Hello everyone! Yes it's another update! Any comments or suggestions are much appreciated, thank you everyone for your support and messages they mean a lot! If there's anyway you think I can improve the story I'm open to suggestions, just PM me :D Remember this is my first fic, so it's not the greatest lol Reviews are very much welcomed, love you all!
Theres a section in this chapter that is written all in italics, this is to outline it is a dream!
Like other chapters be warned MENTIONS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE
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"So what does everyone want for dinner tonight?" Arthur asked as he pulled out of the hospital car park.
"Ice cream!" Arabella shouted.
Everyone in the car chuckled at the little girl, leading her to pout and cuddle into her mothers side grumpily.
"You can have ice cream Arie but you have to have something proper to eat as well." Arthur said to the girl trying to get her out of her huff.
"I'll have to think about that one grandpa." The young blonde replied seriously.
"You can have whatever you want my sweet girl." Maura whispered in her daughters ear.
"What do you want to eat mummy?" Arabella asked quietly.
"Sweetheart, it's up to you." Maura replied.
"Let's ask the baby!" The little girl shouted, beyond excited about her idea.
Everyone held in their chuckles this time around to make sure there would be no more pouting from Arabella. Leaning over she pulled Maura's shirt up causing Maura to cough to gain the little girls attention. The older blonde looked down at the girl with a questioning stare and was met with the reply of "He can hear me better when I lift your top up mummy." Maura just nodded her head, encouraging the girl to continue.
"Hey little brother, you better not be kicking mummy too much. I just wondered what you want for dinner?" Arabella asked then proceeded to place her ear over her mothers bump. "Mmhmm... I agree... Love you too." Maura had to cover her mouth to hide her laughter by this point as her daughter held a conversation with her stomach. Looking over at Jane she almost burst out laughing, the detective was holding her nose trying just as hard not to giggle.
"Baby wants pizza!" Arabella announced to everyone. No one could hold their laughter in anymore causing the whole car to be filled with the sound of various chuckles.
"He does!" Arabella insisted.
"Okay my little princess Arie, pizza it is.. Baby's choice of course." Arthur stated.
"Jane?" Constance asked, trying to remove the smirk from her face at watching the detectives fondness for both her daughter and granddaughter in the rear view mirror.
"Yes?"
"Would you like us to stop by your apartment to pick up some clothes if you're planning staying?"
"Oh yeah that would be great, if you don't mind." Jane replied, not wanting to put anyone out.
"Don't be silly, it's no problem at all. Just tell Arthur where to go, I have a terrible sense of direction. Maura could tell you all about that, couldn't you dear?"
Not hearing a response from her daughter she glanced into the rear view mirror again. Constance's heart melted at the view she was greeted with. Arabella was drifting in and out of sleeping whilst Maura played with her hair and sang quietly into her ear, filling the now silent car with her light voice.
For the first time in 24 hours, Constance truly believed everything would be okay.
/
After a quick stop for Jane the family were headed back to the house. Whilst Constance and Arthur were discussing which estate agent would be best to phone, Jane noticed the doctor sat next to her had zoned out.
"Maur?" Jane said, gently placing her hand on Maura thigh, instantly regretting it. The scarred hand was trapped like a vice between the blondes legs, almost as a reflex for the woman to react to being touched in such a way. A hand was placed over her wrist, gripping tightly. Maura whipped her head around to face Jane and wasnt met with Ians cold piercing eyes. Realisation now showing in her face, Maura released a breath she didn't realise she was holding in.
"I'm so sorry." Maura murmured, freeing Janes hand from between her legs.
"Don't worry about it, I should of realised it would startle you. Y'know your pretty strong." Jane commented lightheartedly, causing Maura to smile weakly.
"Is your hand okay?" Maura asked, worried she had hurt the other woman.
"Yeah, see?" Jane said flexing her hand.
"Jane... I'm scared." Maura's tone of voice was the most timid Jane had heard it since meeting her yesterday.
"I know but you don't need to be. You have me now, I'm not going anywhere and neither are your mum and dad by the sounds of it." Jane stated knowing it wouldn't be the last time she would have to convince the fragile blonde. Pulling Maura in for a hug, this time she didn't cringe or flinch away from her touch. Progress, Jane thought.
/
Pulling up in the driveway, Maura felt an overwhelming sense of fear. So many nights just waiting for the inevitable slap or punch. I can't wait to move, Maura thought.
The car stopping and turning off prompted Maura to unclip her own seatbelt and then Arabella's.
"I'll get her dear." Constance motioned to Arabella who was half asleep in her car seat.
Jane opened the car door and got out, waiting for Maura to scoot along to the edge of the end seat. Opening her arms Jane crouched down to allow her to carry the blonde.
"Jane don't be so silly, there's no way you can lift me." Maura chuckled.
"You would be surprised how strong I am. Now cmon, wrap your arms around my neck." Jane instructed.
