Family Time
The air outside wasn't as dense and heavy as it had been the night before, giving Jane a reprieve from the warmth that seemed to be generating inside at the amount of bodies moving around Maura's kitchen. It was that heat from inside that had pushed Jane outside for some quiet contemplation. With Carly, Ryan, Frost, Frankie, and Maura all hovering around waiting for dinner to be ready, Jane found herself in need of a moment alone. Not because she wanted to be alone, but because she was tired. Everyone inside was talking at once and her desire for a moment of solitude had been met with a nod and small smile from Maura who understood more than anyone the need for a moment away from the Rizzoli clan and their constant need for attention. No one else seemed to have noticed as she slipped out the side door to the porch with a beer in her hand and for that she was grateful. She needed to think about everything that had happened over the last twenty-four hours and to do that, she needed to be by herself.
Looking up at the night sky, she let out a heavy breath as her eyes moved from the twinkle of one star to another before falling on the small sliver of moon that left little to no light, shrouding her in a moody darkness. Thoughts swirled through her mind about the resolutions of the day as well as the one's she had yet to face. Even though she and Frost had cleared the air, there was still an underlying tension between them because they both knew what was at stake. And then there was Maura and the things they had yet to discuss, like Sean's request to kill Paddy and the agreement that fell from Maura's lips pinning a weight upon Jane's chest so heavy she thought she might not be able to breathe again. But then she did breathe again when she realized she would have to trust Maura, even though it would mean having to wait a little longer to hear the plan that Maura swore just that morning was foolproof. Unfortunately, foolproof was a word she didn't like to toss around easily because she knew better than anyone else that 'foolproof' could lead to a dangerous outcome.
The beer bottle she held in her left hand was almost empty so she held it up to see if there was at least one last swallow left but the dark brown color obscured her view causing her to set it down next to her chair. She leaned her head back and ran her fingers through her hair trying to center herself and chase away her darkening thoughts. With so much on the line, letting go of her fears and worries was difficult but for the sake of her sanity and the love of her family…she had to try. After a few moments of silence and feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders, she suddenly felt a different weight wrap around her in the form of her mother's arms.
"Hey sweet girl…why are you sitting out here all by yourself?" Angela wrapped her arms around Jane from behind and rested her chin on a broad shoulder. She'd stood in the shadows and had watched Jane fidget with a nervous energy she didn't understand. After several agonizing minutes, she couldn't take it any longer.
"Hey Ma…" Jane let out a heavy sigh and placed her hands atop Angela's and leaned her head back against her mother's shoulder. A rush of comfortable warmth moved through her and she accepted it with her whole heart. She hadn't known until that moment how much she needed her mother's healing touch and the comfort that was being offered to her. "I'm just getting some fresh air. You know how dinner can be with a full house."
"I do and as much as I love having a full house…I understand." Angela gave Jane's neck a gentle squeeze. "Everyone here?"
"Yeah…just waiting on Vince."
Angela gave Jane's cheek a quick kiss and pulled away. She tilted her head to regard Jane's pensive expression and even through the dim light she could see there was more to the moodiness that was radiating off Jane's tense body. "You wanna talk about it?" Even though it was in the form of a question, it was a gentle but firm request. Taking a seat next to Jane, she waited patiently to listen and offer whatever comfort she could to ease the strain she could see her daughter was dealing with.
Rolling her head to the side so she could watch her mom, Jane took a deep breath before slowly exhaling. "I don't know if can, Ma." She said in a tired voice.
"Try." Angela settled back in the chair and looked up at the sky, hoping that Jane would open-up and let her in. "It isn't Maura, is it?"
"Oh, no…nothing like that." Jane coughed nervously to hide the anxious tremor in her voice. She wasn't lying, not really…but for some reason it felt like she was. "It's work stuff, ya know. Things I can't really talk about."
"I'm getting tired of hearing that excuse." The irritation in Angela's voice was evident in her clipped tone.
Surprised by her mother's attitude, Jane sat up straighter and nodded her understanding. "You're right." She crossed her arms over her chest and dropped her chin in chagrin. "I guess I'm just worried about everything. The wedding, Valley, Maura..." she hesitated and pushed some hair over her shoulder to stall.
"What are you worried about?"
"What if I'm no good at it Ma?" Jane let out a frustrated huff. To Angela, her words were clear cut and pertained to somewhat trivial things but she was having trouble hiding the underlying angst that she wouldn't be good enough to keep Maura and Valley safe. To her relief, Angela took the statement at face value.
