Chapter 42
Vera
2021
S ummers in the Cape were Vera’s absolute favorite. Especially since the year before, their trips had been short since Blake had arrived back into their lives. Not that Vera was complaining. She’d pick Blake in their lives over time in Cape Cod any day.
Even if Blake’s presence this year for their Fourth of July celebration was accompanied by Isla’s growing anger at the fact she and Blake still hadn’t reconnected. At least not in the way Isla had wanted them to. Vera knew the last year had been hard on Isla. They had fought more than ever before, and their sex life had taken a hit from all the anger Isla was carrying.
Vera had tried to encourage Isla to go to therapy and get help, but that only seemed to make Isla mad at her. And that was something Vera wasn’t used to. Until the past year, Vera couldn’t remember a time when they’d fought about anything other than Walker. Not seriously, at least.
But Isla was holding on so tightly to her anger that Vera knew it was only a matter of time before she exploded. Vera’s only hope was that it would be on her and not the kids—not that Isla would ever lay a hand on any of them. That wasn’t what Vera was worried about. What she was worried about was Isla's ability to shoot daggers with her words when she was hurt.
And Isla was more hurt now than Vera had ever seen her before.
Ever since Blake arrived in the Cove a little over a year ago, Isla had been desperately trying to connect with her. Since the beginning, Isla had said she wanted Blake to dictate how their relationship went. But Vera knew that Blake’s timeline wasn’t Isla’s. Isla was ready to be Blake’s mom again. She wanted those late-night talks, the silly inside jokes, the long phone calls where they talked about nothing and everything.
So far, though, Blake hasn’t been ready for that.
Vera could see that from her place on the outside looking in. She could see Isla’s pain as clearly as she could see Blake’s hesitation. No matter how much she or Isla tried to talk to Blake and explain the situation fully, Blake had still spent almost her entire life thinking Isla didn’t want her. Vera knew that was going to take time for Blake to overcome, especially since she was as stubborn as her mother and wasn’t in therapy.
All Vera could do now was hope that Isla’s anger didn’t boil over until they got back home to the Cove. Vera planned to have a long, long overdue conversation with Isla about how she had to let her anger go for the sake of her family. The kids were starting to notice, especially Mason and Everleigh. They were always the most in tune with Isla and Vera, so they always knew first when something wasn’t right.
The backdoor slid open as Mason stepped inside. She was wearing a bright orange two-piece bathing suit and flip-flops. Her skin was perfectly tanned, which made Vera jealous. Vera burned, not tanned.
“Hey, love bug.” Vera kissed Mason’s cheek as she walked over to her. “Want to help me carry this outside?”
She gestured to the lemonade she’d just finished preparing and the stack of reusable cups. Mason nodded, but Vera could tell something was on her mind. She didn’t have to ask to know. Vera sighed, covering Mason’s hand with hers on the counter.
“Is it your mom?”
Mason nodded. Of all their kids, Mason took Isla’s silent anger the hardest. She was a mommies’ girl. More so than any of the other kids.
“Mom is upset about Blake. Not you.”
“I figured.” Mason shrugged, avoiding Vera’s eyes. “She’s been like this for like a year, though.”
Vera sighed. “I know, baby. But this has been really hard on her.”
“It’s been hard on me too,” Mason mumbled quickly, and Vera put her arm around her shoulder. “I wanted Blake back too. None of this is going how I thought it would. She’s not the only one hurting.”
“I know, Mason.” Vera kissed her cheek, holding her tightly. “I’m so sorry.”
“Why doesn’t Mom just talk to me?”
“You know your mom.” Tenderly, Vera tucked Mason’s damp hair behind her ear. “She doesn’t want to put that on you. Especially now as you and Blake rebuild a relationship.”
“She doesn’t have to put it on me. I already have it on me.” Mason gritted her teeth, obviously upset. “Maybe I can talk to Blake.”
“No,” she adamantly shook her head. “Blake doesn’t need to know. She has to come around in her own time. Even if that’s not in the timeline Mom wants.” Vera paused, softening her voice. “Or what you want.”
Mason didn’t say anything, so Vera hugged her once more.
“It’s all going to work out. I know that.”
“I know,” Mason sighed. “Eventually it will.”
Grabbing the pitcher of lemonade and the cups, Mason headed outside with Vera close behind her. Vera took a seat by Isla, taking her hand and squeezing it. Isla smiled over at her, but Vera couldn’t see her eyes through the fake sunglasses.
“I love you,” Isla said with a smile on her face.
“I love you, too, baby.” Leaning in, Vera kissed her.
As the afternoon faded into dusk, the family gathered around the large outdoor table for dinner. Blake, Brayden, and Walker had grilled burgers and hot dogs while Ellie, Alexis, and Maddie made the sides. Everleigh and Mason had, of course, called drink duty, which wasn’t surprising, even if Vera was still uneasy about her nine-year-old learning how to mix drinks.
