A/N: Sorry it took so long updating; I was lazy on writing this chapter. This one is just fluff before the storm. Next chapter is going to have the memories and other things coming into play. I don't know when Rizzles will actually happen, it might be in the next chapter OR after the big dramatic parts. Let me know what you guys think. I am open to ideas. Sorry to anyone who thinks this chapter is boring, I was kind of bored writing it. So I thank you all for reading it!
A week turned into two, which turned into three and so forth and so forth. It had been nearing two months when Jane finally noticed that she had completely given up on finding a new home. She lost her self in moments with Lina and Maura and when she did remember all the houses she was meaning to check she would put it off for later. Later had come, and now Jane was reluctant to start with house hunting but she was out of excuses. All the excuses would never make sense if Jane were to tell Maura why they had not moved out yet.
One big excuse was Maura herself. She was so kind, so giving. Lina had grown so attached to the blonde that Jane was scared that it would upset her little girl. It also seemed that Maura had also grown attached as well. It was in fact Maura's idea to use the guesthouse as more for storage for Jane and Lina's belongings. It came after the two had slowly migrated to the main house after nights of Maura asking if they would like to have "slumber parties", which consisted of popcorn and movies. What started out as weekend slumber parties, progressed to keeping a few things in the house that both the Rizzoli's would need. Which ended up with them plain out moving into the main house.
And as Jane watches the blonde and Lina play tea party, she can't help but think that moving would break everyone's heart. But she knows she should make the break sooner than later before it becomes too hard. "Would you like some more tea Princess Maura?" Lifting the little kettle Lina asks as she shakes the hair from her face. "Oh, yes please Princess Stinky."
The little girl laughs as she pretends to pour tea into Maura's cup. From the couch Jane calls to Maura, "Hey Princess Maura, how'd you know she likes to be called Stinky?"
Even if she's heard Jane use it numerous times since moving in, it has taken all she has not to use it more. It's ingrained in her to call Lina that name. She fights many things that come natural to her to not over step her boundaries with Jane or Lina.
"I've heard you use it many times and I guess it slipped. I'm sorry." Maura says unsure if she has indeed overstepped. "Don't worry about it Maur, I like when you use it. Casey never liked it." Maura continues to play with Jane's daughter but absentmindedly replies, "I know."
Jane walks over to the two playing tea party and sits on the ground. "How do you know that?" she asks while playing with an empty toy plate. Maura feels the hives begin to form, "I just guessed. Seems like it was just a name between you and Lina."
"Hmmm, then why are you getting hives?" Jane questions the blonde when she sees the redness appear. Since her time here, Jane has come to notice that when Maura lies, hives immediately appear on her chest.
"I…I…it's." Maura stammers as she begins to breath heavily. "Maura! It's okay I was just riling you up." Jane reaches out both hands to cup Maura's face. "I'm living in your home. If you would like to keep some things private I understand."
The blonde's breathing begins to slow as she peers into the other woman's eyes, "It's not that Jane, I would love to tell you everything but some times I think if I were to ever open up about things you would leave me. I've never had a best friend before." Maura cups a hand over one of Jane's. It is true she would tell Jane everything if she was sure Jane would believe her, stay with her, want her. It's days like these where the blonde feels maybe she doesn't just love Jane as a friend but maybe as something more.
"Maur, whenever you want to talk to me okay? About anything, I will never leave you. No matter what! I haven't had a friend like you before, you're my best friend too." Not uttering a word Maura just nods.
Sitting down to dinner the three begin to say what they are thankful for the day. It's something Angela had done when Jane was little and something she does with Lina when she is actually home for dinner.
"I'm thankful that my Maura let me feed Bass today." Lina begins as she stuffs a bite into her mouth unable to wait for the others to say what they are grateful for.
"Hey!" Jane eyes her daughter and the girl drops her fork. "Oh, let her Jane. She's hungry and if she is scolded about food it might make her develop an eating disorder."
"Fine." Pouting, Jane narrows her eyes at the other two at the table. "I am thankful for food."
"Jane, You cannot continuously use the same thing." Maura shakes her head from side to side.
Letting out a disapproving moan Jane begins again, "I might develop an eating disorder if you keep scolding me." She finishes it up with an overly dramatic sad face but stops when she sees it isn't getting her anywhere. "Alright, alright. I am thankful for days like today where we can relax and have fun together."
"Oh Jane." Maura raises her hand to her chest. "I am thankful that the both of you have come into my life and that we can be together." Jane grins and Maura smiles as they both lock eyes.
"Finally!" They simultaneously look at the little girl shoving food in her mouth. "I fhought you guy-ves would never stop." When saying the 'P' on the word 'stop' food shoots from Lina's mouth.
"Lina!" Jane scolds her daughter. "Don't be rude and don't talk with your mouth full." She finishes and looks to the blonde with an apologetic smile.
"Like mother, like daughter." Maura giggles as she sees the look the other woman gives her in reply.
Changing the subject Jane begins the same topic she has been pushing every night since learning of Pike's retirement. "Have you thought about moving back for good and taking the position?"
Getting up from her seat at the table Maura walks to the fridge and pulls out sparkling apple cider. "I have." She answers and doesn't say any more than that.
Grabbing three flutes from the cabinets she pours the cider in one before pulling out a bottle of Prosecco and pouring it into the two remaining flutes. Coming back to the table she sets the cider that is in her right hand in front Lina and then hands Jane her flute. As she sits back down she looks towards Jane who has grown eager to know the blonde's answer. "Well?"
"I got the call earlier when you went to the store with Lina. They accepted my offer and I officially start next week." Maura says as she holds up her flute and grins when she sees Jane smile with warmth.
