Page 84 of Pieces into Place
“She’s cute,” Harper giggled.
“She looks like you,” Alexis added, a wistful tone to her voice.
Blake tried to remember every moment of the day. She wanted to remember how Reese asked if there was another baby in her belly and how Archer had pulled a toy Lightning McQueen car from his pocket to give to his baby sister. Watching Harper hold Amelia was beyond anything Blake had been prepared for. How could the little girl she met six years ago be holding her hours old little sister now?
Melanie and Cameron arrived an hour later, along with their daughter Dylan and son Luca. They took some time to meet Amelia and check in with Blake before Cameron and Dylan offered to take the kids back home. Again, Blake hoped it didn’t sound suspicious. Especially as Melanie had a black backpack with her that screamedsuspicious.
Thankfully, the rest of the afternoon was filled with friends coming and going. None of them stayed too long, which Blake was thankful for. Each visit made Blake more tired, and she definitely didn’t want to be tired when they announced their new last name. She could barely wait for that, which made the nap she desperately needed before dinner that much harder to take. Blake knew she needed to though, so they could all celebrate later.
With Isla and Vera soaking up their grandparent time on the couch across the room, Blake snuggled with Alexis in bed. Alexis played with her hair as Blake fought sleep for a few minutes as she watched Isla and Vera with Amelia.They were as amazing as grandparents as they were as parents.
“I’m so happy.” Alexis kissed Blake’s cheek as she kept her voice low. “They are going to be losing their shit in a few hours.”
Blake laughed softly. “Mel said to text her when we’re ready and she’ll head up. She’s in Cam’s office waiting.”
“Did she tell Ellie and Everleigh to be here?”
“Yeah, even Brayden is coming in.”
“Are you kidding me?” Alexis’s excited voice raised slightly as Blake playfully pinched her side under the sheets. “Sorry.”
“But yes, they’ll all be here, and so will Harper.”
“Good.” Alexis nodded her head. “Now take a nap so we can share our good news.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Cuddling with Alexis, Blake put her head on her chest as Alexis played with her hair. She fell asleep with a smile on her face and a happiness in her heart over what the night held for their family.
Chapter 29
Isla
Getting to relax in absolute bliss after the craziness of the last twenty-four hours was exactly what Isla needed. She was thankful that Blake was doing so well post-surgery and that Amelia was happy and healthy. Amelia had spent most of the day being loved on by everyone in the room, but Isla made sure she spent the most time with Blake. Isla would pry Amelia from Vera or Ellie to give her to Blake or Alexis so they could soak in all the newborn cuddles. They were the best, after all.
Isla was loving having all her family around. It had been Christmas the last time they were all together. Having all her ducklings under one roof would always be Isla’s favorite place to be. Ellie, Everleigh, and Harper had arrived with dinner for everyone from the Pizza Parlour an hour ago. She wished Brayden was there too, but Isla understood that he had school. Maybe he could come home soon to meet his new niece.
Melanie had brought in a cake with some sparkling cider, but she’d been standing guard over the cake to a suspicious degree. She stood by the cake, still in the Carlson’s box, as if it were a briefcase with the nuclear button inside. Isla had been watching her the last few minutes as she typed away at her phone, grinning occasionally.
Must be talking to Cam, Isla thought as she put her hand on Vera’s thigh. They were sitting on the couch by the window that overlooked the cove. Having her wife be on the board of the hospital meant they had not only been given the biggest postpartum room, but the visitor limit had also been ignored for them.
Blake was sitting in the recliner nursing Amelia as Alexis and Ellie sat on the edge of the hospital bed chatting with Blake while Harper snuggled between them. Isla couldn’t believe her eldest grandchild was going to be eleven next month. Where had the time gone? Mason and Everleigh were sitting on the floor, much to Isla’s disgust, as they played a card game and joined in on the conversation as they wanted. The room was full of chatter and love, and it was exactly what Isla needed. She leaned her head onto Vera’s shoulder and sighed.
“I love this.”
“Me, too.” Vera put her hand on top of Isla’s on her thigh. “We just need Brayden here.”
“I tried FaceTiming him earlier, and he didn’t answer.”
“I did too. Did he have a game tonight that we forgot?”
“No, I checked the schedule.”
“Maybe we should call him again.”
As Isla reached into her bag for her phone, there was a knock at the door. She looked up and was happily surprised to see Brayden with pink balloons and a bouquet of flowers. He had a wide smile on his face as he looked around the room.
“The party can start now. Uncle Bray is here.”
