A/N: Last one, breaking the mold a little bit, quite a lot actually. Cavity inducing fluff. Let's tie this fic in a neat little bow. Last one, I promise. *marks Complete*
Unbeta'd as usual.
Disclaimer: Not mine, show runners make them canon etc.
/zlez
Ch. 6 - Baseball - Redux
It had been an entire year of first and lasts for Maura and Jane. First times, first proposals, first wedding. First and last proposal and wedding. The wedding was a simple summer affair, only the closest of family and friends attending, no volcanoes or pitching mounds. Classy like Maura but simple like Jane. A perfect match. And a perfect match was what Jane was looking forward. Sitting on her usual spot on the sofa looking at a now upgraded TV set, Maura had insisted, better sharpness and natural movements, all perfectly suited for sports and amazing colors suited for all the documentaries. Nothing like watching gross operations with perfect clarity. Jane smiled and turned up the volume. She love listening to the National Anthem during pre game, it gave her a sense of belonging and if the singer was any good, if the crowds backed them up properly, it would often result in goosebumps or cutis anserina like Maura exclaimed the first time she noticed them during a game a while ago.
"Are you cold, do you want me to get you a blanket?"
"No, I'm fine, it's the Anthem. I get chills when the crowd joins in and the singer is actually on pitch."
"Oh, fascinating."
"No, stop looking at me like that, you are not allowed to experiment on me, I've said it before."
"But sports and the deep connection the spectators have with their favorite team is fascinating and I do often take mental notes when the guys are over, I'd like to do a study correlating the emotions and the play of the team, why can't I use my favorite person as my subject?"
"Because your favorite person does not appreciate being a guinea pig! You could use the guys though, but don't tell them, you'll get more accurate data that way."
"That is an excellent idea Jane!" Jane smirked a the fun she had set up for the next time they came over. She could tell Maura was bursting with ideas now, goosebumps all but forgotten now.
Jane's genius stroke had resulted in some hilarious anthropological behavior. Maura would sit in the living room with a Moleskin notebook taking meticulous notes whenever the guys did something, her eyes never leaving them. Frankie was quite used to Maura's oddities since he'd spend a lot of time in their driveway now that they had a sweet hoop at the correct height but the other guys had some trouble adjusting to the constant monitoring. Tommy... Tommy still hadn't come around. He had come to some Sunday dinners but he didn't go to the wedding and Jane rarely saw him anymore. It hurt Jane, he was family and family is forever. Jane tried to redirect her thoughts to the crazy things Frost and Korsak did to avoid Maura's never wavering stare. She was interrupted by a crack so loud she instinctively reached for her gun but it was just a perfect hit on the television. The game was on.
"Do you want your regular beer or one of the microbrews I bought?" Jane looked over to the kitchen to find Maura in comfy clothes
"Neither actually, I feel like having some wine, is there anything that goes with chips?"
"Yes, there is." Jane quirked an eyebrow toward the ceiling in disbelief.
"Really? I have to taste that." Maura poured a glass of a very old wine that she knew went with absolutely everything. She poured one for herself as well before taking the glasses over. Jane popped a chip in her mouth letting the salt coat her tongue before taking a small sip of the magic wine. "Wow, this is really good. It does complement the chips very well, fine choice Maura!" Giving Maura peck of gratitude on her cheek she took a longer sip of the wine.
"It's the last bottle we have. I always thought we'd share it during an intimate dinner but this seems more us. Do you know it's been a year to the day since you had your epiphany and I finally kissed you?"
"Has it already been a year? Damn, time goes by fast. Good thing I got you something then." Maura just looked a Jane, wondering what she could have gotten her. Jane pulled out an envelope from between the sofa cushions and handed it over. "I know I often seem... less than enthusiastic whenever Ma brings it up but I don't want you to get the impression I don't want it. I want us to do it on our terms, not because some outside force thinks it's what we should do." Maura opened the envelope with care pulling out a card. "I've done the research and she seems to be an excellent lawyer for this. This is me showing you that I want to have a family with you, I want a little runt to dress up in a Sox jersey and celebrate when they win the World Series." Maura was speechless, holding on to the adoption lawyer's card tightly. They had discussed it in passing but it never amounted to anything, Jane didn't seem interested.
"Why- Why did you let me believe that kids weren't an option yet?"
"My job mainly. But the more I thought about it the more I wanted it. My job is important but if I can get a mostly desk job I'd be safer. I know I'm thinking ahead but... I love you Maura. And I want it all. Maybe not now, but I do want it all."
"Jane, are you paraphrasing Queen to make your point?"
"Hey, Freddie Mercury is a rock god." Maura chuckled at Jane's antics. This was big. She was itching to call the lawyer to get the ball rolling. "You can go call her you know, leave a message, get the process rolling."
It had all happened very much faster than Jane anticipated. The Red Sox had won the ALCS and as soon as the World Series started the lawyer had approved them and they were in the process of finding a child. Work was slow and Jane felt it was as good time as any to talk to Lt. Cavanaugh.
"Hey boss, can I talk to you?"
"Sure, what is it Rizzoli?"
"We're adopting, Maura and I, it's all happening a bit faster than I thought but I guess that's having the state Chief ME as your wife does. I was thinking about my career options so..."
"Could you handle being behind a desk and dealing with the brass?"
"For Maura and the future kid, yes. I've done some... stupid things in my career but I don't think I'd jeopardise not being there for my family. So let the brass kissing start."
"Rizzoli, I'll let you in on a little secret: I'm being promoted by the end of the year. I guess you three have done enough for brass to take notice and I'm moving up. I was initially going to ask Korsak but now... I'm not so sure."
