How did i not post this before. I am so so sorry. I thought i'd completed it.

ENJOY xxx

CHAPTER 8

"You choose to come here?"

She smiles to herself, she can't believe it either, every time she can't believe it. It's certainly not for the pancakes, her Ma makes them better. It's not for the pancake park designed for ages five and up.

She turns to the window and watches her brothers faces, joy, excitement, pure pleasure, like Charlie and the chocolate factory.

Jane can't help but smile, how could anyone not. How could you not give anyone you cared about the things the loved most.

Her brothers had had such a hard year, harder than she would have liked for them. Sure they were luckier than many other kids. Many other families. But all the worst times were behind them now, ancient history, hopefully.

But what made it so special was that Tommy never got tired of this place, the first time he came he talked about it everyday for a month. He had his birthday party there. It was his special place. And she felt so happy she could give him that happiness.

Now they still love it, the laser tag, the air hockey, virtual boxing.

"Yeah. It makes them so happy."

Jane turns back to Maura wondering if she will get a reply. Instead she finds Maura staring vaguely in the kids direction but a sad distant look in her eyes, a confusion on her face. Those green eyes suddenly a million miles away. Then Maura looks back at her and she smiles, as if it might somehow soften the tension, and it seems to work. The sad look is mostly gone. And then Maura turns back to Tommy and the sad look returns again.

She is just about to say something, to change the topic and touch Maura's shoulder, to bring her back, when Angela arrives at the table with breakfast.

It feels like slow motion. Like she can see something unravelling inside Maura and is unable to stop it. Maura stares at her Ma like she is watching a horror film. Skin turning pale. Her hands rubbing down the front of her blouse.

"Whats wrong?" She asks careful not to touch Maura and make it worse.

Maura shakes her head side to side as if she is trying to say 'nothing' but at the same times her hands are shaking and a bead of sweat appears on her forehead that tells her otherwise. Maura grabs a paper bag off the tray tipping the contents over and starts breathing heavily into it. The look is panic, and she turns to her Ma with a silent plea for help.

"Jane!" her Ma scolds her slapping her shoulder hard, "What did you do?"

"Nothing Ma." Jane defends herself, but the concern for Maura takes over that of herself.

"Take her outside. It's too loud and hot in here for her."

Angela touches Maura who stiffens and flinches.

Jane leans as close as she knows is safe, "Maura." a gentle whisper. Maura leans towards her probably sub-consciously. She slips her hand into Maura's and holds tight, "Come with me."

She helps a shaky Maura to her feet and turns her towards the door. Maura is almost resistant but the closer they get the more Maura responds.

"We will wait for you to come back before eating." Her Ma calls out.

"No, please eat." Maura calls out anyway, her movements quickening like she needs to flee. The sun greets her warmly like a kiss and Maura's hand jolts against hers as she stops and breaths heavily into the paper bag. She lets go of the hand and moves them to Maura's arms. That way she can watch her face on and comfort her. Rubbing up and down. And yet it already seems like Maura is back to normal.

"I'm ok now." Maura whispers.

"Good."

Silence fills the air as they stare at each other. And she can only wonder if Maura needed space or wanted to talk. There was so many things to talk about and she wasn't sure what upset her friend. She had spent the time together trying to figure her out. Sho she would never be caught unaware and she could always help. But this one was new. This sadness mixed with confusion.

The silence is suddenly awkward

"Hungry...or...?"

She thinks this way is better than asking 'do you want to talk'.

And Maura nods.

Maura doesn't look ready to talk, but she also doesn't look ready to go back yet.

Maura looks sad and lost and her heartstrings are pulled sharply and painfully. The only way to make the pain stop that she knows is a hug. And so she wraps her arms around Maura and holds her tight. As tight as she can without hurting her. As close as she can to be there, to offer whatever is needed.

Whatever, whenever, however.

And then she lets go, and leads her back into the chaos. Then Jane lets go and takes her hand, and they walk back to the table to eat the delicious sweet celebration food. Because today should be one of the best days of her life.

All the big problems can be dealt with. She can go to college if she wants. Fix up the house or maybe buy a bigger house.

"Congratulations." Maura whispers.

And while she is trying to thank Maura with a smile, Ma interrupts with a sloppy sticky kiss on her cheek. And when Maura smiles at her in that way, that soft delicate calm way, she knows they will be okay as well. Both of them.

Today is just the beginning.

On the way home

jane insists two pairs of new shoes nd talks non stop about ideas she has for a stay at home mom business.

They stop at the corner shop on the way home so Tommy can get the caps for his cap gun he had been asking for since school got back five weeks ago.

They sing a song on the drive home. And Angela checks out her new hop skip step in her new shoes with Tommy to the front door.

She smiles to herself in the backseat. She grabs and holds Mauras hand tight, a strong indication to stay for just a bit.

It's been almost too much and she isn't sure she can speak.

Maura just waits for her calmly.

And she manages to hold back tears as she finally speaks, "Thank you Maura. I know you didn't plan this but..."

Her brain races for a moment. If she never met Maura she would still be working two, sometimes three, jobs for the next five years at least. She wouldn't be witnessing the joy returned to her Ma. Her brothers acting just like they used to as if the last 14 months hadn't happened. Also, If Maura hadn't been so miserable in marriage. If Garrett hadn't mentioned where he went to see girls. If she hadn't been taking every extra shift she could get and was at work that day. If Constance hadn't invited Garrett and he hadn't punched her in the face.

