THREE - Daniel Ricciardo

Chapter 79 - Drive Fast, Uncle Daniel

AMY

📍Yas Marina, 20th November 2022

As I walked through hospitality with Daniel's family, I held onto Isabella's hand as we passed the many cameras who asked us to smile as we passed. Many of the persons behind the cameras looked up and asked me to pose with my bump, which I kindly obligated too as I remained locked into my aunty duties for the day.

As this was Daniel's last race and the last race of the 2022 season, he was super busy with answering questions and attending media responsibilities. Not that I minded staying close to Grace and Joe for the day, they helped ease my nerves as Grace was also a nervous wreck to watch her son's final drive.

My own mom and dad were also in attendance; my dad carried Issac on his shoulders for most of the day, ensuring he could see the action over the many fans who had congregated in the stands.

The races in between Austin to now had been eventful. Daniel had a fantastic race in Mexico, proving to be Driver of the Day despite causing a collision with Yuki and Fernando. Regardless of the penalty he had incurred, he managed to gain P7.

Brazil had proven to be a terrible time for both McLaren's. Lando's car eventually cut out, even though he had been in the top three for a large portion of the race, whilst Daniel had collided with a Haas causing collateral damage to both vehicles.

As I watched from the garage, I squeezed onto Faith's hand until it was practically cut of any circulation, worried for my husbands health and well-being more than Zac Brown's 'precious vehicle'.

I took a seat on the table outside the hospitality section of McLaren as Grace sat by my side and Faith sat opposite next to Michelle. My mom and dad also sat with us as they entertained Michelle's children.

Before long, Daniel came out of the section dressed in his driving gear as Isabella ran up to him with open arms. Daniel dropped down to his knees to greet his niece, who he'd had plenty of time with these past few days.

Daniel's family had been here in Abu Dhabi two days before media had started and way before any testing or qualifying had begun, allowing us practice with children before ours would soon make her arrival.

"Drive fast, Uncle Daniel." Isabella said in her cute little tones, swaying slightly from side to side as her grandmother told her to tell her son what she'd been requesting of us.

"Oh, I'll drive fast. I'll drive real fast!" Daniel said through gritted teeth as he pulled his mask down onto his chin and placed kisses over his niece's face, causing her to erupt into a fit of laughter.

Daniel moved over to me with Isabella's hand firmly held in his as Michael also appeared as if by magic, holding onto Daniel's helmet and balaclava.

"How are you feeling?" I asked up towards my husband as I placed my palm above my eyes to view him in the direct sunlight.

"I'm feeling good." Daniel nodded as he placed a firm kiss to my lips as he passed around the table, briefly greeting my parents before taking a seat down next to me.

His hand rested upon my thigh as I rested my hands across my stomach. As soon as Daniel's hand touched my bare skin, my stomach jolted with a swift kick, igniting the growing infant in my stomach. Daniel smiled as he also felt the movement, placing his hand over mine to feel for himself.