Chapter 12

Both women smiled as they were headed back to Maura's house after closing up the garage. Jane would nudge Maura's shoulder, as Maura would do so in return. Their steps picked up in pace as best as they could within the mounds of snow, and their stride became competitive. Each one trying to slow the other down with a push or a shove, until Maura fell in the snow, laughing. Jane quickly soon followed, falling on top of Maura. The two best friends, now lovers, giggling and laughing hysterically while Maura sank further in the snow.

"Ok...ok...why did you push me?!" Maura managed to squeak out in between breaths from laughing so much.

"Push?! Come on, you fell...I saw you slip...then I reached to help you." Jane playfully pleaded her actions.

"Oh sure, that's when you landed on top of me! Cheater."

"Whoa...hey ...cheater? I didn't know we were racing back to the house?"

And the rambunctious banter ensued:

"Oh, yes you did...you started it!"

"Nah! But I'd like to start something else." Jane had a particular glimmer in her eyes.

"Really?" Maura purred in recognition.

"Oh...yes...really." Jane let the moment hang and felt as if she was free falling from an airplane...no chute here!

In that moment, even in the cold blinding snow, Maura and Jane could feel intense heat radiate from one another.

Jane leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on Maura's plump pink lips...then another...then another. Soon they were making out in the snow until Maura put her hand to Jane's chest to stop.

"I'm wet, Jane."

"I bet you are...me too."

"Well, yes...but wet from the snow and a little cold."

"How yah mean? We were just heating up. Nah, I gotcha...sorry...here, let me help you up...seeing that I cheated."

Jane got up first extending her hand for Maura for the assist.

"Thank you, Jane. And yes, YOU cheated! I'll have to keep in mind that you play dirty."

With that Maura slapped Jane on her butt, even though it probably didn't hurt as much, but still had the same effect, then made a beeline for her house.

"Oh yeah, who's playing dirty now? Plus, that little shove was payback for that snowball!"

Jane ran after Maura, trying to catch up.

Rambunctiously, Maura opened her back door to find the Rizzoli family rambling about in her kitchen. Jane was right behind her and whispered, "Are you ready for this?"

Jane closed the door behind them, as they began to take off their winter gear.

"Yes, I did agree to this."

Once settled, they made their way through the melee of bodies moving about in preparation for dinner and then game night.

"Maura, thanks again for letting us use your home. I know we can be somewhat..." Frankie tried to manage an apology, but Jane interrupted.

"LOUD, ANNOYING, OVERBEARING...yup that's us!"

Frankie pinched his lips together and tilted his head to one side responding, "Janie...come on...yeah so, but we do it so lovingly."

"I know little bro, so what's on the menu? With all you in here, it looks like we'll be eating for days! Everyone's gotta a dish or heating up something. Looks good!"

"We decided to do ham and turkey tonight. Angela, I believe was cooking the turkey early this morning, while Frankie and I cooked the ham," Nina explained.

"Wow, way to go Frankie, fatherhood has you cooking too?" Jane teased.

"Your brother's an excellent chef," Nina complemented her husband, sealing it with a kiss.

"Thank you baby," another kiss, this time Frankie to Nina.

"You two are so charming." Maura chimed in.

"Thank you, Maura...oh hey, where's Jack?" Nina asked but was interrupted by Angela, who was bringing over her foiled wrapped turkey with Ron.

The hustle and bustle of more bodies and pre-cooked dishes, clouded the kitchen, along with greetings of 'hey's and hello's' followed by hugs and kisses to the cheek. It was a Rizzoli circus in Jane's mind, but while stealing a glance at Maura's reaction, was priceless. She was all smiles with her pearly whites on display and her smile reaching her eyes...she was loving every moment. Something Maura never had, the big overbearing, loud family. Everyone was in your face...like EVERYONE! Hugging, kissing, then the questions; How are you? You doing ok? You need to eat more...oh that last one was always Angela, but Jane wouldn't trade them in a heartbeat. She loved them and they loved her, her family and Maura longed/hoped to be a part of that. Jane wanted that for Maura. Maura was always part of the Rizzoli family deep down, Jane knew that, but now well, there's a different position/title that she'll carry. Jane thought to herself as she looked on. Would that be girlfriend? Partner? Lover? Well...yeah, sure, lover, but she couldn't introduce her as that...would she? Note to self, talk with Maura about titles? Labels? Positions? Yeah...positions...how kinky ya think Maura is? Would she want toys? Has she been with a woman before? God, I want to make her moan!

Jane snapped back to reality by Korsak.

"Jane, do you have a minute?"

"Sure...sure, let's go into the living room, hopefully not as crowded or loud."

