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Chapter Text

Jane leaned back in her chair and ran a tired hand over her face. She had finished her last report and was ready to head home for the night, maybe a beer at the Robber first and then follow Maura home and order in a pizza. The brunette closed down her computer and stood from her desk, grabbing her keys from the drawer and her jacket from the back of her chair. Frost and Korsak followed suit, also ready for the day to end after their case had wrapped up.

“Detective Rizzoli?” an officer in uniform called out to her from the doorway of the bullpen. Jane looked up with a sigh and gave him a nod of acknowledgement as she approached. “There is someone here to see you.” He stepped to the side and gestured towards a woman standing behind him. Jane thanked the officer and held her hand out to the woman.

“Detective Rizzoli, I’m Carol Sumner. Is there somewhere we can talk?” The woman glanced around the bullpen, aware of how many people were around.

“Uh, yeah sure, this way.” Jane gestured with her hand down the hallway towards one of the rooms. “I’ll meet you guys there,” she called over her shoulder to Frost and Korsak before she led the way.

Once they had both settled themselves into a chair, Carol clasped her hands together and studied Jane before she spoke. “I’m from social services.”

“Social services?” Jane frowned, unable to place why someone from social services wanted to talk to her. “None of my cases involve social services.”

“I’m not here about a case. I’m here about your father, Frank Rizzoli.”

“There’s nothing about him that I wish to discuss.” Jane’s body tensed and she stood from the table, indicating that the meeting was over.

“He has a daughter.”

Jane paused and slowly turned to face Carol. “I’m his daughter,” her voice was low as she watched as the social worker reached into her bag and pulled out a photo, placing it on the table. The brunette was frozen in place. None of them had heard from Frank since he had left for Florida and they had all felt like they could finally breathe with him gone.

“Your father and his girlfriend died in a car accident,” Carol began quietly. “They left behind a two month old daughter.” She pushed the photo closer to Jane, hoping that she would look. “Your father left you with guardianship of her.”

“He what?!” Jane ran a hand through her hair in frustration. This had to be some kind of joke, his one last attempt to control her. Frank Rizzoli was manipulative and each one of the family had been a victim to him throughout their lives. Jane was the only girl and the expectations he had put on her were big. She was supposed to have been a housewife but instead she had joined the police force and Frankie had followed suit a few years later. Those decisions had nearly blown the family apart. Frankie and Tommy were supposed to take over the family business but instead Frankie was a police officer and Tommy had ended up in jail from drunk driving, a trait he had learned from Frank. Jane had tried her hardest to steer her youngest brother away from following the same path as their father and she hoped that jail had been the kick that Tommy needed. Jane had also spent years trying to convince her mother to leave her father but Angela Rizzoli was the biggest victim of Frank’s manipulation and she had been unable to escape it. That was until two years ago when Frank had decided he was done with his life and had upped and left them all. It had taken all of them to clear up the mess that he had left behind but if it meant that they were all free of him then they would put up with what he had left behind.

“Your father left in his will that you are the one to take guardianship of his daughter.” Carol watched as the detective began to pace back and forth in front of her. She knew there was a complicated history for this family and that she would very likely be turned away. Sadly, she saw that outcome too often.

“No.” Jane shook her head. “No.”

“I understand this is hard and it’s not a decision you can make right away.” Carol pulled a card from her bag and placed it on the table, next to the photo. “You are the only living family that Frank expressed was allowed to take her in.”

Jane stopped pacing and stared at Carol with wide eyes. “We have a whole family he could have chosen from!”

Carol gave a sad smile and stood from her chair, smoothing down her skirt as she did. “This was his wish. His girlfriend has no family. If you are unable to take her in then she will go into foster care. I’ve left you my card, you have three weeks to make a decision.” Jane watched as Carol left the room before she turned and slammed her hand into the wall, her breath catching in her throat. This was his final way of manipulating her, she either took in his child or let her go into foster care.

—

Jane had decided against joining everyone at the Robber, she couldn’t sit there and pretend like everything was fine. Instead she had messaged Maura to meet her at her apartment. The brunette had time to shower and change before Maura arrived, a concerned look upon her face.

“Jane?” the blonde questioned as she hung her jacket up by the door and slipped her shoes off. Jane was already on the couch, her head tilted backwards as she stared up at the ceiling. “What’s wrong?” Maura sat down beside her friend and placed a hand on her arm.

“Pop died.” Jane swallowed down the lump in her throat, she was just realising that fact. Her father was dead. There would never be the chance for him to make amends for what he had put her through growing up.

“Oh, Jane.” Maura gently tugged on Jane’s arm to pull her into a hug. At the warmth of the blonde’s embrace, Jane felt herself break and the tears began to fall. She had spent her whole life wishing for a loving, caring father who was proud of her and she had never let go of that hope, even if it had grown smaller over the years. There was still a part of her that loved Frank and that part would always be there. It was complicated to anyone else. Even though she knew when he left that she would never see him again, to now know that he was dead was upsetting.

“He had a baby.” Jane gave a small sniffle and pulled back from the hug. “He had a baby and he wants me to take guardianship of her.” She let out a humourless laugh and rubbed at her eyes while Maura stared at her in shock. “Out of the whole family his last wish was for me to take her. This is his last way to control me. I either take her in and lose my life or I send her off to foster care and I’m a monster. Fuck!” She dropped her head into her hands and felt Maura lightly rub her back.

Maura was quiet as she let Jane’s words wash over her. She had heard stories from Jane of what her father was like and Maura had seen some of it in action. She couldn’t begin to imagine how the Rizzoli children felt having a father like that but she also understood how that baby would feel when they got older and realised that none of their family wanted them. Maura had grown up with that feeling and she wouldn’t wish it upon anyone.

“It has to be you?” Maura asked quietly.

“That’s what the social worker said was in his will.” Jane lifted her head and turned to look at her friend. “I have three weeks to decide. What the hell do I do, Maur?” Maura gave a small shrug and continued to absently rub the brunette’s back. She couldn’t tell her what to do in this situation. Jane let out a sigh and gestured towards the coffee table where the photos sat that Carol had left. She hadn't looked at it, just shoved it into her pocket with the card. “I guess that’s a photo of her. She’s two months old.”

Maura leaned forward and pulled the photo from the table. It was obvious that this baby was a Rizzoli, she had similar features to Jane, Frankie and Tommy. The Rizzoli genes ran deep it seemed. The blonde felt her heart ache and she couldn’t help but wonder if this situation was similar to hers when she was given up as a baby. Were there any family members that were asked to take her in? Had the Isles felt like they had to take her in and that was why they had been so distant growing up? Maura wasn’t sure what would be better, being taken in by someone because they felt like they had to or being sent off to foster care knowing your family didn’t want you.

“He always wanted me to be a housewife and mother, guess this is his last way of getting me to be one of them at least.” Jane ran her hands over her face and leaned back. “He really hated the fact that I didn’t want a husband, that I didn’t want a man.” She swallowed down another lump in her throat. She could still remember when Frank realised that his daughter was a lesbian. Jane thought she had hidden it so well from him, only Frankie knew, but Frank had clearly been watching his daughter closer than she had realised. It was the first time that Jane had been truly afraid of her father and she still wondered what would have happened had Frankie not been there to intervene. From that moment on Jane made sure to never be alone with her father but she could always feel his anger about her sexuality.

“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, Jane,” Maura’s voice was quiet. She wanted to tell Jane to take the baby because no one deserved to be cast aside by their family but at the same time she understood Jane’s feelings and knew that no one should be pushed into a decision they weren’t comfortable with. She didn’t want Jane to eventually resent the child. “You have time to think this over and make a decision.”

“I should talk to Frankie, Tommy and Ma.”

Maura frowned slightly, as much as she loved the Rizzolis she was afraid that they would push Jane to make a decision based on their feelings rather than her own. Jane would be the one responsible for the child, not them. “This has to be your decision if you are the one taking guardianship of her.” She looked back down at the photo of the baby still clutched in her hand.

Jane let out a sigh and closed her eyes. Maura was right, she would be the one responsible for the child if she took her in but she also knew that there was a strong chance that it would affect her relationship with them whatever decision she made. They could hate her for bringing in their father’s child from after he abandoned them or they could hate her for sending the baby into foster care.

“Family sucks.” Maura couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped her lips and she leaned back on the sofa as well, leaning her head on Jane’s shoulder. Jane reached a hand out and linked her fingers with the blonde’s, needing the comfort. “I don’t know what to do,” she admitted quietly. “Either way I feel like it’s the wrong decision.”

“You’ll figure it out,” Maura reassured her. “You always do and I’ll be right here for you, no matter what you decide, okay?”

Chapter Text

“How did you sleep?” Maura asked the next morning as Jane shuffled tiredly out of her bedroom. They hadn’t talked any more about Frank Rizzoli and the situation that he was able to cause, even after his death. Maura knew that Jane needed more time to process it before she would be ready to talk it through to make a decision. What Maura hadn’t expected was how much the situation would bring to the surface for her and she was scared that she could end up resenting Jane for the choice she made due to her own personal experience. She hadn’t realised before just how much she wished there had been someone fighting for her, someone who wanted her.

“Not great,” Jane yawned out and slid onto a bar stool, resting her head in her head. “I kept dreaming about being chased by babies that then morphed into Pop.” She pulled a face at the memory of her dreams before she gratefully accepted the coffee Maura offered.

“It’s a lot to think about,” Maura agreed and pushed a plate of scrambled eggs and toast towards the brunette. Jane rarely had much food in her kitchen, probably because most of her time was spent at the doctor’s house, but Maura had managed to find eggs and bread. She also found the good coffee that Jane kept in her cupboard for whenever Maura stayed.

“Did you sleep?” Jane frowned as she studied her friend’s face and saw the tiredness etched there.

The blonde paused, she was unable to lie and even if she could, she was sure that Jane would see through it. “Not much,” she admitted and took a sip of her coffee. “Like I said, it’s a lot to think about.” She gave a small shrug and hoped that Jane would let it drop.

Jane studied her friend for a few seconds and could tell that the blonde wasn’t ready to share her thoughts just yet. She reached a hand cross and gave Maura’s hand a gentle squeeze before she turned her attention back to her breakfast. She was only a few bites in before the sound of both of their phones ringing echoed throughout the small apartment and she answered with a groan.

“Rizzoli.”

“Isles.”

—

“This day must be nearly over by now.” Jane rolled her neck, trying to ease some of the tension as she and Maura left the coffee shop that morning. They had spent three hours at the crime scene and had decided to make a coffee stop on their way back to the precinct. The case was a welcoming distraction to keep her thoughts at bay but after a terrible night’s sleep, the morning was wearing her down pretty quickly.

“Sadly not.” Maura smiled up at her friend as they walked back to Jane’s cruiser but before they could reach the car, the brunette’s attention was pulled to her right. “Jane?” Maura frowned before she heard the sound that had caught her friend’s attention. Someone was crying. Jane pushed the coffee cups into Maura’s hands and she quietly made her way towards the alley where the sound was coming from. Her left hand hovered above her gun but she didn’t make an attempt to pull it.

“Hello?” she called and let her eyes sweep back and forth across the alley before her gaze settled on a child curled up beside a dumpster. “Hey,” she spoke softly and slowly approached, crouching down in front of the little boy. “Are you okay?” Maura had followed suit into the alley but hovered a distance behind the detective, not wanting to spook the boy. “Where are your parents?” Jane asked softly and looked around.

“I don’t know,” the boy whispered and hugged his knees closer to his chest.

“I’m a detective, my name is Jane.” She pulled her badge from her belt to show him. “What’s your name?”

“Oliver.”

“Okay, Oliver.” Jane gave him a gentle smile and held a hand out. “Why don’t we go find them?” Oliver hesitated before he launched himself into Jane’s arms as another wave of sobs overcame him. “I’ve got you, you’re safe.” Jane ran one hand up and down his back as she scooped him up with the other. “We’ll find them, okay?” She turned to share a look with Maura before they headed back out onto the street. “Do you remember where you last saw them?” Oliver sniffled and lifted his head from Jane’s shoulder to look around him before he shook his head. “It’s okay,” the brunette reassured him and shifted his weight in her arms slightly. “Right here is my police cruiser. Inside I have a radio so that I can talk to other police officers. I can ask them to look for your parents, okay? Would you like to see?” Jane reached for the door of her car and pulled it open as Oliver looked up in curiosity.

“Where are your lights?” he asked quietly.

“They’re hidden. It’s so I can sneak up on bad guys.” Jane smiled and reached a hand out to wipe away his tears.

“Oliver!” A scream from their right caught their attention and they turned to see a woman running down the street.

“Mummy!” Oliver yelled and squirmed to get out of Jane’s arms to reach his mother who instantly scooped him up and held him close.

“Thank you, thank you so much for finding him.” The woman turned towards Jane as her own tears fell. “He was by my side one minute and the next he was gone.” Jane gave her a gentle smile, glad mother and son were reunited again. “Thank you.” She peppered her son’s face with kisses before they turned to leave.

Jane watched them go and felt a hand on her back as Maura came to stand next to her. The brunette let out a breath she hadn’t realised she was holding before they turned back towards her cruiser and climbed in, her thoughts floating to a memory she thought she had forgotten.

---

Three year old Jane sat in the sand pit in the park digging a hole. She had tried to build a sandcastle but the bucket had been too heavy for her to turn over by herself and her father was sitting on a bench with one year old Frankie who had been crying for the past ten minutes. Instead she had turned her attention to digging a hole to see how deep she could go but after a few minutes she had gotten bored of that and wanted a snack. Jane stood from the sand and turned to where Frank had been sitting but the bench was now empty.

“Pop,” Jane whispered and turned her head to look around the park but she couldn’t see her father or her brother anywhere. “Pop,” she said again and began to walk towards the bench but it was still empty. She turned her head back and forth as she looked but she couldn’t see him anywhere. Fear began to build up inside of her, she was lost, what if she was never found again. Jane began walking, looking everywhere for Frank as her little body began to tremble, tears welling in her eyes making it hard to see. “Pop!” she cried out as she began to run around the path. “Pop,” she sobbed and sat down in front of a tree as she realised she would never see her family again. That was when she wet herself in fear and she cried even harder. She was a big girl. She wasn’t supposed to have accidents. Her breathing became so heavy that she started hiccuping.

“Jane!” A voice called from the side and she turned her head to see Frank pushing Frankie in his buggy towards her. “What are you doing?” he demanded as she stood and ran towards him. “Have you wet yourself? What have I told you about that? You’re not a baby.” He held a hand out so that she couldn’t wrap herself around his leg like she was about to do.

“I couldn’t find you,” Jane cried and reached her hands up in hopes of a hug but the look in Frank’s eyes told her she wouldn’t find any comfort in him so she dropped her arms again.

“I’ve told you to pay more attention. Come on, we’re going home. You can change yourself.” Frank roughly grabbed her hand and steered them, towards the exit of the park, Jane’s heart shattering in the process.

--

“Dinner tonight?” Maura asked as she and Jane waited for the elevators to take them to the floors they needed back at BPD.

“Huh?” Jane blinked her thoughts away and turned towards the blonde. “Oh, dinner, yeah sure.” Maura frowned and placed a hand on the brunette’s arm in concern. “Do you think he was a better dad to her?” Jane suddenly asked and Maura’s face softened at the question.

“I don’t know,” she answered honestly. “I hope for her sake that he was.”

Jane gave a small nod, she wasn’t sure what she wanted the answer to be. No one deserved to grow up with a father like Frank but at the same time if he was a better father to the baby then what had been so wrong with Jane and her brothers for him not to change for them? If he was still the same father then it meant that the fault lay with him right? But if he was a better father then it had to be Jane, Frankie and Tommy that was at fault.

“Yeah, I guess the world doesn’t need anyone else that was fucked up by Frank Rizzoli.” Jane turned towards the elevator as the doors opened, ready to take her up to her floor. “I’ll see you later.” Maura let out a sigh as she watched her friend go before she stepped onto the elevator ready to take her down to the basement. Anger bubbled up inside of her as she realised the extent of the hurt that Frank had caused in his children.

“Hey Dr. Isles,” Susie greeted as Maura walked into the lab. “I ran the tests you requested, the results should be back soon.”

“Thank you, Susie.” Maura gave her a small smile before she made her way into her office and sat down at her laptop. The urge to track down her biological parents had once again surfaced but this time she was looking at the situation in a completely new light. She called up the website for the adoption agency that she had been told dealt with her adoption and clicked on the email button but then hesitated. The agency had been a dead end before and she was sure the answer would still be the same. Over the years she had imagined so many different scenarios for her adoption but she had never considered that maybe it had been more than just her birth parents that had rejected her. Was there a family member out there that had been given the option to take her in and they had refused? Were her birth parents horrible people who had treated their family badly enough that they refused to take in an innocent baby because of it?

Maura let out a sigh and closed the website again. She wasn’t sure she could handle trying to find them just yet. Her emotions were too raw with Jane’s situation. Jane needed her. Maura couldn’t be distracted with her own problems when Jane’s were time sensitive. Finding her birth parents would always be there, Jane only had weeks to make a decision about her sister.

—

Jane walked into Maura’s house that night, threw her keys into the bowl and placed her gun in the safe that Maura had installed just for her before she joined the blonde in the kitchen and smiled at the smell. “Chicken parm, my favourite.” Jane pulled open the fridge and pulled a beer out before she opened a cupboard and pulled a wine glass out for Maura. At the wine rack she let her eyes glance over each bottle before she pulled one out and held it up to the doctor who gave a nod. Once they both had a drink Jane walked into the living room and flopped down onto the sofa while Maura put the food into the oven and set a timer before joining her friend on the sofa.

“How are you feeling?” Maura let her hand run up and down Jane’s arm as she studied her, trying to give as much comfort as possible.

Jane let out a breath and took a swig of her beer as she thought about how to describe how she felt. “Confused,” she settled on. “I’m not sure how I’m supposed to make a decision like this. This is big, Maur, it’s life changing and I have to make it.” A silence settled over both women as they began to get lost in their thoughts and it wasn’t until the timer dinger to signal dinner being ready that either one spoke again.

“I need to tell my family,” Jane sighed as they sat down at the table. “They need to know that Pop is dead.” Her shoulders slumped as she scooped up her first forkful of food.

“I can be there with you when you tell them.” Maura reached across the table and took hold of Jane’s wrist and gave a gentle squeeze.

