Rain: From Just One Week to A Mother's Love back2back. This chapter will deal with Angela and Jane and Jane's own mission as well as the start of the date so let's get into it!
A Mother's Love
Chapter Seven: A Past Revealed. Taking the First Step
"Hey Ma, we're home…"
Angela groaned out and opened her eyes to see her eldest smiling down at her and shook her head briefly. "Wow…I'm so sorry dear. I didn't expect to fall asleep like that," Angela said with an apologetic smile.
"With the afternoon you had, I don't blame you," Jane said as she stepped out the car and ran to the other side to open the door for her. Angela smiled in thanks and stepped out the car and the pair walked inside her home and not even a second in the house, Jane said "We gotta talk."
"I had a feeling," Angela said with a tired tone.
Jane sat on the couch and responded with "Ready whenever you are Ma…Just a question though…Will I need popcorn?"
For a moment, Angela could see her younger self looking back at her with the same amused smile Jane was wearing and she couldn't help but shake her head. "You are definitely my daughter," Angela said with a dry tone, which caused her daughter's smirk to morph into a grin.
She never liked talking about Eliza. Not due to their romance or how it ended. She treasured that time. But it was what happened after their love story ended that hurt her. But as her daughter looked at her with expectant eyes, Angela knew she had to come clean.
"When I was a teenager, I never thought of myself as gay or bisexual. Those words barely existed then," Angela began. "As you know, I was the primary caretaker of my siblings. Our parents were terrible to say the least…"
"Yeah…I would arrest them myself on the charges of child negligence, child abuse and abandonment if I had the chance," Jane said with a stony expression.
"When I met Eliza, I was in a turbulent time in my life. I was faithless….I didn't know who I was, what I was going to be. I fought, I stole…It didn't matter the crime. All that mattered was that my siblings were taken care of…Nothing else mattered," Angela said.
Angela could see a frown beginning to take shape on Jane's face and quickly continued with "The day I met Eliza, a police officer arrested me but let me go on the grounds that I do community service at their church. The same church we went to-"
"Until Tommy ran over the priest?" Jane interrupted.
"Until Tommy ran over the priest, yes," Angela confirmed. "I was pissed about it but I went and when I did, I saw her…She was on the choir. She was…beautiful. Dark black hair, hazel green eyes, caramel colored skin and a smile that could brighten up a room."
A wistful smile appeared on her face as she said "I hated her."
Jane blinked in disbelief. "S-Seriously?" Jane asked.
"Oh god yes," Angela said with a grin. "A goodie-goodie like that? I was pissed off every time I saw her. It was like she was an angel on Earth. Nothing seemed to bother her. She just…floated everywhere she went…I despised it."
"That's funny…I kind of understand what you mean," Jane admitted. "When I first met Maura, she kind of had that similar air about her. Like she was untouchable."
Angela snorted but that wistful smile appeared again. "Anyways, one day, I was walking home in the rain and she offered me a ride and despite the high level of pride that I had, I accepted it….I was a jerk to her but she didn't shy away from it. She challenged me. Stood up to me of all people and it was then I kind of started to like her…"
Jane was silent for a moment but there was a look of shock on her face before it changed into a grin. "Seems we both have a type," Jane joked, which caused Angela to snort.
"After that car ride, she and I built up some sort of friendship with her. For that next year, she became my rock. I didn't have to be this tough and unbreakable girl everyone, even my siblings, knew I was. I could laugh with her, I could cry with her. I could be nosy and gossip with her…I could show weakness and not be afraid of her telling the world…I could be real..."
"And in turn, I got to see more of Eliza. She was a kind hearted girl but our past was similar…Her father abused her heavily when she was younger. Her mother, a wonderful woman, took her and ran as far as she could to get away from him so Eliza treasured her mom and worshipped her as a hero. I also learned that she had a very active imagination which gave her the dreams to become an artist and a writer. She suffered from low self-esteem and would always sacrifice her happiness for anyone else."
"She was a martyr then," Jane summarized.
Angela nodded.
"I think it was the moment I made her smile on day. She had been down about her mother being too sick to celebrate her birthday with her and my siblings and I came to the party she arranged for herself. She was so happy but it made realize that I always wanted to be the one to make her smile…And it was that realization that my feelings began to change into something I wasn't ready to deal with."
