Maura POV

Before I opened my eyes, I heard Jane's voice as she was softly talking. "… so smart. Yes, you are! You are going to be the smartest little girl in your whole class. Not to mention the prettiest, you have your mama's nose, and her curly hair. You are going to have dark curly locks. And oh look at that grip! And you have 10 fingers and 10 toes! You are just precious!" I opened my eyes and watched as Jane was covering Kate's fingers in kisses. 12 agonizing hours later she was finally here. According to the doctors she was a healthy and content baby. She hadn't yet discovered the strength of her lungs yet, Angela said that would come later. She was perfect. I agreed with Jane, that she was the most precious lovely person ever to have lived. I know these are hormones supposed to assist a new mother in bonding with her child but I swear it's more than that. Every person who has held her become enraptured. Kate truly is the most wondrous miracle of my life. This is day two here at the hospital, and Jane hasn't left my side. I wish I had a phone to take a picture of this moment, with Jane cradling Kate in her arms leaning back in a chair with her eyes unabashedly adoring the little bundle in her arms. "I can feel your eyes on me." She whispers not breaking her gaze on Kate.

"I didn't want to disturb you." I whispered back.

Jane looked up at me with a truly content smile, "You never disturb me."

My heart begins to beat a little faster, "Jane you look perfectly content, the two of you sitting there together. It was a perfect moment I didn't want to end."

Kate began to cry, "Ahhh yes but she will have it so! I think she's hungry." Jane stood and help me get Kate adjusted for her feeding.

I didn't have to see Jane's face to know she was blushing a little, "You do realize this is perfectly natural."

"What?"

"Breastfeeding. You are not going to be one of those people who become uncomfortable every time I try to feed her are you?"

"Oh no! I'm just no use to seeing anyone else's nipples but my own." Jane cleared her throat, "I'm sure I will get use to it. Hey I'm going to grab you some more water; do you want anything else?"

I shook my head no, "No thank you, Jane, we are just fine."

Jane POV

I looked back at Maura and Kate. I felt like I was on a drug… the sight of the two of them sitting there talking to each other, bonding, felt so perfect. I took out my phone and snapped a quick picture and sent it to an email address that I had set up for Kate. I was going to fill it with pictures and memories for her to look at when she get's 18. I want her to know how loved she is, how loved both she and Maura are.

I walked down the hall to the Nurse's station, the nurse looked up and smiled, "How is the good doctor and baby?"

"They are good, she's feeding Kate right now. I thought I would give them a few moments alone and grab Maura some water and myself a cup of coffee."

The Nurse smiled, "Well you have come to the right place! I have both!" She jumped up and filled up the pitcher with water, and I filled up my cup with coffee from a pot that was sitting on the counter. "Here you go!" She handed me back the water, "If I may ask, how long have you two been married?"

I looked down at my feet for a moment, this wasn't the first time anyone had mistake Maura and I together, or that I was going to be Kate's other parent, but it was the first time that I wasn't sure of what to say. "Well we aren't actually married."

"Oh! I'm sorry, then how long have you been together?"

"We've been friends for many years, but we aren't together."

"Oh… I'm sorry I just assumed… you two just seemed so close and easy with each other… usually it's the other parent who is here… I'm sorry I made a mistake."

I nodded, "Not as sorry as I am. Truth is, every time I am about to tell her how I feel I lose my confidence."

"May I ask why?"

"I'm not sure… I don't want to mess up a good thing, or the moment doesn't feel right."

"I bet it's more than that… you don't seem the time to shy away for so small a reason such as timing. What I mean is that you seem like the type of person who makes her own timing."

I quirked a smile, "You're not wrong. I just… I feel so deeply about her, what if I'm wrong? What if what she needs is nothing more than my friendship? What if she doesn't want me with the knowledge that every time I'm near her the thought rolls through my mind that I want to kiss her, or hold her. Right now she knows that my actions and choices come from a place far more platonic than they are. We are comfortable here."

"But you aren't satisfied. Do you think she would be satisfied for knowing that you present an illusion as fact?"

I paused and crinkled my forehead, "Are you calling me a liar?" I laugh.

"Not the words I used but I get your meaning… so yeah? Do you think she would be satisfied with a lie? Are you?"

"That's not my problem… I just can't get passed this fear. It sits in my chest, it's doubt. What if it doesn't work out? What if we fail?!"

"What if you succeed?"

"Then heaven help me!" We share a laugh, "Well I'm going to get back to her, thanks for the coffee."

"Anytime!"

I walked back to Maura's room and I hear voices, Ma, Nana, and Constance. I smile thinking about how spoiled this one little girl is going to get. I turn the corner and see a new person a man: tall, dark, and handsome; standing there holding Kate. I stop dead in my tracks as Constance says, "Oh Jane! This is Antonio."

