Charles had been away for just over three weeks now and it was the practice day of the Brazilian Grand Prix and the day of Emma and I's flight back home.
My time had been hugely occupied by studying and organising how we would make it over to Abu Dhabi after our meeting and exams.
Once we were all set, we locked up the apartment and made our usual journey to the train station and then to the airport. The flight was surprisingly quick and after collecting our luggage we met our parents at the arrival gates and went our separate ways home.
- -
Monday came and went rapidly after a weekend of study and Emma and I practically camped out at the library on Tuesday and Wednesday. We had the silly idea that the better we did in the exams, the more likely they were to let us continue and finish our degree in Monaco.
Thursday afternoon was a bittersweet feeling. We had finished our exams for the semester however the meeting tomorrow still hung over us like a dark cloud and weighed us down.
We decided to join our classmates for a few drinks after the exam was over as it was tradition and they were desperate to hear about our double lives in Monte Carlo. For once Em and I took it easy and headed back to my house after only two drinks, wanting to keep a clear head for tomorrow.
We were sat in my bed, watching a couple of Drive to Survive episodes with Jack desperate for cuddles from Emma as he hadn't seen her in so long.
"So go over the plan for tomorrow again so just it's fresh in my brain" Emma asked through a mouthful of popcorn
"So we have the meeting then straight to the airport, Glasgow to London then London to Abu Dhabi. It should get us there for Saturday afternoon" I replied, reading the itinerary off of my phone
"And you've got all the tickets?" She confirmed
"Yeah Max sent them over yesterday. I feel bad that he's paid for the flights"
"He's a two time world champion, he could pay for the whole bloody plane if he choose" Emma laughed
"True" I joined in with her laughter
- -
The next morning we woke early after a restless sleep thinking about the outcome of today's meeting and Jack kicking us both in his sleep. How do the smallest dogs take up the most space in the bed?
We both got ready and changed into our smart clothes that only get dragged out for oral exams and meetings. Our suitcases were packed in to my mum's car and she dropped us off outside the university.
"I'm just going to take a look around the shops so text me when you're out of the meeting and I'll come and pick you girls up" she told us
"Thank you" I replied hugging her
"I hope you get the outcome you want" she smiled teary eyed as she tucked a strand of hair behind my ear "as much as it'll pain me to not have you home, I just want you both to be happy"
"Aw don't get me started, when you cry, I cry" I laughed blinking back my tears
"Okay go" she laughed shaking her head and giving us both another quick hug before we headed inside
We let the secretary know we were here and took a seat outside of the Dean's office. I had to constantly wipe the palms of my hands on my trousers as my knee bounced up and down anxiously causing Emma to place her hand on it to stop
"Please stop" she laughed "you're distracting my zen"
"How are you so calm?" I asked in a whisper
"It is what it is" she shrugged "whatever will be, will be and we just deal with it as it comes"
"Words of wisdom from Emma Smith, that's a first" I laughed
Our heads then swivelled to the direction of the Dean's office door when we heard it click open
"Ah Miss Smith and Miss Walker, you're both here. Come in and we can do both of your meetings together" he smiled
My nerves settled slightly at his smile. He wouldn't smile if he was going to give us bad news, would he? Maybe he would? Maybe he's sadistic?
I shook my thoughts out of my head and followed Emma in to the office, taking a seat in front of his desk.
"So ladies, we've had quite a lot of contact with the university in Monaco and they are delighted with the calibre of you as students and how well you have incorporated into their cohort of students. And we understand that they have informed you they would like you to continue your studies there with our authorisation"
We both nodded in confirmation, unable to currently form words
"Looking at your practical performance at the university and speaking to our lecturers here about your participation in online lectures, they are of the same opinion as well. It seems that you have acclimatised well to the hybrid learning structure that logically there seems no need to impede this process"
All his academic jargon was going in one ear and out the other at this point. I just waited for the yay or nay as I looked on at him expectantly
"So as both universities are happy with your progress, we have accepted your request for an extension to the exchange and you can complete your degree in Monaco"
I immediately stood to shake his hand, Emma doing the same.
"Thank you so much for this opportunity. We really appreciate it" I smiled so widely my cheeks began to burn and we headed towards the door
"Oh sorry one last thing" he added "obviously rumours spread around the university and they may be just that but are you mingling with F1 drivers in Monaco?"
