Page 41 of Pieces into Place (Moonflower Cove Romance #16)

Alexis

T hree weeks had passed since Amelia had been born and Alexis finally felt she and Blake had settled into a groove.

It had taken some adjusting to get the hang of wrangling two toddlers who didn’t fully understand why they couldn’t climb all over mommy and had to be gentle with the new baby.

Amelia had been saved from many toddler attempts to not-so-gently touch or hug her.

But Alexis knew she’d be right there playing with Archer and Reese soon enough.

It seemed like only yesterday that Harper was Amelia’s age.

Alexis remembered how scared she was with a newborn and how she’d relied heavily on not only Sophia, but Isla and Vera as well.

They had truly been second parents to her, which made Blake’s wall she had between them for years hard on Alexis.

She felt she was constantly toeing the line of Blake’s side versus Isla and Vera’s side.

Even if more times than not, she leaned toward the latter.

Alexis loved Blake more than anyone in the world, but her stubbornness had the tendency to drive Alexis up a wall.

Thankfully, since reconciling with Isla and Vera and the rest of the Mackenzies, Blake had been more relaxed than Alexis had ever seen her.

Blake had a peace about her that shone in her eyes and her smile, and Alexis hoped it never dimmed.

Her beautiful wife didn’t deserve the decisions that were made for her by her dad.

Blake’s past still broke Alexis’s heart to think about.

It was why she was determined to stay in a state of grace with Blake, always and forever.

“Did everything go okay at Amelia’s appointment today?” Vera asked as she cut up strawberries for the kids at the kitchen island while Alexis pulled a casserole out of the oven.

“Everything was great. She’s back up to her birth weight and even added a few ounces.”

“Right on track. I’d expect nothing less from a Mackenzie,” Vera joked. “And Blake is still doing well with breastfeeding? I know it was hard there for a bit.”

“Yeah, she’s doing better now, though. Mason’s been giving us some of her oversupply, which has helped a ton. It has made Blake feel less guilty.”

“She shouldn’t feel guilty.”

“I know. But you know Blake.”

“She doesn’t listen, just like her mother.” Vera laughed as she popped a strawberry into her mouth. “There’s no denying she’s a Mackenzie.”

“Not a bit,” Alexis joined in on the laughter. It felt good to laugh after the ups and downs of the last few weeks.

Blake had been struggling to produce enough milk for Amelia, which had in turn made her stressed and slightly depressed after she came home from the hospital. It didn’t matter that Alexis, Vera, Isla, and even Dr. Jacobs had told her it was completely normal. Especially after a c-section.

Alexis’s mind went back to the moment she found out Blake was going to have a c-section.

In all the possibility of delivery, that one had never crossed her mind.

Blake’s pregnancy had been easy, and she’d had no complications until the day of the surgery.

When Dr. Jacobs told them she was recommending a c-section, Alexis immediately went into panic mode about losing Blake or the baby or both.

She’d tried to hold it together in front of Blake, not wanting to scare her more than she already was .

But once she was in the small room off the OR as she waited for Blake to be prepped for surgery, Alexis had lost it.

She’d sat on the uncomfortable bench seat in an itchy gown, buried her face in her hands, and cried.

Alexis wasn’t alone, though. Melanie was instantly by her side, putting her arms around her as she kept Alexis from falling to pieces.

“I know this is your first time experiencing all these emotions, so just know that everything you are feeling is justified. This wasn’t how you pictured today going, and it’s okay to be upset and worried about that.

Your wife and baby are going under for a major surgery, so I’m not going to sit here and diminish your feelings or fears.

What I am going to do is hold you until you’re ready to go in with Blake, okay?

But take all the time you need. Vera has Blake and I have you, okay? ”

Alexis nodded as Melanie rubbed her back. Melanie had been Alexis’s nurse when she’d had the twins, so they already had a connection. She was thankful it had been Melanie that was with her while they waited for the go-ahead for Alexis to join Blake in the OR.

“I know this is your first cesarean, but it’s not Avery’s. She’s got this. Blake and Amelia are going to be okay and tomorrow we will all celebrate with cake and sparkling cider, okay?”

“Okay,” Alexis nodded, feeling some of the weight off her shoulder. Melanie opened a drawer and pulled out some eye drops. She broke the sterile seal and opened the cap.

“We keep these close in case patients need them. Tilt your head back.” As Alexis did, Melanie tenderly put two drops in each of her eyes. “There you go. That should help them not look as red so you don’t scare Blake even more.”

Alexis smiled at Melanie’s concern. “Thanks, Mel.”

“You’re welcome, Lex. Now let’s go be with Blake and meet your baby. ”

Alexis pulled herself from the memory as Reese came running over to her. She scooped her up in her arms and put her on her hip.

“Hey, baby. Are you ready for dinner?”

“Yup! Can I have a strawberry?”

“Of course. But let’s wash our hands first.”

Alexis helped her wash her hands before handing a strawberry to Reese.

She picked up the plate Vera had prepared for Reese and walked over to the table.

Both Reese and Archer were still sitting in their highchairs for most meals as otherwise they had the tendency to want to walk around or play with a toy or really do anything besides eating.

Their highchairs were on the side of the dining room table with the large windows to the backyard, so they weren’t distracted by what was going on outside.

Which currently was Isla and Harper playing catch as Archer and Tucker played in the sandbox.

For a retriever, Tucker much preferred any activity that didn’t involve him having to do physical activity.

Alexis got that. She hated exercising, too.

Blake was sitting on the patio under the umbrella as she held a sleeping Amelia on her chest. Putting Reese into her highchair, Alexis kissed her head.

“I love you, Reese.”

“Love you, Mommy.”

