Jane's New Year
It's Wednesday, December 29th in Boston and the snow was falling ever so gently upon the doctor's Beacon Hill home. It wasn't freezing cold yet as it was 5am in the morning and Maura was in the middle of a yoga session. Trying to regroup, meditate and center her inner calm, before the start of her day, and her cup of coffee, Maura needed this. Inhaling, exhaling, breathing slowly, her chest rising and falling as she did so within her form fitting sports bra. Peace. Calm. Silence. Maura tried to clear her mind but something was troubling her, kept bubbling up to the surface. Disturbing her moment of peace, it was there, her own unsolved mystery...love.
Jack proposed a year ago on Christmas day. Maura excitedly said yes. Since then Jack moved in and during that time, Maura spent convincing her heart that, that's what she wanted, who she wanted...she was happy. No, she wasn't. As she finished her last yoga pose, she didn't feel as if she gained what she was hoping to get...clarity. Yes, Maura Isles was stuck. Yes, Maura Isles was bord. Sure, she cared for Jack, but after living together for a year, she didn't love him. No, her heart longed for someone else. Her torch was a blaze for one deceptively complex detective. God, she missed her best friend. And there her name rose to the surface of Maura's mind...Jane.
6am a subtle knock on the doorframe. Maura turned, towel in hand patting down any perspiration from her workout, "Jack", "Hey honey, I've got coffee on, was about to jump in the shower. I didn't mean to disrupt but you know I'll be leaving soon. Remember we discussed this last night?" Maura riffled through her rolodex of a brain trying to recall the conversation. "Oh, yes. Allie. You are driving back to her mother's ...correct?" Allie joined Jack and Maura for Christmas, but was headed home, to her mother's house for New Year's. That was the tradeoff.
"Yes. We're leaving around 7am. Beat the snow. Then, hopefully, I'll be back home in time for dinner."
"I would image Allie is looking forward to being home and spending time with her mother and friends," Maura said.
"I'll let you get organized, while I shower. Then make you two lovely ladies breakfast and we're off. Do you need anything?" Jack asked.
"No thank you Jack." Jack was about to head to the bathroom and Maura stopped him. "Jack...did you check the weather report, just to be prepared?" Maura added.
"Of course, darling. Snow storm is predicted for Thursday night, so I'm good. We'll be fine. It's just a light powder effect at the moment. Nothing threating." They parted with a kiss. Jack proceeded to get ready for the day. Maura stood for a moment pondering about the years before Jack. Warm heart filled memories flooded her conscience. With a smirk and a chuckle, Maura went to shower.
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Dressed and ready to face the rest of her day, Maura was drinking her coffee eating breakfast with Ally and Jack, and going through her emails. "Knock, knock" Angela Rizzoli burst through the door, shaking off any remnants of snow from her coat. With that unmistakable raspy, thick Italian dialect she carried on. "Morning Maura and family! So cute, you guys are so cute! Listen, I know you plan on getting married...even though you haven't set a date yet, but I promise I'll be outta of the guest house by then. Lord know you'll want your privacy and with Jane in Virginia, Frankie and Nina expecting the baby and Tommy and Lydia and T.J., finally moving into a house and outta that awful neighborhood...you'll want the Rizzoli's to move on. Not that I want too! You've been so good to me, Maura. You're my other daughter. I love you. Besides you wouldn't up and run away like Jane."
Maura tried to interrupt Angela, but once the matriarch started it was an impossible feat. Angela took off her boots and coat, mindful of Maura's house. She spotted the coffee and asked if she could have some. Maura obliged. Angela continued, taking a sip of the hot beverage, then remarking, "Man, that's the good stuff! Betcha Jane's not getting any of this over there!"
"I'm sure there is adequate coffee houses near Jane, that's of course if she's staying away from instant."
Jack and Ally smiled at each other humored by the intrusion.
"Ok so Maura I gotta let you know that I'd like to host New Year's here. I know, I know it's in a couple of days. Originally planned for the Dirty Robber, but I don't want T.J. there. He's five now...walking, talking, kindergarten ready! Plus with this snow storm they're predicting, I'd like to keep everyone home...close. Thought maybe we could make it into one big pajama party."
Jack cut in, "Angela that sounds nice, but I don't think the snow is going to hit us. As a matter of fact, we're about to head out. Ally are you finished with your breakfast?"
Ally and Jack excused themselves form the table and started putting on their winter apparel.
"I'm going to warm up the car and load our things," with that Jack planted a kiss on Maura's cheek. Ally helped her father. Angela and Maura were now alone in the kitchen.
"I didn't mean to clear the room!" Angela added.
"No, you're fine Angela. Ally's going back to her mother's for New Year's."
"Oh..ok...well they better be safe regardless! The roads will still be slippery."
"Yes. Thank you for your concern, Angela. As for this gathering...whom did you invite?"
"Oh the usual. Frankie, Nina, Tommy, Lydia, T.J., Janie, Ron, Korsak and Kiki...the family...you know."
"Jane...? Jane is coming?" Maura asked puzzled.
"Well...yeah...of course. She is my daughter, even though she's been a pain in my ass lately! Hey, by the way, what's gotten into the two of you? I've been meaning to ask or medal, but with the boys lately...I forgot. T.J. keeps me so busy. And Ron...don't get me started!"
Maura cleared her throat, not quite sure she wanted to revisit this part of her life. Shifting in her seat growing more uncomfortable, Angela pressed the issue. Grabbing Maura's hands in her own, Angela set the "mother" tone and began, " Maura, sweetheart I'm sorry I didn't listen then. And I wasn't there...well I was...but you know. Janie won't tell me anything! I bring up your name and she clams up, changes the subject...now what is it? You two fight?"
Just then Jack and Ally came back in the house.
"Wow...it's defiantly snowing. Not cold though feels like 40-30 degrees, plus the suns up now so should melt some of the snow.
Maura got up from her chair to kiss Jack and Ally goodbye. "Be safe darling." Maura added. "You take care of your father, Ally...and always a pleasure to have you here."
Jack replied, "I love you." With that Maura hugged them both and they were out the door.
Angela gave Maura a concerning look.
"What?" Maura asked.
"What...? What...no I love you back?" Angela inquired. "Maura that's textbook 101. What's going on honey?
And just like that, they were back to their conversation and the weight it contained, for Maura.