*Hey everyone…I hope this finds you well. I have been busy with my original and have finally finished it. It is in the editing and revision stages, so I hope to have it available sometime in October. In the meantime, I will post information on some of my social websites throughout September (I will put info to social websites in the next chapter), so I hope that if you enjoy what I share here, you will come check out something new. Anyway, I have gotten many requests for a continuation of the Rizziles story so here it is…I hope you enjoy. Thanks again for reading

Chapter 2

"Um, do you think we forgot something because there are way too many parts left over." Jane sat up from her reclined position under the sink.

"Donknow…" Ryan stood with her hands on her hips looking down at Jane. "What I do know, is that we got it working." She said as she flipped the switch on the garbage disposal and grinned at the almost silent gurgle that came from the sink.

"And you needed a new garbage disposal, for why again?" Jane asked as she rounded up the tools and put them in the little red toolbox.

"The other one was so loud that every time we used it, Rory would cry." Ryan turned it off and then on again, a wide grin sliding across her face.

"Well, this one should do the trick. It's as quiet as a church mouse." Jane stood up and dusted herself off. "But what about all of the extra parts? Do you think we did it right?"

"Yeah, I think they give you extra stuff in case you lose something. Besides, it works like a charm."

"I suppose it does." Jane nodded definitively. "How have you been feeling?" She asked.

"Good, the morning sickness is better and I'm hungry a lot." Ryan rested her hands on the small baby bump that was finally showing. "Four and a half months in and you can finally tell I'm pregnant."

"Aren't you worried about having a baby so soon after having Rory?"

"Nah, by the time I have this one, Rory will almost be a year and a half." Ryan said as she leaned back against the kitchen counter. "Hey, thanks by the way for coming over to help. I told Carly I could do it, but I kinda needed an extra set of hands."

"No problem. And you shouldn't be lifting or crawling around under the sink, ya know…" Jane shrugged her shoulders. "Besides, I would've had to go shopping with Maura and Carly if I hadn't come over to help. And I was promised dinner." She gave a knowing wink.

"Me too, as long as I kept you busy while they shopped. And I was promised Thai food." Ryan laughed.

"So, how are you, really?" Jane asked as she shoved her hands in her pockets and regarded Ryan with a serious expression.

"Everyone keeps asking me that but really, I'm okay. It was a rough road to get here but…" Ryan rubbed the small baby bump. "We did it. I was ready to give up, but Carly suggested we try one last time and, well, here we are."

"Are you scared?" Jane pulled the rubber band from her hair and shook her head, allowing soft curls to fall over her shoulders.

"I suppose so, but it's kinda too late for that. It's not like I can change my mind now." Ryan watched Jane fidget with a curious expression on her face. "Why all the questions?"

"Well, we've been talking…ya know." Jane shrugged her shoulders again. "About having a baby, that is. Nothing serious yet, but…" she sighed heavily. "I know Maura is ready. I'm just not sure if I am."

"What're you talking about. You're great with Valley and Rory too." Ryan seemed confused by Jane's admission.

"It's not that. It's just we haven't decided who will, ya know…" Jane ducked her head before continuing. "Who will be the one to get pregnant." She whispered that last word.

"Oh, I get it." Ryan nodded knowingly. "The thought can a bit daunting. But I think you'll find the decision isn't hard to make if it's something you really want." Her expression turned serious. "It is something you want, isn't it?"

Jane was quiet for a moment as she thought about her answer. "Yeah, I would love to have a baby with Maura. I guess I'm just scared. I always thought that Maura would the one to get pregnant but I'm not so sure anymore."

"Would you be willing to do it if for some reason Maura couldn't?"

Jane shoved her hands deeper in her pockets and looked up at the ceiling before releasing a heavy sigh. "Yeah, I would. I think that's what scares me the most. With her new job and stuff, I'm not sure she'll be able to swing it right now."

"It's not so bad." Ryan tried to reassure. "Really…" she emphasized when Jane lifted a suspicious eyebrow in question. "And if I can do it, so can you."

"We're not there yet, but thanks." Jane smiled and put a hand on Ryan's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. Her smile grew bigger when she heard the front door open. "Sounds like dinner has arrived."

