Hello Everyone and Welcome

Again, I know that it has been way too long of a wait but I'm not going to leave this undone, promise! So lately the writers block has been terrible for me and looking around internet ways to "unblock" this I read that force yourself a bit into writing can help to write. It did! So this chapter is a filler one, the fun is yet to come! Now, I want you to comment me what would you like to happen during their vacations. It can fun, sad, dramatic... WHATEVER YOU WANT! tell me in the comment all of your ideas, You are all part of this and is only fair to let you take part in it! Just again, thanks for still being here!

Please, let me know your thought of the chapter and the story itself. Any questions, suggestion, comment or review is very welcome and appreciated
If there's any grammatical error, please let me know!

Thank you so much for all the support you have been giving me, I wouldn't be able to do this without you guys! Really, thank you so much!

B. M. Adams
Xoxo...

Disclaimer: I do not own anything from R&I, just the plot and OCs


Maura's POV

July/12/2010

"Jane! Leave that there! I've told you a thousand times. You can't do so much effort yet"I once again told my really stubborn wife who was lifting a bag full of groceries I just brought from the market.

"Oh! Come on, Maur! It's being more than three weeks. I'm fine" she wined and huffed annoyed. I knew that I was really being difficult for her to remain still and doing not much.

"Yes, but you still need more time to recover" I remind her putting the groceries away and in their respective places.

She rolled her eyes "And what am I supposed to do? Sit still and do nothing for the rest of my life" she said somewhat angry.

"You're so exaggerated!" I said mocking of her dramatic comment "Not for the rest of your life but for the time being, yes!" I answered giving her a quick peck and continued with organizing the kitchen.

Jane huffed and sat on the stool looking at her phone. "Sometimes I think I have 4 children under this roof" I jacked.

"Really funny, love!" Jane said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

A couple of minutes after Megan came down ready to leave the house. "Hey, guys I'm leaving I'll be back before dinner" she said. She'd already talk to me in the morning about going to hang out at Christina and Garret's house but I forgot tell Jane.

"Wow, there!" Jane said standing up from the stool "And are you asking for permission or you just informing us, young lady?" Jane said pretending to be offended.

Megan and I laughed at the comment "second one" Megan answered laughing.

"Don't listen to her" I said to Megan "Bye, sweetheart. See you at 7" she said

"So now you two are ganging up on me? Good, you know, you're losing me…" Jane said over dramatically, crossing her arms in front of her chest making a cute pouting face.

"Bye, Jane" Megan said and kissed her in the cheek.

Jane instantly hugged her "Bye, baby. Be good, be save. Love you" she said as usual.

"Too" she answered.

"Would you like me to drive you?" I asked her before she could leave.

She shook her head "Don't worry Maura, I'll walk. It's really close by" she answered surely.

"Ok, bye, sweetheart. Text me when you get there. Ok?" I told her giving her a goodbye kiss.

Megan left and when I turned around Jane was looking at me with her brow furrowed quizzically and her elbows against the counter. "Jane?" I said trying to taking her out of her trance.

"I think she's passing too much time with that boy" she said not even blinking.

I laughed at her comment "Aww, Jane" I said sweetly and walked towards her and hugged her from behind "Are you thinking that your little girl is having a boyfriend?"

She turned her head and looked at me "I'm not sure but they had passed too much time together since summer stared" she answered.

"Jane, Megan is fifteen, it's just normal that she has a boyfriend" I told her. Jane remained silent "But you never thought you'll be worrying about that this soon, don't you? I asked.

She nodded "Not exactly"

"Ok, mama tiger" I said letting her go "First of all we don't know if they have something and second of all, we can't do much about it if they are" I said, being as logical as possible. I didn't love the idea of Megan dating either but more than guide her through it and keep an eye on her we can't do much more. "Besides, she said Christina and Garret, so it not like a date

"You right, but anyways, don't like him" she said pouting.

"Come on Jane, you don't even know him. He's a nice guy I have to say" I exclaimed going back to organize the groceries.

