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 34
Jane came downstairs to find Angela already preparing breakfast.
"Good morning, baby."
"Morning, Ma." Jane replied in her raspy voice, kissing her mom, and shuffling to the closest kitchen bench.
"How is she?"
"Still asleep. But she is doing much better than at the hospital."
"I came yesterday by the end of the day, but you both were asleep in the sofa. I didn't want to wake you up."
"Yes, we fell asleep after watching a movie."
"And you made sure she ate and took her medicines and not overdid herself, didn't you?"
"I did, Ma." Jane smiled. It would be pointless to reply that Maura was a grown-up woman, and a medical doctor on top of it, because Jane knew her mother's question came from a point of loving and caring, not scientifical medical needs.
"At what time is your flight back to DC?"
"5PM. I only have a backpack with me, no checked bags, so if I leave here at 3PM it should be okay."
"Do you think it is okay if the others stay longer?"
"I think it will depend on how Maura is feeling, Ma… By the way, if you could please pay extra attention to her today after I leave, and in the next few days… You know she does not know how to ask for help, she is used to doing everything on her own, and I am concerned she will overdo herself."
Angela kissed Jane's temple.
"I will, baby, you don't need to worry. She is like my daughter too, you know that."
"Thanks, Ma."
"Any special order for lunch today?"
"I am sure whatever you prepare will be delicious, Ma. You know I am not picky with your Sunday food."
"Especially since you realized you didn't have access to it every Sunday any longer…" Angela teased.
"True." Jane chuckled back.
Angela pushed a mug of steaming coffee in front of Jane.
"Drink this. Then go wake her up. Proper breakfast is going to be ready in fifteen minutes, and is better consumed hot…"
Jane drank her coffee, closing her eyes while enjoying the taste.
"Up you go, young lady!" Angela practically shooed her up.
Jane went upstairs. She wanted to let Maura sleep for as long as she could, but she needed to wake her up anyway because of her antibiotics. She didn't need to worry, though, being back to her home had put Maura back on her regular schedule. She was still in bed, but she was awake.
"Good morning…"
"I smell coffee!"
"Ma said we have fifteen minutes to take our asses downstairs for fresh breakfast." Jane smiled.
"I doubt she used those words…" Maura chuckled.
"But you know that was her meaning…" Jane chuckled in response. "How are you feeling today?"
Maura breathed as deeply as her ribs would allow. "Better each day."
Jane made sure Maura was on her way to the shower and didn't need anything, before making her own way to shower on the guest bedroom and let her backpack ready to leave later. Knowing her family, things would get intense, and she would be getting out to the airport in a rush, leaving a part of her heart behind.
When Jane was ready, she began going upstairs, but met Maura midway.
"Sorry, I didn't know if you needed help." Jane began moving downstairs backwards, to make sure she could catch Maura if she needed help.
"Thank you, Jane, but I am good."
"You look much better, honey…" Angela offered, moving to hug Maura gently and kiss her cheek.
"I do feel much better, Angela."
"Coffee?"
"As much as I would like a good cup of coffee, I will stick to tea."
"Any flavor in particular?"
"Chamomile."
Angela plated their food, scrambled eggs, only whites, and toast for Maura. Scrambled eggs, full, with toast and bacon for Jane. She refilled Jane's mug of coffee, and pushed the mug with the chamomile tea still steeping in Maura's direction.
"Jane said she didn't have any special food request for today's lunch. What about you, Maura?"
"I am sure I will enjoy anything you prepare, Angela. Your food is always delicious."
"Maura… there will be a lot of people here today. But they are all like family… So if at any moment you feel tired, or need to take a break and rest, this is your house. We all can handle it, okay?"
Maura nodded, thankful for Angela's concern.
They were still having breakfast, when Angela switched her focus to lunch.
Jane helped Maura to settle comfortably in the living room, before going back to her mother.
"Do you need me to go buy anything? Do you need any help?"
"No, baby, thank you. Go enjoy Maura's company while you can. I will come for you if I need anything."
Jane found Maura writing in her bounded notebook.
"You are not planning to drive to see Melanie tomorrow, are you?"
"Not yet. I think I need to give a few more days to my knee, shoulder, and ribs to settle."
"Good… Maura… I know you don't like medicines. But given how extreme this experience was… You might want to discuss the options with Melanie. Especially if you notice it is impacting your sleep." Jane didn't need to explicitly refer to the nightmares. Maura could grasp her underlying meaning.
