Style: M.Verstappen

Chapter 38

A WEEK LATER

After a crazy week, the next race was upon the drivers. Everyone were in Australia ahead of the second race of the season. Some were exploring Melbourne with the help of Daniel. By Friday, it was time for the first two free practice sessions of the weekend. Max was already wide awake while Lilianna and Isla were still asleep. The dutchman was sat on the couch in the hotel room with the TV quietly playing so neither of the girls woke up.

Max scrolled through instagram on his phone when Isla woke up and trotted out her toom over to him. "Morning sweetheart. Where's mummy?" Max asks Isla as she sits on his lap and cuddles into him. The brunette driver places his phone down and wraps his arms around the little girl. "She's still sleeping." Isla mutters, nestling into Max's chest. "Are you still tired?" Max asks Isla again as she nods. He looks at the time and sees it's only seven thirty in the morning. "How about you go back to sleep for a bit while we wait for mummy to get up." Max suggests sitting back into the couch. "Okay." Isla quietly says before falling back to sleep in Max's arms.

Half an hour later, Lilianna awakes with a nausea feeling in her stomach. The girl groans, rubbing her head and heading out of her hotel bedroom to the small living space. "Morning sleepy head. How are you feeling? Slept in a little later than normal." Max laughs, looking at his watch. "I feel like shit. The baby isn't playing nice this morning." Lilianna groans, collapsing beside Max on the couch, his hand on her baby bump and her's ontop. "Are you up for going to the track for free practice then?" Max asks. "I can try as I want to support you. And don't worry, I'll let you or Christian know if I feel like I'm going to be sick and need to rest." Lilianna smiles, leaning down and pecking Max on the lips.

"You try and eat something. I'll get Isla sorted and ready." Max smiles. "Thank you." Lilianna says before heading to get some food from the small cabinet. Max wakes Isla as she was still asleep against him before taking her to her bedroom and helping her change out of her pajamas. "Come on kiddo. Lets go see mummy and see if one of your hugs might make her feel better." Max suggests as Isla nods. "Okay." she smiles before running out of her room in the hotel to find her mum.

"Morning mummy." Isla says, scrambling onto the bed and hugging her mum. "Morning my sweet girl. Are you excited?" Lilianna smiles, hugging her daughter back. "Yeah! We're going to watch daddy and the other drivers." Isla giggles, excitement evident in her voice. "We are. Do you want to try and feel your baby sibling?" Lilianna asks which causes Isla to immediately nod. "Pass your hand then." Lilianna smiles.

Max leans in the doorway as he watches the interaction between the mother and daughter. Lilianna lays Isla's hand on her stomach where she can feel the baby moving slightly. "That's my brother or sister?" Isla asks, looking at Lilianna when she can feel small movements. "It is indeed." Lilianna smiles. "Was I in there once?" Isla asks. "Yes you were and having you has been the best 6 years of my life. I wouldn't change them because I got to meet you early and love you longer like I will with your brother or sister." Lilianna smiles. "I'm glad you're my mummy and Max is my daddy." Isla smiles.

Lilianna's happy that Isla chose Max as her dad as she never grew up with someone she could call dad. "And we're glad you're our daughter, Isla-Rose." Max smiles, walking into the toom and sitting beside Isla.

THE TRACK

Walking through the paddock enterance, Max takes Lilianna's hand into his. "Is there anything you have to do at McLaren or are you coming to RedBull with me?" Max asks, Isla sat on his back. "I've got the weekend off as I dunno how I'm going to feel tomorrow and Sunday. So I'm in RedBull." Lilianna smiles slightly.