It had been a month since Jane left Maura. She was "living" at a local efficiency motel. She didn't see the point of looking for something long term. This was only temporary, or was it? Every day she would tell herself "this is the day i'll go see Maura." Every day she didn't. Before she knew it the days turned into weeks. She wanted to work it out. This wasn't like Ashley where she could just walk away and move on with her life. She and Maura shared seven kids together.
The truth is though, even if they didn't share seven kids, Jane still didn't think she could simply walk away from this marriage. She loved Maura. She honestly didn't want to imagine a life without her. It had been easy before. When she was done she was done. Now? Not so much.
"Of course it's different Jane. You have years invested with Maura. That still doesn't make what she did OK." She shakes the thoughts from her head and pushes it all away like she has been for the last month.
She turns off the engine and parks in the driveway of what was supposed to be her home. Now it was simply the place where she would pick up her kids Friday afternoon and drop them off Sunday night. She wasn't happy with only seeing her kids once a week but what was she supposed to do? At least she wasn't being the deadbeat her pop was. No matter what, her kids would have her.
She walks up the walkway and rings the doorbell. She shakes her head at the absurdity of ringing the doorbell at her own front door. She had immediately noticed Maura's car wasn't home. This didn't come as a surprise. Maura had returned to work and if she wasn't at work she hid away whenever Jane would come.
Emily opens the door and greets Jane with a smile. "How many times do I have to tell you that you don't have to ring the doorbell Jane. This is your house. Stop being silly." She passes three overnight bags to Jane before calling out to the littles. "Amelia, Abby, Maddy, your ma is here."
The twins come running as fast as their little legs can take them and each clasps onto Jane's legs. "Mama! We missed you!" Jane smiled as she knelt down and kissed two little heads. "I missed you too, babies."
"Amelia! Come on. Your ma is waiting."
Amelia comes around the corner from the kitchen, not showing the excitement that the twins displayed.
"I don't want to go." She pauses for a moment. "I want ma to stay here."
Jane felt like she got the wind knocked out of her as she heard those words from her little girl. What the hell was she supposed to say to that? She couldn't promise she would come home.
She hadn't seen Maura in a month. She hadn't even brought herself to return to work yet because she knew Maura would be there. She knew she eventually had to face it but she kept putting it off. If she didn't deal with it, the problem wasn't there. But the sad look in her little girl's eyes told her this was a problem that needed to be dealt with. They couldn't keep doing this to their children.
"Soon baby. Mama will be home soon." God, she hoped that wasn't a lie but what else was she supposed to say. They were interrupted by the ring of Jane's phone. Looking down, she didn't recognize the number.
"Rizzoli," she says as she swipes to answer, putting the phone to her ear, assuming it's BPD related. It was dead silent for a moment. "Hello?" Jane speaks into the void.
"Ma. It's Blaire." Jane could hear her daughter's voice crack. She had been avoiding the older girls. She wasn't prepared to drag them into the middle of her and Maura's problems. Though she had a feeling that was about to blow up in her face here in three, two..."
To her surprise, Blaire didn't blow up. She was actually quite calm. "I tried to call mom but she is tied up with an autopsy. Are you able to come down to the Boys and Girls Club? There is an issue with Callie."
Jane felt her heart skip a beat. "Is she OK?"
"Yeah, yeah. She's fine. Don't worry. It's something we need to discuss in person though. I'm not permitted to discuss it over the phone."
That was a lie. If that's what it took to get her ma in front of her though so be it. She would use this to her advantage. At least something good would come out of it.
"OK. I'll be there in fifteen minutes or so."
"OK ma. We will see you soon."
Jane hung up the phone and called out to Emily who had made her way to the kitchen. "Hey Em? Something has come up and I need to run to the Boys and Girls Club. Something to do with Callie. I'm going to leave them with you and I will be back, OK?"
"Okay Jane." Emily replied. Just as Jane was about to walk out the door she felt a tap on her shoulder. "Jane?"
"Yeah Em?" She asks as she turns and looks towards the nanny.
"I know it's none of my business but it's been a month. Talk to her. You two will never work through this if you keep avoiding each other and I can't keep being thrown in the middle."
Jane nodded. "I know. I will soon Em." That's all she said before she made her way back to her car and headed for the Boys and Girls Club.
Across town, Callie squirmed underneath the glare of both of her sisters. It was almost as bad as the glares she would get from her parents.
