I bring to you the happiest of chapters! Writing this brought me much joy and I hope you all will enjoy it! I have big dramatic plans for the next chapter (something you all have been asking me for), so enjoy the fluffiness while you still can!
Thanks so much for reading! All the best! -J
Chapter 16 – Happy Birthday Baby
It took 2 full weekends to get Jane completely moved into Maura's house; their new home together. Maura had wanted to hire movers but Jane didn't like the idea of strangers handling her things, instead bribing Frankie and Frost to help, relying on them to do most of the heavy lifting.
Amelia had been thrilled when Maura and Jane had sat her down to explain that Jane would be staying with them permanently, the little blonde immediately launching herself at both her Mother and Jane before doing a little happy dance around the family room, which Jane eventually joined. Any worries that either woman had, had were quickly diminished with Amelia's joy and their friends and family's quick acceptance; no one the least bit surprise that Jane would not be returning to her apartment. Though Jane was hesitant about living in such close proximity to her Mother, she also knew that having Angela around was helpful for Maura and thus she didn't complain…much.
With just a couple more weeks before Jane would be returning to work, the brunette was spending her days unpacking while Amelia was at school and Maura was at work, usually spending her evenings looking for the things she unpacked as Maura moved them. Though the pair were different in a lot of ways, they found living together to come rather easy; both women exponentially happier than they had been in a long time.
"Amelia honey what would you like to do for your birthday this year?" Maura had asked her daughter one night after dinner, the family sitting in the living room; Amelia playing with her dolls on the floor, Jane watching the television, while Maura was reading one of her medical journals. "I was thinking you might want to have a party next weekend before Jane returns to work. Does that sound like something you might want to do?"
"Okay Mommy!" Amelia replied happily, getting up from the floor in order to sit between Jane and Maura. "Who will come to my party?"
"Who ever you want to come Bug," Jane was the one to reply, having talked to Maura about this earlier that day, excited to get to celebrate Amelia's fifth birthday with her. "You can invite anyone you want."
"That's right," Maura agreed with a nod, watching as Amelia was obviously thinking. "Who would you like to invite sweetheart?"
"Well," Amelia tapped her chin in thought. "You and Janie," she said first, making both women smile. "And Angela, Frankie, Korsak and Mr. Frostie," she then added with a big grin on her face.
"Okay, well that sounds good," Jane nodded, sharing a smile with Maura who was chuckling quietly. "And what about your friends from school? Wouldn't you like to invite some of them to your party?"
"Hmmm I guess so," Amelia shrugged. "Alyssa could come and Hannah and Emery would be a lot of fun," she said with a smile. "Is that okay?"
"That's definitely okay," Maura nodded, glad that the little girl had some friends that she wanted to invite over, something she and Jane had been trying to encourage for quite some time. "We can play some games and have cake and do whatever you like," she then said, knowing Jane was likely going to be in charge of the party events since she had very little experience with birthday parties that didn't consist of dinner with her parents' friends. "And perhaps your Grandmother will come if she's able to get away from work."
"Okay," Amelia nodded, while Jane barely hid an eye roll, doubting Constance Isles would bother to make an appearance. "Is my birthday next weekend Mommy?"
"Your birthday is next Friday," Maura smiled. "We'll have your party on Saturday, but Friday night we can do something just you, me and Jane. Whatever you want. Does that sound good?"
"That sounds great!" Amelia replied enthusiastically giving both Maura and Jane a hug before returning to the floor to play with her dolls.
"You know this may sound lame," Jane said quietly, shuffling closer to Maura on the couch. "But I am so excited for her birthday," she smiled, watching as Amelia busied herself with her toys, Maura reaching out and taking her hand with a smile. "I may have missed her last four birthdays, but I'm going to make sure this is one she'll always remember."
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Jane felt like a little kid at Christmas the night before Amelia's birthday, coming home from a long case and excitedly helping Maura get presents wrapped and ready for the next day while Amelia was sleeping before spending most of the night tossing and turning, anxious for the next couple days with her favourite little blonde. Jane knew she was being just a little silly. She had spent Christmas with Amelia, and therefore had the opportunity to spoil the little girl, and yet this birthday seemed different; their relationship had changed. In taking things to the next step with Maura, Jane had evidently changed things with Amelia as well; the pair becoming even closer then they were, Jane realizing just how in love with the younger Isles she really was.
