Oops, I Did It Again – Chapter 35

Arthur and Constance were sitting in the living room after the girls left. Constance turned to Arthur and asked, "What do you think about Jane after spending some time with her?"

Arthur replied, "I rather like her. She is everything that Maura said and then some. I think she is perfect for Maura and they both seem so happy together."

"They do don't they." Constance admitted with a smile.

"I noticed you didn't tell Jane what you are going to do tomorrow. Do you have a plan?"

Constance smiled and said, "I do darling, and I will tell you all about it after I carry it out. I just wanted your opinion on Jane first. I rather like her also and agree that she is perfect for Maura. I loved Mel, I don't want anybody to ever doubt that. I just wasn't sure if Maura would ever find someone who loves her as much as Mel did. My heart broke for Maura when Mel was killed. At first, I thought this relationship with Jane was happening too fast, but after seeing them together I no longer feel that way."

"Yes, I agree. I had been worried about Maura as well. She and Mel were so perfect for each other also. I know Maura, and I know Mel will always hold a special place in Maura's heart. She will never forget Mel. The fact that she has told Jane all about her lets me know that."

"Yes, well I think I will call it an evening, dear. I need to think about my plans with Jane for tomorrow. Have a great evening darling." Constance told Arthur as she stood and leaned over to give him a kiss on his cheek and went to bed. Arthur remained downstairs so he could do some more reading.

Meanwhile at Maura and Jane's house. "Maur, do you have any idea what you mother would like to do with me tomorrow?" Jane was a little curious, she didn't have that much in common with Constance. She was an artist and Jane didn't relate that much to artists. She didn't relate to art, well much art. She loved old cars, that was her kind of art. Constance loved to shop and travel. Jane didn't care for shopping, but she would go with Maura because Maura enjoyed it. They couldn't travel because they only had a few hours together.

"No, Jane. As you know my mother is very unpredictable. She knows that art is not important to you, so she will not subject you to that. She is not into cars like my dad so that is out also. She is not a beer drinker so don't plan on doing any beer tasting with her. I think you might just have to wait and see." Maura admitted. She really wasn't sure what her mother was going to do with Jane. She wasn't sure what she was going to talk to her about.

They met Maura's parents at their house for breakfast at 8 AM. By 9 AM Jane and Constance were on their way. Constance remembered how much Jane loved cars so she decided to let Jane drive her vintage Jaguar convertible. Jane was in heaven. She was having so much fun driving Constance and Arthur's cars.

Constance wouldn't tell Jane where they were going, she was just giving her directions as Jane drove. Jane really would rather know where they were going but decided if this is how Constance wants this to work, then she would just go with the flow. Jane was surprised when they ended up at a jewelry store on Newberry Street.

"Before we go in Jane, I wanted to talk to you. Arthur and I talked and I know you are getting ready to propose to Maura and that you haven't had a chance to get a ring yet, so I thought we would look at rings together. I hope that is okay with you. I am totally comfortable with you proposing to my daughter. In the short time I have known you I can see how much you care about Maura."

"I love her so much." Jane smiled at Constance as she informed her.

"I know Jane, and Maura loves you. She talks about you every time we talk on the phone. I have been waiting to meet you. She loved her wife Mel and I know you guys haven't known each other for years like they did, but I am fine with that because when you know, you know and Maura knows. She has been fortunate to find two women in her lifetime to make her so happy. I just want to share in that, so I would like to help you pick out a ring for her."

"Wow, I am honored. Thank you, Constance." Jane replied. She was going to get a ring soon and picking one out with Constance, who knows what Maura likes and dislikes sounded great to her.

Constance had taken Jane to the same jewelry store that she went to with Maura. She knew that the clerk she dealt with yesterday would be there this morning. Maura had found a ring for Jane but Maura needed to find out Jane's ring size before she could purchase the ring. When Maura was out of earshot yesterday, Constance told the clerk that she would be back today and would like to purchase the ring. Maura had a pretty good idea of what size Jane would wear but she didn't want to be wrong. The clerk told Constance what time she would be working.

