Well friends this is it! Final chapter of this story that turned out to be much bigger than I ever expected! I cannot even explain how happy each and every one of your reviews have made me. I never expected to get such a big reaction from this story and it has been overwhelming to be honest!
So thank you all so much for sticking with me through this little adventure! I have already been brainstorming ideas for the sequel and I plan to start on it as soon as I can, while also starting my Criminal Minds series back up!
So stay tuned! And enjoy this chapter! –J
As always flashbacks are in italics.
Chapter 34- Summer Loving
"This place is insane," Jane blurted out as soon as they entered the Isles' beach house, dropping her bag in the rather large foyer. "When you said your family had a beach house you didn't mention it was a mansion," she shook her head, taking in the large family room, dining room and kitchen, all of which were visible from where they stood. "How often does your family even come here?"
"I haven't been here in quite some time, but I think my parents come a couple times a summer," Maura shrugged. "Plus they rent it out the rest of the time. It gets used," she said before turning towards Amelia who was also looking around curiously. "What do you think Honey? Do you think you'll enjoy living here for a week?"
"It's very nice Mommy," Amelia nodded, her eyes wide. "Can we go to the beach now?"
"We need to get settled in and have some lunch first Sweetie," Maura replied, pulling her bag further into the house. "We'll go down to the beach later this afternoon I promise," she said, glad they had arrived to blue skies and the sun shining. "Would you two like to see our rooms? They're upstairs. If I remember correctly there are bunk beds in your room Amelia."
"Cool!" Amelia ran for the stairs, her Mothers following behind with smiles on their faces, their hands linked together.
The family spent the next half hour exploring the house before bringing in the groceries they had brought inside, Jane and Maura deciding to make sandwiches as Amelia was still begging to go down to the beach.
"Eat your sandwich Bug, then we can go get changed and go down to the beach okay?" Jane told Amelia, placing a sandwich down on the table, having to physically turn the five year old in her seat so she was facing the table rather than the window, which faced the beach.
"Can we swim when we go?" Amelia asked before taking a big bite of her sandwich.
"We can but you have to stay with either me or Mommy," Jane nodded.
"Can we build a sandcastle?" She asked with a full mouth.
"Sure Babe," Jane chuckled. "Whatever you want."
"But only if you eat first," Maura added, joining the pair at the table, carrying a tray of vegetables. "And have some of these too."
"Do I have to?" Amelia whined, a pout on her face.
"Yes little missy you sure do," Maura nodded, placing a few carrot sticks on the little girl's face. "They're good for you."
Sighing Amelia placed her hand under her chin, now picking at her sandwich rather dramatically.
"Come on Bug eat your veggies and then tonight we'll get a real good treat okay?" Jane decided to bargain with the little girl, having noticed an ice cream shop not too far from the house on their way in.
"What kind of treat?" Amelia asked, watching Jane carefully, still not ready to make a deal.
"The cold kind," Jane replied with a small smirk, watching as Amelia's face lit up, immediately understanding what the brunette was referring to.
"Okay Mama!" Amelia finally agreed, picking up a carrot stick and taking a bite with a loud crunch.
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"Ma what are you doing here so early?" Jane entered her kitchen the Monday morning after Amelia broke her arm, to find her Mother making a large breakfast. "And what's with all the food."
"I just thought Amelia could use a hardy breakfast before school is all,' Angela shrugged as she continued scrambling eggs. "She had a tough weekend. How is she doing?"
"She's fine Ma," Jane replied, going to get herself a cup of coffee. "She's a kid, they bounce back pretty well, but she's been kind of clingy. You might have a hard time getting her off to school today."
"Well maybe she should stay home," Angela was quick to suggest. "I wouldn't mind keeping her for the day."
"Maura doesn't want her to miss anymore school," Jane shook her head. "She's only got a couple weeks left, she'll be fine. So do me a favour and don't bring that up in front of her," she added quickly, hearing footsteps on the stairs. "Morning Bug."
"Mornin' Mama," Amelia replied, still sounding sleepy, slowly making her way over to the brunette and lifting her arms to be picked up, missing the look of surprise on Angela's face.
"Wha…did she…was that…" Angela stuttered, unable to find the right words.
"Ma," Jane hugged Amelia to her chest, turning back towards her Mother, surprised to find her eyes shining with tears. "Ma…what are you…are you crying?"
"You sad Angela?" Amelia was immediately concerned, holding her arms out for the older Rizzoli.
