Hello Everyone and Welcome Back!

Three, that is how long this update took. three years which we all went to too many things. Hope I can update a little more often, want to finish these and my other story. Hope you all like this update, fortunately, while writing this chapter I realized it was too long, so I divided it into two parts and should be uploading part two shortly. I'm not gonna expect this update to be worth a three-year wait, but anyway hope you enjoy it.

To anyone that is out there still part of this fandom and reading these stories, thank you for all the support to all the writers here!

Please, Let me know your thoughts on this chapter and the story. Any questions, suggestions, comments, or reviews s very welcome and appreciated

If there are any grammatical errors, please let me know.

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

B. M. Adams

Xoxo...

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


Megan's POV

28/08/2010

The storm was raging on outside, it was about 4 am, and I was intently listening to the water purring down from the dark and turmoiled sky and the loud and raging thunders. For me it was one of the most relaxing moments, that sound someway somehow put me at ease every time. I was finally being able to enjoy a little, this moment after being under Maura and Jane's watch all the time. I understand where they come from but at the same time after being days under this whole "watching grounding" was getting to my nerves. I stood up from the warmth of my bed and walked to the lower floor to get some water. As I was walking down the hall I heard the wooden floors creak and thought immediately that it was either Jane or Maura that heard me opening my door, but then I realized that it was Lily that let out a little whimper after a loud thunder sounded. I turned around and when to her room.

Softly, I opened the door and saw little in a sitting position on her bed all covered by the duvet "Hey, Lily" I said softly to avoid startling the girl. She took the duvet from over her head, and I could see she was crying. I sat on the bed "The storm is a little too loud, don't you think?" I asked the girl who was totally terrified of the storm outside. She only nodded. At that moment another really loud thunder stroke and the girl again whimpered and hide behind the covers.

I opened the covers and got in the bed with the girl "You know, thunders sound scary and loud" I said casually looking at the girls. Lily just nodded and help Mr. Bear even tighter to her. It was endearing that she had decided to keep my bear and use it as a coping mechanism for when she was scared. I was glad a toy that had given me so much conform is now helping another kid.

Another thunder sounded and the girl launched herself toward me. I hugged the kid while the sound passed. "I don't like them because I don't know when they come. It's scary cus' they're too loud" the kid said

"You know, there is a little trick that will help you know when they come and how far they are" as I said this she looked at me expectant of what I was going to say next "Every time you see the light you can count. The more you count the further away the thunder is and you know to expect the sound" when I finished I noticed the girl didn't seem too convinced but then a bolt of lightning showed "See, know there's the light so let's count. One, two, three…" we counted at the unison. At seven, thunder roared outside, and the girl didn't flinch "See that way you know the thunders are very, very far away because we count to 7 and you knew one was coming" I said to the girls, hopeful of having convinced her that she could anticipate the sound.

"So, the more we count means the thunders are far?" she questioned.

"Exactly," I said smiling "Why don't I tell you a story so you can go back to sleep?" I asked her.

She nodded and added "But can you stay with me tonight? please" she pleased

I smiled again "I won't go anywhere" I firmly said and started to tell a story to the little girl "Once upon a time, in a far, far off land, a beautiful princess named Lily…"


Maura's POV

Jane and I woke up at around 8 with no children around us, after the raging storm of last night we thought that it was really strange that Lily was not in our bed. She hates storms and for sure she would have woken up last night and come to our room, or that was what we thought. I looked at her and stood from the bed, going to Lily's room. At the sight of Megan's room door open, I picked my head inside and didn't see her on the bed. Then I got an idea of maybe why Lily didn't come to our room. I approached the room and slowly and quietly I opened the door, picking my head inside and finding both girls fast asleep in the bed. Lily had her arm draped around Megan's stomach and her head against her side and Megan had her right arm around the kid and the other one hanging from the bed. I couldn't stop the smile that drew upon my face with the scene. I tiptoed to the room and gently placed Megan's hand on the bed. I looked at them mesmerized for a few seconds more until I hear footsteps coming towards me as I slowly left the room. I found Jane just outside the door with a goofy smile on her face

"That is adorable" Jane whispered.

I smiled and hugged her "It is indeed," I said stealing a kiss from her lips "Why don't we let them sleep a little more while we take a cup of coffee downstairs?" I said still with my head on the crook of jane's neck and my arms wrapped around her, just as hers were around my body.

