Snapshots 4.0

Chapter 14 – Their RV Arrived

Gen was trying to convince Jane and Maura to postpone their Route 66 road trip until after her retirement. She and Steve had always wanted to drive that route. Jane had called Gen when their RV arrived so they could set up a time for them to come check it out.

Gen and Steve came over for dinner the day after the RV arrived. They spent over half an hour checking out the RV before dinner. They liked the RV and thought maybe they should just get the same one. It would be perfect for the two of them. Jane gave them the number of their salesperson. They ate dinner and then Steve wanted to go for a ride in the RV to see how it handled. Jane and Steve took the RV for a ride. Jane sent Maura a text message half an hour later and asked if she could come pick them up at the storage lot. They were not allowed to park the RV at their house. You know HOA rules and all.

The next day after breakfast Jane and Maura started watching the slideshow again. They were determined to finish it before they went on another trip.

Picture: Picture of Maura writing in her Journal

Description: Maura had taken a creative writing class and continued to write in her journal long after her class ended.

Jane paused the slideshow, "I remember some of the stories that you wrote. My favorite story was a story you wrote about Kate when she was three years old. I think you had to write the story from the standpoint of a third person point of view."

"Yes, I remember that story also. I loved it. I loved all of our special moments with our children but Kate was just the cutest. She loved doing things to prove she was a big girl. Taking those water wings off was a huge step for her. I was so nervous." Maura explained to Jane.

"Can you tell me the story again?" Jane asked hoping Maura would say yes, she loved that story.

"Yes, I can actually read it to you. I have it in my notes section on my phone. Just give me a minute." Maura said as she pulled her phone out and started to search for the story on her phone.

"Okay, babe, I will wait. Always for you." Jane said.

Maura pulled the story up on her phone and started reading it to Jane:

Story – Kate at the pool

She picked up her goggles and put them on. She carefully adjusted them before she jumped in the pool. She looked to the opposite side of the pool and said, "Hi, mommy. I'm going to swim to you."

Maura was a little concerned. This was the first time Kate was going to swim across the pool by herself without her water wings. Kate was very adventurous. She loved to do whatever her older brothers and sister did.

Kate seeing her mommy acknowledge her, pushed off from the edge and began her trek against the width of the pool. Her eyes on her mommy.

Jane watched from the grill where she was cooking their lunch. The other children were playing in the yard. They all had their swimsuits on and had been in and out of the pool for over an hour.

Kate had been taking swimming lessons with Maura for over a month now. She enjoyed her special time with her mommy. She wanted her mommy to be proud of her for being able to swim across the pool by herself without her water wings.

Jane and Maura were both nervous. They had been nervous each time the children had wanted to accomplish this task. It was worse for them when MJ had done that because he was their first. They had still been nervous when it came time for AJ and Lilly.

Kate was their baby. She was the last of their children to accomplish this particular task. Jane wanted her to stay her baby forever. She didn't like how fast she was growing up.

Maura had explained to her that the youngest child always wants to do what the older children are doing. Therefore, Kate would be attempting to do things at a younger age.

Maura wanted her to stay young also, she enjoyed raising the children with Jane. She knew they only had so many years to raise the children and then they would grow up and go off to college and then get married and have children of their own.

Kate made it to Maura, she swam across the pool successfully without the assistance of her water wings. "Mommy can we give my water wings away now?" Kate asked.

Maura thought for a moment and then said, "Why don't we leave them with all the pool toys in case we have visitors that might need them."

"That is a good idea, mommy," Kate replied as she got out of the pool to sit next to Maura who now had her feet dangling over the edge.

"Thank you. I love that story and it is so much better when you read it to me." Jane said as she pulled Maura in for a hug.

"I will read that story to you anytime you want." Maura suggested as she snuggled into Jane.

"Okay, how about now?" Jane joked and Maura laughed.

Maura pulled away slightly and said, "Jane, I just read it to you."

Jane pulled her back in and said, "I know, but I love it so much and I love you so much."

"We should really go back to watching the slideshow." Maura stated as she reached for the remote in an attempt to un-pause the slideshow.

"Please, Maur, please?" Jane asked hoping Maura would read the story to her again.

"Okay, I will read it one more time. Would you like me to record me reading it to you so you can listen to it whenever you want?" Maura asked knowing that this would be perfect for Jane. She did love when Maura read the story to her and if it was recorded, she could listen to the story anytime she wanted.

"That would be awesome." Jane said and she kissed Maura again.

"Okay, why don't we record it on your phone, then I won't have to try and send it to you." Maura suggested.

Jane pulled out her phone and set up the audio recording. When Maura started reading the story, she pressed record and recorded Maura reading the story to her. Maura really would do anything for Jane.

Before Jane could un-pause the slideshow Maura told Jane, "You know I also remember the passage I wrote about you for one of my class assignments. Would you like me to recite it for you?"

"I would." Jane responded.

Maura said, "She's fierce and first to defend me, in my moment of trouble or need. Her wit and love sustain me, and never come at my expense. And when we part, there's no sadness, because our bond is always there, she's not just my friend, she's a gift, both precious and rare."

