A.N. Yet again, I would like to apologise for the slow update. I have great plans for this story, but at this moment, they are just that... Plans and ideas! Thank you for all of your time and support, it means a lot. I would also like to give a special shout-out to MADDY22, for reminding me that I should be writing! Thanks :)
"If you told me you wanted more, I would have said yes."
I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I had waited for this moment for such a long time. I thought about all of the times I wanted to tell Jane how I felt.
"Stay away from Giovanni."
"No. Oh, this is a dibs thing!"
"A dibs thing? Really?! Tell me what you have in common with him, alright? He's a blue-collar Boston Italian auto mechanic!"
"Well so are you! Well, except for being an auto mechanic, and we're best friends."
"Yes, but I'm interesting and you don't wanna sleep with me."
As I hesitated, I saw the look of confusion, perhaps even disgust that crossed Jane's face. There was no way I could tell her the truth, not now.
"Do you?"
"No!"
I didn't have enough time to produce or even contemplate producing an appropriate response and so I resorted to telling a quick-fire lie. I knew that I was about to break into hives and I couldn't hide that from Jane. I had to think fast.
"No" I repeated. "But that's my point; that's all I want to do with Giovanni."
It was true, I did want to sleep with Giovanni… He had an excellent shoulder to hip ratio, lengthy metacarpals and I was lonely. It was nice to be wanted by someone. Although I did want to sleep with Jane, it wasn't technically a lie… It wasn't just about sex, I wanted to have it all with her.
"So, where do we go from here?" Jane asked, presenting a hint of desperation in her tone.
"We go back to the party." I replied coldly.
I began to walk away, brushing past Jane as I approached the door.
"Maura wait…" Jane caught my arm. "I meant with us –"
"I knew what you meant, Jane."
"That's it? We're just going to go back and pretend like this never happened? Shouldn't we talk about everything?"
I couldn't deal with this right now. My emotions were all over the place, raging like a tempest.
"Can we talk about everything later? I need to get back to Rosa."
"Sure, we'll talk later. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to push… It's just, I've waited for this moment for so long –"
"Yes, so have I! I've thought about this moment for years. I've imagined it over and over again, but of all the scenarios that I envisaged, you leaving and coming back like this... I-I just need a little time, that's... that's all."
I looked into Jane's deep brown eyes. Just like mine, Jane's eyes were brimming with tears. She looked down at my arm and released it from her grasp.
"I'm sorry, Maur." Jane muttered.
I took a moment to compose myself and then returned to the kitchen.
As I entered the room, Angela stopped what she was doing and went to stand behind the kitchen island. I carried on moving towards her until we were side by side. She looked at me, her eyes searching for answers. I could just hear her asking 'so, how did it go?' I rubbed her arm and she placed her hand over mine. It was a small gesture that non-verbally communicated so much. It told her that I was okay and it reassured me that Angela wasn't going anywhere, that she was always there if I ever wanted to talk. I caught sight of Jane lingering awkwardly in the doorway, I looked at Angela and we exchanged knowing glances. I thought it best to give them some space and so I went to find Rosa.
"Mommy! What took you so long?"
"Aunt Jane and I just had some catching up to do." I explained as I knelt down beside her.
Rosa embraced me in a bear hug and planted a kiss on my cheek.
"What was that for?" I asked as I kissed her forehead.
"Because I love you!" Rosa stated matter-of-factly.
She had this incredible way of knowing exactly how I was feeling and how to make me feel better. Just like Jane.
"I love you too, baby." I replied.
I hugged Rosa a little tighter and as I glanced over her shoulder, I saw Jack, Frankie and Tommy emerge from the yard, all covered in make-up. I stifled a laugh.
"Rosa, what did you do to your daddy, Uncle Frankie and Uncle Tommy?" I asked, not sure if I wanted to know the answer.
"I made them into princesses! Don't they look pretty?!" Rosa sounded very impressed with herself!
I looked at the three men, it reminded me of a very unusual line-up! First there was Tommy, he was grinning from ear to ear. Then there was Frankie, who just shrugged his shoulders and chuckled. Finally, there was Jack. He was wearing a pink feather bower and a plastic tiara.
"Not as pretty as you, princess!" Jack told Rosa and she giggled.
Rosa tapped me on the shoulder and looked at me inquisitively.
"What is it, sweetie?" I asked.
Rosa glanced around the room, craning her neck to get a better view.
"Can I open my presents now? Please, mommy?" Rosa begged.
"Of course you can!" I exclaimed.
"But everyone's busy."
That's why she was looking around the room. At first I thought she was looking for her presents but instead she was observing the conversations going on around her.
"Well, I'm sure they won't mind taking a short break from whatever they're doing. Frankie, can you get your mom and Jane please?" I asked.
"Sure, Maura. I'll be right back." Frankie said as he went to search for Jane and Angela.
"I'll go get Allie. No doubt she'll be skyping her B-O-Y-F-R-I-E-N-D!" Jack spelt out.
"Daddy, I hate it when you spell!"
"Don't say hate." I explained gently.
"Sorry, I just think it's S-I-L-L-Y. And daddy… I know you spelt boyfriend." Rosa stated matter-of-factly.
I looked at Jack and laughed. He rolled his eyes.
"Don't you be getting any ideas! You won't be allowed to date until you're at least thirty, maybe even forty!" Jack joked. "How did you get so smart?"
"She has my genes too, you know!" I quipped.
Jack looked like he was about to protest but then he nodded.
"I can't argue with that!" He laughed.
A short while later, everyone gathered in the lounge. Rosa was sitting on the couch in between me and Angela, Allie balanced on the armrest, the boys all huddled together and Jane stood behind me.
Rosa quickly unwrapped the first present and lifted it up for everyone to see.
"Thanks Uncle Frankie." Rosa said apathetically.
"How did you know it was from me?" Frankie asked.
Rosa looked at the present and then back at Frankie.
"It's a doll." Rosa exclaimed and the room burst into laughter.
"Ha ha and it's not a doll, it's an action figure!" Frankie explained.
Rosa swiftly moved on to the next present and the one after that and the one after that until there was only one present left to unwrap. It was wrapped perfectly in pink bunny paper and tied up neatly with a pink ribbon. Someone clearly put a lot of thought into this gift.
Rosa tore the paper and gently lifted up a junior-sized Red Sox jersey.
"Look mommy! It says Rizzoli, number 1!" Rosa was so excited her whole face lit up.
I looked up at Jane and she just smiled softly.
"Aunt Jane, is this from you?" Rosa asked.
"Yeah buddy, it is… Unless you don't like it… Then I have no idea where it came from!"
Rosa pulled the jersey over her head.
"It's perfect! Thanks Aunt Jane!" Rosa exclaimed.
Rosa jumped up and ran over to Jane.
"You're welcome, bud. I'm glad you like it." Jane said as she scooped Rosa up.
I watched in awe as the two most important people in my life interacted with each other. It was clear that Rosa adored Jane and that Jane loved Rosa too, but it could never make up for those three years Jane spent away from us.
Okay, this chapter was pretty much just a filler, helping me get from A to B! I already have an ending for this story (and a couple of scenes here and there) but I thought it would be cool to give you guys the opportunity to have your say. If there is something you want to happen, please don't hesitate to PM me or write a review (I read all of them!). Oh and expect an update pretty soon!
