Page 17 of Pieces into Place (Moonflower Cove Romance #16)

Isla

M ornings in the Mackenzie house used to be the most hectic time of the day.

Isla and Vera were always running around to get lunches packed, get the kids dressed, and get themselves ready for their workdays.

It had been their normal routine for so long that Isla still hadn’t fully gotten used to the new morning routine.

With all the kids out of the house except one, mornings seemed extra quiet now.

Especially since Everleigh was homeschooled and didn’t have to be up by a specific time.

Isla and Vera took turns being home with her, although at times they had to leave her alone if both their jobs needed them.

Vera had cut down to three days a week and was on call once a month, which had improved her overall health dramatically.

In fact, Isla couldn’t remember a time her wife looked happier than she had since stepping back at work.

Everleigh had also been thriving. She had gone from hating school to excelling in the homeschool environment. It had put a strain on the family for a bit while they worked out the logistics of homeschooling Everleigh, but it had worked out for everyone in the end.

It also gave Isla and Vera peace of mind about Everleigh’s diabetes.

Although they had all learned to handle it the best they could, it was still hard for them at times.

Everleigh still had days when she didn’t want to do anything because she felt so bad.

Islas wished more than anything she could take her baby’s pain away from her.

If there was a way for Isla to do just that, she would have thirteen years ago when Everleigh was first diagnosed.

So much had changed in those thirteen years.

As Isla sipped her Diet Coke at the kitchen table, she wondered what her forty-three-year-old self would think if she were sitting across from her.

She probably wouldn’t even be able to process the fact that she would have a baby with diabetes, watch Mason fall in love, welcome four grandbabies into the family, and reconnect with Blake.

Although the latter was still a work in progress, Isla knew that one would have sent her younger self over the edge in the best way.

Isla had waited so long for Blake to be back in her life.

Most of her life was spent hoping Blake would show up.

And when she did, Isla had nearly passed out.

She’d been helping Alexis and Emily close up the bar when the door opened.

For years, she wondered what she would say when she saw Blake again, but in that moment, words failed her.

“I can’t believe you’re here. In my bar.” Isla’s voice caught in her throat as she studied her daughter.

Blake looked as if she’d stepped out of Isla’s closet with her Beatles-themed graphic tee, tight jeans, black leather jacket, and Doc Martens. As her ice blue eyes met Isla’s, Isla couldn’t help but see Blake as the five-year-old girl that she’d last seen over two decades prior.

“I hope it’s okay that I’m here. I’m sorry.” Blake nervously scratched the base of her neck as her eyes dropped from Isla’s gaze. “Should I have called? I should have called.”

“No, Blake,” Isla took a step toward her, wanting to embrace her but stopping short to respect that Blake might not be ready for that yet. She clasped her hand over her heart as tears nipped at her eyes. “I’m so happy you are here.”

Isla thought back on that night often. She wondered if it would have kick-started their healing journey sooner if she had pulled Blake into her arms and held her as tightly as she could.

But instead, Isla had given her space out of fear it would send Blake packing if she came on too strong, too fast. Her respect for Blake had always been a top priority for Isla, even now.

It was why she hadn’t pushed Blake since their small breakthrough at Vera’s office.

That had been an enormous step for Blake to take to let her and Vera in the way she had, and Isla didn’t want her to think they needed more.

Isla wanted more, yes, but she wouldn’t push Blake beyond what she was comfortable with.

That was just the type of parent she was.

Besides, Isla didn’t want to rock the boat any more than she already had around the holidays.

With Alexis’s birthday and Christmas coming up within the next few days, Isla could ride the positive vibes that had surrounded them since that day at Vera’s office.

It had been a turning point for not only Isla and Blake, but for Vera and Alexis as well.

Alexis deserved that, especially with her birthday dinner planned for the next day.

Isla could give Alexis a more relaxing party than she’d had for her own birthday.

The back door opened as Vera stepped inside with a sigh. She’d been on-call the night before, and Isla knew she had a rough night. It was why the coffee pot was full and hot and waiting on Vera and why Isla was out of bed at seven-thirty on her day off.

“Hey.”

“Hey, baby.” Isla stood, letting Vera melt into her hug.

They’d had the same routine for years after Vera’s on-call shifts.

And, well, after most shifts. Isla knew her wife so well that she could tell instantly if it was a good or bad day at work.

The bad days often took more from Vera than she wanted to give, but Isla was always there for her when she got home.

She held Vera close as she gently swayed and let Vera take all the time she needed to recover from her shift.

“I made coffee.”

“I love it when you talk dirty to me.” Vera kissed her lips. “I love you.”

“I love you.”

As Vera sat at the table, Isla poured her a cup of coffee.

She massaged her shoulders as Vera told her about her night.

Isla was constantly in awe of how amazing her wife was.

Vera had helped so many women over the years, not only bringing babies into the world, but had been there when they lost babies or were told they couldn’t have them.

Isla could never do what her wife did, which was why Isla always made it a point to be a listening ear and a soft place to land for Vera whenever she came home from work.

“You’re amazing.” Isla kissed Vera’s hand as she watched her sip her coffee. “Your patients are so lucky to have you.”

“I’m glad I can still do what I love, even when it makes me want to curl up into a ball and cry.”

Isla tenderly caressed Vera’s cheek in her hand as Vera nuzzled into the touch. “How about you go shower and I’ll make some breakfast and bring it to you in bed, okay?”

“I’d love that. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Pulling Vera to her feet, Isla hugged her once more before playfully patting her behind as she headed up the stairs.

Isla was so in love with her wife that she couldn’t stop the goofy smile from spreading on her face as she pulled the carton of eggs from the fridge.

She went to turn the oven on just as she heard a knock at the front door.