"Again, don't like him" she assured.

I laughed again "Oh! Jane. I want to see you when Lily start to date" I laughed

She stood up and her eyes widened "That won't happen!" she assured "I'll go and take a shower, honey" she said standing up from the stool and rounding the kitchen island to give me a kiss before going upstairs.

I finished putting the groceries away and cleaning a bit the kitchen. After that and being nearly 4 pm I decided to put the kettle on and make some tea. The last few weeks the kids had been in summer vacation and unfortunately we haven't done much to allow Jane to recover smoothly and give her time to heal, even though if it was depending on her she would have been back to work by the time she was released from the hospital.

While sipping my tea I was trying to find something fun to do all together tonight. It had been a while since we had had a game night and I thought that was a great idea. It was something we could all enjoy as a family. After finishing the tea went upstairs and found Jane brushing her wet curls. I remained by the door frame just admiring her beauty. I could just be stunned by how gorgeous she is. But not just her beauty, her incredible selflessness, kindness, love, her values and moral. All of her always made me asked myself how such an incredible human being could be in love with me. I just felt and feel like the most lucky woman in the world having her by my side.

"What are you doing there staring at me" she said noticing me at the door and pulling me out of my train of thoughts.

I smiled and stepped inside the bath room hugging her from behind carefully and kissing her shoulder "Just admiring you" I said snuggling against her back.

She chuckled "Admiring me?" She asked incredulously.

I nodded just indulging in the fresh smell of her just washed curls and body lotion.

She turned around and grabbed my face delicately "I'm the one that should be admiring you, my piece of work" she said before kissing me passionately in the lips. After we separate from our kiss she just held me close against her chest for a few minutes "You know, I was thinking that we could use some vacations" Jane mentioned suddenly.

Even though the comment surprised me I agree with her immediately, sometime out of Boston will be nice and relaxing "I do agree with you, my love. Have something in mind?" I asked.

"Why don't we go to the beach house? We all could use some sun" She said and yes, she was right, sometime just the five of us will be great, and that will give the kids something to unwind a bit and forget about the horrible past few weeks.

"I totally agree, Jane" I said pausing a bit to look at her in the eyes "The only thing is that we have to wait for the approval of your Dr." I said and as usual Jane answered annoying grunting to which I can't help to laugh.

She signed "Ok, We'll wait until my next appointment that is tomorrow and then we'll decide" She said

"Reasonable" I answered. I looked again in her eyes and without thinking brought our lips together again in anther chaste but passionate kiss "Give me that brush, I'll comb your curls" I said after our kiss I graciously started to brush carefully through the tangles in her hair.

The afternoon passed flying. Jane and I enjoyed the rest of the day watching a movie with Lily and Lucas and playing with them but to be honest being just the four of us felt strange. Around six, I started to prepare dinner, Lily was painting on the kitchen counter behind me keeping me accompanied and Lucas and Jane where playing video games in the living room. Not much after I heard the door opening and Megan's distinctive voice flowing in the air announcing her arrival. She entered in the kitchen and left her keys in the counter.

"Hey" she simply said. Lily jumped from the stool and greeted the teenager; Megan lifted her up from the floor and kissed her cheek.

I cleaned my hand and went to give her a kiss "Did you have a good time?" I asked her going back to control the dinner.

She nodded her head "Yeah, we just chat" she said "You, guys?" she asked right after.

"Yes, we watch a movie and played Pictionary" I answered and looked at Lily "Was it funny, right Baby?" I asked the little girl.

The girl nodded "Yes, it was funny but I missed you" she said no even taking her attention from the picture she was drawing."

I smiled while I was mixing what I had in the stove and could see a smile forming on Megan's face at the comment

"I missed you too, Monkey" she said kissing her head. She then came closer to me "Need any help?" she offered.

"Yes, Sweetheart. Can you check the chicken in the oven, please?" I told her.

"How long has it been inside the oven, Maura?" she asked me.

