Chapter Text
Max is ready for the new season to start even if you wouldn’t guess it by the way he looks right now. He’s not showered in two days and his shirt is undoubtedly stained. EJ is sprawled over his chest and the twins are finally asleep in the bassinet next to his bed. Max can never get himself to put them in their nursery. With EJ he fell asleep in the chair in his nursery most nights just to be sure EJ didn’t wake up his ex throughout the night. She hated that. Max is exhausted, but that has been his default setting since EJ was born.
Over the past few months since his relationship blew up everyone had in some way told him that being a single parent was going to be hard. The unsolicited advice pissed Max off to no end as if he didn’t know how to take care of his own sons.
His mother and sister had even offered to take the boys so he could focus on his career. To Max it had felt a little like even they didn’t think he could do this. All the more reason to prove he could.
So Max had stopped asking for advice and he’d managed quite well. At least he figured he had, as his boys seemed happy most of the time. He still felt a little raw from crying earlier but if you can’t beat them join them or something like that.
Eventually Max falls asleep from pure exhaustion. If he gets a few hours of sleep it’s a miracle. He makes it through most of their day unscathed, he even manages to take a shower while the boys are down for a nap. The only hiccup is the tantrum EJ throws, because, “no sweetheart, the cats really can’t come on the plane to New York with us”.
Max never minded flying until he had to do it with 3 kids. Luckily, he doesn’t pay his pilots to ask questions and they both have kids themselves so they understand.
The team is understanding and tolerant even when EJ races around backstage. Max laughs when Daniel starts running after EJ and catches him. “How is my godson?”, Daniel kisses EJ’s cheek with a big grin. EJ smiles big and tells Daniel how daddy was a bit mean today and the cats are lonely. Max chooses to focus on the twins instead.
No one minds watching the kids while Max is on stage, but Max just wants to get this over with as soon as possible and go back home.
~~~
Testing turns out not that different from last year. While Max is in the car the kids are in his driver’s room with Brad. Max is grateful for his trainer, who is actually one of the very few people who haven’t told Max that being a single parent is hard in some way. Brad doesn’t mind and he has a wife and kids so at least the ‘kids’ part he understands.
~~~
Max drives up to Mick for his birthday a day early. Mick offered up one of the guest bedrooms for Max and the boys. Max was reluctant but EJ seemed excited and some time with his friends might be good.
The car is packed and right now all of them are finally asleep. Max focuses on the road, driving did always calm his mind. He pulls into the driveway and his best friends are already running towards the car.
Max parks and gets out. Mick and Jack wrap him in a tight hug, but EJ immediately let’s out a protest from the backseat. Mick jumps into action and tries to untangle the belt of EJ’s car seat but he’s failing so Max sighs and does it himself.
EJ makes grabby hands up at Mick giggling happily kicking his feet, “unle Micki!”, he squeals. Mick picks him up and lets the toddler babble to him, while Max fusses over the twins and getting their bassinet re-attached to the base of the stroller. Jack offers a hand unloading his luggage.
It’s a little chaotic, getting inside and setting his things up in the guest room, but when are things not chaotic, with a toddler and two babies under one.
Max let’s out a soft sigh as he finally sits down, the twins in his arms. EJ clambers up the couch and snuggles into Max’s side.
Corinna smiles at him softly and winks before turning to Mick and Gina, “when is it my turn? I want cute grandbabies”. It makes them all laugh.
It’s good to be here and Max is glad he came. He’s a little bit surprised by the arrival of Esteban Ocon just before dinner, but he never really sees or speaks to him outside of casual hello’s on race weekends.
Max has figured out a system that works perfectly, he can feed the twins at the same time while keeping an eye on EJ to make sure his cheeky toddler eats his veggies.
It’s not perfect though so when Esteban ends up next to EJ at the table and convinces his fussy 3-year-old to eat beans, which is a fight Max usually loses, he doesn’t say anything.
After dinner, Max goes upstairs to put down his now sleeping twins in the room. EJ pouts but promises he’ll be good and wait at the stairs.
Esteban spots the toddler he was sitting next to at dinner pouting by the stairs. The boy is clutching a lion to his chest. “Hey bud? What’s up?”, he says softly sitting down on the stairs next to him.
Big ocean blue eyes peak at him from over the lion plushie’s mane, “twins bedtime. I wait for daddy. Not wake babies. Miss daddy”. Esteban smiles softly, “I’m sure your daddy will be right back. I’m Esteban”. EJ nods, “am EJ. You unle Mickie friend. My brothers is Mickie too like unle Mickie and Jackie, like unle Jack!”
Esteban smiles because he knew Max had named his sons after Mick and Jack, but somehow, he hadn’t connected the dots in his mind. This is Max’s son.