Looking over Janes shoulder toward the front door, Maura could see her mother who had Arabella on her hip and father stood laughing at the argument being had between the two.
"Jane... I have crutches from... An accident I had not that long ago. Just go and get them."
"Maura please, just hold my shoulders." Jane pleaded.
Reluctantly, Maura placed her arms around Janes shoulders. Slowly but surely, Jane began to stand up. Wrapping her arm under Maura's knees and cradling her to her chest, she began to walk toward the door almost effortlessly.
"Piece of cake." Jane commented smugly.
As soon as Jane stepped over the door she could feel Maura's body tense and burrow her head into her neck, breathing deeply. Jane blushed at the contact on her neck. Get yourself together Rizzoli, she screamed at herself.
"How can you be 6 months pregnant and yet be as light as a feather?" Jane asked, trying to take Maura's mind away from having to return to her personal hell and her own mind away from her inappropriate thoughts that were running around her head.
"It would be impossible to weigh as much as a feather Jane. The average feather weighs around .0002 grams whereas the lowest weight a person can weigh is 4-5 stone, depending on the person of course." Maura spoke into Janes neck at the beginning but as her confidence grew she lifted her head looking into Janes eyes, feeling a great sense of pride in her knowledge.
"Woah they were right. You really are a genius." Jane commented, more to herself.
"They?" Maura questioned now focused on Jane.
"Um... The detectives down at BPD. They said you were the best ME they ever had." Jane answered, readjusting her hold of Maura to stop her from slipping.
"Oh..right."
Standing in the front foyer of the house gave Jane a chance to take in the house. Glancing up to see Jane looking around with wide eyes, Maura began to worry.
"Jane? What is it?"
"Nothing it's just.. Your house is so...big."
"I can't wait to move." Maura began to release her hold on Janes shoulder, sensing this Jane walked over toward the living room and placed Maura down on one of the couches.
Once Jane was sure Maura was properly situated laying down on the couch she pulled a blanket from the back of the couch and started to drape it across the blonde. However, Maura had different ideas as she began to sit up in protest and so Jane kneeled down on the floor next to the couch.
"Jane I need to get Ara-" Maura started
Jane cut her off before she could even finish, gently placing her arm on the doctors shoulder pushing her back.
"That's what I'm here for. Plus your mum and dad are here. You and slugger just lay back and catch up on some sleep."
"Fine, Arabella isn't allowed any sweets until after her lunch, not too many though. She is also severely allergic to eggs, so if you handle anything with eggs in it could you wash your hands?"
"I will now please stop worrying. Relax, try to get some sleep and shout if you need anything. I'll wake you up in a couple of hours so you can take your next dose of painkillers." Jane ordered, rubbing her hand up and down the blondes arm. Giving a final squeeze and lifted herself from the floor.
"Thank you Jane."
"Stop thanking me ya silly billy" Jane joked. Walking out of the living room she set off for the kitchen leaving Maura to sleep in peace. Or so she thought.
/
Arabella had been playing in the living room when she heard a thump coming from the kitchen. Going to investigate as any curious 4 year old would, Arabella walked into the kitchen to see her mother laying on the floor as her father raised his fist with the intention of hitting her mother.
"NO!" The little blonde screamed.
Ian didn't take notice of the young girls plead and punched Maura's stomach.
"I warned you what would happen if you got pregnant again!" Ian shouted, so close to her face she could feel his ragged breath.
Arabella was sobbing so loudly Maura began to fear that Ian would snap at the young blonde.
"You better tell her to shut up or I will!"
"Bella go upstairs, please." Maura begged the young girl.
"Daddy...please stop...it" The young girl ignored her mothers pleading and continued speaking despite her body physically shaking from her crying.
"ARABELLA, GO NOW." Maura screamed as Ian slapped her face.
/
In the kitchen, Arabella was entertaining all the adults with a story about the time Maura took her to the beach.
"It was so much fun! Mummy even took me into the water! We found loads of seashells as well, I keep them up in my room. Will you come and see them Jane?" The little girl asked excitedly.
"How's about we have lunch first and then you can show me the whole house?" Jane reasoned with the girl.
"Okay! Can I have a sandwich please? My special bread is in the blue tin." The young girl commented, pointing at the bread bin on the counter.
"And what would the princess like on her sandwich?"
"Tuna, please." The young girl asked politely.
"Your wish is my command." Jane bowed down to the girl jokingly causing her to giggle.
Arthur and Constance watched with awe at how well their granddaughter got on with the dark haired woman.
"Come and wash your hands before lunch." Constance got up from her seat, offering her hand to the young girl.
The girl pouted her lips in complaint at the command.
"Arabella Constance Isles, I am not going to ask again." Constance said sternly.
"Okay." Sliding down from the footstool and grasping her grandmothers hand, the pair began to make their way out of the room toward the master bathroom upstairs but were startled still by a scream coming for the living room.
/
Thoughts?...