Jane silently asked Maura if she was ok, just by making eye contact. The hazel green confirmed that all systems were good to go. So, Maura stayed in the kitchen to help and catch up with the family.

Tommy and Lydia were in the living room having a mini argument about game night.

"Hey, you two, what's the problem?" Jane tried to be the mediator.

"I guess we were in charge of the boardgames but someone forgot 'em!" Tommy barked.

"No, I didn't. They're on the table at home, you just rushed me." Lydia said in defense.

"I'm sure ma has some and I bought T.J. Twister to open later for his other gift. Ma said he was learning his colors, thought it'd be fun, and I'm sure we got a deck of cards laying around for Poker for the big kids...it'll work out."

I bought my ukulele, if all else fails," Korsak added.

"See...Tommy all good."

"Alright, ok, yeah...thanks, Janie."

"Tommy, I'm sorry." Lydia confessed.

"Ah, it's ok babe." Both kissed and all was right with the world, again.

"Come on Korsak, let's go in Maura's office, too much interference here."

In Maura's office now, door shut, quiet.

"Ok Korsak, what's up?"

"Cavanaugh wants you back. He reached out to me. A spot opened up; seems as though your replacement couldn't hack it. Told him I'd talk with you, which I am. So, you still into the teaching gig, or ya itching to come back? I know I'm retired, but Jane this is who you are, and you're a damn good detective. I guess I should ask, are you happy in Virginia?

"Nope! Not one bit, seems as though I had to move to realize that everything I've ever wanted and needed was here...home. I'll take it Korsak, of course I'll talk with Cavanaugh about all the particulars, like pay, moving expense...I'll hafta find a place to live..." Jane's mind sputtered off.

"Great, Jane...consider this as my New Year's gift as well as a belated Christmas gift."

"Oh, we're good old man. You know I appreciate this, Vince, especially now that this New Year is already starting off better." Jane admitted with a rosy blush.

Korsak cocked his head to the side and responded, "Is that so?"

Jane was about to enlighten Korsak about Maura, but thought better of it. There was a light tapping on the door, Korsak opened it to find Maura on the other side.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I just wanted to check on Jane. Vince, always lovely to see you."

"You as well, Maura...and that's my cue." Korsak responded by giving Maura a hug and looked back over towards Jane.

"Jane, happy you're home." With that Korsak exited Maura's office, shut the door on his way out, leaving the ladies alone.

Maura walked towards Jane, with a twinkle in her eyes, licking her lips, and a sway to her hips, repeating what Korsak said, "Welcome home Jane...I do remember giving you that same greeting, yesterday."

Now Maura weaved her arms under Jane's, as Jane's arms wrapped around Maura's waist. Both women so close craving the need for intimacy.

Jane's voice dipped deep and out came, "Was that really yesterday? Seems like a lifetime ago."

Maura purred back, "Mmmm, yesterday, candles, me soaking in the tub...naked...wet."

They kissed, was a slight peck.

With Jane's lips barely touching Maura's she said, "Yes...that's right...the power went out, but I do remember there was a lot of power the next morning...so much leaving me...breathless."

They kissed again, this time with more passion more intent behind the kiss. Jane's hands rounded Maura's ass and squeezed, drawing her closer.

Maura's hands sought out Jane's raven long locks. Deep kisses were exchanged, as they were getting wet and hungry for the possibility of exploring each other's bodies. Hands roamed over curves, muscles, backs and breasts. Panting came into play, as both women's excitement and arousal grew.

"Maura...Maura, if we don't stop now, I'm gonna fuck you on your desk."

"Doors locked...fuck me, Jane...there's too much going on already, no one will realize we're missing...do it!"

"Ahh Maura...oh God!" Maura's knee moved in between Jane's legs and started to rub at her core.

Jane lightly pushed Maura back, stunned and shocked Maura was at a loss for words.

"No... I'm fucking you."

Maura smiled, rosy cheeks, heaving chest, bruised lips all told Jane to come and get it.

Jane grabbed Maura, her lips and tongue blazing a wet slick trail up the column of Maura's neck, nipping and licking up and down, then met Maura's lips with a smoldering kiss lasting long and deep as their tongues explored in delight with each other...searching...searching, relishing the feel of being so close.

Jane backed Maura up against her desk. Maura's left leg slid up Jane's as Jane's right hand encouraged its arrival. Jane's core rocked against Maura's apex. Maura's back leaned on top of her desk as she tried to steady herself and welcome everything that was Jane.

Jane made fast work of dipping her left hand in Maura's pants, pushing aside her panties and burrowing a finger within Maura's sex. A light rhythmic banging ensued, as Jane could feel Maura's clit clamp down in pursue of her climax.

