Page 60 of Pieces into Place
“I hate that nickname.”
“I know,” Everleigh smirked, making Blake laugh out loud.
As Emily left their table, Everleigh plucked a sugar packet from the container on the table. Blake didn’t have to ask what she was doing as the two quickly fell into a game of sugar packet football. With her belly stopping the packet from sliding off the table, Blake accused Everleigh of cheating.
“How amIcheating when it’syourbelly in the way?”
“Well, excuse me for growing your niece.”
“What are you two bickering about?”
Isla sat by Everleigh as she put a basket of fries in the middle of the table. Emily was behind her, carrying three waters and a treat for Willow. She gave Willow the treat before heading back to the bar.
“Have you two had a good day?”
“It was great,” Everleigh beamed as she recounted their day so far to Isla. “I’ve had so much fun.”
“Me too, Evie.” Blake winked at her as she popped a fry into her mouth. “We’ll have to do it again sometime.”
“For sure. We need regular sister dates. Just the two of us.”
“I’m totally in.”
Blake felt herself relax, knowing that her relationship with Everleigh was intact. She had loved spending the day with her little sister and hoped it was the start to many more fun times with Everleigh. When Everleigh got up to go to the bathroom, Isla smiled at Blake.
“I’ve not seen her this happy in a while.”
“We’ve had a lot of fun today. She’s a great kid. You and Mama did good with her.”
Reaching out, Isla put her hand on Blake’s arm. “I think we did good withallof our babies.”
“I’d have to agree. Mackenzies make the best babies.”
Isla chuckled, but Blake could see the hint of sadness in her eyes. Holding up her water glass, Isla smiled as Blaketapped their glasses together. “I’ll drink to that. Speaking of babies, how is your little one?”
“Good. Active. I’ve been having Braxton-Hicks contractions on and off today. Evie actually helped me through one earlier.”
“She is very much her mama’s child.”
“And her mom’s. I can’t express how happy I’ve been the last few months because youallhave never stopped showing me grace and love. You let things happen on my time and I,” Blake’s voice caught in her throat. “I didn’t know how much I needed that.”
“I knew you would come around one day. Even if it was years from now, I would have waited. We all would. It’s what Mackenzies do.”
Blake desperately wanted to spill the beans about their name change to Isla, but she bit her tongue. She knew waiting until things were final would be better, just in case anything fell through. And besides, Blake had already been envisioning telling Isla and Vera the big news after the baby was born. It was going to be the cherry on top of a perfect day that was only a few weeks away.
Chapter 21
Isla
Purchasing the beach house in Cape Cod had been the best impulsive decision Isla had ever made. Her family had spent so many fun weekends, holidays, and summers at the beach house over the last two decades making priceless memories. Isla looked forward to every chance she could get away to the Cape, even if it was just for a weekend. And when those weekends involved quality time with one of her kids, it made Isla even more excited.
Alexis and Blake had quickly agreed to Isla and Vera’s suggestion they have a couples retreat to the Cape for a few days. Blake has just entered her eighth month of pregnancy, so the two of them were eager to get away and rest for a few days. With two toddlers and a pre-teen, Isla could understand why they needed the break. She felt the same way when she was pregnant with Everleigh. At that point, Mason was twenty-one and Ellie and Brayden were six.
“Are you sure the kids are going to be okay?” Isla had asked for the hundredth time as Vera drove them to the beach house.
“They’re going to be fine. Eden is there if anything goes wrong.”
“A lot of help she’d be.”
