F1 Imagines

Part 27

Carlos Sainz

A Family Affair

The midday sun painted warm hues over the sprawling estate where Isla's brother, Jake, lived with his family. Nestled in the countryside, it was a haven far removed from the high-speed world of Formula 1 that Carlos Sainz was accustomed to. Isla, his girlfriend of several years, had brought him here to meet her brother's family—Jake, his wife Emma, and their two young children, Lily and James.

Isla watched fondly as Carlos effortlessly lifted Lily into the air, eliciting gleeful laughter from the little girl. James, not to be outdone, tugged at Carlos's leg, demanding to be included in the play. Carlos, ever the good sport, juggled the attention between the two children with ease, his smile reflecting genuine joy.

Sitting beside Emma, Isla couldn't help but feel a pang of longing deep in her heart. She adored children, and seeing Carlos so effortlessly interact with Lily and James stirred emotions she hadn't fully acknowledged before—she wanted a child of her own, with Carlos by her side. Yet, the thought of broaching the subject with him weighed heavily on her mind. What if he wasn't ready? What if he didn't share her longing?

Later that afternoon, as Isla played with Lily in the garden, weaving daisy chains and exchanging imaginary stories, Carlos appeared in the doorway. He leaned against the frame, his gaze softening as he watched Isla immerse herself in the world of a child's imagination. The scene before him stirred a deep tenderness within him.

Setting down the daisy chain, Isla looked up and caught Carlos's eyes fixed on her. There was a moment of silent understanding between them, as if each could sense the unspoken thoughts weighing on the other's mind.

Carlos stepped forward, closing the distance between them. "Isla," he began, his voice gentle yet resolute, "I want to have a child with you."

Isla's heart skipped a beat at his words. She looked up at him, eyes shimmering with unshed tears of happiness and relief. "You do?" she whispered, unable to contain her emotions.

Carlos nodded, a tender smile playing on his lips. "Yes, I do. I've been thinking about it for a while now. Seeing you with Lily and James today... it just feels right. I want to build a family with you."

Overwhelmed with joy, Isla threw her arms around Carlos, holding him close. "I want that too," she murmured against his chest, her voice muffled but full of love.

They stood there for a moment, wrapped in each other's embrace, the world around them fading into the background. In that serene moment, surrounded by the laughter of children and the warmth of family, Isla knew that her dreams of motherhood were about to come true, with Carlos—the man she loved by her side.