Chapter 21
Isla
2005
S ummer was finally on the horizon, and Isla was beyond thankful to kiss winter goodbye. They’d had more snow in the last winter than Isla could remember. Granted, it was probably because she had been the one who had been stuck shoveling the snow off the driveway all winter. Mason had broken her arm ice skating, and Vera had been recovering from her miscarriage, so Isla wouldn’t let her do manual labor.
Even though Isla knew Vera was more than capable of doing it. Isla didn’t want her to. She loved her and wanted her to be treated like the queen Isla saw her as. And if that meant shoveling snow, then that’s what Isla would do.
For months on end, it seemed.
Thankfully, there was no snow in sight at the Cape Cod beach house they had been renting for the past few summers. They loved it there. The house was beyond perfect with its easy beach access, private swimming pool, and enough bedrooms for all their friends and future kids.
And, thanks to Isla’s smart business move, they’d never have to rent the house again.
Isla had purchased the house on a whim when the owner contacted her a few months ago. They were an older couple who lived most of the year in Florida and were tired of keeping up the extra house. Knowing how much Isla and her family loved it, they wanted her to know they were selling it and weren’t sure if the new owners would want to rent it. Without asking Vera, Isla told them she wanted to buy it.
The sale had gone through quickly, and now Isla had to find the perfect time to tell Vera and Mason the house they were staying in was theirs.
Of course, Isla was worried Vera would flip over the large purchase. But Isla knew it was an investment not only in the house but also in their family. They could go to the house on school breaks and the summer or just for weekend getaways. The previous owners had left most of the furnishings, which meant they wouldn’t have to do much in terms of furniture buying. Although Isla had packed a small box of framed photos to place around the house of their family.
She had also purchased a red maple sapling to plant in their backyard. Isla wanted it to be in remembrance of the baby they’d lost, but also a reminder that life keeps going.
It had been a hard situation for both Isla and Vera, and even Mason, but it had affected Vera more than any of them. She’d struggled for weeks before finally seeing a therapist. Isla had gone with her several times, and she was happy to see Vera doing so well now. The memory of what happened would always stay with them, but Isla knew they were on the other side of the pain now.
With the state of Massachusetts finally legalizing same-sex marriage, Isla was more than ready to start the next chapter of their lives as Mrs. and Mrs. Mackenzie. Marrying Vera had been only a dream for so long that Isla kept pinching herself to make sure that it was really happening. They had applied for their wedding license two days ago and had to wait one more before they could officially be married. But Isla knew they’d waited long enough. They could make it one more day.
Grabbing a shovel from the shed, Isla walked over to where Vera and Mason had picked out a spot for the tree. It was near the pool deck, which meant it would provide shade for them as it grew. Isla stuck the shovel into the ground and smiled at Vera. She looked beyond stunning in a simple green dress that was flowing gently in the wind. Her dark blonde hair was longer than it ever had been, and Isla loved running her fingers through it.
“So, is this the spot?”
“I think so,” Vera nodded firmly, wrapping an arm around Mason’s shoulders. “Mason picked it out.”
“I think it’s perfect, Mace.” Isla smiled at her daughter.
“Are you sure the owners don’t mind?” Vera had been worried about them planting a tree, but Isla had assured her the owner had approved. And it wasn’t a lie since Isla was the owner.
Without much fanfare, they got to work digging a hole and planting the tree. Vera placed fresh dirt around its roots while Mason found a rock in the landscaping and twirled it around in her hands. Mason often fidgeted with things when she was processing something. Isla didn’t ask what it was about; she had a feeling she knew the answer. Mason had struggled to express her feelings over the miscarriage, but they both knew it’d hurt her as much as it had them.
“I love it,” Vera said, admiring the tree with tears in her eyes.
“I do, too.” Pulling Vera into her arms, Isla held her with her head on her shoulder. Mason seemed to know they needed a moment alone and headed inside. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Vera took a deep breath. She leaned back in Isla’s arms just enough to see her eyes. “I need to tell you something.”
“That’s funny because I need to tell you something.”
“You go first.”
“No, you,” Isla laughed. “What’s up?”
Vera bit her lip as her gaze lowered from Isla’s. There was an unsure smile across her face as if Vera wasn’t sure she should tell Isla what was on her mind. Isla squeezed her forearms, giving her a silent sign it was okay to go on.
“I think I’m ready.”
“Ready for…” Isla waited for Vera to continue.
“To try for another baby.” The words were accompanied by one of the biggest smiles Isla had ever seen on Vera’s face. Isla couldn’t stop from smiling as she framed Vera’s face with her hands. “I love you so much, and I want to have your baby. I know we’ll never get over losing Cole.”
Vera paused, and Isla felt her breath hitch in her throat at the name. Their therapist had encouraged them to name the baby as a way to make him real. Isla had struggled with it because their loss was real to her, but she and Vera had talked about it for days and Vera needed it. She needed something to let go of, and naming their baby helped her.
Cole had made the top of the baby boy name list quickly. It was one of the few they had instantly greened on when Vera first became pregnant. Cole for a boy and Eleanor for a girl.
Leaning in, Isla kissed Vera’s forehead as she continued.
