Page 123 of When Ellie Falls in Love

“A hundred percent,” Ellie firmly nodded. “All the way from start to finish.” She involuntarily giggled at the last word, and she saw Vera roll her eyes as Isla chuckled.

“As if we ever needed more proof that you’re my kid.” Isla patted Ellie’s knee as she laughed. But a stern look from Vera made Isla stop and focus again. “Was everything safe?”

Ellie and Vera both snapped their heads toward Isla. She didn’t have to look at her mama to know they both had a confused look on their face as Isla seemed to realize what she’d asked.

“Sorry. Wrong kid. I need a Diet Coke.”

“It’s five a.m.,” Vera gently scolded.

“I absolutely do not see your point.”

Standing, Isla stretched as her Tom Petty tee raised to show her stomach. Ellie looked at her mama, who was clearly taking in the sight of her wife. They were ridiculously in love with each other and Ellie loved it so much.

“We’ve been up for hours and our baby isn’t a baby anymore. I need a Diet Coke.”

Isla motioned for them to follow her as she walked out of the bedroom. Which, of course, they did. But not before Vera framed Ellie’s cheeks with her hands as they were about to walk out the bedroom door. She watched Vera’s eyes study her before she asked the same question again.

“Are you okay?”

“I am, Mama.”

“Everything go okay?”

Ellie nodded. “It did.”

“Did my diagrams help?” Vera’s question made them both giggle. Her mama was one of the most sex-positive people Ellie knew and she’d raised all her kids to be the same way.

“I think they did,” Ellie giggled.

“Good. I love you.”

“I love you, too, Mama.”

Vera kissed Ellie’s cheek before they headed down the stairs. Isla was making coffee for Vera as two Diet Cokes sat on the table already. Ellie took a seat where one of the Diet Cokes were as Vera and Isla sat on either side of her.

“I feel like I should offer you something stronger.”

“Isla,” Vera scolded as she sipped her coffee.

“What? She’s had a drink before.”

“That’s so not the point.”

Isla stuck her tongue out at Vera, who did the same. Her parents were such dorks, but Ellie knew she couldn’t love them more if she tried.

They chatted for a few more moments about the night before as they made sure repeatedly that Ellie was okay. She knew most kids her age would have been annoyed by their parents having that conversation with them, but Ellie appreciated the fact her parents cared enough about her to want to check in with her. Their goal wasn’t to scold her or shame her; it was to help her process her feelings over averybig event in her life. And Ellie would forever be grateful for that.

“I smell coffee.”

Eden came shuffling into the kitchen half asleep. She had on fuzzy slippers, soccer ball lounge pants, and a Concord Comets football club tee. Her hair was a mess of curls, and Ellie watched as she poured herself a cup of coffee before seemingly realizing she’d walked in on something.

“Is this the post Ellie having sex meeting?”

“Eden,” Isla, Vera,andEllie all said in unison.

“How did you know?” Ellie asked as Eden sat at the table across from her.

“You have a glow and your moms look like they need a drink.” Eden sipped her coffee, but Ellie could tell she was smiling because of her eyes. The Mackenzies eyes could always give them away. “So, how was it?”

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