“Thanks.” Jane gave the blonde a grateful smile before she turned attention back to her food, the exhaustion washing over her. “God, I wish this situation was different. How the hell do I tell them?” She looked at the blonde, hoping for an answer, but she received a small smile and a shake of a head.

“I’m not sure there is any right way to tell them.”

Jane let out another heavy sigh and shifted her hand so that she could link her fingers together with Maura’s, needing to feel grounded. Maura was the only person who could do that for Jane. The only person who could settle her.

Chapter Text

“Hey, girls,” Angela called as she entered the house through the side door and smiled warmly at Jane and Maura. Maura returned the smile but Jane’s was more like a grimace. Jane had been full of nervousness all morning at telling her family about Frank’s death and then about his baby daughter. She couldn’t quite pinpoint exactly how each family member would react to the news but what she knew for sure was that each person would have a strong opinion on the subject. Maura had been the only person she had confided in since Carol Sumner’s visit three days ago and Jane was still just as confused as before.

“What time are Frankie and Tommy getting here?” Angela placed her hands on the kitchen island and looked between the two of them, a frown fluttering across her face at Jane’s expression.

Maura glanced down at her watch before she answered. “Any minute now.”

“What’s going on?” Angela demanded of her daughter, already knowing that whatever it was wasn’t good.

Jane let out a sigh and avoided her mother’s eye, she didn’t have the energy to avoid the question. She hadn’t slept properly since Susan’s visit, her dreams full of memories she wished she could forget. “Can we just wait for Frankie and Tommy?”

Angela pursed her lips together, ready to push her daughter for an answer when she caught sight of Maura’s small shake of head. Instead the elder Rizzoli dropped her hands from the island and walked over to the cupboard to take a mug out for some coffee. Luckily Frankie and Tommy arrived five minutes later and joined everyone in the kitchen.

“Geez, what’s got you three so down?” Tommy teased the three women and elbowed his brother who grinned back.

Jane took a deep breath and looked towards Maura for strength before she began. “I have some news.” She looked between her mother and brothers, bracing for their reactions. “Pop died. He was in a car crash.” She watched as a wave of emotions floated over the other three Rizzoli’s faces.

“When?” Tommy asked quietly.

“I’m not sure exactly,” Jane admitted and ran her hands up and down her thighs. “I had a visit from a social worker three days ago.”

“A social worker?” Frankie frowned and began to tap his fingers against the top of the island. “Why was a social worker involved in his death?”

Maura moved so that she was standing next to Jane and placed a reassuring hand on the brunette’s back. She knew how much the detective was dreading this moment. It would go one or two ways and would likely have a massive impact on the decision that Jane eventually made.

“He has a baby,” Jane’s voice was soft as she spoke. “A two month old daughter.” She imagined that she had looked exactly the same way at Susan as her mother and brothers were looking at her. Angela lifted a hand to her mouth as a tear silently rolled down her cheek.

“He what?” Frankie demanded as anger was the first emotion to rise in him. “He left us and started a new family?” He pushed back from the island and began to pace.

“I don’t know the details, Frankie.” Jane watched him for a few moments before she turned to look at Tommy who looked close to tears but was very silent. He had always been the closest to Frank, probably because he was the youngest and was more like Frank than Jane and Frankie. Tommy had lived a slightly different childhood than his brother and sister and Jane wasn’t sure if that was because Frank didn’t have as much energy to be nasty to Tommy or if it was because Jane would inject herself into situations to ensure that Tommy wasn’t on the receiving end of Frank’s words.

“What…what’s going to happen to the baby?” Tommy asked quietly which made Jane close her eyes briefly, preparing herself for her next words.

“He stated in his will that he wants me to take guardianship of her.” Jane opened her eyes again to look at her family. “It’s me or foster care.” A deafening silence settled over the five of them for a few minutes before Frankie couldn’t take it anymore.

“Of course he did!” Frankie threw his hands up in the air. “We weren’t good enough when he was alive but now you’re good enough to look after his child he went and had after abandoning us.” He ran a hair through his hair as everything began to bubble to the surface, the years of harsh words and controlling situations to Frank’s preference. “This is his last way of controlling us, of controlling you, Janie.” He spun around to face his sister, the memory of Frank discovering Jane’s girlfriend rearing its head.

--

Jane smiled to herself as she read the latest message from her girlfriend, Maria, and typed out a reply. They had only been dating for a month but things were going good between them. Maria was very supportive of being Jane’s first girlfriend and had put no pressure on her. Jane placed her phone down on the side and walked into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water, a smile still on her face. As she closed the fridge door and turned back towards the living room her face dropped at the sight of Frank holding her phone, reading her messages. She had left her messages from Maria open and there was no way she’d be able to talk herself out of this situation, not with what they had sent to each other.

“What is this?” Frank asked quietly and held up Jane’s phone.

“Pop…” Jane started but had no idea what to say.

“So, when I told you that you were supposed to find a husband and settle down you heard go and commit a sin against the church?” He dropped his hand and began to walk towards the kitchen. “You never listen, do you? This is why you don’t have a husband yet.”

“Pop, please.” Jane held a hand up as her mind raced for words but came up with nothing. She could feel her heart beating in her ears and her throat had dried up.

“You are an abomination to this family!” he spat out and pointed a finger in her direction. “You think you are better than all of us by joining that academy and convincing Frankie to do the same.” Jane could feel her breath coming quicker with every step that Frank took. He had never once raised his hand to any of them, his choice of weapon had always been his words, but now Jane was convinced that this was the end of the line for her.

“Hey,” Frankie called out as he appeared in the doorway and took in the sight before him before he quickly put himself in front of Jane. “Pop.” He held his hands up, hoping he could calm him, just like Jane had always done for him.

“Don’t protect her, Frankie, do you know what she is?” He waved Jane’s phone at his son and Frankie’s heart dropped as he realised what Frank was referring to.

“Pop, wait.”

Frank lifted his arm and threw Jane’s phone at the wall, watching as it smashed and fell to the floor. Jane flinched and could feel it getting harder to breathe. Frankie took the moment of distraction to usher his sister out of the door and away from their father. It wasn’t until they had put distance between them and the house did Jane break down in her brother’s arms.

--

“I know, Frankie, I know.” Jane’s voice was quiet as she looked at her brother. “We probably would have never even known about her if Pop hadn’t died but now we do and I have a decision to make.”

“You’re considering taking her in?” Frankie stared at his sister in shock.

“She is our sister, Frankie,” Tommy protested as he turned to face his brother. “She’s Pop’s daughter, our sister. Aren’t family supposed to take each other in?” Jane blinked at Tommy’s response, she hadn’t expected that from him. She had expected him to be angry that Frank had replaced them with another baby, that he was no longer the baby.

“She’s not family,” Frankie retorted. “Pop made it clear that we were no longer his family.”

“But we are family! He’s still our dad whether we like it or not.” Tommy turned his attention back to Jane. “If you don’t take her in, will she go into foster care?”

“I think so. The social worker said that Pop stated that I am the only living relative who is allowed to take guardianship of her. I don’t know how well that holds up or if it is ironclad that if I say no she has to go into the system.” Jane gave a small shrug and felt Maura drawing small circles on her back in an attempt to soothe her and she was grateful that the blonde was there for her. “I have three weeks to make the decision.”

“I could take her in,” Tommy blurted.

“You can’t.” Jane gave him a soft smile. “You have a record and you don’t have your own place.”

“Oh.” Tommy’s face fell as he realised the truth in Jane’s words. “Why you, Janie?”

The brunette let out a sigh, that was a question she had been asking herself a lot the past three days. She wasn’t mother material. She had no idea how to be a good parent. Some days she could barely look after herself, why had Frank chosen her to take guardianship?

“Because he wanted her to find a husband and have kids and this was his last way of making her do that.” Frankie shook his head and looked down at his shoes as he felt the tears sting his eyes. “I want nothing to do with this and I don’t think either of you two should either.” He turned on his heel and left the house before anyone could protest.

“Ma?” Jane asked softly as she realised her mother hadn’t uttered a single word. “What do you think?”

“I think this is your decision to make, Janie,” Angela’s voice was quiet. “I can’t make this decision for you. I should go make sure Frankie is okay.” As Angela turned and left the house as well, Jane and Tommy watched on in shock. Angela Rizzoli was never one to not voice her opinion on something, especially when it involved her children.

“What are you going to do?” Tommy asked and rubbed at the back of his neck.

“I honestly don’t know,” Jane admitted. “It’s a big decision to make, taking on the responsibility of a child. There’s a lot to think about.”

Tommy gave a nod, lost in his own thoughts. “I’m going to go, sis. I’ll, uh, see you soon.” He gave them a small wave before he left the house as well and Jane let her head drop against Maura’s side and she squeezed her eyes shut as she felt Maura wrap her arms around her. That was better than she had expected, she had expected yelling and arguing but none of that had happened. She hadn’t expected Frankie to be the one so angry or Tommy to offer to take the baby in or Angela to be as quiet as she was. Jane would have to check in on each of them separately, they were obviously dealing with it all in their own way.

Jane let out a sigh and wrapped her arms around Maura’s waist, her head resting against her chest. “Thank you for being here, Maur.”

“That’s what best friends are for.”

“You go above and beyond.” Jane smiled gratefully. “I’m sorry about my crazy family.”

“Show me a family that isn’t crazy.” Maura’s words earned a small laugh from the brunette.

Chapter Text

Jane slipped into the elevator at BPD after her brother, she had been trying to catch him all day but he had clearly been avoiding her. Even now he was avoiding her gaze.

“Frankie,” she spoke softly. “Talk to me.”

Frankie let out a sigh and turned his attention to Jane. “All our lives he told us that we weren’t good enough, that we were useless, he tried to control everything we did, how we lived our lives. I thought when he left we were finally free of him. We could be ourselves you know? Now he’s dead he’s still trying to control you. He left us and started another family but instead of letting us live our lives, he wants to control yours by leaving you as the only person who can take in his baby.” He shook his head to clear it of his emotions. “We put him behind us, I just don’t think you should bring him back into our lives okay?”

Jane let Frankie’s words sink in and she knew that there was a lot of truth to those words but she also knew this situation was so much bigger than that, so much more complicated. The elevator dinged and the doors opened to the lobby where Frankie quickly made his exit. After a moment’s hesitation Jane ran after him and fell into step as he left the precinct and walked down the street.

“Frankie, she goes into foster care if I say no. Does she deserve that just because of who her father is?”

“Can you take her in though?” Frankie stopped walking and turned to face his sister. “Can you raise Pop’s baby? What will you tell her when she’s older and asks about him? You won’t ever be able to get away from your memories of him and his words and I know how hard you’ve fought to do that. How hard it has been for you to become who you are.” His gaze softened and he reached a hand out to place on Jane’s shoulder. “I don’t want you to lose who you’ve become, Janie. I don’t want him to destroy you again.” He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze before he turned and walked away again.

—

“Hey, Angela.” Maura smiled as she walked into her house and greeted Angela who was in the kitchen.

“Hey.” Angela gave a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Maura placed her purse down on the table behind the sofa and placed her hands on the back of one of the chairs at the kitchen island. “Would you like to talk?” she asked softly.

Angela let out a sigh and placed the spoon down that she was holding. “Has Jane made a decision yet?”

“Not yet.” Maura shook her head and slid onto the chair, resting her arms on the island.

The older woman gave a small nod and glanced down at her hands before back up at the doctor. “I never realised just how much of an impact Frank was having on their lives until it was too late. By that point they were grown and he had so much control over me leaving wasn’t easy. When he left and moved to Florida I thought we were all finally free and we could move on but it turns out he will always have his hold on us, no matter what we do.” She gave a small sniff as she felt the tears start and picked up the spoon again.

“Only if you continue to let him have a hold of you.”

Angela gave a small smile at the words. “If Jane decides to take guardianship, he’ll always have a hold over her. She’ll be raising his child.”

Maura sat back in the chair. How damaging would it be for Jane to raise her father’s child? The man who had belittled her, her whole life? Who thought so little of her to move away and start a new family without a single word? Would it traumatise both Jane and the child? Could that be the reason that Maura was given up? Had her own parents kept her, would they have passed on their own trauma to her? She gave a small shake of her head, she had to stop thinking about it. They were two completely different situations and one did not make the other.

“I’m going to go shower.” Maura slid off the chair and made her way to the stairs.

The hot spray of the water wasn’t enough to push her thoughts from her head and so once she was dressed, Maura found herself pulling a small box from the top shelf of her closet. She hardly ever looked at this box anymore. Gently, she placed it down on the bed and pulled the lid off. Inside was the blanket that Constance had told her came from her birth parents. It was the blanket that Maura was given up in. How true this was, Maura had no idea but she couldn’t bear to part with it in case it was the only thing her birth parents had given her. Underneath was also her adoption papers, but the only names on there were Constance and Arthur’s. Maura had found these papers once when she was younger and she had swiped them from the drawer she found them in, hoping that they might get her closer to finding her birth parents. It had just turned out to be another dead end. The only other thing in the box was her stuffed rabbit that she had had since she could remember. She wasn’t sure who had given it to her but it had provided a lot of comfort in her childhood and so rather than throw it out, it had been placed into the box as well. There may only have been three items in the box, but it was enough to stir up many memories inside of her and Maura squeezed her eyes shut against them. 

She had felt alone for the majority of her life, like she didn’t fit in anywhere. No one seemed to care if she was there or not. That was until Jane Rizzoli had entered her life. In a very short space of time Jane had managed to tilt Maura’s whole life on its axis. Suddenly there was someone there nearly all the time, asking her questions, listening to her. Maura had found it very annoying and inconvenient in the beginning. Jane would appear in the morgue and talk non-stop throughout an autopsy. It would start out as questions about the body and then the questions would turn to Maura or Jane would be telling her something about her own life. Maura never knew how to respond and she was sure that Jane would stop after she snapped at her a few times. Instead Jane had simply blinked at her a few times and tilted her head before continuing on again. Nothing was going to deter Jane Rizzoli and then suddenly Maura found herself looking forward to those visits from the loud detective. Then Jane had invited her out for a drink after work one night and the friendship had blossomed from there. Maura finally had a best friend and she was no longer alone.

Now however, all those old feelings were coming back to her and she was that lonely, scared little girl again, afraid she was about to be abandoned again.

—

Jane paced back and forth in her living room as her family’s words swirled through her head. Tommy was right, this baby was their sister, their family but Frankie was right that they would never be free of Frank if that baby entered their lives. They had worked so hard to be rid of him the past two years. Jane finally felt like she could be her true self without the judgement.

“Fuck you, Pop.” She threw her hands up in the air as she paced. He was probably laughing at her now, knowing just how much turmoil he was causing within her. Jane stomped towards her punching bag and threw a punch, feeling a little bit of tension drain. She paced another circle and returned for another punch. She did this a few more times before the photo on her coffee table caught her eye. The photo had been sitting there for the past four days, she still hadn’t been able to look at it.

Jane let out a sigh and flopped back onto her sofa before she leaned forward onto her knees and kept her gaze trained on the space of the table, just next to the photo. She ran her hands over her face and through her hair. She needed to make a decision soon, it was slowly killing her inside. This was probably what Frank wanted. He wanted to cause one more bit of pain for her. He still couldn’t let go of the control over them.

Jane grabbed her phone and the card that Susan had left her before punching in the numbers. She needed to get out of her father’s hold and she couldn’t do that with his baby in her life. She had to break free.

Chapter Text

Maura had just finished typing up a report when she looked up and saw Jane hovering in the door, wringing her hands in front of her. Maura wasn’t sure she had ever seen the detective this nervous before. Jane walked into the office and closed the door behind her.

“Can we talk?”

“Of course, Jane.” Maura stood from her desk and made her way to the sofa where both women sat down. Jane’s knee began to bounce up and down and Maura gently laid a hand on it to still the brunette.

“Sorry.” Jane ran a hand through her hair and turned to face her friend. “I made a decision last night. About the guardianship. I talked to Frankie yesterday and I realised that if I take her in I will never be able to escape Pop. I will always remember his words to me, everything he ever said about me, the words I’ve fought so hard against to become me. I can’t live the rest of my life trying to fight those words again. I want to be free to be me.” She let out a tired sigh and glanced down at her hands and Maura could feel her heart dropping at the words. She knew exactly how this little girl was going to grow up. She would always feel like it was her fault, that she was never enough, that there was something wrong, that she was the problem. Those feelings would fester over the years and it would influence every relationship she ever had. Maura knew that, it had done the same to her, that was why she had been alone her whole life. But this little girl would also grow up knowing that none of her family wanted her, no one.

“I called Susan,” Jane continued, unaware of her friend’s inner struggle. “I called to tell her that I can’t take guardianship.” The brunette closed her eyes as she remembered the conversation that she’d had with the social worker the previous night. “Then I saw her photo,” she whispered and turned to face Maura. “I looked at this innocent little baby who had just lost everything, everyone she had ever known.” Jane took a deep breath to steady herself. “I’m meeting her on Saturday.”

“What?” Maura whispered, unsure she had heard correctly.

“I’m going to meet my baby sister on Saturday. I’m going to talk to Susan about what it would look like with me taking guardianship.”

“Are you sure?”

“No.” Jane let out a small laugh and reached into her pocket to pull out the photo. “I have no idea what I’m doing here, if I can even do it, but this little girl doesn’t deserve to have her life ruined by Pop as well. If one of his kids can get through life without him leaving his mark then I'd say that’s a win.” The brunette ran her thumb over the photo before she held it out for Maura. “Her name is Jessica.”

“Jessica.” Maura took hold of the photo and studied it again. 

“I do have one small favour to ask,” Jane admitted sheepishly. “Will you be there with me Saturday? I’m not sure I can do it alone.”

“Of course I will.” Maura smiled and reached a hand out for Jane’s who let out a relieved sigh. Of course Maura would do anything to support Jane, no matter what, she was her best friend.

“I’m not telling my family yet. I can’t deal with their reactions as well. I just need it to be about me and Jessica.” Jane ran her thumb back and forth over Maura’s knuckle. “I need to know I can do this first before I tell them.”

“I understand, Jane.” Maura handed the photo back and Jane slipped it back into her pocket. “Just so you know, I know you can do this.”

“Yeah?” Jane looked at her in hope. “You think so?”

