I don't own Rizzoli and Isles, but I wish I did.
A/N: Hello, all. I'm trying to get back into writing more regularly. It's a crazy time of the year, and I really appreciate all of your patience. I hope you continue to enjoy the story. Sorry for any mistakes!
Click clack. Click clack.
Maura's heels echoed through the empty gallery as she moved to scrutinize another installation of her mother's recent work. Constance surprised Maura with the gallery visit; the doctor was unaware that Constance had created anything recently, let alone work worthy of exhibiting. This installation focused on the beauty of nature reclaiming decrepit structures in once vibrant urban areas.
Constance's art never ceased to amaze the beautiful doctor, but Maura couldn't help but feel a tinge of resentment towards the pieces. For much of Maura's life, Constance valued her artwork more than her own daughter. Rather than dwell on past hurts, Maura pushed the thought away, giving her head an imperceptible shake to help the process along.
The two women's relationship was blossoming with the uninterrupted time together, but Maura couldn't help the pangs of old hurts and resentments that poked through. Constance for her part dedicated every moment of the trip to rebuilding the trust and love she now so desperately wanted with her daughter. Maura had to admit this was the best time she had spent with her mother in decades, and she was extremely grateful to have it, but her heart ached for the brunette. She missed Jane and longed to share her embrace again.
The doctor had yet to address with her mother the reason for the artist's sudden change of heart towards their relationship. Maura decided to let the conversation come about organically rather than forcing it to happen. At least, she felt that way for the first half of their trip together, but she couldn't help the gnawing desire to know how and why things were different.
Constance sidled up next to her daughter, who was standing in front of her favorite piece. Maura's pensive mood had etched deep lines in her beautiful daughter's face. Slightly confused by Maura's expression, Constance broke the quiet of the gallery, "Maura, darling. What's the matter? You look troubled."
Startled out of her reverie by her mother's arrival, Maura's thoughts flew from her lips before she even realized, "Why now, Mother? Why the sudden interest in having a relationship with me?"
So much for organically.
Although Constance anticipated having this conversation with her daughter, she didn't expect it to happen so abruptly.
"Ah, well, darling," Constance, a woman known for her eloquence, stumbled over her words.
Now that the question was out in the open, Maura couldn't help the words that poured out of her mouth.
"You had so little interest in my life for more years than I would like to recount. You openly disapproved of the work I accomplished as a medical examiner, even as the Chief Medical Examiner of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and initially, you believed that teaching in a public school was beneath me."
Maura was on a roll now. The location for this conversation wasn't ideal by any means, but at least for the moment, the gallery was relatively private. "You cared more for social appearances than for my happiness. I mean, you supported Daniel," Maura cringed at the thought of the deplorable man, "when we broke up instead of me, your own daughter!"
Tears pricked the doctor's eyes, and she was barely able to quell the overwhelming urge to yell at her mother. All of the emotions she had pent up for so many lonely years were finally boiling over. "Why? Why now, Mother?"
"Jane." Constance uttered softly; the stoic woman's voice cracked.
The honey blonde's mind screeched to halt. "Excuse me?"
Constance gently took her daughter's hand in hers and led her over to a bench along the wall.
"Darling, did Jane never tell you about the conversation she and I shared?" Constance knew the answer to this question before she ever asked. The elder woman knew that Jane wouldn't have wanted any credit for helping Constance and Maura mend their relationship. Knowing the Italian, she wanted Maura to think this change of heart was all Constance's initiative.
"No, Mother. She never told me about any conversation between the two of you." Maura waited apprehensively for her mother's explanation.
Constance continued to cradle her daughter's hand in her own, examining the difference that age has on one's body. Her hand was wrinkled while Maura's remained smooth and soft.
"To put it simply, darling, Jane helped me see how much I have hurt you over the years through my absence and unrelenting expectations I have had for your life. In other words, my sweet child, she made me realize how selfish I have been. I am truly, truly sorry, my darling."
Never in her life, did Maura see her mother cry until now.
