Waking up and stretching her long, stiff limbs, she slowly climbs out of the bed. Walking over towards the big mirror in the corner of the bedroom. Staring at her own reflection looking back at her, with trepidation she starts removing her vest top and throws it onto the floor. Standing there in just her boxers, taking a good hard look at herself in the full length mirror. Her eyes start at her face, raising her hand she starts to trace her fingers down the long scar on her skin. And even though it's been over a decade since that awful night in the park. The scar has faded quite significantly but it's still visible if you look close enough. Slowly she then trails her long fingers down her neck, feeling the faint raised lines from all the times she had the displeasure to be on the end of Hoyt's scalpel. Just the idea of remembering all those encounters sends a shiver down her spine.
Letting out a huge breath of air she didn't even realise she was holding in, she continued down to her chest and near her heart. Running her fingers over the centre of the scar which is almost round and raised slightly. Then she follows the extending scar down her chest. It's about 4 inches in length. When she had fought with Shaun after the initial stabbing, they had to operate to repair the damage. So they had to open up her chest to get a better view. Even though it's been a year the scar is still a little red. After all the trauma she has faced over the years. The encounter with Shaun was the most traumatic if she was being honest with herself. That man had managed to manipulate and confuse her in a way that she didn't know what was real anymore. She has only ever told her therapist this but he had messed with her sense of reality so much that she honestly believed she would have been capable of killing Maura. Shauns torture using drugs and abuse was so intense that she felt she was on the verge of breaking.
Letting out a sad sigh at the memory of this, she continues her exploration. She then runs her fingers down towards her abdomen, and feels jagged bumps. Another reminder of that awful day in the park. She knows she shouldn't but she takes comfort in knowing that Daryl got his just rewards by the hands of Maura's mob boss father. Moving to her right she feels the raised scar. The day she shot herself to save Frankie after BPD had been taken over with the help of a corrupt cop and former friend Danny. Then finally holding both her hands out in front of her palms up, then turning them palms down. The scars on both sides are almost identical, from when Hoyt impaled her to the ground with his scalpels.
Suddenly feeling warm, soft arms wrapping around her. Looking up at the mirror she can see her wife standing behind her.
Every now again Maura catches her wife examining all her scars. She can't blame her. She has had a lot of trauma inflicted on her over the years, they both have. However, Jane unfortunately has the physical scars to show it. And every now and again she knows she needs words of affirmation and love. Giving her a tighter squeeze and placing a kiss on her shoulder.
"You are the most incredibly beautiful woman that I have ever seen" She says with so much love and sincerity in her voice.
Jane can't help but let out a little laugh "Why, have you seen lots of naked women?" She says.
"JANE!" the smaller woman says whilst giving her a playful slap on her bum. "Seriously Jane, these" the blonde says as she starts running her hands over the brunette's scars. "Don't define who you are, they show that you are powerful and strong". Turning her around to face her, Maura gently strokes the scar on Jane's face. "And you are more beautiful than the first day I met you". Pulling her face down so she can plant a long gentle kiss on her lips.
Pulling away Jane looks into the blonde's eyes before speaking. "I am one of the luckiest women in the world, " she says with a smile on her face.
"Yes" Maura says, giving the taller woman a quick peck on the lips "Yes you are". With that she starts to feel the brunette's hands going underneath her top and stopping at her breasts. Jane gives them a gentle squeeze as she starts to lay kisses on the blonde's neck causing the smaller woman to let out a moan. "Jane," Maura says breathlessly. "We don't have time for this". Gently pushing her away from her. She can see the lust and desire in her wife's eyes. "Show me later how much you want me" She says before giving her a cheeky smile and turning and walking out of the bedroom. "Now, get ready everyone will be here soon".
With that Jane tries to compose herself. But in all honesty she is far too turned on right now. Think I'm gonna have to do something about that, otherwise I'll never make it through dinner. She thinks to herself as she jumps in the shower.
