Rain: Another day, another A Mother's Love chapter. Someone asked how long will this be and the answer to that is Sixteen chapters would be a sweet number but depending on where my inspiration takes me, it could be shorter or longer but sixteen is what I'm aiming for. Once again, thank you all so much for the reviews and I hope this chapter pleases everyone!
Constance: Enjoy.
A Mother's Love
Chapter Four: Jane Clementine Rizzoli
The minute the pair her Jane begin to sob, Angela rushed into the room where she saw Jane weeping against her knees. "Janie…" Angela breathed out, which caused Jane's head to look up at her.
"Ma?" Jane questioned softly with a tone that was broke Angela's heart.
It reminded her so much of her own voice when she faced this same feeling so long ago…
Angela immediately walked to the edge of the bed and wrapped her daughter up in her arms as she said "Oh my Janie…My sweet and beautiful Janie…My poor baby…"
"Ma…I'm okay…" Jane said as she let out a watery laugh as Angela felt her daughter's long arms wrap around her. After a moment, Jane pulled away gentle and asked "How did I get here?"
"I had Frankie carry you here after I found you in your apartment," Angela explained.
"I-I'm sorry…" Jane stammered out.
"No worries," Angela said with a smile. "It was no trouble at all."
Jane gave her a faint smile before she looked up and when Angela turned around, Constance was behind her. "Hello Jane. It is nice to see you with life in your eyes," Constance told Jane with a small smile on her face.
"Thank you Constance…It's great to be back…" Jane replied with a hint of confusion in her voice, no doubt due at Constance's presence inside her mother's home. "Why are you here?"
Angela wanted to jump in and answer for her but she decided to trust the other woman to keep their mission a secret.
"I was concerned," Constance replied. "I noticed that you hadn't been around my daughter's residence as much since I am now staying there and decided to search you out. Thankfully, my first stop became my only stop."
Angela hid her relief at Constance's answer.
She was afraid that if she told her daughter the truth, Jane would fight against their plan and ruin it all. Thankfully, that wasn't the case in the end.
She had to trust Constance a little more.
"Oh…" Jane replied softly. "I'm sorry I worried you…"
"Don't be," Constance replied. "However, I do have some questions….I've noticed some change within Maura and it hasn't been good."
"Maura…Is she okay?" Jane asked and Angela could see fire in her daughter's eyes at the mere mention of Maura but as quick as it appeared, it was smothered by the realization of her situation.
"She's hurting Jane…" Constance replied softly.
Angela watched as Jane's seemed to shrink, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I want to go to her…I need to go to her," Jane told the pair but it was then Angela watched an unsure look appear in her eyes.
"No…She wouldn't want to see me…" Jane murmured as curled herself back into a ball. "Not when I hurt her so badly by shooting Paddy…"
"Jane…How did she find out about him?" Constance asked.
"Her half-brother Colin was killed one day," Jane began. "She did a blood test and found out. Paddy later showed up and at the morgue, gave her his blood and the rest was history…She found out, Paddy killed his son's killer and Maura was in pieces over the fact…"
Both Angela and Constance stayed silent but Angela could see that Constance was shaking but looking at the taller woman's eyes, Angela couldn't tell if it was due to sadness or rage. "He showed up again when he was shot and after that, he disappeared up until the day you were hurt…"
Still seeing the woman shake, Angela reached out and took Constance's hand, which prompted the other woman to look at Angela.
As she looked into Constance's eyes, Angela saw rage, remorse and guilt swirling within them but these feelings seemed to dull as her hand seemed to relax. Constance shut her eyes and took a breath before she looked to Jane and asked "What happened that day Jane?"
"The person that hit you was a firefighter that was trying to kill Maura due to his own fears…When you were in the hospital unconscious, Maura went to visit you and Paddy was there…." Jane began.
"So I did hear his voice…Oh Maura…" Constance whispered.
