The Twins a F1 story

Chapitre 16

Brazil 2007

It was the last race of the year, meaning the media tried to get everything they could get out from not only the drivers but the fabulous three that was there. Well, they were in fact four, but the media didn't seem to care about that. The three of them were sent up on stage before the race the crowd wanting to see them they were asked questions that they happily answered too.

- I heard you two made a friendship song?
- Yeah, we made it during a plane ride since we had nothing else to do.
Carissa answered a smile on her face.
- Well, do you want to share it?
The crowd went wild they clearly wanted to see this so the two best friends obliged. David lent his mic to Karma before they got in position to do their little choreography that came with the song.

- I'm Carissa
- I'm Karma
- He's Karma
- She's Carissa
- Been best friends forever
- Well, since we were six
- Met at, ballet class
- And ever since then
- We became inseparable
- But damage was irreparable
- Karma's like my brother
- And Carissa like mine
- Friends to the end of the line.
They finished together. The crowd then erupted into applause. This was definitely going to be one of their nightmares when they would grow up and see them singing this. On the other hand, the fans found it so cute even cheering for them to do it again, but David decided to move on with the interviews.

The three of them then left the stage while the crowd was telling them to stay, but, of course, they didn't listen to them they almost never did after all. They slowly went down the stair backstage where they met back with Max, Carissa gave him an annoyed look rolling her eyes letting a "You're still here" under her breath earning a glare from her brother which she just shrugged at. Let's just say they still didn't like each other after the one whole year of getting to know each other. The worst part for them is that they couldn't complain about each other to anyone since the others loved both of them.

For some strange reasons though they were the ones who understood the other the most even though they were the one who hated each other the most, but thankfully they had managed not to kill one another yet in fact they endured each other quite a lot.
- Of course I'm still here, just wanted to see your face when you would come down the stairs.
The young girl rolled her eyes so hard at that, that Max was scared that they would get stuck. The girl then just went past him leaving the boys to it and decided to go hang out with more mature people in this case being Lewis and Nico. She just sat with them listening to their conversation until they finally had to leave for the race start. They quickly hugged Carissa whiting them good luck while they boop her nose.

The race wasn't anything special, well it wasn't compared to the flood of news coming out after it. Carissa was currently in Kimi's arm celebrating him winning the championship she was so happy for her favourite uncle, after a while he put her back on the ground to go celebrate with his team and family.

Then came her dad's press conference. This would be a turning point in the life of everyone concerning the sport. This was the statement he left.
- Before this conference and I just wanted to make an announcement...
At that all the cameras in the room pointed towards him. He took a deep breath removing his cap before continuing.
- This was my last race in formula one... I do not have a contract in place for the 2008 season and probably won't get any more contracts in this series... This is why I would like to officially announce my retirement from Formula One... It was a pleasure being here and I had a great time, so thank you for having me here and we wish everyone here all the best in life.
He finished, getting up from his chair and quickly making his way out. He wanted to take his kids and get out of here as soon as possible before the news broke out. He didn't want them to learn it from a stranger, but it was the only place he could make the announcement.

So he ran. He ran as fast has possible, still dressed in his racing suit, it didn't seem to bother him the only thing on his mind was his children. He abruptly stop having heard some of their laugh. Once he reached the place, the sounds were coming from, he noticed the four children has well as Jos and Karma's father. He was thankful that they were there seeing has he wouldn't have to worry about other kids than his own. So he ran towards them telling the two of them that they had to go before quickly saying goodbyes to the others. He picked each of them up struggling a bit since they were both eight-year-old kids now. He then quickly made his way to his driver's room.

The kids looked at him weirdly not knowing what was going on and why there that was acting so strange. He told himself that it was time to announce the news to them. He knew it was going to be a shock and that they would probably cry, but he didn't want to go out in the media storm that will be waiting for them unprepared.

- Okay guys settle down... Daddy has something really important to say to you two...
He said with the most comforting tone of voice he had. He kneeled infants of the couch where his children were sitting taking one of their little hands squeezing them in his own. They didn't say anything. They just sat there, wide doe eyes staring right into his soul.

- So I didn't tell you before now, but... this was my last race here...
- Like in Brazil?
Asked a confused Yuri not quite understanding, while Carissa sat there silently realization starting to settle down in her futures.

- No Yuri, not in Brazil, but in Formula one...
The room fell silent for a moment.

- So this will be the last time we come to a race?
Yuri's asked voice cracking a little.

- Of course not darling you will be able to go to races whenever you feel like it.
He tried to comfort, but Yuri exploded.

- But Dad! That's not the same thing... What will we do now?
- We'll just live out normal life...
- But this is our normality dad... We don't... We don't know anything else.
Yuri said wiping aggressively at his eyes. Ralf looked back at Carissa to gauge her reaction, but she was just staring at the ground seemingly lost in thought.

- Why didn't you tell us before?
Carissa uttered voice strong, raising her head up to look at her dad.

- I... well... I just didn't know how to announce it to you guys... I mean I know it would shock you and make you sad and I just didn't want to make you sad.
Ralf explained hearing a nod from his daughter. Before she said.
- Can we just leave? I don't want to be here anymore...
She put her arm around her brother comforting the crying boy.
- Yeah, of course, let's just pack up and we'll leave to the airport.

Ralf then started to gather his and the kids' stuff handing them a cap and their sunglasses which they wore so help hide themselves from the media storm waiting for them outside. He quickly changed out of his racing suit into normal clothes, contacting his PA to bring the car has close as possible to them. He then picked up Yuri and took Carissa's hand in his free hand and made his way towards the back of the garage hoping that the media were waiting up front.

Unfortunately, they had been waiting at the back knowing that Ralf wouldn't have left through the front.

As soon have they were out the door cameras were flashing. You could barely see anything because of all the flashes. Ralf tried to power through the crowd, still being careful has Carissa was on the ground and he didn't want her to get trampled on.

She was looking at the ground trying to hide her now tearful face. She had always hated this part of the fame. Hated being crowded and being unable to see where she was going. She pulled the cap further down to hide her small face while trying to keep up with her dad's pace.

The chaos had brung a lot of attention towards them. Some drivers and mechanics coming to help out and trying to make a way for the young family. One of these people was Lewis. He was quick to reach Carissa and pulling her up into his arms so has to protect her from all of the craziness going on around them. He followed Ralf and helped him put the kids in the car before kissing them goodbye.

The media frenzy had stopped once the car had managed to leave the parking lot and made his way on the road. This was exactly with Ralf had wanted to avoid. Crying could be heard in the car. The siblings holding each other's hand in the back seat left searching for comfort...