Good news at the bottom of this super long chapter to make up for the delay.
If you don't remember the phone call between Jane and Constance, go back to chapter 8 and you'll find it :)
"We look ridiculous, Jane," Maura complains, pointing at their outfits. It's graduation day, and they're all standing on the field outside Fenway High, waiting to go inside.
"That's the point," the brunette replies. "Welcome to public school, Maur!" She laughs, wrapping an arm around her girlfriend.
They talk to Audrey and Frost until it's time to go inside. The students go first, followed by their parents. Jane's mother is there with Frankie and Tommy, Frosts mom is there, and both Audrey's parents have come as well. Maura feels a familiar sting of sadness at the sight of all those parents supporting their children, and she's just ... by herself.
Jane pinches her arm gently, getting her attention immediately. "I know what you're thinking," she says under her breath. "You're not alone, Maura."
The blonde shakes her head, smiling sadly. "It's just- My mom knows I graduated, Jane. If she cared about me, she would be here."
The brunette shushes her with a look. "Don't go there. That's not true. I know she loves you." Meanwhile, the brunette is secretly keeping an eye out for Maura's mother, because she hasn't forgotten about the call from a couple of months ago. Constance Isles promised that she'd be here, and she better be.
Finally, the doors open and they're allowed to go inside. They sit down in the hall where they used to have PE, and it has been converted into some kind of festive hall, with balloons and signs everywhere. When everyone is seated, the official ceremony begins. A couple of teachers have some time to talk, but neither Jane nor Maura know them. Then, the headmaster climbs up the stage and takes the microphone.
"Fair warning for everyone in the room: grab your tissues, this might get emotional," he says, and everybody laughs nervously, before it quiets again.
"Dear graduates,
Do you remember the day you walked through these doors as a freshman, looking really nervous, with a backpack slightly too large for your body? Fighting over your lockers, running through the hallways, yelling in the cafeteria. That day, four years ago, marked the start of your high school career.
You began high school as children. You began high school thinking you could easily get all your homework done, you would never fail a test. You thought nights would be for sleeping and friends would be forever.
Now you're leaving high school as adults. You've had a look into the life of an adult and, whether you like it or not, you're going to become one. You're going to have to do all kinds of things of which you're not quite sure how they work. You're all going to college, or going to travel, or whatever you all are going to do. But remember to stay in touch with the people you've grown up with, the people care about. Just don't be surprised if some of the friendships you have now will disappear. You're all going to do something different and sometimes that means you grow apart. You will find new people, and sometimes you find that's for the best.
Don't forget where you come from, but also don't forget where you're going. As you're standing here today, be sure to remember what it is you're working so hard for. My only advice would be to keep your head up high and to never give up.
Dedication and hard work, that's how you're going to get far. I have no doubt that you will get far, and that some of you will even make history.
Dear graduates, congratulations.
You made it."
He falls silent to mark the end of the end of his speech, and the crowd whoops, clapping loudly. The blonde looks at her girlfriend when she sees that Jane isn't shouting, just clapping loudly, and she notices that the brunette's eyes are shiny with unshed tears. She gently nudges Jane's shoulder, smiling when they make eye contact. The brunette smiles as well, quickly wiping her eyes before anyone but Maura sees.
Then the moment comes when their names get called out and they all get to walk over the stage, accompanied by lots of cheers from friends and family. It feels very anticlimactic, because it takes only ten seconds. Then suddenly you're back in your seat with a piece of paper in your hand, which you worked so hard for during those four years. It's strange and incredibly rewarding at the same time.
When the ceremony is done, everyone is allowed to go outside, back onto the field, where a couple of party tents have been set up to celebrate. There's non-alcoholic champagne and cake, for both the graduates and their families. The brunette agreed to meet her family outside, so she holds Maura's hand to not lose her in the crowd while they're making their way outside.
Suddenly, the blonde freezes on the middle of the steps that lead outside.
"Jane," she says urgently, pulling her girlfriend to the side so they're not bothering anyone. "Jane," she repeats.
