DISCLAIMER: I do not own Rizzoli & Isles nor any of the characters from the show. I am writing this purely for entertainment, not profit. Rizzoli and Isles are property of Tess Gerritsen and TNT.

Please find the full disclaimers in the beginning of Chapter 1.

Chapter 8

Jane walked back to Maura's side of the apartment, where Maura was still sleeping soundly on their shared bed. Jane observed her for a moment – the tousled hair evidencing their wild love making until the wee hours. Jane smiled recalling the moment Maura almost begged for a time out, inquiring what had gotten into Jane, and how she smiled starry-eyed to Jane's reply: "I am just trying to make sure you understand thoroughly how much I love you and how much you make me happy, so you never ever doubt it again..."

Jane left her phone on the nightstand, and slipped undercovers behind Maura, spooning her delicately, careful not to wake her up. Maura mumbled quietly and nested her body deeper into Jane's, but didn't wake up.

The weariness Jane felt before took over, and she fell asleep again.

Maura woke up when Jane rolled off her, whimpering. "Don't leave me. Please… I can't. I can't." Maura realized it was late morning, and from the fact that Jane was clothed she knew Jane had been already up and then back to bed. Maura rolled closer to Jane, mindful of her flailing arms, holding her gently and whispering in the shell of her ear. "It is just a nightmare, Jane, wake up, you are home, you are safe."

Jane opened her eyes, breathing heavily, and squeezed them closed again, tears escaping the corners of her eyes. Maura held her, kissing her temple, her eyelids, kissing away her tears, before kissing her lovingly on the lips, until she felt Jane relax.

"You are here. You are really here." Jane whispered, as if still haunted by her nightmare.

"I am here. And I am not going anywhere without you ever again." Maura promised, fervently, realizing what Jane's nightmare had been about. "I promise."

Jane nodded and buried her face on the crook of Maura's neck, inhaling the delicious scent that was Maura, as if she could not get enough of her fiancée, trying to use it to wipe out the memories of the nightmare. Jane moved her arms to hold Maura tightly.

Maura was rubbing Jane's back up and down gently, but then she slipped her hand under Jane's sweater, rubbing the warm skin of Jane's back, before moving it to Jane's front and caressing Jane's torso until she held a perky breast on her hand.

Jane gasped, and kissed Maura's pulse point, sucking on the silk skin on Maura's neck. But Maura rolled her, so she was on top of Jane, bringing Jane's arms up and holding them there, while she kissed Jane's mouth fiercely.

"You had me all night long to yourself… Now it is my turn to show you how much I love you. I didn't yet have a chance to make sweet love to my fiancée…"

Jane chuckled, using her hands to keep Maura close to her, and was more than happy to oblige.

It was only later, after Maura satisfied herself in thoroughly loving Jane, that they left bed.

Jane noticed Maura checking the clock while they were eating a very late brunch...

"It is still decent hours in Europe…" Jane offered, knowingly, and Maura blushed.

"Would you mind if I called my mother to tell her?"

"Of course I wouldn't mind. For the record, I did ask her for your hand while we were in Switzerland. I asked about your father, but she said she could respond for them both."

"You are such a romantic…"

"I want to treat you right, my love."

Maura sent a note to her mother, asking if she could talk in private. They almost never had impromptu calls because Maura was always second guessing if there would be somewhere else around.

Five minutes later came the response. "Now I can."

Maura called her on video.

"Good evening, mother…"

"Good afternoon to you, darling… How are you doing?"

Jane had to hold her laughter, because Maura was so childish. She extended her hand with the engagement ring before replying. "Couldn't be better…" in an almost shy comment, biting her lower lip.

"Oh, I see Jane not only has good taste in women, but she also has great taste in jewelry…" Constance teased. "Congratulations to you… Are you happy?"

"I am very, very happy, mother…"

"You deserve it, sweetheart. And never ever give up on it again…"

"I won't mother, I promise."

"Where is Jane?"

Maura motioned for Jane to approach.

