Snapshots 4.0
A/N: This story is not abandoned, here is a new chapter. I hope to be back on a regular posting schedule, let's just say one chapter a month for now, maybe more. Jane and Maura have a few trips coming up. Gen and Steve will be joining them on some, especially the cross-country Route 66 trip that they will start when the weather warms up across the country.
Chapter 21 – Gen and Frankie's Retirement
Steve called Jane and asked if she could go Jeep shopping with him. He wanted to get a new Jeep for Gen, as hers was getting old and he figured it would be nice to travel with a new Jeep if they were going to be following her and Maura around.
"What are you looking for in a Jeep. I mean, I didn't pick mine out, it was gifted to me. I love it though. I love the color. Black with a black interior is my favorite for a vehicle. I know Gen doesn't care for black and I don't think you want your car to match ours. Our RVs already almost totally match." Jane told him.
"I went on the website and looked at all the options. The only thing I really care about is that it is four-wheel drive and has a nice radio. The local dealership has quite a few in stock. I was wondering if maybe tomorrow we can go look. I have the day off and my brother doesn't need me at the Dirty Robber. Gen is working so she wouldn't have any idea of what I am up to. She asked me to take her Jeep in for an oil change so I will have her Jeep if we need to trade it in."
"Sounds like a plan. Maura doesn't have any plans for me tomorrow that I know of, but let me asked her really quick, hold on." Jane muted the phone and went in and asked Maura if they had any plans tomorrow.
Maura said 'no' and Jane told her that Steve wanted her to go Jeep shopping with him so he could buy Gen a new Jeep. "That sounds like a nice gift for Gen, I am sure she will love that. I know she is frustrated that her Jeep is aging. She loves it but knows that it is starting to need quite a few repairs."
"Yes, her Jeep is like 20 years old, so I think she deserves a new one. I better get back to my call. Thanks babe."
"Steve, she said we don't have any plans so what time would you like for me to meet you?"
"How about I come pick you up at 9 AM when the place opens?"
"That is fine, I will see you then."
"Okay, thank you Jane. I will see you in the morning." Steve said as he hung up. Jane was excited. She went to the website and looked at all the Jeeps and found a few that she thought would be great for Gen. She basically knew what Gen liked about her Jeep and what she didn't. She also knew what Gen loved about her Jeep. She printed out the datasheets on three Jeeps that she would be interested in looking at.
Jane put the printouts in her basket on her scooter and went to see if she could help Maura with the dinner preparations. Jane sat at the kitchen island and cut up some vegetables that Maura was going to use in their stir fry dinner.
The next morning Steve showed up right at 9 AM and Jane was outside waiting for him. She used her scooter to ride over to the Jeep. She folded up her scooter and Steve put it in the backseat.
Jane told Steve all about the Jeeps she had looked at online. He liked the vehicles she had mentioned but asked, "What about the Gladiator? Do you think she would like that. It still has four doors like she wished her Jeep had but would also have a truck bed that we could use to haul stuff."
"Does she know you are seeing me today?" Jane asked curious to see if he had told Gen that he was having lunch with her today.
"No, she just thinks I am taking the Jeep in for an oil change." Steve replied.
"Cool, I have a thought, what about if I call her and ask if she thought about getting a new Jeep before we go on our cross-country trip."
"I like that idea. Go ahead call her and see what she says, ask her if she likes the Gladiator."
Jane called Gen to ask her about the Gladiator, "Hey, Gen! How are you and the job?" Jane put the phone on speaker so Steve could hear the conversation.
"Hi, Jane! You know I am fine and the job, well it's the same ole same ole, budget and staff meetings, emails, officer misconduct hearings. I wish you were still here to brighten up my day." Gen replied.
"I miss working with you also. I was just thinking about your Jeep and I was wondering if you considered getting a new Jeep before we make our cross-country trip? I know you are concerned about how old your Jeep is."
Gen replied, "Actually, I have been thinking about it. But I'm not sure if I should go for the Gladiator or a Jeep. Steve's only requirement is that it has four-wheel drive and a nice radio. What do you think?" Steve smiled, his wife was right, that was exactly what he told her. Gen didn't know Steve was listening in on the conversation.
"Well, both are great options, but they do have some differences. The Gladiator is a pickup truck, so it has a five-foot cargo bed and a higher towing capacity compared to a Jeep. On the other hand, a Jeep is more versatile for off-road driving and has better maneuverability." Jane said. Jane had been looking at the Gladiator for herself, although she had a brand-new Jeep. She loved to look.
