Chapter Eighteen
Jane offered to assist Angela with the dishes and kitchen clean up. Angelo and Caitlyn were snuggled in Maura's guest bedroom. Jane knew they wouldn't last much longer; both children were tired out from their visit with Maura, Nonna and Nonna's excellent pasta.
Without much urging from Angela Jane filled in her mother on Joey's doings. Angela was surprised that her son-in-law could be so vindictive and said so. Jane looked at her mother for a moment, slowly wiping one of the last remaining dishes. Angela caught Jane's look.
"What? Is there more?" she asked. Jane nodded.
"He's having an affair, Ma. The children heard him talking to her several different evenings when I worked late."
Once again Angela unleased a tirade of comments about her son-in-law. Jane agreed with her mother's attitude and was glad Angela was on her side.
"This wouldn't happen if you didn't work late so much," Angela finished her tirade. Jane's mouth fell open in shock.
"Ma, really? This is my fault?" she croaked.
"I'm just saying, Janie, a husband needs his wife at home, that's all. The affair part I understand." Angela put her hands up in defense when she saw Jane's reaction.
"I'm not saying it's right, Jane, but you need to be home more often."
"What year is this, Ma? 1950? Gee, I think women have been in the workforce for a number of years now. I love my job, Ma."
"Yes, and she's good at it, Angela. I've never known a better detective than Jane," Maura's voice came from the doorway. Jane turned and winked at Maura.
"See, Ma? A doctor agrees with me."
"Yeah, Janie, a doctor you're in love with and who once loved you. I think she's prejudiced in your favor."
Jane chose to overlook her mother's past tense about Maura loving her and hoped Maura still loved her.
"There isn't any need to argue over it, anyway. In present circumstances I'm going to need to step up with my children anyway. I got so used to being able to rely on Joey taking care of them when a case came up. I'm not going to be able to do that from now on."
"I can help," Maura volunteered.
"Nonsense, Maura. I'm here. I can help Janie with the children and I know their uncle Frankie is planning on stepping in as well."
"I'm just saying, Angela, I am a viable alternative, if you need me, Jane."
"Thanks, Maura. I still can't believe how wonderful you're being about all of this. I was afraid to come here, tonight, Maura, knowing what I had to tell you."
"As long as you weren't planning on telling me you were leaving me again, Jane, you never need worry about anything you want to tell me."
Jane's eyes began to fill with tears again. "Fuck! Why do I cry so much these days?"
"Your emotions are running high, Jane. Forgive me for not going all wikipedia on you but you need some down time."
"She's right, Janie. Go sit on the sofa with Maura and enjoy a baseball game or whatever," Angela agreed. As soon as the kitchen clean-up was done she planned on returning to Maura's guest cottage and leave the two women alone.
The game over Maura went into the kitchen and took out a beer for Jane and poured herself a glass of wine. Her vision still somewhat impaired she poured the glass slowly, to make sure she didn't make a mess. She sensed Jane walk up behind her.
"I could have gotten us a drink, Maura. I'm not impaired."
"Neither am I, Jane."
They returned to the sofa and sat together, just like they used to.
"This seems familiar," Maura spoke first.
"It does, doesn't it?" Jane smiled.
"They're wonderful, you know, Angelo and Caitlyn."
"Thanks, I think so, but I am their mother."
"They're you."
"You think? Until now I wanted Angelo to be like Joey. Now I'm not so sure."
"Angelo seems strong. I think he'll grow up to be his own man."
"I'd very much like for you to be in his life, Maura. He needs someone like you."
"Like me? A socially awkward doctor who preferred dead people to the living? Aw, Jane, that's such a compliment," Maura laughed and Jane joined in.
"You know what I mean. You're beautiful inside and out, Maura. Angelo has a lot of flawed people in his life, starting with his parents."
"No, Jane, you're not flawed," Maura whispered. She moved closer to Jane. Jane didn't dare move. Maura brought her hand up to caress Jane's cheek. She leaned in and brushed a light kiss across Jane's lips.
Jane leaned forward and pulled Maura into her lap. Their lips met in a heated kiss, Jane's hands holding Maura, Maura's hands running through Jane's flowing hair.
"You're perfect."
TBC You like? ;)