Just A Quick Warning Before Reading, This Chapter Will Start With A Little Bit Of Angst, So Please Keep

Just a quick warning before reading, this chapter will start with a little bit of angst, so please keep that in mind while reading :)

March 16th 2019 - an unforgettable day for Max's son Nyxon. It's the Saturday after his third birthday on Wednesday and Max decided to celebrate it back home in the Netherlands where his family awaits them. He invited his parents, siblings, grandparents and aunts, uncles and cousins for Nyxon's birthday, knowing how much they missed out on his own birthdays when he grew up alongside his father's expectations for him to inherit the company one day. Happy Birthday's and other greetings were exchanged and Max leads his son to a filled table, presents from Max's parents and grandparents are lined up for Nyxon to open, and he indeed waits to open his presents with an eager gaze directed to the smaller presents. "Baby, what present would you like to open first?" Max asks Nyxon while he holds his son near his chest, fearing the little rascal would hurt himself if he let go. "That!" Nyxon points at a beautifully wrapped present from Victoria, who smiled brightly at the choice of Nyxon to open her gift before everyone elses'. This went on until only Max's big surprise gift is missing and he signalled everyone except his father to follow him so they can retrieve the gift - a small Caucasian Shepherd puppy he recently saw in an ad from an animal shelter for young and abandoned pets. He recently noticed Nyxon loving to watch documentaries about dogs and wolves and although his baby wasn't supposed to watch this kind of show with blood, Nyxon never really cared about the blood, always looking away when he noticed the dark music and missing out on the moment the wolf caught its prey and killing it. "I'm sure he'll love the puppy, Max. Have you thought of a name for this adorable little beast?" his uncle Anthony carries the freshly awoken puppy while his aunt Gerda holds her phone, ready to film the perfect moment of Nyxon's little brother being brought to him. However, her phone drops when Max ran past her, the time froze for them and Max was the worst. His father stands over his crying son, dark red liquid staining the hands of his father and the head of Nyxon, scaring not only Max but even the rest of the family. When he was close enough, Max pushed away his father and cradled his son close to his chest, shushing him softly with feather-like kisses on his nose, fearing the worst of injuries covering Nyxon's body and he was so focused on Nyxon that he didn't notice his family panicky calling the police and an ambulance while cursing Jos. In the flurry of panic and anger, the police and the paramedics arrive at the scene and took Nyxon with them, causing Max to panic and them having to deal with a panicking father with his wounded son while the culprit gets arrested. While driving to the hospital, Max holds Nyxon's hand in the gentlest way possible, afraid of breaking his son who's already looking pale enough to be mistaken as dead, even though he's still breathing and having a stable heartbeat. "Can you explain to us what happened, please?" one of the paramedics sits down with Max, keeping his distance to let the distressed father have his space. "I-I don't know what happened. My family, my baby and I wanted to celebrate his second birthday here and decided to gift him a puppy, which we all, except my father, went to get. And when we came back, both were covered with blood, my baby's blood." The paramedic nods and tells Max everything he needed to know, from the state Nyxon's in and what might happen with his father, before asking him about the association with Jos. "Are you perhaps the infamous rebellious son of his - Max Emilian Verstappen?" Only then did Max realise how much he hated to be known as the son of Jos Verstappen; the son who hates the position at the top and who was only known by the media because of his family. He wasn't like them, he wanted to have a quiet life with Nyxon and the puppy, maybe with even more pets in the future but that could wait. "This man isn't my father, at least not by relationship. He only ensured my existence, nothing more. Family doesn't hurt one another, especially not

children from

your own bloodline!" The paramedic nods and keeps a neutral silence between the two adults until they arrived at the hospital, where Nyxon's directly pushed into an empty room which Max couldn't identify.

"Please wait a little bit and have faith. Your son has the best doctors and nurses around him. And Mama?"

»Mama? Why would the paramedic call me mama?«

"Mamy? Are you still sleeping?" No, Max couldn't be imagining the voice of his baby talking to him in the form of the paramedic.

Only when the young Dutchman feels his body being shaken did he realise that his surroundings aren't real and with panic surging through him, he opens his eyes, only to be greeted by a small and blurry figure next to his, and he has to admit he only purchased it to have a better feeling about his baby lying next to him, big bed.

"Nyxon?" he questions groggily and rubs his eyes, wanting to see the figure more clearly to make sure it really is his little boy dressed in his dragon-themed sleep-onesie, dragging behind an oversized, and Max really regrets letting his friends spoil his baby, whale shark plush with stupidly big green eyes.

Knowing his mother-like figure of a father is awake, Nyxon waddles over to him and throws his plush onto the bed before he climbs up with Max's help and cuddles him.

"Good morning baby, why are you already awake?" Max kisses Nyxon's forehead and listens to his son's cute chuckles while trying to forget the nightmarish memories of his and the scars on the forehead and the rest of his body from other incidents.

"You promised to go to the park today with me and Cai," Nyxon pouts in a way Max knows he couldn't resist so he laughs and tickles his son, cherishing the fast-changing mood of his thanks to his baby.

"I promised to go with you tomorrow, you never mentioned wanting to go with Cai and today?" the Dutchman asks his son and with a sheepish "but I wanted to meet him again today" Max sighs in defeat, lying down again and pulling Nyxon gently onto his chest before reaching for his phone.

