Two updates in one day? Heck yeah! Just wanted to give y'all a quick overview of where I plan to take this story. A lot of you have indicated interest in several storylines, most of which I was planning on incorporating in some way. Basically I plan on this story spanning another couple of years, focusing on Maura and Jane as they start to work together, hopefully culminating in some way by throwing the Hoyt storyline into the mix. This will probably be a longer story, I was thinking probably twice the length of What Happens in Vegas. So basically we are just getting started...
Thanks for reading and for all of the nice reviews. I hope you like this chapter.
Maura looked up from her book to see Jane splashing around in the shallow waves. Smiling, she marked her page and closed the book, content to watch her wife play in the clear blue water. It was hot, but the warm ocean breeze blew steadily, helping to cool things off as Maura sat under the large umbrella they had set up. Jane walked further into the water, disappearing under a large wave that rolled toward the white sand beach, then reappearing a few seconds later with a large grin on her face.
Today was their last day in Florida, and the trip had been the perfect mixture of fun and relaxation. They had started off by flying into Miami, where they had spent the first few days exploring the city, eating Cuban food, and visiting several nightclubs. Jane had surprised Maura with salsa lessons on their actual anniversary, and both women had gotten swept up in the sensual dance as they picked it up quickly.
After Miami, they rented a convertible and drove up the coast toward the central part of the state. Jane indulged Maura's quest for educational experiences by spending one day at Kennedy Space Center, which was surprisingly fun for both of them. Jane had smiled whenever Maura rambled on about notable space missions, often knowing more about each of them then the tour guide.
Next, they had spent four days in the Orlando area, indulging Jane's thrill-seeker side as they visited Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World. They had ridden every single roller coaster at each park, holding hands and yelling and screaming at the top of their lungs. They had worn themselves out, and were more than ready for the last several days of pure relaxation. A friend of a friend owned a home right on the ocean near Daytona Beach, so Jane and Maura had spent the past few days just napping on the beach, swimming, and relaxing.
Jane eventually tired herself out playing in the waves and waded out of the water and back toward Maura. Maura of course took this opportunity to appreciate Jane's bikini-clad body once again, her sun-kissed skin dripping deliciously as she made her way back to the umbrella. She gave Maura a quick peck on the cheek before flopping down on the towel next to her and settling on her side with her head propped up in her hand.
"I saw you looking at me Maur. Like what you see?" Jane lifted her sunglasses and winked at Maura. "I'm suddenly feeling a little faint…maybe I need some mouth-to-mouth."
Maura rolled her eyes and smacked Jane playfully. "Very funny Jane. You and I both know that the purpose of mouth-to-mouth is not for your sexual gratification."
"Really?" Jane's mouth dropped open in mock surprise. "And here I was all this time thinking that's what it's for…" She laughed as Maura glared at her while trying to keep a straight face. Eventually Maura cracked and joined in the laughter, and got out of her chair to lie next to Jane on the towel.
"Well, hello there. Nice of you to join me." Jane smiled as Maura settled next to her, her eyes wandering south towards the blonde's ample cleavage. When she looked up again, Maura quirked an eyebrow.
"Who's checking who out now, Jane Clementine Rizzoli? You know, I'm starting to think this whole trip to Florida was a ploy to get me in a bikini."
"Ouch…really? You had to throw the middle name in there?" Jane trailed her fingers across Maura's back, admiring the multitude of freckles that had appeared from the constant sun exposure. "I guess you figured out my master plan. Although…in this moment, I seem to want you out of your bikini." She grinned wickedly and slipped her fingers under the tie on Maura's back.
Maura let out a quiet sigh, wanting desperately for Jane to untie her top, but knew the beach was not the place to start anything they couldn't continue. "You know we can't Jane. There are too many people around."
Jane pulled her hand away, but leaned in to kiss Maura. "You're right. I was thinking of heading back to the house and grabbing a shower before we head out to dinner. It sure would be pretty awesome if a certain blonde wanted to join me in the shower…"
Maura laughed, shaking her head at the look on Jane's face. "You are hopeless Jane. But a shower with you sounds perfect." She got to her feet and helped Jane start to pack up their things.
Their "shower" caused them to be ten minutes late for their dinner reservation. Maura had picked a local restaurant on the Intracoastal Waterway that overlooked a small marina, and they were ushered onto the back deck overlooking the water. Jane held out the chair for Maura then sat down in her own chair. She looked at Maura for a few seconds while Maura was preoccupied glancing over the menu, taking in her bronzed skin and relaxed posture. Vacation had done them both a world of good, allowing them to spend uninterrupted time together and refocus, before heading back to Boston and to their stressful life. Jane was lost in her own thoughts as she watched a small fishing boat pull into a slip in the marina.
