Page 57 of Finding Wonderland

Kissing Isla and Vera good night, Mason left the bedroom. Vera crawled into bed as Isla got in behind her. Again, she held Vera tightly as she kissed her shoulder.

“I love you, Vera.”

“I love you, too, Isla.”

“We’re going to get through this like we do everything else.”

“Together,” Vera nodded against the pillow. She pushed her body closer to Isla’s, needing to be as close to her as she could get.

Deep down, Vera knew Isla was right. They would get through it. But the weight of the day was still heavy on Vera’s heart and mind.

“I don’t want to try again for a while,” she whispered, almost afraid to admit it out loud.

“We don’t have to, honey.” Isla kissed her shoulder again.

The door to the bedroom slowly creaked open as Mason peaked around the corner. She had changed into her pajamas and smiled sheepishly at Vera. Lifting the sheets, Vera let Mason climb into bed beside her. As she often did when she needed comforting, which wasn’t often, Mason cuddled right up against Vera and rested her head on her chest.

With her arms around Mason and Isla’s arms around her waist, Vera had never felt safer or more loved. She inhaled deeply, holding it for a moment as she tried not to cry. Because Isla was right. They were going to get through this.

Together.

Chapter 21

Isla

2005

Summer was finally on the horizon, and Isla was beyond thankful to kiss winter goodbye. They’d had more snow in the last winter than Isla could remember. Granted, it was probably because she had been the one who had been stuck shoveling the snow off the driveway all winter. Mason had broken her arm ice skating, and Vera had been recovering from her miscarriage, so Isla wouldn’t let her do manual labor.

Even though Isla knew Vera was more than capable of doing it. Isla didn’t want her to. She loved her and wanted her to be treated like the queen Isla saw her as. And if that meant shoveling snow, then that’s what Isla would do.

For months on end, it seemed.

Thankfully, there was no snow in sight at the Cape Cod beach house they had been renting for the past few summers. They loved it there. The house was beyond perfect with its easy beach access, private swimming pool, and enough bedrooms for all their friends and future kids.

And, thanks to Isla’s smart business move, they’d never have to rent the house again.

Isla had purchased the house on a whim when the owner contacted her a few months ago. They were an older couple who lived most of the year in Florida and were tired of keeping up the extra house. Knowing how much Isla and her family loved it, they wanted her to know they were selling it and weren’t sure if the new owners would want to rent it. Without asking Vera, Isla told them she wanted to buy it.

The sale had gone through quickly, and now Isla had to find the perfect time to tell Vera and Mason the house they were staying in was theirs.

Of course, Isla was worried Vera would flip over the large purchase. But Isla knew it was an investment not only in the house but also in their family. They could go to the house on school breaks and the summer or just for weekend getaways. The previous owners had left most of the furnishings, which meant they wouldn’t have to do much in terms of furniture buying. Although Isla had packed a small box of framed photos to place around the house of their family.

She had also purchased a red maple sapling to plant in their backyard. Isla wanted it to be in remembrance of the baby they’d lost, but also a reminder that life keeps going.

It had been a hard situation for both Isla and Vera, and even Mason, but it had affected Vera more than any of them. She’d struggled for weeks before finally seeing a therapist. Isla had gone with her several times, and she was happy to see Vera doing so well now. The memory of what happened would always stay with them, but Isla knew they were on the other side of the pain now.

With the state of Massachusetts finally legalizing same-sex marriage, Isla was more than ready to start the next chapter of their lives as Mrs. and Mrs. Mackenzie. Marrying Vera had been only a dream for so long that Isla kept pinching herself to make sure that it was really happening. They had applied for their wedding license two days ago and had to wait one more before they could officially be married. But Isla knew they’d waited long enough. They could make it one more day.

Grabbing a shovel from the shed, Isla walked over to where Vera and Mason had picked out a spot for the tree. It was near the pool deck, which meant it would provide shade for them as it grew. Isla stuck the shovel into the ground and smiled at Vera. She looked beyond stunning in a simple green dress that was flowing gently in the wind. Her dark blonde hair was longer than it ever had been, and Isla loved running her fingers through it.

“So, is this the spot?”

“I think so,” Vera nodded firmly, wrapping an arm around Mason’s shoulders. “Mason picked it out.”

“I think it’s perfect, Mace.” Isla smiled at her daughter.

“Are you sure the owners don’t mind?” Vera had been worried about them planting a tree, but Isla had assured her the owner had approved. And it wasn’t a lie since Isla was the owner.

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