Snapshots 4.0

Chapter 6 – Family Get Togethers

Scene: Boston Commons

Date: Late Afternoon of Friday, July 1, 2039

Jane and Maura spent the next hour or so visiting with friends and family and just enjoying their fellowship. There were some relatives they hadn't seen in a long time and then of course all of their children were there as was Nicky and Giana with their families. There were quite a few Rizzolis.

Frankie and Nina had asked not to sit at Jane and Maura's table because Nina's family also were in town to attend Jane and Maura's retirement and Frankie's promotion ceremony. So, they needed their own table. Jane and Maura wouldn't have had room if they had their four children plus their significant others sit with them. The children had decided also that they would have their own tables so they could visit with their cousins. They realized in the next few days they would have plenty of opportunities to visit with their parents.

Angela was sitting with Constance and Arthur. Over the years the three of them had become rather chummy and Angela lived with them as Constance wanted her there with them.

Everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves. Jane, Maura, Arianna and Gen all danced together as Frost played the song Jane had asked him to play, 'Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)' by Beyoncé. She wanted something a little upbeat. They were dancing around stomping their feet to the music in a small Congo line. None of them were single but it didn't matter to Jane, she liked the beat and her family knew that Jane didn't follow any normal methods of doing anything. Frost played a few more similar songs for them as they enjoyed being silly with each other. Others quickly joined them and the whole place was laughing and having fun just the way Jane liked things.

The park was closing so they had to call an end to their party. Jane was still riding the high from the day, but she also wanted to have some alone time with her wife. They had plans with their children and their significant others in the morning and then the rest of the family in the afternoon.

When they walked in the door, Jane saw the paused slideshow and grabbed Maura and sat down on the couch. She forgot all about wanting to have her way with Maura and started the slideshow, they still had over a hundred photos to view.

The picture of MJ photobombing Frost's promotion to Deputy Superintendent was still on the screen. Maura couldn't believe they had not shut everything down when they left, but with Arianna's surprise arrival things were a little crazy.

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

Date: Evening of Friday, July 1, 2039

After pulling Maura into her lap on the couch Jane un-paused the video. They both smiled when the next picture appeared.

Picture: All four children in their soccer uniforms, circa Summer 2022

Description: All four children posed with soccer balls while in their respective uniforms. Each child had a huge smile on their face.

Maura spoke first, "The children really loved to play soccer and they were all really good at the game."

"Yes, they loved to play soccer. The nice thing is they also loved to play soccer together. They didn't fight that much amongst themselves, like I did with my brothers when I was growing up."

They let the next few pictures play which were all various poses of the children playing soccer. They paused again when a picture of MJ in his boxing outfit appeared.

Picture: MJ in his boxing outfit with Jane as his trainer, circa April 2024.

Description: MJ was sporting a black eye.

"Oh, I was so worried when that young boy hit MJ in the eye. I can't believe after the ref called time, he just calmly walked over to you and said, 'mommy, my eye hurts.' He didn't cry or anything he just wanted comfort from his mommy." Jane stated.

Maura replied, "At least he won the match after the next round. I don't know what you said to him but he went back out there and within a minute the other kid was flat on his back as the referee was counting him out."

"What, I just told him that 'sometimes punches get through and he better make sure that another punch doesn't hit him in the head. Go for the knockout like we practiced.' That's all I said, I promise."

"You can remember that conversation after all these years?" Maura asked curious as to if Jane really remembered the conversation.

Jane informed her, "Yes babe, that was MJ's first knockout I remember it very well. He was only 9 years old, well almost 10. He was a natural, I wished he would have continued to compete but his studies were very important to him so he just practiced after that. He didn't have the time to train for boxing. He did enjoy it though."

"Yes, he was very good at every sport he played but he wanted to help find a cure for migraines or least find a way to make the pain less for people. He was worried about Kate and her headaches."

