Listen to Your Heart

Chapter Eight

"Oh, my baby, don't take this the wrong way, but you don't look good." Cynthia Germanotta touched the back of her hand to her daughter's forehead, her brow furrowed with concern. "You're running yourself into the ground."

 Stefani wriggled away. "I'm fine, Ma. Really," she insisted when her mother shook her head. "The last time I checked, I was an adult."

"You're never too old to need me," Cynthia kissed her temple. "Let me take care of you, sweetheart. That's what I'm here for."

She had to admit, it was nice having her mother in LA, puttering around the house. In the span of a few days, she'd traveled with her to London and back again, having taken some well-deserved time off from the foundation.

Christian always seemed to be working and she felt as though she'd barely seen him since she'd gotten back from Toronto. He wasn't drinking, at least not around her, and for that small granted grace, she was relieved.

"I feel like I've been on a plane for three months straight." She poured them both a glass of iced tea. "That, plus Enigma rehearsals just started. This is the first minute I've had to actually enjoy this," she gestured to the view beyond the patio, pastel blue skies, and endless palm trees.

"This is an exciting time. I'm so proud of you, baby. The film is incredible. Your father and I cried the second the lights went down." She placed her hand atop Stefani's. "But there's something going on, beyond just being busy. What is it, my girl? Whatever it is, I hope you know you can talk to me."

She wasn't surprised her mother detected things were amiss. She wore her sadness around her like a cloak these days and Cynthia knew her better than anyone.

"Is everything alright with Chris?" Cynthia shook her head, "you don't have to answer that, love. I'm just worried about you."

"Why, has Natali said something?"

"No, no, I just got the impression—" Her mother paused, treading carefully. "He seems a little distant, I guess you could say, not like himself."

London had been tense, although she and Bradley had tried their best to focus solely on the film and their friendship. It went without saying that the bond between them was extremely important, to both, and neither was willing to give it up. They still held hands on the red carpet, still presented a united front. No matter where they stood, she knew that wouldn't change.

Her mother had been correct about Christian's behavior. At the LA premiere, he was so removed from the entire situation, it was as if he was on another planet. Bradley had been warm and present but Irina, while perfectly courteous to her, was standoffish in a way that made her uncomfortable. She wondered if they had gotten to talk.

"It's tough," she slipped her sunglasses down the bridge of her nose, staring off into the distance. "We're kind of living separate lives lately. I'm never home and when I am, he's off doing his thing." She turned toward Cynthia, "but I guess that's par for the course, right? We're both in the industry so we're constantly moving, and I should be used to it, but—"

"Honey," the older woman's voice was warm, "being busy is one thing. No one works harder than you. But marriage, that's for keeps...making time for each other lays that foundation, you know?" She reached across the expanse of their chairs to squeeze her daughter's hand. "You deserve someone who knows how special you are and values their time with you."

"Ma—"

"I'm not saying Christian isn't that person, Stefani. I realize that's what it might've sounded like and I'm sorry. All I want is for you to be happy. Your father too. And I've just got to say, you don't look happy."