Ophélie

Part 54

JUNE 2023

MONACO

The first half of the season has flown by. Charles has been dominating the championship, with very minor issues that had to be attended to at the beginning of the year, he's a few points ahead of Max, and is currently leading the driver's championship.

I stopped travelling to race at the end of April, after Dr Cheron's strict instructions of no more flying.

So instead, on race Sundays, Lily and I made lunch for the family, and my parents, brothers and Pascale came over for lunch and to watch the race. When Arthur and Lorenzo were in town, they would also join us.

I was fast approaching my due date, and my stomach was huge, our little princess making herself very much known with a lot of kicking and moving. Some days my entire stomach would shift with the way she moves. With Charles being gone a lot, I took a lot of photos and videos for him.

This weekend is the Monaco GP, and our family will be attending as usual.

Charles waits at the bottom of the stairs for me, beaming up at me.

"What?" I breathe, out of breath as I reach the bottom of the stairs.

"You look so beautiful." he grins.

I frown. "I can't even get my shoes on."

He laughs. "Here, let me help you."

I sit on the couch as he bends down and gently puts on my white sneakers.

When he's done he puts his hand on both sides of my belly. "Bonjour petite princesse. Je sais que tu es bien au chaud dans le ventre de maman mais c'est bientôt l'heure de sortir. Papa veut te rencontrer." (Hello little princess. I know you're cozy in mommy's belly but it's almost time to come out. Daddy wants to meet you.)

I laugh. "Could you ask her not to jump on my bladder today so I can watch your race?"

He laughs and speaks to my belly in French again. He grins up at me, clearly proud of himself.

"Come on mama. Let's get to the track." he takes my hand and leads me out of the house.

When we get to the track Carlos and Isa meet us at the entrance with a golf cart. Isa jumps off and rushes over to me, pulling me into a hug.

"Ay, Dios mio!" she gasps, pulling back and looking over me. "Your belly is huge Oph! You look like you're going to pop any second now!"

I laugh. "Yeah, she's growing alright."

Charles helps me into the cart and then Carlos drives us slowly to the Ferrari garage.

When we get there, he helps me out again and leads me over to where our parents are already waiting.

I hug everyone and Lily kisses my belly, which she started when my belly became more prominent.

My dad offers me a seat and I thank him, taking it immediately.

Charles goes off to speak to the team and before he gets into the car he comes over and gives me a kiss.

"Good luck baby! You've got this!" I say, kissing his lips one more time.

He finished in pole position in qualifying, so he has a very good chance, as long as the strategy plays in his favour.

Arthur hands me a headset and I pull it on, turning my attention to the tv. Isa sits next to me and I grab her hand, throwing her a quick smile.

I watch as the team rushes out into the pits and listen to Fred on the headsets.

"Charles Leclerc! You are the winner of the Monaco Grand Prix! You did it! You won your home race!"