Mother's Day 2022

Two Months Ago

"So, Jane, I have some news about Mother's Day." Maura told Jane as they laid in bed one Saturday morning after the children had left their bedroom. The children went downstairs knowing that their Nonna would be cooking breakfast for them.

"Wait, let me guess, someone else is planning it and I have no say in what will happen." Jane replied as she sat up and moved so her back was against the headboard. Maura sat up and moved to join Jane.

"Yes, love, our mothers are having Mother's Day catered and just wanted all of us to gather and have a great day. They set up spa appointments and even batting cage time for you and the boys. They set it up so you can do both if you want. So, you do have some say." Maura informed Jane.

"Well, at least I get some say. I'm sure the boys would love to go to the batting cages with me again." Jane was pleased.

Maura offered, "Oh, I must tell you that the boys include your brothers and their sons."

"That's fine as long as they remember it's Mother's Day and that they should show some love to Ma."

"Well, with two meals together, I believe they will squeeze that in." Maura replied.

Saturday, May 6th

Angela sent Kate upstairs to get her mothers for breakfast. Kate knocked on the open door and then entered the room. "Mama, mommy, breakfast," Kate said as she climbed up between Jane and Maura. They talked with Kate for a minute and then the three of them walked downstairs to join the rest of the family for breakfast.

Angela loved cooking for her family and took every opportunity she could to cook for Jane, Maura and the children. Jane walked up to her mother and gave her a quick hug and kiss, "Thanks Ma, for cooking breakfast for us."

"You're welcome sweetie. I love cooking for all of you. Thank you for allowing me." Angela said as Maura gave her a quick hug and said 'thank you' to her mother-in-law.

When everyone sat down, Maura told them, "Today we are going to go to the zoo. I know you love to go to the zoo. It will just be the seven of us. Mama said she will assist her mother in packing a picnic lunch for us."

The children all nodded and took their dishes to the sink so they could go get dressed to go to the zoo. Tomorrow was Mother's Day and they were looking forward to spending the day with their mothers. Their nonna had already told them that she and Constance were having Mother's day meals catered. She had to explain what catering meant to Kate. Once Kate knew what catering was, she asked, "What are we going to do?" Angela answered her by telling her that it was a surprise and she would enjoy it.

Maura didn't know that Jane along with the children had planned a surprise for her. The children wanted to fix breakfast in bed for both of them, but Jane convinced them to let her help and that they would do that for their mommy. Jane admired her children's desire to do something nice for them but she also knew that they were too young to fix a meal by themselves. The children agreed after Jane agreed to eat breakfast with Maura in bed, as they wanted to treat her also. They knew they needed help though. Jane helped them plan out the meal.

Jane had enlisted Frost's help for a special present for Maura. Jane was initially worried when Maura had told her what their mothers had planned but quickly let that slide as she wanted to do breakfast and they had time in the morning. Their mothers were not coming over until after eleven. So, they were on their own for breakfast, so her plan would work. She would be able to pull off her surprise and the one from the children.

MJ had told Jane that, "Mommy likes oatmeal and omelets with egg whites. I would prefer to fix her an omelet because she has oatmeal with fresh fruit almost every morning, so that wouldn't be special." The other children agreed. "She also prefers turkey bacon to regular bacon but I want us to fix both because you like regular bacon." Heads nodded in agreement.

"MJ, are you going to do all the talking?" Jane asked as the other children had not said a word. They just shook their heads in agreement to everything that MJ said.

"We discussed the menu and everyone agreed that I should talk to you. My Katie said she didn't think she could say all of those words." Kate nodded, she agreed with what MJ had said.

"That's right, mama. I still learning." Kate said with a huge smile.

"You talk fine for your age, little one. You will be able to say all those words with practice. Please don't ever be afraid to say the word incorrectly in front of mommy or me, okay?" Jane told Kate.

"Okay, mama." Kate replied.

MJ continued, "We also want some fresh squeezed orange juice as mommy loves that and some fresh fruit. Do you think that will be okay with her, mama?"

