their bodies pressed together. She never wanted to let go. Jane's brow furrowed as she could feel that Angela had been right – Maura had lost a little bit of weight. Jane sighed and held Maura even tighter, angry at herself for causing her love so much pain.
Eventually Jane made a move to pull away, but Maura immediately tightened her grip.
"No!" Maura said a bit too loudly. She swallowed and softened her voice. "I'm sorry…It's just…" Her tears finally fell. "It's been so long. Just a few more minutes. Is that okay?"
Jane smiled and pressed a kiss to Maura's temple.
"As long as you want."
In time, Maura pulled away and looked up into those dark brown eyes again. Jane wiped the tears from Maura's cheeks.
"I'm so happy. I wish I knew you were coming. I would have cleared my schedule."
Jane smirked.
"Well, you kind of already did."
Maura gave her a confused look.
"I emailed Kent a couple weeks ago and told him I was coming into town to surprise you. He's been really helpful getting things ready for your week off. I think he's still kinda scared of me."
"A week? You're staying a whole week?" Maura couldn't help the smile that stretched from ear to ear.
"Mm-hmm. That's my plan. I was going to drive back down a week from Sunday. So I guess that's nine days, technically."
"Even better," Maura gushed.
"And Kent said you'd still have emails and phone calls to—"
"It's okay," Maura cut her off. "It's worth it."
Jane's eyes sparkled and her smile matched Maura's. God, she wanted to lean in and capture those perfect lips between her own. Soon, Jane reminded herself.
"Can we go now?" Maura asked brightly.
Jane laughed. "Not quite. Your week – ahem, nine days off – don't actually start until noon today. And it is," Jane looked at her watch, "11:37. You want to finish up some things while I go see Frankie and Nina?"
Maura nodded in agreement. "Yes, there are some things I should take care of before my leave. Why don't you come back down when you're finished with your visit?"
Jane agreed and hugged Maura one more time before heading towards the elevators. Maura watched her go, that familiar swagger she loved so much still in tact. Her stomach filled with butterflies as a lifetime of memories came flooding back. The best memories of her life. The happiest moments of her life…and the scariest. Maura shook her head to clear her thoughts. Every meaningful moment of my life has involved Jane, Maura thought to herself. She'd always known that, but the absence of her best friend in her daily life had affected Maura in ways she still hadn't processed. Now that Jane was here, Maura couldn't imagine her leaving again. She knew that this was their chance. I have to tell her. I have to tell her all of the things I've been too scared to say.