That night in Monaco

Epilogue

"Where everything started."

20 years later

Me and Charles were waiting for the Monaco Grand Prix to come to an end. Charles had retired as a driver but chose to be Ferrari's team principal and the team has been going amazing with him in it.

Isabella, our lovely daughter was the only woman in Formula 1 yet and she just like her father was racing for Ferrari. She had earned her place with hard work and lots of sacrifices. We were currently waiting for her to win her first ever Grand Prix. I still remember the day she was born.

20 years earlier

Today was the 3rd of August and my due date was around the corner. Charles and I were staying at our house in Monaco waiting for our princess to arrive.

It was 3 o' clock in the morning when I woke up from my contractions. I waited a little to make sure but that was when my water broke. I slowly woke Charles up trying to sound as calm as I could.

"Charles please wake up." "What is it Anna? Are you alright?" "Charles my water just broke." when he heard that he got out of bed in a heartbeat. "Let's go to the hospital. How are you? Are you in pain?" he asked nervously. "Charles calm down. I am as fine as I can be. It hurts a lot but I will manage."

When we went to the hospital they got me prepared for labour and Charles was there the whole time. It was the most painful moment of my life and I was so thankful that Charles was there holding my hand. There was a time when I thought I couldn't do it but he helped me a lot.

"I can't. I can't do this. It hurts." "Anna you can do this." "No no Charles I can't." "Anna look at me. You are the bravest person I know. If anyone can do it you are the one to do it. You can and you will do it. Think of our princess." "Alright. I will try." "I love you mon amour." "I love you too Charles."

I will never forget the moment I saw her for the first time and I heard her cry. They put her on top of me and that was when I broke and started crying. I couldn't believe I was holding my daughter with Charles by my side also crying. She was so tiny and fragile. She was beautiful. She had Charles' eyes and lips. I didn't think I could love a human being more but in that moment I knew I would do anything for her.

"Anna she is beautiful just like you."
"Charles she had your eyes and lips."
"I don't think I have ever been happier. Thank you mon amour for her. I promise you little princess as long as I live no one will harm you."

Present day

Our first days with her were a dream. She was such a calm and quiet baby that she didn't tire us. I remember Chales playing his pieces on the piano in order for Isabella to fall asleep. She loved her father's music from when she was little.

She grew up so fast that sometimes I think I didn't live her enough. She always had the best relationship with Charles. We may fight sometimes but with Charles she was different. They always got along and never fought. Well except for one time. The time when she announced that she wanted to start racing.

16 years earlier

"Dada dada come on. I want to go driving." said Isabella. "No Isabella. You are not driving anything. You are too young." "But dada I want to be like you. I want to drive the red car. Mama let me." "Of course she did. Let me talk to her and I will come find you." "Ok dada. I am waiting for you."

"Anna why did you let Isabella start karting?" "Because she wanted and also it was a chance for her to try." "I don't want her racing in the future." "But why? She may be really good." "I am afraid." "Afraid of what?" "Of her getting hurt. It is a really dangerous sport and I have already lost people close to me. I can't lose her too." "Oh Charles. Welcome to my life for the past 8 years. Do you know how hard is it for me to see you racing? However, I trust you completely. And I trust you to train our daughter. I know that with you by her side she will be safe so I don't worry. Neither should you. I have faith in you Charles."
"Alright. I will train her."

Present day

And now here we are under the podium watching our daughter celebrating her first victory in her home Grand Prix. As I look at her I see so much of Charles in her. Her passion, her determination, her abilities is like watching Charles drive and I couldn't be prouder. She is just like her dad and I am very happy about that.

Me and Charles did a very good job raising her. We are so proud of her and everything she has accomplished so far.

Sometimes I think about the day I met Charles. We were both so young back then. Me as a fan of his going to Monaco to watch the race not believing I could actually meet him. But I did and from that moment everything changed.

We fell in love, we fought for our relationship, we lost a child, we got married and we got Isabella. We have been together for over 22 years and it still feels like a dream. We still love each other with the same passion as back then. If I could go back I wouldn't change anything. I look at him and watch my life in his eyes.

When I met him, he made me feel alive and I will always thank him for that. He changed me in so many ways. We have been through so many things but I don't regret a thing. Everything that happened made us stronger. I never thought my life would turn out like that but I am so thankful it did.

I turned to Charles and looked at him. "Do you remember Chales? 22 years ago?" "How could I ever forget. I never imagined being here today with you watching our daughter in F1." "She is just like you Charles. I am very proud of her." "I am as well. She is an amazing kid." "We did it Charles. We changed our fate for the better." "We really did."

"I love you Charles Leclerc."

"I love you Anna Papadopoulou."

"And just like that the story of Anna and Charles has come to an end."