Page 82 of Finding Wonderland

“I am. I want to carry your baby.”

“Isla,” Vera closed the space between them and kissed her. “I’ve been thinking about it too, and it feels right. The timing is just…”

“Perfect,” she finished. “Ellie and Brayden are older, Mason’s doing her own thing. I think a baby would be perfect right now. I’m ready to start the process whenever you are.”

“I’ll schedule an appointment tomorrow for us.”

And that’s just what they did.

By the fall, Isla was five months pregnant with their baby. Ellie and Brayden had started kindergarten while Mason began her last year in college. Or, well, her last for now, she claimed. Isla’s sister, Eden Mackenzie, had moved into their guest room after the Broadway show she was in ended. She claimed she was just spending the summer with them, but the summer had quickly faded into fall.

Not that Isla minded. Having her little sister around was fun and she was a great help with Ellie and Brayden. Eden was eleven years younger than Isla, so she was closer to Mason’s age than Isla’s. But that never stopped their bond. While they didn't get to see each other much, Isla was thankful for the time they had together now.

“Are you sure you’re not carrying twins?”

Well.

Most of the time Isla was thankful for her time with Eden.

Eden was leaned up against the kitchen counter with a bowl of Fruit Loops in her hands. Her curly brown hair was up in a ponytail and she was dressed as if she’d just got back from a workout. There was no denying the two were sisters; they were spitting images of Mackenzie women.

“I love you, too, sis.” Isla playfully patted Eden’s cheek as she walked over to the refrigerator. She took out her beloved Diet Coke and twisted the top off.

“Isla,” Vera scolded as Isla held the bottle in the air and looked at her sheepishly. She had her doctor face on, which meant business. Isla almost commented on how hot she looked in the green top and blazer she was wearing, but she knew Vera would see through the compliment. Not that Isla didn’t mean it, she did. “We agreed. No more Diet Cokes.”

“But Vera,” she whined. “I need it. I was up late last night.”

“Sex?” Eden interjected with a smirk.

“Work.” Isla rolled her eyes. “Some of us do that, you know.”

“Hey, I got your kids off to school today and got you this.”

Reaching behind her, Eden handed her what appeared to be a strawberry banana smoothie. Suddenly, the Diet Coke took a back seat. The smoothies had been Isla’s biggest craving since getting pregnant. Which was much better than with Blake or Mason’s pregnancies when all she wanted was hot peppers.

Although it never ended well for her.

“Oh, give me.”

Taking the smoothie, Isla took a long sip as she rubbed her belly. She hated to admit it, but Eden had a point. Isla was already bigger at five months than she had been either time before. Isla was already finding it hard to see her shoes, but she didn’t care. Carrying Vera’s baby had been one of the best experiences in the world to Isla.

Isla walked over to Vera and sat beside her at the table. She placed a hand softly on Isla’s stomach as the baby almost instantly kicked. The baby had been more active than her last two pregnancies, which Isla enjoyed. While Blake moved occasionally, Mason had been the chillest baby ever and only seemed to move when she had the hiccups.

But the tiny human growing inside of her was clearly getting ready for soccer tryouts.

Covering Vera’s hand with hers on her stomach, Isla smiled at her wife. Their connection had always been strong, but something about being pregnant had only brought them closer.

“What are you thinking?”

“That you’re over halfway through your pregnancy and we still don’t have a name for her.”

“I know, I know.”

Isla couldn’t help but smile at Vera using the word her. While Vera had opted to know the sex this time, Isla had chosen to remain surprised. Not that it was much of a surprise. She knew exactly which she was carrying.

Vera seemed to realize what she’d said and quickly shook her head. “Wait. No. That wasn’t me confirming it’s a girl.” She covered her mouth with her hand as her eyes went wide. “Dammit.”

They both started laughing as Isla placed a hand on her knee.

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