Page 40 of Pieces into Place
“I was never a Mackenzie,” Blake sadly stated as she looked to the ground. “Just a Calloway.”
“Oh, Blake. You were and always will be a Mackenzie. You don’t need a piece of paper with that name on it to be one. You are a Mackenzie because you are our daughter. Nothing can ever change that.”
“Not even me being a shitty daughter?” Blake sadly laughed, but Vera shook her head firmly.
“Blake Victoria Holland, you arenota shitty daughter. Don’t you ever think that.”
“I ruined Mom’s birthday.”
“Frankly, that was mostly her fault.” Vera rolled her eyes, making Blake chuckle. “That wasn’t because of you.”
“If you say so,” Blake grinned.
“I do.” Nodding firmly, Vera turned toward Blake and took hold of her hands as she looked into her eyes. “Nothing, and I meannothing,could ever change the way Mom or I love you. You are our daughter. Through the good times, the bad times, and everything in between. Ilove you, Blake, and I am so honored I get to be your mama.”
“Mama,” Blake happily cried as she smiled, “you can’t say shit like that to me while I’m pregnant. My hormones are already a mess.”
“I’m sorry, honey.”
Vera held her arms out as Blake went to them. She loved that Vera didn’t make her feel forced into hugs, but rather invited her to be held. It was so simple, yet something Blake desperately needed. Knowing that Vera wanted things to be on Blake’s terms meant more to Blake than she could express. And made staying in Vera’s tight embrace even sweeter.
“Not to add to that, but hearing you call memamais something I’ve wanted for so long.” Vera’s voice broke as she cried, and Blake tightened her hug around Vera’s waist. “It’s something I never expected, but I’m so happy you’re comfortable with it.”
“Of course I am.” Sitting up so she could see Vera’s eyes, she smiled. “You’re my mama.”
“Yes, I am.” Vera’s smile was ear to ear as she wiped Blake’s tears away with her thumb. “Thank you for opening up with me today, Blake. I’m glad you feel comfortable enough with me to do that.”
“I’m sorry it’s taken me so long,” she grimaced. “Honestly, it wasn’t until we lost Reese for a few minutes last night that everything sank in for me. I can’t imagine how Mom felt after Dad took me. And it wasn’t just for a few minutes.”
“It was for years,” she and Vera said in unison, making them both sadly laugh.
“I don’t think I ever fully understood that until now. Iknewit happened, but I only saw it from my perspective.”
“I get that, honey. I really do. It’s hard, especially when you were so young when it happened. You were never meant to understand Isla’s pain. She never would want youto know firsthand what she went through. And I know Reese getting lost for a few minutes last night had to be terrifying. But if that had to happen to bring you and your mom back together, then I’m glad it did.”
“Me, too.”
As Blake finally felt herself relax, she also felt a flutter in her stomach that was unlike anything she’d ever felt before. She quickly put her hand to where she felt it, holding her breath as she waited for it again. Vera must have sensed something was happening, because she gently placed a hand on Blake’s shoulder.
“What’s wrong, honey?”
“I… I don’t know. Just this weird feeling right here.” Blake moved her hand as Vera put her hand on that spot. As Blake felt it again, she looked at Vera, panicked, expecting to see the panic reflected in Vera’s eyes. But all Blake saw was love as Vera looked back at her. “What is it? Is something wrong?”
“No, honey. No.” Tenderly, Vera picked up Blake’s hand and put it back on her belly. Vera put her cold hands on either side of Blake’s hands. “That’s your little girl moving.”
“You can feel her?” Blake happily sobbed as she realized the flutter was nothing to be worried about. Vera nodded her head, tears flowing from her eyes. “You’re the first to feel her.”
“Aww, honey.” Vera pressed her forehead into Blake’s as they felt the baby move. “This means so much to me.”
“Me, too.” Swallowing the lump in her throat, Blake smiled at Vera. “Thanks for never giving up on me, Mama.”
Vera’s lower lip quivered as she shook her head. “I never will, Blake. I’ll always be here for you. Always. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Mama.”
The two stayed sitting side by side with their hands on Blake’s stomach. After several minutes of laughing each time the baby moved, Blake looked back up at Vera.
“Mom needs to feel this.”