"Yes, MJ what you decide to make her would be just fine with her. She would appreciate the fact that you wanted to make her breakfast. We have everything in the fridge to make that so how about you all meet me in the kitchen at 7 AM tomorrow and we will make breakfast for all of us." Jane asked her children. They all nodded.

Mother's Day, Sunday, May 8th

Mother's Day morning the children all came in a little after seven and told their mothers, "Happy Mother's Day." They all crawled up in the bed. Kate laid down between her mothers with a hand on each one. Jane whispered to MJ, "I thought you were meeting me downstairs in the kitchen?"

"Nonna is done there, so we came up here." MJ stated.

"What, she's not supposed to be here until later." Jane continued to whisper to MJ. Jane excused herself and went downstairs. "Ma, what are you doing here? You said that you and Constance would come around eleven?"

"I know sweetie, I thought I would cook breakfast again for all of you." Angela replied. She smiled at Jane. Jane appreciated the fact that her mother wanted to cook their breakfast again, but she needed to tell her mother the plan. Jane spent the next few minutes explaining the plan to her Ma.

Jane went upstairs and asked MJ to come downstairs. Angela had agreed to help the children cook the breakfast so Jane could be treated as well. Jane went back upstairs and Angela walked with her and gathered all the children up with her and went back downstairs to finish cooking breakfast.

Jane figured it wasn't a total loss. While Maura was in the bathroom, Jane prepped the slideshow so she could play it when their breakfast arrived. About ten minutes later, the children brought their breakfast upstairs on serving trays that had folding legs so that they tray would become a lap tray.

While they sat in bed and ate their breakfast Jane played the slideshow of pictures of Maura with their children, both together and separate. Maura had always taken the pictures but Jane was able to sneak some in here and there, as well as retrieve some from other family members. Maura knew nothing about some of the pictures, so she was surprised.

When Jane looked over at Maura, she had a tear coming down her cheek. Jane leaned over and kiss the tear on her cheek. She paused the slideshow and said, "Are you okay, Maur?"

"Yes, Jane. I just think this is the most thoughtful gift that anybody has ever given me. As you know photographs are very important to me and it is a photograph that brought us together. I know technically it wasn't the photograph itself but I like to think that." Maura stated.

"I know babe, and I am still so very thankful that you took that picture and I love that the picture is still on your nightstand next to your bed. I love that picture and I love you. Happy Mother's Day Maur."

"Thank you, Jane, and Happy Mother's Day to you also. Are there any pictures of you in this slideshow?"

"To be totally honest, I don't know. I gave Frost the pictures and asked him to make a slideshow for me as your Mother's Day present. He might have squeezed in some other pictures. We will just have to finish watching it."

"Yes, mama, can we finish watching it now?" AJ asked.

"Sure buddy." Jane stated as she pushed play. Ten minutes later the slideshow ended and all the children took the breakfast trays downstairs. Jane followed them so she could help with the dishes. Angela had left as she needed to finish some preparations for the rest of the day.

Maura and the girls had a ten o'clock appointment to get their pedicures. Maura made sure the girls were dressed and when they got ready to leave, Kate walked up to Maura and asked, "Where's mama?"

"She's not going with us little one. She is going to the batting cages with the boys." Maura replied.

"Mommy, I want mama to come wit us." Kate exclaimed to Maura when she told Kate that Jane was going to go to the batting cages. "Mama needs her nails done, mommy." Kate had climbed into Maura's lap and was facing her with her hands on Maura's cheeks. "Peas."

"Let me ask her." Maura said as she sent Jane a text message to come downstairs. Jane was there a few minutes later.

"What's up Maur? Hey little one." Jane addressed the ladies that were sitting on the sofa.

"Kate wants you to go with us this morning to get your nails painted." Maura explained to Jane. The look on Jane's face was priceless, she didn't want to get her nails done, but when Kate turned towards her with her little puppy dog eyes, how could Jane say no.