"He told Maura that you were a good person and that was the reason he left her with you. I came in, we talked about her biological mother and he left. I should've just turned him in but the minute he mentioned her birth mother, that gleam appeared in her eyes…." Jane said as a light smile appeared on her face at the memory. "So because of that, I held off but I told Barry and Korsak that soon, we would need to take him out and I was sure that Maura would be happy with him out of her life. That night was when I screwed up…."
A bitter expression that Angela had only seen twice appeared on Jane's face as she said "That night, Gabriel had come over and we got drunk and I slept with him…Not my proudest moment considering what would come next…During that time, I told him about Paddy being in town but he promised he wouldn't go after him."
"After that, we found out that your hit and run and another case we were working on held the same suspect and since we knew he was after Maura, she had the great idea for us to use her as bait. Things were going well until Paddy showed up and shot the suspect. Then Gabriel showed up despite my wishes and was shot for his trouble and that's when I really screwed up and shot Paddy…" Jane took a deep breath. "Maura thinks it was vengeance but it wasn't…I-I didn't shoot Paddy in retaliation…I shot him because he had his gun aimed at me, had just shot Gabriel and the woman I…I…And Maura was there and I couldn't live with myself if she was hurt so I took the shot and I ruined everything!" Jane finished as tears fell down her eyes.
"Jane…" Angela began but Jane shook her head.
"I ruined her chance at finding out who her real mother was and shot her real father…Because of my mistake, everyone in the city knows Paddy Doyle is her father…Or was, I don't even know if he lived or not…" Jane continued, ignoring Angela's attempt at gaining her attention. "I ruined our friendship and any sort of future I could have had with her. I ruined it all…All because I trusted an idiot…"
"That is enough," Constance's strong voice said, which prompted both Rizzoli women to look at her. Constance walked to the edge of the bed and knelt down so she was looking Jane in the eye and placed a gentle hand on Jane's shoulder and said "I understand that you feel like your heart is breaking at the thought of the woman you love hurting…Especially because you feel that you are responsible for it but this isn't your fault."
"I shot Doyle," Jane said.
"From everything you told me, you shot him yes. But you kept Maura's secret. You kept yourself form arrest Doyle on the spot each time you saw him, despite his crimes because you took into consideration how Maura felt….You say it's your fault that she's mad at you. No…All that you should be blamed for is being a good friend in tough situation."
"C-Constance…" Jane stammered out.
Angela had never seen Jane so lost for words before. If it wasn't such a serious situation, she would have laughed.
"While I'm in the art world, I'm not naïve. Being both a friend and a detective of justice in a high tense situation is difficult and you're bound to hurt someone no matter what you do. Paddy is a criminal who shot a federal agent and had the gun pointed at you. You feared for your life and the life of the woman you love…Maura should not have been angry with you for what you did…If anything, she should be angry at me for what I've done…Or what I didn't do."
Angela felt confused.
What did Constance mean by that?
"What do you mean?" Jane asked the art director.
"All of this is my fault Jane. Everything that Maura is going through, I am directly responsible for," Constance said with a tone of guilt in her voice.
"Constance, you can blame yourself for this," Angela told her but Constance shook her head, a sad smile appearing and for a split second, Angela wanted nothing more than to remove it but she banished that thought.
"I can and I do because I knew about Paddy being her father since she was a baby," Constance admitted, which caused both Angela and Jane to gasp in shock.
"Seriously?" Jane asked. "Are you for real?"
"I am serious," Constance replied as she lowered her head to avoid looking at either Jane or Angela. "I had met him in my art class back in college. He seemed like a good man and we were friends but one day, he came up to me with this beautiful baby girl in his arms…Said he needed my help. When I said sure, he told me his sordid past of violence and despair. The good man in my eyes became a criminal. Once he was done, Paddy told me that her birth mother had died and he didn't want her to suffer the same fate if his father found out about her…So I took her in on the promise that he never shows his face to her or even attempt to contact us. He was a man of his word…Until recently of course."
