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SO. EXCITED. ā„ļø
I canāt wait to finally read it!
I'd like to introduce you to...
Hello beautiful people!!
As King of my heart is now over (for the part one at least, I plan a sequel to it, don't worry), it's time to move on to the next story.
As a little gift and a memory from the past, it's time to share Max and Kat's story. This means that Lyanna and Charles from Cruel Summer will have their own cameos, which is very exciting for me. I'm eager to delve into this story with you! For now, I will leave you with the summary and the cover of this new story.
Summary :
A champion in the spotlight, a man hidden behind his own walls ā Max Verstappen is more than just an impressive list of victories. And Katherine? Sheās not chasing fame. Sheās after what people try to bury. She doesnāt have time for cocky drivers or ego games. Sheās loved. Sheās lost. Sheās learned how to stand on her own, camera in hand and memories etched deep under her skin. This job was never meant to be more than a quick fix. A detour. Nothing else.
But when glances linger, when silence speaks louder than words, and the cracks start to show ā something unexpected slips in. A spark. A tension. A fault line.
Between a sleepless night, a ghost from the past, and a moment that shouldāve meant nothing, theyāll each have to choose: run from it, or face what stirs when the masks come off.
If you'd like to be included in the tag list, please let me know!
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Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince:
Chapter 15

Masterlist - Previous - Next
Miss Americana
"That's a lot of stuff..." Arthur huffed, when he sat down another big box on the floor, taking in the bedroom, now lithered with big and heavy boxes, paper bags and half a dozen buckets full of paint "We'll need all of that?"
"I mean... that's the new furniture, because sorry, but the ones your brother had was... well it was practical, I'll give it that, but it didn't look that nice... and then of course some decorations... and the paint... actually, there is one bucket missing... I bought 7 buckets..." Lauren looked around, lifting paper bags and packages around "Ah, there it is!"
"7 buckets? Isn't that a little too much?" the Monegasque native looked at her.
"First off, itās small buckets. More like containers⦠little tubs. And secondly, I want to create this kind of gradient effect, all the different colours blend into each other⦠trust me, it will look great! Together with the new furniture? And the new lamp? Oh and project flower wall! Itās going to be amazing! I have a good feeling." the girls excitement was contagious and Arthur nodded.
"Alright, alright, alright! Now, where do we start?" he asked and Lauren looked around, a plan already in the making inside her head.
"Old furniture out, someone will come and pick it up, then weāll put everything in the middle of the room and cover it up and start prepping everything for painting⦠well and then letās paint!"
"Sounds like a plan!"
"Letās go then!"
"What did you do today?" Charles asked, using the tiny frame of himself as a mirror.
"Oh nothing, we read a lot of books, played with the insane amount of toys a certain someone bought his daughterā¦" Lauren winked at him and he chuckled "⦠and that was it actually⦠how was your day?"
"Sounds like you had a lot of fun⦠black or red?" he asked, sounding unsure and Lauren was confused for a moment, but then spotted the two ties he was holding up.
"Oh, tough question. Red is Ferrariās colour but black is timeless and goes with everythingā¦" she thought out loud and Charles nodded.
"Yeah, my thought exactly⦠so black it is?" he looked at her and Lauren smiled.
"Black it is. Looks like itās a really fancy dinner youāre going to?"
"Just another sponsor dinner⦠maybe some potential new sponsorsā¦" Charles sighed straightening his tie "Mostly boring dinnersā¦"
"Youāll survive." Lauren chuckled.
"I guess I will⦠any plans for you two?"
"A ton! I donāt even know where to start!" she cocked an eyebrow and pretended to think, then she smiled "Iām going to feed Ava, then sheāll have a nice bath and thatās it."
"Sounds like a quiet night thenā¦" he smiled back, when Lauren propped up the phone on the table so he could see Ava sitting in her lap "Youāll be good, little princess, right?"
"Sheās always the sweetest girl, donāt worryā¦" Lauren gently stroked over the girls little tummy, making her giggle.
"Yeah, because of youā¦" Charles began and then looked up "Shoot⦠I gotta go. Good night, baby girl. I love you." he cooed at the screen, looking at his little girl "I miss you." his eyes now on Lauren, who looked down at Ava in her lap.
"Good night, daddy! I miss you too!" she gently held Avaās arm up, waving with it.
"Good night, Lauren." his soft voice making her insides melt.
"Good night, Charles. Enjoy your evening." she smiled at him and ended the call "And now itās time for you, little Miss Sunshine, to take a nice bath⦠and as soon as your asleep itās time for me to prepare everything to torture your uncle Arthur a little more tomorrowā¦"
"We shouldāve asked them to assemble the new furniture as well⦠not only picking up the old oneā¦" Arthur mumbled, still trying to figure out the instructions for the new crib.
"Oh come on! You did good with the changing table and the shelf! We figure out the bed as wellā¦" Lauren encouraged him and sat down next to him, Ava in her arm "Here, letās switchā¦"
"Hi baby girl⦠enjoyed your little snack?" Arthur cooed at his niece, cuddling into his chest exhaling loudly "I know, Ava, I know⦠being 4 months old must be so tough!"
"Itās tough to always be this cute!" Lauren chuckled, looking up from the instructions "But not as tough as assembling this crib⦠I donāt get it."
"Maybe I can help?" Lorenzo said, making Arthur and Lauren turn around "Or at least I could try."
"Yes! Please!" Arthur let out a sigh of relief.
"Wow⦠Lauren⦠the walls look amazingā¦" Lorenzo looked around, impressed how the walls were painted before.
"I had this vision in my head and hoped it would turn out just like I imagined itā¦" she replied, looking around as well.
"Itās beautiful."
"Thanksā¦" the girl blushed a little and then handed him the instructions "Well, maybe you get itā¦"
Lorenzo read the instructions and Lauren checked her phone. Since she knew who Charles was and heard him and the rest of the family talk about Formula 1, she decided to follow some F1 accounts on Instagram, using the fake profile that came with her new identity. The way Charles talked about racing, with so much passion and excitement, made Lauren reconsider her opinion about 20 men driving in circles for 2 hours. And he was right. They all were. Formula 1 was more than that. The narrow tracks with the cars breezing past the walls, so close that only a sheet of paper would have space between the hard concrete of the walls and the strong carbon fibre of the cars. The qualifying sessions, where milliseconds decide who is starting from which position. She was all wrong about Formula 1.
"Whatās a WAG?" Lauren asked a moment later, when she saw a reel of a girl with the caption new WAG alert.
"WAG?" Arthur chuckled and looked up from Ava "You donāt know what WAG stands for?"
Lauren shook her head and read another sentence she didnāt understand.
"No? And whoās the Heartbreak Prince?" Lauren looked at Arthur who then looked at Lorenzo, both seemingly uncomfortable "What?"
"Well⦠WAG is short for Wives and Girlfriends⦠thatās how the fans and media like to call the- well, wives and girlfriends of the drivers⦠or athletes in general..." Arthur explained and then looked at Lorenzo again, who nodded quietly "And the Heartbreak Prince⦠umm- thatās Charles."
"Charles? As in our Charles?" the moment she realised what she said, Lauren blushed "I mean, our Charles- as in umm- your brother Charles? As in my boss and Avaās dad Charles?" a desperate attempt to cover up her slip up.
"Yup, exactly⦠our Charles." Lorenzo replied only "New rumours?"
"Umm- they write did the Heartbreak Prince find his new princess of the seasonā¦" she began when both brothers sighed, rolling their eyes.
"Ignore those gossip accounts⦠they only want to stir up some drama⦠with DTS thereās already enough of that." Arthur said, tickling Avaās tummy, making her giggle.
"Whatās DTS?" Lauren knew she had read it before but she couldnāt quite place it.
"Drive to Survive. Itās a show on Netflix⦠they create more drama then there actually is." Lorenzo answered and then put the instructions down "I think I got it."
"Yeah? Perfect." Arthur smiled at Ava "Weāre building your new crib now. You will love it! But I think before that, I need to check on your diaperā¦"
"Iāll do that, you two take care of the crib, I take care of Ava." Lauren, got up from the floor and held her arms out, taking the little girl from her uncle "Itās time for her nap as well, so I lay her down and then Iāll come and help."
"Alright." Lorenzo waved at Ava, who yawned, a sleepy smile on her lips "Sleep well, little one."
Lauren left Avaās room and made it into hers next door, laying the little girl on the changing table.
"Letās get you cleaned up and then off you go, taking a little nap, how about that?" she cooed at the baby, changing her diaper and clothes and not even 10 minutes later she fell asleep in her arms and Lauren gently put her down in her crib, sitting down on the stool next to her. She took out her phone again and scrolled through Instagram, finding the reel from earlier and this time she watched it, instead of only reading the caption. Charles, arm in arm with a beautiful blonde girl, smiling and laughing, posing for some pictures. And then another shot of them sitting at the table together, next to Carlos Sainz, Charles teammate and a girl who looked like she was his girlfriend. Lauren focused on Charles and the girl. They seemed to enjoy each otherās company. And now she knew for who Charles dressed up this chic. For the girl. The girl by his side, labelled as his new WAG. No, his new princess of the season. She didnāt know what that meant. But she didnāt like it. Something inside her began to boil while looking at the pictures. Something that surged through her veins, filling her with disdain for the blonde girl. And when Lauren saw a comment stating that they looked like a cute couple her heart clenched painfully. She knew what it was she was feeling. And she didnāt like that as well. Jealousy. She was jealous of the girl who went on a date with Charles. Her boss. Avaās dad. The one who paid her. The one she shouldnāt feel jealous over. But she did. A lot. And she didnāt know what to do with that. She swiped through more pictures, some from today according to the caption and she hated the way her heart clenched. The way the jealousy was crawling under her skin.
"Lauren?" Lorenzos soft voice pulled her out of her thoughts and she turned around "Weāre done with the crib, do you know where you want to put it?"
"Already? Youāre fast! Give me a minute and Iāll come!" Lauren replied pocketing her phone and checking in on Ava one last time, switching the baby monitor on"Focus!" she mumbled to herself and followed Lorenzo.
"I donāt know where you want to put it?" Arthur said as soon as she walked in.
"I want the crib on the right wall, as soon as weāre finished with itā¦" Lauren replied, looking at the right, almost empty wall. Only the beautiful wood trimming filling it for now.
"Alright, so whatās next?"
"I think thatās it for today. Tomorrow someone is coming to install the new ceiling lamp and then⦠well then the big project starts." Lauren smiled, looking at the wall again.
"Sounds ominousā¦" Lorenzo chuckled.
"It does⦠do I have to be scared?" Arthur cocked and eyebrow but the girl just shrugged.
"Thatās for me to know and you to find outā¦"
Lauren sat on her bed, zapping through the TV channels, when she came across the sports news, talking about the upcoming Formula 1 race in the Netherlands. A reporter walking through what looked like a little street, other news teams, team members and even drivers breezing past them. One of those drivers was Charles with the pretty blonde girl. She had to think back to her FaceTime call with Charles earlier and how she first thought the blonde, Sophia, was indeed his new girlfriend but how he was denying it. He was adamant in explaining her that the girl was only the daughter of a potential new sponsor and his team asked him to woo her a little. Make sure she has a good time. Unfortunately it was part of his job. Lauren believed him, felt how the tightness in her chest loosened up. And although she shouldnāt feel it, she felt relieved. Charles was still single. It made her calm down. She went to bed, watching another episode of Drive to Survive, because even if Arthur and Lorenzo told her not to, she thought this way she learned the most in a short amount of time about Formula 1. Maybe a more dramatic version. With lots and lots of fabricated drama, but it helped her understand more about Charles. What kind of person he was at his job, on track. And she liked it so far. The other drivers seem to respect him, he was good friends with some of them. Even the other team principals seemed to like him way more than his own in the last season. Something about Mattia Binotto, the way he spoke with Charles after the race in Silverstone, the way he didnāt see any fault in Ferrari at Charles messed up race, gave Lauren the ick. Big ick. She was glad that he was gone. Charles talked about his team principal. His name was Fred. Not Mattia. So probably Ferrari got rid of him. Good for them. She finished the episode and checked in on Ava one last time, before she climbed back in her bed, pulling the blanket over her head, ready to fall asleep and prepare for the next day. Lauren knew what she had planned would take a long time. Probably the whole day, but she knew that in the end it would be worth it. She only hoped that her little helper would feel the same way.
"The entire wall?" Arthur repeated sceptical.
"The entire wall..." Lauren smiled at him.
"That must be a thousand roses⦠if not moreā¦" he looked around the room.
"More. Definitely more. Believe me.l I have this vision⦠it will look amazing!" she practically beamed at him.
"Youre the interior designer, not me..." he joked and Lauren shoved him a little.
"Come on, this will take ages, we have to start now to be ready until your brother comes back home!"
"Aye, aye Captain!" Arthur saluted and they began to glue every single rose to the wall.
Lauren had no idea how long it took, with breaks in between to feed Ava, change her diaper and make her take a nap. Playing with her every now and then, or just holding her while sticking the next who knows how many roses to the wall. The little girls eyes widening, seeing all the different colours and shapes of the roses. The sun already began to set when Arthur let out a triumphant scream, looking at Lauren.
"I think weāve got it?" he said, taking a step away, taking in their hard days work "Wowā¦" he breathed out, his eyes big.
"Good wow or bad wow?" Lauren asked stepping next to him, Ava half asleep in her arms.
"The biggest and most amazingly wow⦠Lauren this looks⦠it looks incredible. So beautiful. Combined with the other walls? This room? I think sheāll never grow out of it. Even as a teenage girl sheāll love it!" Arthur was impressed.
"Oh stop it!" she gently nudged his shoulder but he shook his head, turning a little.
"No, seriously. Charles will be at a loss of words when he comes home and sees thisā¦"
"Yeah⦠maybeā¦" Lauren scratched the back of her neck, looking at the last package "Can you help me with that? And then youāre officially done."
"Sure⦠what is it? I thought we have all the furniture now?" Arthur looked around.
"Itās a rocking chair⦠Iāve spent hours and hours to find one in the same or at least similar design to the rest of the furniture and thankfully I did. It arrived late last nightā¦" she explained opening up the package.
"Letās just hope we can assemble itā¦" he chuckled but Lauren shook her head.
"Itās really simple, l watched the video. We should be able to do it."
And she was right. 30 minutes later the rocking chair was assembled, matching the bed and the rest of the furniture.
"Wow⦠Lauren it really looks like itās the same design⦠you really outdid yourself with the room." Arthur side hugged the girl, turning around with her, looking at what they had created over the past couple of days "You really deserve your day off tomorrow."
"About that⦠is it possible if I watch the race with you guys? I have nothing else to do and the only thing I would do tomorrow then would be finishing Avaās nursery, putting all her stuff back inā¦" Lauren began.
"Yeah no. Youāre right. Youāre coming with us. We watch the race, I can explain everything for you and you leave this room alone. Itās not called day off for no reasonā¦" Arthur looked at her intently and she smiled.
"Sounds like a plan to me."
"Your first Formula 1 race⦠youāll love it."
Lauren woke up early, ready to finish up Avaās room before Charles would return back home later in the evening. She wanted everything to be perfect for him after his race the day before. He looked devastated. Like the world was about to end when they filmed him taking off his helmet after retiring his car in lap 41. Lauren knew that racing was important for him, but seeing his fallen face, expressionless eyes, she knew just how important it was. How he blamed himself for the lap 1 incident with another driver, how he couldāve done better. His voice missing that excitement, that passion, his eyes that sparkle that made him him and that Lauren liked so much. She hoped seeing Avaās room all new would cheer him up at least a little. So she started her mission. Little corrections here and there at the walls had to be made, the nursery needed new sheets and bedding. Avaās clothes needed to be stored into the drawer and closet. All her toys and stuffed animals arranged around the room. Lauren didnāt look at the clock once, she cooed at Ava whenever she held her in her arms, or was extra quiet when the little girl slept. She washed out the remaining paint from the paintbrush, when she heard Ava waking up. Drying her hands and leaving the brush in the sink, Lauren walked into her own bedroom, where Ava was babbling, hands and legs moving around.
"Hi, little Miss Sunshine!" Lauren cooed and leaned down, Avaās eyes immediately on her, her whole face lighting up "Did you sleep well? Yes? Thatās good, because Iām almost done with your room and as soon as Iām ready, how about you and I go for a little stroll out in the sun until your dad gets back home? Yay, daddy!" Lauren smiled when Ava began to happily chortle at the sound of the word dad "Youāre so clever! Already understanding words!"
The next minutes Lauren made the finishing touches in the room, put the decorations at their designated spots. Fluffed up the pillow in the rocking chair. All while holding Ava in one arm, singing softly to her.
"I think Iām doneā¦" Lauren looked around.
Everything was the way she had imagined it. The walls. The furniture. The rug. She smiled at Ava, twirling around, happy the room was done when she stopped dead in her tracks flinching, spotting Charles standing in the door. His eyes wide open.
"Charles, youāre early!" Lauren breathed out, feeling herself blush while he took a cautious step inside "I thought you come home later tonight?"
"That was the plan, but⦠what is this?" Charles turned around, looked at everything "How- who? I mean when?"
He was at a loss of words, his hand smoothing over the painted walls. Touching the rocking chair with its fluffy pillows and then stopped in front of the wall covered in roses, carefully threading through them.
"Do you like it?" Lauren asked slowly when he didnāt say anything "If not we can-⦠umm we can change it again, make it more the way you like it?"
Charles still didnāt say anything and now Lauren was worried. Maybe it was too much. It was his daughterās room after all. She crossed a line, went too far. He said he wanted to do it and she shouldāve listened and waited. Not just take it in her own hands, not even asking for permission.
"Iām sorry, Charles. I shouldnāt have done it behind your back⦠I crossed a line⦠you wanted to do it on your own and I ruined it⦠Iām really, really so-ā¦" Lauren rambled, her soft voice barely above a whisper, full of concern and that woke Charles up from his trance.
"Stop⦠what are you even sayingā¦" he replied slowly, taking a step closer, his hands working on their own accords, carefully cupping her cheeks "This is beautiful⦠itās perfect⦠itās-⦠itās everything I ever dreamed of and moreā¦" he made her look at him, his eyes spotting how glassy hers were "How can I ever repay you for this? I canāt possibly thank you enough!"
"So you like it?" her voice so quiet, so unsure.
"No, I donāt like it. I love it. I really do Lauren. Itās perfect. I have no idea how you managed to do it and gosh! This mustāve cost you a fortune! How many people worked in here? Painter? Someone who build the furniture and took the old one with them? I need the receipts, youāre not paying for that!"
"I had help from Arthur and Lorenzo, we made it all ourselves⦠and after I received my first salary, which was more than generous, considering the fact that I donāt have any living costs and basically can throw out all that money? Yeah no. Itās fine. More than fineā¦" Lauren replied, a big smile on her face, her cheeks a gorgeous shade of pink, feeling Charles warm hands on them, his warm breath fanning over her face.
"But I have to thank you somehow⦠this is⦠Lauren, this is perfect."
"You know what you can do? If youāre up for it? Ava and I wanted to go for a little stroll outside⦠will you join us?" Lauren asked.
"Thereās nothing Iād like more⦠we can take the car and drive a bit outside of town⦠itās quieterā¦"
"And no one will recognise youā¦"
"And no one will recognise meā¦"
"Alright. Then let me change Ava and myself and then weāre ready to go." Lauren smiled up at Charles.
"Yeah⦠I take care of Avaā¦" he replied "You have a little paint on your face⦠just hereā¦" he lifted his right hand from her cheek and gently stroked it along her forehead down her brow, making Laurenās cheeks turn a shade darker.
"Thanksā¦" she whispered and Charles realised he was still cupping her cheeks, being way too close.
"I umm-⦠yeah I take Avaā¦" he mumbled, taking his daughter out of her nannyās arms and taking a step back.
"Okay⦠umm- I go wash my face and change and then we can go." Lauren replied hastily and Charles nodded "Alright, then letās goā¦" she walked past him outside the room into hers, closing the door and leaning against it, taking a deep breath.
The close proximity. His touch. The way he looked at her. Laurenās cheeks were on fire. Her forehead and brow. Everywhere he touched was prickling. She had to calm down. It was the heat of the moment. He was just thanking her for doing Avaās room. He was grateful. French people were more touchy than Americans. Monegasque. He was Monegasque. But werenāt they just like the French? Laurenās mind was doing summersaults and she closed her eyes. Charles was her boss. Her boss. He paid her for being around and taking care of Ava. That was it. Another deep breath and she pushed herself off the door, slipping into a pair of jeans and a shirt. When she stepped into her bathroom she immediately spotted the paint on her face, rolling her eyes, washing it off. A faint knock on her door and she knew that Charles was ready.
"Iām comingā¦" she said, grabbing her purse and stuffing her phone in "Ready." she opened the door, Charles and Ava both looking at her.
"Letās go thenā¦" Charles smiled at her and they walked down the hall, not without him taking another look into Avaās room "I owe you somethingā¦"
"No you donāt. I loved doing itā¦"
"If thatās the case⦠maybe we can talk about renovating the whole place⦠one room at the timeā¦"
"What?" Lauren looked at him.
"Mamanās salon? Avaās room? This is clearly your talent⦠and my place is boring. Nothing special. But with your help? It can be something more. Something amazingā¦" Charles looked at her, smiling his all dimply smile "I think you could transform this into a real home for us all."
Lauren smiled at him, her heart skipping a beat. A home for us all.
"We start from Singapore on. We drive in two separate cars to the airport. Youāll be there earlier, getting into the jet and while youāre safe inside, Iāll follow you then⦠that way no one sees us together at the airportā¦" Charles explained the plan for their upcoming trip to Singapore "You could come to Monza this weekend, but then weād need a different disguise, because-ā¦"
"No, no. Monza is wild. Crazy. Way too many people. Someone will spot them!" Pascale added and Lauren nodded.
"Yeah, I agree. Singapore is fineā¦"
"Alright, Singapore it is. Silvia changed my room into a suite with two bedrooms, I told her to not request a crib⦠I donāt know if we can trust the hotel employees⦠we take the travel cot with us. Itās a big bag I know. But I checked, it fits into my big suitcaseā¦"
"You really thought this through, didnāt you?" Pascale looked at him impressed.
"I want this to work. So yeah, I had to think of everything⦠and I hope that I did."
"And what will Laurenās role be exactly?" Pascale asked and Lauren turned to Charles.
"Officially youāll be a media assistant for Ferrari. More in the analytics and stuff. Youāll have to wear Ferrari gear, to keep up the story. They always make sure youāll get an office close to my drivers room and there will be everything provided you need for Ava and yourself. Also a desk and laptop just in case someone happens to stumble inside⦠youāll get a personal driver, someone from the team who knows about you and Ava, and heāll pick you up from the hotel and bring you to the back entrance of the paddock, that way you donāt have to walk through the whole paddock. Heāll get you back to the hotel in the evening as well."
"But wait⦠theyāre locked up the whole day inside of the office?" Pascale cocked an eyebrow "That doesnāt sound pleasantā¦"
"Itās okay⦠reallyā¦" Lauren began.
"No, Maman is right. Youāre not locked inside the whole day. You can walk around the Ferrari hospitality freely. Youāll be introduced to the team by Silvia anyway. Thatās fine. But I guess if you want to go outside during the day, maybe it would be a good idea to have some spare clothes with you, so no one will associate you with Ferrari immediately. Just a pretty girl in the crowdā¦" Charles added.
"This could actually workā¦" Lauren replied, trying not to blush at his last comment, failing miserably.
"I sure hope it works. Having Ava with me, knowing that Maman can live her life again without changing plans all the time? I really hope it will work!"
"Donāt worry, Charles. It will work. You put so much thought in itā¦" Pascale smiled first at her son, then at Lauren "I have a feeling it will work out." a knowing smirk on her lips "More than a feeling. I just know it will be fine. Perfectly fine."
Chapter 15 - I have a feeling it will be more than just perfectly fine š¤ letās see what happens š„° also, sorry for the looong delay, life got in the way š
Please leave a comment/ like/ reblog/ message and tell me how you liked it! I'm dying to hear your thoughts!
If you want to be added to the taglist, drop a comment!
Last but not least, English is not my first language and although I tried my best: please excuse any mistakes I made!
Taglist:
@glitterquadricorn @lottalove4evelyn @janeh22 @itsjustkhaos @mariclerc @fangirlforever2000 @guaaafiiburg @giov13 @alittlebitofbooksandmagic @bravo-delta-eccho
I also made a little mood board for Avaās nursery, I needed something visual to describe what I was writing about:

#charles leclerc#charles leclerc 16#charles leclerc f1#charles leclerc x oc#charles leclerc fanfic#charles leclerc fic#charles leclerc imagine#charles leclerc as dad#dad!charles leclerc#cl16#cl16 x oc#cl16 fanfic#cl16 fic#cl16 imagine#scuderia ferrari#formula 1#formula 1 x oc#formula 1 fanfic#formula 1 fic#formula 1 fandom#formula 1 story#f1#f1 x oc#f1 fanfic#f1 fic#f1 fandom#f1 writing#f1 fiction#f1 story#f1 imagine
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Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince:
Chapter 14

Masterlist - Previous - Next
The Heartbreak Prince
"I havenāt seen you this relaxed at a race weekend in a whileā¦" Carlos looked at Charles after they finished the promo shoot with Shell.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, that since the beginning of the season you were there physically maybe, but not with your head. You hated to film the challenges and basically everything that kept you away from Monaco longer than neededā¦"
"Oh-⦠did many people notice?" Charles asked and the Spanish driver chuckled.
"Depends⦠is almost the whole team many people?"
"Damnā¦"
"But whatever it was that brought you down, it seems to be over?" Carlos raised an eyebrow.
"I wouldnāt say itās over, but I found a solution that is more than satisfyingā¦" Charles smiled, thinking about Lauren getting settled in at his place back in Monaco.
"Yeah? Thatās good. It was boring to win every C2 challengeā¦"
"You did NOT win every challengeā¦" the Monegasque driver rolled his eyes, laughing.
"But a lot of themā¦" Carlos pushed him a little when they walked to the car that was supposed to bring them back to their hotel.
The drive was short and when they arrived, Silvia already waited for them in the hotel lobby, typing away on her phone as always.
"Ahhh! There you are, perfect. The car will pick you up at 7. Please donāt be late. Please look presentable. The sponsor dinner is important. Carlos, your girlfriend accompanies you, right?"
"Yeah. She willā¦" he replied and the redhead nodded, her eyes landing on Charles.
"Youāll accompany Sofia Lores, sheās the daughter of the CEO of, what we hope to be, our new sponsor for next year. Sheās here for this weekend and I want you to make her feel extra welcome and maybe e-ā¦" Silvia began but Charles interrupted her immediately.
"Ok, no. Time-out. What? Why?" he asked.
"Because you donāt have a girlfriend and we want her to have an amazing weekend. Making her happy will makes her father happy." she answered without looking up from her phone "So you will be her company for tonight and the rest of the weekend. I want you to just show her-⦠I donāt know, the motorhomes. Your drivers room. The garage. Explain her how the car works. I donāt care. I just want her to tell her dad that she had fun and everyone was nice and friendly to her."
"Yeah but that doesnāt mean that I have to-ā¦" Charles began but this time Silvia interrupted him.
"Charles. Please do this for me. For the team. Iām not asking much of you this season, but this is important. We want to leave a good impression on him." there was a finality in her voice and he sighed, then slowly nodded.
"Okay⦠but Iām not babysitting her the whole time. I accompany her tonight to the dinner, show her around the paddock and the garage and all that tomorrow, but thatās it. Iām going to be nice to her when I see her, but Iām not taking care of her from Friday on⦠I need to focus on racing." Charles looked at her and she smiled.
"Thank youā¦"
"Maybe sheās cute." Carlos winked at Charles when they got out of the car, helping his girlfriend.
"I donāt care about thatā¦" Charles replied, sighing "I just do it because Silvia is right. Sheās not bugging me as much as usually this seasonā¦"
"That is true." the Spaniard laughed "Sheās bugging me."
"Sorryā¦" Charles held up his hands "Itās going to get better from now on. I prom-ā¦"
"Whatās going to get better from now on?" Silvia interrupted, a big fake smile on her lips.
"Oh- umm nothing." Carlos lied and then looked at the girl next to her.
"Right. Charles meet Sofia Lores." the redhead introduced the blonde girl to him.
"Hi, nice to meet you." he smiled at her, shaking her hand.
"Nice to meet you, too. And you too, Carlos." Sofia turned to Carlos, shaking his hand as well "My father is talking about you guys all the time."
"Hopefully only good things, yeah?" Silvia chimed in but the girl just shrugged.
"Mostly about how valuable they are to the brand Ferrari. Based on popularity rather than performanceā¦"
"Good to know." Charles grumbled, not really liking this kind of evaluation of his person.
"I mean, heās a businessman after all. Thatās his job. But I can reassure you, heās also a fan of you as drivers and thinks youāre both doing wellā¦" Sofia looked at him.
"Great." he replied, looking at Silvia "Shall we go inside?"
"Yes, definitely! Letās go." she ushered the two couples inside, looking at Charles pointedly and he rolled his eyes, offering Sofia his arm, who accepted it "Wonderful."
"Absolutely." Carlos winked at Charles and they followed Silvia to a table in the middle of the room, set up on a little stage.
"These are your seats. Enjoy the evening. Later on youāre both asked some questions and thatās it. Mingle with the guests. Smile. Represent." she smiled and then rushed off, leaving the two couple alone.
"Mingle. Smile. Represent." Charles and Carlos said in unison, laughing and Sofia cocked an eyebrow.
"Not our first rodeo." Charles explained and they sat down.
"She couples you up with the daughters of every sponsor, future and present?" she asked curious.
"Umm-⦠no, I mean-⦠not always."
"Relax, Iām just messing with you. Itās not my first rodeo either. The amount of dinners Iāve been to where someone was trying to impress me just to get a deal with my father⦠itās staggering."
