Maura walks back down the hallway to her kitchen, stopping to murmur to Bass and pet his shell gently. She smiles to herself as she stands, heading back to Jane and her breakfast and newspaper and coffee.
Jane looks up briefly, smiling widely in welcome even though Maura had been gone only a few minutes to the bathroom.
Maura pauses mid-smile and is suddenly breathless at the scene before her, in her kitchen of all places. She never thought she might have this, need this, deserve this.
Jane was sitting at her kitchen table in Maura's worn BCU t-shirt and grey sweatpants, cradling a cup of coffee, her hair wild around her shoulders reading the newspaper. Joe Friday was curled up on her bare feet. Her body at ease, her face open, relaxed. Her empty plate pushed to the side. They'd had bacon and Angela Rizzoli's famous buttermilk pancakes. Maura looked down at herself, clad in Jane's ancient Boston PD sweatshirt, her hair pulled into a messy ponytail, yoga pants and chuckled to herself. Jane looked up at Maura's laugh, smiling warmly, her eyes soft, gazing back at her.
Maura stared, she so loved this woman, how she made her feel, the comfort, the passion, how she made her laugh, listened to her. In the beginning she'd been so afraid, afraid to believe it but her feelings had grown and grown even through ups and downs. Even now they still hesitated, not being able to say the words she was sure they were both feeling. She had been surprised at their capacity to grow together, work through stuff, keep loving each other without saying it exactly.
"Maura?" Jane asked quietly, "What is it, sweetie? Come sit down, I saved the science section for you." She waved the paper and wiggled her eyebrows at her.
Maura couldn't keep the idiotic smile off her face, trying to convey her love just through her eyes. Maura moved toward Jane, one hand now on the science section the other on Jane's shoulder. Her fingers finding the warm skin of her collarbone. Jane's face turned up and Maura leaned down to press her lips softly and firmly against her mouth. Jane smiled into the kiss. Maura felt her chest grow tight with emotion as Jane's fingertips at her waist found the sensitive skin above her hipbones.
Maura makes a decision. She would make the move, say it first. After all Jane took the first chance, why shouldn't she take the second one. She kisses Jane's cheek and moves to whisper in her ear.
"I love you," on a breath out. She pulls back to see Jane's eyes widen, her grin growing lopsided. She cocks her head to the side.
"Yeah?" Jane asks quietly.
The science section long forgotten, Maura frames her face with two gentle hands. Jane is almost swooning at her warmth, Maura's fingertips along her cheeks.
"Yes. I love you so much. I'm so glad to have you in my crazy, quirky life." Maura kisses her again this time with more fire, more heat.
Jane moves to stand up and gathers Maura in her arms tightly until her mouth is dangerously close to Maura's ear, her warm breath causing a shudder through Maura's body.
"I love you, too. I love you so much." They sigh into each other. Maura feels like her chest might burst. She moves to kiss Jane sweetly.
"We can finish the paper later, right?" She asks breathlessly.
"Mhmm," Jane murmurs into Maura's neck, fingertips already at the edges of Maura's sweatshirt.