"Hey, guys! Where's my niece?" Was the response Jane and Maura recieved when they answered their ringing doorbell.
"Why hello, Kailin. We're just fine and dandy! Yourself? What's new in your world?" Jane's words dripped with false cheer.
"Though we could've used a little less sarcasm, Jane does have a point there. It is customary to greet the person or persons you are visiting before launching into your own personal inquiries and interests." Maura admonished her little sister, unable to forget her knowledge of formal social etiquette.
"I'm sorry, guys. Really." Kailin said, slightly shame-faced.
However, before she could fully feel bad about her behavior, she heard the stirrings of her niece and was overcome with enthusiasm once more.
"Awsh...can you really blame me, though?" Kailin followed up, took leave from the Jane and Maura, and set out in search of Sophia Rose.
Jane looked to Maura and shrugged, happy she at least got an apology out of the young woman. Maura was less than impressed but let it go. Both agreed however, that Sophia did ellicit strong emotions from the adults that surrounded her.
Overall, Sophia Rose had a strong community of people that would bend over backwards to see that she never suffered nor wanted for anything.
Kailin caught the sounds of cooing and a low jingling coming from the living room area and followed them in the hopes she would be led to her adorable niece.
Kailin was successful in her hunt for Sophia Rose when she found her laying on the plush, carpeted floor with an infant floor mat/mobile. Sophia Rose was in mid-reach for the colorful and crunchy sounding butterfly which, brought her the most joy.
"Finally! I found you, Little One! Let Auntie Kailin have a good look at you." The enthusiastic college student lifted the baby from her position, careful not to bump her head on any of the mobile's pieces.
Kailin took stock of the tiny creature tucked into her right arm. Only, this time she could make out many differences. For one, the dark patch of curls atop her head appeared to have become fuller. Her skin a bit clearer and she was sure the child's head hadn't quite reached the crease of her elbow when she last saw her about a month ago, a couple of weeks after she had made it home from the hospital.
"You grew, Sophia Rose! And, without my permission! However should I punish you?" Kailin remarked with mock affrontery.
"I know!" She shot her left index finger through the air and left a barrage of kisses on the infant's cheeks, head, hands, basically any uncovered skin.
Sophia Rose was compliant. If fact, Kailin felt the tiny girl nuzzle her cheek in response. 'What a magical feeling,' she thought.
"Oh, my goodness! How do you ever put her down?" Kailin demanded.
"It's not without its challenges." Maura answered.
"You should ask Maura just how many times I've fallen asleep with her in my arms after feedings." Jane added.
Kailin looked to her sister. If anyone would have the exact numbers on that particular study, it'd be Maura.
Maura shook her head. "I stopped counting after 20. I concluded it was a steady enough trend."
Both Kailin and Jane caught each other's eyes and shared a laugh.
"Okay, so I know I sort of just stormed in demanding babies and, again, I'm sorry for my single-mindedness. However, I did have a reason for my visit other than spending time with Sophia Rose." Kailin broke the short silence that had fallen over them.
"Oh? Is there something you need?" Maura asked.
"Is it medical or cop related? Is someone bothering you?" Jane tagged on.
"No. No, none of that. I'm okay, really. I was simply wondering. And, there's no real rush but, it would be nice to know, so long as you guys have come to a decision., taking in all the contributing factors..."
"Just spit it out already."
Kailin had been cut off from her tangent by one of Boston's finest detectives.
"Have you picked godparents or Earth Mother, in my case, for Sophia Rose?" Kailin ultimately got out.
"Oh?" Maura replied, a little off guard.
"Oh..." Jane replied, a little relieved. She worried it was something more trying.
"We're sorry, Kailin. We haven't given the subject much thought." Maura confessed.
"It's not that we haven't given ANY thought. We actually had a pretty good discussion about it when you first brought it up. We've just been a tad overwhelmed since getting her home." Jane followed up. "You know, the trials and tribulations of being new parents? It really is like they portray it in the movies." She shrugged.
"I'm sure you realize you'll always be part of her family. You are her aunt, after all." Jane stated, though it sounded more like a question.
"I know, it's just I've been studying a lot of different religious and spiritual customs, and traditions, not to mention, the need to be socially conscious of the world at large. Plus, there's so much beauty out there that I want to make sure Sophia Rose gets exposed to."
"I'm not opposed to the idea of Sophia Rose being exposed to spiritual ideas. I've shared my views with Jane on the matter." Maura took a beat to check in with Jane by shooting her a questioning look. This was a habit she picked up early on in the pregnancy whenever someone would ask a question about the future of their child. Though they had become rather in tune with one another during their years of working together and friendship, it was the question of who the father was that would become the catalyst of the "check-in" look. Jane had felt how they came about having a child was private whereas, Maura took every opportunity to educate at large.
Not having any real objection other than informing her that she would still be baptized into the Catholic church, Jane nodded her agreement.
"Okay, Kailin. You're officially Earth Mother to Sophia Rose." Maura informed.
"I..." Kailin began but, was so overcome with excitement that she could only express herself with a strong embrace to her medical examiner sister.
"Ooomph." Maura was slightly winded from the show of emotion from her little sister.
"Thank you!" Kailin squealed and kissed Maura's cheek. She then switched to Jane and shared the same sentiment.
"You're very welcome. I know you'll do her proud." Jane imparted.
"She is going to be so green, self-sustaining and nature-loving you'd think she was raised by a troupe of Girl Scouts!" Kailin claimed.
"I'm sure she will." Maura responded with mirth.
"Well, I'd better get going. Gotta prepare. Goodbye, little Soph! I'll see you very soon!" Kailn took her leave, a stunned and amused doctor and detective left in her wake.
Jane and Maura came together, arms around each other's waists. They looked from the closed door to Sophia Rose.
"I'm very glad she's got such an attentive group watching out for her well being. "It takes a village" and all." Jane joked.
"Excellent use of an anthropological idea, Jane!" Maura congratulated her detective.
"Oh, you like that, do you?" Jane husked.
"What can I say?" Maura answered in her sultry bedroom voice while reaching both hands around Jane's back and caressing her in a north to south direction. "You know me."
"That I do." Janed winked her agreement.
"Waaaaa." A wail filled the living room.
In a instant, the flirty atmosphere was obliterated and attention was on the young girl.
"What's the matter sweetheart? Are you hungry? Need a diaper change?" Jane questioned.
As she took Sophia Rose into her arms, the problem became clear.
"Whoa! Sophia Rose!" Jane exclaimed while fanning the air directly in front of her nose.
"I'll change her." Maura offered.
"No, no. You changed her last. It's my turn. Equal responsibilities, remember?" Jane said.
"You are my honorable detective." Maura replied with a kiss to her girlfriend's cheek and a caress to their daughter's.
"I love you both more than I'd ever thought I could love anything." Jane spoke with a deep conviction.
"And I, you." Maura responded.
Maura walked behind Jane on the way to the baby's changing area on the first floor.
"How about I hand you the fresh diaper while you change out the soiled? We do work better as a team, after all."
"I accept your offer, Maur."
"Good. Because, I was going to help you regardless." Maura teased.
Jane simply shook her head, knowing she would always love being challenged by the woman.