Climbing into bed, I wrapped my arms around Maura. "Tonight was great. Everyone's so happy for us." Tilting my head, I kissed the blonde's shoulder.

"They are." Closing her book, Maura snuggled into my embrace. "There are no words to express how happy I am. Three weeks ago, when I told you how I felt, I was beyond terrified of losing you. Now look at us. We're together and happy."

"Mhm. I'm glad you told me. To be honest, everything clicked when you told me and it solidified after I kissed you that night."

"I was surprised you did that."

A shiver ran up my spine as Maura traced lazy designs on my side. "Why is that?"

"It just did. I always thought that I would have to make the first move."

"You did. You told me how you felt. Me not being as good with words, made the first physical move."

"You have always acted better than explaining."

Leaning back, I frowned. "I'm not sure how to take that."

Chuckling, Maura kissed me. "It's a compliment."

"Yeah, okay." My hand roamed the shorter woman's body and found its way into her hair. Holding her in place, I deepened a kiss.

Breaking apart, Maura kept her voice light but serious. "Are you sure you're ready, Jane?"

"I am." Rolling the blonde to lay on her back, I hovered a moment. "I'm surer of this than anything I've ever done. Are you?"

"Yes." Dipping my head, I captured the smaller woman's lips with mine. Each of her moans caused a fire to start in the pit of my stomach. I couldn't wait to have our skin together with no barriers separating us. Maura tightened her grip in my hair as I nipped down her neck. "Jane…" Her voice was breathless as I kissed downward and across her collarbones.

I've never done this before but I know what I like. And her trembling tells me I'm on the right track. Kissing my way down my lover's abdomen, I pulled her lace underwear down her long legs. Maura stiffened causing me to meet her gaze. "Everything okay?"

Biting her lip, Maura finally spoke. "I'm just…."

I'm not sure how I knew what she wanted to say but I did. Leaning back on my knees, I reached behind to undo my bra. Green eyes darkened as the straps slid down my arms. "Better?" All Maura could do was nod. Moving back up, I kissed her softly hoping to ease any anxiety the woman had.

"Thank you, Jane." Soft hands roamed my back as I unlocked Maura's bra. The air hitched in my throat seeing my best friend fully nude before me. "What?" Worry washed over her again.

"You're…absolutely gorgeous."

A soft blush crept up the medical examiner's neck. "Really?"

"Really." Claiming her lips once more, all anxiety and worry evaporated from the room. We were in a safe place. Free of judgment. It was only the two of us in a queen-sized bed finally making love.

Xxx

I've never had a lover look at me the way Jane does; especially now. Such love and tenderness shined in them when she looks at me. Why did I wait so long to make my feelings known? All that matters is that we're here together in this moment. "Jane…" My voice was breathless as the brunette spread hot, open mouthed kisses every few inches along my abdomen. When she hesitated at the conjunction of my legs, I leaned up on my elbows. "Jane?" She never moved. "You don't have to do that. There are other ways."

"I know." Her voice was huskier than usual. It was deep with lust and need. "I've just never felt this way before. I smelt your arousal and a primal need paralyzed me." Meeting my gaze, there was worry in my lover's dark eyes. "Is that normal?"

I can barely breathe when she looks at me like that. "It can be, yes."

"What does that mean?" A nervous laugh escaped Jane's throat. "It actually scared me."

Sitting up, I cupped the woman's face in my hands. "It's perfectly normal, Jane."

Narrowing her eyes, she smirked. "Hives."

Chuckling, I kissed Jane softly to draw her to lie on top of me again. With each kiss, Jane's anxiety lessoned. "I love you Jane and I trust you." Those eight words lit a fire in the former detective. There was no more hesitation when it came to any touch, kiss, nip, or lick she did. "Jane," I throaty moan escaped my lips when I felt her hot tongue between my thighs. "Oh God…. Jane…" Feeling my lover's tongue slide inside me was pure bliss. A low moan vibrated from Jane causing me to go over the edge. Chanting Jane's name, along with a few colorful words, I finally collapsed against the sheets.

Chuckling, Jane smiled as she kissed her way back up my body. "Did the great Doctor Maura Isles just use the ultimate F word multiple times?"

"Shut up, Jane." A deep blush burnt my face. Sadly, I couldn't keep from smiling.

"You loved it." While Jane was distracted, I flipped us so she was on her back. "Maura?"

"I'm bolder than you think, Detective." I smiled down at the brunette who had just shivered beneath me.

"Yeah, I'm beginning to notice that." Jane's skin jumped when I grazed my nails down her ribcage. "Maura," her voice trailed off. Slowly, Jane's breathing increased.