As she is getting dressed she can hear voices emanating from down stairs. She knows the guests have already arrived and she's late. Checking herself out once more in the mirror before heading downstairs, she can't help the smile spread across her face.
Heading downstairs and making her way into the kitchen, she goes to see if Maura needs any help.
"You're late" Maura says, raising an eyebrow to her wife.
Coming up behind her wife. "Well, I had to, you know, sort myself out," Jane says with a playful smile.
"No, you didn't?" Maura is shocked but also turned on by this at the same time.
Jane starts laughing. "What…I couldn't have made it through dinner after you left me hanging"
Both of the women start laughing.
"What are you both giggling about in here?" Angela says making both women turn around. "And by the looks on your faces something naughty" she says accusingly.
"Hey Ma" Jane says, giving the older woman a kiss on the cheek. "No we weren't".
Raising her eyebrow the older woman looks at Maura who is now blushing. "Yeah well why has Maura gone red?"
All three women look at each other then burst out laughing. "Come on girls, your guests are waiting" Angela says before grabbing a bottle of wine from the countertop and heading into the dining room.
When Jane enters the room, she stops and just takes in this moment. Sat around her table are the people she loves the most in this world. She no longer takes anything for granted in this life, not after all the evils she has experienced and seen. Feeling blessed and very grateful she joins them.
After an hour or so of enjoying the meal and each other's company. She looks over at her wife, and Maura gives a slight nod of her head. Picking up her glass Jane starts tapping it to get everyone's attention. The room falls silent as everyone looks at her. Clearing her throat before starting. "You know I'm no good at this kind of stuff, but there's another reason why we both asked you all here tonight". She says taking a deep breath before continuing. "The last few years have been particularly hard, but if I'm being honest the last decade has". She looks at her mother and can see the sadness in her eyes. "What we are going to do will be hard on all of you," Jane says, trying to calm her nerves. Maura sees how nervous her wife is and gets up and goes and holds her hand to give her support. Jane looks at her and gives her a little smile. "We have to think of our family and what kind of world we want to raise Amelia in" she says.
"So, we are going to be moving to London, Maura has been asked to write a series of books for training purposes, detailing her experiences as a medical examiner. But also she will be a private consultant too". There is just silence in the room. "And I am retiring from law enforcement, with the hopes of setting up my own business in security protection". Still the room is silent and because of that it begins to frighten them both.
Angela is the first to get up from her chair and silently walks over to Jane. Neither of the women know what to expect. Grabbing her daughter, the older woman envelopes her in a big hug. "Oh Janie, all I've ever wanted for you is to be safe and happy, and if that means you moving to another country then so be it" she says nearly crying. "I won't like knowing your so far away…but I don't blame you either, after all the fucking shit that has happened to you".
"MA!" Jane says after hearing her mother swearing.
Angela looks around at everyone. "What! it's true" which makes everyone laugh.
"Thanks Ma" Jane says before hugging her mother even tighter this time. It felt like they were hugging forever. Feeling the love coming from her oldest child, Angela thought this must have been the only time her daughter has ever hugged her like this before.
One by one everyone got up from the table to offer their support and well wishes. "Janie, I'm proud of you" Frankie says. "Thanks little brother," Jane says playfully. The younger Rizzoli takes Jane and moves her into the corner of the room so they have a bit of privacy. "Seriously Janie, as much as I want you to stay. You need to leave this country before it kills you".
"Frankie" Jane says, starting to feel choked up.
"I would rather have a happy, alive sister on the other side of the world than no sister at all," he says before giving her a massive hug.
Pulling away from her brother Jane wipes the stray tears from her eyes. "Damn," Frankie says. "Did I make the big bad Jane Rizzoli-Isles cry?" He says trying to lighten the mood.
"Shut up" Jane says whilst giving his shoulder a playful shove. "I love you too" and with that they both go back to the rest of the loved ones standing around the table.
