Chapter 11

The 30th of December.

Thursday afternoon, 2pm, felt like a milestone for Jane, who was now outside shelving and snow blowing with Tommy and T.J. Finally led out from the bathroom, by T.J. who changed his mind from playing in the tent after 10 minutes and convinced Aunt Jane to now play in the snow. It was a nice change of pace for her, no more prying eyes, no more questions, just the blinding sun reflecting off from the mounds of cloud like white snow, the hum and buzz of the snowblower from Tommy and the occasional heave of tossing the collected snow from her shovel off to the side to create a safe clear path from the guest house to Maura's.

T.J. was romping around dressed in his snowsuit and bundled up like that kid in the move, A Christmas Story, who couldn't put his arms down. It wasn't cold while the sun was out, helping the snow melt even though towards the bottom of the two in a half feet that accumulated was mighty heavy and proved to be a decent work out for Jane.

Tommy and Jane would toss an occasional snowball at T.J. as he would in return. Jane got busy creating an igloo with a slide for her nephew to sled down on the backside of it. It wasn't huge, just the right size for him. It's amazing what the outdoors will do and the simple task of shoveling and just being with her brother and nephew made her forget about the early morning argument with Maura and the lashing out with her mother.

Tommy cut off the snowblower as he spotted Frankie's truck pull up. Frankie parked, then proceeded to open the door for his pregnant wife, Nina, who was holding a tote bag full of gifts in one hand, while balancing herself with Frankie's help with the other, avoiding the act of falling. Korsak and Kiki also departed the truck, baring gifts and food as well.

Tommy ran up to Nina, "Hey, hey sis...let me help."

"I'm still getting used to hearing that. Thanks Tommy, you can take the other bags and food from the truck, I think I can manage this, thanks again," Nina commented while side hugging her brother-in-law.

Jane dropped the shovel and made her way to Nina engulfing her within a huge welcoming hug. They swayed back and forth, as Jane kissed her sister-in-law on the cheek.

"Look at you! Man, my niece or nephew's gonna be big, you look great...you're all baby! I've missed you!" Jane squealed.

"Alright...let's get her inside, don't want her to freeze out here, plus we got all this food and the bags..." Frankie went on like the protective husband and future father he was soon to become. He managed to hug his sister quickly and nodded hello to Tommy, while T.J. threw a snowball at his butt.

Korsak and Kiki followed with hellos, hugs and kisses. Korsak made a point to pull Jane off to the side to give her some important news.

"You look well, Korsak, retirement and Kiki suit you," Jane said with a wide eyed smile, but either one couldn't see their expressions within their eyes due to their sunglasses.

"Thanks, I can honestly say I don't miss the cop life, with the bar and Kiki and I traveling, it's been great, but listen I have to let you in on a little something...we'll have to talk once we get settled inside...ok?"

With concern Jane grabbed Korsak's arm, "Is everything alright? Not your health. Is it, cause you look great. Should I be worried?"

"No, I'm great, good bill of health. I'm not one for the cold since Kiki and I've been to all these tropical paradises, we'll talk inside. And Jane, I'm happy you're here."

With that, Korsak, Kiki, Nina, Frankie and Tommy proceeded towards the main house, along the clear shoveled path created by Tommy and Jane's efforts.

Jane stood there for a few minutes, watching the bunch make their way into Maura's house, perplexed after Korsak's words. What could it possibly be? About the department? The Dirty Robber? Is Kiki ill? No...they both look great...beaming, happy and full of life. Oh, shit does Maura know they're all headed her way? Shit...Maura! Maura and her puzzle pieces. God, she's gonna tell Jack we fucked in her kitchen, on her counter...oh shit!

Jane's train of thought was broken by a snowball landing on the back of her exposed neck and the particles of the cold wet weapon, was now sliding down her back. As she turned around to see who was the culprit, she saw T.J. giggling, while holding another snowball ready to launch.