"Considering the era you were raised in? Not even taking how horrible your parents where, you would be hunted down if they knew," Jane said sadly.
"Yeah. So on top of dealing with protecting and helping my siblings, being …disciplined by my parents, I now had these feelings to deal with. She certainly didn't make it any better by being her kind and charming self…" Angela drifted off.
"How long did you hide it before she found out?" Jane asked softly.
"A year after I realized it," Angela said.
"Wow…You're lot better than me…It took me years to admit to Maura that I loved her and by that point, I had already lost her…" Jane replied. "So how did she find out?"
"With everything that occurred, I just broke down one day," Angela admitted. "It's like my level for absorbing pain had finally cracked and I just ranted to her and it came out…I didn't take It the right way…." Angela said. "I felt so weak….After that I ran and hid away. For an entire week…I truthfully don't remember much about that week but I remember feeling like-"
"-You were stumbling around in the dark, cold and scared?" Jane interrupted with a murmur.
"Yeah…" Angela replied. "My siblings, they went to her and told her what was going on with me and told her where to find me…She was able to pull me out of it and when I snapped out of it, she smacked in the face. I felt horrible. I made her worry and she was crying but from that, she told me she felt the same way and I was an idiot for running off."
"After that, we were a couple in secret. My siblings knew and supported it one hundred percent and kept it hidden. We were madly in love. She made helped me discovery things about myself I never knew. Her mother treated me and my siblings like her own and I came to view her mother as someone wonderful and what I wanted to be when I became a mom…It was a wonderful time…" Angela drifted off and wiped a stray tear that had started to fall.
"We were together for six months, talking about how we would forever be with one another and how much we loved each other but that would change. Her mother was always a sickly woman but it began to get worse…It was then we found out she had cancer and her time was coming to an end. Eliza's mother decided that she wanted to return back to Spain to live the remainder of her life with her family. My family needed me. Her mother needed her…I wanted to keep her. I wanted to be selfish and she did as well but….No matter how much we wanted to fight it, Family comes first…So we shared one last night and in the morning, I said goodbye…."
Angela could see Jane's eyes widen as tears began to form but she shook her head and took a deep breath and said "W-Watching the woman you love m-must have been heartbreaking Ma…"
"It shattered me admittedly," Angela replied. "I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep. I hid away for a week until I was strong enough to face a life without her but there was one thing…That night, We made a promise to one another. One day, we would find each other again and be together no matter what and I longed to be with her again b-but," Angela paused as the tears began to fill her eyes.
This was it.
The one thing she dreaded when bringing up Eliza.
The broken promise.
"Not even a week later, I received a call from her mother…There was a drunk driver. She was doing everything right. Waited at the light, looked both ways but just as she crossed, a drunk driver collided with her. She w-was pr…pro…"
Angela couldn't stop herself from the sob that ripped from her throat. This was the first time in decades that she had revealed the deepest pain in her heart. The one that had sealed her away for what felt like years.
But she had to push it back.
"She was pronounced dead at the scene," Angela finished with a shudder. It was just as painful as it was when she found out that fateful day…
Biting back at the sob she wanted to let out, she said "Her mother told me that with the way she was hit, she didn't feel any pain. It was over in an instant…."
"Oh Ma…I'm so sorry…" Jane whispered as she stood up to approach her but Angela shook her head.
"It's okay Jane…" Angela said with a small smile, despite her tears. "Her death has stuck with me until this day and as much as I hate it, I feel like she betrayed me by dying. I know it's stupid to think that but she was supposed to live. She had so much to live for…I…I did not."
"What? How could you say that?!" Jane exclaimed angrily. "My aunts and uncles speak the world about you. How you fought for them, how you stole for them and how much they adore you! You had a lot to live for!"
"I know that now Janie," Angela responded softly. "But at that time, I felt...Hurt by it all. It was two weeks later when Frank began to help me sort myself out but I never forgot her. Her shadow seemed to loom over me every day until I had to bury it deep inside myself. I had to force that part of who I was deep inside because I could only connect it with her but that changed…"
"How?" Jane asked. "What could have happened that made her memory rise from that grave?"
"You and Maura…" Angela said. "I overheard your argument. The one that made me realize some truths about myself."
"Y-You heard that?" Jane stammered.
