Page 118 of Finding Wonderland

“No,” Isla answered too quickly. “I wanted to ask if you all had plans for Christmas Day. We hadn’t talked about it, and I didn’t know if you all were planning to come here or not.”

Alexis laughed. “Isla, come on. Of course, we’re going to be there. We wouldn’t miss it.”

“Oh okay.” Isla finally took in a full breath. “That’s good.”

“Everything okay?” She could tell by Alexis’s voice that she knew something was on Isla’s mind.

“Yeah,” Isla hurried to formulate an answer, “I just bought matching pajamas for everyone and I started to overthink that I hadn’t discussed that with you all. You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to. It’s a tradition we’ve done with the kids for years. But you all don't have to. It’s okay.”

“Are you kidding?” Alexis asked with a laugh. “We would love that, especially Harper.”

“Great!” It was the first time in a long time that Isla thought that maybe, just maybe, things might start to take a turn with her and Blake. “I can bring them by later if you want.”

“I’ll text Blake and have her pick them up on her way home.”

“Oh, okay, perfect.”

After hanging up with Alexis, Isla tucked the three sets of pajamas she’d gotten for Blake, Alexis, and Harper into a Christmas-themed gift bag and headed downstairs. She sat the bag by the front door as she took in the sight of the living room. The large fir tree sat in one corner, haphazardly decorated by the kids in the most perfectly imperfect way. Handmade ornaments from years gone by were the main decorations, along with some sentimental ornaments they’d collected over the years.

Vera and the kids were sitting around the TV watching a Christmas movie, so Isla snuggled on the couch between Vera and Ellie. Everleigh had claimed the recliner while Brayden lay sprawled out on the loveseat. Isla wished Mason and Blake were there so their house could feel complete.

“Hey,” Vera twirled Isla’s hair around her finger as Isla looked over at her. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Ellie grinned up at Isla. “I love you more, Mom.”

“There’s no way, kid.” Isla tickled Ellie as she giggled. There would never be a sound better than hearing her kids laughing.

It wasn’t long before the doorbell rang, and Isla quickly went to answer it. Blake was standing on the other side of the door in a hoodie, jacket, jeans, snow boots, and a beanie. She smiled at Isla as she shrugged.

“Lex told me to stop by and pick something up.” Another shrug. “She didn’t say what, so I have no clue if I’m here to pick up a cup of sugar or a dead body.”

Isla chuckled at Blake’s sense of humor. It was so similar to Mason’s that it made Isla’s heart nearly burst with happiness.

“Thankfully, it’s not the latter.” Reaching for the bag on the table by the door, Isla handed it to Blake. “It’s matching pajamas. For Christmas Day.”

Blake’s blank stare and furrowed brow nearly sent Isla’s stomach heaving.

Was she not planning on spending Christmas here? Alexis had said they were. Surely, they had talked about it.

Right?

“Alexis said you all were coming here for Christmas.”

“We are.”

“Okay,” Isla held out the word longer than necessary. “Great.”

“I thought you knew that. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

I mean, it’s not. But I’m not telling her that right now.

Blake took the bag from Isla and smiled. “Thanks for the pajamas.”

“You’re welcome.”

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