"That sounds great. It's been a while since we have taken coffee in some nice silence on the back porch" she said "Oh! we might even have time to read the news" she joked laughing, pretending to be excited

I laughed too "That sounds amazing. You're right, it has been a long time since we had some alone time" I smirked.

Jane laughed but I managed to put my hand over her mouth to stop her from waking the kids up "I think if finish this conversation downstairs it'll be a better idea" she then said.

I nodded and grabbed her hand, guiding the both of us to the kitchen. As we reached the kitchen I put a fresh pot of coffee to brew and both Jane and I started to check the news and enjoy the comfortable silence each other provide. Our silence was broken by my phone ringing, it amazed me when my mother's name came on the screen.

"Hello, mother" I answered surprised. And Jane instantly looked up at me raising an eyebrow in surprise at the call.

"Hello, darling. I hope you are all enjoying your holidays" she said oddly cheerily for her.

I rubbed my forehead "Yes, mother, we are all having a lovely time" I answered.

"Oh! Darling, I'm glad. You might be asking yourself what the purpose of my call is, and I will be doing an appraisal of an art piece…" My mother was explaining, and I mouthed that she was coming to visit today afternoon. Jane mouthed "here?" she was just as surprised as I was.

"… Me and my friend will be arriving today at 4:30 pm. Au revoir, Chéri" she said casually and hung up the phone without giving me time to reply

"So… your mother is coming?" Jane said looking at my perplexed face.

I only nodded my head and felt the hives starting to appear on my chest and my breathing becoming erratic "And her friend. At half-past four" I managed to say starting to get really stressed.

Jane's eyes grew bigger "OK, OK, Maura, we don't need a 7-course meal" She joked trying to calm me down with little success "We can put together a nice afternoon tea stuff and blah blah blah" she said casually, making everything seem a little less stressing. At that moment we heard steps coming down the stairs and we saw all three kids coming down towards the kitchen.

They said their good mornings and we responded, giving each of them a kiss. Jane started to make some pancakes for the kids while keeping Lily and Lucas entertained making the batter. Meanwhile, Megan was on her phone I was still thinking about what to do when my mother arrived.

"So, I take your mother is coming" Megan then said matter-of-factly looking at me.

I looked at her a babbled "How do you…" I could finish

"Maura, you have hives," she said pointing at my chest "Last time you had hives was when your mother came, back in June," she said casually taking the maple syrup and fruits from the fridge.

I sighted "Yes, she's coming at 4:30 with a friend. She has an appraisal of an art piece and ad it is nearby she wanted to say hi" I explained

"That's nice" she casually said and looked at me while I was lost in my thoughts, trying to figure out what to make "You're not thinking of a 7-course meal, right?" Megan joked.

"See, I said the same. That is totally not necessary" Jane chimed in, bringing the crockery and glass to the breakfast bar. "You know, I have an idea!" Jane said excitedly, "What do you think if you and Maura pull up an afternoon tea thingy?" She suggested looking at us back and forth.

"That's fine by me," Megan said while setting up the table, apparently unbothered by the idea.

I nodded "Ok, an afternoon tea it is," I said.

We eat breakfast relatively quickly and Megan and I started our journey to the shops to buy the necessary things we needed, leaving Jane to put the kitchen in order and entertain the kids while we shopped.

It didn't take long to get all the things and the necessary pack of sour gummy worms I secretly grabbed for my little helper. Megan was unusually quiet; she has actually been like this since our talk after her stunt. Jane and I have noticed, how she is not playing the piano, how her guard is up most of the time, and her she's over-attentive to everything she said and does. I was also thinking that the last time my mother and Megan meet, the night didn't end on the best terms I was kind of afraid that this time the result could be the same one.

I shook those thoughts as soon as we arrived home at around 12:30 pm. Nonchalantly Megan got down from the car and took a pair of bags from the trunk, I took the other bags in the trunk and went inside with her. Jane was cleaning the living room while Lily was playing with her toys and Lucas was playing on his tablet "How long has Lucas been with the tablet?" I asked

"Hey, you're home!" Jane greeted us. "Not too long" she waived, rolling her eyes, and laughing at my obvious question.

She left the vacuum cleaner and kissed me, walking around the kitchen island to peck Megan's head "I see you managed to find all you needed" she said referring to the number of things we bought.