"Great! I'm starving." Ryan spun around and headed towards the smell of food.

Jane watched Ryan rush out of the kitchen to help with the take-out bags. Opening a drawer, she gathered some utensils and then some plates, setting them on the counter.

"Hey, babe…" Maura suddenly appeared with a sleeping child in her arms. "I'm just gonna go lay her down. I'll be back in a minute." She gave Jane a quick wink before she disappeared around the corner.

The sight of Maura with a ten-month-old wrapped in her arms made Jane smile. It gave her that same warm feeling she got when she saw Maura with Valley and it made her realize that she was ready to take the next step, even if it meant she might be the one to get pregnant. As she gathered the plates and eating utensils, she didn't hear Maura come back until she felt strong arms snake around her waist from behind. She leaned into the warmth and comfort she always felt when Maura was near and sighed at the familiar touch.

"You seem to be pondering something quite important. Wanna tell me?" Maura whispered into Jane's ear before placing a kiss on the exposed skin just under that same ear.

"Nah, just thinking about something Ryan said earlier…" Jane said as she placed her hands over Maura's.

Maura pulled back to get a better look at the contemplative look on Jane's face. "You sure?" She asked.

"Yeah, I'm good. Just missed you." Jane tried to reassure with her trademark crooked grin, but Maura continued to look at her skeptically. "Really…" she emphasized with a quick kiss to Maura's cheek. "And I'm hungry." Her stomach growled as if on cue and they both laughed.

Letting go, Maura gave Jane a gentle shove towards the living room. "I'll let it go for now, but this conversation isn't over." She said as she grabbed some plates, handing them to Jane before picking up the forks and napkins.

Jane tried to smile but it looked strained, something that didn't go unnoticed by Maura who frowned at her in question. She wasn't sure what was bothering her at the moment, all she knew was that she wasn't ready to have such an important conversation standing in Ryan and Carly's kitchen.

"We'll talk later, and I promise that there isn't anything to worry about. Okay?" Jane said with a soft smile that was genuine this time.

Maura was quiet as she contemplated what was said and then nodded when Jane smiled at her. She could tell it was nothing to worry about, but her curiosity had been piqued. "Okay. But you've got me wondering and you know what happens when I start to ponder things."

"Yes, I do." Jane's eyes swept over Maura, landing on her hazel-green eyes filled with interest. "So, don't let that big brained imagination get away from you." She leaned over and placed a quick kiss to the tip of Maura's nose. "Better?"

"For now." Maura tried to huff impatiently but her smile gave away her lack of frustration.

"Let's go eat, I'm starving."

"Hey, grab some bowls and spoons…" Ryan called out from the living room.

Jane raised her eyebrows in question as Maura set the forks down and headed towards the cabinet that held the bowls. "We got some chicken and coconut soup." She answered Jane's unasked question.

"But I don't like coconut." Jane frowned as she watched Maura pull four bowls down and grab four spoons from the silverware drawer.

"It doesn't taste like coconut." Maura set the bowls on top of the plates Jane was holding.

"How is that possible? You said it was coconut soup." Jane pressed as she stepped aside to allow Maura to pass. "Hey…" she called out as Maura left her standing alone in the kitchen waiting for an answer.

"Trust me…" Maura called out.

"The last time you said that my lips went numb from the spicy green curry you said wasn't that hot." Jane groused as she followed Maura out of the kitchen.

"Blah, blah…" Maura shrugged her shoulders in response.

"Did I hear someone mention green curry?" Carly asked as she placed several containers on the coffee table.

"I just love green curry chicken, don't you?" Maura set the forks and spoons down with the napkins.

"I do." Ryan raised her hand as she examined a container to see what was in it. "Oh, you got me Pad Thai." She said excitedly.

"Even though it's boring, yes, I got you Pad Thai." Carly took the plates and bowls from Jane and gave her an understanding wink.

Digging around in the takeout bag, Ryan oohed and aahed at the right times causing Jane to roll her eyes. "Fried rice, basil and pork, chicken and cashews…" she continued to pull containers out and set them down. "And egg rolls with sweet chili sauce. What'd you get for everyone else?"