"Yes that rumour's true. In fact we're headed straight for Abu Dhabi just now" Emma laughed
"Ah I see" he nodded "I hope you don't think this is unprofessional, but would you be able to get an autograph from Sebastian Vettel? I'm a huge fan. Absolutely fine if not but I thought I'd ask"
"Of course Sir" we both smiled "We'll try our absolute best"
We both quickly scurried out of the office and down to the locker room to find a private area. As soon as we checked the coast was clear we hugged each other and started to jump around, squealing with happiness. I hurriedly text my mum and waited outside for her to arrive. Soon we were in the car, driving to the airport whilst letting my mum know the outcome of the meeting. She dropped us off and we said our goodbyes before checking our luggage in for our long journey
"Can we have a drink?" Emma asked
"No absolutely not, no drinking until we're on the plane to Abu Dhabi, we're not missing this flight because you got drunk and fell asleep" I laughed
And that soon came after we landed in London and shortly boarded our flight, thankful that Max had booked first class and had requested unlimited Champagne regardless of the outcome of the meeting
Emma had told Max straight away when we started planning our extension a few months ago however I didn't want to jinx it and get Charles' hopes up so at least I can now surprise him when we arrive.
- -
The plane touched down before qualifying was about to take place so Arthur arranged to come meet us and take us to the hotel with Charles and Max's room keys before he had to return to the track.
I took a quick shower to freshen up and got changed before Emma and I occupied ourselves by watching the last of the qualifying session and waited for the boys to return to the hotel.
I was sat in bed scrolling on my phone when the door opened and Charles walked in. I immediately raced over and jumped on him, wrapping myself around him and taking in his familiar scent
"Oh my god, I've missed you so much" I mumbled in to his shoulder, refusing to loosen my grip
"I've missed you too" he laughed, wrapping his arms around me as well
He caught me up on all the events of the past races in South America and I told him about the exams
"There's actually something else that I need to tell you. Ive been keeping it a secret because I didn't know how it would turn out" I confessed and his eyebrows scrunched together
"What's happened?" He asked concerned
"Well a few months ago Emma and I started a request for an extension to our exchange in Monaco and completing our final year there instead of going back to Glasgow. We heard back from Monaco a few weeks ago that they'd be happy to keep us and we had a meeting with our Dean yesterday to get the final outcome"
"And?" He interrupted impatiently
"And they've accepted it" I gleamed "we get to stay in Monaco until we finish"
"You're serious?" He asked
"100% deadly serious, you're stuck with me. I'm not going anywhere" I laughed as he tackled me to the bed in a hug and peppered me with kisses
"I love you Jennifer Walker" he smiled
"I love you Charles Marc Hervé Perceval Leclerc" I laughed back
- -
I woke up fully rested after a well needed sleep following a week of exams and a long day of travelling yesterday. Charles and I both got ready and headed to the track early. I actually spotted some spare Danke Seb tshirts and thought that would be the best gift for the Dean as a thank you so I spent an hour or two looking like a crazed fan getting autographs from all the drivers and tucked it away safely in my bag.
Emma and I also caught up with Rebecca, Carmen and Isa who we hadn't seen for so long. The clock ticked closer to the start of the race so I joined Arthur in the back of the Ferrari garage.
"What's this?" I asked pointing to the sticker on his paddock pass
"It's a secret" he pressed a finger to his lips
"I'm not an idiot Arthur" I laughed "did you get your seat for next year? Are you with DAMS?"
"It's being announced tomorrow so no blabbing" he warned and I pretended to zip my mouth shut
Soon Charles was ready and I gave him a kiss for good luck and he headed out for the starting grid.
We all watched on quietly as the tense battle between Charles and Checo for second in the race and the championship played out with Charles eventually taking P2. Pride filled me as Max, Charles and Checo did their celebratory donuts followed by Seb. I stood at the barrier patiently waiting for Charles to make his way over, the team letting us have our moment and a quick kiss before they all pulled him in for their hugs. He came back to me to steal another kiss before he had to head to the cool down room
"I love you" he smiled
"I love you more" I smiled back, completely content with life
jenwalker
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Forever proud my love ❤️ @charles_leclerc
~ Author's note ~
So everything worked out in the end ❤️
Jen and Emma get to stay in Monaco with their formula one boyfriends
Charles got P2
But more importantly they've got each other 😭
I'll do a couple more chapters about their future at different stages with no more drama, no more jealous exes, just love and friendships
Thank you so much for all the love and support on the story, you guys have been amazing!
I read every single one of the comments and love how involved you got with the story. I 100% would've stopped a long time ago if it wasn't for that so thank you ❤️
Love you all loads xoxoxox