Page 21 of Pieces into Place
“I’ve watched Mom and Mama deal with their pain for years and yeah, maybe it just became second nature to all of us. But when you came back, a whole new level of pain emerged. One that none of us knew how to handle.EspeciallyMom. Because in every scenario we had of you coming back into our lives, weneverthought you wouldn’t want to be in ours.”
“Mason,” Blake sobbed, covering her mouth with her hand.
“You moved to the Cove and started your own family with Alexis and never once tried to be a part of our family. The family that has wanted you in their lives for thirtyyears, Blake. I really don’t think you understand how much your apathy toward Mom and Mama affects them. How it affects me and Ellie and Brayden and Everleigh. We didn’t deserve to be treated this way. You weren’t the only person affected by Ben taking you from Mom. Don’t forget that.”
“Mason, I’m…”
“Don’t.” Mason shook her head. “Don’t apologize to me or to Mom or to Mama until you mean it. Until you’re ready to change and drop this act that you’re too good for our family.”
Blake didn’t have any comeback to Mason’s words. The pain was clear not only in her voice but also on her face as well. It broke Blake’s heart even more to know her sister had been harboring all those emotions and feelings toward Blake. No wonder they never could fully work on their relationship.
Without another word, she stepped out of Mason’s way as she and Chase got into the SUV and pulled out of the driveway. Blake stood speechless as she watched them go. Looking around her, she saw that Emily and Sophia, along with Maddie and Walker, had heard what Mason said. That much was obvious by the looks on their faces.
Feeling beyond embarrassed, Blake kept her head low as she made a beeline for her house. Her tears fell from her eyes as she hurried down the street to the house. She was surprised to see Charlie and Delaney’s SUV pulling out of the driveway, and she waved at them. Delaney waved back sadly while Charlie kept her eyes facing forward. Blake dried her tears before walking up the sidewalk. As she opened the door to the house, she immediately noticed how quiet it was.
“Where are the kids?”
“I texted Charlie before we left and asked her to take them for the night.”
“Why?”
“So we can have this out without worrying about little ears.” Alexis crossed her arms over her chest. “Because, frankly, Blake, I can’t go on pretending like the way you’ve been acting recently is okay. You not only hurt Isla today, but you also hurt Vera and Mason and me.”
“You?”
“Yes,” she kept her voice strong, “me. I wanted to have a fun night with my wife. And instead you locked yourself into that damn office andworkedinstead of coming to the party.”
“Thatworkis how we get money for this family.”
“Oh, really, now?” Alexis snorted a laugh. “Because last time I checkedourbank account, we barely had enough to stay afloat.”
“Well, maybe we would have more money if you got a job.”
“Hey!” Alexis snapped. “I’ve offered to go back to work, butwedecided we would spend more on childcare for the twins if I did. And with adding a baby in a few months, that will just increase our expenses even more.”
“Then maybe we should have waited to have another baby!”
Blake’s words hung in the air between them as she instantly regretted even saying them. She watched nearly every emotion flash across Alexis’s face until she settled on sadness.
“I didn’t mean that, Lex.”
“Then why did you say it?” Her voice was shaking as she dropped her arms to her side. “If you didn’t mean it, why did you say it?”
“I don’t know, Lex.” Blake’s voice broke as she felt her knees startling to buckle beneath her. A wave of guilt washed over her as she thought about the baby growing inside of her. She put her hand on her stomach, wishing she could take back the words she’d just said.
Falling to her knees, Blake sobbed as she covered her face with her hands. Alexis was instantly at her side, wrapping her in a hug and holding her as tightly as she could as they both cried.
“I’m so sorry, Lex. I didn’t mean that. You know I want our baby.”
“I know.” Alexis repeatedly kissed the top of her head as she held her. “I know, baby. I know.”
“I’m just so scared.”
Repositioning herself to be sitting on the floor, Alexis followed suit and did the same beside Blake. Alexis held her hand with one hand and put the other behind her back. “About what? Talk to me.”
“Everything,” Blake cried. “I’m scared I’m failing as a wife and as a mom. And as a daughter. All of this is still new to me and I have no clue what I’m doing. And then I watch you with the kids and being a mom is so natural to you. Which makes me feel like shit when…”
Her voice trailed off, and Blake realized the secret she’d been harboring for months was ready to be spilled.