Jane's eyes widened in concern as she watched Ryan. "You're joking right?"

"She's joking, but only a little." Carly laughed. "How about I spoon out the soup but let everyone fill their plates however they want."

"Sounds like a plan." Maura set the bowls out so Carly could fill them each.

"But I don't like coconut." Jane crossed her arms and poked out her bottom lip.

"It doesn't taste like coconut…" Ryan said as she continued to look through the food. "It just tastes a little sweet."

"Alright, I'll give it a try, but I don't haveta like it…" Jane said, taking a bowl and then giving it a quick sniff. Her expression changed from disgust to curiosity when she discovered it didn't smell like coconut.

"Okay, grab a plate everyone and get what you want before I take it all." Ryan said as she started to fill her own plate.

"I'm glad to see you've gotten your appetite back, honey." Carly reached over to give Ryan's leg a gentle pat.

"Yeah, and it's back with a vengeance." Ryan didn't look up from her plate as she continued to pile food on it.

"It's very common to experience nausea in the first trimester." Maura said as she followed Ryan around with her own plate.

"Yeah, it really sucked." Ryan nodded in agreement. "But I guess you'll find that out if you guys decide to have a baby too."

Maura stopped filling her plate and looked from Ryan to Jane who wouldn't quite meet her gaze. She realized what it was that had made Jane so contemplative earlier. It had been a touchy subject for them, something they hadn't talked about in detail but something they'd talked about none the less. When Jane finally looked at her, she tried to give her a reassuring smile to let her know she understood and got a small nod in return.

"You guys thinking about having a baby?" Carly asked casually.

Glancing at Jane again, Maura decided to take the question herself. "We've discussed it, yes."

"That's great. Which one of you will get pregnant?" Carly picked up her soup and sat down on the couch. She cradled the bowl and blew on it to try and cool it off.

"We haven't gotten that far." Jane sat next to her and looked in her bowl wishing she could disappear.

"Well, I think it's great that you guys are talking about it. That's the first step. We've got a great doctor, but I guess you know that already." Ryan glanced over at Maura and smiled.

"The best in the business." Maura smiled back.

"This just proves it." Ryan ran a hand over her baby bump, the grin on her face growing larger.

Jane finally looked up and smiled genuinely. She knew how hard it had been for Ryan to get pregnant and what she had gone through to make it happen. And the fact that Carly had stepped up for the first one made her realize that she would do the same for Maura if it was what Maura wanted. "I'm glad it worked out for you guys." She looked from Ryan to Carly, and then Maura reserving a quick wink for last to let Maura know she was okay.

"Me too. I don't know how much longer I could take those injections." Ryan said around a mouthful of food. "But it'll be worth it."

"Hey, do me a favor… don't mention this to my Ma. She's already dropping hints left and right about it, so I don't want to give her any more reason to bug us." Jane turned to Carly who pretended to lock her mouth with a hidden key before throwing it away.

"Yeah, I get it." Carly grinned. "My mom couldn't wait to give us her opinion."

"Who has Valley tonight?" Ryan asked.

"She's spending the evening with Frankie and his girlfriend. She has her son this weekend so they took them to the zoo and then that pizza place with the games and stuff." Maura said as she sat down with her plate.

"He's really serious about this one, isn't he?" Carly asked around a mouthful of food.

"He is. Even schooled me while Maura was away and Valley got sick." Jane said.

"How's Tommy?" Ryan asked.

"He's good. Got a good job and a girlfriend." Maura took a bite of her food.

"Yeah, she's a vegan." It was all Jane could think to say as she grimaced at the thought of the pizza she had been forced to eat several weeks ago.

"It's good that he's doing well." Carly sighed. "He's had a rough go of it for a while."

"He has, but thanks to Ryan… he got the break he needed." Jane gave a gentle pat to Ryan's leg and smiled.

"I may have gotten him the break, but he's done the hard work and kept himself clean." Ryan did her best to accept the praise even though it made her uncomfortable.

"Well, I like his girlfriend. She's good with kids and Valley loves her." Maura said around a mouthful of Pad Thai.

"Hey, you shouldn't talk with food in your mouth." Jane said as she tipped her bowl of soup back to get the last drop out of it.

