Hello everyone, and welcome back!
There's not much to say, really. This is just a little companion piece to the previous one, a little family fluff.
Please, Let me know your thoughts on this chapter and the story in the review section, they help a great deal!
B. M. Adams
Xoxo...
Disclaimer: I do not own anything from R&I, just this plot and OCs
General POV.
After the joyous dinner, Frankie and Tommy reluctantly left as Frankie had an early shift and Tommy had an early flight back to Seattle the next day. Between all the adults, they cleared up the dining room; meanwhile, as summer was approaching and the weather had been benevolent, the three, now officially siblings, were playing outside. After not too long, both kids were exhausted from all the excitement of the day. Each mom carried one of the tired kids to their rooms while Angela remained in the kitchen, putting the last dishes away.
Megan was sitting on the floor, with her back resting against the couch, mindlessly looking at an open book on her lap. The girl was still too overwhelmed by the events of the day, that she could not bring herself to read, her brain was not able to perform even simple tasks. She couldn't believe that she had been adopted. She couldn't still fully comprehend the past year and a half of her life. In such a short span of time, she had lost her family, gone into the foster care system, been fostered, she had gotten shot in a siege at BPD headquarters, she had grieved, and she had laughed, even hit someone in the face at school and ended up being adopted. It was all a lot to process, and sometimes, it hit harder than others. There was a strange mix of feeling in the teenager's head. She was happy, she was out of the foster care system and adopted into a loving and caring family with people who genuinely cared for her, who genuinely loved her, and she genuinely loved as well. She was a Rizzoli-Isles now, and that was exciting for the teen.
However, that was coupled with the fact that she was not an Ainsworth anymore, at least on paper. To her, this was a before and after. She somewhat felt like a traitor for letting her past, her family, her name and what, up until then, was her identity slip away. She was happy, and this felt right for her. She knew she could not bring her family back, and she could not turn the clock back to somehow change the course of things. She didn't want that either. She felt comfortable with all the family, even Maura's mother; she had yet to meet Maura's father, though apparently that was going to be difficult. It was a lot to process, and she knew eventually everything would settle, but it would take time, and it was going to be difficult at times.
While she was lost in her thoughts, she felt another body sitting next to her; she turned around and was a little surprised to see Angela sitting on the floor next to her "Let's see if I can get back up afterwards", Angela joked, playfully nudging the girl with her elbow, making Megan laughed as well. The older woman and the girl always got along, Angela's playful and annoying at times nature, was a contrast with the reserved teenager, they complemented each other. Angela had her way to make the girl come out of her shell. Angela was the definition of a grandmother, loving and caring, always spoiling her grandkids and annoying her daughter and sons, thoughtful and sometimes a little too much, but always having everyone's best interest at heart.
"So, what are you doing sitting on the floor, burning a hole through that page?" she curiously asked the girl with the book on her lap.
She chuckled "Just thinking," she said.
Angela looked sympathetically at the girl and took a loose strand of hair behind her ear "It's a lot to take in, isn't it?" she said.
The girl smiled and nodded. She didn't say anything straight away but sighed "I mean, nothing has technically change, really" she said, closing the book and placing it in the coffee table in front of her.
Angela nodded "But it has", she simply said, placing her hand on the girl's knee "Nothing has changed from this morning to now, but still, many things have changed", Angela started "A new name, new feelings, it's a lot really," She said "I'm not going to pretend I understand, but I can assure you we are all so happy this is all over, that you are legally a Rizzoli-Isles… and I say legally because you, my lovely granddaughter, have been a part of this family since we met you" Angela heartfeltly said "We are all here for you, whenever you needs us. And if my daughter is being a pain, let me know, I'll deal with her," Angela joked, lightening the mood. Though she spoke from the heart, she did love the teenager, and to her, she was her granddaughter just as much as Lily, Lucas, and TJ.
"Thank you, Angela", Megan gratefully said, looking at the older woman sitting next to her.
