Re: Doug/Maura
Maura laughed softly. "It's not quite as rewarding as making Jane wear pink and lace," she said with a smirk. "But, acceptable. And I would be happy to tell you more about the Rizzolis. Actually, the newest member of the family is Jane's nephew Tommy Jr., whom they call TJ." Smiling, she squeezed his hand and leaned her chin against his shoulder...or his arm because even in heels she was just a tiny bit short. "The last several months have been...stressful. But, I have room in my life to fit a fourth family happily."
Chuckling, she cast him a sly look, which on Maura really just look like nothing more than a mischievous pixie, but she kept trying on occasion. "In that case, instead of my mother, I should wish for Angela Rizzoli. Much tougher judge where her daughters are concerned," she teased.
"I don't believe that. Granted, I've only known you for...two and a half months? But, there are plenty of good traits in there. If they're not your parents' then perhaps they are uniquely yours." She smiled, then grew serious as she listened to him talk about a woman he clearly still cared for deeply. When he paused, she nodded once. "You missed what you loved. I was lucky. There are things here I can do as a doctor. It left more time to miss the people when I let myself, when I remember how very, well, screwed up to borrow the vernacular, at home, the mess I left behind. It's not just people we lose coming here. It's our entire lives. I think it's natural that you would miss something that so defined you for so long."
She was still considering what to do about Savannah when he abruptly changed subjects and she looked at him quizzically until he picked her up. "Doug!" She couldn't help laughing, trying to pull off her strappy white heels -- really not the most practical shoes for the beach, but that had never stopped her before. "Put me do-" Only half the word made it out before he did just that...in the water. It wasn't deep, but she gasped in shock at the gesture for a moment, moreso when he flicked water at her. Leaning over, she cupped her hand and scooped up a small handful of water which she tossed in his direction. "You realize this does mean war, Mr. Hammond?"