“But I want to have your baby, Isla. It’s what I have dreamed about since we met. Me, you, Mason, and all the kids we’re blessed to have. We can spend summers here at the beach house and it’ll be perfect. I think now’s the right time.”
“I agree.”
“You do?” Vera nearly sobbed the words.
“Did you think I changed my mind about having a baby with you?” Knowing Vera needed it, Isla pulled her back into a hug. “Vera, I want as many kids with you as we can have. I love you and I can’t wait to grow our family with you.”
“It’ll mean you have to start hormone treatments again if we’re using your egg.”
“I’ll do anything to make a baby with you.”
Kissing again, Isla knew where the day was heading. They made their way back inside to their bedroom, where they made love until they were both insanely breathless. Vera was lying on the bed, her feet dangling off the side as Isla sat on the floor between her legs.
“If that could make babies, we’d have a thousand kids.”
Chuckling, Isla kissed Vera's leg. “I heard that.”
“Do you think we should go check on Mason?”
“She knows what we’re doing.”
Putting her leg over Isla, Vera slid off the bed and onto the floor beside her. She only had her bra on, only because Isla had fumbled with the hook and couldn’t get it off. Vera rested her head on Isla’s shoulder.
“She’s going to be the best big sister.”
“She will be.” Isla paused for a moment before saying, “Just like Blake was.”
Isla loved how open she could be about Blake with Vera. Vera not only listened to her pain, but she took it as her own as well. They both grieved Blake's absence in their lives, even if Vera had never met her.
“One day,” Vera placed her hand on Isla’s upper thigh and drew small circles with her fingertips, “our whole family is going to be here under that tree together and it’s going to be beautiful.”
For a moment, Isla thought about how much she wanted that dream to come true. But then she remembered.
“Oh, my God!”
“What?” The panic on Vera’s face made Isla regret yelling.
“I’m sorry. I just remembered I didn’t tell you my news.”
“Oh,” relief washed over Vera’s face, “tell me.”
“I bought the beach house.”
“This beach house?”
“This beach house.”
“What?” Vera was excited; that much was clear. And it was a relief to Isla. She told her the story of what happened with the previous owner, and Vera agreed that it was the right thing to do. “I love it here. So much. I can’t wait to bring Mason and our kids out here every summer.”
“And every school break. We own this house now.”
“Have you told Mason?”
“Our daughter who can’t keep a secret?” Isla playfully scoffed. “No. She doesn’t know yet.”
“Well, come on.” Standing, Vera pulled Isla to her feet. “Let’s go tell her.”
“Maybe after we put some clothes on.”
A few minutes later, they headed downstairs to find Mason. But she wasn’t anywhere in the house. Isla checked downstairs before coming back up to find Vera standing at the large, two-story, floor-to-ceiling windows that made up one part of the back wall. Her eyes were locked on something outside, and tears were slowly streaming down her cheeks.
Standing beside her, Isla followed her gaze. Her eyes landed on Mason, who was sitting cross-legged under the tree. Her back was to them, so they couldn’t see her face. Isla put an arm around Vera’s waist and pulled her close.
“I forget how much this affected her until I see her like this.”
“I know.” Isla kissed her head. “She takes on our pain so much.”
“She’s just the best kid.”
“She is. And she’s going to be so happy about the house.” Isla smiled, hoping it would make Vera smile. And it did, a little.
“Let’s not tell her we’re trying for another baby. Not yet.”
“That can completely be your call.”
“Thanks.”
Taking a deep breath, Vera walked over to the backdoor and slid it open. Hand in hand, they walked out to where Mason was sitting. It was then Isla could see that Mason had written Cole on the rock and placed it at the foot of the tree. Her emotions nearly bubbled over but she kept herself composed for Mason and Vera.
Mason looked up at them, her sweet little fourteen-year-old grin melting Isla’s heart.
“Just so he can be here with us.”
Beside her, Isla knew Vera was about to lose it. Mason was her baby and the two had a bond that even Isla couldn’t understand. They had been linked in ways Isla had never expected since the moment they met. Kneeling down beside Mason, Vera kissed the top of her head.
“It’s perfect.”
Although Mason didn’t normally want hugs, she freely gave them to Vera when she knew her mama needed them. Isla let the two have a moment before she sat on the other side of Mason.
“Maybe we’ll plant some flowers around the tree, too.”
“Will the owner care?” Mason looked at her from Vera’s embrace.
“No,” Isla smirked, “because Mama and I own this house now.”
“What!” Mason exclaimed as she looked at Vera and then back at Isla. “Are you serious?”
“We are.”
“Yes! I love it here!” Her excitement vanished in an instant and Isla’s heart sank. “Wait, we’re not leaving the Cove, are we?”
“No, honey.”
“Never,” Vera reassured. “The Cove is our home. Your mom and I want to raise you and any sibling there. This will just be our little getaway place.”
“Wait.” Mason narrowed her eyes at Vera. “Are you pregnant?”
Vera seemed to just realize what she’d said as she looked at Isla for help. But Isla didn’t know what to say either. She nodded, trying to silently give Vera the okay to tell Mason they were going to start the process again if she wanted to tell her.
Which, of course, Vera did.
“But I’ll always be your favorite kid, right?” Mason joked, which made them all laugh.
“Always, sweetie.” Vera kissed her forehead. “Always.”