Page 15 of Pieces into Place
“I’m so sorry, Lex.”
Alexis nodded toward the living room, which they could see thanks to the open concept of the house. “Let’s talk once they go to bed.”
“Oh. Okay.”
Nodding, Blake hung her bag on the closest chair before going back to the living room. She picked up Archer and put him on her lap as they sat in the recliner. Blake gently rocked them as Archer snuggled with her.
Although she’d always wanted kids, there was a time in Blake’s life when she didn’t think they were in the cards for her. But that was back when work was the most important thing in her life. She was so used to going from job to job, from set to set that the idea of settling down with a wife and kids slowly got pushed to the back of her mind. It wasn’t until she came to Cove and met Alexis and Harper that those dreams came back to the forefront of her mind.
And those dreams had only become a reality because of Isla and Vera’s letters. If Blake had never found the letters in her father’s attic, she would have never come to the Cove. She would never have fallen in love with Alexis. She could have never been a mama to Harper, Archer, and Reese. Blake kissed her baby boy’s head as he kept fighting sleep. Looking over at the couch, she soaked in the sight of Harper and Reese cuddled up together. Harper was the best big sister, and it made Blake long for the days when she and Mason were kids.
There weren’t many memories Blake had with her mom and sister before the divorce. What she remembered was vague and fuzzy. But one memory constantly stayed tucked in the back of Blake’s brain for when she needed to relive the days gone by. Days that, at the time, she never thought would end.
She was four, maybe five, and lying in bed with Isla and Mason. Blake was on one side of Isla with Mason on the other, her arms wrapped around each of them as she read them a story. The memory of what story was lost to time but that wasn’t what Blake remembered. All she remembered was how safe she felt in Isla’s arms. How loved her mom always made her feel.
Blake hoped her kids felt the same way.
A wave of emotion washed over Blake as she imagined what it would be like if someone took one of her kids away from her. She couldn’t stand the thought and quickly pushed it out of her mind as bedtime arrived. Alexis carried Reese to her room, Blake carried a sleeping Archer to his. Harper followed them, saying goodnight to her sister first before her brother. As Blake put Archer in his bed, she kissed his cheek.
“I love you, Archie.”
“Love you, Mama,” he yawned as he cuddled his favorite plain dinosaur.
“Night, brother.” Harper kissed his cheek, just like Blake had.
“Night, sissy.”
“Goodnight, buddy.” Turning on the nightlight, Blake put her hand on Harper’s back as they walked out of the room. She pulled the bedroom door closed quietly before following Harper upstairs to her room. Tucker, their golden retriever, followed them. He spent every night by Harper’s bed, and Blake loved the added peace of mind he brought her.
Blake couldn’t believe Harper wasten.She was still the same loving kiddo that Blake had met five years ago, but she was starting to get a pre-teen attitude that had her and Alexis both cringingandlaughing. As Harper climbed into bed, Blake tucked her in before sitting on the edge of the bed. She tenderly tucked her hair behind her ears as she smiled at her.
“I love you, Harper.”
“I love you, too, Mama.” She cocked her head at her. “How’s the baby?”
“The baby is good.”
Picking up Harper’s hand, Blake placed it on her stomach. Harper had been eagerly awaiting to feel the baby move, but even Blake hadn’t felt that yet. Dr. Jacobs had told her that was normal, especially for her first pregnancy. Still, Blake was eager for it to happen.
“Do you think it’s a boy or a girl?” Harper asked, as she did at least once a week, it seemed. “I think it’s a girl.”
“You do, hmm?”
“Yup. What do you think, Mama?”
“I think it’s going to be a cute baby, just like you.” She playfully tickled Harper as she giggled. The sound was music to Blake’s ears and did wonders to her hurting soul.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Alexis standing in the doorway. She was leaned up against the doorframe, watching them with a sweet smile on her face. Alexis had never looked more beautiful to Blake than she did in that moment with her Santa Claus pajamas she never stopped wearing from last Christmas and her hair up in a bun.
“Sleep well, baby.”
Blake kissed Harper’s forehead as she stood. Alexis walked over to Harper, wishing her goodnight before they both left their eldest child’s room. Once they were alone again in the kitchen, Alexis sighed. Blake knew she was waiting for her to say something, but Blake didn’t know where to start.
“I’m so sorry, Lex.”
“You’ve already said that.” Alexis swallowed hard, crossing her arms over her chest. “Now, do you want to tell mewhyyou’ve been lying to me about going to therapy?”
“I… I don’t know. It feels so stupid now.”
