Page 43 of Pieces into Place
“I’ll see you then, Mace.”
Carefully carrying a sleeping Archer out to the SUV, she buckled him into his car seat as Alexis buckled in Reese. She said goodbye to her grandbabies before Alexis. After hugging Alexis, she noticed Blake standing a few feet away. Blake handed the keys to Alexis.
“Hey, take the kids on home. I’ll be there in a minute, okay?”
“Okay,” Alexis kissed Blake before getting into the SUV and driving off.
Alone with Blake in the driveway, Isla knew there was something she wanted to say. She stood quietly a few feet away from Blake, giving her the space she needed to process whatever was on her mind. As Blake closed the gap between them, Isla held out her arms and embraced her in a bear hug. There weren’t any tears this time. At least not sad ones. Isla simply held her baby girl in her arms as tightly as she could, just like she was five years old all over again.
“I’m so sorry, Mom.”
“Blake, you don’t have to keep apologizing.” Isla framed her face with her hands. “We can move forward from all the pain and hurt of our past together, okay?”
“It’s what Mackenzies do,” Blake sadly smiled. To Isla’s knowledge, it was the first time Blake had ever acknowledged herself as a Mackenzie.
“Exactly. And I’m not going anywhere. Ever. I’ll always be here for you, Blake. Always.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Do you want to come back inside? Or I can drive you home, if you want?”
“I should probably help Alexis with bedtime. But can I take a rain check on coming back inside and hanging out with you?”
Isla’s heart overflowed with happiness. “Anytime, baby. The door is always open.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Blake rubbed her stomach, smiling as she looked down at it. “She’s been really active today.”
“I felt her earlier. When you hugged me.”
“You did?”
“Mhmm. Reminded me of when I was pregnant with you.”
Blake’s eyes glistened with tears in the moonlight. “I’d love to hear that story someday.”
“I’d love to tell you.”
“It’s a date,” Blake smirked. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Mom.”
“Flash the lights when you get home, okay?”
“I will. Thanks for tonight. And for everything.”
After one more hug, Blake headed down the driveway to her house. It wasn’t far; Isla could see it just down the road. Even so, she waited until Blake flickered the front porch lights on and off before going inside her own house. Vera was sitting on the couch, two cups of hot chocolate on the coffee table in front of her. Isla sat down beside her as Vera put her arm around her shoulder.
“I don’t know what you have for me for Christmas, but nothing is going to top tonight.”
Vera chuckled. “I was thinking the same thing. Nothing can compare to this gift.”
“We’ve waited so long.”
“It was worth the wait for it to be on her terms.”
“She needed that.”
“She did,” Vera yawned.
As Isla turned on the TV, the back door opened and she didn’t have to look to see who it was. Ellie came into the living room and cuddled up next to Vera. It wasn’t long before Brayden and Everleigh came downstairs to join them. Isla wondered if they’d coordinated their arrivals. While Everleigh snuggled in between them, Brayden sat on the other side of Isla. Their couch was cramped with the five of them on there, but Isla wouldn’t have it any other way. She put her arm around Brayden’s neck and pulled him close.
