#sofia hamilton

✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: :･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ✧

The Table Beside Us

London, Thursday NightTwo days before the British Grand Prix

“This is insane,” Matilda whispers, eyes wide as the hostess leads them through a softly lit room, jazz humming low in the background.

“Evelyn’s Table. We actually did it,” Camille murmurs back, smoothing down her dress like she still couldn’t believe they were here. “I might cry.”

“You better not,” Miranda warns, laughing, “We haven’t even gotten the bread basket.”

They’re seated at a cozy round table tucked in a corner, dim golden lights strung overhead, candles flickering. It’s intimate. Quiet. The kind of place where you whisper and lean in close to talk. A well-dressed waiter takes their coats and menus and brings them sparkling water without asking. They glance at each other with wide eyes and gleeful smirks. They were so not used to this kind of place.

Emma sits facing the rest of the girls, right on the edge of the room. She rests her chin in her hand, watching the three of them chatter excitedly about their appetizers, the upcoming weekend at Silverstone, and what outfits to wear each day. She tucks a lock of hair behind her ear, smiling faintly.

She’s about to rejoin the conversation when movement to her left catches her eye.

The couple being seated at the table right beside them.

Her eyes flick over casually and then lock. Her heart skips.

She knows that jawline.

No way.

It’s him. Lewis Hamilton. The Lewis Hamilton. Seven-time World Champion, F1 legend, her literal childhood idol.

And he’s not alone.

The woman with him is stunning in a low-key, effortlessly cool way. She wears a soft black halter top, wide-leg trousers, a low bun with wispy pieces falling out, and she laughs like she knows him. Like, really knows him. She touches his arm like it’s second nature. He pulls out her chair. Her bag is already in his hand before she even reaches for it.

Emma’s brain stutters.

“Oh my God,” she mouths, barely breathing. She darts her eyes forward.

“Emma?” Camille says, pulling her back to the table. “What’s up?”

She shakes her head. “Nothing. Just... this place is nicer than I expected.”

But now she’s listening. And little by little, so are the others.

They never stare. But they hear.

“—so I’m thinking we stay at the flat in Notting Hill after the race,” Lewis says in that smooth, low voice.

Y/N grins. “And what, turn it into our victory nest?”

Lewis chuckles. “Maybe. Depends how Silverstone goes.”

“It’ll go well,” she murmurs, nudging his foot with hers. “You always light up when it’s home turf.”

They hear bits and pieces. How they just got back from Greece. How Y/N’s fashion project is being featured in a pop-up soon. How nervous Lewis is about performing in front of his home crowd again, but how he feels better with her around.

It’s intimate. Sweet. Private.

And the girls all know without saying it, they’re not going to ruin this moment. Not for the world.

Instead, they giggle softly at their own table, stealing glances when Lewis feeds Y/N a bite of dessert, when she smiles at him like he hung the stars. When he grabs her coat for her. When she says, “Thank you, baby,” so soft it feels like a secret.

When they get up to leave, Lewis places his hand on the small of Y/N’s back. She leans in to whisper something in his ear. He laughs.

And then he glances back.

Briefly.

Right at them.

Just one look.

Just a little smile.

Just a little nod.

Almost like thank you.

The girls stay silent until the couple is fully out the door.

Then Camille lets out a whisper scream. “THAT WAS LEWIS. HAMILTON.”

“WITH A GIRLFRIEND?!”

“WHO WAS THAT?!”

“THEY WERE SO CUTE. OH MY GOD. HE FED HER DESSERT. HE FED HER DESSERT.”

Emma holds her hand to her chest. “We’re never telling anyone. That’s ours.”

They all nod, pinky-promising over espresso martinis. A night they’ll never forget.

Saturday – Silverstone Paddock

It’s FP1 and the girls are walking the paddock. They still can’t believe their passes worked. (Miranda’s dad had connections, apparently.) They’re mid-conversation about Carlos’s new helmet design when someone calls out softly...

“Cute outfits.”

They turn.

It’s her.

Y/N.

Wearing a sleek black jumpsuit, hair in a high ponytail, laminated paddock pass bouncing against her chest. She’s alone, sipping an iced matcha.

Emma swears her knees buckle.

“Oh... uh, thank you!” Camille blurts.

Y/N walks over slowly, smiling. “I remember you,” she says warmly. “From dinner.”

There’s a pause.

“You do?” Emma asks.

Y/N nods, her eyes soft. “You were the table next to us. You didn’t say anything. Didn’t take pictures. Thank you. Seriously.”

The girls all blink. Speechless.

“I know it might not seem like a big deal,” Y/N continues, “but privacy’s hard to come by. You gave us a little piece of it. So, thank you.”

She reaches into her tote bag and pulls out four small envelopes, each one sealed.

“These are for you. Don’t open them until tomorrow.”

Then she smiles, waves, and walks off like a dream.

They stand frozen for ten whole seconds.

Camille gasps. “Do we just wait until tomorrow?”

Emma opens hers that night.

Inside: a signed Lewis cap. And a note in looping handwriting.

“To the lovely ladies from Evelyn’s Table, thank you for keeping a good thing sacred. See you tomorrow for a proper picture? – Lewis :)”

Sunday – Post-Quali Meet-Up

It happens backstage in a quiet hallway behind the Mercedes hospitality unit (Lewis insisted it stay private). Y/N stands beside him, hand in his. He’s in his race suit, hair tied back, grinning as the girls approach.

