Jane's POV:

I was so hyped for this day! The Red Sox were hosting the Baseball Winter Weekend and I had somehow managed to convince Maura and Rosa to go with me. It's not the same as watching a game, but it's good enough! It's actually pretty great; you get to listen to discussions, have photos taken with the players, get autographs, there's a baseball festival, and a clinic for kids. I just knew that Rosa was gonna love it!

"Hey Rosa, did you know that we took you to your first baseball game while you were still in your mommy's belly?"

"Really?" Rosa beamed.

"Uh-huh. It was also your mommy's first time as well. Sure, she'd played baseball and pretended to watch it on TV, but this was her first time watching a game in real life. It was the first time I took her to Fenway Park – it used to be my favourite place in the whole world."

"Really? That's what you wear to a baseball game?!" I asked as I hopped out of my car to open the passenger door for Maura.

"Should I be wearing something different? Do I need to go and change?" Maura asked as she looked up and down her body, suddenly self-conscious.

She looked so cute. She was wearing this teal-coloured dress that hugged her body and drew my attention to her cute little bump. It was so crazy to think that there was a tiny person growing inside her and that, in a few months, there would be a baby. In all the years I had known Maura, I had never seen her look more beautiful. I mean, she always looked beautiful but whilst she was pregnant, she just looked so happy and positively amazing. She was glowing.

"Jane?" Maura called to me to break me out of my daze.

I guess I had been staring at her for too long and Maura thought that I was criticising her outfit rather than admiring her beauty. She quickly looked me up and down, and furrowed her brow. I was wearing jeans, high tops and a Red Sox jersey.

"I have never been to a baseball game, so I didn't know what was appropriate. I'm just going to change into something else." Maura mumbled, clearly embarrassed.

As she turned away to walk back into her house, I quickly reached out to grab her arm.

"No. You look great. You – you look fantastic." I stuttered as I guided her towards the passenger seat.

I was at a loss for words. Maura was so unbelievably stunning, yet I had no idea how to express that. Part of the reason why was because no word could ever do her justice, but it was mostly because I didn't know how to tell her how I felt. Best friends compliment each other all the time, however, they don't swoon over each other.

"Are you sure?" Maura asked curiously.

"Yeah." I nodded. "I mean, I don't have a clue how you are pregnant and still wearing heels like that! It's impressive! You look really good." I blushed.

Maura smiled and I closed her door. I made my way round to the driver's side and hopped in, hoping that Maura hadn't noticed my rosy cheeks. She probably didn't, my skin-tone makes it pretty hard to detect.

"Actually, I think you need one more thing." I added before starting the car.

I reached behind me and grabbed a bag off the backseat. I rummaged around for a minute before pulling out a Red Sox baseball cap. I leaned over the console and put it on Maura's head, bending the bill of the cap slightly so that she could see better.

"Now you're perfect."

She looked up at me with her big hazel eyes. I didn't actually expect her to wear it, I thought she'd just take it off straight away and fix her hair. But she didn't. She flashed me her signature dimpled smile and my heart felt like it could explode.

I hadn't attended a game for a while but I knew my way around the stadium, however, Maura had never been before and I wasn't prepared to let her out of my sight. I held onto her hand tightly as soon as we passed through the turnstiles and entered the stadium. As Maura slotted her fingers between mine, I couldn't help but think how well we fitted together. I expertly guided her to our seats off the first base line. Having taken a slight detour to pick up essentials for the game (is it really a game without snacks?), Maura was finally able to sit down and make herself comfortable. Although she'd never admit it, I bet her feet were killing her. The seats were awesome! I had never had seats like this, I'd usually go for the nosebleed seats. But I wanted today to be extra special; this was Maura's first time and I wanted to go all out. We were three rows off the field, right in between home plate and first base.

"Pretty neat, huh?" I asked as I watched Maura take in the view.

"Yes." Maura smiled as she watched the Red Sox warm up.

She was so focused on what was happening on the field, yet I was more interested in watching the beautiful woman beside me. Her. I studied every detail, every flicker of emotion, every smile. I couldn't take my eyes off of her, especially not when I noticed her subconsciously caress her abdomen. I knew in that moment that I couldn't possibly love her more. She was everything.

"This is really awesome, Jane. Thank you for inviting me." Maura smiled.

I always loved it when she said the word 'awesome' because that was one of my words. It showed me that I was rubbing off on her, that I had become a part of her life.

"No, thank you for coming." I replied as I gently squeezed her hand.

