Page 59 of Pieces into Place
“Look at you go, big sis.” She playfully elbowed Blake’s arm. “Emphasis on thebig.”
“Hey now, be nice to me.”
As they drove to their new destination, Blake parked the SUV outside the arcade. Blake loaded up a game card for them to use as they laughed and played nearly every game. Everleigh jokingly put a basketball up to her belly, laughing as Blake took their picture beside each other in a large mirror.
“Now I look like you.”
“Should I send that to our parents? Mama would have a heart attack.”
“No doubt,” Everleigh laughed, but grew serious as she put the basketball on her hip. “Not to sound like sappy Ellie, but it’s really cool to hear you call themour parents.”
Her emotions overtook Blake as she put her arm around Everleigh and pulled her into a hug. She half expected Everleigh to protest, but she was happy when Everleigh hugged her back instead.
“I’m really glad you wanted to hang out with me today. That means a lot.”
“Don’t get sappy on me, sis.”
“You started it.”
They both laughed as they resumed their games. Blake lost several games of air hockey in a row before they finally called it quits for lunch. Everleigh grabbed Willow’s leash as they headed out. She let Everleigh pick and wasn’t surprised at all they ended up at Straight to Ale. They walked a few blocks down to the restaurant as Blake rubbed her belly.
“You okay?”
“Yeah,” Blake winced, trying to cover up the pain from Everleigh. But she forgot whose child Everleigh was.
“Are you having Braxton-Hicks?”
Blake looked at her, surprised, as they stopped walking and turned to face each other.
“Don’t act surprised. You know who my mama is.” Everleigh reached out her hand toward Blake’s stomach. “Can I touch you?”
She nodded. Everleigh’s hands gently caressed either side of Blake’s belly. Blake watched as she rubbed her belly just like Alexis and Isla had when Blake had had the contractions around them. It was clear that Everleigh really was her parents’ child.
“What do ya think, Doc?”
“I think your body is tired from me beating your ass at the arcade.”
“Very possible.”
“Come on, sis. I got you.”
Sticking out her arm, Everleigh motioned for Blake to take it. She walked slowly with Blake to the bar, bypassing the host stand and seating themselves near the bar. Emily waved at them as she came out from behind the bar.
“She needs water and some fries, STAT.”
“Everything okay?” Emily asked Everleigh instead of Blake, which made Blake laugh.
“Yeah, just Braxton-Hicks.”
“Oh, those suck,” Emily whined. “But much easier to manage than the real thing.”
“Gee, thanks,” Blake teased as she stuck her tongue out at Emily, who did the same back.
“Now, children,” Everleigh interjected, soundingexactlylike Vera, “behave yourself at this classy establishment.”
Emily pointed a finger at Everleigh as they both smiled. “Don’t make me go get your mom.”
“Actually, please do. And bring back some fries and waters, please, Auntie Em.”
