Im here with you- CHARLES LECLERC

Fourty-Five

Charles POV

It's been two days since I last tried calling Angelina. Max, Lando, Daniel, and I have been taking turns trying to reach her, but with no luck. The frustration of not knowing how she was doing, especially after everything that had happened, was gnawing at me. Then, finally, during one of Max's calls, someone picked up.

But it wasn't Angelina.

"Hello?" The voice was familiar, but it wasn't hers.

"Victoria?" Max said, surprised. I froze, listening intently.

"Yes, it's me," she replied. "Angelina's not available right now. She's been unwell these past few days and is in the hospital getting checked out."

I felt my chest tighten. "Is... is everything okay with the baby?" I asked, unable to stop myself from speaking up, even though I wasn't the one on the call.

Victoria hesitated for a second. "The baby's fine, Charles. She's healthy. It's Angelina who needed some monitoring."

My relief was short-lived, knowing that Angelina had been struggling. But there was no time to dwell on it. I had a flight in a few hours, and I would be back with her soon.

At the airport, Jules held my hand tightly as we walked toward the gate. I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. On one hand, I was happy, having just won the GP. But more than that, I was relieved that Jules was by my side.

As we walked, some fans recognized us and came up for autographs.

"Charles! Congratulations on the win!" one of them said, offering me a pen and a photo. I smiled and signed quickly.

"Thank you," I replied, glancing down at Jules, who was eyeing the fans with curiosity.

"Is this Jules?" another fan asked, smiling down at Jules, that smiled back.

Jules puffed his chest proudly. "This is Leo!" he exclaimed, pointing to the small dog by his side.

The fans laughed, obviously charmed by him. "Nice to meet you, Leo!" one of them said, bending down to pet him.

Jules beamed, and I smiled, knowing these little moments helped take his mind off everything that was happening.

On the plane, Jules had fallen asleep, cuddled up next to Leo. I watched him for a while, his little chest rising and falling in rhythm with his breath. I couldn't stop thinking about everything that had happened. The past few days felt like a blur, but I knew one thing — I needed to be there for Angelina, for our family.

When we landed, my mom was waiting for us. She greeted Jules with open arms, but as soon as he realized he'd have to leave me, he started to cry.

"Papa, I don't want to go," he sobbed, clinging to my leg. I knelt down, wiping his tears with my thumb.

"Hey, buddy," I whispered softly, "I promise I'll be back soon. I just need to check on Maman, okay?"

Jules sniffled, still holding on tight. "But I want to come with you!"

I shook my head, my heart aching. "I know, but Maman needs to rest, and you need to stay with Grandma Pascale for now. I'll come back and get you, and we'll all be together soon. I promise."

He looked up at me with wide eyes, and after a moment, he nodded reluctantly. "Okay, papa."

I kissed his forehead, giving him one last hug before I handed him to my mom. "Thanks maman" I said to my mom.

"You are welcome Charles, now, go to Angelina" she said as they walked away, I couldn't help but feel a heavy weight in my chest. I missed him already, but I knew he'd be in good hands.

When I arrived at the hospital, a nurse directed me to Angelina's room. The door was slightly ajar, and as I stepped inside, I saw her lying on the bed, looking pale and tired. Her eyes met mine, and immediately, they filled with tears.

"Nina..." I rushed to her side, taking her hand in mine. She couldn't speak at first, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to keep her emotions in check.

"I... I don't know if I can trust you anymore," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I just... I can't."

Her words cut deep, but I understood. After everything that had happened, she had every right to feel the way she did. "I know, Nina. I understand," I whispered, gently placing my hand on her belly. "But I'm here now, and I swear to you, I'll never hurt you again. I love you and I love our family. I love the person that I became thanks to you, I love the father that I became because you gave me Jules and now her. I'm never leaving you, I'm never going to let you down, I'm going to support you, I'm going to love you for the rest of my days"

Tears streamed down her face as she looked away. "You don't get it, Charles. This has broken me. All of it. Not just what you did... but the comments, the way people talk about me. They say I'm not a good mother. That Jules deserves better. I... I feel like a failure."

I squeezed her hand tighter. "No, Angelina. You're an incredible mother. Don't listen to them. They don't know you. They don't know us." I kissed her knuckles gently, my heart aching to see her like this. "I'll always stand by you. No matter what."

She looked back at me, her eyes softening just a bit. "I don't know if I can forgive you, Charles, but I have to, for Jules" she said quietly.

I nodded. "I understand. And when you're ready, I'll be here. I'm not going anywhere." Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the wedding ring she had left behind. "When you're ready, you can wear this again. But take your time." I said putting the ring on the table near the bed.

She gave me a small smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes, but it was a start.

Just then, the door creaked open, and a small voice called out, "Maman?"

It was Jules.

He looked up at her with wide eyes, clearly upset that he hadn't seen her in so long. I helped him climb onto the bed, and he wrapped his little arms around her.

"Petite sœur?" he asked in French, his voice full of concern.

Angelina smiled for the first time in days. "She is okay, mon ange. Everything is fine now"

He beamed, snuggling closer to her. "Papa?"

"Everything is fixed now, Jules" Angelina said looking at me. "We are a family, ok?"

"Ok" he said "I can't wait to meet my sister"

Angelina and I exchanged a glance, our hearts swelling as we watched him. It was moments like this that reminded me of what truly mattered. No matter how hard things got, we would find our way back to each other.

"Jules, let's go eat something, mh?"
My mom said. Jules got off the bed and went out of the room. "Sorry, he wanted to see his mother so bad"

Angelina smiled at her, then she left the room, leaving me and Nina alone.

I looked at the door closing, and then turned to Angelina but she pulled me close to kiss me. I cupped her face with my hands.

"It needs time, but I'm going to forgive you, Charles" she said, picking from the table near the bed her ring and hands it to me.

I take it and say: "Angelina Sofia Maria Verstappen, will you marry me?"

"Yes, I do, Charles Marc Herve Perceval Leclerc"