Pivotal moment! If you are a Friends fan hopefully you'll notice I've tried to use some of the dialogue. Oh and I'm trying to remember that pavements are sidewalks and shops are stores etc but my 'Britishness' may escape!

Chapter Six

A selection of gifts some wrapped more carefully than others appeared on the table. Frankie and Tommy had got Maura a new Red Sox jersey and cap.

"If you're gonna come you've got to look the part." Vince had bought her some beautiful dishes for the kitchen; Barry had bought her a fascinating book on artwork. Maura thought how sweet that was as he'd obviously remembered a conversation they had had at a crime scene some months ago. While they had been at the art gallery, where the unfortunate victim had been found, she had stopped in front of a particular piece of art. Explaining the lines and colours to Barry she had told him of her love for certain European artists.

"Thank you." She beamed at Barry who looked slightly embarrassed, "That's very thoughtful of you." Angela's gift was an exquisite bottle of Jo Malone perfume. "Oh Angela, thank you."

"No more than you deserve sweetie. One more, this one's from Jane." Angela pushed the soft, blue jewellery box across the table towards Maura. Maura was glad that the guys had started their own conversation as she wanted to take her time opening this. She had no idea what it was – but that didn't matter. She slid the cream card out from beneath the bow and opened it.

Dear Maura

Happy Birthday

Love Jane x

Very simple, very Jane. Maura opened the lid slowly and her breath caught in her throat.

"I can't believe she remembered." Angela had taken some dishes to the side and hurried back over to the table. Barry lent over to look.

"What is it?" Maura gently lifted the cameo brooch out of the velvet lined box.

"I made Jane come antique browsing with me months ago and we saw this in a little store window. I told her it was just like one my mother had in her jewellery box and I know she had it passed down to her from her grandmother. She must have gone back for it."

"Wow that's pretty nice." Barry nodded his approval. Angela looked over Maura's shoulder.

"It's beautiful I can't believe Jane did this." Tommy looked up from his conversation with Frankie.

"Ah come on Ma Jane does this. Remember in school when she thought she was in love with Tracy De Luca and she bought her that ridiculously expensive crystal bird!" The moment his mouth stopped Tommy clapped his hand over it. Maura stared at him with wide eyes.

"What?"

"Crystal bird."

"No the part before that – Jane being in love." Tommy now resembled a fish, his mouth opened and closed and looked around wildly at everyone.

"It's just that, well, er, you know like….."

"Idiot!" Frankie looked at his brother furiously "She didn't need to find out like that!" Maura was now ringing her hands, nervously looking around the table. It seemed that no one wanted to make eye contact with her. Angela had moved to the counter and was now leaning against it heavily.

"Angela?"

"Maura honey I don't know what to say."

"Well someone needs to say something because I certainly am at a loss. Tommy?" Maura turned back to him fixing him with a cold stare, "You had plenty to say a moment ago." Tommy looked stricken.

"Geez Maura I'm sorry I shouldn't have said anything – damn wine!"

"Well you need to say something else." When Vince got up and walked around the table to sit next to Maura Tommy had never looked so relieved.

"I'll help Ma with the dishes." Vince looked kindly at Maura.

"May I?" He held his hand out for the brooch. Maura nodded and handed it over. "It's beautiful isn't it? When someone gives you a gift like this which they have put so much thought into it speaks volumes. Janie isn't one for words and this is honestly the best way for her to communicate how she feels. Are you honestly surprised at what Tommy has just said?" Maura shook her head slowly. "Are you upset by it?"

"That everyone else knew something I didn't yes, not about how Jane may feel."

"Maura it's not been a big secret, we have not all sat around discussing you. Individually we've all felt for a while that there was a lot unsaid between the two of you but we figured you'd get there eventually. We haven't been running a book or anything." Maura smiled.

"What do I do now?" Vince shrugged,

"Whatever you want – do you love Jane?" Maura surprised herself by how quickly and unequivocal her response was.

"Yes."

"Well then you need to decide what to do with that fact. Seems to me Jane has made a statement of sorts, it's up to you whether you make it clear to her that you understand the message. Or you may want to just accept it as a gift from a friend, which it was always intended to be anyway."

"Oh Vince." Maura hugged the older man tightly taking him by surprise.

"You're welcome. Coffee?" Vince extricated himself from her embrace and went to the kitchen to sort out an espresso. "You." He pointed at Tommy, "Go apologise." Tommy sidled up to Maura and sat down next to her.

"So?" Angela bustled up next to Vince.

"Who knows, she's been genuinely side swiped by that."

"Those two girls have been tiptoeing around each other for months, no years probably."

"Well something may come out of Tommy's outburst." A tray of espressos was placed on the table but there was no doubting that the gift from Jane and Tommy's statement had dampened the mood. The guests drank as quickly as politeness allowed and made their excuses. Frankie was the last one to leave.

"Hey Maura, you know whatever happens we all love you anyways." He gave her a quick hug and left. Maura closed her door and placed her forehead on the cool wood. What. A. Night!