Work Text:
The photos were already posted on their socials.
And in a matter of seconds both phones were buzzing. Comments, messages and some calls from friends, extended family, fans, sponsors and even brands congratulating them.
They both let their phones buzz, the screen facing the table as they look at each other, Leo excitedly wagging his tail and zooming around their feet.
Love, adoration, devotion, a glint of guilt and disappointment in their gazes.
Saying all and nothing at the same time.
Loving could be painful, they said.
Yet one dared to advise them about how hurtful hiding could be.
Carefully, Charles took Alex's hand, kissing the ring he just gave her, turning up to look at her, as the woman's face couldn't hide her excitement and fondness of the moment.
Of their engagement.
However, they still missed something.
Or rather, someone.
Alex smiled at him sweetly, her cheeks reddened a bit as she wiped a tear from her eye with the free hand. — Cari... They're waiting.
The Monegasque just flashed a smile at her, a little one that hid more than what they let the world know.
— Then let's get going, chérie. We don't want them to wait any longer, do we?.
— Of course not, silly —. She took a final look at their endroit, engraving in her mind what just happened. Then she swiftly kneeled to take Leo, the dachshund too excited by how he was wagging and barking. — Let's go, mon chouchou, your siblings and papa are waiting for us.
As they walked off the phones kept receiving message after message, being tagged in different posts and videos, people were happy for them.
Still, they couldn't care less.
They have a family waiting for them.
§
The apartment was quiet when they came in, Leo running towards the other dachshund that was dozing off on one of the couches as two lean figures gazed at them from their high place near the window.
Alex took her heels off, leaving them near the door as she walked around, shaking her head with calm exhaustion as she turned off the computer set that was still on. Meanwhile, Charles was in the kitchen looking at whatever was left in the oven and fridge, smiling widely as if he found a treasure when he took the two plates of filet mignon and started to reheat them.
— He even makes us dinner, Alex!.
— He knows if you try to cook we will need to change apartments, Char.
— Rude.
They giggled, finally reheating three plates and taking them to the bedroom. Their steps were slow, careful and premeditated, trying to stay quiet as they entered the master bedroom, only for them to find one of the cutest images of their lives.
There. In the middle of their bed Max was sprawling, Lily tucked in one of his arms as they both slept soundly while Charles snapped a photo of them, saying under his breath how cute they looked. Alexandra ushered him to go and change to something comfortable as she went to the ensuite to remove her make-up and put in some pajamas. Still she lingered a bit in the doorway to watch how in peace the Dutchman looked with their girl making soft noises in her sleep.
In the quiet of the night, Alex demanded to herself how much Lily has grown since they brought her from the hospital, how she's day by day looking a bit more like Max, with little hints of her own DNA in the baby's doings.
Oh... The nostalgia is hitting hard today, it seems.
She didn't waste any minute more. Quickly taking her earrings, dress and make up, only her ring stayed in the same place as she took one of her pajamas and did her night skin care. It took maybe twenty minutes or more for Alex to exit the ensuite, searching for her partners who were nowhere to be found in their bedroom as Lily was now sleeping in her crib near the bed.
She wandered around the bedroom, finally going to the door and calling to the hallway. — Charlie? Maxie?.
— In the kitchen, liefje.
Alex walked there, being welcomed by the smell of the reheated meal they had brought to the bedroom now streaming on the counter. She first kissed Max, the blonde man still looking half asleep but he returned the kiss, lingering a bit into the touch. When she turned she was received by a kiss on her temple by Charles, who was already in a pair of sweatpants and a shirt that had seen better days.
They all look cozy.
Comfortable.
At home.
Alexandra smiled, taking a seat as she took a bite of the meat, making a few satisfied sounds as the flavor settled in her palate. Maybe the food was more normal than what they three are used to in their events or outings, but it tasted like home. A warm welcome to something that they secure and vigilate, not wanting any intruder to break the peace it took them to make.
— It's delicious, gracias Maxie.
— No need to thank me, God knows what will happen if we let Charles cook.
They both laughed as said man gasped.
— Excuse you? I have to tell you, I'm an incredible cook, that video of pasta was an outlier.
— Whatever you said, mon cœur.
The heavy Dutch accent in pronouncing French made Alexandra laugh as Charles signaled Max with his fork, with no malice intent behind his smirk.
— You stop slaughtering my language, Max.
— You slaughtered first the Spanish language, mr. Jamón Icónico.
Alex's comeback made both men look at her and laugh, Max wiping a tear as he continued to giggle while Charles looked between shocked and funny.
— It was a competition! Which I won, merci, and you have said my Spanish is getting better, Lex.
— Have I said that ¿Eh, vida mía?.
Max, still laughing, shook his head in her direction. — Not at all. You must be hearing voices, schatje, maybe you had a concussion last race.
— How dare you accuse me? —. Ever the dramatic, Charles put his hand on his chest, but his stance and voice were still light as they tried not to wake Lily. — I gave you both a ring and put my heart into you, and this is what I receive? Unacceptable.
Alex continued to laugh as Max just showed his hand, no ring in sight.
