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Jane and Maura were lying in the doctor's bed. Maura had her head resting on Jane's chest with her hand intertwined with Jane's. The detective was gently moving her other hand through Maura's hair. They were not speaking, just enjoying each other's company and touch.
The doctor finally spoke, "You know we can't stay here all day."
"Why not?" Jane asked pouting.
"Well we will eventually need to eat and drink."
"Can't I just eat you all day?"
Maura lifted her head turning to look at brunette. She opened her mouth to start her Google talk, but was cut off by Jane's lips. "I was kidding," she whispered.
"I know. But we made a promise to Frankie. We need to do this."
Jane sighed at the comment. It was Sunday, and the two had decided it was time to see Jane's mother. Since Jane had asked Maura to move in together they've only talked about how they would tell Jane's mother. They both knew they wouldn't be able to move in together without raising suspicion and or hell. Also with the way Jane's mother is there was bound to be repercussions. They decided it was best to tell her on Sunday, there would be support from Frankie and possibly Jane's father.
"Do you always have to be right?" Jane asked.
Maura thought of her response before kissing the detective. "I don't have to be. I just am," Maura quipped.
Groaning the detective finally got out of bed; dreading the confrontation with her mom.
The two women were sitting outside of Jane's childhood home. It was déjà vu. Jane was sitting in the driver's seat clenching the steering wheel so tight her knuckles were white. Maura wasn't meditating this time. She was too focused on Jane, knowing she had to calm her down. The doctor reached across gently grasping the detective's chin. She turned Jane's head so she could lean over giving her a gentle kiss.
Maura pulled away a breath's length. "The longer we wait the harder it'll be. I'll be by your side through the whole thing. I promise."
Jane smiled before giving the doctor one last kiss. "With you by my side I can fight a dragon."
Maura smiled at Jane's comment and they finally exited the vehicle. When they met at the other side of the car Jane took the doctor's hand in hers; leading the way to their impending doom. They reached the door, and Jane took one more deep breath before opening the door.
"Ma, Pop" Jane yelled just like last time.
Angela Rizzoli was in the kitchen. It was starting to freak Maura out how much this day was going like last time. Then again Jane's mother had always been a woman of routine. Even though she had tried to change it recently there were certain things that will never change. Such as Sunday dinner, and having only Jane help her. The boys were always off doing who knows what.
"Look who decided to grace us with her presence?" Jane's mother said sarcastically.
Jane turned around at the comment. Normally when her mother made comments Jane had let it roll off her shoulder. But ever since that Sunday anything her mother said was just another jab at her imperfection. Maura grasped Jane's shoulders turning her back around.
"You know me Ma," Jane said going over to give her mother a kiss on the cheek.
"I see you brought Maura again."
"Hello Mrs. Rizzoli. Nice to see you again," Maua said on the other side of the kitchen.
"Maura you're practically family. Call me Angela," the older woman responded, walking over giving Maura a small hug.
Maura smiled over Angela's shoulder over at her girlfriend. Jane had a look on her face that was a mix between confusion and fear.
"You ok Ma?" Jane asked watching the encounter.
"Yea I'm fine Jane. Though it would've been nice if you told me you were bringing Maura again. I'd like to make sure I have enough for dinna."
Jane rolled her eyes. "Ma you always have enough and then some for us to have leftovers for a week."
"That's not the point. You know betta."
"Would it have made a difference if I brought a guy home for dinner?"
Jane's mother took a second to think about the answer. Jane clenched her jaw, trying to keep herself from yelling Maura was her girlfriend at that moment.
"Maybe… I don't know. Bring home a guy and we'll find out," she finally suggested.
Jane opened her mouth to retaliate but Maura intervened. Quickly moving over to her girlfriend, "Jane why don't you go see where Frankie is?"
Jane looked at her girlfriend reading her eyes. "You'd have to check with Ma. I'm supposed to help with dinner."