"Shall we call my old friend to see if he can help us out with your new friend?" Max knowingly waves his phone over his head while Nyxon squeals in excitement. "Yes, please! I wanna see Cai again!"

So, without further ado, Max dials the number of Valtteri and waits for two to three seconds until the Finn picks up with a yawn.

Val: *yawns* "Yeah?"

Max: *laughs* "Good morning Val, can I ask you something after that question?"

Val: "Yeah, sure?"

Max: "So, Nyxon and I met you and Cai, right?"

Val: "Uhm, yeah? What's your point?"

Max: *sighs with a smile* "Could you please ask Cai's father if Cai and Nyxon can meet at the park today?"

Val: *silence*

Nyxon: "Pwease?"

Val: "Aww, of course, little one! Just give uncle Val a minute and he'll make sure you and your buddy Cai can meet okay?"

With a shit-eating grin, Nyxon looks to Max and gives him a thumbs-up, knowing that his mommy only needs him to get his way through the day.

Max: "Thanks Val, can I repay you in any way?"

Val: "Yeah, could you please reserve a bigger ivy plant for Tiff and for me just some hanging fern?"

Max: "Sure, that's no trouble."

They hang up and with just as big a smile as Nyxon, Max stands up with Nyxon clinging onto him and the whale shark safely tugged under Nyxon's arms. Together, they walk downstairs to their small kitchen where they start their day.

"Where are Bear, Jimmy and Sassy?" a tired and almost sleeping Nyxon asks while snuggling closer to Max, who has to make them some warm breakfast.

Since the incident three years ago, Max never allowed himself to be separated from Nyxon, so he relied on the small puppy to keep his son company by being like a small brother. And of course, his son had to name this fluffball of dog Bear.

"You said he's a bear dog and he's fluffy, likes cuddles and has super duper soft fur, so his name's Bear!" Nyxon proclaimed back then, happy with his choice of a name and since then, Bear had been an important part of their small family, alongside two young Bengal Cats with the names of Jimmy and Sassy.

"Why don't you call them? I'm sure they also want to eat breakfast with us, don't you think?" the Dutchman coos with the sleepy smile of his son and the soft calls for his furred friends/siblings.

As soon as the family is complete, they eat their breakfast and do their morning routine until the soft vibration of Max's phone distracts them while sitting on the soft couch in their living room, watching some German children's show Sebastian showed Nyxon some time ago and waiting for the time to tick down.

--

Unknown: Good morning Mister Vertspanne, I'm Cai's father and our mutual friend Valtteri asked me if I'd allow Cai to meet your son Nyxon. I allow it with my heart and wanted to ask you if you're also agreeing to the plan and also wanted to know where and when our sons should meet? Sincerely, Lewis

Max: Good morning Sir Lewis, Of course, I'm agreeing with the plan of our sons' meeting and I would think of the old park at the border of the city, but as for the time, I am not too sure about it, as I'm working during the morning until exact lunchtime and wouldn't feel too comfortable with Nyxon without me if you know this feeling, so it'd be helpful if you'd suggest a time. P.S. It's Verstappen, not Vertspanne, although I believe it's been a typo. Sincerely, Vertspanne

Lewis: Oh, my dear lord, I'm so sorry for the typo! And of course, do I know this feeling, as I have experienced these things too. And for the time, does shortly after lunchtime or early afternoon sound good? It would make a good stress reliever after a tiring day?

Max: That sounds amazing! And another quick question, may I bring our family dog with us? We barely leave him alone

Lewis: I'm not someone who declines such perfect sounding opportunity, can I also bring along our dog?

Max: No way you also have a dog?!

Lewis: Uh-huh, his name's Roscoe and he's a vegan 9-years-old Bulldog

Max: Sounds like a cute friend for Bear, he's a 3-years-old Caucasian Shepherd

Lewis: Sorry for asking, but did you name him?

Max: Gosh, no! Nyxon had him as a present and had the honour of naming him

Lewis: Aww. When do you have to work btw?

Max: Shit, thanks for being an alarm! I have to hurry now, see you at lunch!

Lewis: Bye😂

--

Gosh does Max feel embarrassed now; the stranger in form of Cai's father had to remind him that he needs to go to work on a Saturday morning.

"Momma, can I meet Cai again?" Nyxon rips Max out of his thoughts and with a smile, Max turns around and has to sigh in a loving manner after seeing his son dressed in high-quality clothes, which have some difficulties staying in one place. And even Bear is dressed up like Nyxon!

"We can meet him, but only after Mommy finishes today after lunch, okay? After that, we can meet Cai, his papa and even their doggie."

Nyxon's excited gasp and Bear's soft bark let Max know how much they love the idea and with a small smile, he starts to go to the front door where the wardrobe is, dressing in the appropriate way for a chilly autumn day while helping Nyxon to redress him.

"Shall we make them some lunch later while we have some breaks?"

"Yes, yes, yes! Cai and I want warm cookies!" "But we have to make sure we use ingredients that come from nature alone, yeah? Cai's papa said their dog lives vegan, so they all might live like it."

Nyxon nods innocently, somehow understanding that "coming from nature alone" and "vegan" are connected words and takes the leash of Bear's in his tiny mitten-covered hands before looking up to his momma.

"Ready?" Max looks down to Nyxon and takes the key before taking Nyxon's free hand and opening the door.

"Yes! Ready for planties and Cai!"

Just A Quick Warning Before Reading, This Chapter Will Start With A Little Bit Of Angst, So Please Keep

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