"About forty five minutes" I answered rapidly.

She thought for a second and put it inside again "needs a bit more" she answered "In the meantime, can I do anything else" she offered her help again.

"Everything is pretty much done, Sweetie. You can just keep us company if you want" I casually said. She smiled and nodded sitting in one of the stools.

"So, honey I was thinking to repeat this afternoon's plan. Does a movie and a board game sound good to you?" I commented after a few minutes that neither of us had said anything.

She lifted her head "Yeah, sounds great!"

"Can I be your partner? Can I!? Can I!?" Lily chimed in asking the same repeatedly at Megan.

The teenager just chuckled at Lily's enthusiasm "Sure thing, little monkey" Megan said.

"Yes" Lily said triumphantly and just got back to her drawing.

"So, were are the little man and Jane?" she asked me.

"Well, little man has been doing the same for the last hour, playing videogames and Jane just joined him, so technically their both sticking to those controllers" I commented a bit annoyed.

Megan just laughed "What a surprise" she said joking. The girl got down the stool and spoke after leaving the kitchen "I'll go get change"

Ten minutes after or so she came back to the kitchen with her hair tide in a messy bun and some comfortable clothes. He was texting someone with a goofy smile on her face. I was almost sure who she was texting with but I decided to let it go for the time being.

"Megan, can you check the chicken?" I asked her but she was too immersed in the conversation she was having. "Meg!" I said lauder this time and she looked up from her phone.

"Mmm… Sorry, Maura. What were you saying?" she asked, leaving her phone on the kitchen counter and walking towards me.

"Can you check the chicken, please" I said again.

She walked to the oven and took the chicken out of it "Yep, it's done!" she assured.

"Perfect. Can you please cut it?" I asked her not much after; when I didn't hear any response I turned my gaze from the stove to the girl who was, once again, looking intently at her phone and with a goofy smiling on her face.

"Megan…Megan!" I repeated louder this time.

She then looked up startled leaving her phone on the counter top immediately "yes?" she said.

I smiled mischievously "With who are you talking that much?" I questioned her playfully.

"No one special, just Christina" she answered a little too quickly.

"Yeah, Christina" I whispered sarcastically. "At the end this things end up getting to you" I thought after saying something that sounded so much unlike myself. "So, sweetie, can you cut the chicken, please" I asked again.

She nodded and took a knife right away "Sure!" she said getting right into the work.

"Look who got home and didn't say a thing" said Jane getting inside the kitchen.

Megan chuckled "In my defense, Maura needed help and you were too much into your game" she answered

"Touché" Jane said trying to steal one of the potatoes I just took off of the stove.

"We're eating in ten" I said slapping her hand and taking the tray of the potatoes off the counter and placing it on the table. "You can set the table if you want to accelerate the process" I suggested.

She reluctantly grabbed the cutlery and the plates and set the table. I turned them and faced Megan who spoke when she saw me "All done here" she said

"Great! Thanks, sweetheart" I told her and she just smiled going to the sink to wash her hands and the knife.

"Did you have fun?" Jane said walking towards Megan after she finished setting the table

Megan nodded "Yes, we just chatted, basically" she simply answered "did you have fun without me?" she said smirking at Jane,

"Oh, yeah! Tons" Jane answered "We watch the Beauty and the Beast and after we had a fairly interesting game of Pictionary" Jane answered.

Megan laughed "Ok, now I'm sad" she answered

"Oh! Don't worry, I'll destroy you tonight" Jane said.

"Yeah, we'll see" she countered. Their relation was blossoming beautifully and every day, every joke; every laugh and us, were witnesses of that. Not just theirs but the relation in between all of us was changing, for the better and for good.

After that we all sat at the table and enjoy dinner, everything was laughter and happiness. My kids here all happily chatting, I was besides my wife, my life was complete and perfect at the moment. The sound of their laughter was just the most beautiful and precious sound my ears could have ever heard. I was simply and absolutely happy.

