Chapter Text
Jane and Maura's Beacon Hill home was filled with family, friends, and excitement. Balloons were tied to every chair, streamers hung across the walls, and the scent of Maura's freshly baked, gluten free cake filled the air. Today was going to be a huge day. It's Max and Milo's first birthday. And Jane and Maura had gone all out. because their miracle boys had been through so much in their first year, so much more than any child should ever have to endure. And today? Today was simply about celebrating them and giving them a day that they were definitely going to forget since they're one, but Jane and Maura weren't going to.
Jane woke up on her side to the sounds of tiny giggles and soft babbling happening right behind her back. She turned her head on the pillow and found both Max and Milo sitting up between her and Maura, clapping their hands together. Jane smirked, stretching her arms out.
"Well, well, well," Jane murmured, her voice raspy with sleep. "Look who's officially one year old."
Max let out an extremely high-pitched squeal, reaching out and grabbing Jane's nose. Milo giggled, immediately reaching for Maura's face. Maura let out a breathless laugh, gently capturing Milo's tiny hand and pretending to eat it, making him giggle.
"Good morning, my loves," Maura whispered, pressing a kiss to Milo's forehead, then doing the same for Max. Jane grinned, pulling Max into her arms and snuggling him close.
"You guys feel different," Jane teased. "More... mature." Maura chuckled, shaking her head. "They're still our babies," Maura murmured, brushing her fingers over Milo's soft curls. Jane smirked, kissing Max's cheek. "Not for long," Jane said dramatically. "Next thing we know, they'll be borrowing the car and bringing home dates." Maura gasped, horrified. "Jane!" Maura scolded. "They're babies!" Jane laughed, winking at Max. "Yeah, yeah," Jane teased. "For now."
By the time the clock read, 9:00AM, Jane and Maura were rushing around the house, finalizing every last detail before their guests arrived. The backyard had been completely transformed, their was a massive balloon arch, a play area full of soft toys and activity stations, and a huge "Happy Birthday Max & Milo" banner stretched across the fence. Jane stood in the middle of the yard, hands on her hips, surveying the scene in front of her. "Okay," Jane said, nodding in approval. "Not bad." Maura walked up beside her, adjusting a centerpiece on one of the tables. "Not bad?" Maura scoffed. "Jane, this is a first-birthday extravaganza." Jane smirked, wrapping an arm around Maura's waist. "Only the best for our boys," Jane murmured. Maura smiled, leaning into Jane's embrace. "They deserve it," Maura whispered, and Jane couldn't agree more.
An hour later, the party was in full swing. Friends, family, and even coworkers from BPD were scattered throughout the yard, all there to celebrate Max and Milo's big day. But the main event? The cake smash. Jane and Maura were both thrilled for this part. They set the boys up in their high chairs, each with their own small birthday cake in front of them. Angela, Korsak, Frost, Frankie, Tommy, Susie, and everyone else gathered, cameras at the ready. "Alright, boys," Jane grinned, crouching between their chairs. "It's time to go wild." Max, always the more adventurous one, wasted no time smacking his tiny little chubby hands into the frosting, his face lighting up as he smeared it across his cheeks. Everyone laughed and started cheering him on.
Milo, on the other hand, looked suspicious. He eyed the cake in front of him, then looked at Max, who was already a frosting-covered mess.
All of a sudden, Milo picked up a tiny piece, inspected it closely— and daintily placed it in his mouth. Maura couldn't help but to giggle at that.
"Of course," Maura chuckled. "Milo is savoring it while Max is—"
Jane turned just in time to see Max throw a handful of cake into the air. Jane's eyes widened. "Max!" Jane scolded, trying, but ultimately failing, to hold back her laugh. Max giggled mischievously, looking entirely too proud of himself. That was Max's personality though. Milo simply watched, clearly unimpressed by his twin brother. Maura shook her head. "I think we have our first troublemaker," Maura mused. Jane grinned. "And I think I love it," Jane smirked, ruffling Max's hair.
By the time the party wound down, Max and Milo were both exhausted, clinging to their moms, their tiny hands resting against their chests. Jane and Maura sat on the couch, one twin in each arm, soaking in the quiet after a day full of love, laughter, and way too much cake. Maura pressed a soft kiss to Milo's temple, whispering, "Happy birthday, my love." Jane did the same to Max, murmuring, "Happy birthday, buddy."
After a few hours the house was finally quiet. Max and Milo were tucked in their cribs, their tiny chests rising and falling peacefully, exhausted from the excitement of their first birthday. Jane and Maura were curled up on the couch, wrapped in a warm blanket, a glass of wine in Maura's hand and a beer in Jane's. It was their first moment of stillness in what felt like forever. Jane exhaled deeply, stretching her long legs out.
"That was a hell of a party," Jane muttered, tipping her beer bottle toward Maura. Maura smiled, resting her head against Jane's shoulder.
"It was perfect," Maura whispered. "Our boys are officially one year old." Jane sighed dramatically. "I know," Jane grumbled. "I'm still not ready for them to grow up, this past year went by entirely too quick." Maura chuckled softly, playing with Jane's fingers. "They're still babies, Jane," Maura reminded her. Jane smirked. "Yeah yeah," Jane said reminiscing. "For now." They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, just soaking in the peace.
Then—
Maura took a deep breath, sitting up slightly. "Jane?" Maura said, her voice careful. Jane immediately felt the shift. She turned, her eyebrows furrowing slightly. "Yeah, babe?" Jane asked. Maura hesitated for a moment, then—
"I want to have another baby," Maura whispered. Jane froze. Her beer bottle stilled in her hand, her brain short-circuiting. She blinked. "Wait," Jane said, processing. "Like... another baby baby?" Maura nodded, her expression gentle but sure.
"Yes," Maura smiled. "I want to have another baby. We can use the same donor that we used for Max and Milo." Jane stared at her wife, her heart doing weird little flips. Another baby? Another tiny human to love? Another Max or Milo? Jane felt her chest swell with both excitement and nerves. After a few seconds of trying to process Maura's words, she grinned. "Okay," Jane said simply. Maura blinked. "Okay?" Maura echoed, her eyebrows lifting. Jane laughed, setting her beer down and pulling Maura onto her lap. "Yeah, babe," Jane smirked. "Okay." Maura's face softened, her eyes glistening. "You really mean that?" Maura whispered. Jane cupped Maura's face, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. "Of course I do," Jane murmured. "Maura, we have the cutest kids ever. Why wouldn't I want another one?" Maura let out a breathy laugh, shaking her head.
"Well, I just wasn't sure if you were ready for—"
"Maura," Jane cut in, her voice firm but full of love. "If you want another baby, then I want another baby. No question. We already know the process and have a donor that we both like." Maura exhaled sharply, her hands tangling in Jane's hair. "I love you," Maura whispered, her forehead pressing against Jane's. Jane smirked. "I know," Jane teased. Maura rolled her eyes but laughed, kissing Jane again. And just like that, their little family was about to grow again.