Holy crap. First off, I want to apologize for my absence the past few weeks. Without going through the details, we have been dealing with a family situation, and I have been spending a lot of time flying between the west coast and east coast trying to help out where possible. But, for the time being, things have quieted down. Thank you all for being so patient with me.

Here is the next update. It's a little shorter than previous chapters, but it's taken me some time to get back into the story and pick up where I left off. I apologize for any errors as well. :)

Enjoy.

Maura stirred at the sound of Tessa's quiet cries from the bassinette a few feet away from her hospital bed. Trying to orient herself in the haze of exhaustion, Maura rubbed her eyes and gingerly slipped out of her bed to go get her daughter. Maura happened to glance at the clock on the wall and after taking a quick glimpse at the late afternoon light streaming through her window, was slightly relieved to not have slept the day away. Tessa had spent the past forty-eight hours in the NICU as a precaution, so Maura had actually been able to catch up on sleep between visits to the NICU over the past couple days. But after keeping a close watch on the tiny girl, the hospital staff had realized that she was perfectly healthy, and Maura and Jane were relieved upon receiving the news that Tessa could join them in Maura's room until the hospital discharged both of them in a couple days.

Maura was still feeling sore from Tessa's birth, but as she leaned over the bassinette to pick up her little girl, all her fatigue and pain seemed to disappear. Tessa had somehow managed to free her arms from the blanket swaddled around her and was waving her tiny arms as she cried. Maura swiftly reached down and scooped her up, cradling the baby against her chest as she started to rock side-to-side in hopes of soothing her crying daughter.

"What's the matter sweetie?" Maura cooed softly. "Are you hungry again?" She walked slowly over to her bed, bouncing a bit with each step. Maura settled on the edge of her bed, pausing for a moment to make sure she had a good hold on the baby before slowly easing back against the bed with Tessa still cradled against her chest. A few more minutes of Tessa's cries told Maura that her daughter was in fact hungry, so Maura shifted a bit so she could pull up her top and feed Tessa. They moved around a bit more until they were both situated, and it didn't take long for Tessa to latch on and begin nursing.

Maura closed her eyes and leaned her head back to rest on the pillows behind her. Nursing had quickly become her favorite part of having a newborn. Thankfully, Tessa had gotten the hang of it within hours of her birth, and Maura was grateful for that. It was a strange feeling, but the connection that Maura felt with her daughter when she was nursing her was indescribable.

Tessa let out a small grunt, causing Maura to smile. She opened her eyes and gazed down at her daughter adoringly. She cradled Tessa tighter with one arm, and with her free hand traced the soft skin of Tessa's cheek with the back of her index finger. Maura had spent every moment possible studying her daughter, still astounded by the fact that she had given birth to such a perfect little creature. Now that Tessa was a couple days old, she was starting to move out of the "just-born" stage, and Maura could see bits and pieces of her in Tessa's features. So far, Maura was surprised by how fair their daughter was. She didn't have a lot of hair, but the small patch she did have was already blonde. Tessa's brilliant blue eyes were another unexpected feature. Although Maura knew that most babies were born with blue eyes, she had a feeling that Tessa's were going to stay blue. Her skin was decidedly pale, but with that pink tinge that all newborn babies have. Jane swore that Tessa had Maura's nose and lips, but Maura didn't see it. But there was no denying that Tessa looked like Maura.

Maura continued to run her finger along her daughter's cheek, smiling periodically at the noises Tessa was making as she suckled greedily at Maura's breast. Bending down, Maura kissed the top of Tessa's head. Letting out a contented sigh, she settled back against the pillows as a blissful smile spread across her face.

This was the scene that Jane came across a few minutes later. She opened the door to Maura's hospital room quietly, not wanting to disturb Maura and Tessa in case they were sleeping. But as she opened the door and looked into the room, she had to stop and lean against the door as the sight before her caused her heart to skip a beat.

Her beautiful wife was settled into the hospital bed with their tiny, five-pound miracle cradled gently to her chest. Maura was smiling serenely, her eyes closed, as their daughter nursed. The afternoon sunlight streamed into the room, bathing Maura and Tessa in a beautiful glow, which added to the beauty of the picture in front of Jane. This view was one that Jane would never get tired of…her wife cradling their little girl. The only thing that would make this moment complete would be Jack snuggled up against Maura's other side.

Jane brushed the tears that had appeared in her eyes away hastily, and cleared her throat quietly. Maura stirred at the sound, her eyes opening and her smile growing wider.

"Hey." Jane said quietly as she pushed off the doorframe and entered the room. "How are my two favorite girls this afternoon?" She grinned as she pulled the chair beside the bed closer to where Maura was positioned. Before settling in the chair to watch her daughter finish nursing, she leaned over and kissed Maura lightly on the lips. "I missed you two this morning."

After Tessa had been born, Jane had spent every moment at the hospital by her side in the NICU, refusing to leave. Maura had gently asked her on several occasions to go home and get some sleep and a shower, but Jane's stubbornness won out every time as she argued that Tessa shouldn't be alone. When the hospital staff had deemed Tessa perfectly healthy and moved her into Maura's room, Maura had taken the opportunity to suggest that Jane go home and get some rest and spend some time with Jack. Now that Jane was back, it was evident that the time at home had done her good. She looked well-rested and relaxed.

"We missed you too." Maura replied with a sigh. "Did you get some sleep?"

"Mhmm." Jane murmured in reply, already distracted by the sight of their beautiful baby. She reached out to run her fingers along the top of Tessa's head, smoothing down the fine hair there. "Jack and I took a long nap together. I think Uncle Frankie wore him out the past couple days, because we slept for five hours straight." Jane chuckled and leaned in to kiss the top of Tessa's head. "Frankie's gonna bring Jack by in a bit."