Glancing around the room to see where her wife is, she sees Maura is talking to her mother Constance. At first when Jane had met the older woman she didn't like her or how she treated her daughter. But over the years she has made much more of an effort. It did take Jane to put her in her place but it worked. And she too has grown fond of her mother in law.
"My darling daughter," Constance says, holding her daughter's hand. "I've never been more proud of you," she says. "And I know I haven't said it nearly enough over the years, and I'm truly sorry for that".
"Mother" Maura says but the older woman holds her other hand up to silence her.
"Please" Constance says before continuing. "You have been and are the best thing I have ever done in my life. And it took a certain brunette to make me realise that" glancing over to Jane who is currently chatting to Korsak. This causes both women to laugh. "If you need any help setting up in London I have a lot of contacts in the city".
"Thank you mother, that would be helpful" Maura says. And then without warning her mother grabs and envelopes her in a hug. At first she is taken aback by this. But then she leans into it and hugs her mother back. When she breaks away "I just want you, Jane and Amelia to be safe and happy" Constance says as a stray tear starts falling down her cheek.
Maura has never really seen her mother cry over the years, so to see her choked up and emotional really means a lot to her. "I love you too Mother" the smaller woman says before placing a kiss on the older woman's cheek.
Over the course of the next couple of months it has felt frenetic and face paced. They put their house up for sale as well as Jane's condo that she's been leasing out ever since she moved in with Maura before they got married. Both didn't take long to sell, especially the house as it's in a very nice area of Boston. Most of their belongings have already been shipped over to London and have already been put into their new home. Jane was adamant that they would do it themselves. But Maura had convinced her it would be less stressful on them all if they paid a company that specialises in doing this for them.
The Visa's didn't take long to come through because of their reputations and because of their work history.
Also the FBI did a thorough investigation into how a former FBI student, Shaun, was able to hack into their systems and install a malware program that gave him access to most of their primary functions. This meant he could listen in on phone calls, check emails, check any files for all current and past cases. He also had access to all sensitive information. This is how he was able to access Jane's mobile phone, how he knew where they lived. As well as gaining access codes to their alarm system. As what the malware program did, any agent who thought they were securely logging in on any system. Essentially left a back door open for then Shaun to snoop around. They had found hours and hours of video and audio recordings of Jane and Maura. Either from their cameras on their devices like their mobiles and computers. But also from their own security system. Jane had also learnt that Cameron had actually reported Shaun for his behaviour. And had profiled his behaviour as narcissistic and showed sociopathic behaviours and that he should be put on a list of people that the FBI monitor and watch closely. As they could possibly be a threat to the general public. But his request was denied on the basis that A) Shaun was just deemed to be an arrogant young man B) That Camerons judgement was clouded because of his personal connection to at the time Detective Jane Rizzoli.
Once Maura had learned of all these blatant failings on the FBI's part, to say she wasn't happy was an understatement, she was pissed. So she filed a lawsuit against the FBI, and used one of the best lawyers to do so. Jane didn't want to make any fuss, she just wanted to forget about the whole thing, like it never had happened. The FBI knew this lawyer well; they had a 97% success rate, so with that in mind they sent a counter agreement. When Jane was informed of this by Maura she agreed to an undisclosed amount of money and to take early retirement from the FBI. They hadn't told the family about the amount of money but it was a substantial amount to help them get started with their new life in London and then some.
After 6.5 hrs of flying they arrive in London. Amelia has been a little star, not once did she get fussy or irritable on the flight. Both women had felt apprehensive about having the baby with them, as it was the first time flying with her. Luckily they didn't need to wait too long for their luggage to arrive on the carousel. Theres were one of the first ones off, however they had to check in Amelia's buggy as there wasn't enough room in the overhead compartments. Unfortunately it didn't come at the same time with their bags. "Jane, why don't you go and hire a car and I'll wait for the buggy" Maura says whilst holding Amelia close to her chest.