"Yeah, we need to do something about that," She said, "Angela is a little too impersonal here" She joked.
Megan laughed "Ok, Nonna" she said, she felt bold enough to said it out load, and funny enough it felt right to her, when the girl turned her head to face and saw the woman's smile she knew it was right.
The woman squalled in happiness hearing the teen calling her Nonna "Nonna loves you," Angela said, kissing the girl's cheek.
"I love you, too," The teen shily said, with a smile on her face. She had lost the only grandparent she ever met when she was 6, so it was a whole new feeling having a grandmother. It was strange but oddly familiar, and she felt comfortable enough with Angela to fulfil that role in her life.
Angela smiled "And those two up there" The woman said looking towards the staircase and pointing the upper floor "They love you, more than what they will ever by able express" she assured the girl.
Megan gave her a shy smile. "I know," She whispered, looking down at her knees. The girl knew they loved her, they made sure to show her in every little detail they remembered about her, every time they tucked her in or came to her room to say good night, every word and action both Jane and Maura did, came out of the love they had for her, for their children.
The older woman sideways hugged the girl "Now, I have to start teaching you the family recipes, someone has to carry them down the family and given that Jane is practically a menace in the kitchen, is your duty" She said.
Megan quizzically looked at Angela "Me?. Are you aware that I'm not better than her, right?" She joked.
"Well, it's been a tradition in my family to pass them down to the oldest daughter, but I think that is out of the picture here so, the oldest granddaughter it is" She explained.
Megan smiled at the older woman and a soft blush appearing on her cheeks "It would be an honour" she said, smiling brightly and they remained silent for a few seconds until Megan suddenly spoke "Can we start with the Tiramisu? That was amazing" she smiled with pleading eyes at the older woman.
Angela laughed "Of course, anything you want," she said happily, tightening the hug a little more "Well, it's getting late, and it's been a day full of emotions," Angela said; Megan quickly got up, and Angela laughed "Ok, now help Nonna get up," she said, extending her hand so Megan could pull her up. The teen smiled and held Angela's hand, giving a soft pull to help her get up. Angela huffed and laughed as she was getting off the floor "Yup, sitting on the floor was not the smartest idea" she chuckled.
As soon as Angela was standing, she gave the girl a quick hugged the girl and walked towards the table where her handbag was "I'll let you all have a rest now; I've said goodbye to your moms already, so I'll make a swift exit" she exclaimed, opening the door "Good night, sweetie" Angela said, giving the girl a kiss in her cheek.
"Good night, Nonna," Megan said, trying to get used to the word.
"Good girl," the older woman replied, winking at the girl. She then walked towards her car and drove home. Megan closed the door and turned the lights off, walking upstairs. The quietly walked to her room, she quickly completed her night routine and was fully ready to get herself in bed, put her headphone on and let sleep take over.
She had the music blasting a little too loud on her earphones, so she did not hear the knock on the door. Jane opened the door, picking her head through the small gap between the door and the frame. She noticed the girl propped against the headboard of the bed, engrossed in something on her phone with her headphones on, but the girl kept a smile on her face. Jane smiled and knocked on the door a little louder.
At the sound, the girl adverted her gaze from the phone and took one headphone off her ear "Hey" She said in a low voice.
Jane came inside the room and approached the bed "Scoot over, kid," She said. The girl moved a little further into the bed, and Jane laid down next to the girl.
"Are we having a sleepover now?" The girl joked, leaving her phone and headphones on the nightstand.
Jane laughed but didn't say anything straight away. "It's been a day," she simply said after a little moment of silence. Megan nodded and hummed, keeping her gaze fixed on the TV in front of the bed. They remained silent for a little more until Megan sank further in the bed and cuddled against Jane, who happily gather the girl in her arms and rested her cheek on her head "I'm so glad it is over" Jane said relived. The girl nodded.
