I'm doing my best to keep up on my writing, but we're getting into my busy season at work so updates may take some time, but I promise you I will keep writing as much as I can!

Thanks so much for reading! -J

Chapter 7- The First Two Weeks

"Okay Little Miss, let's just quiet down now," Jane was lightly bouncing Harper up and down as she got a bottle ready for her, trying to keep the newborn quiet so as to not wake anyone else up. "It's Mommy's morning to sleep in and we don't want to wake your sister or she's going to be a real grump at school," she continued, her voice seeming to sooth the tiny girl. "You know you really ought to try sleeping in kiddo, it's really not as overrated as you might think," she sat down on the couch and fed Harper the bottle, bringing her close to her chest just like Maura taught her to. "I mean I'm not saying I don't love our time together, because I do. I'm just saying I would love it even more an hour from now, you know when it's actually light outside," she yawned. "I made a bet with your Mom after all, and I'm really not willing to lose that one."

If Jane was being honest with herself, the last two weeks had been absolutely exhausting, but they were also some of the best weeks of her life. While she was definitely starting to feel the effects of her lack of sleep, the detective was doing her best to hide it; believing that she could do it all.

"You know Baby Girl I have to go back to work after this week," Jane continued to chat with the happily eating baby. "Which means I won't be around as much as I am right now, but I promise that I'm going to think about you and your sister and your Mommy all day. I hate being away from you three, but my job is important and I will always come back to you all at the end of the day," she told her, running a hand over Harper's soft, dark hair. "I'm sure going to miss all our quality time together."

Falling silent, Jane settled on watching Harper eat, feeling as if she was in a bit of a trance until she heard the side door quietly open up and her Mother came in.

"Oh Janie," Angela kept her voice down. "I wasn't expecting anyone to be up yet. I promised Mia I would make her pancakes this morning. I was just going to get started," she explained. "Have you been up long?"

"This one woke me up about half an hour ago," Jane replied, smiling as Angela sat down beside her and rubbed the baby's foot. "Hungry as always."

"She's just like you were," Angela chuckled, watching her daughter watch Harper with a smile on her face. "I swear you wanted to eat every half an hour. I was afraid you were going to turn into a little sack of potatoes you ate so much. You were pretty chubby for a while but you were so darn cute," she pinched Jane's cheek.

"Ma!" Jane pulled away, careful not to disturb Harper who just finished eating. "Thanks a lot," she said, putting the bottle down and easily moving the baby to her shoulder to burp her.

"You know Janie, you're a real natural at this," Angela observed, feeling incredibly proud of the younger woman. "I mean I knew you would be great because you're amazing with Mia but it has been pretty amazing watching you with Harper."

"Thanks Ma," Jane smiled, feeling touched. "I still feel a bit lost sometimes but I'm learning," she told her. "I mean Harper makes it pretty easy," she placed a kiss to the baby's head when she heard a small burp. "You gotta start those pancakes right away or do you wanna hold her? She'll probably go right back to sleep."

"Do you even have to ask?" Angela held out her arms for Harper, snuggling her close as soon as she had her. "Gosh she's just so cute," she kissed the baby's forehead.

"Yeah I'll definitely agree with you there," Jane yawned, stretching her arms over her head before leaning back against the couch.

"You know Janie, you really are doing a great job," Angela told her once again. "But boy do you look tired."

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One of the things that amazed Jane most about Maura in the two weeks since Harper had been born was the blonde's ability to multitask and manage her time perfectly. To Jane it seemed effortless for her wife to care for both Harper and Amelia while also taking care of the house and even herself. Sure Jane helped out as much as possible, but some of the time she would find that Maura had already completed the tasks she attempted to help with. Maura was the definition of Supermom and Jane was doing her best to learn as much as she could from her.

"Shh Monkey, it's okay," Jane tried to soothe Harper who was currently wailing at the top of her lungs. "You're okay Baby girl. What's wrong huh?" She paced the family room trying to calm the newborn down while Maura was in the kitchen cleaning up the dishes from the lunch that Jane made them. "You know she's only being fussy like this because she knows you're close by," she called out to her wife.

"What are you talking about? Why would she cry because I'm close by?" Maura asked, making her way over to the two brunettes. "Here let me try," she held out her arms, taking Harper, who quieted as soon as she was in the blonde's arms.

"She likes you better," Jane huffed, plopping down on the couch and crossing her arms over her chest, looking a lot like Amelia when she was pouting. "She's fine with me until you're in the room and then she's freaking out to get to you. Look how fast she just calmed down."

"She does not like me better Jane," Maura told her, sitting down beside her wife and patting her leg. "She loves us both the same."

"Yeah right," Jane rolled her eyes. "You don't have to try to make me feel better. Look at her," she pointed towards Harper who was now dozing in Maura's arms. "Totally calm with you. It's my fault too you know. She's a Rizzoli, she completely melts for you the same way I do."

