Page 42 of Pieces into Place (Moonflower Cove Romance #16)

Vera

M other’s Day was always a special holiday for Vera.

Being a mama meant everything to Vera. She loved watching her babies grow, even if she missed when they were babies.

Vera loved being able to love them unconditionally and getting to be there for them every day.

Her relationship with each of them was different and special and Vera treasured her time with each of them.

Everleigh got most of her attention these days since she was the only child still living at home.

She’d been Vera’s little sidekick since she was young, and Vera loved their time together.

Not only would Everleigh occasionally go to work with her, but Vera would also help her with her schoolwork if she needed it.

Which wasn’t often. Somehow, she and Isla had created a child that was smarter than either of them.

Brayden was the same way. He was on track to graduate early with all the extra classes he’d been taking.

Vera was beyond proud of everything her baby boy had accomplished.

Not only was he thriving in college, but he’d kept his relationships going with his sisters and parents.

She was beyond proud of him for that, even if he did blush when Vera complimented him on it.

His heart was made of gold, and Vera was thankful she got to be his mama.

With Ellie living in the garage apartment, Vera got to see her nearly every day.

Ellie was thriving in college and at working at the hospital.

She’d been studying to be a sonographer, and from what Vera had seen she was on the perfect path for that.

Her middle child had the personality and determination to be perfect for the job, and Vera selfishly looked forward to working with Ellie one day at the hospital.

She had watched Mason celebrate Silas’s first birthday a few days ago, and it had melted Vera’s heart.

Mason had been so worried before getting pregnant that she wouldn’t be a good mom.

Vera knew Mason was wrong, and that had been proven more to her every day.

She was the best mom to Silas and, along with Chase, they were raising a beautiful baby boy.

Mason had come far from the four-year-old kid Vera had met thirty years ago.

So had Vera and Isla. Vera couldn’t believe she’d been lucky enough to love Isla Mackenzie for thirty years.

It had been the greatest honor of her life to love Isla, raise babies with her, and fall in love with her more every day.

Then there was Blake.

A year ago, Vera never would have imagined she’d be so close to her eldest daughter as she now was.

Blake had opened up so much to not only Vera but Isla as well.

Watching Isla and Blake reconnect had been as sweet as Vera reconnecting with Blake herself.

Barely a day would go by that Blake wasn’t over at their house or Isla and Vera stopped by her house.

Their newfound relationship was so sweet and precious to Vera.

Just like Amelia was. Amelia was four days shy of being one month old, and Vera could still remember all those emotions from her birth day.

Even though Vera had been a doctor for most of her life, nothing could have prepared her for her daughter to be the one on the table.

At that moment, Vera was selfishly relieved she wasn’t Blake’s doctor.

There was no way she could have performed a surgery on her. Not one of that magnitude.

But it wasn’t just Vera who was feeling the weight of the surgery on her shoulders.

Avery felt the same way as well. Vera could tell as they changed into scrubs.

It was something they’d done a hundred times together before, but there was something different in the air between them.

Putting her own fears aside, Vera chose to comfort Avery.

Vera watched Avery tie the string of her pants once, only to untie it and do it again. She was nervous. Not that Vera could blame her. She was nervous, too. But the difference was Vera wasn’t operating on Blake and Avery was. And Vera needed her not to be nervous.

“Avery,” Vera waited for Avery to look at her, “you’ve got this. You’re an amazing doctor. You have been since you started here. I didn’t know when I interviewed you seven years ago that you would be the one doing my daughter’s cesarean, but I’m glad it’s you. I trust you.”

“You… you do?”

“I wouldn’t be letting you operate on Blake if I didn’t. But you’ve never given me any reason to doubt you, so I’m not going to start now.”

“Thanks, Dr. Mackenzie.”

“Vera,” she smiled, wondering not for the first time why she felt like she knew Avery in another life.

She had felt that way about Avery since she’d first met her eight years ago.

She’d been on the committee who interviewed potential residents the year Avery had applied.

Avery was only twenty-five, which was the same age Vera had been when she’d applied for the residency program at Taylor Memorial Hospital.

There had been a large number of applicants that year, but Avery had stuck out the most to Vera.

And it was more than the fact she’d graduated top of her class at Yale Medical School.

Or the way she reminded Vera so much of herself .

If anything, it was how something about her reminded her of Isla.

Vera couldn’t explain it. Maybe it was because Avery was from New York, like Isla was. Whatever it was, Vera had lobbied hard for Avery to be accepted into their residency program. And with Blake and Amelia happy and healthy down the street, Vera knew she’d made the right decision.

After the surgery, Vera stayed by Blake’s side the entire night.

Isla started sleeping in bed with Blake but moved to sitting on the chair by her bed halfway through the night to give Blake more room.

She’d held on to Blake’s hand all night as she slept with her head by Blake’s waist. Vera took the quiet hours of the early morning to cuddle with Amelia.

She took off her scrub top, placing the infant on her chest as Alexis slept with her head on Vera’s lap.