"Peas, mama, come with me." Kate asked Jane. Jane had sat down on the sofa and Kate moved to her and climbed up in her lap and took her cheeks in her hands like she had just done with Maura. Jane just smiled, she loved Kate and had a problem saying no to her, just like she had a problem saying no to Maura. "Peas, mama, peas we get nails done gether."

"Okay, what time are we getting our nails done?" Jane asked.

"At ten, then we come home for brunch. You are going to the batting cages at three." Maura stated. Frankie and Tommy had come over with their boys as they were going to watch a game on the TV with Jane while the girls went to get their nails done. Nina and Chloe were meeting them at the nail salon.

Jane walked over and told her brothers she was going to get her nails done. "What, are you turning girly on us Janie?" Frankie asked and Tommy laughed.

"Ya, Janie, what the crap? We were supposed to be watching the game?" Tommy said.

"Kate wants me to go with her. You know I can't say no to her." Jane just smiled at her brothers. "I am a woman, I am allowed to do woman type things, once in a while."

"Ya, I guess, but you are just going to mess your nails up when we go to the batting cages later." Frankie responded.

"Maybe, maybe not. I will see you guys later." Jane said as she left the living room.

"Have fun." Tommy said.

"I will, I will as I will be spending time with some of my favorite people." Jane announced.

A few minutes later, Jane, Maura, Lilly and Kate left to go to the salon. They met Nina, Kimberleigh, Chloe and Alessandra inside as they had started already. They were a few minutes early. Maura had taken the girls for pedicures before so they knew they needed to pick out the color they wanted their nails painted.

Jane was looking at the colors, she was having trouble selecting a color. Kate walked up and said, "Mama, I pick color?"

That sped up the process for Jane, she found a tan color that she would be comfortable with. Kate looked at the color and then at her mama, and said, "I like it." Jane smiled, she was happy that Kate was not going to pick out some wild color for her fingernails. The girls had both picked out decals that could be put on their fingers as well.

Kate sat in the chair next to her mama with her mommy on the other side. She liked when she had her mothers on both sides of her. Jane asked that they just paint her nails, she didn't want a pedicure as it would hurt her hands. Maura was the only one that she allowed to touch her hands.

Maura had selected a soft shade of pink. Jane didn't like pink but she liked it on Maura. She tended to stay in neutral color ranges so that the color of her nails would fit in with the clothes she would be wearing. After they all had finished and their nails had dried, they headed home.

Angela and Constance were at the house, they had decorated. The caterers had arrived and were setting up for brunch. Jane was glad because she was getting hungry again. She had no idea what was for brunch, but she would eat it. She knew Constance had some connections and Chloe was looking forward to the meals today so she thought they would be in great hands. It was nice being catered too and not having to worry about cleaning up after they ate. They could just enjoy Mother's Day as a family.

The children had made hand-made gifts for them. MJ had written a poem about love. He understood they phrase, 'love is love' and his poem reflected that. Jane and Maura loved it. They knew MJ had a crush on Chrissy from his class. He has liked her since he first met her. He told them one night before going to bed that he had kissed her really quickly and she kissed him back. He thought the world of her, she was his best friend.

AJ had picked out his favorite family photo and had made a frame for it with his Uncle Tommy's help. Tommy did all the wood cutting but AJ designed the custom frame and wrote 'My Mothers' on it. He gave them each a frame photo so they could put it on their desks at work.

Lilly made a collage of pictures of the entire family. She knew how important pictures were to her mommy so she figured this would be a great gift. For Jane she made a collage of her favorite Red Sox players.

Kate drew and colored a picture of their family standing outside their house. She included Angela, Constance and Arthur because she loved them so much.

Jane and Maura loved their gifts. They gave each of their children a hug and kiss and told them how much they loved them and their gifts. The children stayed in bed with them and wanted to watch the slideshow again. Jane played the slideshow again now that everybody had finished eating their breakfast.

After breakfast they got dressed so they could begin their day. They had appointments to get their nails done and then after the appointment they came home so they could have brunch with the family.