"After everything I went through Callie, what on God's green earth would make you think this was a good idea?"
"Oh, chill out Jess. It's only weed. Everyone does it." Callie snarks back.
"So if everyone told you to jump off a bridge you would do it?" Jess asks as she takes a seat behind her desk.
Callie scoffs. "No."
Blaire was standing in the doorway listening to the back and forth. She had just about enough of her little sister's attitude. "Callie, come with me."
Callie mumbles something incoherently under her breath as she follows Blaire into the gym.
Blaire blows her whistle effectively grabbing everyone's attention as she waves them towards her. Once everyone gathered, Blaire spoke.
"Listen up guys! That's going to be all for today. I have a few things to tend to so I want you to pick up the equipment and hit the showers. Head home and get a good night's sleep because I want to see all of you back here at eight AM for practice. Got it?" She asks the group as a whole.
"Yes coach." The group replies in unison before Blaire dismisses them. Once the gym had cleared of equipment and kids Blaire turned to her sister.
"I didn't want to embarrass you in front of your friends Cal but now that the gym is empty you are going to run suicides until ma gets here. You will not stop until I call for you. My office is right on the other side of that window so don't forget I can see you. Got it?"
Callie nodded. Normally Blaire wouldn't take that as an answer but given that Callie was already worried about what their ma was going to do she let it slide. "Alright, get started," Blaire said as she began to walk away.
Callie again mumbled under her breath. Blaire stopped and turned on her heel. "What was that? If you are going to have the guts to say something at least say it loud enough for me to hear you."
Callie rolled her eyes. "God, she sounds just like ma," she thought to herself before facing her sister. "I said, stop being a bitch and while you are at it stop trying to be ma! I love how you and Jess forget that Jess was an addict and you weren't such an angel yourself. So what if I had a little weed."
Blaire closed her eyes, took a deep breath and centered herself before acknowledging her sister. "You know what Cal, you're right. Jess WAS an addict and I was no angel, not even close but a bitch? Oh Cal you haven't seen a bitch, not until now. I'm not ma but I am your coach.Since you are so eager to run your mouth you can run suicides and in addition to that do ten push ups between each one."
Callie's mouth dropped open and Blaire smiled. "How's that for a bitch?" Blaire remarks before heading towards her office. Not turning around she shouted over her shoulder. "I don't hear you running!" Callie loudly groaned before she started to run.
When Jane arrived her arrival was marked by the slam of the gym doors. Callie, however, didn't notice. To say she was not happy was an understatement. Jane stood at the door for a bit and watched as her daughter would run from one line on the court to the next. Each time she would stop and do ten push ups.The last round she had skipped the push ups and just kept running.
Blaire had spotted Jane and was making her way towards her.
"I saw that Callie! Go back to that line and do the push ups," Blaire says as she makes her way towards their ma.
Callie stood in place, staring at Jane.
"Callie, do what I asked. I did not say you could stop."
Callie hesitated for a moment more before she ran back and did the push ups before resuming running.
"Damn Blaire. Kate is wearing off on you."
"I've always used suicide running to discipline the kids. That's what coaches do. It is quite effective."
There was an awkward pause.
"You know Blaire, sometimes I forget you are a grown up," Jane says with a smile.
Blaire could feel her anger starting to build. How dare she. How dare she just stand there and act like everything is fine. Blaire had tried to call her many times. She took a few deep breaths as she tried to rein in her emotions.
All her life she had anger issues. She wasn't great at regulating her emotions and a month ago it got out of hand when she punched her ma in the nose and broke it. Since then, she had tried really hard to not let her emotions get the better of her. She had promised her parents she would work on it and it was a promise she intended to keep.
"Use your words Blaire," is what her mom used to tell her when she would go into an angry outburst. "Don't show me how you feel. Tell me. You are allowed to be angry. You are not allowed to be disrespectful." She could hear her mom's words in her head now as her emotions swirled.
She spoke her next words calmly, working extra hard to not let her boiling anger surface.
"I'm mad at you."
That's all she said. Nothing more as she turned away from her ma and headed towards Jess's office.
"Callie, come on. Jess's office," she called over her shoulder.
Jane watched her walk off and it took her a moment to gather herself and follow behind her. She was proud of her daughter for not giving in to an angry outburst but to be honest, at that moment she probably would have felt better if she screamed and yelled at her because Jane knew she deserved it. She didn't mean to cut her older girls off like she did. She just didn't know how to deal. At least with the littles she could lie and say it was for work.
