A/N: I think this may be one of my favorite chapters I've ever written, so I hope it comes through the way I want it to. I hope that you all feel held and safe in your grief, and if you do not, please know you are not alone in it.

Jane was making dinner and Maura was lying on the couch watching a movie when the doorbell rang. Jane went to the door and was shocked to see Constance Isles.

"Hello, Jane. Is my daughter here?" The older woman was carrying what appeared to be a leather overnight bag.

Jane recovered from her shock. "Constance. Hi. Hello. Maura's, um, she is here, but she's –"

"I heard, despite the fact she didn't call me herself," Constance interrupted, handing Jane her bag and pushing past her into the living room.

Upon seeing her mother, Maura stood quickly. Her eyes closed tight for a moment and she gripped the arm of the couch with her hand. Jane recognized that she was dizzy, dropped Constance's bag, and rushed to Maura's side. Constance beat her there with a hug. Maura stiffened and didn't fully commit to the embrace. Her mother pulled back, hurt in her eyes.

Maura sighed. "Sorry, Mom. You know I'm not an affectionate person. I got it from you. What are you doing here?"

"I heard about your predicament." Constance picked up the quilt Maura had been using, folded it, placed it on a chair, and took a seat on the couch.

Maura remained standing, albeit shaky. "My predicament? From who?"

"That's not important. I'm here now, to take care of you."

Jane knew she was talking about Paddy Doyle. He had eyes everywhere. He must have found out Maura was in the hospital and contacted Constance. She could see Maura realizing this too. She took Maura's elbow and guided her down to the couch.

"I don't need you to take care of me," Maura mumbled to her mom, barely noticing Jane sitting her down.

"You never did need anyone. Always wanted to handle everything on your own. But you don't have to do that anymore, Maura." Constance stood back, eyeing her daughter with her arms crossed.

"I know I don't. Because I have her." Maura looked up at Jane.

Jane met her eyes and smiled, then flicked her eyes quickly to Constance and back, hoping Maura understood what she was asking. Maura responded with an imperceptible shake of her head.

"Constance, I was just making a lasagna," Jane said, eyeing the overnight bag. "Would you like to stay for dinner?"

"You cook?" Constance asked in surprise.

"Rarely," Jane admitted.

"Is it any good?"

Jane laughed. "My mom taught me. She'll be here soon to make sure I didn't mess anything up."

"Alright, then." Constance nodded. "Do you need me to help with anything?"

"It'd be great if you could put together the salad. Everything is out on the counter." Jane nodded toward the kitchen and Constance got up and went over, understanding. Jane sat next to Maura. "You okay?"

"Yes. Thank you."

Jane pushed Maura's messy hair back behind her shoulder and went to kiss her cheek, but thought better of it with Constance watching. She wasn't sure how much Maura wanted to let her mother in on all that had happened and she didn't want to put any added pressure on her. "Can I get you anything?"

"Stay here with me for a bit," Maura commanded.

Jane squeezed Maura's forearm and leaned back into the couch pillows. Maura leaned her head on Jane's shoulder.

"Mom, tell us how things are going in the art world," Maura called to her mother.

Constance updated them on the gallery openings she'd been to since she'd been back at it after the hit and run, tossing together the salad ingredients, and smiling at the way the tough, kind, beautiful woman who protected her daughter was doing it once more.

Angela arrived soon after and took over, both the conversation with Constance and the dinner. Jane reveled in the closeness of Maura against her and the comfortable silence between them, as Maura traced patterns on Jane's palm with the tip of her finger.

Maura insisted on sitting at the dining table for dinner, despite Jane's insistence she should stay comfortable on the couch. Maura knew Jane really just wanted her as close as physically possible. Maura wanted that too, but her mother's presence made her feel like she had to keep up some semblance of decorum. She allowed Jane to help her to the table and drape the quilt over her legs, even though she wasn't at all cold. She had to admit, Jane taking care of her felt amazing. And if she didn't focus on that feeling, she feared she would burst into tears. Constance could absolutely not bear witness to that, or to the ways in which her imperfect daughter was falling apart and feeling too much. But Maura shouldn't have worried.