Dinner went by quickly so as the cleaning of it, everything was going smoothly and perfect. As the night passed we all gather in front of the Tv to watch another movie. Both Jane and I were in the couch with Lily and Lucas by our sides and Megan in the arm chair besides the big couch.

We all were immersed in the movie when Jane shook me and silently told me to look at the arm chair. Megan was singing along with the song playing on the movie, performing it and all.

"Meg, we don't need the live version, Thanks" said Lucas making fun of her enthusiasm.

Jane and Lily started laughing and I tried not to laughed, finding it almost impossible

"Ups" she said embarrassed "Sorry" she finished hiding her face in one of her hands laughing nervously.

"Lucas! Leave your sister singalong" Jane said not being able to contained her laughter. "Honey, you were amazing, you deserve an Oscar" she said laughing loudly, making both kids laugh too.

The girl stated laughing too "Ok, leave her alone, now… Don't listen to them, sweetheart" I said still laughing a bit about the incident. After that we all went back to watch the movie until it ended.

Afterwards we all enjoyed our match at Cranium to the fullest. All was laughter and happiness. The events of the past month where nowhere to be seen and that was the best of all. Even thought, we had had a tough time we've been all together throughout it and it even had made us closer. Watching our three children laughed and my wife being her old self was just making me even happier, and I know Jane and the kids felt the same.

After the game, Jane took Lily to bed; the little girl was almost falling asleep and meanwhile Lucas, Megan and I finished gathering up all of the things we used during the night. When we finished directly Megan went to her bedroom and I accompanied Lucas to his.

We passed just in front of Lily's room, and I could see Jane in the bed with our little girl against her chest and a book on her lap "In a village of La Mancha, the name of which I have no desire to call to mind…" I heard her read. And the image just melted my heart even more.

We finally got to Lucas room; he changed and brushed his teeth and went straight to bed, tired from the day we had. I kneeled beside his bed and leaned, kissing his forehead "Good night, little man. Sweet dreams" I said, giving him a second kiss and standing up. I walked to the door "On or off?" I asked him referring to his night light.

"On" He answer quietly, snuggling further against the covers "Night, mommy" he said drifting off to sleep.


Jane's POV.

When I was going out of Lily's room Maura was leaving Lucas'. She just smiled and took my hand, leading me to our room. We both change into our pjs and went straight to bed. We started to kiss, deeply and passionately. The past weeks we had to be really careful went being affectionate, to avoid Jane getting any more hurt.

"You know we can't go further than this yet, right?" she reminded me

I grunted annoyed "I know, it sucks" I said sighing and stealing a quick peck from her lips.

"Soon enough we will baby" she said to me once again bringing me closer to her and kissing my lips, pouring all off her love and passion in those kisses.

"I just hope that tomorrow the doctor will give us the approval to go to those vacations, we really need them" I said hopefully.

"Believe me, my love. I would absolutely love that too… And you know, I just remembered that Lily's birthday is on the 23th of august, so it will be the perfect time to go to Disney" I said excitedly, knowing that the kids will love the idea.

Maura smiled "That sounds amazing; it is a great idea, love… and I may remind you that we have another birthday girl on those days" she said leaving me with the doubt.

"Oh my god! How could I forget? Megan's birthday is on the 29th!" I exclaimed ashamed for forgetting my own daughter's birthday.

"Exactly and I think we should do something special for her. Something to remember her first birthday with us" she said.

I thought for a second and let her words to sink in "Her first? So, there might be more?" I asked, looking intently into her chocolaty and so intense eyes.

"If it depends on me, all of them should to be with us" she said looking just right into my eyes.

"So, are you thinking in…" I said but was interrupted by Maura before I could finish me sentence.

"In adopting her? Yes, I do… but I also think that she needs more time to settle in and be more comfortable" Maura said.

I sighed deeply "I know we should give her time but it seems like she has been with us since the beginning and make it official would be perfect" I said heartfeltly.

