AN : Hey Hey! Look who finished the next chapter (hint: Its ME! lol) Sorry it has been so long the last month was crazy for me. If its any consolation, this is the longest chapter to date! I had to cut it off at some point because I would have just kept going and going and going... and believe me you dont want me glossing over the next part of the story ; )
Maura woke up slowly, she was so cozy in bed that for a brief moment she worried she'd slept through her alarm. But a quick look at the clock on the bedside table told her she still had about ten minutes before she had to get up.
That gave her plenty of time to pay attention to the body curled around her own. Jane's head was resting on her chest, one arm wrapped over her stomach holding her tightly. She loved that Jane was so much more physically affectionate with her now that they'd decided to give their marriage a chance. She remained true to her word and had really been leaning into the romantic side of their relationship.
She ran her hands over Jane's back for a moment before letting her fingers slide into dark curly hair, lightly scratching at the nape of Jane's neck. She was enjoying the closeness between them, thinking about the progression of their relationship in the last few days and how happy she was with where they were right now. It felt good and it felt right, like they'd always been on a path to get to this point together.
Muara was very happy to note that Jane's physical proximity was extremely comforting to her. That hadn't always been the case for her in previous relationships. She usually had a hard time being comfortable with this type of intimacy outside of sex with the people she dated. She often disliked it when she woke up with a man who'd spent the night touching her or holding her the way Jane was. It made her feel claustrophobic and uncomfortable.
But just like with everything else in her life, Jane made everything so much easier. Jane made her so much more confident, and helped her feel more at ease in her own skin. She felt like she had the permission with Jane to be herself to the fullest extent, and that made all the difference in the world to Maura.
She reached over for her phone on the nightstand to turn off her alarm so it didn't wake Jane when it went off.
As soon as she moved she heard a groan "Why'd you stop?" came a low, raspy voice.
Maura's smile widened and she returned her fingers to Jane's hair. "My alarm is going to go off soon. I wanted to turn it off so it didn't wake you, I have to get up and get ready for my first lecture."
"No. I think you should stay here." Jane told her as she hugged her a little bit tighter and nuzzled into Maura's neck.
"I can't skip my lecture Jane. I flew all the way out here for this conference, and as much as I would love to stay here with you in bed all day. The topics and conversations are all very helpful to my work and my understanding of my field."
"God, you're such a nerd" Jane teased, making Maura chuckle.
"I think you already knew that," Maura pointed out gently with a smile, her fingers still scratching at the hairs at the base of Jane's neck. "I might even venture to say you love that about me."
Jane gasped "Dr. Isles, are you ...guessing" she asked in an accusatory tone.
"No." Marua answered easily. "I am making a statement based on years of evidence."
"Ugh, you're right. I do" Jane agreed with a fake annoyed tone.
Maura couldn't keep the smile off her face as she placed a kiss in Jane's hair. She knew Jane loved her, but it was always nice to hear. "So, I think that means you'll have to let me out of bed." She pointed out.
"No" Jane shook her head "You are far too comfy to lay on to just let you get up and go to your lectures."
Maura smiled wider at that "I am very comfortable too Jane. That doesn't mean I shouldn't go to work."
"But I'll miss you" Jane tried again in a whiny voice, her face pressed to Maura's neck leaving light kisses on the skin she could reach.
She smirked in triumph when she felt a vibration in Maura's throat that felt a lot like a low moan.
Maura's hands slid over Jane's back and shoulders and she tried again. "I have to get up some time." she pointed out with a grin, sleepy Jane was cute. "If I made you coffee while I was getting ready would you let me get up?" she asked hoping the trade would appeal to Jane.
"Mmm coffee," she mumbled thinking it over "maybe."
"What if I got you coffee from the Starbucks downstairs?" she tried again.
"I'm listening"
"Maybe some sort of muffin or bagel" Maura offered to sweeten the deal.
Jane gasped "You always say they're too high in sugar and fat!"
"They are, but you're on vacation." Maura pointed out her hand dropping down to Jane's waist to pinch her side lightly, making her squirm "Besides, I think you would be okay with a little bit of fat...in moderation, sometimes." she trailed off.
Jane chuckled, pushing herself up on her arms to look down at Maura "You couldn't even pretend could you?" she teased.
"No, Jane. A balanced diet is extremely important." She tried to defend herself. "I wish you wou-"
She was cut off by Jane leaning forward to press a kiss to her lips. "Ohhh look at that, you have to get ready for your lecture" she announced pretending to sound sad.
Maura followed Jane's lips for one more kiss before pulling back with a laugh. "But I thought you'd miss me?" she teased.
"No, not when you're talking about a balanced diet I won't." Jane informed her as she moved off of Maura to press her face into her pillow looking like she was going to go back to sleep.
"Oh okay, then in that case, I guess I don't have to worry about skipping lunch to come spend time with you later" Maura said as she sat up and looked down at Jane.
"You were going to skip lunch to spend time with me?" Jane asked rolling back over to look up at her.
