Page 75 of Finding Wonderland

Because she could feel the ring of fire building into the worst pain she’d ever felt.

“Oh, fuck. Fuck. Fuck,” Vera roared as she felt the baby’s head pop out. Instinctually, she reached down and felt the baby’s head. “She has so much hair.”

“Vera,” Isla sobbed as she looked at the baby and then kissed Vera. “You're doing so great.”

Isla was holding one of Vera’s legs up and back while Melanie was doing the same to the other.

“One more push, Vera.”

And that’s all it took. Before Vera knew it, Stacey was lifting the baby onto her chest. “It’s a girl,” she cried as she looked up at Isla. “Eleanor.”

Vera cried as she marveled at the baby on her bare chest. Beside her, Isla was crying as well. Vera looked up at her and smiled as Isla said, “Ellie. She’s perfect, Vera.” Isla kissed her sweaty forehead. “You’re doing so great.”

Stacey let Ellie stay on Vera’s chest as she got ready for the second baby. With one hand on her daughter’s back and the other squeezing tightly onto Isla’s hand, Vera birthed a son barely fifteen minutes later.

“Brayden,” Vera felt her whole body finally relax with both of their babies safely outside of her. She held them close, perfectly content to have them never leave her. “We did it.”

“You did it, babe. I love you.” Leaning down, Isla kissed Vera as their tears mixed together.

After getting everything cleaned up and having their precious golden hour of skin-to-skin with Ellie and Brayden, Vera was finally settled into a room. She’d successfully gotten both babies to latch on for feeding and was feeling relieved that in a few moments, she’d have all her family together.

A soft knock at the door made Vera smile ear to ear. Mason hesitantly walked in with two balloons—one blue, one pink—trailing behind her. She noticed Isla asleep on the nearby couch, but Vera motioned her inside. Patting the bed beside her, Vera smiled at Mason.

“Come here and meet your brother and sister.”

“One of each?” Mason quietly exclaimed. “I was right!”

“You were right.” Vera pulled Mason into a hug and a kiss. She held her as tight as she could as she placed several kisses on her forehead. “I love you so much, Mason.”

“I’m glad you and the babies are okay.”

“Me, too. Do you want to meet them?”

Mason nodded and Vera pulled the bassinet closer. She picked up Ellie and carefully handed her to Mason. Although momentarily hesitant, Mason held her like a pro.

“This is Ellie.”

“Hi, Ellie,” Mason cooed as Vera noticed tears in her eyes. Vera soaked in the moment before picking up Brayden.

“And this is your brother, Brayden.”

“Hi, Brayden,” Mason cooed as she gently ran her finger over Brayden’s small hand. “They’re so tiny.”

“They are. I can’t believe they’re so small for how much weight I gained.”

“Oh, hush, Mama. You’re beautiful.” Mason looked at her and smiled. “You did good.”

“I did, didn’t I?” Vera laughed, even if it hurt a little. “They look like you.”

It was the first thing Vera noticed when they were born. They both looked like the baby pictures of Mason and Blake she had seen.

“You’re going to be the best big sister, Mason.”

Resting her head on Vera’s shoulder, Mason snuggled into her as Vera wrapped an arm around her. Holding her three babies meant the world to Vera. Everything seemed right in the world. Even if the thoughts of Blake and Cole filled Vera’s mind. A part of her heart would always be missing for the child she didn’t know and the one she never would. But it wasn’t the time or place to be sad. Blake would want them to be happy; Vera knew that in her soul to be true.

And one day, Blake would be back in their lives. Vera just knew it.

Isla stirred awake in the chair as she stretched her arms over her head. She smiled at them before climbing into the bed beside Mason.

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