Page 99 of Finding Wonderland

“I love you, too, Mace.” Vera kissed her head. “So much.”

Looking up at her, Mason swallowed as Vera noticed she looked as emotional as Vera felt. Vera tenderly tucked Mason’s hair behind her ear as she cradled her cheek in her hand.

“What’s on your mind, baby?”

Tears brimmed Mason’s eyes as she said, “I’m just so thankful you’re my mama.”

Vera wasted no time pulling Mason into a hug. The two had a special bond since they first met, and Vera thanked God every day that bond was still as strong as ever. Kissing Mason’s cheek, Vera kept her grip tight around Mason.

“I’m so thankful to be your mama.”

After a few more minutes of everyone celebrating Ellie, they made plans to head to Any Given Sundae to celebrate. By the time they got home, Brayden and Ellie were so tired they didn’t put up a fight to go to bed. They had picked up Everleigh from Cameron’s on the way home and checked her blood sugar before putting her in bed as well. Isla had hopped into the shower as Vera made her way down the stairs for a glass of water.

The house being so quiet was odd. Vera much preferred the sounds of her kids’ laughing and playing than the stillness of the night. Taking her glass of water into the living room, Vera sat down on the recliner. It had been her favorite place to sit ever since she was pregnant with Brayden and Ellie. Getting comfortable with twins was easier said than done, so the recliner had been her best friend.

Vera mindlessly placed her hand on her stomach as she remembered those days. She’d been so excited to be pregnant, trying to enjoy everything. Closing her eyes, Vera could still feel the way it felt when Ellie or Brayden moved inside her as she tried to sleep in the recliner. More nights than not, Mason had slept on the couch beside her, not wanting Vera to have to sleep alone. It didn’t matter how many times Vera told her to go back to her own bed, Mason was perfectly satisfied on the couch.

Those memories melted into the ones of nursing Ellie and Brayden in the recliner. While Brayden was content to switch between breastfeeding and the bottle, Ellie only wanted Vera. It had been the same with Everleigh and Isla. And Vera savored those memories of her babies. Even if she couldn’t believe that her little girl had just performed in her first-ever musical.

“I thought I’d find you down here.” Isla’s voice startled Vera from her memories. She watched as her wife walked over to the ottoman and pulled it closer to the recliner. “What’s on your mind, baby?”

“Ellie,” she sadly sighed. “And Brayden and Mason and Everleigh. I can’t believe they’re all growing up so quickly. It feels like just last week I was stressing over if Ellie and Brayden were getting enough to eat while nursing.”

Isla chuckled softly. “I think the fact they popped out at almost eight pounds each set them up for success there.”

“Oof,” Vera dramatically groaned, “don’t remind my vagina of that. It’s still mad I didn’t do a C-section.”

“You did an amazing job birthing our babies.”

“You did, too.” Leaning in, Vera kissed Isla. “I love you so much, Isla.”

“I love you more, Vera.”

“There’s absolutely no way.”

“Oh yeah?” Isla cocked her head and raised an eyebrow at her. “Come back upstairs, and let me show you how much I love you.”

Chapter 35

Isla

2015

Straight to Ale had a decent crowd for a Monday night, which was typically their slowest night. Isla had hung around after her normal leaving time, talking with Alexis at the bar about Harper. She was four months old and was the light of Alexis’s life. Since having Harper, Alexis had only recently begun working again a few nights a week.

Isla tried her best to give her the shifts that worked best for her and Harper’s schedules, so she rarely scheduled her late shifts. But with Sophia and Emily out of town for the weekend, Alexis had offered to help cover the late shift in exchange for Vera watching Harper. The arrangement was great for everyone as it allowed Alexis to work while giving Vera time with the baby.

Although Alexis wasn’t their kid, they still saw Harper as their grandkid. Alexis had grown up with Mason, and Vera had helped deliver Harper. They were all connected, and the bonds couldn’t be broken.

Alexis looked at her watch. “Is it okay if I go pump?”

“Lex, I told you that you don’t have to ask to do that.”

Smiling, Alexis nodded as they walked to the back of the restaurant together. Alexis usually kept her pump in the office when she was working so she could have privacy. But as she rummaged in the diaper bag that doubled as her purse these days, Alexis groaned.

“Shit, it must be in the bag I left at your house with Harper.”

Isla could see the panic on Alexis’s face. Her shift still had a few more hours, but the restaurant was quiet. And with Alexis holding her breast, she knew she wouldn’t make it to the end of her if she couldn’t pump.

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