Hello Rizzles fans! Thanks for being ultra patient through my focus on victorious. I remember saying that I might do a sequel to With Benefits and this is it. It's gonna be short and sweet because I feel these ladies have lived through enough heartbreak. It's the wedding story so enjoy! ~S.K.
One
As the plane touched down in Boston on a warm summer afternoon, the familiar sights and sounds of the city welcomed Jane back with open arms. Compared to the bustling streets of DC, Boston felt like home in a way that no other place did. She followed closely behind her wife, Maura, who was gracefully navigating their way through the airport with Marcy bouncing happily on Jane's hip. The baby seemed relieved to finally be getting off the plane, and Jane couldn't blame her.
"I can't believe you've been working in Boston this whole time," Jane remarked, a hint of playful irritation in her voice.
"That shouldn't be a surprise, you know our foundation is here," Maura replied, planting a tender kiss on Jane's forehead.
"Yeah, I'm just cranky. I could have had my leave here," Jane grumbled, but her mood lifted slightly at Maura's affectionate gesture.
"Next time," Maura reassured her with a gentle smile.
"Oh no... Next time, you're carrying the kid. I am so done," Jane declared emphatically, only half-serious.
"That doesn't make physiological sense, since you are younger than me," Maura pointed out logically.
"Then I guess we aren't having any more," Jane retorted with a smirk, grabbing their luggage from the carousel.
"How sad for Marcy," Maura teased, shooting Jane a playful glance.
Jane rolled her eyes. "You can still have one, you know. Or we could adopt," she suggested, feeling a surge of warmth at the thought of expanding their family.
"That's a fantastic idea," Maura agreed, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she led the way to the car rental place. "Let's get to your mother's house; she's waiting for us."
Jane couldn't contain her excitement, doing a little dance as they made their way to the rental car. She couldn't wait to indulge in her mother's home-cooked meals and soak up the comforting familiarity of being back in Boston with her loved ones.
As they arrived at Angela's door, the moment they stepped inside, Angela snatched Marcy out of Jane's arms with a beaming smile. "Well, hello to you too, Ma..." Jane remarked, her voice tinged with amused sarcasm.
"Hello, sweetie!" Angela cooed at Marcy, completely absorbed in her granddaughter.
Jane turned to Bill, who stood ready to help with the mountain of luggage Maura had insisted they bring. "Thanks for having all of us on such short notice," Maura said, her gratitude evident.
"You're family," Bill responded warmly, stepping out of the house alongside Jane to fetch the rest of their things.
The two walked side by side, an awkward silence hanging between them. Finally, Bill spoke up. "You know, I really love your mother. I've talked to your brothers, but I haven't had a chance to talk to you. This is something that I can't say over the phone… so…"
Jane smiled knowingly. "It's about damn time…" She paused to take out Marcy's stroller, noticing Bill's confused expression.
"I've asked her already. It's just… she…" Bill trailed off, shaking his head in frustration.
"Keeps saying no?" Jane concluded, letting out a sigh. "Ma has just been coming into her own since my father left her. You know that, it's no secret."
"Jane, I completely understand it," Bill said earnestly. "And I know she loves me…"
"She wants to know that she can stand on her own two feet before she feels dependent on you," Jane explained gently.
Bill nodded. "I know this is something that both you and your mother have in common."
"I'm already married; I relinquished that control," Jane replied with a smirk. "It really helped that both Maura and I were well-established on our own before any of this happened. Ma was so young… give her time."
"I just want you to talk to her," Bill said, his tone almost pleading.
Jane smirked. "If you wanted her to listen, you should have talked to my wife."
Bill chuckled. "Don't sell yourself short, Jane."
"Oh, I have no delusions of influence," she laughed, joining in his mirth as they managed to bring all the luggage into the house in one trip.
Inside, the house buzzed with the familiar warmth of family. Angela, now settled with Marcy on her lap, was happily chatting with Maura about all the things they had planned for their stay. Jane couldn't help but feel a deep sense of contentment, despite the looming conversation she needed to have with her mother.
Angela pulled Maura aside, concern etched on her face. "How are you doing?"
Maura sighed, feeling the weight of her secret pressing down on her. "I've managed to get her here without lying. I don't know how much more avoidance I can do before I start breaking out into hives."
"Hang in there… another 48 hours and it's over, okay?" Angela said, bouncing Marcy on her hip in a soothing rhythm. "Frankie and Tommie are coming, and they're going to take her out for the night with the guys. First to the Baron, and then out. Kiki and Nina will hang out here tonight, drink wine, and play with the babies." She cooed at Marcy, marveling at the resemblance between the little girl and her daughter. The only thing Marcy seemed to have inherited from her father were those big, green eyes that stared back at them now.
"What do I say if she interrogates me about this?" Maura asked, her voice tinged with panic as she felt herself starting to hyperventilate.
"Just tell her the truth, Maura. The family just wants to give her the bachelorette party that she didn't get because she was lying in a hospital bed," Angela advised gently.
"She won't want to go," Maura predicted, her anxiety mounting with each passing moment.