"Well, Iām not like that. Silvia wants me to be, but I donāt care. I donāt even know who your father is⦠I have no clue whoās the new sponsor." Charles admitted and Sofia looked surprised.
"You donāt? No? Well thatās a firstā¦"
But before Charles could say anything else Fred and John Elkann entered the stage, welcoming everyone to the dinner. The next minutes there were more speeches followed by the dinner arriving and a comforting small talk settled over the table. Charles checked his phone if Lauren texted and his face lit up when there was indeed a text from her. A picture of Ava, sleeping away in her nannyās arms.
"Who got you smiling like that?" Carlos asked out of the blue and several heads at the table turned, looking at Charles.
"Oh- umm-⦠itās my- my mum. She wasnāt feeling that good the past days and she texted me know that she feels better again." he lied but no one seemed to notice and asked any further questions.
The rest of the night Charles did his best to be his most charming, well mannered self. Talking with Sofia and other sponsors, always praising the team, highlighting how well everyone was doing their job. And when it was finally time for him to leave, Sofia kissed both his cheeks goodbye, saying how excited she was for the next day making Silvia look at him satisfied, giving him the thumbs up.
"And here is my little corner. All my stuff is here, my helmets and gloves. Phone and headphones and thisā¦" Charles showed Sofia his notebook.
"A diary?"
"No! I mean⦠actually, kinda? Yeah? Itās my notebook. I write down my thoughts. Ideas. What I have to work on, or what worked out greatā¦" he explained when Mia waved at him "Well yeah, that was our garage, I have to go now. Press conference. I drop you off at the Ferrari hospitality on the way."
"Yeah. Sure." she followed him outside where Mia was already waiting.
"Mia, thatās Sofia Lores. Sofia, Mia, my media assistant."
"Nice to meet you." Mia nodded at the girl who smiled "Youāre in a group with Max, Lewis, Alex and Lance."
Charles nodded and then stopped at the hospitality.
"You can just go inside or stroll around the paddock, feel free to do whatever you want, a little tip from me, go to the tent with the stroopwaffles. Youāll love it. I could eat a whole bunch of them, but well I canātā¦" Charles smiled at Sofia who tilted her head a little "Just ask someone around where you can get stroopwaffles and youāre good."
"I think I will do that⦠thanks Charles, have fun at your press con. Iāll see you later around." she waved him goodbye and stepped inside.
"She seems to be quite niceā¦" Mia said with a smug grin and Charles frowned.
"You look like Mia, but you sound like Silviaā¦"
"Oh take that back!" she boxed his upper arm laughing "Iām just saying, she seems to be nice, not like totally horrible ruining your weekend like."
"She is, but thatās all. Sheās nice. End of storyā¦"
"All right. End of story."
"Lukas Riva, ESPN Spain. Question for Charles. Last season during the summer break you and your girlfriend split. One of the reasons cited was that you wanted to focus more on your career. But last night you didnāt leave the sponsor dinner alone, that same girl is today now also in the paddock and you showed her around, is the Heartbreak Prince back?"
Charles was pissed. Annoyed. Exhausted. Questions like this were one of the reasons he hated media day. Journalists asking questions that had nothing to do with the sport, only his private life. Like a tacky gossip magazine just waiting for the next rumour to spread. He took a deep breath before he answered.
"I think itās time you realise that not every girl Iām seen with is automatically my girlfriend." Charles answered, putting the microphone down. That was all the reporter would get.
"All right, thatās it, good luck to our drivers."
Charles jumped off, leaving the room as fast as possible so that Mia struggled to keep up with him.
"Ignore these kind of questions, Charles." she tried to calm him down as soon as they reached the Ferrari hospitality.
"Itās annoying." he just sighed and they stepped inside.
"I know. Theyāre idiots. Ignore it. Letās focus on more important things. I talked to Silvia and Fred and we came up with a plan for Lauren."
"Okay?" Charles mood shifted immediately and he looked around, his heart pounding, not from excitement.
"She will be a media assistant. Her exact role no one will know, except Silvia, Fred and the board. Thatās the official story. She will get her own pass and little office, always close to your drivers room. We will provide a bed for Ava and some stuff for them to fill their day. Of course Lauren will have to wear Ferrari gear and a work desk with laptop and all will be set up if someone happens to wander in there. To keep up her story." Mia explained and Charles nodded "She will be picked up in the hotel and brought back to the hotel from one of our staff. Using the back entrance so she doesnāt have to walk through the whole paddock with Ava."
"You really thought about everything!" he was impressed, but above all he was thankful "Thank you Mia, really. You outdid yourself."
"It was nothing, a little brain storming with Silvia and Fred and we came up with our plan. Letās see in Singapore how it will work out and where we need to adjust it." she smiled and Charles leaned back in his chair.
It looked like his motherās plan really would work. Ava by his side. His mum could focus again on her hair salon, without always taking care of Ava. The CPS could back off, because now he did what they wanted. Lauren was living in a real home, not a storage room. Everything seemed to work out just perfectly.
"Iām going to FaceTime themā¦" Charles got up and went upstairs to his room, plopping down on the sofa.
He was excited to tell Lauren the good news, how she would be here without anyone bothering. He waited for the call to connect and as soon as she picked up, his heart began to race.
"Hiā¦" she smiled at him, her eyes big "I didnāt expect you to call this earlyā¦"
"Oh you know, I had a little time to kill and thought Iād check in with you. What are you guys up to?"
"Oh umm-⦠nothing. Ava just woke up from her nap so I left her in her crib for a little while, as long as she doesnāt cry she can get used to be in there for a bit."
Something about her voice was different. She wasnāt her usual shy yet bubbly self. She was more timid. Closed off but before Charles could ask what was going on, he heard Avaās faint whining.
"Oh waitā¦" she got up and he heard rustling in the back "Shhh little Miss Sunshine, look whoās here!"
Lauren stepped back into the picture a grumpy looking Ava in her arms, but the moment she spotted Charles her face lit up and she smiled at him.
"Hi, my little princessā¦" he cooed at her "I miss youā¦"
"And she misses you⦠she canāt wait for you to come back, isnāt that so, my little cutie pie?" Lauren whispered, tickling Avaās tummy a little.
"Is everything okay? Youāre settling in well?" he asked and Lauren nodded.
"Everything is perfect." she smiled.
"And what do y-ā¦" Charles began when his door opened and Sofia stepped in, on the phone herself. He put his phone down, so that Sofia didnāt see his screen and then looked at her "Sofia, can I help you?"
"Oh shit, Iām so sorry! I asked someone if there is a quiet place where I could make a phone call and they said I could use your roomā¦" she apologised.
"Oh, well, itās occupied." Charles tried to joke and she nodded.
"Yeah- umm sorry again! Iām leaving!" Sofia walked out, closing the door and Charles took a deep breath before he turned his phone around, facing it again.
"Iām sorry-ā¦" he began but he only saw the ceiling of his living room "Lauren?"
"One secondā¦" he heard her voice from somewhere further away from the phone.
"Everything okay?"
"Yup. Ava had a little puke attackā¦" steps towards the phone "Well that was something."
"Everything okay?" Charles repeated and Lauren nodded.
"Now, yep."
"Okay⦠umm- sorry about thatā¦" he began.
"Sheās pretty. I saw some pictures of you from last night." again something in her voice that Charles couldnāt place, but didnāt like "And I have to say, the bag she carried today? She really has a good style⦠good choice Charles." she tried to sound funny, but her smile didnāt reach her eyes and Charles felt the urge to explain to her that he wasnāt dating Sofia.
"Sheās the daughter of a potential new sponsor and Silvia asked me to accompany her last night to the dinner and show her around today. She seems nice but yeah, Iām pretty sure sheās bored being hereā¦" Charles explained, hoping that Lauren believed him.
"Is that part of your job? Charming your sponsors daughters?" she asked and he nodded.
"Charming the sponsor, their wives, daughters, sons, everyone. Most of the time I donāt even know what sponsor it is Iām talking too, just like I donāt even know who Sofiaās father is, big according to Silvia itās a big sponsor. Thatās why she wants me to be on my best behaviourā¦"
"And are you?" Lauren laughed and he felt relieved that she sounded more like herself again.
"Iām always on my best behaviour. Always." Charles winked at her.
"Of course you areā¦"
"I am!" he pretended to be offended "Could these eyes lie?"
Lauren didnāt reply at first, looking him into his eyes, almost getting lost in them when she chucked.
"Iām not sure what these eyes canāt do⦠to be honest."
Charles didnāt know what to reply when he heard his doorbell ring through the phone.
"Oh! We gotta go! Thatās Arthur and Carla, weāre driving a little further away to go for a little walk, get some fresh air!" Lauren said "Ava, say bye to daddy!" she held the little girl closer to the camera of her phone "Bye Daddy!"
"Bye my little princess, enjoy your walk!" he cooed at her and then looked at Lauren "Can I call you tonight? I want to say good night to her?"
"Of course⦠see you tonight." she smiled at him and then ended the call.
"See you tonightā¦"
"Box to retire the car."
Charles hated it. His bad qualifying yesterday brought him in the position to be in the middle of all the hectic battles with too little space at the race start which caused him and Piastri to crash into each other. He felt it the whole time that his floor was damaged. He lost time, lap after lap, position after position. When the final call came he felt relieved, but also frustrated.
"Itās not your fault, thereās noting you could doā¦" Andrea patted his back and he only shrugged.
After the media pen and later on the team meeting Charles returned to his hotel, packing up his bags, ready to take the jet first things first in the morning. He wanted to go home. See Ava. And a part of him craved to see Lauren as well. A small part. But a strong part. When he finally parked his car in the underground parking garage and got out he felt a sense of calm wash over him. Something he needed desperately. He got out of the elevator and unlocked the door, the apartment almost silent. Only the faint giggling of Ava and Laurenās voice could be heard and he followed the sounds down the hall, stopping in the door frame to Avaās room. But it wasnāt Avaās room the way he left it. It was a beautiful nursery with soft blush and rosy colours, white furniture, a comfy looking rocking chair and a wall covered with beautiful roses, Avaās name in the middle, right above her new crib. And right in the middle stood Lauren, Ava cradled to her chest, slowly dancing around, making his little girl giggle. The moment Lauren spun around and noticed Charles in the door, her cheeks blushed. His eyes fell to the white splash of colour at her brow, her messy bun, the beautiful smile on her lips. He swallowed hard. He never felt like this before. Never felt his heart beat outside of his chest like that. Never felt the warmth pooling in the pit of his stomach like that. He knew what it was. The one thing he always wanted but thought heād never get. And it had to be the girl who was working for him. Just signed a contract. He was fucked.
Chapter 14 - Oh well, looks like *someone* has a little problem. But is it just Charles š or does Lauren feel the sameā¦
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Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince:
Chapter 13

Masterlist - Previous - Next
Miss Americana:
"Arenāt you adorableā¦" Lauren cooed at Ava yawning "Yes you are! Come on. Nap time, little Miss Sunshine."
"Good night, little princess." Joris stroked her cheek gently and Lauren got up from her chair, swaying Ava back and forth a little before she slowly walked over to the big French doors to Charlesā bedroom.
She knocked on the door, not wanting to interrupt him or startle him in case he was in his room, but when there was no reply, she opened the door, the room behind empty. Lauren opened the drawer and got out some fresh clothes before she stepped into the bathroom, wetting a washcloth with slightly cool water to wipe Ava once over. She put the little girl on the big bed and began changing her diaper and dressing her up again, all while singing a lullaby her mother used to sing to her when she was a little girl. She gently picked her up again, rubbing soothing circles on her back and by the time she reached the crib and laid the little girl down, she was already fast asleep.
"Good night, little Miss Sunshineā¦" Lauren cooed and then began to tidy up Avaās belongings.
"I think Iāll never get over how fast you make her fall asleepā¦" Charles whispered and Lauren turned around to him standing in the door, leaning against the frame. He pushed himself off and walked over to the crib, watching his little girl sleep, before he looked aber at the girl tidying up his room "You donāt have to do thatā¦" he began but she just waved him off and he smiled "Thanks for that⦠and watching herā¦"
"You donāt have to thank meā¦" Lauren smiled at him "Is everything okay though? It looked like a serious conversation you had with your mum?"
"Umm- yeah⦠itās⦠I donāt know. A situation came up and Iām not so sure what to do⦠Maman, she has an idea, but I donāt knowā¦" Charles rambled and Lauren stopped folding the towels and looked at him, worry etched on her beautiful face, something he didnāt like.
"Can I maybe help?" she asked, her voice so sincere, it almost made him feel like he couldnāt breathe.
"Itās funny that you askā¦"
"But they must be crazy? Everyone with a set of working eyes can see what an amazing father you are?" Lauren couldnāt believe her ears "I swear the kind of fathers Iāve met at work? And they werenāt watched by the CPS!"
"They think dumping Ava off at her grandmotherās so that I can have fun and travel the world isnāt right. Thatās not how itās supposed to be. Sheās too little and like this the natural bond between us canāt form or whateverā¦" Charles sighed and Lauren scoffed.
"Itās your job? You donāt travel around the world and party all around! You work!" she looked at him wide eyed "And yes, under normal circumstances I might agree that at this young stage, and with only one parent around, the bonding is important, but didnāt they see how much Ava adores you? The moment you enter a room her eyes are on you! And if she canāt see you but hear you? Her eyes lit up! She knows full well who her dad is and the bond you share is incredibly strong! Did they even take that into account?"
"They have already made their opinion and Iām not sure how to change it⦠they want to pay us a visit to see how a normal day in Avaās life looks like and since Iām in Maranello, theyāll go to Mamanās place and this will only add more fuel to their belief, of me not taking care of Avaā¦"
"They want a solution. How Charles can take care of Ava although heās travelling the worldā¦" Pascale slowly added.
"Okay? And umm-⦠how do I fit in the equation? How can I help here?"
"Well, they want me to be with Ava. But that's not possible. So, Ava has to be with me instead..."
"But like this everyone will find out about her!" Lauren exclaimed, after Charles explained her the reason why he kept Ava a secret she understood him. He just wanted to protect his daughter from the scrutiny he was under constantly "Are they crazy?"
"Exactly... so we need someone to take care of Ava, someone no one knows and would be suspicious of. Someone who can be everywhere with a baby and without people noticing..."
"Someone who would travel with Charles everywhere, take care of Ava when he has to do his job, but doesn't have to stay inside all the time. If I travel with Charles to every race and walk around with a baby? People will notice... same goes for basically everyone who is close to Charles and known by his fans..." Pascale added and Lauren looked between her and Charles "Charles needs a fulltime nanny. Someone who lives with him, takes care of Ava, someone constant in her life..."
"The CPS thinks it's not good for Ava to be tossed around, their words not mine, without having like a regular daily routine..." Charles added.
Lauren looked at him, then at Pascale who had a big smile on her face.
"Wait... you want me? As Ava's nanny? Taking care of her? Live with you, travel with you?" she asked, nervous if she had put two and two right together.
"Yes." Charles and Pascale said in unison, and she got up from the sofa, pacing back and forth.
"Why me? I'm sure there are way more qualified real nannies out there?" she said and Charles got up from the sofa as well, gently grabbing her hand and making the girl stop her pacing.
"Why you? Because we- I trust you. Ava loves you. You took care of her, all of us, like it's the most normal thing for you. You're a paediatric nurse, who is more qualified than you to take care of Ava?" Charles looked at her intently "Look, you don't need to say anything now, I just want you to think about it, okay? I know you came to Monaco to work as a nurse and start a new life here, settle down, and being Ava's nanny would be hectic... but- just think about it, okay? That's all I'm asking."
Lauren swallowed hard. Charles scent invading her senses. The past days she felt like whenever he looked at her, he stole her breath away. His eyes always intense. That sly smirk on his lips. And the way he loved Ava. His family. He was a good person, a good father. And so much more. Someone she slowly but steady felt more than just attracted to. Was it crazy to start working for him? When she wasn't sure what she felt for him. Wouldn't it complicate everything? She knew the answer to that already, but also knew what she had to do.
"I'll do it." her voice barely above a whisper and Charles squeezed her hand.
"What?"
"Iāll do it." Lauren repeated and when she looked up Charles eyes were on hers already. Relieve and joy in them, but also something that almost looked like regret "If you really want it, then Iāll do it..."
"Of course I want it!" he exclaimed and engulfed her in a tight hug that made her heart skip a beat "Thank you, thank you, thank you! You won't regret it! Iāll pay you double, no triple, no fourthel⦠that's not the word... four times as much as you would earn at the hospital! Or even more!"
"You're crazy!" the girl chuckled but Charles gently pulled away, looking at her.
"No. I'm serious. You have no idea what youre doing with that for me. How much youre helping!" he said sincerely and Lauren felt herself blush, making Charles smile his most adorable, all dimply smile "This means so much to me!"
"I guess where youāre living after we return to Monaco is sorted thenā¦" Arthur stood in the door, a big smile on his face "Didnāt I say we can find a solution for that here?"
Lauren chuckled. Pascale shook her head laughing. Charles rolled his eyes.
"Yeah. You didā¦"
"Iām nervous..." Lauren wiped her hands on her thighs, looking at the clock at the wall.
"Don't be, its going to be just fine.." Pascale squeezed her shoulder and smiled at her "They wanted Charles to find a solution, he did."
"Yeah, but what if they look into my past? What if they ask questions?"
"Then you'll tell them the same story you told Charles. All your documents are valid. Don't worry, its g-..." she got interrupted by the doorbell "It's showtime!"
Lauren took a deep breath and then got up from the sofa, she got this. She knew what she was getting herself into. Since they returned to Monaco 2 days ago and Charles left immediately for Maranello she stayed at Pascaleās place. Charles said she could already move into his place, but she refused, it didnāt feel right with him not being there. They talked a lot about how this whole arrangement should work. Charles as well as Pascale reassured her more than once that her being Avaās nanny was the best thing that couldāve happen to them and that gave her a good dose of confidence. Confidence she now desperately needed, facing two CPS workers she had to convince that she indeed was the best choice. She was qualified to take care of a baby. She got along amazingly with not just Ava but the entire family. She got this. She forced herself to smile and then waited for Pascale and the guests to join her. Not long after, she walked in, followed by two women.
"Lauren dear, this is Madame Goulardā¦" she pointed to the red haired lady and Lauren shook her hand "⦠and this is Madame Bernoitā¦" she shook the blondes hand.
"Nice to meet you." she smiled at the the CPS workers.
"Likewise." was all Madame Goulard said and Lauren immediately didnāt like her. She was cold and stern, distant "And you are affiliated to the Leclercās how?"
"I umm-⦠I amā¦" Lauren stumbled under her cold, hard gaze and Pascale stood next to her, gently brushing her shoulder.
"Lauren is a friend of ours. Her mother and I used to be good friends when we were a little younger."
"Friends from America?" Goulard raised and eyebrow.
"Yes, friends from the states." Pascale smiled, pointing at the sofa "Tea? Coffee?"
"Coffee, please." Madame Bernoit smiled and sat down "For both of usā¦"
Lauren poured both women a cup and then did the same for Pascale before she sat down.
"I wonāt beat around the bush here, Madame Leclerc. You know why weāre here. Of course we wanted this appointment to happen with your son at his place, this is about him and Ava after all, but as we know youāre her caretaker, at least most of the time, which isnāt ideal, but yeahā¦"
"Why isnāt it ideal? Pascale is Avaās grandmother, forming a strong bond with her is not wrong?" Lauren interrupted the redhead.
"You are right, itās of course not wrongā¦" the blonde said.
"But sheās not Avaās mother. Her parents, or in this case, parent, is her caretaker. Heās the one Ava should form a strong bond with, but how can she, if her father is always away?"
"Have you seen Charles with Ava? Like really? Not just the mess he was, the young first time father, when his daughter had a cold and was restless and he was panicked and brought her to the doctor? Have you spent time with him outside the hospital? Have seen how he is with her? How gentle and loving? How caring? How he reacts at the littlest sound of discomfort coming from her from across the room? How he feeds her in the middle of the night, although being tired, with the biggest smile on his face? His eyes shining with love and admiration? No? Then you donāt get to judge their relationship based on 10 minutes of him being emotional because of his sick daughter." Lauren looked at the redhead, every word she said was true and the way Madame Goulard was talking about Charles made her insides burn with rage.
"This might all be true. But it is a known fact that he prioritises his career above his daughter. And this is something I get to judge. Heās travelling the world, dumping his daughter, that he loves so dearly, at his mothers place and then doesnāt waste a single thou-ā¦"
"Enough. You donāt get to say such nasty and vile things about my son. My son. You hear me? Iāve raised that boy right and you have no idea how much it tears him apart to be away from Ava all the time. How often he called me in the middle of the night just so that we can FaceTime and he can see his daughter sleep at least for a minute! Heās a good father. A first time father who is trying his best! Who loves his daughter with all his heart!" Pascale had glassy eyes, her voice trembling and Lauren took her hand, squeezing it.
"We have no doubt about this, Madame Leclerc!" the blonde said, shooting her co-worker an angry look "We are just here to make sure that Ava grows up in a safe and stable environment. Thatās our main goal here. And with her father being away most of the time, weāre not so sure about the stabilityā¦"
"We know that and found a solution. From now on Iām Avaās full time nanny. I accompany Charles to his races, taking care of Ava when he canāt and the rest of the time heās with her. It will be like for any parent with a normal 9 to 5 job. When they are working, someone else is taking care of the kids, as soon as their home from work they take overā¦" Laurenās voice was firm, she didnāt let the anger she dealt take over.
"Oh? Umm-⦠okay. That sounds like a good solutionā¦" the blonde woman replied slowly, looking at her, then at Pascale.
"Are you a nanny?" the redhead cocked an eyebrow.
"No, but-ā¦" Lauren began but got interrupted by her.
"And what qualifies you then as a nanny?"
"Iām not a nanny either? Neither is Charles? I donāt see the point here?" Pascale sounded confused.
"Well, you are blood relatives, thatās different, but someone who works as a nanny, getās paid for it⦠certain qualifications are neededā¦"
"Iām a trained paediatric nurse and worked through college as a nanny. Iād say Iām qualified enough." Lauren exclaimed.
"A trained nurse? And you donāt want to work at the hospital?"
"I want to help out the family that welcomed me with open arms after I arrived here in Monaco. And have you met Ava? Sheās adorable, enchanting. Iād take spending my days with her over every long night shift at the hospital."
"Why are you here in Monaco?"
"Why is that important?" Pascale asked.
"We just want to get to know Lauren a bit betterā¦" Madame Bernoit smiled at the young girl.
"Is there a problem with that?" Madame Goulard added and Lauren shook her head.
"No, of course not⦠umm- my mother met Pascale on a trip to South France and Monaco when I was just a baby. They talked and became friends, staying in touch over the years. My dad passed away first, a couple of years ago, my mother just when I started college. I finished college and my nurse training. When I turned 21 I inherited all the savings of my parents. It was a decent amount and I thought about what to do with it. Use it as a down payment for a house? An apartment? But where? I had no other family other than my parents. I was alone. And when I went through my parents old belongings, I found a box with letters between my mum and Pascale. And I remembered how my mother always spoke of my aunt Pascale in Monaco, who would always be there for me if she or my dad would be gone one day⦠and well, here I am now." Lauren lied. Telling them the same story she told Charles and the rest of the family. The story she and Pascale came up with.
"Monaco isnāt a cheap place, your parents must have left you a lot of money then?" the redhead sounded suspicious.
"It was enough to come here and survive a couple of weeks, but ultimately I wouldāve needed to work⦠and that was my plan⦠working here as a nurse as soon as my French would be better. But I decided I much rather want to help out Charles."
"And youāre okay with travelling to a different place of the world almost every other weekend? All while taking care of a 4 month old baby?"
"Iām aware it wonāt be an easy and relaxing job. But travelling the world, while taking care of a gorgeous baby girl like Ava? I think itās going to be goodā¦" Lauren meant every word she said and her smile was genuine.
"What if you realise after a couple of weeks that this isnāt what you wanted? What happens then?"
"Then we can still look for a new nanny. But for now, you wanted my son to be more involved in his daughterās life. You wanted my son to take care of her more and not dump her with me every weekend and he found a way to have his daughter with him at all times. He found a solution for the problem and I think thatās the most important thing right now?" Pascale retorted and Madame Benoit nodded.
"You are right. This is the best scenario that we could ask for, considering your sonās job. We will of course stay in touch⦠check in on Ava every now and then to make sure that this arrangement works." she said and got up "Thank you for your time, Madame Leclerc, Lauren." she shook their hands and then looked at her co-worker still sitting on the sofa "We can go nowā¦"
"Sure⦠for now." the redhead slowly got up and looked at Lauren intently, about to say something when Ava started to cry in Charlesā old bedroom, the screen of the baby monitor lighting up, showing her squirm around in her bed.
"Excuse me." Lauren went straight to Ava, checking in on the little girl "Hi little Miss Sunshineā¦" she cooed at her and the crying almost stopped immediately "Did you have a bad dream?" she gently picked her up and tried to lull her back to sleep, after all she didnāt nap for longer than 20 minutes.
"Sheās amazing with herā¦" Pascale commented, watching Lauren gently swaying back and forth, Ava cradled to her chest, on the screen "Sheāll be asleep in no time⦠something about Lauren always calms Ava downā¦"
And as if on cue, Lauren gently laid the little girl back into her crib, carefully wiping a little strand of hair out of her face.
"That was quick indeedā¦" Madame Bernoit looked at Pascale.
"You see why we think sheās the best nanny Ava could have? Sheāll be amazing, I have no doubt. After all she was it the last weeks alreadyā¦"
"Thatās all we want. A safe and stable environment for Ava."
"And thatās what sheāll have."
"Thatās it?" Charles looked at the two suitcases, one cardboard box and Laurenās backpack "Thatās all your belongings?"
"I sold most stuff when I left home⦠I only took the most important things with me⦠and well yeah, thatās itā¦" Lauren said shyly, looking at the floor.
"Alright, better for us I guess, so we donāt have to carry around that muchā¦" he winked at Arthur who shrugged his shoulders.
"You easily couldāve handled that aloneā¦"
"More working, less talking." Charles quipped back, grabbing the two suitcases "You take the box." then he strut outside.
"Aye, aye captain!" Arthur saluted mockingly before he grabbed the box and followed his brother outside.
Lauren looked around. She liked the storage room. It gave her a sense of safety. Away in a dark room, no one knowing about her being there. The window too small to break in. She snatched her backpack from the bed and sighed. She could feel safe at Charles place as well. After all Ava was living there, he wouldāve taken every safety measurement there is to keep her safe and protected. The car ride was short and when they finally managed to get everything in the elevator, Lauren and Charles pressed close to each other. When the elevator stopped abruptly she tried to steady herself to not trip and her hand landed on Charles chest, his heart beat quickening.
"Iām sorry!" Lauren mumbled immediately, her cheeks turning pink.
"No- umm itās alrightā¦" he responded quickly and stepped out of elevator when the door opened and he pulled Laurenās suitcases out, next the cardboard box "Ready to see your new home?"
"Yes!" she exclaimed excitedly and followed Charles into his apartment.
The apartment was bright, old hardwood floors, high ceilings. The doors adorned with beautiful carvings.
"Itās beautifulā¦" Lauren whispered and Charles turned around, looking at her "I love old buildings⦠they have Charme, character⦠they feel lived in, not empty and soullessā¦"
"Thatās what Iām always saying! Iāve been asked so many times why I havenāt bought a luxury apartment in one of the new buildings downtown and the answer is simple⦠they are too sterile. Cold."
"Yeah no. This is a true gem, you should keep it as long as possibleā¦"
"Iām planning to." Charles responded, leading her into the kitchen "Thatās the kitchen⦠you wonāt find me here that often⦠Iām a mess in the kitchen." he chuckled and then walked through the hallway into the living room, Pascale and Ava on the sofa "Living room and dining roomā¦" he nodded towards the left and Lauren followed his look, her eyes landing on the piano.
"Do you play?" she asked, looking at him.
"Umm- yeah⦠I kinda do. Iām not that great, but yeah." this time he blushed "Do you play?"
"I used to.. with my mumā¦" Lauren replied quietly.
"Maybe we can play one day together." Charles squeezed her shoulder gently.
"Yeahā¦"
A tense silence fell upon them, that got interrupted by Charles phone ringing.
"Oh- sorry I have to take thisā¦" he walked out of the room and Lauren sat down next to Pascale, Ava excitedly chortling.
"Looks like someone wants to be held by youā¦" she laughed and Lauren opened her arms.
"Hi Avaā¦" she cooed at the little girl who started to play with her hair.
"I need to be in Zandvoort tomorrow morningā¦" Charles plopped down next to her 10 minutes later.
"I thought on Thursday? You just came back from Maranello this morning?" Pascale asked and he shrugged.
"There is a sponsor event that I have to attendā¦" he sighed.
"Lauren and Ava should stay here, Charles. Youāll be back on Monday, before you leave for Monza again. Iād say Lauren and Ava should join you starting with Singapore? So she can get settled in here and also we can work out a plan how the logistics and all will workā¦"
"Yeah⦠I think youāre rightā¦" Charles looked at Ava, almost asleep in Laurenās arms "But for now, I can still show you around the rest of the placeā¦" he got up and Lauren wanted to hand over the little bundle in her arms to Pascale but Ava began to grumble and held onto the girls shirt and she laughed.
"Looks like Ava is joining us for the rest of the tourā¦"
"Yeah, she doesnāt want to let go of her new favourite personā¦" Charles smiled at her, leading her down the hallway to their left "This is Avaās roomā¦" he stepped into the nursery, looking at Lauren "I know. Itās not really a welcoming place⦠I have to take care of it still, but I just had no time for that⦠I want it to be warm and cozy. I want Ava to feel at home in here⦠Iām still adjusting to all the dad dutiesā¦" he scratched his neck.
"My mum used to say āWhat if home is not a place, but a person?āā¦" Lauren whispered and Charles turned, looking at her questioningly "Everywhere you are will be home for her⦠donāt doubt yourself too much. Youāre an amazing dad."
