Montana Sky

Chapter 7: Better With You

Cause I've been high and I've been low
All the way down to Mexico
Seen mountainsides and rivers wide and Tokyo lights
Been to London England in the pouring rain
California to Portland Maine
But I know all these memories I hold onto
Would have been better with you
– Virginia To Vegas: Better With You –

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They spent a long while holding onto each other and watching the landscape until he finally whispered to her they should go, as the wind was clearly increasing and he didn't want her to be cold; Stefani reluctantly agreed to leave the hilltop, sighing as she took one more look at the glorious view on the way down, feeling like she too was now a part of something very special, together with him and his late father. Back on the ranch Bradley parked the car next to one she didn't recognize, got out to open the door for her.

"Mike's here." He grasped her hand, gave a little grin. "Perhaps to see your sister?"

She smiled, followed him to the house, quite looking forward to getting to know the neighbor in more detail for Natali's sake, possibly give him a bit of a third degree which she considered her duty as a big sister; they entered the foyer, made their way towards the sounds of chatter drifting from the living room. She halted on the doorstep, looking around, then startled slightly as her eyes didn't fall on Mike but instead on someone she hadn't really expected to meet just yet: a tall, slender brunette turning towards them, long glossy hair tumbling down her back, her beautiful features very familiar to Stefani from many fashion magazines and runway shows.

Irina.

She swallowed hard, feeling a little shocked and quite self-conscious after being thrown face to face with the model so suddenly; she glanced at Bradley briefly, the deep frown on his face telling her he hadn't been expecting to see his ex-girlfriend either. Lea was on her mother's arms, babbling happily and Irina's deep blue eyes studied the blonde, moved over her from head to toe, lingering on their still joined hands for a moment before turning to Bradley's face.

"Hello," she murmured quietly, reached to kiss his cheek. "How are you?"

"Fine." He gave her a small smile, gently brushing Lea's little hand. "What are you doing here? I thought you were in Paris."

"I was, but I managed to fly back a couple of days early so I have some free time; I really missed this little one, so I wanted to come see her." Irina kissed her daughter's head, her eyes turning back to Stefani. "And I heard there are some... interesting visitors. I'm Irina; it's nice to meet you."

"You too," she replied quietly, letting go of Bradley and grasping the offered hand, not entirely sure whether the brunette meant her words or not; her face seemed perfectly calm but there was something in her gaze that perhaps wasn't one hundred percent friendly. "I'm Stefani."

She moved from Bradley's side, made her way further into the living room; Mike smiled a greeting at her, seated on the couch with Natali. "Hey, how are you doing? Feeling better?"

"I'm okay. Good to see you again." She cleared her throat, sat gingerly on the edge of a lounge chair; Natali leaned over, gave her hand a quick squeeze, obviously sensing she was slightly uncomfortable with this recent turn of events and Stefani offered her little sister a quick, grateful smile. Lea reached for Bradley and Irina handed her over to him, rubbing the toddler's back gently.

"If it's okay with you, I'll take her with me when we leave; I'm heading back to New York tomorrow evening, so I would like to spend the day with her. Mum has bought some new clothes and toys for her as well."

"That's fine," he said quietly, kissing the little girl's forehead. "Of course. Give Kate my thanks."

"I will." Irina turned her eyes back to the blonde. "So, how long are you staying, La... Stefani? Sorry, I keep wanting to say Lady Gaga."