“Jane, if there was anyone I would leave my children to, it would be you.” Maura gave her an affectionate shove with her shoulder and earned herself a chuckle from the brunette. “You’re more capable than you realise you are.”

“I just don’t want to screw her up like Pop did with us.” The detective let out a sigh and leaned back, their linked hands causing Maura to lean back against the sofa as well.

“You won’t. You know exactly what not to do to raise a child.”

“I guess.” Jane looked down at their hands before she tilted her head to look at Maura. “I don’t deserve you. You just always make things better.” Before the blonde was able to respond, the ringing of Jane’s phone rang out through the office. “I should get back to work.”

“I’ll see you later.” Maura watched Jane stand from the sofa and answer her phone as she headed back towards the elevators. A small warmth had settled in the doctor’s chest and she couldn’t help but smile. Maybe, just maybe, Jessica’s story would turn out differently to Maura’s.

—

“Jane, calm down,” Maura warned as she watched the brunette pace back and forth in the living room. Susan would arrive at any minute with Jessica. Jane and Maura had spent the morning tidying her small apartment and making it look presentable. While having something to do, Jane had been able to keep her nerves at bay but now that they were waiting, she was overcome with them. Maura walked over to her friend and placed her hands on her shoulders, stopping the pacing. “This is just a meeting, remember? There is no pressure. You’re going to wear a hole in the floor if you don’t stop. Now sit.” Gently she pushed the burnetter towards the sofa and watched as Jane sat down. Maura perched herself on the coffee table so that their knees were touching. “Take a breath.” Jane rolled her eyes but did as she was told and did feel a little better after her deep breath. “See.” Maura grinned and let out a laugh as Jane swatted her knee. A knock at the door pulled them both back into the moment and they stood from where they sat. Jane made her way to the door and opened it to reveal Susan and another lady stood there, holding a car seat.

“Come in.” Jane stepped back so that they could enter before she shut the door behind them. “This is Dr. Maura Isles, I hope you don’t mind that she’s here.” 

“Hello, I’m Susan Sumner and this is my colleague Lisa Turner.” Susan smiled and shook hands with Maura and glanced between the two women, trying to figure out exactly who Maura Isles was. “So, Jane, I imagine you’d like to meet Jessica.” Susan placed the car seat down and bent so that she could unstrap the sleeping baby inside. Jane instantly reached for Maura’s hand as she realised that she was about to meet her little sister for the first time, the life that she could be responsible for the next eighteen years. “Here she is.” Susan turned to Jane and gently placed the small bundle into the brunette’s arms. Jessica squirmed as she was disturbed from her sleep and let out a small cry as she opened her eyes to see Jane staring down at her.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Jane cooed and began to bounce the baby, “I didn’t mean to wake you.” Susan took a step back so she could watch the two sisters together. “Hey, I’m your sister, Jane. It's nice to meet you, Jessica.” 

Maura placed a hand on Jane’s back as she peered down at the baby, unable to hold back, before she glanced up at her friend and was surprised to see the expression the brunette wore. Jane never came across as the maternal type but in that moment it looked like the one thing she was meant to be. Maura dropped her gaze and realised that Jessica had slowed her crying and was looking up at Jane in curiosity. 

“Hey.” Jane smiled softly as Jessica let out a yawn, her cries subsiding. “Still tired, huh? Who doesn’t love a good nap during the day.” Jessica scrunched up her face as she stretched her arms out and gave a little squeak.

“She’s definitely a Rizzoli, you do exactly the same thing first thing in the morning,” Maura mused softly.

“I do not,” Jane scoffed as she turned to look at Maura but couldn’t quite wipe the smile off her face before she turned to look back down at Jessica. “So long as you only get the good traits from us Rizzolis.” Her voice dropped as she spoke to the baby in her arms.

“So, Jane, I imagine you have a lot of questions.” Susan took the moment to interrupt. “Let’s talk about what guardianship would look like.” The four women settled down on the sofa and chairs before Susan pulled some paperwork out of her bag. “To start with you would have emergency guardianship over Jessica which will then lead to permanent guardianship so long as there are no problems and we are happy with how Jessica is thriving in your care.” Susan reached down and pulled out a pen from her bag. “I assume this is your apartment and where you’ll be living?” 

“Yes, it is.” Jane nodded and felt Jessica grab hold of her top, her gaze dropped back to the little girl and she couldn’t help but smile again.

“It would be great if we could have a quick look around before we go today, just so that we know it’s suitable for a child.”

“This is pretty much it, the bedroom and bathroom.” Jane gave a small shrug.

“Oh.” Susan’s face fell slightly and she exchanged a look with Lisa. “We do insist that the property has at least two bedrooms so that the child has their own space.” Jane’s smile finally dropped and she turned to look at Maura in helplessness. She had never needed a second bedroom before. She’d have to find a new place to live if Jessica came to live with her.

“You can move in with me,” Maura announced. “The house is big enough.” She gave a small shrug before she turned towards Susan. “I live on Beacon Hill, I have four bedrooms and three bathrooms. There’s plenty of space.”

Susan pursed her lips together as she considered how to answer. “Usually when we place a child it’s only with the people who will be raising them, they need consistency and not just someone who is staying for a while.”

“Jane already spends most of her time at my house anyway, she almost practically lives there already.”

“Maura’s here for life, she’s going to be involved in Jessica’s life no matter where we live.” Jane turned to look at Susan, she couldn’t have failed at the first hurdle already. “If I need more space for Jessica then we’ll move in with Maura.”

Susan and Lisa shared another look before Susan noted something down in her pad before she looked back up at them again. “We’ll need to see your house at some point then.”

“Of course.” Maura nodded and let out the breath that she had been holding before she realised exactly what she had done. She had agreed for Jane and Jessicsa to move in with her if Jane took guardianship. Before if she had ever envisioned living with anyone else her body had been overcome with panic at having to share her space. However, that panic didn’t come when she thought about sharing it with Jane. Maybe it was because Jane was already there, and had already claimed half the house as her own.

“You’ll need to take some time off work to begin with to help Jessica settle in and then we’ll need details of what child care you decide to go with for when you go back to work.” Susan glanced down at her paperwork and Jane leaned back on the sofa slightly, already starting to feel overwhelmed with everything. “I have a few forms that I will need both of you to fill out so that we can ensure we are placing Jessica in a safe environment.” Susan looked between Jane and Maura, this meeting was usually the make or break of placing a child. It overwhelmed a lot of people and she hadn’t quite figured out if it would overwhelm Jane yet. Susan had no history of the Rizzoli family but she could sense that they weren’t a happy family and then Jane had suddenly thrown Maura into the mix. A partner was always mentioned at the beginning but Jane hadn’t mentioned anything however Maura was there and offered her house up. Susan always preferred to place children with family but she knew that wasn’t always possible, that it wasn’t in the best interest of the child and she couldn’t quite figure out the dynamic in front of her. Were these the best people to raise Jessica or would a fresh start be best for the baby?

Jane and Maura shared a look as the reality of the situation really crashed down on the both of them. This was going to be more than just taking guardianship of Jessica, they had to prove that they could do this. There was no room for them to mess any of it up. They had to be perfect. The brunette looked back down at the baby in her arms and wondered if she had made the right decision, could she be what Jessica needed her to be? Would she just turn into Frank?

Maura accepted the forms that Susan gave her and she began to read through the information that was needed. Social services were being very thorough. “Do you need these filled out now?” The blonde asked and looked back up.

“If you could, that would speed the process up.” Susan gave her a soft smile. “Jane, do you have any questions so far?”

“Uh.” Jane swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat, her emotions felt like they were on a rollercoaster ride. “I guess my main question would be how soon she would be placed with me?”

“As soon as possible. We’d rather that no one is waiting too long, it’s best for everyone, but we also need to ensure Jessica’s safety.”

Jane gave a nod at the answer. “What if…what if you decide that she can’t be in my care or I change my mind?”

Susan tried not to let her smile drop, she was still realistic in her job even if it was hard when children couldn’t be placed with family. “Then we find her a foster family for the time being until she is adopted.” Maura paused her writing and looked up at Susan before glancing at Jane. There was still the possibility that Jane would decide against this, that Jessica would go into foster care.

“What’s the likelihood that she would be adopted?” Jane asked.

Susan tilted her head in thought. “Being so young gives her an advantage but there is no guarantee.” Jane gave another nod before she looked down at her sister and couldn’t help but think about what her life would look like being adopted. Maura was adopted, she had no contact with her birth family, she didn’t even know who they were. Would it be the same for Jessica? Would she never know the Rizzolis? Would that be a bad thing? Would it be better for her to grow up with a clean slate, without any of the issues Frank had caused everyone?

“Jane, do you want me to fill yours in?” Maura asked quietly and held up the forms, pulling her friend from her spiral of thoughts. 

Jane looked up blankly for a few seconds. “Uh, I’ll do it. Do you want to take her?” Gently, Jessica was passed from Jane’s arms to Maura with only a small protest before she settled down again. Maura smiled softly down at the little girl and placed her finger in an open palm, which Jessica gripped hold of tightly. Jane watched the two of them and smiled at the sight, Maura was a natural with babies.

The next hour passed by in what felt like no time at all, Susan giving them as much details as possible about what the journey into guardianship would look like and answering any questions that they could think of. An appointment was made for Susan to look at Maura’s house and she left them with a list of things they would need to purchase for Jessica if they decided to go through with it. Jane still hadn’t made a final decision about what to do but Susan had told her she didn’t have much time left. Jessica needed a home.

Jane plopped back onto her sofa once they had left and stared at the ceiling in silence. The visit had been overwhelming. Quietly, Maura sat down next to her friend and let the silence settle over them.

“That was…a lot,” Jane finally said and turned her head to look at the blonde. “They could decide we’re not a good fit.”

“What do you want to do, Jane?” Maura’s voice was soft as she asked the question. “You have to be able to give Jessica what she needs, you have to fully commit to her if you decide to take guardianship. She needs to grow up knowing that she is loved and wanted.” She swallowed and realised just how badly that was what she wanted growing up. Her life could have been so different had she just felt loved and wanted by her parents. Jane let her head drop back against the sofa as she thought about that question. “I know you said you’d feel like a monster if you said no and sent her into foster care, but I think it would be just as bad for her to grow up knowing that you didn’t truly want her and resented her later on.” Maura hadn’t meant to be so harsh with her words but she had so many feelings coming to the surface now that it was hard to sugarcoat anything.

Jane turned her head to study Maura, a frown on her face. “That’s how you felt, isn’t it?” she asked quietly. “Your parents made you feel like you weren’t wanted?” The blonde glanced down at her hands as she realised just how close to tears she was. “Hey.” Jane reached out, placing a finger under Maura’s chin to tilt her head up. “I know me and my family will never make up for your parents, but we want you okay? You’re a part of our family now. Your parents should never have made you feel like that, no one deserves that, but you are wanted, Maur, very wanted, okay?” Maura gave a watery smile and wiped away the few tears that had escaped before Jane pulled her into a hug. It was nice to know that there was someone that wanted her.

“Thank you,” Maura whispered as they pulled back from the hug.

“You know those forms we just filled in?” Jane waited for acknowledgement before she continued. “Well, you do know you filled in the partner section, right?”

“What?” Maura frowned, trying to remember what was written at the top of the form that Susan had handed her.

“You filled in the section of my partner so that we would both take joint guardianship of Jessica.”

Maura gasped and held a hand up to her mouth. “Jane, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to. Why didn’t you say something?”

Jane gave a small shrug and glanced down at her hands. “It didn’t seem as scary to think that I wouldn’t be alone doing this if I decide to. I can call Susan and get her to change it.”

“Oh.” Maura reached a hand out and took hold of one of Jane’s in her own. “Are you asking me to take guardianship with you?”

Jane let out a sigh and ran her free hand through her hair. “I still have no idea what to do.” She shook her head in frustration. “I mean, if she goes into foster care and then possibly gets adopted do you think that I could still be in her life?” Maura frowned as she considered the option. “I mean, if I’m not capable of giving her the home that she needs?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure, Jane. The only adoption story I know is my own and I barely know any of that. However, I do imagine that she would eventually ask you why you never took her in when you had the chance.”

“Yeah.” Jane slid herself down on the sofa a little bit so she could rest her head back. She had been hoping that meeting Jessica and Susan talking her through the process would help clear her head but it had only made it cloudier. It had also created more doubts that she wouldn’t be able to do it, that she couldn’t be what Jessica would need her to be. She felt further from an answer than she did before. “I need to go for a run.” She suddenly launched herself up and off the sofa. “I need to clear my head, you coming?” Jane was already on her way to her bedroom when she asked the question, already sure that Maura would follow and she did.

Chapter Text

Monday, both Jane and Maura had managed to finish work early in order for Susan to inspect Maura’s house and this time it was Maura’s time to be nervous. Luckily, Angela was still working when Susan arrived so they could avoid any unwanted questions there. Jane hadn’t managed to talk to her mother about the situation, any time she had tried Angela had made up an excuse to leave. The brunette wasn’t sure how she felt about that but there was only so much she could deal with at a time.

“Come in,” Maura greeted Susan at the door and led her into the living room.

“Hello, Jane, Maura,” Susan greeted them, a clipboard clasped against her chest and a warm smile on her face. “Thank you for showing me around today, this will really help move the case along if you decide on guardianship.”

“How…how is Jessica?” Jane hesitated to ask, the little girl had been on her mind since Saturday.

“She’s okay, just waiting for a home.”

Jane gave a small nod before Maura began the tour of the bottom floor of the house. Susan wrote things down on her clipboard as they went and Jane could feel her own nerves starting to build now. She felt like they were jumping through hoops before they were even able to decide if they would take Jessica.

“So, there is this room as an option for a nursery.” Maura pushed open the door to one of the bedrooms in the house and stood back so Susan could walk in first. Susan looked around with a smile and small nod before she turned to her clipboard, showing all signs that she was happy with the room. 

“You said option? Are you thinking about another room as well?”

“Oh yes.” Maura turned and led them down the hall. “There is also this room. It would probably depend on how we decorate the room that will decide which room we go with." Jane couldn’t help the eye roll at the blonde’s words, of course Maura had thought about things like that. Jane would have just picked a room and gone with it.

“It would also be worth considering how close the nursery is to the main bedroom,” Susan suggested and looked between the two of them. “Jessica is still young right now so she should be in the same room as you overnight but as she gets older and you transition her, you’ll want a room that is close so you don’t spend too long wandering up and down the hall at night.”

“Of course.” Maura gave a small nod and turned to see Jane’s frown, neither one of them had considered that. Neither one of them had considered their sleeping arrangements, only which room would potentially be the nursery. They usually shared a bed when Jane slept over so it wouldn’t be something new to them but this would be more than just a friendly sleepover. “This room is closer, the main bedroom is just next door.”

“Great.” Susan smiled at them before she followed Maura into the main bedroom. “Plenty of space in here for a cot,” she mused and wrote something else down on her clipboard. “Okay, well the house looks good, obviously you just need to get everything prepared ready for a baby.” She clicked her pen and rested the clipboard against her chest as she turned to face them. “So, we just need your decision on if you will be taking guardianship of Jessica.” Jane shifted her weight from foot to foot as Susan’s waiting gaze settled on her. “You still have a couple more days before we need a decision. I know I originally told you three weeks but there is a foster family waiting if you say no and if we wait too long there is the chance another baby will be placed with them.”

“We understand.” Maura gave the social worker a nod before she led them all back downstairs. They all shook hands before they were left alone.

“Shit, two days.” Jane slumped over the kitchen island.

“You need to make a decision, Jane.” Maura’s voice was soft as she opened the fridge and pulled a beer out for the brunette. She wanted to scream at Jane to save Jessica from a lifetime of feeling unwanted but she also wanted her best friend to be free of her demons. There was no right decision here, every decision had its pros and cons, but Jane needed to make it soon.

A sigh escaped Jane’s lips as she accepted the beer offered to her. “You asked me the other day if I was asking if you would take guardianship with me, would you?” Maura stilled, shocked, she hadn’t really been expecting Jane to ask her, not outright anyway, that wasn’t Jane’s style. Maura had expected to just quietly slip into that role like they always seemed to with everything else. They never talked about how their lives just intertwined with the other, they just did. “I know it’s a lot to ask and you can say no but maybe together Jessica wouldn’t grow up as screwed as I am?” The brunette began to pick at the label of her beer bottle. She hadn’t intended on asking Maura and she wasn’t sure what she wanted the answer to be, but she did know it felt a lot less scary when she thought about it with Maura by her side.

“You’re going to take her, aren’t you?” Maura’s voice was quiet, she didn’t want to hope for fear that Jane would change her mind.

Jane took a deep breath as she looked up at her friend. “Yeah, I am. I’m not going to let Pop ruin her life like he did mine.” She wasn’t sure if she would be any good at being a guardian but she was going to give it her best, she had decided.

Maura felt the tears well in her eyes as she rounded the island and pulled her friend in for a tight hug. “Of course I will, Jane.”

—

The week had flown by in a blur, Maura had done so much research on baby items that Jane’s head hurt just looking at the research. In the end Jane had just let Maura pick most things. The blonde was the one who had spent the time finding out which was the safest and most beneficial. Jane’s only stipulation was no pink or frills and there was to be a Red Sox poster in the nursery. Somehow, Maura had managed to find a banner that fit in with everything else that would go in the nursery without standing out. They had gone shopping together for things like clothes, blankets, towels, teddies and bottles. How they had managed to sneak it all into the house without Angela seeing was a blessing. Jane had decided that they would tell her family the day before Jessica arrived in the hopes that no one would try and talk her out of it. She had also been packing up her apartment to move into Maura’s, which was probably the easiest task of them all. They had both managed to take a few months off of work to give them time to figure out childcare in the long run and so Jane had taken Korsak aside one day and explained the whole situation to him. He deserved to know why she was taking so long off work. As expected, he was fully supportive of Jane’s decision and wanted to meet Jessica when they were all ready. Jane had told Frost her last day of work but had sworn him to secrecy until she told her family. She shouldn’t have been surprised when they found a gift basket of baby essentials on Maura’s doorstep from Frost and Korsak.

“Hey,” Tommy greeted as he was the first to arrive for the Rizzoli family dinner. They had decided to gather the Rizzolis for dinner on the Friday night to tell them of Jessica’s arrival the next day. It had been so hard to keep it from them but Jane knew that at least Frankie, if not Angela as well, would try to talk her out of the decision if she told them too soon. It had been the biggest decision of her life and she had gone back and forth on it a lot but her decision was final now.