"You think so?" he asked curiously, his voice sounder unsure and Lauren nodded.
"I know so." she smiled, gently squeezing his arm, making butterflyās going crazy in his stomach.
"Thanks-⦠like- umm⦠really." Charles stammered, scolding himself for losing his cool yet again "And this would be your roomā¦" he opened the door next to the nursery, revealing a clean and simple bedroom "We can buy new furniture! Paint the walls, a new rug? Some of these pillows for decoration? And blankets? Whatever you want. I never use this room. Itās a guest room and I never put any effort into it. Make it look clean and tidy, thatās it. Sorry! Itās just- this wasnāt- umm⦠yeah. Maybe some new curtains? Paintings?"
"Charles?" Lauren put her hand on his shoulder, smiling at him "Itās nice. Really. Itās clean. The bed looks comfy, I like the furniture. I slept the last weeks in your mums storage room, with only a tiny window. And before that I slept in a dorm⦠this is more than enough! I promise!"
"Okay⦠umm- if youāre sure?" the young father was still rambling "I just want you to feel at home⦠because itās kinda your home now⦠I guess?"
"It is⦠but yeah, maybe one or two of these pillows for decoration would be nice." Lauren laughed, the sound making Charles heart skip a beat.
"I think I can do that. When Iām back from Zandvoortā¦" he laughed, scratching the back of his neck "And then I need to do Avaās room. I shouldāve done it earlier, I know. But there was never enough time and I honestly had no idea how a nursery has to look? Especially a nursery of a girl? I got lost in the internet and ended up just ignoring it. Letting her sleep in my room⦠but yeah, maybe you can make one of your mood boards for Avaās nursery?"
The way he stood in the door. Looking almost shy in his own home, made Laurenās chest tighten. He was such a good person, always trying his very best that he didnāt give himself enough credit for how amazing he truly was. In her mind she knew what she had to do and she needed the help of Arthur to accomplish it.
Chapter 13 - Itās official. Lauren will be Avaās nanny ā„ļø letās see how that will play out, when feelings are growing stronger, tension boiling over⦠I canāt wait for it all to unfold š¤
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Charles and Lizzie came up with the names! I was reading the chapter and saw the TikTok after š¤£
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Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince:
Chapter 12

Masterlist - Previous - Next
The Heartbreak Prince
"Youāre staringā¦" Joris smirked and Charles immediately averted his gaze from Lauren.
"Iām just checking how much longer the food will take⦠Iām hungry." he said, looking back down into his book.
"Oh yeah you are hungry⦠but not for food." his best friend laughed.
"Stop it." Charles groaned.
"What? Am I wrong? Donāt think I didnāt see you adjusting your shorts when Lauren shows up wearing nothing but a bikini⦠especially the red one, thatās your favouriteā¦"
Charles grabbed the pillow next to him and smashed it against his best friendās face.
"I said stop it." he jumped up, leaving Joris behind who just chuckled.
Charles hastily walked inside, grabbing a cold water from the fridge and then left the kitchen again when Lauren called out his name.
"Are you okay?" her voice soft as he turned around.
"Sure, why youāre asking?"
"It sounded like you and Joris were arguing a littleā¦"
"Wh-⦠no. No itās fine, heās just his normal annoying selfā¦" Charles scratched the back of his neck, trying to look as comfortable and normal as possible.
"Oh. Okay⦠well, umm-⦠lunch is almost readyā¦" Lauren smiled at him and he nodded.
"Perfect, Iām starving! I just go and check on Ava, she was a little grumpy earlier." he walked off, straight into his bedroom.
The last days went by in a blur and with every new day he felt more and more drawn to Lauren. Everything felt natural with her. She fitted into his family like she always belonged to it. Everyone loved her. He understood why his mother was so full of praise for her. She was amazing. Funny and witty, bold but then again shy and sweet, always trying to make everyone feel good. Always trying to make everyone smile. And the way she took care of Ava made his heart almost burst. She was so loving and gentle with her. On the second day, after feeding her, Ava spit up all over her shoulder and back, but Lauren only laughed, cooing at her what a wonderful job she just did. She was always calm, making Ava no matter how fuzzy she was calm down as well. His mother called her a baby whisperer which Lauren only waved off but Charles agreed. She was a baby whisperer.
"Hey little princess⦠are you in a better mood now?" Charles leaned down, blowing raspberries at her and she began to happily babble "Yes you are⦠come on⦠letās get you out of here⦠but first⦠new diaper⦠yep, definitelyā¦"
10 minutes later he walked into the kitchen, a freshly changed Ava in his arms.
"Oh, hello little Miss Sunshine!" Lauren smiled at them and Ava began to wiggle in her fatherās arms, chortling at her.
"Looks like she wants her favourite person to hold herā¦" Arthur joked when he grabbed the plates "And sadly itās not me anymoreā¦"
"You were never her favouriteā¦" Charles rolled his eyes.
"Exactly that was me!" Pascale and Lorenzo said in unison and they laughed.
"Does anyone here consider me as her favourite?"
"Youāll always be her favourite⦠youāre her dad after all⦠thereās a special bond between youā¦" Lauren reassured him, washing her hands.
"Thank you, Lauren. Consider yourself my favourite person as well!" Charles said loudly, making his mother and brothers laugh, but when he looked at Lauren drying her hands he saw her cheeks being slightly flushed. He pretended like he didnāt notice and held Ava out to her and that beautiful smile made its way onto her face, lighting it up "Could you hold her for a moment? I have to go to the bathroomā¦"
"You donāt have to ask me twice!" she replied smiling at Ava who immediately snuggled into her, starting to play with Laurenās necklace.
Charles walked back to his room, when he heard his phone ring. One quick glance and he already knew who called, making him groan. They couldnāt even let him have this family trip without bothering him. He picked up the phone, trying to stay calm.
"Hello?"
"Ah, Mr. Leclerc, and here I thought you lost your phoneā¦" Cleo Bernoit.
"No, I havenāt. Iām just currently enjoying my summer break. Spending some well needed time with my daughter and family."
"Thatās nice to hear. Thatās exactly why Iām calling you. You and your daughter."
"What about me and my daughter?"
"Mr. Leclerc, weāve talked about this. We just want whatās best for Ava. Thatās what we told your lawyer as well, by the wayā¦" she sounded annoyed.
"My lawyer only acts in my interestā¦"
"Making us sign NDAās is in your interest? Why?"
"As you know, my life isnāt exactly quiet. Often Iām being followed by photographers and fans. I donāt want them to find out about Ava. Not yet when sheās this little. I have to protect her from the publicās eye. And with every person who knows about her, itās more likely to come out that I have a daughter. So yes, letting you and everyone who has contact with me and therefore Ava sign a NDA is in my interest."
"Thatās debatable but for now irrelevant. As soon as youāre back from your vacation, weād like to visit you at home. We want to see how Avaās days look like when youāre at home, or rather when youāre not at homeā¦"
"When Iām coming back from my vacation the summer break is over and I have to work againā¦" Charles replied.
"Well, then I guess we pay your mother a visit⦠listen, Mr. Leclerc, you may not believe this, but as I explained to you already last week, we only want whatās best for Ava. We want her to grow up in a stable and safe environment. If you can provide that, you have nothing to worry about. Have a nice vacation." the CPS worker hung up, leaving Charles staring at his phone in silence for a while.
They already told him why they think his job isnāt the most suitable for a single father in the hospital and at last weekās call. He knew explaining it to them wouldnāt change their opinion. He had no idea what to do. He didnāt tell anyone about it besides his lawyer. Too scared to think much about it. What if they would decide he wasnāt a good enough father and took Ava away from him? What if he lost custody of her? All these thoughts were swirling inside his head, making him feel dizzy. His chest began to hurt, he felt his breathing constrict the more he thought about Ava being taken away from him. Her face that looked at him with her big eyes wide open, scared of the strange people taking her. Her cries and whimpers. Charles closed his eyes, trying to breathe but it didnāt work, it was like he forgot how to breathe in the last 30 seconds. He clutched his chest, right over his heart that was racing. His sight got foggy and he felt his knees buckling, touching the cold wood floor.
His ears were buzzing and he felt the bile rise up his throat when all of a sudden a warm and gentle hand on his shoulder woke him up from his frenzy.
"Charles?" a soft voice asked and he saw Lauren in his peripheral "Breathe with me, okay?"
She appeared in front of him, one hand still on his shoulder, the other one taking his hand in hers, squeezing it gently.
"Look at me, okay? Just follow my lead, deep breathe in⦠and out⦠inā¦. and outā¦"
Charles sight slowly sharpened again, the buzzing in his ears got quieter with each breath he took and his racing heart slowed down. His breathing was shaky, but he felt how his whole body slowly relaxed, the tightness and pain in his chest slowly ebbing away.
"Youāre okay⦠everything will be fine⦠just breatheā¦" Lauren smiled at him and he swallowed hard.
Charles had no idea how long they sat like this. His eyes locked on Laurenās. Breathing simultaneously with her.
"You feel better?" she whispered and he slowly nodded "Yeah? Okay, then come on, letās get upā¦" she carefully pulled him up with her and then pushed him onto the edge of his bed before she turned away for a moment.
"Fuckā¦" Charles mumbled, ruffling his hair when Lauren handed him a glass of water "Thanks.."
She just smiled at him, squeezing his shoulder and then sat down next to him.
"Can I- can I ask what happened?" she whispered holding his gaze, her eyes sincere.
"I donāt know⦠honestly. One second I was fine and the next I couldnāt breathe, my chest hurt and everything was getting blurryā¦"
"You had a panic attack, Charles."
"What a fitting nameā¦" he mumbled and closed his eyes.
"Was it the first time?"
"I think so⦠I mean I never felt like this beforeā¦"
"Did something happen?" her voice was soft and comforting and Charles could get lost in her eyes.
He wanted to tell her about the call he just received. His fears. But it wasnāt fair. He didnāt want to bother her with his problems and so he slowly shook his head.
"No⦠I was just thinking that next week Iāll be back in Maranello and the second half of the season startsā¦" Charles lied and Lauren nodded.
"Okay? And thatās scares you?" she asked.
"Iām not having the best season so far⦠and after the last weeks with you⦠with you guys here? Maybe not scared but it definitely doesnāt excite me as much as it used toā¦"
"Hmm⦠I understand. I honestly donāt know what to say⦠Iām not really into F1 to say much about it." Lauren replied shyly but Charles shook his head.
"Itās fine⦠you helped me, thatās enough!" he smiled, ruffling his hair "Can we please go now? Iām starving and the food you all prepared looked damn good!"
"Yeah! Sure! Letās go!" she got up, giggling lightly, a sound that made Charles heart flutter.
"Lauren?" he called after her and she turned around "Can this- umm can what happened stay between us? I donāt want the others to be worried⦠I know Iām asking a lotā¦"
"No, itās okay⦠I understand⦠your secret is safe with meā¦" she smiled and he sighed relieved. She stretched out her hand for him to take, wiggling it in front of him "And now come on! Iām starving too!"
Charles was lying on one of the sun loungers, his tired eyes softening as he watched Ava sleep on his chest. Her fluttering eyelids, plush lips, every gentle rise and fall of her tiny body with each of his breaths was like balm for his soul. Her adorable sounds like a melody to his ears, soothing him in a way nothing else could these days. He still felt the panic attack from 2 days before in his bones. The way his breathing constricted making him feel helpless. The upcoming visit of the CPS occupied his mind. He still had to tell his mother about it all, but he was too scared. Saying it out loud made it real. For now it was just like a dark cloud looming over Monaco for when he returned back home. The fear of losing Ava paired with the weight of the season, the failed upgrades, the race results that havenāt gone his way, it was all a lot to take in, but in a moment like this, where he watched his little girl sleep on his chest, they all seemed to fade into the background as he focused on the peaceful rhythm of Avaās slumber. In the rare quiet moments Charles had with her, he could forget about it all. No fastest laps to race, no expectations to meet, no CPS to convince he was doing a good job as a father. Just the warmth of his little girl, her trust in him, and the overwhelming love he felt for her. In these moments, all the noise of the world seemed to disappear and he found comfort in her presence, like a shelter from the outside world. It made Charles realise that even when things werenāt going his way, he always had something to come home to that made all the blood, sweat and tears worthwhile. He knew he would do everything for her. He would give his life for her.
"Charles?" his mothers soft voice made him look up from his little girl "You should lay down inside⦠itās quite hot out here and youāve been laying here for quite a while nowā¦"
"What time is it?" he mumbled, looking at her.
"Itās half past 3ā¦"
"Oh yeah⦠I lost track of time. I was lost in my thoughtsā¦" he sighed.
"Yeah, I could tellā¦" she sat down on the chair next to him "Do you want to talk about it?"
"Yes⦠but not now. I need a day or two to sort it all out in my head." he sat up carefully, making sure to not wake up Ava "I didnāt even realise how hot it was?" he felt the sweat dripping down his face, wiping it away before he felt Avaās skin "She feels a little warmā¦"
"Itās okay⦠just go inside and both have something to drink." Pascale smiled and he nodded, walking up the stairs of the terrace and then inside.
The fresh air gave him goosebumps and he cradled Ava closer to his chest when he walked towards the kitchen. He got greeted with the polished steel door of the fridge, hearing someone rummaging through it before closing it. Lauren turned and flinched and she looked for a moment like a deer caught in headlights.
"Oh hi⦠gosh you scared me!" her voice shaky.
"Sorry! I just wanted to grab something to drink for us." Charles replied and the girl nodded, already grabbing one of Avaās bottles from the sink "You donāt have to, I can-ā¦"
"Itās okayā¦" Lauren smiled and grabbed the formula, carefully measuring the scoops. While she watched the water warm up to the right temperature, she grabbed a glass from the cupboard over her and opened the fridge again "Just plain water is boring. I cut in some fruit or cucumber and mint. What would you like?"
"Umm-⦠I try the cucumber and mint one." Charles smiled at her and watched her fill his glass "Thanks." he took the glass from her and tried it "Pretty refreshing. And not boring."
"Right?" she smiled and prepared Avaās formula, shaking the bottle before she squirted a little something on her wrist making Charles cock an eyebrow.
"You know that the water will heat up to the exact right temperature, thatās the whole point of this gadgetā¦"
"I know⦠but I just donāt trust it. I donāt want it to be too hot and hurt Avaā¦" she shrugged and Charles felt his insides warm again.
"Youāre too sweetā¦" the words were out before he could do anything against it and Lauren blushed immediately "I mean⦠the way how you look out for Ava, not even just Ava, for me? When Maman said youāre the sweetest girl, I didnāt know what she meant. Now I do."
"I owe your mum a lot⦠so yeah, thatās my way of thanking herā¦" she mumbled and handed him Avaās bottle.
"And itās a sweet way. A very caring way. Thank youā¦" Charles smiled and left the kitchen to sit down on the sofa, just right in time for Ava to squirm around, opening her eyes looking at him "Hey girlie⦠did you have a good sleep?"
As if she understood him she nodded slightly and then yawned, making an adorable sound. But it didnāt take long for her to start crying and he already grabbed the bottle, feeding her.
"There you go⦠already prepared, no need to cry, princess." he smiled at her leaning back into the cushions.
He watched her face, how her tiny nose scrunched up, her eyes half open, cheeks slightly pink from just waking up, when Lauren walked past him carrying two big plates outside. Everything she did, she did effortlessly. She always looked graceful. Always looked well put together. Even in the morning, after just waking up and she was just wearing shorts and a top, she still looked perfect. He couldnāt stop looking at her and his motherās words about how she couldāve been a supermodel if she wanted to, were omnipresent in his mind because his mother was right. She really could be a supermodel. But a real one. Wearing beautiful gowns in the runways in Milan or Paris. Not these wannabe social media models.
"Charles?" this time he flinched, when Lauren stood in front of him "Sorry!"
"No, itās okay, I was just umm- lost in my thoughts!" he said quickly, smiling at her.
"Oh, good thoughts?" she cocked and eyebrow, smirking.
"Umm-⦠yeah, Iād say so."
"Good. Thatās really good⦠here, I made you a fruit plate as wellā¦" she sat down a plate full of melon, pineapple and mango chunks, strawberry halfās and blueberries and he realised that the two big plates she carried outside mustāve been fruit plates for the rest of them by the pool "And some more water, you need to stay hydrated, you know."
"Thanks Laurenā¦" it was really like he said, she was the sweetest.
"Letās trade, I get the little princess, and you can have your snackā¦" she held out her hands a moment later she was feeing Ava, looking at her lovingly.
"I honestly have no idea how we wouldāve survived this vacation without youā¦" Charles said after a while and Lauren looked at him "Itās not just that you look out for Ava and me, but everyone! Iāve seen it. You make everyone around you feel good. Always prepare little snacks here and there. Make sure that everyone stays hydrated or puts on enough sunscreenā¦"
"I guess thatās just a part of me since Iām a nurse⦠I canāt help it but to make people feel good and look out for them⦠especially if itās people I like a lot⦠and I do⦠like you all a lotā¦" she replied shyly, her cheeks again slightly red.
It was adorable how fast Lauren blushed. The tinniest of compliments or nice things about her being said already made her blush and she turned shy. Always deflecting and asking for them to stop. She wasnāt anything special or wasnāt doing anything special. But she was wrong. She was. She was something special.
"Oh good job, Ava! That was a good little burb!" Lauren cooed at the little girl who began to babble happily, playing with Laurenās hair "You like hair, hmm? Maybe youāll become a hairdresser just like your grandma when youāre older?"
Charles chuckled. Watching the two girls next to him have a kind of conversation, while happily snacking the fruits Lauren had prepared for him. It was easy with her around. Just watching her and Ava. Like it always was like this. Maybe it could be something, that always would be like this, too.
"And youāre staring againā¦" Joris chuckled and Charles groaned "Itās okay. You can just admit it."
"Why donāt you just shut up, hmm?" he said and looked away from Lauren, stretching out next to Carla with Ava in her lap, laughing at what she just said.
Joris was right, he couldnāt tear his eyes away from her. The way the red bikini clung to her skin seemed almost too perfect, catching the sunlight with every subtle movement. Every curve of her body seemed perfectly sculpted, the fabric hugging her in all the right places, and he could feel a deep heat rise within him. His heart raced, a mixture of desire and something deeper, but the attraction was undeniable. But again it wasnāt just her beauty that held him in place, rooted like he was in some trance. It was the way she interacted with Ava. Her tiny hands seemed to reach out for her every time she spoke softly to her. Every laugh, every tender word she whispered to his little girl, made his insides feel as though it was melting. There was something about the way she was with his daughter that stirred something deep within him. Over the past weeks he realised that he had never seen anyone make such a natural, effortless connection with Ava. And the longer he watched her, the more he realised that it wasnāt just Laurenās physical beauty that enchanted him. It was her warmth, her kindness, the way she was able to make his daughter giggle, her big eyes sparkling.
"You know, itās kinda obvious that you have a thing for her, that youāre more than attracted to her⦠so why not act on it?" Joris said after a while and Charles thought about his words.
He shifted uncomfortably, his pulse quickening as he tried to force his thoughts to calm down, but it was no use. Joris was right. His own body betrayed him with every lingering glance and he got up, groaning.
"Just shut up!" he hissed before he jumped into the pool, needing to cool down.
"Sure. Thatās also an optionā¦" Joris laughed but Charles ignored him, swimming a few lengths to get his mind out of the gutter.
For now he had other problems to focus on. With their vacation coming to an end in 3 days he knew that he had to talk to his mother about the CPS. And he dreaded it already. He needed a clear head for it. So he swallowed down whatever it was he felt for Lauren and prepared himself to tell his mother about what was to come as soon as she would return to Monaco with Ava.
"Youāre kidding, right? Your job?" Pascale looked at Charles with big eyes.
"They are afraid that I canāt take care of her, because of my job and dropping her off at yours all the time canāt be the solution. They say as her father I have to be more present in her life. Itās important for- umm what did they say? Bonding? Form a bond? Well yeah I told them that itās not so easy with my job and that taking her with me is not an option because how is that gonna work? But they were very clear that they will have an eye on me and also pay me or rather you a visit as soon as weāre back to see how Ava lives. How a normal day looks for herā¦"
"And that all just because you were responsible and went to the hospital with her when you werenāt sure what to do?"
"Apparently I shouldāve known it myself⦠or better I should have a girlfriend or wife who shouldāve known itā¦" Charles was exhausted, plopping down on the sofa.
"Now thatās just⦠thatās just stupid. Ava is your first child, itās normal to not know everything! And sheās the happiest little girl, itās not fair of them to make you feel like youāre a bad father when youāre doing everything that you can to be the best dad for her!" Pascale sat down on the coffee table, taking her sonās hands in his "Donāt let them make you believe youāre not a good father, okay? The sacrifices you make to keep Ava safe? To make sure sheās healthy and happy? Donāt believe for one second that what they are saying is the truth!"
"Iām trying to, I swear⦠but itās hard. Because to some degree, they are not that wrong. Most of the time sheās with you instead of meā¦"
"Because you have a very demanding job! One that isnāt easy at all. But one that will provide your daughter with everything sheāll ever want and need!"
"I know. And thatās why Iām just so⦠gosh I donāt knowā¦" he swallowed hard and his mother squeezed his hands.
"Donāt be so hard on yourself⦠youāll find a solution. Weāll find oneā¦"
"I donāt know, Maman. I mean, what am I supposed to do?" Charles got up, pacing back and forth "I canāt stop racing. Itās my job. My career. My life!"
Pascale thought for a moment. The thought she had for weeks now coming back to her mind and she got up as well.
"I have an ideaā¦" she said slowly, a mischievous smile forming on her lips when she looked outside and Charles followed her look, his eyes landing on Lauren, Ava in her arms, swaying her slowly around.
"Iām listening?"
"Lauren." Pascale simply said.
"Lauren?" Charles repeated, cocking an eyebrow "Thatās it. Thatās your idea? Lauren?"
"You need a full time nanny. One who travels with you to your races and allā¦"
Chapter 12 - Happy (belated) Valentineās Day ā„ļø and what a way to celebrate it! Charles and Lauren are just the cutest! I really enjoy writing them and I hope you guys enjoy reading about them!
Please leave a comment/ like/ reblog/ message and tell me how you liked it! I'm dying to hear your thoughts!
If you want to be added to the taglist, drop a comment!
Last but not least, English is not my first language and although I tried my best: please excuse any mistakes I made!
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Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince:
Chapter 11

Masterlist - Previous - Next
Miss Americana
"Maman!" Charles said in a hushed voice but his mother only grinned, her eyes darting between her son and her young assistant.
"What? You did talk about herā¦" Pascale just shrugged her shoulders "Where is my gorgeous, little Ava?"
Lauren just then noticed the stroller behind Charles.
"You were right, by the wayā¦" he said, looking at her.
"Umm-�" Lauren was confused.
"I gave her a warm bath later on when she was still a little restless." Charles replied and she remembered their conversation again "She had a little cold back then⦠but sheās umm-⦠sheās better now."
"Thatās good to know, Iām glad." the girl smiled at him, watching Pascale gently picking up Ava from the stroller, giving her the chance to see the little girl from close up "Sheās gorgeous."
"That she isā¦" Pascale cooed.
"Yeah, she really isā¦" Charles agreed, although his eyes werenāt on his daughter but on Lauren, who didnāt seem to notice.
"Are you done with everything? Ready to close the salon for the next 3 weeks?" Charles asked his mother and Lauren looked at Pascale with big eyes.
"Oh god. I totally forgot to tell you⦠Iām so sorry!" the hairdresser gasped.
"Oh⦠umm okay⦠well yeah, I mean, I was wondering why I couldnāt set up new appointments for the next weeks although the calendar seemed to be empty, but I thought you blocked them because of our little project." the young girl smiled at her boss who sighed.
"No, itās not okay⦠you couldāve planned something beforehand for the next weeks and now I leave you behind and all alone just like thatā¦" Pascale said sincerely.
"Itās really okay Pascale. I probably wouldnāt even have planned something. Just stayed here⦠also, I scheduled the delivery of the new sinks and some other supplies for tomorrow, so yeah, maybe itās better when weāre closed!" Lauren tried to reassure her "You go and enjoy your holidays with your family. I take care of the delivery tomorrow and then I watch over the salon⦠maybe I start with the remodellingā¦"
"No! Weāre closed due to holidays! I cannot let you work while I do nothing⦠and I canāt let you be here all alone when they deliver all this new stuff tomorrow!" Pascale shook her head.
"You can and you will. Please let me handle this, Pascale. After everything you did for meā¦" Lauren meant what she said, looking at the other woman hugging her granddaughter close to her chest.
Pascale sighed, looking at her young assistant, the girl that got so close to her heart over the last weeks. She didnāt want to leave her all alone. Especially not in her makeshift bedroom in the storage room. The thought of Lauren all alone in the dark room with only one tiny window made her heart clench and she shook her head.
"Charles, how about you come in tomorrow morning and help Lauren with the delivery? Weāre not leaving before noon so thereās enough time for thatā¦" she smiled mischievously at her son "I would feel bad if Iād let poor Lauren handle it aloneā¦"
"Thatās really not necessary!" the girl in question protested but was shut down by just one look of the older woman.
"You know how these delivery people are! They will drop the stuff right at the entrance and you have to carry around those heavy packages all by yourself! So no, Charles will help you, right?"
"Of course! Yeah⦠Maman is right, you shouldnāt carry all of that alone. Thatās- umm no, Iām coming. Just tell me when I should be hereā¦" Charles said hastily, looking at Lauren.
"Umm-⦠the mail said theyāll be here at around 8 am so⦠yeah at 8?" she replied shyly and Charles nodded.
"Iāll be here then."
"Perfect!" Pascale clapped her hands gently, making Ava giggle.
Lauren was tossing and turning, not able to fall asleep. No matter what she did, when she closed her eyes she saw Charles blueish-green eyes and his dimply smile in front of her. His loving eyes whenever he looked at his daughter. Ava. The most gorgeous baby girl she has ever seen. She had her fatherās eyes and dimples. A cute little button nose, chubby cheeks and a bright smile that was giving her fatherās a run for its money. Lauren was nervous meeting Charles all alone. No Pascale to bridge the awkward silence. Only the two of them. Alone. She didnāt even know why she was nervous. Just that she was. Which was weird. She never felt that way before and she didnāt know if she liked it or not.
"Get yourself together, Rachel." she mumbled into the dark room, sighing after a moment "Lauren. Iām Lauren."
She checked the time and groaned. 1 am already. She turned on her side. Closing her eyes taking a deep breath, Charles face in front of her immediately. But this time she ignored it. Yes, he was attractive. Yes, there were some weird feelings stirring inside of her. But it didnāt matter. He was Pascaleās son. He had a daughter which probably meant he had a beautiful girlfriend or wife as well. Out of her league. Not that she even thought about anything like that. She already had a long enough list of problems. A crush on an unavailable man whoās also the son of her boss wasnāt going to make it on that list. And still it was Charles face she saw when she fell asleep. Unfortunately it wasnāt his face that made her wake up. Sweaty and heavy breathing. Heart racing. She had a nightmare that her father and even worse Tony had found her. Taking her back home against her will. Threatening her life and everyone who was kind to her if she wouldnāt come back. Lauren felt sick. It wasnāt the first time she had a nightmare like this. The first one or two weeks after she ran away were filled with nightmares. But since she arrived in Europe, brought a whole ocean between her and her old life, the nightmares were gone. Or at least she thought so. Lauren sat up and grabbed her water bottle, gulping it almost down in one go. With one hand she was brushing her hair out of her sweaty face, with the other she was searching for her phone to check the time.
"Fuck!" Lauren let out, scrambling out of the bed. 7:58 am. "Why? Why last night? Out of all nights I had to have a nightmare last night!" she mumbled.
Lauren left the storage room, her heart sinking when she saw Charles waiting through the storefront, talking with what looked like the delivery guy.
"Iām so, so sorry! I didnāt hear my alarm!" Lauren unlocked the door, pulling both sides wide open "I hope you didnāt have to wait too longā¦"
"Oh no, itās alright..." Charles began with a big smile "We didnāt even wait forā¦" his smile faded immediately and worry was etched on his features "Are you okay?"
"Huh?" Lauren turned, looking at him.
"Youāre awfully paleā¦" he replied and she just waved him off.
"Oh-⦠umm⦠of course. It was just a little stressful when I realised that Iām too late!" she tried to reassure him and then quickly turned to the delivery guy "But now Iām here and we can startā¦"
"Sure." he nodded and started to unload 3 big and heavy looking packages, dropping them off at the entrance, followed by a handful of smaller packages "Thatās all, I need you to sign here⦠and hereā¦"
"I didnāt even know that Maman planned on remodelling the salonā¦" Charles said after he sat down the last of the 3 big packages.
"We talked about it and well one thing lead to anotherā¦" Lauren shrugged, opening one of the smaller packages "We made a mood board, looked up some stuff online and then we already ordered itā¦"
"Wow, my mother usually isnāt the spontaneous type. She takes her time making decisions, thinking everything through. You must have made quite the impression on her."
"I told her that the salon looks amazing, there is nothing that needed to be changed!" Lauren quickly replied "I didnāt tell her that she should do itā¦"
"No! Thatās not-⦠I didnāt mean it like that. Umm- like you talked her into it! I know her, talking her into something doesnāt work. I just meant that the ideas you had mustāve been amazing, otherwise she wouldnāt be on board that quickly!" Charles looked at her with wide eyes.
"Oh. Well, she knows what she wants. And I was just lucky enough ti find the perfect stuff onlineā¦"
"Can I see it?" he asked "The mood-board?"
"Oh? Sureā¦" she searched through her phone, handing it over to Charles "That was the visionā¦"
He didnāt reply immediately, looking at the design, the different textures and colours.
"Wowā¦" Charles let out, looking at her "I understand why my mother agreed. It looks amazing, Lauren."