"No Honey I'm not sad at all," Angela took Amelia from Jane, smiling as the little blonde wrapped her arms around her neck as best as she could with her cast. "I'm just very happy is all. I never thought…and you all are…I'm just happy for Janie."
"Aw Ma come on don't get all sappy," Jane whined stepping forward and wrapping her arms around both Angela and Amelia.
"She called you…you're a…I just never thought you would…" Angela couldn't seem to get the words right.
"I know Ma," Jane sighed, understanding what her Mother was trying to say, placing a kiss on her cheek. "I know. It makes me happy too," she grinned, kissing Amelia's head. "The happiest I've ever been actually."
"Oh my Janie," Angela practically gushed, tears falling freely now. "A Mama! My Janie is a Mama!"
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"Mama…Mama…Mama!"
"Hm? What? Sorry," Jane shook her head trying to clear her thoughts. "Sorry Bug I didn't hear you. What's up?"
"Can I get some shells for our castle? I want it to look pretty," Amelia asked.
After finishing their lunch Jane and Maura had helped Amelia to get ready before all heading down to the beach. The trio enjoyed some time dipping their feet in the water before Amelia had practically begged to build a sandcastle.
"Sure Bug but stay close so me and Mommy can see you okay?"
"Okay Mama," Amelia nodded before running off in search of some shells.
"Where did you go just now?" Maura asked, sitting up, leaning on her elbows so she could see the brunette better. "You seemed kind of dazed."
"I was just thinking," Jane shrugged, turning towards Maura who gave her a pointed look, obviously waiting for her to elaborate. "I was thinking about the first time Amelia called me Mama in front of my Ma," she explained.
"Angela was rather emotional if I remember correctly," Maura smirked. "She caught me off guard when I came downstairs. I didn't think she was ever going to let me go."
"Yeah well she just found out that you made her daughter a Mother," Jane laughed. "You were basically a miracle worker in her mind," she said, watching as Amelia bent down to carefully study a shell.
"Well technically I had very little to do with making you a Mother," Maura replied, lying back down on her towel, hoping to get a tan. "I mean I may have given birth to Amelia but she considers you her Mama because of you Jane," she explained simply. "You have been nothing but incredible to her and she loves you. You became her Mama all on your own."
Touched, Jane simply smiled at the blonde before turning her attention back to Amelia who was still searching for shells not too far away. "Thanks Maur," she eventually said, her attention still focused on Amelia.
"For what?" Maura asked, turning her head towards the brunette, smiling at the way she was watching Amelia.
"Just for all of it," Jane shrugged. "For all of this."
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"So your birthday is the week we're away," Jane let herself into Maura's office two weeks before their planned trip to Maine. "I know this whole trip was supposed to be a birthday present for me but I was thinking you might let me make you and Mia a nice dinner. We can get a cake or something since I'm not really a great baker and well I'd like to get you something and…"
"How did you find out my birthday is that week?" Maura interrupted Jane, looking rather confused. "I don't remember telling you when my birthday was."
"You didn't have to," Jane shrugged. "I saw that fake tombstone of yours remember? Plus your Mom told me," she explained. "Although now that you bring it up it is a little strange you never told me when your birthday is. I mean you knew when mine was."
"Yes well I don't like to celebrate my birthday," Maura replied, refocusing her attention back on the files in front of her. "It's very nice that you want to do something for me but it really isn't necessary."
"Wait what?" Jane was obviously surprised and more than a little confused. "What do you mean it isn't necessary? Of course it's necessary. It's your birthday; the first one I've ever been able to celebrate with you. We have to do something. I want to do something! Maura are you even listening to me?"
"Jane," Maura sighed, once again looking up from her work. "Can we please talk about this later?"
"I think I'd rather talk about it now," Jane replied, moving around Maura's desk and turning her towards her as she knelt down in front of her. "What's up?"
"I told you I just don't enjoy celebrating my birthday," Maura shrugged, though the sadness in her eyes indicated that it was much more than that. "It's just…It has been a long time since I really did anything for my birthday."
"How long?" Jane asked, knowing they were going to get to the root of the problem.
"Well…the last birthday party that I can remember having was when I was 10," Maura replied, averting her eyes from Jane's.
"10? But that's…That was….really?" Jane asked, unable to hide her surprise.
"When I was a child my parents always threw me parties with their friends," Maura began to explain, her eyes still focused on the ground. "My 10th birthday was the first time my Mother allowed me to invite some of my classmates from school. It was summer vacation so I sent out invitations to all their houses and well…I was an awkward kid," she shrugged her shoulders. "I didn't exactly fit in with the other kids my age and so…well…"
"No one came," Jane finished for her seeing that the blonde was struggling. "None of the kids you invited showed up. Really?" She asked, saddened by the thought of little Maura having no one come to her birthday party.
