Chapter Forty

It had happened without any warning. A powerful wave of anxiety had passed underneath Jane's skin the moment she had looked at Camille. In spite of her daughter's serenity, Jane had felt how her heart had begun to beat a lot faster and how an endless series of dramatic scenarios had turned her brain into a bottomless nightmare. The responsibilities she now had as a mother had hit her like a ton of bricks. Very violently.

And she had burst into tears.

She didn't have any doubt – as a matter of fact, she knew that she was ready to assume everything – but the last days had been overwhelming. Perhaps she needed these tears to come out the way Maura had cried at the hospital after Kent had told her about his past.

Jane needed to trust her instinct and to stick to the behavior she had showed since the moment Maura had told her that she was expecting a baby.

They would do just fine together and Camille would grow up in a family that loved her more than anything. Jane was very much in love herself. Her feelings had showed up unexpectedly – on an unplanned journey – but she had embraced them with a determination that was extremely comforting.

Thus her anxiety didn't make sense. Or at least not really. Perhaps she was simply a tad tired. She hadn't stopped going from one place to another since Maura had given birth to their daughter, after all.

Of course she didn't have a hold over everything and she didn't know what the future had in store for them but she still could make sure to reduce potential risks to a minimum. She had been reckless in the past – not so long ago, actually – and she hadn't always thought about the danger that lay behind her actions. It would be different from now on: she owed it to Maura, and to Camille.

She had taken two weeks off in order to help Maura at home at first and because she wanted to take care of her daughter during the first days of her life but she knew that she would have to go back to work at some point. Just as she knew how dangerous said work could be. Perhaps it was a tad too early to talk about it but Jane had the feeling that being a mother would provoke a drastic change in her professional behavior. She had developed a strong sensibility.

"Are you ready, Little M.?" Jane cast a glance at the sky through the window. It was a glorious sunny day, very cold but perfect for a walk. Jane laughed lightly as she realized how much Camille looked like an Eskimo in her winter outfit. "Let's go pick up your mother."

Maura had got her first appointment with the midwife since she had left the hospital a week earlier. Jane assumed that her partner would then start her reeducation soon just as it was supposed to go.

The short amount of time that Jane and spent alone at home with Camille today had nonetheless brought her a lot of comfort. It was the first time that she could bond with her daughter without anyone else to be around. And everything had gone smoothly.

Jane was actually earger to repeat the experience soon.

Maura's parents were still in Boston but they didn't try to control anything. Same for Angela had was being oddly respectful of Jane and Maura's privacy and time as mothers. Hope often stopped by in the afternoon. Jane liked this routine.

She pushed the stroller towards the lobby before opening the door. Beacon Hill was very quiet at this hour of the day and the beautiful brick townhouses seemed to be shining in the sun. Jane had always loved this neighborhood even if it hadn't crossed her mind that she may live there one day. Just another dream that had come true.

She closed the door behind her before starting to walk towards Boston Common with Camille in her stroller.

The pride she felt to walk around with her daughter was extremely ridiculous. Jane was aware of it but she couldn't help feel that way. She may have not given birth to the baby who was sleeping in the stroller but Camille was nonetheless her child. And it made Jane feel complete.

She crossed Boston Common at a fast pace. Camille seemed to enjoy the ride. She was an easy newborn even if her temper had begun to show lately. Perhaps the next few years wouldn't be as quiet as the days were now passing by.

Jane reached the hospital the moment Maura was walking out of it. She waved at her timidly, impatiently.

"Hey..." Maura planted a light kiss on Jane's lips before brushing Camille's forehead with her kiss. "How did it go?"

"It went just fine. How about you?"

Both women began to walk towards a coffee shop they enjoyed a lot. It would probably become one of their favorite spot in the next months for it was close to the hospital where Maura and Camille would get their checkups.

"I will have ten sessions of reeducation, twice a week. It should go fast, actually." Maura cast a glance at their surrouding. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a few seconds in order to enjoy the warmth of the sun on her skin. "She said I'm doing fine."

Maura had recovered from her delivery very quickly. Of course she was tired because of the pace Camille imposed them but she knew that she could count on Jane, especially now that she had begun to pump her milk.