Angela was the next Rizzoli to arrive followed by Frankie who was unusually quiet. Jane still felt like he was avoiding her and she hated that. They hadn’t talked since she cornered him in the elevator over a week ago and she hoped that he was talking to someone about what was going on in his head. She knew she should have checked in with him more but it had felt like her every waking moment had been taken up by either preparation for Jessica’s arrival or work.

The atmosphere was still a little tense between them all, their last get together hadn’t ended well and it seemed to be fresh on everyone’s minds. Maura tried to keep the chatter light between everyone but Jane knew they just needed to rip the bandaid off and get it over with.

“So, uh, we have something to tell you.” Jane glanced at Maura sitting next to her and the sound of everyone’s cutlery stopped at her words. 

Frankie let out a sigh and threw his knife and fork down onto his plate. “You’ve made a decision,” he declared and looked at his sister, the anger evident in his eyes. He didn’t understand how she could just forget everything that Frank had put them through to even go through with his last wish, his last controlling way.

“Yeah, as of tomorrow Maura and I have guardianship over her.” Jane’s voice was soft. She knew there was a good chance that not every relation with her family would survive this but she had made her decision, Jessica needed her.

“I can’t believe it.” Frankie shook his head. “You’re still letting him in, Janie. He left us and started a new family like we were nothing and now…now you’re bringing that family to us.”

“No, what I’m doing is making sure that at least one of his kids grows up without being screwed up.” Jane could feel her own anger building now, both at Frank and Frankie. “Yes he left us and had another family but this little girl has done nothing wrong to us. She has been left behind by him just like we were, except she has no one else now.” Frankie braced his hands against the table and shook his head, not wanting to say something he would regret.

“Wait, you said you and Maura?” Tommy questioned, trying to stop the argument that he knew was about to erupt.

“Yeah, my apartment only has one bedroom so we have to move in here with Maura and I guess the social worker thought that meant we were a couple.” Jane gave a small shrug. “It’s not as scary knowing I’m not doing this alone,” she admitted.

“I’m here as well.” Tommy sat up straighter in his chair. “I’ll help you with her. I can babysit when you need me to.”

Jane smiled fondly at him, even though he was similar to Frank, he still had a big heart underneath it all. “Thanks, Tommy.”

“I will too,” Angela spoke softly. “I can change my shifts so I can look after her when you go back to work.” Everyone turned to the oldest Rizzoli in surprise.

“Ma, are you sure?” Jane hadn’t expected any help from her mother. Jessica was her husband’s child with another woman. Jane wouldn’t blame her mother at all for keeping her distance.

“She’s going to be your daughter, Jane, yours and Maura.” Frankie lifted his head to protest but Angela cut him off. “She will be your niece, Frankie. Jane and Maura are going to be raising her, they will be her parents, not her sisters, that will make you two her uncles. What they are doing here…not everyone can do it. This little girl needs a family and we are her family.” Frankie glanced at his mother but didn’t respond. “Congratulations, girls.” Angela turned to Jane and Maura with a watery smile. “When does she arrive?”

“Tomorrow.” Maura smiled back at the Rizzolis before she turned to look at Jane and caught the slight deer in the headlights look that flashed across the brunette’s face.

“Do you need help with setting anything up?” Tommy asked eagerly, just wanting to be involved.

“Actually, we do have a few more things to build before she arrives. It would be a real help.” Jane felt Maura gently squeeze her knee in reassurance under the table, letting her know they were in this together.

“I can help you do that after dinner. Frankie?” Tommy turned to look at his brother but was met with a small shake of his head. Angela’s hand on Tommy’s arm was enough to stop him from pushing the middle Rizzoli further. 

The dinner continued with Tommy asking question after question about Jessica, only a handful of which Jane could actually answer. Frankie stayed unusually quiet while Angela only chimed in about half as much as usual. Once they had finished eating, Tommy followed Maura up into what was about to become Jessica’s nursery to finish building the final pieces of furniture so Jane took the opportunity to talk to Frankie.

“Look, this is your decision to make, I can’t change your mind.” Frankie shrugged his jacket on before he made his way to the door, wanting to clear his head.

“I don’t want this to come between us.” Jane placed her hand against the front door to stop her brother from leaving until they had talked. “I’ve thought long and hard about this.”

“I’m worried about you.” Frankie turned to face her, the anger having left him for the night. “Pop was always the hardest on you and I saw what it did to you.”

“Trust me, Frankie, I know that. I’ve thought about everything but this little girl has no one else right now. She’ll go into the system. She might get adopted but she might not. One thing is for sure though, she’ll always know that her father was that horrible of a person his actions meant no one cared about her.” Jane dropped her hand from the front door as she watched her words wash over Frankie. “I want her to grow up knowing that not every Rizzoli is a bastard.” She turned and walked back into the kitchen where Angela was cleaning up.

“Ma, did you really mean it?” Jane asked softly as she watched her mother wipe the side. “You’d look after her when we go back to work?”

Angela stopped wiping but kept her gaze on the counter for a few seconds before she looked up at her daughter. “For you, Janie, yes.” Jane gave a small nod, sensing that her mother was currently experiencing a lot of emotions that she was not ready to talk about. Without saying anything more, Jane turned and made her way up the stairs to the only Rizzoli who seemed happy about Jessica’s arrival. Tommy was sitting in the middle of the nursery surrounded by the different parts of the cot as he tried to figure out how to put it all together. Jane smiled softly as she watched him from the doorway and was glad that her baby brother had managed to take himself off the same path that Frank had gone down.

“Want some help?” Jane asked as she stepped into the room and held back a chuckle at the relieved look on his face. It didn’t take long for the two of them to fall into a flow of working together and eventually they stood back to admire the cot. “Thanks, Tommy. I’m not sure I’d have had the energy to do that by myself tonight.”

“I mean it, Janie, anything I can do to help.” The youngest Rizzoli turned to face his sister. “She deserves a better childhood than we had and I know you can give it to her.”

“I hope so.” Jane gave a small smile and ran a thumb across the inside of her palm. “I really hope so.”

By the time they had made their way back downstairs, Angela had already left for the night. Jane promised to let Tommy know once Jessica had arrived and was settled, she was still surprised at how excited and on board he was with her decision.

“And they’ve gone.” Jane let out a sigh as she walked into the kitchen where Maura was making sure everything was turned off for the night. “That didn’t go too bad, did it?”

The blonde walked around the island so she stood in front of Jane and placed her hands on her arms. “It went better than expected. They’ll all come around eventually.”

“Yeah, I hope so.” Jane glanced around and realised that this was probably the last time the house would be as clean and tidy as it currently was. If Jessica was anything like Jane and her brothers, the house would be a mess for the next eighteen or so years. “Did you hear what Ma said though? We’re going to be parents.” She frowned slightly at the word. “I was just thinking I’m her big sister but we’re going to be parents , mothers to be exact. Is that not…scary?”

Maura couldn’t help but laugh softly, that had been what Jane’s deer in the headlights look had been about. “Yes but it’s also exciting at the same time. We get to watch her grow into her own person.”

“What if she doesn’t come home on prom night?” Jane’s eyes widened as she remembered her prom. “This must have been how Ma felt.”

Maura laughed even more and gently guided Jane towards the stairs. “Come on, we should sleep. This will likely be our last full night of sleep for a while.”

Chapter Text

By the time Susan knocked on the front door the following day, Maura’s house looked very different than it had the night before. They had spent the morning unpacking everything they would need downstairs for Jessica now that the Rizzoli clan all knew. They had already received a good luck text from Tommy, Frost and Korsak. Jane had heard her mother leave that morning and she made a mental note to check in with her later in the day, the same went for Frankie. She hadn’t expected him to be the one that hurt the most, to be so angry.

When the knock came at the front door, Jane and Maura practically fell over themselves rushing to it. However, they were met with the sound of a crying Jessica as Susan gently bounced her.

“She’s hungry.” Susan looked at them apologetically, she knew this hadn’t been the arrival they had been imagining. “She didn’t feed well earlier and now she’s very hungry it seems.”

“I’ll go make her a bottle,” Maura offered and disappeared into the kitchen. Jane went to grab the bags that were at Susan’s feet but Susan stopped her and instead placed Jessica into Jane’s arms. At first the brunette froze at being given the crying baby but her instincts kicked in and she began to try to soothe the baby as she walked into the house. A few minutes later Maura appeared at her side with a bottle. Jane hesitated before she settled herself down onto the sofa and felt very self conscious under Susan’s gaze. Maura grabbed a muslim cloth from a pile and draped it under Jessica’s chin as she began to drink the milk.

“Wow, she was hungry.” Jane felt herself relax a little as Jessica happily drank and Maura settled next to her on the sofa.

“I think she knew something was happening today. Her foster family said she’s been a little out of sorts this morning.” Susan perched herself in a chair and pulled out the last bit of paperwork that needed to be signed before she glanced around the room and was pleasantly surprised. “You two have been very busy this past week. You look prepared for about ten babies.”

A small blush crept up Maura’s cheeks as she lightly ran her hand over the top of Jessica’s dark hair. “I wasn’t sure how much of everything we would need and I wanted us to have more than enough.”

“Oh, please don’t take it the wrong way. It’s a compliment. It shows you are willing to go the extra mile for Jessica.” Susan smiled softly as she watched Jane feed the little girl. “Her foster family wrote out a few notes of things they have discovered that she likes but they haven’t been able to settle her into a routine yet. Then the only thing I need from the two of you is to sign this form. I’ll be back in a week to check on you but you can call me before then if you need anything. I’ll be back for weekly checks for the first month or so, then there will be more time between each one and I will be doing some surprise visits, just to ensure that she is being properly cared for.”

“Of course.” Maura nodded seriously, she had done lots of research into the journey of gaining guardianship.

“I know you’ll both be itching to get her settled into the house now that she’s here. Do you have any more questions?” Both women shook their heads before Susan handed the forms over to Maura to sign first so Jane could finish Jessica’s feed. The brunette then handed the baby over to Maura to wind her so that she could sign. “Great, I’ll see you all in a week then.” Susan smiled brightly at them, stood from the chair and bid them farewell.

“Hey, baby.” Jane reached a finger out and lightly traced Jessica’s cheek as she lay in Maura’s arms. “This is your home now, I hope you like it. I hope you like us.” Jessica gazed up at the two of them before she gave a small yawn. “Bored you already, huh?”

“I’m not sure we’ll ever be bored again with you,” Maura cooed softly as Jane stood from the sofa and reached for the two bags that Susan had brought with her for Jessica. “What does she have?”

“Bunch of clothes.” Jane pulled out some clothes and draped it over the arm of the sofa. “A blanket.” She turned to the next bag. “Oh, some formula and bottles, those will be handy. What do we do about the clothes?” Jane looked towards her friend in confusion. “Do we just dress her in what we’ve bought her or use these as well?”

“I’m not sure.” Maura gave a small shake of her head. “Who do you think they came from?” 

Jane looked down at the clothes and picked a onesie up. “No idea.”

“We should keep it all, just in case it was from her parents.”

Jane was quiet as she began to put all the clothes back into the bag, not wanting to imagine that her father could have gone shopping for Jessica when she was sure he had never bought her anything in her life. Maura stood from the sofa and walked towards the brunette, placing a hand on her back. “I’m okay, Maur.” Jane’s voice was quiet as she spoke, she knew Maura would know she was lying but she wasn’t ready to have that kind of conversation right then. “I don’t want him tainting Jessica’s arrival. What would you like to do first?” Jane smiled down at the little girl, her heart instantly softening at the sight of Jessica. “Would you like to see your new home? Or play with some of your new toys?” Jessica’s face suddenly creased, her hands balled into fists before the sound of her filling her diaper could be heard.

“She would like to be changed.” Maura laughed as Jane’s face screwed up at the sound before they made their way into the nursery, Jane trying to protest at being the first to be on diaper duty. In the end, it took them both to keep Jessica calm as she had her diaper changed as she screamed as soon as she was put down and only calmed once Jane had scooped her back up from the changing table. 

The afternoon went on the same way, any time they tried to put Jessica down anywhere, she screamed until she was picked up again. Jane got nap-trapped on the sofa when Jessica fell asleep on her and both women were too scared to move the sleeping baby for fear she would scream again. In the end Maura suggested they try the baby wrap that she had bought so that they would at least have their hands free. It took a while for them to get the wrap properly fitted across Jane’s body as the brunette couldn’t figure out the instructions and Maura only had one hand to help, holding Jessica in the other.

“This is a brilliant invention.” Jane held her hands away from the infant who was securely snuggled against her chest in the wrap and seemed very content. Maura took a step back and smiled softly as she took in the sight before her.

“It suits you, Jane.”

“I mean I’ve never been a purple person before.” Jane looked down at Jessica and lightly ran a hand over her back. “Was there a reason you chose it in bright purple?”

“I meant being motherly.” Maura lightly tapped her friend’s arm and turned towards the kitchen to make them both a coffee. A blush crept up Jane’s face and she wasn’t sure how to reply to the compliment. “When are you going to invite your family to meet her?”

“Well, Tommy wanted to meet her as soon as she arrived.” Jane glanced at her phone and the multiple messages Tommy had sent. “Ma and Frankie…” She let out a sigh. “I don’t know what they’re thinking about this. I can offer for them to come round but I’m not sure they will just yet.” 

Maura gave a small nod and handed a cup of coffee to the brunette. “Well, offer them all an invite and see who turns up. Jessica might as well meet her family.” Jane pondered the idea before she typed a message out to her mother and brothers, inviting them over for an hour to meet Jessica. Instantly she received a reply from Tommy saying that he was on his way but Angela and Frankie didn’t reply.

Twenty minutes later, Tommy came waltzing through the door, his arms held out wide and a grin on his face. “Big brother Tommy…uh, Uncle Tommy?” He frowned at his sister and Maura, unsure what he technically was. “I am here,” he settled on and walked closer to Jane who still had Jessica snuggled in the wrap.

“You can be whatever you want to be,” Jane reassured her brother, she hadn’t even figured out what her and Maura would be called yet. She was still wrapping her head around the fact that they were technically her parents.

“What are you wearing?” Tommy asked as he took in the sight of the wrap, his brow furrowing.

Jane rolled her eyes at him. “She screamed every time we tried to put her down anywhere, thankfully, Maura had already done her research on baby carriers and bought this wrap. It means we don’t have to carry her all the time but she’s not screaming because we’re not holding her.”

“Can I hold her?” he asked excitedly.

“Uh, Maur, how do I get her out of this?” Jane turned towards the blonde, a frown on her face before Maura walked closer and helped ease Jessica out of the wrap. Gently, Jane laid her into Tommy’s arms and stepped back to watch her youngest brother and sister meet. 

Tommy’s smile didn’t falter as he gazed down at the baby in his arms. “She looks like you, Jane.” He looked up towards the brunette before he dropped his gaze back to Jessica again, his heart swelling at meeting Jessica for the first time. She was family.

“I mean, technically she looks like all of us,” Jane tried to brush it off and pulled at the knot of the wrap so she could take it off. She tried hard not to think that Frank could well have been a better father to Jessica even though they resembled each other. It made her wonder more why he had hated her and her brothers so much, what had they done to deserve the treatment. Maura was watching Jane silently and caught the shift in her body language but she also knew the brunette wasn’t ready to share anything, especially with Tommy there. Luckily Tommy was so amazed with Jessica that he didn’t notice anything.

Tommy stayed for just over an hour, happy to hold Jessica the whole time, before he finally handed her back with promises that he would be there to help out with whatever they needed. As Jane waved him off at the door, she noticed her mother’s car back in the driveway and made the decision to go talk to her.

“Hey, you okay with Jessica if I go see Ma?”

“Of course, just help me with the wrap please.”

Once Jessica was securely and happily snuggled in the wrap against Maura this time, Jane made her way to the guest house. 

“Hey, Ma.” Jane smiled softly as she stepped inside. “How are you?”

“I’m fine, Jane.” Angela gave a small nod. “Did Jessica arrive okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, she’s all good. A screamer but good.” The brunette rubbed her hands together as she stepped further into the guest house. “Would you like to come meet her?”

Angela watched her daughter for a few moments and wondered how honest to be. How did she tell Jane that in reality Angela wanted nothing to do with Jessica, she wanted nothing to do with the child that Frank had after he left them, after the way he treated them. But Jane had brought that child into their lives and Angela was afraid that everytime she looked at Jessica all she would think of was Frank. Jane and Maura were now Jessica’s parents, they would be the ones to shape her, not Frank. Jessica stood a good chance with those two raising her. They had been so excited to bring Jessica home, give her a second chance with family that Angela didn’t want to ruin it.

“Not today,” Angela’s voice was quiet. “I will, but not today, Janie, I just need some time, okay?”

“Oh.” Jane’s face fell. “Of course, I understand. Whenever you are ready, just come in.” She turned slightly, ready to leave. “I love you, Ma.”

“I love you too, baby.” Angela smiled softly. She was really proud of Jane for stepping up like she was, even if it was killing her inside.

—

“How are we supposed to get her to sleep without being on one of us?” Jane frowned as they walked into the master bedroom that night. Maura had insisted they buy a next-to-me cot rather than a moses basket as they would have easier access to Jessica throughout the night. As the master bedroom was also the biggest they had decided they would all sleep in there so that Jane and Maura could take turns to get up during the night.

“I honestly have no idea,” Maura admitted and tilted her head to the side in thought. “We’re just going to have to try.”

And try they did. They would get Jessica off to sleep in their arms but as soon as she was placed in the cot, the screaming would start and they would have to scoop her up again. After an hour, Maura began to research on different things to try but the only thing that soothed Jessica was to be held by one of them. After nearly two hours of trying, Jessica was starting to get so worked up that it was taking longer to soothe her.

“Okay, there is one thing we can try.” Maura bounced Jessica up and down in her arms and turned to look at Jane, already knowing the brunette wouldn’t be happy with it. Jane frowned at Maura’s expression but she was starting to feel exhausted that she was willing to try anything. “Take your top off.”

“What?” Jane’s frown deepened and she sat up on the bed. “Now is not the time to get me into bed,” she deadpanned, earning an eyeroll from the blonde.