"That was when I asked to go to boarding school," Maura nodded. "I wasn't exactly happy at home and I couldn't face returning to school after that. I guess I've always associated my birthday with that day," she explained. "I usually just ignore the day if I can."
"Aw Maur I'm…I'm sorry," Jane felt terrible, placing a finger under the blonde's chin and forcing her to look at her; wiping away a lone tear that trickled down her cheek. "I'm sorry that happened to you. It's…kids are stupid," she shook her head. "But you know your birthday doesn't have to be a sad day. I would still really like to do something for you. Please? Let me make your birthday a good thing again?"
Sighing, Maura seemed to consider this for a moment, looking into deep brown eyes that showed nothing but love. "Okay," she eventually nodded, giving the brunette a small smile. "Okay."
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From the moment Maura woke up the morning of her birthday Jane had made it all about her. Since Amelia was still sleeping, Jane had been able to give Maura a private birthday present before they eventually dragged themselves out of bed, Jane allowing Maura to go shower while she got Amelia up and went to prepare breakfast.
Amelia had been thrilled to celebrate her Mother's birthday, practically attacking Maura with hugs as soon as she came down for breakfast, before presenting the older blonde with a painting she had made especially for her. Maura had been both surprised and touched, promising that she would proudly display the piece of art in her office at work.
Jane, who had wanted the day to be perfect, had planned every minute of the day; surrounding Maura with all of her favourite things before eventually sending Amelia and Maura down to the beach to spend the late afternoon together while she got ready for dinner.
"Mommy is this your best birthday ever?" Amelia asked as she buried Maura's feet in the sand. "My last birthday was my very favourite. Is this yours?"
"You know what Sweetheart, I think it might be," Maura smiled, unable to remember the last time she felt so at peace on her birthday.
"Mama makes birthdays real fun huh?" Amelia continued, making a rather wise observation, bringing a grin to Maura's face.
"She sure does Honey," Maura nodded with a laugh, her little girl's attention still focused on the sand. "I think that's because she loves us very much."
"I think so too," Amelia replied seriously, looking up at her Mother. "Probably lots and lots."
Laughing, Maura glanced at her watch, seeing that it was nearly time to head back to the house, having been warned by Jane not to be late. "You know what Darling, it's time to head back. Mama will be waiting for us."
Excited, Amelia had quickly unburied Maura's feet before taking off towards the house, Maura laughing as she struggled to keep up, eventually grabbing the five year old by the waist and lifting her up into the air.
"Mommy no tickling," Amelia giggled uncontrollably as Maura tickled her sides, placing kisses all over her face at the same time. "Mommy! No!" Her loud laughs eventually bringing Jane to the sliding glass door, opening it up to let the two blondes inside.
"Ah you two are just in time," Jane greeted them with a smile, her grin widening as she noticed the look of shock on Maura's face.
"Mama you look pretty!" Amelia exclaimed as Maura placed her back on her feet, the older blonde struggling to put together a sentence.
Jane was dressed in a tight, black, halter-style dress that fell just above her knees; the material hugging her in all the right places.
"Thank you Bug," Jane smiled, bending down to give the little girl a kiss. "I put a dress out for you on your bed. Think you can go up and change on your own for me?"
"Okay Mama," Amelia nodded, placing a kiss on the brunette's cheek before taking off towards the room she was staying in.
"You look…you're…wow," Maura's mouth was dry, her eyes still taking in Jane in her dress.
"Why thank you," Jane grinned, looking smug. "Your dress is also waiting for you upstairs," she said, stepping forward and pulling the blonde in for a kiss. "I would love to help you put it on but I've got a couple more things to do to get ready for dinner. Think you can manage on your own?"
"I'll do my best," Maura smiled, giving Jane one last kiss before making her way towards their room, smiling as she entered to find her favourite purple dress laid out for her on the bed. Quickly taking off the sundress and bathing suit she was wearing, Maura pulled on the dress, surprised Jane had thought to pack it for her, but understanding that she had chosen this dress because it was a favourite dress of hers as well.
Making her way back downstairs, Maura smiled as she found Jane and Amelia waiting for her at the table, Amelia now wearing her own favourite purple dress; the table adorned with balloons, while a 'Happy Birthday Maura' sign hung on the wall above. "Jane, you didn't have to do all this," Maura smiled as Jane stood up and pulled a chair out for her to sit.