The way he said her name made the girl shiver, taking her phone back.
"Itās nothingā¦"
"It is. Really. You have an eye for details."
"My mother and I, we used to watch HGTV all day long. The home renovation shows were our favourite. It was either nurse or interior designer for meā¦"
"Why did you choose being a nurse then?" Charles asked curiously.
Lauren was silent for a moment. Thinking about the best way to answer his question.
"Iām sorry, I didnāt mean to pryā¦" he added but she shook her head.
"I wanted to help people. People that got hurt or are sick. So yeah⦠nurse it was." Lauren replied, swallowing hard.
The truth was, she wanted to become a nurse because she saw what her father and his line of work did to people. A part of her was hoping she could get rid of the guilt she felt over the pain theyāve caused. Another part always had to think back at her mother and the night of their accident. How helpless she felt.
"Lauren?" Charles soft voice made her flinch "Are you okay?"
"Hmm?" she looked at him confused.
"You were a little- umm⦠absentmindedā¦" he took a step closer, looking in her eyes, noticing the tears gathering.
"Yeahā¦" she replied, her voice hoarse.
"You sure?" Charles asked when a single tear rolled down the girls cheek and without thinking about it he gently wiped it away with his thumb, cupping her cheek.
"I was just thinking of somethingā¦" Lauren breathed out when the door to the salon opened and Pascale walked in, followed by a boy carrying Ava, making Lauren taking a step away from Charles, looking at her boss.
"Are we interrupting something?" the boy, who looked a lot like Charles just younger, asked, wiggling his eyebrows.
"Ferme-la, Arthur!" Charles hissed, making Arthur held up his hand.
"Lauren, this is Arthur, my youngest son⦠and you know little Ava by nowā¦" Pascale introduced Lauren to Arthur.
"The famous Lauren. Iāve heard so much about you already!" he grinned at her.
"Hopefully good things?" Lauren said nervously.
"Only good things, no not even good, my mother was praising you. Basically everything about you⦠but saying youāre a really pretty girl was a total understatementā¦" he winked and Lauren felt herself blush.
"Stop it, Romeo!" Pascale rolled her eyes but had to smirk at the look Charles was giving his younger brother "I brought some breakfast for my little hard workers."
"Iām starving!" Arthur exclaimed.
"I wasnāt talking about you. What did you do besides carrying your niece around? Right. Nothing." Pascale put down a paper bag and two cups on the counter "This is for you two." she smiled at Charles and Lauren.
"That wasnāt necessary!" the girl mumbled.
"Donāt think I didnāt notice how little you eat! You really shouldāve accepted my offer and move in with me instead of living in the storage room with no way to cook an-ā¦"
"What? You sleep in the storage room?" Charles made big eyes, looking at Lauren "But-⦠that room is tiny! And dusty! Is there even a window?"
"Itās fine! There is a window. Itās not dusty. The bed is comfy. Itās just until I got my feet on the groundā¦" she replied hastily.
"Yeah and you couldāve done that at my place just as goodā¦" Pascale sighed.
"Maman is right! This is just a salon! Itās not safe! Do you know how often there has been break-ins here in the shops?" Charles said, his voice laced with worry "Itās dangerous!"
"This is Monaco⦠not Nice!" Arthur laughed but stopped as soon as his brother looked at him "But still. Yeah. Dangerous. Living in a shop."
"Itās fine. Really. As soon as my French is better and I can do my qualification and start working as a nurse Iāll look for a flat! Until then, the store is just fine!"
"I donāt kn-ā¦" Charles got interrupted by his phone and he pulled it out of his pocket "Hang on a minute, I gotta take that callā¦" he groaned groaned, stepping out of the shop.
"Arthur? I need your height!" Pascale voice came out of the storage room and he got up looking around.
"Could you hold her?" he looked at Lauren.
"Of course!" she smiled and took Ava out of Arthurās hands "Hello, pretty girl." she cooed at her, making the little girl smile "Arenāt you adorable!"
Ava looked at Lauren with her big, bright eyes, cuddling into her chest, making adorable sounds that made Laurenās heart swell. The little girl was grabbing the strings of her hoodie playing with it, happily chortling.
Outside of the salon Charles ended the call, sighing frustrated when he looked through the storefront, seeing his daughter smiling brightly at Lauren. His heart skipped a beat and his insides began to warm up. Holding Ava looked so natural to Lauren. Like she never did anything else in her life and Charles smiled. He quietly opened the door and walked inside, leaning against the wall, watching his daughter and Lauren. She cooed at Ava, gently caressing her cheek making the little girl snuggle up into her arm, happily giggling. Like in trance Charles watched the scene in front of him, not able to interrupt it.
"Oh wow, look at that, she loves you! Normally sheās super fuzzy with strangers! But with you? Charles, I think you have some competitionā¦" Arthur laughed, walking back in and Lauren looked up, spotting Charles leaning against the wall.
"Yeah⦠I think so too, she seems to like you a lotā¦" he replied, looking at her with an intense gaze, making her blush slightly.
"Sheās a perfect little girl. Itās easy with herā¦" Lauren smiled at Ava who yawned a little.
"A tired little girl. Come on sweet girlā¦" Arthur began, holding out his hands, but Ava turned her head away, snuggling even more into Laurens chest "Hey! You stole my niece from me!"
"Iām sorry." the girl chuckled and looked down at Ava.
"Donāt be⦠heās just jealous. Ava has good taste in who she likes, thatās allā¦" Charles pushed off the wall, walking over to the two girls and his daughter lifted her head, hearing her fathers voice this close.
"But no one beats her dadā¦" Lauren smiled right as Ava held her hand out for Charles and she carefully handed the little girl over "Understandableā¦" she whispered underneath her breath.
After a few moments of silence, Pascale came back from the storage room, seeing Charles with Ava in his arms standing close to Lauren while Arthur sat on the counter, scrolling through his phone.
"Alright, I guess weāre done hereā¦" she began "We just have to figure out where Lauren will stayā¦"
"Here! Like I said. Iāll be fine!" the girl in question protested again.
"No. I shouldāve insisted when you moved here in the first place! Youāre coming to my place!" Pascale said with a finality in her voice.
"But you wonāt even be here for the next weeks! I canāt possibly just move into your apartment without you being there! Thatās not rightā¦"
"How about Lauren joins us at our holiday and you can figure out where she stays after? This way sheās not all alone for the next weeks. The house weāve rented has enough rooms!" Arthur suggested and Lauren looked at him with big eyes.
"What? No-⦠thatās no⦠I canāt! This is family! I canāt intru-ā¦" she stammered but stopped when Charles looked at her, a soft smile on his lips.
"You know what Arthur? I think that was the best idea you ever had!" he winked at his younger brother who shrugged his shoulders.
"Then itās settled. Youāre coming with us. No discussion⦠now come on⦠letās pack!" Pascale excitedly clapped her hands together.
Lauren stood in front of the big yacht. Sedici. Sixteen. She turned to Charles, eyes big.
"How rich are you? Renting an entire yacht this size? That must cost a fortune!" she said shocked and he laughed.
"Now imagine how rich someone has to be to own itā¦" he winked and held out his hand for her to take.
"Itās yours?" she whispered shyly, carefully walking over the gangway.
"Yeah⦠I bought it last summerā¦" he nodded.
Lauren was at a loss of words, standing on board of the beautiful yacht. She knew that people in Monaco were richer than usually, it was Monaco after all. But she didnāt expect people to be that rich to have yachts like this. Or at least not normal people. Celebrities? Yeah. Millionaires? Of course. But Pascale had a hair salon. She knew that she wasnāt making a ton of money with it. So she didnāt think she was part of Monacoās high society, so why would her son be?
"Lauren?" Charles gentle voice coaxed her out of her thoughts and she shook her head "You want me to give you a little tour?"
"Yeah. Sureā¦" she replied and followed him inside.
The yacht was beautiful. Simple, yet elegant. Everything shiny and sleek. The sofas looked soft and comfy. The beds in the cabins even more so. The upper deck with the steering wheel was her favourite place tho. It had a padded sundeck from where you could overlook the entire yacht.
"Weāll arrive in Ajaccio tonight and tomorrow in the morning we head to Olbia⦠or rather near Olbiaā¦" Charles explained the route and Lauren looked at him "Donāt worry, Iām a pretty decent captain." he laughed.
"Iāve never been that long on the waterā¦" she mumbled.
"Donāt worry, in the first aid kid weāve got something against seasickness."
"Thatās good to know." Lauren smiled when Arthur climbed up the stairs next to them.
"Everyone on board, we can take off." he said and Charles nodded.
"So, Lauren, will you be my co-captain for the day?" he asked her in a serious tone, too serious, and the girl laughed, a sound that made his heart flutter.
"It would be an honour, captain!" she replied and Charles smiled before he started to explain her the different buttons and displays on the dashboard.
Lauren watched Charles steer the yacht out of the marina onto the open sea with ease, a soft smile on his lips. It didnāt take long and the coastlines of Monaco and France were long gone behind them and after a while there was only the Mediterranean sea on the horizon. Lauren was fascinated with how at ease Charles was, almost as if he wouldnāt do anything else in his life then sailing the oceans. The light breeze in his hair, the dimples on his face, it made him all look even more handsome.
"Alright, weāre on the right course nowā¦" Charles checked the displays and got up from his seat "Letās go downstairs, meet the rest of the group."
"Yeah⦠sureā¦" Lauren nodded and followed him down the stairs.
She was nervous, meeting the rest of the family, Avaās mother and Charlesā best friend, as he told her would be here as well, but she put on a brave smile and entered the cabin.
"Ahh there you are, we were just getting everything ready for a little lunch!" Pascale smiled at them "I was about to send Arthur up to come and get youā¦"
"Iām starving!" Charles said, kissing his motherās cheek "Whereās Ava?"
"Charlotte is changing her diaper." Arthur replied when he walked in, a pretty girl following him "Lauren, this is Carla, my girlfriend. Carla meet Lauren."
"Hi, itās nice to finally put a face to the name!" Carla smiled at her, pulling her into a light embrace "Pascale talked a lot about you!"
"Yeah, I heard about thatā¦" Lauren replied, smiling at Carla.
"Oh donāt worry, she only said good things about you!"
"There are only good things to say about her!" Pascale added, smiling fondly at her young assistant, making her blush.
The door to the cabins downstairs opened and a breathtaking beautiful young woman walked out, cradling Ava to her chest. Lauren was sure that she mustāve been her mother. Ava didnāt look particularly like her, but just from how beautiful she was, her big smile, she was sure.
"All clean again!" she said in French "Oh, sorry! Hi, you must be Lauren! Iām Charlotte." she switched to English and smiled at her.
"Hi, nice to meet you." Lauren replied.
"Enzo will be out in a minute he had to change, this little one here peed on himā¦" she chuckled.
"Not funny!" a young man, Enzo probably, said, walking through the door "Hi Lauren! It feels like I already know you from how much Maman was talking about you! Iām Lorenzo, or Enzo, the older brother."
"The oldest. Itās just usā¦" Arthur whispered.
"Anyways. Itās nice to finally meet you in person!" Lorenzo smiled at Lauren.
"Nice to meet you too." she replied and watched how he gently slung his arm around Charlotteās waist, pulling her to his side.
The movement felt intimate, lovingly, and Lauren wondered if her assumption, that Charlotte must be Avaās mother and therefore Charles girlfriend, was right. As if Charlotte sensed her confusion she smiled at her.
"Iām Lorenzoās girlfriend."
"Oh, okay⦠I thought that⦠umm- never mindā¦" Lauren said hastily when Ava turned her head a little and the moment she spotted Charles and Lauren she began to happily babble.
"Oh, sure, you see your dad and the rest of us is long forgottenā¦" Charlotte joked and walked over to Charles, but right when she wanted to hand him his daughter the little girl held her hand out to Lauren, chortling "Ohhh look at thatā¦" Charlotte handed Ava over to Lauren and she immediately snuggled into her chest, sighing contently.
"Ouch⦠looks like youāre not her favourite any-ā¦" Arthur laughed but stopped when Charles looked at him.
"Itās like I said⦠she has good taste in who she likesā¦" he smiled, gently brushing over Avaās cheek "Really good taste."
"Sorryā¦" Lauren replied and he looked at her confused.
"For what?"
"I donāt know⦠she umm- she probably wanted to you⦠not meā¦" she said quietly and Charles began to laugh.
"Oh stop it, really." he smiled "She likes you, thatās not a bad thing!"
Lauren nodded slowly, feeling relieved and then looked down at Ava, half asleep.
"Oh wow, look! Sheās almost asleep! This fast! Lauren, youāre a natural!" Arthur said impressed.
"Whoās a natural?" a dark haired boy walked inside, a plate of veggies and a basket full of bread in his hands "Ohhh the famous Lauren is here! I was wondering when Charles would finally come down and let us all meet you! He wanted you all to himself as it seemedā¦"
"Very funny, Jorisā¦" Charles rolled his eyes "Lauren, this is my best friend, Joris. He thinks heās funny⦠which heās notā¦"
"Youāre right⦠Iām not funny, Iām hilarious!" Joris wiggled his eyebrows and smiled at Lauren "Itās nice to meet you, Lauren⦠these boys went crazy about you, from all the things Pascale has told us about you!"
"Okay, okay, stop now! Leave her alone. That poor girl has to hear from all of you how much I talked about her all the time and feels uncomfortable if you people canāt tell!" Pascale stepped in and Lauren blushed a little "They are right, dear, I told them about you because I wanted you to meet them all. And now that that happened, letās stop hogging at her like that, will you?"
Everyone mumbled in agreement and Lauren smiled shyly.
"Itās okayā¦" she said, looking down at Ava who made a little sound, but was still fast asleep.
"Here, you can put her downā¦" Charles lewd her to the side where a little crib stood and Lauren gently placed the little girl in the middle of it.
"Sheās really gorgeousā¦" she whispered, loving the way Avaās nose was scrunching up a little.
"She isā¦" Charles agreed and smiled at the way how Lauren looked at his daughter "Now come on, letās eatā¦"
Lauren sat on the deck, stargazing when a shadow to her left caught her eye and she watched Charles making his way onto the deck.
"I guess Iām not the only one who couldnāt sleep then?" he said quietly and she nodded slightly.
"Yeah, I guess I first have to get used to the rocking of the boat while sleepingā¦"
"Oh. Yeah. That takes a few nightsā¦" Charles chuckled looking at the girl next to him.
Lauren wore shorts and an oversized sweatshirt, her hair a messy bun on top of her head, but to Charles she looked breathtaking and he had to force himself to look away, to not keep on staring at her.
"Can I ask you something?" her voice hesitant.
"Sure."
"Itās really private and you donāt have to answer if youāre uncomfortable."
"Ask me." he knew the question already.
"Umm-⦠where is Avaās mum?" Lauren looked at him and he kept his eyes trained on the dark horizon.
Lauren knew that she went too far, Charles was too quiet and right when she wanted to apologise he sighed, tilting his head to look at her.
"Sheās not in our life. She never was⦠she didnāt want to be a mum, didnāt want to keep Ava, so I decided to take care of her alone. As a single dadā¦" there was some bitterness in his voice "It was a one night stand. A stupid mistake I made and when Avaās mother came to me for help we wanted to give her up for adoption right after she was born⦠my life⦠my job, itās hectic, stressful. Iām never for long in one place. Always on the road⦠I had to focus on my career, being a father didnāt fit into my lifestyle. And she didnāt want to be a mother. Not to a child with me at least. Sheās from a religious and conservative family, they wouldāve disown her if she was pregnant unmarried. Not in a relationship with the childās father⦠so yeah, we had a planā¦"
"But then you saw Ava and couldnāt do it?"
"No⦠it was even earlier⦠I saw her heartbeat on the ultrasound screen and I knew this little thing was mine⦠and I would do everything for it⦠flash forward and I have this beautiful little girlā¦" his voice wavered a little when he held up his phone that showed Ava sleeping in her crib.
"I would say you made the right decision. Ava⦠sheās wonderfulā¦" Lauren smiled at him.
"Yeah⦠I know I made the right decision, but itās hard⦠being away so often⦠leaving her behind all the timeā¦"
"Okay, I have to ask this, what do you do for a living?" Lauren looked at him and Charles made big eyes.
"You donāt know?"
"No? How?"
"Youāre living in Monaco?"
"And?" she was confused.
"And? Maman? She didnāt say anything?"
"Noā¦"
"Okay⦠umm- well Iām a Formula 1 driver⦠for Ferrariā¦"
"Oh. Wow. Thatās cool⦠I guess?"
"You guess?" Charles snorted and Lauren looked at him sheepishly "I guess youāre not into Formula 1 then?"
"No- not really⦠some of my family were but I never cared for 20 guys driving in circlesā¦" she shrugged and Charles looked offended.
"Driving in circles? We are not driving in circles!" he gently nudged her shoulder "Ouch. That really hurts!"
"Iām sorry! I didnāt mean to hurt you!" Lauren chuckled, a sound Charles loved to hear.
"Yeah I can hear that! Unbelievableā¦" he shook his head laughing "Driving in circles⦠unbelievable⦠thank god youāre cute, otherwise I wouldāve thrown you overboard!"
"Now youāre exaggerating!" Lauren laughed, although she felt her cheeks reddening.
"Absolutely not!" Charles shook his head.
"Iām very sorry for not knowing who you are, what you do and how big of a thing it is. Please accept my sincere apology." Lauren smiled at him.
"Apology accepted⦠but Iām coming back to this conversation and then-ā¦" he began when Avaās faint cries were heard from his phone "She saved you. For nowā¦" he laughed and got up "You should also try to get some sleepā¦" he held out his hand and Lauren sighed, taking it.
"I guess I have to try and get used to the wavesā¦"
"You definitely have to. We spent a lot of time on the water⦠and as part of the Leclerc clan, you will too." Charles smiled at her and when Lauren climbed into her bed, she couldnāt stop smiling, thinking about Charles words.
She was part of the Leclerc clan?
Lauren stepped off the dinghy onto the dock, looking at the big house in front of her and she gulped. Never before did she see a house, no mansion, like this before. It was huge. Beautiful. The pool alone was bigger than in some hotels sheās been before. The lawn looked so fresh, green and soft, she just wanted to lay down on it.
"What do you say?" Charles asked her and she tilted her head, looking at him with big eyes.
"I have no wordsā¦" Lauren replied and he laughed.
"I take it thatās something good?"
"It is⦠it really isā¦"
"Wait until youāve seen the inside!" Carla took her hand and pulled Lauren with her "When Arthur showed me the pictures I was just⦠I was speechless!" the younger girl was excited and didnāt stop until they stood in the big living room and Lauren looked around.
It looked straight out of an interior design magazine. Everything was in warm shades of cream, beige and white. The huge windows let in the bright sunlight. The sofas looked like they were made out of the softest of fabrics. But what caught her eye was the big book shelf that spanned across the entire wall. It was like a library, from Shakespeare over Emily BrontĆ« to The Lord of the Rings, a wide variety of different books were to find and she couldnāt stop herself from carefully pulling out a book here and there that piqued her interest. She completely forgot about where she was, or how long she was already looking through the books when Charles voice behind her made Lauren flinch and she turned around.
"What do you say?" he repeated his question from outside again.
"Wowā¦" was all she could say and he smiled.
"Wow indeedā¦"
"I was already saying to your mum that I need to find a bookstore so I could buy a book or two because⦠well this vacation was on such short notice that I didnāt have anything to read⦠but I guess that wonāt be necessary anymoreā¦"
"Nope, there are enough books for you to readā¦" Charles replied "Ready to see your room?"
Lauren only nodded and followed Charles through the house when he lead her to a hallway with 3 doors on each side. He opened the middle one on the right and walked inside, Lauren right on his heels.
"And this is your roomā¦"
"Always when I think it canāt get any better this place surprises me even moreā¦" she let out and walked over to the big French doors that lead onto the terrace with a beautiful view of the pool and the sea.
"My room is next to yours. I let you unpack and get settled⦠if you need anything, just let me know." Charles smiled and turned around, ready to leave the girl alone.
"Wait!" she went after him and when he turned around again Lauren hugged him "Thank you. Really."
"You donāt have to thank me!" Charles whispered, gently stroking her back.
"Yes I have to. You didnāt have to take me here with youā¦"
"I told you last night. Youāre part of the Leclerc clan nowā¦" he chuckled and Lauren pulled away a little, looking into his eyes.
"Well⦠then thank you for thatā¦"
Lauren stood in front of the mirror, pulling the flimsy fabric into place. When she bought the bikinis a couple of weeks ago she didnāt think that she would spent a family vacation with her boss and her sons in Sardinia. But now that she looked in the big mirror in the bathroom she wasnāt sure if going out with what she was wearing was appropriate. She groaned frustrated and tried on the dark red bikini, that covered slightly more but still felt too exposed. She could hear some commotion outside at the pool and carefully pushed the curtain to the side, looking outside. She saw Charlotte sitting on a lounger and she wished she could see what she was wearing and if she was worried for nothing.
"Whereās Lauren?" she heard Carlaās voice from somewhere and stepped away from the window "Lauren?" she knocked on the French door.
"Come inā¦" Lauren replied.
"Youāre missing out on all the fun!" she said when she stepped into the bathroom "Everything okay?" she was looking her up and down.
"Itās inappropriate, isnāt it?"
"What do you mean?" Carla asked confused.
"The bikini, I saw how you looked at itā¦"
"What? Oh god⦠noā¦" she laughed "Itās a bikini? Whatās inappropriate about it? I was just thinking that I have the same one, but in a different colour."
"Isnāt it like a little too revealing?"
"And what am I wearing? Half of my ass is out!" she turned around showing Lauren the tight fit of her bikini bottoms "Itās a normal bikini. Were you hiding in here because of that?"
"I⦠Pascale is my boss⦠thatās her sonās out there⦠thereās a baby!" Lauren blushed and Carla gently patted her arm.
"Itās cute that youāre this considerate, but donāt worry. Itās all good! And now come on!" she pulled Lauren with her and together they stepped outside.
It was easy to fit into the group of people and it didnāt take long for Lauren to truly believe into Charles words, that she was a part of the Leclerc clan now.
As the sun was slowly starting to set over the horizon, Lauren stretched a little, soaking in the last rays of sunshine when she decided to have a quick shower before dinner. Only Arthur and Carla were still at the pool, the rest was already getting ready for dinner.
"See you laterā¦" she smiled and got up, making her way over to the terrace, walking straight into, what she thought, was her bathroom. She didnāt notice the lack of her toiletries on the vanity, or the dark swim shorts that were hanging over the towel rack. She only wanted to wash the day off of her and pulled off her bikini top, then stepped out of her bottoms. She stepped inside the shower, starting the water stream and closed her eyes, relaxing. Her skin was hot and dry and she knew that she needed to moisturise her whole body after her shower but for now she just enjoyed the spray of the water. After a couple of minutes she grabbed the bottle of body wash that was provided, lathering her whole body up, it smelled masculine, pine wood and bergamot, but the scent was somehow familiar. She washed the last remaining bubbles off her body and grabbed one of the towels from the shelf, wrapping it around her, before she stepped outside of the bathroom, colliding with a warm, muscular body.
"Oh shit⦠shit⦠oh my god⦠Iām so sorry! I- I mustāve taken the wrong door outside⦠oh godā¦" Laurenās face was flushed, her breathing ragged. She clutched the towel tight to her body, hoping that everything was covered "Iām- Iām so sorry!" she repeated.
"Itās okay⦠really! Umm- I- I didnāt even look, I didnāt see anything! I mean how? Youāre wearing a towel! Do you say youāre wearing a towel? Sounds weird, no?" Charles rambled nervously, turning around and feeling all his blood rush down between his legs, just like when he saw Lauren stepping out in her bikini for the first time earlier today. That damn red bikini that made him feel like an aroused pre teen.
"I just grab my bikini and then Iām leaving! Iām so sorry, Charlesā¦" he heard her walking back into the bathroom "I canāt believe it, this is so embarrassingā¦" she mumbled.
"Please, donāt be embarrassed! Itās okay, nothing happenedā¦" Charles tried to reassure her but she didnāt reply, after a minute of silence he turned around, Lauren was gone "Damnā¦" he groaned and let himself fall into his bed, taking a deep breath.
It was only the first day and he was already wondering how he should manage to contain himself for the next two and a half weeks.
"This will be funnyā¦" he sighed.
Chapter 11 - itās summer break āļøš¶ļøšļø and the family + Lauren need a little time to relax. They deserve it⦠and what can I say, Charles will have a hard time watching this gorgeous girl fitting into his life so effortlessly wearing nothing but cute bikinis⦠more next week š¤
Please leave a comment/ like/ reblog/ message and tell me how you liked it! I'm dying to hear your thoughts!
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Last but not least, English is not my first language and although I tried my best: please excuse any mistakes I made!
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Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince:
Chapter 10

Masterlist - Previous - Next
The Heartbreak Prince
"Arthur, I donāt have time for this. Who ever Lindsay is, Maman knows whatās sheās doingā¦" Charlesās groaned, waving at the sea of fans that were waiting for them at the Whitleburry Hall hotel close to the track.
"Lauren. The girls name is Lauren." his little brother retorted, waving at some girls screaming his name.
"Whatever. Itās not something I need to think about as well, okay?" the Ferrari driver smiled at his fans, signing pictures of himself and taking selfie after selfie, when the security guards waved him in he looked at his brother, who waited together with Joris for him "Also, why are you so interested in Larissa?"
"Lauren! Are you even listening?" Arthur sighed frustrated, leaning against the steel wall of the elevator.
"Honestly? No. I donāt. Like I said, I have other things on my mind." the older Leclerc scratched his chin.
"Oh, whateverā¦"
"Why does this bother you so much?" Joris asked when they left the elevator, looking for their rooms "Since when are you this interested in your motherās business?"
"Iām not! Itās just-⦠it was the way she said the name? The way she smiled? I donāt know, Iām just curiousā¦" Arthur sighed and Charles patted his shoulder.
"Listen, whoever Leonore is, Maman will know what sheās doing. So can we now please focus on this weekend? Yeah? I need a good weekend, you as well⦠so stop thinking about some girl youāve never even met and start focusing on your jobā¦"
"FUCKING HELL, HER NAME IS LAUREN!" Arthur spat out, pushing his brotherās hand off his shoulder, entering his hotel room "Youāre doing this on purpose!" and with that he slammed the door shut.
"That was childishā¦" Joris rolled his eyes and Charles nodded.
"It wasā¦"
"Not him, you! Oh donāt look at me like that! You were riling him up on purpose!"
"I swear I didnāt. I just donāt have time to remember irrelevant things!" he unlocked the hotel room and put his stuff down "Iām in no position to think about other things then the race weekends ahead and how I can thank my mother to take care of Ava this much. And if Maman hires someone to help her out, I honestly shouldnāt question it. Sheās the reason why I can still have my career while being a single fatherā¦"
"Maybe you should offer her to pay the-ā¦" Joris began but Charles interrupted him.
"I should pay the salary of Lynette!"
"Oh now youāre messing with me as well!" his best friend threw a pillow at him and Charles caught it laughing.
"I have no idea what youāre talking about⦠can we focus now on Silverstone?"
"No water. No radio. No car thatās doing what I want. What a shit showā¦" Charles muttered underneath his breath when he got out of a van at the airport and grabbed his bags, waving at some fans at the fence.
He sighed, the weekend was a disaster with a mediocre qualifying and then a bad race with a 5 second penalty for speeding in the pit lane and a disappointing P7 at the end. He wanted to leave. He had to leave.
"It wasnāt the best of weekends, thatās for sureā¦" Joris nodded, taking his bags.
"The only good thing about this weekend was that it was the penultimate race before the summer breakā¦"
"Yeah, I think you never needed it this badlyā¦"
"I just want 3 weeks with Ava in the sun, far away from cameraās, fans and all of this." the driver nodded towards some screens that showed the race highlights.
The two men followed the airport hostess to their secluded terminal where another surprise waited for them.
"I know that lookā¦" Charles began, looking at the red head in front of him.
"Charles, there is a problemā¦" Silvia said slowly, her eyes wary "Thereās no easy way to say this, but your jet⦠itās not here. You have to take a commercial flight⦠and the next one available is at 6:25 am."
Charles was too stunned to speak. Her words hit him like a freight train. 6:25 am?
"What?" was all he mustered to say, taking a deep breath.
"The jet is not here. You have to fly commercial."
"Are you serious? What do you mean the jet is not here? And isnāt there an earlier commercial flight? Like tonight maybe?" Charles looked at Silvia with wide eyes.
"The booking wasnāt confirmed⦠and now the jet is booked for a different flightā¦"
"I have to be at home tonight, Silvia. My mother is leaving early in the morning and I told her itāll be just fine! I canāt miss this flight!"
"Well, technically youāre not missing your flight⦠also, youāre not the only one who has to go back ho-ā¦"
"But no one else has to be at home because their mother canāt watch their daughter forever!" Charles whisper shouted frustrated, his mind racing. Always when he thought a weekend couldnāt end worse, life was showing him just how worse it really could be, now that he stood in the little terminal for private jets, with no way to fly back home "Fuck!" he let out frustrated, typing away on his phone.
"I donāt know what else-ā¦" Silvia began when Charles shook his head, walking away to call Lorenzo.
"Charles?" a voice behind him made Charles flinch, turning around to look at Max "You okay, mate?"
"Of course, an amazing weekend with an amazing end, no?" he pressed out, not in the mood for more unnecessary conversation.
"Umm-⦠sure. I overheard-⦠well who didnāt? You werenāt speaking quietly. Anyways, if you have to be in Monaco this urgently, you could fly with us? I have two seats left?" the Red Bull driver offered and Charles cocked an eyebrow.
"Are you sure?"
"I mean, yeah, itās not the first time we share a jet, itās been a while but⦠yeah you know, I donāt know why you have to be in Monaco, but your voice tells me it must be importantā¦" Max replied, tilting his head.