She pushed that out of her mind for now. She had to deal with one daughter at a time. As she walked towards Jess's office she swore she caught a hint of weed in the air. She didn't think much of it. A lot of these kids did stuff they shouldn't do, never thinking it was her kid.
She let out a whistle as she followed Blaire and Callie into Jess's office. Jess couldn't help but chuckle at the look on her ma's face as she got up and closed the door behind her.
"Wow Jess. This is nicer than your mom's office at BPD. You must be a big deal here."
She plops down on the very comfortable looking couch.
"Damn, even a comfortable couch."
Jess chuckles. "Thanks ma."
It was awkwardly silent for a moment before Jess spoke.
"Blaire, since this is involving the basketball team do you want to fill ma in on what happened this afternoon?"
"Actually, Jess, I think Callie should tell ma what happened and I mean everything," Blaire said as she looked at Callie.
Callie shifted under the glare of both her sisters and her ma. After a few minutes of silence Blaire spoke again.
"Okay Cal, you were given the chance to speak but since you are choosing to not say anything. I will tell ma. Just so you know, it won't make it any better coming from me." Blaire gave Callie one more shot to speak and when Callie still refused Blaire began.
"Cal..."
"Wait!" Callie said suddenly. "I'll tell ma." She remarked before looking over at Jane.
"I smoked some weed before practice today," Callie said in one breath. Before Jane could say anything Callie continued. "Blaire knew or could smell it on me I guess so she pulled me aside and questioned me. I tried to lie my way out of it but Blaire saw straight through it. She gave me a drug test and well you already know that I failed." Callie took a deep breath and waited for her ma to explode.
"Hold on just a damn minute, you did what?!" Jane asks, her eyebrows raised high on her forehead disappearing behind dark hair. Callie swallowed hard.
"That's not all ma. Is it Callie?" Blaire asked, looking her little sister straight in the eyes. "Tell ma why I made you run suicides."
Callie sighed, she knew she wasn't going to get out of this easily. "I disrespected Jess." Callie continued when Blaire motioned for her to keep going."I called Blaire a bitch."
Jane pinched the bridge of her nose, as she tried to process what in hell had taken hold of her daughter but before that was possible Blaire spoke again.
"That's not all ma."
Jane groaned. "God, there's more?" She says as she raises her head to look back at Callie.
"Oh yeah, there's more. Go on Callie, you didn't have a problem saying what you said earlier so you shouldn't have one now."
Callie cast her eyes down to the floor. "I called Blaire a bitch and told her to stop trying to be you. That everyone has forgotten that Jess is, was an addict and that Blaire herself was never an angel so it was OK I tried a little weed."
Jess scoffed at her little sister's words. It was no secret to anyone who knew her that she was an addict but to hear those words come from her sister's mouth in such a hurtful manner caught her off guard. She quickly shook it off. After all, even though this was her little sister, she was still a representative for the Boys and Girls Club in this situation and she couldn't let her emotions get the better of her.
Jess cleared her throat. "Callie is going to be suspended from the basketball team for two weeks. During that time she can participate in other services here, just not anything recreational. When she returns to the team she will be subject to random drug testing."
Jane nodded. "Callie, we will discuss this more when we get home. I need to discuss this with your mom before we decide what your punishment will be.Also, FYI, it is absolutely not OK."
Sure, Jane could have handled this right here right now. She had a feeling her and Maura would be on the same page but to be honest, it was an excuse to see her wife.
"Callie, go hit the showers. Unless you need her any longer ma?"Blaire asks.
Jane shook her head. "No. You can go."
Callie nodded. "Yes ma'am." As she made her way to the door she stopped.
"So you're coming home?"
Damn it. She had said when we get home.
"I, I, maybe. Let me talk to mom."
"But you said…"
"Callie, do what you were told please. Jess and I need to talk to ma," Blaire said sharply.
Callie looked like she wanted to argue for a moment but she didn't want to do anymore suicides so she decided to do as told. She wondered if her ma forgot she didn't go home on Fridays because she spent the weekends with Stef and Lena. This definitely wasn't the moment to ask that though. As a rule, being grounded never applied to going to Stef and Lena's house but maybe she had screwed up a little too much this time.
She sighed as she headed towards the showers.