"What is it? What's wrong?" the brunette asks worriedly. "Maura?"
"I thought I saw my mother," Maura replies hurriedly. "I swear it was her."
"Where?" Jane asks, trying to hide her smile.
"Right there," Maura says, pointing at one of the party tents. "It can't be her, can it? How did she know it was today?"
"I don't know," the brunette says, pretending to be innocent. Maura doesn't notice she's lying. "Let's go look for her."
The blonde hesitates, but lets herself being led from the steps and onto the field, towards the party tent she was just pointing at. The two of them make their way over the field until they're close to the spot Maura pointed at, and they both spot the woman at the same time.
"Mother?"
The woman turns around at Maura's voice, and the blonde was right. It's Constance who's looking at her right now.
"Maura!" Constance says, somehow surprised at the sight of her daughter standing in front of her.
The brunette feels her girlfriend hesitate, so she gives her a little nudge. "Go," she whispers, and Maura does. She walks up to her mother, not sure what to say. But her mother opens her arms, something that Maura has seen Angela do countless times, but never her mother. Is she seeing this correctly? Is her mother asking for a hug?
She steps into her mothers arms, giving a short and awkward hug, but a hug nevertheless. When she pulls back, Constance looks a bit shaken as well, although her eyes are shining with something Maura can't quite place. Pride? Love?
"Congratulations, Maura," her mother says, interrupting her daughter's thoughts. "I didn't get you anything, because ... well, I didn't know if you wanted me to. You probably didn't even know I was coming."
Maura shakes her head. "It's fine, mother," she replies, no heat in her voice. "And no, I did not. Why are you here? How did you know?"
Her mother always taught her it's impolite to ask more than one question at the same time, but Constance doesn't even notice it. She's smiling. Genuinely smiling, and Maura is completely speechless.
"Thank your girlfriend," her mother replies.
It's all Maura can do to not stare at her mother for too long. Constance has just referred to Jane as 'her girlfriend', which is definitely a first, because how does she know? And did she just say she came to Maura's graduation, because ... because Jane asked her to? Maura spins around to look at her girlfriend, who's looking at them with a grin on her face. The brunette waits for permission from Maura to come over to them, but it's Constance who waves.
"Jane! Come here," she calls out.
The brunette walks over to them, not sure what to say.
"It's good seeing you," Constance says, pretending as if this encounter is completely normal.
"Uh, you too," Jane replies, a little uncomfortable.
"I was thinking earlier, will ... will you" Constance stumbles over her words, and Maura has to work to keep her face straight. This is not the mother she knows. "Will you two go out with me for dinner? I made a reservation at a restaurant for tonight. 8PM?" she asks, and Jane could swear Constance's eyes are glimmering with hope.
Just when Maura turns to Jane to ask if this is okay, a loud voice yells from somewhere behind them.
"Janie! Where have you been? We've been looking everywhere!"
The brunette recognizes her mother's voice and rolls her eyes. She turns around and there's Angela, with Frankie and Tommy by her side. Angela is holding a bouquet of roses, but she almost drops them when she sees the woman next to her daughter and her girlfriend.
"Is that .." Angela manages, not moving.
"Yes. That's Maura's mother," the brunette offers gently. Please don't throw a fit, Ma. Not here.
"Oh," Angela's voice sounds cold. "You're the one who left her daughter on her own for an entire year."
Jane and Maura collectively hold their breaths, looking at Constance with wide eyes.
"I did," Constance replies, and her voice doesn't waver. "And I don't intend on doing that again."
The brunette carefully slips an arm around her girlfriend, who seems frozen at her mother's words. Maura's entire world as she knows it is falling apart, and the blonde can't quite comprehend. Jane's arm steadies her, and she entwines their fingers just above her hip.
"Mm," Angela mumbles. "I believe we should have a talk someday. Mother to mother."
"I agree with you," Constance says. "I think we have some catching-up to do."
