Page 39 of Pieces into Place (Moonflower Cove Romance #16)

Blake

E very inch of Blake’s body was exhausted.

She didn’t even want to open her eyes after her mid-morning nap because it seemed like too much effort.

Palmer Thompson, Blake’s current day shift nurse, had woken her up the first time at eight a.m. She had told Blake she’d been back at ten to help her get up and go to the bathroom, but Blake wasn’t looking forward to that.

Blake had barely been out of the bed since the afternoon before and her body was still sore from the surgery.

The bright spot in all the pain, though, was Amelia. She was nursing and looking up at Blake as Blake cooed at her and marveled at how perfect she was. It seemed like forever ago that Archer and Reese were as tiny as Amelia was, and yet it was almost three years ago.

Alexis had gone home to shower and see the kids before coming back to the hospital with them.

They’d let Harper skip school to celebrate the birth of her new sister, and Alexis had said Harper was beyond excited.

Blake was as well. She hadn’t known when she’d kissed Harper goodbye before school the day before that she’d wound up in the hospital having a baby only hours later.

After much convincing, Isla and Vera left to pick up lunch at Carlson’s Cafe.

Blake had been craving a deli meat sandwich for nine months and could almost taste it.

And the donuts she’d asked Vera to pick up as well.

They’d reluctantly left a few minutes prior, leaving Mason in charge of watching over Blake and Amelia.

So far, Blake had to give Mason tons of credit.

She’d helped her get Amelia to latch, something Blake still needed to get the hang of.

But Mason has been more than helpful in helping her get Amelia latched for her current feed.

Blake had been ready to cry after not getting Amelia to nurse before Mason stepped in.

Mason stood up from the chair and walked over to Blake’s bedside.

“Is it okay if I help you, or would you be more comfortable with a nurse?”

“You,” Blake held back frustrated tears. “Please.”

“I got you, sis.”

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Mason tenderly supported Amelia’s head with one hand and Blake’s breast with the other. Blake watched as Mason ran her nipple over Amelia’s upper lip a few times before Amelia finally latched.

“You gotta tease them with it sometimes.”

“That’s some Mason Mackenzie advice if I’ve ever heard it.”

“Oh, hush.” Mason rolled her eyes, reminding Blake of Vera. “It worked, didn’t it?”

“Is that how you snagged Chase?”

“My boobs were a contributing factor, yes.”

The sisters laughed as Mason put a pillow under Amelia to make the feeding more comfortable. She then climbed into bed with Blake, with no protest from Blake.

“She is so cute,” Mason cooed as she rested her head on Blake’s shoulder.

Blake leaned her head on top of Mason’s as she soaked in the quality sister time.

Nine months ago, Blake never would have imagined that Mason would be in her hospital bed with her as she nursed her baby.

And now Blake couldn’t imagine it any other way. “She’s making me want another.”

“Aww, Silas would be a good big brother.”

“I don’t doubt that,” Mason laughed. “I just don’t know if my vagina is ready for round two yet.”

“Well, for what it’s worth, I support it.”

“Chase does too.” Mason’s voice was soft as she spoke. “I thought I loved Chase before we had Silas, but now? I love her so much more than I thought possible. Watching her be a mom is amazing. I love her so much.”

“Oh, really? I couldn’t tell.” Blake teased Mason. “But seriously, I get it. I feel the same way about Alexis. After the twins and after this one.”

“Would you do it again?”

“A c-section?”

“Pregnancy.”

“Ask me when I’m not twelve hours post a major abdominal surgery.”

Mason chuckled, sounding like Isla. “Fair enough.”

When Amelia finished nursing, Mason quickly scooped her up.

Blake watched as her sister held her baby.

The love Mason had for Amelia was as apparent as the love Mason had for Blake.

She was the best aunt, and Blake was beyond thankful they had repaired their relationship.

Blake couldn’t imagine going through the last twenty-four hours without Mason.

Mason had told Blake how she’d stayed with Isla the whole time Blake was in surgery. She’d made sure Isla was okay and not stressing too much, and Blake was relieved to know that Isla hadn’t been alone. Just like Vera had in the operating room, Mason held the waiting room together.

“Knock, knock,” Palmer breezed into the room with a smile on her face. “How’s everyone doing?”

“Good. Mason helped me get her latched.”

“Great!” Palmer high-fived Mason. “She learned from the best. ”

“Palmer was my nurse after I had Silas.”

“Aww, I didn’t know that.” Blake felt a sappy feeling wash over her at the realization that she and Mason had shared the same postpartum nurse. “I love that.”

“She’s the best.” Mason grinned at Palmer. “She got my vagina all sparkling clean, and she makes the best pads for your diapers. Trust me. Just don’t tell Aunt Mel I said that.”

Palmer winked at Mason. “Your secret is safe with me. Blake, are you ready to get out of bed and get the catheter out?”

“Yes, please.”

With Palmer’s help, Blake moved her legs off the side of the bed.

Palmer put her arms on Blake’s hips as she stood painfully slow.

Her legs felt wobbly, but Palmer stayed right by her until she felt like she could walk.

She led her into the small bathroom, leaving the door open.

Blake didn’t mind, though. There was nothing Mason hadn’t already seen that morning.

Besides, Blake was beyond caring who saw what anymore.

She didn’t care that Palmer was down on her knees between her legs as she took the catheter out and cleaned Blake with a peri bottle.

Palmer then helped her into the shower, keeping Blake’s back to the water so it wasn’t directly hitting her incision that still had the dressing on it.

Blake lifted her arms to wash her hair but was caught off guard by the reminder of the major surgery she’d had twelve hours ago.

“You okay?”

