Page 61 of Pieces into Place
“Babe, benice to your sister.”
“I will, I will.” Isla put her hand on her large belly. “Wouldn’t it be funny if my water broke here, and she was born in the Cape?”
“Absolutely not,” Vera laughed as she pulled into the driveway of their beach house. “I’m fully supportive of a home birth, but not when we’re away from my hospital if anything goes wrong.”
“Nothing is going to go wrong.”
“I know. I’ve got you and this baby. Always.”
“I know you do. And I’m not an idiot like you and coming to the Cape thirty-eight weeks pregnant with twins.”
Vera chuckled at the memory. “We made it back in time for them to be born at the hospital, didn’t we?”
“Barely. I was having flashbacks of Cam having Jonah in my Jeep.”
Isla smiled as the memory embraced her like a warm hug. She loved all the memories with Vera and their family at the Cape as much as anything. And she was eager to make new ones with Blake and Alexis.
They’d arrived at the Cape a few hours ago, having waited until Vera got off work to head out. Since the pool was heated, the four of them had gone for a relaxing swim, and Isla was reluctant to get out. Despite the overcast sky, the pool felt amazing. And the new float she’d picked up at the store a few days ago had been more than worth its sticker price.
It was obvious Blake felt the same way about the avocado float she was currently lounging on. Arden had gifted Emily the float last summer when she was pregnant with Finley. The cutout in the float allowed Blake’s belly to go in so she could lie on her stomach without issues. Both Blake and Emily seemed to love it and Isla was jealous she didn’t have that when she was pregnant.
Vera swam up to the side of Isla’s float as she leaned in to kiss her. “We should probably go make dinner.”
“ButMama,” Isla dramatically whined, “I don’t wanna get out of the pool.”
“Well, then I guess you’re going to have to miss dinner tonight.”
“That’s fine. I’ll just eat you later.”
“Isla!” Vera giggled as her cheeks reddened. Even after thirty years together, Isla loved that she still had that effect on Vera. “Not in front of the kids.”
“We’re used to it,” Alexis and Blake said in unison as they all laughed.
“I can help you with dinner, Vera.”
“Aww, thanks, Lex.”
As Alexis and Vera got out of the pool, Isla kept her eyes on her wife. Her body looked amazing in the two-piece bathing suit. Every curve was beyond sexy to Isla, and she couldn’t wait to touch them all when they were alone. Isla had been worried menopause would lower their sex drive, but so far, it hadn’t slowed them down.
“Our wives are pretty great, aren’t they?” Isla asked as she hopped off her float and tossed it onto the deck.
“They’re the best,” Blake grinned at her. She looked so peaceful, so relaxed. Isla gently brushed her damp hair out of her face as she smiled at Blake. “I love this float.”
“I can tell.”
“It’s the first time inweeksI haven’t felt her pressed against my bladder.”
“Just think, in a few more weeks, you’ll be holding her in your arms.”
Blake laughed, but Isla caught the nervousness it hid. “I’m not sure I’m ready for that.”
“You’re gonna do great, Blake. Alexis and Avery totally have you.”
Isla’s heart ached at the fact she wasn’t going to be in the room when Blake had her baby. She knew it was selfish; she’d been telling herself that for months. But it didn’t change the fact that it was how she felt. Being therefor her babies as they had babies was something Isla had always dreamed of doing. When Mason had Silas, she’d been right behind Mason as she supported her and held her during and after the delivery. The memory flooded her mind again of how blissful everything felt after Silas was born.
Mason had still been leaning back on Isla as she held Silas on her chest. Vera and Melanie had gotten Mason all cleaned up after the delivery and were letting her enjoy her golden hour with Silas. Isla had helped Mason get Silas latched for his first feeding. But all Isla could focus on was how she was holding her baby, who had just become a mom. She didn’t dare move; didn’t dare say her hips were sore from the way she’d been sitting. It was a memory Isla knew both she and Mason would treasure forever.
“Mom?”
