Love, Monaco

00.37

A/N More banane Charles :) + HSM nostalgia

I wake up first the day of our one year anniversary, i'm smiling sleepily letting the sun wash over me when Charles' arm finds its way around me. "Bonne anniversaire mon amour" he murmurs  while bringing me to his chest, "wow déja une année" I reply while placing a gentle hand on his arm. He kisses my shoulder softly making me giggle, "la plus bonne année" I smile and then an idea comes to mind so I slide out of his arms. I hop into some joggers and throw on a hoodie before sliding my feet into some flip flops, "come on Char, we have somewhere to be" I exclaim trying to get the Monégasque out of bed. He groans but I pout knowing that it will make him cave, "okay okay" I smile and watch him get up and throw on some clothes before I take his hand to drag him out of the apartment. Making sure to take my wallet on the way out.

When I pull Charles into the café we both know very well he smiles. "Back to where it all started" I say while squeezing his hand, he looks down at me before pressing his lips to mine for a few seconds, "parfait" he murmurs when he pulls away. I nod and skip to the counter with a grin on my face, I order our usuals and Charles steps in to pay, "nope it's on me" I tell him, he opens his mouth to object, "do you have your wallet?" I ask cutting him off. He pats his pockets and his eyebrows raise in surprise, "not so fun is it" I add and turn back to the girl to pay for our coffees. Once I've paid we walk to the other end of the counter to wait for our drinks, "tu as planifier ça" Charles murmurs into my ear, "peut-être" I reply with a smile, he laughs and kisses my head, "je t'aime tellement Della" I smile and he wraps his arms around me so I lean back into his chest while smiling, "je t'aime Charles". We wait in silence and then leave the café when our drinks are ready, going back to the apartment to make some breakfast.

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We end up on the Leclerc family boat a few hours later, i'm in my favourite swimsuit laying back letting the sunlight wash over my skin while Charles drives the boat. My eyes are closed as I relax, breathing in the salty air while the sound of the waves almost lull me to sleep. "Mon amour" Charles murmurs making me hum and slowly open my eyes, he smiles down at me so I take his hand to pull him to sit next to me. That's when I notice that we're just floating in open water, "wait did I actually fall asleep?" I ask the Monégasque while sitting up straighter, "for a bit" he replies. "Am I sunburned, I swear I didn't mean to sleep" Charles chuckles and pulls me into his side, "c'est okay Della, il n'y avait rien de voir" I smile up at him, "ça c'est vrai je vois tous ce que je veus maintenant" he lowers his head to press a soft kiss to my lips, my hand resting on the smooth skin of his chest, nothing on my mind other than him and this moment we're sharing together.

Once we've returned to land we go back to the apartment with plans to go out to a fancy restaurant. I put on my nicest dress and Charles puts on a nicely tailored suit. We venture out to the restaurant feeling like we're in our own little bubble. I let Charles order for me trusting him with the decision that would take me twice as long to make. "Je t'aime" I say while we wait for our food, my arms on the nicely set table while I lean forward, "je t'aime Del" the Ferrari driver replies while placing his hands on mine, before rotating them to interlace our fingers. I tug him towards me slightly to be able to press a quick kiss to his lips, when I lean back again he smiles lovingly at me, "t'est la plus bonne chose dans mon vie" he murmurs making me smile. He opens his mouth again as of to say something but then shakes his head and shuts it, I look at him curiously, "what is it?" he shrugs, "I just had a question but I'll ask it later" I nod not sure if I should be worried, but I try to forget so that I can enjoy the anniversary dinner.

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After a long day of just enjoying each others company, I convince Charles to play F1 telling him that i'll finally be able to beat him at the game. He agrees to play so I run to the gaming room once I've changed and get him to set me up on the sim racing chair before he takes the regular computer set up. I'm practically bouncing in my seat excited to play, I don't notice Charles' adoring gaze on me while I select the right venue and race settings. My teeth sink into my bottom lip as the lights start to go on one at a time before finally going out, my focus goes solely to the game not knowing what the Monégasque has planned.

A couple of laps later I drive past the checkered flag in first, I throw my arms in the air with a huge smile on my face, "I did it!" I squeal and turn towards Charles. When I see him down on one knee holding up at ring I gasp and bring my hands up over my mouth. "Della, I know it's only been a year, but you've changed my life, I've never felt this way about anyone after such a short amount of time, I don't want to be without you. Donc Della Lechâteau veux-tu m'épouser?" I look down at the Monégasque who is looking at me nervously, my thoughts are swirling out of control as I try to process the proposal. "Char" I begin, his expression crumbles at my tone and he starts to get up, but I keep him in place with my hands. "I love you with all of my heart, but we have so much more to learn about not only each other but also life in general" I explain hoping that he understands, his gaze locks with mine and I see all of his emotions in the one look, "so it's a no?" he asks sadly, "for now it's a no, but ask me in a few more years and it will be a yes" I reply. He sighs and it tugs at my heartstrings, "please understand that I'm always going to be yours, but I just want more time with you without the added pressure of marriage, let's have some fun first and then we can annoy the crap out of people by being the best husband and wife on the grid" I add which gets a laugh out of the Ferrari driver as he stands up again. He tugs me up to my feet, after some struggling to get out of the racing seat, I giggle when he is able to pull me to his chest for a hug. "Je comprend mon amour, je peut attendre" I smile and close my eyes when he kisses my head, "merci Char, j'apprécie tous que tu fait pour moi" he lifts me off my feet with ease and carries me to our room so that we can end the day intertwined with each other.

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Translations:

Bonne anniversaire mon amour - happy anniversary my love

wow déja une année - wow already one year

la plus bonne année - the best year

tu as planifier ça - you planned this

peut-être - maybe

c'est okay Della, il n'y avait rien de voir - it's okay Della, there was nothing to see

ça c'est vrai je vois tous ce que je veus maintenant - that's true, I'm seeing all that I want right now

Donc Della Lechâteau veux-tu m'épouser - So Della Lechâteau will you marry me?

Je comprend mon amour, je peut attendre - I understand my love, I can wait

merci Char, j'apprécie tous que tu fait pour moi - thanks Char, I appreciate all that you do for me