So many tiny things went a very specific way into them even meeting. Mostly many bad things but at least the dark cloud has a silver lining. Many would call it fate, or destiny. But to her it was just another mystery to life, a series of unfortunate and fortunate events. It wasn't even the end of the story. It was just another chapter in a story.

"...I can't thank you enough for not just changing my life but for my whole family..."

Tears finally get the better of her.

"...you have absolutely no idea...I...just...thank you."

Through wet blurry vision she can tell she has made Maura teary-eyed as well. This time it's Maura that pulls her into a hug, holds her tight, and won't let go.

Jane planned that small things would be quickly changed, but big things would be slower.

Their live had been upturned already once and she wanted it to be gradual but good.

Splurging was out but paying all the bills and making sure he Ma never had worry again was her priority.

With a cupboard overflowing with food, Angela asked again how it happened, this time it was Maura that took her aside.

And for the rest of the day Ma gave her little glances like she was some sort of legend.

She was grateful that no-one asked her how much it was. She was grateful her Ma didn't ask questions about the incident. She was grateful her brothers didn't insist on all the things they wanted to buy.

What thrilled her the most was her Ma could focus again solely on raising her boys.

She herself would have more time to spend with Maura.

"What are you thinking about Jane." Maura asked gently.

She smiles, "Too many things."

"Anything you want to talk about?"

Jane nods, things have changed so quickly in so many ways, "Where to next?"

"In what context?" Maura asks leaning closer until her blonde head is resting against Jane's arm.

She shrugs, she isn't sure, she is just trying to get a handle on things, "I don't know...the future?"

She senses a shift in her companion, so she continues quickly, "I've never been in this position, that I can...decide. You know...If i wanna do something I can...but I don't know what to do."

Maura frowns.

"I want to do something for you." She casually whispered in Maura's ear, it earned her a smile. "What kind of something."

"I was thinking ice-cream at the park."

"What do you want to do for me with ice-cream?"

She smirks, "With you...as a thank you." Her voice is extra gravelly today and she makes the most of it.

"Don't you know your smile is all the thanks I need." Maura says softly

She pauses, her heart feels like it is in her throat. It sounded innocent enough but also beautiful. "Unless it's a date." Maura adds with a smile.

"Sure, lets make it a date."

She slips her arm through Maura's, like she always does. It's so comfortable, so relaxing, so so safe.

"I am gonna have three flavors stacked on top of each other."

"You're gonna break the bank." She laughs, "Flavors? I feel like you've developed into a strawberry and white chocolate girl. So what is the third flavor gonna be?"

"How do you know that?"

"Well those are the flavors that keep disappearing out of the freezer. And I'm not a detective yet but it seems obvious."

Maura laughs, "You're right, I am impartial to strawberries. But today I am going to try whatever you're having. It sounds fun."

"Oh really." She grins wider, "Even if I pick flavors that definitely don't go together."

Maura chuckles softly, "You have to eat it too."

"What if this was a date?"

Jane huffs a laugh out her nose, "Then I'd be paying wouldn't I."

"Not necessarily. Would that be the only difference?"

Jane laughs and squeezes her arm tightly, "Of course I'd be the guy. I'm soooo much tougher than you are. Plus I like beer and sports."

"Fine." Maura laughs, "Your ego is definitely not feminine."

Jane just smirks, "And no...that wouldn't be the only difference."

"What else?" Maura asks with a soft whisper.

"Well..." Jane looks thoughtful, "I guess I would tell you you are beautiful. And I might want to hold your hand."

Maura slips her hand inside Jane's and smiles, "You are beautiful too Jane."

She would usually snort a laugh at that, but suddenly it doesn't sound as ridiculous as it once would. Instead she smiles softly and squeezes Maura's hand tightly, "You know what else would be different?"

"I do not." Maura replies and smiles at the way Jane tugs her hand and they continue towards the ice cream caravan.

"I'd be probably a bit more dressed up."

"I see." Maura laughs.

"Yeah...like a clean tee shirt just put on...and maybe a color you like on me...yellow?"

"That would really be something."

"Ohhh," Jane laughs, "Sarcasm. Very nice."

"I have a good teacher." Maura deflects with a blush, "And what would we talk about?"

"Well..." Jane considers slowly, "Probably sciencey stuff that I would pretend I understood. And ice cream flavors...clean tee shirts...just general stuff like that. Nothing too serious."

Maura laughs, "Wow. How are you still single Jane?"

They both laugh.

"But...ya know...if it's anything like right now...I might just come right out and ask you to stay with me forever."

Maura stops walking and bites her lip to suppress a smile, her eyes sparkle.

"What?" Jane asks stopping as well.

"You don't think that might be a bit forward...so early on?"

Jane mulls it over for a moment and shrugs, "No...I think honesty is important."

"You don't want to scare her off. I mean, she might have been through a lot...and be afraid of commitment."

"With me?" Jane laughs, "Never."

"Hmmm, overconfident too."

"Self-assured...she'll grow to love it."

Maura laughs and starts to walk again, swinging her arm making Jane's swing as well, enjoying the relaxed manner they are both in, enjoying all of it.

"So did it?" Jane asks suddenly

"Did what, Jane?"

"Did it scare her off?"

Maura can't control the way the corners of her mouth curl upward. She shakes her head and her eyes sparkle brightly. She glows, so much more radiant than ever before, "No Jane. She assures me that she truly cannot wait to date you...she cannot wait to accept that proposal."

And Jane lights up, like the sun and all the stars in the night sky.

END?