Maura nodded. "It's not mandatory, just offered by the convention and skipping that will give me a four hour gap in my day. But since you don't want to listen to my dietary recommendations..." she trailed off as she went to stand up.
Jane reached out and grabbed her waist pulling her back into bed. "No wait! Just a second. Tell me more about this free four hours you have coming up this afternoon." She requested sweetly.
"I have four free hours this afternoon Jane." Maura informed her making Jane snort. "I was wondering if you'd like to do something with me later, maybe lunch?"
"I would like that very much" Jane nodded "We can go to the pool, or - "
"Jane! Multiple studies have shown that the swimming pools in Las Vegas have an extremely high level of biological and chemical contaminants including urine, fecal matter, traces of ketamine, and several other opiates." Maura informed her.
Jane made a face at that, "Oookay, we could always just lay out too, or do something else" she offered quickly, holding her hands up to Maura when she looked like she was going to go into a full on rant about skin damage from sun exposure.
Maura just smiled at her. "Okay that sounds like fun, you have yourself a date." She promised Jane.
"Two dates in twelve hours?" Jane asked her with a cocky smile "I'm doing pretty good at this whole wife thing huh?"
Maura chuckled "You are." she agreed, reaching down to move some of Jane's wild hair out of her face before leaning in to kiss her gently.
"You're not so bad at it yourself" she grinned up at Maura. Being fresh from sleep seemed to make Jane incapable of not smiling like an idiot around her.
Maura matched Jane's grin at the compliment "I'm happy you're a satisfied customer" she kissed her once more before getting up to head for the bathroom.
"Don't forget about my coffee!" She called out after her as she cuddled into Maura's pillow.
Maura stopped to look back at her "I thought you wanted me to send up Starbucks?" she asked looking confused
"I do." Jane grinned back at her.
"Jane," Maura complained "too much caffeine -"
"Nope!" Jane cut her off turning around "You already promised! Room coffee then Starbucks coffee and a fatty muffin! You can't go back on your word, that's how marriages fall apart Maura."
"You're ridiculous" Maura complained
"But you love me!" Jane reminded her teasingly
"I do." Maura groaned in response as she closed the bathroom door. As much as she protested, she did come back a few moments later to pour water into the coffee maker for Jane and set it up to brew before heading back into the bathroom to get ready for her day.
When Maura came out in her bath robe she eyed Jane who just watched her from bed with a smile on her face, and brought her her cup of coffee "I can't believe you got me to make you instant"
"Thank you, Wifey" Jane grinned up at her, still teasing and l her as she sat up. Maura wanted to be annoyed with Jane and roll her eyes at her but she couldn't help the smile that pulled at her lips. She wasn't usually one for pet names or cute nicknames but she found she liked it from Jane.
Maura disappeared back into the bathroom to finish getting ready. When she returned again she was still in her bathrobe, but her hair and makeup were completely done.
"Is that what you're wearing?" Jane asked with a grin as she drank the last of her coffee "It's a good look" she teased.
"You're in a good mood this morning" Maura pointed out as she assembled her outfit in the closet.
"Well I got coffee delivered in bed," Jane shrugged "it's a good morning."
Maura disappeared into the bathroom one last time to get dressed and returned fully put together. Jane enjoyed watching the evolution in pieces. She'd seen Maura in varying states of dress throughout the years, but she'd never been allowed to just sit and watch her put herself together step by step for the day.
"You look nice" Jane told her with a soft smile as Maura came over to the bed to get her phone from the bedside table where it was charging.
"Thank you" she smiled at Jane sitting next to her to put her heels on. Once she was done she turned to lean in and kiss Jane's head goodbye then pressed in again and was met with Jane's cheek which confused her for a moment.
"I have both morning and coffee breath" Jane explained with a frown.
Maura just smiled and leaned to kiss her lips softly anyways "I'll be done around 1130" she offered with a smile.
"Minty," Jane grinned, licking her top lip. "Have fun in your boring lecture" she called out to Maura as she headed through the door.
Once she left the room Maura went down to the lobby and into the Starbucks to order herself a drink. She bought Jane's coffee and muffin as promised, she even brought one for herself and headed to the front desk where she requested the items be brought up to their room. She took a sharpie from her purse and drew a heart in the cup. An anatomically correct heart, before drawing a conventional heart on the muffin bag and leaving them to be dropped off.
On her way to the conference room Maura's phone chimed.
Jane: You're the greatest wife alive!
Jane: And I love you too…nerd.
Maura headed into her lecture with a happy grin on her face. She smiled and nodded her hellos to a few people she recognized, as she headed for the front of the lecture hall. She wasn't going to miss out on the lecture this time.
While Maura was being studious, Jane lounged around in bed the whole morning, drinking her coffee and eating her fatty muffin. She caught up on Sports Center and watched some random afternoon baseball game between two teams she didn't care about
"What no?! Why would you throw it to first?" Jane called out as Maura walked through the door a few hours later.