“I’m not trying to get you into bed, you are already in my bed,” she quipped back and tried not to smile at the blush that appeared on her friend’s cheeks. “I think Jessica needs some skin to skin contact. It’s what they do when a baby is first born and as humans we find comfort from skin to skin.”

“Why me?” Jane asked curiously, Maura was the one who was more confident with her body to strip her top off.

“Because you are her sister, the one she needs to bond with.” The blonde moved to lay Jessica down on the bed to remove her onesie. Jane let out a sigh as Jessica’s cries increased as soon as Maura put her down before she pulled her top off and tried not to feel too self-conscious in front of her friend. Once Jane was settled back against the pillows and headboard, Maura placed Jessica on Jane’s chest and pulled the covers up over them. At the feel of Jane’s skin, Jessica began to nuzzle her face against the brunette’s chest as her cries began to subside.

“Maur, you are a genius,” Jane whispered once Jessica had fallen asleep again.

“If she was breastfed she’ll be missing the contact.” Maura settled herself against the pillows as well and let her head drop back, her mind wondering if she was ever given skin to skin contact as a baby. Could that be why she wasn’t a fan of people touching her? Well, that wasn’t completely true. She didn’t hate Jane touching her. She was the one person’s touch she craved for and would find any excuse for them to be able to touch.

“This doesn’t help to get her into the cot to sleep,” Jane pointed out and turned her head to look at Maura, their foreheads very close together as Maura turned her head too.

“I don’t think she’ll be sleeping in that cot tonight,” the blonde admitted. “I think we’re going to have to take turns holding her to keep her asleep.”

“Okay, well you get some sleep first. She’s already settled on me. I’ll hold her until she wakes for a feed and then we can swap.” Jane reached a hand out to gently squeeze one of Maura’s. This was not how she had envisioned their first night with Jessica, half naked holding a sleeping baby who refused to be anywhere but with one of them.

As both Jessica and Maura slept, Jane had time to think and her thoughts began to spiral. She began to wonder if she had gotten herself in over her head this time. How was she supposed to be a parent if she couldn’t even get Jessica to settle anywhere but on one of them? Surely that was a pretty simple thing she should be able to do. Jessica deserved parents who could give her everything. Was Jane really the person who could do that? Could she be exactly what Jessica needed?

By the time Jessica woke for her first feed, Jane’s mind was exhausted from the constant stream of thoughts and she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Chapter Text

The next four days passed by in a blur. Jessica continued to scream anytime they tried to put her down so Jane and Maura took turns wearing her in the wrap and lying awake with her at night. They were both so exhausted, running on very little sleep from the night before. Jane had sent Maura back to bed for a nap so that at least one of them wasn’t about to crash. Jessica was content in the wrap until she needed a feed and then a diaper change. She became so wound up from being on the changing mat Jane was having a hard time soothing the baby girl and could feel her own tears welling up.

“I’m sorry, Jessica, I'm sorry. I just needed to change you. Shh, I’m here, you’re safe, please don’t cry.” Jane rubbed the baby’s back as she bounced her up and down but the cries were not easing and the brunette’s tears had started to fall. She was feeling like a complete failure with Jessica and not for the first time wondering if she was the right person to do this. “I’m here, I’m here,” Jane tried to soothe but her own tears were making it hard. As she bounced Jessica she turned to see her mother stood in the doorway and another sob escaped her throat. “Ma, she won’t stop crying. I don’t know what to do. We’ve barely slept, she won’t let us put her down. I’ve fed her, I’ve changed her, nothing is working right now. What do I do?”

Angela walked towards her daughter and gently eased the crying baby from her arms. “Go and get some sleep,” she ordered softly as she cradled Jessica against her shoulder.

“What?” Jane wiped her eyes. “I can’t…Jessica.”

“You need to sleep, Jane. You can’t help Jessica in this state. You’re worrying too much. Go, get some sleep. I’ll watch Jessica for you.”

“But,” the brunette tried to protest but she was so overwhelmed and exhausted she turned and headed towards the stairs to join Maura in bed. 

Angela waited until Jane was upstairs before she turned her attention to the infant and let out a small sigh. “Now, what’s all this about?” She began to lightly tap against Jessica’s back as she slowly walked circles around the living room. After three laps Jessica suddenly let out a big burp and her cries began to quieten, causing Angela to chuckle. “Gas.” Once Jessica had calmed down, Angela settled them onto the sofa and gazed down at the little girl and realised that her first thought was not Frank at all, in fact it was Jane. Jessica resembled Jane as a baby. “I’m your Nonna,” she whispered and leaned back against the cushions. “We’re all going to look after you now. Things might be tough to start with but we are all going to love you so much, I promise.”

—

Maura rolled over in bed and blinked a few times at the figure lying next to her before her tired thoughts settled and she realised it was Jane. “Jane?” she mumbled before realising that Jane was asleep and there was no Jessica. “Jane?” she called more urgently and pushed herself up, searching the bed for the baby. “Jane, where’s Jessica?”

“Wha?” Jane murmured groggily before she yawned and stretched her body out.

“Jessica,” Maura repeated.

“She’s with Ma.” Jane rubbed her eyes and sat up in bed as well.

“Oh.” Maura felt her panic instantly subside at the words. “Sorry, I just thought that…”

“It’s okay.” Jane gave her a small smile. “Jessica wouldn’t stop crying, I may have been crying, so Ma ordered me to bed.”

“Jane,” Maura started but the brunette instantly brushed it off, getting out of bed and stretching again. She hesitated, wanting to push Jane more on how she was feeling but also not having the energy for the conversation herself. Instead, the two of them made their way downstairs where they were greeted with the sight of Jessica snuggled into Angela’s arms still.

“She’s not crying.” Jane sat down next to her mother and let her fingers run over the baby’s hair.

“It was gas.” Angela smiled up at them.

“Gas?” Jane sat back, feeling deflated, she couldn’t even figure out that Jessica needed winding.

“You used to struggle with it as a baby. I would spend ages trying to get you to burp, you would be screaming the whole time and then suddenly it would just come out.” Angela tried to reassure her daughter but she knew the hopeless feeling of not being able to calm your own baby down.

“Thank you, Angela. We both really needed that sleep.” Maura had settled herself into a chair, feeling slightly more refreshed than she had that morning. “She just doesn’t like to be anywhere else other than in our arms, it’s made sleeping difficult.”

“She needs the comfort. She needs to know you two aren’t going anywhere.” Angela looked between the two of them before she gently eased Jessica into Jane’s arms. “We don’t know what her life was like with her parents. She lost them and went to a foster family. Now she’s here with you. This is her third home and she’s only just three months old.” Jane and Maura looked at each other as the realisation hit them. In her short life Jessica had lost everyone she had ever known, no wonder she was so upset every time she was put down. She didn’t know if she would ever see them again. “Once she’s bonded with you both and she knows this is forever, she’ll let you put her down. Right now she needs to be held and there is nothing wrong with holding your baby as much as they need,” Angela reassured them both as she stood from the sofa. “Let me make you both a coffee.” The older woman turned to make her way to the kitchen as Maura moved so she sat on the sofa next to Jane and Jessica.

“I never thought about that,” the blonde admitted and leaned into Jane’s side as they both gazed down at the little girl.

“Kind of makes me never want to put her down.” Jane tilted her head so that she could place a gentle kiss on Jessica’s forehead. “We’re not going anywhere, we promise you.”

—

Jane smiled softly as she walked out of the bathroom that night and saw Maura doing some skin to skin contact with Jessica already. They had started the night with one of them doing it but after their talk with Angela earlier, they had decided that they both needed to do it every day and possibly more than just at night.

“She asleep already?” Jane asked as she crawled onto the bed and leaned back against the headboard.

“I think it took her about thirty seconds to get herself comfortable on my boob and then she was out like a light.” Maura smiled lovingly down at Jessica before she turned to look at Jane, her smile dropping just slightly.

“What’s going on in that head of yours?” Jane spoke softly and brushed some hair out of Maura’s face. “It looks like there are a lot of thoughts going on right now. I think they’ve been going on for a while but you just haven’t told me. You know you can talk to me about anything.”

The blonde let out a small sigh as she gently rubbed her thumb over the baby’s back. “This has just got me thinking about when I was a baby and given up for adoption. I can’t help but wonder if my situation was the same?” Jane gave a small nod and placed a hand over Maura’s that rested on Jessica’s back, linking their fingers together. “Was there family out there that didn’t want me? Was I handed straight to my parents or did I go to a foster home? Was I held?” Maura paused as she swallowed the lump in her throat, as always wondering if she was ever loved. “Did anyone ever hold me like this?” she whispered and dropped her gaze down to the little girl on her chest.

Jane was quiet for a few moments as she thought about all of Maura’s questions and she understood why they had suddenly come to the surface with Jessica entering their lives. “Sit up.”

“What?” Maura turned to frown at her friend.

“Sit up,” Jane urged again and helped Maura to sit up. “Move forward a bit.” The brunette waited until Maura had shuffled away from the pillows slightly, both her arms holding Jessica close, before she pulled her own top off and slid behind the blonde. “Sit back against me.” Jane wrapped her arms around both Maura and Jessica as they settled back against her chest. “You said that we all benefit from skin to skin contact, right? So let me do that for you. Everyone should get to be held by someone who loves them.”

Maura let herself settle against Jane’s chest and she had to admit, she suddenly felt very content and safe feeling the brunette’s skin against her own. She understood why babies craved it so much. She let her eyes drop closed as she felt Jane place a gentle kiss against the side of her head before she linked their fingers together once more around Jessica.

“This feels nice,” Maura whispered after a while.

“I’m glad.” Jane tightened her grip just slightly, her own feelings swirling around inside of her as she held onto the blonde. For the past few weeks her thoughts had been all about Jessica and how her family would react that she hadn’t really considered the impact Maura’s actions were having on her. Without hesitation Maura had agreed to be by her side for all of it, even though it was clearly stirring up her own hard feelings. Maura had taken on guardianship with Jane without questioning it and they had fallen into an easy rhythm, parenting together. It was like they were supposed to do this together.

“Hey, what do you think Jessica should call us? We are technically her parents now so we shouldn’t be Jane and Maura right? We should be…Mama and Mommy? What do you think?” Jane tilted her head slightly to look at the blonde but realised that she had fallen asleep. “Wow, this skin to skin does have its benefits. Sleep well.” Jane kissed the side of Maura’s head again and held her close as she slept, her lips curving into a smile as she realised just how good it felt to hold both of them.

Chapter Text

Maura held Jessica against her shoulder as she ran a hand up and down the baby’s back to wind her after her feed as she opened the door to Susan. It was their one week visit from social services to ensure that they were all coping okay and Jessica was being looked after properly. To say that they had been on edge all morning was an understatement. Neither woman had voiced their concerns but they knew that if Susan wasn’t happy with how Jessica had developed the last week they could very well lose her. That thought had kept both women awake longer than normal last night so they were both running on caffeine, neither able to take a nap until after the visit.

Maura led Susan into the living room and offered her a cup of coffee, handing Jessica to Jane who had appeared from upstairs after hearing the knock, before turning to the kitchen to make coffee. Jane placed a gentle kiss against the baby girl’s head as she settled against her chest.

“So, how have you all been?” Susan smiled softly as she accepted her coffee from Maura, noticing the tired look in both Jane and Maura’s eyes.

“It’s been an adjustment,” Maura admitted, “but I think we’re all getting used to each other.” She gently ran her fingers over Jessica’s hair as Susan gave a small nod.

“Of course, this is a big adjustment for all of you. How have you been sleeping?”

Jane and Maura shared a small smile. “Well, Jessica will only sleep on one of us, she doesn’t like to be put down so we sleep in shifts.” Jane knew there was no point in lying to the social worker, especially as Maura was unable to lie.

Susan made a note in her notebook before she looked towards Jessica who was contently snuggled in Jane’s arms. “She looks happy with you,” Susan commented and received a grin in response from the brunette.

“We’ve been doing some skin on skin time with her to help with bonding. It seems to really settle her.” Maura wrapped her fingers around her cup before taking a sip, trying to steady her nerves.

“That’s really good, bonding is crucial for her right now, there has been a lot of upheaval for her. How is she feeding?”

“Like a Rizzoli.” Maura rolled her eyes but smiled affectionately at Jane and Jessica. “She’s very vocal when she’s hungry and she eats well.”

Susan smiled at the way Jane and Maura interacted with each other and Jessica. The love and care was evident and she knew that Jessica was in safe hands. “Do you have any support from family?”

“My mother lives next door and she’s likely going to be our childcare when we go back to work.” Jane turned to Maura who nodded in agreement. “Then my youngest brother is willing to help out with anything.”

“Good.” Susan nodded and turned to write in her notebook again before she placed it back in her bag. “Do you mind if I take Jessica for a moment?” Jane eased the little girl into the social worker’s arms and sat back on the sofa with Maura. 

After a while Jessica began to get fussy as it got closer to her nap time. Maura stood to get the wrap so that neither of them were stuck on the sofa with a sleeping baby on them. Jane helped Maura to fasten the wrap while Susan finished her check of Jessica.

“She looks like she’s doing well,” Susan commented as she handed the fussy baby to Maura and watched as the two women worked together to get Jessica settled. It was surprising at how easily the two of them were already working as a team as parents when it had only been a week. “You’re both doing a good job with her,” she reassured them as she reached for her bag to leave. “Once she’s fully settled with you she’ll let you put her down. For now enjoy the cuddles, one day she won’t want them anymore.” The two women thanked her before Jane walked her to the door. By the time she was back in the living room, Jessica was asleep.

“Well,” Jane let out a breath of relief, “that went well.” She walked towards the blonde and placed a hand on her back, pulling her close for a half hug with Jessica in the wrap. “She’s still here with us.”

Maura savoured the closeness to Jane before she responded. “She is, she’s not going anywhere, Jane.” She reached for one of Jane’s hands and linked their fingers together. “None of us are going anywhere.”

–

Jane was surprised when she opened the front door and saw Frankie standing there. He had his hands shoved into his jeans pockets and he rocked back and forth nervously. He gave his sister a small smile before she stepped back so he could enter the house.

“Hey,” Jane spoke softly. She hadn’t expected him to visit so quickly. Part of her was expecting him to never visit again.

“Jane,” he started but she held up a hand to cut him off.

“I understand, Frankie, really I do.” She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder before they turned to make their way further into the house. Maura still had Jessica snuggled in the wrap against her chest as she pulled clean baby clothes from the laundry basket to fold on the kitchen island.

“Hey, Frankie.” She smiled softly at him as she added another babygrow to the pile. 

Frankie’s gaze dropped to Jessica and he shifted on his feet nervously again. Tommy had talked about Jessica non stop every time they had spoken in the past week and kept asking when Frankie was going to meet her. Angela had also begun talking about Jessica as well and Frankie knew he couldn’t put it off any longer. He still wasn’t sure that it was Jane’s best decision to bring Jessica into their family, to remind them all of Frank, but he owed it to her to at least meet the baby.

“Do you want to meet her?” Jane asked quietly and pulled Frankie from his thoughts.

“Uh.” He looked from his sister to the baby and then back again. Maura stopped folding clothes and made her way closer to Frankie and turned so that he could see Jessica. Frankie wasn’t sure what he expected to feel the first time he saw the little girl and he still wasn’t sure what it was that he felt in that moment, it was all a swirl inside of him.

“Do you know what I see when I look at her?” Jane spoke quietly and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I don’t see Pop, I see Jessica, mine and Maura’s daughter, your niece. She’s not Pop, Frankie, she never will be. We’re all here to make sure of that.” Frankie swallowed the sudden lump in his throat as he realised Jane was right, he didn’t see Frank as he looked at Jessica, he just saw a baby girl who was in need of a family. Jane turned towards Maura and helped ease the little girl out of the wrap before she turned back to Frankie who gave her a small nod before she placed the baby into his arms. “This is your Uncle Frankie, Jessica,” Jane cooed as the little girl began to stir. Maura gently ran a hand up and down Jane’s back as the two of them watched Frankie with Jessica. Jane turned her head to look at the blonde next to her as she felt relief wash over her body that she hadn’t ruined her relationship with her brother.

“She’s smaller than I imagined.” Frankie looked up at the two women with tears shining in his eyes.

“She eats like a Rizzoli,” Maura teased and earned herself an eye roll from Jane. The brunette guided her brother towards the living room so that he could sit down while Maura made them all some coffee.

“I can see why Tommy has been talking about her all the time,” Frankie admitted as he watched Jessica give a yawn and stretch her arms out.

Jane couldn’t help but grin, feeling proud of the little girl in her brother’s arms. “It’s amazing how much time can pass just by watching her.”

“I’m sorry I was against this at the beginning,” Frankie spoke softly and Jane gave a small shrug as Maura placed their coffees down on the table. “You were right, she doesn’t deserve to have her life tainted by Pop like we did.”

“It wasn’t the easiest decision for me to make either. Our whole lives have changed now.” Jane turned her head to look at Maura and they reached for each other’s hand, giving a reassuring squeeze. “But I know we made the right decision.”

“So, what will she call everyone? I’m her Uncle, not brother?” he asked curiously as he looked up at them, trying to figure out the new dynamic.

“Yeah.” Jane gave a nod. “You and Tommy are her Uncles, Ma has already deemed herself Nonna.”

“But we have decided that she’ll always know her origin story,” Maura added, she had expected Jane to not tell Jessica the truth but when she had brought it up to the brunette, she had instantly agreed.

Frankie nodded in thought as he glanced back down at Jessica again. “What about you two?”

Jane and Maura shared a smile at the question. “Well, I’m going to be Mama and Maura will be Mommy, just seems fitting.” She gave a small shrug.

“Yeah, it does.” Frankie grinned at them. He could already see a difference in the two women and he was proud that they had decided to take this journey together. Maybe Frank’s decision for Jane to have custody wasn’t out of spite, maybe he knew something that everyone else hadn’t realised. “She’s lucky to have both of you.”

“We’re lucky to have her.” There was so much more Maura wanted to add to that statement. She wanted to say how lucky she had been to find Jane and the Rizzolis, that Jane had chosen her to be the one to parent Jessica with. It had only been a week but Maura had realised that she didn’t want to lose what they had created in that week, what she had gained from Jane and Jessica.