She wouldn't have to breasfeed all the time from now and her partner would actually be able to take care of it. She still enjoyed breastfeeding Camille but she was glad that Jane could now feed her too. It was important for Maura.

As a matter of fact, Maura couldn't feel happier. Jane was being a really fantastic partner and the best mother a child could hope for. She made sure that Maura would have her time off to take a bath, or to take a nap. Thus Maura didn't have the feeling to be overwhelmed by her new responsibilities.

It was almost too good to be true.

"I'm starving." Maura adjusted her Chanel sunglasses on top of her nose before opening the door to the coffee shop to Jane who was still pushing the stroller. "Their double-chocolate waffles are exactly what I need."

The remark caused Maura to laugh because double-chocolate waffles were the food she had craved the most during her pregnancy. Perhaps it had simply turned into a new diet habit.

They settled at a table near the windows that overlooked the gates of Boston Common. Maura sat down at a table and Jane went to order their drinks as well as their pastries. The coffee shop was very quiet, and almost empty.

Within a few minutes, Jane was back to their table.

She took her coat off before sitting down opposite Maura. She glanced at Camille who was now freed from her winter outfit before looking back at Maura almost immediately.

"I know that you hate surprises but ahem..." Jane ran her tongue over her lips. She didn't want to wait any longer to say what she had to say. As a matter of fact, the walk to the coffee shop had been plain torture for her. "I've got something for you."

Jane leaned over to grab something in Camille's diaper bag. She sat back on her seat properly before setting down on the table a small velvet box.

Maura raised an eyebrow. She looked more amused than anything.

"Is it what I think it is?"

Jane laughed nervously.

She ran a hand through her hair before shaking her head and shrugging away Maura's question. Though the moment she saw the waiter walk towards their table with their orders, she grabbed the box back immediately. She politely thanked him for the drinks and the sweets whereas Maura answered his few questions about Camille before putting the box back on the table as he left anew.

"There is no date. There is no pressure. It can happen tomorrow like in twenty years. I don't care much." Jane opened the box. The diamond of the ring caught the sun and shone intensely. "But I nonetheless want you to wear this. It's... It's a reminder of the promise you made last week."

Jane found the word 'engagement' to be old-fashioned. Besides, she wasn't sure that it was actually what she and Maura were about to do. She had proposed to her partner but it remained symbolical. There was nothing official about it and she wanted to keep it this way for a while. The ring was just a personal gift; one that could easily be taken for a birth gift.

Maura's hazel eyes fixed upon the ring. She found it to be very beautiful, elegant and discreet. As a matter of fact, the design looked ancient.

"It belonged to this dear Pupetta."

"Oh." A quiet laugh slid on Maura's lips. Jane had just answered her silent question over the design of the ring. "So... This is a jewel that stays in the family, isn't it?"

Jane gave Maura a nod.

"It's exactly what it is. Unless you have changed your mind, of course. Do you still think that one day you may become a Rizzoli-Isles?"

If Maura had had a lot of fantasies about engagement parties and weddings, she had to admit that what she was living with Jane now went beyond her expectations. It was actually a lot better than a thousand dreams. It fit. It matched who they were and how they wanted to lead their life.

The moment was personal yet very simple and deprived of complex notions that would make it sound colder and artificial.

"I do think that this is what I want, Jane." Maura nodded. Her cheeks had turned pink as a wave of timidity had invaded her. "Really."

Satisfied and perhaps even a tad relieved, Jane took the ring out of the box in order to slide it along Maura's finger. She observed it for a while before squeezing Maura's hand tightly as she looked into her partner's eyes.

It was meant to be. She was sure of it.

The End

Author's Note: Thank you very much for all your reviews and messages to this long story. I'm really happy to see that so many of you have liked it. I should be back here around October, 7th. I leave for Canada for two weeks, on vacation. Thus I won't be able to post anything during this lapse of time.

My initial plan was to write a sequel to this story. If this is what you want, please let me know in the reviews or in a private message. If you prefer me to turn the page and start the Paris story that would follow the last episode then let me know too. I think I will follow your desires. If there is a sequel then it means the Paris fic will be written after. That's up to you!

Thanks again for everything.