Elaine and her boys
There hadn't been time to meet today, not with Doug helping Doctor Isles, and then dinner. Elaine knew that she could have talked Doug into coming early, but he actually smiled when talking to the woman, and if that was what he took to get him out of his depression, Elaine was not going to stop him.
Truth be told, there wasn't any rush to discuss things. It wasn't like they were going anywhere any time soon, but Elaine was hoping that if they did reach a decision all together, some of the pressure on her boys would disappear.
She had almost considered Bud's idea to get them pissed off at them. That was the quickest way to get TJ and Doug to work together, but Elaine was going to try this talking strategy. It hadn't worked really well with TJ in the best, but maybe now everyone was a little more willing to listen.
She approached Doug first, smiling. "Doctor, I hope you don't mind if I steal my son for a little."
Doug put an arm around her. "Hey, Mom." He kissed her cheek, before turning to Maura. "I'll be back soon." He didn't ask where they were going, instead he offered her his arm and walked to where TJ was. "All right, now you have us here. What's going on?"
Elaine sighed. "It's about that email. I've already told TJ that your father and I will be doing whatever you two decide, and that hasn't changed, but this is something to think about seriously. You're young now, and hospitals are not a concern, but when you get our age, they are almost an inevitability." She patted Doug's cheek, before squeezing TJ's hand. "Mostly, I wanted you both to know that it's okay to do what you feel is right. You're not going to disappoint me."