"Oh Constance…" Angela whispered sympathetically as she felt Constance's hand grip hers lightly. The woman was still shaking and Angela could see the storm of emotions in her eyes but Constance didn't show that she heard her.
Instead, the wealthy woman continued with "She had always been curious about her birth family since the day my husband and I told her about her being adopted. Arthur wanted to tell her the truth but I couldn't because If we had told her, Paddy's sacrifice of giving her up would have been in vain and she would have entered a really dangerous life that was littered with violence and tragic ends."
"You don't know that," Jane whispered. "She could've just been okay with just knowing…"
"I know my daughter Jane…" Constance replied sadly. "I may have not been the mother she deserves but I know her. She would have sought him out in an attempt to reclaim her lost past. And from what you told me, she did exactly that once she found out she and Colin were half-siblings. Am I wrong?"
Jane remained silent.
"But I wish she did do what you said but I never gave her the chance to because I was so afraid of this result happening…" Constance finally allowed tears to fall down onto her face, which caused Angela to step closer to her to support the taller woman.
"Despite my failings as her mother, I realized that if I could do one thing right by her and protect her from the knowledge of her bloodline, then I would at least be doing something right but a lot of good that did…" Constance finished as she lowered her head.
Angela looked to Jane but instead of the anger she thought Jane would show, there was a sad expression on her face. "Constance…You were doing what you felt was right as a mother…Paddy was/is dangerous, even in his old ass age. I'm sure if Ma was in your shoes, she'd do the same thing you did..."
Angela nodded albeit slowly.
Her daughter didn't know just how true her words were…
Jane unfurled herself from her ball and without hesitation, she wrapped her longs arms around the tearful Constance in a hug, surprising Angela greatly. Her daughter wasn't a feelings gal but if she knew someone was hurting, she would always step out of her comfort zone and do all she can to cheer them up.
Angela felt Constance tense up and slowly removed her supportive hand from Constance to allow the other woman to slowly embrace her daughter.
And despite the situation, it was heartwarming to see it.
"Sure, you hiding it hurt me and Maura but in the end, it was my actions that cemented it," Jane said as she pulled away from Constance slowly. "Unlike my situation with her, Maura would be hurt to know that you always knew but she's smart. She'd understand why you did it…So don't beat yourself up for being a protective mom…" Jane told Constance with a light smile.
"Jane…Once again you surprise me," Constance managed to say through thick emotion. "I thought you would be furious at me for keeping that a secret but again, you prove me wrong…I can see now, more than ever, why my daughter cares for you."
"Used to," Jane corrected sadly. "She used to care for me…Now I'm nothing to her…But at least I was good enough to somewhat cheer you up…"
"No…If I can't speak so lowly about myself, you can't either," Constance told Jane. "Maura is hurting and lashing out but that will pass."
"I doubt it but thanks for thinking so…" Jane responded with a sad grin before she saw her daughter look to her and ask "Ma…I'm really tired. It feels like I haven't slept in a long while…I'm going to get some sleep okay?"
"Okay…" Angela replied before she hugged her daughter once again. "Rest up kiddo."
"I will…" Jane replied before she looked to Constance and said "Remember, don't let it beat you up Constance. It'll be okay. You haven't and won't lose Maura…You're her mom…You mean too much to her to have her cut you out of her life like she did me. So it'll be okay…"
It had been thirty minutes since their conversation with Jane and she was currently crying her eyes out. Angela wanted to be with her daughter but Constance had managed to convince her to allow her daughter to grieve the loss of her friendship with Maura.
It was difficult to hear her daughter be so defeated but Angela knew this was temporary.
Their happy ending was coming soon.
Angela glanced up at the taller woman that sat beside her and observed her for a moment.
Constance had calmed down from that burst of emotion she had shown earlier and she looked exhausted but strangely enough, she was just as gorgeous as she was when they first-
Stop.
She needed to stop with that train of thought.