Maura POV

Jane's face, for a moment, read as shock, anger, and jealousy after hearing Antonio's name. But as quickly as her feelings showed she put her mask of polite indifference. She nodded to Antonio and brought my water over to me, and poured me a cup. "Thank you Jane." I whispered trying to make eye contact with her. But Jane had retreated behind her wall. I sighed, Jane wasn't going to do anything with Antonio here.

"Hello Jane!" Antonio nodded and smiled, as he swayed with a content Kate in his arms, "I've heard so much about you." His voice still thick with his Italian accent.

"Funny I can't say the same." Jane bit back.

"Jane!" Angela smacked her arm. Jane stood in the corner with her arms crossed over her chest.

"Maura told you I was an Artist yes?" Antonio's face remained a peaceful smile in response to Jane's cynicism.

"That's all she's said about you."

Jane was trying to stab at his relaxed countenance, but unperturbed he responded with, "Well there is nothing more to tell. I am an artist and it's my whole world."

There was a seething in Jane's eyes, she had made her judgment about him and decidedly didn't like him. I wanted to reach out and take her hand, provide some comfort for her, to convey that there was nothing to be afraid of. Antonio was a pleasant fellow and not at all a threat to replace her or anyone else in our happy family unit. That no one has to leave, but like Kate we could make room for him to be a part of our lives too. "Antonio was just telling us that he got in but a few hours ago. I didn't know that he got my email. Though to be fair I haven't really been checking my emails this past week." I was hoping to relive tension by talking calmly.

Mother seemed to pick up on it as she matched my tone by saying, "Antonio called me once he arrived in the states and I offered for him to stay in the hotel with me."

"I wanted it to be a surprise! I wasn't sure I would even be able to make it." He said, "But a friend loaned me the money, and I was able to catch a flight to New York and then a train to Boston. I was thrilled when I found out that this little one was already here! I understand you named her Katherine?" He said looking at Jane.

This seemed to unsettle her, "Ummmm it was a suggestion, and Maura liked it." Jane shifted back and forth on her feet.

"It's a perfect name!" He smiled again to Jane, "You chose well!"

A calmed hush fell across the room I noticed both my mother and Angela were stealing glances at each other and Jane, as if they were having a private conversation with each other. A thing I would ask mother about later.

It was Rosa who broke the silence with a decided air, "Well babies are the greatest blessing upon a family and the lives that come together for the well being and growth of the little one. That being said, I am starved! So Jane, you will escort your old Nana to lunch! I want to try that place that serves that excellent burger that we had the other week!" Rosa stood and kissed Kate on the head, "Until we meet again little one." And then embraced me, "An you my dear never looked lovelier! Motherhood suits you well Maura." She kissed both of my cheeks and strode out of the room.

Jane stopped at the door and looked at me with the saddest eyes, "Can I bring you anything?"

I felt a relief wash over me, "I think," a smile pulling at my face, "I would like a really big Chocolate Shake."

My response had the desired effect and Jane responded with a smile of her own, "You got it!" Then she left.

After a minute Mother looked down the hall, "Wonderful! She is safely on the lift!"

I was confused.

"So that was Jane?" Antonio asked mother.

"Yes!" Mother replied.

"She is everything you described. I did not expect to find her to be so intense." He chuckled.

"That's because she is a Detective." Angela added, "Years of staring down the world has allowed her to perfect it."

Antonio looked at me, "I can see why you like her so much Maura."

"What is going on?!" I was confused.

Mother came and patted my hand, "Forgive me my dear, but I told Antonio about Jane, though he didn't seem to surprised."

"Well you kept moaning her name when we made love." He responded nonchalantly. I'm sure both Angela and I were crimson. "I assumed she was someone who meant something special to you. And now after having spoken to Constance and meeting Jane I can see why." He looked at me with the most understanding eyes, "I can see it between you, such a strong connection."

"And you aren't bothered by this at all?" Angela asked.

"Why should I be?" He responded.

"Well do you have any hopes for something with Maura? Be a family with her an Kate?" Angela looked uncomfortable.

"Madam Rizzoli, as I said before I am an artist. I love my work, it is my life! Family doesn't require anything more than a shared bond of affection and respect. I belong to many families, though being a father is a new one for me, I will give all my affection and support that I am able to for this little girl. Besides I find the idea of trying to claim ownership over another person to be ridiculous. This little girl may be a part of me, but I want her to be her own person. I know that I am not the only person who has a deep affection for this little girl. As for Maura, she is lovely, and while I enjoyed our time together, I have begun dating someone back home. And he and I share what I hope will be a wonderful and beautiful love." Antonio handed Kate to Angela. He then kissed my forehead, "Many blessings Madonna, I am pleased that you and she are healthy and safe."

"Antonio is here to help you and Jane." Mother stated.