She looked over Jane and the bed around her "Have you even moved since I left?" She asked with an amused smile.
"Nope." Jane answered quickly with a grin "Actually! I did get up to get the door when you sent me my coffee," she told her proudly "now I'm watching these two teams compete to see who can be worse at the game of baseball." she complained with a finger pointed at the tv "How was your lecture?" Jane asked with a quick look away from the TV
"Really great," Maura grinned at Jane pretending she didn't care about the game at all "we had a very in depth and thrilling discussion about insect larvae and decomposition timelines which are useful for identifying time of death in bodies found in nature" she explained excitedly
"Yay!"Jane deadpanned, giving a fake excited wave of her hands.
Maura chucked and shook her head as she moved over to the window to open the curtains despite Jane's protests
"No Maur- ahhh" she complained as she dropped back down and covered her head with the blankets around her.
"It's such a nice day Jane, and you're in here like a hibernating animal." Maura insisted as she looked down at the pool and the parts of the strip she could see from their room.
"We should go out there," Jane suggested coming out from under her blankets and pointing out the window.
"To the pool? No Jane I-"
"Relax" she held up a hand to cut off her lecture on pool germs "I'm not saying we should go jump in and drink all the disgusting pool water, but we should go lay out… maybe put our feet in.. would that be allowed?" she checked.
"Perhaps, provided we shower immediately after coming back up to the room." Maura gave in with a sigh.
"Yes!" Jane cheered lifting her arms above her head in triumph "We don't have to go out long just for a little bit, then we can get lunch."
"I actually think we can order lunch by the pool if we get one of the covered cabanas" Maura informed her, remembering a tidbit she'd read in the hotel information folder provided by the hotel and left on the desk when they first got to the room.
Jane had made fun of her for reading it, but look now it was providing helpful tips.
Jane wanted to argue but realized she was getting Maura out to the pool for a lot longer than she thought she would "Lunch by the pool? With a beautiful woman in a private cabana? I could be down with that" Jane agreed as she scooted to the end of the bed and circled an arm around Maura's waist to pull her in a little closer.
Maura's arms came up to loop around Jane's shoulders casually as she smiled down at her "Really? I didn't think you'd agree to it. I have to call down to see if there are any available"
"I mean, I'm fine laying on a normal deck chair, but I won't turn down an offer like that if it's what you want to do."
"Perfect." Maura smiled, kissed Jane's head and stepped over to the room phone to call the front desk to get things sorted for them. After about 5 minutes Maura hung up she turned to look at Jane "They have a spot for us in 15 minutes. Once we're down there we can get lunch and drinks by the pool."
"That actually sounds amazing," Jane admitted happily. She knew she usually complained and protested these kinds of things when Maura suggested they do something fancy or expensive, but she figured she better start giving in to some of these types of things, and vacation seemed like the best place to start. "I'll let you get ready first, I'm sure you have a whole list of things you need to do to get ready."
Maura ignored the jibe and collected her swim items she packed. She did spend a long time in the bathroom but she had to hang all her clothes from the day back up neatly to ensure they didn't wrinkle and remove her make up and make sure her hair was up in a suitable way. But once she was done with all that she exited the bathroom to find Jane still watching the game she claimed not to care about.
"You're up" She announced coming out of the bathroom to finish preparing. She hung her outfit from the day up to avoid wrinkles and got her sun hat out of her bag. She was just getting out her sunscreen, both for her body and her face when Jane exited the bathroom in tiny cut off shorts over her black bikini "Oh" Maura commented at seeing the outfit
"See something you like?" Jane teased only to lose the upper hand and blush at Maura's response
"A number of things actually." she answered honestly as her eyes traveled over Jane's figure. Between the shorts exposing such well defined legs and her long midriff on display Maura didn't even get a chance to really see much else before Jane's Red Sox shirt covered her view.
"Alight Isles, keep it in your pants" Jane warned sarcastically even though her cheeks felt a little warm.
Maura looked down at her own exposed legs "I'm not wearing pants," she pointed out with a grin.
"You know what? Wait… holy shit why is your hat so big?" She demanded after spotting it on the bed. "Seriously Maur where did you even pack that thing?" She asked.
"It was in my suitcase just like everything else Jane" Maura was a bit confused by Jane's question.
"Which one?" She countered "There's no way it fits in anything you brought with you, did you have to get it a seat on the plane?"
"If you must know it is flexible so I was able to fit it in my luggage with no problems," Jane gave her a skeptical look "it's not that big, stop it." Maura insisted as she picked it up and put it on.
"Well I guess you don't need any of the several kinds of sunblock you have in that bag" Jane pointed at Maura's 'pool' bag on the bed. "The sun won't get anywhere near you if you're wearing that"
"You don't know what's in my bag!" Maura defended pulling it closer to herself.
