Page 91 of Finding Wonderland

Vera leaned into Isla as they listened to Donna tell them what the next steps would be. There was so much information that Isla wasn’t sure how they were going to remember it all. Thankfully, Donna gave them plenty of pamphlets and scheduled an appointment in a few days to learn how to care for a toddler with Type 1 diabetes.

Donna kept Everleigh overnight as Isla and Vera stayed by her side. They called Mason to keep her updated, but Isla could tell by her voice she was as shaken as they were. Isla couldn’t wait until they were able to go home so she could check on her other kids.

But for now, Everleigh was the only thing on Isla’s mind.

Isla sat on the couch with Everleigh nursing as Vera sat beside her. Everleigh looked more alert than she had earlier, and Isla breathed a sigh of relief. She didn’t care it was after midnight and Everleigh might be hard to get back to sleep. Her baby was okay, at least for now.

As Everleigh nursed, she wrapped her tiny hand around Isla’s finger. Vera had carefully positioned her so the IV she was hooked up to wasn't in the way of her feeding. But it did little to stop Isla’s overactive mind.

“Do you think this is because I had a home birth?” Her fear was out in the open before Isla could stop it. Vera looked at her with confusion, so Isla continued. “Did I do something wrong?”

“Baby, no.” Vera put her arm around Isla’s shoulder and held her tight. “This isn’t your fault. You didn’t do anything wrong. Evie’s birth was beautiful and there is nothing we could have done differently to prevent this.”

Isla nodded her head, leaning into Vera more.

“And you didn’t either, Mama. But we’re going to fight this with Everleigh. Every step of the way. Together.”

“It is the Mackenzie way.” Vera kissed her cheek.

While Isla and Vera barely slept, the same couldn’t be said for Everleigh. She took turns sleeping in their arms or on their chests because they refused to put her back into the bassinet.

After being discharged the following morning, Isla and Vera took Everleigh back home. Mason had gotten Ellie and Brayden off to school and quickly met them at the car. She went into Isla’s arms immediately as she started sobbing.

“I was so scared, Mom.”

“I know, baby. We all were.”

“Is she going to be okay?”

“She is.” Isla rubbed her back to calm her down. “Mama and I have to learn a lot, but that’s okay. We can do it.”

“I want to learn too.” Mason nodded firmly. “And I’ve been reading. Did you know that service dogs can detect low blood sugar? Maybe I can train a dog for her.”

“We’ll talk about it, okay?”

“Okay.”

Vera carried Everleigh inside as Mason and Isla followed behind them. Sitting on the couch, Isla unbuttoned her top to feed Everleigh. Everleigh latched on quickly, and Isla let out a sigh of relief. While Vera went into the kitchen to get them coffee, Mason sat beside Isla.

“I can train her a dog, Mom. I know I can.”

“I know you can too, sweetie. I have no doubt in you whatsoever.”

Returning from the kitchen, Vera sat a mug of decaf coffee down on the end table beside Isla before sitting on the coffee table in front of them. Nala came into the room behind her, wagging her tail. She rested her head on Isla’s lap as she sniffed Everleigh.

“You saved her,” Vera cooed as she hugged Nala. Isla could see the tears streaming down her face. Mason reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. “I don’t think we need a service dog. We already have one.”

Chapter 32

Vera

2012

The warm Florida sun had felt beyond good on Vera’s skin. It had been too long since she’d been out of Maine, and she was happy to be spending Ellie and Brayden’s fall break from school relaxing at her sister-in-law’s Clearwater beach house. They had been there several times before but never with their whole family. Mason had also brought her friend, Chase Monroe, with them. She’d assured Isla and Vera a hundred times they were just friends, but Vera had a feeling something more could happen there. Vera loved Chase and made sure Mason knew she approved of her.

Walker, Chase, Mason, and her cousin, River Bennett, had taken Ellie and Brayden to Walt Disney World for the day. Vera was secretly relieved that the twenty-somethings had agreed to take the rambunctious seven-year-olds. It gave her time to relax with Isla, Everleigh, and Nora, Isla’s sister. And it gave her time to finally take a breath after the crazy year they’d had.

It has been a long but good year for the Mackenzie family. The year started with Everleigh’s birth just after the new year. Vera had helped Isla deliver her in their bedroom, and it was a moment she would never forget. In May, Ellie and Brayden finished kindergarten, and Vera still hadn’t recovered. Summer brought with it Everleigh’s Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, which the family was still figuring out. At least the service dog Mason had been training had been more than helpful in helping them know when Everleigh’s blood sugar was out of range.

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