The Strength Within (Sebastian Vettel)

40. A New Beginning

A/N So we're nearing the end. This is the last chapter, apart from the Epilogue. It's a longer one than usual. I hope you enjoy.

April 2023

Emily waddled around the kitchen trying to find the smokey bacon crisps. Surely she hadn't eaten them all already? She was craving them so badly right now.

She ran a hand over her enormous bump. Sometimes she wondered if she was carrying a baby human or a baby elephant. She couldn't wait for this to be over now. Only 19 official days to go but knowing her luck she'd be a fortnight late. It was just getting so difficult to get comfy now.

Seb would be home today. He was flying back from Bahrain later.

Her phone beeped with a message.

Seb: Just going to the airport baby. Won't be long. Oh and if you've eaten all the smokey bacon crisps I've got some in my desk drawer. Love you xx

Emily grinned and waddled through to Seb's office and fished the crisps out of his desk. Damn she loved that man. He knew what she needed before she even knew it herself.

She was so glad that Australia and Bahrain were out of the way now. At least he'd be in Europe until the baby was born. It had been scary being left alone when he was away.

The season had started well with a second place behind surprise winner George Russell in Australia, and a win in Bahrain.
Niall had taken over her job, which she decided she wouldn't be returning to. She intended on being a hands on mum. She and Junior would be at races to support Seb.

She sat down on the sofa and started munching on a packet of crisps. She flicked through the television channels and finally settled on watching the Notebook on Netflix yet again. Not Ted's Notebook, the soppy tearjerker she had become addicted to since being pregnant.

She only made it halfway through before she fell asleep. She woke a few hours later to rain lashing down on the windowpane.

The baby gave her a hefty kick in the ribs making her wince.

"Less of that Junior," she scolded the baby, lightheartedly.

She spent the rest of the afternoon having a Snapchat conversation with Demi, who had moved on to pastures new. She and Joel had gone their separate ways and Demi had gone to work in France at Disneyland Paris in hospitality.

She would miss Demi but they'd vowed to stay in touch.

She heated up some soup for dinner, she just couldn't seem to eat a proper meal nowadays. It was as if there was no room left in there.

It felt a little chilly so she curled up on the sofa and snuggled down underneath a fleece blanket. She scrolled through Netflix and ended up watching Drive to Survive of all things. She was missing Seb and wanted to hear his voice.

She still got mad everytime she saw this episode, at how he was treated. But then it also made her appreciate how Aston Martin had relit the spark in him.

She looked at the clock. Another hour and he should be home. Her eyes began to feel heavy. This kid really loved sucking all of the energy out of her. Maybe an half an hour cat nap would be OK. She shut her eyes and drifted off.

***

As Seb got out of the car he saw the lounge light was still on. Emily was waiting up for him. He smiled. He couldn't wait to see her. It had been six days since he'd held her. He slid his key into the door and let himself in. The luggage could stay in the car til morning. He wanted to cuddle his wife.