Ch. 3 pt 2

Jane and Maura had taken their stance, still holding hands but so close to each other's sides, no one took notice.

"Ma's right." Jane stated shakily but, she was going to get through this as if her life depended on it. And she could, knowing Maura was by her side. "Maura and I do have something planned and it's been a long time coming, if only, just recently implemented." Jane finished her bit.

As practiced, Maura added her portion. "Yes. Jane and I have cultivated a friendship, actually, the greatest friendship, if not the best relationship of any kind I've ever experienced. The last few years have been a testament to that and I like to think I have also gained you all as my friends and extended family as well?" She paused to look around the table and waited for acknowledgement. Everyone gave the sign that she was not wrong and permitted her to continue.

It was then that the cogs in Angela's mind had begun to turn. For one of the few times in her life, the Rizzoli matriarch wanted her suspicions to be confirmed before putting in her two cents.

With a deep sigh, Maura smiled and continued. "Good. We're all on the same page in that aspect. It is in that vain that what I am about to share with you all…"

Just then Jane added, "what we are sharing with you all."

"Right, what we are sharing with you. Jane and I have decided to take our friendship and progress it into one of a romantic nature." Maura released all her loving care and affection out and into her guests.

Jane took note of her mother's reaction first, followed by her brothers then, her partners. Maura did the same only in reverse so that she and Jane could look at each other and indicate if they needed to do damage control or prepare for acceptance and praise.

Looks of surprise were shared by each of the men at the table but none of disgust or anger. Neither Jane nor Maura could glean what Angela had been feeling. Unbeknownst to them, this was really the reaction they had both been the most worried about. Just then, both women wished they could've gone back in time and told Angela separately from the others.

No signs of response from any of the gentlemen, all eyes turned to the head of the table where Angela had been deep in concentration.

Worry coursing through Jane, she attempted to get some kind of reaction. "Ma. Is there anything you want to say?"

"Do you have any questions Angela? Do you need us to repeat anything?" Maura jumped in.

Angela lifter the napkin form her lap and wiped at the side of her mouth.

"No. I heard you perfectly fine."

"Well, do you have any questions?" Jane asked of her uncharacteristically quiet mother.

Angela took in the guests sitting around the table, none having the wherewithal to add any comments or questions until the head of the Rizzoli family had said her peace, before she looked to the newly confessed couple.

The silence was unsettling for all at the table. No one had ever experienced Angela rendered speechless.

Tommy thought to suggest they go catch the Sunday night football game. Frankie wanted to tell his mother the announcement was a good thing. Frost and Korsak just wanted to be free of the whole situation only, no one had the guts to do anything that might transfer Angela's attention away from the two women and onto them. So they all just waited.

Finally, Angela began to stir. "How long?" She queried.

"How long what, exactly?" Jane spoke.

"You say this was a long time coming. How long have you shared these feelings?" Angela returned with shortness.

"There really is no time table for how our feelings progressed…" Jane began before being cut of my Maura.

"The truth of the matter is, we both believe we've always had these feeling, we only just decided to act on them."

"When, exactly, did you act on them?" Angela demanded.

"After last week's Rizzoli Family Dinner." Jane stated, matter of fact.

"So, What you're saying is, my daughter who, not very long ago lost a child in a horrible job-related incident, from an engagement to a man she is no longer seeing, decided a week ago, that she was in love a woman whom, you have shared a close friendship with for the last several years?" Angela let out in a long winded tirade.

"Ma, if you have a problem with anything we just told you all, let it out now. But, be advised, it will have no effect on what we have become or how we will progress in the future." Jane warned her mother.

At Jane's effusion, Maura took hold of Jane's other hand so that could face each other and share her support with unspoken words.

"But how do you know this is what you truly want. You were so close to having it all with Casey. You had the proposal, the baby…" Angela began to lose her staunch platform when Jane interrupted.

"That's just it, Ma. I never had it with Casey. This," Jane lifts hers and Maura's intertwined fingers, "is all it takes. If I never marry her, or raise a child with her, this is all I'll ever need."

"The same goes for me, Angela. I've always thought social ineptness was to blame for my failed relationships or the flawed men I attracted. The truth was, none of them were meant for me. Jane is my everything. And if I were to not live another day, I could leave this life knowing I had at least been truly and incandescently happy this past week with Jane." Maura gave the most impassioned speech any member of the present company had ever witnessed from the woman.

There wasn't a dry eye in the place. Except for maybe Bass. But that was only because he saw this coming from day one.

Jane stared at her love, gave her a quick peck on the lips, went to her mother and grabbed her by the shoulders. "Ma, this is a good thing. I'm so happy. Isn't that all you ever wanted?"

"Yes." Angela sniffled. "I'm so sorry for questioning your feelings. You've just never been this open, I didn't know how to respond. But, I see now that you both love each other immensely. I guess…I always saw it. I just wanted you to have some semblance of the life I was raised to attain to. Maura, dear. Come here." Angela motion for Maura to join them.

"You've been a part of this family for so long, I guess this just took by such a surprise, I couldn't see past you being my daughter to see you with my daughter. Do you understand?"

"I do." Was all Maura could get out before she was scooped into a tight group hug between Jane, her love and her surrogate mother.

It was then, that everyone else decided the coast was clear to extend congratulations and praises. There were even confessions of prior knowledge that their coming together was inevitable.

Eventually, the table had been cleared, the guys had taken to the living room to catch that game wanted to suggest, and Jane and Maura found a moment to themselves.

"I knew it was going to be nice to have everyone know about us and not have to hide our feelings but, I never expected to feel so FREE!" Jane professed.

"I know what you mean. Some of the testimonials from people that had come out to their people described their coming out as a selfish experience. This must be why. I mean, it's nice that everyone knows. On the other hand, that only seems like the cherry on top because, I feel so good to not be holding anything back anymore."

"Aww, sweetie. You always know just what to say." Jane beamed at Maura and brought her in for one of many kisses they would share the rest of that Sunday.

A/N

Okay, people. That's pretty much it. I'm so glad and appreciative that so many of you have followed this story. The thing is, I'm not a writer by trade or aspiration. Plot, is not a strong suite for me. That being said, I hope I gave you all enough closure because I really have nowhere else to send this story. If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me a message. Perhaps, if you are specific/descriptive enough to illicit some inspiration, I could add another chapter or epilogue of some sort. Thanks again. Fanfic fans are just as important as the fanfic authors. Keep reading and supporting your favorite stories and authors.