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 56
Jane woke up, and smiled to herself realizing Maura was spooned in her front and was still deeply asleep.
Delicately, Jane extricated herself from behind Maura without waking her up, and put on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. She just washed her face and brushed her teeth, tying her hair in a ponytail, and jotting down a note that she left on top of Maura's phone saying she would be back soon and not to worry in case Maura woke up while she was gone, before walking quietly out of the door.
"Good morning, Philip."
"Good morning, Agent Rizzoli. How can I help you today?"
"Jane… I… hmmm… I need to find today's edition of these four newspapers." And Jane enumerated the newspapers names for him. "And I need to get the prettiest red rose, and a chilled bottle of good champagne. Could you please point me out in any direction I might find those things?" Jane asked sheepishly.
"Of course, Jane." He finally conceded, with a gentle smile. "Please follow me."
Jane knotted her eyebrows, but followed him.
They reached a mahogany counter, and he walked behind it.
"Please give me a moment."
Jane nodded, and gasped in delight when he walked back a few minutes later. The four newspapers were piled in a tray, topped by a beautiful single fresh red rose. In the other hand, he had a bucket full of ice, with a bottle of Möet Chandon sticking out of it.
"The perks of a building with concierge service." He winked conspiratorially at her, and she smiled broadly at him.
He went upstairs with her to take the things to the door.
"Thank you, Philipp."
"She is the sweetest person, Jane. It is good to see someone pampering her for a change." He nodded before moving back to the elevator.
Jane entered the apartment quietly, and found a tray, where she put two tall glasses, poured two regular glasses of orange juice, cleaned and cut a bowl of strawberries.
She picked the newspapers, and found the Entertainment sections, and scanned the articles and pictures from Maura. As she anticipated, all of them were only praises to Maura.
Jane arranged the newspapers neatly on the tray, and put the rose on top of them before carrying the tray to the bedroom.
She then removed her clothes again, before picking up the rose and sitting in bed in front of where Maura was still deeply asleep.
Jane dragged the rose petals against Maura exposed cheek, then through her forehead, caressing the smooth skin, before she kept the bud right under Maura's nose, and watched as Maura slowly woke up, a small smile spreading through her facial features.
"Hmmm…. Good morning…" light hazel eyes peaked from under heavy eyelids.
"Good morning…" Jane leaned forward to pepper Maura's face with delicate kisses.
"What are you doing already up?" Maura inquired, stretching her naked body lazily and making Jane's mouth water.
Jane just smiled, and in lieu of a verbal answer, brought the tray and unfolded its support over the bed on top of Maura's naked legs.
Maura sipped the glass of orange juice, when her eyes caught the newspapers.
"What is this?"
"These are today's edition of every newspaper that were represented in yesterday's press conference…"
"Oh…" Maura's expression immediately became guarded.
"I think you should read them… Or would you rather have me reading them for you?" Jane opened her most reassuring smile.
"I… hmmm… maybe later…" Jane could sense Maura's uncertainty.
She kissed the rose bud, and handed it to Maura, picking the pile of newspapers, and began reading the top one out loud.
Jane watched satisfied as Maura first blushed and then slowly smiled, proudly. When Jane finished the first one, she put the pile aside.
"They are all variations of this one, my love… You are a resounding success…" Jane leaned in to kiss Maura softly. "And this… calls for a celebration!"
Jane sat back on the balls of her heels, and picked the champagne to pop it, serving them both, handling a flute to Maura.
"To the smartest, most gorgeous, most generous, and most accomplished person I know… There is nothing that you put your heart into doing and that you don't excel at… May all your wishes ever come true!" Jane raised her glass on a toast.
Maura grinned thankfully at Jane, clinked glasses with her, and sipped her champagne, closing her eyes to the tickle of bubbles in her tongue.
Jane handed Maura the pile of newspapers, and Maura scanned each one of the articles and the pictures, finding nothing at fault, while she delicately munched on some of the strawberries Jane had put on the bowl and continued sipping from her flute, that Jane kept topping up.
"This is good, isn't it?" she raised hazel eyes expectantly at Jane.
"Good? This is fantastic, Maura. You are fantastic…" Again, Jane kissed her lovingly and reassuringly.
"Thank you, Jane. We will clip these articles and save them…"
"Those and the magazine ones, when they are released in the upcoming weeks… We need to build the memorabilia of your celebrity time…" Jane teased, and Maura laughed her crystal-clear laughter that was music to Jane's ears.
"At what time is our flight back to DC?"
"4PM."
"So we probably need to get ready, and maybe have a celebratory brunch before we go to the airport?" Jane offered.
"Sounds like a terrific plan."
They showered together, and organized their garment bags for the trip back, going over the apartment twice to make sure they were not forgetting anything. Then, they went out, crossing a section of Central Park, to reach a brunch place Maura raved about. It was really delicious, and when they were almost finished, Jane elbowed Maura discreetly.
"Three o'clock."
Maura looked in that direction, but didn't understand.
"Look at what he is reading…" Jane stage whispered.
Maura's eyes opened wide. It was her book.
When the waitress approached to serve the young man, they overheard their conversation.
"You seem engrossed in the reading. Is it any good?"
"It is! I could not put it down since I began…"
They saw the waitress craning her neck. "Never heard of this author before."
"New author, new book. Really impressive."
Jane observed lovingly as Maura blushed a deep shade of red.
"We will need to think about your safety and privacy as your celebrity status grows." Jane teased, gently.
"I don't think I need to worry… I have my personal bodyguard…" Maura intertwined her hand with Jane's, squeezing it. "She always keeps me safe."
"Always." Jane smiled and leaned in to kiss Maura.
