Page 2 of Pieces into Place (Moonflower Cove Romance #16)
The pain in Vera’s voice and on her face was too much for Isla to handle. Lowering her head, Isla buried her face in her hands. She felt Vera put her arms around her as she pulled her closer.
“I can’t imagine how hard everything has been for you, Isla.
I’ve shared so much of your grief and pain over Blake, but it’s different now.
I understand that. She’s back, but she’s not.
And now she’s pregnant and, God, Isla, I can’t even look at her without seeing you pregnant with Evie.
I see so much of you in her and see the pain you both are carrying and I just want to fix it, but I can’t.
No matter how badly I want to scream at both of you to realize how much the other is hurting. ”
“I know she’s hurting,” Isla sniffled as she looked up at Vera. “She’s my baby. Our baby. I want to help her and love her and hold her, but I can’t get over that damn wall she has up. I was really hoping when she got pregnant, she might get it more, but I don’t know.”
“There’s still time.” Using the sleeve of her gray Taylor Memorial Hospital sweatshirt, Vera dried Isla’s tears. “She’s only four months.”
“I wish you were her doctor. ”
Although Isla completely respected Blake in her decision to use another OBGYN during her pregnancy, she also knew how much Vera would have loved to have that experience with her.
Especially since she’d helped deliver their other four grandkids.
Vera’s lower lip quivered ever so slightly as she nodded her head. “Me, too.”
“Are we ever going to figure this out?”
“We will,” Vera firmly nodded. “I still believe that. Blake needs time.”
“I don’t know how much more time we can give her. It’s been five years, Vera.”
“I know.” Pressing her forehead into Isla’s, the two stayed locked in each other’s embrace for a moment. “But we have to keep loving her and showing up for her even when we want to yell at her to let us in.”
Isla chuckled. “Maybe that’s what she needs.”
“No, it’s not.”
“How do you know?”
“Because she’s her mother’s daughter, and yelling at you to do something you don’t want to do is like yelling at a rock to dance.”
“Rude.”
“But true.” Vera winked at her, a smile forming on her lips. Standing, she pulled Isla to her feet before enveloping her in the kind of hug that made Isla feel so protected and loved. “I love you, baby.”
“I love you, too. I’m sorry I was in a mood.”
“I understand why you were and I love you despite your attitude this morning.”
Isla winced. “On that note, I’m going to go talk to Evie.”
After kissing Vera, Isla took the stairs two at a time to the upstairs bathroom.
She found Evie kneeled down by the tub as she dried Willow off with a towel.
Isla noted it was the same towel she’d used a few days ago and wondered how many towels she’d used after a dog.
Shaking her head, Isla leaned into the doorframe.
Everleigh hadn’t noticed her yet, which gave her a moment to peacefully watch their youngest daughter.
Although they loved all their kids equally, there was something different about Everleigh.
Maybe it was the fact she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at only six months old.
That had turned all their lives upside down as they navigated their new normal.
They had a routine down now, but it had taken years to perfect.
It could also be because Everleigh was homeschooled and spent most of her time with them.
As the youngest, she had the advantage of having their undivided attention most of the time. And Evie loved that.
“Are you just going to stand there creeping?”
“No,” Isla laughed, walking into the bathroom as she sat on the closed toilet lid. “Can we talk for a minute?”
Everleigh nodded. Isla knew better than to wait on Everleigh to look at her. Like Mason, Everleigh had autism. She struggled with making eye contact when having serious conversations—or really, most conversations—so Isla continued as Everleigh switched to brushing Willow’s fur.
“Evie, I’m very sorry for how I acted this morning. I was upset and angry, but it wasn’t because of you.”
“It was because of Blake,” she stated flatly. “That’s what Mama said.”
Isla swallowed the lump in her throat. “That’s right. It was. And I’m sorry I’ve been letting that get to me so much lately. I know it hasn’t been fair to you or Mama or your siblings.”
“It’s not fair to you either, though, Mom.” Sitting on the floor, Everleigh looked up at her as she stopped brushing Willow. “You’re the best mom ever, and I wish Blake would finally see that.”
“Evie.” Isla touched her hand to her chest as she once again felt tears in her eyes. Hearing her baby girl say those words healed a part of Isla’s heart she didn’t know was broken. “I love you, baby. ”
Standing, Everleigh went to her and hugged her.
She buried her face in Isla’s chest as she wrapped her arms tightly around her.
Isla hoped Everleigh never lost her love of cuddling or being close to her or Vera.
They all three loved it so much, and Isla had forgotten how healing a tight hug from Evie could be.
“I love you too, Mom.”
Isla squeezed her eyes tightly shut, thanking the universe she got to be a mom to her five amazing kids.