Page 21 of Pieces into Place (Moonflower Cove Romance #16)

“I love a good compliment.” Alexis’s fingertips still grazed Blake’s wet center, and she knew exactly what that meant. She was waiting for Blake to get ready for round two. “Let me know when you’re ready.”

“I’m ready.” Blake didn’t hesitate, though she was still breathless from the first orgasm.

“You want a strap?”

Blake set up on her elbows. “Can we do that?”

“Yeah.” She sheepishly grinned up at Blake. “I asked Mason before you got pregnant because I know how much you like it.”

“I love you so much.”

She watched as Alexis hopped off the bed and slipped on Blake’s favorite strap-on.

Her center pulsed in anticipation as Alexis got back into position, however painstakingly slow.

It had taken them some practice to get used to the strap-on, but once they mastered it, there was no stopping them.

By the time Blake orgasmed again, her entire body was exhausted.

Alexis dramatically flopped down beside her after taking the strap off.

“Wow.”

“Right.”

“You’re amazing.”

“Your body is so responsive right now.” Her finger drew invisible circles on Blake’s breast as she talked. “It’s so sexy.”

“If you hadn’t worn me out, I would repay the favor, but I’m exhausted.” Putting her hand on her belly, Blake rolled over toward Alexis. Alexis scooted closer to her, pressing her belly into Blake’s. “What are you doing?”

“I remember Emily and Callie talking about doing this. Callie could feel Finley that way. I was just wondering if it would work for us.”

As they lay beside each other, Blake couldn’t get over how beautiful Alexis looked in the post sex glow. She looked so at peace, so happy. Blake started to scold herself for making the last few months so hard on everyone out of her own selfish anger, but instead, she decided to let it go .

Today was going to be the first day of her future.

A future that didn’t involve dwelling on the pain of the past. She wouldn’t forget the past; it would always be a part of her.

But it was time for Blake to move forward with her amazing family.

Not just Alexis and their kids, but Isla and Vera as well.

And all of Blake’s siblings, especially Mason.

It was time she let herself be fully embraced by the Mackenzie’s, even if they didn’t share that last name.

Alexis tenderly caressed her face, and she smiled at her. “What’s on your mind?”

“Just thinking about what it would be like to be a Mackenzie.”

“You are a Mackenzie.”

“No, I mean,” Blake squeezed her eyes shut as she tried to explain her thoughts to Alexis, “I’d like to have the last name Mackenzie.”

As she watched Alexis prop herself up on her elbow, Blake thought she’d crossed a line.

Why had she ever said that when she’d taken Alexis’s name after they were married?

Blake had taken Holland as her last name because that was Harper’s last name.

It made the most sense to Blake to change her name to match the other two people in her family.

“I’m sorry. It’s dumb. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“No,” Alexis shook her head. “It’s not dumb.”

“Your face says otherwise.”

“My face says that I’m kicking myself for not thinking about that when we got married.”

“What?” Blake sat up on her elbow the same way Alexis was.

“We could have changed our names to Mackenzie.”

“No, we couldn’t have,” Blake chuckled, assuming Alexis was teasing her. But Alexis didn’t laugh. “Right? Like Holland and Calloway were our only options.”

“Says who?”

“I dunno. ”

“We could do it now.”

“Do what?”

“Change our names.”

“Lex,” Blake laughed in past shock, part confusion, “we can’t change our last names now. Reese’s middle name is Mackenzie. We’re not sending her to school with the name Reese Mackenzie Mackenzie.”

“Then we’ll change her middle name too while we’re at it.”

The excitement in Alexis’s voice was palpable. Her eyes seemed to dance as she spoke, which made Blake realize how serious she had taken Blake’s seemingly offhand comment.

“You’re serious.”

“Totally serious. I think it’s an amazing idea.”

“Really?”

“Yes!” Alexis squealed as she leaned down to quickly kiss Blake’s lips. “I can tell how much this means to you. You wouldn’t have mentioned it if it didn’t. I know you. And I know it would mean so much to Isla and Vera. And Mason. And me.”

Blake’s voice was barely a whisper thanks to the lump in the throat. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” She kissed Blake again. “Babe, this is such a great idea. Oh! We could even surprise Isla and Vera with the name once the baby is born. You know, one of those little chalkboard announcements with the baby’s name and weight? We could put her name on there with the last name Mackenzie.”

“Mom and Mama would flip out.”

Alexis’s eyes soften as her lower lip quivered slightly.

“What?”

“Hearing you call Vera mama was just something I never thought I’d hear.

” Alexis cuddled back up with her, pressing their stomachs together again.

“I’m so proud of all you have overcome, Blake.

I don’t say that enough. But I am so proud of you and so glad that I get to be your wife as we go on this crazy journey of life together. ”

“Ditto, babe.” As if wanting to agree, Blake felt the baby kick inside her. Alexis felt it too, as she giggled and put her hand on Blake’s belly. “She wants to be a Mackenzie too.”

“Who can blame her? Our girl knows she’s going to be born into the best family ever.”

Kissing Blake once again, the two of them stayed in each other’s arms as they fell asleep. And for the first time in months, Blake went to sleep with a smile on her face and her heart overflowing with happiness.