Vera set down Archer and Harper’s plate at their assigned spots before opening the sliding screen door. “Dinner’s ready!” Vera called out happily as everyone hurried inside.

Archer and Harper washed their hands in the sink as Isla helped them.

While Blake sat at the table, Alexis prepared a plate for both of them.

She took her seat by Blake, kissing her wife the same way she did every time they sat down for dinner.

Alexis wasn’t sure when they’d picked up that tradition, but she hoped it never ended.

Dinner was amazing and full of fun conversations around the table.

Isla offered to hold Amelia so Blake and Alexis could eat without juggling a newborn.

Alexis couldn’t help but notice how much lighter Isla looked.

The heartaches she’d experienced over the years could have broken anyone, but Isla had remained strong and come out better on the other side. Just like Blake had.

Alexis was beyond thankful that Blake’s walls were now completely torn down. Blake had always been an amazing wife and mama, but Alexis had seen such a change in her since she let Isla and Vera in. She was more open, more willing to ask for help and seek out time with her extended family.

Blake had also let working on a script go, at least for now.

She said she wanted to focus more on her family and Alexis completely supported that.

Alexis even had plans to go back to working at Straight to Ale a few days a week to help with their finances.

And she had to admit that she was actually looking forward to working there with Emily again.

The bar was her second home, and she was excited to be going back in a few weeks.

Until then, Alexis planned to spend every single minute she could with her sweet family.

As dinner ended, Alexis and Blake cuddled up on the couch on the patio by the fire pit with Amelia.

Isla and Vera were playing with the kids on the swing set.

Alexis couldn’t help but laugh at Isla trying to crawl around the fort part of the play set with them.

Vera seemed to be taking it all in, not that Alexis could blame her.

They’d all gone through a lot to get to where they were now.

Amelia yawned, stretching her tiny arms as she woke up from her nap. She looked up at Alexis with her bright brown eyes that reminded her of Harper. Alexis rubbed her nose against Amelia’s like she did when the older kids were younger. And, well, still did at times.

“Hey, sweet girl.” At the sound of Alexis’s voice, Amelia smiled. Which in turn made Alexis’s smile widen in excitement. “Oh! She smiled! Look at this smile! ”

“It’s the cutest little smile ever.” Blake tickled Amelia’s belly as she snuggled closer to Alexis. “I’m so happy.”

“Me, too. And I’m so proud of you.” Alexis kissed her cheek repeatedly as Blake giggled. “Seriously, babe, you’ve come so far these last few months. You’ve been through a lot, emotionally and physically, and I’m so damn proud of you.”

“Thanks, Lex. Thanks for not killing me when my attitude was shit.”

“I never seriously thought about killing you if that helps.”

Blake chuckled. “It does, actually. I’m sorry I put you through that. I’m sorry I put our family through that.”

“It’s okay, baby.” Alexis kissed her again. “We went through the hard times together, just like we always will. I’m always going to be here for you in the good times, the bad times, and everything in between. Always and forever.”

“Always and forever,” Blake repeated as she leaned in to kiss Alexis.

The kiss was full of passion and Alexis knew there were only two things keeping them from moving that passion into the bedroom.

One was the baby in her arms that was about to need a feeding and the other was that Blake hadn’t been cleared for sex yet. “A few more weeks.”

“You make it so hard to wait.”

“I promise I’m worth it, though.”

“Oh, I have no doubt.” Alexis kissed her again, loving the way Blake tasted on her lips.

As they made out on the couch, Alexis wanted to comment on how comfortable Blake was around her parents now. The old Blake wouldn’t have wanted to do that. Alexis was loving the new Blake. She looked so much happier that it made Alexis beyond ecstatic.

Handing Amelia to Blake, she helped Blake adjust her shirt so she could feed her. It was another thing that Alexis had noticed about Blake. She had gone from not being comfortable with Isla and Vera around to not caring that they were across the lawn as she nursed Amelia.

“I know I’ve said it before, but letting your parents in looks so good on you.”

Blake smirked at her. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. And don’t give me that look unless you want your mama to yell at us for not waiting six weeks.”

“I never want to make her mad again,” Blake sighed heavily as she looked down at Amelia. “I couldn’t have done the c-section without her.”

“I know.” She softly kissed Blake’s shoulder. “I’m so glad she was there for you. You both needed that.”

“We did, for sure.”

“I’m so happy for you. And for me. And for our family. Everything just feels like it’s better now. Like there’s nothing hanging over our heads anymore.”

“And there won’t be again. I promise, Lex.”

“I promise too.”

Kissing again, they were interrupted by Harper running over to them. She made herself comfy between Alexis and Blake as she watched Blake nursing Amelia. Alexis watched as Blake adjusted slightly so Harper could see Amelia better. She loved how connected Blake and Harper were with each other.

“You’re doing a good job, Mama,” Harper beamed up at Blake with a huge smile on her face.

“Thanks, Harp.” Blake kissed Harper’s forehead as she giggled. “After I’m done feeding her, do you want to help me give her a bath?”

“Yeah!” Harper excitedly nodded her head.

It wasn’t long before the rest of the family joined them around the fire pit. Archer snuggled with Alexis as Reese sat between Blake and Harper. Having all her babies cuddled up together meant more to Alexis than she could ever express .

She smiled over at Isla and Vera, who were snuggled up together on the loveseat across from them.

Vera smiled at Alexis, letting her know she was enjoying the moment as much as Alexis was.

But it was Isla’s face that Alexis couldn’t look away from.

Isla looked so peaceful, so happy. Just like Blake.

They had both been through so much and Alexis was thankful they had all worked through their issues to have the best family ever.

Alexis ran her hand through Blake’s hair as Blake looked over at her. She smiled sweetly at Alexis as Alexis leaned over the kids to kiss her.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.”