Page 38 of Pieces into Place
“I’m glad you waited. I wouldn’t have slept a wink.”
“See,” Alexis smirked, leaning back into the couch as she looked at Isla, “I’m such a good daughter-in-law because I knew Vera was working and I know how you can’t sleep well with her not in bed with you.”
Isla was touched that Alexis remembered that about her.
“So, I didn’t want to add to the reasons why you didn’t sleep well. I also didn’t want to drop that bomb on you without Vera being home because I know you’ll want to talk to her about it.”
“For sure. She’s in the shower now and I’m supposed to be making her breakfast.”
“Well, I’ll go so you can do that.”
As they stood, Isla and Alexis hugged tightly. Isla was so thankful that Blake had found someone as patient and as understanding as Alexis. She walked Alexis to the door as Alexis promised to keep her posted on any new developments. They confirmed their dinner plans for the next day for Alexis’s birthday before saying goodbye.
Isla waited until Alexis was in her SUV and pulled out of the driveway before closing their front door. She put her hands on the door as she lowered her head. After decades of waiting for any relationship with Blake and years of waiting for Blake to tear down her walls, Isla finally felt it might be happening.
A hand on her shoulder should have startled her, and yet she turned around into Vera’s waiting embrace without hesitation. It was obvious by the extra tight hug that Vera had heard at least some of what Alexis had said. Just like Isla had with her earlier, Vera swayed slightly as she rubbed her hand up and down Isla’s back.
“It’s happening,” Isla happily cried into Vera’s chest.
“It is.” Vera kissed her head several times. “And I’m going to be here through it all. Always. We’re going to get through this together. And when Blake is ready, we’re going to be here with open arms.”
“Thank you for feeling the pain of missing Blake with me all these years.”
“I’d help you carry any burden. We’re in this life together forever. I got you, babe.” Winking at her, Vera grinned as she slid her hands into the back pocket of Isla’s jeans. “Come on. I’ll make us breakfast.”
“Breakfast!” She pulled back for Vera, panic in her voice. “I forgot all about your breakfast. I’m sorry. I’ll go make it now.”
“Babe, it’s okay. How about we make ittogether?”
“Together,” Isla repeated.
As she and Vera made breakfast, they chatted about Blake and their plans for Alexis’s birthday party. It was just going to be a quiet family dinner, with Sophia and Emily also joining them. Alexis had requested Isla’s chicken piccata, and Isla was, of course, happy to oblige. She made a list of things she needed from the grocery store as Vera put toast and eggs onto a plate for each of them. Including Everleigh, who had joined them.
Isla couldn’t help but smile as she thought about her conversation with Alexis. Even the possibility that Blake might be on the verge of breaking down her walls made Isla insanely happy and thankful that she never once gave up on hereldest baby girl.
Chapter 14
Blake
Alexis’s birthday dinner was going much better than Isla’s had. Granted, Blake had actually shown up on time to this one. The family had eaten chicken piccata around the dining room table as they all laughed and told mildly embarrassing stories about Alexis. Blake loved that she was still learning things about her wife’s life from before she met her. It was like a book that Blake never wanted to end.
As the family moved into the living room for presents, Blake leaned on the kitchen archway, watching everyone. Especially Alexis. She hadn’t looked happier in months. She was surrounded by Harper, Archer, Reese, and Everleigh as she opened the hand-painted photo frame Harper had made her. Blake had helped her pick out the picture inside, and she watched Alexis react to it. It was taken the night Harper was born. Alexis was in bed, looking down at the baby in her arms and looking so insanely in love.
Alexis pulled Harper into a hug as she kissed her head. Blake watched as Alexis looked to Sophia, who had teared up over the gift just like Alexis had. She loved how close the two of them were and was so thankful Alexis had Sophia duringthat time in her life.
I wish I’d had that. Someone who cared that much about me back before moving here.
She’d had her dad, yes, but he was never there for her like Sophia had been for Alexis. Or how Isla and Vera had been there for her. Or how they had all been there for Emily while she was pregnant with Finley. They all had each other through all their highs and lows, and it was another harsh reminder of what all Blake had missed by not growing up as a Mackenzie. Her heart ached as she once again realized she was on the outside looking in at a family that was established without her.
It amplified the pain Blake had felt in her chest since the night before. When they couldn’t find Reese at the tree farm, Blake had spiraled into an absolute panic. Not knowing where her daughter was at was one of the most terrifying things Blake had ever experienced.
And yet it was nothing compared to what Isla felt when she lost Blake. Blake still couldn’t imagine how Isla must have felt then. She realized now how little control Isla must have had over the entire thing, and that shattered Blake’s heart even more. If anyone took Harper or Archer or Reese from her, Blake didn’t know how she would ever recover. Yet somehow Isla had picked herself up and carried on. Not necessarilymoved on, Blake was beginning to understand that more now.
She wanted to talk to Isla about it, but knew the party wasn’t the right time. Besides, her own emotions over losing Reese were still too fresh for Blake to have the needed conversation with Isla. At least that’s what Blake told herself as she looked across the room at Isla. Isla was sitting in the recliner with Ellie sitting on the arm of it. Her arm was wrapped around Ellie’s waist as Isla gently rocked the chair with her foot. Ellie looked so happy, so safe. Blake couldn’t help but wonder if that could have been her and Isla in a different life.
Not wanting her tears to ruin the party, Blake ducked into the kitchen and walked down the small hallway to the guest bedroom. She’d spent a few nights there when she first moved to the Cove, and Blake was surprised how it looked exactly the same. Blake sat on the edge of the bed and looked around the room. On her first night there, she’d been worried she wouldn’t be able to sleep. But sleep had enveloped her like a comforting hug the moment she slipped under the sheets that smelled like her mommy.
Blake ran her hand over the pillow, remembering how nervous she was about coming to the Cove. She’d almost turned around several times before finally walking into Straight to Ale that first night. From outside the bar, Blake had watched Isla through the window. Watched how she interacted with the two people working, who Blake would later learn were Alexis and Emily. Everything had changed with Blake’s decision to open the bar’s door that night. She met Alexis, became a mama to three amazing kids, and found the family she’d always wanted.