Maura smiled again. "Good. I've loved being able to bond with Tessa so much the past couple days, but I miss Jack so much."

"He misses you too. He was so excited when I told him he could come see you and Tessa today. He did a little happy dance…it was hilarious." Jane chuckled.

Maura laughed as she pictured Jack dancing in her head. Peering down at Tessa, she noticed that Tessa had stopped nursing and was about to fall asleep. Maura pulled her shirt down and looked up at Jane. "I think she's done nursing. Do you want to hold her and burp her?"

Jane nodded. "Like I'll ever turn down the chance to hold my gorgeous daughter..." She smirked. Reaching out, she slid her hands between Maura's and picked up Tessa, first settling a spit-up cloth on her shoulder before resting Tessa there. Jane started to gently pat Tessa's back. "God…I still can't get over how small she is. Or how much she looks like you."

"I know." Maura agreed. "I was certain that the dominant features of the donor would be evident, but that doesn't seem to be the case." She shifted to her side on the bed so she could watch Jane with the baby. "I was hoping she would at least have dark hair so she would somewhat resemble you."

Tessa let out a few burps and Jane kissed her temple before bringing her down and cradling her in her arms. "I don't know…I'm kind of obsessed with the fact that we have a mini-Maura." Grinning widely, she held a now-sleeping Tessa up proudly. "Come on…she's pretty freaking adorable. Five pounds, two ounces of complete adorableness."

"She is." Maura replied with a smile, watching as Jane settled Tessa back into the crook of her arm. "She's perfect."

The two women settled into a contented silence, both watching their daughter sleep as she rested in Jane's arms. A couple days into being new parents, and it was their favorite thing to do…just watching their little girl. Jane suddenly remembered something, and broke the silence.

"Oh…I almost forgot." She looked over at Maura. "I stopped by the precinct on the way here."

Maura frowned. "You're on maternity leave, Jane."

"You're right." Jane admitted, switching Tessa to her other arm. With her now-free hand, she shifted and reached around to her back pocket. She pulled out a folded piece of paper and tossed it on the bed in front of Maura. "But...I thought you might want to see that."

Maura rolled her eyes but reached out and picked up the paper. Unfolding it, she scanned it for several seconds, trying to figure out what Jane had deemed so important that she needed to stop by headquarters. Her eyes immediately were drawn to the red ink at the top of the paper, where a 97% was circled. Maura looked up at Jane before fixing her gaze on the paper again, immediately drawn to her wife's name scrawled at the top, next to the words "Detective's Exam." Realization dawned, and Maura dropped the paper in her lap, looking up at Jane for confirmation. "Is this what I think it is?"

Jane laughed and nodded. "I passed." She said with a nonchalant shrug of her shoulders.

Maura was trying to reign in her excitement so she wouldn't wake Tessa. "Oh my god, Jane! I'm so proud of you!" Sitting up, she scooted as close to the edge of the bed. Reaching out, she wrapped her arms around Jane's neck and hugged her tightly. "I'm so proud." She said again, pulling back to shower Jane with kisses.

Jane laughed again, squirming a bit as Maura kissed all over her face. "Alright…alright…tone it down a bit, Maur. Sleeping baby over here…" Before Maura could pull back all the way, Jane reached out and pulled her in for a kiss. When they broke apart, Jane smirked and reached into her back pocket again, this time holding up a shiny gold badge. "I'm a detective, babe."

Maura took the offered badge, holding it in her hands and examining it closely. She ran her fingers along the gold etching, the bold blue letters that read "Boston Police" and "Detective" making her smile with pride. Maura's heart was already full with pride from their newborn daughter, but looking at the badge that symbolized Jane's hard work and effort, her heart seemed to overflow. Tears started to burn in her eyes and she brushed them away with the back of her hand. When she looked back at Jane, she swore she had never seen Jane smile wider than she was now.

"I think it's safe to say this is the best week ever." Jane chuckled, leaning down to gently kiss Tessa's forehead.

"I think I'd have to agree." Maura replied, swallowing back the lump in her throat.

A short while later, Frankie appeared with Jack in tow. Frankie knocked lightly on the door. "Mind if we come in? Jack practically dragged me down the hall, he's so excited."

Jane and Maura both smiled as Jack's face appeared next to Frankie's hip. "Mommy!"

Maura nodded and patted the empty space on the bed next to her. "Come over here and give me hugs and kisses."

Frankie helped Jack up onto the bed, and Maura opened her arms. Not a second later, Jack was wrapping her arms around her neck and kissing her cheek. "I missed you Mommy!"

Maura sighed, running her hand through his hair. Since they had been spending a lot of time in the NICU, where children weren't allowed, she hadn't seen Jack since she had been admitted. Maura pressed several kisses to his cheeks and forehead. "I missed you too Jack." She pulled him onto her lap and hugged him tight. "Are you ready to meet your little sister?"

Jack squirmed excitedly and nodded. "Mama showed me pictures, but I want to give her kisses."

Jane stood up slowly from her chair and brought Tessa down from where she had been sleeping against her chest. "Alright bud. Sit back against Mommy and you can hold her."

Jack followed instructions, settling back against Maura and grinning widely as Jane bent down and settled baby Tessa in their lap. Jack studied her for a few seconds before looking up at Jane. "She's so little Mama." He said quietly.

"She is." Jane replied. "You have to be gentle with her, okay? But soon, she'll be bigger and you can play together."

"I can be gentle." Jack said seriously. He bent down and kissed Tessa, which caused Jane and Maura's hearts to melt. "I love you Tessa." He rested his arms around Maura's, mimicking her protective grasp on the baby.

Maura bent down and kissed the crown of Jack's head. "You are a good big brother Jack."

Jane nodded and ruffled Jack's hair as she settled on the foot of the bed. "The best."