"Dr. Isles?" Angela questioned again when neither woman began talking immediately. She turned her attention to Jane. "Jane, what's Dr. Isles doing here? Is there something you haven't told me?" She began to choke up. "Is it your hands again sweetheart?"
Jane's eyes went wide with surprise before clarifying the situation to her mother. "What? No ma! Dr. Is—" she frowned and rolled her eyes at herself "Maura isn't here in a medical capacity… She's Maura… the person I told you about over dinner the other night… the one I've been seeing."
Angela looked from Jane back to Maura, who seemed to have been caught off guard by Angela's assumption and was now trying to think of a way to talk this through with Jane if she needed assistance.
"Dr. Isles is the person you've been seeing for months now?!" Angela's voice hit the roof.
"Ma!" Jane yelled back at her mother.
"Why didn't you tell me?!" She looked at Jane with an accusing glare and then turned to Maura, who was stunned into silence.
Jane and Maura looked at one another, trying to communicate without words at how to handle the situation. Maura was about to speak when she was cut off by Angela.
"I've always wanted a doctor in the family!"
Jane visibly relaxed, letting out a big sigh and rolling her eyes yet again, though this time for her mother's sake. Maura just exhaled, relieved, and laughed lightly at Angela's comment.
"It is so nice to formally meet you!" Angela cried as she put the bags she was carrying aside walked towards Maura. The blonde extended her hand once more, but Angela was having none of it. "Honey, we don't shake hands in this family… we hug in this family," she said as she took the blonde into her arms and gave her a warm hug.
Maura felt herself blush and a feeling of warmth radiate through her entire body. She had never experienced such a hug from a maternal figure. Jane had just closed the door and stood by, watching her mother wrap her arms around her girlfriend. She saw Maura's reaction and it made her smile, knowing and thanking God that her mother would be ok with her relationship and that she was welcoming Maura with open arms.
"It's so great to meet you in this capacity Mrs. Rizzoli. I must admit, I was quite nervous. Jane kept trying to dissuade my tension. I've just heard so much about you and your family, I was… nervous," Maura said with a chuckle.
"Well first of all, you have to drop the 'Mrs. Rizzoli'. I will not answer to that coming from you. I'm Angela, and that's what I'd like you to call me."
"Alright, Angela," Maura said with a nod.
"I wish I could say Jane has told me a lot about you as well but my daughter has been very tight-lipped about you from the very beginning," she said giving Jane an accusing look.
"We've have this conversation ma," Jane reminded her mother. "Anyway, come in. Dinner is almost ready."
The three women made their way into the kitchen, with Maura getting them a glass of wine and Jane serving the food. The table had already been set so the three quickly sat and got comfortable.
"Jane, this is absolutely delicious! I hadn't realized you paid attention when I dragged you into the kitchen for cooking lessons!"
"Well, I can't take all the credit for that ma. Maura was the one that cooked; I just gave my two cents here and there. Actually, she should take all the credit. The dish was her idea."
"I'm quite impressed Maura; where did you learn to cook like this?" Angela started conversation with Maura.
"I grew up in Europe and travelled a lot as a teenager when I wasn't in school. I learned some recipes on my travels; the rest I learned from my nanny, who also prepared my meals as I was growing up."
"You had a nanny?" Angela arched an eyebrow.
Jane closed her eyes.
"Well, yes, I did. My parents travelled a lot for work and I was left with a nanny when I was still at home. Once I went off to school, I was old enough to take care of myself."
"Sounds like your parents were quite busy while you were growing up," Angela observed.
"They were," Maura agreed, not wanting to elaborate more.
"So, I've been wondering since I came in… how is it you and Jane are dating? I mean, isn't that some kind of breach or something? I thought doctors weren't allowed to date their patients."
"Ma!" Jane cut Angela off.
"It's alright Jane, it's a good question and she's curious to know." She turned her attention to Angela. "I'm no longer Jane's doctor, Angela. She stopped being my patient from the moment she was released into physical therapy. Her therapist answers to Dr. Muller, who specializes in rehabilitative therapy. I can assure you that neither Jane nor I would have ever started anything while she was still my patient. Not only is that highly inappropriate, it goes against my beliefs and is unethical."
"I'm sorry, didn't mean to imply that you would do something against your beliefs or your professional standards," Angela said, much to Jane's relief. Angela turned to make eye contact with her daughter and Jane gave her a look that just said 'change the subject NOW'. Unfortunately, it wasn't much better from Jane's point of view.
"I'm so glad my Janie has found a good person in you Maura. I know that she may not have told me much about you, but I can tell you're a good person. If I were to tell you about all the times I've rushed to the hospital because of this one," she said as she pointed in Jane's direction.
"Ma!" Jane yelled again. "Isn't there something else you can possibly talk about?"
"I'm sorry Jane, I just worry about you, that's all. I think Maura should have an idea of what she's getting into."
"First off," Jane said through clenched teeth, "that's none of your business. What I discuss about my past is between Maura and I. Secondly, I think she already has a hint ma; or have you forgotten how I came to meet her?" Jane questioned her mother.
Maura looked down at her food while the two Rizzoli women got into their discussion, not wanting to intrude into what was obviously not a new argument. Jane had warned Maura about her mother hovering, and she was getting an idea of just how bad their arguments could get. Little did she know, that was only the tip of the iceberg.
"That's it ma! I'm not going to sit here and watch while you tell Maura stories about my previous injuries or how it's right or not if we date or anything else inappropriate for such an occasion. Either you talk about something else or we're cutting this dinner short."
"Jane—" Maura began.
"No Maura. She has to learn."
Just then, Maura's pager went off. Though she had left specific instructions to not be bothered, she was grateful for the interruption. "My apologies, I have to get this," she said as she rose from her seat.
Jane knew that Maura had the night off and was surprised they were getting interrupted. She turned her attention to her mother and stared with a frown while they waited for Maura to return.
"Jane, Angela. I'm so very sorry. There was a collapse at a restaurant downtown and we're all being called into the hospital. We're a top rated trauma center and as such first response. They need every pair of hands they can get. Jane, I know I'd said I had the night off, but –"
"It's alright Maur. We were practically done with dinner anyway." Jane rose to her feet.
"Angela, I'm truly sorry I have to leave so abruptly. Perhaps we can have brunch or try for dinner again next week?"
"Sure Maura, it was really good to see you again."
"It was good to see you as well," Maura said with a smile. She turned to Jane.
"I'll walk you out," Jane said before the blonde could say anything.
The two made their way out to the hallway.
"Well, I have to admit that as far as dinners with my mother go, that went fairly well," Jane said with a smirk.
"I see what you meant earlier," Maura commented.
"I told you!" Jane said. "I'm gonna miss you; I thought you were going to be able to spend the night," she said as a pout appeared.
"I know; so did I. It sounds like a very serious incident that's going to keep us all busy for quite some time. How about I call you when I'm done and see where we're at?"
"Sounds perfect. Thanks for putting up with my mother, Maur."
"Dinner was bound to happen eventually," she said before bringing her lips to Jane's. "I love you and I'll call you later."
"I love you too baby," Jane replied as she saw Maura make her way down the stairs. Once Maura was out of sight, she slowly made her way back into the apartment to deal with her mother.
The last couple of days have been hell. Didn't have much time to write today either. I had an idea on how I wanted this chapter to go and this is as close to it as I got. I hope you all enjoyed it.