A/N: This story is a stand-alone however, it is based on characters and storylines that I developed in my Snapshots stories. You don't have to read that to have this story make sense but if you were wondering where the four children came from that is it, Snapshots 2.0. Jane's military time is revealed in Rizzoli – The Early Years (Snapshots 3.0). Happy Veterans Day!
Veterans Day 2022
Jane and Maura had taken the children to the Veterans Day Parade that was held on Saturday, November 5th and the children had enjoyed it. They were impressed with the Jr. ROTC group and really loved how the teenagers were able to march around with such precision.
There were other organizations that marched also that impressed the children. After watching one of the Veterans organization pass MJ had asked, "Mama, how come you don't wear your uniform like some of the other veteran's do?"
"MJ, to be honest with you, I don't even know where my uniforms are. They are probably in a box somewhere in a storage facility. That part of my life was so long ago. I haven't needed to wear a uniform as I am no longer in the military. I still have my pictures and awards and I have shown those to you."
Jane thought for a moment and then continued, "The only uniform I have now is my Police Officer uniform and I don't even like to wear that. Mommy can verify that for you." Jane said as she looked over at Maura who was shaking her head confirming what Jane had just said. "I don't need a uniform to show my pride in being a veteran. My pride is in my heart and in my actions."
"I like that mama, that is a great way to look at it." MJ replied as he walked over and gave his mama a big hug.
"Thank you, MJ." Jane said as she carefully leaned down to give her son a kiss. Kate was on her shoulders as she was having a problem seeing the parade and Jane didn't want her rushing through people to get to the front of the crowd. They were at the corner of Park and Tremont street in Boston Commons where the parade would be ending.
When they arrived home after the parade, Lilly asked, "Mama, what are we going to do on Veterans Day this year? We don't have school."
"Mommy and I were thinking of having a picnic if the weather was nice enough, but I checked the 10-day forecast and there is a 50 percent chance of rain, so I think we need to have an indoor activity. Is there something that you would like to do?" Jane always liked asking the children what they wanted to do. Often times growing up she didn't have a choice and she wanted to make sure that their children to have a choice in their activities.
"Can we have an indoor picnic and maybe go to a museum?" Lilly offered and MJ, AJ and Kate all agreed.
"I like that idea, mama, can we do that?" Kate asked.
"Let me check with the boss. Maur, what do you think about an indoor picnic and then maybe go to a museum on Friday?" Jane asked. Maura was in the kitchen getting some snacks together as they prepared to watch a movie. Jane was in the living room with the children. They would all go downstairs to their media room once Maura was finished in the kitchen.
"Mama, mommy is not the boss, she is your partner. Partners share the responsibility." Lilly told her.
Jane laughed and said, "I know, I just like to think that she is the brains behind this operation."
AJ who was normally quiet spoke up and said, "Mama, we are not an operation and you are smart also. Mommy might have a higher IQ but you are smart."
"Thank you, AJ. Have we decided on a movie yet?" Jane asked deflecting as she didn't like when people told her she was smart. In her mind, Maura was the smart one. Maura has been telling her for years that she is smart also but Jane doesn't want to hear it.
They selected a movie to watch and then enjoyed the rest of their afternoon. They always tried to find some type of outdoor activity to do with the children, or at least an activity outside of the house. The children were looking forward to Veterans Day.
Friday morning, Jane stirred and said, "Hmmm" as she awoke to Maura kissing her scar on her left shoulder. "Morning Maur, what time is it?"
"Good morning, love. It is 4:30 in the morning." Maura responded as she began kissing Jane's lips. She loved waking Jane up like this, just as much as when Jane woke her up like this.
"Not that I mind you kissing me but why are you awake so early?" Jane asked as she returned the kisses, kissing any part of Maura's body she could.
"Well, the children are out of school today and I was going to get up and make breakfast for all of us. Right now, it is Veterans Day so I am showing my veteran some love and appreciation." Maura said as she kissed the top of Jane's forehead and then her left eye, right eye, nose, left cheek, right cheek and then resumed kissing her on the mouth.
"Oh!" Jane said as Maura slid her hand down between Jane's thighs. She was not expecting Maura to be so bold with the children in the house. "What about the children?" Jane said in between her moans.
"I locked the bedroom door. I'm so happy you finally put a lock on our bedroom door. I figured I have a few hours to show you some love and appreciation before we have to get up." Maura said as she looked up so she could make eye contact with Jane who was looking down and smiling at her. She couldn't resist moving up to kiss Jane again. She loved kissing Jane.
"Well in that case." Jane didn't finish her sentence she just turned Maura over so that she was on her back and returned the appreciation.
At 6 AM they got up and took a shower together, continuing to appreciate one another for another half hour before Maura said, "Jane, we really need to get out of the shower and start on breakfast."
Jane pouted and said, "But I was having fun."
"I know love, we can continue to have fun tonight after we put the children to bed." Maura told Jane who smiled widely at her.
"Okay." Jane said as she turned the shower off and opened the door so they could get out of the shower and get dressed.
After a light breakfast they gathered everything that they would need for their indoor picnic. The weather actually wasn't that bad and the forecast had changed slightly and the rain wouldn't be coming until 4 PM so they decided to have their picnic outdoors.
