Page 95 of Finding Wonderland

“Mom?” Ellie was sitting beside Isla, half-heartedly watching her brother’s game. “Can I have another dollar for the concession stand?”

Isla fished a few dollars from her bag and handed them to Ellie. “Get me a Diet Coke, please.”

“Mama said you can only have one per game, remember?” Ellie’s arched eyebrow and the you-know-I’m-right smirk were undeniably identical to Mason’s, who was sitting a few feet down with Everleigh asleep on her lap. Isla pulled Ellie close, sliding her against her hip on the metal bench.

“You can get another chocolate bar if you don’t tell Mama about the Diet Coke, okay?”

“Deal.”

She watched as Ellie scampered down the stairs, her long ponytail bobbing from side to side with each step. They’d spent nearly every Tuesday and Saturday the last few months inside the arena that had become their second home. But Isla loved knowing Brayden was happy, even if that meant holding her breath each time he got the puck. Isla watched as Brayden kept control of the puck and made a goal. Beside her, Vera stood and cheered.

“That’s it, Brayden! Good job!” Vera was on her feet, clapping as Brayden smiled up at her. They each gave a thumbs up, which they did every time Brayden made a goal. As she sat on the metal bench again, there was an undeniable smirk on her face. “I made that kid.”

“You had some help,” Isla teased.

“Nope. All me.” Smiling, Vera leaned in and kissed Isla. “I’m kidding. He looks like you, but he plays sports like me.”

“Thank God for that.”

Like Isla, Vera wore a sweatshirt with the team’s logo and Brayden’s name and jersey number on the back. Mason had one on, too, which warmed Isla’s heart. She loved how much her kids loved each other. She’d been worried about the fifteen-year age gap between her and Ellie and Brayden, but Mason loved them more than anything. And, if possible, she loved Everleigh even more.

Mason had been the best big sister for them. She always wanted to be around them and be involved. And when Everleigh received her diabetes diagnosis, Mason poured herself into learning everything she could about Type 1 diabetes and how she could help Everleigh. She’d also been able to open her own business, Paws on a Mission, and was working to train other service dogs for kids with diabetes.

Watching Mason flourish melted Isla’s heart. She deserved the world. All of her kids did. And Isla and Vera would do everything and anything within their power to help them reach all their dreams. Whether financially helping Mason start her business or cringing at hockey games when her little boy got pushed around in a game, Isla would do anything for their kids.

“Um, what does she have?” Vera asked as she nodded toward Ellie, who was walking up the stairs with a Diet Coke under her arm, a candy bar in her hand, and a wide grin on her face. “I thought we agreed to no more snacks after the second intermission.”

“Halftime,” Isla corrected, only to get a glare from Vera.

“Baby, no,” she sighed, shaking her head. “We’ve been over this.”

“It’s not my fault this sport is weird. Every other sport has halftime.”

“Baseball doesn’t.”

It was Isla’s turn to glare at Vera, who laughed.

“Here you go, Mommy,” Ellie handed Isla the Diet Coke before snuggling between them, happily munching on her candy bar.

“Thank you, baby.”

“You’re going to ruin your dinner, Mommy,” Vera playfully scolded.

Isla took a sip of her Diet Coke and hummed happily. “Worth it.”

After the hockey game ended, they all headed to Brayden’s favorite Mexican restaurant to celebrate the win. Brayden happily recounted his favorite moments of the game to them as if they hadn’t been there. But his passion for the game made Isla’s heart soar. He was such a good kid and was quickly becoming a decent hockey player as well. His dedication and natural talent for his age impressed Isla and Vera.

Isla had never pictured herself as a boy mom, but she had to admit she loved it. Brayden constantly kept them on their toes, literally and figuratively. If they weren’t hopping from one sporting event to another, they were reminding him for the umpteenth time that reptiles of any shape and size belong outside or in an enclosure and not on the dining room table. She’d taken her morning coffee beside one too many lizards for her liking.

It was late by the time they arrived home, so Vera helped Ellie and Brayden get showered and ready for bed while Isla took Everleigh. Their baby had just turned a year old a few weeks prior, and Isla still couldn’t believe it. She wasn’t quite ready for Everleigh to be a toddler yet. Thankfully, Everleigh still wanted a nighttime comfort feed before bed, which allowed Isla and her some much-needed one-on-one time.

Settling into the oversized recliner in Everleigh’s room, Isla cradled her in her arms as she nursed. Isla would never not be amazed that her body was still taking care of Everleigh a year after giving birth to her. She’d breastfed Everleigh longer than Blake or Mason, but Everleigh didn’t seem to be in any rush to give up her nighttime feeding. Even if she had forgone all other feedings for actual food.

The door to the room opened slowly as Brayden carefully carried a glass of water inside. It was something he’d done a lot since Everleigh was born. He heard Vera saying that Isla needed to drink water while breastfeeding, so he always brought her a glass of water. The gesture was beyond sweet to Isla, and she savored the time with her babies. Everleigh was done feeding and asleep in her arms, so Isla adjusted her position so Brayden could cuddle up in the recliner with them.

“You played good today, Bray.” Isla kissed his shaggy blonde hair and slipped an arm around his shoulders. “I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks, Mom,” his still childlike giggle was one sound Isla wanted to commit to memory. Brayden rested his head on her shoulder and yawned, and it wasn’t long before he was asleep.

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