A few minutes passed and I hadn't even realised that I was still holding onto Maura's hand. I mentally cursed myself before looking at Maura's face, trying to gauge her emotion. She just smiled sweetly and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. We gazed into each other's eyes for what felt like forever. All I wanted to do was kiss her. But I couldn't. I didn't think she'd want me to.

"Peanut?" I asked, quickly breaking free from our trance.

Maura nodded before daintily reaching into the bag of peanuts.

"These are sooo good." Maura sighed contentedly, letting her eyes flutter shut and I couldn't help but chuckle.

I twisted the cap of my water bottle and took a sip before offering it to Maura.

"I can't wait until you pop that kid out." I beamed, gesturing towards her stomach. "Then I can drag you both to every game of the season."

Maura took a gulp of water before handing the bottle back to me and resting her hand on my knee. I could feel her warmth travelling through my entire body. It was incredible.

"I can't wait either." She smiled, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Thank you for being there for me, Jane. Thank you for being there for us."

She ran her other hand across her swollen stomach to emphasise her point.

"Always." I smiled as I wrapped my arm around Maura's shoulder in a move of friendly support.

Maura chuckled and dabbed her eyes. Her hormones had been getting the better of her lately and she told me how ridiculous she felt for crying over everything.

"Please can you fill me in on who these players are?" She asked, gesturing to the Red Sox players who were stretching on the grass in front of her. "I don't want to make a mockery of myself whilst I watch the game."

I grinned from ear-to-ear. It was so touching that Maura was taking an interest in my hobbies. I gladly pulled out the program that I bought earlier. I opened it to the player biographies and started pointing out which player was which and explaining what position they played. I even gave her my own personal opinions of the players – you know, which ones were the best and which ones should be traded, that kind of thing.

The game was pretty slow. Both teams had good pitchers and great batters, so the innings were long as the runs started to add up on both sides. Throughout the game, I kept stealing glances at Maura. She seemed to be enjoying herself; cheering when the crowd cheered, booing when the crowd booed, but I couldn't be sure if she was just being polite. She knew how important baseball was to me, so she wouldn't have complained about it, even if she was bored out of her mind. By the middle of the fourth inning, I noticed Maura shifting uncomfortably in her seat.

"Hey, are you okay?" I asked, my voice loaded with concern.

"I'm fine." She smiled softly. "The baby's hungry."

I noticed hives appearing on her neck. There was more to it than she was letting on. Maura had a few problems early on in her pregnancy and then she was diagnosed with placenta previa a week or so after the game (but obviously we didn't know about that yet).

"Are you sure?"

"Positive." She stated with another smile, gently squeezing my knee in reassurance.

"Well, okay then." I couldn't push her. "I'll go and grab something for us to eat. What do you want?" I asked, trying to conceal my anxiety.

"No, you stay and enjoy the game. I could use a stretch anyway."

"Okay, if you're sure. The Cuban sandwiches are really good here. If you could get me one, that'd be great." I asked sheepishly.

I hated that she wouldn't let me help her. Maura was pregnant and I wanted to take care of her but I knew better than to push it. When she said she wanted to do something, I needed to let her do it.

"Of course. I'll be right back." Maura beamed.

She got up slowly and she seemed a little off balance but she quickly regained her composure. I swear, she was turning me into a nervous wreck. I had always been protective of her but now that she was pregnant, the urge to protect her had only intensified. There were two people to protect now and I couldn't bear the thought of something bad happening to either of them. I noticed that as Maura got up and walked away, she started to massage her lower back. Back pain is so common during pregnancy; all of the books say that the expectant mother should have her partner massage her back but Maura didn't have a partner. I would have done it. In fact, I would have given anything to give her a massage but I feared that that would be crossing the line. I wanted to be there for Maura, in every way. I wanted to show her that she wasn't doing this alone, but I didn't want to push her away either.

I tried to relax as I waited for Maura to return. With each passing minute, I became more and more anxious. I was so worried about Maura that I didn't even know what was happening in the game. Maura returned a short while later armed with enough food to feed a small army. I couldn't begin to explain the relief I felt when she returned and I could see for myself that she was alright. I'd never have forgiven myself if something had happened to her or the baby.

"You were right! These Cuban sandwiches are amazing!" Maura exclaimed as she tucked in happily.

The short walk and reward of food seemed to rejuvenate her. For a while anyway. Towards the end of the game, Maura was starting to fade. The further along she got in her pregnancy, the earlier her bedtime became. The game started at 7pm and, with the extra-long innings, it was almost 10pm by the time the ninth inning started.

"Come on, Maur. Let's get you home." I smiled warmly as I gently wrapped my arm around Maura.

