Listen to Your Heart

Chapter Nine

There was something about being around her favorite people in the world, all gathered in her parent's homey dining room, eating delicious food and drinking wine and enjoying a general feeling of contentment, that made her so incredibly happy and at ease. She had known it would be what she needed but she couldn't have remotely comprehended just how much being surrounded by so much love would heal her.

The room was aglow with conversation and laughter, just like the family gatherings they'd had when she was growing up. And the best part—Bradley was sitting by her side, animatedly chatting with her father while Lea floated around from lap to lap, reveling in being doted on, even if she hadn't met anybody else at the table before. Gloria had taken her up on the invitation as well and she seemed to be right at home among the Germanotta's, talking freely with Cynthia and looking positively thrilled to be spending the holiday with both her granddaughter and her son.

She and Natali helped her mother clear the table, giggling and joking as they stacked the dishwasher when Gloria came into the kitchen, balancing a pile of plates.

"Oh no, Mrs. Cooper," Stefani came to take the dishes from her hands, "you don't have to take those. You're our guest."

"It's perfectly fine, sweetheart," the older woman smiled, "I like feeling useful. And please, call me Gloria." She touched her arm. "I just wanted to thank you again for inviting me. It was so kind of you and getting to be with Bradley and Lea earlier than I'd planned is a dream come true."

She'd gotten to meet Bradley's mother several times and she could immediately see where he'd gotten his generosity from. Gloria was incredibly gracious, and she had obviously instilled values of caring and integrity within her son that he had carried with him.

"I'm so glad you could make it. Bradley's so excited you're here."

She took both of Stefani's hands in hers. "He's positively beaming but I believe that's all because of you, my dear. I don't know if you realized but being around you makes him very happy."

There was something about her tone, a knowing lilt, that made her clam up. "Well, being around him makes me happy too. Bradley's a wonderful friend."

Gloria squeezed her hands gently, her blue eyes that were so like Bradley's, sparkling. "He thinks very highly of you, believe me." Picking up a tray from the counter, she smiled at both girls. "I'm going to help bring out dessert. It was so nice to talk to you."

As soon as she had exited the kitchen, Natali turned to her sister, her mouth twisting into a tell-tale smirk. "Bradley thinks very highly of you, Stef. I'll bet he does."

"Natali Veronica, I swear to Christ, if you say one more word---" Stefani leaned back against the counter, yielding a spatula in her direction. "Bradley's mother must have talked to Mom because that was really weird, wasn't it?"

Natali shrugged, still grinning. "I think you would have to be completely oblivious not to notice the way you guys kept looking at each other all during dinner. They probably just put two and two together..."

"There's nothing—" Natali was staring at her, her eyebrow raised, and she sighed. "Okay, fine," she admitted defeatedly. Shutting the door, she stepped in close to her sister so that they were hip to hip. "When we were at TIFF, we ended up going to the afterparty together, in the same car, and we went to get some food and...we kissed."

There were many different versions she'd played out in her head regarding Natali's reaction; she'd gasp in shock (a long shot), she'd be mad that so much time had gone by without her knowing, she would shake her head in disgust (another long shot).