Author's: thank you very much for all the suggestions, messages and reviews; it's a pleasure to read them and I'll do my best to insert your ideas in this story one way or another.

Chapter nineteen: What Constance Thinks And Says

"Where's your wife, Rizzoli? I'd need her opinion on something."

Here we go...

Not bothering to look up from her computer screen, Jane shrugged and rolled her eyes; her face still leaned against the palm of her hand. She was in full digestion, close enough to fall asleep. If someone turned the lights off, chances were she would take a nap no matter she was at work.

"Dunno. Try Patagonia."

She repressed a yawn and clicked on the mouse. A bright picture appeared on the screen, she stared at it blankly.

"What's that? A lab?"

The question made her freeze. Sadly, her colleague wasn't joking. Some detectives at the BPD had very poor geographical knowledge.

Who are you kidding? If you know most of these stuff, it's thanks to Maura.

She slowly looked up at the guy – pondered the idea of making fun of him – but finally gave up. She was too lazy, too sleepy for it.

"Have you tried to call her office?"

Detective Jameson nodded.

"Yeah and her assistant told me she was at the hospital."

Jane waited for a few seconds but her colleague didn't add anything. End of his explanation. Was he trying to piss her off more than the usual? He had probably lost a bet during lunchtime or something. She refused to believe that he could be so dumb and lack logic.

"Then you have your answer. Why did you come to me? Just for the pleasure to ask about my wife? If so get over it. It's getting old."

"Yes and no. Actually, I'm here because of your mother-in-law. She sent you a letter." Jameson held out an envelope.

Jane frowned. She hadn't noticed that her colleague had anything in hand. She grabbed it – sat up – and stared at it.

"You're the mailman, now? Got promoted?"

Jameson smiled and shook his head before turning on his heels a bunch of files under the arm. As he started walking away, he raised his index finger to disconfirm Jane's question.

"I crossed Ellen in the lobby and she asked me to give it to you. Happy reading! Or good luck... It's never good when you get a letter from the in-laws. And stop the Yellowstone diaporama."

It's Patagonia, idiot.

Jane preferred to ignore his last comment and waited to be alone to open the envelope. Frost was at a trial and Korsak had a meeting at a shelter. It was a quiet afternoon; almost boring. But something told her that Constance's letter might finally spice it up a little bit. Or at least would it bring an ounce of mystery.

She doesn't know about emails? So weird.

Jane took the letter out of the envelope and grabbed her mug of coffee. She sat further on her seat and began to read.

Dear Jane,

By the time you get this letter, I will have left Paris and will be in Tokyo for an exhibition but I have actually written it during my stay in Boston. I simply assumed by then that it was too early to give it to you. One has to be patient in life; I have always reminded Maura about it.

Maura. You will probably have guessed by now that she is the reason why I am writing this letter to you.

I have seen the two of you behave with each other. I have had time to observe your gazes, your gestures of affection. As a matter of fact, it struck me the very first time I met you. The evidence was there. I just didn't assume by then that you would need any external help.

I have never liked playing the matchmaker if only because I tend to think that people should come to their senses by themselves. Sadly, it didn't happen for you and Maura. This is the reason why I asked your mother, Angela, to help me help the two of you.

The context was perfect, let's face it. Maura had elaborated one of her incongruous plans and I just couldn't let pass this opportunity.

Sadly, I don't have my daughter's boundless imagination and I have to admit that the scenario of a wedding anniversary was incredibly stupid. Blame it on the lack of time I had as well... As much as I had been thinking about the two of you for a while, I hadn't gone as far as elaborating a scenario in my head.

By the time I seal this envelope, I will have no idea how the evening will have gone and this is why I have decided to write this letter to you. Just in case.

Maura is in love with you. She has been for a while but I doubt that she has been aware of it for so long. I don't need to tell you about your own feelings; you know them way too well yourself.

It isn't a secret for anyone in your entourage either. They simply don't dare to let you know about it.

I don't know if my ridiculous plan worked out but if it didn't then at least I know that this letter will make things clear.

Nobody ever did half of what you did for my daughter. She has changed so much since you have got to know each other. She blossomed; at last. Her lack of confidence has slightly – discreetly – faded away. You brought her what she exactly needed, probably without even knowing it. The only thing missing now is the acceptance of your feelings and your confession to her.

Please, don't be scared. Don't run away. Go tell my daughter how you feel, not only because it is ok – because we are all fine with it – but because when you have found the love of your life, you shouldn't be allowed to let it go; to miss your opportunity. Maura is your soulmate. This is very rare. This is why you need to embrace what is happening and assume it.

Maura and I have never been very close but I still know her very well. She won't run away. She will be taken aback at first but will open her heart to you little by little. She trusts you. She loves you. It is all what she needs to give in and be happy with you.

If my plan actually worked out and you have now started a relationship with my daughter then don't change the slightest thing.

Keep on loving her – on taking care of her every day – the way you have always done. Assume it, live it openly. There is nothing to fear, not from people who love you.

You have my blessings, as well as my husband's, and I am very proud to welcome you into our family.

A very last thing, though. You know that we are atheist, but open-minded. Thus – if you want to get married at church – I think we can make an exception. Maura will and I would do anything to see my daughter all smiles, marrying the right person. Absolutely anything.

Take care,

Constance.

The words began to turn blurry but this wasn't caused by tears. Jane's hands were simply shaking.

She had read the letter in one go, without even paying attention to the noises around her. Maura's mother's words had cut her from the rest of the world and now that reality was hitting her back – rather sweetly, though – she felt strange, funny.

The first time she had met Constance had been tough but very quickly she had understood how the artist worked. She wasn't a bad person and – little by little – Jane had learned how to accept all the remarks she now took for the artist's singular temper.

Yet at no moment had she ever assumed that Constance would write such letter; that she would be so honest and caring.

"Rizzoli? Rizzoli!" Lieutenant Canavaugh clapped his hands to get his employee's attention. "Are you alright? I've been talking to you for five minutes or so and I got no reaction."

Jane nodded. The truth was that she felt numbed and out of place. She needed to see Maura, to call Constance. To do a thousand things. Yet the only thing she was doing was sitting at her desk and it was frustrating.

"Yeah... Sorry... What do you want?"

Cavanaugh opened his mouth to reply but renounced at the last minute. He shook his head as a shy smile played on his lips.

"Listen, it's a slow day... Why don't you take your afternoon?"

"What?!"

The man shrugged and buried his hands in the pockets of his pants. It was obviously not what he had had in mind in the first place but his enthusiasm was starting to show nonetheless.

"This isn't the kind of offer you'll get every day, Rizzoli. Not from me... Take your jacket and enjoy some time out. You deserve this break."

Cavanaugh didn't wait for an answer. He turned around and walked back to his office. The moment he slammed the door, Jane began to laugh lightly. All alone. What was going on? Had he lost a bet as well or she needed to worry about his mental sanity?

The door of the office got opened and Cavanaugh poked his head.

"I said: go!"

Jane stood up – nodding at him in spite of her confusion – and grabbed her jacket.

"Ok... I'm ahem... I'm off... I'm... I'm off."

Strange day.