When Jane learned Maura wasn't planning on celebrating any of the winter holidays, she was too stunned to ask why, and conversation moved to other topics. That evening, Jane turned the volume down on the Celtics game they were watching. "Why don't you do anything for Christmas?"
"I never did any of that growing up."
"What?"
"My parents weren't religious, and refused to participate in seasonal commercialism."
"You never had a tree?"
"No."
"Never visited Santa?" Jane continued incredulously.
"Santa is a fictional creation loosely based on"
"I know about Santa, Maura," Jane interrupted.
"It isn't a big deal," Maura said.
But it was, and Jane decided that Maura was going to get a full-tilt Christmas. The next day, she summoned Frankie to lunch with Korsak and Frost. "Maura's never had Christmas," she announced.
"You called me here for. What? You mean never? Like *never*?" Frankie answered.
Jane ignored him. "We're gonna give her one. It's her first one, so it should be special."
Korsak and Frankie recognized Jane's enthusiasm, and Korsak turned to Frost. "Lesson the first. When she's like this, just go with it."
"Just for that, Detective Smartass, you're in charge of the tree. No rinky dink thing for your apartment. You've seen her house."
"Got it, boss," Korsak saluted lazily.
"I'll get the rest of the greens," Frost volunteered.
"I'll talk to Pop," Frankie added.
One long lunch and a cohesive plan later, they split up. Jane headed immediately to her parents'. Paperwork was always there, and Frost would call if they got a case. When Jane told her mother the plan, she immediately volunteered to help and invited Maura to the Rizzoli family Christmas dinner.
In the end, Jane got the duty of keeping Maura busy while the others, including a few of Maura's lab workers and other detectives, decorated the house and yard and trimmed the tree. As planned, a little after 10 p.m., Jane drove Maura home. She grinned when she turned onto Maura's street because Maura's house was no longer the dark hole in the decorated neighborhood.
"Close your eyes," Jane instructed, although she knew Maura had seen.
Maura looked at her suspiciously.
"C'mon, Maur, just close 'em. It's not for long."
"Fine," Maura acquiesced, and closed her eyes. She kept them closed as Jane pulled into the garage. "Can I open them now?"
"Not yet." Jane got out and went around to open Maura's door. She led her into the house, one hand over her eyes after she opened the kitchen door.
Her mother was the first person Jane saw in the kitchen, and she nodded to let Jane know everything was ready. Jane guided Maura to her living room, now decorated and full of their friends and colleagues.
"Surprise!" they yelled when Jane dropped her hand.
Maura's eyes opened as wide as they could while she looked around, even going so far as to turn in a complete circle. And then tears started.
"Shh, hey, it's a good thing," Jane comforted and put her arms around Maura.
"It's beautiful."
"So why the tears?"
"I'm happy," Maura assured her.
"Then how about you clean up your face and we'll make a toast."
There were many toasts before everyone left. The mess was limited to a few glasses that wouldn't fit in the dishwasher. Jane and Maura enjoyed the quiet. They turned out the room lights and sat with the tree and fireplace.
"This is one of the nicest things anyone's done for me. Thank you."
"You're welcome." Jane reached out and brushed Maura's hair from her face. Maura was especially beautiful in the uneven lighting. It played off the highlights in her hair.
"You're always doing these wonderful things for me and I feel like I don't do anything for you."
"You do things for me all the time. Right now, you're keeping my drunk ass off the streets."
Maura giggled. "That's not what I mean."
"You don't need to do anything, Maura."
Jane's suddenly serious tone stopped Maura's giggles, but not her smile. "I want to do everything for you," she answered softly.
"You don't," Jane repeated, but Maura cut her off.
"I want to," Maura insisted, taking Jane's hand.
Jane didn't flinch like she usually did when anyone, even Maura, touched her hands.
Maura leaned in close to Jane and whispered, "Let me."
Jane nodded slightly. Her mouth was suddenly dry, her breathing shallow while she waited for Maura.
Maura slid her cheek along Jane's before kissing her slowly. She wasn't at all tentative, just a little surprised and hopeful that Jane would finally accept what was so obvious to everyone else. Jane's willing response put some of her fear to rest. The remainder was susceptible only to time, like the minutes passing in kiss after kiss.
"Wow," Jane heaved.
"Indeed," Maura agreed and looked at their joined hands. That, to Maura, was a greater indicator of Jane's thoughts. Jane didn't even offer to shake hands any more, had gotten out of the habit during the months she rehabbed her hands after her first encounter with Warren Hoyt, but she allowed Maura to examine, exercise, and embrace them.
"Are we?" Jane asked cautiously.
"I'd like to be."
Jane nodded slowly, accompanied by a long, "OK."
Maura's immediate smile set Jane's heart racing again, and this time, she kissed Maura.
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