"Yes Detective?" A shiver coursed through the taller woman as my voice dipped back into a seductive purr.

"That drives me crazy, you know that, right?"

"Oh yes." Leaning down, I kissed my lover deeply. A gasp of air hitched in Jane's throat when I started a slow grind against her.

Xxx

Maura is going to kill me. Every fiber of my body is on fire. I whimpered when she leaned down and nibbled my earlobe. That alone nearly caused me to come undone. "Maura…" I panicked when all movement stopped and I felt the bed shift.

"Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere."

I watched as the blonde moved down the bed. "Put your knees over my shoulders." I did as she asked and nearly died when Maura blew against my heated center. "I won't tease you much, I promise. I just want to build you up so you'll know how I felt."

All I could do was nod because a second later I felt the Doctor's skillful tongue making its way between my swollen core. When my hips bucked, Maura's grip tightened. She was determined to keep me in place. Fisting my hands in the sheets, my back arched off the bed. "Please Maura…"

Xxx

Once everything settled down, I helped Maura make the characters in her book rounder. When she had a final edit, she resubmitted it. Hopefully, we'll get good news in six to eight weeks.

Everyone could see that I was getting bored not having a job so I rejoined B.P.D. My mother was not happy but she knew it was the best thing for me. It was all I really knew. I promised I would take the lieutenant's exam since Vince was no longer there. No one really cared for the temp sergeant. He didn't like Boston anyway. Of course my lovely girlfriend drilled me on the information day and night so I could pass with flying colors.

"Come on Jane, you know this information." Maura stood in the kitchen while I sat on a barstool. I know she's trying to help but good grief. This is why I went straight into the force. I hated school. Groaning, I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Why don't we make this interesting? For every question you get right, I'll take off a piece of clothing. How does that sound?"

I stared blankly at the shorter woman. "Really?" All she did was nod. "Uh…okay then. Shoot."

"But…"

"Here we go." I smirked.

"For every question you get wrong, I put an article of clothing back on and you take one off." I was about to protest when Maura continued. "It gives you more incentive to get the questions correct."

"Fine. Ask away, Doctor Isles." As Maura flipped through the pages, my mind raced. Okay, she's wearing shoes, socks, pants, a shirt, and underwear. I just need to get eight questions right and then we'll hopefully take a break to do some extracurricular activities.

"Stop undressing me, Jane." I could hear the smirk in her voice.

"You started it."

"Okay. When evidence is obtained by the police in violation of a person's constitutional rights, that evidence may be inadmissible in any subsequent criminal trial against that person for which the evidence was a key component. This is known as…"

I sat there combing through all the information I had read. "Uhm…the exclusionary rule?"

"Correct." Stepping out of one shoe, Maura leaned against the counter. "Next question. Which constitutional amendments contain the due process clause?"

"Why can't it be multiple choice? The fourteenth and…" I gotta get this woman out of her clothes. Damn it what was that other one?

"There's a second one. Care to guess?"

Shrugging in defeat, I answered. "No."

"Fourteenth and fifth amendments." I groaned watching Maura put her shoe back on.

"Your shirt, Detective." A mischievous smile tugged at the woman's lips.

She knows that turns me on when she calls me that. So not fair. "Why don't I get to choose?"

"I can always have your mother help you study…"

"Fine." Taking off my shirt, I placed it on the counter. A seductive grin spread across the blonde's features. She's such a tease. I love it.

Half an hour passed and I sat there in nothing but my underwear while Maura still had her pants and bra on. "I kinda feel like a failure."

"You're not a failure, Jane. You just need to study." Buttoning her shirt, Maura continued. "Why don't we stop for today? It's nearly dinner time anyway."

"Thanks for helping me." Pulling a shirt over my head, the blonde tilted my chin to kiss me. Not being able to help myself, I wrapped my arms around Maura and deepened the kiss. Turning us, I trapped her between the counter and myself. As I kissed down her neck, my hands stayed firmly on her hips. "Maybe," kiss. "We can," kiss. "Have desert first?" Nibbling her earlobe caused a throaty moan to escape the beautiful woman.

Maura bit back a moan as her hands made their way under my shirt. "What did you have in mind?" Before I could continue my venture under the woman's shirt, the back door opened. Quickly, I stepped away from my aroused girlfriend and tried to calm myself. "H-hello Angela."

"Hey Ma." Worst. Timing. Ever.

Looking between us, my mother's eyes narrowed. "Were the two of you studying? I didn't mean to interrupt." A soft blush crept up our necks. We had been caught, again. "Anyway, I came to help with dinner. It's my turn to cook."

