Racing for her heart

13

Lana's point of view

I had just reached my office, when my phone rang, Then Tilly's name flashed up on the screen. I answer the call, greeted with Tilly sobbing and frantically apologizing. I asked her what was wrong, but someone had taken the phone.

"Hey Florence, It's Jamie, uhm..." his voice trails off, and I start panicking, "Jamie, What the fuck is happening? Is everyone okay?!"

"So, uhm, Elliott was playing with some toy, and he hurt himself. It isn't good, I'm so sorry. Do you have a ride or was Matilda picking you up?"

"Matilda, she was going to pick me up- uhm, where are you, I can find a ride, but I need to know where you guys are."

"Okay, I'll send you the address," and Jamie hangs up the phone.

I run out of my office, not even bothering to shut the door because that is the least of my priorities right now. I rush into the elevator, greeted by a different familiar face, a warm, sweet one, "Lana? Is that you," he questions as he stops the door from shutting in my face. "Charles, can you drive me somewhere? Please, this is important," I desperately beg him.

The Monegasque man nods his head, "Of course, let's go now, come here," he wraps his arm around me, "I don't know what's happening, but I'm here for you." I look up at him with tears in my eyes, threatening to spill.

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I've always loved the feeling of being in a car, I love long car rides, the feeling of being in the car, it's always comforted me. But right now, It's a completely different case. I'm panicking, Charles doesn't know what's happening, Fuck, He doesn't even know about Elliott. Well, at least right now he doesn't.

I mentally take the comment back, before blurting out, "I have son. I'm sorry I didn't tell you," I pause, taking in a breath, "I would have told you, but uhm-" I pause again, then look the man in the eyes, "He doesn't like being with a lot of people, It scares him. And uhm, his dad left when he found out I was pregnant. So, uhm, yeah.."

His eyes soften, as he puts his hand on top of mine, "Lana, It's okay, Don't apologize, let's go make sure that..." his voice trails off, then I speak up, "Elliott, his name is Elliott." He finishes his sentence, "Let us go make sure Elliott is okay."

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As me and Charles walk into the hospital waiting room, Tilly shoots up from her seat, running to hug me. I wrap my arms around her, "Is he okay?" She starts sobbing, "I'm sorry, he was supposed to be sleeping, it's all my fault." We both stop hugging each other, Matilda sniffs before looking at me, then signaling Charles.

"He drove me, He knows," I tell her, as she gives me a strange look, "Just about E?" I nod my head, "Yeah, just E," I pause, "Charles, this is Matilda and her husband, Jamie Springs." Jamie laughs, as he shakes Charles's hand, "You make me sound so old, Flo. I'm only a couple of years older than Tilly." Matilda gives him a look, then pulls Charles in for a hug, "Ignore him, I've heard lots about you."

My eyes widen, "Matilda!" Charles and her chuckle, "Nice to meet you two! Have you guys heard any news?" Jamie shakes his head, "Only family is allowed in unless the parent gives permission. But since Florence," he pauses, as Tilly gives him a look, "Lana, Sorry, Since Lana wasn't here, they wouldn't let us in."

I walk up to the front desk, "Excuse me, My son, Elliott-" I start to speak, but I'm interrupted by the clerk, "You're the blonde boy's mom?!" I nod my head yes, "Yes, am I allowed to see him?" She nods her head yes, then takes me to a room, Charles following behind me.

We both go to walk in, but the clerk stops him, "Only Family, Are you the dad?" I look at Charles, then at the clerk, "He can stay, I'm letting him." She nods her head, letting Charles in, then leaving.

As I turn the corner, seeing E, My hand covers my mouth, but a gasp slips out anyway. Elliott was asleep in the hospital bed, he looked so small, so weak. Charles walks over to me, then pulls me into a big hug, "It's okay, it's going to be okay." I let out a soft cry into his shirt, but I stopped after I heard a voice, the voice I needed to hear, "Maman?" Charles lets go of me, as I run to Elliott's side, "It's okay, baby, Mommy's right here."

Elliott smiles at me, then wipes a tear off my face, "Mommy don't cry! I'm okay, I'm going to be okay!" I bite my lip, trying not to cry, for E's sake. Elliott looks at me, then giggles, "Maman, qui est cet homme?" Charles laughs at Elliott's question, and then comes and sits next to me, so he can get a closer look at Elliott.

"This is Charles, You've seen him on-" I start to tell E, but I am cut off by the toddler, "Maman, C'est Charles Leclerc!! il conduit des voitures rapides!!" I nod my head, "Yes, Mon Amour, I know he drives fast cars-" I try again, but get defeated by E, "Maman!! He is like Lightning McQueen!!" Charles laughs, "Bonjour Elliott!! I'm Charles Lec-" Elliott starts to talk, "Maman, He can speak French!!"

I give E a stern look, "Elliott, baby, you can't keep interrupting people. It is very rude, please apologize to Charles." Elliott nods his head quickly, "I'm sorry Charles, I didn't mean to-" Charles then interrupts Elliott, "Don't worry, Mon Ange, It's okay." Elliott giggles at the nickname Charles had given him, "Did you hear that, Maman??"

I nod my head smiling, "Yes, Amour," I pause, "Do you want to watch cars?" Elliott gives me a look, "I want Charles to stay. If I watch cars, does that mean he'll leave?" I give E a sympathetic look, "E, baby, Charles has work-"

"I'll stay." I look at Charles, "You have work, you've already done so much for us, are you sure?" He just nods his head and smiles, "Mon Ange," he looks at Elliott, "Do you want me to stay?" Elliott nods his head, "Please, with a sprinkle on top!!"

Me and Charles laugh at E, then Charles responds, "I'll stay." I smile watching E and Charles, knowing that they will get along well. "Hey, I'm going to go chat with the doctor, I'll be back soon, will you be okay?" I ask Charles, and he nods his head, "Of course, take your time! I want to get to know E." I nod my head, then leave the room to find the doctor.