A/N: I am enjoying writing again. I am thinking of writing another story to go along side this one - "The five times she almost kissed me", from Maura's POV. I thought it would be interesting :-)

Thank you, as always, for the feedback. xoxo

It was Christmas time before the overwhelming desire to kiss Maura presented itself again. We had finished Christmas dinner and were sitting around Maura's fireplace telling old family stories. Some stories I had heard many times, but Maura had not.

Ma appeared determined to humiliate every Rizzoli sibling by sharing our most embarrassing childhood mishaps. Admittedly, I remember not caring about what stories Maura heard about me, because the sound and sight of her laughter was enough to make it worthwhile.

We sat side by side for most of the night, our bodies naturally gravitating towards each other, hip touching hip, shoulder to shoulder. Why did we always have to share such intimate space? At some point during the evening our hands had intertwined and we sat with our glass of wine, listening to our family laugh until they cried.

Our family.

Since the moment Maura met my family they have felt like 'our' family. We share so much together; I know ma believes she has four kids, not three. The only problem I have with that analogy is that my recent feelings towards Maura would be inappropriate if we were siblings.

The day had been long and as the night went on, the yawns became plentiful.

"Okay, I think it's time we all called it a night," I proposed, taking advantage of a lull in the conversation.

"You're right, Janie. It is getting late," Ma agreed. "Let me just finish up these last few dishes."

"Ma, leave them," I insisted as I removed myself from Maura's side and rose from the couch. "I'll fix them. You've done more than enough today."

Ma looked at me with a glint of pride and uncertainty in her eyes.

"I don't mind, Jane," Ma whined as she winked at Maura and made her way to the kitchen.

Tommy and Frankie were up and gathering their things, and it wasn't long before they were headed to the door. Maura and I stood just out from the doorway watching them walk down the slippery driveway, latching onto each other with every second step.

"We really should shovel your driveway tomorrow," I murmured over Maura's shoulder, a hint of humour in my voice. "Although, tonight we've had dinner and a show," I continued, pointing at my siblings as Tommy landed on his ass, "maybe the shovelling can wait."

Maura turned to look at me, admonishing my enjoyment at watching my brother's fall over, but also trying to hide her own amusement.

"Come on, Maura. It's funny," I pleaded as Maura walked back towards the house. "It's like watching Laurel and Hardy."

Maura stopped in the doorway of her home. I looked over her shoulder at what had caught her eye and stopped her in her tracks. At first, I couldn't understand why she had stopped, but then I realised.

A beautiful, 7 foot tall, green Christmas tree, littered with the ornaments we had placed on it, sat in the corner of the room. Tears of gift wrapping and empty Christmas gift boxes were scattered across the living room floor. Empty bottles of wine and wine glasses were lined up on the coffee table. And Ma was in the kitchen, humming along to the Christmas carols coming from the sound system.

I looked at Maura's face as she looked out over her home, knowing that she did not care for the mess, but was grateful for the company that created it. I watched her eyes well up with tears as she watch my mother sway her hips to the sound of Jingle Bells while washing up, seemingly unaware of her audience.

I let my gaze roam over Maura's face; the giddy smile, her cute little nose, her expressive eyes. I felt my own tears begin to form as I realised just how much Maura had missed out on in her life. I wished, in that moment, that I could give her everything of me. All my happy childhood memories, my family, my heart and soul. That moment of realisation scared me. I lifted my head to look up in an attempt to hold in the tears, only to find a mistletoe hanging in the door jamb above our heads.

The gasp that escaped my throat caught Maura's attention and she turned to face me. When I looked back down into her eyes, they were questioning me silently and I was struck with the desire to be close to her. My eyes lingered on her lips as she looked up at the mistletoe then back at me.

The moment lingered. Will I, or won't I? Should I? Could I? And finally, why don't I?

"Maura," I whispered, willing myself to take the plunge but also holding myself back – wanting to be sure.

I felt her gentle touch as her hand found its way into mine. I wondered if I should take that as permission; as a blessing to kiss her like I so desperately wanted to.

I glanced up at the mistletoe briefly once more and heard Maura's breath hitch as I did so. When our eyes met again, I was ready.

I was ready, but apparently the world was not, as Ma took that moment to finish washing the dishes and made her way towards the door, oblivious to what was going on.

"You two have a good night," Ma said as she kissed us both on the cheek, shaking us from our trance like state. "Make sure you keep the heat on – It's supposed to get pretty cold tonight."

And then she was gone. We watched her close the back door before Maura headed to the living space to start cleaning up. A moment later, I closed the front door and went to help her.

The moment was gone but the feeling was not. We didn't speak about it, but this time I knew – Maura knew I wanted to kiss her, and maybe… just maybe… she wanted to kiss me back. That was the fourth time I almost kissed her.