"It really is. I- umm⦠I promised my mum to be at home tonight. She needs meā¦" the Monegasque driver said vaguely and Max nodded.
"Alright, then come on, you and Joris can join us."
"Sheās amazing. She helps me so much⦠I can now fully divide my time between the salon and my gorgeous granddaughter⦠leaving for the convention tomorrow was also only possible because of her!" Pascale raved about her new assistant while feeding Ava "Best decision ever to hire her."
"I didnāt even know you were looking for an assistant and now you constantly talk about her?" Arthur asked, looking up from his tablet.
"Constantly? Sheās here now for what? A month? A little more?" Pascale rolled her eyes "Also, I wasnāt looking for an assistant, it was more coincidental, you know? She got a haircut, we talked and et voila I hired her⦠and sheās doing such an amazing job! She manages the whole salon on her own! I just have to come and cut some hair and then I can leave already because she took care of the restā¦"
"As long as sheās a help for youā¦" Arthur shrugged, right when Charles walked in, hair still damp from his shower.
"Whoās a help for who?" the older Leclerc brother asked, gently kissing his daughters fingers.
"My new assistant-ā¦" his mother began but got interrupted by her youngest son.
"L-a-u-r-e-n⦠you remember? Maman is raving about her for the past weeks nowā¦"
"You hired a new assistant?" Charles asked, ignoring his brothers eye rolling while sitting down next to her, watching her feed his daughter.
"Yes, it was all really spontaneous. I gave her a haircut, we talked, and then I hired her and believe me Charles, sheās amazing. A hard worker, sweet and charming to all my clients, always polite. Sheās a quick learner, amazing with her hands⦠and donāt let me start on how beautiful she is! She could be a model for sureā¦"
"Oh yeah? I might have to visit you then in the salonā¦" Arthur wiggled his eyebrows, earning a slap on his upper arm from his mother "Ouch! What was that for?"
"You have a beautiful girlfriend yourself. Behave!" she replied and then turned slightly to her other son "You on the other handā¦"
"Stop. No. Donāt do that, Maman!" Charles rolled his eyes, groaning. He was too exhausted for this. It was the middle of the night, he was tired, frustrated from the weekend and not in the mood for his motherās attempts to meddle with his love life. He knew her all too well. How she always eyed up his girlfriends, saying him that she wasnāt the one and frankly she was right every single time, but it wasnāt something she had to know.
"Donāt do what?" his mother asked innocently.
"Youāre not setting me up with your new assistant-ā¦"
"I wasnāt! I just said that if someone wanted to come over and get to know her it shouldāve been you. The single one." Pascale shrugged her shoulders, cooing at her granddaughter.
"Single fatherā¦" Charles replied, sighing.
"I donāt think that would be a problem for La-ā¦"
"See! You want to set me up with her. No. Not happening. I have Ava and my career. Thatās all I need."
"I didnāt say-ā¦" Pascale began but then shook her head "Whatever, Charles. But just so you know, you would love her. You all would, I for sure am. Thatās all Iām saying."
"Yeah, yeahā¦"
"Alright, now that youāre here, I can go home and have some sleep before I have to get up and leave." Pascale leaned over, laying Ava down in her fatherās arms "Iām glad we didnāt have to stick to plan Bā¦"
"I am able to take care of her!" Arthur rolled his eyes.
"Sure you canā¦" his mother patted his arm "Now come on, you have to drive me home."
"Fine." he got up as well, gently stroking his nieces arm "Good night, little Ava. Charles." he winked at his older brother who smiled lazily, watching his daughter fighting off the inevitable sleep.
As soon as his mother and brother left, Charles got up and laid Ava down in her bassinet, his own tiredness and exhaustion slightly taking over. He pulled the bassinet next to his bed and laid down, watching his daughters every little movement.
"Good night my pretty little princess. Daddyās here nowā¦" he whispered, before he fell asleep almost immediately.
Charles woke up from Avaās crying and whimpering. Worse than anything he ever heard before. He was up in an instant, switching on the bedside lamp.
"Hey my little angel, whatās up?" he cooed at her, gently scooping her up, her tears dampen his shirt "Hey, hey, hey. Whatās the matter baby girl, hmm?" he patted her back gently, rocking her in his arms "Are you hungry?" he got up and made his way to the kitchen, preparing a bottle, all while Ava cried and whimpered into his chest. He never heard her cry like this before, his heart braking with every new sound from his little girl and when he 10 minutes later sat down with her, trying to feed her he had to learn that it wasnāt the bottle she wanted "Fresh diaper then?" but again, not what was wrong. Charles sat in his bed, rocking Ava who got squirmier with every second, her little sobs making her tiny body shake, which made Charles heart clench "What is it, Ava? Hmm? Youāre not hungry, your diaper is clean. What do you need baby girl?" he turned her a little, so he could look into her eyes, tears staining her face. She was pale. But her nose and cheeks were red. Her hair felt like it was a little damp. Charles gently stroked her cheeks and he thought they felt warmer than usual. But was it a fever? Or was it now from crying that much? Charles checked his phone. It was 5:46 am. Ava was awake over half an hour earlier than usual as well "We should try to sleep a little more baby girl⦠letās put something on the TV and then try to sleep a little moreā¦" Charles scooted into the middle of his bed, propped up a little against the headboard so that Ava could sleep on his chest, pillows on his left and right in case he fell asleep that Ava was safe. Then he put her down on his thighs and took off his shirt, remembering what the nurse told him the night Ava was born, and put her back on his chest, pulling the blanket over them "Look at that. A nice documentary narrated by David Attenborough⦠with his soothing voice, weāll be sleeping in no timeā¦" Charles cooed at Ava, gently rubbing circles on her back. And he was right it didnāt take long for her to fall asleep again. Not her peacefullest one, but she slept. And with her finally settling down, Charles followed shortly after. But not for too long. From the moment Ava woke up an hour later her crying got worse. Her tiny sobs sounded as if she was having a cold and Charles wondered what he should do. When he was having a cold he drank hot tea, took some medication and that was it. But what was he supposed to do with Ava? He grabbed his phone, already dialling his motherās number when he hung up. His mother was already on her way to the convention and he knew she would turn around immediately. He had to figure it out himself. So he googled. But the results were all too different. Too many different opinions on what to do and he was confused. He was rocking Ava in his arms, pacing back and forth in his apartment, when he called Enzo, asking for help from Charlotte but his older brother told him that she wouldnāt be home for the next couple of hours.
"Whatās wrong with her?" Enzo asked, sensing his brotherās distress "I can be at yours in 10 minutes?"
"Sheās just not calming down. I tried to feed her, sheās not really eating much. Sheās changed, so that shouldnāt be a problem, she canāt be tired because she doesnāt want to sleep. And⦠she feels a little warmer than normally? Sheās a little sweaty⦠I donāt know what to do? Iām feeling like Maman would know what to do, but I canāt call her. Not when she finally, after years, does something for herself again!"
"Charles, maybe you should go and see a doctor?" Enzo suggested "I can drive you there?"
"I donāt even know who her doctor isā¦" Charles whispered "I have no idea⦠Maman took her to the doctor the last timesā¦" he felt like the worst father on earth.
"Itās at the children ward at the hospital. Get ready Iāll pick you up in 10."
"Itās okay, baby girl, weāre going to see a doctor, youāll be fine. Just fineā¦" Charles whispered, looking outside the car window, checking where they were "Just a little longer, Ava."
"Almost there." Lorenzo said, looking into the rearview mirror, seeing his brotherās pale face, jaw tightened "5 minutesā¦"
"You hear that? Almost there, little princess." Charles gently stroked Avaās cheek, feeling her warm skin "Almost thereā¦"
"Iāll drop you off and then Iāll head to the airport picking Charlotte up⦠and you let me know whatās up with Ava, okay? And when I have to pick you upā¦" Lorenzo said.
"Yeahā¦" Charles mumbled, unbuckling his seatbelt the moment his brother stopped in front of the hospital.
He got out of the car and opened the boot of the car, taking out Avaās stroller.
"Here you goā¦" Enzo gently laid his niece down "Itās going to be alright, little Ava." he cooed at her, pulling the blanket over her "Call me, whatever it is, if you need me, donāt want to feel so alone, just call me, okay?" he then said to his brother, hugging him "Itās going to be okay, you hear me?"
"Okay⦠yeahā¦" Charles replied "And thanks for driving us⦠Iām not sure I wouldāve been able to drive safelyā¦"
"Itās okay. Now go insideā¦" Lorenzo patted his back and Charles nodded, pushing Avaās stroller to the entrance, through the doors to the front desk.
"Hi, umm- I need a doctor, no, my daughter needs a doctor, sheās restless and she feels hot and sweaty and I donāt know what to do, the temperature is rising I think? My mum- she umm, she was here before with Ava, my daughterā¦" Charles stammered, looking at the nurse who smiled at him.
"Okay, so your daughterās doctor is here at the childrenās ward?" she asked and he nodded "Okay, do you know where the childrenās ward is? No, okay⦠follow the rainbow coloured line on the floor, to your rightā¦" she pointed at the different coloured lines on the floor and Charles nodded.
"Thank you." he replied and walked off, following the line through the hallways until he arrived at a glass door, childrenās ward written in colourful letters on it "We did it, baby girl, just a moment⦠they will help youā¦" right when he wanted to push the door open it sprang open and an older looking nurse walked out, looking at him.
"Can I help you?" she asked.
"Umm yes-⦠this is Ava, my daughter, she umm- she needs a doctor, sheās sick I thinkā¦" Charles said and the nurse cocked an eyebrow, looking into the stroller.
"Ava? So you are Avaās father, I was wondering when we would see you hereā¦" she said, nodding towards the front desk inside the childrenās ward "Go on in thereā¦"
"Umm- okay." Charles was a little confused by the icy tone of the nurse but he couldnāt think too much about it, walking to the front desk "Hi, my daughter needs a doctor. Sheās restless and cries a lot, she didnāt sleep much, doesnāt want to eat and she feels warmer than usual⦠I think she has a coldā¦" he explained to the nurse behind the desk and she got up immediately.
"Alright, please follow meā¦" she brought them into an examination room and helped Charles with getting Ava out of the stroller, taking off her jacket, right when the door opened again "Could you please fill out the paperwork with Mr. ā¦?"
"Leclerc⦠Iām Charles and this is Avaā¦" Charles replied and the nurse nodded.
"Alright, can you please help Mr. Leclerc with the paperwork?"
"And Ava?" he asked, his eyes widened.
"Donāt worry, Mr. Leclerc, the doctor will be here shortly, Iāll take care of her, and as soon as youāre done with the papers youāll be back with your daughter." the nurse smiled and he nodded "It wonāt take long, donāt worry. And Iām here, taking care of Ava."
"Mr. Leclerc, would you please follow me?" the other nurse lead him outside and Charles followed her hesitantly "Donāt worry, sheās in really good hands. I just need you to fill out these documents, you can sit down thereā¦" she pointed at some chairs lined up at the wall of the hallway and Charles took the clipboard and sat down, scribbling away.
Charles hands were a little shaky, he never liked hospitals, too many people did he lose in one. But for Ava he had to be strong, push the negative thoughts away and focus on her wellbeing. When he was done with the paperwork he looked up, but the nurse wasnāt sitting behind her desk and he looked to the left, where two women walked up to him.
"Mr. Leclerc? Hi, Iām Cleo Bernoit, this is Marianne Goulard, weāre from the CPS in Monacoā¦" the blonde woman began.
"CPS?" Charles interrupted, looking confused between the two women.
"Child protective servicesā¦"
"What? Are you kidding me? Why?" he was at a loss of words, confused and scared.
"Someone called us after the incident with your daughter⦠itās a standard procedure. Mandatory." the red haired woman, Marianne, said "And since we have an office here in the hospital, we just want to check in quickly."
"You see, youāre a single father with a demanding job. Weāre just here to make sure that everything is alright." Cleo added and Charles swallowed hard.
"Umm- okay⦠but it wasnāt really an incident? I just wasnāt sure what to do and couldnāt reach my mum, thatās why I brought her to the emergency roomā¦" he mumbled, his hands gripping his thighs tightly, knuckles turning white "She was restless, cried and felt a little warmer then usually. I couldnāt calm her down. So yeah, I thought taking her here would be the best."
"I see. Does this happen more often?" the blond woman asked.
"That sheās restless and cries and I canāt calm her down? Or what? The slightly higher temperature?" Charles was confused.
"No, that you need to check in with your mother, regarding your daughterās health." the redhead said.
"What?" he was taken aback "What do you mean?"
"Ava is your daughter. Youāre the one responsible for her and-ā¦"
"I know that sheās my daughter and Iām responsible for her. But sheās also my first child, I donāt know everything about babies yet and before I make a mistake I check in with my mother, who successfully raised three kids-ā¦" Charles began, his voice wavering with emotions.
"We know that Mr. Leclerc. Itās just⦠weāve been notified that for the last two check-ups, it was your mother who brought Ava in. Not you." the redhead said and Charles eyes widened "And when Ava got her second round of vaccines a month ago, it was also your mother who brought her in againā¦" she continued.
"Yes. Because I had to work. And while Iām being away working, my mother takes care of her granddaughter. Is there a problem with that?" he said.
"Mr. Leclerc. Ava is your daughter, sheās not even three months old but you are more interested in travelling the world then-ā¦"
Charles had enough. He got up from his seat, his hands balled into fists, breathing heavy.
"I am not more interested in travelling the world than being with my daughter. It is my job. I am a Formula 1 driver. Travelling the world is my job. I am a single father who is more than grateful that his mum takes care of his daughter while heās away, working. Excuse me, but I want to see my daughter now." his voice was dangerously low, his anger and frustration palpable.
He walked away towards the nurses station, already typing a message out for his mother.
"Hi, can I see my daughter now?" Charles asked the nurse who smiled at him, taking the clipboard from him, looking it over.
"Let me just check if you didnāt forget anything and then we-ā¦" she began.
"No. I want to see her. Now." his voice louder than intended.
"No, of course not, Mr. Leclerc, follow meā¦" the nurse got up from her seat and gestured for Charles to follow her, down the hall.
"Thank you-⦠I didnāt want to get loud and be rude. I was just-⦠Iām just scared and frustrated⦠I shouldnāt have let it out at youā¦" he stammered but the nurse just smiled at him.
"Itās okay, itās your first child, thatās normal." she patted his arm and stopped in front of a door, knocking gently "Dr. Richefort? I have Mr. Leclerc here, little Avaās dad, can we-"
"Of course, of course, come on in, Mr. Leclerc!" an older man waved Charles inside and he hastily walked in, his eyes immediately on Ava in a little bassinet on the table, the other nurse holding out a teddy bear to her "Everything is alright with your little one. Just a little fever and stuffed nose, nothing out of the ordinary, that happens sometimes."
"Sheās okay?" the young father whispered, his eyes rooted on his daughters face "Nothing serious?"
"Nothing serious. Nothing a warm bath in a little steamy bathroom canāt cure. Close all windows and doors, start the shower with hot water and let some steam build in the room, thatās perfect for her nose and lungs. I gave her some syrup to calm her down and reduce the fever, I wrote that one up for you to get as well as something for her stuffed nose." Dr. Richefort said and he was relieved, cupping Avaās cheek who was smiling lazily, playing with the doctorās stethoscope now.
"I can take her home?" Charles asked, looking up.
"Of course, I donāt see any reason why not. Just get her medicine and give her something of the syrup before bed and she should be perfectly fine in one or two days. Youāre good to go." the doctor nodded to the nurse who grabbed Avaās onesie from a stool helping Charles getting her ready.
His eyes didnāt leave Avaās face for one second, his heart racing. As soon as his little one was safely in her stroller and the Doctor handed him the prescription for the pharmacy, the nurse showed him the way outside.
"Can I ask you something?" Charles had to know "Why did you call the CPS?"
"CPS? They were here?" she stopped, looking at him "Why?" she seemed genuinely confused opening the door for Charles and the stroller.
"Yeah⦠they said itās mandatory, after all I wasnāt with Ava for her last check-ups and that because my mum was taking care more of her than I amā¦" he almost whispered and the blonde woman thought for a moment before she sighed, shaking her head.
"Angelique⦠the head nurse. Sheās one of the older nurses here. Very settled in her way of thinking and how families are supposed to look like. Single parents? God no! Worse, a single father? Who works? I bet it was her. Sheās the one who does the administrative stuff like that⦠Iām very sorry that she called themā¦"
"The older nurse who opened the doors when I arrived?"
"I didnāt see, but yeah, that could beā¦"
"Am I on their watchlist now?" Charles asked when they entered the foyer of the hospital "Now that they looked into my-no Avaās file?"
"I wish I could say no⦠but the truth is, now that you got their attention, they will have an eye on you⦠Iām sorry. Iāve seen you with your little girl and I think youāre doing a good jobā¦" she said genuinely and Charles mustered a tiny smile.
"Thanks⦠have a nice day." he walked out of the door, waving the nurse goodbye.
As soon as Charles was outside he put on his shades and a baseball cap, hoping that no one would recognise him. He made a mental note to call his lawyer later on, not sure if she could do anything about the CPS and also the fact that he was here today. Ava was sleeping in her stroller and he decided a nice little walk would do them some good. Some fresh air. He also knew that Ava slept the best in her stroller, the slightly bumpy sidewalks rocking her gently in her stroller, making it perfect for a nice long slumber. Like that he could also stop at the little pharmacy that was far off the usual busy streets of Monaco, getting Avaās medicine.
Charles decided to make a little stop at the harbour, enjoying the sun, calming down his nerves. His mind was racing. The fact that someone called the CPS on him was bad enough, but to think that because of that, all the hard work to keep Ava safe and a secret were for nothing was worse. He tried his best to be at home with her as much as he could. Took it upon him to travel in between races back home where he usually would just straight fly to the next race. Even if it was only for a couple of hours, he didnāt miss a single chance to see her if possible. Was it ideal? No. He knew that. He felt it. He missed her. Every single minute he was gone, he missed her like crazy. But he couldnāt ask his mother to travel with him around the world so Ava could come with him. His mother had her own life and it wasnāt fair to ask that of her. She probably would agree, she would sacrifice everything for her children and now granddaughter. Charles leaned back, sighing.
"What the hell am I supposed to do?" he mumbled when Ava stirred in her stroller, waking up crying "Hey, baby girl, itās alright⦠all goodā¦" he gently picked her up and held her close to his chest, rocking her slowly "Itās all good my little princessā¦"
But it wasnāt. Avaās cries were getting louder, making Charles trying desperately to calm her down. He looked up in the sky once, sending a prayer out for anyone to help him.
"Itās the sunglasses, you know?" a gentle voice commented, making Charles flinch, he didnāt notice that someone was sitting on one of the other benches.
"Sorry?" he asked confused.
"Lose the sunglasses, yeah and maybe the cap tooā¦" a pretty girl replied, her eyes shining "She wants to see you, but she canātā¦" her beautiful smile almost made Charles heart skip a beat.
"Umm-⦠just⦠just take off the sunglasses and the cap? Itās that easy?" he cocked and eyebrow but did as told after he looked around for a moment, making sure that no one else was around.
"I mean, it could be⦠itās worth a try, now she can look at her dad, sees that youāre looking at her too⦠that youāre here for her." the girl explained and Charles nodded slowly, looking down at Ava.
"Iām here, Ava. Itās all goodā¦" he smiled at his daughter, kissing her forehead, when she seemed to calm down a little.
"Or sheās just hungry or needs new nappiesā¦" the girl continued and Charles looked at her.
"So youāre just throwing out some guesses? Youāre not some kind of a baby guru?" he chuckled a little and the girl shook her head "What a shame, I couldāve used oneā¦" he mumbled and she looked at him "Sorry⦠itās- itās been a short night. And a way too long dayā¦"
"No need to apologise. I know how you feelā¦"
"You have one as well?" the young man looked at her with big eyes, sounding surprised "Sorry! I shouldnāt have said it like that⦠itās just you look quiet young? I mean not that itās bad to be a young mother! Itās great, like you know⦠I think I better just shut upā¦" he groaned, shaking his head and the girl had to stifle a laugh.
"I mean I am young. But not too young⦠but no, I donāt have one⦠I worked with some thoā¦" she replied.
"You worked with babies?"
"Iām a paediatric nurseā¦"
"Padric what?" Charles was confused, tilting his head a little.
"Paediatric nurse⦠kids⦠I was trained especially for kids and did some hours on the new born wardā¦" she explained.
"Oh! Wow! Youāre more than qualified to give some advice thenā¦" he looked at her "Youāre here on vacation?"
"No⦠I moved here actually⦠just a couple of weeks ago, still trying to get used to everythingā¦" the girl replied and he nodded.
"Donāt worry, not all Monegasques are as lost as me and need help from a pretty strangerā¦" Charles said and then blushed, the moment he realised what he just had said out loud.
"Oh- umm⦠itās alright⦠donāt worryā¦" the girls cheeks were turning red.
"I- I should go⦠I have to put her down soonā¦" Charles carefully laid his daughter in the stroller next to them and put his cap and sunglasses back on "Thanks for umm- for the helpā¦"
"Sure. If sheās still a little grumpy later on, you should try a warm bathā¦" the pretty girl got up as well "Umm-⦠bye."
"Yeah-⦠umm byeā¦" Charles turned around and pushed the stroller in front of him before he stopped again, turning a little "Oh and welcome to Monaco."
"Thanks." she smiled back at him, making Charles heart definitely skip a beat.
"Iām Charles, by the way. Maybe Iāll see you around some time, Monaco is almost like a little village." he chuckled and she nodded, turning around, walking away "Well now I need to see her againā¦" he mumbled, cooing at Ava "She didnāt tell me her name."
"Charles?"
"Hmm?" he blinked looking at his mother "What?"
"What happened then?" she asked and he was confused for a moment, the smile of the pretty stranger in the back of his mind "You left the hospital and then? Did you hear from the CPS again?"
"No. Not yet⦠I mean itās just 2 days ago, no? I didnāt give them any reasonā¦" Charles sighed.
"You mustāve been scared, after they jumped at you like that?" Pascale patted his arm and he sighed.
"Yeah⦠it was scary⦠but yeah I mean, itās like this. I canāt change it, not now at least, Iām leaving for Spa in an hourā¦"
"The most important thing is that Ava is healthy. Sheās all good, you took care of her just like a good dad would. The rest weāll figure out." Charlesā mother smiled at him and he nodded slowly "Okay, there is something else? Since Iām back your thoughts seem to drift away every now and then? And you have this smile on your face? What happened? Youāre going from worried to happy and dreamy in a heartbeat?"
"Hmm? What?" Charles looked at her, scratching his beard.
"You donāt even listen to me? What happened?" Pascale cocked an eyebrow and he averted his gaze immediately, looking at Ava "You canāt even look me in the eyes?"
"I donāt know what you meanā¦" he replied, a soft smile on his lips, when he thought back to the girl from the harbour "Iām just happy that Ava is all good⦠and now I should check that I packed everythingā¦"
"No, I know you⦠thereās something else⦠itās almost likeā¦" Pascale began, when Joris plopped down next to her on the sofa.
"Itās almost like he has a crush on someone. I know that smile, almost a little dumb... and the fact he canāt look us in the eyes when we ask him whatās going on? How he changes the topic? Charles met someoneā¦" he chuckled and his best friend groaned, although he began to blush slightly "And now look at his face! Heās blushing!"
"You really met someone! And that someone mustāve left quite the impression on you⦠I mean, look at you!" Pascale grinned, although she was a little disappointed that she couldnāt introduce Lauren earlier to her son "Who is she? Where did you meet her?"
"Okay, okay. Calm down. I met her once. After the hospital, I donāt know her name, or anything. She helped me with Ava. She was amazing. But thatās it. I donāt have a crush. Or anything like that, okay?" Charles said but his mother and best friend just exchanged glances and he knew that he shouldnāt have said anything "Can we please leave it be? I have one last race before the summer break. Let me focus on that and then after you can annoy me again?"
"Oh you can bet on itā¦" Joris laughed and Pascale nodded.
"I canāt wait to hear more of itā¦" she added.
"Alright, now let me enjoy the last minutes with my little princess before we have to leave."
Lauren swiped the floor clean, when the phone rang and Pascale answered the call, smiling while speaking in a soft voice. The young girl continued with cleaning the mirrors and wiped the console tables underneath, storing away the cleaning utilities as soon as she was done.
"La porte de derriĆØre est ouverte... Dāaccord."
Lauren thought for a moment, trying to translate what Pascale had said.
"The backdoor is open." Pascale said, looking at the young girl "You tilt your head and poke out your tongue, when youāre trying to translate what was saidā¦"
"Ohā¦" how embarrassing.
"Youāll finally meet one of my sons, Charles is coming over. " her voice was always filled with love and pride as soon as she mentioned one of her sons, it made Laurenās heart swell, hearing her talk so fondly and adoringly of her sons.
But at the same time it also stung a little, making her miss her mother even more.
"Charles? Heās the youngest?"
"Middle."
"Oh, okay." Lauren nodded, storing away some bottles, when a breathtakingly handsome young man, stepped out of the hallway, a young man Lauren knew from somewhere.
"Charles, come in, come in. I want you to meet Lauren-ā¦" Pascale switched to English, making her son cock an eyebrow.
"Your new assistant you canāt stop talking about?" he chuckled and Pascale nodded, he then followed his mothers look and as soon as his eyes landed on Lauren his whole face lit up, something his mother noticed, making her grin "Itās you! The girl from the park!"
"You two know ea-⦠wait? The girl from the park? OH! The girl from the park!" Pascale made big eyes, a big smile spreading on her face.
Charles blushed immediately, but he wasnāt alone, Laurens eyes widened and her cheeks were turning red, he was talking about her?
Chapter 10 - I AM SO SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT! Life was messy, hectic and really a lot these last weeks and I didnāt want to post something only okayish. It finally happened. Lauren and Charles officially met ā„ļø now the real party starts hehehe
Please leave a comment/ like/ reblog/ message and tell me how you liked it! I'm dying to hear your thoughts!
If you want to be added to the taglist, drop a comment!
Last but not least, English is not my first language and although I tried my best: please excuse any mistakes I made!
Taglist:
@glitterquadricorn @lottalove4evelyn @janeh22 @itsjustkhaos @mariclerc @fangirlforever2000
#charles leclerc#charles leclerc 16#charles leclerc x oc#charles leclerc f1#charles leclerc fanfic#charles leclerc fic#charles leclerc imagine#charles leclerc as dad#dad!charles leclerc#cl16#cl16 x oc#cl16 fanfic#cl16 fic#cl16 imagine#scuderia ferrari#formula 1#formula 1 x oc#formula 1 fanfic#formula 1 fic#formula 1 fandom#formula 1 story#formula 1 imagine#f1#f1 x oc#f1 writing#f1 fiction#f1 fic#f1 fandom#f1 fanfic#f1 story
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Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince:
Chapter 9

Masterlist - Previous - Next
Miss Americana
July 2023:
"⦠so yeah⦠I remembered how my mother spoke about you and Monaco⦠that itās a wonderful place to start over. Well and here I am." Lauren finished the short and very cut version of why she was sitting now in front of the Monegasque hairdresser, a steaming mug of coffee in her hand.
"Your mother was one of a kind⦠not just that she was one of the most beautiful women Iāve ever seen, no she also was one of the most friendly ones. Iām so sorry that you lost her so early in your life, ma chĆ©rie⦠life mustāve been hard without herā¦" Pascale squeezed the young girls hand "I know how hard it can be for children to lose their parent⦠a couple of years ago I lost my husband⦠my sons lost their father, Arthur, my youngest he was 17 at the time⦠it wasnāt easy. But at least they had each other⦠they had-ā¦"
"You. Yeah⦠I guess with a father who whoās there for me, it couldāve been bearable. But well⦠he had to deal with it himselfā¦" Lauren mumbled and the older woman nodded slowly.
"I donāt know entirely whatās up with your father, but what I know is that he doesnāt work for the best kind of people, that it made your and your mothers life not the easiest⦠so I think that youāre here is for the best. Far away from home and all the problems lurking thereā¦" an empathetic smile on her lips, she got up and walked behind the counter, rummaging through one of the drawers, returning shortly with a little notebook.
"I let you in on a little secret⦠being a hairdresser in Monaco has its perks, youāll end up cutting and styling a celebrities hair every once in a while and I always made sure to take a picture with them, then I noted down the date and what I thought about themā¦" she flipped through the pages, stopping from time to time to chuckle a little, telling Lauren a little anecdote about the famous person whoās hair she took care off "Thatās David Coulthard, he was a Formula 1 driver, a pretty good one too, heās Scottish and has this booming laugh⦠during the Monaco GP one day when I was in the paddock, I bumped into him. It was hilariousā¦" she continued looking through the pages until she finally had found what she was looking for "Ahhh⦠here it is! Susannah Lombardi, Miss USA from Woburn, Massachusetts and her gorgeous little girl Rachelā¦" she showed the picture of Laurenās mother and herself as a toddler, sitting in her mothers lap, next to them stood Pascale, smiling "Iāve seen a lot of beautiful women in my life, but your mother⦠she was truly something else, and you look just like herā¦"
"Not even close⦠she had this natural aura around her. Every room she walked into, she instantly brightened it up. Everyone around her was smiling. She had this warmth⦠she- she was amazingā¦" Lauren whispered, looking at the picture in Pascaleās notebook "What did you write about her?"
"Let me seeā¦" the hairdresser took the book from Laurenās trembling hands, putting on her glasses "Susannah wasnāt just the most beautiful, but also the loveliest lady Iāve ever met. She didnāt just look like a queen, she had the grace, the aura, of one as well. A kind and strong woman, a loving mother, who would do everything for her precious little Rachel. But underneath there lies something dark. A sadness in her eyes when talking about her home. I hope sheāll find true happiness one day for her and her daughter. Not many people are that deserving of it." Pascale looked up and pulled Lauren in a tight embrace, seeing the tears streaming down the young girls face "Iām so sorry you lost her, ma cheriĆ©. So, so sorry." she gently traced circles on the crying girls back, trying to soothe her.