Frankie stayed for another hour, Jane and Maura filling him in on their first week as parents. He was even able to give Jessica a bottle before he left. Jane could already see the bond slowly beginning to build between the two of them. Jessica seemed to be the medicine needed to heal all the wounds that Frank had created.

“It really suits you,” Frankie commented softly to his sister as they walked towards the front door.

“What does?” Jane frowned, not following his train of thought.

Frankie grinned and looked over her shoulder to where he could see Maura and Jessica. “This. You both look really happy, Jane.” Jane turned her head to look at them as well and felt her heart swell at the sight. “Just so you know, we’d all be really happy for you,” he dropped his voice so that only Jane could hear. “You fit.” He gave her a gentle slap on the shoulder before he left while Jane stayed frozen to the spot as she thought about his words. Surely she hadn’t been that obvious about her feelings towards Maura? No, she had learnt how to hide that side after Maria, she had to to survive Frank. Plus, there was no way that Maura would be interested in someone like her. Maura was way out of Jane’s league, it would always just be a fantasy.

Chapter Text

Jane placed a gentle kiss against the top of Jessica’s head, snuggled contently in her wrap as Jane walked through the park with Tommy. None of them had slept well that night before, Jessica had been extra fussy, taking longer to settle than normal and so both women were exhausted. Maura had insisted on Jane sleeping in so once the brunette had woken up she had sent Maura back to bed. Tommy had wanted to see Jessica again so Jane had suggested a walk as Jessica had been enjoying the short walks they had begun to take her on. Of course, the stroller that Maura had researched sat untouched still as Jessica was only happy in the wrap on one of them. Jane wasn’t about to admit it out loud but she loved having Jessica snuggled against her.

“So, she didn’t sleep much last night then?” Tommy asked as they walked, his hands shoved into his pockets.

“No,” Jane let out a tired sigh. “I don’t even know what the problem was. We tried everything but she was just really fussy.” She ran a hand up and down the sleeping baby’s back as they walked.

“I could take her for a night if it helps,” he offered and Jane smiled warmly at him.

“I appreciate that, Tommy, but it needs two of you for the night. You have to stay awake with her because she only sleeps on you. We have to take it in shifts to sleep.”

“Well, I could stay and take one of the shifts.”

“As soon as she starts sleeping in her cot, you can do a night shift okay?” Jane nudged him with her elbow and earned a grin in response. She appreciated all the help that he was offering but she knew that having Jessica overnight was not for the weak. Her and Maura had also talked about other people babysitting for them and they had decided to cap it at two hours max for the time being. They needed Jessica to feel secure and know that they were coming back and letting someone else have her overnight or for long hours was not going to help with that. As much as they wanted everyone to be able to bond with her, they knew they needed that bond first to help Jessica thrive.

“How’s it going living with Maura?” Tommy changed topic and glanced sideways at his sister who gave a small shrug.

“Not much has changed,” she admitted. “I just don’t go back to my apartment now. Maura has definitely wanted to strangle me a few times.” She let out a laugh that Tommy joined in with and he noticed that Jane didn’t call her apartment home. He wondered when his sister had started to think of Maura’s house as home, because it was long before Jessica arrived. “Honestly, it’s kind of nice not being alone and the house is big enough that we can still go somewhere if we need some space. Don’t worry, I won’t be kicking you out of the apartment anytime soon.” Tommy had moved into Jane’s apartment once she had moved in with Maura, he had been house sharing with three other men so it had just made sense for him to move in.

“She’s good for you, Janie.” Tommy turned his head to fully look at Jane. He hadn’t been around when Jane and Maura had met so he wasn’t one hundred percent sure that the change had come from the blonde, but he had instantly seen the change in his sister once he got out of prison. He also noted how often Jane mentioned Maura or was with her. Now that they had Jessica, there was an even bigger change in the brunette.

“What does that mean?”

Tommy smiled and kicked at a stone on the path in front of them. “You know exactly what it means. You just gotta tell her now.”

“Tell her what exactly?” Jane demanded and stopped walking.

“We can all see the way you look at her, Janie, the way she looks at you. Pop isn’t here anymore for you to be afraid.” In that moment Tommy looked older and wiser than his years. “Life’s too short not to be happy. Be happy, Janie. Show Jessica what a happy, loving family looks like.” He turned and started to walk again, Jane falling into step beside him, her mind a swirl of thoughts.

—

“I still feel like I smell.” Jane frowned as she got out of the shower that night and sniffed at her wet hair. “She only drinks milk, how does her sick smell that bad?”

Maura laughed softly as she watched the brunette. “It’s milk, Jane, of course it smells bad.”

“Well, could she at least get better aim and miss me next time?” Jane’s frown deepened. As Jane had tried to burp Jessica after her nighttime bottle, Jessica had instead brought up the undigested milk, managing to coat the bottom half of the brunette’s curls.

“How do you know she wasn’t aiming for your hair?” Maura teased and chuckled as Jane stuck her tongue out in a childish manner. The brunette dried herself off from her shower and only pulled on a pair of shorts, ordering Maura to shift forward on the bed. Jane had made it her mission to give Maura some skin on skin contact when she was doing the same for Jessica. It meant that some nights all three of them lay together, Jane holding both Maura and Jessica as they slept. At first Maura had tried to protest to it but after insistence from Jane she accepted it. Neither woman was ready to admit just how much they enjoyed the closeness.

“Do you think she’s happy?” Jane asked as she leaned her head against Maura’s as she gazed down at Jessica.

“She seems happy. I think she recognises our voices now.”

“Are you happy, Maur?”

Maura paused as she thought about the question and she realised that even though she was tired, it was probably the happiest she had felt in a very long time. “I am, Jane.”

“Why did you agree to do this with me?” Jane asked quietly, her thoughts had been in overdrive since her conversation with Tommy. “Was it because you just didn’t want Jessica  to end up in foster care or was it because you wanted us to end up like this?” She felt Maura tense slightly at the question and the blonde stayed quiet. It would be obvious very quickly if Maura lied. “I asked you to do this with me because there is no one else I want to be a parent with.” Jane’s voice was quiet as she spoke and she tightened her grip on Maura slightly. “There’s no one else I want to go to sleep with and wake up next to in the morning. You’re my family, Maura, you have been for a long time and now we have a daughter together. There’s nothing else I want from life other than this. I didn’t realise just how much I wanted it until it happened.”

Maura turned her head and looked at Jane with watery eyes. “Jane,” she whispered but was cut off as Jane dipped her head and softly kissed her. A contented sigh left the blonde’s lips and she reached a hand up to cup Jane’s cheek.

“You’re always there for me, no matter what. With Jessica, you didn’t hesitate, you were there willing to do anything that I needed you to do.” Jane gently caressed the blonde’s cheek. “These past two weeks, they just feel right, holding you and Jessica, it’s right, we fit. This is what I want, Maur, I never realised it until now, but I don’t want to go back to my tiny apartment. I don’t want you to just be my friend and who I’m co-parenting with. I want you to be my partner for life, who I’m parenting with, together. Maybe more kids down the line.” She gave a small shrug, unsure where all the words had suddenly come from. She had never been one to be so vulnerable and express her emotions like she was. She was more of a bottle it up and ignore it type person.

“Oh, Jane, I want that too,” Maura whispered as a tear rolled down her cheek and she turned slightly to face the brunette more without disturbing Jessica. She had never expected to feel so emotional being told that she was wanted, that someone was choosing her, loving her.

“Shh,” Jane soothed and kissed away Maura’s tears. “I’m right here, I'm not going anywhere, I promise.” She tightened her arms around Maura as she began to cry quietly. “We’re a family, we’re together for life,” she promised and ran a hand over Maura’s back. Maura leaned into the embrace as she finally felt like she belonged somewhere, that she was wanted. She had spent her whole life feeling like an outsider, alone, but Jane was here giving her everything she had ever needed.

Maura wiped her eyes and pulled back slightly as she looked up at Jane who smiled gently at her. “You said Frank always wanted you to be a wife and a mother?” Jane frowned at the sudden change of topic but nodded. “He wasn’t wrong, that’s exactly what you are right now and look how happy you are, Jane.”

“Huh.” Jane tilted her head in thought. Maura wasn’t wrong, Frank did want her to settle down but he had always imagined it would be with a man. Jane was unbelievingly happy with Maura and Jessica. “His thinking may have been corrupt but this is what I want, you and Jessica are what I want.” She leaned down again to kiss Maura, nuzzling their noses together. “I am so in love with the both of you.”

“Good, because we are so in love with you, Jane Rizzoli.” Maura smiled, finally feeling at home.

Chapter Text

The next morning Jane settled Jessica into the wrap and crept downstairs to make Maura some breakfast, her heart feeling light knowing that she was going to spend the rest of her life with both Maura and Jessica. Jane dropped kisses onto the baby’s head as Jessica occasionally gurgled from the gentle sway of the brunette’s body.

“Let’s make mommy some breakfast shall we?” Jane kept her movements smooth as she moved around the kitchen making breakfast and some coffee, one of her hands tracing gentle circles on the little girl’s back every now and then. “We’re very lucky to have mommy,” she murmured as she placed the breakfast onto the tray before she turned to prepare a bottle ready for the protest she knew Jessica would give at any minute. Maura was right, Jessica did have the Rizzoli appetite.

As Jane pushed open the bedroom door with the tray of breakfast, Maura began to stir, smiling softly as she caught sight of them.

“We made you breakfast in bed.” Jane held the tray up with a grin before Maura pushed herself into a seated position and reached out to pull the legs of the tray down. Once Jane had placed the tray down onto the bed, she climbed onto the other side, legs up so that she could ease Jessica out of the wrap and lay her against her thighs. Jessica accepted lying against their legs like this so long as they were within eyesight and kept hold of her hands or feet at all times. “The bottle is for little miss here though.” Jane leaned towards Maura to give her a gentle kiss good morning.

“You didn’t have to make me breakfast in bed.” Maura reached a hand out to gently run a finger over Jessica’s cheek as the little girl watched them.

“We wanted to do something nice for mommy, didn’t we?” Jane cooed down at the little girl, her eyes widening as Jessica’s lips curved into a smile. “Did you just smile at us?” Jessica’s lips twitched into another smile as she gazed at them, a gurgle escaping her lips. “Oh you did!” Jane scooped the little girl up and began to plant kisses over her face, earning another smile.

“I think this is her way of telling us she’s happy.” Maura leaned closer so she could plant some kisses onto Jessica’s cheek as well before she turned her head to see that Jane was crying. 

“Why didn’t anyone tell me that being a parent would be this emotional?!” the brunette huffed as she lay Jessica back against her legs and Maura let out a laugh as she reached for a piece of toast. Jane wiped at her eyes with one hand before she reached for the bottle on the breakfast tray. “Don’t ever stop smiling at us, okay?” she whispered as she began to feed Jessica her milk. Maura held out the toast for Jane to take a bite before she leaned their foreheads against each other.

–

“Hey,” Angela called as she walked into the house with two bags of groceries, placing them down onto the kitchen island, ready to be unpacked.

“Thanks for getting this.” Jane gave a yawn as she walked towards her mother to help unload all the groceries.

“I also stopped at that bakery you like.” Angela pulled out the bag of pastries and placed them down.

“That is just what we need, thank you, Angela.” Maura smiled warmly as she walked closer, Jessica snuggled in her arms. 

Angela glanced down at Jessica, her fingers suddenly twitching to cuddle the infant. She was still adjusting, knowing that Jessica was Frank’s, but the more she watched Jane and Maura with her, the less she was thinking about Frank. It had hurt to know that he had left them and started a new family, that he could have been a better father to Jessica than he had to his three grown children. Had Jane asked for her mother’s opinion she would have told her not to take in Jessica, to put Frank behind them. But Angela had seen the look in Jane’s eyes when she told them. Jane had already made her decision, even if she hadn’t known it. Angela knew her daughter, she knew once Jane’s mind was made up there was no changing it. So Angela had been trying to think of Jessica as Jane and Maura’s daughter and slowly it was working. She knew that if Jessica wasn’t Frank’s, she would have been all over the baby by now, being a grandma, and she felt sad at that. She wanted that to change. She wanted to be the grandma that Jane was hoping she’d be.

“Ma, just take her and go be a grandma, will you?” Jane rolled her eyes at her mother’s hesitation and pushed her slightly in Maura’s direction. She knew her mother had been having an internal battle ever since Jessica had arrived. Jane wasn’t really sure what was going on in her mother’s head, Angela hadn’t confided in any of her children, but Jane could see the want in Angela’s eyes every time she looked at Jessica. 

Angela gave a small huff at her daughter but turned towards Maura, her arms out as the blonde eased Jessica over. Jessica was wide awake and gazed up at her Nonna as she settled against her chest. Angela couldn’t stop the smile that graced her face. Instantly she began to sway as she walked towards the living room with her granddaughter. Yes, Jessica was her granddaughter, she was a Rizzoli, part of their family.

“Hey, Ma?” Jane called from the kitchen, her arms leaning on the island as she waited for Angela to turn around and face her. “Fancy being on Nonna duties for the next say hour or so? Don’t get us wrong, we love her but it would be nice to not have a baby attached to us for a little bit?” Jane's eyes were hopeful. She wanted to spend some time with Maura, just the two of them.

“Of course. I raised three of you, I think I can handle one for a little bit.”

“Great.” Jane grinned and pushed herself up. “She had a bottle about half an hour ago so she should be fine for a while. Call us if there is a problem?” She grabbed hold of Maura’s hand and pulled her towards the front door.

Angela smiled softly down at Jessica as she eased them both onto the sofa. Jessica gave a gurgle and suddenly waved a hand around, causing Angela to laugh softly. “You are looking more at home here now. I hope you like your new family. I hope your old one was good to you.” Her voice dropped slightly on the last sentence. They would never know what the first three months of her life was like, they could only hope that it was good. “Your Mama and Mommy love you so much already, did you know that? You are just what they needed, what we all need I think.” She lightly traced one of Jessica’s cheeks with her index finger. Jessica was the light in the horrible situation that Frank had created.

—

“Where are we going?” Maura asked as Jane linked their arms together and they began to walk.

“Not a clue. I just thought Ma could do with some bonding time with Jessica and I wanted us to have some time together.” The brunette smiled softly as they walked, still unable to believe how lucky she was to have Maura and Jessica. “I know this isn’t exactly how either of us thought we’d be starting a relationship, you know, already having a baby together.”

Maura let out a laugh. “We have done this in the completely wrong order,” she agreed, “but I think that’s us. Plus, I’m pretty sure our friendship was already at relationship level, don’t you think?”

Jane slid her arm around Maura’s waist and pulled her close so she could tenderly kiss her. “You’re probably right. You’ve been my person for a long time, Maur. I guess just a friend wouldn’t have agreed to have a baby with me.”

“No, they wouldn’t have.” Maura let herself lean into the embrace as they walked, enjoying the feel of Jane against her. This closeness wasn’t anything new to either of them, they were used to touching each other, but this time Maura felt an extra warmth at the touch, knowing that Jane was her partner for life.

“Have I thanked you for being a mother to Jessica?” Jane stopped walking and turned Maura so they were face to face. “Cause I really am thankful for you and everything you do for me and now Jessica. You put up with my whole crazy family, you put up with me.” Jane laughed and earned herself a smile from the blonde. “I’m just really grateful to have you by my side.”

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.” Maura leaned up on her toes to kiss the brunette. “This is exactly where I want to be.” Jane grinned happily and they began to walk again, enjoying being together.

“You know, it feels weird not having Jessica here,” Jane spoke after a few minutes of walking. “I miss her.”

“You’re getting soppy,” Maura teased and lightly nudged Jane with her shoulder. “I miss her too.”

“We’re not going back just yet though, let’s just be us for a little longer, okay? She’s safe with Ma. Let’s just be us.”

—

Angela had Jessica against her shoulder as she gently bounced her for a burp when Jane and Maura got back. They had just walked and stopped for a coffee before heading back home.

“Has she been okay?” Jane asked as she placed a hand on Jessica’s back and kissed her forehead. Maura followed suit, kissing the little girl’s nose.

“You’ve had a good time with Nonna, haven’t you?” Angela shifted Jessica from her shoulder to her arms after a burp.

“Thanks, Ma.” Jane smiled softly, glad that her mother was on board with being a grandmother. Maura used Angela’s presence to excuse herself to sort out another load of laundry. They were still amazed at how such a small person could create so much laundry.

“Did you girls enjoy your walk?” Angela asked as she handed Jessica over to Jane who peppered the girl’s face with kisses before settling her in her arms.

“Yeah, we did. It was nice to get out just the two of us.” Jane grinned down at Jessica who was smiling up at her before she turned her attention to her mother. “I have something to tell you.”

Angela’s face dropped at the words. “Last time you had something to tell me you made me a grandmother.”

“That is true.” Jane nodded. “But isn’t Jessica just the best thing?”

Angela’s face softened as her gaze dropped to the baby girl. “She is,” she agreed.

“Good. Anyway, what I have to tell you is about Maura and I. We, uh, we’re in a relationship now.” Jane had no idea how her mother would react. Angela knew about Jane’s sexual preference, they had never really talked about it, but she knew. Jane had also never brought home a partner to meet her family, she had been too scared of Frank’s reaction. It was probably why none of her relationships lasted but she wanted to tell her mother about Maura. She didn’t want to hide Maura, she wanted to be able to show Maura and Jessica off to the world. Show everyone who her world was.

“Of course you are.”

Jane’s face fell into confusion at her mother’s words. That had not been the reaction she had expected.

“Two friends don’t just take on a baby that their father left them for to have. Janie, you spend all your time here. The two of you were always together, you were always the other’s plus one to anything. You sleep in the same bed, you always have. You live here now.” Angela gave a small shrug, she had seen more than anyone as she lived in the guest house. She saw Jane and Maura together. She knew. “The two of you have been in a relationship for a while, you just hadn’t realised, not until you became parents that is.” She walked towards her daughter, cupped her face and gently kissed her forehead. “You look really happy, Janie.”

“I am, Ma, I really am.” Jane couldn’t stop the huge smile that spread across her face. “We all are.”

“Good.” Angela stepped back and straightened up. “The only thing left for you to do now is put a ring on her finger, you hear me?” She playfully pointed a finger at the brunette before she turned and left, hearing Jane's laughter float behind her.

Chapter Text

“Are we sure this is a good idea?” Jane asked as she eyed the car seat warily.