Jane was incredible through dinner. She moved her chair so close to Maura's that their knees bumped. She held Maura's left hand with her right under the table for the duration of the meal, making both the women realize how advantageous it was that Jane was left-handed while Maura was right. Jane and Angela kept the conversation flowing easily, taking turns peppering Constance with thoughtful questions that had nothing to do with Maura, her pregnancy, her subsequent loss, the changes in her relationship with Jane, the biological mother who'd called her a liar, the half-sister who needed her kidney, or her mob boss biological father. Jane took every opportunity Angela was speaking to give Maura a reassuring glance, squeezing her hand gently. As soon as everyone was finished eating, Jane got Maura situated on the couch and helped Constance and Angela clear the table and get the dishwasher going. Maura felt the absence of Jane beside her in a way she'd never experienced with anyone before. She let out a sigh of relief when Jane rejoined her on the couch, inches between them, and held her hand out for Jane to take. Holding hands wasn't a new or different aspect to their relationship, she was in physical pain, and she'd suffered a traumatic loss. Their mothers sat in the chairs across from them, carrying on their easy banter, so Maura didn't think hers would think anything of the hand holding her own.

Maura couldn't stop watching Jane, her eyes filled with adoration. The way Jane feigned interest in Constance's art talk and made it believable. The way she steered both their mothers from any topic that could become uncomfortable for Maura. The way she was constantly checking in with mere eye contact or the pressing of her thumb against the back of Maura's hand. All of these things came together with everything else she loved about Jane to solidify in Maura's mind what she'd suspected for years. Not only was she in love with Jane, not only was she attracted to everything about Jane, she wanted to spend the rest of her life with this woman. Jane was her one, her only, the great love of her life, and if Maura had an ounce of physical or mental energy left, she might have gotten down on one knee and asked Jane to be her wife, right then and there. Mother be damned.

Instead, Maura leaned over and pressed her lips to Jane's, no longer caring one bit what her mother would say or think. It was quick, but overt. Jane gave her a surprised smile and let go of her hand to slip her arm around Maura's waist, pulling her as close as she could. Maura brought her legs up behind her on the couch to press even closer into Jane's side, her head nestled on Jane's chest. She gripped Jane's thigh with one hand and used the other to tighten Jane's arm around her, resting their joined hands on her abdomen. Jane kissed the top of her head before continuing seamlessly with the conversation, daring one of their mothers to comment. Maura first met Angela's eyes, filled with love for them both and for them together.

But it was when she met the eyes of her mother that the last bit of formality slipped out of place. Constance nodded slightly to her daughter, the look in her eyes mirroring Angela's. Warmth. Understanding. Approval. Maura's shock was quickly surpassed by a wave of overwhelming emotion and she felt her eyes fill with tears, though not the type she'd been fighting to hold back all evening. These were tears of relief. It was the safest Maura had felt in her entire life, being held by her love, with her mother's blessing and Angela's enduring support.

Maura's stream of tears turned to sobs, leaving her somewhere between embarrassed and liberated. Angela and Constance both stood. At Constance's reaction, Angela hung back and allowed mother to go to daughter. Jane held on tight, absorbing the heaves that came along with the sobs into her own body, resting her chin on the top of Maura's head. Constance kneeled in front of the couch to be eye level with her daughter.

"Oh, honey," Constance murmured. "Everything is going to be alright."

"I know," Maura said through tears, trying to slow her breathing.

Angela was behind them now, leaning over the table behind the couch to place a hand on Maura's shoulder and another on Jane's. Jane reached up with her free hand and gave her mom's a grateful squeeze.

"You are so loved," Angela said to Maura.

"I know," Maura wailed again, unable to get the crying under control.

"I am so happy you have found this. You will be okay because you are held," Constance said, placing a hand on Maura's knee. "I'm so happy you have her."

Constance looked at Jane. "Thank you for taking care of my girl."

Constance looked up to meet Angela's eyes. "Thank you for being there for her when I haven't been."

"She is like one of my own," Angela replied.

"I've got her," Jane said simply, knowing no more needed to be said.

"I know." Constance nodded and stood. "I am going to get a hotel room. I will be in town for a few weeks, so I will be nearby if you need me."

"Come for lunch day after tomorrow," Jane said, having seen the breakthrough and knowing Maura would want her mom around, though not stifling. "I'll make something."

Constance smiled. "I'll bring lunch."

Jane laughed and stood with Maura to release her into the arms of her mother with a smattering of reluctance.

Maura leaned into the embrace this time, choking on tears to get out the words. "Thank you, Mom. I love you."

And then Constance left.

Jane was more than content to have her love back in her arms. Angela bid them goodnight with a kiss on each of their heads. Jane guided Maura up to her room and helped her dress for bed, stopping only to kiss her tear-stained cheeks. They got into bed and Jane held Maura in her arms, not holding her together, but holding her still, stroking her hair and whispering assurances, until the exhaustion outweighed the emotion and Maura finally fell asleep.