"And you shouldn't doubt me when I tell you that you'll like something." Maura smirked.

Jane cleared her throat and tried not to look sheepish. "I didn't doubt you." She mumbled as she grabbed a plate to fill. "Did you leave anything for me?" The question was directed at Ryan who only shrugged her shoulders as she continued to eat.

"Hey, how are things at the clinic?" Carly asked.

"Everything is running smoothly. We're getting ready to interview for the mental health department." Maura smiled at Jane who pouted slightly.

"What's that look for?" Ryan pointed at Jane with her chopsticks.

"I think Jane wants me to interview for a new assistant." Maura tried not to laugh.

"Hey…" Jane tried to glare at Maura with her most serious expression. "She's too pretty…" her voice trailed off as she put food in her mouth so she would shut up before she got in more trouble.

"Oh my God, Jane." Carly set her plate down. "You of all people should know not to judge someone by their looks."

"I'm not judging." Jane tried to defend herself. "It's just… well… I don't know…" she shrugged her shoulders.

"You're jealous." Ryan's eyes lit up as if she had just come up with a new revelation.

"No, I'm not." Jane looked scandalized.

"I get it." Carly picked her plate up again and began to poke at her food. "I'm not sure I'd feel any differently if Ryan's assistant looked like Kelly."

"Would it make any difference if I told you that she's straight?" Maura sighed at yet again having to announce this detail.

"No…" Ryan, Jane, and Carly said at the same time.

"So, what you're saying is that you don't trust me?" Maura raised an eyebrow in question.

"No, nope… no… that's not what I'm saying." Jane tried to dig herself out of the hole she had gotten herself into.

"Well, I have a thing for brunettes, not blondes… if you haven't noticed." Maura smirked at Jane before giving Carly a quick wink.

"So, what you're saying is that you and I will never have a chance?" Ryan's eyes were wide with innocence as she asked the question.

Maura was quiet as three sets of eyes fell on her, waiting for an answer. "Sorry babe, but Carly's more my type." She said nonchalantly. Her statement caused Jane to choke on her food and Carly and Ryan to laugh.

"You're… evil, you… know… that?" Jane stuttered as she tried to catch her breath.

"You do know that you have nothing to worry about, right?" Maura turned serious.

Jane nodded as she swallowed hard to quell a cough. "I do." Her voice trembled slightly with uncertainty.

"No, really… you have nothing to worry about." Maura reached out to touch Jane on the arm. "You mean everything to me."

Swallowing hard, Jane nodded. "I know. I really do…" she sighed as she tried to push her insecurities away because she really did know she had nothing to worry about.

"How's the teaching gig at the academy?" Ryan decided it was time to change the subject.

With a grateful smile, Jane acknowledged what Ryan had done. "It's good. I've got a lot of freedom with my schedule and I get to spend more time with Valley. In fact, I took her up there last week."

"Yeah? How'd that go?" Carly asked.

"She came home barking orders like a drill Sargent if that tells you anything." Maura laughed. "Poor Joe Friday didn't know whether she was coming or going."

The memory of taking Valley to work brought a smile to Jane's face. Everyone loved having her there, even the tough guys couldn't resist the toddler's charms. "She had a great time bossing everyone around."

"I bet she was like a miniature version of Jane. That's kinda scary if you think about it." Ryan giggled and then cleared her throat. "Um, I don't know where that sound just came from." She put her hand to her chest and raised her eyebrows in surprise. "I've never… I've never giggled like that before."

"There are a lot of things you'll do that you've never done before, now that you're pregnant."
Carly warned rather cryptically.

Ryan's eyes widened with curiosity. "You want to enlighten me?" She directed her question to her wife who only smirked in return. "Come on…" she wined.

"Nope, I think I'll let some things remain a mystery." Carly's smirk was followed by a playful wink.

Ryan directed her attention to Maura who shook her head. "She's the expert." She hitched her thumb at Carly who started to laugh heartily.

"About the only thing I know more about than you." Carly grinned.

"But you're a doctor, Maura." Ryan pleaded.

"Sorry, champ. Not this time." Maura smiled apologetically.

