Snapshots 4.0

Chapter 1 – Days Before The Retirement Ceremony

Scene: Living room of the Rizzoli-Isles Beacon Hill Home in Boston, Massachusetts

Date: Afternoon of Monday, June 27, 2039, days before Jane and Maura Rizzoli-Isles retirement

"Maur, I can't believe we're retiring this Thursday. I have been working at BPD for over forty years." Jane stated as she changed the channel on the television, trying to find the Red Sox game that Maura said she would sit down and watch with her. The Red Sox were playing an away game and Maura had said once they retire, they should catch some away games in other stadiums around the states. Jane thought that would be awesome, she had never seen the Red Sox play anywhere except for Fenway and Fenway South, in Florida.

"I know love, but we need time for ourselves. We said we were going to travel and see the world. Plus, you made a promise to me years ago and I want to help you reach the goal of keeping that promise." Maura said as she brought Jane a beer and sat down next to her with a glass of wine.

Jane's eyes got big, "Oh ya, I am definitely looking forward to working on that promise." Maura smiled and leaned into Jane. Jane found the game and Maura wrapped them up in a blanket and snuggled into her side like she normally did. They were quite use to this arrangement after being married all these years.

Maura asked Jane, "Love, you're not second guessing our decision to retire, are you?"

"No way, we have been talking about when to retire for over two decades. We decided on looking at it when I completed thirty years of service with BPD. When I reached the thirty-year mark, we reevaluated our possible retirement and decided that we weren't ready to retire yet. We both felt they had so much more to give to our respective careers and we decided to work until you reached the thirty-year mark."

"Yes, we did, now that I have reached my thirty-year mark we are finally retiring. I want to be selfish and have you all to myself. No more late nights or mid-morning call outs, of course with your promotions and the growth of the OCME we haven't had too many of those lately. We missed many events with our children over the years. We worked hard and tried to have one of us present as often as we could. The children understood, but they loved when we could both be present at their activities. They understood how important our jobs were and how great we were at our jobs."

"We've given enough of ourselves and as you said we missed so many events with our children. I want to be able to go wherever we want, whenever we want. Besides I have been working on seeing all fifty states with you and being able to make love with you in all fifty states. I want to be able to complete that while we are still able to move. We still have a few states to go." Jane informed Maura, who smiled widely at the thought and the memories of some of the different states they had already been to in respect to achieving that goal.

"I have a list of places I would like to see in various states as we travel. I think we need to agree to spend a certain amount of time in hotels as we go also." Maura informed Jane.

"Ya, we can hash all of that out later. Right now, though the game is starting." Jane said as she pulled Maura into her, so that Maura could rest her head on her shoulder.

"Oh yes, the game, let's watch it." Maura said as they sat there and enjoyed each other's company for the next two and a half hours, as they watched the Red Sox beat the NY Yankees. Jane was excited. She loved when the Red Sox beat the Yankees.

After the game was over and Jane had turned the television off, she said, "The children will all be here tomorrow. It will be great to have all four children in the house again at the same time. It has been a little while since they all were home at the same time." Jane said as she tried to think about the last time that all four children had been home at the same time. She couldn't remember when it was.

"Yes, I have missed all of our children being home with us." Maura said as she rose to get herself another glass of wine. "Do you want another beer, love?"

"No, I just want to sit and snuggle up with my adorable wife before our house becomes a madhouse. Arianna and Mario changed their flight and Ari said they will be in tomorrow morning around 10 AM." Jane informed Maura.

"I'm so happy they can make it. I know we saw them a couple of months ago but she has become like a sister to me over the years." Maura expressed.

"She feels the same way, Maur. She knew from the first time she met you that you were special to me. I think she knew before I knew if that makes any sense."

"Yes love, it makes perfect sense, remember you were in denial at first of your feelings for me, but you got over yourself and look how well that turned out." Maura said as she pinched Jane's side.

"Ouch, and yes it turned out wonderful, very wonderful, I'm the happiest I have ever been thanks to you." Jane turned and told Maura.

"So, what is the game plan for all the company?" Maura asked.

"Well, Ari, Mario, Nicky and Giana and their families are going to stay at your parents. Our kids will stay in their rooms, if they want. Well MJ and his wife, Chrissy, and AJ and his wife, Anna, will probably stay at their places, but stay until bedtime visiting with everybody. Everyone else has hotels booked already."

Scene: Logan International Airport, Boston, Massachusetts

Date: Morning of Tuesday June 28, 2039

Jane and Maura met Arianna, Mario, Nicky Giana and their families at the airport. Arianna gave Jane a big hug and said, "Oh my God Jane, I can't believe you are finally retiring from BPD. I didn't think you would ever retire. You have been a cop for over forty years."

