Chapter 22
Vera
2005
S tanding in a courthouse in a white sundress wasn’t exactly the image Vera had always had of her wedding day. Granted, she didn’t think getting married at all would ever happen. Not because she didn’t find the right person, but because antiquated laws prohibited her from officially marrying Isla Mackenzie.
But that was all changing thanks to the state of Massachusetts.
As soon as they heard the news that gay marriage was legal in Massachusetts, both Isla and Vera took time off from work, packed Mason up in the car, and headed south. They impatiently waited the three days after applying for their marriage license before they were finally in a crowded city hall waiting for their names to be called.
Vera nervously straightened out her dress for the hundredth time. She’d found the dress years ago and purchased it in the hopes of one day wearing it to her wedding. But as the years went on, she forgot about the dress pushed back in her closet. Isla had been the one to pull it out the night they heard about the legalization.
As the news played on the TV, Isla and Vera jumped up from the couch and hugged each other. Happy tears filled both their eyes as they celebrated the victory so many had been waiting for. Isla had ran to the bedroom, pulled out the dress, and held it up for Vera.
“We can get married now.”
“I can’t believe this is actually happening.”
“Do you still want to marry me?” Isla was teasing, but there was no doubt in Vera’s mind.
“I’m ready to run down the aisle with you.”
The memory was still fresh in Vera’s mind, not only because it happened less than a week prior but because she never wanted to forget that feeling.
Isla took Vera’s hand and squeezed it. “We've waited eight years for this.”
“I can’t believe it’s happening.”
Beside them, Mason rolled her eyes. “I love you both, but this is getting sickening.”
At fourteen, Mason was in her moody teen years. She was still as sweet as ever, for the most part, but she’d developed an attitude that constantly kept Isla and Vera on their toes. But Vera wouldn’t have it any other way. Vera loved Mason as if she were her own daughter. And in Vera’s eyes, she was.
But adopting Mason was something Vera wanted to be official. She had wanted to do it for years, ever since she found out Mason’s father had his rights to Mason terminated. The holdup was that Vera never understood the process. When she finally got the nerve to ask someone at the courthouse in Portland, they told her they didn’t recognize same sex adoptions. Vera had been crushed, and vowed not to bring it up to Isla or Mason until she knew exactly what she had to do.
Thankfully, a local lawyer had helped Vera navigate the complicated world of adoption and was ready to help them move forward once she asked Isla and Mason. Which was why she had plans to do just that after the ceremony.
One thing at a time , she reminded herself as she smiled at Mason.
“I’m going to remember that comment on your wedding day and tell you the same thing.”
“I’m not getting married,” Mason quipped.
Isla and Vera exchanged glances, knowing it was best not to engage with Mason on certain topics. After all, she was only fourteen. She’d change her mind about marriage a hundred times over the years if she were anything like Vera and through it all, Vera would support her.
“Mackenzie and Forsyth?” A younger blonde woman in high heels and a pantsuit stepped out of the courtroom. Vera squeezed Isla’s hand as they walked toward her.
“This is your last chance to back out,” Isla whispered.
“Never. You’re stuck with me forever.”
“Thank God.”
They followed the woman inside the courtroom where a judge was waiting for them. The ceremony was short, sweet, and to the point. Isla and Vera exchanged vows and rings and a kiss to seal the deal. As the judge announced them wife and wife, Vera caught a glimpse of Mason out of the corner of her eyes. She was crying happy tears, just like Isla and Vera.
As Vera savored her first kiss as Isla Mackenzie’s wife, she playfully dipped Isla back as they both laughed. Even Mason was laughing, which made Vera smile more.
“We’re married!” Isla squealed as she framed Vera’s face with her hands and kissed her again. “How does it feel, Mrs. Mackenzie?”
“Pretty damn good, Mrs. Mackenzie.”
Vera knew she wanted to take Isla’s name for years. The Forsyth family name meant little to Vera, but the Mackenzie name was everything to her. More importantly, it was Mason’s last name. It was important to Vera, and she hoped Mason understood that one day.
Holding out their arms toward Mason, Vera watched as she ran into their embrace. Vera’s mind went back to the first hug she’d ever gotten from a four-year-old Mason. She savored the feeling of Mason’s arms wrapped around her, knowing her teenage years might mean less hugs.
As usual, they both let Mason dictate how long the hug should be. When she pulled away, they signed the certificate, thanked the judge, and headed outside hand in hand. Mason was walking a few feet ahead of them, her hands stuffed into the pockets of the black pants she was wearing.
“Hey,” a young man waved at them, “would you like a photo?”
“Excuse me?” Vera asked.
“I’m taking free wedding photos.” With a grin on his face, he held up a Polaroid camera. A rainbow strap dangled down from the camera, which made Vera smile. “Everyone deserves wedding photos.”
“What do you say?” Vera asked Isla and Mason.
“It’s better than an oil painting they had back when you all were kids for pictures,” Mason teased as she expertly avoided Vera’s playful flick on the arm.
Isla and Vera posed for a couple of shots in front of the courthouse, then brought Mason in for a photo. In classic Mason style, she wedged her way between the two of them and wrapped her arms around their waists. Vera had to stop the tears from falling over the fact she was standing by her wife and daughter. She wanted the photos to be perfect.
After the impromptu photo session, they gave the man a small tip for the photos as they walked to their car. Isla was flipping through the few photos, giggling as she commented on how she was going to frame them all as soon as they got home.
Now’s the time…
“You know what else I’d love to frame?” Vera asked as they arrived at the car. Both Isla and Mason paused, waiting on her to continue. “My adoption papers for Mason.”
Vera watched as her words slowly sank in with Mason first, then Isla. Mason jumped up and down before darting over to Vera and hugging her. It was the tightest hug that Vera had ever received from her.
“You want to adopt me?” Mason asked against Vera’s shoulder.
“I do,” she locked eyes with Isla, “if it’s okay with your mom.”
Mason whipped around to look at Isla. “Mom?”
It was clear that Isla was overwhelmed with emotions. She had a hand over her heart as tears streamed down her face.
“You want to adopt Mason,” she repeated as she slowly walked over to them. “Can we do that?”
“I’ve been talking to a lawyer. We can do it. It’s legal here in Massachusetts.”
“Mom,” Mason looked up at Isla, “can Mama adopt me?”
Isla’s smile grew wider. “Of course, she can, Mace. She’s your mama.”
“This is the best day ever!” Mason pulled them all into another hug, which was becoming the theme of the day. Vera begged her brain to remember every single moment of the day, and was thankful for the few photos they had to cherish the day forever. “I love you, Mommy,” Mason kissed Isla’s cheek.
“I love you too, Mason.”
“I love you too, Mama.”
Vera swallowed the lump in her throat and kissed Mason’s forehead. “I love you too, Mace. Always.”