Hi everyone! So some people are commenting on how slow the pace of the story is and all I can say is when I write something I'm not a fan of skipping to the next day or next week as it leaves out so much detail that can further your experience of the characters, especially in the early relationship and bonding in this story between Maura, Jane and Arabella. If it's a majority thing and people would prefer that then I can do that no problem I just find writing this way comes more naturally to me. Thank you all for sticking with me in this story, it's lovely to hear from you all! I must want that I suffer from terrible migraines and staring at a computer screen doesn't help things so updates are put up as soon as possible. Just nag me if its getting too long! Love you all!
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"Before we go upstairs, we had better feed Bass." Maura said to the young girl who was eager to get upstairs.
"Oh yeah! Jane come and meet Bass!" Arabella, now half way to the kitchen, shouted over her shoulder.
Not having to be asked twice, Jane and Maura followed the young girl to the kitchen to prepare Bass' food. Walking into the kitchen, Jane picked up Arabella who was struggling to get up on her stool and placed her in her intended seat.
"Thank you Jane." Arabella said shyly.
"No problem." The dark haired woman replied, leaning over to smooth the wild strands of the young blondes hair. Hearing a wince from behind, Jane turned round and was met with Maura bending over to reach for what looked like a chopping board from the dishwasher.
"Woah woah woah hang on a minute." Jane pleaded, rushing over to help the blonde up from her bent over position. Slowly coming to stand upright again, Jane gently guided the doctor over towards the stool next to Arabella on the opposite side of the kitchen island.
"Sit." Jane ordered leaving no room for argument, or so she thought.
"Jane, you don't know where anything is." Maura argued.
"And that is why I have you two to help." Jane countered, winking as she helped the reluctant blonde up into the stool.
Jane managed to quickly prepare everything with the help of the mother and daughter directing her around the kitchen and was soon introduced to the beloved family pet.
"Bass this is Jane." Arabella stated to the oblivious tortoise, who was chomping at his strawberries and leaves. "He's not very chatty today." Arabella shrugged.
"Wow, he's very cool." Jane replied to the young blonde who grinned at the observation.
"Yeah he is, mummy's had him since he was a baby." Arabella commented proudly.
"Maybe we should leave him to eat in peace and go help your mummy upstairs yeah?" Jane asked the young girl.
"Good idea." Leaving the laundry room where Bass' heat pads and food plates stayed, the pair walked back to the kitchen where Maura was supposed to be.
"Where's mummy?" The little girl asked worriedly.
"Maura?" Jane shouted, trying not to panic just yet.
"I'm here." A small voice replied from what sounded like the front of the house. Walking toward the voice, Jane and the young girl found a guilty looking Maura sat on a step half way up the stairs.
"I told you to take it easy." Jane said, humour evident in her voice. Taking a hold of the young girls hand she made her way to where Maura was sitting on the stairs.
"My phone was ringing." Maura tried to lie and despite becoming better at lying, it didn't stop a rash forming on her chest.
"Are you okay?" Jane asked noticing the blondes discomfort.
"I lied. I'm sorry." The blonde answered, her voice trembling with fear even though Ian was no where to be see .
"It's okay, don't sweat it." Jane replied as calmly as possible to reassure and calm the doctor down.
"Don't sweat it?" Maura enquired confused by the statement. Reaching down unconsciously, the detective took a hold of the blondes hand and helped her to stand up.
"Oh.. Um it just means don't worry about it." Jane explained in simple terms. "You'll have to show me where we're going cause I haven't got a scooby." Jane joked, trying to lighten the mood.
"This way!" Arabella pointed to Maura's door at the end of the long corridor. How many rooms can one house have? Jane thought, mesmerised.
/
After the trio had made themselves comfortable on the bed- which Arabella had insisted she be in the middle of the older woman -they played a word game until the young blonde fell asleep.
"She fell asleep pretty quickly, I can't blame her if I'm honest" Maura commented whilst rubbing her hand up and down Arabella's back as the young blonde had fallen asleep on her stomach.
Placing her hand on top of the doctors, Maura looked up to see the caring eyes of the dark haired detective.
"Listen, if your scared that... He's going to come back here then don't be. He's not going to get to either of you whilst I'm here. I'll stay awake, promise." Jane tried to assure the woman who was currently playing with her fingers.
