Double Sided Tracks

Street name in Maranello

When they got to the hospital, Angela handed him a change of clothes and reminded him that Nora's stomach was probably sensitive and the last thing she needed was Lewis smelling like a mixture of sweat and champagne.

"Thanks,"

Angela waved him, "I'm going back home, I'll stop by tonight." She said, Lewis nodded. He quickly found a bathroom and changed out of his damp suit, shoving it carelessly into the tote bag.

He held his breath when he came into the room, the light dimmed and he could smell a strong disinfectant scent. "Hey, baby.." he greeted softly when he noticed Nora was asleep.

He took it all in. The smell, the sight, the coldness of the room. Nora was asleep, one hand folded under her chin and the other was cradling the side of her small bump.

He remembered she "popped" by the time she hit 20 weeks with Isa, baby bump so visible one morning it rewired his brain. Nora woke him up at 4 AM after using the bathroom to tell him that something was wrong with her bump. Lewis jolted out of bed then, scared shitless.

"Do you feel pain? Which side—"

"No, it's just tight." She said, arms holding onto Lewis' wrists, worry was visible on her face.

Lewis turned on their bedside lamp, slightly squinting when the brightness hit. When he noticed, his palms immediately found each side of her bump. "Oh my god baby, you popped."

And it was so surreal. Like a sure confirmation that their baby was there, Isa was there.

Now Lewis had to really look to even notice the small swell of her stomach, it's hardly a bump. She could be just not popped yet, or maybe it's the fact that their baby is severely underweight.

All the IV lines and wire monitors on her are a harsh reminder that she is actively trying to save their baby. He hates how small and fragile she looked, swallowed by the thick duvet that Carmen must've gotten from home.

He gently sat down on the chair set beside her, afraid to wake her up. Before he could even set his elbows on the small space beside her, she woke up and reached for his shoulder. "Hi sweetheart," he greeted softly.

Her eyes are still closed though she has a thin smile on. He kissed the inside of her wrist, mindful of the IV line but his smile dropped when he noticed the bruises around where her IV is planted.

"Hi Lew,"

He ignored her for a moment, "does this hurt? It's bruised." He asked, gently lifting up her arm so she could see what he was talking about. 

"Ah— it's from all the blood draws, I think." She said softly.

Lewis furrowed his eyebrows, told himself he'll ask one of the nurses if they hit a nerve or something. "Okay,"

"Congratulations winner," she said all of a sudden, smile getting bigger. She cupped his jaw, her thumb rubbing his skin softly. "I'm so proud of you."

Lewis leaned in and kissed her softly, wanting to talk about the fact that he's not happy with her telling Angela to "let him celebrate". Her and their baby comes first, racing always second. He had it all fucked and wrong but he wants her to know that he's putting racing second, now.

He was about to open his mouth but noticed she's falling asleep again, so he let her. Growing a baby can't be an easy job.

He kissed her softly and unlocked his phone, so many texts to go through. He replied to their family first, then informed Carmen that he made it to the hospital and will stop by tomorrow to pick up Isa so he can see his mom.