Angela banished the thought from her mind and gingerly took Constance's hand and asked "Are you okay?"
Constance turned to look at her and gave a brief nod but despite the stoic expression on Constance's face, her eyes were raging whirlpool of emotions. Sadness, anger, remorse and concern were the main four emotions she could spot.
Angela didn't know if she would ever tell Constance how expressive her eyes were. It was nice to be able to know how the calm woman felt. Maura must have learned her expressive eyes from Constance because that was how Angela knew where to attack when she needed to know something.
Under duress of showing Maura some embarrassing baby pictures, Jane had told her that she and Constance had bumped heads due to Maura and her upbringing and expressed disappointment in the Isles Matriarch but that swiftly changed into surprise when Constance had shown up.
And during that meeting, she and Jane were a little more cordial but Angela knew that it was for Maura's benefit so to see Constance actively worrying about Jane was…nice.
"Today has been an exhausting day and judging from the sun, we're still in the afternoon," Constance said as she leaned her head back against the couch. "However. We got the full story but most importantly, we were successful in snapping Jane from her state of despair," Constance said. Angela could hear the relief in Constance's voice and again, that feeling of happiness bubbled her in her chest.
"It's nice that you worry about her," Angela admitted, allowing her true feelings to ebb free from her mind and through her mouth. "I'm so used to my family, Maura, Korsak and Barry only caring for her…It's nice to see her circle opening up a little more."
She watched as Constance stared at her with calm and gentle eyes and for a moment, Angela felt a serene feeling wash over her. It was almost easy to allow herself to fall into them…Angela blinked and frowned, banishing that thought from her head.
"Admittedly, I am also surprised that I care so much about the detective," Constance told her. "When Jane and I started off. I was distant and uncaring to both her and my daughter…As you saw when we first met…"
Angela couldn't lie, when she first saw Constance, she openly admitted to how gorgeous the woman looked but her aloof and cold attitude left Angela annoyed.
It reminded her of Jane.
"But it was obvious in the brief time I saw Jane in my daughter's home that Jane was protective and loyal to Maura," Constance continued. "And because of this, she didn't mince words with me regarding my behavior when they visited my art gallery. I doubt Jane knows this but her words that night continue to weigh heavily on my heart…"
Angela could see a faint smile appear on Constance's face as she said "In the art world, I am used to lavish and phony platitudes so it is mighty refreshing to know someone so forthright like Jane and it is because of that forthrightness, I now have a better relationship with Maura. But after going through so much, she still doesn't hold it against me…My failings as a mother…She even hugged me…Me of all people…So when someone like that was left as an empty husk because of my daughter's actions, of course I will worry for that person…"
Angela knew from Constance's eyes that she was telling the truth but there was something that Constance was holding back. Angela tilted her head curiously at this but instead of questioning her partner, she merely smiled.
"Thank you," Angela told her with a genuine smile.
"G-Gratitude is not needed," Constance replied but Angela could see that she made the woman flustered in that brief moment.
She wondered what caused it.
It was then she heard a buzzing coming from Constance's right pocket. Constance pulled out her phone and said "Oh goodness. It's two-thirty five. I had no idea it was this late."
"Business?" Angela asked.
"Yes. I have a doctor's appointment so I must be off," Constance said as she stood up off the couch.
"Well, let me be a good host and walk to the door," Angela said as she stood up as well. She lead Constance to the door and held it open for her as she said "Thanks again for being here with me and thank you for those words to Jane. You have no idea how much they meant to hear it."
"Again, gratitude is not needed. I wanted to," Constance replied softly.
Angela seemed to flush beneath Constance now warm gaze and said "Good luck at the doctors. Hopefully you get some good news."
"I should…" Constance said but as the taller woman began to turn away, she stopped suddenly. Angela tilted her head in confusion.
What was stopping her?
Constance then turned around and said "Forgive me for this sudden boldness but I think we should celebrate the first step In healing our daughters' relationship."
