Page 126 of Finding Wonderland

“I love my job, but I love Everleigh more. If this might help her, I want to do it.” Vera sheepishly smiled at Isla. “I’m sorry for making this decision before talking it over with you. I know that’s not how we do things.”

“Baby, you know I’ll support you and our Evie however I can. Always.” Isla smirked. “Besides, it's hot when you step into protector mode. I love it.”

Isla knew there was no need to debate it. Vera had already made up her mind, it seemed, and Isla supported that. They’d do anything for their kids. It was how Isla knew that Vera was breaking all the generational curses put upon her by her mother and her grandmother.

Later that night, Isla and Vera sat on their bed with Everleigh nestled between them. She was still tired, and it broke Isla’s heart to see her that way. But she also knew they had to talk with her.

“Evie, honey,” Vera smiled softly at their daughter, “what happened today?”

“I dunno,” Everleigh mumbled as she shrugged. “Mason said my pump failed.”

And it had. The catheter had stopped up, which caused the low blood sugar. But that had happened before, and Everleigh knew what to do.

“It did, but honey, you know what to do when that happens. Why didn’t you call us or Mason?”

“Baby,” Isla put her hand on Everleigh’s thigh, “you know you can always tell us anything, right?”

“Yes, we’re always here for you, honey.”

“I know.” Everleigh cuddled the stuffed dog closer to her body. “Do I have to go back to school?”

Vera looked at Isla, who nodded.

“Mom and I talked about it, and you don’t have to go back to school this year. Mama’s going to take some time off work to be with you as we transition to homeschooling, okay?”

“Really?” Everleigh looked the happiest she had been all day.

“Really. But,” Isla smiled despite the stern tone, “you have to keep your grades up and still work hard, okay? This isn’t a get-out-of-jail-free card. You still have to go to school.”

“I will. I love learning, just not the other kids.”

Ever since she was little, Everleigh had dealt with bullying from certain classmates. Isla had wanted to give those classmates’ parents a piece of her mind for years, but Vera told her it would only make things worse. Everleigh was such a sweet kid and didn’t deserve to be mocked for her disease.

“I know, baby.” Vera pulled her close, kissing her head. “And Mason will have you a new dog soon, okay?”

“But it won’t be Nala.”

Everleigh cuddled her plush dog closer as she snuggled up against Isla. There was no debating on if Everleigh was sleeping in their bed. She was already asleep by the time Isla laid down beside her. Isla ran her hands through her hair as she studied their sleeping daughter. Across from her, Vera was playing with Isla’s hair as she watched her. Isla smiled when their eyes met.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Because I love you so much.” Leaning in, they kissed over Everleigh. “I can’t believe this is our last baby.”

“I know. She’s growing up too quickly. But she’ll always be our baby.”

Vera’s eyes grew dreamy. “Do you remember when she was born?”

“How could I forget?” Isla chuckled. “I birthed her right over there.”

Despite having two other kids, Everleigh’s birth had been the hardest for Isla. But Isla knew it all had been worth it when she held their baby girl in her arms.

“Knowing what you know now, would you change anything?”

“I’d probably go for an epidural,” Isla laughed, making Vera roll her eyes as she smiled. “Honestly? I wouldn’t change anything because everything we went through in life brought us to this moment. And this moment is pretty damn great.”

“I wholeheartedly agree.”

Chapter 44

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