Page 37 of Pieces into Place (Moonflower Cove Romance #16)

But they were right. Blake could feel the pressure of someone pressing down on her stomach while someone else pulled the baby out. It was the most surreal feeling in the world as Blake felt her daughter being pulled from her body .

“Nuchal times one,” Dr. Jacobs called out as Blake looked at Vera, worried that she wasn’t hearing her daughter’s cry.

“It’s okay.” Vera turned her attention to Blake as Alexis tightened her grip on Blake’s hand.

“She had her cord wrapped around her neck. It happens sometimes,” she quickly added, obviously seeing the concerned look on Blake’s face.

“That explains why she didn’t like the contractions.

You made a great decision to get her out safely. ”

Blake noticed how Vera looked at Dr. Jacobs at the last part as well, comforting both of them. She hadn’t thought about how nerve-wracking it must be for Dr. Jacobs to operate on her boss’s daughter with her boss in the room.

But all other thoughts cleared her mind the moment Blake heard her daughter’s first cries.

“She’s beautiful, Blake,” Vera had her hand to her chest as she looked over the drape at the baby. Beside her, Alexis kissed Blake’s forehead as their happy tears mixed together. “Look up,” Vera pointed as Blake did.

It was then Blake’s eyes landed on her baby girl. She looked beyond adorable as Dr. Jacobs held her up so Blake and Alexis could see. Blake tried to remember everything about the moment, even with tears clouding her eyes. Her daughter was safe, and that was all that mattered.

“Hi, baby,” Blake marveled at the baby girl she’d been carrying for nine months.

“She’s here,” Alexis said as she kissed Blake again. “You did it. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“They’re going to take her to the warmer and check her over, but she looks good.” Vera smiled down at Blake.

“She looks great ,” Dr. Jacobs added, and Blake could hear the added emotion in her voice.

As two nurses tended to the baby, Vera sat back down and hugged Blake tightly. Blake felt someone take off the straps on her arm and realized it was Melanie. She put her arms around Vera’s neck as she clung to her mama and cried happy tears.

“You did it, baby. I’m so proud of you. She’s beautiful.”

“Thanks, Mama.” Blake felt her tears keep falling as Vera wiped them away. “Thank you for being here for us.”

“Always, Blake. Always.”

“Mackenzie,” one of the nurses Blake vaguely recognized called out to Vera, “come here and get your granddaughter.”

Vera hesitated for a slight moment, looking at Blake and Alexis.

They both nodded, letting Vera know it was okay with them if she held the baby first. Blake followed Vera with her eyes as she walked over to the warmer and picked up the baby.

Tears streamed down Vera’s face as she paused for a moment and looked down at the baby.

She could see Vera falling head over heels in love with her new granddaughter, and Blake never wanted to forget how Vera looked at that moment.

“Here is your mama, sweet girl.” Vera carefully held the baby by Blake’s head so she could see her.

“She looks like Harper.”

“She does,” Alexis agreed, smiling through her tears. “She’s perfect.”

“Can I hold her?”

“Of course, honey.”

With the most care Blake had ever seen, Vera laid the baby on her chest. She was wrapped tightly in a blanket, crying as she got used to being on the outside.

Alexis kept her hand on the baby’s back, making sure she didn’t fall.

Blake touched her cheeks, her nose. Blake ran her finger over the baby’s small hand.

“Hi, sweetheart. It’s Mama.” At Blake’s words, the baby’s crying stopped. She settled down as she yawned, melting Blake’s heart. “I love you so much, Amelia. ”

“Amelia?” Vera’s voice was full of excitement. “Is that her name?”

Blake looked to Alexis, feeling only slightly guilty she’d spilled the name. Alexis nodded.

“Well, we were going to wait and tell you all together. But yes. Her first name is Amelia.”

“Hi, Amelia,” Vera cooed as she kissed the baby’s head. “I’m your Nana and I’m so happy you’re here.”

“We’ll tell you the rest of her name with everyone else.”

“Except I already know,” Melanie chimed in with a grin. It was then that Blake noticed she’d been taking pictures and videos. That never crossed Blake’s mind, so she was insanely touched Melanie had thought about it.

“Excuse me?” Vera sarcastically laughed as she put her hand on her hip and looked at Melanie. “How do you already know?”

“I have my ways.” With a wink, Melanie waved Vera off. “Now come on. All of you get in there so Vera can have a picture to show Isla to let her know everyone is okay.”

Alexis and Vera posed around Blake and Amelia as Melanie took their picture. They were all going to stay in the operating room together until Blake was stitched up, but Blake desperately wanted Isla to be updated.

“Mama?”

“Yes, honey?”

“Can you go tell Mom? I selfishly don’t want you to leave, but she needs to know we’re okay.”

Vera nodded, tears rimming her eyes. “I was thinking the same thing.”

“Like mama, like daughter,” Blake said with a smile. Vera put her hand to her heart as the words registered with her.

“Like mama, like daughter,” Vera repeated as she hugged Blake and the baby again. And for the first time all day, Blake felt herself relax.