"I know, me either. I probably should have retired years ago but I have had such a rewarding career and I felt I needed to continue my service. Maura and I talked about it many times and she wasn't ready to retire yet either." Mario, Nicky and Bruce, Giana's husband came back with their bags and Arianna and Jane walked out arm-in-arm. Maura was holding Jane's hand and Giana was holding Maura's other hand. The men and children just followed behind them.

Jane and Maura had driven to the airport to meet them even though they were renting cars. Nicky had rented a SUV just for his family as he knew his family of six would require a car of their own. Mario had rented an SUV also so he could drive Arianna, Giana, Bruce and their two children. Constance and Arthur were waiting for their arrival. Constance had lunch caterer for them. She had hired extra staff for the family's two-week visit.

Nicky was 40 years old and married with four of his own children. He was a medical researcher with Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) in Rome. After attending college in Italy for four years and playing soccer for his college, he had attended Harvard Medical School and was able to spend time with his favorite aunts and cousins. That was where he met his wife, Isabella. She was also studying to become a medical researcher. Both had been enrolled in the MD/PhD program with follow on studies at MIT before moving to Rome to work with the IRCCS.

They had gotten married while they were in Massachusetts and Isabella gave birth to their first son, Marco, one year after returning to Italy. They had four boys total all born two years apart from each other, Antonio, Ricardo and Eduardo.

Giana was 38 years old and married with two children. After graduating from high school in Italy she went to BCU and then Harvard Medical School. She wanted to be a pediatrician and work with young children. It was a passion of hers.

She met her husband, Bruce, at BCU. He was a Boston native and a huge Red Sox fan. Jane took to him right away and they accompanied her to several Red Sox games while they were in college. They got married the summer after she graduated from BCU. Two years later she gave birth to their son, Daniel, and then one year later their daughter, Gabrielle. They currently live in Italy with plans to move to Boston within the next year. So, they would be house hunting while they were in town.

Angela cooked dinner and everyone gathered at Jane and Maura's house for dinner and fellowship. Jane and Maura had to go to work the next day so Constance and Arthur entertained everyone until Jane and Maura got home from work.

Arthur was quite pleased to take the next generation of De Luca children to his favorite museum. The grandchildren loved it as much as their parents had when they were younger. Arthur, Nicky, Bruce and the grandchildren had a great day at the museum visiting all the exhibits. Nicky assured Constance that he would look after Arthur and make sure that he didn't overwhelm himself. She knew how excited he was about having the grandchildren together.

Constance, Arianna and Giana enjoyed a nice day just sitting around chatting while they tried some of the new wines Constance and Maura had picked up for the Retirement weekend celebrations. Constance asked Giana if she would like to serve on the Board of Directors for the Isles Foundation. Constance was stepping down and Maura was taking her place. So, that left a family spot on the Board to be filled. Giana was surprised and said, "Yes, of course, grand-mére, I would be honored."

Scene: Master Bedroom of the Rizzoli-Isles Beacon Hill Home in Boston, Massachusetts

Date: Morning of Thursday, June 30, 2039, day of Jane and Maura Rizzoli-Isles retirement

Jane and Maura awoke with the knowledge that today would be the last day they worked. They were excited and concerned at the same time. They had been working for as long as they could remember. They wondered if they would be able to handle the fact that they no longer had to get up and go to work. It would be different but they were looking forward to it.

Jane had to wear her uniform and it would be the last time she wore it as an active police officer. Maura loved when Jane wore her uniform. She has always been attracted to Jane in her uniform. Jane hated the uniform so Maura didn't get to see her in it very often.

Jane rolled over so she was facing Maura, "Maur, today's the day, babe."

"I know, we deserve to retire. It is a new chapter in our lives. I am looking forward to traveling with you."

"We need to get up. I would love to sleep in but we have to close out our time at BPD. I need to take a shower, you want to join me?" Jane asked as she winked at Maura.

"Jane, we don't have time to fool around in the shower." Maura said as Jane rolled on top of her and waited for her to answer.

"Seriously Maur, what are they going to do fire us if we are late?" Jane stated as Maura attempted to push Jane off of her.

Maura replied "Well, I have an exceptional attendance record and I would love to keep it that way."

"You are such a Debbie downer sometimes." Jane replied.

"No Jane, I am just a … well I don't know how to explain it. I just follow the rules."

"Yes, you do Maur. Let's get in the shower, we can shower together, to conserve water, ya, that's it. Ya, let's shower together to conserve water. I promise I will try to keep my hands to myself." Jane said as she rolled off of Maura and smirked at her.

