Middle of the Night

Chapter 28 - So Are We

Claire stood and stared at the chaos around her. The world had fallen silent, but there was so much movement. She jumped as she felt an arm wrap around her. It felt warm. It felt safe in this moment. She looked up and saw Toto speaking to someone and then his face turned to her. He was saying something to her, but she couldn't hear it. "Little One are you okay? Is the baby okay?" He was asking with so much concern. The baby. She didn't feel anything wrong. Nothing hurt. She protectively wrapped her arms around her stomach and looked into those eyes that belonged to her world.

"Yes, yes. We're fine," she responded carefully.

"I don't know how she got in here. Fucking security needs to sort their shit out," Toto grumbled.

Claire looked around as the staff noticed their interaction and she suddenly realised. "Toto, you're headset is still on. Is your microphone off?" Toto glanced around at the panel in front of his chair. "Fuck," he muttered as he realised he'd just announced to anyone with their headsets still on that Claire was pregnant.

Suddenly there was a shout. "Get off of me! Where is that little bitch? She fucked everything up!"
Claire looked around and then she saw her. Security on both sides of Toto's ex-wife. Everything that had occurred moments before flooded through her mind.

Toto had been monitoring the testing, Claire seated beside him as always. Both George and Lewis were on track and everything was looking good. Whatever they had done to the new car was working. The Red Bull garage seemed nervous of the Mercedes this year and they had every reason to be. Toto had just spoken to Lewis through the headset when suddenly Claire felt a shove and she was on the floor. She looked up in shock as she saw Susie standing over her. "You little bitch. Steal my husband. Embarrass me in front of the press and now I've been banned from the paddock?" As Claire tried to stand up, Susie shoved her down again and slapped her.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" Claire could hear Toto screaming at her assailant. Slowly standing up, Claire hid herself behind Toto. Susie made a dash at her again and Toto grabbed her and pushed her back. "She did this to us! She destroyed us! She destroyed me!" Susie was screaming in the garage as staff started walking towards her. "No, you did that all on your own."

Claire walked forward towards Susie as she screamed hysterically. "I'm right here," Claire said calmly. "What do you want from me?"
Susie smirked at her. "I want my husband back. I want everything back and I'll have it."
Claire shook her head as she wrapped her arms around her stomach again. "I think you've done enough that Toto will never take you back again, Susie. It's done. It's over. You're not allowed to be here," Claire spoke calmly. Looking up at the security officers Claire softly spoke. "Please remove her from the premises and inform the FIA that I will be pressing assault charges on her." With that Claire turned around and walked away.

The FIA had been extremely apologetic for the lapse in security and assured Toto and Claire that it would never happen again. As they walked back into the hospitality, Claire and Toto were faced with the weight of the eyes of every staff member on them. Toto sighed and grabbed her hand and stepped forward.
"Alright everyone, we both know what some of you heard on comms and clearly it's been spoken about," Toto began.
"Soooooo does that mean...?" Bono's voice piped up next to Lewis followed by a grunt as he suddenly had Lewis' elbow shoved into his side.
"Yes. Yes it means there is going to be another Wolff running around in a few months," Toto announced grinning.

Suddenly there was a cheer through the team as everyone rushed forward to congratulate them. As Angela stepped back from hugging them she noticed Lewis and Melissa standing to one side, smiling warmly at the sight.
"Wait. You... you knew? And you didn't tell me?!" She said accusingly. Lewis held up his hands. "Hey, I only found out two days ago and was sworn to secrecy. Angela rounded on Melissa. "So what's your excuse then?" Melissa scampered behind Lewis. "Best friend secrecy policy?" Angela rolled her eyes at the couple. I swear you two will make me lose my mind." Lewis chuckled as Melissa went to hug Angela. "I'm sorry but it really was their announcement to make you know." Angela nodded. "I know. I'm just so excited for them," she said with a grin. "So are we," Lewis said softly as he watched his friends revel in the happiness after the disaster that was Susie.