Hello everyone and welcome back!
This chapter took me longer than intended to finish it. This is actually part of the chapter as I realised it was way too long. This one is mostly just some family fluff, a little chapter. The next one will be a little bit heavier and I will be posting it in the following days as it is partly written. But I do hope you enjoy this one!
Please, Let me know your thoughts on this chapter and the story. Any questions, suggestions, comments, or reviews s very welcome and appreciated.
Thank you for all the support you have been giving me. I wouldn't be able to do these without you guys!
B. M. Adams
Xoxo...
Disclaimer: I do not own anything from R&I, just this plot and OCs
General POV
12/12/2010
The morning went by as normal as it could be. Maura was getting ready for the day and Jane had already helped Lily and Lucas to get ready and was downstairs preparing breakfast, Megan was still in her room. Maura entered the kitchen and found both kids eating bunny pancakes, a treat Jane used to rebuff when her mother prepared them for them at the Division 1 Café. Those were now a staple of Jane's cuisine.
"Bunny pancakes, really Jane?" Maura playfully scolded her, not fully approving of her choice for breakfast.
"What?" Jane said, sipping her cup of coffee "It's the last day of school before the Christmas break" Jane excused herself, mischievously chuckling.
Maura shook my head and approached the coffee machine to pour herself a cup when Jane stopped her and extended a piping hot cup of coffee "What? do you think I would forget of your coffee made with the fancy coffee machine I had to take classes to learn how to use?" Jane joked, making Maura laugh and look at her in adoration.
"I would never doubt you, my love," she said, pecking the lips of the brunette and hugging her tightly. Then she took the cup and started to sip from it the bitter, but delicious content.
The kids were happily eating their bunny pancakes, chatting with both mothers when both women realised that if they weren't out the door in five minutes, the kids would be late for school. Jane left her empty cup of coffee in the sink and approached the staircase "Megan, if you are not down here in two minutes, we are gonna be late for school!" Jane shouted from the bottom of the stars. Maura disapprovingly shook her head at the lack of subtlety of her wife.
A few minutes passed and the teenager stomped down the stairs and entered the kitchen "Look, someone decided to join us!" Jane joked.
"Morning to you too" joked the girl while she walked to the coffee machine and pour herself a little cup. Jane and Maura decided not to prohibit her from drinking too much. Maura stood up and said good morning to the teenager. She noticed the slight dark sombre under her eyes, she had to not be sleeping well, and there was subtle puffiness on her eyes and cheeks, which to Maura were indication that she had most been crying. And that thought alone worried Maura. Throughout the week since they asked her if she wanted to be adopted, the girl has been quieter than usual, she was not playing the piano, perhaps only besides from some sporadic practice for the Christmas show. And that did not go unnoticed by both women.
They had already made arrangements to get Megan in therapy when the new year began, given the many changes she will be facing with the adoption process and to prevent any of the emotional burdens any of this could bring her. As well, because she had experienced so much pain in the past year. They were also aware that soon will mark the one-year anniversary of the death of Megan's family. Thought they were not aware that that same day was the day that marked that dreaded date.
Maura Helped the kids to get their bags ready and gave them their lunch boxes, she grabbed the two other bags and gave them to Megan "This is lunch, Jane made something small as we are having an early dinner after the show" She said smiling, lifting the bag in her left hand "And this is breakfast. You need to go now, but please eat your bunny pancakes" Maura then said, lifting the bag in her right hand and giving a reassuring smile to the girl.
"It is a surprise," Jane said. Making Maura suspicious as to what she had made, and she was sure it must be something she wouldn't have approved, but decided to let it go for now.
The girl gently took both bags and placed them in her school bag "Thanks Maura… and thank you, Jane, for the bunny pancakes" she said chuckling.
"And why you do assume I didn't make the pancakes, young lady?" Maura asked, pretending to be offended by the girl's comment.
The girl laughed "I'm sure your breakfast option wouldn't've been pancakes." She said matter-of-factly.
"She's right Mom, you would have made those yucky banana and oatmeal pancakes". Lucas said jumping down the stool and leaving the kitchen to grab his things and get ready to leave for school.
"Let alone with Smucker's grape jelly and peanut butter" she said pointing at the jar on the kitchen island.
Jane quickly grabbed the jar and put it in the cabinet "Kids, we are going to be late, everyone out the door and in the car…Chop chop chop!" She rushed to say, knowing Maura would give her a little talk about how unhealthy those kinds of products were.
The blonde M.E. kissed each kid good by and did so with her wife as well "You and I will have a chat later on" she said smirking "And my healthy pancakes are not yucky, young man" Maura pointed out. Making the three kids and the detective laugh.
"If that helps you sleep at night" whispered the girl, looking at the kids, making them both laugh.
"Of course, we will talk," Jane said, knowing what was coming towards her. Obviously, she knew Maura knew they had certain food staples that weren't necessarily approved by Maura's health standards, but once in a while, they allowed their kids to enjoy those little things.
