Page 122 of Finding Wonderland

“Vera, you know I didn’t mean that.”

“You sure as hell better not have.” Vera sobbed, crossing her arms over her chest. “You might have birthed her, but Blake is just as much my daughter as Everleigh is. I know you’re hurting right now, and I know you’ve had way too much to drink, but that was entirely uncalled for.”

Isla only nodded.

“I know you’re hurting, but you're forgetting I’m hurting, too. And so is Mason.”

“Mason?” Isla looked at her with a furrowed brow. “I thought she and Blake were fine.”

“Honey,” Vera sighed, “open your eyes.”

“Mama’s right.” Mason seemed to appear out of nowhere. Vera didn’t know how much she’d heard, but her red-rimmed eyes and tear-stained face told her it was more than enough. “This whole situation has me fucked up. I waited almost my whole life for Blake to come back and she doesn’t want to hang out with me. Not as much as she wants to hang out with Alexis and Harper.”

Vera reached a hand out to Mason, but Mason waved her off.

“No, I need to get this off my chest.”

Taking a deep breath, Mason locked eyes with Isla.

“This isn’t just happening to you. It’s happening to me and Mama and Ellie and Brayden and Everleigh. We all want Blake to feel at home here but she can’t until you let go of your anger toward her and Alexis. Everyone here can sense it, and I think that’s what’s holding Blake back from opening up to you.” Mason paused, looking at Vera with a sad smile. “I learned that in therapy.”

“I’m proud of you, baby.” This time when Vera held out a hand, Mason took it. Vera pulled her in for a hug as she held her right. “And I agree.”

“And,” Mason took a deep breath as she clung to Vera, “I need to say something that I’ve been needing to say for a while but have lacked the courage.”

Isla nodded for Mason to continue, and Vera kept holding her. She had a feeling that if she let go, Mason would crumble, and Vera would never let that happen.

“I know losing Blake hurt you. It hurt me too. But there’s always been this little part of me that never felt good enough to still be around.”

It was then Vera’s heart started to shatter. My sweet Mason. Vera knew how Mason felt in Blake’s absence, but she was so young when it happened. She’d wrongly assumed it hadn’t affected her much as it had Isla. Especially since Mason rarely mentioned it.

But now, Vera was kicking herself for not noticing how Mason felt before now.

A few feet away, she watched as Isla took to heart everything Mason had just said. When her shoulders dropped and she fell to her knees, Vera knew the message had been received.

“I’m so sorry, Mason.” Isla cried into her hands as Mason went to her. She held her tightly as their tears mixed together. “I’m so sorry I ever made you feel that way. You have always been loved and wanted since the day I knew I was pregnant with you. Never for a moment did I ever think you weren’t good enough. Oh, Mason,” Isla kissed her several times on the cheek, “I am so sorry, baby.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t say anything before now.”

“It’s okay, Mason. I love you.”

“I love you, too, Mom.”

After a few moments, Mason pulled away. Vera carefully took a few steps towards them, not wanting to interrupt any moment they needed alone. Isla looked up at Vera with sad eyes as she threw up her hands in frustration.

“I’m just so angry. I want to scream at Blake and ask her why she doesn’t want to get to know me. Or you or the kids. It’s been over a year, Vera.”

Isla sobbed, covering her face with her hands for a moment. Vera joined Mason beside her as they flanked Isla on either side.

“I missed so much and I still feel like I’m missing more. This isn’t fair. She’s our baby.”

“But she’s not a baby anymore,” Mason said, looking uneasy at Isla. “She’s an adult. Her boundaries are different now.”

For a moment, Isla looked at Mason with pure marvel on her face. “How did you become so smart?”

“Therapy, Mom,” Mason laughed. “I told you, it works.”

Sadly laughing, Isla pulled them both into a hug as she held them tightly. “I’m sorry I’ve been a mess this last year. I promise I’ll work on this.”

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