"Oh...you think you're clever...a smart guy, huh!?" Jane chanted playfully as she chased T.J. around in the snow. She caught up to him, picked him up and tossed him over her shoulder, as if he was a sack of potatoes, all the while laughing and giggling, the both of them. She loved her nephew. As she set T.J. down, another snowball hit her butt.

"Who in the hell!" Jane mumbled under her breath, but this time it wasn't T.J.

"Auntie Maura! Auntie Maura!" T.J. ran up to Maura yelling and diving in for a hug.

"Thomas!" Maura hugged T.J. back and was always elated with the boy. Even though T.J. wasn't a blood relative, that never stopped Maura whom being a product of adoption and maybe not having such the warm loving parents that Jane did, still understood that love could blossom from anyone.

Jane's expression went from playful exuberance to anger and disgust.

T.J. grabbed Maura's hand and guided her towards the igloo.

"See what Auntie Jane made me, you can go inside...it's got a little hole here...it's for small people, so maybe you can stay there...watch me, ok...watch me...Auntie Maura, watch me go inside!"

"Wow! I see, how very nice."

"And...and look the other side is a slide!"

T.J. showed off the winter wonderland creation.

"Oh, you've been busy out here, both of you."

"Let me get my sled, I'll show you! Wait...wait here."

T.J. ran to retrieve his sled which was by the garage.

The two women stood and staired at each other, until Jane broke the silence.

"What was the snowball for? I didn't even think you could throw?"

"I'm a woman with many hidden talents, I thought you knew."

Jane answered in a smirk, "Yeah, crazy!"

Maura then started to approach Jane like a wounded animal, with caution.

"Jane...please, let's talk. I'm sorry about this morning."

"Maura...I don't know if I want to have this conversation again. I put all my cards out on the table and you pulled out a royal flush...right down the toilet!"

"I don't know what to say to that, Jane, only that since this morning, certain preparations have ceased and an outcome has changed a few future events."

Jane's head was clouded by either the choice of words Maura used, the effects of the weather, or the snowball to the back of her head, she could only manage this in response, "HUH?!"

T.J. came bouncing back with his sled, placed it on top of the igloo and yelled, "Auntie Maura Auntie Jane watch me...watch me go!"

Their attention now on T.J., as he sled down the igloo. Both women clapped and cheered. T.J. did it a few more times, then decided he was cold and headed inside. Jane told him she would put his sled in the garage for him. Maura hung back waiting to finish this conversation with Jane.

The garage was already open because when Tommy put the snowblower away, he left it as so. Jane set the sled on a hook and Maura was fast on her heels.

"Jane, look at me! I need to finish this."

Jane took off her sunglasses and faced Maura.

"Do it then...finish it, Maura! I came back to visit my family and I intend to do that, for New Year's. Then I'm GONE!"

"No, that's not all...Jane, You and I both know after what we shared..."

"Jesus, Maura, here we are again...I can't." Jane could feel the fight in her dissipating and the hurt and exhaustion taking over.

So, Maura let it go and figured let the chips fall where they may.

"I broke off the engagement. I broke up with Jack. Everything's cancelled, returned...it's over. Jane, did you hear me? I'm not having second thoughts, I don't want to wake up with Jack beside me in my bed. I don't want morning coffee, or wine or movie night with HIM! Morning runs, even though you despise them, is our thing. I want coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner, wine, movie nights, cuddle time...all with you. I want shared new experiences with you. Most importantly, I want you beside me in our bed. Jane...I WANT YOU!"

Maura was keeping her tears at bay, out of breath from her pleading with Jane, there was nothing more but silence.

Appreciating the vision of her best friend within this moment, Jane mentally took a snapshot to remember this. Then after about 5 to 8 minutes, she slowly moved forward taking Maura's face in her hands and kissed her. When Jane pulled back, she firmly asked, "So...we're doing this?"

Maura grabbed both of Jane's hands in her own and firmly stated, "Yes we're doing this."