Esteban is about to say something when the stairs creak. EJ’s eyes shoot up, “daddy!”, EJ sticks up his arms and the lion he was holding comes tumbling down but Esteban catches it as he gets up. Max picks EJ up and swings him onto his hip in one swift motion. “Everything okay?”, he kisses EJ’s forehead.
Something about the action touches Esteban’s heart. It’s a softness to Max that should surprise him more, but it doesn’t. It intrigues him.
EJ nods, “Esseban new friend”, EJ sticks one hand out towards him and Esteban smiles. He lets the lion’s paw boop against EJ’s hand. EJ laughs and squeals bouncing a little on Max’s hip.
“So, bedtime? Or am I forgetting something?”, Max grins at his son. EJ freezes, “daddy! Am not baby! And want iceseam!”. Max laughs softly, “oh silly daddy. Let’s go ask if Uncle Mick’s mama has ice cream for you”.
Max knows there is because he is the one who brought ice-cream lollies for EJ. But he lets him ask Corinna anyway and he bounces excitedly as she gets him one.
They return to living with coffees, EJ excitedly eating his ice cream. Max strategically holds a bowl under EJ’s hands.
Esteban trailed behind Max following him and making silly faces with the lion at EJ. Now he sits next Max and EJ grins. The toddler drops his ice cream into the bowl for a moment and wiggles himself comfortably between them before attacking his ice cream again.
Esteban can’t stop watching Max and EJ with a soft smile. This Max is a striking difference from the calm calculated Max, he knows on the race track, it’s not even comparable to the young hot-headed driver Max was years ago, but that was a whole failed relationship and three kids ago, so what does Esteban really know? Right now, what matters is the comfortable light conversation that they all fall into, a mix of English, German and French, and the bouncy toddler that curls into Esteban’s lap holding his lion close once he’s done with his ice cream.
Max wants to reach over and take EJ, but Este stops his hand gently, “It’s okay with me”. Max nods, lowering his hand and reaching for his coffee.
A soft smile plays on Max’s lips. Esteban smiles down at the toddler in his lap, “comfy buddy?”. EJ peeks up at him and nods, “am”. The small boy lets out a yawn that waves through his small body.
Este settles his arms around him, tucking him a little closer to his chest.
Max doesn’t know how he feels about the way EJ snuggles against Esteban. But his son seems happy so why not. EJ is fast asleep as Max catches up with his friends. Tomorrow will be a hectic day with an actual big party and way more guests. Max still isn’t looking forward to that. But this, he could do this more often.
He carefully picks EJ and the lion of Esteban’s chest, when they decide it is time for bed. The smile Max gives him, makes Esteban’s heart do all kinds of flips. He ignores it and smiles back.
Esteban stares up at the ceiling in his guest room. It takes almost everything he has not to cross the hallway and knock on Max’s door. Somewhere around 3 am he gave up on trying to deny his crush on Max and when he does that he eventually falls asleep daring to dream about a future as Max’s partner.
In the morning, EJ darts out of the room before Max can shout at him to be careful, carrying both twins he rushes after him only to find Esteban lifting his son up high. “EJ I don’t think daddy likes it when you run near stairs”, he sets EJ on his hip and winks at Max, “I’ll carry you down. Want to sit with me for breakfast?”.
EJ looks at Max, “whatever you want, it’s okay to say no”. EJ nods, “with Estie!”. Esteban grins and blushes a bit at his newly earned nickname. He winks at Max and feels ridiculous for winking twice in such a short amount of time so he walks down the stairs, his focus on EJ.
Max ignores it, denies Esteban even did that. He’s a single father with 3 kids under 3. He has other things to worry about. As if to affirm the thought Mickie and Jackie both let out a few unhappy whines. It means Max has about 5 minutes before the wailing starts to prepare them their bottles. Max is pulled back into action, down the stairs and into the kitchen.
To his surprise, Esteban is already heating two bottles up.
“Mick was trying, but then EJ said he was doing it wrong, so I asked EJ to tell me how to do it”, Esteban smiles at Max softly. “We have 5 minutes before they start to be a bit more demanding”, Max lets out, rocking the twins slightly.
If Max’s mind wasn’t preoccupied with keeping his twins from crying their little lungs out, he’d notice how easily Esteban carries EJ on his hip, working one handed. He’d also notice EJ has a sippy cup with juice, but he’s too busy. Max feels uneasy in the unfamiliar kitchen where Esteban looks like he does this in this kitchen every morning.
Esteban sets EJ down and takes Jackie from Max. Max nods at him with a soft smile. Esteban smiles back as he hands Max one of the bottles, after checking if it’s not too hot on his wrist.
