Well hello there! Thank you all once again for any reviews, follows and favorites. I truly appreciate it. Sorry that this update was later than I wanted it to be, things got pretty hectic for me these past two weeks. Here is chapter 16, I hope you enjoy it. All mistakes of course are mine and I apologize in advance.

Since returning from her long weekend, Constance had become busier, taking on two more night classes when another faculty member had to go on medical leave. As a result, Gia was there every night to tuck Maura into bed. It had been a little over two weeks since Marshmallow had passed and eventually Maura stopped crying every night before bed, when she missed the little kitten the most. She was thankful that Gia was there to keep her company during this time because she wouldn't have been able to explain to her mother why she was crying.

Constance had been gone since the previous Friday, because the university was on spring break. She wasn't scheduled back until Monday morning. Maura still had school so she didn't accompany her mother on her trip to Amsterdam, but she wasn't bothered because she got to spend an entire week and then some, just her and Gia. While Maura was at school Gia would spend her mornings and afternoons with Hope provided that the doctor was off, and when she wasn't, Gia would meet her at the hospital for lunch.

Thursday, March 10th 1983

Gia parked her car outside of Maura's school, she got there a couple of minutes early. She kept the car running because it was still very cold out despite spring quickly approaching. Gia listened to the weather report on the radio after hearing Hope talk about the possibility of snow when they had lunch earlier that day. The announcer had a deep voice with a thick Boston accent.

"We should expect about six inches of precipitation. I must say after a virtually uneventful winter, I am quite surprised by this snow so late in the season, as are the people of Boston, but it shouldn't be problematic and everyone should assume that most schools and businesses will be open tomorrow."

As the announcer finished his report, Maura got in the car.

"Hi Gia, how was your day," Maura asked.

"Pretty good, the doctor likes my macaroni and cheese just as much as you do."

"Is she still coming over tonight?"

Gia frowned. "No, they are making her stay because of the snow tonight."

Maura frowned too. "I understand," she responded in disappointment.

When the two arrived back at the Isles residence, Maura worked on her homework at the kitchen table while Gia cooked dinner. Maura finished as Gia was ready to serve.

The two sat together and ate eggplant Parmesan because Maura asked Gia to make it that morning. When they finished Maura practiced her violin for a few hours before settling on the couch to read with Gia. Soon it was Maura's bedtime and Gia tucked the little girl in and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

Gia stayed up for a few hours and continued to read on the couch, when she decided to retire she had noticed that it had begun to snow outside. No longer tired because she was excited, she watched as the snow fell steadily and was surprised to see that it was laying rather quickly despite the weather man's report. Gia watched for hours, from the window, as inch by inch the snow began to accumulate. She enjoyed the snow now as much as she did when she was little. She hoped that tomorrow would be a snow day for Maura, so the two of them could play in it.

Friday, March 11th 1983

Gia had been up all night like an excited child on Christmas, she listened to the radio station announce the school closings by number, wondering if Maura school even had one because it was announcer began with public schools.

"P.S. 112, P.S. 113, P.S. 114..."

Three minutes later.

"And now for the Catholic Schools which we'll announce by name, St. John's, Maria Goretti, St. Timothy's..."

Two minutes later.

"Last but certainly not least the private schools also announced by name, Pembrooke Boy's Prep, Grier Academy, Barclay School for Girls... And our last closing of the day..."

Gia lay on the bed with fingers crossed.

"Bryn Cutberth Academy"

Gia sprung up with a rush of excitement. She immediately ran downstairs and out the front door. She picked up a handful of snow and formed it into a ball. She quietly closed the door, ran back up the stairs and made her way to Maura's room.

Meanwhile Maura had been awake for the past half hour and watched Gia go outside and grab a snowball. Guessing that Gia's intention was to surprise her, Maura wanted to be ready for a counter attack. She quickly opened her window and gathered the snow from the windowsill forming it into a ball, she got back in bed in time for Gia to make it to her room.

Gia entered Maura's room and threw the snowball at the little girl's head.

"It's a snow day, Peanut!"

Even though Maura was prepared she was startled momentarily as it was quite cold. Nevertheless Maura was ready for her counter attack.

"Snow day indeed," Maura screamed as she sprang up a few seconds later and threw a snowball at Gia that hit her in the chest just below her neck. "Bullseye! Looks like I'm the one who surprised you!"

Gia clutched the area and dramatically acted out a death scene. "Oh no, Peanut, ya got me." She stumbled around for a few seconds before falling to the floor.

The little girl, paranoid that she had given her nanny a heart attack, rushed over to Gia and shook her a few times. Gia played possum. Maura was just about to start chest compressions when Gia grabbed her. "Now I got you, Peanut."

"That wasn't funny, Gia, if I would have started, I would have broken your ribs."

Gia looked at the tiny girl. "Somehow I doubt that, Peanut."

"Trust me, I'm stronger than I look," Maura said in an upset and serious tone. "If you needed it, I'd be able to do it."

Gia realizing she offended the little girl apologized. "Sorry Peanut, I'm sure that you could, if I needed it... probably better than anyone else." She put her hand on Maura's shoulder. "How 'bout we eat some breakfast and then go and play in the snow."

After they ate, the two got dressed to go outside.

Maura dressed herself to prepare for the outdoor weather. She wore: thermal pants and a long sleeve thermal shirt, a pair of sweat pants and a sweatshirt over top of the thermals, a pair of snow pants and a heavy winter jacket over top of the sweats, two pairs of wool socks and steel toed snow boots, a pair of thick waterproof gloves, a hat, earmuffs and a scarf. She looked at Gia who was only dressed in her jeans, pea coat, and sneakers, with a thin pair of knit gloves. "Are you going out like that?"

