Page 42 of Pieces into Place
“I’ve been waiting years to hear that, honey. I never wanted to force you to be more open than you were ready to be. I always knew when you were ready, you’d let us know. I’m glad that day is today.”
“Me, too,” Blake sighed as she smiled. “It’s been a long time coming.”
“You’re telling me,” Isla chuckled. “I’ve been waiting for this day since you were five.”
“I’m so sorry it took me so long.”
“Oh, Blake. I’d wait forever for you to be ready to reconnect.”
“Thanks, Mommy.” Blake sadly smiled at her as Isla moved to sit beside her.
Sandwiched between Isla and Vera, Blake seemed to relax even more. She rested her head on Isla’s shoulder as she held onto Vera’s hand. Isla rubbed her back, feeling Vera’s hand on Blake’s back as well.
“We’re going to fix this, Blake. Together.”
“It’s how the Mackenzies do things,” Vera added.
Isla felt a pang of sadness in her heart at the words, though. She wished she’d kept her maiden name for Blake. Sure, she’d been married to Ben by the time Blake was born. But still. Blake Mackenzie would have had a much nicer ring to it and maybe it would have helped Blake connect with the rest of the family sooner.
She hadn’t been surprised when Blake changed her last name to Alexis’s after getting married. Her attachment to the Calloway name carried with it pain and heartache, so Isla understood the need for a change. Selfishly, though, she’d wished they’d both changed their names to Mackenzie. Isla had only ever told Vera that, who admitted she also had the same thought. She’d tried not to let that bother her that they hadn’t used her last name, but at the end of the day, it was Alexis and Blake’s decision. Not Isla’s.
There was a knock at the door as Alexis peeked around the corner. Her emotions went from panic to concern to relief as she must have realized things were okay. She stepped into the room, closing the door behind her as she looked at them.
“Are we having a family meeting without me?”
“Come here.” Vera held her hand out to Alexis as she sat beside her. Vera kissed her temple, smiling as Alexis looked at the three of them. “Everything’s okay.”
“Good.” Alexis breathed a sigh of relief. “I didn’t notice Blake and Vera had left the room, but when I saw Isla get up, I got worried when I didn’t see you two. And when none of you came back after a few minutes, I came looking.”
“She’s too much like your mom,” Vera teased Blake as they all laughed. It was true, though. Isla had always seen a lot of herself in Alexis.
“Yeah, she is.” Reaching out, Blake took Alexis’s hand. “Sorry for dipping out of your party. I promise it was for a good cause.”
“Yeah? Tell me.”
Isla listened as Blake recounted her conversations with Vera and Isla to Alexis. She watched as Alexis cried happy tears as she hugged the three of them, holding on the longest to Blake.
“This is the best birthday presentever,” Alexis squealed as she framed Blake’s cheeks with her hands and kissed her. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Isla wrapped her arms around Vera’s body as she put her head on her shoulder. Vera rubbed her back as they watched Alexis and Blake have their moment together.
“Did you ever think we’d be here?”
“I’ve dreamed about it a million times,” Vera whispered as she kissed Isla. “All the pieces are finally falling into place.”
“Like a perfect puzzle.”
“She was our final piece.”
As the four of them rejoined the party, Isla couldn’t help but notice how much lighter she felt and how much lighter not only Blake, but also Vera and Alexis looked as well. She savored the sounds of laughter and chatter as all herkids and grandkids hung out in the living room together. When nighttime rolled around, Isla was sad to see them dispersing back to their own houses. Brayden and Everleigh headed upstairs while Ellie went to her garage apartment. Mason, Chase, and Silas left at the same time as Emily and Sophia, but not before Mason stopped her on the front porch.
“Everything okay?” Mason had a sleeping Silas in her arms as Archer slept on Isla’s shoulder.
“Everything’s okay, baby.” Isla gave her a one-arm hug as she kissed her cheek. “Let’s do breakfast or lunch tomorrow and I’ll fill you in, okay?”
“Breakfast at Carlson’s?” Mason excitedly asked.
