Chapter 10: Christmas Eve Traditions
Arthur sighed as he and Constance said goodnight to the last guest. He always enjoyed their annual Christmas Eve party, and he admired his wife's hosting abilities. However, he was always glad when the night was finally over, and he could enjoy time with just his family. When Maura was a child, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were one of the only times he knew all three of them would be together. He had missed Maura since she had stopped coming back for Christmas, but he understood that they never gave Maura the time she needed throughout her childhood. She didn't owe them anything, so he didn't think it was fair to expect her to give them her time when they never gave her their time. However, he hoped that she knew how much they loved and cherished her and how much they valued the time they did get to spend with her. He was so glad that she had decided to come home this year for Christmas and that she brought Jane. He was looking forward to being able to spend Christmas with his family again.
"Wonderful, as always, Connie," he said to his wife when she turned back to him from thanking their last guest.
"Thank you," Constance replied. "I thought it was one of our better Christmas Eve parties."
"I'm sure Maura being here had a lot to do with that," Arthur said.
"Yes, it did, and I cannot believe that she and Jane finally admitted their feelings for each other," she added happily.
Arthur chuckled as he and Constance headed back to their room. "Yes, dear, I think your plan worked," he admitted.
"Honestly, I had very little to do with it. I had a number of little things planned over the next week to help them see that they are meant to be," Constance said.
"You got them here. Maybe that's all they needed," he replied.
"Maybe, but I think I will still make sure they still have the chance to spend quality time together – just to make sure they know just how much they mean to each other," Constance said.
"Dear, don't you think you should leave the girls alone?" Arthur asked, slightly exasperated.
"Well, I can't cancel some of the things I had planned anyway," Constance sidestepped his comment. "They will enjoy themselves; don't worry about it."
Arthur laughed lightly. "Whatever you say, dear. Regardless, I am just glad that our daughter is here with us for Christmas and that she is happy."
"So am I," Constance said. "So am I."
Once they got back to their room, Arthur went to change out of his formal wear. Constance decided to take the opportunity to call Angela.
"Hello," Angela answered the phone.
"Hello, Angela," Constance replied. "Am I catching you at a bad time?"
Angela looked around at the chaos taking place in Maura's house. They were just finishing dinner, so it wasn't the best time. Nevertheless, she really wanted to know what Constance was calling to tell her. "No, of course not. To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?"
Constance paused. She realized that it would have been more proper to allow Jane and Maura to tell Angela, but now that she had called, she couldn't not tell Angela about their daughters. "We did it," Constance squealed, sounding more like an excited teenager than she had even when she was a teenager.
"What?" Angela exclaimed. She was pretty sure she knew what Constance was talking about, but she didn't want to be wrong.
"They're together. Maura and Jane, they're a couple," Constance said excitedly.
"Ahhh!" Angela screamed into the phone loud enough that Constance had to pull her phone away from her ear, but she couldn't help grinning widely at Angela's excitement. "Are you serious?" Angela asked. "Tell me everything!"
Constance laughed. "Yes, I am serious, but I don't know the full story yet. It just happened today – this morning in fact. We found out just before the party while we were taking family pictures. I didn't want to ask for details with so many people around. I have to tell you, though; it was hard to sit through dinner without asking them what happened."
"You're sure though?" Angela asked. "It didn't just look like they were together because they can do that sometimes. I can't even tell you the number of times someone has thought they were a couple even when they weren't."
"Yes, I'm sure," Constance said, still laughing. "Jane kissed Maura during the pictures and not in an ambiguous way at all. I also confirmed with them that they were in fact a couple and that it would be okay if we introduced them that way to party guests. They told me that they were together and that it had just happened. They wanted to make sure we knew that they hadn't been lying or hiding anything. I never thought they were lying, though."
"No, I never thought they were lying either. I think they were just oblivious. Really, for two such smart women, they can be real idiots," Angela said before adding, "No offence."
Constance chuckled, "None taken. I wholeheartedly agree."
"Oh, this is amazing. I'm so happy," Angela said.
"We are as well," Constance said. "I realize I probably should have allowed Maura and Jane to tell you themselves though."