Angela tilted her head and asked "Really? How?"
"Since we are partners, I figured we can discuss more about our plans to reunite our daughters and not to mention, I wish to know more about you and the best way to do those things and celebrate our success is this…" Constance paused to take a breath and then asked "Will you do me the honor of accompanying me to dinner?"
Angela was surprised by this but before she could say anything, Constance immediately said "I hope that wasn't too forward of me but I think a wonderful dinner would be a nice way to celebrate while getting to know one another and discussing things. Besides, I am in the mood for a nice steak dinner-"
Angela couldn't stop the smile that formed on her face at Constance's babbling.
It was cute.
"That admittedly does sound nice…And it has been a long time since I've gone out anywhere other than work…" Angela said thoughtfully before she immediately banished the sudden giddiness she felt.
"That's perfect…Then how about we go tonight?" Constance suggested.
Angela paused.
Angela needed to say no. She had to meet Frank to sign some paperwork for their…separation and with Jane back awake, she didn't feel safe in leaving her alone tonight.
And plus…There was something dangerous lurking in the deep recesses of her heart that she could not feed.
She needs to refuse this offer.
But as she looked at Constance's eyes, there was a hopefulness within them that Angela couldn't help but allowing her heart to answer for her.
"I can't do tonight…I have a delicate situation to face and I wouldn't feel right leaving Jane after getting her back…" Angela could already see the disappointment but she immediately added "But I'm free tomorrow night…" Angela whispered before she blinked in surprise.
She was supposed to say no!
"Tomorrow night?" Constance asked. "That's a Marvelous idea. Tonight would be far too soon so tomorrow actually works better," Constance said with a small smile. "I shall meet you here tomorrow night then?"
"Yes," Angela replied. "I'll make sure to dress nice."
"Nonsense, you already do," Constance immediately replied. "I'll be here at eight o'clock on the dot tomorrow night."
"Tomorrow night," Angela confirmed before she brushed a strand of her hair behind her right ear.
"I better get going then. Have a wonderful day and I'll see you then," Constance said as she backed away with a sheepish tone before she began her trek back towards Maura's house.
Angela watched her walk away before she murmured "See you then," before she closed the door slowly, unable to stop the giddy feeling from rushing through her.
She knew that this was just an outing between two partners and yet, she couldn't stop smiling.
Why?
Why had she asked her that?
All she was going to do was tell her to have a good day and they would meet again soon but instead, she asked Angela Rizzoli to dinner.
And while tonight didn't work out, Angela agreed to tomorrow night.
And why was she so happy by this turn of events?
Constance walked through the back door of her temporary home and shut the door, letting her eyes linger on the guest house and for a moment, her mind flashed back to Angela's reddened cheeks, her warm brown eyes and beautiful smile.
"Get those thoughts out of your mind Constance," Constance told herself.
Perhaps it was due to the day. Not only did she and Angela hear the songs that were attached to their daughters' hearts, she bared her soul to both Angela and Jane…And both of them supported her.
Maybe that was why.
Yes, that had to be it.
Besides, the dinner was nothing more than two partners celebrating success.
That's all…
And yet…Constance couldn't stop a full blown smile from appearing on her face.
Jane couldn't sleep.
The clock had just struck midnight and instead of sleeping like she told her mom and Constance earlier, she was wide awake, staring up at the ceiling. It was so hard to sleep when Maura was so close. It was driving her insane!
Jane suddenly leaned up off the bed.
She had to see her…
Sure, if she did that if she was awake, Maura would want nothing to do with her but if she was sleeping….
"What am I thinking? I'd be no better than a creeper," Jane said as she shut her eyes.
Moments later, she opened them and frowned to herself.
The hell with it!
She would go in there and see her and then leave! Simple as that.
Rain: And that is the end of this chapter. The next chapter will be Maura's side chapter and I think you all are going to love what happens in it so until then…
Jane: See you guys!