CGHCO Ch. 16
"Mother!" Maura exclaimed. Constance Isles was just about the last person she expected to walk through that door, though probably the most desired.
Jane squeezed Maura tightly into her embrace as her tension rose in accordance with the surprise visitor. This helped ease some of the shock her beloved was experiencing.
"I know visiting hours have just ended but I was able to convince the nurse to allow me a bit of time." The elder Isles explained though, no remorse was expressed verbally or even visually. That just wasn't her way.
Maura nodded her acceptance of the poorly attempted apology. Jane was not as forgiving. Not believing it WAS an actual apology at all.
"I see you got my message." Jane said curtly.
"I did. Thank you for keeping me aprised of the situation. It's not everyday one becomes a grandparent. I'm just glad I was in town today." Constance replied.
"Oh, I didn't get a notice from your assistant." Maura stated, surprised by the information. She would like to believe that the news of her mother being in town would've reached her. But, she stopped feeling like she was a top priority in Constance Isles's life, long ago. Yet, she felt a spark just at the idea that her mother was about to meet her child.
"I was only here for the day. I was here for the gallery opening of one of my latest projects. She posseses a skill for the art of portaiture the likes of which have not been seen for quite some time. You would enjoy her work, Maura. I'll procure you one of her pieces. A welcome-to-the-world gift for your offspring to inherit one day." It was a bit of a let down that the possible lone reason for her mother's appearance at the birth of her daughter was merely a matter of good timing however, Maura was still glad for the chance meeting for the two.
"So, do I get to meet my grand-son or daughter?" Constance Isles inquired.
Maura motioned for her mother to come over to her side of the bed from her spot directly behind the foot of it.
"Mother, I'd like you to meet Sophia Rose Rizzoli-Isles." Maura made the graceful exchange of Sophia Rose from her to her mother's arms.
Curious eyes were the main feature of one Constance Isles as she took in her granddaughter for the first time. Any outsider would've seen just another new grandmother however, to Maura and Jane, they could've never expected the complete and total breakdown they had witnessed from this "high society" woman. A woman that made sure Maura took etiquette lessons until she was fifteen and understood one was to never lose their collected facade in public. That crying or a prolonged bout of laughter were unbecoming of a lady. With all that in mind, wide, sparkling eyes, an ear-to-ear grin, and a kiss placed atop the curl-riddled head of Sophia Rose, were a sight Jane and Maura would carry with them forever.
Constance let out the slightest gasp at the sight of Sophia quirking up the left side of her mouth into a half smile. It was at that moment she realized how much emotion she had let show. In light of this revelation, the elder Isles, gently and, somewhat hesitantly, handed back the baby to her daughter.
"I am so sorry for my little outburst. It is quite late. I'm going to head back to airport and hope I can make my flight." Constance detailed as she straightened out her emmaculate dress.
"It's quite alright to let your emotions spill out sometimes, mother. Especially during such an occasion. You just met your first grandchild." Maura tried to assuage her mother.
Much to Maura's disappointment, the elder shook her head in dissent. Stoic face plastered for the world to see.
"Thank you for coming. We're glad you were able to meet her." Jane chimed in, hoping to alleviate some of the growing tension after having witnessed such a tender moment.
This seemed to work when Constance's features softened and replied, "she's quite lovely. You two have done a marvelous job bringing this life into the world. I'll be returning as soon as possible." With that, Constance Isles was gone. Leaving both women in awe.
"I've never seen her like that!" "Our daughter has magical powers!"
The two women exclaimed at the same time, at which, they proceeded to laugh and coo at their beloved little one for a solid five minutes before being able to deliver a coherent sentence.
"Barring some sort of post-partem hallucination disorder I've never heard of, I can't account for my state of disbelief that what just happened, actually happened." Maura confessed.
"Maur, hon, it's our baby. She's got some special gift of breaking down the strongest of the strong. You just stood up to your mother, called her out for not informing you of her presence in town and all after her break down just at the sight of her. She brought Frankie to tears and, were she to ask, I'm sure I would kill for her and have you help me cover it up." Jane reasoned.
"And, in less than 24 of her first hours in this world. I can hardly wait to see what tomorrow brings." Maura pondered aloud.
"Do you really think she'll come back, soon." Jane asked.
"My mother doesn't make empty promises." Maura answered.
"Awwwohhhmygosh!" Was the loud and enthusiastic response from Cailin, the newly acquainted, biological, sister of Maura. Dr. Hope Martin, Maura and Cailin's biological mother, was also in attendence.
Maura and Jane could only marvel at the progress they had made at melding the three families. Many meals had been shared since Cailin accepted Maura's medical offering of a kidney after contracting a life threatening disease traveling abroad.
"Can I hold her?" Cailin requested, once her voice normalized.
Maura looked to Hope, giving her the opportunity to have first dibs as grandmother.
"Go ahead, darling. I can wait." Hope assured.
Cailin thanked her with a huge smile and stood in a position ready to receive her niece.
"She is so tiny." Cailin whispered, worried she would disturb the child from her deep slumber. "These curls. Her bitty little fingers..." She trailed off, lost in the wonderment of how much love and affection could be drawn out of such a small creature.
"It's still something we're trying to get used to as well." Jane said. Sharing the knowledge that she wasn't alone in her overwhelmed sensation.
"Listen, I know you all have plenty of people, probably much more qualified to the task but, if you're looking for a godmother type of person, I'm up to it." Cailin offered.
It was apparent to the couple that this had been something she really wanted and, most likely, gave a lot of thought to.
"I didn't know you were religious. Where do you go church?" Jane responded.
At this, Cailin gave a sheepish grin. "I'm not, really. Maybe I could be more of an Earth-mother. Someone that teaches her to be green and appreciate the world that is tangible."
"We appreciate you candor and offer, Cailin. We'll get back to you on that, is that okay?" Maura supplied.
"Oh, of course. I did just kind of spring it on you, there." Cailin spoke with a slight huff. Most likely from the breath she had been holding in anticipation. Upon the acceptance of her offer, Cailin felt this was the best time to hand over the baby to her mother.
Hope took Sophia Rose with the gentilest of hands. No wondering where Maura had gotten her skilled workmanship from.
Just as she settled into a chair with her, Sophia Rose began to blink her eyes open ever so slightly. Hope was taken aback at the sight of the child's eyes.
"Maura, Jane, you did a phenomenal job in choosing a donor and following through on the birth plan. She is absolutely perfect. And, these eyes, they are so similar to the way yours looked when I held you for the first time. I mean..." It was at that point, Hope had been reduced to a blubbering mess, the likes of which could be matched only by the Rizzoli matriarch.
Hope and Cailin stayed around for a couple of hours, trading the baby back and forth between each other. Of course, there was a feeding and a diaper change throughout the visit but, all in all, the four women looked ever the natural family.
A/N There are a few more meetings for Sophia Rose, I'd say sorry if it feels like it's dragging out however, I'm really not. I just need it to be this way.
Points to you, if you know where Cailin's alternative to a godmother comes from.
Hope everyone is enjoying their spring. The last two days have absolutely perfect!