"Nonsense, they've had all day," Angela said, waving aside Constance's concerns. "I should let you go. It's after midnight there. Merry Christmas, Constance, and please tell Arthur Merry Christmas, as well."
"Merry Christmas, Angela," Constance replied. "I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday. Talk soon."
"Bye," Angela said before hanging up.
Constance turned at the sound of Arthur laughing from the bathroom doorway. "Who are you and what have you done with my wife?" Arthur teased.
Constance ignored his quip. "Angela says Merry Christmas," she told her husband.
"I hope you told her Merry Christmas from us as well," Arthur replied.
"I did," Constance confirmed. "I'm going to go change," she added, standing up and retreating to the bathroom while Arthur got in bed with a book to wait for her.
It was just after 11pm when Maura and Jane returned to their bedroom. As soon as they walked through the door, Maura turned on Jane and pinned her against the door with a passionate kiss. Jane couldn't help but let an involuntary moan escape.
Maura pulled back slightly, whispering, "I've been waiting hours to do that."
"Then, why'd you stop," Jane breathed. They were so close that Maura felt the words whispered against her lips before she captured Jane's lips for another kiss. Maura pressed her own body against Jane's as she let her hands roam, one hand threading into Jane's hair to hold her close, the other wandering up and down Jane's side, eventually sliding to cup her ass.
The kiss heated up quickly, and Jane felt like she might just explode. Jane pushed off the door slightly, breaking the kiss unintentionally, but before they could continue, she groaned softly, "I have to get out of this dress."
"Mmm, I can help with that," Maura said seductively, but instead of the reaction she was hoping for, Jane froze, her eyes growing wide in fear. Maura stepped back from Jane immediately. "I'm sorry, Jane. I thought…" Maura trailed off, feeling guilty and slightly embarrassed.
But Jane shook her head, reaching out to Maura. Grabbing her hands, she told her, "It's okay. You didn't do anything wrong. I…I thought I was ready. I'm really sorry, Maura."
"Jane, it's okay. We don't have to do anything. I don't want to do anything before you're ready. I only want this if we both want it," Maura said kindly, stepping slightly closer to Jane again, but not close enough that their bodies were touching.
"I do want it," Jane said. "I want you. I want everything with you. I'm just…I guess I'm just scared," Jane confessed and the vulnerability in her voice nearly broke Maura.
Maura let go of Jane's hands and wrapped her arms around her shoulders, pulling her in for a hug. Jane laid her head on Maura's shoulder, and Maura quietly said into her ear, "It's okay, Jane. I love you, and I'll wait for you. I mean it when I say I want you to be ready, too, but please know that you have nothing to be afraid of. We can wait as long as you need, but when you're ready, I'll be right here with you. We'll do this together, like we do everything else. Okay?"
Jane nodded against Maura's shoulder, returning her whisper, "I love you too."
Maura gave Jane another squeeze before leaning back far enough so that she could look Jane in the eye without releasing her hold on her friend. "Now, if it's okay with you, I would like to ring in Christmas Day with my best friend. Why don't you use the bathroom first – to change or if you want to shower? Then I'll go. Be ready by midnight?"
Jane smiled, then nodded. She gave Maura a soft chaste kiss before pulling away to get her pajamas.
While Jane was in the bathroom, Maura got her pajamas ready as well. She also pulled out Jane's Christmas gift. They had a tradition of getting into Maura's bed just before midnight; then, they would exchange gifts right after midnight, so that their gifts to each other were always the first gifts they opened on Christmas. It was a silly tradition, but Maura loved it. Generally, Maura struggled to choose a gift for Jane; she wasn't the best at picking gifts for other people, and she always put so much pressure on finding the perfect gift for Jane. This year, she thought she had done well, though, and she really hoped that Jane liked her gift. Jane always found the perfect gift for her, so she was sure that her girlfriend would still outdo her.
When Jane finished in the bathroom, Maura took her turn to get ready for bed, returning from the bathroom at ten to midnight. Jane was already sitting in her spot in bed, leaning against the headboard when Maura climbed in next to her. She placed her gift on the bedside table and turned to Jane. "I hope tonight wasn't too bad for you," Maura said. "Thank you again for coming."