Looking around to see if she can find a trolley for the bags. Luckily there's one nearby that has been dumped unceremoniously. Returning back to her family she starts putting the suitcases onto it one by one. "Are you sure?" Jane asks whilst looking at her wife.
"There's no sense in both of us waiting around when it's gonna take some time to fill in the paperwork for the car rental" The blonde says gently stroking her hand down Amelia's back.
Standing there looking at both of them, not really wanting to leave her wife and daughter alone. But it does make sense. "Ok" Jane says. "I've seen a sign for AVIS which is just over there", turning and pointing in the same direction. "I'll take the trolley luggage with me so you won't struggle with both" Jane says leaning forward and giving both Maura and Amelia a kiss.
"That would be most helpful" The blonde says. "Plus If I need to I can call you".
Nodding her head in repsonse , Jane turns and starts pushing the luggage trolley towards the car rental place.
Jane is just about to finalise the payment for the rental car when she can hear a baby crying coming from behind her. Instinctively she turns around in her chair. And she can see Maura walking towards them with Amelia in her buggy starting to get very antsy.
"Perfect timing she says" whilst taking the keys from the customer advisor and rattling them in her fingers towards her wife.
"Good, I think someone is starting to get ratty and I myself is feeling tired" Maura says.
The customer advisor who has just handed Jane the keys indicates to the women to follow them. They do as instructed and are led to a garage with several different cars. The advisor indicates that the one in the very corner is their rental. Thanking them Jane proceeds to unlock the car. Once they loaded their luggage into the boot and made sure that Amelia was strapped into her baby chair. Jane climbs into the driver's side. Even though Jane is an experienced driver, the steering wheel being on the other side has thrown her. Maura is watching her wife, and tries to stifle the laugh that is threatening to escape. She watches her for a few more seconds before she speaks "Jane, do you want me to drive? As I have more experience driving on the other side of the road. As I did live in London for some time" she asks warmly.
Staring at the controls in front of her and just feeling out of sorts Jane turns to look at her wife. "Yeah I think you should" she says before letting out a laugh and climbing out of the car to switch places.
"You'll get used to it in no time" Maura says whilst smirking. The blonde programs the sat nav to their new home address.
"I'm only letting you drive because I'm tired," Jane says before laughing.
After navigating through London's traffic they arrive at their new home. When entering the property Jane was expecting to see boxes and boxes of their stuff just piled up in all the rooms. But she was pleasantly surprised. The majority of their stuff has been unpacked and placed around the home. It was like walking into a show house but filled with their personal possessions. Walking into the kitchen and the first thing she saw was her old faithful friend. The coffee machine. Looking around the kitchen she sees a welcome basket on the counter. In it was a brand new bag of coffee beans. AMAZING she thinks to herself. There was also a note attached to it. Jane, Maura and Amelia. Welcome to your new home. I took the liberty of getting some provisions for you. You will find these in the fridge. I hope you will be very happy here. Letts Sales and Lettings.
Eagerly walking over to the fridge Jane opens the door. "Yes" she says out loud. Inside there was bacon, eggs, sausage, tomatoes, and butter. Everything for a cooked breakfast. Maura is gonna hate it. She thinks to herself.
After feeding Amelia, Maura lays her down in her crib. Making sure her daughter has fallen asleep, she walks out of the bedroom leaving the door slighly ajar so she can hear if she wakes up. As she decends the stairs the smells emanating through the house is familiar and inviting. Walking into the kitchen her wife is already there handing her a cup of freshly made coffee.
"Thank you" Maura says almost gleefully. That first sip as soon as it hit her tongue tastes devine. "Lovely" she says.
Jane smiles at her wife. "I know right"
"Where did the coffee come from?" Maura asks
Pointing to the counter top where the welcome basket still sits. "The realtors left us a welcoming basket. And the coffee beans are no cheap crap either" Jane says.