"The greatest regret I have in life is for the time I have lost with you on account of my own ego. You are the greatest gift and work of art in my world. I was just too self-absorbed to see that. As an artist, you'd think I'd appreciate beauty better than I have," Constance chuckled mirthlessly before slumping her proud shoulders in remorse.
Maura breathed deeply through her nose to center herself. It's amazing how one notices the simplest things even in the most important moments of one's life. Maura watched as the dust motes danced gently through the beam of sunshine filtering through the glass of the window overhead. The sun reflected brightly off the worn oak floor, whose appearance reminded one of the simple beauty in old places. The building was once a factory, the exposed brick walls lending themselves to era long since past.
Looking away from the brilliance of the space, Maura studied her mother's face openly for the first time in years. The smooth flawless skin of the artist had loosened slightly with age forming wrinkles around her eyes and mouth. There was no argument that Constance Isles was still a striking woman, whom the years had indeed been kind to, but unrealized sadness and regret etched themselves clearly on her face. Maura's absence in Constance's life had taken its toll on the artist without Constance even realizing it. A lack of color pervaded her art for so many years. When Maura was a small child and Constance was still a visible part of her life, her art was rich with color and depth. Once Constance lost herself in her own ego and pushed Maura further away, her talent turned to deeper more grave forms of expression.
This newest installment, a product of her renewed intimacy with her daughter, burst with life and natural beauty. In all her career, she had never produced work as quickly as she had after incorporating Maura back into her life. Her beloved daughter was her inspiration, her renewal.
Maura remained silent, sensing her mother had more to share.
Constance turned hopeful eyes to her daughter. "Maura, all this work is for you, because of you." The artist extended her arm towards her newest pieces. "I imagined the crumbling and decay of these once strong structures to be the remains of the relationship we shared. The struggle and success of new life growing and breaking through the decay reflects what I hope is happening between us. Life finds a way, my darling, and so does love."
It wasn't until moments later, that Maura realized she was crying in her mother's embrace like she once had as a child. The warmth that radiates from a mother as she holds her child permeated Maura's heart again.
Her mother loved her.
R & I R & I R & I
Jane shifted her weight from one leg to the other as she tried to find a comfortable position in the miserably small airplane seat. Times like these reminded her why her height could be such a pain.
"Geez, Janie, stop moving around." Frankie grumbled. Jane was not the best travel companion on a plane; plus, she had elbowed him way too many times.
"Why're you complaining? You've got the aisle seat!" Jane glared at all the legroom her brother was currently enjoying.
Frankie chuckled and in an exaggerated gesture stretched his legs out in front of him sighing in comfort. All annoyance he previously felt from Jane's squirming gone.
"I hate you so much," Jane huffed and crossed her arms.
Frankie laughed at his sister's childish pouting and placed his earbuds back in his ears; the latest superhero movie played on his personal screen. He decided to ignore his pissy sister. He had already poked the proverbial bear enough.
Jane was in no mood to watch a movie, so she listened to her music instead. Unbeknownst to anyone, she had created her own Maura playlist one night when she was desperately missing the blonde. Each song either reminded her about Maura specifically or a memory they shared. Jane rolled her eyes, silently admonishing herself for being such a sap.
Sighing contently, Jane allowed the melody of the couple's favorite song lull her to sleep.
Her nap didn't last long.
R & I R & I R & I
Jane and Frankie waited as each bag thumped down onto the conveyor belt; Jane's bag decorated with Red Sox luggage tags had yet to make its appearance.
The remnants of the siblings' good moods leftover from the visit with Tommy had disintegrated the last thirty minutes of their flight. Extreme turbulence nearly caused Jane and Frankie to lose the dinners they had back in Dulles during their layover. It was nearing 11:30, and the two Rizzolis just wanted to be home.
THUMP!
After another ten minutes of watching the same three bags move around the carousel, Jane's bag finally emerged. Yanking it off the conveyor belt, Jane and Frankie dragged themselves out of the baggage claim. As Jane cleared the escalator, the best sight she could ever imagine was staring straight at her. A brightly smiling Maura Isles waited for her at the bottom of the stairs.