After a while Lauren wiped her face, slowly sitting up and Pascale let her go, smiling at her.
"Thank you, Madame Leclerc⦠I understand now why my mother talked about you so fondly." Laurenās voice hoarse.
"Oh stopā¦" the older woman chuckled, wiping some stray tears from the girls face "Tell me, how can I help you?"
"I- I just need to improve my French, so I can work as a nurse here in the hospital⦠if you could help me with that?" Lauren said shyly.
"The best way to learn French is to speak French⦠and I already have an ideaā¦"
"Are you sure you want to stay here? I have a big apartment and Iām all alone, my sons all moved outā¦" Pascale said, looking around the little back room she and Lauren had cleaned and tidied up for the last hour "Itās really no problem!"
"Thank you Mrs. Lec-ā¦"
"Pascale!"
"Right⦠thank you, Pascale, but I really canāt accept the offer! Youāre doing already enough to let me stay here!" Lauren smiled and squeezed the older womanās arm.
"I couldnāt let you stay in a hotel! Wasting all your money! Mais no!"
"And I really, really appreciate it. This is enough until I get fully settled here in Monaco."
"You will have no problem with that, ma chĆ©rie. You already speak Italian, now we just need to get your French going a little and youāre good to go."
"Yeah⦠but French isnāt that easy, believe me, the last couple of days I was trying a lotā¦." Lauren chuckled "But Iāll get there."
"Can I leave you alone? My son, he umm-⦠he needs my helpā¦" the hair dresser said, checking her phone.
"Of course! Go. Iāll be alright. I have everything that I need. And thank you again, Mrs. Le-⦠Pascale."
"Stop thanking me, Ra- Lauren. Looks like we both have to get used to our namesā¦" she smiled and grabbed her purse "I see you tomorrow. If you need anything, just call or text me. Have a good night."
"You too. See you tomorrow."
Lauren sat down, taking in her surroundings. The storage room turned into a nice little place for her to stay. The day bed was cosy, the drawer next to it full with her personal belongings and clothes. It wasnāt much, but it felt safe. Almost homely. After a quick shower in the bathroom and a sandwich Pascale had prepared her earlier, she cuddled into her bed, falling asleep almost immediately.
"Did you sleep well?" Pascale smiled at Lauren, the smell of the fresh coffee she brought her waking up the girls senses.
"To be honest? I think I havenāt slept this good for weeksā¦" Lauren nodded, taking a big sip of the dark liquid "And this coffee was just what I needed to wake up fully, thank you."
"No worries, dear." the hair dresser replied, looking through her notebook.
"Whatās the idea you had in mind, helping me with my French?"
"Well, I could really use a new assistant here in the salon⦠one of my girls left, she moved to Milan with her fiancĆ©, and now itās only me and Claire, and itās getting a little hectic at times. I canāt do both, taking care of the phone, the calendar, all the supply orders, welcoming new clients while Iām already cutting someone elseās hairā¦"
"Sounds like something I could do!" Lauren nodded making Pascale smile.
"Well, then Iād say letās set up a contract and welcome to the team!"
Lauren was excited. Working for Pascale was just what she needed to get a footing in Monaco. Getting her French going. Getting used to work and live in the little principality. She couldnāt wait to start her new work. For the next weeks Lauren assisted Pascale with everything she could do, besides actually cutting hair. That was something she didnāt want to do, too afraid to mess something up and the older woman was glad that she didnāt have to say it to her young assistant herself. Lauren ran errands, washed hair, cleaned the salon, handled the appointments and took care of ordering new supplies.
"Looks good, you can send itā¦" Pascale smiled at her, handing over the clipboard "I have to say, since you are here, everything is way easier. Since Marie left 2 months ago and now with Charles and the ba-⦠well it was all getting a little too much. But with you here, everything goes smoothly."
"I really enjoy working here, my French already got better⦠or at least I think so?"
"It definitely is better! Just a few more weeks and youāre fluent!" Pascale replied when she got a notification, checking her phone, frowning.
"Everything okay?" Lauren asked concerned but the hair dresser only sighed and put her phone away.
"Yeah yeah itās fine⦠itās just⦠I know that the salon is in good hands with you and Claire when I go to the convention tomorrow⦠but my son⦠heās going through something and I know I canāt always be there, he has to learn to handle it alone, but yeah⦠itās not easy."
"I think itās just understandable. Youāre an amazing mum who cares for her sons! Nothing wrong with that." Lauren gently patted the older womanās arm who smiled.
"And still. I have to learn to let go. Heāll be fine. He has to be."
"And Iām sure heāll be just that. You donāt have to worry about him or your salon. Itās all going to be just fine!"
"Youāre right! It will be! How couldnāt it be, with you being here!"
"Oh stop. Iām just helping out a bit." Lauren blushed a little, turning away to fill up the hand towels at the sink.
"Yeah, but that helping out is just what I needed. Youāre doing an amazing job."
"Itās like I said, I really enjoy working here. Everyone is so friendly, helping me out with my French, especially all the adorable older ladies." Lauren smiled, thinking about Marianne, who came in twice a week to get her hair done.
"They all love you. Estelle told me that she never met a sweeter girl than you⦠and I have to say, I agree."
"Oh stop, youāre making me blush⦠Estelle is lovely, I just hope she doesnāt follow through with her plan, bringing her grandson next time with herā¦" Lauren scowled a little and Pascale laughed.
"Jean-Luc is a nice young man, but no⦠you deserve someone special, not a guy whose hobby it is to compare his watches with his friendsā¦" the hair dresser winked at her assistant, in her mind she was already thinking about introducing Lauren to her son Charles.
"Pascale? You sure youāre alright?"
"Oh yes, more than alrightā¦" she chuckled, thinking about how Charles would be completely enamoured by the lovely, young girl in front of her "Were done for today. I showed you everything you need to know for the next two days!"
"Are you sure?"
"I am. I have to go home and pack now. You enjoy the rest of the day!"
"Have fun at the convention! And donāt worry about the salon or your kids. It will be just fine, youāll see." Lauren hugged the hair dresser who sighed contently, grabbing her bag and keys.
"Iāll see you on Wednesday!" and with that she left the salon.
After a quick check if all doors and windows were closed and locked, Lauren took a quick shower and headed into the city centre, strolling through the quieter than usual streets. As soon as she entered her favourite bistro she knew why, a Formula 1 race was on.
"Ah! Lauren. Come on in!" Matthieu, the owner of the bistro, waved her over "You want to sit with us and watch the race?"
"Oh, umm-⦠thatās really nice of you, but I want to enjoy the sun⦠so yeah, just the chicken pesto pa-ā¦"
"ā¦panini with a cup of our homemade lemonade. Coming right up for youā¦" he laughed and walked behind the counter, starting on the girls order "No Formula 1 fan?"
"No⦠not really⦠sorry." Lauren shook her head, smiling.
"Itās okay. Youāll be one in no time, living here in Monaco! I mean, itās been a while since there was a Monegasque F1 driver! And with Il Predestinato, we have a future world champion racing for our country."
"The predestined one? Okay?" Lauren cocked an eyebrow at the nickname.
"Heāll bring back the title to Maranello. We all believe in Charles Le-ā¦"
"LOGAN!" a young girl shouted and Lauren watched a blue car spin on the screen, almost crashing into the barriers, gravel flying around.
"Sargeant doing Sargeant thingsā¦" a man shook his head "After de Vries, heās next." he sighed and took a sip of his wine.
"De Vries was at the junior Red Bull team⦠you canāt fuck up there! Sargeant is only driving for Williams⦠they are more⦠well they are nicerā¦" another man replied, when the driver of the blue car climbed out of it and walked away, shaking his head, a man in a red tracksuit and helmet by his side.
Lauren listened to the discussion of the bistro guest about some drivers, not understanding anything.
"Lauren?" Matthieu smiled at her, handing her a bag with the panini and a plastic cup with her lemonade.
"Oh, thanks." she handed Matthieu the money and waved him off when he wanted to give her back the change "See you next time!"
"Until next time!"
"That will be faster than you expect it, your panini is the best!"
And with her dinner in one hand and her drink in the other, Lauren walked back to Pascaleās hair salon, making herself comfortable in her makeshift home, thinking about how her life turned out after leaving Boston and she had to smile. It was risky to put all her eggs in one basket, coming to Monaco looking for Pascale. Someone she never spoke to and didnāt know her. But the good feeling she had in her guts was right. She was in Monaco. She worked for Pascale. No one knew who she was. No one back home knew where she was. She was safe. And she was happy. Life was looking good for her.
After closing the salon for the day, the first day without Pascale, Lauren said goodbye to Claire, Pascaleās other employee, she strolled through Monaco. It was early in the afternoon, the sun bathed the busy streets in a warm light, highlighting the beauty of her new home. With the warm sea breeze in her hairs, it didnāt take long and the she found herself at the harbour, where she observed the traffic on the water. Living in Boston for the past 4 years, she spend a lot of time with Gabriel at the harbour, the little boy loved boats and ships of all kinds. The yachts although were different from the boats she knew from her home. More elegant, more luxurious, way more expensive. Laurenās feet carried her all the way to the end of the marina to a little park with a set of swings and a few benches. She sat down, leaning back and enjoyed the sun for a while, thinking about how much her life had changed over the past few weeks. Her life in Monaco was so much different then her life in Woburn, she havenāt felt this free and happy for a long time. Closing her eyes, she couldnāt stop the smile spreading across her face. The sunbeams warming her skin, the peace and quiet of the park, the smell of the sea. Would she need one word to describe it, it would be content. A feeling she havenāt felt since her mother died. She leaned back, enjoying the sun when after a while a man with a stroller joined Lauren, sitting down on the bench on her left.
"Shhh⦠please, my little angelā¦" the desperate voice of the seemingly young and really handsome man made her turn slightly "Shhh⦠itās okayā¦"
He was desperate, exhausted, Lauren could tell and she asked herself is she should offer her help to the young father, or at least try, hoping her French would be enough. When she spoke up, he turned towards her, and as he did, he reached up to pull off his sunglasses. Laurenās breath caught in her throat as his eyes met hers, bright, warm, a shade of blueish-green. The smile that followed, shy yet endearing, made her almost stumble over her next words. Not to mention the dimples. Two small indentations that deepened as he smiled, and suddenly the entire world seemed to stop turning around her. Her heart skipped a beat when he laughed after her little advice and Lauren smiled shyly. The young father was thankful for her input, secretly impressed by her knowledge and when it was time for him to leave, it was reluctantly. When he turned away to walk off and then stopped abruptly, turning around introducing himself as Charles and that they might see each other again, after all Monaco was only a little village Lauren nodded, hoping his words would be true. She shook her head and started walking back, her mind still spinning, his voice like a soft melody she couldnāt forget in her head.
By the time she reached the little bistro at the corner ordering her favourite panini, her mind was still occupied by the strangers beautiful eyes.
"Who made you smile like that?" Matthieu, the owner of the bistro, asked her, while typing in her order, making Lauren cock an eyebrow "You come her now for weeks, and Iāve never seen you smile like that!"
She blushed and then smiled, wringing with her words.
"Itās nothing like that. Itās just-⦠I love Monaco, Matthieu. Seriously. Itās an amazing place to live and Iām just glad that Iām here.." she said and he nodded.
"It sure is. But not that beautiful to cast a smile like that on a young girls faceā¦" he winked and Lauren laughed.
"TouchƩ."
"Ah! She speaks French!"
"Oh stop!" the girl laughed even more, grabbing her food and then left, waving goodbye to the bistro owner, making her way yet again back to Pascaleās hair salon, blueish-green eyes and dimples on her mind.
For days, Lauren couldnāt stop thinking about Charles. The young father, with his easy smile and the dimples that always seemed to appear just as effortlessly. There was something in the way he held his baby girl, his tender gaze and the softness in his voice when he whispered to her. The slight panic when she didnāt stop crying. Every moment was etched into her mind, his shy laugh, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled, and the deep, warm blue-green of his eyes that reminded her of the sea. Lauren found herself replaying every single moment of their encounter, every little exchange, every little smile and word that was said, over and over in her head. And although the moment wasnāt longer than a couple of minutes, they somehow felt like a lifetime, something she couldnāt explain. She never meant to think about him all the time, but she couldn't help it. His handsome face, his smile, his eyes, the way he dotted on his daughter, it all stirred something inside of Lauren, something she hadnāt expected to feel. She tried to keep this newfound obsession over a guy she only met once for a couple of minutes to herself, but Pascale started to notice that her young assistant behaved differently. Her eyes seemed brighter now, and her usual smile that was always plastered on her lips was just a little too wide, a little too soft, as if she were keeping a secret. She daydreamed, often lost in her thoughts and Pascale, curious but hesitant, finally decided to figure out what or who made Lauren smile like that.
"Whatās going on with you? Somethingās different since Iām back? The past week you were smiling even more than beforeā¦" she began.
"Iām always smiling, I thought? You told me that!" Lauren shot quickly back.
"I know. And itās nothing bad, but itās different. You hum to yourself, lost in your thoughts⦠wouldnāt I know it better Iād say youāve met someone, but for that you actually would have to leave the salon and go outā¦" the hairdresser smiled, looking at her assistant who paused, the edges of her smile tightening as she quickly tried to shift the focus.
"No, itās just that- umm⦠you know Iām just settling into my new life here.ā she said lightly, her voice betraying nothing of the true cause of her newfound joy. "Itās been a big change, but Iām really happy here."
"Hmm⦠if thatās it, then Iām happy⦠but Lauren? I hope you know you can talk to me about everything⦠I know itās something youāre not used to, talking about boys with⦠well with a parent or parent like figure." Pascale patted the girls shoulder, smiling warmly at her and Lauren didnāt know what to say at first.
"Umm-⦠I did meet someoneā¦" she began slowly "But it was nothing- I think. We didnāt exchange numbers or anything. But there was something about him⦠it makes me wonderā¦" she stopped, shaking her head "I donāt know. Itās confusingā¦" The words felt true, Lauren didnāt know what to think or feel. For now it was just that her mind was occupied by the memory of the young father and the spark of something that felt almost like hope. She didnāt even fully understand it herself, so how should she explain it to Pascale?
"Hey? Itās okay⦠we donāt need to talk about it now⦠just know that Iām always here for you, okay? And whoever that young gentleman was, he must be an amazing person, leaving an impression on you⦠but just so you know⦠Monaco is almost like a small village. You might see him faster again than you expect." Pascale smiled satisfied, but there was still a glimmer of curiosity in her eyes. She would love to know who the young man was who Lauren met, her own hope of introducing Charles to her drifting away a little.
"Thank you, Pascale. Really." the young girl smiled and then quickly turned back to her work, pushing the thoughts of the father and his little girl to the back of her mind, although she had to think about what Pascale said about Monaco being just like a small village, and she might be seeing Charles faster again than expected. The same thing he already told her.
Chapter 9 - And the unofficial first meeting happened⦠but donāt worry, youāll get the full tea in the next chapter āŗļø
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Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince:
Chapter 8

Masterlist - Previous - Next
The Heartbreak Prince
Barcelona 2023:
"Iāll be back soon, my little princess. Iām going to miss you so much." Charles whispered, cradling his daughter gently to his chest "Donāt grow too much, you hear me?" he kissed her forehead, his heart aching when he heard the sounds she made "Youāll call me after the check-up?"
"Charles, itās just a standard check-up. Itās mandatory. They just check if she develops and grows the way sheās supposed to and look at her, sheās perfect and there is nothing wrong with her." his mother chuckled "But yes, Iāll call you right after."
"Thanks Maman." he kissed his motherās cheek, then his daughters before carefully handing her over into the arms of his mother "Bye little princess."
"Bye daddy!" Pascale gently held Avaās hand up and waved "Have a good race weekend, daddy."
Charles hummed a little, leaving his apartment. He wasnāt sure if he would have a good race weekend and when Saturdays qualifying was his worst session of the season so far he left the track frustrated in the evening. Back in his hotel room he felt alone, missing the sweet sounds of Ava she made when sleeping. He took out his phone and scrolled through his pictures. What used to be bright mix of race weekends, trips with his friends, parties and dinner get togetherās was now a gallery of Ava. Little clips of her smiling for the first time, grabbing his finger tightly, turning her head. Pictures of her while sleeping, or looking at whoever held her with her big orbs. He missed his little girl. More than he ever thought it was possible. He forgot about the time when he FaceTimed his mother, hoping to see his little one after the day he had.
"Charles? Everything okay?" his mother looked as if she just woke up, that was when Charles realised how late it was.
"Iām sorry, Maman, I forgot how late it was. I just-⦠I wanted to see Ava." he mumbled and Pascale began to smile.
"Of course, well sheās sleeping but I guess thereās nothing wrong with having a look how sheās doing, no?" she said and the next moment Charles looked at his daughter, happily slumbering, making the most adorable noises, the ones he missed dearly next to him at night, and he felt his eyes stinging a little.
"Thanks Maman, that was what I neededā¦" he whispered and his mother nodded.
"Youāll do good tomorrow. Donāt worry."
"Yeah. Maybeā¦" Charles mumbled and sighed "For now, I just miss herā¦"
"Youāll see her in 2 days, Charles. Go to sleep now. You have a race to win tomorrow."
"Sure. Win. Good oneā¦"
"How is she doing that?" Arthur mumbled and Charles looked up from his book.
"Doing what?" he tilted his head a little, looking at his brother and daughter.
"I was in a really, really bad mood. I hold her for not even a minute and Iām in the best mood ever. Like look at her squishy face! Her chubby cheeks? How can someone be this adorable?" Arthur cooed at the little girl lying on his thighs, stroking her tiny tummy.
"Well first off, I think she absorbs any bad energy around her and turns it into positive energy. And secondly, sheās my daughter look at me, Iām adorable." the older Leclerc laughed and Arthur threw his head back, cackling.
"Yeah sure⦠youāre not even in the slightest as adorable as Ava, nice try. But I agree⦠sheās like a filter system for bad mood."
"Donāt you ever again call my daughter a filter system!"
"Mood cleanser?"
"Arthur!"
"Okay, okay! Jeez. Seems like her filter system isnāt working long rangeā¦" the younger Leclerc mumbled, still chuckling.
"Youāre an idiot, I hope you know thatā¦" Charles sighed sprawling out on the floor "I really donāt want to go to Canada tomorrowā¦"
"Totally understandable⦠I cuddle every night with her for you."
"Usually you would come with me⦠I see that your priorities have changed."
"I can watch you race from here as well, just with the bonus that I can cuddle with my gorgeous niece." Arthur shrugged playing peek-a-boo with Ava, loving the excited sounds she made.
"I wish I could take her with me⦠but itās just not possibleā¦" Charles sat up, watching his daughter looking at her uncle with her big blue orbs "At least I know that you guys take good care of her."
"Yeah. Donāt worry. You go to Canada and do your best. We take care of our little angel."
"Sheās my angel."
"Our angel."
Montreal 2023:
"Hey Charles, sorry to see you this soon here. You couldnāt quite set a good time with intermediates, were the tyres the problem?"
Charles sighed and took a sip out of his water bottle, shaking his head.
"I think they were partly the problem. I asked for slicks, the track was a mix of wet and dry at that point and I didnāt feel too comfortable on the intersā¦"
"You were frustrated on the radio, saying after the session that the tyres werenāt ready."
"Iām very frustrated with the qualifying in general. Not everything is about the tyres obviously, some others did exactly the same thing and still went through into Q3 on inters. But I couldnāt set a fast time with them and when we finally changed onto the slicks I had not enough time to prepare them⦠we are just making our lives so much more difficult like this." the Ferrari driver said, trying to not show how frustrated he truly was.
"What do you think about tomorrow, starting from P11?"
"We need to improve and do a step forward otherwise weāre always going to be disappointed so yeahā¦we need to improve nowā¦" Charles said with finality in his voice, hoping the reporter would have enough and thankfully he nodded.
"Thank you Charles and good luck for the race tomorrow."
"Thanks." the driver followed Mia to the next interview, going over the same questions, again and again and when he finally made it back to the Ferrari hospitality the mood all around wasnāt the best. Only one car in Q3.
"Carlos has to go to the stewards laterā¦" Andrea said, and Charles cocked an eyebrow "He impeded Pierreā¦"
"Shit. What position?"
"P8, for-ā¦"
"P8? When he gets a penaltyā¦" Charles looked over at Fred talking to Carlos and Ricky, his race engineer.
"Heāll be in P11 and youāre in P10ā¦" Andrea replied "Letās wait and seeā¦"
It didnāt take long for the confirmation that he was indeed starting in front of Carlos and the mood in the garage had shifted. Charles never liked being in front of his teammate because he benefitted from a penalty, but he knew better than anyone else that there are races like this, Monaco was the best example for it. He knew that strategy wise he was now in a better position and had to deliver to maximise the teams points this weekend and when he sat down in the race debrief, with 22 points, 12 by him and 10 by Carlos, he felt like they did the best they could do with the situation they were given.
"⦠alright, thatās it for tonight. Letās work hard to get you guys on the podium in Spielberg!" Fred dismissed the meeting and Charles got up immediately, ready to leave as fast as possible.
On his way out some of the mechanics asked if he would join them for a couple of beers but he declined, stating he was exhausted when Mario began to laugh.
"Sure, youāre exhausted⦠you can tell us, Charles, you have a special girl waiting at home for youā¦" he said, making the driver stop dead in his tracks, looking at him.
"What?" he was shocked, how did he know about Ava?
"Youāre in love! Amore⦠itās in your eyes.
I can see it." he chuckled and Charles let out a breath he didnāt know he was holding "So go, enjoy your time with your girl."
"Th-thanksā¦" the driver almost stuttered walking away as fast as possible.
"That was painful to watchā¦" Andrea appeared out of nowhere, making Charles flinch "You have to learn to hold it together a littleā¦"
"I was just so freaking scared that they knew about A-ā¦" he stopped, looking around and then continued with a quiet voice "I thought he knew about Ava. Thatās- thatās like my worst nightmare right now. People finding out about her while Iām still adjusting to this new lifeā¦"
"Youāre doing great, Charles, really. You should cut yourself some slackā¦" Andrea clapped his back.
"Yeah maybe, but Iām still not ready to be a single father under the scrutiny of everyone who knows who I amā¦" Charles sighed unlocking the car "Maybe one day, when I know how to manage everything, but for now, itās like this⦠for now I hurry back home after the races to see my beautiful girl."
"Well Iād say then letās get going. Letās go home so you can see your little one."
"I canāt wait."
Charles walked through his living room, carefully rocking Ava to sleep, trying his best not to melt away when he looked at her. His mother sitting on the sofa with teary eyes, her heart so full of love for her son and granddaughter that she almost forget why she was here in the first place.
"Maman itās really okay! I will be fine. I still have Enzo and Arthurā¦" Charles smiled, gently stroking Avaās back and Pascale chuckled, her eyes trained on the scene in front of her.
"ā¦if Enzo and Arthur are your last resortā¦"
"Charlotte⦠I have Charlotte, okay? Weāll be fine. So please, go!"
"Itās just two days, I promise! I need to go to this convention. I havenāt been to one in a long time and now that Marie leftā¦" Pascale began and Charles nodded.
"Weāll be fine. Until then I have it figured out, okay? Itās in the week of the Hungarian GP?"
"Yeah⦠it would be on Monday and Tuesday, Iād be back Tuesday eveningā¦"
"So we still got time. Itās all good. Really. Iāll talk to Silvia and Fred that I would fly out Tuesday night. Itāll be fine." he reassured his mother, smiling at her.
"Youāre right. Youāll manage. And it still gives me time to manage what to do with the salon these two days, Julie canāt manage the salon and take care of all the appointmentsā¦" she agreed after a moment and Charles sat down next to her.
"And youāll manage that as wellā¦" he said, smiling at his mother "I wish I could take Ava with me from time to time, you know? But even if no one would see me with her, the moment someone sees her with you? Arthur? Or anyone else close to me? People wouldnāt stop asking questions whose daughter she is⦠and keeping her at a hotel room all the time? Thatās not okayā¦" Charles sighed, smiling when Ava flinched a little, getting scared from her own adorable little sneeze.
"I know, Charles. But youāre doing the right thing I think⦠donāt get me wrong, Iām proud of you and what youāre doing, and how you act around your fans⦠youāre so down to earth and always make them smile. But itās dangerous⦠theyāre getting too close at times and with Ava with you? I would be scared for her safetyā¦"
"No, youāre right. Itās too dangerous. For now this is the only way to ensure her safety, itās what has to be done." Charles replied, getting up "I want her to be safe and happy. And if that means that sheās here with you while Iām away, then itās okayā¦"
"It is, but you still donāt have to like itā¦" Pascale said quietly, watching her son laying down his precious little girl into the bassinet next to the sofa.
"Oh, believe me, I donāt like it. Not at all. I hate it. I hate it to leave her behind all the time, I hate it to have so little time for her between the races. I hate it all. But then again, coming home seeing her? Itās all worth it at the end of the day⦠and only 4 races left and itās summer break. I canāt wait. 3 weeks without interruption." Charles smiled, stepping carefully away to not wake up his little one "3 weeks of not having to watch out for people seeing us. The house is private, high walls and fences. No one knows that weāre renting it. Itās going to be perfect."
"It will do you some good to not constantly look over your shoulder when youāre outside with her⦠and when you donāt have to wear this atrocious clothes to hide who you areā¦" Pascale gently patted her sons arm who scowled a little.
"Thatās my normal clothes⦠I like them actuallyā¦" he replied and his motherās eyes widened.
"You wear this jeans that fit you thrice, that weird sweatshirts⦠you wear that voluntary?" she asked, the shock evident in her voice.
"Umm- yeah, I do actuallyā¦"
"Oh. Okay. Umm-. Wow. Okay."
"Ouch⦠that doesnāt hurt at all⦠I wear that stuff all the time? In the paddock?"
"I donāt look at pictures of you online? Or in magazines or whatever. I see you these days mostly in sweatpants or shorts. Or with these oversized, weird clothes when you go out for a walk with Ava, always putting on caps and XXL-shades⦠sorry, I thought thatās some kind of disguiseā¦" Pascale chuckled a little.
"Wow. Thanks Mamanā¦" Charles rolled his eyes, plopping down next to her.
"I mean-⦠umm-⦠what do I know about fashion these days, you know? At the end of the day itās just clothes." she shrugged her shoulders making her son laugh.
"Yeah⦠clothes you donāt like."
"Clothes I donāt likeā¦"
Austria 2023:
Spielberg was always a track Charles liked a lot. A track he already won and stood on the podium before. Maybe if he worked hard enough, he finally could celebrate a win with his little girl. The first of many more to come hopefully. When he said goodbye on Tuesday evening, he held her close to his chest, kissing the crown of her head.
"Iāll be back soon, mon amour, I love you my baby girl." he whispered, then handed Ava over to his mother "Have a nice weekend together." he kissed his mothers cheek and then grabbed his bag, waving goodbye once last time, meeting up with Joris who waited outside for him.
"Ready?" he asked and Charles nodded, getting in the car, trying to focus on the weekend ahead.
Media day came and go, as always, the same questions, the same people. Fan events here, sponsor events there, Silvia parading him around like a puppy for everyone to fawn over, introducing him to business men and their guests, small talk left and right. Charles hated it. Every single minute of it. But it was part of his job. So he smiled, laughed, listened.
"I have to say Charles, youāre displaying a tremendous amount of strength, the way you pull through although our car this year is anything near the Red Bull." one man in a dark navy suit said, waving over a young girl "Alessia, I want you to meet Charlesā¦" he said and Charles heart skipped a beat.
Alessia. His mouth went dry. His mind and heart started racing each other. No. It couldnāt be. She wouldnāt come here. She knew who he was. She wouldnāt do that. He didnāt listen to what the man in front of him said, he just tried to regain control over his body again, when the girl stopped in front of him and he looked at her face. He let out a sigh of relieve, carding nervously with his hand through his hair, chuckling.
"Charles, this is my daughter Alessiaā¦" the businessman began big Charles interrupted him.
"It was nice to meet you, the both of you, but I need to make a call. Please excuse me." he said and stormed off, out of the room down the hallway to a little terrace, where he sat down, taking a deep breath, closing his eyes.
"Hereā¦" a voice startled Charles and he looked up at Carlos, handing him a glass with a dark drink in it "I thought you could need one, I for sure canā¦"
"Thanks." Charles nodded and clinked his glass with his team mates.
"Since when are there so many young girls attending these sponsor events? Itās usually just old men and some business women? But now it seems like every guy is bringing their daughters along." Carlos shook his head, taking a sip of his drink.
Charles thought for a moment and had to admit that he was right, the last 2 events he attended were also packed with a lot of girls.
"Maybe the fathers want their daughters to get more involved in what theyāre doing? Make them passionate about racing? Wouldnāt be too bad if we get more girls into watching F1 or motorsports in generalā¦" he shrugged, taking a sip from his drink as well, grimacing at the taste "What is that?"
"Itās whiskey⦠I just grabbed the first two glasses the bartender had prepared, probably some dudes in there waiting for their drinks stillā¦" Carlos laughed "So. Whatās going on with you?"
Charles looked at him, cocking an eyebrow but the Spaniard didnāt look away, holding his gaze.
"What do you mean?"
"Oh come on mate, Iām not stupid! Somethings going onā¦" he insisted and Charles heart was pounding "You, Fred, Silvia, you all act a little weird here and there, like you know something the rest of us doesnātā¦"
"I-I donāt know what you mean⦠there is nothing we donāt- umm we donāt know anything you donāt know! Or I mean-⦠maybe they do but I donāt know either so they fool us bothā¦" the Monegasque stuttered, making Carlos raise an eyebrow again.
"Youāre the worst liar. You need to work on that. Like seriously." the older driver chuckled, taking another sip before he continued, his voice more serious "Is it about our contracts?" he asked, mustering his team mate, but when Charles didnāt react, only looked at him wide eyed and confused, he sighed "Alright, I wonāt ponder."