"Jane? Did you hear me?"
"What?" Jane turned back to Maura.
"I asked you what you were thinking of ordering, but I notice you haven't even opened your menu."
"Oh. Right. Sorry, I was just a little distracted." Jane opened her menu and scanned the various offerings. A waiter came and filled their water glasses.
"You looked like you were thinking. Were you thinking about anything in particular?" Maura closed her menu and took a sip of her water.
"Not really. I was just thinking about how this has been the perfect vacation. It's gonna be a shock to the system heading back to work on Monday."
"Yes, this really has been the perfect vacation. The ideal mixture of fun and relaxation." Maura smiled and lowered her voice. "And sex. A lot of sex."
Jane laughed, leaning back in her chair and admiring the sunset gleaming off the water. "Yeah, definitely not complaining about the sex."
The waiter returned and took their order. Both women were quiet as they took in their beautiful surroundings as the sun continued to set.
"Truthfully, I'm looking forward to returning to Boston." Maura said quietly. "Now that I am going to be working for the Medical Examiner, I will probably help out with some of your cases."
Jane regarded her wife for several seconds. "That's true. Seeing you at work will be nice. Is it wrong that I hope that Dr. Benton kicks the bucket soon and you can just take over as Chief Medical Examiner? That guy's a real piece of work."
Maura stifled a laugh and tried to keep her face serious. "That's not funny Jane. As unfriendly as Dr. Benton is, I am fairly certain that even if he passed away I wouldn't be the one to replace him. I don't have the experience." She smiled wistfully.
"Well, a girl can hope, right?"
Both women were laughing as their food arrived, and started to eat as soon as it was placed in front of them. They enjoyed the food and one another's company, and left the restaurant hand in hand as they walked the half-mile back to the beach house. The stars were shining brightly above them and the faint sound of the waves crashing against the shore could be heard in the distance.
"This was the perfect ending to the perfect vacation Jane." Maura sighed.
Jane put her arm around Maura's shoulders and pulled her against her as they continued to walk. "It really was. Although, I think I have realized after three years of marriage that going just about anywhere with you is pretty perfect Maur." She kissed the shorter woman's temple.
"You are sweet Jane." Maura leaned her head against Jane's shoulder. "I love you."
"Love you too Maur." Jane responded. "You really ready to head back tomorrow?"
"Well what's the alternative?" Maura asked, looking up at Jane with a glint in her eyes.
"Oh…I don't know. Let's buy a yacht and sail around the world. Just the two of us, exploring different countries or whatever." Jane smiled thinking of the possibilities.
"Hmmm, that does sound extremely appealing. I think your family would miss you though." Maura said.
"No, let's be honest…they would miss you." Jane laughed. "They just tolerate me." Her smile faded as the thought about Maura's strained relationship with her mother. "Hey, have you heard from your mother lately?"
Maura was quiet beside Jane for a minute. "No. Besides the obligatory phone calls on Christmas and my birthday, we rarely speak."
Jane nodded, processing this information. She and Maura typically didn't speak about her mother, as she knew it was a difficult topic for Maura to deal with. When her mother had found out about their Las Vegas nuptials, she had treated Maura poorly to say the least. And when Maura's father had passed away only weeks later, it only served to distance the two of them further.
"Hey, I know it's hard for you to talk about it, but I want you to know that your mother is always welcome to visit. We never really talked about it, but you should feel like you can extend the invitation should the situation arise."
"Thank you Jane. I appreciate the offer."
"Your welcome. And Maur? If you ever want to talk about it, you know I'm here for you, right?" She squeezed Maura tighter against her as they stopped in the driveway of the beach house, Maura's arms slipping around Jane as they embraced.
Maura's voice was muffled as she replied, her face pressed into Jane's tank top. "Thank you Jane." She pressed her lips against Jane's in a sweet kiss before pulling away and moving to unlatch the gate at the end of the driveway.
Jane stood in the driveway smiling and taking in the last sights and smells of the ocean.
"Jane? Are you coming?" Maura called, holding the gate open as she waited for her wife.
"I'll be there in a minute Maura. I'm just taking it all in before we have to head back tomorrow."
"Okay. Just don't take too long. I was planning on celebrating our last night in Florida with you…in bed." Even in near darkness, Jane could see Maura grinning from her position in the driveway.
"That sounds amazing Maura." Jane chuckled. "I'll be in in a minute, I promise."
"I'll be waiting." Maura called over her shoulder.