"Well perhaps that's true," Maura laughed. "But it's no different than the way Amelia always wants to spend her time with you. She must take after me that way," she winked.

"Very true," Jane finally cracked a smile, sliding closer to Maura and putting an arm around her, watching Harper sleep. "You know I'm really going to miss getting to pick Mia up from school all the time when I go back to work. You should see her face when she comes out and sees me, she's always so surprised."

"She loves when you pick her up," Maura nodded, smiling as she thought about how much the little blonde looks up to Jane. "She told me she likes when you pick her up because all the other kids think you're cool," she laughed. "I think she has been telling them that you're some sort of superhero."

"That kid has quite the imagination," Jane shook her head, laughing. "Think I should wear a cape when I go get her today?"

"Well I'm sure she would love it but it may confuse some of the children," Maura replied, positive her wife would go to the school in a cape if she thought it would make Amelia happy. "Do you think you could take Harper with you today though? I'd like to try and start back on my yoga routine today. I'm sure Amelia would be thrilled as well."

"Oh," Jane was immediately nervous since she had yet to travel with Harper on her own yet. "Yeah totally. No problem," she nodded, not wanting to let her wife down. "I can totally do that."

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It wasn't that Jane was unwilling to take Harper out on her own; she knew she was perfectly capable of caring for the newborn by herself, however she could admit that she was nervous about the whole thing. Jane knew Maura wanted to get back into her yoga routine and she knew that the blonde deserved a break, which was why as 3pm approached, the brunette got Harper into the car and made her way towards the elementary school.

Driving as carefully as possible, Jane was just starting to feel herself calm down when Harper suddenly let out a wail from the backseat. Startled, Jane checked her mirror so she could see in the mirror in the back that Maura had installed so they could see Harper; seeing the little girl's red face in the reflection.

"Hey Harper, it's okay," Jane called out, keeping her attention on the road as she continually checked on the baby. "Harper. You're okay Baby Girl. What's wrong Monkey?" She continued, wishing her voice soothed Harper the way Maura's always seemed to. "You just ate before we left so you can't be hungry and Mommy changed your diaper too. You usually love the car! We're just going to pick up your sister from school Harper! We'll be there really soon."

Feeling herself beginning to sweat, Jane did her best to stay calm, hoping that Harper would wear herself out eventually, continuing to drive while trying to assure the newborn that she was okay. Eventually Jane tried singing one of the songs her Mother used to sing to her when she was young; Harper continuing to cry while Jane did her best to keep her own tears at bay.

When the brunette finally pulled up to Amelia's school, Harper was still crying so Jane quickly parked the car, getting out and running around in order to pull the baby out of her car seat. As soon as Harper was in her arms she quieted down, clearly only wanting to be held.

"You just trying to stress Mama out Monkey?" Jane kissed the top of Harper's head as she bounced her up and down, hoping she could get her to fall asleep for the drive home. "It's a good thing you're really cute, because I'm not sure I would have endured that car ride for anyone else Little Miss. You need to give Mama a break okay?"

"Detective Rizzoli?" A voice called from behind Jane, turning the brunette around to find Julie Marsh making her way over.

"Mrs. Marsh. Hi!" Jane greeted as politely as possible, having not seen the woman since the day Maura had gone into labour during their meeting with the school principal. "How are you?"

"Please, call me Julie," Julie smiled as she approached. "I thought that was you when you pulled up but I wasn't sure. Looks like your wife had the baby. Wow look at her. She looks just like you."

"Yes that's what everyone keeps saying," Jane grinned, never tired of hearing about it. "Unfortunately she seems to have gotten my stubbornness as well though. She cried the entire way here."

"Yes well they all tend to be that way in the beginning," Julie nodded, stepping closer so she could get a better look at the baby. "How is Maura doing?"

"She's doing really well," Jane smiled. "She's clearly Superwoman, but she's taking a well deserved break right now, which is why I brought this little one to pick up her sister who is going to be thrilled when she sees her here."

"I bet you two make a great team," Julie replied, watching Harper for a few moments before finally returning her attention to Jane. "I know we never got to finish our meeting here, but from what I've been hearing from Eric he and Amelia seem to be getting along pretty well lately."

"Yes Amelia has been telling us the same thing," Jane nodded, always impressed by her daughter's ability to solve her own problems despite her young age. "She said they've been playing together at recess and she wants to invite him over for a play-date eventually. Apparently the kids didn't need us to help them figure this whole thing out."

"Apparently not," Julie laughed. "But if you all would ever like to finish that meeting I'd be more than willing; I actually think my ex-husband would benefit from it."