"No. Not Yet. The game hasn't finished yet, Jane." She stated firmly.

"I know, honey, but you're tired and you're pregnant. It was stupid of me to think staying out this late was a good idea."

"It was a lovely idea, Jane, and I am having a wonderful time. We're staying." Maura added forcefully as she rested her head on my shoulder and leaned into my embrace.

I pulled Maura as close to me as possible in order to try and keep her warm. There was a slight chill in the air and I didn't want her to get sick. I felt her body grow heavier in my arms and I could feel her slow and even breaths against my body. She had drifted off to sleep and I was pretty sure that she missed the entirety of the last inning. Once the game was over, I gently nudged Maura awake.

"Hey sleepy-head, are you ready to go?"

Maura nodded before a cute little yawn slipped her lips. She was adorable. She slowly stood up and I quickly wrapped my arm around her waist to give her more support. As we walked towards the car, I mentally kicked myself for not forcing Maura to leave early. I knew that she was only staying for me. She would do anything for me and I would do anything for her.

"Did the Red Sox win?" Maura asked sleepily.

"Did the Red Sox win?" Rosa asked excitedly.

"No, buddy. They lost." I replied.

"Were you sad?"

"No, I wasn't. It was just a baseball game. I could tell you about who the best players were and what the keys to the game were. But that's not the real story." I watched Maura as she packed things into a backpack for Rosa. "As a matter of fact, that's not the story at all."


Maura's POV:

Jane and I hadn't had a chance to continue the baby discussion yet. Work had been spectacularly hectic recently and we were both exhausted. I suppose I was just waiting for the right moment to broach the subject. Obviously, we had a lot to talk about. Jane had been planning to take Rosa and me to the Baseball Winter Weekend at Fenway Park, and I figured that we could talk about everything after we had returned home.

I must admit, I wasn't the slightest bit interested in the events and activities of the day, however, I was determined not to let that show. Jane and Rosa were having a field day and I didn't want to spoil their fun or disappoint them by complaining about my own boredom.

On the ride home, Rosa chattered about how cool Grover Verben was, and how she was going to play professional baseball one day. She talked so much that she tired herself out. She was falling asleep, so I carefully scooped her up and carried her into the house. I helped Rosa get ready for bed and read her a story; Goodnight Moon.

Memories of my first Red Sox game came flooding back to me. Well, not so much the game itself but the moment that occurred afterwards.

I had fallen asleep again on the drive home and I barely woke up when Jane parked the car in front of my house. She guided me inside and took me straight into my bedroom.

"Do you want to change or are you okay in this?" Jane asked.

I mumbled something incoherent as I slipped my heels off and climbed into bed. I'm not sure what I was thinking – that was an Alexander McQueen dress! I shouldn't have slept in it! Jane picked up my shoes and moved them away from the bed. Jane went to turn out the light and was about to leave when I stopped her.

"Stay." I stated quietly.

I felt Jane climb into bed beside me and I rolled onto my side to face her. I let my eyes flutter shut once again and I drifted off to sleep. I awoke a short while later to the end of 'Goodnight Moon'. I had explained to Jane that I would read to the baby every night and she had obviously decided to fill in for me. I decided to keep my eyes closed and listen to Jane's soothing voice. I was a little sad when the story came to an end, however, my disappointment didn't last long. Jane scooted down so that she was resting on her side, propped up by her elbow, right next to my bump.

"Hey baby." Jane whispered. "I'm your Aunt Jane."

Jane gently reached out and placed her hand on my abdomen, forming an instant connection with the child inside my womb. Momentarily, I was shocked by her actions. Yes, Jane had been affectionate towards me many times before, but it had never been so intimate. And she had never talked to or felt the baby before.

She paused for a moment before continuing and I can only assume that she was checking to make sure that I was still asleep.

"I love you so much, baby. You know, your mommy really needs to come up with a name so that we can stop calling you baby… Every time I hear the name 'Baby', I can't help but picture Jennifer Grey from Dirty Dancing… And you aren't Jennifer Grey! I guess it's hard to pick a name though. Especially as we don't know if you're a girl or a boy yet. Don't tell your mommy, but I think you're a little girl. I can feel it." Jane sighed and placed the gentlest kiss on my stomach.

I had never experienced a feeling quite like that before. No one had ever shown me so much love and affection before, and Jane wasn't just showering me with adoration, she was also loving my baby.

"I can't wait to meet you, little one. But don't get any ideas… That doesn't mean you can come out early! You have the best mommy in the world and she is taking such good care of you, so you stay in there so that you're big and strong when you're born. Mommy and I took you to your first Red Sox game today. The Red Sox lost, but that's okay. I was just glad that your mommy was there with me. That's all that mattered. We'll have to go again when you get here. Your mommy is going to love the little pink Red Sox onesie I have for you! Don't worry, baby, we'll get her a ticket too."