In was early when the Detective woke up the morning of Amelia's birthday, feeling a little like she hadn't slept at all, though she was immediately filled with excitement. Glancing at the clock on the nightstand, Jane knew she should let Maura sleep; knew it was far too early to start the day, and yet she simply couldn't resist.
"Maur…pst…Maura…" Jane whispered, leaning over the sleeping blonde, giving her a light poke in the side. "Maura."
"Hmmm Jane?" Maura groaned, squinting her eyes open to find Jane peering down at her, her face a lot closer than she expected. "W-what's…what's wrong?" She asked sleepily.
"It's morning," Jane replied, placing a soft kiss on the side of her girlfriend's mouth.
"Did I miss the alarm?" Maura asked, sounding slightly confused, obviously not yet fully awake. "What time is it?"
"Early," Jane replied guiltily. "The alarm hasn't gone off yet," she said, laying herself on top of the blonde, who simply grunted, still unsure why her girlfriend was waking her up.
"Jane what are you doing?" Maura practically whined, a sound, which sounded completely foreign coming from the Doctor. "Why are you up?"
"I couldn't sleep," Jane replied, sounding like a child. "I'm too excited," she added as she began placing kisses all over Maura's face before joining their lips together in a kiss, which Maura reciprocated for a short moment before pulling away emitting a noise that sounded somewhere between a laugh and a cry.
"Jane I'm so tired," Maura groaned, finally opening up her eyes to look the brunette in the eyes. "The last case was exhausting, and we got to sleep far later than I had hoped last night," she said. "Amelia's not even awake yet. I know you're excited but I was hoping we would sleep until the alarm Baby. Sleep depravation is just as bad for you as…"
"No, no googlemouth this morning," Jane interrupted before Maura could get into a long explanation about why they needed to get 8 hours of sleep a night or something along those lines. "I know you're tired Baby but there's no way I can get back to sleep. Can't we wake Mia early? Please? Just this once? It's her birthday! She only turns five once! Come on, Maur!"
"Jane she's going to be miserable at school if we wake her this early," Maura replied, not even knowing the actual time, but knowing it was too early to be starting their day. "And she will never even make it to movie night if she's over tired. Let's just give her another hour or so okay? Come on, why don't you close your eyes again?"
Sighing Jane rested her head on Maura's chest, tucking herself under the blonde's chin, her long legs extending way past the Medical Examiner's, who chuckled as her girlfriend got herself comfortable, obviously planning to go back to sleep on top of her.
"Are you comfortable?" Maura asked in amusement, wrapping her arms around Jane's middle, as she allowed her own eyes to drift shut, taking comfort in the weight on top of her.
"Very," Jane smiling, placing a kiss on Maura's shoulder, allowing the scent that was purely Maura calm her and lull her towards sleep. "I'm really happy I'm here Maur….with you…and Mia…you two make me so happy," she said rather dreamily as Maura began drawing circles on her back with her finger.
"You make us very happy too Jane," Maura replied, placing a kiss on the top of the brunette's head. "We both love you so much Beautiful. Sleep now love, Amelia will be ready to spend her birthday with you when you wake."
"I love you both Maur," Jane said, her voice betraying the fact that she was still rather tired. "Do you think Mia will like my present?"
"I think she's going to love your present," Maura laughed lightly, feeling the brunette's breathing beginning to even out, sleep taking over. "She'll absolutely love it."
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Jane had been slightly disoriented when the alarm had finally gone off, waking up still lying half on top of Maura, who had woken up with a groan, kissing the top of the brunette's head before shoving her off of her with a laugh. Huffing, it took Jane a few moments to fully wake up, remembering talking to Maura earlier that morning before realizing she could finally wake Amelia up.
"Oh come on, let's get up," Jane practically jumped out of bed, immediately grabbing Maura's hand and trying to pull her up out of bed. "Come on Maur let's wake her! Please?"
"Okay, okay," Maura laughed, allowing Jane to get her out of bed, the Detective leading her by the hand, pulling her down the hallway and towards Amelia's bedroom.
Maura couldn't help but get excited as they approached her daughter's bed, Jane's enthusiasm contagious as they both watched the little girl sleep for a few moments before she leaned down over her daughter. "Amelia," she whispered, placing a kiss on the now five-year-old's cheek. "Wake up my Big Girl."
"Mommy?" Amelia rubbed her eyes sleepily, letting out a big yawn. "It's morning already?"