"That's true. I do like the idea of having a pickup truck for hauling things, but I also love going off-road. Would the Gladiator be as capable as a Jeep off-road?
Jane replied, "Yes, the Gladiator has the same off-road capabilities as a Jeep."
"Okay, that's good to know. I know Steve wants to get a new Jeep soon. I am sure he will be looking at them when he goes to the dealership today to get the oil changed in my Jeep. Hey, Jane I got a meeting to run off. We should get together soon, maybe double-date with our wonderful spouses."
"Sure, Gen that sounds great. Just give me a call when your schedule would allow a dinner date. Talk to you later." Jane said as they disconnected the call.
Steve just laughed, "Is that how a normal phone conversation goes between the two of you?"
"Pretty much, but hey, we are at the dealership. Let's look at both and see what we find." Jane said as Steve parked in front of the sales department of the local Jeep dealership. They spent the next two hours looking at Jeeps. Steve had turned in Gen's Jeep for the oil change.
The salesman had the Jeep evaluated after the oil change when Steve had told him that he found the perfect vehicle for him and his wife. They found a dark gray Gladiator Rubicon 4X4 that appealed to him. The sales manager agreed to a three-day trial run. Steve signed all the paperwork and he and Jane left the dealership in the brand-new Jeep. Jane called in a lunch order and Steve took her by the Dirty Robber before taking her home where Maura had set the table for lunch.
Christmas Day 2039
During the course of the day, they spoke on the phone with all of their children and wished them a Merry Christmas. They shared their favorite Christmas memories. In a few days Jane would have her cast removed. She was so happy that she would be able to attend Gen's retirement ceremony with no cast. Although, she was kind of sad also, she thought it would have been fun to be scooting around on her scooter before and after the ceremony.
Before they went to bed for the night, Jane wanted to do something special for Maura. With her foot broken she couldn't dance much but she wanted to dance with Maura so she played 'Merry Christmas Darling' by the Uniques and slowed danced the best she could with her wife.
Maura loved when Jane was spontaneous. She wished that she could be that way more often. She had been spontaneous a few times in her life and only with Jane, no one else. Jane brought out qualities in her that she wished she was not afraid to do on her own.
December 27, 2039
Maura drove Jane to her doctor appointment. Once they arrived at the medical building, they went to the radiology department and had x-rays taken and then went to the doctor's office. The doctor had made sure that a fiberglass cast had been put on so that he could have x-rays taken through it, when it came time. If Jane's leg wasn't healed the cast would stay on.
Jane smiled when she entered the doctor's office, once she and Maura sat down the doctor said, "Good news, Jane. Your leg has healed nicely and we can remove the cast today." Jane and Maura both looked at the computer screen as the doctor showed them the x-rays. Jane's smile grew.
Jane had had a feeling she would be losing the cast today but when the doctor confirmed that the cast would be coming off, she couldn't help but smile greater and tighten her grip on Maura's hand which she had been holding since they left the x-ray room.
"That's great! Thank you, doctor." Jane said.
Maura agreed and said, "I'm so glad to hear that."
The doctor pushed the button under the lip of his desk for the nurse to come in. When the nurse came in, he instructed her to take Jane to get her cast cut off. Jane and Maura followed the nurse and then once the cast was off, they came back to the doctor's office. It was almost a half hour before they saw the doctor again.
"Jane, you'll need to be careful though as you start to walk again and bare weight on that leg. Your leg might still be a bit weak, and you don't want to risk re-injuring it. I recommend using a cane for a few days or weeks until you feel more confident on your own. You might want to use your scooter as you exit the building until you get a cane."
"Okay, I can do that. I'm just so happy to be able to walk again. I will get a cane." Jane said as she hugged the surprised doctor. Jane had caught him off guard. He wasn't used to his patients hugging him.
"That sounds great, and if you experience any pain or discomfort, don't hesitate to come back in or call my office." The doctor informed Jane as she and Maura stood to leave.
"I will, thank you so much." Jane replied.
Maura nodded in agreement and told the doctor, "Thank you. We really appreciate your help."
Jane had ridden into the doctor's office on her scooter and left walking as she pushed the scooter. Jane was so happy. She had a few days to adjust to life without the scooter.