I could feel tears forming behind my eyelids as I listened to Jane. I didn't know it was possible to love someone as much as I loved her. She was extraordinary. Suddenly I remembered what had woken me up in the first place… I needed to use the bathroom. I didn't want Jane to stop, so I shifted slightly in a bid to make myself more comfortable. Jane waited for a minute or so and continued her conversation with the baby.

"I love you and your mommy very much. Never forget that. You two are my family. And your mommy loves you so much already, baby. I guess we both really lucked out because we get to have her in our lives. Anyway, it's time to go to sleep now, baby. I'll see you tomorrow. You be good for mommy, okay? Don't start kicking her during the night… You have to wait until it's daytime and your Aunt Jane is there! I love you baby, sweet dreams."

Jane leaned over and kissed my bump one last time before sitting up. I felt her breath against my cheek and I thought that she was going to kiss it, however, after a moment of hesitation, she pulled away. She turned off the bedside lamp and made her way out of the bedroom.

After I had finished reading, I tucked her into bed and kissed her goodnight.

"Mommy? Where is your favourite place in the whole wide world?" Rosa asked in a soft, sleepy voice.

"I'm not sure, sweetie. I've always loved visiting Paris."

"Aunt Jane said that her old favourite place in the whole world was Fenway Park."

Jane had always loved Fenway Park. She had told me numerous times that it was her favourite place. She said it felt like home. Why wasn't it her favourite place anymore?

"Her old favourite place? Where is her favourite place now?" I asked curiously.

"Right here. With us."

The fierce and hard-core Jane Rizzoli was a big softie at heart. I couldn't believe how lucky I was to have found her. To be able to spend the rest of my life with her.

I entered my own bedroom to find my beautiful, wonderful, and extraordinary girlfriend already curled up in our bed. She had her eyes closed but I could tell from her breathing that she hadn't quite fallen asleep yet. I felt my heart flutter in my chest as I approached the bed. I gently sat down beside Jane on her side of the bed and caressed her shoulders.

"Wake up." I stated softly, yet with great urgency.

I had something very important to say to her. I needed to get everything off my chest. It was now or never and I didn't want to wait a moment more.

"Wake up, Jane. I'd like you to have a chat with me."

"What? Why?" She mumbled, still refusing to open her eyes.

"I love you and I have something important to ask you."

She let out a quiet groan or a grumble. I'm not sure which verb more accurately described the sound that escaped from Jane's mouth.

"Can it wait till morning?"

"No." I shook my head. "Not really."

"But Maur, I'm so comfy." Jane whined as she nestled further into the covers.

I rose from the bed, only to reposition myself on the floor. I got down on one knee and reached for Jane's hand. The movement stirred Jane from her light slumber and forced her to open her eyes. I watched as confusion swept across her features.

"Maura? What are you doing?" She paused to think for a moment. "Wait a minute… An important question? Are – are you down on your knees?"

I nodded slowly. It felt like my heart had leapt into my throat.

"Were you so bored at the Winter Weekend today that you decided to ask me to marry you afterwards?" Jane joked sleepily.

"Something like that." I stuttered.

Of course, it wasn't boredom that was driving me to propose. It was love. It was the sheer adoration, the all-encompassing, warm and fuzzy sensation I felt whenever Jane was near me. And the devastating, sinking sensation that riddled me whenever we were apart.

Jane's face fell as she digested my words.

"Well, it's not exactly like that." I added. "I just decided that I didn't want to wait anymore. I could love you forever, Jane. So why can't forever start today?"

"You're being serious, aren't you?" Jane stated as she sat up quickly.

I nodded again.

"Jane Rizzoli, will you marry me?" I smiled.

"No! This isn't how it was meant to be!" Jane cried as she pulled her hand away from mine.

I could feel my heart shattering into a thousand little pieces as her words echoed in my head.

"What – what are you saying? Are you saying that you don't want to be with me anymore?" I spluttered as I felt the tears pool in my eyes before streaming down my cheeks.

"No! God no, that's not what I meant at all, Maura!" Jane cried as she leapt to her feet. "I just meant that you deserve some super corny and romantic proposal… With a thousand chrysanthemums, a horse drawn carriage, and a ring as beautiful as you are."

The tears continued to flow freely down my face but now – now they were happy tears. I reached out to hold Jane's hands and began to trace tender patterns across her delicate skin.