Angela nods and turns to Jane. "Janie, are you coming with us? I think Maura and her mother might need some time together."
The brunette hesitates. Although Constance seems different now, Jane can't help feeling afraid of what might happen if she's not there. What Constance might say to Maura about her. She looks at her girlfriend, a question in her eyes that's only visible to Maura.
The blonde throws her arms around Jane's neck, burying her face in Jane's neck. She's not comfortable kissing in front of her mother. Not yet, not this soon.
"It's okay, Jane," she says under her breath, making sure only the brunette can hear it. "Thank you for bringing her. I love you. Always."
When they part, both mothers are looking at them with a smile, although Angela's is much wider than Constance's.
"I'll text you about tonight?" Maura says to Jane. She shares a look with her mother, who nods.
"Okay," the brunette replies, turning to her mother and brothers. "Let's go, guys."
..
..
On their way home, Angela mentions about a hundred times how proud she is, and Jane can't help but roll her eyes at her mother. Frankie asks her to play soccer with him and Tommy, and she says yes, because she realizes they're growing up as well. They're all growing up.
Surprisingly, neither one of them gets hurt, cut up or bruised during their game. They get back home around five thirty, sweaty and satisfied.
"I totally beat you at that last game!" Tommy says, giving Frankie a shove.
"Guys, come on. Make sure nobody gets hurt last minute. Ma will kill us," Jane says, wiping sweat off her forehead. "Shotgun for the shower!" she yells, pushing the front door open and running inside, immediately followed by her two brothers.
They protest loudly, yelling "No, Jane! I wanted to shower first!"
Angela calls them out, telling that the brunette has to leave in a couple of hours. Jane grins to herself while walking up the stairs, until Tommy calls out behind her. "Ohhh! Jane has a date!"
She rolls her eyes, sitting down on the stairs so she can look into the hallway. "Yes, idiot. At least I have a girlfriend. You don't, so who really wins here?" she counters, before turning away and running upstairs.
"Jane! Don't call your brother an idiot," Angela yells behind her, but the brunette pretends not to notice. She grabs her phone from her desk and Maura has already texted her.
Maura Isles
3:49 PM
Jay,
I can't believe what you did for me. I'm now sitting in the living room next to my mother. I can't believe it. Is it normal to feel conflicted, though?
I love you so much.
The brunette smiles, although she can't ignore a slight feeling of sadness at Maura's words. It shouldn't have been like this, Maura not seeing her mother for so long that it's special she's here with her now.
Jane Rizzoli
5:37 PM
Hey Maur,
Yes, it is, that's human. After not seeing her for so long, parting ways while fighting and now suddenly seeing her can't not be conflicting.
No need to thank me. I knew that's what you wanted most, what you wished for on New Year's Eve and during all the falling stars we saw together. Why wouldn't I try my hardest to give that to you? Love you lots.
It doesn't take five minutes for Maura to reply.
Maura Isles
5:40 PM
My mother and I wanted to pick you up around seven fifteen, to make sure we have some spare time if we get stuck in traffic. Is that okay?
Crap. Dinner. Jane thinks for a minute about a reply, but she decides on calling Maura. She really can't go to that dinner. There's no way.
When Maura answers her phone, the brunette immediately starts talking.
"I can't go out for dinner, Maura," she says, sounding a little desperate.
"Why not?" the blonde questions, frowning although Jane can't see her.
"Because. Your mother will take us to some fancy dinner with ten different pieces of cutlery and people with dresses that cost more than my entire wardrobe. I don't know how to handle those kind of dinners and I won't put myself in that embarrassing situation."
While talking, the brunette opens her closet, looking at piles of clothing. "And I don't even have something to wear. I'm not doing it, Maura."
The blonde is silent for a while, thinking.
"Jane," she says finally, "Come over to my house. I have some things that would definitely fit you. And I don't care what you look like, honey. You're always beautiful."
The brunette smiles at that, but her girlfriend's words don't do anything to calm her nerves.