Jane leaned closer to Maura so that their shoulders were touching. "I enjoyed myself," she said, but Maura snickered in disbelief. "Really, I did," Jane said. "I don't want to go to big fancy events every weekend, but I like doing it once in a while for you because I know it makes you happy."
Maura rested her head on Jane's shoulder. "Thank you," she said quietly.
"Your family may be a little…" Jane paused trying to find the right word, "stiff, but they mean well. They're nice."
"I actually feel closer to many of my cousins after the past couple of days than I ever did growing up with them," Maura admitted. "I think our distance was due more to misunderstanding each other than to any actual dislike."
Jane turned to leave a soft kiss on Maura's forehead. "I agree," she said. "For someone who never guesses or makes assumptions, you seem to think a lot of people don't like you when in reality they just don't know you."
"Mmm," Maura hummed in agreement.
"But I hope you know how much I like you," Jane said.
"I like you, too," Maura said. "My family likes you, as well."
"I'm glad, but the person I want to like me the most is you," Jane confessed in a rare moment of vulnerability. "Oh, it's midnight," she exclaimed, sitting up as she noticed the time.
Maura giggled as she lost her balance when Jane sat up without warning. "Merry Christmas, Jane," she said as she righted herself, sitting up across from Jane.
"Merry Christmas, Maura," Jane said as she leaned in for another kiss. "I hope you like your gift," she added as she handed Maura the gift she had brought for her.
"Open yours first," Maura said, handing Jane her gift.
"You're really terrible at this 'I'll pay for your flight as a Christmas gift thing,'" Jane said. "First, a necklace, which I love by the way. Now, another gift."
Maura rolled her eyes. "You knew I would have something for you to open at midnight. Besides, this is your real gift," she added. "Also, you love gifts."
Jane laughed. "Yes, I do," she admitted as she started to unwrap the gift. The box was just a plain white box, which Jane opened to reveal what looked like an ordinary photo album. Jane lifted it from the box, pushing the packaging aside.
Both women leaned back against the headboard as Maura said, "You mentioned that you didn't have a lot of pictures from recent years. I figured you'd never have time to do anything about that, so I collected pictures from family and friends and got them printed."
"I can't believe you remembered that," Jane said softly. "It was just an off-hand comment that I made months ago."
Maura shrugged. "It seemed like it bothered you more than you let on," she said.
Jane turned to look into Maura's eyes. "Honestly, I don't know how you do that."
"Do what?" Maura asked quietly.
"Read me so well," Jane said. "It did bother me that I only seemed to have pictures from my childhood. Don't get me wrong, I know I'm lucky to have those, but…"
"But you want to remember the good parts of your adulthood, too," Maura finished for her.
"Yeah," Jane said as she opened the book. They reminisced as they looked through the pictures.
As Jane finished, Maura added, "I also have a couple that I had printed and framed, but I didn't want to fly them to Switzerland only to have to fly them home."
"Maura, I love it. Thank you so much," Jane said, turning to wrap her friend in a big hug. "I can't wait to put them up at my apartment, maybe with some pictures from tonight."
"Or…" Maura started before she could stop herself.
"Or what?" Jane asked.
"Um, nevermind," Maura tried.
"Uh uh, now you have to tell me. Or what?" Jane said.
Maura glanced around the room nervously before conceding that Jane wouldn't drop it until she told her. "Or you could put them up at my house," Maura said.
"But your house is perfectly decorated," Jane said, feeling completely confused.
"I meant…I thought…Well, it was a silly idea," Maura stuttered.
"Maura, what are you talking about? You lost me," Jane said.
Taking a deep breath, Maura said quickly, "I thought maybe you could move in with me, but it's silly. It's too fast. I know that."
Jane sat in surprised silence. It wasn't until she noticed the hives starting to appear on Maura's chest that she was pulled from her silent thoughts. "Do you mean that?" she asked quietly.
"Oh, um. No, well yes, but um, I know it's too fast," Maura tried to hide, but she could now feel the hives starting to appear.
