[age of 6]
written by fleur
Mandolin016

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

The school year in Monaco had ended a month and a half ago, and Charlotte was eager to finally take Morgane to her first race since 2019. This was going to be a tough race for Charles, given the sixth anniversary of Jules' death was approaching. His girlfriend could only hope that bringing Morgane along would make him feel a little better.

Morgane had insisted on packing her small suitcase for the trip all by herself a week before. She was so excited. Charles had even promised to show her his car up close on race day. Of course Charlotte had let her pack her own bag, but she checked it after to make sure the little girl had packed the correct clothing. When it came time to board the plane, she held Morgane's hand as they excitedly skipped down the runway to Ferrari's private jet that was picking them up from Nice. The six year old ran up the tall steps to the plane. "Charles!" She screamed when she saw her godfather. Charles picked Morgane up and twirled her around. She giggled as Charles set her down. "Ma fleur!  Je suis tellement excité que vous soyez ici!  Tu m'as manqué!" "Tu m'as manqué aussi Charles!" She responded. Charles led her to her seat next to him, and gave Charlotte a kiss when she boarded next. "Carlos, Isa" Charles said in English to the couple sitting across the aisle from him, "You know my girlfriend Charlotte." Charlotte greeted them before sitting in her seat across from Morgane. "And this is my goddaughter Morgane, she is Jules' daughter." Morgane looked at Charles confused. All she could pull from the sentence was her name and that of her father. "Voici Carlos et Isa.  Carlos est mon coéquipier.  Dis bonjour." The Ferrari driver told her. "Bonjour. Mon nom est Carlos.  Ravi de vous rencontrer." Carlos said in broken French, waving to the little girl. "Bonjour Carlos.  Je suis Morgane." She looked at Isa, Carlos' girlfriend. "Bonjour Isa. Tu es très jolie." Isa smiled at her then looked at Charles. "What did she say?" She whispered. "She said that you are very pretty." Isa grinned. "Please tell her I said thank you, Charles. And that she is a very beautiful little girl."

Whether he wanted to admit it or not, Saturday was a very hard day for Charles. Sure he had finished p4 in the sprint race, but he couldn't ignore that today was July 17. It had been six years since Jules died. Charles sent Camille a quick text when he got up in the morning saying he was thinking about her and that Morgane was having a great time during her first trip to England. He even sent her a picture of her daughter doing a cartwheel on the Silverstone Circuit and a video of her waving to her maman. He didn't get a response, but he knew that Camille was in a tough place mentally. Her daughter, meanwhile, was blissfully unaware of the day's significance. Charles had breakfast in the Ferrari motor home at the track with Charlotte, Morgane, and his trainer Andrea. It was noticeable in the atmosphere that everyone who knew Jules felt sad today. As Charles was picking at his porridge, Morgane asked "Why are you sad today Charles?" Charlotte set her spoon down. "Ma fleur, today is a hard day because we lost your papa on this day." Morgane looked down at the table solemnly, then back up at Charles across from her. "How did he die?" She asked. The three adults at the table looked at her shocked. Morgane of course knew that Jules was dead, but she had never been told how he died. She never asked and Charles always thought that she would just worry about him if she found out. Luckily, Pierre came to wish Charles luck for the race, interrupting and ending the awkward  conversation.

It was Sunday: Race Day. Morgane was beyond excited. Charles was starting p4 on the grid, so he very well could come home with a podium. As she was getting older, the young girl had learned the ins-and-outs of Formula One. She didn't know everything of course, but she was definitely more knowledgeable than any casual fan. Charles had kissed her and Charlotte goodbye before he went to the grid. Morgane and Charlotte went to sit at the back of the Ferrari garage with Isa, whom Morgane was quick to show her Ferrari shirt and red nails, hair bows, and shoes. She even had a matching sparkly red mask.

The formation lap went off without a hitch and Charles lined up in the p4 spot on the grid. Morgane gripped Charlotte's hand tightly as the five red lights went out. Charles sped through the starting line and trailed a dueling Max and Lewis in front of him. On the ninth turn, which Morgane remembered from the Thursday track walk was called Copse, Max and Lewis collided sending Max's Red Bull car flying into the barrier. There was a collective gasp in the entire paddock as everyone witnessed the 51g impact. Charlotte instinctively pulled Morgane closer to her. "Look!" The six year old called out, pointing to the screen in the garage as Charles passed Lewis and took the lead. The Ferrari team broke out in cheers; their driver was leading a race at last. As the safety car corralled the on-track drivers into position, and led them back to the pit lane, Morgane pulled on Charlotte's hand. "Is he ok?" She asked, referring to Max. "Yes, I'm sure." Charlotte responded. In truth, Max had only just now gotten out of his wrecked car and he seemed to be unsteady.

