Jane was sitting at her desk a little out of sorts. She and Maura had talked every day. It had become a routine almost. But Maura was in the final process of moving to her new place so their conversations were short or not at all over the last two days.
Sighing she shut the case file, too distracted to focus. She sat back in her chair and closed her eyes.
"Hey Jane. Did you hear? The new M.E is here. Me and Korsak are heading down to meet them. You wanna come?" Frost asked, bumping Jane's chair with his foot.
Jane lifted her head and peered at her partner.
"Nah. I think I'll pass. It's probably another incompetent ass or know it all that doesn't take advice or suggestions from women."
Korsak laughed. "Ah, leave her be Frost, she's just lovesick."
Jane shot forward in her chair and pointed at Korsak. "I am NOT lovesick. You both suck you know that?"
Frost and Korsak laughed. Jane rolled her eyes.
"Are you two boneheads coming to Ma's for dinner tonight? She wants me to get an accurate count."
"I'll be there. Would never miss Angela's cooking."
"Yeah, like you've ever missed a meal." Frost remarked looking over at Korsak before looking back at Jane. "We'll be there Jane."
"Alright, I'll let her know." Jane said, pulling out her phone to text her ma. She was aware that both men were still standing there.
"Uh, aren't you two supposed to be meeting someone? Why are you still standing there staring at me?" She said looking up from her phone.
"Oh, uh, right. Yeah. Come on Korsak."
Jane shook her head. "How do I ever get work done with those two?" She said to herself deciding to look over their case once more.
Jane was actually on time for the family dinner. Frankie arrived with his new girlfriend which he regretted almost immediately when their ma started asking questions about babies and marriage.
Frost, Korsak and Tommy all arrived shortly after.
Jane couldn't help but take notice in the way Korsak offered to help with just about everything. She was starting to wonder if he had a thing for her ma.
After a full stomach and an evening filled with laughter. Jane, Frankie and Frost headed to the Dirty Robber for a few drinks, leaving Korsak behind but only because he insisted.
Jane had just made it to the bar to order another round when her cell rang. She almost missed it over the noise of the bar patrons.
"Hey Maur," Jane answered, plugging her other ear to hear better.
"Hey. Are you out? I can call you back later."
"N, no, just, can you hang on one second?"
"Sure."
Jane paid for the beers and ushered them over to the table where Frankie and Frost were sitting.
"Here, take these. I gotta step outside for just a minute." Jane didn't say anything else as she moved her way past everyone. Stepping out onto the quiet sidewalk she sighed.
"Hello? Maur? Are you still there?"
Maura chuckled. "I'm still here."
Jane smiled, "How's moving going? Did you get settled in okay?"
"Oh, yeah. I just have a few more boxes to unpack and then I will be fully settled."
"That's great Maur. Hey, um, I was thinking." Jane says as she leans against the brick wall.
"Oh? Are you going to tell me or do I have to guess?" Maura remarked with a slight laugh.
"Well, I, uh was wondering if you would like for me to come see you. I know we're still working on things but I still…."
"Hey Janie, something's going on at your apartment." Frankie remarked coming out of the bar, interrupting what she was about to say.
"What'd you mean something's going on at my apartment?"
"Izzy just called, said she went over to drop something off and there's water all over the kitchen. Something about a busted pipe."
Jane groaned and stomped her feet. "God, why does this keep happening to me?" She whined before turning her attention back to her call.
"Maur…."
"It's alright Jane. There will be plenty of time to talk later. Go, before you flood your neighbors." Maura said with a laugh.
They quickly said their goodbyes as Jane headed for her car. Making it home in record time, she took the stairs two at a time until making it to her front door.
She stopped in her tracks when she noticed her red sox bag she had lost on her trip to Paris. She had sworn she would never see it again.
"What the hell?" She muttered out loud as she picked up the bag. "It's definitely mine but what is it doing here? Focus Jane!" She said to herself, remembering why she was home to begin with.
Turning the doorknob Jane stepped into her apartment and dropped the bag by the door. "Izzy? You here?"
"Yeah! I'm in the kitchen! You better grab some towels and get in here, there's water everywhere and I can't stop it!" Izzy shouted back.
Jane quickly went running to her bathroom and grabbed every towel she could find before making a mad dash into the kitchen.
"Here, I grabbed all the towels I could find." Jane remarked coming to a stop next to Izzy. It was at this second, she realized Izzy was standing and smiling. Not only that but she didn't hear any water.
She followed Izzy's eyes across the room.