"It sure is," Jane was the one to reply, plopping down on the bed beside Amelia. "And do you remember what today is?"
Letting out a small gasp, Amelia suddenly sat up, throwing her arms up in the air about her head. "It's my birthday!" She exclaimed. "Mommy, Janie I'm five years old today!"
"You sure are," Maura laughed as she and Jane both wrapped their arms around the little girl, giving her kisses on both sides of her face. "Happy Birthday Baby."
"Happy Birthday Little Bug," Jane added happily, smiling as Amelia placed a kiss on her cheek before giving her Mother one as well.
"I'm one whole hand today," Amelia grinned, holding up 5 fingers with glee. "I'm a big girl now Mommy."
"You sure are," Maura smiled, despite the fact that she felt a little sad at the idea of her little girl growing up so quickly. "But you'll always be my Baby girl, even if you are five. Don't you forget that okay?" She said, pulling Amelia towards her and into a hug. "Oh I love you so much Honey. How about we go down and have some special birthday pancakes for breakfast?"
"Bunny Pancakes?" Amelia asked excitedly, loving when Angela made them for her.
"I can definitely make you some bunny pancakes," Jane replied, knowing how much she used to love her Mother's bunny pancakes when she was a little girl. "And you know what, I think if you're lucky you might even find some birthday presents downstairs."
"Presents?" Amelia perked up. "What are we waiting for? Let's go!" She said, jumping out of bed and grabbing both Jane and Maura's hands, before pulling them out of the room.
When they made it downstairs Amelia squealed with excitement, finding a stack of presents waiting for her on the kitchen island, one of which was a glass tank with a big red bow on it. Running towards the kitchen, Amelia climbed up one of the stools, immediately peering into the tank, gasping as she found a small tortoise inside.
"Mommy what's this?" Amelia asked, her voice full of wonder and amazement.
"Why don't you ask Jane?" Maura smiled, so glad to see her daughter obviously loved Jane's present, even though she knew she would. "That's her present for you."
"Janie you got me a turtle?" Amelia looked up at the brunette with big, hazel eyes. "He's for me?"
"He's yours," Jane nodded, smiling as she ran her hand over the little blonde's head. "And he's actually a tortoise," she said, glancing at Maura, who had, had to remind the Detective several times that she was buying Amelia a tortoise and not a turtle. "Turtles live in the water, but this little guy doesn't because he's a tortoise and they live on land like us."
"Wow, he's so cute," Amelia grinned, sticking her hand into the tank and carefully touching the shell of her new pet. "I love him! Thank you Janie!" She said, holding out her arms for a hug, which Jane was happy to give her. "Does he have a name?"
"Well he's your pet, so you get to name him," Jane told her before moving into the kitchen, wanting to get a start on breakfast, while Maura started making coffee.
"I have to name him all by myself?" Amelia asked, sounding nervous.
"Well we can help you if you want Sweetheart," Maura assured her. "But why don't you think about it for a while and we can talk about it later tonight? Okay? Why don't you open up your other presents, they're from me and Jane and there's one there from your Grandmother," she said, not daring to look at Jane, whose eyes she could feel on the back of her head. "She said she's very sorry but she won't be able to make it to your birthday party tomorrow. She'll call you later tonight."
"Okay," Amelia simply shrugged, not as bothered by her Grandmother's absence as her Mother obviously was, grabbing the present on the top of her little pile and beginning to pull off the wrapping paper, giggling in delight as she revealed a new doll that she had been asking for. "Oh thank you!" She said happily, before grabbing another gift. "I love being five!"
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They had named the Tortoise Bass. Jane hardly paid attention as Maura had shared her name suggestion with Amelia, but she couldn't help but grin as the little blonde had clapped with delight, glad to have a name for her new friend. They made pizza and watched Beauty and the Beast, which had easily become Amelia's favourite. Bass had sat on the coffee table with them the whole night, Amelia occasionally talking to him, eventually moving down to sit next to the table with one arm around the tank. When the movie had ended they had a dance party. Maura had been the one to turn on the stereo, putting on Amelia's favouite CD, and pulling both Amelia and Jane up as they all started dancing around the family room, laughing the entire time.
