Chapter 39
Ellie
W aking up beside Sadie was unlike anything Ellie had imagined it to be. She’d worried it would be awkward or, worse, Sadie had snuck out in the middle of the night. But instead she was pleasantly surprised to have that cheesy rom-com, post-sex morning with Sadie.
Sadie was still asleep, resting peacefully on Ellie’s pillow. They had changed into shorts and tees, courtesy of Ellie’s wardrobe. Neither were sure if you were supposed to sleep naked or with clothes on after the first time, but Ellie had overthought the possibility of a fire and convinced Sadie to put on clothes just before they passed out.
In each other’s arms.
Blissfully.
Ellie sighed contentedly as she studied Sadie sleeping. Her auburn hair was in soft curls around her face as she hugged the pillow. Under the sheets, her legs were still intertwined with Ellie’s, so she didn’t dare move too much. Instead, she propped herself up on her elbow as she smiled down at Sadie.
Their first time together was beyond anything Ellie could have anticipated. It was clear they were both nervous, but they kept communicating and working together until they figured out what worked for both of them. By the time they fell asleep in each other’s arms, Ellie was exhausted but insanely happy. And having Sadie in her arms as they fell asleep was the cherry on top of a perfect birthday.
Of course, Ellie hadn’t planned on having Sadie spend the night. Although her parents never said Sadie couldn’t spend the night, Ellie hadn’t asked them either. But it was late by the time they changed into comfy clothes, and Ellie told Sadie to stay.
“Stay.”
“What?” Sadie pulled up the pair of shorts Ellie had loaned her. “Stay the night?”
“Yeah,” Ellie shrugged, sitting up in bed with her mom’s old Stevie Nicks shirt on. “If you want. It’s late.”
“I do.”
“Good.”
“In fact,” Sadie smirked as she slowly walked toward Ellie and kissed her, “I told my parents I might sleep over, so they’re not expecting me home.”
“Did you think you’d get that lucky?”
Sadie’s smile widened. “I had very high hopes.”
“Well, I hope I lived up to them.”
“You did. And then some.”
Ellie smiled at the memory as Sadie stirred awake beside her. It took her a few moments to open her eyes and register where she was at. But when her eyes focused on Ellie, Sadie grinned.
“Hey.”
“Hi.”
Leaning down, Ellie kissed Sadie. It wasn’t the passion-filled, rapid-fire kissing from the night before. Instead, it was soft and sweet and instantly melted Ellie even more.
“What time is it?”
Ellie grabbed her phone off the nightstand and checked the time. “A little after five.”
“Early.”
“We don’t have to get up yet.”
“I do,” Sadie groaned as she sat up.
Something was wrong; Ellie could tell by the look on Sadie’s face. She looked remorseful and for a moment, Ellie worried she regretted having sex with her. Sitting up, Ellie crossed her legs as she looked at Sadie.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“Ellie, no.” Sadie shook her head. “God, no. You were great. Trust me.”
Sadie lowered her gaze from Ellie’s as she sighed.
“I kinda lied about telling my parents I was sleeping over. I told them I’d be home late, but I’m fairly sure that five a.m. is way later than they were anticipating.”
“Oh, shit.”
“Yeah,” Sadie grimaced, “I’m sorry for lying to you. I just really wanted to spend the night with you. If it makes it any better, I texted my mom late last night and told her I was staying over—which of course she knew because she has my location on her phone. But she has to know why I stayed over, and I probably should get home and talk to her.”
“Yeah,” Ellie nodded, fully understanding. “I should probably go talk to my parents, too.”
As Sadie gathered her clothes from the night before, Ellie slipped on one of Vera’s old Taylor Memorial Hospital sweatshirts as she pulled her hair back into a loose, messy ponytail. Hand in hand, she and Sadie walked down the stairs and out to her car. It was the only one left in the driveway that didn’t belong to a Mackenzie, so there was no way Ellie’s parents didn’t know Sadie had slept over.
“I had a really great time last night.”
“Me, too.” Sadie kissed her, slowly wrapping her arms around Ellie’s waist as she did so. “I think we should do it again sometime.”
Ellie giggled. “I’m all for that.”
“So, you’re good, right? We’re still good?”