"Of course I did, it's your birthday," Jane kissed the top of her head before going to the kitchen to get the dinner she had prepared.
"Yeah Mommy it's your birthday," Amelia added happily, grinning as Maura placed a kiss on her nose. "Mama's got all your favourites."
"Oh really?" Maura turned to Jane who was carrying her favourite pasta dish over to the table. "You made all this?"
"My Ma wrote down all the instructions for me," Jane shrugged, placing the dish down and beginning to fill Maura's plate. "It's probably not as good as when she makes it but I think it looks pretty decent."
"It looks great," Maura nodded. "And it smells wonderful. I'm sure it's perfect," she smiled as Jane filled Amelia's plate before serving herself."
"There's also a vanilla cake for dessert, even though everyone knows chocolate is way better," Jane told her. "And I got a copy of that penguin documentary you love so much to watch tonight."
"Oh I love that one," Maura grinned. "You really planned this out didn't you?"
"I sure did," Jane replied proudly. "I told you I would make your birthday a good thing again. I want every detail to be perfect," she said, pulling a small gift bag out from under her chair and placing it on the table beside Maura. "Including this."
"Oh Jane I told you, you didn't have to get me anything," Maura placed her hand on Jane's. "Being here with you and Amelia is more than enough."
"I know what you said but I wanted to do this," Jane gestured towards the gift. "Don't worry it's nothing huge, so just open it okay?"
"Yeah Mommy open it," Amelia joined in, kneeling up on her chair so she could see better.
"Well okay," Maura sighed, taking the bag and pulling out the tissue paper, revealing a small box inside. Not knowing what to expect, Maura slowly opened up the box, instantly feeling like her heart might burst as she revealed the simple silver charm bracelet inside; a single number 10 charm hanging off it.
"I know I didn't know you when you were 10, but if you had invited me to your party I would have been there," Jane explained, looking slightly embarrassed. "I just thought maybe this could be a bit of a redo."
"That is…that's incredibly sweet," Maura replied emotionally, overwhelmed by the love she felt for Jane. "I wish I knew you then," she added quietly. "I could have used someone like you back then."
"Well I'm here now," Jane smiled, reaching out across the table and placing her hand over Maura's, the pair sharing a loving look. "What do you think Mia? Do you like Mommy's bracelet?"
"It's very pretty Mama," Amelia nodded. "You should put it on." Holding out her wrist for Jane, Maura smiled as the brunette clasped the bracelet on for her. "Looks good Mommy."
"Looks perfect," Maura agreed with a smile. "You know what?" She then looked to Jane. "I'm fairly this has been the best birthday I've ever had."
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"I can't believe we have to go back tomorrow," Jane sighed, sitting back against the couch the last night of their vacation, Amelia already asleep with her head in her lap while Maura sat on her other side. "I wish we could just stay like this forever; just you, Mia and me. We wouldn't have to work; there'd be no Mothers or Brothers driving us crazy. It would be perfect."
"You would miss it though," Maura laughed. "I mean I doubt either one of us could really go very long without working. And as much as your Mother drives you crazy you would miss her. Plus Amelia would miss your family as well."
"True," Jane sighed again, resting her head against Maura's shoulder. "This week has just been so relaxing."
"It has been rather nice," Maura agreed, placing a kiss on top of the brunette's head. "I think we really needed the vacation and I know Amelia enjoyed it. She's been so happy all week."
"Yeah I think we may have finally beat out book camp as the highlight of her summer vacation," Jane laughed.
"Oh well I'm not sure about that," Maura chuckled along with her girlfriend. "She did really enjoy that. I mean she talked about it for weeks."
"Well then I guess we'll at least come in a close second," Jane joked, absentmindedly running her hand over Amelia's head. "You know if someone would have told me a year ago that I'd be vacationing with my girlfriend and daughter right now I never would have believed them," she said, lifting her head so she could look at Maura better. "I never thought I would find this; I never thought I would have a family of my own and then you and Mia walked into my life as if you were always supposed to find me."
"Sometimes I think we were," Maura nodded, leaning in to place a kiss on the brunette's lips. "You filled the hole in our family that I didn't even know existed and I will be forever grateful for that."
"I don't think I could love you and Mia more Maura," Jane smiled, resting her forehead against the blonde's. "I hope you know that. I hope you really understand just how much I love you two."
"We do," Maura nodded. "And we feel the same way."
"Good," Jane grinned. "Because all I want is to spend many, many more years of doing all of this with you both."