— You put a ring on Alex's finger, not mine. I think you should wear your glasses more often, Charles.
Then, the mood changed, not into something uncomfortable or sad, but it left a slight wave of uncertainty as the conversation continued.
Charles raised a brow, a grin appearing on his lips as his dimples were on display. — You sure about that, mon ange?.
The blond man looked lost. — Well, of course. Not that I'm complaining, we all knew what we were getting into when we got together.
This time Alex was the one who giggled as she got up and went to the living room, Max giving her a questioning look while Charles kept his grin. She came back a minute or so after, carrying Donut in her arms as the cat just looked around from his comfortable place.
She placed the cat in Max arms giving him a quick peck on the forehead before re taking her seat, the Dutchman quickly cradling Donut as he meows. — Here, take him, amor.
— What was that for?.
Not being able to contain themselves, both Charles continued.
— Mon amour, je suis désolé, bu-.
Max cut him mid speech, his mind racing as where could this conversation go.
— You're both scaring me, what is this about?.
Alex hushed him, her smile not fading, her hand finding a place on his knee. — Shhh, let him speak, Maxie.
Charles cleared his throat and kept his speech. — Mon amour, nous sommes désolés... Maybe it's not the best time, we should have worked this out earlier, but you should pay more attention to Donut.
— What?.
Looking at the cat in his arms he turned to grab him in front of his arms, the feline body stretching vertically as Max took a closer look. Everything was in place, what the hell was Charles talking about. Still, he noticed something when Donut meowed again, a slight and thin chain that could be hidden in his fluff and folds. His hands quickly took it.
He felt himself get out of breath as he took the little collar from Donut and released him, the cat returning to his little bed.
A simple collar.
Engraved.
Just like the one-
"Papa and mama want to propose".
He might have gasped.
And maybe he covered his mouth with his hands when the words settled on him.
Max looked up, tears already forming in his eyes as he looked at Charles and Alexandra. The woman warmly smiling at him too, with tears already rolling down her cheeks, Charles already on one knee as he did a few hours before, in his hands a delicate box with a ring on it, this one had tiny diamonds engraved on it, different from the ring that adorned Alex's elegant fingers.
Yet, still an engagement ring.
— Oh, love...
His voice was filled with emotions, trying hard for his voice not to crack.
— Mon amour, désolé. We know we want the three of us to be able to go out and not be scared of people knowing our relationship. Of what they might do to us or our careers or Lily. We know we will have a hell of a journey when Lily grows up and starts telling the world she has two dads and a mom. We know our situation is far from normal. But...
Charles' voice wavered a bit as the emotions of the moment got to him, so Alex continued for him, still looking so lovestruck as that day in Monaco when they worked on their feelings and they finally got together.
— But we want it all, amor. The laughs, tears, championships, losses, dates, hiding. Everything. We want everything you're willing to give us as long as you want us beside you.
Max was out of words.
This wasn't like any engagement he saw.
Hell, it's probably far from what he and Charles prepared for Alex.
But it felt theirs.
Only for their eyes.
For their little family.
Alex in her pajamas, without make-up and her hair in a low ponytail. Charles with sweats and a random shirt that probably was from his time in Alfa Romeo with his glasses on and hair tousled. Not to mention his own appearance, some RedBull shirt, loose shorts and bedhair.
Yet he couldn’t want it in any other way.
They nestled in their little corner in Monaco, with their pets looking at them from their places and Lily sleeping in the other room as the three of them just looked so in love with each other.
— Would you be our husband, Max?.
— Yes!.
He didn’t even hesitate. It was a no mind question, one that Alexandra had already answered hours ago when she said that she would love to be Charles and Max’s wife. The Dutchman finally let his tears fall as he was embraced by his two partne- Fiancés.
He was being hugged by his fiancés.
Oh mijn God, he's engaged.
He’s engaged to Charles Leclerc –his once rival and biggest crush of adolescence– and Alexandra Saint-Mleux –the most gentle, caring, intelligent and gorgeous woman on earth–.
How in the hell did he hit this jackpot?.
He then felt the kisses from them, making him smile. Alex kissing his cheeks rapidly while giggling as Charles slid the ring on his finger and turned to kiss them both on the mouth.
— Mes amours…
— Mis amores…
— My loves…
This was heaven.
Theirs.
§
The photo they posted in their close friends and private accounts said it all.
Max and Alex’s hands covering Charles’ chest while showcasing their rings, their head resting over the Monegasque’s shoulders as he smiled widely.
The caption was short but direct.
Mr., Mr. & Mrs. Leclerc.
This time their phones didn't go crazy with the overbearing amount of comments, reposts, messages and calls.
Yet the love they have received said a lot of who they wanted in their ceremony, in their lives.
《— Of course is Charles who proposes, he must win in some way.》
《— The rings OMG, I see what you did there Charles.》
《— Someone look at the Netherlands’ news, I think Jos just fainted lol.》
《— Imagine being Lily Leclerc-Saint-Mleux-Verstappen.》
《— If I’m not groomsmen of honor I’ll send a cassoway to haunt you.》
《— YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES.》
Yes, their safe haven on earth.