"You have nice hands." Maura commented, trying to deflect which didn't go unnoticed by the detective.
"They really aren't and you're trying to change the subject." Jane pointed out, smiling at the doctors efforts.
"I can't lie and so I must be telling the truth detective" Maura joked "You're hands are beautiful even if you think they're not." Maura continued, more serious this time.
"Look." Jane said, pointing at the raised circular scars placed in the centre of each of her palms.
"They don't matter" Maura brushed away Janes comment "I'm covered with scars too." Maura whispered as though it was a secret to Jane.
"You're beautiful though." Despite blushing furiously at her own statement, Jane didn't apologise or take back her observation.
"Thank you... I'm just going to get changed." Maura released her hold of Janes hand and smoothly held back the covers and moved out of her bed as to not wake Arabella. Moving over to stand at her chest of drawers containing her pyjamas, Maura began to sob quietly into her hands. A hand to her shoulder startled Maura and she was about to fight back when she realised it was Jane who was stood behind her.
"Im sorry." Jane apologised, feeling terrible for having caused the beautiful blonde to cry.
The apology caused Maura to weakly laugh "It's.. No it's not your fault Jane it's just.. Well I'm not used to someone being so kind to me." Voicing her thoughts caused more tears to fall down the porcelain cheeks.
"Oh Maura, come here." Opening her arms, the blonde crashed into Janes chest and hugged tightly. "Do you want me to help you get changed?" Jane asked, cringing internally at her own question.
"Could you? I can't reach around properly." Maura admitted, sniffling now she had calmed her sobs down. Jane just nodded her head in agreement causing Maura to turn around and pick out her fluffy pyjamas, handing them over to Jane.
"Lift your arms up as high as you can for me" Jane instructed removing the grey t-shirt Maura wore. Squeezing her eyes tightly, Maura knew Jane was about to see the true extent of what Ian had done to her over the years.
/
Pulling up outside the Italian restaurant her daughter had asked her to pick up pizza from, Constance pulled out her phone and dialled Arthur's number.
"Hello darling, I'm just about to pick up dinner. Where are you?" Constance enquired.
"Oh I'm not far from there, maybe 10 minutes. I'll meet you there dear." Arthur replied.
"Okay sweetheart, I have to make a phone call anyway. Drive safe!" Constance chastised her husband, knowing he was prone to speed.
"I'm always a safe driver!" Arthur retorted, chuckling.
"And I'm not a millionaire." Constance joked with her usual reply.
"Love you." Arthur said, more seriously.
"You too." Hanging up, Constance searched through her phone contacts until she came across the real estate agents number she was looking for.
"Hello Patricia? It's Constance Isles" Constance spoke as the phone on the other side picked up.
"Oh hello! What can I do for you Mrs Isles?" The estate agent replied enthusiastically.
"I'm actually phoning on behalf of my daughter Maura Isles."
"Oh yes I know Maura! I've met her at a few charity fundraisers."
"Well she needs to move house, as soon as possible actually."
"Okay well I'm sure I can help you there. Is there any specific area she's looking for, number of rooms and such?" Patricia replied, pen at the ready to take down any information.
"The Beacon Hill area sounds like a good place to start seeing as it's close to the city centre and schools, I would say four or five bedrooms if possible. Something similar to the house she is in right now would be great, I can send you over some pictures."
"I'll get back to you within the next hour with possible houses." Patricia replied, looking down at the list of criteria.
"I'm sorry to put so much pressure on you Patr-Christ!" A tap to her window startled the older woman, looking out to see Arthur chuckling she went back to her phone call.
"Sorry about that Patricia. As I was saying, I'm sorry to put so much pressure on you but Maura and my granddaughter really need to be move as soon as possible."
"Don't be silly Mrs Isles, it is what you pay me for. If you could send me the photos and I'll get back to you."
"I will. Thank you. Bye" Constance said sincerely.
"Bye." Patricia replied.
Opening her car door, Constance glared over at Arthur who was still laughing at having scared her to death. Walking over, Constance slapped his arm playfully.
"Its not funny!" Constance shouted still leaning in to kiss him but stopped short when she noticed a blood stain on his shirt next to his collar.
Stopping short of kissing him, Constance pulled back and pointed her finger at the mark.
"Where did this come from?" Constance asked staring into her husbands eyes.
Time for some answers, she thought.
/
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