Page 100 of Finding Wonderland

“Hey, it’s okay.” Isla put a hand on her shoulder. “Take the rest of the night off. I’ll drive us home.”

“Are you sure?”

“Honey,” Isla laughed, “I’ve birthed three kids. I know how painful it is when you haven’t pumped in a while. I’m not making you stay here when you’re uncomfortable.”

Alexis sheepishly smiled. “Thanks.”

Heading outside, they got into Isla’s Jeep and headed for the farmhouse. They had driven to Straight to Ale together once Alexis dropped Harper off. Isla had planned on working in her office or mingling with people during Alexis’s shift, but calling it an early night worked just as well for her.

“I feel like I’m going to explode,” Alexis groaned as she cradled her breasts in her hands.

“Don’t tell your doctor that,” Isla chuckled. “Dr. Mackenzie is a stickler for not going too long without pumping or feeding.”

“Oh, I know. I’ve gotten the lecture, too.” Alexis laughed. “She had to help me get the pipes unclogged a few days ago and I got the lecture.”

“For someone who isn’t a lactation specialist, she sure likes to boss people around.”

Isla turned on the radio, letting a soft rock song play as they drove. Halfway home, Alexis dug tissues out of her bag and lifted up her shirt. She stuck them into her bra.

“Sorry, I’m leaking.”

“Honey,” Isla put a hand on her knee, “I told you. It’s okay. I’ve been there. More times than I can count. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Your body is doing amazing work. Just look at it that way.”

She offered Alexis a smile as they pulled into the driveway. Parking the Jeep, they headed up the stairs to the front door. Isla opened it for Alexis as she started taking her top off once she saw that only Vera and Harper were in the living room. Since it was after nine, she assumed the kids would already be in bed.

“Well, hey, Lex,” Vera chuckled. She was sitting in the recliner rocking Harper.

“Don’t talk to her, she’s going to explode.” Isla laughed as she sat her bag down by the front door before sitting on the couch.

“Literally, my bra is already soaked. I forgot my pump in the bag I left here.” Alexis gently woke Harper as she picked her up from Vera’s arms as Isla watched her whole body language change. Although the circumstances surrounding Harper’s conception had been horrible, anyone could see how in love Alexis was with her daughter. “Hi, sweet baby.”

Unhooking the clip in the front of her bra, Alexis settled onto the couch as Harper latched on. Vera stood, digging in Alexis’s diaper bag for the pump. Alexis preferred to pump while feeding, so Vera helped her get everything set up.

Isla fell more in love with Vera every time she saw her taking care of their family. She never saw Mason’s friends as anything but part of their family, and she helped Alexis just like she would have helped Mason. Neither of them felt embarrassed to help, and Isla was thankful that Alexis felt so comfortable in their home.

While Alexis fed Harper, Isla turned on the TV. They found a movie to watch as Alexis finished Harper’s feeding. Always wanting more baby time, Vera offered to burp her and rock her to sleep. Alexis let her do it as Isla laughed.

“You better watch out,” she winked at Vera. “She’ll steal that baby.”

“I can’t help it if I’m obsessed with her.” Vera cooed as Harper smiled at her.

“She loved her Nana Vera,” Alexis added with a yawn. Without hesitating, she laid on the couch and put her head on Isla’s lap.

“And her Nana Vera loves her.”

Isla’s heart swelled as she ran her hand through Alexis’s dark blonde hair. She had been through so much over the last year that Isla was relieved to see her contently falling asleep on her lap. And seeing Vera with a baby would never not make Isla remember seeing her holding their own babies.

“Babies look good on you,” Isla commented with a smirk. Vera rolled her eyes, laughing. “I’m just saying.”

“I thought we were done having babies?”

“I don’t know.” She could feel her eyes sparkling as she smiled. “I like seeing you like this.”

“At least with this one, we can send her home.”

Isla chuckled. “Fair point.”

On her lap, Alexis had fallen asleep. Isla took the blanket off the back of the couch and covered her up with it as she continued to play with her hair.

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