Red past | Charles Leclerc

Never forget that

Charles POV

"Guys! Guys, Wake up!" I woke up to an aggressive shake of my shoulder which was followed by irritated groans from my brother and Max.

Once Seb had successfully woken all of us from our much needed sleep, we realised the reason why he did. Mila was slowly waking up, it began with a light stir but was followed by her eyes slowly opening.

"Good morning, amour," I kissed the hand that remained in mine, she gave me a slight smile before her gaze scanned the rest of the room.

Arthur had made his way over and was stood next to Seb at the end of her bed, she seemed puzzled which we were told was completely normal. She squeezed my hand slightly before attempting to speak, it took her a few tries as her words were lost in her throat.

"Hey guys," she placed her other hand in Max's  before taking in the room that surrounded us. "What happened?"

"You just had an accident, you're going to be fine just don't move too much, amour," I placed my hand onto the side of her cheek, she leaned into my touch as a sign of comfort as she processed what I had just told her.

"The last thing I remember is saying goodbye to you and then it all goes black," she groans at the pain of her head when she tries to sit up.

"I know and you're going to be okay, amour," I kissed her on the top of the head as I sat next to her on the bed, allowing her to use my chest as a pillow.

I wrapped my arms around her as she leaned back into me, a smile spread across my mouth, having her in my arms made any negative emotions I had escape my body. She was with me, by my side like she should be, forever and always.

~

A couple of hours after she woke up, everyone had left. Seb and my brother had gone to the track and shockingly Max decided to join them. Julia had promised to come and visit her after she had gone to go to her family. She hadn't been able to get a flight to the Netherlands until last night, however she had called Arthur to check on Mila's condition.

"Are you sure you're okay? No headaches?" I questioned, fixing the pillow behind her head.

"I'm fine, Charlie. I promise," she grabbed my hand before I pulled away and placed a gentle kiss on the skin.

I gave her a sceptical look which soon disappeared when she placed a kiss on my lips, "How about you, Charlie? Are you doing okay?"

I didn't want to speak the truth, she didn't need to be worrying about what I was feeling but the second I met her gaze, my ability to avoid the truth flew out of the window. 

"Not really, seeing you lying there in a coma petrified me, I was scared that you would leave me like Jules did, I can't lose you too Mila, I just can't," the final word that left my mouth escaped as a sob.

She wrapped her arms tightly around me, pulling me to join her on the bed, she held my head against her chest as she stoked her hands soothingly through my hair.

"I'm not going to leave you, you're not going to lose me," she spoke against my head reassuringly, I could feel the warmth of her breath on my skin and it brought a sense of comfort as it showed her presence.

I smiled into her shoulder at her words that calmed me almost instantly, I knew that it wasn't true, she didn't know what will happen but even though all it was, was a false promise, it calmed my mind from looking at negative possibilities. 

"I love you so much," I pulled back to look at her piercing blue eyes that had a faint glimmer of tears but still a strong happiness shown within.

"Je t'aime aussi, Charlie, n'en doute jamais, (I love you too, Charlie, don't you ever doubt that,)" she gave me a faint smile before using the tip of her thumb to wipe away the tear that steamed down my cheek.

~

When the doctor came in to check up on her, he was finally able to give us some good news. he told us that she would be able to go home the following day but would have to remain in bed when at home just in case there are any after effects that aren't showing.

We made sure to put the qualifying onto the big screen, the two reserve drivers for me and Max comfortably remained in after Q1 but unfortunately were both knocked out in Q2.

"You should be there," she didn't turn to face me but I could sense how focused she was to get my reaction.

"No I shouldn't. I should be right here, next to you while you recover. I'm sure Robert doesn't mind replacing me, by my guess, I'm sure he rather enjoys it," by doing actual sessions against the drivers on the grid will give him a chance to prove to the other teams what he is capable of.

Not only did I not want to leave her side but I didn't trust myself to get into the car and not let my mind wonder, not after what had happened only a few days prior.

Jos had gotten in contact with Max to question why Mila had stood him up, once Max had explained, he gave up with trying to pry but didn't bother to visit her in the hospital.

I'm glad he didn't, I don't know what I would have done, I've heard so many stories and seen so many things from her childhood that her father unnecessarily put her though and now, instead of supporting her, he chooses to belittle her out of his own amusement just because she makes slight mistakes.

My guess remained that her was scared that she was going to be more successful in her career than he ever was.