"But I don't need any of those things, Jane. I don't need a grand romantic gesture. I just need you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you and that is more than enough for me." I beamed.

Jane pulled her hands away again and started rummaging through her sock drawer. Her seemingly erratic behaviour only confused me more and I had no idea what was going on. What was she thinking? How was she feeling? How could I know either of those things when I didn't even know what she was doing?!

"What's the matter? Have you got cold feet?" I asked as she pulled out a fluffy pair of socks.

"No actually, I don't." Jane added before I realised that she had interpreted my previous question as a double entendre.

Jane lowered herself to the ground and settled on one knee. I watched intently, still not entirely sure what was happening, as she stuck her hand into one of the socks. She pulled out a ring. My vision was distorted from all the tears. All I could see was the shape of Jane's face and those rich chocolate orbs staring back at me.

"This isn't how I planned to do it." Jane chuckled through her own tears. "But Maura, I love you. I love you so much and I would really, really like to marry you. My life has never been same since I met you. You've made me happier than I have ever been and ever thought I could be. I can't picture the rest of my life without you by my side. So, Maura Isles, will you do me the honour of marrying me?" Jane asked expectantly.

I was stunned. There I was proposing to my girlfriend, sort of on a whim, and there she was with a ring and everything. She had put so much thought into the planning and the actual proposal, and I had just spoiled everything because I didn't want to wait any longer.

"Any thoughts on the answer?" Jane queried nervously, pulling me from my thoughts. "Yes? No? Either one is possible."

"Yes! Yes! Jane, yes! A thousand times yes! I would love to marry you!" I exclaimed as I pulled Jane up to me.

I threw my arms around her and initiated the most passionate and loving kiss I have ever experienced. As our tongues danced together, I knew that she was the missing part of me. She completed me. That we were meant to be together.


The following morning, I woke up to an empty bed and a post-it note from Jane saying that she had been called into work early. I was saddened to think that I missed out on waking up to my fiancée this morning. I reluctantly got ready and made my way into work. As I stepped outside the elevator, I saw (and heard) Kent arguing with a delivery man.

"What is going on here?" I asked.

"This man claims that we ordered flowers, however, I know that we did not order any flowers to be delivered to the morgue!" Kent exclaimed bitterly.

"Well, then it must be a mistake." I stated softly as I tried to calm Kent down.

"It isn't a mistake. It says that you have to be here in person to accept them."

"That I have to be here? Well, that's…" I began before suddenly realising what was happening.

I slowly turned away from the quibbling men and walked into the morgue. Immediately I was met with a sea of yellow, red, white and purple chrysanthemums.

"Chrysanthemums! As if we'd order these to be sent to the morgue!" Kent remarked.

Actually, it was fairly fitting to have chrysanthemums sent to the morgue because in some European cultures, incurve chrysanthemums are used for funerals and to lay on the graves. In Italy, gifting a bouquet of chrysanthemums is regarded as a sign of disrespect because it is associated with a sort of "death wish." The thought reminded me to ask Jane why she chose chrysanthemums of all flowers - obviously she did not mean any disrespect. Perhaps it's because in the United States, the flowers are generally regarded as positive and cheerful.

"I mean, look how many there are! There must be at least –" Kent continued to moan.

"A thousand of them. A thousand chrysanthemums." I beamed through the tears that were beginning to form in my eyes.

"Nope. Almost but not quite right. There are exactly 999. I counted them myself." The delivery man explained.

I quickly rushed into my office to find Jane sitting on my desk holding a purple chrysanthemum. The thousandth one. A thousand chrysanthemums. I swiftly brought my hands up cover my mouth. I was so overwhelmed… In a good way.

"I told you that you deserved a thousand chrysanthemums and I meant it." Jane began as she glided towards me. "I did some research and I found out that they are actually extremely significant flowers. Not only do they look beautiful, they also have a number of meanings associated with them. Chrysanthemums symbolise optimism, long life, fidelity, honesty, and joy. You deserve all of those things, Maura."

I instantly leapt into Jane's arms and peppered her with kisses. I didn't care if anyone saw us. I didn't care if I was being unprofessional. All I cared about was Jane. The woman of my dreams, standing right in front of me, bearing a purple chrysanthemum.


A/N: Thank you for all of your reviews and messages! I appreciate reading them all :) So, this chapter has been in the works for a long time and I am so glad that I've been able to publish it! As for the baby discussion, that will take place in the next chapter. At the moment, it is split pretty much 50-50 as to who should carry the baby, so please keep reviewing/messaging me with your ideas! I will go with the majority vote, so make yours count!