Page 31 of Pieces into Place
“I don’t know what all they have talked about, but I was the one who suggested she start with Vera.” She nervously fiddled with her fingers. “I hope you’re not mad at me for that. I just thought that Vera might be easier for Blake to start with since…”
Alexis’s voice trailed off, and Isla knew there was something she wasn’t saying. She almost opened her mouth to ask when Alexis continued.
“I guess it wouldn’t hurt for you to know since Vera probably does now. Just let Blake tell you before you say anything, okay?”
Isla nodded. “What’s going on, Lex?”
“Blake’s been struggling to feel a connection with the baby. I told her to talk to Vera since Vera deals with pregnant people all the time.”
“I’m sure if she told Vera that, that’s exactly why Vera suggested an ultrasound.”
“Really? How do you know?”
“Because she did the same thing with me when I was struggling to connect with Evie.”
“Wow,” Alexis laughed, “you really did a copy and paste with Blake, didn’t you?”
“Honey, you have no idea.” Isla put her arm around Alexis’s shoulder as they walked into the office. She led them down the hallway to the room number Vera had texted them and knocked on the door. “Knock, knock.”
“Hey, babe.” Vera smiled widely at Isla as she pulled her into a hug. Alexis walked over to Blake, who was sitting on the exam table, and hugged her.
“Everything okay?” Isla asked in a whisper.
“It is. I promise. She called memama.”
“Oh, honey,” Isla excitedly hugged Vera. “I know how much that means to you. I’m so happy for you.”
“I’m happy, too.”
She could tell by the excitement in Vera’s face that the lunch had gone well. That put her worried heart to ease as she walked over to Blake and hugged her. Isla held on a little longer than usual, hoping Blake sensed how proud she was of her. Putting her hand on Blake’s shoulders, Isla looked into her eyes.
“Thank you for letting me be here for this.”
“Thanks for coming.”
As Vera helped Blake get repositioned for the ultrasound, Isla stood beside Vera closer to Blake’s belly while Alexis stood by her head. The two were tightly holding onto each other’s hands as Vera moved the wand around Blake’s belly. Isla noticed how happy Vera looked as she showed them the baby. Even Blake looked happier than Isla remembered seeing the entire time she’d been pregnant.
“So, Blake, do you want to tell them?”
Alexis cocked her head at Blake. “Did you find out the gender?” Her voice was a happy high pitch as she excitedly squeezed Blake’s hand. “Tell me. I feel like I already know, but tell me.”
“It’s a girl.”
With those three words, Isla was taken back to the day she found out Blake was going to be a girl. Her older sister Nora had gone with her, which meant their younger sister Eden had also tagged along. The ultrasounds were nowhere near as advanced as the one Vera was using, but the elation over the news was still the same.
“It’s a girl!” Isla squealed as she and Nora hugged. “I’m gonna have a girl.”
“You’re going to be the best mom to this baby.”
“I hope so.”
“I know so. This little girl doesn’t know how lucky she is to have you as her mom.”
Nora’s words came flooding back to Isla as she looked at that same little girl. Blake looked so happy that it melted Isla’s heart. She didn’t want to interrupt Alexis and Blake’s special moment together, so she hung back and watched them. Vera put a hand on her shoulder and pulled her in for a kiss on the check.
“Are you happy?” Vera whispered in her ear.
“I am. For so many reasons.”
