Belonging to the Iceman

Joyeux Noel

Espoo, Finland, Christmas Morning

"Joyeux Noel, mon amour!" Read the text from Nicolas, even though they were countries apart they texted every day...and it was really starting to get to Kimi.

"Another text from your boyfriend?" He snapped at Shantelle the nastiness in his voice, watching her eyes light up and he just knew it was Nico that had made her Christmas a whole lot brighter, not him, and it tore him to pieces that the Frenchman had her heart, he had her as his girlfriend, but Nicolas had her heart since that day in Japan.

That's all Kimi ever wanted, was for Shantelle to be happy with him, the way she was happy when Nicolas talked to her.

He had tried everything, a romantic weekend away where he had taken her iPhone from her, and even texted Nicolas to tell him to 'back off'.

He had taken her out for dinner, lunch, the movies, and shopping. He had showered her in gifts, diamonds, pearls, rubies, emeralds, sapphires and some of the world's most beautiful precious stones.

And still, she talked to Nicolas and was always happier than being showered in gifts and affections by him. So lately they had been at each other's throats, and Kimi did the only thing he knew would make the pain go away, he drank.

She put her phone on the coffee table and gave him her affections "Sorry you cranky Iceman, Merry Christmas! Isn't the snow beautiful?" Watching the soft white snowflakes fall outside as she snuggled up to him.

He pushed her off him, stood up and walked away, desperately fighting the tears welling up in his eyes.

"You have got to stop talking to Nicolas all the time, Shantelle!" Rami growled "Can't you see you're tearing Kimi apart? If you want to be with Nico go back to Paris and be with him! Just DON'T be a rude and cruel bitch and lead my brother on!"

So she sent Nicolas a text, which broke her heart.

Paris, France, Christmas Lunch

Nicolas and his little sister Victoria were having a quick game of cards when Anne Marie and Alain called them for lunch.

"When do we get to open presents, Nico?" She asked as she watched him pack the deck of cards up.

"After lunch like every year Victoria," Nicolas said, giving her a cheeky look.

She giggled at her big brother.

"Nicolas! Victoria!" Alain called, getting impatient.

The Prost's soon sat down for a delicious Christmas lunch. The table was laden with delicious food prepared and cooked by Anne Marie.

Dessert was in the fridge waiting.

The best crystal, china, silver and family heirlooms belonging to Alain's and Anne Marie's parents had been brought out.

The house was decorated beautifully.

Holding each other's hands, Alain said grace.

"Seigneur, laissez-nous vous remercions pour la nourriture abondante sur notre table, que nous sommes sur le point de manger, en votre nom Amen"

"Amen" they all chorused and soon they all helped themselves to the delicious food.

As they ate, Nicolas' iPhone beeped from the living room, he had left it there on the coffee table next to the deck of cards.

"It can wait, Nicolas Jean," Alain said from the head of the table, as he held a flute of champagne "This is our Christmas lunch, if it's Shantelle, you know she'll be in Finland with Kimi and the Räikkönen's, now enjoy" motioning to the food on the table.

As soon as lunch was finished, Nicolas tried to sneak away to get his phone.

"Nicolas Jean Prost!" Alain growled, catching him as he brought a traditional Yule Log over to the table.

"Let him Alain!" Anne Marie said smiling at her firstborn, "He's in love, with that beautiful Australian!"

But Nicolas hadn't heard a word his parents had said, for he soon sunk down onto the lounge, the tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Nico?" Victoria said worried for her big brother, "what's wrong?"

Christmas Dessert was soon forgotten about as the family rushed to comfort Nicolas.

He handed his phone to Alain and putting his glasses on the Professor read the text Shantelle had sent him.

"Mon Dieu!" He whispered

"What Papa? What?" Victoria asked

"If Kimi has a problem with you talking to Shantelle, he is a very jealous man and should not and does not deserve her!" Alain growled, "Nicolas, call her and persuade her to leave that 'Iceman', she belongs in Paris with you and with us!"

Nicolas nodded and went into his room to call her in private.

Espoo, Finland, Christmas Evening

They all sat out the back of Paula's home, enjoying some light finger foods and plenty of leftovers and cold beer and mulled wine.

Shantelle sat beside Kimi.

"Will you please talk to me?" She begged, "I told Nico that we can't talk anymore, you have to..."

"I have to what, Kulta?" He snapped icily, cutting her off. "Why don't you pack your little bag, take this plane ticket and go back to Paris to be with 'Nico' and become a Prost?!"

In his hand was a one-way ticket to Paris, first class, non-refundable.

She gazed at it in disbelief and asked him "You really want me to go don't you Kimi?" Feeling the tears welling up in her eyes.

He softened and said "No beautiful Kulta...I'm letting you go...you're not happy with me! I'm suffocating you and have kept you away in a cage all for myself and we both know that a gentleman in Paris, should be your lawfully wedded husband!"

"Kimi, why?" She sobbed.

"Because almost every night you say Nicolas' name in your sleep, and by the way you murmur it softly you don't love me the way you love him! We're just meant to be good mates, good buddies! There for each other every so often! I see you making a life with Nico, not me and I have no right to stop you! Don't be a stranger my Kulta, at the Grand Prix we'll still talk and have an ice cream together!"

She hugged him and kissed him "Kiitos Kimi!"

*

As Nicolas was trying to reach her on her phone, she had already switched it off as the plane was taxiing down the runway.

"This is a nonstop flight from Helsinki, Finland to Brisbane, Australia the flight will take 22 hours, sit back and enjoy your flight ladies and gentleman and thank you for flying with us!"

Shantelle knew she had to go home.

"What?!?!" The children chorused in utter disbelief, "Isoisä. Went. HOME?!?!! WHY DID SHE GO HOME?!"

"Why didn't she stay in Espoo?" Lucas growled.

"Are you serious?" Elysia growled "She should have flown to Paris!!"

"Oh! You and that French toad!" Lucas snapped at his sister.

"Hey! Nico seemed like a beautiful, caring, amazing, romantic man!" Elysia snapped.

"Oh, and how would you know?! Just because he's French?!" Lucas argued back.

"Little Ones! Little Ones!" Kimi said, cringing "You're giving me a headache!"

"So what happened in Australia?" They asked.

Kimi gave them a look and said "the most unbelievable!"

"She went to Nico?" Elysia asked.

"No, she went back to you Isoäiti?" Lucas asked.

Kimi grinned and said "Neither!"

"WHAT??" The children shrieked.