Page 70 of Finding Wonderland

“Vera,” Isla was instantly at her side, sitting beside her as she wrapped her arms around her. “Honey, what’s wrong?”

“Why didn’t you want to have sex with me?”

Isla furrowed her brow. What? She’d left work to come home and have sex with Vera. Of course, she wanted to have sex with her. In fact, her pants had gotten wet on the way home simply thinking about touching Vera.

“Honey, what do you mean? Of course, I want to have sex with you.”

“Not at the bar you didn’t.”

Isla hugged her tighter. “Vera, I was at work. I had employees running all around. That’s why we came home.”

Sad blue eyes looked up at Isla. “Do you not want to touch me because I’m pregnant?”

It was then Isla realized what was happening. Hormones. They had been a bitch both times Isla had been pregnant, but Ben was the last person she wanted to touch her. Instead, Isla had always just taken care of the need herself. She never had to worry about if anyone wanted her body while pregnant.

But it was clear Vera did. And Isla mentally kicked herself for not realizing that before now.

“Baby,” Isla kissed her head. “I love you so much. You’re so beautiful to me and I thought about touching you the whole drive home.”

“Really?”

“Really.” Framing Vera’s face with her hand, Isla softly kissed her lips. “You are the most beautiful woman in the world. Always, always know that.”

Vera nodded, then stood. There was something else on her mind. Isla could read her too well to not notice that. But she couldn’t decipher what else was bothering Vera. Thankfully, Vera started talking.

“You’ve just felt distant the last few days and I’ve been worried about us.”

As Vera let out a sob, Isla felt her heart breaking.

“Vera.”

Isla resisted the urge to go to her and hold her, knowing she needed to be open with what had been on her mind recently.

“Honey, I’m so sorry I ever made you feel that way. I know I’ve been stressed lately. It’s just all hitting me that we’re going to have twins. That’s two of everything for the next eighteen years, then two college tuitions to pay for. And Mason is fifteen, and she’ll need a car, but we can’t afford that, and I don’t know why I bought that beach house. It was so impulsive and I’m sorry and we could probably sell it.”

Vera took a step toward her, shaking her head.

“We’re not selling the beach house.” Reaching out, Vera tucked Isla’s hair behind her ear. “I wish you had told me you were so stressed.”

“I didn’t want to worry you.”

“Hello?” Vera laughed. “Have you met me? I always worry. Especially now. I’m worried about the babies and Mason and,” she paused, her voice lowering, “us.”

“Baby, there is never a reason to worry about us. I am always going to be here for you. Always. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“And if it helps,” she shrugged slightly, “I don’t have to take the extended maternity leave. I can go back to work sooner and that way…”

Isla shook her head. “No. No way. You’re taking as much time off with the birth and the babies as you need. We will figure it out.”

“But together? Right?”

She could feel the broken pieces of her heart coming back together at Vera’s words.

“Together.”

The look in Vera’s eyes told her they were going to be okay. But Isla needed to show her they were okay as well. Standing, she pulled Vera close.

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