"Either of us will pick you up as soon as classes are finished for the day, you kids can change and then we'll be back for the Christmas play," Maura said, both Lily and Lucas nodded. Lily was particularly excited about the Christmas play, as her class will be singing a song at the play, and they will be dressed as little elves. Lucas' class was also going to sing a Christmas song at the play, and he was also excited though he didn't want to admit it. The one that was the least excited was Megan. She was never one to show her talents and playing the piano was a little too personal for her to show it to other people, she only allowed her family to listen to what she plays.
"Not me, I have a last rehearsal and I left a change of clothes in my locker yesterday," Megan said "Sorry, I should've let you know before" Megan then apologized.
"That's ok, we'll see you at three then" Maura smiled and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The girl nodded.
"I'll see you a work" Jane kissed her wife goodbye and they then jumped in the car and left. Maura finished her coffee and got ready for work.
The day for both women went by relatively quickly and was a breeze. Thankfully there was not an active case going on, so for Jane consisted in finishing paperwork and reviewing files to stay up to date withing occurring within the department. For Maura, the day consisted in achieving autopsy reports from past cases. Both women were thankful that their day was slow, they wanted to go and see their children at the play more than anything else right now.
While Maura was putting folders in boxes to put away Jane came down with two cups of coffee "Hey!, is there room for one more?" Jane asked while she leaned again the door frame.
Maura turned around and smiled widely at the sight of her wife "For you, there is always room, my love" she said approaching the detective and giving her a chaste kiss on the lips.
"How's your day going, love?" Maura asked going back to the pile of files she was introducing in the box.
"Thankfully, dead slow!" Jane said before sipping from her cup "I can see yours has been pretty much the same" She mentions, as for Maura to archiving the autopsy reports for not-so-old cases, she must be having a pretty slow day herself.
Maura nodded "Indeed, honey" she replied. Both women chat a little more until Jane realized it was almost 1 pm and she needed to pick up the kids soon to get them ready and be on time for the play.
Maura debated with herself if to mention what she noticed about Megan to Jane. But as if they were thinking the same Jane mentioned it "Have you noticed Megan seems kinda quiet and taciturn lately?" she said while sipping her coffee, leaning against the desk.
Maura nodded "Yes I have noticed, as well, I think she is not sleeping, the bags under her eyes are big. I'm starting to get really worried Jane. That is not healthy" The M.E. mentioned, closing the box she was putting files in.
"I know, we have to talk to her," she said and sipped her coffee.
Maura then closed the distance between them and stood next to her wife, sipping her coffee as well "We made the arrangements with the psychologist to get her to therapy as soon as the holidays are over. But I do think we have to talk to her, get her to understand we are here for her, to help her through whatever she is going through" Maura elucidated.
Jane nodded but didn't say anything right away, she absentmindedly sipped her coffee and tilted her head against Maura's.
"I was thinking, the last time I can remember she retreated as she has lately, was at the beach, perhaps it has to do with something similar" She mentioned.
Jane deeply sighed and asked, "What date is it?"
"Today is the 12th" Maura simply replied. She walked to her laptop and started typing.
Again, Jane sighed and turned the laptop to face the blonde, the screen showed the date of the accident her parents and sister died. It was that same day.
Maura shook her head "I had a foreboding this morning about it… How could we forget Jane?" she reprimed themselves for overlooking something so important.
"I don't know, I feel terrible as well. But we can talk to her today, after the show. It's not too late" Jane mentioned, standing up from the chair and walking towards Maura, hugging her wife tightly. "We will make it better and she will be fine" Jane reassured.
Maura nodded against Jane's body "Of course she will be fine, she has you as her mother" she replied pressing a kiss against her cheek.
"And she has you" Jane replied, kissing the top of Maura's head. They stayed holding each other for a little while until Jane realized the time.
"Mmm, it's 15 to 1 pm, I'll pick up the kids so you can finish filling. I'll see you at home, babe" Jane said, kissing her wife goodbye. She took the elevator and entered the bullpen as needed to pick her jacket up.
Frankie saw his sister rapidly walk into the office and take her jacket "Where you up to, sister," he asked.
Jane put her jacket on and replied, "Need to pick the kids up so they can change and then take them back for the Christmas play" She said, "You're coming, right?" she then asked.
"Of course, I'll be there at 1 pm sharp. Wouldn't miss it" He replied.
"Cool, see you there, Frankie!" She said just before she left, walking towards the elevator. She passed by the cafe and said bye to her mother. Jane arrived just in time to pick the kids up. It all went by in a daze, the kids were all dressed and ready, she was changed, and Maura had also arrived home and changed. And just like they came, they left. Again, heading towards the school.
They arrived at the school auditorium; it was beautifully decorated with any Christmassy ornament possible. The kids were left with their class groups and both women were to seat as the show was about to start. Angela and Frankie arrived and sat just behind Jane and Maura.