"Maura," Jane said softly. "Come here," she said as she pulled Maura in for a hug. When she was leaning against Jane's chest, she couldn't hold back the tears anymore. "Maura, I want to know if you actually meant that. Keep in mind that I can see your hives starting."
Maura let out a soft laugh through her tears. "Yes, I meant it," she whispered. "But I also know that it's ridiculous to want."
"I don't know," Jane admitted. "Maybe it's crazy, but maybe we're just that crazy."
"What do you mean?" Maura asked, barely able to contain the hopeful feeling growing in her chest.
"I mean, maybe we've been dancing around each other for too long. To be fair, I basically already live at your house. I spend more time there than I do in my own apartment," Jane told her.
"It's not too soon?" Maura asked.
"Is it too soon for you?" Jane replied.
"No," Maura admitted. "But I should admit that there were times even when we were just friends that I wished we lived together. Even I knew that was not normal."
Jane chuckled softly. "I kinda like the idea," Jane admitted. "Maybe other people will think it's too fast, but I don't really care what other people think. If it feels right for us, then I think it's right."
"Really?" Maura asked, vulnerability lacing her words as she remained in Jane's arms.
"Yeah, really," Jane said. "Besides, it's not like we just met and started dating. I already know you better than I've ever known anyone else I dated."
Maura chuckled. "I guess that's true," she acknowledged.
"I think we should do it," Jane said. "But let's talk about it again in a couple of days. Just in case you change your mind or were caught up in the moment."
"Okay, I think coming back to this in a few days is a good idea," Maura said. "But Jane?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm not going to change my mind."
"Me neither," Jane said with a smile. "But right now, I want you to open your gift."
"Okay," Maura said with a laugh.
Jane handed Maura her present as they separated and resumed their places leaning against the headboard. Maura, being Maura, carefully started removing the wrapping paper. Jane wasn't even sure this could actually be called unwrapping, even though she technically was unwrapping the gift.
"Hurry up!" Jane exclaimed impatiently.
"Don't rush me, Jane," Maura chastised lightly. She slowed down her removal of the wrapping paper just enough to be noticeable.
"Okay, now you're just doing that on purpose," Jane called her out.
Maura laughed. "Yes, I am. Okay, happy?" Maura asked as she removed the last of the wrapping paper, folded it neatly, and set it to the side.
Maura was surprised to find a shoebox, but it was not a shoebox from any brand she would ever buy. She shot a skeptical glance to Jane before opening the box, but it didn't contain shoes.
Jane chuckled at the look she received from Maura. "Sorry, I had to find a shoe box that you would hate just to tease you. I promise I didn't get you shoes," she teased.
Inside was a book. It was homemade, but Maura suspected it was professionally bound. She lifted it out of the box to look at, setting the empty box aside.
"Um, it's a family recipe book," Jane said, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "Ma helped me a lot, but I also reached out to some of my aunts and cousins for additional recipes. I was going to type them all up so that they would be easier to read, but Ma thought you might like them in the original handwriting, so most of them are photocopies. I also tried to add where the recipe came from, if I knew – like if it was my nonna's recipe or whatnot."
"Jane, I love it," Maura said and when she turned to look at Jane, Jane could see the tears glistening her eyes, threatening to fall. "Thank you. This means so much to me."
"Well, it should," Jane joked, trying to lighten the mood. "I had to beg for some of those that are only supposed to be shared with family. I had to swear on my life that you were family, and then Ma still had to step in with my one aunt to assure her that you were family."
Despite Jane's attempt to lighten the mood, Maura's tears started to fall at Jane's words. She all but threw herself into Jane's arms, whispering "Thank you," into her hair.
"I love you, Maura. You've always been family, but one day we're going to make it official," Jane said quietly.
"I love you too, Jane," Maura replied, still teary.
They sat for a while longer looking through both the recipe book and the photo album (again). When they finally turned the lights off for sleep and Maura found her way into Jane's arms without having to feel guilty for being so close, Maura was sure she had never felt more loved and had never been happier or felt more content. She fell asleep thinking this was likely to be the best Christmas yet.