Page 102 of Finding Wonderland

“I love you, Evie.” Vera nuzzled her nose against Everleigh’s, who giggled in response.

“I love you, too, Mama.”

There was no denying Everleigh was Vera’s kid. They looked like twins from the moment Everleigh was born. But what had surprised both of them the most was how much Mason and Everleigh favored each other, especially as Everleigh got older. And it wasn’t just in looks but in personality as well. Isla had joked before that she wasn’t sure Vera actually used her own egg to create Everleigh.

“Mama, can Mason sleep with me tonight?”

Vera smiled down at Everleigh and nodded. “You have to ask her.”

But they all knew she didn’t have to ask. Mason scooped Everleigh up into her arms and placed kisses all over her face while Everleigh giggled. The two had the strongest bond of any of the kids, and Isla hoped it remained that way for the rest of their lives.

Kissing the kids goodnight, Isla and Vera tucked them into Everleigh’s bed before going to their own bedroom. Isla could tell Vera’s mind was elsewhere as she walked into the bathroom. Following behind, Isla wrapped her arms around her waist. Vera hugged her arms, leaning into her embrace.

“Talk to me.”

“I know it’s not my fault.”

“It’s not.”

“I just wish she didn't have to deal with this.” Vera wiped at an angry tear that had the nerve to fall. “I wish I could take that disease from her.”

“I know, baby.” Isla kissed her cheek. “Me, too.”

Isla knew her wife well enough to know this would always be a conversation they had. But no matter how many times Vera needed it, Isla would be there to reassure her and lift her up. Vera turned around and wrapped her arms around Isla as they held each other tightly.

“All our babies are okay.” Isla kissed her ear. “That’s what matters.”

“You’re right,” Vera sighed as she leaned back a little in Isla’s embrace. She slowly ran her hand through Isla’s hair as her smile lightened the weight Isla knew she had been feeling. “There is no one I’d rather be on this crazy journey of raising our beautiful kids with than you.”

“Ditto, babe.”

“I love you.”

“I love you more.”

Chapter 36

Vera

2016

There were very few days that Vera didn’t want to be at work. But today was definitely one of those days. Not only was it Isla’s birthday, but Everleigh had been up all night while they tried to get her blood sugar under control. They’d decided to let her skip pre-school, which meant she was currently playing with her toys on the couch in Vera’s office while Vera watched her. Nothing would ever be better than watching her kids. They were her entire world.

And her patients with multiple kids had been right. There was something different about the youngest one. Each first for Everleigh was also a last for Isla and Vera. Last first smile. Last first steps. Last first tooth. It was all happening so fast and Vera wanted time to freeze so she could enjoy the moment more.

Normally, Vera would have taken off for Isla’s birthday. But as it fell the Friday before Thanksgiving this year, she wanted to get in as much work as possible before her time off from the office for the holiday. Granted, that was before her brain started to wander anywhere but work.

“Screw this,” Vera mumbled to herself as she picked up the phone to call the nurse’s station. She’d purposefully scheduled a light load this week, and didn’t have any patients actively in labor or even close. One of her nurses picked up the phone. “Hey, I’m going to need to take the rest of the day off. Everleigh still isn’t feeling good and I need to take her home.”

Everleigh whipped her head around to Vera, her four-year-old confused look made Vera have to stifle a laugh. “Mama, I feel fine.”

Vera put a finger to her lips and focused back on the phone call.

“Yes. Thanks.”

Hanging up the phone, Vera shut down her computer as Everleigh walked over to her desk. She had her arms crossed over her chest and Vera could see way too much of herself in their youngest daughter. They had the same blue eyes, same dark blonde hair. Her service dog, Nala, trailed a few feet behind her before laying at Vera’s feet.

“Mama, did you lie?”

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