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I lean my head onto his shoulder and close my eyes. It’s all been such a whirlwind. Not just a new relationship and motherhood, but things at the shelter have been better than ever thanks to Flynn’s donations and the visibility we got at Cash’s fashion show. We’ve been able to expand our capacity and improve conditions for the animals. The work no longer feels fruitless. Especially since I get to bring Phoebe with me most days. Between our three dogs at home and all the animals she encounters on a daily basis, she basically is growing up in a zoo.
However, I have been in desperate need of a vacation. I had no idea how exhausting motherhood would be.
“Duck.”
I blink my eyes open.
“Duck, Stella.”
Flynn slides down with Phoebe balanced on his belly, and I follow suit. Phoebe laughs like we’re playing a game.
“Why are we ducking?” I ask.
“Paparazzi.”
I can’t help but laugh. “More of them?”
“I don’t understand it,” he says with wide eyes. “We’re just on a family vacation!”
“In the Med on a luxury yacht with your business partner who happens to be dating a very famous fashion designer. Nothing to see here at all, people.”
He rolls his eyes.
“It’s your fault, if you recall.”
Flynn shakes his head. “You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?”
“You kissing Adelaide? No.”
“For the last time she –”
“Kissedyou! I know!”
We’ve gone in circles over the story. After how everything shook out with Adelaide in the months following, her tell-all People articles and publicity stunts, I’m happy to accept his story as the truth since it’s clear she’s a total narcissist. In fact, the second we announced Phoebe’s birth (a month after the fact), she sent boatloads of flowers. Addressed exclusively to Flynn.
I get a kick out of it now, but at the time, if I had gotten my hands on her, it would have been a brutal sight.
Those maternal hormones. They’ll getcha.
“Look, let’s not fight in front of the baby,” Flynn says playfully.
As for us, people still want more of the story. I’m more of a public figure now, although reluctant. I try to stay out of the limelight.
And, not to toot my own horn, but we are a beautiful little family. Of course, people want our picture.
A short boat ride later, and we’re pulling into a familiar place: the grotto in Corfu where over a year ago things between the two of us really solidified. It was Flynn’s idea to take Phoebe here. I said she wouldn’t remember, and he rebutted, “But we will.”
It’s hard once you’ve got a little one not to be too focused on their experiences all the time. All I want is for Phoebe’s life to be amazing and splendid in every way it can be. I sometimes lose myself in her.
Thank goodness I have Flynn to keep me grounded.
The tender pulls up to the dock centered in the blue water. Flynn gets out first; I carefully hand Phoebe over to him before climbing out myself. Then, once the tender is all unloaded, the boat drives off, leaving us in the grotto. Just the three of us.
October in the Med is much cooler than at the height of summer. But it’s a perfect day to bask in the sun and lounge about, just the three of us.
I unfold Phoebe’s play mat nervously. “We’ll have to keep a close eye on her.”
“She can swim.”
