Starting Again (A Charles Leclerc Fic)

044 : leo leclerc-hale

This is the second update today. MAX VERSTAPPEN JUST BECAME A FOUR TIME WORLD CHAMPION AND CHARLES IS P4 👏👏👏

Charles leaned against the balcony railing of Katrina's apartment, the aroma of freshly baked croissants wafting in from the oven. He watched the boats bobbing in the harbor, an endless maze of luxury that mirrored the chaos of his thoughts.

Katrina emerged from the kitchen, a mug of steaming coffee in hand. "penny for your thoughts" she said, her tone teasing but warm. She settled next to him, her shoulder brushing against his.

"I'm just thinking," he replied, absently running a hand through his tousled hair. "About the future. You know, kids and stuff."

Katrina's eyes widened, laughter bubbling to the surface. "You mean to tell me that the great Charles Leclerc is thinking about diaper changes and midnight feedings? What's next? A baby nursery in Ferrari red?"

Charles chuckled, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. "As long as you're there to help with the nursery, I might just consider it." He glanced down at her, his expression shifting to something more earnest. "But seriously, I can't shake this feeling. After you mentioned it last week and then spending more time with Vera, I just... I can see it. Us, a family. Sometimes I see myself imagining myself in Max' position"

"With little Leclercs running around?" she teased, her smile fading into something softer. "What names do you have in mind? Jules? Karina? Oh, I love that one!"

He laughed again, the tension in his shoulders easing. "And Herve and Serena. It's a solid list, right?"

"Very solid. It looked like I'll be pregnant for a while if you want to have many kids" she agreed, a dreamy look in her eyes. "But let's not get ahead of ourselves. You were right,  we've only just started dating. It might be a bit much to drop baby names at this stage."

"True," he conceded, glancing away as he tried to ground himself. "But it's hard not to think about it. Believe me when I say I want to have children with you but I want to be there every step of the way. I want to be there for you and for our kids but racing takes me away so often. I don't want to miss important moments in their lives."

"I know bebe, you're still at the peak of your career, Charles. You can't just throw it all away for a family right now. But I do understand the desire. I feel it too otherwise I wouldn't have mentioned it to you first" she admitted, biting her lip. "One day, perhaps? Just... not today."

"Then what do we do? Wait until I'm done racing?" He sighed, frustration creeping into his voice. "That could be years. I don't see myself stopping anytime soon bebe"

Katrina placed her hand over his, her touch grounding him. "What if we start small? A dog, maybe? Something to care for together without the whole... baby pressure?"

"A dog?" He raised an eyebrow, an amused smile creeping back. "You think that's going to fulfill this baby fever that by the way you started" he asked making both of them laugh. It was true that Katrina was the first to have baby fever. As much as Charles loved Katrina, having kids of his own haven't crossed his mind yet. Not even when he's babysitting his friends' babies or just recently when he was spending more time with Max, Mavi and Vera. It was only when Katrina mentioned having their own kids that Charles started having this thoughts and once it started, he can't seem to stop. Katrina on the other hand understood where Charles' priority lies at the moment and she supported that. 

"Hey, a puppy could be the perfect practice! And they're a lot less work than a baby. Plus, they come with unconditional love. I mean, have you seen how excited Vera gets when she sees Jimmy and Sassy? It's adorable."