Miles to Go

I wrote and posted the first seven chapters of this story about six months ago. I wanted to finish it and give it closure. I didn't have a time in which it was set before, so now I'm going to say early Season 2.

One month later

Jane stood with Maura in her kitchen. "Can you believe we made it this long without my mother finding out?"

"It's a little surprising, but I am glad we are finally telling her."

Jane took hold of Maura's hand. "Me too. Although I've enjoyed the peace and quiet. Get ready for nonstop meddling. You really didn't have to offer her your guest house, you know."

"No, I didn't, but I wanted to. Regardless of our relationship, Angela has become an important person in my life. She's going through a lot right now. Offering her my guest house is the least I can do."

Jane spotted Angela walking towards the kitchen door from the guest house. "Here it goes." Angela came in and Jane asked her to join her on the couch. "Ma, I have to tell you something. Maura and I...well, Maura and I are dating."

"Janie, of course you are. Do you think I'm that blind or so out of touch that I wouldn't have noticed what's been going on for months?"

Maura was still in the kitchen. She was trying to give them a little space but still be there for support if Jane needed it. Jane looked over the back of the couch at Maura in confusion. Maura only shrugged. "Months? It's only been a month, Ma."

Now Angela looked back and forth between the two women confused. "Oh, well, anyway, I'm happy you figured it out then."

"That's it?" Jane asked.

"Jane-" Maura tried to interject.

"No, Maur." Jane held up her hand to Maura but kept her eyes on her mother. "I just can't believe you have nothing more to say. No questions about grandkids or any other uncomfortable topics you want to ask questions about?"

Angela patted Jane's knee. "Honey, Maura is the best person you have ever dated. I don't need to meddle. And I think my chances for grandkids improves a lot with you dating Maura." With that, Angela got up and went back to the guesthouse.

Maura came over to the couch, looked at Jane and said, "Did she just say she expects me to give her grandkids?"

"I think so."

"Oh god."

Eight Months Later

Jane sat in her apartment, drinking a beer and watching the Bruins game. Things with Maura were going great, but they were both used to being independent and living alone, so they had agreed that they should spend at least two nights a week apart. Sometimes it happened naturally when Jane had to work late anyway. But nights like this, when Jane had nothing else to do but sit in her apartment alone, were becoming harder and harder to enjoy.

About two weeks into dating, Jane had told Maura she loved her. She was nervous about saying it and had sort of blurted it out after dinner one night. Like everything else during those first few weeks, Maura had dealt with Jane's nervousness and bumbling graciously and helpfully. Since then Jane's confidence, about both herself and the reality of Maura's feelings for her, had improved exponentially.

She thought she knew then what love felt like, but that was nothing compared to how she felt about Maura now. Some days she felt like her heart might literally burst. And it would be because of the smallest things. Just watching Maura's expressions as she read a book. Or the way she would kneel on the floor and talk to Bass. Or how she stretched her whole body as she woke up in the morning.

Jane took out her phone and typed out a text message: I miss you xo

Ten minutes later there was a knock on her door. Jane got up and looked in the peephole. She opened the door for Maura.

Maura stepped inside. "I was already on my way over here when I got your text. I missed you too, and I've been thinking. Maybe we should reconsider this two nights off a week agreement." Maura walked to the couch and sat down and Jane followed. "We get enough time apart when you have to work. I can't stand sitting at home alone and knowing you're doing the same thing. I have an idea." Maura took a deep breath and said, "I think you should move in with me."

Three Months After That

Maura woke up as the sunlight filtered into the bedroom. Over the past year she had woken up with Jane next to her more mornings than not, but somehow it felt different now. She knew Jane would always be there, except for the rare instance in which Jane worked completely through the night. But that happened less and less frequently. Jane always tried to get home for at least a couple hours of sleep.

Home. Maura had lived in many places, but for the first time she felt she truly had a home. Jane had moved in and Angela moved to Jane's apartment, which worked out well for everyone. Each morning since then, Maura woke up first and silently watched Jane sleep. She considered the many things that had to happen or not happen in her life and Jane's life to bring them to this point. She thought about whether fate was something that could actually play a hand in their lives or if it was all complete randomness. If she could be this happy with someone else or if they were destined for each other. Or if Jane had never had the courage to reveal her feelings, if she would have figured it out on her own.

"You're staring at me again," Jane mumbled.

"I can't help it. You're never this peaceful when you're awake."

Jane opened an eye to glare at Maura but noticed that her eyes were moist. Jane was immediately more alert and reached out for Maura's hand. "Hey, what's the matter?"

"Nothing, I was just thinking too much."

"Can I have that in writing?" Jane paused to allow Maura to roll her eyes at her. "Come on, tell me."

"I was just thinking about how many variables go into our lives everyday. Everyday before we met one of us could have made a decision, even a small one, that changed the course of our lives. I might never have met you, and I wouldn't even know what I had missed out on."

"That means you could be missing out on something even better now, right?"

Maura furrowed her brow. "I suppose it does, although I have a hard time imagining that possibility."

"I think we were meant to be together. No matter what else happened in our lives, eventually we'd find each other."

"Does that mean you believe in fate?"

"I guess. I mean, maybe it could have taken eighty years and we would have ended up roommates in a nursing home or something, but we still would have found each other."

"I love you, Jane."

Jane responded by pressing her lips against Maura's. She pushed Maura onto her back and slid on top of her. Clothes were discarded. Jane started kissing her way down Maura's body, but Maura pulled her back up and said, "I want to see you.'

"Okay." Jane's fingers slid easily inside Maura and established a steady rhythm.

Jane closed her eyes tight as Maura's fingers found her clit. "Open your eyes. Look at me."

Jane did and locked eyes with Maura. They stayed that way until they both came. Then they spent the rest of the morning in bed talking about what their life together was going to look like.

That's it. Thanks for reading!