"I'm more than capable to take your place. Now go…" Maura leaned up to Jane's ear whispering. "Before you say something you're going to regret."
Jane nodded and went towards the backyard. She heard her brother and father arguing over who knows what.
Maura took Jane's place in the kitchen. "What do you need me to do Mrs. –" Angela shot Maura a threatening look. "I mean Angela."
The woman's demeanor softened when she was acknowledged by her first name. "Like last time Maura. You can chop."
Maura took her place and began chopping vegetables like a professional chef.
"So Maura how are things with your cop boyfriend?"
Maura shifted her weight, "Things are going really well."
"I'm not convinced," Angela remarked noticing the doctor shifty behavior.
"Well maybe this will convince you," Maura replied lifting her necklace up so the older woman could look at it.
Angela walked over placing her hand behind the charm. "That's beautiful. Was your birthday recently?"
"No."
"Anniversary?"
Maura calculated the length of time Jane and she had been dating. "No"
"What he do?"
"Excuse me"
"When men buy expensive gifts they either did something wrong and are in the dog house. Or want something. So what did he do or want?"
"Nothing just gave it to me, and then asked to move in together."
"Ha, he wants to move into your house. Sound like a bum, let me guess he lives in a small apartment."
"No. And yes the person I'm dating currently live in an apartment but that's their preference," Maura fumbled trying to find the correct pronoun. She didn't want to say she and start suspicion. She didn't want to say he coz that was a lie. "The person I'm dating likes the simple things. We're actually going to find a place that compliments both of our needs and wants"
Angela was going to ask more when Jane came back into the kitchen. She was calmer. She and Frankie played a little softball. Hitting the ball had a soothing effect on the detective. It allowed her to get her frustration out without getting sweaty.
"Hey," Jane said when the women got quiet "You two ok?"
"Yes." Angela replied. "Dinna!" She yelled.
"Jeeze Ma we're right here."
Angela didn't say anything and brought the meal into the dining room.
"You ok?" Jane whispered to the doctor.
"Yes. Your mother was interrogating me about the police officer I'm dating. Seems like she's trying to find a flaw"
"Oh yea? What did you say?"
Maura didn't get to answer with the Rizzoli boys coming in from the back.
"Hey Maura," Frankie said heading to the sink.
"Hello Frankie. Mr. Rizzoli" Maura replied to the two men.
Jane motioned for her girlfriend to follow her. Jane went into the bathroom to wash her hands before joining her family in the dining room. Jane also needed a moment with her love.
"So what makes you think Ma is looking for flaws?"
"She asked me how things were going. So I showed her the necklace you got me, and told her we were planning on moving in together. Don't worry I didn't tell her with whom. But she had an excuse for both. First was you had a reason that you gave me the necklace, and then you were a bum."
Jane was laughing at her girlfriend.
"What?" Maura asked confused.
Jane placed the towel back on the wrack before responding. "She's not trying to look for the flaws. She was manipulating you. She said the worst answer to make you say the truth. It makes the good sound so much better. Now if what she was saying true she'd take great pleasure in pointing out that she was right. She does it to me and Frankie all the time."
"That's just…" Maura couldn't finish the thought. She was angry the older woman manipulated her.
"Wrong. I know. But that's Ma. And guarantee when we go out there she is going to go on and on about the cop you're dating. She'll use it to try and convince me to find a nice guy like you."
Maura wrapped her arms around the detective's neck. "So in a sense she'd be praising you."
Jane placed her hands on the doctor's hips before placing a chaste kiss on her lips. "This is true. We better get out there before she gets suspicious."
The two women exited the bathroom and headed to the dining room.
"I was wondering where you two were," Angela said at the head of the table.
"We were getting washed up," Jane said taking her usual spot next to her father. Jane motioned for Maura to sit next to her.
The doctor took her seat between the two Rizzoli women.
"So Jane, Maura was telling me about the cop she is dating," Mrs. Rizzoli said once the girls were seated.
