Page 61 of Finding Wonderland

Thankfully, a local lawyer had helped Vera navigate the complicated world of adoption and was ready to help them move forward once she asked Isla and Mason. Which was why she had plans to do just that after the ceremony.

One thing at a time, she reminded herself as she smiled at Mason.

“I’m going to remember that comment on your wedding day and tell you the same thing.”

“I’m not getting married,” Mason quipped.

Isla and Vera exchanged glances, knowing it was best not to engage with Mason on certain topics. After all, she was only fourteen. She’d change her mind about marriage a hundred times over the years if she were anything like Vera and through it all, Vera would support her.

“Mackenzie and Forsyth?” A younger blonde woman in high heels and a pantsuit stepped out of the courtroom. Vera squeezed Isla’s hand as they walked toward her.

“This is your last chance to back out,” Isla whispered.

“Never. You’re stuck with me forever.”

“Thank God.”

They followed the woman inside the courtroom where a judge was waiting for them. The ceremony was short, sweet, and to the point. Isla and Vera exchanged vows and rings and a kiss to seal the deal. As the judge announced them wife and wife, Vera caught a glimpse of Mason out of the corner of her eyes. She was crying happy tears, just like Isla and Vera.

As Vera savored her first kiss as Isla Mackenzie’s wife, she playfully dipped Isla back as they both laughed. Even Mason was laughing, which made Vera smile more.

“We’re married!” Isla squealed as she framed Vera’s face with her hands and kissed her again. “How does it feel, Mrs. Mackenzie?”

“Pretty damn good, Mrs. Mackenzie.”

Vera knew she wanted to take Isla’s name for years. The Forsyth family name meant little to Vera, but the Mackenzie name was everything to her. More importantly, it was Mason’s last name. It was important to Vera, and she hoped Mason understood that one day.

Holding out their arms toward Mason, Vera watched as she ran into their embrace. Vera’s mind went back to the first hug she’d ever gotten from a four-year-old Mason. She savored the feeling of Mason’s arms wrapped around her, knowing her teenage years might mean less hugs.

As usual, they both let Mason dictate how long the hug should be. When she pulled away, they signed the certificate, thanked the judge, and headed outside hand in hand. Mason was walking a few feet ahead of them, her hands stuffed into the pockets of the black pants she was wearing.

“Hey,” a young man waved at them, “would you like a photo?”

“Excuse me?” Vera asked.

“I’m taking free wedding photos.” With a grin on his face, he held up a Polaroid camera. A rainbow strap dangled down from the camera, which made Vera smile. “Everyone deserves wedding photos.”

“What do you say?” Vera asked Isla and Mason.

“It’s better than an oil painting they had back when you all were kids for pictures,” Mason teased as she expertly avoided Vera’s playful flick on the arm.

Isla and Vera posed for a couple of shots in front of the courthouse, then brought Mason in for a photo. In classic Mason style, she wedged her way between the two of them and wrapped her arms around their waists. Vera had to stop the tears from falling over the fact she was standing by her wife and daughter. She wanted the photos to be perfect.

After the impromptu photo session, they gave the man a small tip for the photos as they walked to their car. Isla was flipping through the few photos, giggling as she commented on how she was going to frame them all as soon as they got home.

Now’s the time…

“You know what else I’d love to frame?” Vera asked as they arrived at the car. Both Isla and Mason paused, waiting on her to continue. “My adoption papers for Mason.”

Vera watched as her words slowly sank in with Mason first, then Isla. Mason jumped up and down before darting over to Vera and hugging her. It was the tightest hug that Vera had ever received from her.

“You want to adopt me?” Mason asked against Vera’s shoulder.

“I do,” she locked eyes with Isla, “if it’s okay with your mom.”

Mason whipped around to look at Isla. “Mom?”

It was clear that Isla was overwhelmed with emotions. She had a hand over her heart as tears streamed down her face.

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