Starting Again (A Charles Leclerc Fic)

046 : coming home (1)

The gentle lapping of waves against the hull of Charles's yacht created a serene backdrop, a stark contrast to the frenetic pace of the Formula One season that had just kicked off. Katrina leaned against the railing, her hair catching the soft breeze, her heart fluttering with excitement. It felt good to be home. The thrill of Formula 1 and all the travelling is really good but being home feels really different.

"Isn't it just perfect?" she said, glancing over her shoulder at Charles, who was busy adjusting the table settings for dinner. His brow furrowed in concentration, a stark contrast to the carefree atmosphere around them.

"Just don't spill the wine this time," he quipped, shooting her a playful grin. "I'm not cleaning that up again."

"Please," she laughed, the sound light and musical. "That was one time, and it was an accident!"

"An accident that left a mark on my favorite tablecloth," he replied, rolling his eyes dramatically.

"Are you still going on about that?" she teased, stepping closer. The boat rocked gently beneath their feet, a rhythmic sway that echoed the excitement bubbling within her. She loved these moments with him, the way they could slip into playful banter so easily, even when surrounded by family.

Charles leaned against the railing beside her, his shoulder brushing against hers. "Well, when you're a world-class driver, you learn to be particular about your gear," he teased, nudging her lightly.

"Worldclass driver, huh? I don't see Max anywhere" She smirked, arching an eyebrow. "What's that make me? A world-class disaster?"

He chuckled, the sound deep and genuine. "Only when it comes to my wine collection."

Laughter erupted from the back of the yacht, where Charles's family was gathered. Lorenzo was regaling a story about one of Charles' mishaps at the last F1 race, and Charlotte, his girlfriend, was playfully rolling her eyes, though she was clearly amused. Arthur and Ollie were deep in conversation, the younger boy's animated gestures punctuating his words. Pascale, their mother, stood nearby, her smile warm and proud.

"Hey, you two lovebirds!" Lorenzo called out, his voice booming over the laughter. "Are you going to join us, or are you too busy plotting how to embarrass Charles at dinner?"

Katrina turned to Charles, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "What do you think, should we?"

Charles sighed dramatically, feigning defeat. "I suppose I'll allow it, but only if you promise not to mention that time I crashed into the barriers."

"Only if you promise to tell them about the wine incident," she shot back, winking.

"Deal," he replied, the corners of his mouth lifting in a smile. Together, they walked towards the dining area, where a beautifully set table awaited them, adorned with fresh flowers and flickering candles that danced in the soft evening breeze.

As they settled into their seats, Ollie looked up, his eyes wide with curiosity. "So, Katrina, what's the most embarrassing thing you've ever done? You have to have a story, right?"

"Oh, I've got a few," she replied, glancing at Charles, who was already bracing himself. "But this one time during a concert, I tripped over my own feet and ended up sprawling on stage. Fans thought it was part of the act! I had to compose myself and pretend that everything is intentional even though it hurts and I wish the ground would just swallow me alive"

"Really?" Charlotte laughed, leaning forward. "Did you just roll with it?"

Katrina nodded, her cheeks warming at the memory. "I did! I got up and pretended to dance instead. The crowd loved it! Til this day, that was one of my most favorite performance"