Chapter 2: Plotting

"Jane!" Maura called out as she let herself into her friend's apartment.

"In here," she heard Jane call from the bedroom. Maura put her purse down on the counter and filled a clean coffee mug while she waited for Jane to finish getting ready. "Hey," Jane greeted as she joined Maura in the kitchen.

"Good morning," Maura said.

"Are you really making me go shopping today?" Jane complained. Maura had text her earlier in the week saying that they needed to get a few things for their trip and asked Jane if they could shop together on Saturday.

Maura laughed. "Yes," she responded. "We both need a couple of things for our trip to Switzerland."

"Maura, I have plenty of stuff to wear!" Jane whined. Maura pressed her lips into a thin line but didn't respond. "Is saying we both need things your polite way of telling me I don't have good enough clothes for this trip?" Jane asked, correctly reading her friend's face.

"I wouldn't say 'not good enough.' You just need a couple of additions to your wardrobe to have appropriate things to wear to the various events, particularly the Christmas Eve party. I'd like to get a new dress for the Christmas Eve party, as well," Maura added.

Jane rolled her eyes. "That's a yes," she said.

"I'm sorry," Maura said. "It's just that it's the first time you'll meet a lot of my family and my parents' friends."

Jane shifted uncomfortably. "It's alright. I don't want to embarrass you," she admitted. "Let's get what we need." She grabbed her keys and headed for the door.

Maura grabbed Jane's arm, stopping her. "No, Jane, that's not what I meant. You won't embarrass me. Well, you probably will, but it won't be because of your clothes."

Jane laughed at this. She knew Maura didn't care what she wore or how much her clothes cost, but she had to admit that she was worried about what Maura's family would think of her. She had been to a few charity events with Maura's high society friends, but she didn't really care what they thought of her. She was proud of the fact that she had worked for everything she had; she was proud of her family. Usually, she didn't care what anyone thought. She hadn't thought much about what Maura's mother thought of her when they first met, but something had changed since then. Now, as much as she told herself she didn't care what anyone thought, she knew that she would be lying if she said she didn't want Maura's family to like her and approve of her. Approve of her as what? she thought. Her friend? Colleague? Girlfriend?

"It's okay, Maur. I'll find another way to embarrass you; don't worry," she teased. "Let's go."

Maura smiled, but she also felt bad. She knew she had touched a nerve. She normally didn't care what Jane wore, but she was worried about her family being judgmental. She didn't care what they thought of Jane – that wasn't the issue. She was worried about what they would say to Jane. She didn't want her friend to feel uncomfortable, and she had thought that Jane blending in may be one way to avoid this discomfort. Plus, she couldn't deny that she wanted to see Jane in something special for the Christmas Eve party, but that was all for her. She wasn't embarrassed of Jane. She loved Jane, all of her, even the sweatpants wearing, sports watching, beer drinking, swears like a sailor girl from South Boston. Jane may not have come from money, but she came from something Maura had wanted more than anything as a child and cherished beyond measure now – she came from a loving family who always supported each other. It was likely that some of her family, especially a couple of aunts and cousins, will look down on Jane because she doesn't come from the same social status as Maura does and Maura is incredibly worried that they will say or do something to offend Jane. She was worried that her family would embarrass her. The problem was Jane probably thought it was the opposite – that Maura was embarrassed of her.

She decided now wasn't the time to address this however, so they headed out to shop for the day. She'd make sure at some point that Jane knows that she isn't embarrassed of her, though. They had a fun day together. Even though Jane complained all day, she actually had a blast just being with Maura. Neither woman dwelled on the conversation from the morning, and they easily fell into their comfortable friendship, full of teasing, laughter, and smiles.

On the other side of town, Angela was deep in conversation with Constance. Angela had immediately text Maura's mother the evening Jane and Maura told her they were spending Christmas in Switzerland. At first, she hadn't known how to broach the subject of Jane and Maura's relationship, but Constance hadn't beat around the bush at all. They had been texting ever since, and since Angela knew the girls would be gone all day shopping, they had planned to talk around lunchtime in Boston, dinnertime in Switzerland.

"They're out shopping," Angela told Constance. "I swear, Maura could literally get Jane to do anything, just by asking. I never thought I'd see the day where she voluntarily spent her Saturday buying clothes.

Constance laughed, "Yes, Jane doesn't seem like the type of person who would enjoy shopping. Maura, on the other hand, has loved shopping and fashion for as long as I can remember. By the way, I'm glad we're on the same page about Maura and Jane."

"It's literally obvious to everyone except the two of them," Angela said with a laugh. "Honestly, for two such smart people, they are really stupid when it comes to each other's feelings."

"Well, hopefully they just need a little push in the right direction."

"Better you than me," Angela remarked. "Jane hates when I try to interfere with her love life."

"Honestly, I've never done anything like this. I know it feels to Maura as though I'm not involved in her life because I don't care, but that's not the case. I've just never been good at showing my affection," Constance admitted. "I thought it best to not try to influence whom she chooses to date, but I just want her to be happy. Jane and your family, you all are what makes her happy. She's happier now than I have ever seen her in her life. I just want her to have everything she deserves, and that includes a family of her own, whatever that means for her."

"I want grandkids," Angela said with a laugh.

Constance laughed, "I have to admit, I do like the idea of grandkids."

"No, but you're right," Angela continued in a more serious tone. "I want the same for my kids. I do want grandkids, but if that isn't what Jane and Maura want, I'd be okay with that as long as Jane doesn't let her chance at happiness pass her by."

"They'd both be wonderful mothers if they choose to have a family," Constance said.

"I agree, but first things first, what are your plans to get them together?" Angela asked.

"Well…" Constance launched into a summary of the different ideas she had. They ended up talking for almost an hour. After she hung up the phone, Constance thought to herself, maybe this would work. With Angela's help, maybe the two of them could finally bring their daughters together.

A/N: Aww, you didn't think I was actually going to tell you what Constance (with help from Angela) have planned, did you? This was a short chapter, but the future chapters will be longer. I just realized I needed some sort of transition before I jumped right into the trip (sorry if the length is disappointing – it was for me too; I don't usually like to post chapters this short). The next chapter will pick up on the day they head to Switzerland.