"Oh, sweetheart, you're going to make a wonderful wife and mother. I have no doubt about that. You did, after all, have me as a role model." Lifting her hand to her chest, Angela exaggerated her modesty and rolled her eyes dramatically.
"I love you, Ma." Jane finally smiled and reached out to take her mother's hand in her own. "And you are the best role model anyone could ever ask for. I'm proud to be your daughter."
Clearing her throat as emotion almost overwhelmed her, Angela gave Jane's hand a gentle squeeze. "We really need to get this wedding planned." She changed the subject and got a thankful nod from Jane.
"Yep."
"Any idea on when we'll get a date?" Angela pressed.
"Soon." Jane tapped her fingers along the arm of the chair as she realized that her mother was right. They did need to set a date and soon.
"Okay…well…that got us nowhere." Angela shook her head at Jane's half-hearted attempt to deflect.
Jane furrowed her brow in thought before coming to a decision. "How 'bout I promise you'll have a date by the end of the week?"
"Then I'd say, okay and I'll hold ya to it."
"I wouldn't expect anything less." The smile was bigger this time and Jane could feel it almost reach her eyes. For the first time since she had gotten home, she could feel herself relax.
"Did you finish the nursery?"
"Yeah, we did. It looks really good." Rubbing her eyes, Jane yawned and noticed how sore her arms were. "Got it painted and the furniture put together."
"Is that why Carly and Ryan are staying the night, because of the paint? I thought they used that new no fumes paint."
"We did, but Ryan doesn't want to take any chances." Jane wasn't about to mock Ryan's reasoning because she would feel the same way if Maura was pregnant.
"You'd be the same way if it was Maura." Angela's response made Jane laugh because her mother knew her so well.
"It's like you can read my mind." There was no surprise in Jane's voice, just a certain resolve and understanding between mother and daughter.
"I'm your mother…of course I can read your mind." Angela tried not to sound so sure of herself but was unsuccessful when a smirk slid across her face. "And that's why I know something else has driven you out here to be alone with your thoughts but I won't press you about it…yet." She gave Jane a sideways glance to let her know that she was willing to let it go for now.
"I know Ma. Everything is gonna be okay. Maura and I just have a few things we have to put behind us before we can move forward…and yes it does have something to do with work which is why I can't really talk about it." The forlorn look on Jane's face convinced Angela that she was telling the truth and was indeed sorry she couldn't talk about it.
"Okay…but you do have Frost and Vince to talk to…right?"
"I do and they've been rock solid." It was the truest statement Jane had made all night. "Speaking of Vince…he should be here any minute. Why don't you go on inside?" She shifted her weight in her chair indicating she wasn't ready to go in yet.
It was obvious to Angela that Jane wanted a few more minutes alone and even though she didn't want to, she realized she needed to abide by Jane's silent request. "You sure?" She asked even though she already knew the answer.
"I'm sure Ma." Jane used the palms of her hands to rub her eyes again.
"Don't stay out here too long then." Angela stood and stretched her arms over her head before heading to the door.
"I'll be right behind you. I just need a minute..."
With an understanding nod, Angela slipped through the door into the kitchen and into the chaos of a Rizzoli family dinner leaving Jane alone to gather her thoughts.
As the silence descended upon her again, Jane let out a heavy sigh of relief. The talk with her mother had helped to ease her mind and the tension she'd felt earlier began to slowly ebb away. She was grateful she hadn't been pressed too hard to reveal what had been bothering her but what she had gotten off her chest helped to lighten her mood.
Taking one, last deep breath, she began to push herself up from her chair but stopped when she heard a strange sound coming from inside. She tilted her head to the side to listen again, unsure of what it was she had heard that stopped her from moving. It sounded like a dog barking, but surly she was mistaken. When nothing came again, she shook head to clear the cob webs away and again started to stand but when the door opened and a furry projectile launched itself at her, she dropped back down in her seat and held her hands up to stop the small furry projectile from licking her to death.
"What the hell?" Jane picked up the small dog and held it at arm's length.
"Hey…" Vince appeared in the doorway. "I see Joe Friday found you."
"Really Vince? A dog?" She set the wiggling canine on the ground only to have it jump back up into her lap and try to lick her again.
"She's taken' a liking to you. She's usually pretty shy." He grinned. "I'm fostering and didn't want to leave her alone." It was an attempt at an explanation when she raised an eyebrow his direction. "Maura said it was okay…" he offered with a shrug of the shoulders.
