Chapter Four

"But I don't want to!" Avery's whine fills the kitchen when Jane walks into the kitchen a couple of days later. She shoots Maura a knowing smile. They'd expected this reaction from Avery. She was shy but sweet and worried about making friends.

"Sweetie, you have to go to school," Maura says firmly but gently. She places a plate of cut up apple in front of Avery, who picks up a piece with a frown. "But Aunt J or I will be there to pick you up as soon as school is over."

Avery sighs. "Promise?" She levels Maura with a look so fierce Jane can't hide a smile.

"We promise," Jane jumps in. But she can't get out anything else before her stomach churns, bile rising in her throat. She makes it to the sink just in time.

"Jane?" Maura's hand rests on her shoulder. "You're still throwing up?"

Jane nods, splashing her face with cold water. "Yeah. Off and on." She twists her hands together. She knows what it is. "I think i'm pregnant, Maura." Her voice shakes. She can't help it. "God!" She leans against the counter. "What am I gonna do?"

"You're gonna raise this baby and I'm going to help you," Maura whispers. "Just like you helped me with Avery."

"Look at our life, Maura! We're the daughters of the biggest mob boss in the world! We move to a new location every two or three years."

"Hey, look at me!" Maura speaks gently but firmly. "We're going to give Avery and this baby as normal of a life as we can. This baby will be loved."

Jane wipes at her eyes. "Yeah and hunted by dad's enemies for the rest of her life." She shrugs, managing a small smile. "I have a feeling its a girl."

"Have you taken a test yet?" Maura inquires, rubbing Jane's back.

Jane shakes her head and releases a shaky breath. "No. I guess I should."

"I'll run to the store and get one. We also need milk." Maura checks the time on the stove. "Avery, let's go!" She calls.

Avery shuffles into the kitchen, her purple backpack over her shoulder. "I hate this! Why did we have to move to stupid Boston?"

Maura sighs and goes over to her. "Sweetie, we talked about this. We're here so-"

"So we can be safe. Yeah. I know. And its stupid. If grandpa wasn't in the mob we wouldn't be moving all over the stupid world. I hate him! I hate grandpa! He sucks!"

Jane doesn't know what to say because Avery speaks the truth. Moving around sucks. Looking over their shoulder sucks.

"Avery!" Maura scolds but falters. "You're right. He does bad things. And we're his daughters and granddaughter so we're involved by extension."

"We need to go into witness protection or something,"Jane says quietly. "Or move somewhere else, change our names."

Maura is about to reply when her phone rings. Sighing, she picks it up. "This is Dr. Doyle." She listens and Jane's heart speeds up when her face lights up. "Yes! I accept. Thank you so much, Dr. Martin. I'll see you tomorrow, eight am sharp."

"You got it?" Jane asks when Maura ends the call, her smile so huge it makes Jane throw her arms around her sister.

"Yes! I got it." Maura pulls free from the hug. "I'll ask Dr. Martin if she knows a good OB/GYN."

"We're celebrating tonight." Jane puts her hands on Maura's shoulders. "You're gonna do great. And we'll figure out the other thing."

"You got the job, Mom?" Avery asks as she walks back into the kitchen.

"Yes, honey, I did. So I'll have to drop you off a little early starting tomorrow. Now let's go."

Jane kisses Avery on the head. "I love you, kiddo. Be good."

"I will." Avery kisses Jane's stomach. "I love you, baby."

Jane chuckles. "Go on, you!"

It takes Jane two hours to get up the courage to look at the pregnancy test Maura picks up on her way back from dropping Avery off. But when she sees the positive sign, her throat constricts.

"Jane?" Maura steps into the bathroom. "Are you-"

Jane nods, tears falling from her eyes. "You're gonna be an aunt."

Maura throws her arms around Jane and they stay like that for a few minutes, until Jane breaks away, vomiting into the toilet.

"How long does this last?" Jane groans as Maura helps her up.

"A while longer I'm afraid."

Maura checks herself in the mirror one final time. She can't believe what a difference dark hair does for her appearance. When she gets to the office, she's aware of people staring at her.

"Maura?" Frankie approaches her, confusion on his face. "You look-different."

Maura smiles. "Thank you, Frankie. I needed some way to see Jane. Hope hired the woman pretending to be me at her clinic so I'm hoping to see Jane." She pats Frankie on the shoulder. "I'll see you later." She hurries to the elevator, tears stinging her eyes. She would bring Jane home, no matter what it took.

I'm sorry its been so long since the last update! My original stories are my priority so I write on fanfiction in the evenings. Things are about to pick up! Thank you to everyone who reviewed, followed and favorited!