"What do you mean?" I was still trying to comprehend what was happening.

"As I understand it, Jane may be concerned that I am going to try and lay a claim to you and Kate. But I am here to prove the opposite. And perhaps provide some needed motivation."

"You cannot push Jane! Please, don't! This has been difficult for us both. If you push wrongly she could either run or hurt you. Then she would feel guilty and I would hurt!" Tears began to fill my eyes as a panic filled my chest and my breathing restricted.

Mother moved Antonio out of the way, "Breath Maura breath! No one is going to hurt Jane or scare her off. Everyone has only one thought and that is to help the two of you come together and be together happily. Just breath my love. There you go. Right at this moment, Jane's Nana is giving her a strong talking to. The goal is that within the month Jane will get over whatever her ridiculous fear may be, and all three of our girls will be happy."

Jane POV

Stupid Antonio with his stupid grin and stupid abs. Why did he have to show up? What does he want? All charm and suave Artistic flair. I can't stand his face! I grumble to myself into my plate of untouched food.

"Jane." Nana interrupted my brooding, "What has you in such a tizzy? You haven't touched your food."

"I just don't know about this Antonio fellow, I don't know what he wants."

"Well perhaps he wants a relationship with his daughter.. not an uncommon desire."

"Not from where I'm sitting."

"Jane, your father is an old fool. And I hope he chokes on a chicken bone and dies. But I remember when you were born, how proud he was. And who could blame him. You were a lovely baby. You hated frills though." Nana smiled at the memory, "You had colic, and he would stay up all night with you carrying you around, trying to sooth you. He thought you hung the moon!"

"So what do you think happened?"

"Who can say for certain. Perhaps he felt useless, or unwanted, even board with himself. Parents can be foolish sometimes, we project dreams upon our children with the hopes as real as flesh and blood. Not realizing that they have dreams and desires of their own. I believe your father dreamed of an ideal family and when he didn't get it he walked away. After years of trying to create that dream, he must have felt like a failure. Why else would he walk away from a good wife, and three beautiful and brilliant children."

"I get the divorce, I get wanting to get remarried, but it was calling us bastards with so little thought to how that would make us feel. Not that something like that really matters these days, but it's like being disowned. I'm not religious but he is, and the fact he would stand before his God and deny us. Are we such a disappointment?"

Nana remained quiet and sat pensively for a moment, "I too believe in the same God, and I believe that he will lay the fault at your father's feet, but I know that gives little comfort here. So understand this when I say, there are more than enough people who love you and are proud of all you are! People who care for your well being, and hope that your dreams that you dream become a reality!" I smiled at my Nana, she always knows just what to say. "Now, as far as Antonio, I think you have been very unfair to him!"

"WHAT?"

"Don't start with that tone. He has come a long way to just see his daughter. He seems to be pleasant and kind enough. I believe he deserves a chance to prove himself."

"Nana! We don't know anything about this guy!"

"Exactly! So wait until you actually know something before passing judgment on him. If you are so concerned then why not talk to him? Get to know him. Find out if he is suitable to have in Kate's life, in our lives. Don't assume Jane!"

I sat in silence for a few more minutes, "And what if he wants to become a more permanent fixture in our lives?"

"As in becoming Maura's husband?"

I nod.

"It's possible, but I think if that young man really wanted to have Maura he would have tried long before now."

"A baby changes everything."

"Perhaps but maybe Maura doesn't want him? Again if she did, she would have tracked him down long ago." I began rubbing my scars in my hands, "Jane, no one is going to take Maura or Kate away from you. Maura wants you in her life, and that little girl is going to adore you!" Tears began to well up in my eyes, "Life is short my darling, this we know, but you cannot live in fear of what you may lose because by that way you will lose it." The tears were streaming down my face, I felt so much pain that had been building just flow through my body. "What is it? What do you need to hear?"

"That someone wants me too." I whispered, shaking from head to toe.

"You are needing to hear Maura say it." It was a statement not a question. I couldn't respond so I just nodded. "You are hoping for a feeling of completion, that those words would make you whole, and they will not. There are no magical happy endings my dear. But you can fill yourself up with memories of happiness and joy. I lived a long time with your Grandfather, and he and I built together a wonderful life. Many memories beat within my heart, and if I but only had those memories I would have buried myself with him. But because of our love connecting us to others and a love we shared with them... my heart continues to beat. My love with him continues to live. When the moment is right you will feel it too, and all that is left is for you to journey forward and live."

"I'm not brave enough Nana."

"Bravery comes from something being stronger than your fear. And fear is born in the belief that you cannot overcome an evil. That is why we give so much into the ideals of love and hope. Because then we try! So try! But only when you are ready, because when doubt is involved you will fail. So cry, feel deeply your feelings and when it is over, you will know what is stronger than your fear."