Jane actually looked delighted at this. "Maura you've been my best friend for the better part of a decade, we've been to the beach and on a boat or to the park plenty of times for me to know you have at least three knds of sunblock in that bag. A crazy high SPF, one slightly lower less oily one for your face, and likely something you will try to get me to wear." When Maura didn't answer Jane's grin only widened "I'm right! Was I right?" She asked her.
Maura rolled her eyes "You're not...wrong" she admitted with a shy smile. "I also have my sunglasses, your sunglasses -"
"Ooh gimme!" Jane requested, reaching her hand out to Maura. She was just putting them on when a thought occurred to her "We should wear our matching flip flops we bought when we got here" She suggested as she moved over to the dresser to look for them. When she returned Maura looked less than pleased, but accepted her plastic sandals from Target and stepped into them.
"Shall we?" Jane asked as she headed to the door reaching out a hand for Maura.
"We shall" Maura smiled linking their fingers as she followed Jane out of the room. "You know, I didn't expect you to be the type of person to wear matching shoes with your spouse on vacation" she teased as they headed for the elevator.
"I'm definitely not." Jane assured her with a look of disgust, until Maura's foot nudged her own highlighting their matching shoes. "Oh shit I am!"
Maura could only laugh at her. "I have you wrapped around my finger already huh?"
Jane didn't have to answer for them both to know the answer. Maura bumped her hip into Jane's playfully and leaned into her for a just moment before the doors opened and they made their way towards the pool.
Once there they checked in and were taken directly to their reserved space. It was a fairly large covered enclosed tent area with an overhead fan, a mounted TV and a large bed-like lounge chair meant for two.
"There's a TV in here?" Jane asked excitedly as she sat on one side of the large chair and looked around. "This is great! I can finish the terrible game I was watching earlier - I " she turned to look at Maura who was pulling gloves out of her bag "What are you doing?"
Maura looked up "I'm going to test the water to see exactly how toxic it is" Maura informed her before walking towards the edge of the pool.
"Oh my god, Maura!" Jane called out to her as someone walked by "Maur!" she whisper yelled, before flopping back onto the chair with a groan. She sat up a little straighter when she noticed a person in their tent area. "Um hi" She said awkwardly.
The guy smiled and introduced himself, he offered her the lunch and drink menus, then told her she could hit the button on the remote, that he handed to her, to call him if they needed anything else or when they were ready to order something for lunch.
"Thanks" Jane nodded at him, eyeing Maura as she came back over to sit on her side of the large chair. "You are insane? What are you doing?"
"I told you," Maura explained as she pulled a dropper bottle out of her bag and dropped a few drops of blue liquid into her pool water tube. "I am testing the water toxicity." she sealed and shook the tube and waited for it to react, all the while Jane looked at her like she was crazy.
"Sooo?" Jane asked when Maura just kept looking at it.
"It needs another few moments," Maura explained as she watched as the tube started to turn a light shade of pink.
Jane looked between Maura and the tube as she waited "This is the weirdest - wait, where did you even get that test kit?" she asked Maura.
"It's a medical examiner's forensic sciences conference" She answered as if it was obvious, then continued "They were giving out several samples and free items in the exhibit hall," she explained. "It was easy for me to combine a few items for what I needed." she told Jane as she held up the light pink tube. At Jane's annoyed look, one she was very familiar with from work, she rolled her eyes "I tested the level of biological contaminants in the water. Given the light pink color, the pool water is actually below the allowable level of contamination." she explained to Jane with a pleased smile. "The pool is actually cleaner than required by law which is a pleasant surprise. So if you wanted to swim, that would be okay."
"You are…" Jane shook her head as she looked at Maura with a growing smile that developed into a chuckle. "You're a lot of things, weird, cute, a nerd." she told her fondly "But the more I think about how ridiculous you are, the more I like it. I'm very into your weirdness" She told Maura with a grin and a look on her face that said she didn't believe it herself.
Maura chuckled "Well as long as you're into it, I guess it's okay" she decided as she took her gloves off and sat them and the test tube on the table beside her. She reached into her bag and pulled out a tube of sunblock, handed it to Jane then pulled out another two bottles for herself.
"You're just so weirdly on brand all the time." Jane laughed as pulled her shirt over her head and she flipped the cap on her sunblock and started to apply it to her legs to avoid a lecture from her wife.
"I'm glad I can live up to your expectations" she replied easily as she applied her facial sun block.
"The...waiter guy left some menus. He said we can press the button to call him when we're ready to order." Jane pointed out the menus on the chair between them.
Maura stood to remove her cover up, hung it on a hook provided in the tent, leaving her in a modest yet very attractive black one piece bathing suit that flattered her shape very well. She didn't notice Jane watching her as she rubbed sunblock onto her legs before sitting back down next to Jane and continuing to apply sunblock to her arms. When she was done she finally looked over the menu.
"Well, I think a daiquiri would be nice with some water as well..." She decided as she looked up and noticed Jane was watching her. "What?" she asked with a smile.