"Okay," she sighs, grabbing her keys and a leather jacket that's hanging over a chair near her desk. "I'm coming."
..
..
Maura opens the door in her sweatpants, not wearing any make up.
"Hey," she says. "Come in."
The brunette does, placing a quick kiss on her girlfriend's lips before entering Maura's house. They walk upstairs to Maura's bedroom, and the brunette is surprised that Constance is nowhere to be seen.
"Is your mother here?" she asks, following Maura into her room.
The blonde shakes her head. "No, she went out for a bit. I don't know whereto, she didn't say. But she promised she'd be back on time to pick you up. Which is probably unnecessary now."
Jane smiles. "Yeah, I think so. Unless you have nothing to wear," she teases.
Maura opens the door that leads to her walk-in closet and steps inside. Jane follows, once again stunned by the amount of clothes Maura has. There's three shelves filled with shoes, and that's not even all, because there are a few pairs standing on the floor as well. Then there are about thirty different dresses, at least ten pairs of jeans, and more than-
"Jane."
"Huh?" The brunette turns around, facing her girlfriend.
"I asked if you were thinking about wearing something specific."
The brunette shrugs. "I don't know, Maur. What should I wear? A dress? Regular jeans with a shirt? I have no idea. Besides, do I even fit into this?" Jane holds up a navy blue dress that seems way too short for her.
Maura smiles. "Jay. You're going to be fine. And no, you probably don't fit into that. I don't think I fit into it anymore. Wait, I think I have something here." The blonde pulls a dark red dress from one of her closets. "This one?"
Jane shakes her head. "No way."
The blonde looks around, thinking. Suddenly, her eyes get wide and she spins around, causing Jane to raise her eyebrows. "What?"
"I know!" Maura says excitedly. "I know what you can wear. It'll look so good on you, Jay."
The brunette waits, not so patiently, buries her hands in her pockets. She's nervous. She hates dresses.
Then, Maura pulls a dress from one of her closets and shows it to her girlfriend, clearly dress is entirely black, although the top of it is lacy and see through. The sleeves are lacy as well and stop just below the elbow, making them three-quarter sleeves.
"That doesn't seem so bad," Jane says, taking the dress from her girlfriend. She holds it in front of her, trying to see where the dress stops.
"Just above your knee," Maura observes, stepping in to put her hands on the brunette's hips. "Please wear it. This will look beautiful on you."
"But, Maur, ..." Jane hesitates, looking into pleading hazel eyes.
"Please?" the blonde repeats, and there's no way Jane can argue with that look. She would wear every stupid outfit under the moon if that'd make Maura happy. She walks back into the bedroom and Maura follows her, happy that her girlfriend has decided to listen to her.
She pulls her shirt over her head and takes off her pants, leaving her in her underwear. Maura can't help but look at her girlfriend's athletic body, and she reaches out to run her hand over Jane's abs. Leaning in, she kisses the brunette softly, making everything disappear for a while.
When she pulls back, Jane takes a look at the dress, trying to figure out how to put it on. Finally, she finds a zipper, and with some help from Maura she manages to wrestle herself in the tight but soft material.
"Oh my god, Jane." The awe in Maura's voice makes Jane look around at herself in the big mirror on the wall. She observes herself for a bit, and she has to admit that she looks better than she thought possible. The dress fits perfectly, and although it's a little short, it doesn't seem to bother Maura. The blonde is staring at her, eyes going over the brunette's body.
Jane blushes slightly, shying away from her girlfriend's hungry look. "Maur, come on. It's just a dress."
"You have no idea, do you?" Maura asks, wondering. "You have no idea how amazing you look. I bet people from our school wouldn't even recognize you if you put on some make-up and tame your hair. Jane Rizzoli, you are absolutely gorgeous."
Jane smiles, although she still feels uncomfortable. The material of the dress isn't itchy, it's not too tight, but a dress is still way out of her comfort zone. No matter how good Maura thinks she looks.
"Thanks, I guess," she replies, looking at her watch. "I can take it off now, right? We're not leaving for another hour."
