Page 27 of Pieces into Place
“I guess so.”
The two chatted for a few more minutes until Vera arrived. She had a huge smile on her face from the moment she saw Blake, and something about it made her feel safer than she ever felt before. Vera held out her arm to Blake, going in for a side hug as usual. But something in Blake made her hug Vera full on. It was the type of bear hug Blake had seen Mason give Vera a million times before. Blake couldn’t remember a time when she’d hugged Vera like that. Much less a time when her pregnant belly pushed into Vera’s stomach.
“Oh, honey,” Vera gently put one hand on the back of Blake’s head. It was more comforting than Blake ever knew was possible. “I’m here.”
“Sorry.” Reluctantly pulling away, Blake lowered her gaze from Vera. “I don’t know why I did that.”
“I’m glad you did.” Putting a hand on her shoulder, Vera smiled at her. “Come on. Let’s order some lunch, okay?”
After placing their order at the counter, they found a booth and sat. Blake had to push the table away from her and toward Vera to accommodate her belly, which made her and Vera laugh.
“Sorry.”
“Honey, you’re okay,” Vera smiled softly at her. “I couldn’t sit in a booth if my life depended on it when I was pregnant.”
“I can’t believe I’m not even halfway through this pregnancy and I’m already showing this much.”
“Every body is different. Your mom showed early with Evie. Your Aunt Eden used to joke that she was carrying twins.”
“I couldn’t imagine carrying twins. You and Alexis are rock stars, just so you know.”
Vera took a sip of her coffee as she smiled at Blake. “I think all people who carry babies are rock stars, but then again, I might be a little biased because of my job.”
The pang of guilt reared its ugly head as Blake thought about how Vera wasn’t her doctor. But if Vera was upset about it, she didn’t act like it. Maybe she was just good at hiding her true feelings like Blake was. Thankfully, Vera kept talking to distract Blake’s mind.
“I’m glad you asked me to lunch. I’d been wanting to catch up with you since,” her voice trailed off slightly as a pained look came over her face. “Well, since the party. Your mom and I have been trying to give you space, but Ineedyou to know how thankful I am to have this time with you.”
“Me, too,” Blake said without hesitation as she smiled at Vera. “I wanted to ask you to lunch sooner, but things got hectic with the holiday.”
“I understand, honey. I’m glad we get to do it now.”
As Maggie brought over their food, they ate and chatted about the kids and Alexis for a while until their salad and sandwich were gone. Blake was surprised at how easy it was to talk to Vera. Sure, they’d kept the conversations easy and light, but still. Small talk wasn’t Blake’s favorite thing in the world and yet she found herself loving chatting with Vera. She made Blake feel so cared for and loved by how attentive she was to everything Blake was saying.
It made transitioning to the real reason she’d asked her to lunch much easier.
Taking a deep breath, Blake pushed her empty plate to the side as she clasped her hands on the table.
“So, I have to admit, I asked you to lunch for a reason.”
“Oh,” Vera wiped her mouth on a napkin before stacking her empty plate on top of Blake’s, “okay. Everything okay, Blake?”
“Yeah,” she responded out of habit more than anything. Blake silently scolded herself as she shook her head. “I don’t know why I said that. Everything’s not okay.”
Blake felt the all too familiar burning of tears in her eyes and was thankful the cafe wasn’t busy. She didn’t want to cry, especially not in public, and especially not with Vera. But it was clear she wasn’t going to have an option when Vera reached out across the table and squeezed Blake’s arm. Without thinking, Blake covered Vera’s hand with her own.
“I’m here, honey. Take your time.”
“I’m sorry.” Blake wiped a tear from her eyes. “I only just told Alexis a few weeks ago. After the party, actually, so it’s still hard for me to say out loud. But Alexis told me if there’s anyone who could help, it would be you.”
Vera nodded for Blake to go on. Looking down at her belly, Blake rubbed it as she spoke.
“I’m really struggling to connect with the baby.”
“Oh, honey.”
Without hesitation, Vera moved out of her seat and sat by Blake. She put her arms around her as Blake let herself be loved by Vera for probably the first time since she met her. Blake buried her head in Vera’s shoulder as she held onto her arm for support.
“You have no idea how common that is.”
