Driving Me Crazy

Epilogue

4 years later

Charles

Following the podium interviews at the Miami Grand Prix, I give Katana a kiss before making my way to the podium celebration. On my way there, I run into the two McLaren boys who finish in second and third behind me. "Everything ready to go?" I ask Lando as he steps onto the second-place podium. "Everything is all set, just give Danny the signal when you're ready," Lando replies. Ever since I met Katana, most people have seen this race as a home race of sorts for me. I still have zero luck when it comes to Monaco, but I have yet to lose a Miami race since I gained a human good luck charm named Katana Riley.

After they play the Monaco national anthem, they hand us champagne and I give Danny the signal. He pops his champagne like normal and I slip behind the wall where nobody can see me. Danny rushes around the corner, getting the officials to grab Katana and say that something is wrong. She has yet to trust me on a podium since Barcelona, 4 years ago, so we got creative about getting her up here. I can hear her bombarding the officials with questions as they rush up the stairs, but she gives me the dirtiest look when she realizes that I'm okay. Putting my hands up, I walk toward her and say, "I surrender. I promise you're safe. I just want to celebrate your home race with you on the top." She looks concerned, but she agrees and follows me onto the podium. The crowd cheers as I help her step onto the top step and that's when Lando hands me the microphone.

"Alright, I know this is moving slower than a normal podium, however, I just wanted to thank the woman who brings me luck every time we race here. I met Katana Riley here shortly after I nearly hit her with my car. She has yet to let that go, but at least she hasn't let me go. She yelled at me, pushed me away, and quite literally made me beg for her attention. I can't say that I regret any of it. She has been here since I met her, despite her not wanting to be. Even through the tough times together, she supported me. I couldn't have asked for a better bully, best friend, and girlfriend. Katana Riley," I say, dropping my body to one knee as she brings her hands up to her mouth. Her eyes start to shimmer as she holds the tears back, waiting for me to finish. "While your name is beautiful on its own, would you do me the honor of taking mine? Will you marry me?" I finally ask.

The crowd goes wild as she shakes her head up and down and lets me make my way up to her before pulling me into a deep kiss. I pull her head into my chest and hold her there, taking in the moment. Just as I signal the boys to spray the champagne, she reaches for the microphone, causing them to stop.

Katana

I reach out for the microphone that Charles was holding because if he's taking this moment to announce things, it's my turn as well. Words spill out of my mouth as I reminisce about the panic that I felt yesterday morning when a simple test made my life that much more complicated. "Since we're announcing things, I guess it's my turn. Charles, you have been the bane of my existence since we met," I say, breathing deeply, trying not to vomit for the fourth time today. "You invaded my life, you caused so much drama, and inevitably, you won me over. I love you more than I thought I ever could. You showed me what true family is and I never want to give that up. I will gladly take your last name, but only if I get it before our child," I say.

The crowd gasps behind us and Charles's eyes go wide, waiting for me to continue on. There is a smile slowly growing on his face as he realizes what I'm about to say. I can see the excitement building in his eyes, causing me to tear up at his happiness. I can't believe what I'm about to say as I smile at him, a tear falling from my eye when I say, "Which means we have to get married pretty soon because I'm pregnant!" I drop the microphone away as Charles looks at me saying, "Are you serious? I'm so happy!" He picks me up and swings me around before his eyes go wide with concern when he says, "Oh god, that won't hurt the baby right? I'm so sorry!" I laugh at his panic and comfort him by saying, "We're not as fragile as you think, we will be fine as long as you stay out of the driver's seat around us. Your driving cannot be trusted, Mr. Leclerc." He smiles brightly and says lustfully, "I'm seriously in love with you, Katana Leclerc," and pulls me in for a deep kiss. His hands cup my face, holding me in place as if I might still try to run from him. Luckily, I know that won't happen ever again because I am in deep.

Lando and Danny look like proud uncles behind us, but that is until Lando jumps off the podium and slams his bottle into the ground, spraying Charles and me as we hold each other. Daniel follows suit, spraying us and celebrating with the rest of the crowd. They're refraining from spraying my face this time, causing me to thank the lord for being pregnant for a reason I didn't think I would be thankful for.

Looking around, I see two of my best friends and the love of my life, surrounded by people who love us together. Looking back, I never would have seen this coming, but I have never been happier in my life. My cheap, dingy apartment with the only view being a giant billboard ended up bringing me to my future husband. Thank you, 3B.