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Red Bull officially announced that Max Verstappen would take the entire 2025 season off to focus on his pregnancy, and Yuki Tsunoda was promoted to the main seat from VCARB. The news spread quickly, and the whole grid sent their congratulations in waves, from Lando’s playful teasing to Charles’ heartfelt wishes, along with countless heart and baby emojis.
Max read each message while lying on the sofa, his hand absentmindedly rubbing his swollen belly. A strange warmth filled his chest, mixed with a deep sense of longing. He had never imagined he would receive such immense affection from rivals on the track, the same people who had once fought him fiercely and without mercy. Yet deep inside, he still ached for the feeling of cutting through the wind at high speed, the roar of the engine that felt like his own flesh and blood, like a piece of his soul he had traded away. Now, every time his hand touched his growing belly, and he felt the gentle kicks of his child, Max would smile, sweet chocolate pheromones spreading softly through the air. This is the right thing, he told himself. He chose family, and it was worth more than any trophy, more than any glorious lap. His child was the future, something he had never dared to dream of during the lonely years when all he knew was racing forward.
Max could not stay entirely away from the grid. He still appeared regularly at race weekends, standing in the Red Bull garage watching Yuki and Liam with pride mixed with a quiet, deep worry. He worried whether they could withstand the pressure he once carried, whether they would be swallowed by expectations the way he had been. At other times, he would quietly put on his headphones in the Ferrari garage, simply observing his partner struggling with the Italian team. His belly was clearly round now, yet he still visited the nesting room to support the Alphas. His pheromones were no longer only sweet but carried the gentle warmth of someone about to become a mother, like a call to the deepest instinct of protection and care, something he had longed for but never truly received from his own father.
The rookie pups rushed toward him like little puppies searching for a mother’s warmth, and Max welcomed them with an open heart. A tenderness he had never known before overflowed inside him, as if they were younger siblings he had never been able to protect in his childhood, as if he was making up for the love he had lacked. Kimi and Gabi especially loved curling into his nest, rolling around in the soft blankets with sleepy eyes, enjoying the warm chocolate scent until they drifted off right there. Max watched them, his heart melting, thinking about the baby inside him and wondering if his child would be just as adorable. Liam Lawson pressed close to him, nose brushing against his scent gland, inhaling deeply as if searching for strength. Oscar rested his head on Max’s shoulder, quietly listening to advice, gratitude shining in his eyes and nearly bringing Max to tears. Franco shyly stroked his belly and whispered gentle questions in a trembling voice. Ollie brought snacks and asked softly, “Do you need anything?” They clung to Max constantly, and he let them, because deep down he understood that his pheromones were giving them the comfort they needed, just as Lewis had given him the peace he had longed for all those years.
Lewis watched the scene with a storm of complicated emotions rising in his chest, instinctive Alpha jealousy, amusement at Max’s innocence, and above all, a deep pride mixed with a hint of fear. His cedarwood pheromones would flare possessively whenever a pup held Max too long, then soften again when he saw how happy his Omega looked, eyes sparkling and smile bright as sunlight. He was afraid of losing him, afraid that all this love might make Max forget that he was the most important one. At the same time, he was proud that Max had changed so much, from a cold and lonely Omega into someone loved by the entire world. One day in the Ferrari garage, Lewis could not hold back any longer. He pulled Max into his arms in the middle of the crowd and whispered teasingly yet full of deep affection.
“Are you planning to adopt every pup on the grid? I’m going to have to line up to hug my own spouse. I’m really jealous. But I’m also happy you’re loved like this, because you deserve all of it.”
Max blushed and lightly punched his chest, warmth flooding his heart. He knew Lewis was jealous, but he was jealous because he loved him too much, and that made Max feel like the luckiest Omega in the world, finally having an Alpha who truly belonged to him.
Summer break 2025
Max’s home, the Netherlands
Max returned home to rest during his pregnancy, full of anticipation for a peaceful break with Lewis, mornings waking up in his arms, afternoons walking through the windy fields, just the two of them and their unborn child, time for him to reflect on the journey from a lonely driver to a fully loved Omega and to heal the wounds of his past. But those plans quickly disappeared when the entire grid arrived one after another like a warm whirlwind. Max watched everyone flood into his house, tears streaming down his face. He had never imagined having such a big family, people who were once rivals now brothers, ready to protect him and his child, filling the void left by years without his father’s love.
