Hello everyone, thank you for any reviews, favorites, and follows. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, you make my day! I also want to thank you for your patience with me, you are the best :). This is chapter 14, all mistakes are my own and I apologize in advance. I hope you enjoy.

Gia and Maura spent Valentines day together before Constance returned. Gia said she was never dating anyone during the holiday and always had a girls night with her friends. So that's what she and Maura had, eating candy hearts and watching cheesy romantic comedies.

When Gia arrived at her apartment the next day she found that Hope had cleaned it for her, without disturbing the organized chaos that Gia's artistic life style generated. Hope had also left Gia a note and a present.

Dearest Gianna,

Thank you for always being there for me when I need you. I am so lucky to have met you (although I would have preferred under different circumstances).This may sound a bit corny but you are the best friend I have every had. You've gotten to know me better than anyone else in the two months I've known you, than others who've known me most of my life. You are family to me and I just wanted you to know that.

Happy Valentines Day with love,

Hope

P.S. I hope you like your present, I saw that yours was broken, maybe this will inspire you again. And for the love of God, BE CAREFUL, from what I understand this thing cuts metal.

Hope had gotten Gia a nibbler, which made Gia smile, also feeling lucky to have a friend that knew her so well.

/

Saturday February 19th 1983

Gia had arrived to the Isles residence early in the morning so that Constance could leave for a workshop in Maine.

Constance had stayed the night before to attend a benefit for Maura's school, and Maura volunteered as a junior tour guide, to show families and prospective students around campus. As a result Gia got out of work early, being relieved of her duties after Maura had gotten on the bus that morning. Gia spent her free Friday with Hope who was also off from work. Hope persuaded Gia to try out her new present and in turn Gia made her crane out of sheet metal, reminiscent of the paper ones she always made in grade school.

Constance greeted Gia, "Hello dear, Maura is still asleep, late night, last night. I will be in Maine for the weekend and won't be back until late Monday night." And with those few words Constance left.

Wanting to give Maura as much time as possible, Gia went to the kitchen to start breakfast. Although they were big fans of pancakes, waffles, and French toast, Gia wanted to give Maura something with more protein as her practices were becoming more demanding with the recital approaching. She decided to make omelets. When she finished she put them on a hot plate so they wouldn't get cold while she went to wake Maura.

Gia sat on the edge of the little girl's bed and nudged her shoulder, "Rise and shine, Peanut."

Maura sat up and rubbed her eyes and gave a half sleepy smile, "Gia, it's so good to see you." The little girl threw her arms forward towards Gia. "Five more minutes, K." Maura fell asleep in Gia's lap, in one of those awkward positions kids always seem to fall asleep in. Gia smiled at the little girl unable to resist the request.

Fifteen minutes later, Gia nudged Maura again. "Okay Peanut, this time your really going to need to get up, or you'll be late. The little girl awoke seeming more refreshed then earlier. "Get, changed, I have breakfast waiting for you downstairs.
Gia left Maura's room and returned to the kitchen to fix their plates and pour orange juice in their cups. Maura joined her a few minutes after. When they finished eating Gia took Maura to her practice.

/

Gia was a little lonely at the dance studio without Rachel there to keep her company. She figured that Hannah might have been sick as an explanation for their absence. Gia watched Maura dance with the other girls and always liked seeing the concentration and determination on the little girl's face as she learned to master new moves. It reminded her of her sister, Jess.

At the end of class, the instructor sat the girls down and it seemed like she was giving them speech. Gia figured it had to do with the recital but she couldn't be sure as it was nearly impossible to hear through the thick glass.

After practice let out, Maura looked really upset and walked over to Gia. "Com'on let's go," the little girl started to pull her nanny towards the exit of the dance studio.

Gia could easily tell that Maura was upset and her thoughts immediately jumped to the other girls who might have teased her during practice. When the two got in the car Maura finally broke down, sobbing. Gia let her cry for a few minutes giving her some space and just offering tissues, before asking what's wrong.

"Did something happen in there, Peanut?"

"I... I got the solo during the recital."

"Well, that's good news, isn't it."

Maura shook her head. "No, that was Hannah's solo, she's gone and she's not coming back, her parents split up, she moved with her mom and her brother to Florida earlier this week. I never got to say good bye."

After everything she went through with Valerie, Gia understood what the loss of a friend felt like and she wanted so badly to hug Maura. She was apprehensive though remembering the last time she saw Maura this upset was the time she got lost at the mall. When she tried to hug Maura then, the little girl became uncomfortable and backed away. Gia reached over to hug her anyway, as she felt compelled to comfort Maura.

Maura put up her hands quickly. "Please don't." It wasn't that Maura didn't trust Gia, or was uncomfortable being upset around her. She certainly liked hugs from Gia, more than anyone else. For some reason,hugs when she upset made her feel trapped and weak.

Gia took a deep breath and respected Maura's personal space. Nothing pained her more than not being able to fix it.

"I'm sorry, Gia," Maura started. She worried that rejecting Gia's hug would make Gia like her less. This couldn't be further from the truth. Gia had long since accepted Maura's quirks, even if she didn't understand them.

"I have an idea," Gia stated as she started the car. The ride to the destination was silent aside from a few sniffles from Maura who was trying to calm down. After a ten minute drive, they stopped in front of a bakery. "It's cupcake time, cupcakes make everyone feel better," Gia said as they both exited the car.

They walked into the bakery and both examined the cupcake display. "Wow, there sure are a lot of varieties," Maura exclaimed.

"I know, right," Gia responded.

"How did you discover this place," Maura asked.

"You, know my doctor friend, she got me one for my birthday, the lemon merengue one. That woman sure pays attention to detail."

Maura smiled, "I really like her."