Brunch included French toast, cinnamon rolls, bacon, grilled cheese sandwiches, cheeseburgers, peanut butter and fluff sandwiches, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy and quite a bit more. Jane was very happy with the menu selections. She could tell her mother had something to do with the food selections. She smiled so big as she grabbed Maura's hand and said, "Babe, look at our food selections and there is bacon, Maur, real bacon."

Maura smiled back at her and said, "Our mothers wanted to make sure there would be some comfort food." The children all had their favorite food items on their plates and were sitting at the table ready to eat. MJ and AJ got up so they could make their mother's plates for them.

"Mama, mommy please have a seat." MJ instructed his mothers. "AJ and I will fix your plates for you."

Kate smiled at them and said, "Sit peas." Kate patted the seats next to her. Jane and Maura sat on both sides of her. Jane put her hand on Kate's lap as did Maura, they held hands and Kate put her hands on top of their joined hands. They all looked at each other and smiled.

AJ and MJ brought Jane and Maura's plates. Jane was in heaven. MJ had given her four slices of bacon. Maura looked at the bacon and then Jane and said, "Love, you are not going to eat all of that bacon, are you?"

Jane looked at her bacon and then Maura and replied, "No babe, I was going to share with you." Jane picked up a piece of bacon and offered it to Maura. Maura normally didn't eat real bacon, she preferred turkey bacon, however this was a special day and it wouldn't hurt her to take the piece of bacon that Jane was offering her. Maura accepted the piece of bacon, Jane was surprised. "Thank you love," was all that Maura said. In her mind she thought, 'that is one less piece Jane will eat.'

After brunch, they had an appointment to play miniature golf, the children loved miniature golf and Maura wanted to do something fun with all the children. She also enjoyed it, even though Jane quite often beat her. Maura had been able to figure out the angles and snare a few hole in ones. Today Maura was the victor beating Jane by two holes. They were quite competitive with each other. Jane took the time to help Kate learn how to hold her club and shoot the ball. Kate was so happy. She got to spend extra time with her mama.

From miniature golf all the ladies went for mini-massages while the guys went to the baseball store to look at the new line of jerseys that had come out recently and then they were going to the batting cages. Jane wanted to go with the guys but once again she couldn't say no to Kate or Maura who convinced her to go with them. "Mama, stay wit me, massage time. Don't you want massage?" Kate asked and batted her little eyes at her mama. "Don't you wanna spend time wit me?"

"Of course, I want to spend time with you, Lilly and mommy." Jane stated.

"Settled then, come wit me." Kate said as she grabbed her hand. Lilly had grabbed Maura's hand and Maura reached for Jane's other hand. Maura knew Jane would enjoy the mini-massage. Nina and Chloe and their daughters were joining them also. Angela and Constance had arrived at the massage parlor before them and had already started their massage. They opted for a full massage and were half an hour into it when the others arrived.

Kate wasn't too sure of being naked in front of a stranger. Jane tried to explain to her that although she would be naked under the sheets. The sheets would always be covering her body. A compromise was reached and Kate went into the couples massage with Jane and Lilly went with Maura. Lilly had a massage before so she knew what to expect but she stayed with her mommy. Kate held Jane's hand until they had to climb up on the table. Jane helped Kate get into position and then climbed on her table and then reached for Kate's hand again.

Jane told Kate, "If it is uncomfortable just let me know and I will have them stop. They are going to touch your body to work on your muscles. Remember how mommy explained how the muscles connect to the bones and that they get sore and out of place sometimes?"

"Yes."

"Well massages help reduce the tension in the muscles and helps your body feel better." Jane explained.

"You like this?" Kate asked.

"Yes, it is quite relaxing. I have been getting massages since I met your mother. She believes in massages and she is licensed to give massages. So, if you like the massage but don't want a stranger giving you one, maybe you would like for mommy to give you a massage."

"Me try." Kate said as she smiled at Jane.

"That's my girl. Let's see how you do. It is only a little massage so it won't take too long, you will be done before me, as mine will be a little longer because, well my body is a little longer than yours." At that Jane and Kate both laughed as the massage therapists entered the room.