"Maura?"
"Hi," Maura said softly with a smile.
"Wha, h, h?" Jane couldn't seem to make words as she looked from Maura back to Izzy.
"How, is the word I think you're looking for. Let's just say that with the help from a few people."
"Frankie and Frost?" Jane asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Mhm, by the way don't think she didn't notice your absence in the morgue today."
Jane's eyes grew wide. "Wait! You're the new M.E?" She said, looking over at Maura.
Maura nodded.
"How did I not know the new ME was a woman? Or you for that matter?" Jane stood flabbergasted for a moment before she had another thought.
"Ma and Korsak were in on this too, weren't they? That's why ma had an impromptu family dinner tonight, that's also why Korsak didn't push for me to meet you." She said looking at Maura.
"It was actually Angela's idea." Maura remarked, her nerves finally allowing her to speak.
"Wait, you've met my ma? Jane asked before looking at Izzy. "You let her meet ma?"
"Maybe?"
Jane groaned loudly.
"It's okay, she didn't bring up babies and marriage…immediately."
Again, Jane groaned and looked at Maura. "I'm sorry you had to deal with that."
"It's alright Jane." Maura said with a warm smile.
Izzy laughed and patted Jane on the shoulder. "As much fun as this has been, I'll give you two some privacy. See ya later Jane." She said as she walked to the door. "Oh, and Jane?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't blow it this time." Izzy remarked with a grin as she stepped out, pulling the door closed behind her.
Jane and Maura stood in silence for a moment.
"Hi," Jane said shyly. "Can I get you something to drink?" She asked as she turned to the fridge.
"I have beer, water, and soda. You probably don't want that though." She rambled with her head in the fridge
"Jane," Maura said as she touched Jane's back softly causing the other woman to jump and bang her head.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." Maura said, a little embarrassed.
Jane chuckled and took Maura's hand in her own. "Don't be sorry. It's my fault. I'm just a little nervous." She said, looking Maura in the eyes.
"Why are you nervous? It's just me." Maura said honestly.
"I'm nervous because you're here." Jane realized how that might have come across and quickly added. "I just mean, I'm afraid to mess this up," she said, gesturing between the two of them. "Again."
Maura pulled Jane closer, barely any space between them now. She looked deep into dark brown eyes. The same eyes she had seen in her dreams for so long, hoping and waiting for the day she could see them in person again.
"We both made mistakes and left a lot of things unsaid then but we're here now. Things won't always be perfect but if we made our way back to one another after all that time then I know we will handle whatever comes in the future, together."
Jane sighed in relief and hugged the woman who her arms ached to hold again for over a year. Pulling away slightly Jane's eyes met Maura's before their lips found one another.
The kiss wasn't hurried but rather slow and tender. The familiarity of their movement's came rushing back like no time had passed at all.
When the need for air became too much, they broke the kiss but stayed in each other's arms.
"So, now that you're here, in Boston. Does that mean that we can…."
"Finally put a label on us?" Maura asked, lifting her head from Jane's chest with a smile. They had agreed to not label anything until they were in the same place, both physically and emotionally.
"Yeah," Jane replied with a smile of her own.
"Yes, Jane. We can finally label our relationship."
Jane grinned widely as she took a step back. "Maura Isles?"
"Yes Jane Rizzoli?"
"Will you be my girlfriend?" Jane asked as she chuckled. "Why does that sound so juvenile?" Shaking off the laughter she took on a more serious face. "In all seriousness though Maur, before you answer that, just know I'm done running. You're it for me."
Maura cupped Jane's face softly and smiled. "It doesn't matter how juvenile it sounds, love. Your sweet and sometimes naive charm gets me every time. So yes, I will be your girlfriend." She said with a chuckle. "And I too am done running Jane. I love you."
Jane smiled before pulling Maura closer. "I love you too Maur. Forever."
"And always." Maura replied.
Their declaration to each other was sealed with a warm, passionate kiss.
The next two years that followed, the two lived together in Maura's Beacon Hill home before buying what would be their forever home together. They married a year later and shortly after decided to expand their family. On August 28th, 2023, they welcomed twins to the Rizzoli-Isles family. One boy, one girl. Luca Francesco and Angelina Hope.
Raising two children and juggling full time jobs came with its own set of challenges but everyday Jane and Maura powered through with help from family. As the years passed, they held true to their words said long ago. They were it for each other.
In the world of uncertainty, they found their other half, their soulmate and so lived the greatest love story two people could ever share.
