This chapter is much longer than the last as I couldn't just leave you hanging with all the drama! This is the second upload in a day so don't miss the last chapter 'FATHERS' as you need to read that to understand this chapter! Love you all and look forward to hearing your thoughts! House viewing next :D
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Jane had just finished the book and was about to ask if Arabella wanted to pick another when the door to the room opened revealing an obviously upset Maura. The second Arabella caught sight of the tears on her mothers face she scrambled to her mothers side clinging on like a monkey.
"Sweetheart, do you remember out talk about maybe having to go away on a little holiday?" Maura's voice was gentle as she reminded Arabella. It was hard trying to explain to a 4 year old that her father couldn't come on the trip with them but Arabella seemed to understand without asking any questions.
"Yes mummy. Are we going now?" Arabella asked as she looked at the suitcases outside of the doorway.
"Maura, please just let us explain." Constance pleaded for the hundredth time. As Maura was pulling the suitcases from the back of her closet in the bedroom Constance had tried to speak to Maura but was getting no where as the blonde just ignored her.
"Maura?" The blonde turned to face the dark haired woman who's raspy voice had caught her attention. As soon as Maura's eyes were locked onto her own she carried on speaking. "How's about I take Arabella out for a while and give you and your parents a chance to speak? I know it's really none of my business but everyone deserves to tell their side of the story.. Right?" Jane wasn't sure if she had any right to even defend Maura's parents but she wouldn't let Maura feel guilty later on for not at least listening to what they had to say.
Turning to face Constance, Maura just nodded her head in agreement to Janes statement. Constance let out a sigh of relief knowing at least now she might have a chance to salvage their relationship. "I'll be down in a minute." Maura's tone of voice was much more gentle than before as she dismissed her mother, leaving herself Jane and Arabella in the room.
"I need to sit down for a moment." Maura commented as she was beginning to feel light headed with all the stress. Jane and Arabella guided the blonde to sit on the young girls bed, both sitting either side of Maura. "You have to be a good girl Jane when she takes you out. You had better go and pick out a jacket from your cupboard darling, it looks like it might rain." Maura told the little girl prompting Arabella to go in search of a jacket. "I shouldn't have taken my anger out towards Ian on my parents." Maura whispered as she watched Arabella pick out a flowery pink rain jacket.
"I'm sure they understand Maur. Just tell them how you feel, it's not good to bottle your feelings up sweetie." A gentle squeeze to her hand served as a reminder that Jane was there to lean on. Releasing Maura's hand, Jane pushed herself up from the bed and extended her hand to Arabella who had managed to put her jacket on by herself.
"How's about we go and visit my Ma? Maybe she knows how to make eggless bunny pancakes." At the word pancakes Arabella began to pull Janes arm to get her to move quicker, Jane could hear Maura chuckle from Arabella's room as she made her way downstairs.
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Maura quietly waddled into the living room but came to a halt as the sight of her mother sobbing on her fathers shoulder came into her view. Arthur had his arm wrapped around Constance's shoulder and appeared to be whispering in her ear but whatever he was saying wasn't helping. Maura couldn't watch anymore as her mother broke down so approached the couch and sat down, startling both her parents who's heads whipped around to look at her.
Maura's eyes were looking down at her fingers as she picked away at the beige nail varnish that she wore. "I'm sorry." Was all Maura said as her eyes finally looked up to see the confused expressions on both faces. Wiping the tears from her face, Constance cleared her throat to allow herself to speak.
"You have nothing to be sorry for darling. Your father and I should have been honest with you but you have to know we only did it to protect you. I know I'm a terrible mother, I could never in a million years be as strong and as caring a mother as you are but I love you with all my heart and you need to remember that. If you would rather that we went back to our hote-"
"No! I.. I would rather you both stayed here." The statement was emphasised by Maura reaching her hand out to her mothers, taking it in her own. Constance couldn't stop the small smile from creeping into her face as she squeezed Arthur's hand that was grasping her other free hand.
"I'm sorry for my behaviour before. I shouldn't have lashed out at either of you. I understand why you tried to protect me from the truth, I suppose I've done it countless times with Arabella. I'm just so tired of having to keep myself so strong all the time." Maura took a deep breath to try and stop her emotions from bubbling over the top.
"You don't need to be Maura. You have your mother and I to help you with Arabella and the baby, if you want to cry then it's okay to cry sweetheart." Arthur reassured Maura as he could tell the blonde was holding back. Opening his arms for Maura, the blonde scooted along the couch to join her parents in a hug.
"I'll go and make a quick lunch and then you should sleep for a little bit. There's still a couple of hours before the first house viewing if you still want to go and see?" Constance asked as she looked down at her wristwatch showing 12:36.
"That would be nice." Maura replied as her eyes began to close from the sheer exhaustion of her stressful day.
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"Hey Ma!" Jane greeted her mother as she entered the police cafe with Arabella jumping up and down on her shoulders as Jane walked through the police station.
"Hey Jan-" Angela began to reply but stopped as she noticed the young girl on her daughters shoulder. Jane crouched down to the floor to let Arabella down to the floor, the little girls hand immediately finding Janes scarred one as Jane stood up to her full height.
"This is Arabella, Dr Isles' daughter." Jane introduced the little girl who wore a proud smile as she held Janes hand.
"Nice to meet you little Miss Arabella." Angela placed her hand out for the little girl to shake. Arabella looked to Jane for permission, the detective was confused at first but realised it must be something the little girl does with Maura and so nodded her head.
"Do you think you could make an eggless pancake Ma?" Jane enquired hoping that she wouldn't let the little girl down who bounced with excitement.
"I can sure give it a try!" Arabella gave a mini fist pump as she ran over to a table near the window of the cafe, struggling to get up on the seat.
"Thanks Ma!" Jane shouted over her shoulder as she chased after the little girl. As Jane helped the little girl up onto her seat, a voice shouted to get her attention.
"Rizzoli! What's the latest on that scu- Oh sorry!" Detective Randolph stopped himself as he took in the presence of Arabella who wiggled in her seat to get comfy.
"And who might this little girl be?" Detective Randolph asked as he tried to figure out why the young blonde looked familiar to him.
"This is Arabella." Detective Randolph's mouth went wide as he took in the mini Dr Isles that sat in front of him. Arabella looked over at Jane for permission again, receiving it Arabella began to speak to the older man as the detective placed his hand out. Janes phone buzzed on her hip signalling a text, as Randolph entertained Arabella the dark haired detective pulled up the text from Constance.
I can't thank you enough for persuading Maura. We will pick you up in a couple of hours after Maura sleeps to go and view a few houses if that's okay with you? Constance.
Jane quickly replied to the text, placing her phone back in its holder the detective looked back up at the little girl who she had quickly come to love over the past couple of days. I'm so glad I went to that hospital, Jane mused as she chuckled at her own thoughts.