Once Jane cleared the landing, Maura launched herself into the brunette's arms. Jane easily caught her as the doctor wrapped her legs around the brunette's hips. Jane could barely get two words out because Maura wouldn't stop kissing her.
A little awkwardly, Frankie interrupted the reunited couple, "Uh, guys. I'm really excited about you two reuniting and all, but I'm really fucking tired. Can we go home?"
Maura pulled away, and Jane gently placed the blonde back on the ground. "I'm sorry, Frankie. You're right. Let me get you both home." Maura barely hid the hint of uncertainty as she said home. She didn't want to assume that the brunette would want to stay at her house after such a long trip.
Jane anticipated Maura's train of thought, so she quickly put her mind at ease. "Maura," Jane wrapped her arm around the doctor's shoulders, "you mind if I stay the night with you?"
The brunette's tired eyes betrayed how incredibly exhausted Jane was. "Of course, baby."
Frankie mouthed to Jane, "Baby?" Frankie Rizzoli never thought his sister would be one for pet names.
Jane gave her brother her patented dick shriveling glare which effectively silenced the younger Rizzoli from saying another word.
Maura had scored a sweet spot in short-term parking, so the trek to the car was relatively short. Even though Jane wasn't the one driving, she still opened the door for Maura. As Maura slid past Jane to sit in her seat, the brunette caught a whiff of Maura's heavenly perfume. All thoughts of sleeping vanished and the desire simmering throughout their time apart suddenly came roaring back to life.
Both women shared the same thought.
Get rid of Frankie and get home!
Maura exceeded the speed limit to both her own and Jane's surprise. Frankie had passed out in the back seat, so he was too unconscious to notice Maura breaking her own rule.
Maura Isles was horny and in a hurry.
After unceremoniously dumping Frankie at his apartment, the two women sped off in the direction of Maura's house. The drive was agonizingly long for the couple. Wandering hands fueled the passion between the two; Jane's hand slipping under Maura's skirt squeezing her thigh as highly as possible without actually touching her where she wanted most.
The couple finally pulled into Maura's garage. Quietly, they removed Jane's luggage and entered the main house. Constance was still visiting in the guesthouse, and neither woman wanted to disturb her, but as soon as the door shut, Maura pounced. The doctor wrapped her legs around the brunette like she did in the airport and kissed her passionately.
"Oh God, Jane, I missed you," Maura moaned hotly in the Italian's ear.
The doctor ground her pelvis against the brunette as she sucked on Jane's pulse point. The ache between her legs was growing in intensity. The brunette flipped their position so that Maura was braced against the door. Taking Maura's wrists in one hand, Jane held them above the blonde's head causing the blonde to mewl in pleasure. The brunette leaned in to bite the blonde's neck, but pulled up short.
"Gah, gross!"
Maura's once shut eyes snapped open, "Excuse me?!"
Jane gently deposited the blonde back on the ground. "I'm sorry, Maur, but I'm really ripe." The brunette sniffed her underarm crinkling her nose in disgust.
A little offended by Jane's abrupt cease in continuing their reunion, Maura scolded and leaned in to sniff her girlfriend, "Jane, I'm sure you're...yikes, you're right! You smell awful!"
The scowling brunette balled her hands on her hips and stepped back from the doctor. "Geez, Maura. I'm not that bad!"
The doctor laughed at Jane's indignant response. It one thing for you to say you stink, as opposed to someone else telling you that you do.
"Tell you what," Maura pulled her top over her head and reached around to unfasten her bra. Jane's momentary irritation disappeared as Maura topless body arrested her attention.
"Why don't we go upstairs," the doctor slipped out of her shoes, "and take a nice, hot shower." She completed the thought by tucking her thumbs under the waistband of her skirt and panties and yanking them down her legs. A completely nude Maura Isles stood before Jane, who was doing a convincing imitation of a dog with its tongue hanging out.
When Maura received no response from the stunned blonde, she rolled her eyes and took charge ripping off the Italian's clothes. Moments later, Maura wasn't the only naked woman in Maura's foyer.
Swaying her hips in the most enticing manner possible, Maura beckoned Jane to follow her up the stairs.