As they left the doctor's office, Maura told Jane, "We can pick up a cane for you on the way home. The medical supply store has all different types of canes, including folding ones. I think a folding cane might be good to get so that you can have it at work in case your leg starts to act up."
"Okay Maur, we can pick up a normal wooden cane and a folding cane. As long as you let me walk into the medical supply store."
"That sounds like a deal, Jane." Maura said as they pulled up to the medical supply store which was just down the street from the medical building they were just at.
December 31, 2039
Jane woke up and looked at the clock, it was 8 AM. She picked up her phone after giving Maura a good morning kiss which turned into a love making session. At around 10 AM she picked up her previously discarded phone and called Gen. "Are you ready for the ceremony?"
"Jane, it is so nice to hear from you. Yes, I am ready. Is Nina ready to be the next Chief?" Gen asked her long-time friend.
"Yes, we have spoken with each other almost daily. She is excited and a little nervous."
"She will do fine. Look I have a meeting in a few minutes I should probably get off the phone. I will see you this afternoon."
"Yes, have a great day." Jane said as she disconnected the call, she didn't need for Gen to say anything else. She knew it was a busy day for Gen, she just wanted to touch base with her. Maura helped her shower and then they had breakfast. They got dressed and at 11:10 AM they headed to the Artist's For Humanity Epicenter.
Scene: The Artist's For Humanity Epicenter in Boston, Massachusetts
Date: Afternoon of Saturday, December 31, 2039
Jane hated wearing her uniform but Gen had specifically asked her to wear it today for the ceremony. They had been friends long before Jane had met Maura. When Gen asked her initially to participate in the ceremony, she told Jane that she didn't have to wear her uniform. Gen changed her mind and called and asked if Jane would wear it.
For Gen she would wear her uniform. Gen knew that Jane hated it but Jane was participating in the ceremony and it was her big day and she wanted to see Jane in her uniform, so Jane complied.
"Maur, the uniform still fits. What would we have done if I still had my cast on?" Jane asked as Maura helped her with her tie.
"I had a plan. I was carefully going to cut up the pant leg and add some additional material and stich it back up." Maura replied as she smiled at Jane. Jane knew that Maura had some kind of plan, she always did. "Now, let's get going or we will be late and that would not be good."
Maura drove as Jane had just had her cast removed and didn't want to chance her foot having a muscle spasm while driving. She still had a little residual pain, just like the doctor said she might. Jane still had her temporary disabled placard so Maura parked in a handicap spot towards the front of the building. They were escorted to a table at the front of the room. Jane had been invited to sit at the head table but her part was towards the end of the ceremony and she wanted to sit with Maura and the rest of the family.
Frankie would be retiring today also. It was a huge day for the Rizzoli family. With Frankie and Gen both retiring and Nina and Frost being promoted. Because the Chief was retiring, there were lots of media present. It wasn't every day that the Chief retired and they were there to make sure they covered the event.
As the retirement ceremony started, Stacey Jacobson, the Director of Public Relations at BPD and the MC for the retirement ceremony, introduced everyone at the head table and welcomed all the guests in attendance. As with Jane and Maura's retirement ceremony there was a luncheon ahead of time.
At 1 PM the MC called the room to order and asked for everyone to rise for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. After the colors were posted the department Chaplain gave the invocation and everyone sat back down. The MC then introduced the Police Commissioner who gave a brief speech about leadership and then described Frankie's career and then Gen's. He made sure to mention Frankie's sacrifice for his wife's career and BPD.
The Police Commissioner said, "It is not every day that we appoint a new Superintendent in Chief who is married to an active police officer in the department. To assist the department as there was not a policy in place, Deputy Superintendent Frank Rizzoli, Jr. decided to go ahead and retire.
As he spoke about Frankie, a slideshow of Frankie at various times during his career appeared on the screen behind him. Frost had been instrumental in putting the slideshow together. Frankie had never seen some of the photographs that were in the slideshow.
A slideshow had been playing when everyone entered but Frankie just looked quickly at it and then went back to talking to people as it played. Frost had set up three large screens for today's retirement ceremony. One on the left playing Frankie's slideshow and one on the right playing Gen's slideshow. Those slideshows contained family and work pictures. The screen in the middle behind the podium was used when someone was talking about Frankie or Gen. Frost had different pictures in that slideshow, mainly work pictures.
