12th December

"Surprise!"

Maura stood wide eyed and rather startled in her open doorway. "Father."

A sheepish looking Constance Isles stood behind her husband Philip. "I was going to call ahead, but your father insisted on turning up unannounced."

"Now now, Constance. No need to make it sound so impolite." Philip Isles had a big grin on his face. "I so rarely get to see my little girl. Let alone surprise her. She doesn't mind. Do you dear?" He directed that last part at his daughter.

Maura didn't answer. She was clearly struggling to maintain her composure. Her parents were here unannounced. Her parents were here and the house was not in the immaculate state she would like it to be. The guest room wasn't ready for if her parents wanted to stay over. There was no special meal prepared. Maura started to take deep calming breaths in the hope of staving off a panic attack. Unfortunately it just looked like she was starting to hyperventilate.

Constance and Philip looked on, concern starting to show on their faces. The older woman was about to step forward and do something when Jane appeared out of nowhere.

"Constance! Mr. Isles." She had never met Maura's father so did not feel comfortable addressing the man with his first name. She stuck out her hand quickly to shake Maura's father's own."So nice to meet you. Please come on in."

She quickly ushered them through the door, past Maura who was still desperately trying to calm herself.

Closing the door, Jane spoke up again. "Please, make yourselves at home. I just need a moment with Maura." With that she pulled Maura through the house and up the stairs. Leaving a bewildered Philip and a smirking Constance behind.

Philip looked at his wife. "Who was that whirlwind of a woman?"

Constance chuckled to herself. "That would be Jane Rizzoli. Maura's..." Maura's mother paused for an extended moment. She had her suspicions about her daughter's and Jane relationship, none of which she had shared with her husband. "Her best friend. I'm sure I've mentioned her to you before."

Philip thought hard for a moment, then nodded his head in confirmation of his recollection. "The firey Italian American?"

"Yes. That would be her. And a word of warning Philip. She's most protective of our daughter. She has no qualms about speaking her mind if she feels Maura is being mistreated in any way... That includes by us."

"Us? What on earth could she say of our treatment of Maura?"

The fact that Philip was so perplexed by what she had just said spoke volumes to Constance. They really hadn't spoken much of their perceived failings of their daughter. As much as Constance felt like she had come a long way in seeing their benign neglect of their daughter, Philip refused to. He saw their absence as Maura's ability to flourish on her own. One near heated argument had stopped Constance ever raising the subject again. She and her husband spent so much time apart with their work, that she didn't want to ruin what time they had together. Add in the fact that her husband saw his daughter even less, she had felt it just wasn't worth it. If she were honest with herself, she realised this was yet another failing in her treatment towards her daughter, but she was trying.

Shaking her head slightly, Constance merely changed the subject. "I do love coming to visit. Our Maura has a wonderful warm home."

Philip nodded in agreement. His eyes roving over every inch of his daughters home that he could see. He eagerly looked at the few photographs Maura had on display, and the art works hanging on her walls. He could hear soft music coming through the sound system. An instrumental of a classic Christmas song. He noticed the festive decorations and the tree standing proudly in the living room, stacks of presents already under it. Walking over to teh tree he crouched down and peaked at the tags. Mumbling the names as they were revealed to him. "Jane... TJ... Angela... Barry... Frankie... Tommy... Vince..." He refrained from saying Maura's name, but he felt a warmth in his heart at the large pile of gifts for his daughter, noticing the many different types of handwriting in the tags. "It seems our daughter has quite a few friends."

Constance smiled at the sound of pride in his voice. They had worried for most of their daughters life at her inability to make friends or lasting connections. "Yes. Our girl has come quite far in a short space of time. The Rizzoli's love her dearly. I feel that has made all the difference in the world." The undercurrent of sadness she felt at these words seeped through in her voice slightly. She wondered if her daughter might have struggled less growing up if only she and Philip had made more of an effort with her.

Interupting her somber thoughts, Jane reemerged in the living room. "Maura will be down shortly. She doesn't handle surprise visits from her loved ones so well. Especially those she feels she has something to prove to. No matter how much I tell her she doesn't." Jane gave Philip a pointed look.