Jane noticed the girl sighing "It's a lot to take in, isn't it?" She asked, looking at the girl in her arms.
Megan laughed "Déjà vu," The girl said. Jane looked quizzically at her. Megan looked up and saw Jane's questioning look "Your mom asked the same" The girl explained.
Jane nodded and smiled "You know, I've been thinking about everything that has happened since we met and heck, what a ride" Jane said, making the girl in her arms chuckled.
"It's been… fun" Megan then replied, chuckling softly.
"And I'd do it all over again if it means I can have you here," Jane heartfully said.
The girl remained silent but snuggled closer to the woman. She was unsure what to say. Jane's words sounded so genuine and heartfelt that she was taken aback. "I love you, Jane," the girl simply managed to say.
Jane smiled "I love you too, sweetheart" She said kissing the teen's head.
At that moment, the door creaked open, and Maura came in, already changed into her PJs, with her hair in a ponytail and no makeup on. "May I join?" she smiled.
Megan moved from against Jane's flank and propped again against the headboard. Maura approached the bed and laid next to Megan, giving a kiss to her temple when she settled on the bed, propped against the headboard as Jane and Megan.
"I... Since I came, I tried not to get attached to you," the girl began talking, keeping her gaze straight in front of her. Both simply looked at the girl, intently listening to her speech "That plan kinda failed," she huffed, making both women laugh softly "I know I don't show it enough, but I've been really happy ever since I came here… you are my safe place" she admitted "I sometimes wonder what would have happened if you wouldn't've taken me in…" She confessed, Maura pulled the girl close to her, the girl sank further into the bed again and rested her head in Maura's chest, while Jane kissed the back of the head "…life would look kinda doomy and gloomy, really" the girl rambled "What I want to say is even if I don't show I or say it enough, I love you" she sighed when she finished her speech.
Both women felt the weight of the words the teen said, and it touched them that she was conveying so many emotions into words "You know, sweetie, you may not notice, but you show it more than you realise," Maura began, jane was lovingly looking at her wife, who's eyes were glossy and looking down to the girl in her arms "Every time you make two teas instead of one because you know I'll drink tea as well" Maura said.
Jane followed, then joining her wife's words "Every time you offer to do something or help out," She said, "Or like when I talked about my dad, you were hurting, but there you were, holding my hand and comforting me because you knew it hurt me talking about it" she recalled, looking at the girl with adoration in her eyes.
"Every time you braid Lily's hair, or when you gave her your teddy bear and helped her with her fear of storms" Maura continued.
"Or when you try to teach Lucas to play the guitar, even though that's not really going too well," Jane chimed in and joked, making Maura and Megan laugh "The way you stood up in front of the judge for us".
"There are many ways to show love, and you my dear daughter, show it way more than you realise" Maura said, kissing the girl's forehead "And that is one of the many things we love about you, the thought and love you put into your actions" Maura heartfeltly said. They saw a soft blush appearing on the girl's cheeks. Megan remained hidden in Maura's arms, Jane behind her sandwiching the girl between them. After a few minutes, both women looked at each other and noticed the girl was starting to look drowsy and sleepy.
"Good night, sweetheart," Jane said, the girl already peacefully asleep between two pairs of motherly arms surrounding her. Jane and Maura stayed there for a little while, making sure Megan was fully asleep. This wasn't the first time the teen had fallen asleep in between her moms, though this was the first time she was fully conscious of it. The first time, she was emotionally drained after the siege at BPD; The second time, she was crumbling under the weight of the sorrow and pain of losing her family and keeping it all inside. But this time was different; she was fully aware of where she was; she wanted to be there, cradled in between Jane and Maura, her head placed in Maura's chest and her arm draped around her waist, and Jane behind her, propped up with her elbow, holding her head with her hand while she softly caressed the girl's hair.
