Forever and Always | Max Verstappen *ੈ✩‧₊˚

The folder

Present day

Emma
It all came rushing back—every moment, every fight, every tear, every kiss.

Every piece of us.

I must've zoned out because I suddenly felt Max's hands on my arms, shaking me gently.

"Emma? Emma, what's wrong? Are you okay? Talk to me, please," he said, his voice panicked.

"I...I remember," I finally whispered, my voice trembling.

He froze. "What?"

"My memories," I said,"Max, I remember everything. It's all back."

For a second, he just stood there, staring at me like he didn't quite understand.

Like he didn't want to hope too much.

"You remember?" he repeated, his voice breaking slightly.

I nodded, tears already spilling down my cheeks.

"I remember everything, Max. Us. I remember it all."

Max pulled back just enough to look at me, his face a mix of disbelief and pure, unfiltered joy.

"You—you remember?" His voice cracked, his hands still holding my face as if I might disappear if he let go.

I nodded, tears streaming down my cheeks as I laughed through them. "I remember everything, Max. Oh my God, I remember it all."

His laugh was shaky, almost disbelieving. "Emma, are you serious? Everything?"

His forehead pressed against mine as his eyes searched mine for any hint of doubt.

"Everything," I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion. "The day we met, the way you used to bring me coffee with way too much sugar because you knew I loved it. The way you looked at me on our wedding day. All of it, Max. I remember."

He let out a breath that sounded like a sob, pulling me into his arms so tightly I thought he might crush me.

We were both laughing and crying, completely wrapped up in each other.

Max picked me up, spinning me around like we were the only two people in the world.

"This is the best day of my life," he said, his voice breaking with emotion. "You don't even understand."

I kissed him then, unable to hold back any longer.

It was fierce, desperate, like I was trying to make up for all the time we'd lost.

His hands cupped my face, his thumbs brushing away my tears as his lips moved against mine, and for a moment, it felt like nothing could touch us.

I buried my face in his chest, letting the memories and emotions wash over me.

"I didn't know it would be this simple. I didn't know I just had to hear you say it. That you love me. That's all it took."

He leaned back just enough to look at me, his hands framing my face, his thumb brushing away my tears. "I never stopped, Emma. Not for a second. I love you more than anything. And if saying it a thousand more times will keep you with me, then I'll say it every day for the rest of my life."

I laughed through the tears, "God, Max...I'm so sorry for forgetting. For leaving. For—"

"No," he cut me off, shaking his head. "You don't apologize for anything. You went through hell, and you survived. That's all that matters to me."

But then it hit me.

The kiss faltered, my hands slipping from his shoulders as my body stiffened.