Not wanting to admit she was staring at Maura applying her sunblock, she looked down at the menu between them "I'm happy with a beer but I might join you for a daiquiri, what are you getting to eat?" She asked before standing to remove her shorts.
It was now Mauara's turn to stare at all the skin Jane revealed to her, though she was much less shy about looking than Jane had been just a few moments before. Jane grinned at her and gave her a look indicating she was still waiting for an answer.
"Oh, um a club sandwich" She answered after looking down and seeing a photo of one on the page.
"Nice, I want a burger" she announced less than 2 seconds after looking at the menu.
"It amazes me that you manage to keep such an amazing figure with the way you eat" Maura told her, not for the first time, as she handed her the remote so she could watch what she wanted on the TV.
"Well, I got lucky with genetics I guess" Jane shrugged as she found the baseball game she'd been watching in the room. She also hit the call button so they could order lunch.
"You sure did," Maura agreed. "You and your brothers all seemed to receive amazing genetics from your parents "
"Okay, you're flirting needs work. You're not supposed to compliment my brothers while doing it" she told Maura with a weirded out look.
Maura just chuckled "They may have great genetics, but I am only interested in flirting with one Rizzoli" she assured her.
They ordered lunch and drinks and enjoyed the sun on their skin as they laid together on their chair. The game was on in the background but Jane really didn't pay much attention to it, she was too busy talking and laughing with Marua as they ate.
Once they were done Jane took the last drink of her second beer and looked over at the water. "Are you one of those 'you have to wait an hour after eating to swim' types?" she asked Maura.
"No." Maura answered easily "There is no correlation between cramps and swimming immediately after. There used to be a thought that digestion caused blood to flow away from the extremities towards the stomach, but that swimming would keep the blood in your extremities causing stomach cramping. However, blood flows to the stomach no matter what you are doing after you eat so it's really just an old wives tale" She explained to Jane
"Thanks for keeping it simple" Jane gave her a look over her sunglasses. She started pulling her hair up into a bun on her head and she told Maura "I'm going swimming."
"Alright" Maura nodded. "Ill - "
"Nope. You're coming with me" Jane told her as she pulled another hair tie off her wrist and held it to Maura.
"No Jane I-" she tried to argue.
"No arguing Isles, you said it yourself. The pool fell within the acceptable limits of..umm stuff" she reminded her. "Let's go, on your feet"
Maura sighed, but stood as requested and started putting her hair up into a more secure bun with the provided hair tie . "I'm not getting all the way in. I will put my feet in with you."
"Come on Maur, live a little" Jane requested pulling Maura with her as she walked backwards towards the water. When Maura looked like was going to say no again Jane turned it up a notch. "Please? For me?" she tried with a smile. "You know, strong marriages are built on compromise. Are you going to start our marriage by denying me something as simple as going swimming with me?"
Maura rolled her eyes, she was being played expertly by Jane. But she couldn't deny that Jane made a solid point. "Fine. I'll come with you, but only for the sake of our marriage." She told her with a pointed look.
Jane laughed at her but she took it as a win. She led Maura over to the stairs and let go of her hand. She wasn't actually going to force her into the water, if she didn't want to get in.
Maura did sit on the edge next to stairs and put her feet in as Jane eased her way in before swimming around the shallow end. Maura watched Jane as she moved around in the water, she was enjoying being able to see most of Jane's muscles move and contract as she moved around easily in the water.
After a few minutes of getting used to the temperature of the water she came over to lean onto the wall next to Maura. "You should come in, the water feels great" she suggested, her arms resting just next to Maura.
"Im good here." Maura promised with a smile as she reached down to fix a few fly-aways sticking out of Jane's bun. "But you enjoy yourself."
"Maaaauur" she complained as she moved to rest her arms on Maura's legs and looking up at her. "You said you would swim with me and I really don't want to have to pull you into this water by force" She told her with a smile giving a playful tug to her ankle to emphasize her point.
"Jane" Maura warned even as she lifted her legs from the water to bracket Jane between them.
Jane grinned at that and ran her hands up and down Maura's calves, enjoying the smoothness of her skin. Her hands moved up over Maura's knees and to the outsides of her thighs as she pressed her body to the side of the pool between Maura's legs. "Come on Maura" she requested as she leaned up towards the blonde to kiss her cheek, making sure to keep as much water off of her in case she really didn't want to get in. "come swim with me" she requested in a low voice as her lips pressed the softest kiss to her jaw, then her neck.
Maura did her best to look away from Jane. She didn't want her to know how well her tactics were actually working. After a kiss to her ear and another whispered plea to join her Maura groaned. "Fine" she relented looking down at Jane and pulling her in closer with her legs locking behind her back to bring her into a kiss.
Jane chuckled into the kiss "If you keep that up, I'm pulling you in where you sit" she warned her and was quickly released by Maura's legs. "Get your ass in here… please" she requested with a smile that only widened as Maura stood from her spot and moved over to the stairs to start getting into the pool.