"Yeah, what's wrong?"

"So many things." For instance, your extremities, the gloves you are wearing won't keep your hands warm enough, you could get frostbite. That could lead to amputation." Maura could sense that Gia stopped listening. "Amputation of your fingers Gia, you're an artist, you work with your hands."

"Don't worry Peanut, I'll be fine," Gia reassured the little girl.

Maura wasn't convinced but knew it was useless to argue with the stubborn young woman.

When the two got outside Gia turned to Maura. "It's your snow day, Peanut, what would you like to do first?"

"Can we make a snowman?"

"Of course we can, what a brilliant idea."

They worked on the bottom first starting with a small snowball and rolling it until it gradually became large enough to be the base. The the two tackled the middle part using the same strategy making the ball a little bit smaller. Gia picked it up carefully and placed it on top of the bigger ball. Finally they worked on the head rolling a small ball until it was big enough to place on top but still smaller then the other two balls. To finish the snowman, they found twigs for the arms, got a carrot from the house for the nose, as well as two black olives for the eyes, and raisins to form the smile.

Maura smiled at their work. "He looks great."

Gia nodded in agreement and looked around at the other snowmen in the neighborhood. "I can say without a doubt he's the best one one the block." She put out her hand for Maura to give her a high five, which the little girl accepted with excitement.

"What do you want to do now Pea..." Gia started to say as she was hit in the head by a snowball.

"I got her," she heard a boy's voice cry out.

Maura looked at the boy and then looked back at Gia. "Let's challenge the boys to a snowball fight."

Gia was happy to see that Maura was becoming more adventurous in engaging with children her own age. "I second that, Peanut." Gia grabbed some snow and formed it into a ball, when the boy wasn't looking she threw it at him hitting him in the head.
"If it's a snowball fight you are looking for kiddo, you got it."

The boy made a call and rallied his troops, causing five more boys to join him.

"We're out numbered," Maura said nervously.

"Don't worry, Peanut, I've got years of snowball fighting experience on these kids, we've got this.

The snowball fight soon escalated. Maura was impressed at how quickly Gia could form snowballs as well as the accuracy of her throws. The boys did manage to get a few throws in but they were no match to Gia's skill, each hit was direct. Maura also managed to get a few throws in, but was especially good at dodging the snowballs. Soon the boys retreated knowing that there was no possible way they could win against the two girls. Victorious, the two girls jumped in the air and cheered.

"Is there anything you wanted to do in the snow, Gia?"

"Sledding would be fun but there are no hills around, plus, we don't have a sled." She paused for a second to think. "I got it follow me."

Maura followed Gia as they made their way to an untouched area of the yard.

"Okay Peanut, stand with your arms out like this," Gia instructed, demonstrating the stance.

Maura complied.

"Now, I am going to push you and you are going to fall on your back. Don't worry it won't hurt, there's more than enough snow to cushion your fall.

Gia then pushed the little girl on the ground. Maura fell on her back. Gia took a few steps from her and fell back on her own next to Maura.

"Next we pretend like we are doing jumping jacks while lying down in the snow."

Both Gia and Maura did the jumping jack motions for a few seconds.

"Freeze, and close your eyes," Gia said. She got up slowly and carefully trying not to mess up her creation. Then she grabbed Maura's hands and helped her up, Maura started to peek. "Keep them closed." Gia turned Maura around facing what she had created in the snow. "Okay, you can open them."

Maura opened her eyes and was delighted and surprised by what she saw. "Wow, they look like angels, did we make these?"

"We sure did," Gia responded putting her arm around the little girl.

"They are beautiful," Maura responded as she leaned into Gia. Maura glanced at Gia's hand on her shoulder and saw that snow was caked onto it. "How are your hands?"

"A little bit numb but fine."

"Okay, we're done with the snow for now," Maura commanded. "We need to go inside to get warm."

After Maura got changed out of her winter attire she remained in her thermals which were still dry. Gia quickly took off her gloves and walked to the sink to run her hands under hot water. When Maura noticed this she ran over, saw that the water was steaming, and immediately turned off the water.

She sighed. "I bet you didn't feel that did you?"

Gia just shook her head.

"You can't do that you could have seriously burned your hands, you need to warm them up gradually." She took Gia's right hand between her hands and rubbed it trying to stimulate circulation. "They're ice cold. Put your other hand somewhere close to the center of you body until I'm ready for it." Gia did as instructed and placed her hand on her stomach. She jumped as they were indeed very cold. The little girl worked quickly but carefully and soon Gia could feel her fingers again. When she was satisfied with her progress Maura asked for Gia's left hand. When she grabbed the hand she notice the scar from the day after Thanksgiving and how it was more pronounced due to the poor circulation in that hand. She worked on the left hand with the same care as she did the right and soon Gia could feel her fingers on that one too.

"Thanks, Peanut, you're the best."

"I'd wish you'd listen to me Gia, but you're just so stubborn sometimes."

"Sorry, Peanut, I guess it's the older sibling in me that makes me that way."

Maura frowned. "I wished you'd take better care of yourself is all."

Gia not wanting to engage Maura in this particular conversation opted for a means of distraction. "I think I should make us some hot chocolate how does that sound," she offered to the little girl.

Maura gave a half smile and nodded, she wanted to continue the conversation but accepted Gia's avoidance of the subject with the intent to approach it at another time. As much as she loved her nanny she didn't always understand her, but tried to accept the choices she made within reason.

The two spent the rest of their day drinking hot chocolate and watching reruns of their favorite show to watch together Cagney & Lacey.

For some reason this chapter was hard for me to write even though I had the idea for a while. Thanks for reading. Reviews are always welcome. Be well and have a splendid day. I'm going to make myself some hot chocolate :)