"Oh?" Jane replied, fighting a smirk.
Frankie choked on the water he had been drinking. Angela shot her son a look but didn't say anything.
"Yes. I'm sure you saw the beautiful necklace he got her."
Jane leaned forward to get a look at Maura's necklace. The doctor played along and allowed Jane to get a closer look at the necklace that she bought.
"It's very nice. Looks expensive"
"When did you get that Maura?" Frankie asked across the table.
"About a week ago," the doctor replied.
"It looks good on you," the youngest Rizzoli remarked.
"Thank you Frankie."
"It seems like they're getting pretty serious," Angela chimed in.
"Really? Do tell," Jane said trying to keep from sounding too sarcastic.
"Yes. This boy has asked Maura to move in together."
"Congratulations Maura," Frankie said across the table. He also gave his sister a little wink.
"Sounds like Maura found a keeper," his mother said more towards her daughter.
Jane looked at Maura telling her this was it with her eyes. "You know Ma, it sounds like you like the person Maura is dating."
"Well I was skeptic at first. Seeing as he wanted to keep the relationship a secret. But after talking with Maura and hearing a little more about him. I've come to like him, he's a secret romantic."
"Do you know who he is?" Jane asked her mother.
Angela Rizzoli opened her mouth to answer, but closed it again. She turned her attention to the guest at their table. "Maura you never told me his name."
"No I haven't," Maura replied.
"And why is that?"
"You didn't ask."
"Well I'm asking now. Who is this wonderful man you are dating?"
Maura opened her mouth then closed it. She wanted to say Jane, but it wasn't her secret to tell. Jane watched her girlfriend's face. Rarely has Maura ever been left speechless by a question. Jane took her cue and decided to put her girlfriend and mother out of their misery.
"It's me Ma," Jane said. She watched her mother's face of confusion. "I'm Mr. Wonderful. Well actually more like Miss Wonderful."
Maura turned her attention to her girlfriend. She reached for Jane's hand giving it a squeeze. Frankie was covering his mouth with his hand; trying to cover up his laughter.
"What?" Mrs. Rizzoli asked.
"Did I stutter?" Jane asked her girlfriend. "I'm dating Maura. We're girlfriends, lovers, lesbians. I bought her the necklace. I asked her to move in together."
"How long have you two been together?" Angela finally asked.
"About seven weeks," Maura answered. She had already done the calculations earlier in the kitchen.
"Seven weeks," Mrs. Rizzoli whispered. "You kept this from us for seven weeks." She turned her attention to her husband. "Did you know?"
Frank shook his head.
"What about you?" She asked shoving her laughing son.
"What? Sorry I found out through the grapevine at work," Frankie replied.
Jane was shaking her head frantically at her brother. But he wasn't looking at his sister.
"What? What do you mean through work? You mean to tell me that we're the last to know."
Jane nodded slowly at the comment.
"This can't be happening."
"What can't be happening? That you were the last to know or the fact your daughter is gay," Jane asked.
"Both."
Jane sprang to her feet, "What did you expect? After last time and making your opinions clear on gays. Of course you'd be the last to know. I still didn't want to tell you, but you're still my mother. As much as you drive me insane sometimes I still love you. I love both of you. So I gave you the respect of telling you to your face. And you'll need to get use to the fact I'm gay Ma, because it's not going to change. Maura is the one." Jane turned her attention to her father. "Do you have anything to say Pop?"
"Yea Frank you have anything to say?" his wife asked.
Mr. Rizzoli didn't say anything. He stood up and walked over to Maura. He extended his hand for the doctor to take. She furrowed her brow at the gesture before taking his hand. He helped her stand and grasped her shoulders. Kissing each cheek he said, "Welcome to the family."
Jane moved over to her father giving him a hug. He kissed the top of his daughter's head. Angela was red in the face. She stood alone in her views. Angela Rizzoli did the only thing she could think of doing. She turned and left, leaving her family and their Kodak moment.