Hello again everyone! THANK YOU ALL for your opinion and reviews on my author's note. I read through every single one, as always. Though there were some of you that preferred the longer chapters, most of you either preferred the shorter and more frequent updates or told me to keep whatever pace I chose. I appreciate your words so much! I love how you all value the time and effort I have put into this story and that is a lot of what keeps me going! I will more than likely stick with more frequent, shorter updates but if you should not get an update for a few days then I will work my best to at least make your wait worth it! Thank you so much for reading and for voicing your opinion! Love you all! Hope you like this next chapter=)
"So what time is everyone coming over? I need to know when to be ready by," Maura asked with a small smile right before kissing Jane on the lips.
"Game starts at 3:30 so everyone will probably get here around 2 or so to get everything going. Frost was practically drooling when I told him what kind of grill you had; he volunteered to grill the burgers and hotdogs today," Jane said with a laugh and shake of her head. "I don't get it; what is it with men and grills? I mean, what's the big deal?"
"Maybe that's something you can ask them when they get here, see if they can give you an answer that makes sense."
"That's a good idea Maur; I think that's what I'm gonna do." Jane rose up on her elbows and turned her attention to the clock on the nightstand. "You know, it's only 9:39am. That gives us a whole lot of time before we have to get ready. What shall we do until then?" she asked with a devilish look to her features.
Maura rested her head against her pillow and tried her best to look deep in thought. "Hmm, well that is something that's definitely worthy of pondering, detective. Did you have anything in mind?"
"I did, actually."
"Care to tell me what it is?"
"I'd rather show you," Jane said as she turned her body and climbed on top of Maura. It took longer for her to get the words out than it did for her to reach down to Maura's breast with her lips and suck on it hard, marking her as Jane's. Maura had absolutely no trouble getting 'love marks' on her body, so long as she didn't have to worry about covering them up when leaving the house. Maura's loud moan could be heard throughout the house. It was followed by shallow breaths as she begged Jane to take her. Yes, they definitely had something to do and keep busy with before their guests arrived.
"So you ever gonna tell us just how it is you made Maura fall in love with you Jane? By the looks of it, you definitely got a good thing going here," Frost commented as he fired up the grill. He along with Jane and Korsak were standing around the grill, cold beers in hand and talking shop before Frost changed the subject on them. Tommy and Frankie would be joining soon; Maura was currently being kept busy in the kitchen by Angela.
Jane took a sip of her beer and contemplated her answer. "You know Frost, I absolutely have no clue." She turned her head slightly to look into the kitchen only to see Maura staring back at her with a huge smile on her face. The blonde closed her eyes and blew Jane a quick kiss. Jane instinctively and instantly blew her one back.
"Woah partner, what was that?!" Frost yelled out as Korsak nearly choked on his beer from the surprise. Who would've thought, Jane Rizzoli, a big softie."
Jane frowned at her partner and switched her beer to her right hand before punching Frost on the arm with her dominant left. A wince was visible. "What'd you have to do that for?" he asked, his pride hurt.
"That's to teach you that I'm no softie," Jane replied as she took a sip of her beer once more. "Honestly guys, I don't know what Maura sees in me. I'm just a blue collar cop from middle class Boston. Somehow, somewhere along the line we clicked and fell in love with each other. I pinch myself every single morning just to make sure it's not all just a dream. Maura is an amazing woman; one of a kind. I couldn't have found a more perfect partner if I'd tried. She's literally a genius, beautiful, sweet, kind, loving, dedicated to her job, honorable, completely selfless- she's just- in one word: perfection."
Both men nodded their understanding.
"Man, I wish I could find me a girl like that," Frost said wistfully.
"I couldn't get that even if I had combined my three wives into one," Korsak said with a shake of his head.
"I hope you do someday guys, I really do. You know, before I met Maura, I was all about the job; you know that about me. My job was my life, what I woke up for in the mornings, what I lived for. Don't get me wrong, I still love my job, but now it's just a part of who I am, not everything. I've found my reason for living, and it isn't the badge; it's Maura."
Jane felt soft, strong arms wrap around her middle from behind. She turned to see Maura behind her, reaching over to give her a strong kiss on the lips. Jane raised her eyebrows in silent question.
"I couldn't help but hear that last part of what you said Jane. You my love, are my reason for being. Ma raison d'être."
"Your raisin what now?"
"Raison d'être. It's French, means 'reason for being'."
"Ah, ok."
"I was just coming to see if you would all like another beer," Maura said casually as Jane wrapped her arm around Maura's shoulders.
"We're good right now, thank you," came Korsak's reply. "I was hoping we could get to eat before the start of the game, but if we continue waiting for Frost's drooling to stop we may never even get started. Move it along will ya Frost?"
Frost gave Korsak a playful glare and waved him off before getting his attention back on the grill. "These babies should be ready in about 10 minutes," he announced to the small group.
"I'll go back inside and get the rest of the food going then. Please excuse me gentlemen," she turned to give one quick peck on the cheek before retreating to the kitchen.
Korsak nudged Frost and grinned gleefully. "I love it when she calls us 'gentlemen'," he stated much to Jane and Frost's amusement.
The rest of the afternoon was spent with Jane and the men in her newly furnished 'man cave' watching the game while Angela stayed with Maura in the kitchen. Angry or happy shouts could be heard from the second floor as time went by.
"It seems like they can really get into a game," Maura commented as she and Angela had a cup of tea.
"You've no idea," Angela commented. "This is only the regular season. Just wait until the playoffs come along, then you'll be in for quite a ride. My kids love to yell at the ref or the players when they aren't performing to their standards."
"I can hear that," Maura replied with a chuckle.
Angela chuckled along with Maura and took a sip of her tea before setting it down again. "Listen Maura, I wanted to apologize."
Maura looked at Angela confused, wondering what she could possibly be apologizing for.
"I know that when we first met we didn't get off on the right foot. My behavior was uncalled for and I'm sorry for that, truly. All this time that has passed, I see the way you are with my daughter. I see how Jane has changed, not only when it comes to her personal life, but her work life as well. You helped her get back to the job she loves and I can see, even though it's only been a few days; she is more careful at work now, and that's because of you."
"You have nothing to thank me for Angela; I love Jane. I would do anything for her."
Angela placed her hand over Maura's softly. "I know you would. I have no doubt in my mind any longer." She reached to the stool beside her and grabbed a hold of a wrapped package. "That's why I brought you this," she said as she held out the thick package.
"Angela, you shouldn't have, there's no need—"
"Maura stop, please. This is my way of saying thank you; my way of welcoming you into our family."
Maura took the package from Angela and began unwrapping it to find a square box. Opening it, she saw that it held a binder.
"That binder contains all of the Rizzoli family recipes," Angela commented as she saw Maura take the binder out.
"Angela! This is too much!" Maura's eyes watered instantly.
"No Maura, it's not. It's not enough for me to say just how grateful I am that my daughter has such a wonderful partner in you. I always wanted Jane to have this; I wanted it to stay in the family. I always pictured myself giving it to her, having her cook for her family. Now I realize that though my daughter enjoys cooking, you are a better choice for this. I got my wish. This will continue to be used, and will stay in our family."
"I will treasure it and take care of it," Maura said as a tear slipped from her eye. 'Thank you so much." She walked around the island and wrapped her arms around the Rizzoli matriarch.
"I know you will," was Angela's reply as she hugged Maura back.
What do you all think?