While they were looking at rings, Constance asked her, "What type of engagement ring would you like if you were getting one?" Jane found a ring that she loved and the clerk measured her finger and gave her the ring in her size to try it on. Constance loved how it looked on her. While Jane was looking down at the ring. Constance motioned to the clerk that she would like to purchase it.

They went on to discuss what Jane wanted in a ring for Maura. The clerk said, "Give me a minute, I think I have the perfect ring for your soon to be fiancée." The clerk went to the backroom and pulled out the ring that Constance had slid to her yesterday.

She brought the ring out and showed it to Jane. She loved it. She thought it would be perfect for Maura. Jane knew she was on a budget and she asked how much the ring cost. The price was at the high end of her budget but Jane purchased it. She handed the clerk her credit card and the clerk went in the back to wrap it up and run her credit card.

The clerk came back out with a bag for Jane that contained the ring in a nice velvet presentation box. While Jane was putting her credit card away the clerk slipped another ring box to Constance with the engagement ring for Jane from Maura. She quickly put the ring box in her purse and winked at the clerk. This was easier than she had thought it would be.

They left the store and decided to go to a park and sit and chat. Constance didn't want to go back to the house so soon. They had only been gone for an hour. Arthur had Jane for most of the day and she wanted equal time. Now with the engagement ring matter settled she asked Jane, "So Jane, any thoughts as to what Arthur and I can give the two of you as an engagement present?"

"I have no idea, Constance. We have pretty much everything we need. I am at a loss." And she was at a loss. She had never been engaged or even went to an engagement party.

Not getting a gift idea from Jane, Constance decided to change the subject, "Well, what are some of your interests?"

"I like sports, cars and beer and of course Maura." They both laughed.

"Does Maura go to sporting events with you?" Constance asked as she was curious.

"Yes, she goes to Red Sox games with me."

"What are Red Sox games?" Constance asked.

"Really, Constance you don't know the Boston Red Sox? It is the best baseball team."

"I'm afraid I don't know that much about sports. I have never seen the Boston Red Sox."

"Did you play sports when you were in school?"

"No, not really. I participated in equestrian events."

"So, you have never hit a baseball?"

"Can't say that I have."

"Well, we have to change that. I am glad that you are wearing pants. I am going to take you to the batting cages. Maura enjoyed the first time I took her to the batting cages." Jane was now excited. She would teach Constance how to hit a baseball, even if she only did it once, she thought Constance might enjoy the thrill of hitting the ball.

They walked over to the car and Jane drove them to the nearest batting cages. She knew that Constance really wasn't dressed appropriately for the batting cages but luckily her high heels were only about two inches instead of the four or five-inch ones that Maura quite often wore.

Constance was a little apprehensive about this activity but told herself she would try it because Jane was so excited and if Maura could do it, she could also. Jane positioned Constance and instructed her how to swing the bat. She stepped behind her to position her body correctly. She tried to keep her distance as much as possible, not like when she was teaching Maura. With Maura she was right up to her and their bodies were pressed together as she showed her how to swing the bat. She rather enjoyed teaching Maura.

She informed Constance to keep her eye on the ball and watch the bat hit the ball. She missed the first two balls and barely hit the third ball. Jane could see the smile on Constance's face when she struck the third ball. "Do I get another chance?" Constance asked as she looked at Jane and smiled.

"Yes, it is on a timed release so it will come, get ready." Jane informed her.

Constance had barely gotten back in position when the ball came flying at her. She hit the ball with everything that she had and was happy when the ball hit the bat. It stung a little from the vibration and Constance dropped the bat. "Stay still Constance! Do not bend down to get the bat. I will get it." Jane exclaimed as another ball went sailing by. Jane quickly got the bat and handed it back to Constance. "Do you want to continue?"

"Yes, can we do this for a little bit longer? Can I take off my heels, I think it might be easier for me to hit the ball if I am not wearing these heels." Constance asked and Jane nodded.