Maura starts rummaging through the welcoming basket pulling out various items. Aswell as the coffee there is some fruit, some salted caramel fudge clusters, some organic fairtrade dark chocolate, some organic eco friendly honey and some jars of organic baby food for Amelia. "Please remind me Jane we really need to send a thank you card to them for all of this".
Jane nods her head in response. She knows she won't remember to remind her. But her wife knows this too. "And just you wait for breakfast" she says gleefully rubbing her hands together.
Looking at her wife quizically, Maura knows that look all to well. Its usually when Jane gets her way after she has told her no, and its usually when it comes to food. She looks over to the fridge and opens it. Now she knows why her wife looks so pleased with herself. Closing the fridge doors she walks over to where her wife is standing. "Well, it would be rude to turn down the gifts that they have left us" she says before leaning in and placing a kiss on the brunettes lips.
"Wow" Jane says. "Maybe we should move more so I can eat more fry ups" she says laughing.
Maura lets out a laugh too. She's about to walk away when she feels hands on her hips pulling her back.
Wrapping her arms around the smaller womans waist, Jane rests her head on her shoulder. "It was a great idea with hiring the movers" she says into her ear.
"I just wanted things to be less stressful. And its a big thing we have decided to do. So I just wanted it to feel like home" Maura says loving the feeling or being in her wifes arms.
Jane leans in closer to Maura's ear. "Anywhere you and Amelia are, is home" she says.
Maura turns around so she is facing Jane. She plants another gentle kiss on the taller woman's lips. It soon deepens into a more passionate and lustful kiss. Jane's hands moving down to the small woman's buttocks and grabs them. Causing Maura to moan. Jane picks her wife up and sits her on top of the kitchen counter. Placing more kisses on the blonde's neck. Jane puts her hands underneath Maura's top, until they find their intended target. Her breasts. Eliciting another groan from the other woman. Jane deftly pushes the bra up and over revealing those incredible breasts of her wifes. Bending down and taking one of the nipples into her mouth and starts to gently suck and bite. Feeling the blondes hands in her hair, holding her head down . Both women are now full of lust and desire for each other. Moving down to Mauras lower area, placing kisses as she goes. Leaning back Maura gives Jane better access to her pants. Just as Jane manages to unbutton them and get them partially down her wifes legs. They hear the familiar cry of their daughter emanating from upstairs.
Jane stops and lets out a sigh of frustration. Both women look at each other then let out a laugh. "I'll go," Jane says, leaning in and giving Maura a kiss before starting to walk away. Looking over her shoulder she can see how hot and flustered her wife is. "Besides you might want to sort yourself out" she says, giving her a wink. Almost instantly she sees her wife starting to blush. Giving her a cheeky smirk she disappears upstairs and towards her upset daughter.
Entering the room she can see Amelia has somehow managed to wrap herself up in her blanket. "How did you manage to do that nugget?" Jane asks whilst bending down and unwrapping her tangled daughter from the offending article. Picking her up and starting to cradle her, as soon as she does she settles down. Looking around the room Jane sees the familiar nursing chair. She sits herself down, gently stroking her daughter's back. It doesn't take long before Amelia drifts back to sleep.
After their little stint in the kitchen Maura needed to go and have a shower to cool off. When coming out of the shower she suddenly realises how still the house is. Straining to see if she can hear any sounds, nothing. No Jane or even Amelia being fussy. Drying herself she puts on her dressing gown. Walking across the landing towards her daughter's room. What she sees instantly melts her heart. In the corner of the room in the nursing chair is Jane fast asleep still cradling a sleeping Amelia. Maura quietly walks over and trying not to disturb them. She gently picks Amelia up, thankful she doesn't wake. Walking over to her crib and gently placing the sleeping child down. She's in two minds whether she should wake her wife up. She decides to let her sleep instead. Looking around the room she opens a chest of drawers and inside she finds what she is looking for. Walking back to the sleeping brunette she places the blanket gently over her. Then turns and walks out the room and leaves them both sleeping.