"Fuck...Maura...Oh...you're sooo wet...awwaahhh...fuck," Jane whispered in Maura's ear.

Maura leaned up, threw her arms around Jane's neck and dove in for a deep languid kiss, which silenced her own orgasm.

Jane responded by not breaking the spell, swallowing Maura's silent scream of release within the kiss and feeling the vibrations throughout her own body as well as Maura's.

Once settled down, they exchanged a smile and Maura asked, "Are we ever going to make it in the bed?"

Jane laughed and answered, "Oh, yes...and I'm gonna blow your mind!"

Jane sealed that statement with a kiss.

"Good to know, it's difficult to sequester my vocal cords," was Maura's response.

Both women tried to regain their composure and tidy up their appearances as best as they could. Thankfully, Maura's office was equipped with a small restroom.

Jane left the office first, as to not cause a commotion if they walked out together. Ten minutes later, Maura ducked out and headed upstairs to her bedroom to change. Sensing that the evening was going to be somewhat relaxing, casual, she put on a pair of form fitting jeans and a festive green off the shoulder sweater, finishing off the look with a loose ponytail.

Maura had a "pep" in her step after her clandestine rendezvous with Jane. "This is meant to be," was the mantra buzzing about her brain. She felt as if she was a teenager in love for the first time, but also comfortable loving Jane and longing for what their future may be like. Actually, looking forward to their future, being together...finally.

Maura descended the stairs, floating on air and high on life.

"Hey, Maura you wanna be our fourth player for Twister? Janie let TJ open another present and he's looking to play." Tommy caught her as she hopped off the last step.

"Who else is playing?"

"Me, Lydia and Janie. Ma's still in the kitchen. Ron, Korsak, Kiki and Frankie are playing poker. Nina's in between help'n ma and gonna refree for our Twister match...you game?"

"Yes!" Maura was delighted to be involved with any form of Rizzoli fun.

Maura could see Lydia and Jane helping TJ set up the mat, while TJ kept spinning the gameboard.

"Ok, I got Maura, so we can start," Tommy shouted over the noise of the poker game commencing at the dining room table.

"You guys gotta about an hour before dinner. Turkey wasn't quite ready...it'll be great though," Angela informed the group.

Jane sprung up and grabbed a hair tie that Maura kept in a table drawer by the front door. While tying her long raven mane back, she teased, "Oh...it's game time! Get ready for annihilation!"

"I thought this would be family friendly," Lydia waned in protest.

"Come on now Janie, play fair, not dirty." Tommy pleaded with his sister.

Jane was stretching as if she was about to run a marathon, squatting, raising her knees to her chest, then raising her arms up behind her head, stretching, then finishing off by rolling her head from side to side, saying, "Oh, I intend to play fair." Then stopping to glance at Maura, she continued to say, "But mighty dirty." Ending the remark with a wink.

Tommy and Lydia failed to hear what was said, but Maura did and she tilted her head, cocked an eyebrow, to only reply, "Bring it!"

Tommy corralled TJ, who was running around now with the pointer gameboard yelling in a sing song tone, "Twister...Twister...gonna play Twister!"

"TJ, sit on the couch and spin the pointer, when it lands on the body part and the color you gotta say like...right hand on blue...spin again and again say where it lands...like, left foot on yellow...you got it bud?!" Tommy tried to instruct his five-year-old.

"Yup...yup...let's play...let's play!" The energetic toddler was ready.

Tommy and Lydia lined up opposite each other on the mat, while Jane and Maura did as well. In anticipation of the first move called, all Jane could think about was getting closer to Maura. What transpired earlier in Maura's office was still pulsating within her veins, quickening her heart. Maura wasn't fairing any better.

Let's see how this plays out...shall we?

TJ- "Right foot on red!"

All players did as told.

TJ- "Left foot on yellow!"

Tommy- "Not so bad...got the feet down."

Lydia- "Yeah, I got this. TJ, you're doing a great job, honey!"

TJ- "Left hand on...YELLOW!

Spin

TJ- "RIGHT HAND ON...YELLOW!"

Tommy- "You sure it's both...TJ, on YELLOW? I don't think there's enough circles for that?!"

Jane- "I think we can double up if needed."

Lydia- "Is that in the rule book?"

Tommy- "Don't know babe...but sounds good to me, we're still in it!"

Maura- "This is definitely a great game to show off my yoga skills."

Jane- "I don't know Maur...I think I can come up with something else."

Maura- "Tommy requested we keep it clean, Jane."

Jane- "Not quite sure where your mind is Maura, but I was thinking about bowling!"

Maura- "Why do I highly doubt that?!"

Tommy- "OK, you two...there are children present."

Jane- "Yeah...Tommy and Lydia already got into trouble!"