"It has been my experience that is not the case." Maura said as she rose out of the bed and followed Jane into the shower.

As Jane walked, she said, "What can I say, I love you very much and I can't keep my hands to myself."

Rather than continue the conversation Maura gave in and showered with Jane. Jane was pretty good and although she didn't keep her hands totally to herself, she did make sure that they showered quickly, they had out-processing and a retirement ceremony to get ready for.

Jane hated having to wear her uniform all day at work. There was a department 'Retirement Checklist' she had to complete and turn into HR before the ceremony. She also had to sign off of the police radio for the last time. She remembered when Korsak retired and how sad she was.

Scene: BPD Homicide Bullpen

Date: Afternoon of Monday, April 30, 2012

Jane was on the phone, as she ended the call, Korsak walked in with his hands full of personal stuff. Jane looked at Korsak and said, "You gotta do that today? You got like a month left."

Korsak placed the stuff down on his desk and said, "I've got 15 unused sick days and two-weeks of vacation."

Jane glared at him and said, "Really?"

He looked over at Jane and said, "Yeah. You probably have much more, have you checked?

Jane simply replied, "No," and went back to pushing buttons on her computer.

Korsak then asked her, "What? You assume you're gonna die with it all unused?"

She glanced over at him and said, "Yes, sitting right here at this desk, surrounded by 42 empty cups of coffee."

Korsak laughed slightly and said, "Pretty picture."

Jane sadly said, "So, you're done today?"

He replied, "Today."

Nina walked in and placed two boxes on his desk, "This what you had in mind?"

He looked at the boxes and said, "Perfect, thanks."

Jane looked at the boxes and just replied, "I hate this."

Scene: BPD Homicide Bullpen

Date: Afternoon of Thursday, May 31, 2012

Korsak attempted to walk out of the bullpen at the end of the day simply stating, "See you at the party."

Jane caught his attention, "You're not getting off that easily." He stopped moving and turned to look at her.

"There's no need." He replied.

Jane walked over to the block of radios charging on the desk behind him and picked one up and walked over to where Korsak was standing as she said, "Yeah, you're totally right. It's just a distinguished 32-year career. By all means, let's let it end with no comment." She handed Korsak the radio.

Korsak smiled at her and said, "You're gonna make me cry."

A tear rolled down Jane's cheek as she said, "Welcome to the club."

Korsak had tears in his eyes as he pressed the mic button on the radio and said, "Victor Nine-Eight One, Ocean Frank."

The dispatcher said, "Thank you for your service, Sergeant Korsak. Job well done."

Jane and Korsak were both crying as they hugged each other. When they broke the hug, Korsak handed the radio back to Jane and grabbed his last box and walked out of the bullpen. Jane turned away with tears running down her cheek. She walked over and returned the radio to the charger block and grabbed her suitcase that her mother just gave her and put on her jacket so she can go to the party at the Dirty Robber. She would miss working with her former partner.

Scene: Master Bedroom of the Rizzoli-Isles Beacon Hill Home in Boston, Massachusetts and later Headquarters BPD

Date: Morning of Thursday, June 30, 2039, day of Jane and Maura Rizzoli-Isles retirement

They got dressed and went to work. Everyone that passed them congratulated them and wished them luck in their retirement. Jane told Maura, "It's a weird feeling as of tomorrow we will no longer be employed by BPD." Maura smiled at her and gave her a quick hug after looking to make sure no one was around. Jane was in uniform and public display of affection was frowned upon. Neither one of them wanted to get into any kind of trouble on their last day.

They walked around and finished their out-processing checklist. They dropped it off at HR before 11 AM. A few minutes after 11 AM Jane walked out of HQs BPD for the last time as an active police officer. Jane was surprised to see that both sides of the main entrance as well as the steps and part of the street outside of the Headquarters building lined with police officers. They came to attention and saluted her as she passed by them. Jane was almost in tears. She grabbed Maura's hand as they walked out the front door.

Maura's team was lined up right outside the door to pay tribute to her. Many of them had stated that she was the best medical examiner they had ever worked with and they were honored to work with her. Maura couldn't stop the tears from flowing down her face. She was so impressed with this display of appreciation from their coworkers.

Once they arrived at Maura's car, Jane opened the passenger door for Maura and then walked around to the driver's side. They both sat in the car for a few minutes just to gather their composure. Jane no longer had a police vehicle to drive. For over thirty years she has had a police issued unmarked cruiser or SUV. She would have to get use to not driving one. Once they had gathered their composure, Jane started the car and drove over to the Artist's For Humanity Epicenter, where lunch and their retirement ceremony would be held. She held Maura's hand the whole way.