"To Maura!" Jane says lifting her flute and encourages Lina to do the same. Both Jane and Maura laugh ecstatically when Lina grabs her flute of cider and screams with a mouthful of food, "Yay! My Maura!"
It's Monday morning when Maura rounds the corner and bumps into the brunette. "Sorry." Jane grabs onto Maura keeping her from falling. "You're up early." Maura states as she walks over to serve a cup of coffee.
"Yeah, I wanted to make you coffee and breakfast for your first day."
Sitting down at the kitchen table Maura smiles at the brunette, "That's very kind of you Jane."
"No problem." Jane waves off the other woman. Grabbing the ingredients from the fridge, the brunette asks with her back turned to Maura, "Are you excited for today?"
"Yes, I haven't worked since before…my accident." The blonde says dropping her head to speak more to the table then to Jane. Raising her eyes she makes contact with Jane's. "I'm more sad than excited, I am used to taking Stinky to school and picking her up. I don't want to leave her."
"I know how you feel. It will be hard the first few days but it will be great when you get home at nights and she is so happy to see you. On the bright side you going back to work makes my ma happy."
Maura shakes her head not understanding why her going back to work would make Jane's mother happy. "Why is that Jane?"
"She has been complaining that she misses Stinky and now she gets do spend more time with her since she will be taking over what you were doing."
Setting down the plate full of food, Jane takes a seat next to Maura. "Eat up! You don't want to be late for your first day."
Maura's first day was equally painful as it was enjoyable. With transitioning into a new job and Pike shadowing her every move, Maura's day was unenjoyable to say the least. It also didn't help matters when Detective Crow used every pick up line ever known to hit on Maura throughout the day. The only saving grace was Jane. Whenever the detective had the time, she would check in with Maura making the blonde's day better.
As she walks into the door with the pizza in hand she calls up the staircase, "Lina sweetie! I'm home." Rounding the hall she comes into the front room and sees Angela watching TV. "Watching Bill O'Reilly Angela?"
"Yes, I just love this huge plasma TV of yours. Everything is so big on it. I get to see his face better. He has the most beautiful Irish blue eyes." Standing, Angela gushes. "They look like contacts." Maura replies while setting the pizza on the kitchen table.
"No!" The older woman says disbelievingly. "Yeah, Paris Hilton wears them too. I read that somewhere in a magazine."
"You don't seem like the person who reads tabloids?" Angela questions the other woman. "Oh, I usually don't, but your daughter has been leaving them around the house and I picked one up the other day and it was captivating. But don't tell Jane that."
Running into the room Lina brushes the unruly hair from her face. "Don't tell momma what?" she asks a little out of breath.
Walking over to the little girl Maura grabs Lina and begins tickling her. "That nosy little children get tickled." Only stopping when Lina screams for her to do so. "Go sit at the dinner table, I brought home pizza." Looking to the older woman Maura asks, "You are welcome to stay if you would like."
"That is nice of you but I'm meeting Tommy for dinner. He got a job you know? I know Jane doesn't want to hear anything about Tommy but maybe you could let her know that he took whatever she told him to heart and that he is sorry."
"I will Angela. Go and have a great time with Tommy." The blonde walks Angela to the door. "I will see you tomorrow after work. If I get held up I'll call you but so far it will be the same time."
Hugging Maura, Angela waves her off. "Don't worry about it my girl. I'll cook you dinner tomorrow; some chicken gnocchi and we can have some wine. You can tell me about how work is going." And Maura cannot contain the smile that appears on her face. "That sounds lovely Angela."
It's well into the night when Jane comes home. Home she thinks to herself while she pins in the alarm code. This house has truly become her home and when she comes her after work all she can think is that her day is complete. Walking up the stairs Jane opens the door to the guest room that is now a kid's room. Pausing when she doesn't see her daughter. Worry sets in as Jane runs to Maura's bedroom. Not bothering to knock she runs through the open door.
The brunette stops in her tracks when she sees her daughter sound asleep and snuggled up to the blonde. Quietly backing away, Jane makes it just outside the door when she hears Maura's velvety voice.
"Jane?"
The brunette walks back into the bedroom. "Yeah, it's me I was just wondering where Lina was." Jane says into the moonlit room.
"Sorry, we missed each other today and I told Stinky she could sleep in here."
"That's okay. Goodnight Maur." The brunette begins to walk back out. "Jane!" Maura says loudly in a stage whisper. Walking back in Jane waits for the blonde to continue. "I…was…if you want you can sleep in here with us." Maura stammers out.
"I couldn't impose like that Maura. This is your room I've already taken over your home I should at least leave you this room." Jane jokes. "It's no problem Jane. Go get ready for sleep and come back here. I have the alarm set and everything."
"Alright." The brunette enthusiastically says as she hurries out of the room. Jane re-enters a few minutes later and finds the blonde has fallen back asleep. Sliding in the bed Jane tries to ignore the butterflies that flutter in her stomach. And for once it doesn't take long for the brunette to fall fast asleep.
Maura wakes in the middle of the night and she can't help the smile that appears. It has been so long since feeling this kind of warmth, especially with Lina burrowed into her side and Jane's hand on her stomach. Sure, the brunette's arm was thrown over the little girl but it was settled on her body in such a natural way. To Maura it seems like such a luxury, sleeping next to someone again. She hadn't realized how much she was starved for human closeness, for that feeling of someone beside her in the darkness. And for the first time in her life, Maura finally felt home.
Thank you for reading! Again, next chapter we'll get back on track with the memories and blah, blah, blah. I should have it up by Saturday…hopefully.