Page 51 of Finding Wonderland

“Whatever.” Vera wrapped her arms around Isla’s arm, which was still between her legs. “I’m so happy I found you.”

“Me, too.”

“You and Mason are the best things that have ever happened to me.”

“Back at you.” Isla kissed the top of her head.

Vera could have stayed there all night. And she would have, too, if Isla hadn’t suggested they go onto the balcony to enjoy the evening air. It was fall in Moonflower Cove, and the cool air had settled into the cove nicely. They donned their Moonflower Cove Inn bathrobes and turned on the space heater they’d requested for the trip. Their balcony overlooked a nearby lake, adding to the night's tranquility.

As they sat on the small couch curled up together, Vera couldn’t imagine her life being any better than it currently was. She and Isla were madly in love. Mason was nine and the light of their lives, and they had been talking about starting fertility treatments to add a baby to their family. The idea of carrying her and Isla’s baby made every fiber in Vera’s body happy. Vera snuggled up closer to Isla, kissing her shoulder.

Isla chuckled to herself.

“What?”

“You’re so quiet post-sex.” Isla kissed her head again. “What are you thinking about?”

“A baby.”

“Me, too.”

Vera sat up, turning to look at Isla. “Really?”

“Yeah,” Isla dreamily sighed. “I miss having a little baby around.”

“It would be so much fun.”

“I’d love to raise a baby with you.”

“I know I said I wanted to wait until after my residency to start trying, but I don’t know if I can wait that long.”

“I’ll do whatever you want to do, you know that.”

And Vera did. They had talked about trying IVF for years, but Vera knew that being pregnant during her residency would be easier said than done. After all, she was working over sixty hours a week at the hospital and barely had time to see their nine-year-old as it was. Adding a baby to the mix would be too much, especially when Isla and Vera worked full-time. The idea of sending a baby to daycare wasn’t an idea Vera wanted to entertain. No. They could wait until the right time to have a baby.

“A few more years,” Vera said with a firm nod. “We can make it a few more years.”

Isla wrapped her arms around Vera and pulled her close again. “We will. And it’ll be worth it because we’ll have the best kids because we waited for the right time.”

“I agree.”

Vera had been imagining her and Isla’s kids for years. They’d decided that when they started trying, they each wanted to carry the other’s egg. It would be the only way they could have a child that was part of both of them. And the idea of carrying Isla’s baby made Vera smile from ear to ear.

“Oh!” Isla hopped up, causing Vera to nearly fall over. “We forgot our gifts.”

“Oh, yeah!”

She watched Isla disappear into the room, rummaging around in the overnight bag they’d brought and pulling out two blue velvet boxes. Although they couldn’t get legally married, Isla and Vera had made a commitment to each other that they both took as seriously as wedding vows. They’d decided to get rings to show that commitment, and they had finally arrived a few days ago. Vera couldn’t wait to see them.

Isla handed one box to Vera as she sat back down with the other box in her hand. “Let’s open them on the count of three. One.”

“Two.”

“Three,” they said together as they opened the boxes.

Vera covered her mouth with her hand excitedly as she studied the beautiful gold Claddagh ring. Prior to meeting Isla, Vera had never heard of a Claddagh ring. But the more she learned about it, the more it felt perfect for them. Carefully taking the ring from the box, Vera studied the inscription on the inside. They each wrote what they wanted engraved inside.

Always yours, Isla.

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