"Maura?" Jane called out as she stood and tucked the fur bundle under her arm. When she stepped in the kitchen, she set Joe Friday down and did her best not to trip over the excited pup as she made her way over to the where Maura was preparing a salad. "You told Vince he could bring…that…that…thing over here?" She pointed to the fur ball running circles between everyone's legs.
"I did…" Maura bent down and picked Joe Friday up. "She's such a cutie."
"She's a Yorkie-terrier mix." Vince said with a hint of pride in his voice.
"Oh, here…let me." Angela took Joe Friday from Maura and rubbed her nose against the top of her furry head as she turned to walk away.
"She's up for adoption…" Vince glanced over at Jane and Maura before following Angela to the living room.
"Um…nope." Jane rolled her eyes but stopped when Maura frowned. "What? We're not pet people…" she hesitated and looked at Carly and Ryan who were trying not to laugh. "Are we?"
"We could be." Maura said rather pointedly. "It might help Valley adjust."
"Are you saying that you're considering adopting little Kojac there?" Jane waved her hands around in a panic. Up until recently, she had never considered being a mother of a toddler let alone a dog.
"Her name is Joe Friday and yes…that is why I asked Vince to bring her." Maura put her hands on her hips rather defiantly.
Jane looked over at Carly and Ryan for help but when nothing but a few giggles came in return, she rolled her eyes rather dramatically. "I just never really thought of you as someone who would own a pet."
"Well I do…own a pet, that is." Maura stumbled over her words and only continued when Jane gave her a confused expression in return. "I have a pet tortoise named Bass. He lives at the arboretum at BU."
A laugh escaped from Jane's mouth at the image of a tortoise as a pet but the looks on Carly and Ryan's faces caused her to stop. "You're serious? You have a tortoise?"
"Yes…I most certainly am serious."
"Okay." Jane's expression softened when Maura's eyes turned sad. "Why is it at the arboretum?"
"It's for the best. I've always hated to have to leave him alone all day long while I was at work. Not to mention, the hardwood floors aren't very conducive to a natural habitat. And the students take wonderful care of him and love him as much as I do." The words came in a rush.
Jane recognized the unspoken sadness in Maura's voice and stepped closer. Wrapping her arms around Maura's body, she pulled her into a hug. "You miss him, I can tell. Why don't you bring him home?"
"He's better off where he's at and I do go visit at least once a month. Would you like to come with me next time?" Maura sounded hopeful as she accepted Jane's comfort.
"I would really love that." Jane watched Carly and Ryan over Maura's shoulder. She could see that they both knew about Maura's tortise and it made her feel slightly disconnected. Before she could say anything else, Frankie came in with Joe Friday hot on his heels. He headed for the backdoor and let her out into the yard to run around and then turned around with a big smile on his face.
"She's too cute." He said as he moved to the refrigerator. "Anyone want another beer?" His voice was muffled as he stuck his head inside, shifting a few things around to find what he was looking for.
Letting Maura go from her arms, Jane raised her hand and so did Ryan. She took the offered bottle from Frankie with a smile and gave a wink as she watched Maura turn her attention back to the salad. She couldn't help but feel bad that she hadn't known about Maura's pet, but how could she if Maura kept him hidden away. "Hey, Maur…" she lifted her bottle of beer to take a healthy swallow. "What was the name of your turtle again?"
"He is an African spurred tortoise, Jane." Maura tried not to sound annoyed as she went back to her job of tossing the salad. "And his name is Bass, after William M. Bass the anthropologist who founded the body farm."
"Oh, I've heard of that." Ryan decided it was finally safe to join the conversation but Carly remained silent and went back to slicing the French bread she would be smothering with cheese and baking. "Isn't that the research facility where they study the decomposition of bodies?"
Angela, who had entered the kitchen, stopped and gave everyone a funny look. "What in the world are you all talking about in here? I hate to burst your bubble but discussing decomposing bodies isn't very good dinner conversation."
"We were just talking about William Bass…" Maura offered in explanation.
Shrugging her shoulders, Angela gave a crooked smile and nodded. "While I wish I could say I know who that is…I'm sure I don't." She moved to stand next to Carly. "Why don't you sit for a few minutes while I help Maura finish up."
With a grateful smile, Carly moved away from the cheese bread. "Thanks Aunt Angela."
"Frankie…did you ask Jane about tomorrow?" Angela asked as she spread a heaping smear of butter across the French bread.
"What was that?" Jane lifted an eyebrow in question at her brother who had remained silent.