His house had never been this lively. Laughter echoed from morning until night, warm pheromones blending and turning the house into a giant nest. The Alphas took turns caring for him attentively, refusing to let him lift a finger. Max let them, gratitude mixing with a bit of guilt for troubling everyone, yet he was deeply happy to finally be protected and loved without having to stay strong alone. Lewis at first tried to maintain his possessive Alpha composure, instinctive jealousy rising whenever someone held Max too long. Eventually, he gave up and joined everyone with a smile because he understood this was the grid’s way of showing love to Max, and he was happy that his Omega was cherished like this, knowing Max needed this more than anything.
August 17, 2025
It was his due date. The pregnancy had been healthier than expected, yet Max still felt nervous and anxious, mixed with anticipation. He feared the pain, wondered whether he would do well, but above all longed to meet his child. At six in the morning, he woke, belly heavy but heart calm, with a trace of worry. He went downstairs and found Alonso already awake, making coffee. They spoke in Spanish, Max’s voice gentle yet tinged with fear.
“Do you think the first labour hurts a lot? I’m a little scared. I’m afraid I won’t handle it, afraid of worrying Lewis.”
Alonso looked at him gently, steady pheromones offering comfort.
“It will hurt, kid. But you’re strong. You’ll do fine. I believe in you, and so does Hamilton.”
Max smiled, warmth spreading in his chest at the reassurance, feeling protected in a fatherly way. Suddenly, a contraction ran through him. He froze, gripping Alonso’s hand, voice trembling as he realised the moment had come.
“I think I’m starting labour. It hurts a little…”
Before he could finish, Alonso shouted for everyone to wake up.
Chaos erupted. The Alphas rushed into the kitchen, hair messy, some still rubbing sleep from their eyes. Lewis ran in first, face pale, protective pheromones bursting so strongly the air felt heavy.
“Max! How are you? Does it hurt? Sit down.”
The Alphas ran around in panic. The pups did not know what to do, fumbling nervously. Kimi even tripped twice at the doorway. Lewis was the most frantic, holding Max tightly, his voice shaking with fear. He was afraid Max was in pain, afraid something might go wrong, afraid he would not be enough to protect him. Only Alonso remained calm, shouting instructions.
“Everyone, calm down. Carlos, get the car and drive Max and Lewis to the hospital. Nico, go upstairs and grab Max’s hospital bag; it’s right by his closet. The rest of you follow behind. Do not panic.”
They were still flustered but obeyed. In their rush, they forgot Alonso had not gotten into the car. Fernando sighed at the foolish Alphas before remembering to call Max’s family. He phoned Sophie, and she and Victoria quickly arrived to take Alonso to the hospital as well.
When Max reached the hospital, Lewis was still panicking. Max was taken to a waiting room to undergo full dilation before delivery. He tried to calm his Alpha, while Lewis kept calling doctors every 5 to 10 minutes, asking them to check on Max repeatedly.
Because he was a male Omega, his dilation took longer than that of a female Omega. It was nearly two in the morning on August 18 when Max was finally taken into the delivery room. The pain came in relentless waves. He gripped Lewis’s hand tightly, sweat soaking his body, tears streaming down from the agony, yet he still tried to smile between contractions, thinking about their child and their future. Lewis stayed by his side the entire time, kissing his forehead and whispering.
“You’re doing so well. I love you. Keep going. We’re about to meet our baby. I’m so proud of you.”
At exactly four in the morning, a baby’s cry filled the room. The doctor lifted a chubby baby boy.
“Congratulations. A healthy baby boy.”
Max leaned back, exhausted, tears of happiness streaming down his face, his heart filled with a sense of completeness he had never known before. Sophie and Lewis hurried closer, Victoria grumbling as she took the baby into her arms. “Don’t you dare forget the baby! Lewis, please hurry up and hold your son.”
Lewis held his son, his hands trembling, his eyes shining brightly.
“Look at him, our little prince looks exactly like me. I’m so happy. Thank you for everything.”
Max looked at their child, then at Lewis, exhausted yet smiling brighter than ever. The cedarwood pheromones blended with sweet chocolate and the fresh scent of newborn milk. Outside in the hallway, everyone was waiting with tears and smiles. Kimi was the quickest, running in and asking to hold the little prince. Max had a new family, built on the love between him, Lewis, and their precious baby boy.