[3] MARANELLO || C. LECLERC

NINE

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CAMILLE

"Arthur!" I clapped my hands before opening my arms to allow Charles' younger brother to step into my embrace. He squeezed my body tightly and I could feel the smile lifting on his lips, before he chose to lift me off of the ground, into the air, spinning me round in the air which caused a giggle to elicit from my mouth. "Happy Christmas. I've missed you, I'm so glad we are able to celebrate together."

Charles and I arrived first at his family home, after waking up pretty early this morning. I couldn't sleep; I was so excited to see my parents that I tossed and turned from about five A.M., so desperate for Charles to wake up so that we could shower, together, before sharing our gifts with one another. With everybody arriving from ten thirty, we had an hour or so to spend with Charles' family alone, and I couldn't wait to catch up with them. It felt like an eternity since I'd last seen the boys and Pascale, but it made reuniting a little more fun because we always had so much to talk about. On top of that, I planned to tell everybody about my brand collaboration with Calvin Klein today, and I couldn't wait to see their reactions.

"I missed you so much," Arthur continued to hold me in his arms and I giggled, my hands firmly wrapped around his biceps so that I didn't fall from his grip, whilst Charles rushed into the kitchen to greet his mum. "Lorenzo is just showering, so he'll be down soon, meaning you and I can talk for a little, privately."

"Sounds good to me," I smiled, as Arthur finally placed me onto the ground. I beckoned him to follow me into the kitchen. "Let me say hello to your mum, then I'm all yours."

I noticed Arthur's cheeks turning redder as the words fell out of my mouth and I smiled to myself. He followed behind me as I walked into the large kitchen, where brand new plates were sitting in the steaming dishwasher after being washed in preparation for today's meal. In total, there would be eleven of us dining together, meaning Pascale had a huge job on her hands, but of course, Mama, Papa and Sophie had offered to help, the three of them working in the kitchen whilst Charles, Dilara and I agreed to set the table. Arthur and Victoria planned to clear the table after dinner, whilst Max and Lorenzo loaded the dishwasher. It was a whole family affair, which was exactly what I loved about having such an extended family at Christmas time.

"Camille, ma chèrie! It's so lovely to see you," Pascale was quick to pull me into her arms, the scent of her sweet perfume filling my nostrils as it rested on the soft material of her clothes. "How have you been?"

"Pretty great," I nodded my head with a gentle smile, as Charles' mother took hold of my hands and gave them a soft squeeze. I loved Pascale and I thought she was a tremendously strong woman, in the same way I saw Charles and his brothers; despite all the loss, pain and emotion which they'd endured as a family, they were still so happy and cheery all of the time. I felt honoured to be part of such an amazing family. "How about you? I know I've not been down much. Everything has been so hectic, with the season finishing, my work, and our break in Isola."

"I'm doing well," Pascale nodded her head whilst a wide smile remained on her lips. Her eyes averted towards my left hand, more specifically, the engagement ring which wrapped around my ring finger. "Let me see your beautiful ring again! I can't believe Charles finally popped the question!"

"I know," I felt my cheeks growing hotter beneath the makeup I wore on my face, a smile resting on my lips as Arthur placed his chin on my shoulder. I could feel his eyes glaring at the sparkling band on my ring finger now, too. "I still can't get over it. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be marrying him."