Maura picked up her cloth napkin and delicately patted at her mouth before placing it on the table beside her empty plate. "Angela, that meal was delicious. Thank you for cooking tonight."

"Oh Maura, you're very welcome. It's the least I could do after all you have done for my family. For tonight's eggplant lasagna the only fresh ingredients were the eggplants I sliced to act as noodles. Everything else came from the freezer, pantry or a can. I know you are trying to stretch the fresh ingredients for as long as possible before we need to shop again."

Maura stood up from the table and began clearing the dishes. She worked side by side with Angela in a routine the two had perfected during the last ten months while they had been isolated together.

When the pandemic had begun Maura had suggested that Angela and TJ move into the main house with her as none of them needed to leave for work or school. Maura was still on sabbatical from the ME's office while she worked to finish her book and Angela was out of work when the Dirty Robber closed along with all of the bars in Boston. TJ was finishing his kindergarten year virtually after his school had closed. When Tommy realized that he was still going to have to work each day Angela and Maura had stepped up to take over his daily care. With Angela safely ensconced in Maura's home Tommy moved into his mother's space in Maura's guesthouse. His socially distanced visits with his son mostly took place in Maura's backyard.

In late April the Isles and Rizzoli household gained another permanent member. A cherubic 3 year old boy named Jack Collins who was left motherless due to Covid-19. Maura remembered the day her friend Shannon contacted her begging her to take in Jack. Shannon worked at the child advocacy center and she and Maura had met years ago when working on a case. "Please Maura. I have no one who can take care of Jack for me. I am exposed to this daily at work and I am sure I will eventually contract it. I just can't bear the thought of bringing it home to Jack."

Sadly, her words were prophetic. Shannon contracted COVID-19 on April 12th and succumbed to her illness just two weeks later. After Shannon passed away Maura worked with her lawyers to quickly assume permanent guardianship of little Jack.

Maura, Angela, TJ, and Jack established a daily routine that enriched each person's intellectual, physical and emotional well-being. Maura insisted on a variety of learning opportunities for the boys and they all participated in daily exercise.

Angela noticed Maura's thoughts had drifted while she was drying the final dinner dishes. She placed a gentle hand on Maura's arm and asked "Maura is everything alright? You are very quiet tonight."

After being abruptly brought back to the present, Maura sighed while drying her hands on the dish towel. She reluctantly stated "Thank you for concern. I am fine, just worrying about Jane. She is so alone and isolated in Washington and I worry she isn't taking care of herself as she should be."

Angela smiled warmly at the blond doctor. She said "Maura you are such a wonderful friend to my Janie. I never had to worry about her whenever she was with you as I knew you would ensure she took care of herself. I know she is struggling right now. Maybe this pandemic will open her eyes and she will finally come home to you where she belongs."

Maura looked up at Angela with a shocked expression. She quietly stuttered out "wh wh what?"

Angela chuckled quietly ignoring Maura's question along with her surprise and confusion. She firmly stated "Stop worrying so much. The boys are sleeping. Let's refill our wine glasses before we video chat with Jane. Hopefully, seeing her will relieve some of your concerns."