Maura laughs, stepping in for another kiss. "Yes, you could do that. But I'll be very happy if you leave it on."
Jane wraps her arms around her girlfriend's waist, pretending to be annoyed, but she secretly loves how Maura seems to adore her even more when she wears a dress.
"Fine, I'll keep it on. Just for you."
..
..
Surprisingly, the restaurant where Constance takes them isn't that chic. Jane wonders if Maura's mother made this choice on purpose, to make the brunette feel less uncomfortable, but she's not sure. And she doesn't mention it, she simply holds Maura's hand while they walk into the restaurant.
"Ladies, your seats." The waiter points at a table for four in the far corner of the restaurant. For some reason, Jane is glad Maura's mother chose this table. They'll at least have some form of privacy.
"Can I get you something to drink?" he asks when they're settled.
"A sparkling water for me, thank you," Constance says.
"Same for me, please," Maura replies.
"Uhh," Jane hesitates. "Do you have diet coke?"
The waiter laughs, but it's not accusing. "We sure do. I'll be right back with your drinks and the menu, ladies."
When he has left, Maura looks at her mother nervously. It's strange sitting here with her and Jane, something she didn't expect to happen so soon.
"So, girls," Constance starts, and the brunette tries to relax. "Tell me what you two have been up to the past few months. I want to know everything."
The blonde looks at her girlfriend, surprised and asking at the same time. She knows that, although her girlfriend practically arranged for her mother to come, the brunette still doesn't like Constance very much. And Maura can't blame her.
"Maura?" Jane questions, although it's more an do you want to tell her?
The blonde smiles shortly, an understanding. Constance doesn't fail to notice this interaction and smiles a little as well, happiness overruling the other feeling in her chest. She now knows what that feeling is, and she doesn't tend to act on it ever again.
Jealousy. She's jealous of the brunette sitting in front of her, who is exactly twenty-nine years younger than she is, not an adult just yet. The girl who has been taking care of her daughter for almost a year, who has been her daughter's girlfriend for so long.
"Mother?" her daughter's voice pulls her from her thoughts. She looks up and hazel eyes meet hers, before looking away, unsure. The waiter has handed her the menu, but she was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice him at all. She quickly takes the menu from him, pretending that everything's fine.
"Yes... Yes. I apologize. Let's see what we'll have for dinner first, and then you can tell me everything about your senior year."
After picking what they want for dinner, Maura shares a short look with Jane before she starts at the beginning, way back in September. It feels like a lifetime ago, but it has only been nine months. She tells about her first day and how she met Jane, how the brunette helped her out with everything at her new school. She leaves out the part about Ryleigh, because it actually doesn't really matter anymore, and she's not sure her girlfriend wants her to tell it. So she just talks about their days at school, their first holiday break and how they became girlfriends.
Then she falls silent at Christmas, because they all know what happened during the winter break. Constance breaks eye contact and is just about to say something when the waiter comes with their food, and an awkward silence falls.
Jane shifts in her seat, tugging on her dress. The restaurant is fine, Maura is holding her hand, but the brunette senses that her girlfriend doesn't feel completely comfortable, resulting in her not feeling comfortable either. She leans in to whisper in Maura's ear when the waiter puts their food down.
"Just breathe, Maura. I'm fine, I'm not leaving. Your mother is fine. It's okay."
The blonde smiles and relaxes, noticing how her girlfriend visibly relaxes as well. She doesn't know how Jane sensed she felt that way, but somehow she did.
When the waiter leaves, they're still quiet, although it's less uncomfortable. Maura hesitates, not sure what to tell about winter break, but her mother interrupts.
"I'm sorry, Jane", Constance says boldly, catching them both off guard. "My apologies for what happened."
"Uhh..," the brunette says, "excuse me?"
Jane thinks back of the conversation she had on the phone, and she's pretty sure Constance has apologized already. But then she's reminded of the fact that Maura doesn't know what they talked about, nor does she know Constance apologized.
