Chapter Seven

"Shh, don't wake up the kids. No I didn't."

"Yes, you did, Joe. Vince gave you a newspaper article about Maura when she first returned to Boston but you didn't tell me. Caitlyn told me Vince gave you something today about 'Dr. Islands' as she called her but you denied it."

"I didn't lie to you, Jane. Vince didn't give me the article today. He gave it to me the day before he left on vacation. What Caitlyn saw tonight was me trying to give the article back to Vince. He wanted to keep it. I've had it all this time. And no, I had no intention of telling you Maura was back in town. By the way, Vince knew that."

Jane was beyond angry or furious. She didn't like being manipulated and felt Jeoy was extremely deceitful.

"If you showed me the article when he first gave it to you, I probably wouldn't have done anything at all. I might not even have tried to contact her. You should have been honest with me, Joey."

"Jane I found you parked outside of her house."

"Nothing happened, Joe. I didn't even go in."

"I know that. But I couldn't take that chance. I was afraid for my marriage, our children, and the love I have for you Jane."

Jane watched her husband's face for a moment. She knew that the love she felt for Joey died then. "If you love me, Joe, you wouldn't have kept the news from me. You should have told me and taken your chances."

"Doesn't matter anyway, does it Jane? Maura won't have anything to do with you now," Joey smugly smiled.

"It's a good thing, Joey Grant that I don't believe in domestic violence. Otherwise I'd smack that smile off your face for starters and keep on going." Jane turned and stalked out of the bedroom. She grabbed her keys and left. I can't stay in the same house with him tonight.

Maura left the meeting feeling victorious. The funding for the new year was in place and she was uplifted at the thought of all the wonderful projects the Isles Family Foundation was going to be able to fund through the next year. Projects here in Australia as well as in the United States, some projects that were pets of her father's were getting off the ground as Maura left the office.

The phone in her hotel room rang as she entered. Kicking off her heels Maura picked up the phone.

"Hi, Maura, how was your day?" Kelly asked.

"Kelly, a nice surprise. I just walked in the door."

"I know. I was passing by and stopped in the bar to have a drink. I saw you walk in so I thought I'd ring you for a drink." Maura thought for a moment. Her initial thought for the rest of the day was to soak in a bubble bath until the water ran cold, order a steak from room service and call it a day.

"That sounds nice, Kelly. Give me a minute to freshen up and I'll be down." Maura replaced the received and took out her earrings. She headed for a quick shower and change of clothes before returning to the lobby. Kelly waited just inside the bar area, standing up as Maura entered. She kissed Maura on the cheek and took her hand.

"I have a table over here. How was your day?" Kelly asked. Maura filled her in on the board meeting and sipped her wine as it was Kelly's turn to talk. Maura watched Kelly's face. Nice face, pretty but not gorgeous. Her children will do well, depending on who she marries. Maura took a deep breath. Could I marry Kelly?

Maura abruptly set her glass of wine down. She chastised herself for thinking this way, so soon. Maura knew she wanted to marry eventually, someday have children, but she was thinking prematurely about Kelly. They just started seriously seeing each other. The other time Maura was trying to make Jane jealous and Maura didn't pay a lot of attention to Kelly. Jane. Don't go there, Maura told herself. It's been eight years. Seeing Jane the other day brought back memories… Maura shook her head and looked across the table at Kelly. She smiled at the other woman and leaned forward to attempt to engage in the conversation.

Jane pulled up in front of her mother's house and sat for a moment before going inside. It's been awhile since I came running to Ma for advice, she thought. The last time…Jane stopped her train of thought before it could get going. Maura's face flashed before her eyes. Jane sighed. Yes, the last time was when I realized how in love I was with Maura. I freaked and tried to run. But Maura was patient, realizing I had to come to terms with my feelings for another woman. God, I wished I never let her go.

Jane wrenched the car door open with force and got out. Striding across the lawn she remembered her own childhood and how littered the front yard was with hers and Frankie's toys, and later, Tommy's. Pop always complained about how he had to dodge our toys and bicycles when he came home late. I always thought I'd have children one day, but with Maura and she'd be the one carrying them.

Angela threw open the door and hugged Jane. "Are you hungry? Your father just came home from a late plumbing job and I kept his dinner warm. There's enough for you, too."

Jane sat at the table with her father and ate in silence. When he finished Frank pushed his plate away and looked at his daughter. Jane was pushing the food around her plate, just like she did when she was little.

"Honey, what's wrong?" he asked gently. Jane shook her head and suddenly her eyes were filled with tears.

"Pop I think I made a big mistake," she choked out through her tears. Frank kneeled by Jane's chair and cradled his daughter.

"Is it Joey?"

"I don't love him, Pop. I don't think I ever did. I love Maura. I should have married her, not Joey." The tears came harder and Jane sobbed into her father's shoulder. Frank rubbed her back and let the tears run their course.

"Honey, life is hard enough without staying with someone out of a sense of obligation. You're the only one who can make the correct decision. Whatever you decide we're here for you."

Angela watched the scene from the kitchen doorway. "Your father's right, Janie. Whatever you decide, we're here for you, all of you, Maura included."

Jane dried her tears. "Thanks, Pop. Thanks, Ma."

"Your bed has fresh linens Janie, if you want to stay here." Jane headed upstairs after kissing both her parents good night.

Once again Maura found herself stuffed after another good meal. "I have to be at the church for the wedding tomorrow morning, so what time should I pick you up?"

"How about nine? Are you sure it's okay for me to be there, Kelly? I don't want to feel like I'm crashing a wedding."

"Is it okay, you ask? I told Kim all about you while she was running last minute errands. She said you're more than welcome, although I did tell her you were prettier than she is."

"Kelly Garrison! I'm shocked," Maura found herself laughing. "Thank you for the compliment but every bride is the most beautiful woman in the world on her wedding day. I hope you haven't given Kim a complex," Maura laughed once again.

"Are you ready to leave?" Kelly asked softly. Maura read the look on her face and stood, offering Kelly her hand. "Let's go," she said.

Jane kept staring at the bedside clock. She tossed and turned until the sheets were hopelessly tangled and she was no closer to sleep. I can't just leave Joey, I made a commitment to him. We have two beautiful children together. What about Angelo and Caitlyn? They'd have to be shuttled between two different homes, always packing and unpacking their stuff to spend time with whichever parent had them that week. I can't break up their world.

But on the other hand…Jane thought and stopped. She refused to think of Maura. I can't think of Maura right now. It's been too long. Even though she hasn't married I can't think she'd be waiting for me, waiting to pick up the pieces of what we had before. Jane felt a thrill shoot through her body as she thought of the possibility of reuniting with Maura. Squeezing her eyes shut she flipped over on her stomach and grabbed her pillow. Allowing the tears to come again she sobbed until she thought her heart would break.

TBC.