"Again, soon enough we will sort this out, just like any other thing" Maura said surely "In the meantime, we should go to sleep" she said, kissing me in the tip of the nose "Good night, my love" she said.

"Good night, baby" I answer and we both drifted off to sleep holding our hands and resting our foreheads on each other's.

The next morning came by quick and I heard Maura's alarm went off. I stirred and felt a light kiss pressed against my lips "I have an early meeting today, I'll be back at 3 to take you to the appointment" she said and I just nodded "love you, baby. Keep on resting. Goodbye" she said and pressed another kiss on my lips

"Bye, baby. Love you" I mumbled and turning around I kept on sleeping for. When I woke Maura was probably already gone. Lazily I stood up from the bed and went to the bathroom. Before going downstairs I checked on the kids. As I suspected Megan wasn´t already in her room and by the smell of coffee and the soft music I could hear I could figured that she was on the playroom. I checked on both Lily and Lucas and both were still asleep. I walk passed to the room Megan was in and went to the kitchen.

I filled a mug of with the hot coffee and went to the playroom. Megan was playing, really immersed on what she was doing; I slowly approached to the bench "Morning, sweetheart" I said softly.

She stopped playing and turned her head around "Morning, Jane" she said smiling "how are you feeling?" she asked.

"I'm great" Since the shooting she always asks the same every time she sees me. I can't imagine how worry she was and how afraid she most had been "You?" I asked afterwards.

"Good" she nodded.

We remained silent for a couple of minutes "So, baby. Can I ask why you always are awake so early?" I asked her, usually she always awoke early but lately she was waking up even early, sometimes even before the sunrise. .

She shrugged "Don't know. Early bird I guess" she simply said readjusting herself on the bench and fixed her gaze on the keys of the piano.

"Are you having troubles sleeping, sweetie?" I asked her while rubbing her knee.

Again, she shrugged "No, I'm just awaking earlier than usual" she answered, not giving any other information.

With my finger I gently took her chin and making her facing me "If you ever have troubles sleeping, or if you need to talk or anything at all, just come to us, doesn't matter if it's 3 in the morning, you can always come to us with anything. Ok?" I said sternly.

She just nodded "I want to hear it, sweets" I said to her.

She nodded again "Yeah, I know" she said. Her eyes showing a grateful sparkle.

"I'm glad to hear that" I said to her "I'll be in the kitchen preparing breakfast… How pancakes with chocolate chips sounds like" I teased her.

The girl chuckled "Amazing" she said smiling "Want help?"

"I think I'll be fine" I smiled at her "If smells like smoke, call the firemen" I said making Megan Laugh out loud.

"I will" she said laughing.

When I get to the kitchen I looked for everything, starting to prepare everything. Shortly after I was finishing with the first pancake Lucas came in the kitchen, probably attracted from the smell freshly prepared pancakes. "Mom is not going to be happy" he said sitting on the stool.

"But mom doesn't need know" she exclaimed pointing at the kid with the spatula.

He grinned "Know what?" he said.

"Attaboy!" she said and kept on flipping pancakes.

Lily after a little came in the kitchen too, with her blond locks all messy and still sleepy. I washed my hands and dried them; attempting to pick her up but before I could even knelled to take her in her my arms Megan came in the room "Jane, she's 40 pounds, that technically is too much effort" she said nonchalant, not even looking away from her phone.

"Seriously!? You, too" I groaned "You're just like your mother!" Frustratedly I finished. With only a kiss on the tip of her nose the little girl went to the stool next to her brother and sat there waiting for the pancakes.

Megan laughed at the comment and a little, melancholic smile keeping her eyes on the phone. I realized that my words might have not been the best election but I did meaning it, Maura and she have many things in common.

"Lucas, when you grabbed the fruit bowl from the fridge and put on the table, please" I asked the little boy, who immediately jump off the stool and did what I asked him to do "Thank you, little man"

"Ok, troops, I need you to pass me your plates" I ordered and the kids handed me their plates. The three were chatting happily enjoying themselves. I was there, just staring at their smiles, not actually noticing what was going on behind me.