“No.” Maura let out a sigh. “But we need to try eventually.” They had managed the last month without needing to put Jessica in the car but they were also aware that they needed to try. Jessica still cried every time they put her down so they knew she would scream in the car but surely the sooner they tried, the sooner she would get used to being in the car?

“Okay, let’s try.” Jane gave a small nod and moved the straps out of the way so that Maura could securely place Jessica into the car seat. Instantly the baby girl began to cry as she left Maura’s arm. Both women began to whisper soothing words as they carried the seat out to the car. Jane slid into the back next to Jessica and began to place kisses on the little girl’s face. “I’m here, Mama is here,” she soothed as she placed a hand on Jessica’s belly, hoping the contact would help. The brunette leaned as close as her own seat belt would allow to the infant carrier, trying to give as much contact as she could between her soothing words. “I’m not leaving you, I promise, baby. I’m still right here and Mommy is just in the front driving. Everyone is still here. We’re never going to leave you, I promise.” She gently wiped away some of the tears on Jessica’s cheeks. Nothing seemed to be soothing her.

“We’re nearly there,” Maura spoke softly as she glanced in the rearview mirror at Jane. This was probably the most stressful drive she had ever experienced. They had decided to go to the precinct so that Korsak, Frost and Susie could meet Jessica. Jane had also heard from Frankie that a new detective had started and she wanted to meet them.

As soon as Maura put the car into park in the parking garage, Jane unbuckled Jessica and scooped her up. The little girl buried her head into Jane’s shoulder as she continued to cry, her fists grabbing hold of Jane’s top. Maura let out a sigh and got out so she could open the door for Jane to climb out as well. The two women shared a sad smile as Maura wrapped her arm around Jane’s back and used her other hand to gently rub Jessica’s back.

“We’re still here, baby,” Jane whispered and kissed the little girl’s head again, holding back her own tears. She had never felt as emotional as she had the past month, it had to be the lack of sleep.

Slowly Jessica began to calm between her mothers, her breathing evening out. Jane and Maura let out their own breaths. Maura grabbed the diaper bag before they made their way towards the elevator, Jane still holding the baby girl close.

As the elevator doors opened, they were greeted with the sounds of the busy bullpen and they realised that this was the busiest place they had taken Jessica too. They had no idea how she would react to it. Jessica’s head turned slightly at the sudden noise but she didn’t seem to flinch at it which gave the two women the confidence that she would be okay.

“Hey,” Jane called as they walked towards the bullpen, Korsak and Frost both hunched over their desks. Both men grinned as they caught sight of Jane and Maura and jumped out of their seats to greet them. “We thought we’d bring someone to meet you.” Jane smiled proudly as they gazed down at Jessica.

“Well, look at you Mama Rizzoli.” Korsak grinned at her, causing a blush to creep up Jane’s cheeks. “Isn’t she just the cutest? How are you guys doing?” He looked between both women, noticing the difference in them. They seemed more confident, calmer somehow. They had always been in tune, spending most of their time together.

“We’re okay.” Jane and Maura shared a smile. “We’re tired but we’re okay. Do you want to hold her?” Jane asked Korsak, already knowing he would say yes. She eased Jessica into his arms and let out a gentle laugh as he began to coo down at the baby in his arms. Korsak was a softie when it came to animals and babies it seemed.

“I never thought I’d see you with a baby,” Frost teased his partner, earning himself an elbow to the side from Jane.

“Yeah well, it’s amazing what having a baby does to you.” Jane smiled softly and wrapped an arm around Maura’s waist to pull her closer. There were always rumours around the precinct about the two of them being a couple. They had a daughter together now, they might as well let the truth out.

Frost smiled softly at the two women. “You both look really happy,” he commented. He knew that both women had their own baggage behind them and they had both fought hard to be where they were. He was glad that they had finally found their place together. “So, when do you think she can join our baseball team?”

“Let me get her walking first.” Jane grinned while Maura rolled her eyes. They were certainly going to have different ideas of what hobbies Jessica would be doing as she got older.

“Hey,” Frankie called in surprise as he caught sight of his sister in the bullpen. “What are you guys doing here?” He gently ran his fingers over Jessica’s hair as a greeting. He wasn’t yet gushing over her like Tommy was, but he was getting there slowly.

“Thought we’d come for a visit.” Jane gave a small shrug. “Everyone here is pretty much her extended family, she needed to meet everyone.”

“Whoa, that doesn’t mean I’m down with babysitting though.” Frost held his hands up and shook his head. “I don’t know anything about babies.” Korsak took the opportunity to lean closer with Jessica like she was something scary, causing everyone else to laugh.

“That’s what uncles are for, right?” Jane slapped Frankie’s shoulder and grinned at his grimace.

Maura rolled her eyes at all the teasing and leaned around Jane so that Frost could see her. “No one is being forced to babysit,” she assured him.

“No, but you can certainly have a cuddle.” Jane nodded at Korsak who handed Jessica over to a nervous Frost whose interaction with babies was very limited. The brunette eased the baby girl into a more supportive position in her partner’s arms and watched as he slowly relaxed with Jessica.

“Hey, I have the phone records you were looking for.” A woman that neither Jane or Maura had met before appeared and held a folder out to Korsak.

“Thanks, Holiday.” Korsak took the folder before he nodded towards Jane and Maura. “This is Detective Jane Rizzoli and our Chief M.E Dr Maura Isles and this is their daughter, Jessica.” He gestured towards Jessica in Frost’s arms. “This is Detective Nina Holiday. She transferred from Chicago.”

“Oh, hey.” Jane stepped forward to shake hands and noticed the blush on Frankie’s cheeks as he glanced at Nina.

“Rizzoli?” Nina questioned as she glanced from Jane, to Maura and then to Frankie.

“The original.” Jane grinned which caused Frankie to roll his eyes before he turned and headed towards Jane’s desk, lounging back in her chair. “Whoa, what are you doing?”

“Well, you’re at home playing happy families, this Rizzoli is solving crimes,” Frankie teased as he used his thumb to point at his chest.

“Up,” Jane ordered as she stomped towards her brother before they started their sibling bickering, occasionally swatting at each other with their hands.

“Oh, how I’ve missed having her around.” Korsak shook his head and laughed as he watched the two of them.

“Uh, Maura,” Frost turned to the blonde in alarm as Jessica began to squirm and cry in his arms.

“She’s hungry. Will you let Jane know we’re in the break room once she’s finishing arguing with Frankie?” Maura scooped up her daughter and turned to leave the bullpen. She settled the two of them onto the small sofa in the breakroom and smiled softly as Jessica began to drink her milk. As much as she loved her work, she knew that her priorities had now changed. She wasn’t going to let Jessica grow up like she did. She was going to make sure that Jessica knew how much she was loved and wanted. Jessica would never have to stand on stage for one of her school presentations, look into the crowd only to see no one there for her. Jessica would look out and she would see her parents there, cheering her on.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Nina apologised as she walked into the break room, heading towards the fridge.

“It’s okay, nothing seems to distract her from food.” Maura looked up to study the new detective.

“She’s beautiful.” Nina smiled softly as she looked down at Jessica, a bottle of water clasped between her hands.

“Thank you.” Maura couldn’t help but beam at the compliment. “How are you settling in here?”

“Better than I expected,” Nina admitted and sat down in a chair next to the sofa. “It can be tough in a male dominated field but they’ve been really welcoming.”

Maura nodded. She knew how hard Jane had had to work to earn the respect of some of the detectives and how many heads she had to butt in order to prove herself. “They’re a good team.”

“They are,” Nina agreed just as Jane walked into the breakroom and plopped down next to Maura.

“Is Frankie still alive?” The blonde asked in amusement.

“Yep, Uncle Frankie won’t be sitting at Mama’s desk again though, will he?” Jane cooed down at Jessica who smiled around her bottle.

Nina smiled at the three of them as she stood from her chair. “It was nice to meet you both. I look forward to working with you.”

“She seems nice,” Maura commented after Nina had left the break room.

“She does and I think Uncle Frankie has a crush.” Jane grinned and tickled the bottom of Jessica’s foot, her other arm wrapped around Maura’s shoulders.

–

Jane placed gentle kisses against the top of Jessica’s head as she settled them into bed that night. Maura was still in the bathroom doing her nighttime routine. The brunette hummed softly as Jessica gave a tired yawn. “Meeting everyone at Mama and Mommy’s work wore you out today, huh?” Jane nuzzled her nose against the baby’s curls as they waited for Maura to join them. “Everyone loved you.” Jane knew that Korsak and Frost would be supportive, that was the kind of people they were, but it was a huge relief to see them with Jessica.

“Is she asleep yet?” Maura asked softly as she walked out of the bathroom and towards the bed.

“Nearly.”

Maura leaned forward and placed a kiss on Jessica’s forehead before she leaned up and softly kissed Jane as well. Some days she still couldn’t believe she got to kiss both of them goodnight. Jane rolled carefully, her arms securely around Jessica, so that she lay on her side to face Maura. Jessica gave a small protest at the movement until she turned her head and saw Maura lying there as well. Slowly, Jane eased the little girl onto the bed so that she lay between her parents. Both women placed a hand on Jessica’s chest and kissed her cheeks. Surprisingly, Jessica didn’t scream at being placed down, she smiled up at both of them and gave a gurgle.

“Look at you being a big girl,” Maura whispered and kissed Jessica’s nose.

“How long do you think she’ll stay there?” Jane asked in amazement. She hadn’t expected Jessica to accept it so easily.

“I have no idea.” Maura laid her head on her pillow so that she could still be seen by Jessica. “She must be feeling safe now.”

“I hope she always feels safe.” Jane kissed Jessica’s cheek again and laid her head down as well. Jessica gurgled again and looked between the both of them before she gave another yawn. “We’ll always be right here, baby, we won’t ever leave you.” The two of them lay there quietly as they watched Jessica slowly drift off to sleep between them, hopeful that they might both actually get to sleep at the same time that night.

Chapter Text

Jane’s eyes widened slightly as she opened the front door to see Susan stood there and panic overtook her body before she remembered the random surprise visits they had to have.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” Susan apologised but Jane shook her head and stepped back so she could enter the house. The sound of laughter and chatter floated down the hallway as Jane shut the front door.

“My family are over for dinner,” Jane explained. “My brothers are trying to make Jessica laugh the hardest to see who is funnier.” She led the social worker down the hallway and they stopped behind the couch where they could see all of the Rizzolis. Angela was sitting in a chair, Jessica on her lap as Tommy and Frankie jumped around in front of her, pulling faces, as they tried their hardest to make her laugh. Jessica was finding both of them highly entertaining and was already laughing her head off at them, her arms waving about. Maura was curled up on the sofa as she watched them with a smile.

“Come on, you know Uncle Tommy is funnier.” Tommy squatted down to Jessica’s level and she let out another laugh, her arms reaching for him. He instantly whooped and scoped her up into the air, spinning them both around.

“You’ll make her sick!” Angela warned her youngest and shook her head.

“Ha, Uncle Tommy is the funniest!” He pointed at Frankie with a smirk before he tickled Jessica’s side.

“Aww, come on Jess, you know I’m funnier.” Frankie pulled another face at the little girl, earning himself another laugh.

“You’re both hilarious to her,” Jane called to her brothers and they turned to see Susan standing there. “This is Susan, our social worker. This is Tommy and Frankie, my brothers and my mother Angela,” Jane introduced them all and the three Rizzoli’s frowned in confusion. Tommy’s grip on Jessica tightened, fearing that Susan was there to take Jessica away.

“There’s no need to worry. This is just a quick visit to check in with everyone,” Susan reassured them, noting how every one of them went into protective mode over Jessica. It was clear they were all bonding with the little girl. 

“Tommy, let them have Jessica, we’ll go into the guesthouse for now,” Angela ordered and pointed towards the door. Tommy stared at her wide eyed, still afraid that Jessica might be taken, before he eyed his sister and Maura and saw that they were relaxed. Reluctantly he handed Jessica over to Maura.

“You don’t have to leave, if you guys are happy for them to stay.” Susan looked between Jane and Maura who both nodded and settled themselves onto the sofa while Susan sat in a chair. Tommy firmly planted himself down in another chair before Angela and Frankie followed suit as well.

“So, how have you all been?” Susan started and smiled as Jessica gurgled and reached up for Maura’s face.

“Jessica’s doing really well. She’s making a lot of progress.” Jane beamed as she thought about how far the little girl had come in the two months she had been with them. “She’s starting to sleep on the bed and sometimes in her cot now. One of us has to be touching her at all times but it’s still progress. During the day she still likes to be with us.”

“We have been able to put her down a bit more,” Maura added before she kissed Jessica’s palm. “So long as one of us is lying with her on the floor she’ll do some tummy time.”

“That’s good, really good. She looks very happy.” Susan smiled at them. The three of them looked much more relaxed than the last time she had seen them. They were all much more at ease now, having fallen into their new roles as parents.

“She’s a really happy baby,” Tommy piped up.

“Tommy,” Angela hissed at him, knowing that he was just trying to protect Jessica, Jane and Maura but also knowing everything had to be done right.

Susan smiled softly at him, seeing that he was ready to defend the little girl in an instant. She knew that his reaction, and the rest of the Rizzolis, meant that Jessica was in the right place with the right people. “She is,” Susan agreed. “She’s with people who love her.” Jessica chose that moment to give a gurgle, like she was agreeing with the statement, and every pair of eyes instantly turned to the little girl. At having the attention of both her parents, Jessica gurgled louder and smiled up at them.

“Yeah, baby, we mean you.” Jane leaned down and kissed the little girl’s nose.

“We should be able to sign off on guardianship soon,” Susan informed them happily. “All your visits have been great and we can see the progress Jessica is making with you. We just need to set a date for you to sign the last of the paperwork.”

Jane and Maura shared a look before they turned their attention to Susan. “About that,” Maura started and every smile in the room dropped at her words. “We don’t just want guardianship.”

“We want to adopt her properly,” Jane continued and linked her fingers together with Maura’s. “We want to officially be her parents.”

“Of course.” Susan beamed. “I’ll start getting all the paperwork together for you. The process shouldn’t take too long but I’ll keep you updated on how it’s going. I’ll get the paperwork started tomorrow and then I’ll be in touch.”

They chatted a bit more about how Jessica was doing and how the adoption process would go before Susan bid them all goodbye and left the family to their time together.

“I thought you were going to give her back!” Tommy yelled and jumped from his seat as Jane walked back into the living room.

“Chill out would you.” Jane shook her head at him. “We wanted to ask Susan first if it was possible before we told you. We didn’t want everyone getting their hopes up if we couldn’t.” Tommy gave a small huff and sat back down in his chair, relieved. “No matter what, we’ll always be her parents, we just want to make it official.” Jane gave a small shrug and sat back down on the sofa. They had talked about it a lot and decided that they wanted to do whatever they could to ensure that they would never lose Jessica. They also wanted her to feel like she belonged, that she was loved and wanted.

“Sorry, kid, you’re stuck with us for life.” Frankie smiled at his niece as she gave a yawn from Maura’s lap.

“Well, this is cause for celebration.” Angela clapped her hands and stood from her chair.

“Ma, it’s not official yet. Can we wait until it is to celebrate?” Jane wrapped an arm around Maura’s shoulders and ran a finger tenderly over one of Jessica’s cheeks. 

Angela studied her daughter for a few moments before she relented. “Fine, as soon as it is we are celebrating, okay? Jessica might be my only grandchild,” she quickly shot a look at Tommy and Frankie. “I get to celebrate all her milestones.”

Jane grinned at the way both her brothers avoided their mother’s gaze. “Of course, Ma, you can throw us a big party then, okay?” Maura frowned as she looked at Jane in surprise. Jane allowing Angela to throw them a big party was a surprise, being a mother was really changing the brunette. Jane gave a shy smile and kissed the blonde’s cheek in reply.

“Can I have her back now?” Tommy asked as he held his hands out for Jessica.

“No, it’s my turn,” Frankie argued and scooped Jessica out of Maura’s arms before Tommy had a chance to. Jane took the opportunity to pull Maura closer while her brothers argued over who got to hold Jessica. Luckily, Jessica loved the attention from her uncles and began to laugh at the two of them again. 

“She’s going to grow up like you, isn’t she with those two?” Maura asked fondly as she leaned into Jane’s embrace while they watched Tommy and Frankie.

“I have no idea what you mean.” Jane grinned. It had taken some time but Frankie had managed to separate the issues that Frank had created away from Jessica and the two of them had been bonding. Now Frankie and Tommy had started to compete to be the favourite uncle and Jessica had been loving the attention. 

“I guess you’re not that bad,” Maura teased as she turned her head to look at her girlfriend.

“I can’t be that bad for you to like me,” Jane retorted and quickly pecked Maura’s lips before resting their heads together as they enjoyed being in the moment, enjoyed being surrounded by their family.

Chapter Text

Maura swayed gently from side to side as Jessica napped in the wrap, her phone cradled against her ear. Even though during the night Jessica had started to sleep on either the bed or in her cot, her naps were still on Jane and Maura and neither woman minded. They enjoyed the contact naps still. Jessica was still light enough for the wrap to be comfortable so they were in no rush to ease her naps into her cot.

Maura’s lips curved into a frown as she listened to the person on the other end of the phone before she hung up and turned to Jane with a desperate look.

“Maur, are you okay?”

“That was my mother, she’s coming to visit,” Maura whispered and placed her phone down onto the kitchen island.

“Your mother?” Jane matched Maura’s frown. “But I thought she was in France?”

“She was . She’s in Boston for one of her galas and she wants to stop by for a visit, in an hour.” Maura looked around the house in a panic. Constance Isles had never been to Maura’s house, she barely kept up with her daughter’s life. “She doesn’t know,” Maura whispered and looked down at Jessica. Mother and daughter didn’t talk that often and usually when they did it was never about personal things so Maura hadn’t told her mother. She wished they had the relationship where she could have called her up excitedly and told Constance about Jessica and Jane, but that wasn’t them.

Jane’s face fell slightly as she realised what Maura meant and she walked towards the blonde, gently placing her hands on her arms. “Why haven’t you told her?” Her voice was soft, no accusation present.

“I didn’t think she’d be interested,” Maura admitted and kept her gaze down, feeling shame that she hadn’t told her mother the biggest news of her life. “I didn’t think she’d care.”