"Well, you guys suck." Ryan crossed her arms and pouted. But then her mood suddenly changed, and she turned to Carly with a hopeful expression on her face. "Did you get the caramel-filled ice cream cones for dessert?"

"Of course, I did." Carly rolled her eyes dramatically. "As if you needed to ask."

Pushing herself up from her seat, Ryan clapped her hands together and grinned wickedly. "Oh, yeah." She cheered a little too enthusiastically, drawing a stern look from Carly. "Sorry…" she said quietly. "Don't want to wake the little bean up, or I'll haveta share."

"She's eating ice cream?" Jane seemed surprised by the statement.

"She's teething and it soothes her gums." Carly explained. "The teething ring works well, but this one here…" she pointed at Ryan who had the decency to look admonished and shake her head. "She can't resist those cute chubby cheeks."

"She's about eight, nine months now, right?" Maura asked as she picked up all the empty plates to take to the kitchen.

"Close…" Carly sighed sadly. "She'll be eleven months on the fifteenth. I just want to keep her like this for a little longer. Time seems to be flying by."

"Tell me about it. Yesterday, Valley told me she didn't need me to help her brush her teeth anymore because she was a big girl." Jane gave Carly an understanding nod. "Sometimes I just want to hold her tight so she can't get any bigger."

"We have a lot of fun things to look forward to, as well." Maura offered hopefully.

"I know, but I'm gonna miss those chubby little cheeks." Carly smiled sadly. "But we do have her first birthday to plan and I for one can't wait."

"Well, let's hear all about it." Jane smiled at Maura who gave her a quick wink as she disappeared down the hall towards the kitchen with the dirty dishes in her hands.

"We have so many ideas. Maybe you and Maura can help." Carly's excitement bubbled over as she spoke.

Jane sat back and listened, feeling Carly's excitement as if it were her own. She was amazed by the fact that it had almost been a year since Rory had been born and Valley had come to live with them. A lot had changed in that year and with a twinge of anticipation and fear, she realized that there was still a lot more to come.

"Hey, you ready to talk?" Maura asked as she pulled the sheets back on their bed. The hopeful tone of her voice caused Jane to pause with one leg in a pair of boxer shorts and look up, surprise written all over her face.

"Come again…" Jane finished putting her leg in her boxers and pulled them on. She dropped her gaze from Maura's as she pulled a tank top over her head and then couldn't bring herself to meet it again. Her uncertainty radiated off her as she pulled the sheets down on her side of the bed, but instead of climbing in, she nervously shifted her weight from one foot to the other.

"I asked if you wanted to talk?" Maura asked as she watched Jane fidget about. "You know, about having a baby." She pressed when Jane finally looked at her with a confused look on her face.

"Oh, you want to do this now?" Jane shifted her gaze again, intimidated by the seriousness of Maura's candor.

"Now is as good a time as any." Maura dropped down in bed and gave Jane an expectant look. If she wanted to know what was going on in Jane's mind, she would have to apply just the right amount of pressure or Jane would retreat and she'd have to wait until tomorrow to try again.

"What do you want to talk about?" Jane continued to shift uncomfortably from one foot to the other, standing over the bed looking down at Maura.

"Well, it's apparent that you talked to Ryan about us having another baby. I'd like to know what you think."

"Um… okay." Jane hesitated and then finally sat down next to Maura and crossed her legs. "What do you want to know?"

"This doesn't have to be so difficult, ya know." Maura sighed heavily in frustration. "We've already broached the subject, but you haven't really told me how you feel."

"Well…" Jane leaned back against a pillow and nervously ran her fingers through her hair. "I don't know where to start." She said honestly because she really didn't know where to start the conversation.

"Let's start at the beginning." Maura offered as she leaned back next to Jane. She turned on her side so she could look into dark, brown eyes and reached out to rest her hand on Jane's arm. "I've already told you that I think it might be too soon for me to take time off from the clinic when it's just getting off the ground. There's still so much I have to do before we're established enough for me to do that."

"I know." Jane couldn't help sounding tired as she shifted slightly to see Maura better. "What are you saying?" She asked even though she already knew the answer.

