Page 44 of Pieces into Place
“I love my babies so much.” She kissed Brayden’s head, then Everleigh’s, before ruffling Ellie’s hair. They each echoed back withI love yous, which warmed Isla’s heart. It was the perfect end to a day she’d been waiting for thirty-one years to arrive.
Chapter 16
Blake
Back at home, Blake spent a few extra moments with each of her kids as she tucked them into bed. She wasn’t religious by any means, but she thanked the universe for making her their mama. Harper, Archer, and Reese meant the world to Blake, and she hoped her new breakthrough with Isla and Vera helped her be a better mama.
Tucking Harper into bed, Blake kissed her forehead as she sat on the edge of the bed.
“I love you, Harp.”
“I love you, Mama.”
“Hey, you want to feel something crazy?” Blake winked at her as she looked down at her belly. Harper had loved feeling the twins when Alexis was pregnant and had asked Blake multiple times a week when she could feel her new baby sister. She sat up on her elbow as she grinned up at Blake.
“Is it my new baby sister?”
“It is. Give me your hand.”
Tenderly, Blake took Harper’s hand and placed it where she’d been feeling the movement for the last several hours. Harper giggled, as did Blake.
“It feels so weird.”
“I know, right?” Blake joked as she laughed. “You’re the best big sister ever, Harper.”
Harper tossed her hair over her shoulder dramatically with her hand, looking exactly like a mini-Alexis as she said, “I know.”
“You’re too much like your mommy.”
“I knowthat, too. Mama?”
“Hmm?”
“Are you more like Nana or Grammy?”
Her question was so innocent that it caught Blake off guard. Neither she nor Alexis really talked to Harper about Blake’s dad, so it was safe to assume Harper just thought Isla and Vera were her only parents. Just like Alexis and Blake were her only parents. The innocence of the question melted Blake’s heart, and she was so thankful she was helping raise the next generation of loving humans.
“Well, I think I’m like Grammy, don’t you? Do you think we look alike?”
“Yeah,” Harper giggled as she laid back down in bed. “And you look like Mason and Ellie and Brayden.”
“What about Evie?”
Harper shrugged, looking uncertain.
“I think she looks like Nana, don’t you?”
Nodding, Harper smiled up at her before it turned into a yawn. It was well past her regular bedtime, but they’d made the exception since school was out of the holidays, anyway. As she kissed Harper goodnight, she petted Tucker on the head before turning to leave the room.
Alexis was standing in the doorframe, looking sleepy but still smiling. Blake took her hand as she pulled Harper’s door closed just enough so Tucker could get out if he needed to go potty. They walked down the stairs together and made their way over to the couch where they sat facing each other. While Alexis sat cross-legged, Blake sat on her right leg and leaned into the back of the couch.Picking up one of the pillows behind her; Alexis clutched it to her body as she smiled at Blake.
“You looksomuch lighter, babe. Like the burden you’ve been carrying is finally gone.”
“Ifeellighter. Even with the added thirty pounds,” she laughed, pointing at her stomach as Alexis rolled her eyes. “But seriously. I needed that. To be able to talk to them and let them in. I didn’t know what I was missing.”
“If only you had listened to your wife who kept telling you that they wanted nothing more than to love you where you’re at.”
“I know, I know.” Blake dramatically sighed. “My wife is always right. I don’t know why I don’t listen to her.”
