heatwave | Charles Leclerc | re-writing

Chapter 40

Sydney, April 2023 - Victoria Marino

April 5th, what a day.

What day? My day.

Twenty-three years ago, my mom felt a deep constant pain on her lower stomach, rushed to the hospital and I was borned a couple of hours later.

Being born in spring made me love even more the season. I already enjoy a lot walking around gardens, colecting flowers and feel the sun kissing my skin, but being able to do a picnic every year on my birthday is something phenomenal.

But this year, I was bruptaly forced to go through my birthday on autumn. Thank you so much, Australian Grand Prix.

Like the very start of this season, Red Bull's domination is scaring the other teams and this gp was no different. We've got, once again, a Max win, which kind of ruined my birthday. But that isn't important when, as a matter of fact, I'm going to spend this incredible day with my friends on a city that lives in my heart, Sydney.

I wake up with Charles caressing my cheek, kissing it softly. I smell his cologne and the corners of my lips gently lift up. I slowly open my eyes to meet his green ones staring down at my face.

- Were you watching me sleeping? - I ask, hiding my face on his neck.

- Yes. You look like a baby. And you drool. It's cute.

- Only you could say that drooling is a cute thing. - My arm goes around his body, making us closer to eachother.

- It's not. But when you're the one who's doing it, makes it cute.

He kisses the tip of my nose and snuggles me against his hard chest.

- Happy birthday, darling.

I look up at him and a genuine and pure smile fills my lips.

- I thought that you had forgotten it. - I kiss his lips and smile once again - Thank you.

- How could I ever forget such a great day?

- Babe, it's not that big of a deal, honestly.

He swiftly kisses my neck and I take a deep breath, just to make sure that we won't be late to meet our friends doing exactly what you're thinking about.

- Yes, it is - he kisses the spot of skin that covers my heart - your day it's everyday, but today is just a lame excuse to actually celebrate it.

- Okay, alright, mister loverman. Let's get up already. - I tap my phone to check the time.

- No. - He hides his face on my naked breasts.

Yup, last night was fun.

My fingers run through his hair. It's great to be alive with him.

- Oh, yes. We need to go, we can't leave our friends waiting for us.

- It's your birthday. You'll never be late, the others will simply be too early.

- Stop with those made up phrases and just get the fuck up.

[...]

We arrive at the place that we all agreed to meet, the Green Park. Our friends were all sat on the grass, on top of a big blanket that made room enough for everyone. Five picknick baskets were set on the middle of the spacious square and that made me smile.

Even across the world, I'm going to have my anual picknick. Even if it's autumn. Even if it's without my parents. Even if it's far from home. I'm having it anyway.

Kika is the first one to get up when their attention gets caught with our arrival.

- Happy birthday, sweetie - Kika says, kissing my cheek and hugging me tightly.