"I see what you mean." The older man whispered to his wife, before turning his attention to Jane. "I assure you, Jane, Maura will not be judged by us while we are in her home. Especially not one as beautiful as this."

It was at this point Maura rejoined them. Speaking up as she entered the room. "Thank you, father. Jane helped me pick out the theme for Christmas. I almost didn't decorate this year, but she convinced me otherwise. In fact Jane and I cut the tree down ourselves." Pride seeped through her voice as it always did when mentioning this little fact.

"Did you now?" Philip laughed. "I'm glad you had a friend here to help you." Father and daughter smiled at one another, but the moment was broken when Philips phone started to ring. "Excuse me." He said to the room at large, walking into the kitchen for some privacy.

"So how long are you in town for?" Jane asked, knowing that Maura would be dying to know, but too shy or nervous to ask.

Constance looked at her daughter. "Just until tomorrow, I'm afraid. We tried so hard to rearrange our schedule, so at least one of us could be here with you for Christmas, Maura, but unfortunately things just would not work out. "

The look of genuine disappointment on Constance's face eased Jane's defensive edge, her look and stance becoming more open and friendly. She relaxed somewhat as mother and daughter spoke.

"Thank you for trying, mother. Perhaps next year? I would very much like for you to spend a christmas with the Rizzoli's and I. We always have such a wonderful time. I think you'd enjoy it."

"I've no doubt I would. Jane and Angela have always managed to keep me on my toes." Looking to Jane now, Constance carried on. "If the rest of your family is anything like yourself and your mother, I know I'd be in for a treat."

Jane laughed. She'd warmed to Constance as of late. She at least seemed to be trying. "Trust me, you don't want to spend all day cooped up in a house full of Rizzoli's. It becomes a zoo."

Maura lightly slapped Jane's arm, ignoring the indignant protest she gave in response. "Nonsense! While a lot of you may be a little rambunctious at times, you're all wonderfully kind, sweet and loving. It's a joy to be around."

Constance laughed at the interaction. Loving the playful glint in her daughter's eye that always seemed to be there when Jane was present.

Philip returned to the three women, a grin gracing his handome face. Constance recognised the look instantly. "What's going on, Philip?"

This caused the man to laugh. "I never could keep anything from your mother." He said to his daughter. "So, Maura. Are you free tomorrow?"

The youngest Isles thought for a moment. "Well, I have to go to work in the morning for a few hours at the very least, but once there I can arrange for someone to cover for me in the afternoon. Why do you ask, father?"

"I was just invited to a benefit meal tomorrow - The Winter Ball. It would be wonderful if you could come."

Maura was quiet for a moment before replying. "Would Jane be able to join us? It's just that Friday night is normally our night to unwind and do something together."

Constance smiled to herself at this revelation. Looking on with interest as Jane spoke up, placing a hand on Maura's shoulder.

"It's okay, Maur. You don't get to see you parents often. I can handle a Friday night alone."

Philip looked relieved at this, but Constance jumped in. "Don't be silly Jane. Of course you'll join us, I'm sure it won't be a problem. Will it Philip?" The edge to her tone with that last question spoke volumes.

Philip just nodded at his wife before addressing the two younger women. "As Constance said, you're more than welcome to join us, Jane."

"Thanks." The smile was a little tight. Winter ball? That sounded a little too formal for Jane's liking. These benefit meals always ended up being incredibly boring, and she almost always had to wear something she wasn't at all comfortable in, but Maura (and Constance for some reason) wanted her there. And that was all the reason she needed.

"Excellent." Philip rubbed his hands together in excitement. "I just need to make another call. Reserve a seat for Jane."

The three woman stood in silence as Philip Isles made his phone call. All looking a little perplexed when he asked for 5 seats at a table.

When the call ended Constance asked. "A table for five?"

That happy glint in Philips eye returned quickly. "Yes. You remember the Smyth's don't you?"

"Yes." She replied hesitantly. She had a sinking feeling she knew where this was going.

"Their boy Jack is in the city for the ball. Landed himself an award for the work he's doing. Some kind of medical research... I forget what exactly. Anyway, I always thought he and Maura would get along famously. I couldn't resist playing matchmaker."

"Ah." Constance replied. A nervous look thrown in her daughter and Jane's direction.