"I did. Hearing you two fight…Hearing you surrender and walk away was made me check on you after some time," Angela explained. "Seeing you react like that…It made me realize I passed down my own sick coping mechanism to you," Angela said with guilt heavy in her voice.
She could Jane felt as guilty as she did from the way she rubbed her left forearm with her right arm, her head turned away. "I-I'm sorry Ma…" Jane said.
"Don't be Janie," Angela told her softly as she walked to Jane and sat beside her. "Maura reminds me a lot of Elizabeth and you are as headstrong as I was when I was younger so watching it happen, it was like looking back in time…."
"It's so weird…I never thought we'd have so much in common to the point my situation would re-awaken yours…" Jane admitted.
"Terrified you might be a nosy busybody when you reach my age?" Angela asked with a teasing grin.
Jane turned to look at her and let a warm smile appear on her face. "Honestly? No," Jane replied "Ma…I may not say it often but even if you are a nosy busybody, I always thought you were a great mom but after today, after sharing your past, which was very difficult, I now realize that you're the greatest gift that a daughter could ever ask for…"
Angela was touched.
Jane only really opened up to Maura so to hear her say this meant the world to Angela. Angela let out a mixture of a laugh and a sob. "I love you too dear…"
"Hey…No tears okay? Besides, you have to look your best for tonight with Constance," Jane said with a smile on her face.
Angela blinked.
H-How did she know about that?
"Judging from your face, you're surprised," Jane said with a smug grin. "Constance called while you were sleeping to check up on you. She just said you two were going to dinner tonight."
"Yes. We're going out as f-friends to celebrate her health," Angela responded.
"Hmmm…Okay," Jane replied, her smug grin still in place. "But knowing Constance, she's probably going to take you to some fancy-schmancy place so you better go get ready now." Jane smacked her knees as she stood up from the couch and stretched out. "I'm going for a walk. I'll be back soon okay?"
"Alright dear. Just be safe dear. No police officer-ing," Angela said.
"Yeah, yeah. I promise. I'm on vacation remember?" Jane said with a grin before she walked out the door. The minute the door closed, Angela panicked.
It was 6:45 PM.
With all the talking, she had forgetting about her dinner date with her friend Constance! She had to hurry and find her dress.
No telling when Constance would arrive.
Jane quickly closed the door and walked down the trail to Maura's kitchen door in thought.
All of this time, she thought she had gotten a lot of her traits, both good and bad, from her father but from today's events, she realized she got them from her mother.
It was strange to hear her mother be so candid about her past, something she had never been in the many years Jane tried to ask more but now she understood why. Her mother had to bury the past to stop the hurt of losing Elizabeth from effecting her.
From her mother's story, she realized that there was advice beneath it. Her mother let Elizabeth go and tragedy happened. Now Jane was a woman of her word, she had been raised to be one, but knowing how swift perished to outside forces put the fear in Jane.
Maura was Paddy Doyle's daughter and she had been in dangerous situations several times both due to her association with him and outside of it and Jane knew herself well enough that she could not live with anything happening to Maura.
But would Maura understand why she was breaking her word?
Truthfully, Jane was hesitant in doing that. What Maura did had hurt her a lot. Maura's actions at the warehouse and her actions last week. Maura had said a lot of hurtful and truthful things and Jane didn't want to face her off against her again and start another argument that could further damage things.
However, she needed to know.
Her Ma sacrificed a lot in her past and protected her siblings and herself from the truth of Frank's evil ways and Constance was a nice woman who, while stern and distant, showed she had a heart when she checked on Jane and when she told her own past.
Something in her gut was telling her that there was going on there. The two seemed to stammer and fluster up when this supposedly "Friendly" dinner was brought up.
Was there something going on between them?
That couldn't be.
Her mom had finally let open her past as a Bisexual woman to her just a bit ago.
But then a memory appeared in her mind.
Angela and Jane sat behind the counter in Maura's kitchen as Maura opened the door to let Constance in. The minute the Isles matriarch walked in, Jane was taken aback at how refined the older woman looked.
Jane leaned over and whispered "Country Mice meet City Mice."
Jane looked over and saw her mother's eyes light up in surprise and for a moment, she thought she saw a hint of red on her cheeks. "She's gorgeous," Her mother said with a distant tone but then whatever trance her mother went under vanished and she quickly said "Stand up straight Jane."
