Page 88 of Pieces into Place
“I know this is your first time experiencing all these emotions, so just know that everything you are feeling is justified. This wasn’t how you pictured today going, and it’s okay to be upset and worried about that. Your wife and baby are going under for a major surgery, so I’m not going to sit here and diminish your feelings or fears. What I am going to do is hold you until you’re ready to go in with Blake, okay? But take all the time you need. Vera has Blake and I have you, okay?”
Alexis nodded as Melanie rubbed her back. Melanie had been Alexis’s nurse when she’d had the twins, so they already had a connection. She was thankful it had been Melanie that was with her while they waited for the go-ahead for Alexis to join Blake in the OR.
“I know this is your first cesarean, but it’s not Avery’s. She’s got this. Blake and Amelia are going to be okay and tomorrow we will all celebrate with cake and sparkling cider, okay?”
“Okay,” Alexis nodded, feeling some of the weight off her shoulder. Melanie opened a drawer and pulled out some eye drops. She broke the sterile seal and opened the cap.
“We keep these close in case patients need them. Tilt your head back.” As Alexis did, Melanie tenderly put two drops in each of her eyes. “There you go. That should help them not look as red so you don’t scare Blake even more.”
Alexis smiled at Melanie’s concern. “Thanks, Mel.”
“You’re welcome, Lex. Now let’s go be with Blake and meet your baby.”
Alexis pulled herself from the memory as Reese came running over to her. She scooped her up in her arms and put her on her hip.
“Hey, baby. Are you ready for dinner?”
“Yup! Can I have a strawberry?”
“Of course. But let’s wash our hands first.”
Alexis helped her wash her hands before handing a strawberry to Reese. She picked up the plate Vera had prepared for Reese and walked over to the table. Both Reese and Archer were still sitting in their highchairs for most meals as otherwise they had the tendency to want to walk around or play with a toy or really do anything besides eating. Their highchairs were on the side of the dining room table with the large windows to the backyard, so they weren’t distracted by what was going on outside.
Which currently was Isla and Harper playing catch as Archer and Tucker played in the sandbox. For a retriever, Tucker much preferred any activity that didn’t involve him having to do physical activity. Alexis got that. She hated exercising, too. Blake was sitting on the patio under the umbrella as she held a sleeping Amelia on her chest. Putting Reese into her highchair, Alexis kissed her head.
“I love you, Reese.”
“Love you, Mommy.”
Vera set down Archer and Harper’s plate at their assigned spots before opening the sliding screen door. “Dinner’s ready!” Vera called out happily as everyone hurried inside.
Archer and Harper washed their hands in the sink as Isla helped them. While Blake sat at the table, Alexis prepared a plate for both of them. She took her seat by Blake, kissing her wife the same way she did every time they sat down for dinner. Alexis wasn’t sure when they’d picked up that tradition, but she hoped it never ended.
Dinner was amazing and full of fun conversations around the table. Isla offered to hold Amelia so Blake andAlexis could eat without juggling a newborn. Alexis couldn’t help but notice how much lighter Isla looked. The heartaches she’d experienced over the years could have broken anyone, but Isla had remained strong and come out better on the other side. Just like Blake had.
Alexis was beyond thankful that Blake’s walls were now completely torn down. Blake had always been an amazing wife and mama, but Alexis had seen such a change in her since she let Isla and Vera in. She was more open, more willing to ask for help and seek out time with her extended family.
Blake had also let working on a script go, at least for now. She said she wanted to focus more on her family and Alexis completely supported that. Alexis even had plans to go back to working at Straight to Ale a few days a week to help with their finances. And she had to admit that she was actually looking forward to working there with Emily again. The bar was her second home, and she was excited to be going back in a few weeks.
Until then, Alexis planned to spend every single minute she could with her sweet family.
As dinner ended, Alexis and Blake cuddled up on the couch on the patio by the fire pit with Amelia. Isla and Vera were playing with the kids on the swing set. Alexis couldn’t help but laugh at Isla trying to crawl around the fort part of the play set with them. Vera seemed to be taking it all in, not that Alexis could blame her. They’d all gone through a lot to get to where they were now.
Amelia yawned, stretching her tiny arms as she woke up from her nap. She looked up at Alexis with her bright brown eyes that reminded her of Harper. Alexis rubbed her nose against Amelia’s like she did when the older kids were younger. And, well, still did at times.
“Hey, sweet girl.” At the sound of Alexis’s voice, Amelia smiled. Which in turn made Alexis’s smile widen in excitement. “Oh! She smiled! Look at this smile!”
“It’s the cutest little smile ever.” Blake tickled Amelia’s belly as she snuggled closer to Alexis. “I’m so happy.”
“Me, too. And I’m so proud of you.” Alexis kissed her cheek repeatedly as Blake giggled. “Seriously, babe, you’ve come so far these last few months. You’ve been through a lot, emotionally and physically, and I’m so damn proud of you.”
“Thanks, Lex. Thanks for not killing me when my attitude was shit.”
“I neverseriouslythought about killing you if that helps.”
Blake chuckled. “It does, actually. I’m sorry I put you through that. I’m sorry I put our family through that.”
“It’s okay, baby.” Alexis kissed her again. “We went through the hard times together, just like we always will. I’m always going to be here for you in the good times, the bad times, and everything in between. Always and forever.”
