Maura smiled as she stepped on to her back porch. The annual 4th of July Rizzoli family BBQ was in full swing. Tommy and Frankie were tossing a football around in the grass. Jane and Frost were chatting with Korsak as he manned the grill. Maura had been helping Angela with the last few side dishes but the older woman had sent her outside to spend some time with everyone. Her smiled widened as the looked at her family. A family that she never thought that she would have.

She stepped down off the back porch and made her way over to the picnic table they had set up in the middle of the grass. She didn't want to disturb anyone in their current activities or conversations so she decided to just sit back and observe.

It wasn't long before Jane noticed her sitting at the shaded table. The lanky detective made her way over to her girlfriend and greeted her with a long kiss.

"Hey babe, Ma finally kick you out of the kitchen?" Jane smiled.

"Yes she did." Maura chuckled, "She's just finishing up the last few things. She should be out here momentarily."

"Good. Can I get you something to drink?"

The honey blonde shook her head, "No thank you, I'm fine."

"You wanna learn how to throw a football?" Jane asked as she gestured towards her brothers. "I am sure Tommy and Frankie would be more then willing to help you too, and if not then I will just go and steal the ball for you."

This made Maura laugh outright, "Maybe later." She told her with a smile.

"Hey," Jane said as she knelt in front of her, "What's up?" She could see that something was going on in her favorite pair of green eyes but couldn't put her finger on it.

"Nothing." Maura told her honestly. "I am just so happy. Thank you for making me a part of your family."

Jane smiled as she took Maura's face in her hands and kissed her thoroughly, "Always."

I already have 2 other chapters written - yay for a 4 hour flight across the country - but I will post them one at a time. What can I say...I'm a whore for reviews and know if I post 3 chapters at once you are more likely to only review on the last one! :)