"Um…" Frankie hesitated as he looked between his mother and sister. "I've got to get my stitches out and then pick up Tommy. I was hoping that maybe you'd go with me." He ducked his head, afraid that Jane would give him a hard time.
"Yeah…sure." Jane tilted her beer back and took another sip. She could see the approving smile on Maura's face and it caused her cheeks to color slightly.
"Really?" Frankie seemed surprised but then thought better of pushing his luck, so he gave her a smile and quick nod. "Thanks."
Jane could see her mother giving her a sideways glance filled with surprise and she smirked in response. "What?"
"Nothing." Angela turned her attention back to the bread. "But, thank you."
"I'm glad that we were able to get the reduced sentence and the therapy he needed." Ryan took a seat next to Carly at the kitchen bar. She reached over and pushed a strand of hair away from Carly's face and tucked it behind her ear. Giving her a somewhat concerned look at how quiet she was being, Ryan only relaxed when Carly gave her a reassuring smile.
"I just hope he stays out of trouble this time..." Frankie started to say but stopped when Jane frowned at him. It only took him a second to realize what he'd said and how it must have hurt their mother. "I mean…I'm sure he will." He tried to back-peddle but then just decided it was time to try and find Korsak and Frost.
Shaking her head, Jane watched her brother leave the room with a sheepish grin on his face. As he walked past her, he mouthed 'sorry' and she gave him a quick nod while glancing at Angela to see if she had seen the exchange. When she was confident her mother hadn't seen, she let out a relieved sigh and smiled at Maura who was watching her with a curious expression on her face.
"I know how hard you worked to get Tommy into that rehab program and I really appreciate it. I just hope he does too." Angela said without looking at Ryan.
"I'm glad to have helped Angela. We're family…and I'm sure Tommy will get through this on the right side of the law this time."
"You're being modest my dear, but I appreciate the sentiment." Angela finally glanced over her shoulder at Ryan and gave her an understanding smile. "I think it's time for him to grow up and take responsibility for himself, though."
Everyone got quiet for a moment as they each contemplated the trials and tribulations of Tommy Rizzoli. It was Vince's appearance that broke the silence and tension that had crept in around them.
"Need any help in here?" His cheerful smile did not belay the fact that he was hungry.
"As a matter of fact," Maura turned around to grab a basket filled with napkins and silverware. "Would you mind setting the table? And you two…" she pointed at Jane and Ryan. "Go help."
Both Ryan and Jane gave each other a surprised look but then nodded and followed Korsak out into the dining room. Jane couldn't help but glance back at Maura to make sure she wasn't in trouble and was relieved to get a quick wink and smile.
"I think the lasagna is ready." Carly let out a tired sigh and nodded towards the oven.
Angela glanced back and gave Carly an understanding smile. "The baby keeping you awake?" She asked as she looked in the oven at the bubbling casserole dish.
"Always between three and six am…" Carly rolled her eyes and let out another heavy sigh.
"Jane was the same way." Angela turned around and leaned against the oven. "It got especially bad about two weeks before I delivered."
"Well…I'm about three to four weeks out." Carly glanced at Maura for confirmation.
"You do know that's a guesstimate?" Maura did her best to reassure Carly.
"Yeah, I know." Reaching back, Carly ran a hand along her lower back and grimaced.
"Does you back hurt?" Maura asked, concern lacing her voice.
"A little."
Turning around to face Carly, Maura frowned as she thought for a minute. "I did a rotation with a chiropractor just to broaden my horizons." She moved across the room to stand behind Carly. "And I studied acupuncture. But I'm not confident enough to try that."
"What are you doing?" Carly stiffened as Maura placed her hands along her spine and began to message several pressure points.
"I'm just reliving some of your pressure points. It should help with the pain and discomfort." Maura's hands moved quick and in an instant Carly was sighing in relief. "I'll make sure that Ryan knows how to do this, just in case it bothers you again."
"Wow…that's incredible." Carly stretched her arms over her head and yawned.
"It's just a few pressure points…" Maura ran her fingers along Carly's spine. "Here, here, and here."
"Does that stuff really work?" Angela asked as she switched the oven off and turned around to face Carly and Maura.
"It absolutely does." Carly couldn't wipe the grin from her face. "I feel like I just got a renewed burst of energy."
"Good…" Maura grinned and handed Carly the salad bowl. "Then take this out to the wolves before they get too restless."
"Thanks Maura." Taking the salad, Carly smiled and ducked her head causing her long dark hair to curtain her face, hiding those baby blues that were so captivating.