"Of course, he cares deeply for Kate. 'His Katie' is one of the most important people in his life and has been since she was born. He is very protective of 'his Katie.' That is why he is a neurosurgeon today." Jane said as she un-paused the slideshow again. She knew at some point they would have to go to sleep but she wanted to squeeze in a few more pictures. She remembered seeing some of these at the party but they were unable to talk about them at the time. But here in the comfort of their home they could pause the slideshow and enjoy the memories that the photos brought back to them.

At 1 AM they figured they better stop watching the slideshow and get some sleep. They went up to the bedroom hand-in-hand and performed their nightly routines before crawling in the bed and falling asleep almost as soon as they snuggled into each other.

The children were coming over at 9 AM to go out to breakfast with them so Maura set her alarm for 8 AM. When the alarm went off Jane said, "What the hell, why is there an alarm going off?"

Maura rose up slightly so she could face Jane and said, "Love, the children will be here in less than an hour to take us out to breakfast so we need to be up and dressed so we can go."

"I just want to go back to sleep." Jane stated as she grabbed Maura and snuggled into her.

"I know love but they have been looking forward to this. This is our time to spend with just them and their significant others."

"Wait, do the girls have significant others? I know MJ and AJ are married but I don't remember anything about the girls having significant others."

"Yes love, Lilly is bringing her boyfriend that she has been seeing for the last six months and well Kate is bringing her girlfriend Carina."

"Wait, I didn't know Kate likes women, when did that happen? Last, I know she had a boyfriend named Bob or Rob or something like that, and before that it had always been boys."

"Robert yes, she did, this is a recent development. Are you okay with the fact that she might prefer women?"

"Of course, why wouldn't I be, I was just surprised when you said that. I didn't know that is all. I mean I like women." Maura raised her eyebrows at Jane, "Oh, I mean only one woman, not women, sorry!" Jane said as she smiled and showed Maura her dimples that Maura just loved so much.

"I'm glad you clarified that love. I would hate to think that you would be dumping me after all these years." Maura stated with a slight bit of laughter in her voice.

"Dump you, never! You are the only person for me forever. Heck I just retired so you can show me the world that you have traveled around in so much." Jane pulled Maura into a big hug and kiss and then got out of bed so they could take a shower and get ready.

Maura should have known better than to jump into the shower with Jane. She loved taking showers with Jane but they were under a time crunch and needed to speed things up. Their combined shower took almost forty minutes because she just couldn't say no to Jane, not when she wanted Jane just as much as Jane wanted her.

Maura was fascinated how her desire for Jane had never diminished over the years. They had been married for over 25 years and she still desired Jane. They made their life exciting. They enjoyed spending time with each other.

A few minutes before 9 AM the doorbell rang. Maura was just finishing up getting ready because a certain wife of hers couldn't keep her hands to herself as they got dressed. Jane ran downstairs to answer the door as Maura finished getting ready.

"Hey Ma, where's Mom?" MJ asked as he and Chrissy walked through the door with AJ and Anna right behind them.

"Well, you know how she is, always needs to be putting the finishing touches on her outfit." Jane stated as she smiled at their sons and daughters-in-law.

"I heard that Jane, and you know darn well, you delayed me." Maura said as she descended the staircase. Jane opened the door so everyone could enter. She hugged everyone as they passed her.

After the last person passed her Jane replied, "Who me? I wouldn't detain you when are children are coming for breakfast."

The children were all laughing this was just like old times. "Ma and Mom, you haven't changed a bit." MJ stated as they walked into the living room to sit down.

After taking a seat on the couch with his wife, AJ stated, "Let me guess, Ma didn't want to get up and then when she did, she convinced you to take a shower with her 'to save time' and then she proceeded to delay you in the shower."

Maura replied, "Yes, that is exactly what she did, how did you know?"

"That is what he does to me every time we are supposed to be somewhere at a certain time. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Anna said and everyone laughed. Jane just smirked. "I had to lock him out of the bathroom this morning or we would have been so late and I would have been embarrassed," Anna said.

AJ quickly replied, "Well she is my Ma where do you think I get it from." He gave Anna that all too familiar Rizzoli smirk.