"C'mon, you." Maura motioned in a come hither movement of her finger. The brunette didn't need to be told twice and grabbed the blonde. Effortlessly, she tossed her over her shoulder; Maura's squeals filled the air as Jane popped her on the ass before dashing up the stairs into the bathroom.
"No, Maura. You'll be the one coming," Jane smirked as she yanked the shower door open and stepped in.
R & I R & I R & I
Constance had the wherewithal to wait until mid-morning to visit the main house. She had a feeling that the two women would like some privacy, and she didn't want to encroach on their reunion.
After announcing her presence with a delicate knock, Constance opened the back door and stepped into the kitchen. The rich aroma of roasted coffee saturated the air of the warm sunlit room.
"Good morning, darling!" Constance called out to her daughter, who was curiously carrying clothes from the foyer. When she recognized the skirt Maura was holding in her arms as the one they purchased on their trip, she realized what must have transgressed last night. The artist struggled to keep a straight face as Maura dashed past her.
"Oh, good morning, Mother. Excuse me for a moment," Maura called out as she left to deposit the clothing in laundry room.
The blonde reemerged from the room blushing furiously once she noticed Constance's barely contained grin.
"Seems as though you two had a lovely reunion, darling." Constance remarked knowingly.
Maura knew she was caught. She had a new appreciation for Jane's story of Angela walking in on Jane and her friend. It doesn't matter how open one's opinions about sex is; no one wants her mother to know she just did it with her girlfriend.
"Coffee?" she squeaked as she walked into the kitchen and pretended to busy herself with finding a mug to use.
Constance decided to be merciful and refrain from teasing her daughter. "Yes, I would love some. Cream, please."
Maura padded over to the refrigerator to retrieve the cream.
Jane's heavy footfalls sounded on the wooden stairs. "Mmm, that smells good. Can I have a cup? Oh, hey Constance!"
The artist assessed the brunette's appearance. Her typical unruly hair was even wilder than usual, and her shorts were turned inside out. The t-shirt Jane was wearing had definitely seen better days, and a bit of toothpaste had dried in the corner of her mouth. Most notable was the glow radiating from an obviously happy and content woman.
Jane padded over to her girlfriend and kissed her gently on the cheek, "Good morning, Doctor."
Maura turned her hundred watt smile on the brunette. Giggling, Maura licked her thumb and rubbed the corner of her girlfriend's mouth. "You got some leftover toothpaste."
"Thanks, Maur." Jane kissed the blonde again before tapping the blonde's hip. This was Jane's subtle way of letting Maura know that she wanted the blonde to scooch over.
"Excuse me," Jane's eyes twinkled. She knew it irritated Maura to no end when she tried to get her to move. The brunette reached around the blonde to grab her favorite Bruins mug from the top shelf.
Maura rolled her eyes and huffed at her girlfriend's antics as she finished preparing her mother's coffee. "Here you are, Mother."
"Thank you, darling." Constance nestled the warm mug between her palms relishing the heat that radiated from its ceramic sides.
After Jane poured an ungodly amount of sugar and cream into her own coffee, she padded over to take a seat at the counter next to Constance. Jane's knees gently bumped the underside of the counter as she maneuvered her body into a comfortable position. Once situated, Jane returned her attention to the two women in the room.
"Did you two have a good trip, Constance?" Jane sipped on her hot coffee careful not to scald her tongue like she had so many times in the past.
"Mm, yes," Constance swallowed her sip of coffee and set her mug down with a clink. "It was a wonderful time for the two of us," Constance paused and looked at her daughter hopefully, "don't you think, Maura?" Even though the two had their heart to heart, Constance didn't want to assume anything without Maura's affirmation.
"Yes," Maura walked over and placed her hand over her mother's hand and gently squeezed it.
"We did." The smile the two women shared was enough for Jane to know that the two had made amends. Jane knew that Maura would relate what happened between the two of them in her own time. Suffice it to say, Jane was content to see her girlfriend and Constance happy. Maybe she should take Angela on a trip sometime soon...maybe.