Constance smiles shortly before continuing. "I'm sorry for disrespecting you and not seeing what a good person you are. I think I didn't want to see it. I didn't like knowing that there was someone out there taking better care of my daughter than I ever could."
Jane's fork freezes mid-air, and Maura's mouth hangs open. The blonde glances at her girlfriend to confirm if Jane heard the same thing as she did. Judging by the brunette's reaction, she did, and neither one of them quite knows how to reply to this.
"You don't have to forgive me, Jane. I understand if-"
But the brunette has recovered, and she lifts her hand to make Constance stop talking. "It's okay," she says. "It's okay. I know you probably-"
"It's not okay," Maura cuts in, regaining her ability to speak. "Don't just say that, Jane. You can't just let her tell you it's okay when it's not. Do you remember what she said to you? Do you-"
"Maura," now Jane is the one to interrupt, while Constance can only sit back and watch. "Just let me talk for a second." She looks at Maura's mother again, putting her hand on the blonde's leg while she replies. "I just told you it's okay, and I know Maura doesn't agree with me, because she absolutely hates it when someone insults me. But I don't really care, not anymore. Not now I have Maura. The only think I absolutely hate, is when someone hurts Maura. And you know that, because I made it clear during our conversation on the phone."
Constance smiles, although it's more of a grimace. She takes another bite, listening to Jane's words. The brunette is way more intelligent than she thought, and although she'd never admit it, she can probably learn a lot from this girl in front of her.
"I can forgive you for everything you've said and assumed about me," the brunette continues. "As long as you promise to be there for your daughter. That's really all I want. I don't need any more apologies."
Out of the corner of her eye, the brunette sees Maura wipe a tear from her cheek. Jane gently squeezes Maura's leg, letting her girlfriend know that she has seen this, but that it's okay.
"I will be," Constance says. "Maura," she turns to her daughter. "I hope you can forgive me for what happened. I know we haven't spoken since then, but I really want to try and improve our relationship. You're my daughter, after all."
Maura is silent for a while, glancing at Jane before answering.
"Okay," she says. "I think I can. Although I will have to get used to having a mother around. If you understand."
Jane's heart breaks a little, and she sees that Constance has to swallow before answering.
"Yes, Maura. I understand."
"Apology accepted, I guess?" Jane says, smiling a little to break the heavy silence. "Although there is one thing," she adds, waiting until both Constance and Maura look at her. "There's only one way to properly finish a good dinner. Let's go to the movies tonight."
And they do.
..
..
Jane's soccer team holds their number one position until the very end of the season.
They hold a huge party at their club, everyone from the teams is invited and allowed to bring one or two companions. Jane brings Maura, obviously, although the blonde still doesn't know anything about soccer. She simply loves to watch Jane play, and that's really all there is.
It's emotional for the brunette, who has been playing soccer since she was a little girl. She's nearly eighteen and this has been her last official season. Although Jane's not the only girl who's quitting, other girls will continue to play somewhere else, at a different club. Jane will not.
Maura has one final dance performance, and although she won't entirely quit ballet, she'll have to cut down on her classes. There's no way she can do an advanced medical program and dance full-time with the Boston Ballet. Jane comes to the performance with Constance, Angela, Frost and Audrey. Maura couldn't be happier.
They all have one rose for her when she meets them at the stage door, and she bursts into tears when she sees them. They all congratulate her and give her a hug, including Constance. It's less awkward now. Jane kisses her on the lips, because they're way past caring about others and their opinions.
The weekend after graduation, Jane and Maura have agreed to meet Frost and Audrey at Mission Hill. The brunette has agreed to pick her girlfriend up, but Maura asks her to come inside. Jane obliges, following her girlfriend into the kitchen.
"I got something for you," Maura says, taking a small bouquet of sunflowers out of the vase it's been standing in. She lets the water drip onto the counter for a bit, before finally handing them over to Jane.
"Maur!" the brunette says happily. "You got me sunflowers?"