"Okay, okay, can we change the subject? I don't want to be further in the dog house." Jane asked and then continued, "What time are your sisters arriving?"

MJ replied, "They should be here already. We agreed to meet here at 9 AM. That way we could be out of here by 9:30 and seated at the restaurant by 10 AM. We all know how Ma gets if she isn't fed."

"What is this pick on Ma day?" Jane asked as she reached over and swatted at their sons.

There was a knock at the door and before anybody could rise to get the door, it opened and Lilly and Kate walked in with their dates for breakfast. Lilly was the first to speak after greeting everybody. "This is my boyfriend, Salvatore, but he goes by Sal. We have been seeing each other for about two months now. I know I could have brought him to AJ and Anna's wedding and your retirement ceremony but I wanted you to get to know him without all the family around so we agreed that today would be better." Sal was tall and had olive skin and dark black hair. He was very handsome.

Everybody greeted him and then turned to Kate. Kate smiled at everybody and then looked at her beautiful date and said, "This is my girlfriend, Carina." Noticing no shocked faces Kate continued, "We met at school in NY. We went out several times over the past year in between other relationships and have been dating for a few months now." Everybody said hello and then Jane used her head to point to the door.

MJ said, "We better get going we have reservations and you know Ma likes to be fed."

"Hey know, let's not continue this picking on me routine." Jane said as they all headed to the door.

"Why not Ma, that sounds like fun." Kate said as she hugged her mothers.

"Come on Kate, I didn't expect you to join in." Jane said as she gave her a super tight bear hug.

"Ma, I can't breathe, you are squeezing me too tight." Kate tried to have her Ma release her.

"No, you wouldn't be able to talk if I was hugging you too tight, but I will let you go because …" Jane didn't get to finish that thought as her stomach spoke for her.

MJ stepped over to them and said, "See we have to feed the beast. Ma's stomach doesn't like to be neglected." With that everyone piled into their cars and headed to the restaurant. On the way to the restaurant Maura had reached into her purse and gave Jane a granola bar to keep her stomach from speaking again. Maura had done that multiple times over the years and Jane always appreciated how thoughtful her wife was.

By 10 AM they were seated at the restaurant. MJ had taken the liberty of ordering already so the food arrived quickly after their arrival. He had ordered family portions of their favorite dishes and they chatted as they passed the big serving dishes of food around the table. Everybody was able to find something that they liked. Jane made sure that the bacon plate stayed close to her and out of Maura's reach.

They spent the next hour and half laughing and eating. Jane and Maura were enjoying getting to know Sal and Carina. Their daughters really seemed happy so they were happy. Jane looked over at Lilly and Kate and asked, "Did you invite Sal and Carina to the family gathering today and are they ready for the Rizzoli inquisition?"

Lilly and Kate looked at Sal and Carina and they all nodded. Lilly and Kate had already explained to Sal and Carina about the Rizzoli clan and how inquisitive they could be and how they would ask so many questions. They also reminded them that if it got to be too much just let them know and they could leave and go someplace quiet. Jane had the same conversation with Maura when she first brought Maura around the family. Everybody loved Maura so there was no issue.

The Rizzolis have been pretty accepting of everybody that has taken the time to come to one of the family gatherings. Jane said, "Well if they can survive this afternoon then they will be fine. We are meeting the clan at 1 PM. We can go back to our house and chat some more before then if you all would like?" Everybody nodded their head and Jane was waiting for the bill, MJ tapped her on the shoulder and said, "Come on Ma, what are you waiting for?"

"I'm waiting for the bill MJ." Jane explained.

"It has been taken care of already Ma, let's go."

"You didn't have to do that MJ." Jane informed MJ.

"I know Ma, but I did and it is done so you can't argue about it so let's go and enjoy the rest of the day."

"Well, thank you MJ." Jane said as she pulled him into a hug. He was so tall he towered over her. She was tall for a woman at 5' 10" but he was 6' 4" she knew he would be tall. Chrissy was tall also at 5' 9", so she knew if they ever had any children, they would probably be tall also.