“Oh, Maur,” Jane sighed and pulled the blonde into a loose hug, Jessica preventing them from hugging too tight. The brunette felt so angry at Constance for making Maura feel like she wasn’t interested in her own daughter’s life.

“I don’t want Jessica to feel unwanted by her like I do.” Maura closed her eyes as she felt them sting from tears. Jane tensed as she realised that was a very likely outcome and neither woman wanted that for Jessica, they were doing everything they could to ensure that the little girl felt wanted and loved by everybody. “I’m sorry,” Maura whispered and pulled back from the hug.

“Hey, you don’t need to be sorry.” Jane placed a finger under the blonde’s chin and tilted her head up. “She’s your mother, it’s your choice if she knows about Jessica and gets to be in her life. I will support you whatever you decide, okay? I’m right here by your side the whole time,” she promised. Maura gave a small nod as she looked up at Jane, reaching a hand out to intertwine their fingers together. “What do we need to do to get ready for your mother?”

An hour later, just as Constance had said, she arrived on their doorstep. Jessica was still snuggled against Maura’s chest in the wrap as she woke up from her nap. Jane placed a hand protectively on the blonde’s back as they made their way to the front door to open it.

“Mother.” Maura smiled at Constance Isles standing on her doorstep. Constance’s face fell for just a second as she took in the sight before her before she leaned in to air kiss her daughter’s cheeks. “Mother this is Jane and this is our daughter, Jessica,” Maura introduced them as Constance stepped into the hallway, her face not giving much away in terms of her emotions.

“Daughter?” Constance questioned and looked between both women. Jane’s arm tightened around Maura’s waist, a feeling of protectiveness washing over her. She wasn’t about to let anyone hurt Maura or Jessica, no matter who they were.

“Yeah, our daughter,” Jane confirmed and placed her other hand on Jessica’s back.

Constance watched the brunette quietly, able to see just how protective she was of Maura. “Maura, dear, I had no idea. Congratulations.” She smiled at the pair of them and clasped her hands together in front of her. Jane felt Maura relax slightly next to her before the three of them made their way into the living room. Maura eased Jessica out of the wrap and sat the little girl on her lap so she could see what was going on. Jessica had become curious about the world around her and as much as she loved being snuggled against her mothers, she was also enjoying watching everything around her. Jane smiled softly and ran her fingers over Jessica’s hair as the little girl stared at Constance.

“How old is she?” Constance asked as she watched Jessica.

“Nearly six months.” Maura beamed widely as she always did about Jessica and missed the slight fall in Constance’s face but Jane didn’t. Jane was watching intently.

“She’s beautiful,” Constance commented and made sure there was a smile on her face when Maura looked up at her again. “Why didn’t you tell me you were having a baby?”

Maura paused and turned to look at Jane. So far, everyone they knew was aware of Jessica’s story but Maura hadn’t once thought about what to tell her own parents. She hadn’t even thought to tell them about Jessica. Even though all of her emotions had come to the surface, not once had she considered picking up the phone to Constance and telling her she had a granddaughter. What did that say about their relationship?

“It’s a complicated situation.” Jane tucked a strand of hair behind Maura’s ear before she draped her arm around the blonde’s shoulders. “Jessica is my half sister and after my father died I was named as her guardian. Maura has been by my side the whole time so I asked her if she would parent with me.” The brunette gave a small shrug like the question she had asked Maura was one you asked every day, not a life changing decision. “Now we have a daughter.”

Constance was quiet for a few moments as she let the words sink in. “That was very… considerate of you.” Her voice gave the opposite impression from her words as she looked at Jane. Jane didn’t flinch under the steely gaze of the older woman, she was used to staring down suspects, her mother-in-law wasn’t about to phase her.

“I wouldn’t trade either of them for the world.” Jane met the older woman’s gaze, showing her just how much Maura meant to her. She could sense that Constance wasn’t happy about Jessica but Jane wasn’t going to let her ruin it. “Maura’s an amazing mother, Jessica and I are so lucky to have her.”

Constance watched the two women in front of her, the way they looked at each other, the way they interacted. It was clear they cared a lot for each other. They knew each other. It was then that Constance realised just how little she knew of her daughter. “How long have you been together?” she asked and watched as Jane's lips twitched into a smirk.

“Do you want the official answer or the denial answer?” Jane let Jessica grab hold of her finger and lift it towards her mouth to chew on while Constance frowned at the question. “We’ve pretty much been together for a few years now but it wasn’t until a few weeks ago that we actually realised that and acknowledged it.” 

“You seem happy.” Constance directed it towards her daughter who smiled softly.

“I am, mother. Would you like to hold Jessica?” Maura asked hesitantly. She knew that Constance would likely say no, she was far from the maternal type, but a small part of Maura hoped that she would be interested in her granddaughter. Angela had become the type of grandmother who didn’t wait to be asked to hold Jessica or help in any way. Angela just did. She would scoop Jessica up and attend to any need without Jane or Maura needing to ask. They didn’t even have to ask if they needed a break, Angela would pick up her granddaughter and shoo them out of the house. Maura wished that Constance was like that but she knew that was just a dream.

Constance watched as Jane’s body tensed beside Maura as she waited for Constance’s response. Babies were never the older Isle’s thing. Maura was the only baby she had ever really interacted with and even then they had a nanny. Jane was readying herself to pick up the pieces of Maura’s disappointment when Constance said no, the older woman realised. “Of course, darling.” Constance plastered on a smile and smoothed her hands over her skirt as Maura approached her with Jessica. The blonde settled the baby onto Constance’s lap and sat back next to Jane, who instantly wrapped a reassuring arm around her shoulders. “Hello, Jessica.” Constance looked down at the baby in her lap, aware that she was being watched by both Maura and Jane. Jessica gazed up at the older woman quietly and Maura couldn’t help but realise just how different Jessica was reacting to her own mother compared to the Rizzolis. Of course, Jessica had been a few months younger when she first met the Rizzolis which was likely the reason for the difference, but it still made Maura sad to know that her daughter wasn’t excited to meet her side of the family. Then Maura thought about how she hadn’t been excited to share the news of Jessica with her parents, she had been excited to tell the Rizzolis, but not her own parents. She had a better relationship with Jane’s family than she did her own. She thought of the Rizzolis more as family than Constance and Arthur. Maura swallowed the lump that had caught in her throat and felt Jane link their fingers together but she didn’t turn her head to look at the brunette, knowing that if she did her tears would fall.

Jessica let out a cry and turned her head, searching for Maura and Jane. Instantly Maura scooped her up, making an excuse about a diaper change before she left the living room with the little girl. Jane knew that it was just an excuse to leave and she hated the fact that Maura felt like she couldn’t cry in front of her own mother.

“I sense you have something to say to me.” Constance took in Jane’s tense posture, the dark look in her eyes, like a lion ready to pounce.

“Yeah, there is. I don’t like seeing Maura hurt.” Jane clenched her fists as she warned herself to stay calm.

“You think I hurt her?” Constance frowned slightly and glanced towards the stairs where Maura had retreated with Jessica.

“I know you’ve hurt her. She’s spent her whole life trying to please you only for you to ignore her, make her feel alone, unwanted. She never told you we have a daughter because she thought you wouldn’t be interested, did you know that? Having a child is such a big thing and Maura felt like she couldn’t share that with you. You’ve made her feel like she is never good enough, no matter what she does.”

“She must know how proud I am of her. How much I love her.”

“Not the signals you’re sending.” Jane shook her head and leaned back against the cushions. She couldn’t begin to imagine what it had been like growing up with Constance Isles as a mother. Angela Rizzoli might not understand her children’s boundaries but at least she was always present.

“I was never any good at it,” Constance whispered and dropped her gaze for a moment.

“At what?”

“Being a mother. I’ve missed so much.” Constance swallowed, feeling her emotions bubble up inside of her. It hurt to know how Maura felt, that had never been her intention.

“Yeah, you have,” Jane agreed and could see the sorrow in the other woman's eyes. “But you can change that now. If you don’t, there’s the chance you’ll lose your daughter and granddaughter because I’m not about to let my daughter or my partner live the rest of their life feeling like they are unwanted by you.” She tapped a finger against her thigh as she let her words wash over Constance. “So, you can either leave now if you’re just going to continue how you are, or you go and find your daughter and talk to her.”

Constance studied Jane for a few seconds before she stood from the chair and made her way towards the stairs. It wasn’t until she had started to climb that she realised she had no idea where Maura would likely be but she was too proud to turn around and ask Jane. Once she reached the top, she stopped and listened, hearing Maura’s voice coming from one of the rooms.

“Maura,” Constance called gently as she stepped into the nursery, causing the blonde to jump slightly before she picked Jessica up from her changing table. “It’s beautiful in here,” she commented as she looked around the room.

“Thank you.” Maura gently rubbed Jessica’s back as she studied her mother and hoped her eyes weren’t too red from the tears that had fallen. Luckily Jessica was a good distraction for feeling sad.

“You know how much I love you and how proud I am of you, don’t you?” Constance frowned slightly as she looked at her daughter and let out a small sigh. “I’ve never really told you, have I? That is my mistake, I should have.” Slowly she walked closer towards the blonde and could see the tears shining in her eyes. “I am so proud of you, Maura, so very proud. You are the Chief Medical Examiner and now you have a beautiful daughter with someone who loves you very much and is very protective of you.” Maura smiled softly and kissed Jessica’s forehead at her mother’s words. “Maura, I am sorry that I made you feel unwanted. I don’t know how to be a mother but I love you very, very much.” Maura squeezed her eyes shut as the tears began to fall again. She had been waiting a very long time to hear those words from her mother. “I’m sorry, Maura,” Constance whispered and pulled her daughter into a hug, Jessica giving a small squeal of protest.

“I’m sorry, baby.” Maura pulled back slightly and kissed Jessica’s nose. “Did we squash you?”

“I’d really like to spend more time here in Boston, with you, Jane and Jessica, if you’ll let me.” Constance looked at her daughter hopefully.

“Of course, mother. We’d like that.” Maura smiled back softly, this is what she had been dreaming of her whole life.

—

“Look at her, she’s all tired out,” Jane commented as she walked towards the bed that night. She leaned over Maura to tenderly kiss her before climbing into bed and lying down. Jessica was sound asleep in the middle of the bed and Jane propped her head up on an arm so she could watch the little girl sleep.

“It was a big day meeting her grandmother.” Maura shifted and matched Jane’s position. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“For what?” Jane looked up and felt her heart swell with love at the sight of Maura.

“I’m not sure what you said to my mother but it worked, so thank you.”

“What makes you think I said anything?” Jane raised an eyebrow, the corner of her lips lifting in a smirk, causing the blonde to let out a gentle laugh.

“I know you, Jane.” Maura reached a hand out and let it trail down Jane’s arm. “She said you are very protective of me, that means you said something to her.”

Jane gave a small shrug. “I may have told her off. You deserve better than how she was treating you and I told her that.”

“Thank you,” Maura whispered and leaned over Jessica to kiss Jane again. “Have I told you just how much I love you?”

Jane grinned and leaned their foreheads together. “Just as much as I love you.”

Chapter Text

Six months later

“Oh, look at you in your pretty dress,” Jane cooed at Jessica as she walked out of the bathroom after her shower. Jessica had pulled herself up onto her feet, holding onto the side of the bed and grinned at her mother.

“Mama,” Jessica babbled and let go with one hand to wave it in the direction of the brunette. Jane bent down and planted kisses all over the little girl’s face, causing Jessica to giggle and bury her face into the side of the bed  

“You can tell Mommy buys all your dresses.” Jane grinned and kissed the top of Maura’s head who was sitting at the dressing table, putting on her make-up. “Mama would have just put you in a baseball jersey,” the brunette teased as she walked towards the closet to get dressed. Maura rolled her eyes and tried to swat at Jane as she walked past.

“Don’t listen to her, Jess. You look beautiful in your dress.” Maura leaned down and scooped the little girl up as she had crawled over towards her. Jessica grinned widely and bounced herself up and down on Maura’s thigh, babbling away at her mother. “Today’s a very special day, isn’t it?”

“Very special,” Jane agreed as she pulled on her own dress that Maura had insisted she wear. “You both look beautiful. I don’t know how I got so lucky.” She walked towards them once she was in her dress and scooped Jessica up, kissing her cheek once more. 

Maura put her make-up brushes back before she stood from the stool and leaned upwards to kiss Jane tenderly. “I think we’re all very lucky,” she whispered before she turned to grab her purse from a chair. “Who is meeting us at the court house?”

It was the day that they finally signed Jessica’s adoption papers. They would no longer be her legal guardians but her legal parents. As promised, Jane let Angela plan a big party for everyone to celebrate.

“Everyone. No one wanted to miss it.” Jane smiled as she thought about their family all wanting to be there to support them. Even Constance had made sure to be in Boston for the big day. “Ma is just going to set up ready for the party for when we get back but she’ll be there in time.” Jane rolled her eyes, just knowing that Angela would have gone all out for the party afterwards. It was only going to be the Rizzolis, Korsak, Frost, Nina, Susie and Constance but knowing just how a big a day it was, Angela was going to go all out, especially seeing as Constance had gotten involved the past few days.

“All these people, just for you.” Maura smiled softly and tickled Jessica’s side, earning a giggle from the little girl.

“If you had asked me a year ago where I thought I would be now, this is now what I would have said.” Jane reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind Maura’s ear. “I wouldn’t change any of it for the world though. I’m right where I’m meant to be.”

Maura couldn’t help but grin at her, her arms sliding around both Jane and Jessica. “We are all right where we are supposed to be.” Jessica took great delight at being cuddled by both her mothers and reached out with her hands to grab hold of whatever she could, hair, clothes, necklace, ears.

“Right, trouble, let’s get you in the car,” Jane declared once she had prised Maura’s necklace out of the girl’s grasp. 

—

Jane smiled softly as she watched her family all gathered in the living room. Everyone had turned up to the court house, just like they had promised. Jessica was now officially Jane and Maura’s, she was a Rizzoli-Isles. As soon as they had all gotten back from the courthouse, Jessica was swiftly scooped out of Jane and Maura’s arms and passed between everyone. Of course, this thrilled the little girl who loved the attention from her family. Currently, Jessica was holding onto the coffee table in the middle of the room, babbling away as Tommy and Frost were entertaining her with a hand puppet show. Angela and Constance had begun to bond over Grandmother duties. Constance had been visiting once a month for a few days to spend time with her daughter and granddaughter. Frankie had accepted his Uncle role and had turned Nina into Auntie Nina once they had made their relationship known. Korsak had taken on the grandpa role for Jessica without being asked so it was only fitting that everyone had started to refer to him as Grandpa Korsak. Susie had also turned out to be a bit of a fun aunt for Jessica and was someone else that they could call upon for babysitting.

Jane and Maura had started leaving Jessica with others, trying to ease her into being away from them for when they started back at work. Of course, Angela was always the first point of call, offended if she wasn’t asked first. Tommy was the second point of call and would jump at the chance to spend time with Jessica. Frankie was third and then everyone else would always say yes unless they were at work. Jessica had managed to wrap everyone around her little finger.

“Hey.” Frankie smiled at his sister as he joined her at the kitchen island.

“Hey.” Jane smiled back before she let her gaze wander back to everyone in the living room.

“She’s growing up so fast,” he commented as he watched Jessica let go of the coffee table with one hand. She was getting closer to walking every day.

“Too fast. She’s nearly one. Where has all that time gone? She’s not a little baby anymore.” Jane let out a sad sigh, sometimes she missed those early days where all Jessica wanted to do was snuggle with one of them. Now she barely sat still and was on the go all the time.

“That’s all thanks to you and Maura, you realise that right? You two are such amazing parents that she’s thriving.” Frankie nudged his sister with his elbow as he watched the blush creep up her cheeks.

“We’re doing our best.” Being a parent wasn’t easy and there were times where Jane felt like she was failing completely but she knew that she would lay her life down for Jessica.

“You do realise you’ve set the bar for me and Tommy now though, right?” Frankie looked at her seriously while Jane just frowned at him in confusion. “Ma will want more grandkids now. You and Maura are settled and have Jessica, Ma will be on at me and Tommy now.”

Jane shook her head as she let out a laugh. “You think she won’t be asking when me and Maura are having another?” She raised an eyebrow as she realised once Jessica turned one Angela would probably start asking.

“True,” Frankie agreed with a grin. “So if you could give her a second one, give us some time that would be great.”

Jane punched Frankie in the arm with a grin. “Nah, I’ve got something else I need to do first.” Her eyes wandered to Maura who was curled up in a chair, deep in conversation with Nina. 

Frankie followed his sister’s gaze and smiled softly as he realised her intentions. “That’ll work,” he agreed before he turned and joined everyone else, leaving Jane to just observe from afar, once again wondering how she got so lucky.

—

“Hey.” Maura grinned widely at Jessica who sat in the middle of the bed that night. The party had gone on much longer than they had anticipated and even though everyone was exhausted from the day, Jessica was still wide awake. The blonde leaned closer and kissed the top of the girl’s head. “It’s time for bed now, aren’t you tired?” The only response was a babble as the little girl glanced back down at her lap, her hands reaching for the small box that sat there. “What’s that, Jess?” Maura asked curiously as she held a hand out, Jessica instantly taking hold of her mother’s hand. The blonde smiled softly and used her other hand to reach for the box, her lips curving into a frown as she realised that it was a jewellery box. “Where did you get this from?” Maura flipped open the box to see what was inside and gasped as she looked at the ring inside.

“From me,” Jane’s soft voice floated from behind her and Maura turned to face her partner, her eyes wide as she realised that Jane was on knee behind her. “Maur, my life isn’t complete without you and Jess. You two are my world. Today we officially became Jessica’s parents, she became a Rizzoli-Isles. I want us all to be Rizzoli-Isles. Maura, will you marry me?”

“Yes!” Maura flung herself off the bed, wrapping her arms around Jane as her tears began to flow. “Of course I’ll marry you.” Jane grinned and pulled back from the hug just enough so that she could kiss her now fiancee. Jessica’s face fell at the sudden change in mood and she crawled towards her parents, reaching a hand out for Maura. “Mommy’s okay, baby,” the blonde reassured the little girl and pulled her into the hug as well. “I’m just really happy.”

“Me too,” Jane whispered and pulled the ring from the box, sliding it onto the blonde’s finger. “I’ve got everything I ever wanted right here.”