"You never met her, Peanut."

"Yeah but she likes you, and I like that about her."

The cashier approached the two, "Can I help you?"

"I'm ready, what about you, Peanut?

"Yeah, I think so."

Maura pointed to a cupcake on the top shelf. "May I have the red velvet cupcake, please?"

"Of course you may, young lady, what impeccable manners!"

Maura smiled.

"And for you?" The cashier addressed Gia.

"I'd like the lemon merengue one please."

"Phenomenal choice!"

The two sat and ate their cupcakes and as Gia claimed, it did make Maura feel a little better.

"Sorry about Hannah, Peanut, but at least she doesn't have to hear her parents fight anymore."

"I know. I just wish it didn't have to be this way."

"I know," Gia offered a consoling smile.

The two finished their cupcakes and left the bakery.

When they exited the store, Maura heard a faint whimper. "Did you hear that," she asked Gia. After a few seconds the sound was made again.

"Yeah, what do you think it is?"

Maura stood still and closed her eyes hoping that this would heighten her sense of hearing. Gia watched as the little girl tried to solve the mystery.

They heard the sound again. With closed eyes, Maura moved closer and closer in the direction of the sound until her body collided with a dumpster, she fell flat on her back and opened her eyes.

"Peanut be careful!"

They heard the whimper again, as Gia helped Maura rise to her feet. "I think it's coming from there," Maura pointed to the dumpster. "Give me a boost," she asked Gia.

"I don't think so, Peanut, it's too dangerous."

Maura frowned, "...but someone needs our help."

Unable to resist Maura's puppy dog eyes, Gia offered her clasped hands as a stepping stool for Maura to get into the dumpster.

"Whoever you are, I'm here to save you," the little girl said as she rooted through the trash around her. The whimpering sound became louder and she was able to focus on one location. After some careful digging Maura uncovered a small kitten whose eyes were still closed. She gasped as she scooped the kitten up with both hands and put it in the pocket of her coat. She lightly patted her pocket " It's ok little guy, I'll be your mommy now."

"What did you find," Gia said as she helped Maura out of the dumpster.

Maura opened her pocket to show Gia the kitten.

"Awwww, poor thing," Gia responded.

"We have to take him to the veterinarian," Maura stated.

"Do you know of any around here," Gia asked the little girl.

"There's one by the library."

The two got in the car and Gia drove to the veterinarian, following Maura's directions.

When they got there, they waited for nearly two hours before being seen. During that time, Maura tried her best to keep the kitten warm.

A doctor stepped out from one of the examining rooms. "Kitten Isles?"

Maura sprang up from her seat, then Gia got up too. They followed the doctor back to the examination room.

"What do we have here," he said as Maura placed the tiny kitten on the examination table.

"We found him in the dumpster," Maura stated.

"This kitten is very young, and needs to be around its mother."

"I don't think he has one, he was buried under piles of trash and was crying," Gia offered.

"Very well," he said examining the kitten. "If you plan on taking care of her, she's going to need to be bottle fed, also you should clean her up if you found her in the dumpster, the germs could compromise her already weakened immune system."

Maura listened to the doctor intently. She then apologized to the kitten, "Sorry for mistaking your gender, little girl," she gently patted the kitten on the head.

"Can I see you outside for a minute," the doctor asked Gia.

Gia looked at Maura and shrugged, then followed the doctor.

When they were outside the doctor warned Gia. "Listen, it does not look good for this kitten, you should save your daughter the heartache, and tell her to leave the kitten here where we will "find a good home for her," the doctor used air quotes for the last part.

Gia knew that Maura would insist on caring for the kitten herself, and if anyone could help this kitten thrive it would be Maura. "I think we are going to give it a shot doc," she responded.

He accepted the response with some hesitation. "Okay but it won't be easy," then he wrote a few things on a piece of paper and handed it to Gia. "You'll need to go to the pet store and grab these items." Then the two went back into examination room.

"Okay kiddo, it looks like your all set," the doctor said patting Maura on the head and petting the kitten one last time.

Maura put the kitten back in her pocket. Then the two left the veterinarian's office and got into Gia's car to go to the pet store.

"What did you to talk about out there," Maura asked as she buckled her seat belt.

"Oh, he just gave me a list of supplies," Gia replied, she didn't want to tell Maura what he said before that because she knew it would upset her.

When they arrived at the pet store, Maura immediately took over being the one to obtain the items on the list: kitten milk, kitten shampoo, wet wipes, and so forth.

As she and Gia walked to the counter, Maura paused and clung to Gia's side as she saw an unfamiliar creature approaching. "Ahhh, what is that thing," she pointed at it, "It's looks like a huge turtle or something."

Gia started to laugh. "That's a tortoise, Peanut." She looked at the little girl with surprise. "Wow, I know something you don't." Gia then approached the animal, "I think this is an African Spurred Tortoise."

"Yeah, you're right lady," the teenage cashier interrupted, "Her name is Gladys, and she's forty-seven years old.

"Thank you," Gia responded to the cashier before turning back to Maura. "My twin siblings Corey and Heather took care of one for the summer, when it was their class pet. They're actually pretty cool," Gia said gesturing Maura to come over.

Maura walked over slowly, as the cashier came from behind the counter and handed her a strawberry. "Here, give her this, and she'll be your best friend."

Maura took the strawberry and offered it to the tortoise who gently took it from her hand. Maura smiled.

"See that wasn't so bad," Gia said as she put her arm around the little girl.

"Yeah, she seems like a nice pet."

"Sorry to interrupt you guys, but I'm closing up," the cashier said.

"Sorry," Gia offered as they made their way to the check out.

I plan on picking up where I left off for the next chapter. As always reviews are welcome. Be well and have a splendid day :)