Ch 11 pt 3

It was a little after noon when Jane and Maura finished up with Susie and Jess. To Jess's surprise, she was extended an invitation to the baby shower and promised they would see her there.

Maura and Jane entered the elevator to head back down to the car. Before they could reach the ground floor, Maura snapped Jane into a tight embrace. "Thank you, Jane. This was such a sweet surprise! But, I can't believe you let me think we just left without so much as an inkling of a plan. How did Angela manage to keep it to herself?"

"Well..." Jane started. "This wasn't exactly a for sure plan. Susie proposed it as an option. I wanted to do it another day but, since she and Jess were doing it today anyway, I left it as an option. And when Ma barged in on us this morning, I decided, 'why not?'"

Maura looked at Jane in astonishment. She knew Jane. She knew she wouldn't have had such a perfect morning with so little effort as Jane was trying to pass off.

The couple had reached the car. Just as Jane was about to open the door, Maura, once again, pulled her Jane as closely as she could to herself and whispered, "you're perfect."

Jane shivered at the feeling Maura's sweet words induced and she began to shake her head in disagreement.

"No, sweetheart. You are the perfect one. Everything I do, and all that I will ever do, is either for you or because of you." Jane declared.

Not to be outdone and before the tears could start again, Maura replied. "The same goes for me. I'll even raise you a person. Or at least a smaller version of you." She looked down at her stomach and Jane followed with her hands on both sides of Maura's distended stomach.

"As usual, I stand corrected, Dr. Isles." Jane conceded.

"Listen, I know we've gone about our relationship in a very quick fashion. For the average person, it may seem strange; only romantically dating for a short time then, deciding to make a family together. But, we're not the average couple. Hell, you're so far above the average person, there should be a different scale to quantify your extraordinariness...that might not be an actual word but, that's what I mean! There needs to be a whole new dictionary to describe the wonder and beauty and greatness with which you have possesed me."

Jane could see Maura's eyes sparkling from the tears that had built up. She could also feel her own eyes begin to burn from holding back her own but, she knew she had to keep them at bay just a little bit longer so that she could continue her speech.

"It is." Maura softly stated.

"Hmm? What is what, Maur?"

"Extraordinariness. Webster's included it into its 1913 dictionary series. And I love your use of the word. Your extraordinariness is quite ineffable, as well." Maura began to smolder. Discussing grammar with Jane seemed to be inducing a fire in the pit of her stomach.

Before she could let her imagination run away with her, Maura took in her surroundings.

"Jane. What are we doing here? We really should be getting back home to help with preparations."

Jane had unconsciously driven her way to Boston Common. She remembered how well their first date there went and decided why not end their little adventure there.

Jane and Maura made their way from the car and down the path toward their favorite spot, the gazebo where they danced.

Jane slid her hand into her pocket as she led Maura to one of the four benches in the gazebo. She sat down next to the woman that would soon be bearing her very own child, wrapped her right arm around Maura's waist and bestowed a thin, leather-clad box with her left.

Maura touched the top of the box ever so slightly with just the tip of her curled index finger. "Jane! You've done so much for me already. This is too much!" She exclaimed and swiped at her eyes with the back her hand to rid them of some of the moisture that had accumulated.

"I could probably spend a hundred years trying to display how much I love and care for you and it still wouldn't be enough. Will you please accept this gift?" Jane asked as she shook the box for emphasis.

"Oh, alright." Maura caved in and gently took the box into her own hands. A smile creeped onto her face as she began to manipulate the box's lid.

Inside, a sparkle caught Maura's attention. It was at the center of a yellow gold necklace. When she tugged at the shiny stone she suddenly became aware that there was more to it. The diamond was attached to a ring. Maura gasped.

"It's not what you think." Jane assured.

Maura released her intake of breath with relief and a tinge of disappointment. Sure, she had thought about it. Getting married. But, with all they were going through with the pregnancy, she had moved it to the back of her mind.

"Well, it looks an awful like what I think it is." Maura countered.

"It's a promise ring. It belonged to my nonna. Ma gave it to me when I became pregnant. She wanted me to pass it on to the next generation of Rizollis." Jane explained.

"It is lovely, Jane." Maura simpered as she let the gold chain settle against the back of her hand and admired the ring with the tips of her fingers.

"I'm glad you like it. And don't get me wrong. I have thought about proposing. I just wanted to show you my love and dedication to you without all of the pomp and circumstance that comes with a marriage proposal. Not to mention, there's something else that has occupied our attention." Jane rubbed the center-most part of Maura's pregnant belly.

Maura covered Jane's hand with her own as they dreamed about meeting the newest addition to their growing family.

"It truly is perfect. Just like you. I couldn't think of a better way to depict where we are." Maura finished the conversation with a passionate kiss.

Less than a day later than I wanted to get this part out...not too bad, I think.