Taking a blanket from the back of the couch, Vera wrapped it around her and Amelia.

The memories of that day still lingered with Vera. Both the fear and excitement commingled in her brain about that experience. But all that mattered now was both Blake and Amelia were okay and doing amazing. Vera couldn’t wait to see them both, along with the rest of her family, later that day.

Of course, she’d had to get out of bed first.

And that was something that Vera definitely didn’t want to do.

She was happily cuddled up with Isla as the sun barely shone through the bedroom window.

Isla had her back to Vera, and Vera had her leg over Isla’s knees.

Her breasts were pressed into Isla’s back, proving they couldn’t get any closer if they tried.

Well, aside from taking off their clothes.

They tried not to make it a habit to sleep nude with the door unlocked because inevitably a kid would come in.

If any kid ventured into their bed that morning, it would be Everleigh.

She had been doing so more recently, but Vera didn’t question it.

At fourteen, she knew Everleigh wouldn’t want to crawl into their bed forever.

Granted, Mason still did, and she was thirty-five.

Not that Vera would ever care. Her kids could get into bed with her as long as they wanted.

Kissing Isla’s shoulder, Vera ran her hands through her hair. Isla’s hair was soft with a slight curl, like Blake, Mason, and Ellie’s hair. Vera loved how Isla had been wearing it longer these days, as it reminded her of when they first met.

Hearing the bedroom door creak open, Vera didn’t bother to peek over Isla’s shoulder to see who it was. Instead, she made a space between her and Isla and waited for Everleigh to climb into bed with them.

But to Vera’s surprise, it was Blake that crawled into bed with them.

“Happy Mother’s Day, Mama.”

“Hey, honey. Happy Mother’s Day.” Vera happily wrapped her arms around Blake as Blake snuggled into her embrace.

She had to fight the tears thinking about how she’d never got to do that with Blake as a baby.

But somehow now, it was even sweeter. “I wasn’t expecting it to be you crawling into our bed. ”

“Gotta keep you on your toes,” Blake quietly chuckled.

“Always,” Vera squeezed her a little tighter. “I’m glad you’re here, Blake.”

“Me, too. Amelia was up early today. She was super fussy in the crib, but fine as long as Alexis or I held her.”

“Uh-oh, you got yourself an Evie.”

“Right?” Blake’s smile widened. “But it got me thinking that I wanted my mama and mommy too. Because this Mother’s Day is just hitting me differently.”

“Postpartum will do that to you.”

“Yeah, but it’s more than that, too.” Blake turned over slightly to face Vera. “This time last year I couldn’t imagine we’d be here now. I was so scared to let you or Mom or anyone in. I realize now how much I needed you both. I’m so sorry it took me so long to realize that.”

“It’s okay, baby.” Vera tucked Blake’s damp hair behind her ear. She must have just gotten out of the shower before heading over because Vera could smell her shampoo and body wash still lingering. “All that matters is that we have this now. And Mom and I aren’t going anywhere. Ever.”

“I love you, Mama.”

“I love you, too, Blake.” Pulling Blake closer to her, Vera kissed her forehead. “Let me know if I’m holding you too tight.”

“Uh-uh. No way. Your hugs are better than any weighted blanket.” Blake nuzzled her head under Vera’s chin. “They’re so warm and comforting.”

“And they’re always here for you.”

On the other side of Blake, Isla stirred awake. She rolled over, facing them as she opened her eyes. Isla looked confused for a moment before she realized it was Blake in bed with them.

“Hey, baby girl. Happy Mother’s Day.”

“Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.” Blake scooted over closer to Isla, but Vera kept her arm around her. “I was telling Mama I just needed some time with my mama and mommy, so I came over here.”

“I’m glad you did. We love having you.”

“You’ll love it even more when you find out Alexis will be over soon along with Mason, Chase, Ellie, Brayden, Evie and the kids to make breakfast for you.”

“You kids are too much.” Vera felt a lump forming in her throat. “You didn’t have to do that for us.”

“Are you kidding me? You two are the best parents ever. Honestly, making breakfast on Mother’s Day for you is the least we can do.”

“And exactly how did you get out of helping them?” Isla laughed as she wrapped her arm around Blake .

“I’m freshly postpartum. I’m supposed to be resting, right, Mama?”

Vera chucked. “Absolutely, baby. Doctor’s orders.”

“See?” Blake looked over to Isla, smirking. “I can’t help. So you get quality time with me instead. What could be better?”

“Nothing,” Isla and Vera said in unison.

Isla put her hand on Vera’s arm, squeezing gently as they looked at each other.

They had been together so long and knew each other so well that they didn’t need words to convey what they were both thinking.

Both Isla and Vera knew how lucky they were to have Blake back in their lives.

And how much the moment they were currently sharing meant to all three of them.

Vera wished she could go back to a year ago and tell that version of herself that on her next Mother’s Day, her life would be completely changed for the better. And it was all because of the women she currently had her arms around. How could life get any better?