AND IT CONTINUES - Max Verstappen

33

"Oh thank god," Daniella sounded relieved once she saw that this time the drivers' parade is going to be on the truck and not in individual cars like they have been doing for the past many races. To her, having the parade in an individual car is very boring, sitting alone next to the driver and just waving at the crowd.

She hopped onto the back of the truck along with the rest of the drivers, all wearing their racing suits underneath their team shirts since right before the parade they had an end-of-season group photo session.

Daniella was soon joined by Sophie, Mick, and Esteban while Max was already busy in a conversation with Daniel who is going back to Red Bull as a reserve driver the next season.

"Can you tell Mick he can't come to the Christmas shopping with us?" Sophie dragged Daniella to their argument.

"But why not?" Mick slightly whined.

"Because you can't know what we are buying for you," Daniella replied as she leaned against the railing of the truck.

"Wait, you two are going Christmas shopping together?" Esteban pointed at the two girls.

"Yeah," Daniella nodded. "I am not taking Max just like Sophie is not taking Mick."

"But it's not fair," Mick complained. "I need to know what my girlfriend is giving me for Christmas and then buy a better gift for her."

***

"You worry too much," Daniel tried to comfort Max but the Red Bull driver was too worried and nervous. "It's just one day at the golf course..."

"I shouldn't have lied to him," Max murmured. During summer break when he went to meet Daniella's family he lied to her father that he likes golf, hoping it would impress the older Michaels, and now he is invited to golf by her father again. "Last time I hit myself instead of hitting the ball."

"Dani did the same thing once," Lando let out a laugh. "You should invite her so it's less awkward."

"She would rather die than go golfing," Max replied as he looked at his girlfriend. It seems like she and Mick were having a sort of argument while Sophie and Esteban watched with smiles on their faces.

"And if you are alone with her father for the entire day then there is a good chance you would die," Lando pointed out.

Max thought for a second about what might happen.

"Yeah.." Daniel agreed. "And what was the vow? In sickness and health or life and death or something.. Your situation definitely covers that so Dani should really go with you."

"We are not married, Daniel," Max rolled his eyes.

"But you will be," Daniel brightly smiled and so did Lando. "In the future...and I would be the best man of course."

"I better be a groomsman," Lando added. "And the DJ."

Max let out a defeated sigh as his friends went off track from the actual topic and now discussing a possible wedding. But it surely brought a smile to his face as he once again looked at Daniella.

***

Daniella was informed that Lewis was out of the race because of some issues with the car, right before that they were racing each other but now she is racing Charles and Sergio. Charles was proving to be a challenge since he needs to finish ahead of Sergio to secure third place in the championship while Daniella is already secured in second place, but now her a is to win the last race of the season.

After bluffing about a possible strategy from the Mercedes team it caused the Red Bull to go in for a second pit stop which worked in the favor of Daniella and she moved up to P2 with Charles right behind her.

She and her team know if they do another pit stop it would make her drop to at least P6, causing her to miss out on the podium or even a win.

***

"That was amazing guys," Daniella said to her team through the radio as the fireworks decorated the night sky while the fans cheered. She managed to win the race by a very thin margin after overtaking Max right before the chequered flag. "Great job everyone."

"Ahh! What a way to end this season," She added, sounding happy and grateful. "This win is for everyone in our team, especially to the mechanics and engineers who worked really hard this year. Thank you guys."

She and Max waved at each other as they both slowed down.

"Dani, this is Toto," The team principal came onto the radio. "I just want to thank you for the amazing work you have done this year. I am really sorry we couldn't give you and Lewis the car you both deserve but it's going to be our year next season, I promise."

The top three cars of Daniella, Max, and Charles came to a halt for a brief second before they did the donuts with their cars, celebrating the end of the season. Smokes were everywhere as the fans cheered.

***

"I am going to get so drunk tonight," Daniella said as she along with Max and Charles made their way down from the podium with their trophies in hand.

"Me too," Charles happily added. The Ferrari driver had a difficult and heartbreaking season and now he is ready to let loose and feels relaxed.

"What about your dad?" Max asked his girlfriend. "Please tell me he is not going to the party with us." He is more than sure that if David Michaels goes to the party he would have to stay sober the entire night so he doesn't do anything stupid.

"Umm no," Daniella replied. "He has dinner plans with Lando's parents," She put her arm around Max and he did the same to her. "You don't have to worry about him for the rest of the night."

"That's a relief," Max let out a deep breath before planting a kiss on his girlfriend's head.

Charles pretended he didn't see it as he felt awkward and a third wheel.

**********

A/N: The season has ended and there is nothing more to write 🥲 

Thoughts on Dani's season? A lot happened to her in just one year 🤭

Okay but imagine Dani being in a relationship with Yuki, or Guanyu, or Mick, or even Lance?🤭

Sometimes I want to edit and rewrite Toxic Heart and then I feel too lazy to do that