In this new chapter, Jane has given birth but something is still bothering her
I hope you like it
I remind you that English is not my native language.
Libra 007
Jane Rizzoli had just given birth to her daughter Angela Hope-Constance. Jane and Maura were determined to honor their mothers who had helped them declare their love for each other. When Frankie and Nina and then Tommy and Susie had their daughters, they didn't want to call them Angela because they felt that this honor belonged to Jane and Maura's future child because both couples knew everything Angela had done to bring Jane and Maura together and had told them so at a family dinner and both women agreed and had thanked them warmly.
Maura had stayed by Jane's side throughout the entire four-hour labor and it was Maura who, smiling and trembling slightly, cut the umbilical cord and then Jane, as soon as she had her daughter in her arms, breastfed her. Maura and Jane smiled at this act of maternal love and on this subject, Jane had had advice from all the women in the Rizzoli family and Hope as well as her gynecologist and in any case, Jane was determined to feed her daughter this way because she absolutely wanted to do everything that was naturally possible to have bonds and memories with her daughter and then she couldn't see herself making bottles every time her daughter asked for food and she didn't want to bother Maura for that and once during her pregnancy, she had brought the subject up with her wife and Jane had told her that she didn't understand why since she had two natural bottles, that she had to waste time making them. Of course Jane knew that some women couldn't breastfeed for various reasons but as far as she was concerned, she had told Maura that she was determined to breastfeed their daughter. Maura, hearing Jane say that she had "two natural bottles", had laughed and then told Jane that she had made the right decision and a little later Angela told her the same thing when Jane told her what she had decided.
A week after giving birth, Jane finds herself in a difficult situation when her nephew TJ comes to visit her for a longer period of time because he was on vacation. Jane is torn between wanting to maintain the normalcy of breastfeeding and worrying about TJ being exposed to this act that is natural but can be shocking to TJ. Jane, like many mothers, is looking for a solution that respects TJ's sensitivity while honoring her commitment to her daughter. This could involve finding a private space to breastfeed or explaining to TJ the natural beauty and function of breastfeeding. Jane says
"Maura, darling, I'm a little worried about TJ visiting today.
Why is that, Jane? You know he loves us and is always happy to come and see us.
Yes, but it's different now, before he would come after school and Angela would often sleep over or you would give her her milk
What's the problem, my love?
The problem is that Angela needs to be fed and I don't want TJ to feel uncomfortable or confused by seeing me breastfeed. He was smaller when Abgail and Olivia were born. I don't even know if Nina and Susie breastfed their daughters in front of TJ
I understand your concerns, but TJ is a smart kid. Maybe this is an opportunity to teach him something natural and valuable about some aspects of motherhood. Breastfeeding is not something to be ashamed of
True, but how do I bring it up without making him uncomfortable if he sees me breastfeed his cousin?
My love, we could just explain to him that feeding Angela this way is like when he eats his snack. It's necessary and natural and how a mother feeds her child and besides at his age, everything is innocent, even seeing his Aunt Jane breastfeed.
I guess you're right. It is important that he understands that this is a normal part of life and being a mother
Exactly. And if TJ asks questions, we will be there to answer them honestly and simply.
Jane kissed Maura and said
"Thank you, amore mio."
Two hours later Tommy arrives with TJ and TJ says right after kissing his aunts
""Hello Aunt Jane, hello Aunt Maura. How is my second cousin ?"
Jane replied
"Hello TJ, she's doing great, she's waking up."
TJ said a little worried
"Didn't I wake her up?
No, she's waking up because she's hungry. I'm going to feed her."
Jane took her daughter in her arms and got into position to breastfeed her
TJ, young and naturally curious, watches with interest as his aunt Jane breastfeeds little Angela with childish innocence. His gaze is filled with the purity of children discovering the world, without the prejudices that adults can sometimes have about this natural act. There is a moment of silence, a suspended moment where TJ processes the information, his mind formulating questions that his young age does not yet allow him to fully express. Then, with the sincerity that often characterizes children, he asks a simple question
"What do you feed him?"
Jane, choosing her words carefully:
"I feed him milk, TJ. That's what babies eat when they're very small."
TJ, with the innocence of his young age:
"Milk? Like in a bottle?"
Jane smiled and said
"You could say that but it's not the same milk. Moms have their own milk for their babies. This milk is called breast milk. It helps babies grow and become strong and healthy."
TJ asked:
"You mean you make milk?"
Maura answered
"Yes TJ, your Aunt Jane makes milk. This milk is made by some of your Aunt Jane's glands. Glands that are located here (Maura points to the location of the gland which made Jane blush slightly)
But Aunt Maura, when did Aunt Jane's body start making milk?
Not long after your cousin came into the world."
Tommy had stepped aside and was glad that Maura was the one explaining all this to TJ. Tommy was afraid he wouldn't find the words and Susie was also wondering how to explain all this to TJ and he knew that Maura would be able to explain everything to TJ.
TJ said looking at his cousin Angela then at his aunt Jane:
"And it doesn't hurt you aunt Jane?"
Jane, reassuring TJ said
"No, it doesn't hurt. It's natural and it's an important moment between a mother and her baby."
TJ, thinking said
"So, this is how mommy fed me when I was a baby and this is what aunt Nina did with cousin Abigail and this is what mommy Susie did with Olivia?"
Jane smiling says,
"Exactly, TJ."
TJ smiles and says,
"Cousin Angela seems to like it."
Maura says,
"She loves it and it's a kind of cuddle between a mother and her child."
I see. It's a cuddle with milk."
Jane, laughing slightly says,
"Yes, you could say that. It's a very nourishing cuddle."
TJ asks his Aunt Maura
"Do you also give milk to my cousin?
Yes but in a different way because I didn't have a baby in my belly so I don't produce breast milk but your aunt Jane with a special machine that doesn't hurt her puts milk in a bottle and so I can feed your cousin when your aunt Jane is tired and your cousin loves it when I give her her bottle of milk and it's the same kind of cuddle.
Aunt Maura, aunt Jane? I could try to give my cousin some milk if I'm still here when she's hungry again?"
The two women saw that TJ made his Rizzoli puppy eyes and they smiled and Jane said
"Okay but you'll have to be very careful and do what you're told to do. I insist TJ!
Thank you aunt Jane, thank you aunt Maura. But when I grow up, I'll be able to produce milk too?"
Maura exchanging an amused look with Jane said:
"Men don't produce milk, but when you have a baby with the woman who will share your life, you will be able to take care of your baby in many other ways and share with him moments just as pleasant and necessary"
TJ smiled, looked at his aunts and his cousin smiling and once little Angela had finished suckling and had burped, Maura placed her in TJ's arms who smiled in the characteristic Rizzoli way and TJ said to his cousin who was looking at him
"I love you little Angela and I can't wait to teach you many things and I will protect you!"
Tommy, Jane and Maura saw that TJ was serious and smiled too and Jane felt another doubt disappear. TJ had understood everything and she knew that she could breastfeed her daughter again in front of TJ, that it would not bother him quite the contrary and that he was happy to see this moment of happiness.
End