“Yeah,” Blake winced. “Maybe I’ll wait to wash my hair. It’s only been three days since I washed it, so I’m sure another day won’t kill me.”

“I can help.” But before Palmer could do so, there was a soft knock at the bathroom door .

“Can I help?” Isla smiled at Blake, who nodded. Palmer closed the bathroom door as she left Isla and Blake alone. “I got you, honey.”

“When did you get back?”

“Just now.” Isla kicked off her shoes before taking off her shirt and pants. “I heard you and Palmer talking about your hair and I wasn’t about to let my baby not wash her hair.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

Blake had been five the last time her mom had washed her hair for her. It brought with it a wave of emotions as Blake realized how lucky she was to have Isla Mackenzie as a mom. Isla loved Blake so much that it hurt to think about. She only hoped that her kids felt the same way about her.

Isla not only helped with washing Blake’s hair, but her entire body as well.

She was extra careful not to get her incision in the direct flow of water and carefully dried it off as they got out of the shower.

Vera knocked on the door, handing Isla the bag Mason had picked up for Blake at home.

Without hesitation, Vera stepped into the bathroom and closed the door.

While Isla changed clothes, Vera helped Blake dry off.

She checked Blake’s incision dressing to ensure it was as dry as could be before helping her into the gown she had on the day before, but was now cleaned.

“How are you feeling, honey?”

“Much better. Thanks, Mama.”

“Did you pack the underwear I told you to get?”

“Absolutely.”

“Good. The stuff they have here is fine, but I much prefer those for my patients.” Vera kissed her cheek before opening the bag Isla had set on the counter. When Vera busted out laughing and doubled over, Blake knew Mason had to have put something dumb in the bag. “Mason Riley Mackenzie!”

Vera opened the door, holding up a black lace thong. Blake could see Mason laughing out in the room along with Palmer.

“What?” Mason shrugged as she kept laughing. “You said to get her extra underwear, so I did.”

“You’re so not helpful.” Vera sent the thong flying across the room to Mason as if it were a rubber band. “And that’s yours, not Blake’s. Don’t even pretend.”

Mason’s humor had added a much-needed laugh for Blake. And probably everyone else as well. It had been a stressful last two days, but things were on the uptick now.

As Blake settled back into bed, Palmer handed her Amelia. Blake opened her gown enough to do more skin to skin with Amelia as she happily ate the best damn sandwich of her life. And perhaps dropped a bit of honey mustard onto the top of Amelia’s head. At least she didn’t seem to mind.

Alexis arrived soon after lunch with the kids. They had debated waiting until they got home for Archer and Reese to meet Amelia, but Blake wanted to see her babies. Isla held Amelia as Vera and Mason held Archer and Reese on their hips near the bed.

“Be careful with Mama’s tummy,” Vera cautioned the kids as Blake hugged each of them. They seemed so much bigger now that she’d held Amelia and she desperately wished time would stop ticking by so fast.

Blake spent a few moments with the twins before introducing them to Amelia.

They were both curious as they touched her cheeks and hands and feet.

She was thankful that their friend, Molly Jaymes, had come in with Alexis and the kids to take pictures of their first time meeting Amelia.

Molly snapped away as Blake soaked in the time with her family.

All the while hoping it wasn’t obvious that there wasn’t a bigger reason for Molly’s presence in the room .

She’d barely been able to keep their name change a secret and was desperate for Isla and Vera and everyone else to know. But first, it was Harper’s turn to meet Amelia. Harper climbed up into the bed with Blake as Alexis took Amelia from Isla and carefully handed her to Harper.

“This is your sister, Amelia.” Blake said softly as she kissed Harper’s cheek.

“She’s cute,” Harper giggled.

“She looks like you,” Alexis added, a wistful tone to her voice.

Blake tried to remember every moment of the day.

She wanted to remember how Reese asked if there was another baby in her belly and how Archer had pulled a toy Lightning McQueen car from his pocket to give to his baby sister.

Watching Harper hold Amelia was beyond anything Blake had been prepared for.

How could the little girl she met six years ago be holding her hours old little sister now?

Melanie and Cameron arrived an hour later, along with their daughter Dylan and son Luca.

They took some time to meet Amelia and check in with Blake before Cameron and Dylan offered to take the kids back home.

Again, Blake hoped it didn’t sound suspicious.

Especially as Melanie had a black backpack with her that screamed suspicious.

Thankfully, the rest of the afternoon was filled with friends coming and going.

None of them stayed too long, which Blake was thankful for.

Each visit made Blake more tired, and she definitely didn’t want to be tired when they announced their new last name.

She could barely wait for that, which made the nap she desperately needed before dinner that much harder to take.

Blake knew she needed to though, so they could all celebrate later.

With Isla and Vera soaking up their grandparent time on the couch across the room, Blake snuggled with Alexis in bed. Alexis played with her hair as Blake fought sleep for a few minutes as she watched Isla and Vera with Amelia. They were as amazing as grandparents as they were as parents.

“I’m so happy.” Alexis kissed Blake’s cheek as she kept her voice low. “They are going to be losing their shit in a few hours.”

Blake laughed softly. “Mel said to text her when we’re ready and she’ll head up. She’s in Cam’s office waiting.”

“Did she tell Ellie and Everleigh to be here?”

“Yeah, even Brayden is coming in.”

“Are you kidding me?” Alexis’s excited voice raised slightly as Blake playfully pinched her side under the sheets. “Sorry.”

“But yes, they’ll all be here, and so will Harper.”

“Good.” Alexis nodded her head. “Now take a nap so we can share our good news.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Cuddling with Alexis, Blake put her head on her chest as Alexis played with her hair. She fell asleep with a smile on her face and a happiness in her heart over what the night held for their family.