After Callie was gone, Jess spoke.
She hesitated at first. Any other parent this would be just another day, but not when it was her ma.
"There is a group that meets twice a week here for teens that are dealing with broken homes. I think Callie would benefit from taking part in that."
Jess tried to ignore the look of shock her ma sent her direction.
"Callie is normally a good kid. I think it is pretty clear that your and mom's separation is having an impact on her. She's never shown any kind of interest in drugs before. I think she's trying to get your attention."
Jane scoffed. "Oh, you've been at this place a month and you're already a psychologist I see. Newsflash Jess. Sometimes kids are just brats for the sake of being brats. Your sister is responsible for her own actions. Don't go trying to blame me."
Jess sighed. She knew none of this was going to be easy for her ma to hear but it needed to be said. Standing up and moving to the front of her desk Jess looked down at her ma. "C'mon ma, you know it's true. That's why you are getting so upset. I know your anger is not directed at me. Admit it ma, you're mad at yourself because you feel like Callie's choices are a direct result of your actions."
Jane looked down at the floor as tears worked their way to the front. "Am I that transparent?" She remarks with a chuckle before blinking away the tears.
"Your mom and I are going through a rough patch, yes, but we will work through it. We will talk to your sister tonight but Jess, I will have to politely decline Callie taking part in that group. She is not from a broken home."
Jess and Blaire looked at each other, each willing the other to speak. On one hand, it wasn't their place. On the other, it was obvious their ma had her head in the sand.
"Isn't she? You haven't seen mom in a month. Callie either." Jess wasn't trying to sound harsh but it was the reality of the situation.
"Stef and Lena have Callie and Jude on the weekends and your mom hasn't exactly jumped over hurdles to see me either."
"So what's your excuse for not speaking to Blaire or I? I know for a fact we have both tried to call you multiple times."
Jane wanted to bury herself into the floor when she looked up and saw tears beginning to make their way down Blaire's face. No anger. No outburst. Just tears.
"Blaire, I…" Before Jane could get out a full thought out Blaire interrupted.
"Ma, I don't want to talk about this right now. Please, " she added, trying to remember to be respectful.
"OK B. Just know I'm sorry. It wasn't purposeful. I just didn't want to drag you girl into the middle of all of this and I knew you would ask questions. Questions that I don't know the answer to right now. I was going to eventually call both of you and Callie also. I promise. Time just got away from me."
"For a month ma? That's really the line you're going with? I'd rather you say you don't have a good reason and apologize instead of giving me a line of bull s… malarky."
Before Jane could respond they were interrupted by the sounds of a loud commotion outside, a chorus of teenage girls. "Fight, fight, fight!" Jess came up out of her chair in a flash as she and Blaire went running towards the commotion. Jane hesitated for a moment before following them in case they needed help.
Jess grabbed one teenage girl and Blaire grabbed the other. "That's enough! Both of you! My office. Now!"
"But coach she…"
Blaire held up her hand. "Kaylee, this is twice in one week. It is in your best interest to keep your mouth closed and go." The girl huffed but walked towards Jess's office with the other girl, Jess following to ensure no further scuffles broke out between the two. Blaire turned her attention to the other girls who had gathered around.
Since you all thought it was better to cheer them on then come get an adult, every single one of you will start and end practice tomorrow running suicides."
There was a collective groan around the room. With that, Blaire headed to deal with the two girls.
Jane had been so busy watching her daughters in action she just now noticed her other daughter right in the middle of the peanut gallery. She couldn't believe her eyes.
"Callie Grace Rizzoli Isles, front and center." Callie's eyes widened.
"I wasn't, I didn't, they were,she…"
"Lying isn't going to do you any favors Callie.I thought Blaire told you to hit the shower anyway."
Callie hung her head. "Yes ma'am but…"
Jane held up her hand.
"I don't want to hear it, Callie. I don't know what has gotten into you but this behavior will stop and it will stop now."
Without another word Jane propped her leg up on a nearby chair and pulled her daughter towards her and over her knee. She proceeded to spank her before placing her back on her feet.
"That was just a warm up. When I get you home I'm using a belt. Don't you ever let me see you do that again."
Callie nodded as tears fell, mostly because of the embarrassment of what her ma just did in front of her entire team.
"I can't hear you Callie Grace."
"Yes ma'am."
"Go do what your sister told you to do in the first place."