"Korsak would be great, why aren't you so sure now?"
"You're a hell of a detective and I'd never thought I'd see the day you willingly take a desk job, but I know you make a good leader and I know the department will thrive under your leadership."
"Boss, I see where you're going with this but I'm just a detective, I need to move up in the ranks and-"
"You have more than enough experience and the rank is just an exam away. You have all the accolades you need to do this."
"Thank you sir."
"Don't disappoint me Detective Rizzoli."
"I won't boss. Sir."
New Year came and went, the Pats making the NFL playoffs again. Jane was settling in her new office, decorating it with pictures of her family and sports paraphernalia, a World Series 2013 champion banner taking up half a wall. Frost and Korsak had been nothing but gracious and congratulatory when she broke the news of taking over Cavanaugh's position, her mother ecstatic that she wouldn't be out in the field more and Maura was relieved she'd taken this step. The 'Other Rizzoli' took her spot on her old team, keeping them as a threesome. The door opened suddenly and a wild-looking Maura entered.
"The lawyer called, they have a child that they think would fit in with us."
"Maura! We're having a kid!" Maura was crying tears of happiness and Jane hugged her hard and started crying as well.
"There are still meetings and approvals but yes, we're having a kid." Jane grabbed the tissue box she had on her desk and handed it over to Maura, taking one for herself and putting it back down in it's place.
"Still, a kid. Should we break the news to Ma now? Now that it's close?" They had intentionally kept the adoption under wraps, Cavanaugh the only one who actually knew about it outside the two. The lawyer had been at their house but only when Angela was at the cafe and if she was there she'd be whisked away to the guest house, Jane telling her it was about Maura's finances and some legal things like her will and such. It wasn't a complete lie, they had taken a liking to the lawyer and had her draw up some documents to protect their child. The lawyer usually didn't do those types of things but the women were so lovely she couldn't say no.
"I think that would be a good idea. Let's go."
"What, now?! I was thinking like over dinner or something, you know she's going to have a conniption for not knowing earlier."
"The sooner she knows, the sooner she can get involved. We won't be able to take too much time off, you even less with the new position and we will need her to take our son or daughter when we can't."
"Ever the practical one. Alright, let's get it over with. Not many customers are getting their coffees today..." They made their way down to the cafe and asked Stanley if they could borrow Angela for a couple of minutes. After some unattractive grunts he relented and took over cashier duty.
"What's going on girls?"
"Ma, we have some news, why don't you sit down please."
"Is it Frankie? Did Tommy do something stupid again?"
"No, nothing bad has happened and it's not like Tommy would call me, anyways Ma... We're adopting!"
"The lawyer called us today and they have a child they think might suit us, we wanted you to be the first one to know Angela."
"Ma, say something, you're scaring me:" Angela picked up her jaw from the floor and her eyes started to water.
"I'm becoming a grandmother?"
"Yes Angela, you are going to have a small child to coddle over when we are tired of him or her." Jane smirked at Maura's joke, nodding along.
"I'm becoming a grandmother! Have you redecorated the guest room yet, how about baby proofing, clothes, oh this is going to be so much fun! We'll get your old baby stuff out of storage and... Why are you looking at me like that?"
"We don't know if it's a boy or girl yet, though that will have little influence on how we decorate, and we put kept our options open. The child might not be a baby at all, if the fit is right, the child might be as old as 12 or 13. So we are waiting with all the details until we have an actual child." Jane cringed slightly at Maura's explanation, knowing her mother wanted to dote over a baby child, not a near teenager. Angela's response surprised her a bit.
"Understandable. There are a lot of kids that need good homes."
"Good that you understand Ma. Now that this is over, can I get some coffee? Please?"
"And could I get a tea?"
"Of course, just wait a moment." As they both watched Angela walk away they turned to each other and leaned in for a small peck on the lips.
"That went well, don't you think Jane?"
"Yeah, a little too well. So what exactly did the lawyer say? You didn't give me much info to go on."
"We have the first meeting tomorrow, she said they'd give us all the information we would need." The day passed by slowly and quickly, nerves building up and scenarios passing through their minds. Soon it was tomorrow.
Maura changed her clothes three times and her shoes five times before settling on the perfect outfit, Jane opted for one of her nicer suits and a dash of makeup. As soon as they got in the car the nerves had taken over both.
"What if the child doesn't like me?"
"What if I scare the kid, I mean, I'm not the one with the soft hands here."
"Can I crouch properly in this dress?"
"I should have gone with a ponytail, what if the kid is all up in my hair?" They continued their 'what ifs' all the way to the agency only stopping when they stood outside the door. "This is it Maura, the human being that is going to shape our future is behind these walls:"
"I'm terrified Jane, what if-"
"No more what if's, this is happening. I love you and I will love whoever is behind the doors."
"I love you too." Jane leaned in for a determined kiss, determined to get rid of all the nerves and take the next step in their relationship. Jane pushed the door open leading Maura in, walking in behind her.
"Hello, we are here to see-"
"Ah, there you are, come on, let's get it over with!" Maura smoothed her dress and Jane ran nervous fingers through her hair. They walked over to a door, Jane taking Maura's hand. Together they entered the room, together they began a new adventure.
Fin.
Reviews are love but not necessary.
A/N: Thank you for all the kind words, sometimes you just need a little fluff to weigh up all the angst that we Rizzlers seem to love. This thing got away for me a bit but I'm quite satisfied with the end product. Stay tuned for some new projects, mostly angst but I might put up some fluffy one-shots. Go to my tumblr and give me prompts if that's your thing or just say hi, link is on my profile. Thank you yet again for reading!