"Sweet dream, my beautiful daughter," Maura said with a soft kiss on her forehead. Both women stayed there a little longer, silently rejoicing in the love they felt for their family, now with one more member in it. They, without notice, found themselves with three beautiful children, an incredible family, the love of their lives, an angel in the skies, and the life that they perhaps didn't dream of but was their greatest joy. Their chest filled with pride, and they couldn't be more content with their lives.
General POV.
06/21/2011
"Could you two please concentrate, this assignment is 70% of our grade" Christina nagged at her brother and friend who were chatting.
"We almost done, Christina. Chill out," Garret said, turning his attention to the assignment on the computer.
"Ok, lets finish this so we forget about it… and remember we need to keep my GPA over 3.33 so please, let's not screw this one up" Megan joked.
Christina chuckled "Yeah, not intending to lower mine either" she exclaimed.
"Yeah, but you won't end up with a lovely record for violently punch someone in the face in your record" Garret joked.
Megan slapped his upper arm "Douche". The three teens kept on doing their work when Angela came to the backyard where the three were.
"See, violence," Garret kept on joking, earning himself another playful punch from Megan.
"How are you three doing? I made some cookies if you want to have a break," Angela said, resting her hand on the back of the chair Megan was sitting on.
"Thanks' Mrs. Rizzoli," Garret said, enthusiastically attempting to stand up from the chair, but Christina held him down.
Megan laughed "We'll go in a little bit, Nonna. We just want to finish this as soon as possible. Thank you," Megan said, turning her head and looking at the woman with a smile.
"Ok" Angela said "Whenever you're ready, there are cookies I just baked in the kitchen" she said, patting Megan's shoulder and letting them finish their work.
"Nonna?" Christina asked as soon as the women returned inside the house.
Megan shrugged "Yeah," she said, returning her attention, but Christina kept her gaze over Megan.
"Whatcha looking at?" Megan asked, raising an eyebrow.
Chistina smiled. "Nothing", she said, returning her attention to the assignment. Obviously, she was surprised to hear Megan calling Angela something other than her name. Though they haven't heard the girl calling Jane and Maura anything other than their names so she was not expecting it. Though, she liked that her friend was becoming more and more comfortable with her family. Megan had told Christina about her feeling how difficult had been to come to terms with everything that had happened to her, so it was nice for the friend to see the shift in Megan.
They continued their work for another couple of hours and finally managed to finish their assignment. They watch to the kitchen to grab some of the cookies Angela made. As they were coming inside, Jane came through the door "Hey! Did you guys manage to finish?" She said, approaching the three teens in the kitchen.
"All done Mrs. Rizzoli" Christina said enthusiastically, taking a bite of the cookie on her hand.
"Great," Jane said, "And I think I've said this before, but please, call me Jane," she exclaimed, walking towards the fridge to grab a beer "So if you pass this one, no record then, right?" She asked, opening the bottle and taking a sip. The girl nodded and hummed, still biting on the cookie she had in her mouth.
"Well, we are hoping for a little more than a pass, but yeah, that should be enough to erase her violent past", Garret joked, knowing he was stepping on thin ice.
Jane laughed a little too hard and Christina followed. Megan chuckled "And someone else is earning another… and I'm not gonna get any record for this one" Megan said shaking off cookie dust off her hands.
"Detective Rizzoli, I am being threatened," Garret said.
Jane took another sip of her beer "I can't help you here, buddy. You're on your own," She said before grabbing one of the cookies off the plate.
"Oh! Back at it again, Megan 'Right-hook' Rizzoli-Isles," Christina teased the girl,
Jane almost choked on her beer "'Right-hook' Rizzoli-Isles?" She asked, raising her eyebrows in surprise.
The three teens laughed "Well, after the incident, people were impressed, and they found a nickname" Garret explained.
"What can I say…I don't have to line up at lunch anymore," The girl joked. The four of them laughed and continued chatting about anything and nothing.
"Where's Maura?" Megan suddenly asked, realising that someone was missing.