It was late by the time they had finally settled Amelia into bed, reminding the five year old that she had a big day ahead of her and needed to get some sleep. Maura made it half-way through Amelia's favourite Curious George book before the little blonde passed out, both Jane and Maura placing kisses on her head before heading back down to the family room, deciding to cuddle up together on the couch for just a little longer.
"May I show you something?" Maura eventually asked after spending ten minutes simply sitting with Jane's arms wrapped around her.
"Sure," Jane nodded, letting Maura go so the blonde could get up, moving over to the bookshelf and grabbing something before returning to her spot on the couch, right back in her girlfriend's arms. "What's this?" Jane asked, gesturing towards what looked like a photo album in Maura's arms.
"This is my Amelia book," Maura smiled, opening it up to the first page, displaying two pictures, one of her and Amelia on the day she was born and one of tiny baby Amelia on her own. "Everything's in here. All the firsts and birthdays and special days Amelia and I have shared together," she explained, smiling as Jane gasped, grabbing the album from her hands so she could see better.
"Oh my goodness look at her she was so tiny," Jane practically gushed, a look of pure adoration on her face as she turned to the next page. "What a little cutie pie! Look at those cheeks! "
"She was very small when she was born," Maura smiled, laughing at her girlfriend's enthusiasm. "Barely 6 lbs. I remember being terrified I would somehow break her, even though I knew better. She was just so little; she still is for her age. I used to just hold her for hours, it was hard to put her down," she continued, watching as Jane continued through the pictures.
"How come you're just showing me this now?" Jane asked, smiling at a cake covered Amelia on her first birthday.
"I never really thought of it until now," Maura shrugged. "Watching you today, seeing how excited you were to celebrate Amelia's birthday with her just got me thinking. I thought you might enjoy seeing all of this."
"I do, thank you," Jane smiled, still flipping through the pages. "You know my Ma has an album just like this for me; one for Frankie and Tommy too. I think she took pictures of everything we did growing up. She must have it all with her somewhere in the guesthouse."
"Oh I would love to see that," Maura said, placing her hand on Jane's thigh, enjoying simply watching her reactions to each new picture that she encountered. "I wish I had memories like this to look back on. The only pictures of my childhood are those stuffy portraits that my Mother made me sit for every year. They're all so posed and formal. That's why I started this. I wanted to make sure that Amelia would always have happy memories to look back on, even if she might not remember them all."
"She's going to love having this when she grows up," Jane told her, reaching out and placing her hand over Maura's giving it a brief squeeze. "I wish I could have known her when she was this little," she then said, tracing her finger over a picture of an almost 3 year old Amelia. I bet she was a riot."
"She used to get into everything," Maura laughed, a faraway look on her face as she remembered her daughter as a toddler. "She had to know what everything was. She was always asking questions and saying the craziest things. There was never a dull moment," she said, watching as Jane's face fell for a quick moment; her look of joy momentarily replaced by a look for sadness before her smile quickly returned, though not quite as bright as before. "Are you okay?"
"Hm? Oh yeah," Jane replied, avoiding Maura's gaze.
"Jane," Maura said, refusing to simply drop the subject, using a finger to tip the brunette's chin up to meet her eyes.
"No sorry it's nothing," Jane shook her head, looking slightly embarrassed. "I just…I don't know," she sighed. "I just…I love her so much and sometimes it just…sometimes I wish I was there you know?" She shrugged. "I forget that you two had this whole life without me and I hate that I missed out on so many things because she's such an important part of my life."
"She loves you too Jane," Maura replied with a small smile. "So much! And you're so important to her," she said, leaning in and placing a kiss on the brunette's cheek. "I wish you were there for all of this too. There were so many days where I really could have used someone like you in my life; nights that I know you would have made things so much better," she smiled. "But we can't focus on what you missed out on. We have to focus on everything you're going to get to be a part of looking forward, because you're in our lives now and we aren't giving you up anytime soon."
Smiling, Jane leaned in for a kiss, which was chaste, but sweet. "Thank you," she whispered, feeling nothing but love for the woman in front of her. "I love you."
"I love you too," Maura grinned, running her hand through the brunette's hair, before turning her attention back towards Amelia's album. "You haven't finished with this yet," she said, wanting Jane to see the newest additions to the book. "Keep going."
Turning the pages Jane continued on through Amelia's first four years, eventually turning to the last few full pages, which immediately brought a huge smile to her face as she found herself with Maura and Amelia staring back at her from several photos of their time together.
