Page 65 of Finding Wonderland

“Baby, would you care if I got some cider?”

“Why would I care?”

“Because you can’t,” Isla said with a wince. But Vera waved her off.

“I’m carrying our child. That’s better than any cider ever.”

“Great,” Mason laughed again, “she’s more sentimental now.”

“Yeah, it’s gonna be a long nine months,” Isla teased, then kissed Vera. “But we’re going to enjoy every moment.”

“Hell, yes, we will.” Vera reached her hand out to Mason, pulling her closer to them again. “Together. As a family.”

“Like we know how to do anything else.” Mason’s comment made them laugh, but Isla knew how true it was. Their family was everything to them, and the baby was going to be perfectly at home in their family. “Can I go tell Walker?”

Isla was about to say no, that she should wait. But Vera beat her to the answer.

“Of course, Mace.”

“Thanks, Mama!”

After a quick kiss on Vera’s cheek, Mason ran off to find Walker. The two had grown up together, with Walker spending most weekends at their house. Isla loved that Mason and her friends were so close. She deserved that support system, and Isla hoped it would continue as they grew older.

As they strolled through the festival together, Isla took Vera's hand again.

“I’m so happy.”

“Just think,” Vera said in a dreamy voice, “this time next year, we’ll be here with our baby.”

Our baby.

The words were music to Isla’s ears. She pulled Vera in for yet another kiss and smiled.

“Mason’s right. You are more sentimental.”

“What can I say?” Vera smirked. “It’s what being in love with you, having the best daughter in the world, and being pregnant with your baby does to me.”

Chapter 24

Vera

2006

Making it to the twelve-week mark was a feat Vera was beyond happy to reach. Her first ultrasound six weeks ago had confirmed a healthy pregnancy, and Vera was beyond excited to see their baby again at her next appointment later that day. The first trimester had been rough, with morning sickness ruining most days for Vera. She felt bloated most of the time and was already frustrated that her favorite pair of pants weren’t fitting.

But Vera wasn’t complaining, at least not too much. Knowing her baby was alive and doing well made all the pain of losing Cole and the side effects from the current pregnancy worth it. The only complaint Vera did have was the fact nothing in her closet fit her.

“Ugh,” Vera groaned as she threw the pants onto the bed next to where Isla was lying. “Why is nothing fitting? I know I’m twelve weeks along, but come on.”

Turning sideways, Vera ran her hands down her already-pronounced baby bump as she looked at Isla.

“Were you this big at twelve weeks?”

She could see Isla’s hesitation to answer as she sat up on the edge of the bed. “Well, no, but all pregnancies are different.”

“Apparently I’m going to be an elephant by my eighth month.”

“Vera,” Isla laughed sympathetically as she stood and pulled Vera into a hug. “You’re beautiful.”

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