"It won't be long now." Angela tried not to smirk but was unsuccessful. "Any news on the adoption front?"
"No, just waiting out the paper work." Maura did her best to embellish what she knew was true. It actually did have a lot to do with paper work, among other things.
"I can't wait to meet her."
"I've got a few pictures on my phone. Would you like to see?" Maura couldn't hide her pride as she reached for her phone and scrolled through the last set of pictures that Ryan had sent her.
"Oh, my goodness…she looks so much like both of you." Angela marveled at the pictures of her new granddaughter. "How in the world did that happen?"
"Just lucky I guess."
"She has your smile…your delicate features and she has…" Angela paused and studied the picture further. "Her eyes…they're just like Janes." The smile that spread across Maura's face said more than words could express and it filled Angela's heart with happiness. "I can't wait to meet her." She reached out and grabbed Maura, pulling her into a hug. "You're going to make great moms."
"Thank you, Angela, that means a lot." Maura allowed herself to fall into the comfort of Angela's hug. "But…" she hesitantly pulled away. "I think we'd better get the food out there before we have to deal with a mob situation."
And as if on cue, Jane popped her head around the corner. "The natives are getting restless." She said as she studied the body language between her mother and Maura.
"Dinner's ready." Angela turned her attention back to the oven. The moment between her and Maura had come and gone but she cherished it nonetheless. It wasn't often she got to share a sentimental moment with her soon to be daughter-in-law. "Here, come get the bread." She waved Jane over to take the bread from the oven.
Jane did as she was told but not before giving Maura a knowing look that silently conveyed how much she was looking forward to their evening with family, but there was also the hidden message that she couldn't wait until they were finally alone. It was Maura's smile that indicated she understood what Jane was trying to say without words as she followed Jane out into the dining room.
The evening went by quickly with good food and conversation to fill the time and before Jane knew it, she and Maura were finally alone in the kitchen. It had taken some coaxing and reassuring words from them both to convince everyone that they didn't need any help cleaning up and when Angela finally conceded, so did everyone else…including Carly and Ryan.
"Dinner was wonderful…thanks." Jane moved to the sink and wrapped her arms around Maura's waist from behind. Nuzzling her nose against the exposed skin at Maura's neck, she smiled against the warmth she found waiting for her.
"It was nice having everyone under one roof." Maura placed her hands on the counter and sank back into Jane's touch. "But for what it's worth…I'm glad to finally have you alone." She began to rinse the dishes in the sink. "And I'm glad you convinced Carly and Ryan to go to bed. Carly's tired and I'm afraid it's going to just get worse before it gets better."
"I know." Jane let out a heavy sigh. "And once the baby comes, it'll be sleepless nights for a while."
"That it will." Maura tried to hand Jane a dish to put in the dishwasher. "Here…I'll rinse and you load."
Jane let go of Maura's waist and took the offered dish. As she loaded the dishwasher, she glanced sideways at Maura and smiled. "I like this." She gave Maura's hip a gentle bump with her own.
"What? Doing the dishes?" Maura asked, a confusion written all over her face.
"No, being here with you…like this." Jane stopped and turned her attention to Maura. "It's wonderfully domestic and I like sharing it with you."
"Oh…" Maura's cheeks colored slightly as she wiped her wet hands on a nearby dishtowel. "I like it too."
Shutting the dishwasher, Jane spun around and opened her arms to welcome Maura into a hug. She let out a contented sigh when Maura snuggled against her. "Com'ere beautiful." She murmured against soft blonde hair as she rested her chin on the top of Maura's head.
"I've waited all day for this." Maura tilted her head up so she could place a kiss along the side of Jane's jaw.
"Me too." The hum of Jane's voice was slightly husky. "We still have a lot to talk about though. Can it wait until tomorrow?"
"You go with Frankie and get Tommy and I'll make a few phone calls. I'll have something more concrete to share with you when you get home. And everything will make more sense, I promise."
"Okay, but it's hard being left in the dark Maur. I'm not used to this." Jane started to gently rock them back and forth.
"I know and I appreciate your trust. It won't be much longer..." Maura hesitated briefly before continuing. "This is going to be all behind us soon and we can start our lives together with Valley."
"I know."
"I'm glad you and Barry worked things out." Maura's mouth moved along Jane's jaw to the hallow of her throat.
"Yeah, what was I gonna do when he showed up at Ryan and Carly's place with those big, sad, puppy dog eyes?" As soon as the words left her mouth, Jane regretted it.