"Earth calling mama!" In heard Lucas shouted.

"What?" I just said.

"The pancakes" Megan pointed at the stove that had a burning pancake in the pan.

"Damn it!" I exclaimed and saw how Lily placed her hands on her mouth and juts like her brother laughed at my potty mouth

"Oh, Jane if only Maura knew how you behave when she's out of the house" Megan commented laughing.

I placed threw the burned pancake on the bin and the pan on the sink and turned around "And just like the pancakes, that will be a secret" I commented.

We all kept on laughing at the breakfast events, the kids were all happy. All together we cleaned the kitchen and spread throughout the house to our own worlds. Later on Maura arrived from work and took me to my appointment, leaving the kids on Megan's charge, trusting in that good head over her shoulders.

"How was your morning, honey?" I asked Maura while she drove us to the doctor's office.

Maura smiled and gave me a quick look "We have a rather complicate case. A Jane Doe. We still trying to identify her" she commented

I sighed loudly "I want to go back so bad" I complained.

Maura patted my knee "Soon enough, baby, soon enough" she said smiling.

I rolled my eyes "Can it be now?" I said.

"You are so impatient, my love" she laughed.

She kept on driving and I was just lost in my own head. She parked outside of the hospital and we both walk through the white hall. We sat on the waiting room for a few minutes until a nurse called my name and let us got inside the office.

"Jane, Maura. Welcome" he greeted them, shaking both their hands "I'm glad to see you look very well recovered, Jane" he said sitting down on his chair.

"Yes, I feel fantastic" I said doing the same.

After he checked me up, he had a smile on his face "Well, Ladies. I'm very much glad to say that you have made a full recovery, Jane. And in a great time" he kept on smiling. Maura's smile couldn't be bigger and I believe mine couldn't either.

"So, I wanted to ask you, doctor. Now that I'm clear, is not problem to take a plane?" I asked hopeful that the doctor will say that it was no problem.

"Unless you're planning into going rafting or bungee jumping, I don't see why not" he said happily "Just keep some boundaries in mind"

I looked at Maura who had an even bigger smile on her face "Don't worry, Doctor. We just planned two relaxing, peaceful, not extreme at all weeks at the beach" Maura laughed.

"Then, I don't know what are you doing here still, go packing" he joked

We both thank him for every attention he had had the past month and left. Both of us were really happy and excited to tell the kids about our plans. Thirty minutes later we were getting inside the house. Everything was pretty quiet but a soft, off-key sound, thing that made me and Maura looked at each other. We picked out head inside the and say Megan on the stool in front of the piano with Lily by her side trying to show her some basics and Lucas on the couch with a guitar -obviously big for him- trying to manage to do some exercise. Maura looked at me and we both laughed, knowing that both kids knew how to get their sister to do things with them.

"So, what's going on in here?! I didn't signed up for a band in this house" I entered inside the room joking at the kids. The three of them looked away from what they were doing.

Megan looked at me and smiled apologetically "They asked me if I could teach them and well…" she said softly.

"Well, that is very sweet of you" Maura said coming closer to us and placing a kiss on top of each kid's head "And in other good news, the doctor said that Mama is really good and we though that we all should go and have some vacations to celebrate" Maura exclaimed happily.

Lily and Lucas loudly celebrated and Megan with a small smile looked at me "I'm glad to hear that" she said just above a whisper.

"Thank you, sweetheart. It means a lot to me" I said grabbing her hand and keeping it inside of mine "So, munchkins, where do you want to go?" I asked them with a huge smile on my face.

Both kids said what seemed like thousand locations but besides de beach I had another one in mind that could work for everyone "And why don't we go grand's house at the beach and we can go to disney" I said happily both younger kids loved the idea, just like Maura. Megan had a smile in her face which I took as a yes too.

I caught Maura looking at me, when both our eyes looked at each other's I knew it was the right idea a this would be the best holidays so far and first of many to come.