Jane put the bottle down "She had a meeting with the governor to discuss something probably important and really boring, it comes with the job... she'll come late" Jane explained "Well, I'm going to check on the munchkins… I'll leave you three be" Jane said, putting the bottle in the bin and walking upstairs.
She found Angela helping both kids with their homework, thought it was more a battle between who was getting more attention from the older woman. "Wow, what's going on here?" Jane came into the room.
"Hey, honey" Angela greeted her daughter.
"Mama!" Lily squealed, running from the chair to hug her mother "Nonna is helping us with homework" She happily said, going back to her chair "Look, I draw all this figures, circles, triangles and square" She proudly said.
Jane smiled "Well done, baby. They look great!" She said, giving the girl a kiss on the head and moving towards Lucas. "How are you, buddy," she said, ruffling the boy's hair.
The boy looked up and smile "Good, Ma" He said, letting go of the pencil in his hand "We played football today and we gone!" He excitedly said.
"That's awesome, buddy," She said, extending her hand to high-five the kid. "And how is that homework coming along?" Jane asked, looking at the book on the table and looking at Angela.
"Good, Nonna is helping me with math," He said, going back to the book.
"They're doing great, we are about to finish" Angela exclaimed. Jane nodded and excused herself to go change. The time it took her to get change was enough for both kids to finish their homework.
As she was getting out of her room, the two kids and her mother were coming out of Maura's office. They all went downstairs, and Megan was already on her own. "Christina and Garret gone already?" Jane asked.
Megan nodded, not taking her gaze off her phone "Yeah, they had a family thing" She said, still looking at her phone.
"It would be really nice if we could have a conversation like normal people, looking at each other," Jane reprimanded the girl.
"My bad," she said, putting her phone down. Angela and the kids entered the kitchen "You staying for dinner, ma? Jane asked.
"Yes, Nonna stay for dinner" Lilly happily said.
Angela smiled and caressed the girl's hair "I guess I am…But I'm cooking," She said, laughing.
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean" Jane exclaimed, somewhat offended.
"Don't get me wrong, honey, but your cooking skills are… questionable," Angela said, taking out the utensils and pans she would need. Both kids laughed and the teen tried to hide her laugh.
Jane gave Angela a disapproving look "Unbelievable," She said as she went to e cupboard to get the plates and cutlery "You two, help me put the table," She said, handing the plates to Lucas, who whined at the task "That's what you get for laughing at you mother" She stated. Both kids did as asked. Meanwhile, Megan went to grab the glasses.
"Where is Mommy, Mama?" Lily asked curiously when she realised her mom was not yet home.
"Mommy is at an important meeting at work; she will be home before time, hopefully," Jane explained. The girl nodded, satisfied with the answer.
As they worked to get everything ready, Lucas chimed in, "Oh, Mama, in two weeks, we have a careers day, and some parents will go to school to talk about their jobs… Would you come?" He asked expectantly and excitedly. He always showed off that her mom was a badass and catches the bad guys, because she is a heroine, so he really wanted her to go.
Jane was caught off guard, but she noticed the enthusiasm in his voice, and she could resist those light blue eyes of his "Sure thing, body, let me know the day and I will be there" she smiled.
The boy smiled big and triumphantly said, "Awesome, Thanks. Ma". The family kept on working on the dinner, enjoying the process, though one of them missing, they managed to the finished cleating up a plate was saved for when Maura finally arrives. The teen retreated to her room early, and the kids waited a little longer, wanting to say goodnight to their mom. Luckily, Maura made it on time to kiss each kid good night, one of her favourite moments of her daily routine. As both women finished their motherly night routine, they descended the stairs, enjoying a little moment of quietness, both together just chatting away their day with a beer and a glass of chardonnay, respectively.
If you reach his point, congrats! And thank you! Please, if you'd like, leave a review. It helps a lot to know what you would like to see next and how I'm doing! they are very much appreciated
B. M. Adams
Xx