Page 83 of Pieces into Place
Palmer winked at Mason. “Your secret is safe with me. Blake, are you ready to get out of bed and get the catheter out?”
“Yes, please.”
With Palmer’s help, Blake moved her legs off the side of the bed. Palmer put her arms on Blake’s hips as she stood painfully slow. Her legs felt wobbly, but Palmer stayed right by her until she felt like she could walk. She led her into the small bathroom, leaving the door open. Blake didn’t mind, though. There was nothing Mason hadn’t already seen that morning.
Besides, Blake was beyond caring who saw what anymore. She didn’t care that Palmer was down on her knees between her legs as she took the catheter out and cleaned Blake with a peri bottle. Palmer then helped her into the shower, keeping Blake’s back to the water so it wasn’t directly hitting her incision that still had the dressing on it.
Blake lifted her arms to wash her hair but was caught off guard by the reminder of the major surgery she’d had twelve hours ago.
“You okay?”
“Yeah,” Blake winced. “Maybe I’ll wait to wash my hair. It’s only been three days since I washed it, so I’m sure another day won’t kill me.”
“I can help.” But before Palmer could do so, there was a soft knock at the bathroom door.
“Can I help?” Isla smiled at Blake, who nodded. Palmer closed the bathroom door as she left Isla and Blake alone. “I got you, honey.”
“When did you get back?”
“Just now.” Isla kicked off her shoes before taking off her shirt and pants. “I heard you and Palmer talking about your hair and I wasn’t about to let my baby not wash her hair.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
Blake had been five the last time her mom had washed her hair for her. It brought with it a wave of emotions as Blake realized how lucky she was to have Isla Mackenzie as a mom. Isla loved Blake so much that it hurt to think about. She only hoped that her kids felt the same way about her.
Isla not only helped with washing Blake’s hair, but her entire body as well. She was extra careful not to get her incision in the direct flow of water and carefully dried it off as they got out of the shower. Vera knocked on the door, handing Isla the bag Mason had picked up for Blake at home. Without hesitation, Vera stepped into the bathroom and closed the door. While Isla changed clothes, Vera helped Blake dry off. She checked Blake’s incision dressing to ensure it was as dry as could be before helping her into the gown she had on the day before, but was now cleaned.
“How are you feeling, honey?”
“Much better. Thanks, Mama.”
“Did you pack the underwear I told you to get?”
“Absolutely.”
“Good. The stuff they have here is fine, but I much prefer those for my patients.” Vera kissed her cheek before opening the bag Isla had set on the counter. When Vera busted out laughing and doubled over, Blake knew Mason had to have put something dumb in the bag. “Mason Riley Mackenzie!”
Vera opened the door, holding up a black lace thong. Blake could see Mason laughing out in the room along with Palmer.
“What?” Mason shrugged as she kept laughing. “You said to get her extra underwear, so I did.”
“You’re so not helpful.” Vera sent the thong flying across the room to Mason as if it were a rubber band. “And that’s yours, not Blake’s. Don’t even pretend.”
Mason’s humor had added a much-needed laugh for Blake. And probably everyone else as well. It had been a stressful last two days, but things were on the uptick now.
As Blake settled back into bed, Palmer handed her Amelia. Blake opened her gown enough to do more skin to skin with Amelia as she happily ate the best damn sandwich of her life. And perhaps dropped a bit of honey mustard onto the top of Amelia’s head. At least she didn’t seem to mind.
Alexis arrived soon after lunch with the kids. They had debated waiting until they got home for Archer and Reese to meet Amelia, but Blake wanted to see her babies. Isla held Amelia as Vera and Mason held Archer and Reese on their hips near the bed.
“Be careful with Mama’s tummy,” Vera cautioned the kids as Blake hugged each of them. They seemed so much bigger now that she’d held Amelia and she desperately wished time would stop ticking by so fast.
Blake spent a few moments with the twins before introducing them to Amelia. They were both curious as they touched her cheeks and hands and feet. She was thankful that their friend, Molly Jaymes, had come in with Alexis and the kids to take pictures of their first time meeting Amelia. Molly snapped away as Blake soaked in the time with her family.
All the while hoping it wasn’t obvious that there wasn’t a bigger reason for Molly’s presence in the room.
She’d barely been able to keep their name change a secret and was desperate for Isla and Vera and everyone else to know. But first, it was Harper’s turn to meet Amelia. Harper climbed up into the bed with Blake as Alexis took Amelia from Isla and carefully handed her to Harper.
“This is your sister, Amelia.” Blake said softly as she kissed Harper’s cheek.
