Charles was serious about his idea to propose to Mila. Even though they had been dating for less than a year, he had never been more sure of anything in his life.
After meeting the Sainz family for the first time on the drive to the hospital, the next few weeks were full of family activities, mostly centred around Reyes and Carlos Sr. getting to know Charles. They went out for several family dinners without Carlos and Isa, bringing them food home afterwards. Mila took every chance she could to dote over baby Maria, giving Isa appreciated this greatly, getting some time to care for herself first.
"You have that look in your eyes cabrón, what is it?" Carlos approached Charles, who leant against the wall of the lounge, watching Mila and Maria attentively.
"Hm? What look?"
"You're scheming. What is on your mind?"
"I want to propose to Mila," Charles whispered in his friend's direction.
Carlos's jaw dropped. "You're serious?"
"Yeah." Charles blushed slightly at the question. "Why? Do you think I shouldn't?"
"No, no. I'm happy for you. Have you been thinking about it for a while?" Carlos beckoned Charles to step out of the lounge and into the hallway, out of earshot of Mila.
"Like two weeks. We sort of spoke about it the day Maria was born, but not since. I want it to be a surprise."
"She seemed receptive to the idea when you spoke about it?"
"Yeah, she said if I had asked her with a ring she would've said yes."
"Holy shit Charles. You're basically engaged already."
"That seems slightly premature Carlos." Charles couldn't help but grin at the idea.
"What is premature?" Isa joined the conversation as she walked towards the lounge, back to her baby.
"Charles wants to-" Carlos was cut off by the other man slapping a hand over his mouth.
"Nothing Isa, don't worry about it."
~~~~
Charles and Mila returned to their apartment in Monaco after another week in Spain with her family. Charles wanted to introduce her to his own family properly before proposing officially. He knew after one encounter that she fit into his family like a glove. His mother had always wanted a daughter, and while Arthur was always welcoming to Charles's girlfriends, he could tell that his words were built on a foundation of sincerity, which couldn't always be said.
Charles also knew that Monaco was one of the best places to shop for jewellery.
"Oh wow Mila look at that," Charles pointed at a ring in the shop window on a corner. "It's really pretty."
"It is very nice Charles. The stone is the same sort of green as your eyes." The emerald glinted in the last of the day's light. The gold around it framed it perfectly, contrasting with the deep green.
Mila looked at the man standing beside her, his eyes reflecting the same glint the ring did. In her mind, she knew why he had been taking her to walk the same route almost every day in the week they had been back in Monaco. He wanted her to look at the rings, as he attempted to catch which one she liked most.
"This has been my favourite one so far Charles." She smiled softly at him, attempting to disguise her knowing grin that threatened to break out.
"Why do you have to be so smart Mila?" Charles frowned slightly. "It was supposed to be a surprise."
Mila allowed to grin to escape, taking Charles's hand excitedly in both of her own. Her own eyes were now the ones trapping the light of the sky within, her normally dark brown eyes turning into pools of manuka honey, framed perfectly by her tanned skin and dark hair.
"I have to use every muscle in my body to stop myself from asking you every day Mila, you're irresistible. I know we have known each other for less than a year, but every day since I met you I have been thankful for that party. I knew it from the moment I saw you again on the plane to Bahrain that I needed to be close to you, and when you asked me to go for coffee I knew I was the luckiest man in the world."
"Will you marry me, Charles?" Mila asked, looking up at Charles, still holding onto his hand with hers.
"You beat me to it. That's not fair." Charles looked shocked.
"Yes or no Charlie?" Mila smiled again.
"You know the answer, Mila. Yes. For every day of the rest of my life yes." Charles engulfed Mila in his arms, she felt like he was going to suffocate her.
"I love you Charles," Mila whispered into the crook of his neck.
"I love you too Mila. You're the best thing to ever happen to me."
As she pulled away from the hug, Mila noticed a flash of light over Charles's shoulder. Paparazzi. Great.
"There are paparazzi behind you Charles. They definitely saw that."
"I'm too happy to care Mila." Charles beamed, holding both sides of Mila's face, bringing his lips to hers and kissing her gently. "Let's get out of here."
~~~~
Mila woke with the sun beaming in the window of their bedroom. Charles wasn't in bed next to her, but she was used to that by now with morning runs and training sessions. Groggily, she wandered into the kitchen, where Charles sat on the couch, reading a book.
"Good morning beautiful. I got you a pains au chocolat at the bakery earlier, I hope it's still warm."
"Oh my goodness, that sounds so good. Thank you so much." Mila walked to the kitchen island and opened the paper bag.
Still warm, perfect.
As she reached inside she found something different, a glossy box, she knew what it was immediately, and the tears started to fall. She couldn't stop them however hard she tried.
"Mila? Are you okay?" Charles rose from the sofa, where he had been watching the event unfold.
"Yes. I'm sorry." Mila sniffled through her tears.
"Nono don't be sorry mi amore, what is wrong?" The man wiped her tears away with his thumb, smiling softly in an attempt to comfort her.
Mila composed herself enough to open the box, seeing the ring she had gazed at through the window the previous night. Another wave of tears threatened to fall, but she stopped them.
"I never thought I could be this happy." Mila sniffed again as Charles fit the ring on her finger, he had guessed her size perfectly.
"Believe it Mila, you deserve nothing less than happiness at all times." Charles placed a delicate kiss on his fiancée's forehead. "Also, we have to tell everyone we care about before the photos get out. I know there's nothing to explicitly say we got engaged, but I don't want that to be the way our families find out."
"That is true. Get ready for six million facetimes!" Mila laughed.
Charles laughed with her, ready for a lifetime of moments like this.
====
Omg guys a real proposal! I won't lie to you but there might only be a few more chapters left :( I don't want to drag the story for more than it needs, but hey, we'll see where it takes us.
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‧₊˚✧The Distance Between✧˚₊‧
Hayran KurguWhen Mila Sainz goes through a tough break-up, the last thing she expects is to rebound with one of her brother's co-workers, no less F1 driver Charles Leclerc. Now, neither could bear any distance between. Charles Leclerc x OC