I smiled "Indeed, all the things we needed, we just need to prepare the scones, assemble the mini sandwich and place the sweets in the trays" I explained.

"Ok, I've just finished here, so I'll leave you to it?" she said, putting the hoover away.

"I'll start with the scone's dough," Megan said, while she grabbed an apron from the cupboard, and she looked for the utensils and bowls she needed.

Jane then came back from the closet in which we store the vacuum "What are scones? She asked walking back to the kitchen.

"Scones are English pastries, made with heavy cream and eggs, that creates a dense and richer treat; Usually eaten with jam and Cornish clotted cream, at the tearoom for an afternoon tea or breakfast" I explained as I looked at the checklist I had on my phone to make sure everything was perfect for when my mother and her friend arrived, not realizing that I was talking.

Jane looked quizzically at me and then turned to Megan "They are like biscuits but sweet and with raisins" she chimed in and laughed at Jane's expression of actual understanding of the pastry.

"That makes more sense now" Jane teased pointing at the teenager. I could only roll my eyes, in Jane's old-fashioned way, and slapped her upper arm. She laughed and kissed my lips before she went to entertain the kids while we worked in the kitchen, preparing all the staples of a classic afternoon tea. We worked in comfortable silence, she quickly put the dough together and started to help me with the other bits of the dish. These have become our bonding moments; we usually didn't really say much while cooking but it was our moment, she appeared always happy to help me, and to be honest, I really longed for these quiet but lovely moments.

Just before 3:45 pm, we finished with everything, and she went upstairs to have a shower and rest for a little while until they arrive. I went to see Jane and the kids, who were playing some board games on the coffee table. We took the kids to their room to change and prepare and passed by Megan's room and heard the shower running. I went to my room and started to get ready too.

"You don't have to try; you are the most beautiful woman in the world already," Jane said as she came in. She came and hugged me from behind.

I kissed her cheek and smiled at her, looking through the mirror "We should get ready, they are about to be here any second now" I commented while finishing putting my dress on.

"Yes ma'am," she said, going to the closet to get dressed, but pecking my cheek just before she walked away. While she put on her clothes I checked on the kids to make sure they were still presentable and went down with them to finish the final touches. A few minutes after, Jane came down with a breezy, oversized white shirt, a pair of beige, silky shorts, and sandals with a beautiful golden neckless hanging from her neck, and her hair in a messy ponytail. She looked amazing in all her glory.

"You look stunning, my love," I said to her. I had to also praise myself for putting some fashion sense in Jane's mind.

Jane walked closer to me and hugged me "I can say the same for my beautiful wife" she said kissing my lips. As we untangled ourselves from each other she helped to finish setting everything on the coffee table in the living room. The kids were playing quietly at the breakfast bar when the doorbell rang, and I felt my heart skip a beat and started walking to the door to open it. I heard Jane calling Megan from the bottom of the stairs.

I opened the door revealing my mother and her friend behind it "Hello, Mother" I said cheerfully.

"Oh, hello darling," she said kissing both my cheeks "This is an old friend of mine, Genevieve Faulkner" My mother presented her friend.

"So nice to meet you Maura, your mother has told me so much about you" She greeted, giving a kiss in both cheeks as well

"Likewise, Ms. Faulkner," I said.

"Oh please, Mrs. Faulkner is my mother-in-law. Call me Genevieve, dear" she said

I smiled and moved to the side to let them in and present Jane and the kids. And right at that moment, Megan came down the stairs.


General POV.

Just as Megan was coming down the stairs the two women came into her sight, and she couldn't help but notice the woman that was just beside Constance. "You have to fucking kidding me" Megan mouthed, stopping dead in her track at the end of the stairs, at the sight of Genevieve Faulkner

"Oh my god!, Megan," She said launching herself at the girl and hugging her "It's so nice to see you, dear," she said, and Megan could only roll her eyes. As soon as she separated, the teenager got a glimpse of all the confused looks of the rest of the people in the room "what are you doing here, darling?".

"Do you… know each other?" Jane asked before anyone could say anything else, clearly surprised by the situation.

Megan wouldn't know how to describe the relationship or better yet where to put Genevieve Faulkner in her life. But as she tried to form any kind of sentence to respond, the woman started talking.