"I'll have Maura contact the school now that we're getting settled with Harper here," Jane replied, hearing the school bell ring. "And we'll get the kids together soon, maybe you can come and we can all sit down and get to know each other better," she suggested, understanding that Julie was not to blame for her son's poor behaviour towards Amelia. "I mean Maura would probably love it, I think she's already going a little stir-crazy at home, I can't even imagine what she's going to be like when I go back to work next week."

"Mama!" Amelia suddenly called out from across the schoolyard, a big smile on her face as she ran towards Jane. "You brought Harper!" She was thrilled. "How come you brought Harper Mama?"

"Because I'm giving Mommy a break," Jane replied as Eric came over to greet his Mother.

"Eric look this is my baby sister Harper," Amelia told the boy. "Isn't she cute?"

"She's real small," Eric nodded before looking up at his Mother. "Mom can we go out for pizza tonight?"

"Sure Buddy," Julie smiled, ruffling her son's hair. "That sounds like a great idea. It was really nice seeing you again Jane," she said. "We'll see you soon."

"Sure thing," Jane replied, watching Julie and Eric walk away before turning back towards Amelia. "You ready to head home Bug?"

"Yes! I want to tell Mommy about everything I learned today and I want to play with Harper," Amelia replied, as Jane began returning Harper to her car seat, being careful not to wake her as she did not want a repeat of her drive to the school.

"You can play with Harper after her nap, but I'm sure Mommy would love for you to tell her about everything you learned," Jane said, taking Amelia's hand and leading her around to the other side of the car so she could get in. "I bet you can even teach her a thing or two."

"Mama," Amelia laughed, shaking her head. "Mommy already knows everything."

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That night after Jane and Maura had prepared dinner together and everyone had eaten and spent some time together in the family room, Maura had told Jane to go take some time to herself and relax while she got the girls to bed since the brunette had given her a break all afternoon. The blonde was feeling refreshed after her quiet afternoon and she hoped that Jane would feel the same way after she got some 'Me-time' of her own.

Jane had chosen to do a bit of a workout, saying goodnight to Amelia and Harper before she made her way to the master bathroom for a shower. Maura decided to spend a little extra time with Amelia, reading the seven year old an extra chapter in their current book while Harper snuggled up with her sister.

Amelia and Harper both eventually fell asleep so Maura finished tucking Amelia in before taking Harper back to her cradle in the master bedroom; the blonde surprised to still hear the shower running.

Putting Harper down, Maura headed for the bathroom, knocking lightly before letting herself in to find that the shower was indeed still running. Confused and slightly concerned, Maura opened up the shower door; to find Jane sitting on the shower floor, fast asleep. Maura immediately turned off the water, which had turned cold.

"Jane?" Maura shook the brunette's shoulder, instantly waking her. "Jane, honey what are you doing? Are you okay?"

"Hm wha…I'm…" Jane was confused rubbing her eyes and looking around as if she had forgotten where she was. "I'm okay," she nodded. "I'm fine."

"Jane," Maura looked at her wife as if she was crazy. "You were sleeping in the shower."

"Oh well I didn't really mean for that to happen," Jane shrugged, allowing Maura to help her up and wrap her in a towel. "I just kind of decided to sit down for a minute and well I guess I must have fallen asleep," she continued. "It was just nice and warm and I don't know I guess I…I'm just so exhausted Maura," she put her head on Maura's shoulder hearing the blonde chuckle. "I'm trying so hard to do my part and be with the girls and you but God Maur I feel like I haven't slept in two weeks. I should not be struggling this much! I mean look at you! You've been so amazing this whole time! You're like Superwoman Maur."

"I'm not Superwoman Jane," Maura laughed shaking her head. "It's okay to be tired Honey, I'm tired too, trust me; I'm tired," she continued. "This afternoon I did my yoga for ten minutes and then I had a nap," she admitted, her cheeks reddening as Jane lifted her head in surprise. "I think I forgot what it was like with a newborn, or perhaps it's harder with two children but I feel it too Darling," she tucked Jane's curls behind her ear. "But you're being too hard on yourself Jane. You have been absolutely amazing; with both the girls."

"You think?" Jane raised an eyebrow, smiling as Maura wrapped her arms around her.

"I know," Maura nodded, kissing the side of Jane's head; the pair now standing together, their arms wrapped around each other, Jane still in just a towel. "Our children are healthy and happy, which means that we're doing our jobs right. We're doing the best we can, even if we are a little tired."

"That's true," Jane nodded, beginning to run her fingers through Maura's hair. "It's kind of nice to hear that you're feeling the same way that I am though. I mean I was really beginning to think you were like Superhuman. You always seem to have it all together."

"That's probably because I've had you to rely on so much," Maura replied. "You make things easier than they ever were when I was on my own. I may be able to handle my exhaustion a little better than you, but trust me when I say I'm not perfect Jane, and I feel the same way as you. But we're doing a great job, and we'll get through all the exhaustion eventually," she told her. "Because you and me," she gave her wife a quick kiss. "We make a great team."