Corrode - [Charles Leclerc]

𝙏𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙞

Joanne woke up slowly the next morning. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and she turned to her other side to see if Charles had woken up as well. The other side of the bed was empty, also the boys were out of bed already. She sat up slightly and if she concentrated good enough, she heard the shower running in the bathroom. She assumed Charles had sent the boys back to their rooms so she could rest a little longer. Joanne looked at the alarmclock on his nightstand and it showed her that it was well past nine in the morning. She hadn't slept in for quite a while. The curtains were slightly opened and she could see that the sun was shining outside. Joanne pulled the sheets up to her chin, resting her head comfortably on the soft pillows again. She looked at the tree and its branches that softly swayed in the wind, some of the autumn coloured leaves falling down. She felt a bit numb as she stared at the light of the day that shone through the curtains. She was zoning out into the image and she didn't notice that Charles came from the bathroom until he sat down on the bed.

"You're awake". Charles hummed, his hand reaching out to caress her face. She nodded. "How are you feeling?". He asked. "In my head. I'm feeling like I'm in my head". Joanne replied. "But I'll be fine". She said next. "My throat is less sore". Charles looked at her and moved his fingertips over the bruises that remained on her neck. "What about you?". She sat up now, pushing the sheets away to have more space. "Muscle aches everywhere". Charles chuckled. She looked at his shirtless body as he was only dressed in some sweats, a new bondage wrapped around his waist. "The specialist who removed the bullet said I need a lot of rest. I planned that we could go to my mansion in Amalfi, to get away from here and to rest, with each other". He said, moving her hair away from her neck and he brushed it over her shoulder. "I think that would be good for us, nice for the boys to have a holiday and get distracted. For you to rest while you carry our baby". Charles continued, his thumb swiping over her chin. "To get away for a bit". She repeated and nodded, it sounded good.

"Sebastian called me this morning". Charles started again. "He handled everything. The school is going to be rebuild and they are tracking down the Gabriel's guards who escaped and didn't want to wave the white flag yet. The children from the school have an option to transfer to another school if the parents want that for them". He explained and it made Joanne feel relieved, that Sebastian had though about everything, including the children and their education when they were ready to return. "How come didn't you need to speak to the police or some kind of officers?". Joanne asked and he chuckled lowly. "We are our own police in Monte Carlo. They don't interfere". Charles shrugged. "I see". Joanne replied. "It's horrible and great at the same time". She let out a soft laugh and Charles nodded. "The boys were up after seven, so I send them back to their room so you could sleep a little longer. We have some time to look at how I can adopt Liam when we're in Amalfi. I suggest we're going to pack our bags throughout the week and leave this Sunday". He continued. "Okay". Joanne answered, sighing softly. "Are you hungry?". Charles asked next.

"A little". Joanne smiled. "I'll ask the kitchen staff to prepare something". Charles said, leaning towards her to press a kiss to her lips. "Maybe someone else is hungry". Charles hummed, his hands moving to her baby bump as he looked down. It was clearly growing and she's looking so beautiful. "I think she is". Joanne giggled, his touch felt warm and she looked at him as he slowly moved her nightgown upwards and he leaned further down to kiss her stomach. She watched him as he peppered soft kisses all over her skin and it made her feel warm inside. Charles took her hands in his as he sat up again and he looked into her eyes. "I'll go downstairs already. I have a few things to discuss with Pierre, as he will take my place when we leave for a small amount of time". Joanne nodded. "Of course". She said and his thumbs moved over her knuckles. "Okay". He said then and he kissed her lips again before he moved off the bed and plucked a sweater from his closet before he headed downstairs. Joanne shuffled forward to sit on the edge of the bed, closing her cami around her body again.