Together they walk to the table and sit on either side of the high chair Corinna got from the attic especially for EJ. Mickie and Jackie are happily drinking their milk and EJ with Esteban’s hand guiding him climbs into his chair. “Crisis averted”, Max laughs softly, “I usually don’t make it within the few minutes before they start screaming”. Esteban smiles at him softly.
The moment is gone before they can say anything else. Everyone starts pouring in for breakfast, setting the table, talking. Esteban keeps feeling the warmth of Max and his sons. Jackie giggles happily in his arms and he can’t help but smile and coo every time he looks down at the boy.
As the day progresses more guests pour in and it seems with every person that arrives EJ grows more quiet. Mick seems a little stressed when Angie whines at the door. Max is trying to stop the twins from crying after Angie barked at the doorbell.
Esteban quickly picks up EJ, “hey Max, we could walk Angie for Mick, right? Some fresh air will be good for the kids too”. Esteban sees the relief on Max’s face as he nods. Mick is already handing Esteban Angie’s lead, “she knows the way home, if you get lost”. Esteban nods and smiles softly, “we got this”.
Max tucks the twins in their stroller and Esteban makes sure EJ can’t get cold. Max shoots a few looks his way to make sure he’s doing it right and to his surprise Esteban does it exactly like Max would have.
Outside Max walks behind the stroller, the twins fall asleep within the first five minutes while Esteban runs ahead with EJ and Angie. Eventually Max catches up to Esteban casually strolling, EJ tucked closely in his arms. “He’s not good with crowds”, Max says softly.
Esteban nods, “so we went on a walk”. Max nods, “yeah, we have our routine at home. He loves the harbour in Monaco”. EJ nods enthusiastically, “boats are cool!”. Esteban grins, “they sure are bud”. EJ snuggles in, yawning a little. They walk the rest of the way in comfortable silence.
Esteban clicks Angie off her lead before he kicks off his muddy shoes and gently takes EJ’s boots off without waking him, something Max has never managed before. Maybe it was all the new impressions that had exhausted EJ.
Max probably should have felt the same protectiveness he always does when he’s not holding his own kid but something about how naturally Esteban was handling this calms Max’s mind.
Max kicks off his own shoes and carefully picks up the twins' carrier part of the stroller. It’s easier to carry them this way. Esteban waits for him, smiling softly. Max nods softly, “nap time”. Esteban smirks, “us? Or them?”, his voice quiet. Max suppresses a laugh. He carries the twins up the stairs and into the room. Esteban follows close.
Max changes the twins one by one and tucks them in the cot. He smiles as the two boys curl into each other as soon as they are next to each other again. Esteban watches Max. Esteban sits on the edge of the bed, gently rocking the toddler to his chest. Max smiles at him, “he needs a change too”. Esteban stands up carefully. “Oh, we can do that. Sleeping in jeans is very uncomfy”, he lays EJ down on the makeshift changing table that is an old desk. Max just nods as Esteban starts undressing EJ. It’s nice to not have to be instructing Esteban, Max thinks as he puts a nappy in Esteban’s hand.
Max tucks EJ into the bed when he’s in comfy PJs. Esteban waits by the door as Max makes sure the baby monitor is on. “You have cute kids Max”, Esteban smiles softly as they walk downstairs, “EJ has your eyes”. Max smiles and if Esteban didn’t know better, he’d say Max was blushing.
They reach the bottom of the stairs and Max pulls out his phone, “want to see the baby monitor app? It's great that it just streams to my phone and it notifies me when there is noise”. Esteban smiles, “oh that’s awesome”. Max shows him and Esteban grins, “yeah, absolutely adorable”. Max laughs softly.
Every time Max starts feeling awkward Esteban somehow manages to jump in. He doesn’t catch Esteban staring at him or the playful shove Lance gives him as he whispers, “oh, Estie thinks Max is a dilf”. Esteban rolls his eyes. He wants to throw something back but Max pulls his phone out and practically runs to the stairs so Esteban pushes past Lance, going after Max.
By the time, Esteban reached the top of the stairs Max is already bouncing EJ on his hip and closing the door again quietly. EJ grins at him as he put a finger to his lips. Esteban supresses a laugh and walks downstairs. Max follows after him with EJ. “He whispered to the camera. I taught him that”. Max says softly as he takes the final steps. Esteban can’t help the hand he reaches out as Max wobbles slightly. They both ignore the hand resting on Max’s waist as EJ clutches a fist in Esteban’s shirt. “Such a smart boy, aren’t you, EJ?”, Esteban smiles softly at the toddler. EJ nods and snuggles closer to Max letting go of Esteban.
When the twins wake up no one needs a baby monitor. Max sees how Corinna is bouncing EJ in her lap and hopes he doesn’t realise Max is gone. Max feels someone follow him on the stairs. He doesn’t have to look back to know it’s Esteban. Each with a baby they walk downstairs again. Max is surprised at how Mickie stops crying instantly. No one besides himself usually has that effect.
