Page 80 of Pieces into Place
As Vera opened the photo app, she handed the phone to Isla as she pulled Mason into a hug. The three of them marveled at the photos as Isla kept wiping the happy tears from her eyes. Seeing Blake was okay and seeing her new granddaughter was beyond overwhelming to Isla. Now Isla just needed to get her own eyes on Blake for her heart to fully be healed.
“When can we see her?”
“She’s in recovery now. Alexis is with her and the baby. You should go back and be with her. Mason and I can hang out here until they get her moved into a room, so we’re not all crowding her.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.” Vera kissed Isla’s forehead. “Go be with our daughter.”
“I’ll take care of Mama.” Mason winked at Isla as she let Vera pull her into a hug. “Tell Blake I love her and give this to Alexis.”
She handed Isla the lunchbox full of breast milk and she smiled at Vera.
“I’m donating my oversupply to Blake and Alexis if they need it.”
“Aww, honey,” Vera started to cry again. “That’s so sweet. They’ll need that until Blake can try feeding on her own.”
“I’m happy to help anyway I can.”
After another round of hugs and kisses from both Vera and Mason, Isla walked down the hallway toward the recovery room Vera had sent her to. The hallway was quiet, with most of the lights out in the rooms as she passed by. She found the recovery room Blake was in and took a moment to compose herself before entering.
“Oh, sorry,” Avery apologized as she walked out the door and nearly into Isla. “Blake was just asking for you.”
Without fully knowing why, Isla hugged Avery.
Although she’s known of Avery since she began working at Taylor Memorial Hospital seven years ago, Isla never knew her as more than Vera’s colleague. She was occasionally a part of stories Vera would tell about work, and Isla would see her at hospital events or around town. Avery came into the bar often, not that Isla judged her frequency of her establishment.
Just like Isla didn’t judge the whole arm full of tattoos that Avery had. If anything, Avery could pass as a Mackenzie kid. She had the same brown eyes and hair that Isla, her sisters, and kids had. The big difference was that Isla wouldn’t normally hug Avery. In fact, she never had before. Hell, she’d barely had a conversation with her.
However, in the heat of her emotions, it felt like the most natural thing to do. It took Avery a moment to return the hug. Probably too stunned to register what was happening at first. But when she did, she hugged Isla tightly.
“Thank you for keeping them safe.”
“You’re welcome.” Avery’s voice was full of emotion. “Thank you for trusting me.”
Isla let go of Avery, taking a step back as she smiled at her. Although Isla knew she was young, exactly how young was apparent as she stood across from her. Avery was only thirty-three, which was younger than both Blake and Mason. She could easily be one of Isla’s daughters, and Isla couldn’t imagine Blake or Mason performing such a high-stake surgery at their ages. Not that they couldn’t do it if they were trained. It was just that it was a lot of pressure on someone at any age. Especially at thirty-three.
The realization gave Isla a newfound respect not only for Avery, but Vera as well.
“I’ll check on Blake again once she gets moved up to postpartum.”
“Thanks, Dr. Jacobs.”
“Avery,” she smiled at Isla as she held her hand out and Isla shook it. “We’ve known each other long enough for you to call me Avery.”
“Well, then, please, call me Isla.”
“Not Mrs. Dr. Mackenzie?” Avery teased, smirking. “I’ll check on you all soon, Isla.”
“See ya, Avery.”
Isla waited until Avery was down the hallway before knocking lightly on the door. She opened it quietly, unsure if Blake or the baby were asleep. Alexis was standing at the foot of the bed, holding the baby as Isla walked into the room. But they would have to wait.
She had to check onherbaby first.
Alexis seemed to understand as she nodded toward Blake, who was sitting up in the bed. Melanie was also in the room, along with another nurse Isla recognized. She handed the lunchbox to Melanie, assuming she could figure out what to do with it, as she walked over to Blake. Blake’s lower lip quivered as she held her arms out to Isla.
“Mommy.” Blake nuzzled her face against Isla’s as Isla carefully hugged her. She was unsure where all the IVs and stitches were and wanted to be careful with Blake. But at the same time, she couldn’t hold Blake tight enough.
