A/N: A stand-alone chapter. Ever one aware of my mortality, I'm surprised and yet not surprised that I've found this little gem? amongst my writings and my notes. It was from the year 2017. Feels apt thus to, take it out and have it up. I hope I haven't posted something similar before. I'm certain that I haven't and yet – memory memory. It's now 2019 and, if you're reading this, thank you for taking the time. For still, being intrigued enough by how my fingers type sub-par rhymes.
If it's not obvious by now or written once out, Maura and Jane, have been figures through which I've sought and seek personal comfort on dark days and late nights. I've been growing as a person and better in relation but still there are moments where I know which fanfiction I had written would ease and or soothe what is in me lacking then at that moment. Thank you for having me around in a community that has most certainly, helped me find my calm and served as a reflective pool throughout the years. Thank you for your time taken in reading what I have written.
"Maura, hey," Jane's voice is soft and warm against Maura's ear, "Couldn't sleep?"
Jane had woken up, in need of a pee, and had found the space beside her empty. Worried that it had been because of their daughter, she had snuck a peek into their daughter's room and found only their little munchkin sleeping soothed perhaps by Maura watching.
"I think some chamomile might help," Maura leaned back into Jane's embrace. Lean strong arms holding her close.
Jane pressed a kiss to the side of her head. "Busy up here Mrs Rizzoli-Isles?"
Maura chuckled. Turned to meet Jane's smile.
"I was just up, thinking," Maura smiled, taking Jane's offered hand as she guided her to the couch.
"Thinking of what little time we have left, of what little life we have left," Maura's voice a whisper, almost as if she's frightened of her own words. Jane wrapped her arms tighter around Maura, resting her head atop Maura's shoulders; snuggled, comforted.
"We have lived for quite some time," Jane kissed Maura's shoulder, "You're turning the big 4-0 next week," Jane flapped her arms about in wild exaggeration. Maura laughed, and turned to face Jane, resting her hand against Jane's cheek.
"And how much love and life we've had together then," Maura spoke, and Jane pressed a kiss to Maura's palm in acknowledgement.
"Are you afraid I would love you lesser?" Jane held Maura's hands in hers. "For forever and forever, Maura Rizzoli-Isles, through wrinkles, occasional quarrels, and the ever ever big deliberation over wine, beer, or milk." Jane smiled, but worry tainted the otherwise twinkle that normally accompanied the light of her smile.
"Maurane asked me today, about Bass' lifespan," Maura leaned back into Jane's open arms, "Then she asked about yours, and mine," Maura pursed her lips. Jane held her hand.
"And?"
"I told her that the average human life expectancy is 85."
"Which leaves you with 45 more years, give or take a week, on average," Jane drew circles on Maura's hand with her thumb, bidding touch to wear away the worry of time, "Mmhmm," Maura answered.
"That's..." Jane made a show of counting her fingers over and over, "Sixteen thousand, four hundred and twenty-five days," Jane narrowed her eyes, "And that makes, that number multiplied by 24, hours left." Jane let out a breath. "That's incomputable Maura!" Jane feigns puzzlement. "Have we hit infinity?"
Maura laughs.
"Always with the jokes Jane," Maura kisses Jane's smug smile.
"We have time enough Maura," Jane kisses Maura's hands, held in hers.
"She didn't look happy when I told her that I had on average 45 years left," Maura leaned back into Jane's arms. Jane playing with Maura's curls.
Jane chuckles. "That's because our munchkin's an inspired and yet lazy bum. Maurane wanted to make you a birthday card but she didn't want to infringe on her own copyright. We have Chang to thank for that. Giving our daughter such grand terms and ideologies."
"It is never right to infringe on properties of others Jane. Chang probably got ahead of herself when trying to explain to Maurane why she can't just quote her without citing her as a source for her assignment."
"That I get, and long story short Maura, she only looked upset because she couldn't fathom designing at least 45 cards."
"She told you that?"
"She came pouting to me after you answered her question on lifespans and expectancies."
"So, she isn't upset when I had informed her we wouldn't be around for much too long?"
Jane smiled. "Is infinity not for much too long?"
"Jane!"
Jane rests her head on Maura's shoulder.
"I told her that cards are declarations, and that love requires more than that. That mommy and momma don't need cards to know that we're loved," Jane kisses at Maura's lovestruck gaze, "We just need her to eat her vegetables."
"Jane!" Maura laughs. "What if she gets the wrong idea?"
"She's a smart girl," Jane kisses the top of Maura's head, "She takes after her mother."
"Her mothers Jane," Maura kisses Jane's hands, "You always know what to say. Thank you."
"You've guided me well," Jane holds Maura close to her, "We've got time enough."
"To infinity and beyond," Maura murmurs against Jane's shoulder, shaking with laughter. Jane has taught her to make jokes too.
They have made a lifetime together – sleeping soundly in a bed above.
A/N: Thank you, my love - I love you(u).