He doesn’t have time to think about it. His mind is focused on bottles and getting downstairs before EJ notices.
EJ is still in Corrina’s lap babbling to her. It’s sweet and reminds Max of his own mother. He hopes Mick and Gina have kids someday, but for now she can play bonus grandma to his son. Esteban smiles softly, “bottles? Same as this morning?”. Max grins and nods, following Esteban into the kitchen.
Each with one baby making two bottles is definitely easier. Jackie fusses first and Max actually manages to shush him before his brother joins in. Esteban hands him one of the bottles with a soft smile. They have a silent conversation, unspoken trust between them as they walk back to the living room.
EJ giggles and clambers out of Corinna’s lap only to climb in Max’s. He kisses Jackie’s cheek and grins at Max, “Estie Bestie!”, he exclaims before leaning over and sprawling over both their laps.
Esteban laughs, “all right, which one of you idiots taught him that?”. Mick and Jack laugh and point at Lance at the same time. Lance shrugs and winks. Max is too focused on Jackie to notice.
Esteban just shakes his head and focuses on the baby in his arms. He watches Max burp Jackie and before he can think he’s pulling the cloth out of Max’s pocket to catch the spit up just in time.
Max flashes him a grateful smile. He forgets that more often than not; the pile of laundry in his apartment is filled with evidence of that.
Esteban folds it in and drapes the cloth over his own shoulder before burping Mickie. They are locked in a safe little bubble while the conversation around them whirls on.
Max gets bored pretty quickly after dinner as alcohol starts flowing. Unless he’s fussing over his boys or over his car, he always feels a little handicapped.
He stands awkwardly in a corner and the next time he checks on the boys he decides to just turn in too.
At 5 am, Max is praying EJ can stay in bed while he makes bottles for the twins. They’d been fussing and it had been a long night. All those strangers and noise and travel beds were taking a toll, as expected. It’s what usually happens on race weekends as well.
Max is feeding the twins at the kitchen table watching EJ sleep with his phone propped up against a vase. The toddler has spent the majority of the night asking Max where Estie Bestie was.
Max is focused on the twins for just a second when a sound comes from his phone. EJ is climbing out of bed and looking around. Max knows the boy hates waking up without him, “daddy?”, his small voice wobbles a bit as he leans into the baby phone. Max can’t get up right now, already balancing the twins and their bottles. He hates it and it breaks his heart as EJ lets out a sob. “Daddy will be right there”, he says, even though EJ can’t hear him.
Max beats himself up for not feeding the twins upstairs in the room, but just as Max is about to try to get up anyway the door cracks open. EJ gets swooped up and Lion gets grabbed from the bed. He hears a soft voice receding and then quick steps coming closer. Este sits down next to him.
Max expects judgment, a snide comment but Esteban just smiles at him, “morning”.
EJ is frowning at Max, his cheek pressed against Esteban’s chest and lion clutched close. Max smiles softly at his son, “I’m sorry EJ. I had to feed your little brothers”. EJ lets out a big huff, “I know daddy”. Esteban rubs EJ’s back and they sit in silence long after Max has burped the twins. EJ is snuggling close to Esteban and breaks the silence when hears someone coming down the stairs, “daddy? When home? Miss Jimmy Sassy”. It comes out as a whine. Max nods, “we’ll pack up and go home after breakfast sweetheart”. EJ nods, “Kay daddy. Estie too?”. Esteban strokes some hair of his forehead, “I will go home but to my own house. I have a cat too”. EJ perks up a bit and grins at him, “tell more please”.
Max relaxes as the potential crisis is averted as EJ listens to Esteban talk about his cat. It’s quiet over breakfast seeing as most of the people who stayed over were too drunk to make it home last night.
Packing is easier than Max expected mainly because Esteban is entertaining his toddler. Esteban even helps Max get everything into his car. Max hugs his best friends close and Corinna and Gina too while Esteban sets EJ in his car seat. Mick mumbles something about always being there for him in his ear as they hug and Max smiles at him softly, “I know, Mick, Danke”.
Esteban grins at Max, “EJ promised me he’ll be good if I send you pictures of my cat when I’m home”. Max laughs, “thank you”. He gets in the car and drives off. As soon as he’s on the open road his boys are fast asleep. He snaps a picture of them in their beds when he gets home and sends it to Esteban, ‘those cat pics better be sent before he wakes up, or I’ll have a riot on my hands’.
A few minutes later Esteban texts back ‘adorable! They are the cutest kids! I’ve just parked. Pics soon’. Another few minutes later Max receives several pictures, including a selfie of Esteban holding up his cat. It makes Max smile. He replies ‘thank you’ leaving it in the middle, not even sure what he’s thanking Esteban for.