Maura was quiet for a moment and studied Jane in the dim light as they lay side by side in bed together. She could see fear, uncertainty, and to her surprise, the flicker of excitement in Jane's eyes. At first, she wasn't sure she should answer the question but that flicker of excitement she saw spurred her on. "What I'm saying… what I'm asking you…" she let out a heavy sigh. "Is if you'd be willing to carry the baby… this time."

Silence fell over them as Jane nibbled her bottom lip in concentration. The sad, uncertain look on Maura's face broke Jane's heart. "I've thought about it." She let out a long, heavy breath as she tried to steady her voice. "And, well… if this is what you really, truly want…" the words came out on a slight stutter, so she cleared her throat to sound surer of herself. "Then, yes."

Tear's pooled in Maura's eyes as the implications of Jane had said sank in. "Are you sure? I don't want you to do something you don't want to do. I need to know that you want this too."

"Um, I think so… yeah…" Jane tried to nod emphatically but her indecision was clear.

"I won't ask you to do this if it's something you don't want."

Jane smiled as she reached out to wipe away the tears that had started to roll down Maura's cheeks. "I'm sure." She said with more confidence. "I just always thought we'd decide this with a coin toss… ya know, to make it fair." The recollection of the dream she had when she got shot came back to her.

"We can still do that. I think I have a two-headed quarter somewhere." Maura wrapped her arms around Jane and snuggled against her.

"Hey, is that the same coin we used to decide who has to get up early to let Joe out on Saturdays and Sundays?" Jane pulled back from Maura's hug to look at her.

Maura ducked her head and tucked it under Jane's chin. "Um… maybe…" Maura mumbled against the warm skin her cheek lay against. "Should I make an appointment?" She asked as she continued to soak up Jane's body heat, not willing to let go.

Jane was quiet for a moment as she held Maura against her. She closed her eyes and let out a shaky breath, one that Maura could feel. She was nervous and scared at the prospect of becoming pregnant, but it didn't mean she wouldn't do it.

"We don't have to do this, ya know. We can wait." Maura tried to reassure.

"No, it's okay. But do you think that maybe we can wait until next month so I can kinda get used to the idea? And if we time it right, the due date could be around spring break at the academy so I can use that time for maternity leave as well." Jane knew the words were coming out of her own mouth, but she couldn't quite believe she was the one saying them. "Wow…" she cleared her throat nervously. "I can't believe I just said that.

"I love you." Maura pulled back so she could look at Jane.

"Yeah?" Jane smiled smugly.

"Yeah, you big goof." Maura pushed Jane further back against their pillows and then straddled her hips. "Let me show you how much."

"I think the proofs in the pudding…" Jane laughed lightly as Maura wiggled around to find a comfortable position.

The comment caused Maura to look down at Jane with an odd expression on her face. "The proofs in the pudding?" She tilted her head to the side as she thought about it. "But I'd say you've found plenty of proof… in my pudding." When she smiled, it was coy and seductive causing Jane to swallow hard. "But if I must, I'll prove it to you… over and over… and over again until you've got all the proof you need."

"Well, you know… I am a police officer and proof is pretty important." Jane said as she put her hands on Maura's hips to pull her closer.

"Well, if anything… I am thorough." Maura leaned closer allowing her lips to hover over Jane's. "But…" she pushed away just before their lips could touched. "All of this talk of pudding is making me hungry… for pudding."

"What?" Jane asked as Maura climbed off her lap.

Maura was too quick for Jane to stop as she jumped off the bed and sauntered over towards the door. She glanced over her shoulder to find Jane watching her with a mixture of frustration and desire. Crooking her finger, she indicated that Jane should follow her and stopped to wait until Jane did.

"Ugh, you're evil… ya know that?" Jane groaned as she got out of bed and obediently followed Maura.

"If I was evil, would I let you lick my spoon?" Maura wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"Um, I take it back." Jane's feet moved quicker to catch up. "You are definitely not evil." She offered as she raced past Maura towards the kitchen and the chocolate snack packs of sugarfree pudding that waited for them in the kitchen, finally letting go of all the uncertainty and apprehension she had felt earlier. If every day with Maura was like this, she knew she had nothing to worry about.