Charles felt bad. He liked Carlos, sure, they werenāt the best of friends, as teammates it was almost impossible, but there was a mutual respect, on and off track and lying to him was something he didnāt like. Especially when Carlos thought it was about such an important topic like their contract extensions.
"I have no idea about our contract situation, I swear. Youāre right. There is something going on, but it has nothing to do with you, with the team, not even with racing. Itās a private issue and Fred and Silvia know about it. Thatās all. I swear." Charles stated after a while, looking at Carlos.
"Is everything okay?" he wondered, looking relived when the younger driver nodded "Okay⦠you know- umm⦠if you need someone to talk, you can talk to me. I mean, weāre teammates after allā¦"
"Thanks Carlos, I appreciate it." Charles smiled a little and they both fell silent again.
He didnāt know how long they sat there, but when they finally made their way back inside, the event was almost over, Silvia looking more than annoyed.
"You can go now, itās over. Go back to the hotel, relax, rest, the weekend starts tomorrow and we want you to deliver a good performance⦠at least on track, if you canāt keep our sponsors happy apart from itā¦" she said tight lipped and stormed off, leaving the two drivers alone, chuckling.
"Then Iād say letās go and rest so we can deliverā¦" Carlos said winking, following the redhead and Charles tagged along.
The weekend started out well for Charles and when he FaceTimed with his mother and daughter after the qualifying he felt confident, although that confidence faded after the sprint shootout and later the sprint race itself.
"P12. Fucking P12. What the fuck." he was pacing back and forth in his hotel room, too agitated to sit down.
"The real race is tomorrow. Youāll start from P2. Itāll be fine." Joris tried to calm his best friend down who just scoffed.
"Did you see how bad I was driving today? What makes you think Iād be better tomorrow?" the driver finally plopped down on the sofa, head in his hands "This season is the worst Iāve ever had⦠even worse than at Sauber."
"Oh come on. Stop that. I bet my ass that youāll do just fine tomorrow. You know what? I say, you make it onto the podium." Joris sounded determined, confident and Charles had to chuckle "If I can believe in you, you can tooā¦"
"Iām trying. I really am but-ā¦" he began but his best friend shook his head.
"No but. Youāll finish this race on the podium. Period." he stated and after a moment of silence Charles nodded.
"Youāre right. Iāll finish on the podium." he said, knowing that no matter what he would say, Joris would diminish it anyway and when he waved at him from the podium, claiming a P2 he could see the big grin of his best friend, knowing he would get a big I told you so as soon as he would be back in the garage.
"Little stop over at home and then Silverstone my assā¦" Charles groaned, hating to leave Ava after not even 24 hours again.
"You sure you have everything? I saw a lot of stuff on your bed?" Pascale asked him and he shrugged.
"It was stupid to unpack. For a day..." he mumbled going back to his bedroom, returning a minute later with a bunch of clothes and toiletries in his arms "So stupidā¦" he dropped everything haphazardly into his suitcase, closing it "Come here little princess." Charles walked towards his mother who handed her granddaughter to her father and then sat down, watching her son cooing at his little girl "I guess I have to go nowā¦" the young father said after a quiet few minutes where he cradled his bundle of joy close to his heart "I donāt want to⦠but I have toā¦" he sighed, kissing Avaās chubby cheek, smiling at the little yawn she let out "And you baby girl need to go to bedā¦"
"Iāll take care of that." Arthur jumped up from where he was sitting, happily taking his niece out of his brotherās arms when their mother got up, rolling her eyes.
"Arthur, you have to leave as well⦠so come on. No stallingā¦" the older Leclerc brother said, grabbing his phone.
"Iām not stalling⦠I just think- I donāt knowā¦" Arthur sighed handing his niece over to his mother "I just much rather would stay here than raceā¦" he mumbled, kissing Avaās head.
"Well, same⦠but itās our job, soā¦" Charles shrugged, slipping on his shoes.
"I know, I know." the youngest Leclerc brother held up his hands and slipped on his shoes as well "Letās go⦠goodbye, little princess. Goodbye, Maman." he kissed both of their cheeks and then stepped aside for his brother to do the same.
"I see you on Mondayā¦" Charles whispered to his daughter before he looked up at his mother "Thanks for taking care of her, Maman. See you on Monday. Or wait, is the convention next week?"
"No, itās after Hungary." Pascale replied, smiling when Ava grabbed onto her necklace, looking at the sparkling charm.
"Okay. And itās all sorted with the salon? You can go and donāt have to close for the days?"
"Yes, I found a solution." Pascales smile got bigger.
"Thatās good." Charles said and waved at his little girl, ready to leave.
"What solution?" Arthur asked, intrigued by his motherās big smile that wasnāt solely based of his niece happily babbling away in his motherās arms "Maman? Whatās the solution?"
"Lauren. Sheās the solutionā¦" his mother whispered, but before Arthur could ask any further questions his brother already, pulled him towards the door.
"Joris is here, letās go. Bye Maman, bye Ava."
"No, wait, I want to know-ā¦"
"Whatever it is, it can wait, weāre late."
"I just want to know who Lauren is!"
"Lauren?" Charles cocked an eyebrow, stepping into the elevator.
"Yes, Maman said sheās the solutionā¦"
"Who?"
"Lauren!"
"Who the hell is Lauren?"
Chapter 8 - I am back and I am sooo sorry it took me this long to upload this chapter! Long story short, here it is⦠enjoy it! Next chapter we might get the first meeting⦠or not⦠I guess youāll have to wait and see š¤
Please leave a comment/ like/ reblog/ message and tell me how you liked it! I'm dying to hear your thoughts!
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Last but not least, English is not my first language and although I tried my best: please excuse any mistakes I made!
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#charles leclerc#charles leclerc 16#charles leclerc f1#charles leclerc fic#charles leclerc fanfic#charles leclerc x oc#charles leclerc as dad#cl16#cl16 fanfic#cl16 fic#cl16 x oc#cl16 imagine#formula 1#formula 1 fanfic#formula 1 fic#formula 1 fandom#formula 1 x oc#formula 1 story#f1#f1 writing#f1 fanfic#f1 fic#f1 x oc#f1 fandom#f1 fiction#f1 story#dad!charles leclerc#charles leclerc imagine#f1 imagine#scuderia ferrari
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INVISIBLE STRING: FROM THE VAULT
Part 3: A Christmassy storyā¦

Masterlist
Merry Christmas everyone šš
š»ļæ½ļæ½ļæ½ļø
Better late than never! As it is during Christmas, it all gets a little hectic and what I wanted to post last night had to be postponed to today⦠itās a little something I started to write a year ago, at Christmas, while watching one of my all time favourite Christmas movies.
And now no more talking, here it isā¦
Christmas 2027:
"Radiation?" Joris cocked an eyebrow.
"Radiation." I shrugged my shoulders and he chuckled "Donāt ask. Itās- itās her newest ickā¦"
"Youāre surrounded by radiation the entire day with having your phone with you? So whereās the difference at ni-ā¦"
"Thatās exactly the point. Your body is exposed to radiation all day long, so at night, when it resets, there shouldnāt be any radiation!" Lizzieās voice rang out behind us, making Joris flinch "Iāve read it in various magazines! So it canāt be that wrong!"
I had to chuckle, looking at Jorisā petrified face when Lizzie glared at me, although I could see her eyes getting watery.
"Itās not funny!" her voice strained.
"Itās not, cara mia. Youāre right. Iām sorry." I replied.
"Iām not crazyā¦" she sniffled a little and I felt bad.
"No, youāre not! I know that, okay?" I said immediately and got up from my seat, cupping her cheek and gently stroked the side of her bump "Youāre doing everything to protect our babies⦠so whatever you think is best weāll do! Youāre an amazing mum, okay?"
She only nodded slightly and turned away, her shoulders slumped.
"I lay down for a bitā¦" she whispered and waddled off, taking a short look into Emmieās room, before she continued to our bedroom.
"I swear I didnāt want to upset her!" Joris looked at me with big eyes and I sighed, sitting back down.
"Believe me, same. The last 2 or 3 days itās been tough, sheās more emotional than usuallyā¦" I rubbed my temples, leaning back "One moment sheās happy and bubbly, the next moment she cries about how thereās only one apple left and that it might feel alone⦠and then sheās mad at herself for crying about such ridiculous things which makes her cry even more because she thinks Iām annoyed of her being an emotional mess⦠which is not true at all. I love it. I swear."
"Youāre probably the only guy on earth who loves his pregnant wifeās mood swings." Joris laughed.
"Itās cute⦠when sheās this bubbly Lizzie, who turns over a jar she canāt open first super frustrated and then grumpy like never seen before and curses it like thereās no tomorrow, just to be sad the next moment that whateverās in the jar is lost foreverā¦"
"And then you chime in and save the dayā¦" he wiggled with his eyebrows and I held up my hands.
"You know, not all heroes wear capes⦠but they still get a proper thank you⦠if you know what I meanā¦"
"Yeah. No. Grossā¦"
Right when I wanted to reply I heard the soft steps of Emmie and Arlo approaching and when I turned a little I saw them both walk around the corner.
"Dada? Mummy look sad?" her sweet little voice sounded truly concerned and I opened my arms, hoisting her up into my lap "Why mummy sad?"
"Sheās not sad, Emmie. Just a little emotional."
"Emonal?" she repeated and I smiled.
"Emotionalā¦" I said slowly, while she quietly said the word again "Thatās when you feel all sorts of emotions⦠thatās feelings. Sad, happy, tired, funny, moody⦠and you just donāt know whatās the real feeling. So you get a little overwhelmed with emotions⦠itās nothing bad. It happens. Especially when someone carries a baby, or like mummy two, in their bellyā¦"
"Mummy feel for baby one and baby two?" Emmies eyes widened and I had to chuckle.
"Yes, my little princess, thatās exactly what mummyās feeling. Her feelings and baby one and twos feelings."
"Lot of feelings!"
"Oh yes! A lot of feelings!" I nodded and she sighed, cuddling into my chest "You know what? Why donāt you help me and Joris make some hot chocolate for mummy?"
Emmieās eyes lit up and she jumped off my lap, already pulling me up on my feet before she grabbed onto Joris hand, doing the same.
"Comes on, Jojo! Hot chotlat for mummy!" she chirped and pulled him with her.
"Iām coming, Emmie-bug." he laughed and picked her up, following me into the kitchen, where he sat her down on the kitchen island.
"Emmie hot chotlat, too!" she looked first at me and then at Joris with her big puppy eyes and I could melt away on the spot.
"Letās make hot chocolate for us all, okay? And then we can watch a movie before bedtime, how does that sound?"
"No bedtime."
"Emmie, we have to get up early tomorrow! Weāre leaving for Christmas!" I reminded her but she shook her head.
"No bedtime." she repeated, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
"No bedtime means no Christmas, and no Christmas means no pops and grams, no granny, no Liam or Elijah⦠no Arthi!"
"No Arthi?" Emmie whispered and I nodded.
"Also no presentsā¦"
"Emmie like bedtime."
"Yeah?" I asked and she nodded.
"Bedtime comfy. Jojo read story?" she turned and looked at him "Pwease?"
"Of course, Emmie-bug. Every story you want!" he cooed at her and she clapped happily.
"Now chotlat for mummy!"
"Now chocolate for mummy."
"Charles?" Lizzie whispered and I turned a little, trying to make her out in the dark "Iām sorryā¦"
"What do you mean?" I asked, voice still hoarse from sleeping. I looked around, my eyes trying to adjust to the darkness and saw her perched against the headboard.
"For being over emotional⦠and unreasonableā¦" she said and I sat up to switch on the lamp on the night stand.
"Hey, youāre not over emotional or unreasonable!" I replied, rubbing my eyes, facing her.
"I am. The other day I cried because of a pair of socks I had to throw away since one of them had holesā¦"
"It was a nice pair of socks!"
"Charlesā¦" Lizzie chuckled and I grabbed her hand, kissing her knuckles "Iām serious! I feel like Iām way worse than when I was pregnant with Emmie!"
"Yeah of course! Youāre carrying twins, cara mia! Double the trouble!"
"Is that why I could eat all the damn time? Iām always hungryā¦" she sighed and I laughed, looking at her pouting.
"And what does my pretty girl want right now?"
"Now? Oh⦠umm⦠Iām not hungryā¦" she looked away and I gently grabbed her chin, turning her head.
"Lizzie⦠I know you⦠itās 1 am thatās your time⦠so, what can I get for you?" I stifled a yawn.
"Iām fine⦠youāre tired and weāll be picked up earlyā¦" she mumbled but I shook my head.
"Pretty girlā¦" I scooted closer, cupping her cheek "What do you want? Fruits? Something salty? Ice cream? A burger?"
"Some sour gums and-⦠itās weird, because usually I donāt like them⦠salt and vinegar crisps? Do we have that?"
"On itā¦" I pecked her lips and shuffled out of the bed, stretching as soon as I stood up "Anything else?"
"Umm⦠one of these strawberry lemonades maybe?"
"Anything my pretty girl wants." I said, grabbing my sweatpants that got stuck somehow and I pulled harder almost tripping over when I finally freed it.
"Are you okay?" Lizzie looked at me and I nodded.
"It got stuck somehow⦠I donāt know⦠get comfy Iāll be right back." I slipped on my pants and left our bedroom, down the hall to the kitchen I stopped at Emmieās bedroom and took a look inside.
Our little girl tucked in under her blankets, Arlo guarding her, sleeping right in front of her bed. He mustāve felt my presence, lifting his head looking at me. He got up, yawned and then trotted over, tilting his head.
"All good, Arlo. Just me." I whispered, kneeling down "Go watch our little princess." I stroked his fluffy fur, scratched his ears before he stretched āOhhh big stretch! Good boy." I scratched his ears and got up "Go back to sleepā¦" he turned around and walked away, plopping down back at his old spot.
I rummaged through the pantry, grabbing everything Lizzie graved and trotted back to our bedroom, where a big smile spread over her face as soon as she saw me walk in.
"I can already taste the lemonadeā¦" she made grabby hands and I laughed, handing her the can of lemonade and the crisps and sour gums.
I climbed in bed next to her, lying down and watching how she happily scrunched up her nose as soon as she ate the first sour gum, closing her eyes savouring the taste.
"Remind me to pack strawberry lemonade, salt and vinegar crisps and sour patch kidsā¦" I yawned.
"Iām so excited for Christmas, our last without the twins⦠next year weāre already a family of 6ā¦" Lizzie whispered and I cocked an eyebrow.
"6?"
"6ā¦"
"Of course⦠Arloā¦"
"I told you heās our first born." Lizzieās happy giggling made me smile and I nodded.
"Youāre right. He is. And heās an amazing big brother, guarding his little sister."
"Heās a good boy." she happily munched and I smiled, yawning again "You can sleep⦠you donāt have to stay awake with meā¦"
"Yeah?" I mumbled, fighting to keep my eyes open.
"Yeahā¦" Lizzie replied and leaned down, kissing my cheek "Thank youā¦"
"You need anything else?" I asked but she shook her head.
"No. Weāre all good now. Sleep, pretty boy."
I didnāt know if I replied or not, I fell asleep almost immediately.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
An annoying ringing inside my head. But was it inside my head? I groaned and turned around, Lizzie next to me fast asleep, the ringing that definitely wasnāt just inside my head didnāt seem to bother her.
"Dada⦠make it stopā¦" Emmie rubbed her eyes, stumbling to our bed, her hair her a hot mess "Head owie!"
"I knowā¦" I picked her up and sat her next to Lizzie "Iāll goā¦" I kissed her cheek and scrambled out of bed, looking for the source of the horrific sound. The door bell. And the landline phone. Both ringing at the same time. Just like my phone "What the hell?" I grabbed my phone and picked up "Hello?"
"Ah, Mr. Leclerc! Finally! I wanted to come up myself and look if everything is alright!" Matthieu, our concierge, said and the landline phone and door bell stopped ringing.
"Of course, everythingās alright? Why wouldnāt it be?" I was confused, looking around.
"There are two cars here to pick you up. Theyāve been waiting for a while now and we tried to call you then-ā¦"
"What?! But the cars should be here at 8?" I replied.
"Mr. Leclerc, itās 8:30 amā¦"
"WHAT? What? How? I- what?" I checked the time at my phone and cursed "Oh shit⦠umm tell the drivers weāll need a momentā¦"
"Can I send them up to get your bags?" Matthieu asked and I nodded.
"Yes. Everything is packed. All the bags are at the elevatorā¦" I hastily walked back into our bedroom, pushing the buttons to open up the blinds.
"Alright. Iāll tell them." he hung up and I gently shook Lizzie.
"Cara mia? Wake up please⦠we need to get readyā¦"
"Hmm?" she mumbled, blinking a few times.
"The cars are already here⦠we need to get ready." I said again and her eyes shot open.
"What? But you set your alarm? What?" she scrambled up looking at Emmie next to her "Did we oversleep?"
"I donāt know. I didnāt hear the alarm. But that doesnāt matter. We need to get ready. Now. Come on." I pulled her gently off the bed and she sighed "I take care of Emmie, okay?"
"Hmmā¦" Lizzie mumbled and waddled away to the bathroom, yawning "Did you not set the alarm?"
"I did. I donāt know what happenedā¦" I mumbled and picked up Emmie "Come on girlie, letās get ready."
"Ready for Crimas!" she clapped her hands and I chuckled.
"Christmas. And no. Not quite yet. We have to get there first."
"To Christ-as?" she tried again.
"Almost, Christmas, with an 'm'⦠Christ- mas."
"Christ-mas." she repeated and I smiled.
"You got it right, Emmie! Good girl!" I sat her down on her bed and grabbed the clothes Lizzie had put out already "Now letās get dressed and then weāll have a little snack in the car, how does that sound?"
"Car?" she tilted her head, scrunching her nose.
"Yeah, we have to drive to the airport. And then we get into the jet to fly to Switzerland. To this big chalet in the mountains where all our family is waiting! To celebrate-ā¦"
"Christmas!" she clapped excitedly and I nodded.
"Exactly! But weāre a little late. So we need to hurry up a little!"
"Houwy up! Houwy up!"
"That we have to! So letās have a look. You look adorable, now we just need to take care of your hair and-ā¦" I began when I saw Lizzie waddling towards the kitchen, still in her pyjamas "Alright⦠wait a minuteā¦" I sat her down "You pack your sleep plushies into your backpack and play a little with Arlo, okay? Iāll be right back and make your hair." Emmie nodded and I followed Lizzie into the kitchen, finding her rummaging through the fridge "Lizzie?"
"Why is there no food?" she sniffled, turning around "Iām hungry. But there is nothing to eat. What am I supposed to do now?"
"Cara mia, we have breakfast in the jet, okay? Itās all prepared-ā¦"
"But Iām hungry now!" she was grumpy "The babies and I are hungry now!"
"I understand, but we have nothing here, because weāre leaving now⦠we can stop at a bakery on the way?" I tried it again and she sighed.
"Okay⦠I go and take a showerā¦" she walked past me and I followed her.
"Cara mia, you donāt need to shower. We donāt have time. You can shower as soon as we arrive in the chaletā¦" I said carefully but she shook her head.
"I smell⦠Iām not arriving smelly for Christmasā¦"
"Technically itās not Christmas yet, so⦠and also you donāt smell⦠you just had a bath last night and I can still smell your coconut butter on your skin, so please. Just get dressed and letās go. The cars are waiting. For over half an hour nowā¦"
"Then why didnāt you set the alarm?" she looked at me annoyed.
"I did! I donāt know why it didnāt went off! Stupid alarm clockā¦" I walked over to my night stand to find the alarm clock to be off, not plugged into the wall "What the⦠oh no⦠my sweatpants⦠fuckā¦" I mumbled, remembering the struggle I had at night with my pants "With my phone this wouldnāt have happenā¦" I groaned more to myself when a half naked Lizzie stepped out of the closet.
"What did you say?" she cocked an eyebrow and I held my hands up "Is it my fault now for protecting our babies? Last night you said I was the best mum because of it!" her bottom lip began to wobble and I hastily pulled her into me.
"And I meant it! Okay? Itās all good. Just-⦠please get ready. I feel bad for the drivers to wait this long because of me⦠and the jet and everythingā¦" I whispered against the side of her head, kissing her temple.
"Okay. Iām almost doneā¦" she breathed out "You need to get dressed yourselfā¦"
"On itā¦"
15 minutes later I strapped Emmie into her seat and gave the driver the all clear to drive, although I had a feeling like we forgot something at home. I was nervously fidgeting with my phone next to Lizzie who happily munched on the croissant I got her from the bakery.
"What is it?" she asked after another minute of me nervously tapping my foot.
"I feel like we forgot somethingā¦" I mumbled, going over the list inside my head "I just donāt know whatā¦"
"It canāt be important if you donāt remember it."
"I donāt knowā¦" I looked outside the window, the car approaching the little private airport.
We had all of the bags, there was nothing left when we left the penthouse. I checked Emmieās backpack and she had packed all her night plushies. Arlo laid on the floor in front of me, his bag with his toys and leashes in the back. Lizzie packer her bag with her books and computer last night herself and it rested now next to her on the seat. The bag with her snacks on the floor next to my feet. I couldnāt grasp what was missing but still I felt like it.
"Charles?" Lizzie grabbed my hand, squeezing it "Weāve got everything. Itās fine, youāll seeā¦"
"Yeah⦠I hope soā¦" I mumbled watching the car in front with our baggage stopping on the tarmac "Itās too late now anyways I guessā¦" I unbuckled Emmie and got out of the car, taking her with me. I helped Lizzie out of the car and she took Emmie from me, walking with Arlo towards the jet while I helped loading our baggage onto the cart, before I walked up the stairs of the jet myself.
"Welcome on board, Mr. Leclerc." the pilot shook my hand and I smiled.
"Thank you, and sorry for the delay⦠it got a little hectic this morningā¦"
"All good, Sir. Why donāt you take a seat and weāre preparing for take off."
"Thank you." I took off my jacket, handing it to the flight attendant who stored it away.
"Can I get you anything to drink?" she smiled and I shook my head, sitting down on front off Lizzie, Emmie next to her on the seat, looking outside the window.
I leaned my head back. Closing my eyes. One last time going over the list in my head. One last time going over every piece of baggage we just unloaded from the car. Lizzieās suitcases, my suitcases, Emmieās suitcases, the bags full off her and Arloās toys, the bags full of presents. The bag with Lizzieās snacks and last but not least the 2 suitcases and backpack ofā¦
"JORIS!" I shouted, Lizzie and Emmie both looking at me "WE FORGOT JORIS!" I took my phone out, about to call him when he already did the same.
"Jo-ā¦"
"I canāt believe you forgot me at homeā¦"
"I swear-ā¦"
"Like seriously? What is this? Home alone? Your alarm doesnāt go off and you forget me in all the hectic?"
"Iām so sorry! I send the ca-ā¦"
"Just be glad itās more like Home Alone 2. I woke up by myself and-ā¦" he hung up "And got in the car right in time⦠I just wanted to wait how long it would take you to figure out that I wasnāt with youā¦" Joris walked inside the jet, plopping down in the seat next to us.
"Iām so so sorry!" I looked at him sheepishly and Emmie climbed off her seat, walking over to Joris who picked her up, sitting her down in his lap.
"Jojo made Emmie hair look nice." she smiled and I looked at her, then at him.
"What?" I said and looked at Lizzie "I thought you did that?"
"I thought you did?" she replied and Joris laughed.
"Nope, I did, right Emmie bug?" he cooed at her and she smiled "And now that weāre all here⦠I say letās go. Christmas is just right around the cornerā¦"
"Christmas with pesents! Pesents for evyone!" Emmie said excited, clapping her hands "Mewwy Christmas evyone!"
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I hope you enjoyed this (not so) little something and I hope you all had amazing Holidays!
Taglist: (If you donāt like to be tagged for this, let me know)
@itsjustkhaos @eugene-emt-roe @sunny44 @silkenthusiasts @glitterquadricorn @aundercover @kakorrhaphiphobia @alittlebitofbooksandmagic @ru-kru @shimmermotorsport @janeh22 @kahhorri @18754389 @chiliwhore @hellowgoodbye @queensassybitchsworld @harrysdimple05 @skynel09 @fangirlforever2000
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#charles leclerc#charles leclerc fic#charles leclerc fanfic#charles leclerc x female driver#charles leclerc 16#charles leclerc f1#charles leclerc as dad#charles leclerc imagine#cl16#cl16 x female driver#cl16 x oc#cl16 fanfic#cl16 fic#formula 1#formula 1 x female driver#formula 1 fanfic#formula 1 fic#formula 1 fandom#formula 1 story#f1#f1 fanfic#f1 fic#f1 writing#f1 fandom#f1 fiction#female driver#lizzie and charles#formula 1 x oc#f1 story#cl16 imagine
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I AM ALIVE. I AM WELL (kinda).
Hello lovely people,
Iām sorry for not posting any updates or answering your anons asking when Iāll upload the next chapter or if Iām okay.
I can reassure you, I am okay. The last weeks were a little challenging, my health wasnāt at its best, physically and mentally, work was crazy (still is), with Christmas right around the corner a lot of stuff had to be organised and prepared. It was all getting a little too much and writing wasnāt my number 1 priority. The few times I wrote something, I wasnāt really liking the outcome anyways so yeah, thatās that.
But today Iām coming back with a little update of whatās to come the next daysā¦
At Christmas Lizzie and Charles return for a cute little Christmas story šš
š»š
Next Sunday Lauren and Charles return with Chapter 8 š©·š
Thatās it for now! Thank you all for reading!
Love, Jess ā„ļø
#little announcement#i am back#charles leclerc fanfic#charles leclerc fic#formula 1#f1 fanfic#lizzie and charles#lauren and charles
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They are back š„¹ā„ļø and oh so cute š„°
And when I'm feeling alone, you remind me of home
Chapter soundtrack : Christmas Tree farm - Taylor Swift
If you wanna read Gold Rush
GR Taglist:
@herondalism @aundercover @musingsbyshreya @karmabyfernando @reengard @mycenterfold @smoooothoperator
I know I haven't been the most present around here. Life has been a good mix of ecctic and chaotic lately. I didn't have a lot of time to write anymore. But if you are waiting for a new chapter of KOMH, I promise you it will happen. I'm working on it. Not as fast as I would like but it will be released. Meanwhile, and because I missed Julia and Ethan, I leave you with a little blurb about them and the little family they created. I hope you will like it.

Julia Leclerc - Verstappen couldn't help but smile as she watched her husband Ethan Verstappen fussing around the Christmas tree. Him, the world champion F1 driver, always striving for perfection, was completely out of his element with the simple task of decorating a Christmas tree. But this was Emily's first Christmas, and for Ethan, everything had to be grand. At this point, it was starting to look like a contest of "who can spend the most money on decorations."
"You're seriously buying everything that sparkles?" Julia laughed as she watched him fix a final crystal ornament onto the tree. "I mean, you know, it's not about the shine. It's about the Christmas spirit."
Ethan, perched precariously on a step ladder, turned to her with a look of mock indignation. "Donāt even start, Julia. Itās Emily's first Christmas! Can you believe that? She deserves the best." He shot her a playful challenge. "And anyway, this is a Christmas tree, not a souvenir shop."
Julia rolled her eyes. "She's one, Ethan. She won't even remember this tree in two months."
Ethan paused, staring at her as if she had just announced she wanted a divorce. "How dare you say such things? Unforgettable! Iām unforgettable. Iām the best dad in the world. She'll remember me, even if itās just the feeling of me feeding her her bottle."
Julia playfully sipped her hot chocolate, raising an eyebrow. "You? Best dad? Thatās a bold claim. I mean, youāve got no competition. I only have you to judge against."
Ethan placed the star ornament down carefully, then rolled up his sleeves, slowly walking toward Julia. He reached down, taking her mug from her hands and placing it gently on the coffee table. Julia's breath caught in her throat as he tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his touch soft yet deliberate. Without a word, he bent down, pressing a kiss to her cheek, then her jaw, and finally her lips.
Julia sighed contentedly, but before she could fully respond, she reached up, pulling him closer, her fingers gripping the collar of his shirt, urging him to stay. Ethan, always eager for her touch, settled above her, resting comfortably as she leaned back against the cushion. The moment felt perfect, until a faint cry from the other side of the house shattered the atmosphere.
Julia pulled away reluctantly, her heart pounding as the sound of Emily's cries reached them again. "I guess Iām not the only one who needs attention in this house," she muttered, glancing at Ethan.
Ethan, still hovering near her, gave her a teasing smirk. "Let me guess, my presence wasnāt enough to calm the little princess down?"
Julia raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Well, it looks like you're going to have to put your 'best dad' skills to the test."
Without hesitation, Ethan strode toward the bedroom where Emilyās cries had become more insistent. Julia followed him with her eyes as he went to the nursery.. It wasnāt just the holidays that made everything feel so magicalāit was the way their little family had come together, the way Ethan had changed in subtle ways for their daughter. She still couldnāt believe that the arrogant, world-class racer had turned into a doting father, ready to make everything right in the world for Emily.
Ethan leaned over the crib, his voice low and soothing. "Hey, hey, little champion. Whatās wrong?"
Emily's eyes were wide and full of tears, but when she saw her dad, she calmed instantly, her tiny hands reaching out toward him. Ethan picked her up with a softness that could rival any other, cradling her in his arms.
Julia smiled as Ethan returned to the living room, Emily cradled gently in his arms. Sheād already heard the soft whimpering from the nursery, so it wasnāt exactly a surprise. What was surprising, though, was the look of sheer exhaustion on Ethanās face.
"She's hungry again," Ethan said with a sigh, clearly not thrilled by the idea of another bottle-feeding session. He flopped down onto the couch next to Julia, the little bundle of joy now wide awake and wriggling in his arms. "Honestly, how do you do this all day long?"
Julia let out a small laugh, adjusting her blanket as she sat up. "Well, I donāt exactly have a choice, do I? Plus, sheās pretty cute when sheās all snuggled up, so itās worth it."