The blonde smiles, nodding. "As a thank you for the past year and a congratulations on graduating and being the soccer champion."
Jane carefully puts the sunflowers down on the counter before immediately wrapping her girlfriend up in a hug. She lifts Maura up and spins her around once, before setting her back down on the floor.
"They're my favorite," she mumbles in Maura's ear, making her shiver lightly.
"I know," the blonde manages, barely when Jane runs her hands up Maura's sides. The brunette makes her intentions known when she pushes her lips against Maura's none too gently, pulling her closer. She gently nibbles on Maura's neck, eliciting a gasp from her girlfriend.
"We have to leave in ten minutes," the blonde protests.
"Who says we need ten minutes," Jane counters, pressing a kiss to the base of her girlfriend's neck before sucking lightly. "Do you really think I need ten minutes to make you come?"
The blonde pretends those words don't turn her on. "But those ten minutes include a wardrobe change and I have to re-apply my mascara, there's no way-"
Maura's reply gets lost in a sigh when the brunette's hand finds her way into Maura's pants, and the blonde leans her head on Jane's shoulder. The brunette immediately enters her, and Maura digs her fingernails in her girlfriend's upper arm, leaning back against the counter. She can't remember why she was going to protest.
"Oh- Jane," she manages.
"I didn't think so either," the brunette whispers, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
They make it on time, because Jane is usually right. And because she knows her girlfriend too well.
..
..
When they arrive at the top of Mission Hill, Frost and Audrey are already there.
Jane and Maura sit down on the grass next to them, the brunette handing her jacket to Maura so she can sit on it. Frost has an XXL bag of chips, and everyone eats greedily, not having to think about sports and healthy lifestyles.
"I'm really going to miss this, guys," Audrey confesses, looking up with a sad smile.
"Yeah me too," Frost adds. "Not the subjects, but the people. Although I won't miss a really bad-tempered Jane Rizzoli at eight thirty in the morning."
Jane gives him a shove. "Don't pretend like you're always nice."
They all laugh. Maura looks at her girlfriend affectionately, wondering how a year can pass by so quickly.
"We have to meet at least once a month," Audrey says. "I want to stay in touch. We have to. We're all going our separate ways, otherwise we'll never see each other again. I can't live with that."
"Yeah, we should," Jane replies. The slight tremble in her voice is audible to no one but Maura. She puts her hand on the brunette's leg, silently supporting her.
They talk for hours, they sing along to the music on Audrey's speaker. They laugh, they even cry. All of them. When Frost wraps an arm around Audrey, Maura kisses Jane, and their friends let them be for a while. It's all Maura can do to not burst into tears, this time not because she's sad, but because everything feels so full and happy.
The brunette, although never so affectionate, hugs Frost when he can't quite form a sentence. This night feels final, an ending to their last year of high school before they part ways. When she returns to her spot next to the blonde, Maura's hand slips in hers, and Jane's body relaxes at the familiar feeling. She feels Maura's eyes on her, but she doesn't turn her head to look at her girlfriend. She keeps looking at the city, at all the lights that are still on. A strand of hair is tickling her cheek, but she deliberately ignores it. Finally, Maura tears her eyes away from the brunette, and softly laughs when Audrey pinches Frost after a funny joke.
In the light of the moon at midnight, the brunette looks at her best friend's faces. She doesn't engage in the conversation, just listens to what they have to say and how they act around each other. It's a natural but rare form of love between friends, a bond that will hopefully stay forever. She smiles, meeting Frost's eyes, who smiles as well when he sees her looking.
After a while, her friend's voices face into the distance, and Jane closes her eyes.
There's nowhere else she'd rather be.
..
..
The very good news I talked about at the beginning of this chapter, is this:
I will be writing both an epilogue and a spin-off! I got so many requests for both, that I decided to listen to you guys and do it. The epilogue will follow right after this chapter, and then this story will be marked as complete. The spin-off is called Forever and A Day, remember to look for it in a few weeks when the first chapter will be up!