Jane rolled her eyes before she glanced down at her shirt and whined out "I got cannoli oil on my shirt…"
Jane was so focused on her shirt that when she looked up, she saw Constance and Maura in front of them. Maura was making the introductions but Jane noticed that Constance's eyes were locked on her mom's and there was a hint of wonder
Jane stopped mid-step and turned around to face her mother's home.
That's right….Her mom seemed oddly into Constance before things went south and even a few days later when Constance joined them for a milkshake, the two seemed to get along very well but it was Constance who seemed a little into her mom.
It couldn't be possible, could it?
She had somewhat entertained the thought in the car but now it felt more concrete but this was all just a theory. She needed more evidence to confirm her sneaking suspicions.
And if Ma could face down Frank and be unhappy for the sake of her and her children, Jane could brave the storm known as Maura Isles. Jane got up the back door and was about to ring the doorbell on it when the door swung open and to her surprise, it was Maura.
'I guess this is happening now,' Jane thought before she said "H-Hey Maura…"
Maura seemed stunned by Jane's arrival and before Jane could issue another word, Maura's eyes began to water before she pulled Jane into a tight hug.
Jane was confused.
She expected a lot but a hug was not that something.
"M-Maura?" Jane stuttered out, unsure at what had prompted this.
"Oh Jane, I am so sorry," Maura mumbled against Jane's neck. "I was so cruel to you. Asking you to make love to me and sending you away. I made sure a horrible mistake in treating you like that."
"Maura…I don't unders-" Jane started but Maura pulled away and Jane could see the tears falling from her eyes.
"Please just listen…" Maura told her. "Y-You've done nothing but be there for me time and again. From defending me the first time we met, to saving my life on a near daily basis and just being my friend. You've been there for me…And since this whole incident started, you added risking your job and your morals for me. For someone like me….And all I've done was hurt you."
"C-Come on Maur, I'm doing…" Jane was stopped when Maura placed an index finger on her lips.
"I told my mother what happened between us last night and she made me understand something that I should have understood myself," Maura told her.
'Constance goes up a notch in my book…' Jane thought.
"I should have been more understanding to you both at the warehouse and last week but I let my feelings blind me. As much as I hate him for bringing this darkness into my life, Paddy Doyle did save my life and I needed to know more about my biological mother so having him get shot while holding that enticing carrot over my head was painful…But I should have not be upset at you. He is a criminal and he shot a federal agent. You did the right thing in shooting him Jane…I just wish I realized that myself…"
Jane could feel sadness stab into her heart as she looked at the tears flowing down Maura's hesitantly, Jane wiped the tears away. "I won't lie to you and say that it didn't hurt," Jane admitted softly let a sad smile appear on her face. "You brushed me off without a second to explain, broke our friendship, admitted your feelings for me and asked me to leave after we made love. To be able to have it all and be forced to walk away hurt me…."
"I-I'm so sorry," Maura whispered she lowered her head in shame but Jane lifted her head back.
"You made me feel weaker than I have ever been Maur…" Jane told her sadly. "We both hurt each other a lot…Despite your mother sticking up for me, I still was at fault. If Gabriel hadn't shown up, Paddy wouldn't have been shot, the plan would have worked and we would be at the Dirty Robber now but that's life Maur," Jane said with a wry grin.
"We were riding high in April, shot down in May," Maura said softly.
"But I know we're gonna change that tune When we're back on top in June," Jane said with a growing smile. "So while things are rocky between us now, we'll be back to what we were and I want to take that first step."
Jane placed her hands on Maura's face and pressed her forehead against the shorter woman and said "I'm in love with you Maura Isles. I have been for a long time...Your laugh, your smile, the way you ramble about anything that interests you, the way your eyes twinkle at one of my lame attempts at a joke. The way you always correct me about the turtle-"
"-Tortoise-" Maura interjected softly with a small grin.
"-Tortoise and that cute little half smile you give every single time….I love the warmth and respect that you have for those living or dead. I love the way you treat Ma is your own mom and my siblings as your own…I love you," Jane finished.
"J-Jane…" Maura stuttered out as fresh tears began to fall.
"When Paddy pulled out that gun, I was terrified. Not for me, not for Gabriel, but was terrified of him turning the gun on you. Whether to shoot you or to hold you hostages. I was so scared…" Jane admitted. "This entire incident told me what could happen if I lost you I don't want that again but I…I'm scared. I'm scared of causing you to be hurt again and I'm afraid being hurt again…."