First thing Jane noticed was the smell, not even realising she had fallen asleep. But when she opens her eyes for a few seconds she was a bit confused. As she was unsure where she was. Yes she recognises the items in the room but it was different at the same time. Then she remembers that they have moved house today. She notices the blanket covering her, knowing that Maura must have left her sleeping. Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes she looks at her watch. She has only been sleeping for a couple of hours. Getting up she does a quick check on Amelia who is thankfully tangled free still, and fast asleep. As she leaves the bedroom the aromas she smelt when first waking up are stronger. Unconsciously she follows the smells, not even realising how hungry she was until her stomach gives her away by rumbling. It can't be, she thinks to herself. the smells intensifying firing off synapses in her brain. the smell was all too familiar, smelling like her grandma's gnocchi.
Entering the kitchen Maura is too busy preparing food that she doesn't hear Jane creeping up behind her. Wrapping her arms around her waist and planting a kiss on the blonde's cheek. "Are you making my grandma's gnocchi?" Jane asks almost gleefully.
Turning around to face her wife. "I asked Angela to show me how to cook it. I wanted it to be a surprise" she says smiling.
"You are amazing, you know that?" Jane says, smiling back.
Maura gives her wife a cheeky little smirk "I know" she says. "Sit" indicating towards the already laid table. "It's nearly ready".
Jane happily obliges, she's about to go to the fridge to see if the realtor had got them some beers. But on the table there is one already waiting for her. Taking a sip, it's cold and refreshing, and although it's some beer she's never heard of. It's good. "We really need to send more than a thank you card to the realtors," Jane says. "They've gone above and beyond".
Walking over to the table Maura places two plates of food down. "I'm going to send them a nice bottle of wine as a thank you" she says. Returning a few seconds later with a small basket of warm bread rolls. "I hope you like it?" she says.
Jane looks down at the amazing food in front of her. She inhales deeply, any harder and she would have inhaled the food itself. "Maura, this looks and smells amazing". She loads her fork up with as much as she can put into her mouth. That first taste fills her with memories or being at her grandma's house as a child. Then memories of her mother. "Wow" she manages to get out.
"Jane don't talk with your mouth full" Maura chastises her wife.
Jane can't help it. It's fantastic. "Maura this is incredible, it's just like how my grandma used to make it" she says reaching her hand over the table towards the blonde. The smaller woman reciprocate, Jane gives the hand a gentle squeeze. "Thank you".
"You're very welcome Jane" Maura says back almost blushing.
That evening they couldn't have wished for a perfect way to end the day in their new home. That night they both showed each other how much they love one another. Over and over again until the sun came up. And thankfully this time, the baby gods were smiling down on them, as Amelia slept through it all.
Authors note:
I'm so sorry that this final chapter took so long to complete. The past year has been very hectic. In that time, I've decided on a different career path which I'm currently working towards, as well as passing my driving test. Looking into finally getting my own place and living on my own. I'm improving my health by exercising, I came out queer (surprise surprise lol). And at the time of writing this I am flying to Copenhagen. And my anxiety is through the rough as I haven't been on a plane since 2019. Nothing ventured nothing gained right?
But because of all the love you guys have shown over the years for my writing. I finally have the confidence to write my first original novel. I just want to say a big big thank you to you all. I love and appreciate all your kind words of encouragement and support.
And thank you for coming along for the ride with me. I have been working on a prequel to this story. But I'm currently writing "The Judge". I promise I will upload more Rizzoli and Isles stories, however my priority and focus at the moment is my novel.
I'm planning on trying to be more social media savvy. So if you feel like you would like to follow me on this new journey then more the merrier. Or even just to have a nosey at what I look like lol
Instagram: paulaveganjean
