Past and Present

1

From here on out, unless stated, the story will be told through first person POV. So enjoy! Also, if you would like to listen in to the playlist I have whenever I write chapters to this --

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3S0xjo8kGnavB2UWuCt5KJ?si=8803a8de282c4dd1

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"Hey, yeah we just got our luggages. We're about to head out at the arrival area" I answered to the man I am speaking to over the phone.

One of the things I hate being a single mom is this – flying with a kid. I have one hand on my phone as I talk to Max who will be fetching us from the airport, then one hand pushing the luggage cart, then one leg for my daughter to actually grab onto as we navigate the airport.

"Alright, P and I are just here by the entrance waiting for you both." Max answers back to me as I try my best to push the cart and find him. Thankfully, we found him immediately and I dropped the call already when he noticed me and my daughter walking towards his direction.

"Uncle Max! Penelope!" My daughter excitingly screamed as she makes a run for Max and his step daughter. "Hey Addison!" Max answered and gave my daughter a quick hug before letting the two kids hug each other.

I smiled at them, visibly exhausted by the flight and pushing the luggage cart, "Hey Max, thanks for fetching us." I reached out for a quick hug and sighed.

"You look beaten, Sky" He laughs as he takes the luggage cart from me to push it to his Aston Martin DBX707 that's parked outside.

I rolled my eyes at his comment and held the hands of both girls as we make our way to the car, "Remind me not to fly commercial again with a kid. It's too stressful to count if all of your luggages made it with you or if your kid's always beside you."

Max just laughed at me whining as he loads all our luggages to his car; "I remembered offering you my private plane but you refused; oh wait, your parents own a private plane as well which you also refused." I rolled my eyes at his comment knowing full well that he's right.

Meanwhile, I help Addison and Penelope get settled at their car seats as well before taking the passenger seat in front; "That would cause unnecessary commotion and you know that. What's the point of me hiding for five years if I wanted the whole of Monaco to know that I am back again? And to add, Ich habe ein Kind bei mir, Max. [I have a kid with me, Max]" I gestured at my daughter who's talking with Penelope; Max glanced at Addison as well before starting the engine and drives us out of the airport, "Wie ich sehe, hast du ihr noch kein Deutsch beigebracht [I see you haven't taught her German yet]." He chuckles and I just shrugged at his remark, "12 hours I'm stuck inside the hospital; 5-7 hours I'm asleep; the remaining of my day is equally divided to teaching Addie the languages, helping Dorota clean the house, and other mundane things." I answered back which earned a small laugh from Max.

I watch the streets of Nice blur out in the background as Max drives us back to Monaco, "how come Toto and Susie didn't come and fetch you?" Max suddenly asked, I looked at him and turned down the volume of the radio a little before answering, "it's the middle of race week, Max. After that costly crash that happened with George's car back in Miami; mum and dad had to fly to UK and check with Brackley."

"And Lando?"

"He had prior things with Quadrant Team. I think they're shooting a new collection." I answered nonchalantly.

The Formula 1 season's already underway when I finished my surgical residency back in Mayo Clinic; I was supposed to finish it way before the season started but I had was not able to log enough hours to cover my maternity leave. Which is why it is not my intention to fly back to Monaco during race week; Monaco tends to get a little chaotic when it's race week -- a fact I completely forgot. Also I can't keep up with the F1 updates anymore because residency's been giving me hell with the schedules then my cherry on top is the fact that I am a single mom. I'm just thankful enough that Max, Lando, and dad gives me updates about F1 whenever I get the chance to talk to them.

"What about him?" My eyes shot back at Max then to my kid who is thankfully sleeping, possibly tired from the flight.

"What about him?" I asked back which earned a small laugh from him.

"Sky, you're finally back in Monaco with his child. At least tell me that the idea of finally telling him has come across your mind." Max continued as he takes a short glance of me before focusing back on the road as the familiar streets of Monaco finally comes into view; when it was obvious to him that I will not answer him, Max heaves out a sigh and said, "Sky, he deserves to know. Addie's five years old already; eventually she's going to ask for his father, you know."

I know.

I didn't bother answering Max and just looked out the window watching the streets and the sea; the rest of the ride to our house was filled with silence. Max knows that if I don't want to talk about certain topics, I don't want to be pushed about it or i'll end up getting cranky. Max makes the final turn to our house that's situated on top of the hill that overlooks the whole principality. Max parks the car and we were greeted by one of the maids that helped him with our luggages.

I slowly wake my daughter up, "honey we're home." I smiled softly at her as she opens her eyes softly, still sleepy I decided to just carry her inside.

"Thanks again, Max. How about you and P come over tomorrow morning for breakfast? I'll text Lando to come as well." I asked to which the Dutchman agrees as he bids me good bye. I watch the Aston Martin drives away before going in the house.

After putting Addie down in her own bed, I went to my own room and went straight to the balcony with the overlooking view of the whole Principality. I can't help but remember the earlier conversation I had with Max. Of course I want nothing but happiness for my own daughter; I may not be the perfect mother she have, but I'm trying. I want her meet her dad soon but I'm scared that he might not believe and break my little girl's heart; and yet, Max is right, Addie's going to want to meet him soon. In fact, she already asked once about him a few weeks back.

"Hey mum, are we going to meet my dad when we go home to Monaco?" Addison suddenly asked as I fix her hair. I froze by her question trying to think of an answer to my little girl. "Why do you ask, hun?" I smiled softly at her, heart thumping loud against my chest as I watch her fidget with her fingers. "It's just that some of the kids in day care asks me about my dad" she huffs out a sigh.

"What did you tell them?"

She looks at me, sadness and confusion evident in her eyes, "I just tell them that my dad is traveling the world for work." I finish up her braids with a cute ribbon and cups her face with my hand, "he does travel the world for work, hun." I smiled at her as I give her a peck on her forehead.

"I want to meet my dad, mum." I can feel her voice laced with sadness as I try my best to control my emotions to not cry in front of my daughter. Instead, I hug my daughter tightly, "you will meet him soon, alright?" I whispered softly.

I sighed as I lean forward against the railings and massaged my temples to ease the growing pain of a headache I'm starting to have. Must be the jetlag. Does he even want to see me? After I ghosted him? I took a picture of the light up principality and posted in on my dummy Instagram account.

Finally home

I wrote as a caption. Soon after posting it, my notifications has been ringing. I decided to turn on my silent mode as I freshen up and head for bed.

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A/N: First chapter's pretty short. I just hope that you will follow this story!