Especially with Walker around. Walker had been back in the Cove for a few months now, and Vera had been beyond proud of her growth. The two years she’d spent in rehab and in Florida with their sister Lena had really done Walker good. Which meant that Vera was finally getting comfortable again with Walker being around their kids.
That, of course, didn’t mean Vera didn’t watch her like a hawk though.
Dinner was full of fun conversations and silly stories of the weekend. Vera savored having her whole family together as she looked at them all around the table. Her eyes stopped on Blake a moment longer, and her smile widened when Blake looked at her and smiled. There was no denying Blake was Isla’s daughter. Looking at Blake was like looking into the past at Isla.
And seeing Blake with Alexis and Harper reminded Vera so much of when she first met Mason and Isla. Vera had been as smitten with Isla and Mason as Blake had been with Alexis and Harper. Watching Blake fall in love and step into the role of Harper’s mom so effortlessly warmed Vera’s heart. She wished Isla could see that. And she knew she did, on some level. But Isla’s pain clouded so much when it came to Blake.
Vera watched as Isla poured another glass from the margarita pitcher. She’d lost count of how many Isla had, but she didn’t dare say a word. Nor did she look at Walker.
“I’m so happy to be here with you all,” Alexis was simply beaming as she talked. “I can’t believe I’m officially a part of the family now.”
“We love having you in our family, Lex. And we’re so glad you and Blake found each other.”
Beside her, Isla snorted a laugh. Vera chose to ignore it.
“I’m so lucky to have moved here and found Lex and Harper.” Blake leaned into Alexis, kissing her as Harper smiled between them. They were the perfect little family, and it made Vera want to cry with happiness. “It’s the family I’ve always dreamed of having.”
“ Ha ,” Isla said with another snort of laughter. But this time, Vera had to acknowledge it. She glanced at her wife, raising an eyebrow to let her know her commentary was uncalled for. Under the table, Vera put a hand on Isla’s knee as she looked at her.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“Okay.”
“I am,” Isla snapped, and Vera tried not to react to it. She didn’t need the kids to know something was wrong.
“I said okay .” Vera kept her voice as calm and steady as she could.
“But clearly you have more to say.” Isla’s voice was louder this time, and Vera quickly glanced around the table. Everyone was looking at them, and Vera didn’t know what to say or do. Mason narrowed her eyes at Isla.
“Mom? You okay?”
“Why does everyone keep asking me that? I’m fine ,” she snapped the words at Mason, who visibility recoiled.
“Hey, why don’t we go take a walk on the beach, okay?” Vera kept her voice firm so Isla would know it wasn’t a request but a demand.
As she led Isla away from the table, Vera didn’t dare to look any of their kids in the eyes, especially not Mason or Blake. Vera knew Isla was about to explode, and the last thing Vera would let happen was for Isla to unleash her angry words on the kids, especially when Vera knew Isla would kick herself in the morning for doing that. No, Vera had to protect her family like she always did.
Vera waited until she and Isla were on the beach and well out of earshot before crossing her arms over her chest and looking at Isla.
“What is wrong with you?”
“Nothing is wrong with me, Vera .” The way Isla said her name nearly shook Vera to the core. Isla sarcastically laughed. “Well, I guess there must be because my daughter wants absolutely nothing to do with me. She started her own family and doesn’t care about ours anymore.”
“You know that’s not true.”
“It’s been true since the moment she arrived and you know it. Blake’s only focus has been Alexis, and don’t you dare try to deny that.”
“I’m not, but Isla, honey. Come on. Blake fell in love with a wonderful woman that we both already loved. Why is that a bad thing?”
“Because she came here for me !” Isla had tears streaming down her cheeks. “I’m her mother . Why doesn’t she want to get to know me? I don’t understand. All our kids love me but her.”
“Blake loves you.”
“Not as much as she loves Alexis.”
Vera wished she knew the words to help heal Isla’s broken heart. But she knew the only thing that would help would be her and Blake reconciling. And honestly, Vera didn’t know how long that would take. It wasn’t something any of them could force. Not unless they wanted to risk pushing Blake away.
Which Vera most definitely did not.
“Isla, honey, I understand your pain.”
Isla waved a dismissive hand at Vera. “You don’t understand because Blake isn’t your daughter.”
Time seemed to stand still as Isla’s words hit their mark on Vera’s heart one by one. She felt her blood boiling as she put her hands on her hips. Angry tears fell from her eyes as she spoke.
“How dare you say that to me. After all you and I have been through. After all the times we have cried over Blake together. How dare you say she’s not my daughter.”
Isla must have finally realized what she said because her shoulders dropped.
“Vera, you know I didn’t mean that.”
“You sure as hell better not have.” Vera sobbed, crossing her arms over her chest. “You might have birthed her, but Blake is just as much my daughter as Everleigh is. I know you’re hurting right now, and I know you’ve had way too much to drink, but that was entirely uncalled for.”
Isla only nodded.
