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 17
Constance waved for Liz to approach, and Jane and Maura observed Liz walking to sit between Constance and Arthur. They were talking quietly, with soft smiles on their faces, before they picked a gift box to give to her.
The others moved around, also picking their gift boxes, and approaching Liz to hand her their gifts.
Jane and Maura could see their daughter was clearly overwhelmed. She likely had never had a closer interaction with so many people at once, except on public transportation, but then people would not be focused on her.
Maura looked at Jane, who knew the look – Maura would have been overwhelmed in such situations in the past as well, and Jane many times had rescued her. Jane winked at her, before she clapped her hands to get their attention. Liz instinctively moved closer to Maura, who put a protective hand on her shoulder and smiled at her when she looked up to see her mom's face.
"First of all, Maura and I wanted to thank you all for making the last-minute trip to come to the Hamptons' to see us and specially to meet the newest member of our family and celebrate her twelfth birthday as a surprise…"
Everyone cheered and clapped and whistled, and Liz blushed and chuckled. She was definitely not used to so much noise on her account.
"As you know, the reason for us to meet here, and not in Boston, is not to drive attention to the Isles flying to the same place where the Rizzoli's live. Liz was allowed to keep her first name, and we just made her a Rizzoli – on paper – a Rizzoli-Isles everywhere else." Jane said, passing an arm around Maura by her side, lovingly.
"Liz lived the first twelve years of her life only with her mom and her dad, under protection like Maura currently is. So all this commotion and noise is likely more than she ever had in her life. But I am sure slowly she will get used to our craziness… The Isles already did." Jane chuckled, and Arthur and Constance nodded lovingly to her and to Maura, in agreement.
Liz looked up to Jane, smiling: "Can I say something, mom?"
And again all hearts melted seeing Liz refer to Jane as 'mom'.
"Of course, honey, we are all here for you." Jane incentivized her.
Liz looked around, shyly, but began.
"Less than a month ago, I was hiding in a public park for five nights, after having seen the worst scene I could have ever imagined. I was alone… Scared… Tired… Dirty… And very hungry… They…" And at this point Liz looked up lovingly at Maura and at Jane, before continuing. "They were not put off by any of it. They fed me, offered to help me, took me to their home. I would never have imagined when they offered to help me that they would go as far as adopting a grown-up – babies are so much easier, not to say so much cuter too." Liz added, looking at the babbling twins on Angela's lap. "But they did. I have parents again, two wonderful moms, smart, witty, loving, protective. And they kept repeating to me that I was loved, that I was not alone. And they kept proving it to me every moment of every day of the past weeks. But today… They gave me the greatest gift I could ever wish for: a crazy, loud, loving family, the way I always imagined them from the books and from tv…" Liz voice broke, but she swallowed hard and continued. "Thank you… This is the first big birthday party I have ever had, the first surprise party I have ever had, and being welcome in the family is the best feeling ever..."
Everyone clapped, whistled, and approached for a group hug that finally had Liz in a fit of laughter.
"What do you all say we go continue the celebration while we enjoy the beach?" Jane offered, knowing how much Liz had wanted to come to the beach.
Everyone agreed, and so Jane, Frankie and Tommy walked out to move the reclining chairs and the beach umbrellas to the beach, while the others went to get dressed properly.
Maura walked with Liz back to the guest house, so Liz could change into a swimsuit.
"Mom?" Liz asked when she was ready, walking back to find Maura who had just changed in her swimsuit.
"Yes…" Maura replied, turning her gentle hazel eyes to Liz.
"Is it always like that?"
"What is always like that?"
"Being with family…"
"Well, there are times when we discuss, and fight, and disagree… But most of the time, it is exactly like that."
"It feels wonderful…" Liz added, dreamily.
"Mémé and Pépé are older, and quieter, as you saw. When I met the Rizzoli's I was already in my thirties. I felt overwhelmed by their loud and warm ways, but at the same time I immediately felt welcomed by them. They have huge hearts, and they are very authentic, very direct, and extremely loyal. They adopted me as well. And they managed even to influence my mother and my father to be more open and explicit to display affection, what is a feat in itself." Maura smiled gently at her.
"I could see that today…" Liz chuckled.
Jane entered the guesthouse, half undressing on her way in.
"Good, my favorite girls are ready to go… Let me get changed so we can all enjoy the afternoon sun!"
They walked outside a few minutes later. Arthur and Constance were the only ones not in beach attire, but they had joined everyone on the beach. All the others were sporting swimsuits, and the adults took turns with the kids in the water, enjoying the warm sun and the light breeze.
As the sun set, everyone moved back to the house, to wash the sand and sunscreen out and to get ready for dinner.
Angela had brought frozen lasagna she had prepared during the week, so it was just a matter of re-heating it, and they all enjoyed a home-cooked dinner around a big table, talking loudly, telling stories, laughing and enjoying the company.
They continued sitting and talking long after they had eaten. But it was late, and everyone but Angela stood to go to bed, saying their good nights. Jane, Maura and Liz quickly helped Angela, so she could also get some rest.
"Thank you, Ma…" Jane offered, hugging Angela.
"No, girls, thank YOU…" Angela embraced Maura, Jane and Liz in a bear hug. "Now all my kids have kids. I am a happy Nonna." Angela kissed their temples, before saying her goodnights.
Maura, Jane and Liz walked quietly to the guesthouse, quickly getting ready for bed.
Jane and Maura had just changed in their PJs and were sitting in bed when Liz left the bathroom after brushing her teeth.
"Thank you for everything you did, this was a very special day that I will never forget…" Liz offered, shyly.
"Liz… We will never stop being your loudest cheerleaders, your call-me-anytime day-or-night, your hug when you need it, your safe place in this messy world where you can take all your masks off…" Jane said, gently.
"We will always be the people who light up at the sight of you, your friends who always want to hang out with you, and the ones who love you wildly, without conditions. Forever and always…" Maura completed.
Jane opened her arms first, and Liz approached to hug her tightly. "Happy birthday again, honey. I wish you can be very, very happy in this crazy family of ours…"
"I love you, mom." Liz added, and Jane's heart stopped for a moment. It was the first time Liz had said it.
"I love you right back, sweetheart."
Liz moved around the bed to hug and kiss Maura too. "Happy birthday, my love. May every one of your wishes and dreams come true."
"I love you, mom." Liz squeezed Maura tightly.
"I love you more…" Maura teased, making Liz chuckle, but her broken voice betrayed her. "Good night, baby, sleep well…"
Jane and Maura didn't need to say anything to each other, except one word. "Ohana". They kissed lightly, feeling the happy tears in each other's faces, while they hugged. Ohana meant family, and family meant nobody was left behind or forgotten…
(The end… for now… I am not a big fan of continuations, but somehow this story is my gift that keeps on giving. So you might see a new story continuing this one in a few weeks, stay tuned!)