Lydia- "What do you mean by that, Jane"

TJ- "NO TALKING...LEFT FOOT...BLUE!"

Tommy- "Oh shit...we're twisting like pretzels here!"

Lydia- "Don't think I'm gonna make it!"

Tommy- "Hold your form babe! HOLD YOUR FORM!"

TJ- "Right foot...GREEN!"

Tommy and Lydia were starting to wabble and shake. Maura was poised as a ballet dancer and Jane was holding her own, being the athlete that she is.

TJ- "RIGHT HAND BLUE!"

And down went Tommy and Lydia! Maura and Jane averted the spill. TJ was balled up in a massive giggle fit on the floor.

TJ- "MOMMY and DADDY YOU LOSE!"

Angela and Nina peaked in on the activities.

"Nona...Nona, Auntie Nina...mommy and daddy lost!" TJ updated everyone through his laughter about his parents' defeat.

Tommy- "Thanks bud for rubbing it in!"

Tommy playfully gave a tap on his son's butt. Tommy and Lydia graciously accepted failure and exited off the mat.

"Janie and Maura are left; oh, this should be good!" Angela added, then walked back to the kitchen.

Nina bent down to whisper in TJ's ear, "Keep an eye on your Aunt Janie, I heard she likes to cheat."

"What?! I heard that, you thought no... she couldn't have...but don't forget I was a detective...eyes and ears always open! Teacher too...I have the same talents!" Jane shouted from the Twister mat.

"TJ...you get back here...let's finish this! Auntie Maura's going down next!"

Maura looked over at Jane and said, "Oh...you're so sure of yourself...detective slash teacher. You're forgetting how limber I am!"

Softly Jane whispered, "Shhh Maur, now who's playing dirty? Keep it clean."

Maura- "Oh...now come now Jane!"

Jane- "MAURA!"

TJ- "Left foot blue."

With the absence of her brother and sister-in-law, Jane was able to get up close and personal with Maura on the mat, so close that her breath was hot on Maura's neck and with all the movement during the game, strands of honey blonde hair became free from Maura's ponytail, falling within her vision and would sway within the rhythm of Jane's exhaled puffs.

Maura licked her lips and ever so slowly, raised her eyes to meet Jane's. Oh, it was on alright!

Maura's off the shoulder sweater was hanging precariously low, showcasing her ample cleavage within a lacy encasement of her bra. Fuck, that too was green!

Both women locked in a lustful choke hold, did not hear the next move from TJ.

But, both heard Nina's question, the same that she had asked once before; "Hey, Maura, you never did say where's Jack?"

BOOM!

The spell was broken. Maura fell first with Jane following...falling on top of Maura. Both women clunked heads on the way down.

"OUCH...SHIT!" Jane clamored.

Maura just put her hand to her injured temple.

"Geez Janie, I knew you had a hard head, but I heard that from over here!" Frankie leaned out from his poker chair at the dining room table to say.

"Frankie, help your sister. I'm so sorry, you two. I ruined the game...and now you're hurt," Nina was trying tend to the women, apologetically.

TJ came running over with tiny bags of ice, compliments of Nona.

Jane helped Maura on to the couch, both sitting next to each other and took the ice from her nephew, to take care of Maura and herself.

"It's ok...I'm ok," Maura reassured everyone.

"I told you we were a circus! You'll be ok...now we have matching injuries!" Jane tried to lighten the moment.

"I, truly sorry you guys. I guess asking about Jack is taboo. I just thought with the wedding coming up, he'd be here."

"You're right, Nina...he would be, but he was snowed in...in New York, while taking Ally home for New Year's so..."

Jane cut in, "And won't be around for New Year's so..."

Maura grabbed Jane's arm for comfort, courage and strength. Jane placed her hand on Maura's hand, knowing that's all they needed for this next step.

Maura continued to answer Nina by saying, "And it's over."

The room went silent. Nina stood confused and needed further information.

"What's over?" Nina asked.

All eyes from the poker game, as well as Tommy and Lydia were fixed on Maura.

"The wedding. Jack and I are over. We decided to go our separate ways."

Angela came storming from the kitchen.

"WHAT?! Maura...honey...the wedding...is off? Are you ok sweetie? Janie...Jane...JANE!" Angela gasped and covered her mouth with her hand realizing that Jane may have been a common denominator in this equation.

A/N: Hello you out there! I hope you are enjoying this tall tale of mine and remember to drop me a review or a like...hell hope you follow me, 'cause I've got more on the horizon. Just patience is needed, for the holidays are upon us and time maybe a window that opens just a crack to let in the muse.

Happy Thanksgiving and hope you are happy, healthy and well! Many thanks to you, the reader, with love.