Jane's stomach growled loudly breaking the tender moment. Bashfully, Jane remarked, "Umm, do you have anything for breakfast, Maur?" This was Jane's veiled attempt to get Maura to make her something to eat. Maura rolled her eyes, "Jane, would you like me to make you something to eat?"
Jane played her part and pretended to refuse, "Maura, you don't have to make me anything. I bet there's cereal in the pantry."
The doctor was already pulling eggs and bacon from the fridge before replying, "It's okay. I'll make you something. Mother, would you like anything?" Maura smirked at the Italian who grinned broadly back at her.
"Toast and strawberry preserves would be lovely, thank you." Constance shared a conspiratorial smirk with the brunette.
Maura shook her head and proceeded to cook a delicious breakfast for everyone.
R & I R & I R & I
Constance insisted that the couple allow her to treat them to the best restaurant in Boston harbor for their final night together. Much to Maura's surprise, Jane readily agreed. Truth be told, Jane felt like eating her weight in lobster.
Much to Maura's delight, Jane dressed in Maura's favorite midnight blue Zac Posen dress and sky high Manolo Blahnik heels all bought courtesy of the good doctor. Never in a million years would Jane have forked over nearly a grand on a dress, but Maura wanted to spoil Jane, so Jane relented. It didn't help that Maura used her best puppy eyes to convince the brunette. Jane swore those eyes should be outlawed.
Of course, Constance and Maura were dressed to the nines as well. Both women sported the latest Aiden Malfox gowns. The adage is true: like mother, like daughter.
Once the women arrived and were seated by a window with a picturesque view of the harbor, Maura left to use the restroom. Jane and Constance sat listening to the pianist playing softly for the entertainment of the guests.
"Jane, I'd like for you to play for my daughter." Constance stated after taking a delicate sip of her wine.
The brunette dropped her eyes to the table as discreetly pulling her hands into her lap. Her jagged scar peaked out from under the bracelet she wore to cover it.
"Constance," Jane replied, "I don't play anymore." The brunette's tone indicated that she wanted this conversation to be over.
The elder woman took another delicate sip from her glass before locking eyes with the uncharacteristically quiet woman. "No, you will play because you love my daughter."
Jane's eyebrows shot up into her hairline; Constance's forwardness surprised the Italian.
"I don't see how me loving your daughter has anything to do with me playing the piano," Jane bit back.
Constance realized Jane was quickly growing defensive and tried another approach. "Jane, may I share something personal with you."
Jane eyed the artist suspiciously, "Of course."
What is she getting at?
"Happiness comes in the most unexpected forms. I thought that art was the greatest source of joy in my life until you made me realize how empty my life was without Maura. After our conversation, I spent a great deal of time and energy trying to understand how I allowed such a precious gift as my daughter to go unappreciated and unloved. When I returned to Paris after my short visit over the holidays, I went to work immediately using Maura as my inspiration. Within days, I had produced pieces more meaningful and beautiful to me than I have ever created before. I used my talent as an artist as a means to express my gratitude and love for my daughter.
Constance paused and took another sip of her wine. "You see, Jane, giving oneself to another through something as intimate as your talent, shows the greatest love. Please, show that love to my daughter. Let her be your inspiration, too. Let her awaken in you the love you once had for playing."
Jane blinked furiously as tears threatened to spill from her eyes.
"I'll think about it." Constance eyed her suspiciously. "Honestly, I will. Just give me some time."
A gentle smile stretched across the artist's face, "Thank you, Jane. I will always be grateful for you."
The two women shared a comfortable moment of quiet before Maura returned to the table. "I apologize for taking so long. I ran into the Petersons on my way back. I forgot how much Mrs. Peterson woman can talk." Maura slid into the booth next to Jane immediately slipping her hand into the brunette's. "What did I miss?" Maura's bright smile fell on both women.
Constance cleared her throat before replying, "I believe Jane was about to share some of the adventures she and her brothers had in Florida." Constance gave Jane the opening.
"Oh, right." Jane smiled warmly and began relating the story of how Tommy busted his butt on a boogie board because he was too distracted by the attractive lifeguard watching him.
The three women enjoyed a final evening together full of laughs, great food, and good memories.