Kate enjoyed her ten-minute massage and then just watched as her mama got her massage. She saw Jane's facial expression change and said, "Mama, are you in pain"

"No baby, well it was a little uncomfortable but that is because that muscle needed more work so she had to massage that shoulder muscle a little harder. I'm fine though." Jane replied.

"Okay, mama."

About fifteen minutes later Jane was done and the massage therapist left the room so they could get dressed. Jane asked, "So, what did you think? Do your muscles feel relaxed?"

"Yes, but I think I let mommy do this." Kate replied. Jane was not surprised, she saw the look on Kate's face when the massage therapist worked her muscles.

"Okay, we will tell mommy that she has a new client." Jane said as she opened the door so they could go out and join everybody else.

Kate ran up to Maura and said, "Mommy, you massage next time."

"Okay sweetheart. Did you enjoy it though?"

"Yes, but want you." Kate said as she hugged her.

"Okay, would you like some ice cream?" Maura asked and all the children said yes all at once.

"Well ice cream is the next order of business then." Jane said as everybody walked out of the massage parlor.

The ice cream place was not that busy so they were able to get their ice creams relatively quickly. They talked and laughed while eating their ice cream for a few minutes when all the boys walked in and joined them. Jane had text Frankie to let them know where they were and they were close by and asked if they could join them. Jane said of course and ten-minutes later the entire family was together again.

Everybody was having a great time. Constance, Arthur and Angela stood up and got everybody's attention. Constance said, "Angela, Arthur and I have a gift for each of your families." Angela passed out the envelopes. "Please Maura, Nina and Chloe open the envelopes."

Inside each envelope was a note stating that a two-week cruise to Hawaii has been reserved for them with all amenities paid for. "Wow, thank you." Nina said as Maura was about to speak.

"Yes, mother and Angela, thank you. Are you coming on this vacation also?" Maura asked as this was a huge gift.

"Yes darling, you think I could be away from my little angels for that long?" Constance replied.

"Great, because we want the three of you with us." Jane stated and then added, "Your gift is at the house as we didn't know that you would be giving us a gift here."

They went back to the house and Frankie and Tommy brought out the gifts for Constance and Angela. Maura had a family portrait taken of Jane, Frankie and Tommy with their families to give to both of them. She had the portrait enlarged and framed. She knew how much family meant to both of them and figured this would be the perfect gift.

It had been a little bit of work to get everybody posed for the picture. Maura had several photographers taking photos from different angles hoping that one of them would capture the perfect shot and they did. She also had individual family photos taken and gave each of then smaller framed photos of each family as well.

Constance and Angela made sure they hugged everybody and thanked them for the beautiful pictures. As the last hugs were being given the caterer announced that dinner was ready. They stepped into the dining room area and everybody took their seats. A menu was presented to them and everyone made their selections. Dinner was restaurant style in their own house. Maura loved the idea.

They were served rather quickly and enjoyed light conversation as they ate. Maura didn't even want to think how much her mother was paying for this catered meal, there must have been at bleast ten staff members there looking after them. Then she thought, Constance wouldn't have it any other way. After the meal everyone departed and Jane and Maura read the children a bedtime story, okay four short bedtime stories, as each child picked a story.

When they retired to their bedroom Jane made sure the door was locked, she had a gift she wanted to give the mother of her children. She didn't waste any time stripping the clothes off of Maura and making love to her. Maura returned the gift and showed Jane how much she was appreciated as she was also the mother of Maura's children.

They fell asleep in each other's arms around 3 AM and were exhausted the next morning when the dam alarm went off. Jane thought for sure one of these days she was going to pull out her service weapon and shoot the dam alarm. She just snuggled into Maura instead and said, "five more minutes." Maura just smiled she knew Jane wouldn't get up for about another fifteen minutes.

Maura had started setting the alarm to go off earlier once she had learned about Jane and how morning didn't always agree with her. She just pulled Jane in tighter and enjoyed the embrace. She loved her detective and her detective loved her.