"Right. I had forgotten." Maura tried keeping her voice even but as my mother turned her back, I crept up behind the blonde and nipped her neck causing her to shudder. I knew payback would be torture but I couldn't resist.

xxx

It was a week before Christmas and I was finally done with all the shopping. Well, all except for one thing. I told Kent to keep Maura busy and in the station as long as possible. Walking into Hope's clinic, I asked the volunteer if she was free. Luckily, she was. "Jane, how are you?"

"I'm good. How is everything? Maura's told me a little but she wants to keep everything confidential."

"Things are wonderful. Everyone who sees Maura loves her." The older woman became skeptical. "But I know that's not the reason you came."

"You're right. I came here to ask for your blessing to ask Maura to marry me. We've known each other for seven years and I know she's the person I want to be with."

Hope was shocked and stayed silent for what felt like forever. Finally, a soft smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. The smile reminded me of Maura. "Of course I give you my blessing, Jane. I'm so happy for the two of you."

Exhaling, I smiled. "Thank you. Maura throws a Christmas party every year. I'd love if you could come and see me ask her. I can text you right before I give her the final gift."

"That would be wonderful. Have you picked out a ring yet?"

"Yeah. There's one that's always been special to me. I've worn it every day for the past seven years. I found it the day Maura and I met actually. It's cheesy but I think of it as a good luck type thing since I found it right after I met her."

"That sounds lovely. She knows it's important to you."

I'm having it resized. It should be ready by tomorrow thankfully."

Before Hope could say more, a volunteer called for her. "I need to go. I'll see you next week."

"See you then."

xxx

Jane and I had been together for nearly two months now. I don't believe I could be any happier. Each year, I would host a Christmas party in the afternoon so everyone could have their own celebration with family first. Thankfully, Angela helped me cook a marvelous dinner for us. Throughout the day, Jane had been acting a little strange. She's up to something. From the looks of it, she hasn't even told Angela what it was about.

Time for presents came and each of us opened our gifts. The Rizzoli family all pitched in and got me the newest fencing gear. Of course, I would keep the hilt I ordered for Jane's sake. Vince and Kiki had a lovely paining done of all of us. Frankie and Nina restocked my wine wrack. "I believe that's everything. Thank you all."

"Not everything." Jane smiled. As if on que, the doorbell sounded and the brunette jumped up to answer. "Hey, glad you could make it."

"I wouldn't miss it." Walking in, Hope had an energy around her that I've never felt before. Joy radiated from her.

"What are you doing here?" I regarded my mother as we did to greet one another. A simple side hug that we finally got accustomed to.

"Jane invited me. Did she not tell you?" Worry was clear in my mother's tone.

"No, she hasn't." Narrowing my eyes towards the taller woman, I continued. "What are you up to?"

"Let's move this into the living room. There's one more gift I haven't given you. I'll be right back." I watched as Jane disappeared into her bedroom only to return a moment later. "Take a seat." I did as she asked. "I wanted to wait until everything else was done before I gave you this."

"What is it?" Holding the medium sized box, I carefully unwrapped the dark red wrapping paper. Inside was a smaller golden wrapped box. "Really Jane?" All she did was grin. Inside that box, was a much smaller black velvet jewelry box. My heart started to pound wondering what could be inside. Opening it, my eyes fell on a sterling silver ring. It was the one Jane has worn every day since we first met.

"Maura Isles," kneeling on one knee, Jane continued. "Would you do me the honor of becoming my wine? I know we've not been together long but we've known each other for seven years and I know you're the one I want to be with for the rest of my life." The room was silent; everyone waiting for my answer.

Tears glistened in my eyes. "Yes." The room erupted with applause as Jane joined me on the couch.

xxx

Joy filled my chest. I didn't think I could be any happier until this moment. "Yes?"

A brilliant smile graced the shorter woman's lips. "Yes."

"I love you, Maura Isles." Unable to control myself, I laced a hand in silky blonde hair as I kissed my fiancée.

"Okay. Okay. Come on guys." Frankie laughed. "Get a room."

Ignoring my brother, I kissed Maura once more. "That's why I've been acting so weird lately. I had to get the ring sized, ask your mother for her blessing, and keep everything from Ma."

"Hey!"

"Come on Ma. You know if I told you, it would've gotten back to Maura." Mom scoffed but smiled again.

"I'm so glad I could be here. Thank you Jane for inviting me to see this."

Turning towards Hope, I gave a simple nod. "You and Maura have come a long way. I wanted you to be here when I popped the question. "Returning my attention towards my new fiancée, "And before you say it, yes there will be no jerseys or anything like that at our wedding."