Corrode - [Charles Leclerc]

𝙌𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙧𝙚

After the mafia war between two crews was finally over, Charles and Joanne could continue their life again. Joanne was glad about it. She didn't feel like they had to watch over their shoulders everywhere they went, or be afraid that someone was coming after one of their loved ones. Francesca had stayed another night with them and then packed her stuff to get back home and fix up her apartment that had been destroyed by Gabriel's crew. In the height of the emotions, she had gotten a thing for one of Charles' partners, Antonio. The sweet Italian had fallen for Francesca and Joanne could absolutely see why. Francesca is an incredibly gorgeous woman and she was smart too, had a mouth like a razor sometimes and there was nothing she didn't dare to say. Antonio promised to watch over her and would help her to rearrange her apartment and by the grin he had directed at Francesca, Joanne was sure he'd show her every corner of the apartment too, but Joanne never mentioned it, just smiling as the two left Monaco.

Charles went back to work the day after. He had some deals to make and people to meet, however he was hesitant to leave the house and leave Joanne with the guards. She had assured him many times that she would be fine and she was longing for some time alone as well. Annemarie had offered to occupy the boys so Joanne could take some rest and decide her own planning for the days. Charles had agreed after she nearly forced him out of the door. It was good to fall back in the patterns they were used to. Joanne wished she could still teach at the school. Pierre had taken her for a ride through Monaco, telling her meanwhile that he and his girlfriend Caterina had broken up. Joanne felt for him and Pierre was sad about it too, but he told her he realized after the last couple events that stirred up the life of Joanne and Charles, that he didn't want Caterina to go through the same at such a young age. Besides that, the distance between them had been difficult and it was better to split up. Joanne just listened to him, feeling like he just needed someone to get it off his chest.

Pierre drove past the school, so they could see the progress of the building process after the fire. The building started to get some form again and Joanne hoped it would be finished in the new year, so she could go back to work if their baby girl was born and old enough for Joanne to start working parttime again. Joanne enjoyed the rides with Pierre, sometimes it was Mick who took her. Even if it was just to drive by the coast or to do some groceries. Charles complained that he wanted to her out too, but he was busy with work and Joanne understood, it was absolutely no problem. The time she spent in the house passed by choosing new furniture for the baby room. Charles thought it would be a good time to furnish the room and choose a colour of paint for the walls, pick out stuffed animals and baby clothing to have ready for when the moment was there. Joanne was mainly in charge of it and she thought it was a fun process, ordering the little bed, her crib and a dresser for her clothes. She was becoming more and more heavy througout the time and she felt ready to give birth as well.

They had a few checkups in the weeks that passed and she reached her eight month mark before they knew it. December fell in Monaco and Charles was about to finish the last days of work before a well deserved Christmasbreak. His alarm rung early in the morning and he reached over to turn it off. Joanne next to him was still sound asleep, which he was happy about. Now she could give birth in the upcoming days, he made sure everything would be taken out of her hands and she didn't have to carry or do anything on her own if she couldn't. Her belly looked heavy and her baby bump was big. Charles smiled at the sight, now the time was near, he was eager to meet his little girl. Charles was meeting Sebastian today and he wanted to have his things in order before the German would arrive at his office. He kissed Joanne's cheek before getting out of bed and getting dressed. They had spoken about their wedding, but they decided to work on one project at the time and the first one they had to finish was the room for the baby and Joanne giving birth. They'd see next year when they wanted to do the wedding and where.