"Tell me what I can do Jane? Tell me what I can do to heal the damage I've caused…" Maura said as she placed a hand on Jane's chest, right above her heart. "I'll do it…No matter what it was."
"There is a lot that is going on with us right now. We both hurt each other a lot and our trust in one another has been fractured a bit but I don't want to do this apart. If we're going to fix it, let's just fix it together…Please?" Jane asked as she shut her eyes.
It was then she felt it.
Maura's lips pressed against hers in a tender kiss. Jane let herself fall into the kiss and returned it, her arms slinking down Maura's body to pull her closer while Maura wrapped her arms around Jane's neck.
The two pulled apart slowly and Maura whispered "Together…"
Jane smiled and murmured "Together."
"Well, I guess this is a poor time to need to exit this way," An amused Constance said, causing Jane and Maura to pull away and look at her, their faces beat red.
"Constance," Jane said with a small grin. "Sorry…I-uh…"
"M-Mother…C-Can you…Um…" Maura stuttered out.
"No need. You two make up then, yes?" Constance asked, her eyes twinkling in delight.
"We've taken the first step mother," Maura said softly. "There is a lot we need to fix…"
"But we'll do it together," Jane replied.
"Marvelous," Constance said with a smile.
It was then Jane caught what Constance was wearing.
She was wearing what looked to be a simple black blazer with a silk black button down shirt, black slacks and black heels and red lipstick on her lips but Jane knew that while it looks simple, that outfit might cost hundreds of dollars.
"Mother, you look beautiful," Maura said.
"Thank you," Constance said with a faint smile.
"But where are you off to?" Maura asked. "I thought the Art world was giving you a break?"
"They are my child. Tonight, I am taking Angela out to a dinner," Constance said but Jane could hear the faint tremor in her voice before she cleared it.
Constance was nervous and as Jane looked into her eyes, she could see it as plain as day.
"Angela? You mean Angela Rizzoli?" Maura asked with surprise.
"Do we know any other?" Constance asked with a quirked eyebrow. "She and I are going to dinner at Blu in a celebration of sorts."
"Blu? I heard their Atlantic Miso Salmon was to die for. I think Angela would like it," Maura said earnestly.
"Is that sea-food? If so, she'd be down for that," Jane added on with a thumbs-up to Constance.
Jane noticed there was a satisfied gleam in Constance's eyes but the nervousness was still there. "Very good. I know it is a little early but it can take a little while to get to downtown and our reservations are at 8PM and it's already 7PM."
"We were out here for 15 minutes?" Maura questioned.
"Time warping today," Jane replied with a grin. "Well, why don't I escort you down there?"
"I'd like that. While it's been a week, I'm not that confident in my walking. Especially in these heels. Oh, I just realized I forgot my earrings, I will be back Jane," Constance replied with a smile as she began to walk into the house.
Jane waited for a moment before she leaned over and murmured to Maura"I was originally coming to talk to you about Ma and Constance's little…friendly date. Something in my gut is still me something more is afoot."
"I was unaware of this friendly date," Maura said.
"Yeah, I was unaware of it as well until today," Jane said. "Normally Ma wouldn't hesitate to tell me she was hanging out with a friend but she seemed quite shocked that I knew about her thing with Constance…"
"Yes, I could tell. Mother seemed nervous the past few hours during and after our talk earlier…" Maura said.
Jane narrowed her eyes and nudged Maura and began to walk, which prompted Maura to follow her. "So since we're taking that first step, why don't we take that over dinner…And also to be spy buddies?"
"Spy on mother and Angela?" Maura asked. "What is your gut telling you detective?"
"I think there is something between Ma and Constance," Jane replied. "But I need concrete evidence….I'll explain why later."
Maura merely smiled as she pulled out her phone and said "When you are done with escorting mother to the guest house, return here. I should have a reservation set up."
Jane grinned and said "Rizzoli and Isles, back in business."
Maura beamed.
And for a little bit, everything seemed right in the world
Rain: And that is the end of this chapter. So the next chapter will be the date…Well now secretly a double date. So I hope Maura and Jane's reunion was nice for you guys to see and I hope you guys are amped about Angela and Constance's friendly date so until then…