Jane was watching over TJ, waiting for Maura to come home and join them, when the doctor texted her to say that she was being held up and to eat without her. Jane sent her back a sad face before returning her attention to the five year-old on the floor with her.
"So, little man, seems like we're on our own for dinner. What would you like?" Jane smiled at TJ's joyful expression, knowing exactly what the little mongrel would want.
"Dinosaur chicken nuggets!" he squealed, jumping up from the floor to tug Jane toward the kitchen. She chuckled and allowed herself to be pulled away.
"Alright kid," she said, peering into the freezer and pulling out the brand new box of nuggets, "how hungry are you?" Her gaze flipped back between the box and the child sitting at the bar stool in front of her.
His eyes grew shy as he bashfully asked, "can we make the whole box? Please?"
It was worth considering. The kid would be stuffed at the end, and so would Jane, but come on, these things were fantastic. And Maura couldn't punish her for this... the kid asked for it. She tossed them in the oven and set the timer so they could cook without constant attention. Then the game was on. Jane gave TJ a look that had him running away and giggling madly as she chased him. They took turns chasing each other down and tickling the other to shrieks and laughs.
TJ was completely worn out by the time Jane picked him up and dropped him on the couch, the timer beeping in the background of the highlights being showcased on television. Briefly, she considered serving them right in the pan, but after some thought decided it would be far too easy for TJ to burn himself. She tossed them on a plate, grabbed the bottle of ketchup she'd hidden in Maura's fridge, and set them on the coffee table.
Her nephew flew off the couch as the food hit the table, opting instead to sit on the floor so the nuggets would be within easy reach. Jane took the opportunity to flop onto the couch, her long arms making the distance negligible. She slipped her phone from her pocket between bites and fired off a quick text to Maura: We're out of dinosaur chicken nuggets. She glances down at TJ and decides to attempt being cute. RAWR!
They stuffed their faces until every last piece of delectable deliciousness was gone and then TJ lifted himself onto the couch and snuggled into Jane's side. "Thank you, Aunt Jane," he murmured with a yawn as his eyes closed.
"Anytime, kid," she says, kissing the top of his head and turning her attention to baseball highlights.
When Maura steps into the house after being admittedly later than she'd planned, she has to cover her mouth to stop an "Aww" from escaping her lips. Jane and TJ are curled up together on the couch and they're both asleep. She has her arms wrapped around him protectively and a small smile flirting with the corners of her mouth. The doctor takes a photo with her phone and sends the picture to Angela who replies: My Janie is going to be a great mom.
Maura can't help but laugh. I don't doubt it.