It had been a month since Jane proposed, and Maura was now officially moved into Jane's two-bedroom apartment. Sure, it didn't have as much space as Maura was used to, but it was filled with love and the two people who meant the world to her.
Jane sighed as she sipped her coffee, eying her five-year-old Angie. A battle of wills was taking place and sadly for Jane Angie was too much like her.
Maura sat across from her at the breakfast table, trying her best not to laugh. Seeing Jane go toe to toe with a mini version of herself was humorous, but Maura had to hide it.
Angie, with her curly brown hair and mischievous smile, was the epitome of a bundle of energy. Today, however, her energy seemed to have taken a mischievous turn. She sat at the table, her tiny arms crossed defiantly, a frown etched on her face.
"I don't want cereal mama," Angie pouted, pushing the bowl of untouched cereal away.
"I want pancakes!"
"Angela Michelle Rizzoli, I already told you we don't have any pancake mix. Now eat your breakfast."
"Nooooo! I want pancakes."
The five-year-old was now screaming loudly and gearing up for a full-blown tantrum.
"If you keep it up, you're not gonna have pancakes ever again little miss!" Jane countered, her frustration mounting.
Maura leaned in and whispered in Jane's ear.
"Have you tried gentle parenting?"
Jane laughed before whispering in Maura's ear.
"Sorry. It's just, gentle parenting is for gentle children. My kid is a Rizzoli."
"Can I try?" Maura asked.
Jane gestured towards the child with her hands as if to say be my guest.
"Angie, sweetie, we're out of pancake mix," Maura explained gently.
"You can have cereal or maybe some toast instead. It's still yummy."
Angie's bottom lip jutted out further, and her tiny brows knitted together in a fierce determination.
"No! I want pancakes! Give me pancakes!"
Jane was ready to step back in and spank her but instead, she stood back and continued to watch Maura and Angie.
"Sweetie, I understand that you want pancakes," Maura began, her voice calm and soothing.
"But we agreed to have cereal this morning. Remember? Pancakes are supposed to be a fun treat on the weekends."
Angie's frown deepened, and she looked down at the table, her tiny fingers tracing the patterns on the wooden surface.
"I know it's disappointing, darling," Maura continued, reaching out to brush a strand of hair behind Angie's ear.
"But sometimes we have to make choices that are best for us. This cereal is a healthy option, and it will keep us energized for the day."
Angie remained silent, her bottom lip trembling slightly. Maura sensed her struggle and decided to offer a compromise.
"How about this, Angie?" Maura suggested.
"We can have pancakes on Saturday morning when we have more time. Today, we can add some fresh fruit to our cereal to make it extra special. How does that sound?"
Angie glanced up, her eyes meeting Maura's kind gaze. She considered the offer for a moment, the wheels turning in her young mind. Slowly, a small smile crept across her face, lighting up the room.
"Okay, Maura," Angie replied, her voice still a little uncertain but filled with a hint of acceptance.
Maura leaned in and gave her a warm hug, her words a soft whisper in Angie's ear.
"Thank you for understanding, sweetheart. I'm proud of you."
Jane watched the exchange between Maura and her daughter, her heart swelling with admiration. She loved that woman more every day.
"That was impressive love," Jane said as she reached her arms out and pulled Maura into her lap.
"You're going to be a great mother."
Maura smiled and gave Jane a kiss on the cheek causing Angie to giggle as she made her way into the kitchen for fruit.
"And what are you giggling about over there little miss?" Jane remarked, smiling behind her coffee cup.
Angie just giggled more before shoving a spoonful of cereal in her mouth.
Jane shook her head. Standing, she grabbed her cup and headed into the kitchen.
"Need some help?" She asked, pouring herself a second cup of coffee.
"No, it's okay. I think I can manage." Maura said with a smile as she looked over her shoulder.
Jane set the coffee pot back on its holder and walked up behind Maura. Wrapping her arms around the other woman's waist, she rested her chin on her shoulder.
She could tell by Maura's movements something was off and she would bet it was nerves.
"Don't worry babe, you're gonna be great today." She said, kissing Mauras cheek.
Maura sighed and placed the knife down before laying her arms over top of Jane's.
"You think so?"
"I know so Maur. It's okay to be nervous on your first day but you're going to be great. Dr. Wang is lucky to have you as her new lab assistant. You have a lot of knowledge in that brain of yours."
"Are you nervous?" Maura asked as she turned in Jane's arms.
"Honestly?"
Maura nodded.
"I kinda am. I mean, this is our first op in vice. I'm used to having my partner's life in my hands but our CI, she's just a teen. She doesn't have our training. Any number of things could go wrong."
Maura gently kissed Jane's lips and looked her in the eyes.
"We don't deal in what ifs, just absolute right?"
"Right."
"Then everything will be okay. She has two of the best watching over her. Okay?"
Jane nodded with a small smile. Just as she was about to lean in for another kiss Angie appeared in the kitchen.
"Maura?"
Jane took a step back and chuckled.
"What is it sweetie?"
"Can I have fruit?"
"May I have some fruit please?" Jane corrected.
"May I have some fruit please?" The five-year-old repeated.
"You certainly can. Why don't you go sit back at the table and I'll bring it to you."
"Okay!" Angie remarked before taking off to the table.
"Walk!" Jane yelled out from the kitchen. Stealing a quick kiss from Maura she chuckled.
"I guess we should probably get used to the interruptions." She said as she went back to making her second cup of coffee.
Maura laughed and swatted at Jane before turning her attention back to the fruit.
After breakfast and clean up Jane and Maura dropped Angie off with Angela and headed into work.