"I love you," Jane smiled, not caring that she was repeating herself as she turned to give Maura another kiss, this time much deeper than the last. "I love you so much."
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Amelia was up first the next morning. It was early and in her excitement for her birthday party, the little girl had burst into her Mother's room, climbing up onto the bed and jumping about until both Maura and Jane were awake. The five year old's joy was contagious as the three girls busied themselves getting the house ready for the day, blowing up balloons and hanging streamers, making sure that everything was perfect.
It was mid-morning by the time Angela joined them, allowing Amelia to pull her around the house, showing her all the decorations and the new things she had gotten for her birthday, and introducing her to Bass before the elder Rizzoli excused herself to the kitchen to begin getting things ready for the party. Figuring she would be more help with Amelia than in the kitchen, Jane had volunteered to get the little blonde dressed and ready, promising to keep her distracted until her guests arrived while Maura and Angela worked in perfect harmony in the kitchen, sharing light conversation as they prepared all of Amelia's favourites.
It was when Amelia's three friends arrived, an hour before everyone else was set to arrive, as she watched the little girls dancing in the family room with Jane, Angela laughing at her side that Maura was hit with emotions she hadn't expected that day. Surrounded by the sights and sounds of her daughter's happiness Maura felt suddenly grateful that they had made the move to Boston. The Medical Examiner could hardly remember her life before Jane, the Rizzoli's and Frost and Korsak. These people, her family had wedged their way into her life so quickly, and fully that she couldn't remember what it had been like when it was just her and Amelia, when birthdays consisted of cake and presents and nothing else. They were a part of a family now. A family that was loud and often disruptive, but a family that loved them unconditionally, something she could feel every moment she spent with them.
As she watched Amelia throw her hands up in the air, shaking her hips and laughing with her friends, Maura felt nothing but happiness, realizing that her daughter felt that love too, and was growing because of it.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Jane startled Maura, coming up beside her and wrapping her arms around her waist, quietly whispering in her ear.
"She looks so happy," Maura smiled, not caring that Jane could see the tears shining in her eyes, not caring if she was being sappy or overly emotional. "I don't think I've ever seen her like this. She's so carefree, so full of joy."
"Well she's a kid on her birthday," Jane said, placing a kiss against the side of the blonde's head. "She should be carefree and happy. You should be too."
"I am," Maura smiled, turning fully in her girlfriend's arms so she could give her a proper kiss before taking her hands and pulling her back towards the family room. "Come on, let's dance."
So immersed in the fun, Maura hadn't even noticed when Frankie, Korsak and Frost had shown up, Frost and Frankie simply joining in the dancing while Korsak was happy to sit with Angela, both enjoying the noise. It was exhaustion that finally put an end to the dancing; dancers taking a seat one by one until it was only Jane and Amelia left, neither willing to give up before the other, Maura eventually suggesting they eat with the promise of games to come.
"So Mia how does it feel to be five?" Frankie asked as they all sat down with plates, Amelia and her friends huddled closely together.
"A lot of fun!" Amelia replied enthusiastically, making the adults in the room smile.
"What has been your favourite part?" Angela asked, enjoying seeing the little girl, who was normally so serious, really, truly enjoying herself.
"Hmmm," Amelia thought hard, biting her lip. "I don't think I can choose! Yesterday was lots of fun…and today has been lots of fun. I love ALL of it!"
"That's my girl," Jane winked, these words bringing her more happiness than she thought possible. "You should be enjoying every minute of it."
And she did. The little blonde looked overjoyed when the gathered group began to sing 'Happy Birthday', blowing out the candles with gusto. Then there had been gifts, each thoughtfully picked out by the giver, and carefully opened by Amelia, who had made a fuss over each one, including a science set from Frankie and Frost, who had been unsure what to get a five year old girl, and the entire Harry Potter series of books from Korsak, who understood how much the little girl enjoyed reading with her Mother and Jane.
It was an exhausting day, but one of the best Maura could ever remember having, a sentiment that she saw reflected in Amelia's eyes as she and Jane tucked the little girl in to bed that night, barely able to keep her eyes open anymore.
"Did you have fun today Little Girl?" Maura asked softly, placing a kiss on Amelia's forehead, feeling Jane's hand on her back.
"The most fun," Amelia replied sleepily, barely reaching up to thread a hand in Jane's hair as the brunette leaned in to give her bedtime kisses. "I wish every day was my birthday."