Forever and Always | Max Verstappen *ੈ✩‧₊˚

Epilogue 3 - You're the best

Hayley was gurgling on the changing table while Max crouched down beside her, putting on the tiniest diaper I'd ever seen.

He was talking to her like she was a fully functioning adult, and it was impossible not to laugh at how serious he was being about the whole thing.

"Alright, Miss Hayley," he started, carefully fastening the tabs, "we've had this talk before, but I'm going to need you to say 'Dada' today. It's not hard—just Da. Da. See? Easy."

She kicked her little legs, totally uninterested, her chubby fists waving in the air.

"Look," Max continued, his tone getting more playful, "if you don't try, I'm just going to tell your mommy you said it anyway. So, it's really in your best interest to work with me here."

I was in the middle of zipping up my dress when I heard him.

"Are you bribing our daughter, Max?" I called out, trying not to laugh.

"I would never," he replied, straightening up and turning toward me with a mock look of offense. "I'm just... giving her the motivation she needs to achieve greatness."

I rolled my eyes and stepped into the room, fully dressed now.

It was my first Grand Prix back after maternity leave, and Hayley's first Grand Prix ever.

I was nervous but excited, and seeing Max so relaxed—and ridiculously goofy—helped settle my nerves.

"How do I look?" I asked, smoothing my dress nervously.

Max turned to me, Hayley still lying on the changing table, and his face softened.

He stepped closer, wrapping an arm around my waist as his other hand rested on the table to keep Hayley secure.

"You look beautiful," he said simply, his voice warm and sincere.

I smiled, leaning into him just slightly as I whispered back, "Thank you."

Hayley cooed behind us, breaking the moment, and I reached over to pick her up.

"Okay, where are her clothes? I left them on the bed earlier."

Max hesitated, his grin widening in a way that immediately made me suspicious.

"Max. Where are they?"

"I can't give them to you," he said.

"Why not?" I asked, narrowing my eyes as I adjusted Hayley in my arms.

"Because Christian called dibs," he replied.

"What?"

" Christian said she's wearing Red Bull merch to the track until she's 18. It's non-negotiable. I'm just following orders."

I laughed, "She's six months old. I'm not dressing her like a walking sponsorship deal."

Max shrugged, "Too late. I already put it out. You wouldn't want to disappoint Christian, would you? He's very sensitive about these things."

"Max, she has a perfectly adorable outfit that I already picked out—"

"She looks adorable in Red Bull gear," he interrupted.

"We're not starting this now," I shot back.

"You're right," he said, stepping closer to Hayley and tapping her little nose. "We're starting this now."

We bickered for a few minutes, Hayley caught in the middle of our lighthearted battle.

Eventually, Max wore me down with his ridiculous arguments about "brand loyalty" and "starting her early," and I gave in.