Uncle Michael
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July 22, 1998 - Schumacher House
Far from the noise and sound of the racetracks, the atmosphere was more peaceful. At one month, it's certainly a little early, but Corinna announced that she was pregnant of the famous couple Schumacher's second child. The families being friends, the Verstappens had taken advantage of this summer day to spend it together in the Swiss house.
The air was sweet, charged with the scent of pine trees and the distant rustle of leaves shaken by a light breeze. On the terrace, Corinna and Sophie sat side by side sipping cold drinks while keeping their eyes on their children playing surrounded by colourful toys on the stone floor.
The little Schumacher, almost one and a half year old, was happily trotting around. Having fun pulling a few twigs of grass, throwing encouraging looks or bringing toys to the young Verstappen, who, seven months younger, swayed slightly, visibly jealous and still a little hesitant. He was content to follow her with a mix of fascination and envy, as if he carefully evaluated the technique before launching. From time to time, he was standing awkwardly in front of his mother, who could not help smiling at her son's persistence, his little hands clinging to everything he could find to keep balance, then fell back on his butt with a small upset noise.
"Look at him," said Corinna softly. "He already wants to walk."
Sophie smiled amused, but her mind was elsewhere.
"He grows up so fast... Like... Seriously, I haven't seen the last few months go by despite the fact that time with a baby seems endless." she laughs softly.
She took a deep breath, trying to chase away this strange sensation. For some time now she was feeling torn. There was of course the immense joy of being a mother, but also this deep fear, this visceral need to protect Max from the outside world. The child's father could very well go out to do his job and never come out of the car alive. Not to mention the incident of two months ago...
Corinna, sitting next to her, instinctively passed a hand on her belly, not yet rounded.
"It hurts to see your baby baby start becoming independent. Don't rush."
"Mostly I have this feeling of wanting to protect him, but I feel like I'm being selfish... It's just my child. A year ago, he was still in my belly, and the world already imagines him as a great pilot..."
Corinna looked at her gently.
"I guess, yes... It's sure that me, Gina being born as a girl, people put less pressure on her. But because it's sexist clichés, I don't know if I should be happy about it. And then even if she want to try karting...." She laughed a little, tenderly stroking her daughter's cheek as she passed by. "It won't be easy to reach your level!"
Sophie drew a smile, touched by the compliment, but her gaze remained distant. Corinna gently put a hand on her arm, a comforting gesture.
"You're not alone, you know."
They were turned upside down by a sound of footsteps. Jos had just reached the terrace. He was there, but elsewhere at the same time. Sophie felt her jaw clench as she smile.
Suddenly, a burst of laughter caught their attention. Michael had just joined the children, crouching to grab Max. He lifted it with a sure gesture, placing it on him as he sat down.
"Come see Uncle Michael. So, when's your dad gonna put you in a go-kart?" The champion said, looking at his friend.
"There's a good chance he'll come through sooner or later. But Sophie prefers to wait, so I respect her decision." Jos said, placing himself next to Sophie.
Michael nodded, understanding.
"Moms are always worried, but you'll see when he's there, you won't be able to get him off the go-kart."
A few meters away from them, Corinna had a sudden idea when she saw her daughter approaching them.
"Michael, take them in your arms."
Sophie felt her heart clench when her husband came to kiss her, but the moment was too beautiful for her to let it be spoiled by her thoughts. She watched Michael, smiling, his blond hair unchained by the summer breeze, holding Max as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Corinna, always with her hands on the bottom of her stomach, also smiled, a clear burst of love in her eyes. The laughter of the Ferrari driver resounded as he tried to keep the two little blondes balanced on his knees. Gina naturally settled against him, accustomed to the contact of her father, while Max, a little more hesitant, watched the lens with curiosity, still clutching his small plastic car.
"It would make a great picture," suggested Corinna.
Sophie grabbed the camera with an instinctive gesture and, for a split second, she forgot everything else, immortalizing this moment. There, before her, was an image she would keep forever.
A moment of innocence, a fragment of summer frozen in time.
She pressed the trigger.
And the photo was beautiful.
Gina was kicking her legs in excitement. Max, he was still watching, his grave look contrasting with his age. Then suddenly she gave him her lollipop, trying to put it in his mouth. Max grabbed the object with seriousness, but Corinna took it back, laughing saying that it was better to avoid exchanges of saliva.
"It hurts to see your baby grow up, huh..." Sophie murmured for herself.
Jos, beside her, took their son in his arms. She nodded softly.
"Don't rush, Max..." she whispered again, tenderly stroking her son's head.
Michael gently put his daughter down and stood up.
"Here, Jos. What do you think? Aren't they beautiful, our little ones?" he said with a smile, taking the camera from Sophie.
Jos glanced at Max and the picture, then shrugged.
Corinna then walked inside the house, thinking that at this hour, the littles ones might be hungry.
"Come on, we were going to put the table outside. We're going to eat in this beautiful light."
Everyone started moving, but Sophie felt a ball forming in her belly. She took a last look at the picture on the camera screen.
Michael step back, looked at Sophie, noticing her pensive look. He approached slightly, lowering his voice not to break the peaceful atmosphere of the afternoon.
"You look different since some times."
Sophie sketched a quick smile, one of those that we address when we want to reassure without really convincing.
"Just a little tired."
Michael crossed his arms, leaning against the terrace railing.
"Tired... or worried?"
"Oh... You already know it's about Jos. Clearly his custody change our behavior, but... Since Max was born, it's difficult to find time for just both of us. I love him... But why to it feel like something is wrong ?"
"Don't be afraid of him, he loves you too, I'm sure."
Sophie looked up at him, but before she could answer, Jos called her, ending their exchange.
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This chapter is fictional but is inspired by the photo where Michael holds Gina and Max in his arms.
The Schumachers and Verstappen spent a lot of holidays together, expect to see them from time to time:)
Okay... So at the end of this chapter there was a little spicy scene, not explicit, but well...
Just writing that Sophie is in love with Jos disgusts me, I don't know how to write their "happy" relationship. Tell me if you want me to update the chapter if the "reconciliation" of the couple Verstappen interest you..
In any case, Max is for now happy with his uncle Michael, that's all that matters, right?
No photo since this chapter is also in 1998 and there are not many!
Sorry for the wait... I was in vacation, i suddently decided to show up at school after more than 2 month of absence, and syndrome of the blank page with the hyperfixation... It's hard to keep control of my ideas.
See you soon, don't worry this won't take a lot of time, i hope...
Next chapter will have a new member in the verstappen family ♥