Page 51 of State of Grace

“I do,” Blake answered without hesitation. It was something Blake had wanted for a long time if she were being honest with herself. There had been a storyline on her show in which her character Avery became pregnant, and it had been one of Blake’s favorite storylines. Not only did it give her character more depth, but it had made Blake wonder what it would be like to be pregnant in real life one day.

However, the writers of the show had decided that Avery was going to have a miscarriage. That entire storyline had been the most challenging scene to film in her life. She felt the loss of the fictional baby in her soul as she became her character on the screen. Blake had received countless letters from fans thanking her for how she’d portrayed the loss of the baby. Deep down, Blake knew that would always be one of the storylines she was proudest to have the opportunity to tell.

“Do you want more kids?”

“You know,” Alexis laughed, “I never saw myself as a mom until I found out I was pregnant with Harper. But yeah,” she shrugged, “I’d like her to have a sibling or two at some point.”

“You’re such a great mom.”

“Thank you.” Sighing, Alexis twirled the end of her braid around her finger. “I didn’t think I could do it. When I found out I was pregnant, there was a moment – however brief – that I thought about…well. You know.”

Blake could tell this was something Alexis didn’t talk about often, if ever at all. Taking Isla’s advice to heart, Blake didn’t push her to talk about it. She simply stayed quiet and squeezed Alexis’s hand. Her hand pulled back slightly as Blake turned around to see Alexis standing in place.

“I had an appointment and everything.”

“Alexis, you don’t have to…”

“No.” She shook her head. “I know. I want to, though. Opening up is how we do this,” she motioned between them with her free hand, “right?”

“Right.” Blake nodded as she took Alexis’s other hand in hers. She pulled Alexis in close, placing a quick kiss on her lips. “I’m listening if you want to talk.”

“I didn’t think I could do it. Be a mom. Especially after…” All color drained from Alexis’s face, and for a moment, Blake thought she was going to pass out. Instead, Alexis took in a few deep breaths and shook her head. “Ok, maybe I’m not ready to talk about this right now.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I will. Just not right now.”

“Totally ok.” Resuming their walk once more, they headed back to the house to hang out with Harper and Mason. “Hey, Alexis?”

“Hmm?”

“For what it’s worth, I think it’s brave you decided to have Harper.”

Alexis shyly smiled up at her. “Thank you.”

“Have you ever thought of getting her a puppy?”

“What?” Alexis laughed at Blake’s abrupt change in conversation.

“You said you wanted Harper to have siblings. A puppy could be a surrogate sibling until you decide to have another kid, yes?”

“I’ve thought about it, but I don’t know.”

“Harper would love it.”

“So would I, but puppies are a lot of work. Between Harper and work, I’m pretty well maxed out with responsibilities. Especially now with the show thrown in the mix, too.”

“I could help, you know.”

“Really?” She arched an eyebrow at her. “How so?”

“I could watch Harper for you or take the puppy or whatever else would help you relax.”

The porch door opened as Mason ran outside; Harper trailing closely behind her. Blake and Alexis stopped and watched the two play together. They each had plastic lightsabers in their hands and dramatically turned to duel each other. Alexis jutted her chin toward them.

“You want to help with that?”

“Hey, I’m a big kid myself. I could totally play with a lightsaber or LEGOs or watch Disney movies with the best of them.” Looking from Mason and Harper then back to Alexis, Blake took off in a light jog toward the dueling duo. Bumping her hip against Mason’s, she was relieved her sister gave up the lightsaber without any protest. Blake dramatically fought with Harper until the kid playfully hit her in the side with the lightsaber.

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