Faded Love - Charles Leclerc

Chapter 38: Grandpa Wright

🎶 How Do I Say Goodbye — Dean Lewis 🎶

Charles was currently racing in Australia, the first two races hadn't gone too well for him and the team.
"I don't know, today in the practices too, the car felt weird and everyone in the team is not holding it together anymore, it's so strange" Charles said frustratedly over the phone, while I was sitting in my parents' drawing room after just arriving in London this morning.
"Shit, I'm so sorry darling, maybe you should talk straight to Christian about your struggles" I said, trying to say something helpful.
"He's the weirdest of them all, he basically blocked me off and stammered some strange excuses" he scoffed. "Anyways, how's it going in England?"
"Good! I've just arrived and Amelia and Oli will be coming over for dinner, I'm excited to see them again! And tomorrow is a big shopping day" I answered.
My mother had asked me to come visit so that we could go shopping together also with Amelia in order for me to approve their outfits for the wedding.
"Have fun you girls then and send everyone my love" Charles said and sent me a kiss over the screen.
"Hang in there, I love and miss you very much" I said before hanging up.

Oli and Amelia came over that evening and looked very happy and in love. I updated everyone on the wedding preparations and invited Mum and Amelia to my last fitting for my wedding dress in July. After giving it some thoughts, I chose Valentino as the maison to design my wedding dress and after a visit to their atelier in Rome, Mr Valentino Garavani himself offered to draw a few designs for me, even though he wasn't officially designing anymore. I felt incredibly honoured, but he said the honour was all his, to tailor the wedding dress for the wife of a Ferrari world champion. Hearing someone talk about Ferrari in that way still hurt, I still wasn't over the fact that they basically broke Charles and me up. But on the other hand it showed, how deep of a mark he had left in history by winning a championship with them. Until now, I had done the fittings alone as I didn't want anyone's opinions bothering me, but I was bringing Carmen and Alice to my next one in April. Then for the last fitting in July, Vogue Weddings had gotten an exclusive and were going to film me that day, so I thought it would also be nice to have my Mum and sister-in-law there, so they could see the final result.

The next day, us girls hit the stores and Mum decided to go for a British designer.
"Do you know what colour Charles' mum is going for? I wouldn't want to clash" she asked me while scanning the racks at Beulah. It was one of my favourite stores and a brand focusing on ethical and sustainable production methods.
"She's going for a silver/greyish as far as I know" I replied. In the end, she settled for a coral outfit that I really liked. Then, we headed over to Diane von Furstenberg as Amelia had chosen a dress from there and wanted to have my approval before going for it. It was very cool printed dress and even though I would have never bought it for myself, it looked great on her and I told her to definitely buy it. Our last stop was the milliner and they both ordered their custom hats. I also found a small white veiled headpiece that I thought would look cute with my civil wedding dress and went for it. Somehow, Mum really tried, but I noticed that something was on her mind, however I couldn't really say what and when I decided to ask her, she just said it was something I shouldn't worry about.

We arrived back at home and when I walked into the drawing room I couldn't believe my eyes.
"Grandma! Grandpa!" I exclaimed and ran over to hug them.
"Awww, Mary, you look so great" my Grandma said and gave me a kiss on my cheek.
"You really do, you've grown into such a beautiful woman, Mary" Grandpa said and kissed the back of my hand.
"Oh, you guys are making me tear up! What are you doing here? I was planning on visiting you in Scotland for Easter" I said.
"Oh, we heard you were coming and we fancied a trip to the capital" Grandma said, but there was something in her eyes telling me that wasn't everything.
"Come on, let's go for a walk, you have to tell me everything about how it's going with Charles" Grandpa said and dragged me out the door.

I was so happy to see him again and started blabbering about Charles moving in with me and our trip to Asia before talking about wedding planning.
"I'm so happy for you, my darling. Charles is so perfect for you and you guys look so happy. Listen, there was a reason for our trip here and... I don't know how to put this Mary... I have lung cancer" he said and I fell from the pink cloud I was floating on.
"What?" I exclaimed and tears started building up in my eyes. "Are you getting treated or..." I didn't even dare to finish my question.
Grandpa shook his head. "I don't want to feel miserable and destroy my body with chemo. The doctor said I have a good year and I've come to terms with it. Mary, I had a wonderful life, I can leave this world in peace" he said calmly, but I was full-on crying. I understood his decision but it was hard to hear that in a year, I would have to bury a loved one again.
"I have one last favour to ask you though, and you would make me incredibly happy if you could make it possible for me" Grandpa said.
"What?" I sobbed.
"Please let me walk you to the alter. It would make me so so happy. I already asked your father as I didn't want to take it away from him, but he agreed as long as you're also ok-" he said and now I could also see his eyes welling up a bit before I interrupted him.
"Of course you can walk me to the altar" I sniffled and hugged him tightly.
"This is life Mary, you will start a family and hopefully give birth to a new person and I will say goodbye to this world after a long and happy life" he said and smiled.

We eventually walked back and when I saw the others at the house, I understood why Mum and Dad had seemed distracted these days. I was just so filled with joy about my upcoming wedding that I didn't even notice.
When I called Charles, I was devastated and he was also very beaten down when I told him the news. It already hadn't been a great day for him by qualifying only seventh and now this - it definitely didn't lighten up his mood.