Page 88 of Finding Wonderland

“This pressure can go fuck itself.”

“She’s right there, Isla. Reach down.”

She watched as Isla did, feeling the baby that was about to be born. If even for a moment, she seemed to relax as she realized it was almost over.

“I need to stand,” Isla groaned. “Sitting and laying down are hurting too much.”

Vera didn’t dare protest, but logistically she knew she couldn’t help Isla stand and deliver the baby at the same time. Grabbing the phone off the nightstand, she called Eden.

“Hey, she’s about to crown and I need help. Grab the towels from the dryer and come up here.”

She didn’t wait for a response as Isla leaned onto the bed and pushed.

“Good, Isla. Right there.”

“I’m here,” Eden rushed in, handing the towels to Vera. Eden didn’t ask any questions; she simply walked over to her sister and held her arms out to her. Isla instantly looked relieved as she wrapped her arms around Eden, and Eden put her hands on her hips. “I got you, sis.”

Although Eden had been there when both Blake and Mason were born, she was just a kid. Now, Vera knew she understood the significance of being there for the birth of her niece. Even if she might have had a tighter grip on Isla than Isla did with her. And when Isla screamed as she pushed, so did Eden. Vera knew she shouldn’t laugh, but Eden being obviously nervous somehow made them all distracted.

“Oh, my God,” Eden groaned. “No wonder Mason didn’t want to be here.”

Changing positions, Isla used Eden for support as she squatted. Vera could see the panic on Eden’s face. She was essentially holding Isla up, and the weight of that was apparent on her face. Literally.

“God, you weigh a ton.”

“Eden,” Vera scolded.

“She’s right,” Isla said through a pained laugh. “I’m sorry, but this just feels the best.”

“And I know why.”

Within two pushes, Isla had the baby’s head out. Both Isla’s and Eden’s legs were shaking from the position but neither of them moved. As Isla birthed their daughter, both she and Eden breathed a sigh of relief.

“Shit,” Isla sighed as she stood slightly and Eden helped her sit on the bed. Eden flopped down beside her as Vera held their baby girl against her chest. She unbuttoned her top and placed the baby onto her skin as she grabbed a nearby towel. Isla sat up on her elbows and looked down at her. “Is she okay?”

“She’s perfect.”

Vera cried happy tears as she handed the baby to Isla. Isla cradled the baby against her chest as Eden moved to sit behind her. Eden smiled at the baby over Isla’s shoulder.

“You did good, sis.”

“Thanks.” Isla reached behind her and put a hand on Eden’s cheek. “Thank you for being here. I couldn't have done that without you.”

“Absolutely.” Eden kissed Isla’s cheek. “I wouldn’t have wanted to miss your least attractive moment for anything.”

As Isla rolled her eyes, Vera playfully swatted at Eden’s leg with a laugh.

Since it was late, Isla and Vera decided to wait to tell Ellie and Brayden the next morning. But Mason needed to know now. When she softly knocked on the door less than an hour after the baby was born, she instantly started crying. She went to Isla and snuggled up beside her in bed as the baby nursed.

“Mom,” she cried happily, “you made that.”

“We made that,” Isla corrected, taking hold of Vera’s hand. She looked at Vera, who nodded.Vera knew what she was asking without words. “Would you two like to know the name?”

“It better be Eden since I basically birthed her myself.” Eden was on the nearby rocking chair, half asleep as she rocked it.

“Her name is Everleigh Claire.”

Vera watched Isla’s words register with her sister. Eden smiled, as Mason grinned ear to ear.Standing, Eden slowly walked over to the bed and sat facing Isla.

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