"I remember you tried telling me that it was about Nina." Jane responded.

Maura laughed as she said, "Yes, I was trying to pull your leg."

Jane continued, "Yes, you were and you were unsuccessful. It was and still is a beautiful passage. You should continue to write."

Maura promised her, "I will pick it back up soon. I have to get used to being retired first."

"I know, it seems as though we are merely on vacation." Jane stated.

"Yes, I feel the same way, can we un-pause the slideshow now?" Maura asked, she knew they were really trying to finish the slideshow.

Jane didn't verbally respond she just un-paused the slideshow and they went through about twenty pictures before a picture appeared that caused Maura to laugh and Jane paused the slideshow.

Picture: Picture of Jane, Frankie and Tommy as small children dressed up for Halloween

Description: Jane was about six years old, Frankie three and Tommy a few months old

"Maur, why are you laughing?" Jane asked with a concerned look on her face.

"Jane, you were dressed as Jedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi." Maura stated.

"What is wrong with that?" Jane wondered.

"Nothing, it is just so cute, you and that lightsaber. You really have loved Star Wars for a long time." Maura stated while still laughing.

"I have, since I first saw it when I was like five." Jane admitted. Her father had taken her to see the movie as he had wanted to see what all the fuss was about. It was being shown at the dollar movie theater so Jane and her father went. From time-to-time Jane and her father would have special outings just the two of them. When the boys got older, they would join them.

Maura replied, "You realize that the green lightsaber is relevant to your chosen career field?"

"How is that?" Jane asked now curious. They had never discussed the significance of the colors of the lightsabers.

Maura explained, "Blue represents a more physical approach and is used by the Jedi Guardians, where the Jedi Consular use green, which is said to reflect on the mysteries of the Force and fight the dark side at its heart."

"I never knew that, but I like that. I wish the color meanings were reversed because I really like the blue lightsabers the best as blue is my favorite color, except for when it comes to your eyes then green is my favorite color." Jane admitted.

"Jane, that last part was really corny." Maura stated as she shook her head from side-to-side and Jane hugged her.

"I know but you love it and me." Jane said with a very toothy smile.

"I do." Maura said as she un-paused the slideshow so they could finish watching it. It took them another hour and a half to finish the slideshow. They were so proud that they had finished the slideshow. They had stopped and reflected on so many of the pictures. It was like a walk down memory lane. They turned off the TV and decided to go out for a late lunch. They could do that now. They could go where they wanted when they wanted.

They couldn't help themselves, they went to the Dirty Robber. Jane still loved their cheeseburgers. Vince and Kiki were in the process of selling the Dirty Robber. They wanted to travel more and not have to worry about who was watching the place for them. They had been traveling but always had to work things out with someone and often received emails about issues while they were on vacation. By selling the place they wouldn't have to worry about it.

It just so happened that Gen's husband Steve and his brother, John were interested in buying the place and were meeting with Korsak and Kiki while Jane and Maura were there for their late lunch. They had no idea that Steve's brother was in the hospitality business. Today was their final meeting with Korsak and Kiki. They would be the new owners of the place at the end of the month. Right in time for Vince and Kiki to take off on their next trip.

After their meeting Steve came over to Jane and Maura's table and introduced his brother, John. "Jane and Maura, this is my younger brother, John. He and I just purchased this bar from your friends. We will be the new owners at the end of the month. I hope we can still count on your patronage when you are in town."

Jane and Maura both nodded, "Of course, Steve," Maura stated. "Jane loves the cheeseburgers here so as long as you don't change them, we are good."

"Oh, we don't plan on changing a thing except the name of the owners." Steve informed them.

"I'm sure that will please all the patrons." Jane said. "There are quite a few police officers that love coming here. It's the go to place of the precinct, but Steve you know that already. You have been here with your wife for certain functions over the years."

"Yes, and that is why I brought up the Dirty Robber to my brother and his wife when they were looking for a business to purchase here in Boston. Gen had told me that Korsak wanted to sell the Dirty Robber."

They chatted for a few more minutes and then Steve and John left and Jane and Maura finished their meal. Korsak came by and said hello and sat down and visited for a few minutes. "Old man, so you are retiring again?"

"Yes, I have only been here part-time working around our traveling schedule but now we can travel wherever and whenever we can. My staff has been great, but I want to spend all of my time with my beautiful wife."

"I hear you about that, I love spending time with my beautiful wife." Jane replied as she turned and kissed Maura on the cheek.

"Oh, Jane." Maura said as she turned so she could kiss Jane properly.

"Maur, I love you and enjoy spending time with you. I always have and always will."

"I love you too Jane. I am so happy and I enjoy spending time with you as well."

"So, when do Kiki and I get to join you on a trip?" Korsak asked hoping to get some time with two of his favorite former BPD employees.

"Whenever, you want, just let us know and we can work it into our schedule." Maura replied. She was enjoying that so many people wanted to vacation with them.

Jane and Maura went home and began planning their next road trip. This trip would take days to plan properly. They both had places they wanted to see along the way so they wanted to make sure they covered all the sights they wanted to see. Jane was also keeping track of which states they would be crossing into. She had her goal to accomplish after all.