Ethan made a face as Emily began to wriggle in his arms, stretching her tiny hands toward her mom. "I donāt know how you make it look so easy," he said, carefully handing Emily over to Julia. "I feel like Iām going to break her every time."
Julia took Emily from him, her smile softening as she cradled their daughter. "Sheās a lot tougher than she looks," she reassured him. "Trust me, she can handle you."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "I think Iām still traumatized from the first time I tried to change her diaper. I had no idea those things could be that complicated." He shuddered at the memory.
Julia chuckled, settling Emily in her lap as she prepared the bottle. "You mean the time you nearly broke the changing table?"
Ethan groaned dramatically. "Donāt remind me. I swear, I thought I was going to end up in the ER. Sheās like a tiny, squirming ninja. I donāt know how you stay so calm with her."
"Because Iāve had practice," Julia said with a smirk, teasing him as she started to feed Emily. "And maybe it helps that Iām not trying to feed her while balancing on one foot in a wrestling match with a diaper."
Ethan grinned, leaning back on the couch with his arms behind his head, clearly proud of his parenting skills. "Hey, at least I tried. Iām a champion in everything, even in diaper warfare."
Julia rolled her eyes, shaking her head affectionately. "You know, I think you might be a little bit delusional when it comes to your skills as a dad."
Ethan let out a playful sigh, resting his head back against the couch as he watched her feed Emily. "Iām just saying, Iām doing my best. Being a world champion doesnāt exactly prepare you for bottle-feeding duty."
Julia couldnāt help but laugh, shaking her head as she looked at Ethan. "You should try being on the receiving end of one of your bottles next time. I promise you, itāll be the most challenging race of your life."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "What do you mean? You think I canāt handle it?"
Julia shot him a teasing look. "Well, letās just say that after a few hours of sleep deprivation and a few dozen bottles later, weāll see how much of a āchampionā you feel like then."
Ethan dramatically placed a hand over his heart. "You wound me, Julia. Iām already losing sleep because of you and your overwhelming Christmas tree obsession. Now youāre telling me Iām not even a good dad?"
Julia snickered, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "No, no, I didnāt say that. Iām just saying, I donāt think being the world champion of F1 makes you a world champion of parenting. Thatās a whole other race."
Ethan leaned over, gently kissing her cheek. "Fine. I may not be quite as skilled at baby duties as I am at driving, but Iām doing my best. That has to count for something, right?"
Julia smiled warmly, kissing him back. "It absolutely counts for something. Youāre better than you think, Ethan. Trust me, Emilyās already got a pretty amazing dad."
Ethanās expression softened, and for a brief moment, there was a quiet silence between them as they both watched their daughter drink from the bottle, her little hands grasping the edge of the nipple in an attempt to steady it.
"Maybe youāre right," Ethan said after a beat, his voice a little quieter. "Sheās got the best mom and dad she could ask for."
Julia smiled softly, the words settling in her heart like a sweet lullaby. "And sheās going to grow up knowing how loved she is."
Ethan chuckled, leaning in to kiss Juliaās forehead. "She might grow up spoiled, though, thanks to that tree you insisted on decorating."
"Hey," Julia shot back with a grin, "itās her first Christmas. Youāre the one who made us go overboard with the sparkly ornaments. If anything, Iām just supporting you in your quest for a ridiculously grand holiday."
Ethan put on a mock-serious face. "Ah, yes. The best Christmas tree in the world. The only thing that matters this season."
Emily let out a soft coo, and both of them turned their attention back to her as she finished her bottle, her eyes fluttering closed in contentment.
"Guess thatās it for the bottle-feeding championship," Ethan said with a dramatic sigh, wiping his hands on his jeans as he stood up. "Iām pretty sure I lost, but Iām willing to accept my P2 trophy."
Julia couldnāt help but laugh, her heart filled with joy. "Youāre a good sport, Ethan. Now letās just hope she sleeps through the night."
Ethan grinned, his eyes lighting up with mischief. "Weāve been through worse, right? You and me, weāve survived worse than this."
Julia smiled at Ethanās lighthearted comment, but deep down, she knew how important this moment was for both of them. They had come a long way from their fake relationship and tumultuous beginnings. Now, as parents, they had their little family, their own traditions, and their own quirksālike Ethanās questionable attempts at decorating a Christmas tree.
"Yeah, I think weāve survived worse," Julia said with a teasing grin. "Like the time you tried to assemble the crib and nearly crushed the baby monitor under the weight of your āexpert engineering skills.ā"
Ethan shot her a mock glare, crossing his arms. "Hey, that was a perfectly reasonable assumption. The instructions might as well have been written in ancient Greek."
Julia chuckled, shaking her head. "You could have at least read them before starting the ābuild-a-cribā challenge. You know, instead of ending up with a half-assembled monstrosity that looked more like modern art than a crib."
"Modern art," Ethan scoffed with a smirk. "That thing had character."
"Iām pretty sure it had a death wish," Julia teased, nudging him playfully with her elbow.
Ethan grinned. "Okay, okay, I admit I might have taken a few... creative liberties. But hey, we made it through. Look at us now. Weāve got a tree, weāve got Emily, and weāve got... well, me, still the best dad around."
Julia raised an eyebrow, her playful smile still lingering. "You keep saying that, but Iām not sure Emily would agree after her last āwrestling matchā with you and the diaper change."
Ethan sighed, slumping dramatically. "Canāt believe youāre bringing that up again. I swear, changing a diaper should come with a training manual, or at least a referee. That was a fight to the finish. I think I lost more dignity than pride in that one."
"I told you she could be a little ninja," Julia reminded him, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she glanced down at Emily, now peacefully asleep in her arms.
"Yeah, well," Ethan grinned, "at least I didnāt panic and call for backup."
Julia looked at him, raising a teasing eyebrow. "Who would you have called? A pit crew?"
"Exactly," Ethan said with an exaggerated nod. "A pit crew of diaper-changing professionals. Iām telling you, thereās no shame in needing a little assistance from the best in the business."
Julia let out a genuine laugh, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You know, you really are something else."
Ethan leaned in closer, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. "I know. But Iām your something else."
Julia smiled, a warmth spreading through her chest as she looked at the little family they had created. The house was filled with the scent of pine from the overly-decorated tree, soft Christmas music playing in the background, and the soft glow of fairy lights twinkling all around them.
The night was quiet, save for the occasional coo from Emily, who had fallen into a peaceful sleep in Juliaās arms. Ethan, his arm draped around Juliaās shoulder, stared at the tree, his eyes twinkling with a mix of pride and amusement.
"You know, Iām pretty sure weāve gone overboard," Ethan said softly, his voice almost thoughtful.
Julia raised an eyebrow, her gaze moving to the tree. "You mean you went overboard. I was just here for moral support."
"Okay, okay," he said with a playful grin, "I might have gotten carried away. But look at it! This is the Christmas tree of champions."
Julia couldnāt help but laugh. "The Christmas tree of champions, huh? Whatās next? A world championship trophy hanging on the tree next to the star?"
Ethan leaned back, his head against the couch, his face breaking into a grin. "I mean, that wouldnāt be out of the question."
"Sure, because nothing says āholiday spiritā like a trophy on a Christmas tree," Julia said with a wink. "Maybe next year youāll add a Ferrari flag as the tree skirt."
"Now youāre talking!" Ethan exclaimed, looking excited at the thought. "We could even have a whole racing-themed Christmas. Emily would love it!"
Julia shook her head, still smiling. "You really are a big kid, arenāt you?"
"Hey, Iāve got to make sure our little champion has the best Christmas memories," Ethan said with a wink. "And that includes a tree that can win any decoration competition."
Julia rolled her eyes but couldnāt contain the smile that tugged at her lips. "Youāre impossible."
As the evening wore on, the three of them settled into a cozy routineāEmily asleep in Juliaās arms, the quiet hum of Christmas carols in the background, and Ethanās arm around Julia as they both sat by the fire, gazing at their sparkling masterpiece of a tree.
"She's going to have the best memories," Julia said softly, glancing at Ethan. "Even if she canāt remember any of this Christmas, Iām sure sheāll feel the love weāre giving her now."
Ethan nodded, his voice softer than usual. "Yeah, you're right. I donāt think I ever understood what āhomeā really meant until now. But thisāthis is it. This is everything Iāve ever wanted."
Julia looked at him, her heart full as she leaned in to kiss him gently. "Youāre doing great, Ethan. You really are."
Ethan smiled, leaning back against the couch, content for the first time in what felt like forever. "Yeah. I guess I am."
And as the Christmas tree lights flickered softly in the corner of the room, the three of them nestled together, everything felt perfect. Perfect in its own messy, chaotic, and beautifully unique way.
"Best Christmas ever," Ethan whispered, his eyes fluttering closed as he rested his head on Juliaās shoulder.
Julia smiled, glancing down at their peaceful daughter, the holiday magic wrapping them in warmth and love. "Best Christmas ever," she echoed, holding Ethan just a little bit tighter.
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Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince:
Chapter 7

Masterlist - Previous - Next
Miss Americana
June 2023:
Nice was beautiful. And warm. And bright. Romantic little alleyways everywhere. The people a bright mix of residents and tourists. But what surprised Rachel the most was that so many people spoke Italian. She didnāt expect it but it gave her hope that she might get along way better than she thought. She checked into a small hotel close to the promenade, enjoying the southern French sun that streamed through her windows.
Rachel sat on her little balcony, watching the happy buzzing beneath her, the busy street, googling for Madame Leclercās hair salon. It took her a while to find it, for some reason a handsome young man, who she thought she saw somewhere before, was the search result most of the times. But when she finally found the hair salon, she wrote down the address, before she googled a hotel in Monaco. The prices went through the roof and she chose the cheapest one she could find. Wasting all her money for hotel rooms wasnāt planned and she hoped she would find a job quickly. It was early afternoon when she felt the tiredness overthrowing her. She checked her phone, counting what time it was in Montreal, realising that she was awake for over 24 hours at this point. She had tried to sleep on the flight, preventing herself from a jet leg, but she was too nervous, too excited, to sleep. The young woman decided to take a quick shower and then head straight to bed. But before, she locked her hotel room door twice, put the door chain on, and then looked around, spotting the metal cup filled with sticks full of sugar and wood sticks to stir some coffee or tea. She emptied out the cup and then carefully put it on the door handle, to be alarmed if anyone would try to come into her room, giving her time to escape out of the balcony. Rachel looked at her work and sighed, feeling way too paranoid as she stubbed her toe against her backpack, next to the bed. It was packed with all her documents, money, phone charger and some clothes, including her sneakers, ready to grab and leave in case she had to flee. Having an escape plan at all times was mandatory, according to Stuart and although Rachel was more than sure that no one had followed her, she agreed with him and wanted to be prepared for everything. She decided to stay for a couple of days in Nice. Making sure that she was really safe. And alone. Thoughts of her old life, her old identity, crossed her mind. She had to think back at how she met Stuartās 'friend' Isabella. She was an odd person, mysterious, a little scary maybe. She had brown hair and besides a 'hello' and 'whereās your stuff' she didnāt say much, only starting to change into some of Rachelās clothes from her open suitcase on the bed, before she closed it. A look through the room and she stepped in front of the mirror, putting a blonde wig on, she had just pulled out of her bag, followed by Rachelās large shades she had grabbed from the drawer. She handed Rachel a keycard to a different room and told her to go there, then grabbed the suitcase and her handbag and left as fast as she had appeared, leaving behind a confused Rachel, who grabbed her stuff and left the room to enter the new one three doors down the hallway. Just like Isabella said.
Rachel laid in bed for a while, thinking about all kinds of abstruse ends of her old life. What Isabella had done to her belongings. Maybe they would end up in a burned out car, or thrown out at some landfill where maybe one of the workers would find it. Maybe they would inform her father, and he would assume that his daughter was kidnapped, murdered, gone. She shook her had, biting her lips. She knew that it would break his heart, but it was the only way to escape her fate. But thinking back how lost and devastated he was when the doctors told him that her mother didnāt make it off the table, the pained scream he let out, so bone chilling that Rachel got goosebumps just thinking about it. It made her feel sick to her stomach and she had to urge herself to think about something else. Her new life ahead. A clean cut. Besides Stuart, no one knew she was gone. No one knew she had a new identity. And until tomorrow evening or rather late at night it would stay this way. When Don Romanoās men would come to pick her up from college and wouldnāt find her. Finding out that she graduated a week earlier, that she was gone. Then it would be time for her to stay alert, watch her surroundings. Hope that no one showed up for her. Hope that their plan had worked out and she was free. With the thoughts of a better life ahead, she drifted into a dreamless sleep, finally succumbing to her bodies need for rest.
4 days. 96 hours. 5760 minutes. That was the time it took for her father and the men he worked for to trace Rachelās steps all the way to Montreal. The hotel she had chosen back there was small, no high quality security cameras, only a grainy tape of a blonde girl checking into the hotel under the name of Rachel Lombardi and then 4 days later checking out of the hotel. That was it, that was the trail of traces she had left, buying a ticket to Montreal with her credit card, checking into the hotel with her credit card, renting a car with her credit card. And that was where the trail ended. Another grainy video of the blonde girl at the car rental, loading her suitcase into the trunk of the car. A car that had disappeared since then.
"Everything is going according to our plan⦠you disappeared into the Canadian wildernessā¦" Stuart said and Rachel took a deep breath.
"They stopped looking for me?" she almost whispered.
"Well, there are still two men here, I donāt know what they are doing right now, but the other two men left. They tried to ping your phone, but the last signal it sent was on the highway out of town and since then itās gone completely off the radar."
"So it worked? Iām gone? They canāt find meā¦" she felt tears stinging in her eyes.
"I think so, yes. I will check in on whatās going on here for the next couple of days and what these two guys that stayed behind do, but yeah for now, Iād say Rachel Lombardi is gone."
Rachel stayed quiet, thinking about his words before she let out a sigh.
"I would feel better if Iād knew what these two guys were doingā¦"
"Donāt worry, okay? Iāve got someone looking for them. We figure out whatās going on, but youāre far away, you shouldnāt be too worried okay? Itās fine. Youāre fine." Stuart tried to reassure her and after another moment of silence Rachel nodded.
"Youāre right. Your plan worked out so far, I have no doubt it wonāt work out anymore out of the blue." she replied laying back in her bed, switching off the nightstand lamp "Itās going to be fine."
"Exactly. Stop worrying and start living la dolce vita!"
"Iām trying, I promise."
"Thatās the spirit. Iāll give you a call as soon as I found out whatās going on with the two who stayed behind⦠until then, enjoy the sun, the gelato, the vine."
"I willā¦"
"Alright. And now good night, relax, stop worrying, okay?" Stuart urged again and Rachel chuckled a little.
"Good night, Stuartā¦"
The little bookstore right by the sea made Rachel swoon. It looked so cozy and dreamy that she knew she could spend hours if not days in there, but she came with her mind set on a goal.
"Hi- umm⦠Iām looking for books to learn French better, please?" she stammered in the worst kind of French and the older lady at the counter smiled at her.
"Oh dear, here, let me show you!" she replied in English, her French accent sounding almost melodic. She waddled away, the young girl in tow, and pointed to a section of dictionaries and other language learning books. "Here we have everything for you. Take your timeā¦" she smiled and walked off, scratching a black catās head that was resting between two piles of books "Iāll get you a treat Rico." Italian.
"Do you think itās easier to learn French from Italian or from English?" the young girl asked.
"Oh, you speak Italian? Then I would recommend you the Italian ones."
"Alrightā¦" Rachel grabbed one of the books and sat down in one of the armchairs, Rico getting up from his spot, walking over to the young girl "Hi Rico." she smiled, scratching his head a little.
"That never happened beforeā¦" the book shop owner said "He doesnāt like strangers at all!"
"This cuddly one?" Rachel laughed, when Rico literally clung to her legs, circling them.
"Yeah⦠that must mean he thinks youāre a good person. Trustworthy." the older lady smiled, crouching down a little to give her cat a treat "You know, cats have a sixth sense for thatā¦"
"Yeah, maybeā¦" the girl swallowed thickly, thinking about how she wasnāt that trustworthy after all, hiding her true identity.
"Have you found a book?"
"Umm- yes. I think Iāll go with this one. Itās for startersā¦"
"You should also get a book in French⦠read it, try to use youāre Italian to translate it, and if you donāt know a word or two you can have a look in a dictionary⦠that way youāll learn even faster!"
"Sounds like a good plan, thank you!" Rachel smiled, patting the catās head.
"What kind of books are you into? Romance? Fantasy? Thriller? Dark romance? Weāve got a whole collection of Mafia romance books, itās the newest trend I guessā¦" the elder lady pointed at some books displayed on a table but Rachel shook her head.
"I donāt get how anyone can think that itās romantic being in the Mafiaā¦" she mumbled.
"Itās always a dark, broody and mysterious guy fighting and protecting his girl⦠lots of young woman seem to like it⦠they are also- umm letās say they are spicyā¦" the bookshop owner wiggled her eyebrows.
"Yeah no thanksā¦"
"Are you into Formula 1? We have some romance books in the Formula 1 world? Theyāre not really authentic when it comes to racing but oh wellā¦"
"Umm- no. Not into Formula 1. Watching a bunch of guys driving in circles for hours is not really my thingā¦" Rachel rolled her eyes a little.
"Oh dear this isnāt Nascar. Formula 1 tracks are no circles. Weāre close to Monaco, everyone here is crazy about Formula 1." the older lady laughed "Why donāt you have a look around for some books you like and I make us a coffee?"
Rachel wasnāt used to people being this nice and open minded to strangers so she just nodded, confused. But she did what the bookshop owner, she introduced herself as Clarisse, suggested and walked around, searching through the different isles, trying to find the perfect book for her.
"So, where are you from?" Clarisse asked half an hour later, when they both sat down in the plush armchairs, both with a mug full of steaming coffee in hand.
"Iām from⦠umm-ā¦" Rachel had to think for a moment where here new persona was from, not familiar with the new details "Pennsylvaniaā¦"
"Pennsylvania?" the bookshop owner cocked an eyebrow, looking at the girl.
"Yeah, I wasnāt sure if you knew Harrisburgā¦" she faked a smile, taking a large sip from her coffee "On the other hand, Europeans are way better in geography than us Americans⦠soā¦"
"Well, I wouldnāt put it that way⦠but yeah, you might be onto something there." Clarisse laughed "And what brings you here to Nice? A young, pretty girl like you?"
"Umm-⦠Iām on a trip through Europe. So I couldnāt miss Nice obviouslyā¦" Rachel lied and was happy that Rico decided that now was the perfect time for some more head scratches so he jumped into the girls lap, purring.
"If youāre here, you should also make a stop in Monaco. The rich and the famous living there all together in one little spot. And a lot of Formula 1 drivers⦠young and handsome, some are single⦠good catches for a little summer romance." the older lady wiggled her eyebrows and Rachel laughed.
"Iām not interested in a summer romance. I want to see the cities, landmarks, get to know the culture, all the beautiful beaches! Oh and of course the foodā¦" Rachel smiled, she always dreamed of a trip through Europe one day to do exactly that, but she never thought she would get the chance to.
"Well, I canāt argue with that. It sounds like an amazing plan." Clarisse nodded, sipping at her coffee "But Iāll warn you, a beautiful girl like you? Foreign? You will have admirers left and right⦠men from the south of Europe are all little heartbreakers you know, always here for them pretty girls. Take good care of your heart, or youāll lose it to one of themā¦"
"Iāll watch out for heartbreakers⦠I promise." Rachel laughed.
"Good, very good. So? Did you find some books?" the bookshop owner looked at the little stack of books on the table next to the girl.
"Yeah. I went with books my mother used to read to me like Alice in Wonderland, The Hobbit and some classics like Wuthering Heights and Great Expectations⦠I guess that should be enough for now. A dictionary, a book to learn French and some French books⦠I hope it works out." Rachel looked at the books she chose and Clarisse smiled.
"Donāt worry, ma fille, it will. And if not, you could still come here again and we try another book that might help you betterā¦" she sat down her coffee cup and Rachel nodded.
"Yeah. I think Iāll do that. I mean, I will be here for some days⦠itās a beautiful city after allā¦" she replied, looking out of the window, the busy street almost hiding the beautiful Mediterranean Sea behind it.
Rachel spent the next 2 days mostly at the beach, reading her books, trying to learn French and although it was easier with her being fluent in Italian, it still was a lot of work and she knew she had to improve a lot to be able to work as a nurse. She sat on her beach towel, watching the sun slowly set over the horizon when her phone rang and Stuart called her. Taking one last deep breath she answered the call.
"Hiā¦"
"Hey⦠well umm- Rachel, Iām almost 100 % sure that the coast is clear. Like completely. The two guys who stayed behind, they left the city on the same highway that you took, probably following more of the CCTV footage that showed Isabella⦠but that trail ended at a truck stop. The car abandoned, at the end of the parking lot, the CCTV footage only showing you going into the diner and leaving it an hour later, but there is no camera at the parking lot, your suitcase is still in the car, your passport as well, only your wallet and phone gone. They took the suitcase with them and left Montreal this morningā¦" Stuart explained and Rachel let out a breath she didnāt know she was holding in.
"Theyāre not looking for me anymore?" she asked quietly "They left?"
"They left, yeahā¦"
"Okayā¦" Rachel mumbled closing her eyes but kept silent, the one thing on her mind that she kept thinking off the last days.
"What? Whatās going on?" Stuart asked, knowing the girl too well.
"Did they- umm⦠did they report me as missing?" her voice barely above a whisper and the line went silent, before he cleared his throat.
"No, they didnāt. I mean, they canāt just file a police report that youāre missing⦠we both know they canāt ask the police for help."
"No⦠youāre right, they canāt⦠and the Romanoās only have some people at the customs control at the Boston harbour, some lower ranked police officers and detectives in Woburn and Winchester on their payroll⦠I donāt think that any of them would be of service to find a missing girl in the Canadian wildernessā¦" Rachel said quietly, leaning back into her pillows "Do you think they keep looking for me themselves? Or-ā¦" will they just accept that she was gone, not caring what happened to her.
"I guess they will keep looking for you, from time to time, maybe find new traces although there arenāt any⦠but Iām sure they wonāt look for you in Europe and most definitely not in Monacoā¦"
Rachel thought for a moment, closing her eyes and then began to chuckle.
"What?" Stuart asked but the girl laughed even more "Are you okay?"
"Yeah-⦠sureā¦" she breathed out, wiping away a stray tear, not knowing what came over her "I was just imagining⦠what if they declare me dead. I mean, it looks like some crazy trucker mightāve taken me with him to do what not and then just got rid of me⦠what if my dad wants a funeral? Or something like that? To say goodbye? What if my dad for once remembers how to be a dad and Iām not even there to witness itā¦"
"Rach, stop watching these true crime documentaries, your mind is already too dark and twis-ā¦" Stuart began.
"No, Iām serious! I mean, what did I think what would happen? They find my stuff in an abandoned car, no trace of me for days⦠what would you think? They know how easily you can let someone disappear, they do it all the time. Itās just logical that my dad thinks Iām dead and maybe to make himself feel better he wants a funeral or somethingā¦"
"But you donāt have to care about that anymore, okay? Rach youāre safe. Gone. There is nothing that could lead them to you. You are free. Finally. You can live the life you always wanted to. Donāt think about whatās happening back home. Itās over okay? You start your new life in Monaco and find the happiness you deserveā¦" Stuart tried to calm Rachel down and after a moment of silence he heard the girl taking a deep breath.
"Do you think there will be a coffin? Filled with some of my stuff from my old room?" she then asked.
"Rach!"
"Sorry-⦠itās just⦠you know in movies or tv shows they do it all the time and-ā¦"
"Stop, okay? Stop thinking about that. Itās over now. You live your life in Monaco. They will do whatever they want. But it doesnāt matter anymore, okay? You are free." Stuartās voice firm "Donāt think about your past. Focus on the now, focus on your future."
"I-ā¦" Rachel stopped, not knowing what to say "I think a part of me still needs to process this all⦠like let it fully sink inā¦"
"Understandable. It takes timeā¦" his voice wavered a little.
"I canāt even imagine how hard it mustāve been for you⦠you were younger. And all alone, no one helped you like you helped meā¦"
Stuart was silent and Rachel thought she mightāve said something wrong when she heard him chuckle bitterly.
"I wasnāt alone. Someone helped me⦠but thatās in the past. He is in the past. I got out of my old life, just like you did. Youāll live your new life now in Monaco, Iāll go to LA. Weāll be fine, you and I." he replied, sounding confident.
"Will you be safe in LA? They wonāt look for you?" Rachel asked, feeling a pang of guilt in her chest.
"For what itās worth, we never really interacted on campus, no one knows that weāre friends. And if they would find and ask me, thatās the answer I would be giving. We were classmates, we worked on projects together sometimes, but thatās it. You were not really open minded, most of the time you sat alone in the library studying. So yeah, we didnāt know each other that well."
"That sounded really convincing⦠ouchā¦"
"Maybe I should try become an actor, once Iām In LA." Stuart thought out loud and Rachel laughed.
"One thing is for sure, I would be your biggest fan from day oneā¦" she said.
"Oh stopā¦" he chuckled.
"No, Iām serious, you would be the next big thing without a doubt, but to me you will always be the guy that saved my life. Thanks for that."
"Bit dramatic, but okay."
"Iām serious⦠you saved my life, Stuart."
"I would do it in a heartbeat again and-⦠oh shit. That was my flightā¦" he said hurriedly "I really donāt want to end this call now, but that was the last call for my flightā¦"
"Itās alright. Call or text as soon as you arrive." Rachel said "Take care. Have a safe flight."
"I text you. For the last time, bye Rach."
Rachel Lombardi was gone.
Disappeared. Missing. Gone. Dead.
She didnāt sleep that night. Her mind trying to grasp the fact that her old life really was over. She really was free. She knew that this was happening. This was what they had planned after all. But having the confirmation that her father, the familia, were looking for her and only find that she had disappeared, not a single trace left. She didnāt know how to feel. Relieved? Sad? Happy? Hopeful? Devastated? It was getting too much in her head and she felt dizzy. She got out of bed, opened the balcony doors and sat down in the chair outside, a clear night sky above. Stars shining brightly. The soft ocean waves crashing down onto the shore ahead of her. With the salty sea breeze in her hair, she took a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. She could start a whole new life, now that her old one ended. After a couple of minutes, Rachel went back inside, sinking into the pillows, her head clear. She would book a hotel in Monaco in the next days, then buy some more clothes, appropriate for the warm and sunny days ahead, and then she would take the train to Monaco, finding Madame Leclerc.
If Rachel thought Nice was beautiful, she wasnāt prepared for Monaco. The little alleys between the beautiful houses, the happy mix of French, Italian and English spoken on the streets. Luxurious cars chasing after another in the narrow streets, making people look up at their sound. She followed the directions on her phone, leading her right in front of the hair salon her mother told her all about. The girl pocketed her phone and looked through the window, taking a deep breath before she opened the door, hoping that it wasnāt a mistake to come here. The hairdresser swiped the last remaining hair off of the ground when the door bell rang and she looked up. A young girl stood in the door. A pretty girl. For some reason the Monegasque woman thought she knew the girl from somewhere.
"Sorry? Umm hi. Iām looking for someone." the girl asked shyly. Not from around. Her French sounded foreign "Iām looking for⦠Mm-⦠Leclercā¦"
The older woman rolled her eyes. Of course. Another fangirl of her son. Looking for him in her salon.
"Listen, you girls need to stop. This is my salon. Charles is barely here! Why would he be! So tell your little friends to stop this nonsense, okay?" Pascale said bluntly and Lauren looked at her in confusion.
"Umm? I- I donāt know who Charles is? Iām looking for Madame-⦠umm-⦠Pascale Leclerc? She umm- she helped my mum years ago. And they kinda stayed in touch for a while⦠and Madame Leclerc told my mum if she ever needs anything she can always contact herā¦" the young girl explained and the hairdresser looked at her for a moment when her eyes widened.
"Susannah Lombardi? Is that your mother?" she asked and Lauren nodded "Rachel? Youāre Rachel?"
Rachel nodded, realising that it was a mistake. She wasnāt Rachel. Not anymore.
"Umm⦠yeah⦠but no- I mean⦠I changed my name. Iām Lauren. Lauren Millner."
Chapter 7 - and here it is, the official name change. Bye Rachel, hello Lauren. We are this š¤ close to the first meeting of Charles and Lauren š for now, I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter. Also, congrats to Max on his 4th title, well deserved!
Please leave a comment/ like/ reblog/ message and tell me how you liked it! I'm dying to hear your thoughts!
If you want to be added to the taglist, drop a comment!
Last but not least, English is not my first language and although I tried my best: please excuse any mistakes I made!
Taglist:
@glitterquadricorn @lottalove4evelyn @janeh22 @itsjustkhaos @mariclerc @fangirlforever2000
#charles leclerc#charles leclerc 16#charles leclerc x oc#charles leclerc fic#charles leclerc f1#charles leclerc fanfic#charles leclerc as dad#charles leclerc imagine#cl16#cl16 x oc#cl16 fanfic#cl16 fic#cl16 imagine#scuderia ferrari#formula 1#formula 1 x oc#formula 1 story#formula 1 fandom#formula 1 fanfic#formula 1 fic#formula 1 imagine#f1#f1 x oc#f1 fanfic#f1 fic#f1 writing#f1 fandom#f1 story#f1 fiction#f1 2024
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new chapter after Las Vegasā
I think we deserve one, no? It will be up in the next minutes!
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will we get a new chapter today? please? I want Charles and Rachel to meet finally!
Iām editing as we talk(?!) so yup! Iāll upload it any minute!
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no new chapter tonight? š
Sooooorry! I didnāt see your ask last week š no, last weekend there was no upload because Iām now at a point where the chapters arenāt fully done and I have to fill in the blanks and well itās not so easy with work, private life and so on š
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