"Oh, I have known Megan since she was a baby, I was her mother's best friend" she answered she said giving her another side hug. The girl was sure that both Jane and Maura noticed how uncomfortable she was.

"That is… surprising" Constance expressed.

"To say the least" Then Jane chimed in. At that moment the kids came down and the tension of the situation was released a little by them and the presentations and greetings between the grandmother and the children. We then moved to the living room where the table was all prepared with all the drinks and nibbles.

"Oh, this is lovely," Genevieve said, "You must have spent ages to prepare all this" she said looking at Maura and Jane

"Well, we had our little helper here, it was pretty easy," Maura said, looking at Megan and patting her shoulder lovingly.

Genevieve laughed "Meggie here has always loved to cook," she said, she then looked at the girl "You remember, you used to cook with your mom all the time when you were younger. Oh! My n god, they rest in peace" she recalled, bringing her hand to her chest

Megan looked annoyed at her. Jane and Maura knew Megan all too well and they knew that this situation was going to go downhill from here "Yeah, I remember. They died not too long ago" The teenager said sarcastically. Jane didn't know what to do if to laugh or feel bad about it.

"Oh! What a tragedy" The older woman added, bringing her hand to her mouth,

while the rest of the women looked perplexed at the interaction.

"Why don't we sit and eat something," Maura said, inviting everyone to sit down and trying to avoid any more tension between the older woman that seemed not to get that she was creating an uncomfortable situation for everyone around, and the girl that was on edge already. Even Lucas and Lily could sense that something was off. The afternoon continued to unfold better than it started; light chatter began to float around. Constance recalled a story to Maura, and the kids and Genevieve were talking or, better yet, doing Jane's head, telling her a bunch of things about how much she knew about Megan. The teenager was simply trying to go unnoticed so she wouldn't be addressed in the conversation with Genevieve. The lady's phone rang; she excused herself and picked up the call. Jane looked at the girl, giving her a sympathetic smile and softly rubbing her arm, and Megan gave her a shy smile.

The moment was broken by a high pitch squeal the other woman gave. "Terry, you would never guess who I am right now!," she exclaimed to the phone while walking towards the woman.

The teenager's eyes went big as plates and mouthed to Jane, "The husband." Jane looked at her bug-eyed "God!" Jane said, and then we noticed the woman coming towards me with the phone in her hand. Both Maura and her mother observe uncomfortably the scene unfolding between the teenager and Genevieve.

Megan took the phone and tried her hardest to sound somewhat convincing that she was actually pleased to hear the man's voice "Hello, Mr. Faulkner," she said. "Yeah, it is… incredible, yeah" she continued, showing an awkward smile.

The other women couldn't hear what the man on the other side of the phone was saying, but with Megan's responses, they knew he was having the same attitude as his wife. In Maura's mind, something must have happened between them in the past. Megan is usually polite with people, more so if they are adults, but it was evident that the teenager was annoyed, that she didn't intend to have any kind of conversation with either Genevieve nor her husband. She kept smiling, simply replaying back to the questions he was asking or whatever he was saying to the girl. It didn't last long, but for Megan, it lasted for an eternity.

After the girl handed the phone back to the lady, the other three women in the room looked at the teenager sympathetically "That was awkward" Jane whispered.

"That is an understatement, darling" Surprisingly said Constance, bringing the cup of tea to her lips, to take a sip of the hot content. Before, anyone else could say anything else Lilly and Lucas approach their mothers, to ask them if they could go and play outside, on the beach, as they were bored.

Maura was about to speak up against that idea, as they would have to go alone and that was, in Maura's mind, a very dangerous thing to allow them to do so. Megan then chimed in "I'll go with them" she rushed to express her desire to leave the house as well. Both, Jane and Maura, looked at each other, thinking if that was a good idea, given the events that unfolded not too long ago with Megan.

"Please. I won't move from the back porch, I promise" The girls pleaded with the two women to let her go out and watch the kids "Please, please, please, spear me the torture" she continued, practically begging them to t her go with the kids.

Both women gave in "Ok, but please Megan. No moving from the view of the window" Jane said remarking on the fact that she should stay where she promised to stay. "And for you two. Obey Megan and no going in the water, please" She said to the two kids, who happily run outside with their foster sister behind them "Thank you" Megan mouthed before leaving, grateful that she could escape from the situation.

To be continued...


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xoxo...