"I think talking with her will help address things that are impacting my sleep. But yes, if I notice it is becoming crippling, I will consider taking some medicine, even if it is for a temporary reprieve."
"And Maura, before people start piling up… The same way Ma mentioned to you they are family, and you don't need to do things today just because it is what a perfect host would do… Remember they are all people you can count on. I know you don't know how to ask for help. And I know we all pay attention and observe and try to anticipate what you want, but I bet we miss many of your needs. Especially as you recover, please try to let them know what you need. If you can't, please try to at least let me know what you need, and I can assure you I will help make it happen."
"Thank you, Jane..." Maura responded, seriously touched by Jane's concern.
The door rang, and Jane patted Maura's knee before going to open it. Frankie and Nina walked bringing beer and snacks. Jane helped placing the beer in the fridge, while Frankie and Nina joined Maura in the living room.
Soon Tommy arrived with TJ, and Maura smiled, because that was what a home felt like. The noise of family chattering, and laughing, and teasing each other.
When the door rang again, Maura thought it would be Kiki and Korsak, but was surprised when she saw Jane walking Hope in.
"Angela kept me informed of what was happening, and invited me to join lunch today. I hope it is okay?" Hope asked, uncertain.
"Of course it is, Hope, thank you for coming."
Soon Kiki and Korsak also arrived, and Angela came to join them all in the living room.
"What? The food is ready! It will be a simple pasta with meatballs. The sauce and the meatballs are simmering, and the pasta will be quick to do by the time we are ready to eat. I chose it so we could all spend time together…"
"Good thinking, Angela." Kiki praised.
They all gathered around, and with a few gentle nudges from Angela, Maura told the story of what happened. Angela knew they were all curious. And Angela wanted to make sure Maura would have only to tell it once. Jane supplemented the details of the rescue, all the time praising Maura's ingenious ideas of leaving breadcrumbs that allowed them to follow and find her. They kept it light, and allowed Maura to drive most of the conversation, all very much aware that this had been way more than a harrowing adventure. For two men, it had meant the end of the road. And Maura… Only a miracle could explain Maura amongst them.
They moved to set the table while Angela prepared the pasta, and soon they were all seating to eat together.
Jane had all the time checked discreetly on Maura, to make sure she was doing okay, and that the conversation was not too much. It wasn't.
The company was great, the food was great, and they spent a lovely day together.
At 3PM, Jane's alarm buzzed.
She hugged everyone goodbye, before crouching close to Maura, who was back in the living room.
"Do you promise to remember what we talked about this morning?"
"I do, Jane, you don't need to worry. Thank you, again, for everything…"
"Don't mention it… I will see you soon?"
"I hope so. In the meanwhile, please text me as soon as you land tonight."
"I will." Jane leaned in to hug Maura gently, and kissed her temple, before leaving.
Jane's plane was delayed. She texted Maura about the updated time of departure, and texted her again the moment they landed in DC, still from inside the plane, knowing it was late and Maura was likely asleep already, but decided to stick to her promise.
She was unlocking the door to her apartment one hour later, when she got a text from Maura asking if she was still awake.
Jane was, but she didn't expect Maura to be… It was very late after the long delay. When she replied that yes, she was awake, her phone immediately rang with a video call from Maura.
The image of Maura's side of the call was dark, and Jane could only make out the outline of her face. Jane was sure Maura was already in bed.
"Hey, it is very late for someone who is still in recovery to be awake…" Jane greeted gently, her voice low in case Maura was half-asleep.
"I needed to see you…" Jane could detect the tears in Maura's tense voice.
Jane smiled gently at her. "I made it here. Safe and sound. Just very, very delayed…"
Jane heard Maura's relieved sigh on the other side of the line.
"Nightmare?" Jane asked, her eyes trying to find Maura's on the other side.
Maura didn't reply verbally, but Jane saw the little bright points on the screen, that were Maura's eyes, close, and she nodded in the shadow, before she whispered. "The delay… it was more than a delay in the nightmare."
Jane knew the feeling all too well, what she thought had been a delay on Maura's flight became one of Jane's worst nightmares in real life.
"I am sorry the delay triggered it…"
"Not your fault… And thank you for picking up the call. Seeing you helps dispel the nightmare."
"I will always pick up your call, Maura. Whatever you need. Whenever you need. Wherever you need. Okay?"
"Thank you, Jane." Followed by a sniffle. "Good night and have a good return to work tomorrow."
"Remember what you promised me, and don't overdo yourself… Good night, Maura!"