Maura bristled and pulled back to look Jane in the eyes. "I'm a grown woman who can make my own decisions. You had no reason to blame him for that."
Pulling Maura back into her arms before too much space could grow between them, Jane sighed and nodded. "I know. I'm sorry. I just wasn't quite ready to deal with it today, but I did. And in a rather mature way if I say so myself."
"You did, huh?" Maura relaxed back into Jane again and raised her eyebrow skeptically.
"What? Mature is my middle name." Jane tried to defend herself.
"Okay Ms. Jane Clementine Rizzoli."
"Look who's talking Maura Dorthea Isles."
"I think it's time you quite while you were ahead detective." Maura fisted her hands in Jane's t-shirt and pushed her up against the counter. "Now kiss me."
"Is that a request or an order Doctor?" Jane tried to tease but the pressure of Maura's body against her own caused her to falter. Her gaze dropped down to intense hazel-green eyes flashing with desire to slightly parted lips anticipating the touch of her own to an open shirt that revealed the top of a pink bra trimmed in black lace. "You're wearing my favorite color…" She reached down to trace the black lace with her fingers and smirked.
Leaning her head back slightly at the touch, Maura's eyelids fluttered shut and she let out a sigh. "I feel sexy when I wear this…or maybe it's just the way you look at me." She opened her eyes and gave Jane a thoughtful look. She shivered when warm fingers slipped between her skin and the material of her bra, lightly brushing back and forth.
Jane's nimble fingers moved from Maura's skin to the buttons of her shirt. Slowly, she began to unbutton and push back the material keeping her from touching more of the skin she craved but she stopped when Maura placed her hands on hers. "We can't. We aren't alone in the house." Her voice was breathless as she struggled to speak.
"Ummm…" Jane slipped her hands into the gap of Maura's shirt and moaned at the feeling of hot skin against her own. "But I don'wanna stop…" she whispered as she closed her eyes at the contact.
"Tell me something Jane…"
"Anything…" Jane stroked the soft skin beneath her finger tips and kissed along the shell of Maura's ear.
"What makes you feel sexy?" Maura tilted her head so Jane could move down her neck.
Jane hesitated but only briefly as her lips continued to move along Maura's neck to her throat. "You do. The way you look at me, the way you touch me…the way your mouth knows every inch of my body."
"Hmmm…while that sounds wonderful, I was referring to something you wear." Maura pulled back so she could look at Jane.
When Jane felt the gentle push, she looked down at Maura and the curiosity lighting her eyes. A sexy smirk creased her lips as she realized what she was being asked. "Is there something you'd like to see me wear?"
"Well…" Maura's cheeks colored slightly as she looked away from Jane's intense gaze. "I don't know…maybe."
"Tell me. What would you like me to wear?"
"I was thinking, maybe…a black satin negligee." Maura covered her eyes at the image of Jane wearing nothing but a black satin, thigh high nightie.
"I might have one or two in a box somewhere." Jane said with a sly grin and wink. "You might talk me into wearing it…that is if you wear that pink and black one I love so much. But why satin?"
"Well, when you run your hands over me when I'm wearing one it's the most incredible feeling against my skin. It heightens the sensitivity of every part of my body and I want to feel that from the other side as much as I want you to feel it."
"Yeah, I suppose you have a point. It feels wonderful to touch you when you wear that nightie. The contrast of cool material and hot skin just beneath the surface is amazing…" Jane looked down at her hands. They were tingling at the promise of feeling Maura's body through her satin nightgown again. "I have a pair of silk boxers upstairs if you want to start there?" Jane said hopefully.
"Then I suggest we quite wasting time down here when we can be upstairs doing…other things…" Maura wiggled her eyebrows playfully.
"Please tell me you're wearing the underwear that matches this…" Jane moved her hands to open Maura's shirt again so she could trace along the top of the pink and black lacey bra.
"You're just going to have to take me upstairs to find out." Maura gave Jane's side a playful pinch before dashing out of strong arms. "But you're going to have to catch me first." She gave a playful wink over her shoulder as she ran for the stairs.
Jane laughed and shook her head as she followed Maura up the stairs with an easy swagger. She didn't need to rush because she knew what would be waiting for her behind the closed doors of their bedroom. She smiled as she watched Maura duck past the doorway and disappear in a trail of clothes. This playful banter was something she looked forward to because it kept the newness alive in their relationship and she hoped they would never lose that. With one last shake of her head, she closed the door behind them and turned to find herself wrapped in Maura's arms and filled with an unending love.