They changed their minds and rather than going back to Jane and Maura's and then having only a short period of time before their next function they all drove to the Isles house.

Scene: Isles House, Boston

Date: Afternoon of Saturday, July 2, 2039

Maura knocked on the front door and then checked to see if it was unlocked and it was, so they all went in. "Mother, Father, Angela we have arrived." Maura said as they entered the house.

"In the kitchen darling." Constance said as Maura approached her. Jane and the children went into the living room where they found Arianna, Mario and Nicky and Giana and their families. Immediately some of them went into the backyard where they would be having a late lunch.

"You are early, we weren't expecting you until around one this afternoon." Constance told Maura.

"Well, we figured there was no need in going home when we would have to leave shortly after arriving so we came straight here."

"Wonderful darling how was breakfast with the children?"

"It was great mother, everyone is in the living room. I figured I would come see what you were up to."

Maura stepped over and greeted her father, "Hello father, how are you today?"

"Fine darling, I have been looking forward to spending time with the grandchildren and you and Jane of course."

"Yes, they are excited. They love spending time with you and are equally looking forward to it." Jane walked in as Maura was finishing her statement. She gave Maura a hug and then greeted Constance and Arthur as she walked over to give her mother a hug and kiss.

"Janie, I am glad you are here. Can you please help me explain to Constance that this is the way we are supposed to be doing this? She seems to think that this is an unnecessary step in the process."

"Ma, why are you two cooking? I thought we agreed that Chloe's catering service was doing all the cooking?"

"We did, but you know they don't have the recipe for these cannolis, so I wanted to make our family's recipe. We wanted to have something special for the grandchildren, so I chose cannolis. I know Connie wanted to make the pear dessert she loves but she agreed that is special to her and Arthur but not the children. Chloe is having her staff make that dessert for all of us but I wanted a Rizzoli dessert and Arianna never learned about the cannolis but she and Mario were helping us until you arrived."

Jane spent a few minutes helping them with the cannolis and then they all went outside to visit with everybody while lunch was being setup. Frankie and Tommy arrived with their families and there was so much laughter as all the grandchildren and greatgrandchildren ran around. Nina's mother, Catherine, was excited to be included in this special Rizzoli family gathering.

Arthur so wished he was able to play with the great grandchildren like he did with the grandchildren. He always enjoyed playing with them when they came over. Nicky and Giana's children reminded him of them when they were younger. He was very proud of his family. Although none of them were blood relatives they were his family by choice and he loved every one of them.

At 2 PM sharp lunch was served which hours later had turned into a light dinner. Chloe's staff served until 7 PM and they started wrapping everything up. By 8 PM dessert had been served and everybody would be headed home.

Angela, Constance and Arthur enjoying tell bedtime stories to Nicky and Giana's children. They had to tell them downstairs as Arthur wasn't well enough to walk up the stairs and they hadn't had an elevator installed at their house. They had never needed it as their bedroom was located downstairs. The great grandchildren didn't mind. Their grandparents would tuck them into bed after their story. Arianna and Mario loved their nighttime routine with their grandchildren just as much as Angela, Constance and Arthur did.

Jane and Maura were looking forward to the day when they would also have grandchildren to read bedtime stories to. Jane was trying hard not to nag her children about grandbabies, she so didn't want to become her mother, although she really did want some grandbabies. Instead, she just talked to Maura about it. Maura just laughed at her sometimes because she was so like Angela is so many ways and Jane didn't want to hear anything about that. She loved her mother but she didn't want to nag her children like Angela had nagged them about grandchildren.

Jane, Maura, Arianna and Mario were flying out at 8 AM tomorrow to Seattle to board their cruise ship to Alaska later that day. They were going straight from the airport to the cruise ship and were really looking forward to this first adventure in their retirement. Arianna and Mario were just as excited they hadn't been on a cruise for quite some time and never with Jane and Maura. It would be a fun week for the four of them. A great way to celebrate Jane and Maura's retirement.