Starting Again (A Charles Leclerc Fic)

043 : baby fever

 The sun dipped low over the calm waters of Monte Carlo, casting a golden hue over the lavish yachts bobbing in the harbor. Katrina adjusted the strap of her guitar, feeling the smooth wood warm against her palm. She glanced at Charles, who was lounging on the plush deck of Max (and now Mavi's) terrace, a carefree smile lighting up his face as he played with their god-daughter, Vera. He had taken what he said the previous weeks seriously when he said he'll be Vera's god father.

"Look, Vera!" he exclaimed, lifting the little girl high into the air. "You're flying! Whoosh!"

He swung her back down, and she erupted into a fit of giggles that rang like chimes in the gentle breeze. Katrina couldn't help but laugh too, her heart swelling at the sight. There was something magnetic about Charles when he played with the little girl, a softness that contrasted sharply with the adrenaline-fueled world of Formula 1.

"Again, again!" Vera squealed, her tiny hands clapping in delight.

"Alright, hold on tight!" he grinned, lifting her once more.

Katrina settled into a nearby lounge chair, watching the scene unfold. There was a twinge in her chest, an unfamiliar yearning that both excited and frightened her. Baby fever, she thought, a term she had laughed off in the past. She never expected that she would one day be yearning for her very own child but watching Charles with Vera, the way he tossed her around like she was the most precious thing in the world, made her pulse race.

"Hey, want to give it a try?" Charles called over, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Not today, I'm not quite ready for flight school," she replied, pretending to shudder.

"Oh come on! It's fun! Just think of it as a warm-up for the real thing," he teased, a playful smirk dancing on his lips.

Her cheeks heated at the implication. The real thing? She swallowed hard, pushing away thoughts of toddlers and cribs. In that instant, she can already imagine Charles and her running around the house, chasing after their children. She shook her head to get that image out. They were still in the early stages of their relationship, and she wasn't ready to steer the conversation in that direction. 

Just then, Max strolled out, wiping his hands on a towel. "What's going on here?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as he took in the sight of Charles holding Vera aloft.

"Just giving Vera her afternoon flight!" Charles replied proudly.

Max chuckled, shaking his head. "You're going to make her think she's a superhero. But you know, she might just end up expecting the same from you on race day."

"Hey, I can be a superhero too! I just need a cape," Charles joked, setting Vera down gently.

"Or a helmet," Katrina chimed in, her laughter bubbling up.

"Now that's a good idea! Maybe I should wear one during races. Safety first!" he said, winking at her.

As the afternoon wore on, Charles and Max started to play with Vera, tossing her a soft ball. Katrina leaned back, her thoughts drifting. Could she really want a family? She loved the freedom of her new life, the spontaneity. But then again... the thought of sharing that life with Charles, of creating something together, felt intoxicating.

"Hey, are you okay?" Max's voice pulled her from her reverie.

"Uh, yeah, why?"

"You seemed a bit... lost in thought."

Katrina forced a smile. "Just enjoying the view."

"Right. Just make sure you don't get too lost. Charles might take it as a cue to start juggling babies," he said with a smirk, glancing over at Charles who was now attempting to balance Vera on his knee.