"She will…" Angela said confidently. "Nothing makes you want to go out more than having a newborn at home."
Their conversation was interrupted by Jane's voice echoing through the house. "Ma! Can I have my child, please?"
At the sound of her source of comfort's voice, Marcy's lip jutted out in a pout. "I'm grandparenting here!"
"I'm leaking here!" Jane retorted with a hint of exasperation. "It's feeding time."
Maura smiled at the playful banter between her wife and her mother, then took Marcy in her arms. With a wry look at Angela, she went off in search of Jane.
As Maura approached Jane, who was waiting with an expectant look, she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for keeping the surprise wedding from her. But she pushed it aside, knowing that it was all for Jane's happiness in the end.
"Here's your little one," Maura said, offering Marcy to Jane with a tender smile.
Jane's face lit up with joy as she took Marcy into her arms. "Thanks, babe. You're a lifesaver."
Maura leaned in to press a kiss to Jane's cheek, her heart swelling with love for her wife. "Anything for you, my love."
Jane settled into a comfortable chair, positioning Marcy for feeding. "You know, Maura, it's so good to be home. I missed this—just being here, with you, and seeing Ma so happy."
Maura sat down next to her, reaching out to gently stroke Marcy's hair. "I missed it too. But I also want you to have some fun while we're here. Frankie and Tommy have something planned for you tonight."
Jane raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? What are they up to?"
"Just a little night out," Maura said, trying to sound casual. "They feel like you need a break."
"Maura, you know I'd rather stay here with you and Marcy," Jane said, her tone softening as she looked down at her nursing daughter.
"And we'll be right here when you get back," Maura replied, leaning in to kiss Jane's cheek. "You deserve a night out. Think of it as a belated bachelorette party."
Jane sighed, looking at Maura's earnest expression. "Okay, but only because it's you asking."
"Thank you," Maura said, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. "And remember, if you need anything, just call."
Nina and Kiki arrived first, Jane opening the door to find her nephew wrapped up in his mother's arms. The sight nearly melted her heart, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of longing as she looked at the beautiful bond between mother and child.
"Oh my god… I feel like a freaking dairy cow," Jane grumbled, feeling a surge of emotion at the sight of her sister-in-law nursing.
Nina laughed sympathetically. "Believe me, I get it."
"I've never given birth," Kiki chimed in, "but I think it's beautiful that your body can do that."
Jane welcomed them inside, feeling instantly at home in her mother's house. Angela bustled in from the kitchen, offering drinks to her guests.
"I've got this," Angela said, taking charge and offering Nina a virgin mimosa. "Kiki, can you come?"
Nina inquired about Marcy's whereabouts, and Jane informed her that Maura was giving their daughter a bath. Nina then turned her attention to Jane's attire.
"I thought you were going out," Nina remarked, eyeing Jane's casual clothes.
Jane glanced down at her jeans and t-shirt. "Yeah, just to the Baron."
"That's what you're wearing?" Nina raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, what's wrong with it?" Jane asked, slightly defensive.
"You're going out with the guys, you have to look better than them," Nina insisted.
"I didn't know I was going out with the guys. I don't have anything better," Jane replied, feeling a bit self-conscious.
"Maura!" Nina called out, summoning Maura down the stairs with a curious Marcy in tow.
"You shouted?" Maura asked, appearing at the bottom of the stairs.
"Please tell me you brought something worthy of a night out that your wife can borrow," Nina said urgently, gesturing towards Jane.
Maura glanced at Jane, who rolled her eyes in response.
"I think I may have just the thing," Maura replied, placing Marcy in a bouncer at Nina's feet before taking Jane by the hand and leading her to their bedroom.
"Maura, this is fine," Jane protested as they entered their room.
"I need for people to see the gorgeous woman that I married," Maura insisted, lifting Jane's arms and pulling her shirt off, leaving her in an unflattering nursing bra.
"Maura, no," Jane protested weakly, noticing Maura's gaze linger on the bra. "None of my bras fit right now, and they hurt!"
"It's just one night, show them off," Maura encouraged, pulling out a bra with a bigger cup. "Wear one of mine."
In truth, Maura had purchased this for Jane, for her comfort, and Maura's own pleasure. She removed the bra, and replaced it, noting that Jane wasn't complaining, and in fact looked flushed and smelled of arousal.
"And when you get back, I'm going to love taking this off you," Maura whispered, her voice low and husky.
Jane swallowed nervously, feeling a rush of desire as Maura changed her into a gorgeous outfit straight out of the back of her own closet – items Jane had purposefully hidden away, knowing they were too fancy for her usual outings.
"You tricked me into coming home," Jane accused, realizing that Maura had orchestrated this entire outing.
"I can't lie, Love," Maura replied softly, her eyes full of love.
"You didn't lie…" Jane trailed off, her mind racing with questions.
"I wanted you to come, and I wanted you to want to come. I succeeded," Maura said simply, her gaze unwavering.
"Why?" Jane questioned, just as the voices of her brothers floated up to them.
"Later, the guys are here," Maura said, leading Jane out into the hallway, her heart full with the knowledge that she had brought her wife back to Boston, where they belonged.