Frankie spoke first, "I know most of you are here to witness Chief Booker retire, well except for my family and extended family. Oh heck, that is most of you. Thank you for coming today. I have enjoyed my time with BPD and do not regret my decision to retire so that my wife can continue the work that Chief Booker started. Gen is a family friend and a member of my extended family. She is one of the first female police officers I met besides my sister. I, like my older sister, look up to her and am so happy to share this day with her. Now I will close so we can get onto to her speech. Thank you."
Everyone clapped and Frankie extended the podium to Chief Booker. The Chief began her speech, "I want to thank everyone for coming here today to celebrate this momentous occasion. Frankie, it is my honor also to share this day with you. I watched you as you went through the academy and was there as you became a Boston Police Officer and rose through the ranks. I will miss working with you but I know we will still see each other at Sunday Rizzoli family dinners. When I am in town. I plan to travel now that I am retiring." Frankie went to sit down and Gen continued her speech.
"It's been an honor to serve this department and this community for the past 40 years. I'm proud of all the work we have done, and I know that the department will continue to thrive under new leadership. I have seen officers come and go through this department. I have made mistakes as I have risen through the ranks but I have loved serving the Boston community. For over 40 years this has been my job. I never looked at my service as a job, it was my commitment to help Boston be a great place to live. I wanted to help keep the criminals off of the street. Sometimes that was not possible through technicalities but we learned from those incidents and improved our tactics. I can honestly say that BPD is a better police department than when I joined. We have sought out ways to improve and become better officers and I know through the leadership of soon-to-be Chief Rizzoli-Holiday that will continue. Thank you!"
As Gen finished her speech, there was a round of applause from the crowd as everyone in attendance stood. During the applause Jane stepped up to the podium with a police radio in her hand. As the applause died down and people began to sit down, Jane said, "Superintendent in Chief Genevieve Booker, 'Gen' my friend, we have known each other for years. You were my first female supervisor on the force. Although it was only for a few months until you were promoted again and changed departments, we remained friends. I always looked to you for guidance. You have been a great example of what a leader should be. You were always honest in your review of a situation and gave solid advice. For me, that came as both professional and personal. You watched me struggle with my emotions for Maura and told me to 'ask her out already, I can tell you care for the woman and she cares for you. Don't let that stupid stereotype of a woman police officer stop you from having a beautiful relationship with someone you love' I listened to you and got over myself and asked her out and that has been something I will always be grateful to you for. I think I needed that kick in the ass. Oh, I mean butt, hey we are on a mission here. You asked me to participate in this ceremony and it is time." Jane said as she handed Gen the radio.
Jane continued, "Superintendent in Chief Genevieve Booker, 'Gen' my friend, will you call dispatch for the last time?" Jane and Gen both stood there in a side hug, neither one moved. They were both in tears. Maura walked up behind the two of them and place a hand on each of their shoulders and whispered, "Gen, it is time to make the call." Gen turned and mouthed 'thank you' to Maura and with tears in her eyes Gen pushed the talk button on the radio and said, "Superintendent in Chief Genevieve Booker, Ocean Frank."
A minute passed before a teary eye dispatcher replied, "Thank you for your over forty years of service to Boston Police Department Superintendent in Chief Genevieve Booker. Job well done." Gen sank back into Maura, who was still standing behind her and Jane immediately pulled both of them in a tight hug. All three were in tears. Jane whispered "Congratulations on your retirement, Gen, It's been an honor to work with you all these years." Maura couldn't speak she just nodded her head.
With the retirement ceremony now over Frankie walked over and said, "Thanks for everything. I wouldn't be here today without your guidance and mentorship." Gen smiled at him, she knew he had Jane but sometimes it helped to have someone outside of the family and she had always been there for him.
She hugged him and then took Nina in her arms. "Your next young lady, in about an hour you will take my place as Superintendent in Chief."
"Please let me enjoy this next hour and the rest of today, effective tomorrow I will be Superintendent in Chief, for the rest of today it is still your job."
"True, and we're excited for what's to come. Congratulations to you and Frost on your upcoming promotions." Gen said as she broke the hug to pull Frost into a hug. They worked their way from the podium and spent the next hour talking with the audience. The promotion ceremony was set to begin at 4 PM, in just over an hour. Gen was still the Superintendent in Chief until midnight and then the job would be Nina's.