That’s odd , she thought to herself as she padded through the quiet house to the door. It was almost eight, which was early for a friendly drop in and her kids never knocked. As Isla opened the front door, she was surprised to see Alexis in her pajamas with a jacket and boots on.

“Lex? Is everything okay?”

“Yeah,” Alexis nodded quickly. “Sorry, I should have called instead of just showing up like this.”

“It’s okay, honey. Come inside where it’s warm.”

Stepping to the side, Isla let Alexis inside. She looked nervous, as if she wasn’t totally comfortable with her reason for the early morning visit. Isla was about to ask her what was wrong when Alexis must have sensed the question coming.

“Nothing is wrong, I promise.”

“I believe you. Do you want to sit down?”

“No. I need to tell you something, but I’m not sure Blake would want you to know yet. But it also happened to me and it concerns all of us, so I’m going to tell you.” Alexis inhaled sharply. “Last night, we lost Reese for a few minutes at the tree farm.”

Isla put her hand to her chest as Alexis continued.

“The kids were playing hide and seek in the trees and Reese wandered too far off. I felt like an idiot not watching her. It was so scary and nerve-wracking and it freaked me out.”

“Aww, honey, I know that had to be so scary. I’m glad Reese is okay.”

“Yeah, she was totally fine. Scared, yes, but fine.” Alexis lowered her gaze from Isla’s. “But Blake was really torn up about it and it took her hours to calm down enough to go to sleep last night.”

Tilting her head to the side, Isla tried to figure out what Alexis wasn’t saying. Why had Blake been so upset? Yes, losing a child even for a second is beyond scary, but…

It was then it clicked with Isla. She covered her mouth with her hand as she locked eyes with Alexis.

“I think she’s realized what you went through with losing her. ”

Isla let out a sob as Alexis’s words confirmed what she thought.

She had spent years wanting to tell Blake her side of the story.

Although she’d been able to share some of that with Blake, she knew there was a huge disconnect in what Blake remembered or was told happened and what Isla knew happened.

Her knees felt wobbly beneath the weight of the news that Blake may have finally realized how much Ben taking her from Isla had hurt Isla.

Unable to stand any longer, Isla slowly walked over to the couch and sat.

Alexis followed behind her, sitting beside her.

“I didn’t know if I should tell you or not.”

“No, I’m so glad you did. Thank you.”

“I don’t want to give false hope, but I think that the breakthrough that we all have been waiting for is coming soon.

I know neither of us wants to push her, but I don’t think we have to worry about that right now.

She kept talking last night about it and, well, I just wanted to let you know so you’re not blindsided in case it happens soon.

” Alexis smiled. “Which I think it will.”

“Me, too, honey.” Isla pulled Alexis into a side hug, kissing her head. “Me, too. I’m so sorry it took losing Reese for a few minutes to get her here, but knowing Reese is okay makes my happiness feel slightly less guilty.”

Alexis laughed. “Tell me about it. I’ve been dying to tell you since last night.”

“I’m glad you waited. I wouldn’t have slept a wink.”

“See,” Alexis smirked, leaning back into the couch as she looked at Isla, “I’m such a good daughter-in-law because I knew Vera was working and I know how you can’t sleep well with her not in bed with you.”

Isla was touched that Alexis remembered that about her.

“So, I didn’t want to add to the reasons why you didn’t sleep well. I also didn’t want to drop that bomb on you without Vera being home because I know you’ll want to talk to her about it. ”

“For sure. She’s in the shower now and I’m supposed to be making her breakfast.”

“Well, I’ll go so you can do that.”

As they stood, Isla and Alexis hugged tightly.

Isla was so thankful that Blake had found someone as patient and as understanding as Alexis.

She walked Alexis to the door as Alexis promised to keep her posted on any new developments.

They confirmed their dinner plans for the next day for Alexis’s birthday before saying goodbye.

Isla waited until Alexis was in her SUV and pulled out of the driveway before closing their front door.

She put her hands on the door as she lowered her head.

After decades of waiting for any relationship with Blake and years of waiting for Blake to tear down her walls, Isla finally felt it might be happening.

A hand on her shoulder should have startled her, and yet she turned around into Vera’s waiting embrace without hesitation.

It was obvious by the extra tight hug that Vera had heard at least some of what Alexis had said.

Just like Isla had with her earlier, Vera swayed slightly as she rubbed her hand up and down Isla’s back.

“It’s happening,” Isla happily cried into Vera’s chest.

“It is.” Vera kissed her head several times. “And I’m going to be here through it all. Always. We’re going to get through this together. And when Blake is ready, we’re going to be here with open arms.”

“Thank you for feeling the pain of missing Blake with me all these years.”

“I’d help you carry any burden. We’re in this life together forever. I got you, babe.” Winking at her, Vera grinned as she slid her hands into the back pocket of Isla’s jeans. “Come on. I’ll make us breakfast.”

“Breakfast!” She pulled back for Vera, panic in her voice. “I forgot all about your breakfast. I’m sorry. I’ll go make it now.”

“Babe, it’s okay. How about we make it together ? ”

“Together,” Isla repeated.

As she and Vera made breakfast, they chatted about Blake and their plans for Alexis’s birthday party.

It was just going to be a quiet family dinner, with Sophia and Emily also joining them.

Alexis had requested Isla’s chicken piccata, and Isla was, of course, happy to oblige.

She made a list of things she needed from the grocery store as Vera put toast and eggs onto a plate for each of them.

Including Everleigh, who had joined them.

Isla couldn’t help but smile as she thought about her conversation with Alexis. Even the possibility that Blake might be on the verge of breaking down her walls made Isla insanely happy and thankful that she never once gave up on her eldest baby girl.