As Callie went off towards the showers Jane hadn't noticed Maura had shown up and took in this entire scene. After Callie was gone she made her way towards Jane.
"Are you kidding me Jane? Don't YOU ever let me see you do THAT again. Not only that, you can't just show up to be a parent when it suits you. Why are you here?"
Jane scoffed. "I'm here because Blaire called me. As for what just happened, that's nothing compared to what she will get when I get her home."
"Callie is not coming home today, it's Friday. She spends the weekends with Stef and Lena or have you been gone so long you forgot?"
Maura knew her words were going to strike a nerve but at this moment she threw caution to the wind. Never did she think Jane would embarrass any one of their kids the way she just did.
"The hell she is! She will be lucky if she's allowed out of her room with the crap she's been pulling. Instead of coming in here all high and mighty, why don't you find out what our daughter has done!"
Maura rolled her eyes. "Oh, so now she's our daughter? Where was that attitude for the last month Jane?"
Jane and Maura were so into their argument they hadn't noticed the group of teens standing off to the side until one of them spoke.
"Ooo, cat fight!" She said as the others laughed.
Jane turned and glared at the group of young girls. "Don't you have rides waiting for you? Get outta here!" She yelled loudly before turning back to Maura.
"I guess that's how you speak to everyone now huh?" Maura remarked, crossing her arms against her chest. The blonde was beyond mad, she could feel her body vibrating with anger.
Jane's face turns red with anger as well. She pointed her finger at Maura and they began arguing again.
Blaire was in her office with Jess and the two girls that had been fighting. After laying out their consequences, she found herself being distracted by the rising voices outside. Knowing exactly who the voices belonged to, Blaire stood up and grabbed her whistle.
"Girls, you are free to go. From here on out no more fighting over boys. Trust me you have your whole lives ahead of you to find love but I can promise you it won't be in high school." Both girls chuckled before standing and grabbing their things.
"Sorry coach," they both said as they made their way out the office.
Blaire shook her head and looked over at her sister, their parents voices still ringing loudly behind her. "I'm going to break this up before it can get any worse." Jess nodded and followed Blaire out the office.
Alright you two that's enough!" Blaire yelled. When her parents continued to argue Blaire blew her whistle. The gym was now empty so the screeching, scream of the whistle echoed loudly off the walls, effectively grabbing both Jane and Maura's attention.
Blaire glared at both her moms before pointing to her office. "Move it!" Jane grumbled to herself as Maura huffed and walked towards the appointed office.
Blaire and Jess followed behind their parents. When the door was shut, Blaire pointed to the chairs. "Sit." Both women did as they were told, too stunned to argue.
"What the hell is wrong with you two? We have ten year olds here that conduct themselves better than the two of you." Jane went to protest but was quickly stopped in her tracks. "Nuh uh, you don't get to say anything right now. I have the floor. Mom what are you doing here? Did you not look at your text? I told you ma was here, that you didn't need to rush over."
Jane looked at Maura who looked at Blaire. "I only listened to your voicemails." Blaire nodded in understanding. She had called Maura three times before leaving a voicemail so she could see how the text would go unnoticed.
Jess took a deep breath before speaking. "Moms, you two can't keep fighting like this. Whatever is going on between the two of you, you need to work it out."
Maura scoffed. "I've been trying to work it out. Your ma is the one that seems to not want that since she's been gone a month and dodging my calls and texts." With those words an argument started again.
Jess looked over at her sister who's eyes were beginning to fill with tears again. Not being able to handle the fighting anymore or the hurt look on Blaire's face Jess finally broke. "That's enough!" She yelled, bringing the room back to silence.
"God moms, would you just stop! Look at what you're doing to Blaire. Look at what you are doing to our family for fucks sake!" Maura opened her mouth but Jess wasn't finished.
"Mom, We know you're filing for divorce. Why would you do that without even speaking to ma and trying to work things out? " Jess said in one breath, drawing a collective gasp from both her parents.
All the color in Jane's face drained as her wide eyes filled with tears. She turned and looked at her wife, her heart shattered. "Wha, y,you filed for a divorce Maur?"
Maura didn't get a chance to explain as Jess spoke again. "I overheard the voice mail the attorney left mom yesterday. You were in the kitchen and I guess you didn't realize anyone was home when you let it play through on speaker phone."
"Jess, I, I." Maura stuttered. Jess shook her head.
"No mom, whatever you need to say, you need to say it ma." With that she turned to Blaire.