“I know you’re hurting, but you're forgetting I’m hurting, too. And so is Mason.”
“Mason?” Isla looked at her with a furrowed brow. “I thought she and Blake were fine.”
“Honey,” Vera sighed, “open your eyes.”
“Mama’s right.” Mason seemed to appear out of nowhere. Vera didn’t know how much she’d heard, but her red-rimmed eyes and tear-stained face told her it was more than enough. “This whole situation has me fucked up. I waited almost my whole life for Blake to come back and she doesn’t want to hang out with me. Not as much as she wants to hang out with Alexis and Harper.”
Vera reached a hand out to Mason, but Mason waved her off.
“No, I need to get this off my chest.”
Taking a deep breath, Mason locked eyes with Isla.
“This isn’t just happening to you. It’s happening to me and Mama and Ellie and Brayden and Everleigh. We all want Blake to feel at home here but she can’t until you let go of your anger toward her and Alexis. Everyone here can sense it, and I think that’s what’s holding Blake back from opening up to you.” Mason paused, looking at Vera with a sad smile. “I learned that in therapy.”
“I’m proud of you, baby.” This time when Vera held out a hand, Mason took it. Vera pulled her in for a hug as she held her right. “And I agree.”
“And,” Mason took a deep breath as she clung to Vera, “I need to say something that I’ve been needing to say for a while but have lacked the courage.”
Isla nodded for Mason to continue, and Vera kept holding her. She had a feeling that if she let go, Mason would crumble, and Vera would never let that happen.
“I know losing Blake hurt you. It hurt me too. But there’s always been this little part of me that never felt good enough to still be around.”
It was then Vera’s heart started to shatter. My sweet Mason. Vera knew how Mason felt in Blake’s absence, but she was so young when it happened. She’d wrongly assumed it hadn’t affected her much as it had Isla. Especially since Mason rarely mentioned it.
But now, Vera was kicking herself for not noticing how Mason felt before now.
A few feet away, she watched as Isla took to heart everything Mason had just said. When her shoulders dropped and she fell to her knees, Vera knew the message had been received.
“I’m so sorry, Mason.” Isla cried into her hands as Mason went to her. She held her tightly as their tears mixed together. “I’m so sorry I ever made you feel that way. You have always been loved and wanted since the day I knew I was pregnant with you. Never for a moment did I ever think you weren’t good enough. Oh, Mason,” Isla kissed her several times on the cheek, “I am so sorry, baby.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t say anything before now.”
“It’s okay, Mason. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Mom.”
After a few moments, Mason pulled away. Vera carefully took a few steps towards them, not wanting to interrupt any moment they needed alone. Isla looked up at Vera with sad eyes as she threw up her hands in frustration.
“I’m just so angry. I want to scream at Blake and ask her why she doesn’t want to get to know me. Or you or the kids. It’s been over a year , Vera.”
Isla sobbed, covering her face with her hands for a moment. Vera joined Mason beside her as they flanked Isla on either side.
“I missed so much and I still feel like I’m missing more. This isn’t fair. She’s our baby.”
“But she’s not a baby anymore,” Mason said, looking uneasy at Isla. “She’s an adult. Her boundaries are different now.”
For a moment, Isla looked at Mason with pure marvel on her face. “How did you become so smart?”
“Therapy, Mom,” Mason laughed. “I told you, it works.”
Sadly laughing, Isla pulled them both into a hug as she held them tightly. “I’m sorry I’ve been a mess this last year. I promise I’ll work on this.”
“I’ll give you the name of my therapist.”
“Thanks, Mace.” Isla chuckled as she kissed Mason’s forehead.
After a few more minutes alone on the beach, the trio made their way back to the main house. Alexis, Maddie, and Walker were inside with the kids while Blake was cleaning the table with Ellie. Mason helped Ellie carry the dishes inside as Isla made her way over to Blake. Vera made sure to give them space but stayed close as she was unsure if Isla would erupt in anger again.
But to Vera’s relief, she didn’t.
Instead, without words, Isla and Blake seemed to have an entire conversation. Blake sat down the dishes as she went into Isla’s embrace. Isla held her tight as she kissed her cheek.
“I’m here, Blake. Whenever you’re ready, I’m here.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Blake whispered so softly Vera wasn’t sure she’d heard it.
Leaving them outside, Vera helped get everything cleaned up and the kids off to bed. By the time she made it to their bedroom, Vera was exhausted. But Isla sitting on the edge of the bed waiting on her surprised her.
“I thought you went to bed already.”
“I couldn’t sleep without apologizing.” Standing, Isla held her hands out to Vera. “I’m so sorry I said Blake wasn’t your daughter. She is. And always will be.”
“Thank you.” Vera put her arms around Isla’s waist and pulled her closer. “And I’m sorry for not realizing how deep your pain is. If you want, I will go to therapy with you.”
“Yeah?”
“Of course. We can do it like we do everything else.” Vera smiled softly as Isla did the same.
“Together,” they said in unison.