Everybody seemed to settle well into their new life. Maura and Jane had decided to be open about their relationship at work, which had brought some mischievous comments, but at least the rumor mill about them had stopped. Some people were very supportive though, which was really nice.
Harry had started as a pupil at the new school, which also turned out very well. The changing didn't cause him any problem as he was intelligent and with TJ there, he already had his first friend. The boys bonded quickly and soon they spent a lot of time together, including sleepovers when it got late. Tommy seemed to benefit from it all, as he had just opened his own plumber business and could take many emergency calls which brought him a lot of new clients.
Jane took it as a good sign for the time when Maura would really get pregnant. It wasn't that they hadn't tried – a lot actually over past months – but it somehow hadn't worked out yet. Anyways, Harry would probably like a new sibling if there was one. He was very social and Jane often wondered were he had gotten this from.
She was sure though that he had inherited her sensitive and caring side. It was a pleasure to watch him grow and to contribute to his happiness. Their situation wasn't always easy, but they took it all step by step.
"I'm ready." Maura announced to what had seemed an eternity to Jane who glanced up at the doc, pulling her out of her thoughts. She had sat down after pacing the floor nervously for almost half an hour, reminding Maura that they would be late for the flight. Then she had given up and chosen to check on Harry before sitting down to the edge of the bed, while Harry and Tj were playing in the living room.
Both boys were ten now and had grown distinctively over the past months. Maura gave her a bright smile and waved with their plane tickets and passports. "Let's go!" she said, and Jane could feel her excitement. An excitement which had caught the entire family like a fever. Up to the point that none of them had been able to sleep the previous night.
Jane chuckled when thinking about Harry who had come to their bedroom several times during the night to ask questions about their destination. Always followed by TJ who would join them on their three-weeks' vacation. Both boys always wearing their jungle hats.
She stood and followed Maura out of the room to get the boys. Tommy and Angela would bring them to the airport. Jane and Tommy had already loaded the luggage into the two trunks. When Maura had come up with the idea to go to Panama during their Christmas holidays, Jane had not been convinced that it was a good idea. But Maura had promised that she would like it and that it would do her good to take some days off.
Now she was happy that the doc had convinced her to do this. She felt really happy and excited about the upcoming weeks and a time off from the cold Bostonian winter. Especially seeing Harry so excited made her super happy.
Maura laughed when the boys immediately chose to ride with Angela. No surprise really when you knew how she kept spoiling them. Jane was sure that her mother had packed them some home made cookies into their lunch bags. Including her favorite fluffy sandwiches which the boys loved as much as she did.
They arrived at the airport on time to board and rushed to the terminal after waving quickly at Angela and Tommy who both grinned.
It wasn't Harrys first flight, but TJ's who became pale and nervous suddenly when looking out of the small window. Harry had deliberately left the window seat to his cousin as he already had enough opportunities to watch the cloud and the sky.
Jane who wasn't fond of flying either watched Tj with sympathy. She felt Maura's hand touch hers and the reassuring squeeze was comforting. They locked eyes and smiled at each other. "Thank you." She said and Maura placed a kiss on the brunettes' cheek. If it wasn't for Maura, Jane would probably never have taken such a vacation. Never would the detective had thought that she would even like such thing.
R&I
Their hotel was located at the sea with a private beach. Maura and Jane had decided to rent a bungalow with two bedrooms. Each bedroom had a door to the deck which gave an incredible view onto the sand and water. The water was Christal clear and smelt like salt.
They spent the first days at the beach, bathing and building castles of sand with the boys. Very often they enjoyed a cocktail while watching Harry and TJ playing football till sunset. It was very romantic. They survived two sunburns; Jane would tease Maura about the glorious sunburn she got despite using protective lotion for the rest of their life's for sure.
Harry also got a nice sunburn. It was less bad though as he tended more towards Janes olive skin then Maura's cream one. After putting on some healing ointment to both, the brunette walked into the bathroom to catch a shower.
"I love you." She whispered as they lay in bed later. Maura moaned as the skin hurt when she turned to face Jane in the soft moonlight. "I love you too." She replied with a smile.
"I would hope so. We'll get married soon." Jane joked lightly and wiggled her eyebrows which made Maura laugh. In fact, they were getting married in spring. Only three months left and Jane was also already getting excited about that.
She gently stroke over Maura's upper arm which was the least burnt piece of her body and Maura scooted a bit closer for a kiss. It seemed like the longer they were together the softer their kisses got. Jane sometimes wondered if it shouldn't be the other way round, but hell, what had they ever done like other people right? Normal wasn't meant for them and she thought that it was perfect the way it was.
Maura had done the main part of the wedding planning with Jane and Angela helping. There was not much to plan really as they had decided on a small wedding with friends and family. Angela and Janes aunts would cook. Frost would be Janes best man and Susie Maura's best woman.
As they hadn't gotten a reply from Maura's parents to the invitation yet, they had developed the idea that Frankie jr would lead the doc down the aisle. Korsak would lead Jane. Everything was already sounding perfect.
Janes heart sank a little though at the thought that Maura's parents wouldn't come. the doc always acted as if it didn't matter and had only said yesterday that it was their problem because they would miss out on so much. But Jane could read all too well through Mauras feigned indifference or annoyance.
She kept gently stroking Mauras arm, hoping that Constance and Arthur would change their minds over the next three months. She bit her lip and tried not to feel guilty because it was obvious that the reason why they wouldn't come to the wedding was her.
In their eyes, Jane was not good enough for Maura. And it hurt more to know that she was the cause of the fights between the doc and her parents than the rejection of them.