"C'mon B, let's give them some time to talk." Blaire nodded before standing and following Jess out of the office.
Once alone Jane stood and began to pace. "So it's true? You filed for divorce? Maur, I know we are having problems, and I haven't handled any of this the way I should have but, I, I don't want a divorce." Jane's tears couldn't be held back any longer and began to stream down her face.
Had she really messed things up so badly that Maura didn't want to be married to her anymore. As if reading her wife's thoughts Maura spoke.
"Jane, I didn't file for a divorce. I just called for some information. That's all."
Jane looked at her wife. "Is that supposed to make me feel better Maura? Because I gotta tell you, it doesn't." Jane replied hurtfully.
Maura set her purse down and made her way to her wife. Taking the brunette's hands in her own she spoke. "You were gone a month Jane. You wouldn't return my phone calls or answer any of my texts. After the way you left, I didn't know what else to do. It didn't seem like you wanted this anymore." She says gesturing between the two of them.
"I'm not innocent in all of this either. I'll admit that I made excuses not to be home when you picked up the kids. If I was home I stayed out of sight because I couldn't bring myself to see you. I couldn't bring myself to see you not loving me anymore."
With those words Maura's tears began to fall rapidly. Her breath came in gasps as she tried to speak. "I don't want a divorce. I want you home."
Jane, though hurt from the news of her wife looking into divorce proceedings, couldn't handle the woman she loved beyond the realms of this world crying. The brunette stepped forward and pulled her wife into her arms.
Maura being afraid that her wife would suddenly slip away, tightened her hold. Through her tears she whispered. "I'm sorry."
Jane kissed the top of her wife's head, whispering back her own apologies as she inhaled the smell of designer shampoo. One of the smells she missed after having spent a month in a crappy hotel.
After a few moments Jane stepped back and cupped Maura's face. Using her thumbs to brush away the fallen tears. "I could never, and I mean never stop loving you Maur. I need you and our family like I need air to breathe or coffee to function properly." Jane's lame attempt at a joke paid off as Maura cracked a small smile.
"I love you Maura. I love you more than any person could possibly love another. I don't want a divorce.I would never want that. You could force feed me kale and all the other healthy crap you try to pass off as food for the rest of my life and I would still want to be married to you."
Jane's words brought a tearful smile to blondes face and a playful slap to her arm. Maura cleared her throat and began to speak. "I just want you to come home. I will try to give whatever answers I can to the many questions I know you still have, just come home. I love you."
Jane tilted Maura's head upwards and gave her a kiss. One she hoped portrayed all of her love and the words she couldn't find. Pulling away for air, they rested their heads together.
"I want to come home to Maur. I'll understand if I'm on the couch for the next month for my behavior but that doesn't even matter to me as long as I'm home with you and our girls."
Maura smiled and whispered. "Then come home my love." They shared one more embrace and a few kisses before gathering up their things. Upon opening the door, Jess and Blaire both jumped back like they hadn't been listening the whole time causing both women to laugh.
Jess and Blaire looked at their parents, fingers intertwined, anger dissipated and smiled.
Jess spoke first.
"Everything okay?" She asked hoping that she wasn't reading the situation wrong. Jane smiled at her daughter and then down at her wife.
"It will be. Let's go home." Jane said, giving Maura's hand a gentle squeeze, receiving one in return. Blaire and Jess all but squealed before disappearing into their offices to grab their things and lock up.
Jane could see Callie slowly walking towards her and Maura. Jane knew she needed to apologize to her daughter. Looking down at her wife, Maura gave her an understanding nod.
"I'll be in the car," Maura said before giving Jane a kiss on her cheek.
Jane made her way over to Callie and without a word wrapped the teen in her arms. "I'm so sorry Cal, I'm sorry I embarrassed you in front of everyone. I'm sorry that I'm a shitty parent sometimes."
Callie chuckled against her ma's chest. "You're not a shitty parent ma," Callie remarked before trying to correct herself. "I, I mean." Jane just smiled as she pulled away and looked Callie in the eyes.
"It's alright Cal, I'll let that one slide. Let's get home." Jane said, grabbing Callie's gym bag and heading towards the doors only to stop when she noticed Callie wasn't following. Turning back around she asked.
"What's wrong Cal?" Callie shifted nervously.
