Valentino's introduction to the Moto series hadn't been as easy as he thought it would be. In his first season he would only finnish in ninth place, however he returned the next year with the experience on his back, eventually shooting him to the top of the class, gifting him the victory and confidence to move up in the CC ranks.

Again he struggled with the heavier 250cc, but sleepless nights working with his team, he was granted the title during his second season in the series.

In the small town they lived, a forty minute drive from Florence, Valentino could still walk out on the streets and no one would pay him any further attention, he liked it this way, private time with his family, with Alessia, who kept on supporting him every step of the way.

When it was announced that next season he would be moving up to the premier class MotoGP, Alessia had been the first one to jump in his arms to congratulate him.

"Vale this is amazing!" She shouted, wiping away her tears of joy.

"Papa" Little Esmeralda beamed.

By now she was a 3 year old troublemaker. He lifted her up in his arms, making her jidder with laughter as he began tossing her into the air.

"Champion, champion!" He chanted.

"Vale we need to celebrate," Said Alessia. " I say we plan a day in Florence tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

Valentino puts Esmeralda back down after tossing her up in the air once again.

"Yeah?"

"Lessy I just got the call, they want me in Spain for a press release."

Alessia's expression withers. "When?"

Valentino scratches the back of his head, "Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow! You just got back from traveling two days ago, the season is over."

"I know but this is the last one then I'll have a real break, I promise."

"Promise is a big word Valentino." She mumbles.

Usually she would have held her tongue, however it had been another long season for Valentino and as much as she enjoyed watching him race on TV, she missed his presence at home. Esmeralda had grown older, it had been tougher on Alessia to raise a child all alone.

"I'm sorry, I'll make it up to you." Valentino moves to stroke her cheek and for a second she leans into it, then she moves away, pretending to have a sudden interest in the dusty window seal.

"It's not about making it up to me Vale, you haven't done anything wrong."

"Then what is it about?"

Valentino trails her steps slowly, not wanting her avoiding his gaze again.

"I dunno Vale?" She continues dusting the window seal with her hand, "We miss you." She said, almost inaudibly.

"Hey?" He nudges her arm.

Alessia's eyes widen, only now does she discover how close they are, his body heat sending her all sorts of vibrations. Her eyes fall on the wooden floorboards.

"Look at me." He whispers.

Her chin rises but her eyes wander over his shoulder, she looks to Esmeralda who is playing peacefully on the floor. When he brings his hand to her chin she yields.

"I'll make it up to you, you hear me?"

Slowly she nods. Her back presses against the wall as the couple seals the promise with a passionate kiss.

The very next day, there was a loud knock on their door, Alessia had to get out of bed to get Esmeralda who woke up crying in her bedroom. When she returned, Esmeralda on her hip, Valenitno had opened the door to a short and chubby man, with a rat-like expression. The man's posture fell as he bent over in order to support himself, arms on his knees, desperately gasped for air.

"Vale go put on some clothes." Alessia hissed, Valentino had gone to open the door only in his boxers. He waved for her not to worry, the man wasn't exactly a guest of honor.

"Where is the fucking elevator!" The man huffed. Climbing those stairs looked to be the most exercise he had done in a long time.

"Alessia this is Uccio, Uccio, this is Alessia and this...." Valentino gestures for Alessia to pass him Esmeralda. "....Is my daughter." Valentino holds Esmeraldas hand like a puppet, "Say hey Uccio."

Alessia clears her throat in order to get some attention.

"Uccio is my friend, I've worked with him since two years back."

Alessia nods, pretending to be interested.

"I like the term personal assistant." Uccio collects himself and stretches his hand out for Alessia to greet. She does so with raised eyebrows.

"I've heard great things about you." He smiles.

"You have?" She frowns.

"Of course, Vale talks about you guys all the time, the first time we met he showed me the picture he keeps on him during every Grand Prix."

"What picture?" Alessia asks, looking at Valentino, who's cheeks have begun to blossom.

"Some picture of you and the baby. Is it alright if I use your bathroom?"

Of course." She says and points the direction, however her thoughts are elsewhere.

Alessia waits for the sound of the bathroom door shutting before approaching Valentino. "You have a picture of us?" Alessia smiles. Her arms go to wrap around his naked torso, his lean body warming her chin.

Valentino smirks, tucking hair behind her ear, "Yeah, the one of you helping Esmeralda blow out the candle on her first birthday cake."

"You never told me that before."

"Well I thought since you guys aren't able to give me any good luck kisses before the races, I should keep a photo for good luck instead."

Alessia pouts her lips, "I can give you a kiss right now."

Valentino chuckles but leans in to peck her lips.

"Mama" Esmeralda says, jumping in his arms.

"Oh, do you also want a kiss?"

When the men settle down around the kitchen table, Alessia goes to pour them coffee.

"So, the press conference starts at 3pm, then we'll have the night shoot at seven, finishing at eleven."

"At night?" Valentino frowns.

"You're a star now champ." Uccio chuckles. "Then we gotta go to Milan for the signing and the night after that is when we'll have dinner with the new sponsors." Uccio flips some pages in a notebook he has got placed in front of him. Curiously Alessia hovers over his shoulder, unfortunately Uccio's handwriting is sloppy, making it impossible for her to read.

"Did Sophia call you about the charity event?"

"Karting with the children?"

"Exactly, we'll squeeze that in the day after the team meeting."

Alessia's head is spinning just overhearing Uccio and Vale's conversation, she can't put it into a timeframe. "Spain, Milan, dinner with The sponsors, Vale, for how long will you be gone exactly?" Her voice is firm.

Valenitno looks to Uccio who is already calculating, "About two to three weeks."

"Two to three weeks! Vale you promised to have a real break." Coffee spills as Alessia slams the can on the table, marching towards their bedroom, slamming the door behind her.