Angela seemed content to be set a challenge and started pulling open drawers and cupboards before pausing and turning to her husband who had taken refuge on the sofa with Jo Friday.

“Frank?” she called, causing the man to roll his eyes and shake his head. “Where are the matches?” Frank Rizzoli Senior looked momentarily surprised by the request before remembering that his sole job in the organisation of this party had been to bring matches.

“I left them in the car.” He sighed, getting to his feet in a hurry before Angela could begin to scold him for forgetting.

Emerging from the bedroom, Jane had managed to control her laughter and, despite Maura’s best efforts she had managed to not laugh in all of 3 minutes. She found it hard to believe that Frankie would think she and Maura were sleeping together.
As they walked into the kitchen, Frankie turned and almost immediately looked away again.

“See.” Maura claimed proudly, “He’s displaying clear idiopathic craniofacial erythema.”

“Idiot crane what?” Jane asked.

“He’s blushing!” Maura clarified as she nudged Jane in the ribs.

Frankie busied himself with some dishes while his sister giggled childishly behind him. He found himself chuckling along with her as he washed and was pleased that she was happy.

“Aw Janie, you didn’t change and you’re so crinkled.” Angela protested as she tried to straighten out her daughters crumpled t-shirt.

“Ma!” Jane batted her mother’s hands away from her and wriggled from her grasp as Maura handed her a beer.

“What will your guests think?!” The indignation in her mother’s voice stopped Jane in her tracks and she turned neatly on the ball of her foot.

“There are no guests Ma.” Jane said, extending her arms and spinning in the near empty room. “There’s you and Frankie and Maura!”

On hearing her name, Maura turned, her brow wrinkled in confusion. “The dictionary defines guest as; ‘One who is a recipient of hospitality at the home or table of another.” She explained, a mischievous grin dancing on her lips.

Angela smirked at her daughter as she handed Maura a glass of red wine.

“Or,” Maura continued, raising her glass towards the scowling detective. “One to whom entertainment or hospitality has been extended by another in the role of host or hostess, as at a party.”

Jane poked her friend in the ribs, “You just can’t stop it, can you?!”

Before anyone had a chance to respond, the front door burst open to reveal Frank, Frost and Korsak.  

“Happy Birthday!” the men cheered, extending their gift laden arms towards Jane.

“See Janie, guests!” Angela mumbled as she pushed past her to greet the new arrivals.