"I can not believe you are forcing me to get into a public pool" she complained as she moved away from the steps and more into the middle of the pool doing her best to keep her arms lifted and out of the water.
"I am not forcing you," Jane grinned, swimming along around Maura. "I am requesting my wife join me for a swim here in this great pool in a nice hotel on our… honeymoon" she knew she was laying it on thick, but she was enjoying this game with Maura.
Maura grinned at Jane as she finally gave in and leaned into the water to swim, keeping her head out of the water. "While I know you're trying to guilt trip me into the water, which you are doing a great job of, I would like to point out this is not our honeymoon. I will take you somewhere way better than Las Vegas for a honeymoon." she grinned as she pulled Jane a little closer to her and kissed her cheek.
"Oh? Is that so?" she asked, wrapping an arm around Maura and pulling her in. She was aware that while the pool wasn't that crowded there were still a few other people around and this was a work event for Maura so she didn't want to get into anything either of them would regret in public. "Where do you think we should go?" she asked.
Maura turned into her fully holding on to Jane's shoulders as they sort of drifted around the shallow end up to their shoulders in the water. "Anywhere you want" Maura grinned "France, Italy, Fiji, The Maldives" she smiled as she listed off places "The Bahamas. Where do you want to go?" she asked.
Jane was enjoying this more than she thought she would while badgering Maura to get in with her. She hadn't planned on having her warped around her body like this, not that she was complaining at all. "All of that sounds great, and I would love that, but I don't know if I can get that much time off again so soon after this. So maybe somewhere local for now?" she suggested, thinking out loud. "I wouldn't be opposed to a cabin get away somewhere or a weekend trip to New York or Connecticut" she suggested "something low key, just you and me. Maybe we can do something bigger in a year or so"
Maura just smiled at her, leaning in to press a chaste kiss to her lips "I'd love that." she admitted. And she did both the thought of getting away with Jane for a quiet get away to celebrate something they hadn't planned on but turned out to be a great thing for both of them, and the idea of them still being married in a year and looking to celebrate an anniversary. "I can look into a nice place to book when we get home."
"Sounds like a plan" she grinned leaning in to kiss Maura.
This whole being married thing wasn't so bad. Not that Jane thought it would be, but it was so easy with Maura,, even though a lot of this was new it felt comfortable and familiar. Much more so than she expected it to feel so soon.
That was why she found herself making out with Maura out in the open, in a public pool without too much of a care in the world. When she felt Maura's legs wrap around her she realized this was getting a little too hot and heavy for their current surroundings. "We should go back upstairs," she suggested.
When Maura pulled back and met her eye she knew she understood that Jane meant by that. "Yes I agree" she nodded and pulled herself away from her for a moment before they both headed for the stairs to get out of the pool.
Their cabana was close enough and stocked with towels so they both headed for it and Jane handed Maura a towel before taking one to dry herself off. Once they were sufficiently dry Maura put her coverup back on and started collecting their things while Jane redressed as well. "Ready?" she asked, reaching out for her hand.
"Yes" she nodded and took her hand "lets go"
They made it to the elevator before they even looked at each other again. The sexual tension between them was palpable.
As soon as the doors closed behind them and they found themselves alone in the car Jane had Maura pressed up against the wall as she kissed her firmly, hands cupping her face. Maura only pushed Jane away as the elevator dinged signaling their floor.
The short trip back to the room was filled with touches and heated looks. As soon as the door was opened Maura bag was dropped on the floor as Jane kicked the door closed behind them "come here" she whispered between kisses as she pulled her towards the bed and laid down pulling Maura with her.
The kissing in bed was the heaviest and neediest kisses they'd shared to date, hands roamed bodies and searched out whatever skin they could find.
Jane had managed to unwrap Maura's cover up and Maura had Jane's shirt up over her head when she noticed Maura looked uneasy "what's wrong?" She asked, slowing the kissing.
"Nothing" Maura tried to keep going but Jane could tell she was distracted
"Maur" she called out placing a hand on her cheek to get her to look her in the eye "what is it?"
Maura let out a big sigh "it's just, I don't want to ruin the moment "
"But…" Jane prodded, still wanting an answer as to what was going on in Maura's head.
"We're covered in bacteria from the pool and I don't know know if I can engage in coit-"
"I'm gonna stop you right there" Jane rushed to say, her hand reaching up to cover Maura's mouth, but she quickly removed it when she saw the look on her face. "Hey," she called softly when she saw a look close to panic in Maura's eye "what do you need?"
"I need to shower," she let out a big sigh at finally getting it out "and for you to shower and for these sheets to get changed."
Jane dropped her head back onto the bed beneath her and groaned "Okay" she nodded after a breath "go" she told her easily.
Maura looked unsure "I don't want to ruin the moment."
"Maur," Jane said softly, leaning up to kiss her cheek gently "you're not. It's not the right time if you're uncomfortable. I'm not going to force you into anything." she promised as she reached up to cup her cheek softly.