As the 19 remaining drivers pulled their cars into the pit lane for the 15 minute red flag, Morgane let go of Charlotte's grasp and ran to the opening of the garage. Charlotte quickly chased after her, fearful that the little girl would get into the way of one of the cars. Instead, Morgane ran all the way to Charles' car, pushing aside mechanics and engineers, and watched him get out. Charles took his red helmet off and walked through the crowd surrounding his car. He spotted his goddaughter at the side of the pit lane. "Que fais-tu ici? C'est dangereux pour toi d'être si près des voitures!" (What are you doing here? It is dangerous for you near the cars!) He said, grabbing her hand and leading her to his girlfriend who was quickly coming to retrieve her. "Laisse moi rester avec toi!" (I want to stay here!) Morgane begged. "Non! Tu iras avec Charlotte!" (No! You are going with Charlotte!) Charles said as he led her away from the pit lane. In all honesty, he was not in the mood for this. The stress was on him for being in the lead and he knew the engine was beginning to cut. The last thing he needed was a wild six year old running around the pit lane getting him in trouble or getting herself hurt. "Non!" Morgane screamed, pulling on Charles' arm. Oh God, Charles thought,  not now. Please not now. "Tu as dit que je pouvais voir la voiture!" (You said I could see the car!) Morgane screamed, stomping her feet. Charlotte quickly came up and pried her away before she could make more of a scene, and practically dragged her back to the garage. The little girl had woken up early this morning and Charlotte could only guess that her embarrassing little outburst was caused by not getting enough sleep. Luckily, by the time the green flag was waved, Morgane had regained her composure. Charlotte held her breath as Charles once again took the lead. Her and Morgane watched as Charles held his position, increasing the gap between himself and the other cars. The moral in the Ferrari garage was high, but it began to drop when Charles began mentioning the engine cuts almost every lap. Morgane couldn't understand what was happening, having no knowledge of English, but she knew it was one thing bad as she observed the faces around her. She fiddled with her fingers, watching Lewis draw closer and closer to the red car in front. She gripped Charlotte's hand tightly.

It was inevitable that despite the penalty, Lewis was going to catch up to Charles. It was nail-bitingly scary, the last few laps before it happened, as Morgane and Charlotte watched on the garage screens. It was an emotional rollercoaster. On lap 50, it happened. "Non!" Morgane cried. Charlotte, who herself was just as disappointed, crouched down to calm the girl. "Il peut encore obtenir la deuxième place chérie." (He can still get second place honey.) She said soothingly. Morgane once again stomped her feet. First she couldn't see the car, now Charles had lost the lead? This was ridiculous!

Charles, somehow even with engine cuts, managed to drag the Ferrari across the line to a p2 finish. The Ferrari garage burst into cheers and celebration. Morgane, still bitter that Charles had lost, clapped her hands excitedly. She knew he would get a podium this weekend! He was Charles, he was always amazing to her. The team and their guests ran from the garage to Parc Ferme. Charles climbed out of the car and ran to his team. He congratulated and thanked the mechanics and engineers who helped make the podium possible, before spotting Morgane and Charlotte in the crowd. He picked up his goddaughter and held her in his arms as he hugged his girlfriend. "You were amazing!" Charlotte told him. "You are the best ever Charles!" Morgane agreed. She lifted up the visor of his helmet with her little fingers and looked into his blue eyes. "Papa is proud of you Charles! I know it!" Charles nodded and set Morgane down on the ground. He snapped his visor closed, not wanting anyone to see the tears in his eyes.

Charles was led away to the podium, where he watched the British fans celebrating Lewis's win. He lifted his shiny new trophy in the air, and pointed at Morgane below, to the sky for Jules, and then back to the trophy. This is for you two. He thought, as the champagne flew around the podium. You made me a Ferrari driver, who I am today. And Charles Leclerc was so so grateful.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*