"Hello Constance… I take you enjoyed my choice of ring?"

"It is exquisite, Jane, but I enjoy even more your choice of partner…" Constance teased.

"Oh, yeah, I have very good taste…" Jane chuckled, blushing, but kissing Maura's temple gently.

"I have no doubt of it. And I don't think you realize what a striking couple you make together… Completely breathtaking."

Both blushed to Constance praise.

"Congratulations, to both of you, I can only wish you both can make each other happy for the rest of your lives!"

"Thank you, mother!" "Thank you, Constance!"

"Good night…"

Jane nuzzled Maura's neck.

"Aren't we going to call your mother?"

Jane knew she shouldn't, but a side of her was enjoying torturing her mother a bit before sharing the good news. Jane knew her mother had not been intentional on hurting them, but intentional or not, it had been a big hurt, and Jane was still licking her wounds.

"Yes, we are…" Jane checked the clock, calculating that by now her mother would be between lunch and dinner on that lazy Sunday, but still texting her just to make sure.

"Are you okay to video call in private?"

And in response Jane's phone rang with a video call from Angela.

Angela opened a huge grin when she saw Maura cuddled by Jane's side.

"My two favorite girls in the whole world… How are you?"

"We are good, Ma…" Jane started.

"We are actually much better than good, Angela…" Maura interrupted, making Jane chuckle again when Maura extended her hand to show the ring to Angela.

Angela opened her eyes wide, and her mouth wider.

"Oh my God… Is it what I think it is?"

"It is, Angela. Isn't it beautiful? Your daughter has very good taste…"

"In rings too, but first and foremost in her choice of partner…" Angela offered, praising Maura, who beamed happily.

"That I do…" Jane smirked smugly, hugging Maura tightly by her side and kissing the dimple on her smiling cheek.

"Was her proposal romantic?"

"Very much, Angela… It was unexpected, but very sweet, and definitely very romantic…" Maura looked lovingly at Jane, who blushed. Maura proceeded to tell Angela about the dinner, the walk to the park, and Jane getting to one knee by the waterfront.

"I am so happy for you both, you deserve all the best in this world…" Angela wished, sincerely.

"Thank you, Ma…"

"I understand this wedding will happen under different rules and circumstances, and for good reason. But I am here to help, I will just wait for you to ask so you can be specific on what you need help with."

Jane was positively surprised. Her mother was being careful.

Jane could see Maura breathing more easily by her side, Jane had not realized how tense Maura had been, probably trying to think how to tell Angela that there would be a wedding, just not like the one she had imagined.

"I am glad you understand that, Angela, and I am sorry that the circumstances won't allow for a big white wedding as you might have dreamed of."

"Honey, I dream of my daughters – both of you – being happily ever after. A big white wedding is not a condition for that. You being happy together is."

'Go Ma', Jane thought.

"Thank you, Angela… We will work out dates and details, and we will surely reach out for help with more directions."

"I wish we were together so I could hug you both!"

"Soon, Ma…"

"Is it a secret? Or can I tell Tommy and Frankie when they come for dinner?"

"If it is only them and Nina, you can tell Ma. Nobody will ever know we are married outside of family in Boston, so that we are absolutely clear."

"Totally understood, and I will reinforce with them when I tell them, don't worry. Safety comes first."

"Thank you, Ma."

"No need to thank me, baby. I have never seen you both as happy as you look right now… Congratulations! I love you girls!"

"We love you too, Ma…"

Maura was still cuddled by Jane's side as Jane turned off the call. Maura rested her head on Jane's shoulder, and Jane felt her sighing, contentedly, and squeezed her tightly to her. God, how much Jane loved this woman.

"Are you happy?" Jane asked, running her hand up and down on Maura's arm.

"More than I have ever imagined possible…" Maura replied, kissing Jane's collarbone. "What about you?" Maura asked, raising her head to look into warm chocolate brown eyes.

"Happier than I ever deserved to be…" Jane replied, her eyes conveying as much as her words, before she kissed Maura lovingly.