Maura smiled at that and leaned in to press a kiss to Jane's lips "I love you Jane Rizzoli" she told her with a smile before she got up off of her and headed for the bathroom.
Jane just glared at the ceiling "I love you too" she grumbled as Maura hurried for the bathroom. The water was already on when Jane called down to the desk to request a change of sheets.
By the time Maura was done with her shower and exiting the bathroom in her robe, the maid was leaving the room after changing the sheets. Jane just smiled at her as they crossed paths on Jane's way shower too "Thank you" Maura smiled at her adoringly but put a hand on Jane's chest to stop her when she leaned in towards her.
Jane rolled her eyes but continued on her way to the bathroom to take her own shower. She knew Maura was right, it wasn't the right time especially if Maura was uncomfortable but they'd been so close and Jane was feeling a little disappointed. But she knew it would happen in its own time when the time was right.
When Jane got out of the shower she changed into a pair of sweats and a tank top Maura had dropped off on the counter and came out to find Maura nearly dressed and ready to go back to the conference.
"What? Nooo" Jane complained
"I know I know, I'm sorry" Maura apologized genuinely as she came over to press a kiss to Jane's lips. "It got later than I expected. I have to go soon but I'll take you out for dinner and we'll have all night together." she promised her.
Jane kissed her again "You don't have to promise anything, I'm not upset. I get it" she assured her.
"God, you're perfect" Maura smiled and pressed back in to kiss Jane yet again, she eyed the bed one more time then pushed Jane away from her playfully. "But go away please, I need to get ready and you're distracting me."
Jane just laughed and went to go lay on the bed.
When Maura came back up, Jane was right where she left her and she could only smile at the sight as she came in and closed the door before setting her stuff down.
"How was your lecture?" Jane asked from her place laying face down in bed watching TV.
"It was great," Maura smiled as she unbuttoned her jacket and set it on a chair before taking her shoes off. She walked over to the bed and laid down on top of the brunette, her cheek resting on Jane's shoulder. "We discussed a lot of fascinating aspects of facial recognition and image recreation." she continued on as if she didn't just climb on top of her wife.
"Is that so?" Jane asked with a grin as she leaned her head up a tiny bit to kiss the top of Maura's head. "I'm sure you loved it."
"I did." she nodded. "But I missed you" she explained with a small kiss to Jane's bare shoulder, her arms sliding under Jane's stomach to hug her tighter.
"You missed me?" Jane repeated in that tone she got when she was teasing Maura. "After all these years you can't be away for a few hours without missing me?" She was clearly amused.
"Well, we weren't married before. I can only assume the neuro pathways and connections in my brain are being rewired where you are concerned, and I find myself wanting to be around you more." she explained even as Jane rolled her eyes playfully. "If you'd prefer I can leave you alone" Maura promised as she pushed herself up off of Jane's back.
"No wait," Jane called quickly, rolling over and wrapping her arms around Maura's waist and pulled her back down to lay with her. "My neuro pizza things are re blah blah blah too." she assured her hugging Maura tighter. "I like it when you're here.'' She indicated their current position with a light squeeze around Maura's body.
"I do too," Maura agreed, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Jane's lips. "Hi" she breathed between them.
"Hi" Jane smiled back at her.
God, they were disgusting, and they both knew it. But neither one of them could do anything to stop it. It was like floodgates were opened with that first kiss, and each subsequent kiss or touch or moment after that only had them both falling a little deeper, finding themselves a little bit more in love.
The journey was so seamless and easy for them. They were both taken by surprise that everything could feel so natural and normal between them and yet be so different at the same time. None of the new intimacy felt out of place, or rushed. Nothing felt weird between them or like they were pressing too hard. It all just felt like they'd been working to get here the whole time. Like their bodies knew what to do with the other and how to move together.
Jane reached up to move some of the hair away from Maura's face. "I missed you too" she assured her, loving the smile that those words put on Maura's face.
"I thought you might," Maura teased lightly. She knew Jane was just as in love as she was, she could feel it, but it was nice to hear it directly from her lips. "Did you eat?" she asked her quietly.
"No" Jane shook her head "You said we'd eat together. As a matter of fact, you said you would take me to dinner and that we would have the whole night together." She recited with a growing grin.
"Is that what I said?" Maura pretended not to remember as she leaned in a little closer to Jane. "I guess, if that's the promise I made to my wife, I should keep it." she pressed her lips to the brunette's.
"You should" Jane agreed lips still pressed to Maura's "You don't want to start breaking promises this early on in the marriage, I'm sure that leads to divorce, and considering we don't have a prenup, it would cost you a lot to get rid of me." Jane joked jerking to the side when Maura pinched her side.
"You're hilarious" she announced, keeping the pressure of her fingers just light enough to tickle but rough enough to remind Jane not to be mean to her.
"Okay okay" Jane breathed trying her hardest not to giggle, Maura pinched her once more and she let out a laugh that delighted the blonde "Maur…" she groaned.
