Ch. 9
Maura Jane a worried look. No words necessary. She knew Jane, perpetual savior would save her from having to attempt a lie.
Jane had wondered when would be the best time to let her mother know they were going try and make a baby together. Seeing Maura in that moment of hesitation, confirmed her feeling that this wasn't it.
Jane began evasive maneuvers immediately.
"We had a terrible case this week. A child. On the surface, there was no evidence of abuse in the home. I thought I was gonna lose it. But, when we received information they hadn't lived in Boston very long, we did some background and it turns out the parents had a few reports from neighbors in their old community."
Maura had relaxed enough to add her own bit to the story Jane had so eloquently delivered.
"Yes. When we received records from the local hospital of their previous residence, I was able to compare old wounds with the fresh ones. They had been careful to only perform abuse in areas not covered in an initial autopsy. And Jane, was able to push the squeeze." Maura added for some flair.
Mother and daughter shared an amused smile and head shake.
"It's 'put' the squeeze, hon. But that was a so close!" Jane was truly excited for her girlfriend. She showed her excitement with a quick peck to Maura's cheek which filled the doctor with warmth and love.
The rest of the evening went without much struggle to keep the conversation from Jane and Maura as a couple. This miracle was achieved only at the expense of the two Rizzoli boys. Jane had sprinkled some seeds of hope that they were hiding some juicy secrets from the their mother. This kept Angela busy for hours until Jane commenced with some slightly exaggerated yawning.
Jane and Maura bid their chef thanks and wishes for a goodnight.
The detective shut the door with her back and let her head hang in exhaustion. Maura took refuge in the crook of Jane's neck.
"Thank you so much, Jane. I don't know how I would've gotten though that without you." Maura thanked.
"Lucky for you, you'll never have to know. I will always be here for you. Even if it's my Ma." Jane hugged Maura, tightly.
"But…we should have a plan for when and how we're going to tell the family." Jane surmised.
"I agree. Vehemently!" Maura said.
Jane removed one hand from Maura's waist to reach back and lock the door so she could usher Maura to the bedroom.
"I assume you have some ideas about how we can share the news?" Jane questioned.
"I'd say that's a pretty safe assumption." Maura offered. She walked around with Jane, holding hands as she locked up the rest of the house.
"Do you care to share them with me?" Jane pondered aloud.
"Not just yet. I'm enjoying the quiet of the house and holding your hand. I never felt so fulfilled performing such simple task before. Having a partner to do them with makes all the difference in the world, wouldn't you agree, Jane?"
Jane looked as if the question were a tough one but quickly nodded her confirmation when their twinkling eyes met.
The couple crawled into bed once showered, moisturized, and dressed in their night clothes.
The perfect cuddle position had been discovered in record time. Sighs of relief from both Jane and Maura indicated they had reached optimal comfort and were ready to engage in discussion.
"How soon is too soon to start telling people?" Jane started.
"Well, I suppose that would depend on the parameters for how you judge 'too soon.'" Maura ever so critically, qualified before she could give the most succinct and efficient response.
"What I mean is, isn't there some kind of common wisdom amongst pregnant women that says it's safe to tell people because the chances of miscarrying diminish severely or something like that?" Jane added.
"Indeed! For good reason, too. Upwards of twenty percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriages. Eighty percent of those miscarriages occur before the twelve month mark. The twelve month mark also marks the end of the first trimester." Maura explained.
Jane stared in near disbelief. She hadn't made it to the end of her first trimester. This new information left her wondering.
Even if I had covered myself in bubble wrap, would I still have miscarried?
Maura noticed she had lost Jane to her thoughts. She knew this because Jane rarely passed up the opportunity to remark on her ability spew facts like a "walking and talking encyclopedia." A phrase she often heard Jane use with her.
"What's the matter, sweetie? Did I upset you? I suppose miscarriages are not the best subject for pillow banter." Maura said.
"No. No, not at all. Actually, you've made feel more at ease with what I had experienced. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's a horribly terrible statistic but, it also makes me feel connected. Connected to people that know what I felt. Still feel at times. I never knew just how common it was." Jane admitted.
Maura began to speak with a look of complete surprise and sympathy. "Jane…I really wish you would've said you were feeling alone and disconnected. I'm here for you. You're family and friends are here for as well. We could've found a group of women who have experience…"
"Maur…Maur…Maura!" Jane interrupted. Thus, bringing Maura up short.
"A, you know I wouldn't have gone to a group meeting and b, I know you wer…are here for me. Especially in this moment we're having right now." Jane soothed.
To Jane, Maura appeared to have relaxed slightly and she decided to drive the nail home with these words. "What do want to be called? Mom? Momma? Mother? Eh…mother is a tad too formal but, if that's what want…"
As Jane suspected, Maura released her remaining apprehension and lit up at the thought of being called mom or some other permutation of the title. The night went on in this fashion until both women fell asleep.