“Absolutely.” Ellie kissed her again to let her know she was serious. “Best birthday present ever.”
Even in the first light of the morning sun, Ellie could see Sadie blush. “Duly noted.”
“Text me when you get home.”
“I will.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
After a lot more kisses, Sadie finally got in her car and headed home while Ellie made her way into the house via the back door. She knew it was always unlocked, especially with her Aunt Eden currently taking up the guest bedroom. Ellie carefully walked past Eden’s room as she made her way up the stairs to her parents’ room.
Her mama always slept on the side of the bed closest to the door, and Ellie half expected her to be awake and waiting on her. But instead, Vera looked sound asleep. Ellie carefully tiptoed into the room and walked around the bed to Isla’s side. Even in the dark room, Ellie would still see her mom’s eyes were open as she knelt down by the side of the bed.
“Morning, Mommy.”
“Good morning, baby.” Reaching out, Isla gently caressed Ellie’s cheek with her hand. “You and Sadie looked like you had a good night.”
“Yeah.” Ellie smiled, but it quickly faded as she narrowed her eyes. “Wait. Were you spying on us?”
“What?”
“How did you know what we looked like?”
“Well, I,” Isla sat up on the edge of the bed as Ellie stood, her hands on her hips, “well. Me and Mama…”
“You and Mama were spying on us?” Ellie kept her voice at whisper, trying not to wake Vera. “When? How?”
“Since about two a.m.”
“ What ?”
“Well,” Isla met Ellie’s dramatic tone, “we knew Sadie was staying over so we went to bed at around midnight and then we woke up a few hours later and Mama checked outside and Sadie’s car was still there so we assumed it was going to be a sleepover.”
“So you… what? Were waiting on the front porch for any signs that we were coming out of the garage?”
“Of course not,” Isla waved Ellie off with a smirk. “We watched from the window.”
Isla pointed to the bench that was under their window that overlooked the front of the house.
Shit.
“And you are our child, so it’s biologically predetermined that we spy on you.”
Her mom was teasing, Ellie knew that much. And she wasn’t even mad at them for spying. Honestly, she would have been more concerned if they didn’t. Ellie nodded toward Vera, who hadn’t moved since Ellie came into the room.
“How’d you get her to go to sleep?”
Isla rolled her eyes as she gently pushed Vera’s shoulders. The jolt caused Vera to stir as she sat up in bed. “Shit, she’s not asleep. She’s been pretending this whole time.”
“You two were truly made for each other,” Ellie teased. “I hope you know that.”
“We do,” they responded in unison.
“Come here, Ellie.”
Vera patted the bed between her and Isla and Ellie quickly made herself at home between them. As Vera wrapped her arm around Ellie’s shoulder, Ellie snuggled into her embrace. Beside her, Isla pushed her pillow back against the headboard as she sat beside Ellie, a hand on her knee.
“Talk to us. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m okay.”
“And you and Sadie talked before you did anything, right?”
“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 a very big 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, and Ellie 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?”
“ Eden ,” Ellie groaned as she buried her face in her hands.
“Come on, you told them I’m sure.”
“They’re my parents and they love me.”
Eden dramatically put her hand to her heart. “Are you insinuating I don’t love you? My precious, favorite niece?”
“You tell all of us that,”
“Not Brayden,” Eden added with a wink. “But I get it. Your parents are way cooler than me.” Another wink. Eden picked up her coffee mug and stood. “I’ll leave you all to it.”
As Eden shuffled back into the bedroom, Ellie was thankful to be alone with her parents again. She looked at each of them as she smiled happily.
“Thank you both for always being there for me. And for not treating this as something bad.”
“It’s not anything bad.” Vera placed her hand on Ellie’s arm. “It’s natural and a part of life. We’re just glad you know you can come to us with anything, always.”
“I do,” Ellie yawned as Isla patted her leg under the table.
“Why don’t you and Mama go take a nap and I’ll go pick up Carlson’s for all of us, okay?”
Ellie’s stomach growled in response as they all laughed. As Ellie and Vera headed into the living room, she watched as Vera sat on the recliner and popped out the footrest. Neither of them had to say a word before Ellie crawled up into her mama’s lap and let her wrap a blanket around them. She rested her head on Vera’s shoulder as she yawned again.
Best birthday ever.