"Yes dear?" She asked as if she wasn't torturing Jane. "Did you want to continue discussing our lack of prenuptial agreement and divorce?"
"N-NO!" She called out reaching out and pulling the hand away from her side and holding it between them. She brought Maura's other hand up to join the first, just in case she got any funny ideas. "No, I want to talk about dinner. I want pizza" she announced.
"Pizza?" Maura checked "Of all the dining options here in the hotel and around us you want pizza?"
"Yes. And beer" Jane told her happily.
"I can arrange that." Maura nodded. "We can probably get it sent up here -"
"Nope, I want to leave this room" she informed her. "I want us both to get changed, I will get some jeans on, you will... " She sighed as she looked down between them as if Maura was dressed very inappropriately "Dress down some, maybe something not so buttoned up" she flicked Maura's shirt button. "And we will go get pizza and beer together."
"That sounds like the perfect date" Maura agreed with a smile.
Before Maura met Jane she never thought she would be the type of person who would ever voluntarily have pizza for dinner or even drink beer straight from the bottle, let alone enjoy it. With Jane it was perfect. With Jane everything was perfect.
The two of them sat side by side at a table in the casino food court, sharing a pizza and holding a bottle of beer each as they laughed about something or other together. Jane had an arm draped over Maura's shoulders as they ate and was just leaning in to press a kiss to Maura's cheek when she heard her name from behind them.
"Detective Rizzoli? Doctor Isles? Wow, we haven't seen you guys all week, where have y'all been?" The unmistakable voice of Dr. Higgens sounded from behind them.
"Uh, Hey" she smiled over Maura's shoulder at them and they both sat up straighter and put a little bit more space between themselves.
"We haven't seen you since that night out on the strip, where have you been?" he asked.
Jane looked at Maura who turned to look back at the group behind them and smile in greeting. It was most of the main group from that first night.
"We've been keeping it a little more low key, that first night was pretty crazy" Maura explained to everyone.
"It was a blast! Until you guys disappeared, where did you end up? Don't tell me you guys went back to the room, no offense Dr. Isles, but you didn't look so great the next morning"
Maura just smiled politely "I told you before, please call me Maura. And no we didn't go back we ended up -"
Jane cut her off "Wandering around, we got lost actually" She wasn't sure if they were telling people about their night or not.
"Yes, we did and when we woke up we were married" Maura explained as if nothing had even interrupted her. Jane just closed her eyes and dropped her head to her hands.
There was a brief silence where everyone looked at each other to confirm they'd heard what they thought they had. "You're ...married?" someone asked for confirmation.
"Yep," Jane nodded and held up her own and Maura's left hands "married."
There was a beat of silence then the whole group erupted in cheers. "This is FANTASTIC" Billy grinned then stopped to look at them "This is a good thing right?" he checked.
Jane looked at Maura with a small smile and Maura nodded. "Yeah, it's a really good thing." Maura grinned.
They cheered again. "This calls for a celebration!" someone called out!
"Drinks!"
"Shots!" someone else suggested.
"Champagne!" someone corrected.
Jane looked at Maura who nodded "Yeah, we'd love to." she agreed with a smile. It felt good to tell people and to have them be happy for them. This stage in their relationship was new and they were still figuring it out, but it was very nice to share their happiness with people, even if they hardly knew them. It sort of felt like a trial period for when it would come time to tell their family and friends back home.
The group led them over to one of the casino bars and ordered a bottle of champagne for everyone so they could celebrate the newlyweds. After a group toast everyone wanted to hear the details of the wedding and what they planned to do now.
They told them what they could, Jane let Maura lead most of the storytelling, she was enjoying watching her excitedly tell the story to a group of her peers.
They stuck together mostly connected at the hip as they fielded congratulations and more questions from individuals in the group. But after a little while, they'd sort of tuned the rest of the group out. Maura was leaning in close to Jane as they spoke quietly together. They allowed someone to refill their glasses, but mostly were keeping to themselves, sharing quiet moments together —or even when Jane felt like no one was watching— sharing a few kisses.
After a while Jane was just getting annoyed as another person decided to make another toast, which at this point was no longer about them, it was just a group of people getting too drunk together. These doctors and medical examiners sure liked to let loose.
Maura could tell Jane was getting grouchy and it was amusing her. She tightened her arm around Jane's waist and pressed in closer to her. "We can go soon." She promised in a low whisper.
Jane tightened her arm around Maura's shoulder and ducked to press her lips to her ear, "How about we leave now?" She suggested "No one would notice at this point" she nodded at the rest of the group, who were now just ordering a round of shots to get even drunker than they already were.
Maura looked around and realized Jane was right. "You're right, let's go" she nodded and linked her fingers with Jane's and led her around people to make their escape from the bar.
Jane just followed along behind her amused at how eager Maura was to get them out of here and impressed by how stealthy Maura could be when she wanted to make an exit.
Thank you so much for reading! I'd love to hear your thoughts on the chapter in the comments : )