Jane continued with her therapy in the following weeks, improving more and more every day. A little over three months into therapy she had finally reached the point where she was able to look after and take of herself. She could do everyday things like shower and change herself, fix herself simple meals and lift and grip things that were not so heavy. She was still a ways away from being able to grip and hold a gun, but both she and her therapist were thrilled with the quick progress she was making.

Maura would go in and observe Jane's therapy appointments whenever she had a break in her surgical schedule, her face lighting up the moment she would see Jane accomplish another feat. She would voice her congratulations and commend the detective's hard work. She knew it wouldn't be long before the detective would be able to go back to work, at least on desk duty. Jane was still having trouble with handwriting, but the therapist had insisted it was just a matter of time. She was able to type again, slowly working up to regaining her speed. Though Jane did get frustrated at how slow she was able to do things, she knew felt glad and relieved she was at least able to do them.

Maura and Jane had continued seeing one another as time had gone by. Having finally grown tired of trying to get rid of her mother so she could spend time with Maura, Jane had finally given in and admitted she was dating someone. Angela had been ecstatic about Jane's confession, though had been secretly upset at the fact that her daughter had not confided in her from the beginning. In typical Angela fashion, she had asked Jane the 'who', 'how' and 'when'. The only thing Jane had admitted to Angela was the fact that she'd met the person at the hospital, and told her mother that's all she would be getting for now.

It wasn't a lie, yet she didn't know how her mother was going to react when she realized her daughter was dating the surgeon who had operated on her. Though she had never really come out to her family, she hadn't hid anything from them either. Jane wasn't embarrassed or afraid as to how they would react; she'd just never met anyone who made her want to formally introduce them to her mother and brothers. Though she did still think about her father now and again, she didn't count him as part of her family any longer. Frank senior had left her ma and run off with some slut bimbo down to sunny Florida. That hadn't really gone down very well with anyone, especially Frankie and her.

Maura on her side didn't really talk to her parents. She was lucky to see them once a year, usually for Christmas or one of her mother's gallery openings. They'd never been close enough for her to just pick up the phone, call Constance and tell her about her love interest. The happiness she felt for dating Jane was just for her, not really shared with anyone else.

Their dates had been kept simple. Neither woman wanted to push the other into doing anything they weren't ready for. Maura was patient, knowing the time would come when she and Jane would be able to do more hands on activities for their dates or other things that didn't make Jane feel so self-conscious. Aside from their coffee and movie dates, they usually stayed in. They'd go to Maura's and spend time over dinner, with Maura talking to Jane about her work while Jane talked about her progress in therapy and plans on what she was going to do once she was given a green light.

Though they had engaged in some very heated make out sessions, that's as far as their physical intimacy had gone. Somewhere after the three month mark, Maura had attempted to push Jane just a little further, telling her that she wanted so much to please her in other ways. Jane had politely refused, saying that she didn't want to take that final step until she could be an active participant and not just on the receiving end. Maura had apologized profusely, embarrassed that she'd suggested something more and had told Jane that of course she would wait. The last thing the blonde wanted to do was make Jane do something the detective just wasn't ready for.

It was forgotten as quickly as it was brought up. Though they weren't sexually intimate, they had begun to share a bed after that first morning. Jane would come over and stay, relishing the feeling of Maura's arms and legs entwined with hers as they slept. Jane would wake up and feel as if she was in heaven. Maura's head would usually be resting on her chest as they slept. The blonde had told Jane time and again just how soothing and calming it was to hear Jane's heart beating as she slept. The first thing Jane noticed upon waking up was the smell of Maura's shampoo. The smell of lavender, her favorite, would invade her nostrils as she would run her fingers through Maura's silky hair. She would bring her lips to Maura's head and kiss her good morning. Maura would in turn smile into Jane's chest and whisper the greeting back, hug her tighter and bask in the brunette's arms a little longer before finally getting up and starting their day.

They were seated at the breakfast bar one morning, sipping on coffee when Jane suddenly spoke out.

"I think it's time," she said.

Maura stopped her cup mid-air and made eye contact with Jane, wondering what she was talking about. "Time for what?" she asked.

"I think it's time to tell ma."

Maura took a sip of her coffee before slowly bringing down the cup. "Are you sure you're ready to tell her?"

"Maur, it's been months! I should've told her before. I know I told you I wanted to wait, and in all honesty I did. I wanted to make sure that we were where we wanted to be. I wanted to be sure that you wanted this as much as I do."

"I do want this Jane; I'm exactly where I want to be," Maura replied.

"I am too Maur. I never thought I could be this happy… I didn't know anything like this could be in the cards for me, ever. It's just with everything that's happened, the fact that we've not even been able to make love… I didn't want you to get impatient with me and tire of waiting."

Maura rose from her seat and went to stand beside Jane. She took both the brunette's hands in hers, noticing that Jane was more comfortable than ever with that. She brought her lips to kiss each hand before bringing them to her chest and holding them above her heart. "I can never tire of you Jane. I told you that I was willing to wait; my answer has not changed. I'm positive this is what I want, and I know that when the time comes for us to do other things, it will have been worth the wait."

"How can you be so sure?" Jane asked, half incredulous, half mesmerized.

Maura kept her eyes on Jane's not hesitating for a moment before replying "I'm sure because I'm in love with you."

Tears sprang to Jane's eyes and she fought to keep them at bay. "You are?" she asked, her voice breaking a bit.

Maura nodded. "I am," she replied. "I have been for a while now; I just didn't want to overwhelm you. I know this is where I want to be Jane. I know this is where I'm meant to spend my life. Here, with you. I don't care how much longer it takes for you to be ready. Take all the time you need; I'm not going anywhere."

Tears slipped down Jane's face as she brought Maura to her and kissed her before hugging her close with all her might. "This is where I belong Maur, with you."

Maura held Jane close, feeling complete. "I think it's a good idea to tell your mother then. I know that she's aware that you've been dating someone for a while but that she doesn't know who. I hope that she's alright with it being me."

"She's going to have to be Maur, there's no other way around it. I love you, and nothing my mother could possibly say or do will not change that. There's only one thing."

"What's that?" Maura asked, puzzled.

"When I introduce you to my mother once again, I don't want to do it as the 'person I'm dating'."

"You don't?"

"No, I don't. I want it to be different, because you're not just the person I'm dating. You're the person I'm in love with. Would it be ok if I introduced you instead as my girlfriend?" Jane asked with a shy smile.

"Nothing would make me happier," Maura replied as she reached up and kissed Jane once more.

Thank you for the continued support! Keep it coming!=)