They went to their favorite park. Jane spread the blanket out while the children went and played on the slide and swings. Maura arranged all of the food so it would be ready in a little while when they ate.
Jane and Maura sat snuggled up together and watched the children play. They enjoyed nice relaxing days like this with the children. The children played for about an hour and then they started getting hungry. Maura got out the sandwiches while Jane prepared the paper plates, napkins and drinks. She knew Kate would want to sit between her and Maura so she automatically placed Kate's things in between them.
The children all thanked their mothers as they sat down to eat their lunch. They were surprised that Maura had fixed them fluff 'n nutter sandwiches. They loved them just as much as Jane did. Maura figured today was a special day so she would fix their favorite sandwiches. After lunch they played for a while longer and then headed home. They had decided during lunch that they would watch a movie when they got back home.
"Have you children decided on a movie yet?" Jane asked as she knew this was the routine any time they were going to watch a movie.
"How about Home Alone?" Kate suggested. "It is funny, we all love it."
Maura walked out to the living room and told Kate, "We can watch that one but I found a movie that would be perfect for today. It is called, 'Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero.' It is a movie about a dog that was found on the streets and followed his owner, who is in the US Army to France and serves in World War I."
"So, the dog is a veteran?" Kate asked.
"Yes, the dog was given a rank and served with the US Army." Jane added.
"Sounds like a good movie can we watch that one first?" MJ asked. MJ checked with the other children and they all agreed.
Jane opened up YouTube and found the movie. She started it once everyone was sitting down and had their popcorn. When the troops were marching, Lilly asked, "Mama, did you have to march around like that?"
Jane paused the movie and replied, "Yes, I did have to march during basic training and technical school after that we only had to march when the commander told us. I was stationed on an Army based and they tended to march more than the Air Force but the Army General required that a certain amount of Air Force personnel march with them in their formation. So, occasionally I had to march as part of the Air Force contingent.
"Did you have a dog with you?" MJ asked.
"The Army unit I was with had Military Police dogs. I personally didn't have a dog though." Jane responded.
They watched some more of the movie. At about twenty minutes in they saw the soldiers get on a large boat and Kate asked, "Mama, did you ride on a boat like that?"
"No baby, whenever I deployed with my unit or the Army I rode on an aircraft." Jane explained.
"How come you were with the Army if you were in the Air Force?" AJ asked. He didn't understand that part.
"I was stationed on an Army base in Germany and they were short on personnel so the Air Force loan myself and some of my coworkers to the Army for a four-month deployment."
MJ asked, "Is that the deployment that you got shot in the shoulder?"
Jane grabbed her left shoulder and replied, "Yes, MJ. Your Aunt Arianna came over and help me recover so that I could come home from Germany and that is when I joined the police force. Is it okay if we finish the movie and then I can answer all of your questions? The movie has been on pause for a while and I really want to see what happens to Sgt. Stubby." All the children nodded and Jane un-paused the movie. They never watched the second movie because the children had so many questions for Jane.
"Mama and mommy can we get a dog?" Lilly asked. Jane looked at Maura and they both shrugged their shoulders. Neither one of them wanted to answer that question.
Jane decided she would handle this question which pleased Maura, "You mother and I have talked about getting an animal before and we decided that it wouldn't be a good idea for us. I know you have heard us talk about mommy's turtle …"
"Tortoise," Maura and MJ said at the same time.
"Yes, tortoise. Well, when we started having you children, we didn't want any animals to have to care for on top of caring for you. Our jobs have crazy hours and at the time mommy's parents didn't live in Boston so we decided to not have any pets. MJ knows Bass because he didn't go to live at the zoo until mommy got pregnant with AJ and Lilly. Once we found out we were having twins we knew it would be too much for us to keep Bass at the house."
"But we could help take care of a dog." Kate said as she gave her mama her best version of puppy dog eyes.
"That is not going to work Kate. Save your puppy dog eyes for something else. We would rather spend all of our spare time with the four of you. So, I am going to stick to our decision and say no. You can visit with the animals at the zoo and with your friends that have animals." The children all looked disappointed but they understood.
"I didn't know Bass was mommys." Kate said, "I just thought he was a tortoise that you liked visiting, because you like tortoises."
"I was an only child and my parents weren't around a lot so they let me have Bass, I got him when I was 5 or 6." Maura said. "I had the habitat built for him and his buddies and I, well we, pay for his upkeep."
"So, we do have a pet, he just doesn't live with us." Kate concluded.
"Yes, he is still our tortoise, we just share him with the City of Boston." Maura told Kate.
Jane could see that this conversation was having an effect on Maura so she said, "Who is ready to order dinner? I was thinking of ordering pizza." The children all raised their hands. They loved pizza.
They ordered pizza for dinner and afterwards they played 'Go Fish' until it was time to go to bed. Jane had showed them so many pictures and told stories about her time in the Air Force that the children agreed to forego story time.
After putting the children to bed, Jane and Maura climbed into bed naked after locking the bedroom door. Maura whispered in Jane's ear, "Now, where was I on showing my veteran some love and appreciation?"