Soon after the lights of the now full auditorium dimmed and the drapes opened. "Hello, Ladies and Gentlemen, parents, students… It is a pleasure to be here today to conclude another semester and give a warm welcome to the Christmas break. We have an amazing show to present and without further ado, please receive with a warm round of applause our first act" Said the school's principal.
An acapella group entered the stage and they started to sing God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. Each member of the group was singing or humming a part of the song, creating a beautiful voice assemble. They finished the song and then surprisingly, Christina, Megan's friend, came to the stage and introduced the following act. "The following act, or better said, acts, will be our choirs, conformed from our smallest to our oldest student" she said "The assembles will be accompanied by a quartet of talented students who will be performing the pieces alongside" she explained and then the four students came out, one of them being Megan. The crowd of parents warmly received them with a round of applause.
The girl swiftly moved across the stage and sat on the piano stool, she then lifted her head up and immediately her eyes fell on Jane and Maura. Both women were looking at her with adoration. The girls winked at them and looked down again at the piano keys. They were also surprised to see Garret move across the stage with a violin in his hands, that was something Megan, nor Garret or Christina had mentioned before.
Maura's POV
"I haven't seen that dress, before… She looks beautiful" Jane commented, not taking her eyes off the stage. She was right, Megan looked beautiful, she was wearing a white laced dress with a red and gold belt around her waist.
"She does," I said, smiling. Christina presented the choir assembly of the smallest children, this being Lily's group "Please, warmly welcome our Elf's choir" She presented them, all of them dressed like little Elves with their stripped stockings and little red dresses and suits and the fluffy hats. Then about twenty-five kids were neatly placed on the stage. I noticed that Lily turned her head towards Megan and waved at her. Megan winked at her smile. Some other kids also waved at their parents in the crowd, eliciting some laughs from the present public. The music teacher gave the sign and Megan started to play the keys of the piano, and perfectly choreographed, the violin, the cello and the guitar followed suit at their respective times, creating a magical interpretation of Carol of the Bells. The kids started singing and I couldn't help but widely smile, beaming with pride.
The song finished and the crowd exploded in a loud round of applause. The smallest kids left the stage, and Jane stood up to go and pick Lily up from her teacher and wait for Lucas so the so they could sit with us for the rest of the show.
The next group was presented, Lucas' group. "Now, please, give a big round of applause for our Rudolf's singers", all the kids came to the stage dressed as Rudolf the red nose reindeer.
He was so handsome with his little red bow tie, stuffed antlers and a little red rose. Again, the music teacher gave the go, and the music started, and the choir started to sing. At moments like this, I couldn't be any more proud of my kids, the three of them were incredible and I sometimes asked myself how did we get so lucky to have them. The show continued, and it was beautifully put together. Three more choirs of students came, singing emblematic Christmas songs. The school dance group also performed a Christmas song medley.
The show ended with a rendition of Pachelbel's Canon in D played by the four students in the quartet, though not a Christmas song, it was marvellously assembled. The song finished and the crowd loudly applauded the four students. We stood up, as well as many other parents. The principal sent his farewells in the name of all the school, and people started vacating the auditorium. We waited a few minutes for Megan to come out.
We saw her in the distance, talking to her friends. She then noticed we were there and quickly said goodbye to them. She grabbed her bag and gracefully walked towards us, but I could see her starting to blush. She knew she was about to be complimented and that was something she was not too comfortable with.
"That was beautiful, sweetheart" Jane said, hugging the girl "You three were amazing" she then said, placing a kiss atop Lily and Lucas's heads.
"You are indeed very talented, sweetie" I said, kissing Megan's cheek "I'm really proud of you" I whispered to her ear as I hugged her.
"Mommy, I'm hungry. Can we go home with Nonna?" Lily chimed in
Followed by Lucas "Yes, I'm starving"
"You? No way?" Jane laughed, eliciting the same reaction from the rest of them
"Yeah, where are Angela and Frankie?" Megan asked suddenly realising that both were not there.
"They headed home to get the food ready" I smiled "Shall we go before you starve" I then joked, booping Lily's nose and ruffling Luca's hair.
The girl nodded "Cool… Yes, I'm hungry too. That fluff and peanut butter sandwich was not enough" Megan wanted to joke, but as soon as she saw my face she knew she said something that was meant to be a secret.
"Why do I bother to put notes on your lunches if you systematically don't read them" Jane shook her head "It was supposed to be a secret" she said rolling her eyes.
"Really Jane, Pancakes and fluff and peanut butter sandwiches" I reprimanded her.
Megan shrugged "My bad, my brain is tired and hungry" the girl pouted.
Jane rolled her eyes again, and sideways hugged the girl "Fine, you are forgiven… OK troops, let's go home" she then announced and the five of us walked towards the cars.
"Yey!" the three kids shouted at the same time. Lily took Megan's hand and the three of them walked in front of us.
"Those three are too perfect" Jane sweetly mentioned, looking lovingly at the three kids walking in from of her.
I smiled "And they are all ours" leaning against Jane.