"Of course, you can take off your heels. Step back so that the ball doesn't hit you. I will help you. You can lean on me to help keep you steady while you remove your shoes. I wasn't sure if you would like this. I figured you probably have never done something like this. Maura has gotten quite good at hitting the ball. She uses all that science stuff and talks about angles, trajectory and speed, etc. She is such a brainiac at times." They smiled at each other and Jane set the machine to throw another twenty balls to Constance. She hit ten of them and was quite satisfied with herself.

When they finished Jane took Constance to the Dirty Robber for a cheeseburger and beer. Constance had never had a cheeseburger or beer, so this was an experience for her. She was enjoying her time with Jane. She could see why Maura was drawn to her.

Jane had relaxed with Constance and no longer feared spending time with her. When they finished their cheeseburgers and beers, they made their way back to the house. On the way home, when they were sitting at a redlight Jane turned to Constance and ask, "So do you think you might want to try miniature golf next?"

"Is it as much fun as hitting the baseball?"

"I think so. I am rather good at it and Maura is always trying to one up me, using all that talk about angles, trajectory and speed again."

Constance smiled at Jane and said, "I think I would like to try that."

The light changed and they continued their journey back to the house. Both women smiling. They had a fun day together. "Constance, I hope I didn't cross any boundaries today by taking you to the batting cages. I know that is not something that someone like you would participate in but I thought it would give you a chance to get a feeling into who I am and what I like to do. Your daughter thoroughly enjoys when we do stuff like that together and I thought it might be fun to do with you also. I would really like for you and Arthur to go to a Boston Red Sox game with me and Maura."

"I think I would rather enjoy that. After all I came here to meet you and I can't think of a better way than to do the things that you like to do with you. I am sure Arthur would agree."

Arthur and Maura had gone to the Museum of Science. The Isles Foundation maintains a Premium Membership and Maura attends at least twice a year. Arthur had always loved going to museums with Maura. She was in her element in a museum, just like Constance was in her element in an art gallery.

They had talked about each of the exhibits. The museum constantly changed their exhibits so it is never the same, which is one of the reasons Arthur loved the Museum of Science. After walking around for a bit, they were feeling a little hungry. They stopped at the café and had a bite to eat and then viewed more exhibits before heading home. Maura enjoyed spending this one-on-one time with her father, just like she had enjoyed her one-on-one time with her mother.

Because each of her parents had wanted one-on-one time with Jane, she was able to spend one-on-one time with each of them. Normally the three of them did something together so this was a special treat. She just hoped that they would do some activities that the four of them could do together. She missed Jane and wanted to spend time with her also.

Maura and Arthur had gotten home before Jane and Constance and were in the library looking through some of Arthur's books when Jane and Constance came into the house laughing arm-in-arm. Maura and Arthur came out of the library to see what all the commotion was about. Constance had her high heels in her hand and was walking in her stockings. Arthur couldn't remember the last time he had seen Constance walking in her stockings, she normally always wore some sort of shoes.

"What is so funny?" Maura asked the pair of women that had just walked through the door.

"Maur, you should have seen your mother at the batting cages. It was priceless." Jane informed Maura.

"Jane, you took mother to the batting cages?" Maura questioned in a raised voice.

Jane smiled and said, "Yes, Maur, she had so much fun. Please, tell her Constance. Tell her I didn't twist your arm off to hit two buckets of baseballs."

"I had so much fun, darling. I didn't know you could have so much fun doing something like that. I have never hit a baseball in my life and Jane showed me how to hit a baseball and then we went for cheeseburgers and beer." Constance said as she continued to laugh and hang onto Jane's arm and reached over and patted Jane's arm with her other hand. She had enjoyed herself. "I can't remember the last time I had so much fun."

Maura looked at Jane and said, "Let me guess, you took her to the Dirty Robber."

"Of course, Maur, she asked me what I would normally do after I hit a bucket of balls and I told her, so she wanted to do that. I could have taken her to the shooting range to shoot my Glock, but I took her to the batting cages instead." Jane admitted and Constance looked at her with a huge smile.

"Really, Jane you could have taken me shooting?" Constance asked.

"Why not. I take Maura to the shooting range." Jane replied. Maura just shook her head. She didn't know what she was going to do with Jane and her mother. It seems as though they are the best of buddies now.