𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝟐

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟐

-𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐄-

I was running for my life but I was weak. I had been an hostage for years. I knew how late it was and the date because they would tell me but I don't even know why I was there and why they would barely feed me but kept me alive. After years of trying I got out. I wore the same uniform as I had when I was taken. I had a bathroom so I could wash myself and my uniform but how badly I wanted to just wear my pajamas and snuggle up in bed with Charles and my boys... it was unreal. After hours of running they lost me. I sat down somewhere in a ditch so I could take a small rest before going on to find my camp. I walked for hours and hours and then... I found it. It looked the same. Only were people packing up. I ran towards the gate screaming!

"HEY! HEY!"

The guards at the gate looked up and I saw Kevin... KEVIN! Kevin looked up at me. He squinted his eyes to look at me better and then launched himself towards me. He hugged me tightly and sobbed softly.

"I thought you were dead! We thought we found your body and we buried you."

I felt the color drain off my face at those words. They thought I was dead? The boys and Charles think I'm dead? How's that possible.

"I just wanna get out of here Kev..."

"I know I know... we have a plane leaving in 3 hours. I'll get you on it. Get a flight to Monaco. Find Charles and the boys."

"Please do please I need to see them."

I felt tears rolling down my cheeks and Kevin gave me another hug before taking my hand and taking me into the remaining part of the camp. He made sure everything okay for me to go on the plane and he booked me a plane to go to Monaco. I had my phone and tried calling Charles but he must have changed his number because the first thing I heard when I dialed wasn't what I hoped to hear.

"This number is no longer in use."

"Damnit Charles!"

I hurried to the plane that would take me back with my bag pack and suitcase that they never returned to the Netherlands. I changed into a pair of jeans and a simple olive green Dutch army shirt. I pulled on my Stan smith shoes I always wore and went to the plane. Traveling couldn't take longer. 7 hours flying to the Netherlands and then another 2 hours flying to Nice. I booked myself a hotel room for a good 2 nights so I had time to search for them. I took a cab and when I finally arrived in Monaco I checked into my hotel. I grabbed my phone and walked around Monaco. Where should I go? I walked to Charles his apartment building. I knocked on the door and a woman around my age opened the door.

"Hi. Can I help you?"

"Uhm maybe. Does Charles still live here? With his 2 sons?"

"No I bought the apartment from him 7 years ago. Why?"

"I'm searching for him... do you have any idea maybe? Or about Max Verstappen?"

"I only know they both moved to a different apartment somewhere in Monaco."

"Thank you."

I nodded at her and then went outside again. I sighed softly... what now? High school! There's only one high school in Monaco! I walked around the city and arrived at the school building. It's a Tuesday so they had to be at school at 14 o'clock right? I walked inside and went tot en reception.

"Hello miss. How could I help you?"

"Hai. I'm Claire Leclerc and I'm looking for Maverick and Meeko Leclerc."

The woman stopped typing and looked up at me. She frowned as she looked at me.

"I'm sorry but Claire Leclerc died 7 years ago."

I took my ID and handed it to her. She looked at it and scanned it to see if it was real. She had a shocked expression and called to a teacher to get the boys out of their classroom.

"I will dial your husband."

"Could you not tell him yet. Maybe just say there is an emergency he needs to come to school for as quick as possible?"

"Of course!"

I was brought to a room and staid standing. I waited and after a few moments the door opened and two boys walked in. I swallowed as I looked at them. One of them looked up at me with an open mouth full of shock. The other one was mumbling some none sense as he looked to the ground. The one in shock tapped the shoulder of the one mumbling and now they both looked up in shock. The same eyes as mine... Charles his face features and hair... these were my babies all grown up.

"Hey boys."

"Mom?"

"No you dumbass... that's not possible. Mom is dead remember. We went to her grave 4 days ago. That's not possible."

"It is possible... it wasn't me who you guys buried. I'm here..."

One of the identical twins launched themselves at me crying while hugging me... definitely Maverick. The other one walked towards me and hugged me as well... definitely Meeko.

"Mom?"

"Yes Meeko?"

"What happened to you all these years."

"I was held hostage... I don't know why... I just know I escaped and am back with you guys."

"Does dad know?"

"No... he's on his way here. I want to surprise him. Just like you guys."

I hugged my sons for an eternity and when the door opened they let me go.

"What did you boys do this time? Blown up a toilet? Just tell me already!"

He was rubbing his face and had his eyes shut not wanting to look at them. I silently walked towards him. He had grown a small stubble beard... he had aged a little but still was the handsome man I once married. I cupped his cheeks with my hands.

"Hai..."

His eyes abruptly opened and stared into mine. His eyes went watery almost immediately as he looked me in the eyes. His hands laying on my wrists while his thumbs rubbed over them softly. He must have felt the need to touch me to know it was real. A sad smile climbed up onto his face.

"CJ..."

"I'm back schatje. I'm staying... I won't leave you again... I promise you."

He shook his head softly almost in disbelieve. He wasn't progressing it fully yet and when he was he hugged me tightly lifting me up from the ground. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he cried into my shoulder. One of my hands softly playing in his hair.

"It's alright... I'm here... I'm okay."

"I love you. I love you so so much."

"I know Charles... I love you too."

And just like that... I was reunited with my family. My Maverick. My Meeko. My husband. My Charles. I'm back where I belong.

(1194 words)