Page 123 of Finding Wonderland

“I’ll give you the name of my therapist.”

“Thanks, Mace.” Isla chuckled as she kissed Mason’s forehead.

After a few more minutes alone on the beach, the trio made their way back to the main house. Alexis, Maddie, and Walker were inside with the kids while Blake was cleaning the table with Ellie. Mason helped Ellie carry the dishes inside as Isla made her way over to Blake. Vera made sure to give them space but stayed close as she was unsure if Isla would erupt in anger again.

But to Vera’s relief, she didn’t.

Instead, without words, Isla and Blake seemed to have an entire conversation. Blake sat down the dishes as she went into Isla’s embrace. Isla held her tight as she kissed her cheek.

“I’m here, Blake. Whenever you’re ready, I’m here.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Blake whispered so softly Vera wasn’t sure she’d heard it.

Leaving them outside, Vera helped get everything cleaned up and the kids off to bed. By the time she made it to their bedroom, Vera was exhausted. But Isla sitting on the edge of the bed waiting on her surprised her.

“I thought you went to bed already.”

“I couldn’t sleep without apologizing.” Standing, Isla held her hands out to Vera. “I’m so sorry I said Blake wasn’t your daughter. She is. And always will be.”

“Thank you.” Vera put her arms around Isla’s waist and pulled her closer. “And I’m sorry for not realizing how deep your pain is. If you want, I will go to therapy with you.”

“Yeah?”

“Of course. We can do it like we do everything else.” Vera smiled softly as Isla did the same.

“Together,” they said in unison.

Chapter 43

Isla

2022

With three kids still at home and two older ones with their own lives, there were very few times in life recently that Isla had a quiet moment alone. It often happened at work when the bar was quiet and she could hole up in her office for hours with just her favorite Broadway playlist and catch up on everything. Which was where she’d spent the first few hours of her day.

After dropping the kids off at school, she’d headed for the bar and hadn’t left her office since. Since the bar was only open for lunch and dinner, the entire place had been quiet until the openers arrived. Isla mingled with the lunchtime crowd, most of whom were regulars, before ordering a burger and fries for herself. She peacefully enjoyed it in her office as she listened to the Wicked soundtrack for the millionth time in her life.

It was the soundtrack she played when she needed to de-stress. And she had a lot of stress to let go of recently.

Blake and Alexis were trying to have a baby, and while Isla wasn’t directly involved, she felt the weight of each failed pregnancy test along with them. She knew it could take time, but she desperately wished for them to have a baby soon. They deserved it.

Although Isla and Blake had yet to have an in-depth conversation about, well, anything, Isla did feel that Blake was more open to her being in her life. She’d even invited Isla along for a long weekend while she was at an audition, and the two had a great time together. Isla had high hopes that their relationship was on the mend, and maybe one day, they’d be closer than she’d imagined they’d be.

As for Mason, she had finally realized she was in love with Chase and the two had moved in together. Isla was so happy for them but not as happy as Vera. Vera kept happily singing I told you so every time she saw them. But Mason loved it; Isla could tell by her smile. Seeing Mason so happy made Isla’s heart swell.

And Chase was such an easy addition to the family. It helped they’d all known her for years, but she transitioned from Mason’s best friend to Mason’s girlfriend so effortlessly that Isla knew they were meant to be.

Ellie and Brayden had started their junior year of high school and Isla had no idea how that was possible. Brayden was on the school’s hockey team while Ellie starred in every school play. They both thrived inside and outside of the classroom, which was a blessing for Isla and Vera.

Then there was their sweet Everleigh. She’d started fifth grade after a rough summer. Her beloved service dog, Nala, was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer and died only a few weeks later. It had crushed Everleigh and the entire family. But it also made Isla and Vera worry even more about their youngest child.

Although Everleigh wore an insulin pump and a device that constantly monitored her blood sugar, they also liked having Nala as a backup in case something went wrong. Mason and Mallory Garner were already working on training a new dog for Everleigh, but it would still be a few months before the dog would be ready. Nala’s death had caught them all off guard.

Sighing, Isla looked at the app that told her Everleigh’s blood sugar. It had been running on the low side all morning but hadn’t dipped to a level they were concerned about. Yet. Isla was always worried about her kids, but more so with Everleigh than any of them. Especially since she no longer had Nala and they were relying solely on equipment not to be faulty.

A gentle knock at the door startled Isla from her thoughts as Alexis stepped into her office holding up a small cosmetic bag. Isla didn’t have to ask to know what it was.

“Hey, sorry. Emily’s not here and I hate giving myself the shots. Since you’re a pro, do you mind helping me?”

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