Page 26 of Pieces into Place
“I love you so much.”
“I love you, too, Mom.”
“And I love you both.” Vera put her arm around them both, squeezing Mason in the middle of them.
“Your boobs are squishing me,” Mason laughed as she squirmed out of Vera’s embrace. “I’m not Mom.”
“Oh, hush.” Vera rolled her eyes, playfully teasing Mason as she sat up on her elbow. “Don’t act appalled by boobs. You are your mother’s child, after all, so I know they’re your favorite.”
“Just my wife’s,” Mason giggled, sticking her tongue out at Vera, who did the same back. “Yours can stay with Mom.”
“I’ll take them every day.” Isla winked at Vera, causing her to blush. She loved that even after so many years together, she could still make her wife blush. “So, you’re spending the night here, I assume?”
“You assume correctly.” Snuggling into the bed and closer to Isla, Mason smiled up at her. “I just want to be a little kid for one more night and sleep with my parents.”
“She says as if she didn’t spend several nights right here the last few weeks of her pregnancy because she was worried she would go into labor.” Vera smiled as she yawned. “Even though her brilliant doctor mama told her she wasn’t ready to birth a baby yet.”
“Yeah, well, my doctor mama also missed my due date, so she gets some points knocked off for that.”
“Rude,” Vera playfully swatted Mason’s arm. “I helped you get Silas out without tearing, remember?”
“Yes, and my vagina is eternally grateful.”
“You’re welcome.”
As the three of them settled in for the night, Isla felt Mason snuggling closer to her. She put her arm around her waist as Mason nuzzled her head under her chin. Across the bed, Vera was softly snoring.
“Mom?” Mason whispered as she twirled Isla’s hair around her finger.
“Hmm?”
“I think theone daywe’ve been waiting on with Blake is about to happen.”
Hearing Mason’s words felt like a balm to Isla’s tired soul. Had Mason and Blake talked after the party? Isla wanted to ask, but knew Mason would share any details when she was ready.
“I think so, too, baby.” Isla tightened her grip on Mason as she kissed the top of her head. “I think so, too.”
Chapter 10
Blake
Two weeks had passed since Isla’s birthday and Blake had only seen her or Vera one other time since then. It had been for Thanksgiving and, surprisingly, the day had been relatively uneventful, considering how their last family gathering went. They had all had pleasant conversations and laughed around the table. Isla had even handed Blake the basket of bread without giving her a glare that could kill her. Maybe they were finally making progress.
Even if Blake knew they’d actually have totalkin order for the actual process of healing to begin.
The problem for Blake was she had no idea how to get that conversation started. Did she just show up one day and tell Islawe need to talkand air out all her dirty laundry? Or should she plan a time for her, Isla, Vera, and Alexis to all sit down and talk? Alexis told Blake she would follow her lead, but so far, Blake had been stuck. Although she was ready to start the healing journey with Isla, it scared her at the same time. How could Blake tell her all the feelings inside her mind when they scared her to confront?
Sooner or later, Blake would have to answer that question.
For now, though, she’d planned a lunch date with Vera at Carlson’s Cafe. Blake had assumed starting with a casual lunch date with Vera would be easier than diving into a hard conversation with Isla. Well, that’s what Alexis had told her in order to get her to schedule the lunch date with Vera. Alexis told her to ask Vera about the baby and her pregnancy as a way to show she was trying to connect with Vera and let her in.
Of course, Vera wasn’t the only person Blake wanted to connect with. She desperately wanted to feel more connected to the baby inside of her that she’d be meeting sooner rather than later. At eighteen weeks, Blake was almost halfway through her pregnancy. Her baby bump was more noticeable now, but still able to be hidden by her winter attire. She’d chosen an oversized sweater and yoga pants with boots for her lunch date with Vera. She opened the door to Carlson’s Cafe and looked around the restaurant for Vera.
“Hey, Blake,” Maggie Carlson smiled at Blake from behind the counter. “How’re you doing today, sweetie?”
“Good, Maggie. Thanks.” She rubbed her belly bump with her hand. “How are you?”
“Cold,” Maggie laughed. “But I guess that’s what to expect in Maine in winter, hmm?”