"Did you mean what you said about me not going to Stef and Lena's this weekend?" Before Jane could reply, Callie spoke again. "I could hear you and mom fighting all the way in the locker room."
Jane took a moment to pull in her thoughts.
"No Cal, I didn't mean that. I was just upset. I'll call Stef from the car and let her know that she and Lena can pick you up at home today instead of here but that doesn't mean you're off the hook. Me and mom need to discuss what to do about your behavior and what your punishment will be moving forward. Alright?"
Callie nodded. "Yes ma'am."
"Good now let's get out of this gym, it stinks in here. How can so many girls make a place smell like Uncle Frankie's bedroom growing up." Jane made a point to scrunch her nose in disgust before she and Callie both laughed.
"Let's go home kid." Jane wrapped her arm around her daughter's shoulders and walked out the gym doors meeting Maura, Blaire and Jess outside.
"I need to head to the hotel to pick up my things but I'll meet you guys back at home?" Jane stated it as a question directed at her wife. Maura stepped forward and gave Jane a kiss.
"We will see back at home," she says with a smile before climbing into her car. Jane handed Callie her gym bag and looked at her three daughters.
"I'll see you girls in a little while." All three nodded before heading to their own cars, except for Callie who climbed in with Maura. Jane watched them all pull away before doing so herself.
As Maura and Callie made their way home, the first part of the trip was silent. Finally, Maura broke the ice.
"I'm sorry ma spanked you in front of everyone like that. That won't happen again. I promise.I'll make sure ma knows that was not OK."
Callie grinned. "I think ma knows mom. Along with half of Boston."
Maura blushed. "Yeah, we should not have fought in front of your friends like that either. I'm sorry." Maura pauses as a look of confusion crosses her face. "Wait, how did you know we were fighting?"
"It's a gym mom. Your voices echo. I could hear every word from the locker room."
"Oh. Well, like I said, I'm sorry. We were both upset."
Callie nods. She pauses a moment as she debates whether to ask. "Mom, you and ma, are you going to be OK? You're not getting a divorce are you?"
"No Cal. We're not. We have some stuff to work through but it's grown up stuff you don't have to worry about OK? Ma is coming home tonight and she won't leave again."
Callie nods, seemingly satisfied with that reply.
"So, do I have to go to my room?" She asks as Maura pulls into the driveway.
Maura turned off the ignition and faced her daughter.
"I don't know. You tell me. I still don't even know what you did."
Callie decided to go with the least serious of her transgressions. She knew her mom would find out the others in time but for now she would go with what would get her in the least amount of trouble. That wasn't saying much actually because it still was something her parents would hit the roof over. Jane already had. Now it was Maura's turn.
"I smoked some weed," Callie said quickly before she lost her nerve.
"You did WHAT?"
Callie groaned.
"Come on mom. Everyone tries it at some point."
"Not at fourteen years old they don't. I think your thinking was correct. Go to your room and wait for ma and I to decide what to do.."
Callie nodded. She knew it was in her best interest not to argue. "Yes ma'am."
At least her ma was still going to let her go to Stef and Lena's.She had a feeling she wouldn't have any freedom while there though and she was still waiting with baited breath to see if her ma was going to carry through on her threat of the belt.
After Callie went inside Maura grabbed her things and made her way inside as well. As she walked by the front entrance she slammed her bag down and walked towards the kitchen, clearly pissed off.
Blaire and Jess were sitting on the couch watching as she went huffing through and Blaire let out a quiet laugh so only she and Jess could hear.
"Well, I think mom knows what happened."
Jess looked at Blaire and grinned.
"You think she told mom everything?"
That made Blaire laugh again. "Not a chance."
Upstairs, Callie packed her bag for Stef and Lena's. When she was done she settled down into her bed with a good book. Try as she may though, she couldn't focus on what she was reading.
She picked up her phone and glanced at the clock. Her ma should be home anytime. She knew why she did what she did. She knew if she got in enough trouble her ma would come home. So at the end of the day, no matter the consequences, it was worth it and she would do it again, though she would never be dumb enough to tell her parents that.
She looked down at her phone one more time before texting Jane.
"I'm sorry for everything ma. I'm glad you're coming home. Please don't leave again. I missed you. Love you. Heart emoji "
With that, she laid her phone back down on her nightstand, and laid back in the middle of her bed with a huge smile on her face. Her ma would probably accuse her of sucking up to get an easier punishment but the truth was, she meant every single word.