“You made it,” Lewis says, all dimples. “I owe you one.”

They take a photo, one they never post publicly. Not fully. Just a corner of Lewis’s arm, the edge of his smile, their matching caps. The rest stays with them. Always.

Later, when the sun sets over the track and fans are filing out, the girls sit on a grassy hill near the fence, grinning like idiots.

“We’re taking this to the grave, right?” Miranda says.

“Duh,” Matilda says.

“But also,” Camille adds, “it’s gonna be the best story at our weddings.”

They all turn to Emma.

She smiles, looking out over the track, the smell of rubber and grass and something like magic still in the air.

“Our little secret,” she says. “Forever.”

----------

More Than Just Family

Jessie tugged at the hem of her blouse as they pulled off the M4 and into the quiet streets of West London. Her nerves twisted and fluttered like ribbons in her stomach, but Mike reached over and squeezed her hand on the gear shift.

“You’re going to love them,” he said. “And they’re going to adore you.”

She smiled, grateful, but her palms were still clammy. “I know, I know. I’m just… nervous. And excited. And terrified.”

Mike chuckled. “Babe, you flew to London from Lisbon to move in with me. You survived my flatmate’s cooking. You can handle Aunt Carmen’s garden party.”

Jessie laughed, finally. “Point made.”

They pulled up to a lovely two-story home with pale brick and ivy climbing up the sides. Dozens of cars lined the street. Jessie glanced out the window, wide-eyed.

“Wow. Full house?”

“Oh yeah,” Mike grinned. “Aunt Carmen doesn’t do anything small.”

They made their way to the door and were greeted with warmth and cheek kisses and drinks thrust into their hands before Jessie could say “Obrigada.” Carmen was hosting the family reunion of the decade: aunts, uncles, cousins, babies in little hats, dogs under the table.

Jessie found herself easing into the rhythm of it, the gentle thrum of family laughter, stories half-shouted over clinking cutlery, conversations about holidays and football and how tall everyone had gotten.

“They’re lovely,” she whispered to Mike as he passed her a paper plate.

“Told you.”

An hour in, Jessie was perched on a garden bench, sipping lemonade and watching two kids chase bubbles across the lawn, when the sliding glass door opened.

A little girl, about five years old with big curls and even bigger energy, burst outside.

“Grammy!”

Carmen opened her arms, and the little girl flew into them, legs wrapping tight around her waist.

Behind her came… well. A vision.

A woman with a floaty sundress, soft braids pinned back from her face, a warm smile and a backpack overflowing with what looked like tiny coloring books and plush toys. Jessie sat up straighter without meaning to.

“That’s Y/N,” Mike said, returning to her side with a napkin full of snacks. “She’s Lewis’s wife. You’ll love her.”

Jessie blinked. “Lewis? The cousin you were telling me about?”

“Yeah. I don’t think he’s here yet, must’ve dropped them off first.”

Jessie nodded, curious, but quickly distracted as Y/N came over and introduced herself.

“Hi! You must be Jessie,” Y/N said with a friendly smile, holding out a hand.

Jessie stood, wiping her palms discreetly on her jeans. “Yes! Hi. It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Mike’s girlfriend.”

“Oh, I figured,” Y/N grinned. “He talks about you all the time. Portugal, right?”

Jessie lit up. “Yes! I’m from Lisbon.”

“I love Lisbon,” Y/N said. “That’s actually where Lewis and I met. We go back every year, even if just for a weekend.”

“You do?” Jessie blinked, already charmed.

“Yeah. We got engaged at this tiny rooftop bar overlooking Alfama,” Y/N said with a dreamy smile. “I was so sunburnt. Looked crazy tan in all the pictures.”

Jessie laughed, delighted. Y/N was easy to talk to. They sat together on the bench and talked about Lisbon cafés, dresses from local boutiques, and where to find the best pastéis de nata outside of Belém. Jessie found herself talking about her job as a translator, how she still struggled with confidence in English sometimes.

“I totally get that,” Y/N said, hand on her arm. “Meeting Lewis’s family for the first time? I was a nervous wreck. They’re so close. I thought I’d mess it up.”

Jessie softened. “Really?”

“Oh yeah. But Carmen’s an angel. You’ve already passed the biggest test.”

Jessie was mid-giggle when Y/N glanced up.

Her face shifted instantly lighter, brighter.

Jessie followed her gaze.

A man had stepped into the backyard, dressed simply in a polo and jeans, hair pulled back, sunglasses hooked onto his collar. Jessie could tell, immediately, that he was someone. He moved with the ease of a man who didn’t need to command attention to have it. He stopped every few feet to greet people, crouching to pick up a toddler’s toy, hugging Carmen from behind.

When his eyes landed on Y/N, the transformation was unmistakable. His whole body language shifted, shoulders relaxing, smile deepening, pace quickening.

Y/N’s face broke into something so full of love Jessie felt like she shouldn’t be looking.

“Speak of the devil,” Y/N murmured. “There’s my husband.”

Jessie blinked. “That’s… Lewis?”

Y/N stood to greet him. “That’s my Lewis.”

Jessie turned to watch, Lewis pulled Y/N into a full-body hug, one hand immediately resting on her stomach, thumb brushing gently over the swell of her baby bump.

“You okay?” he murmured, soft enough that only she could hear.

“Better now,” Y/N smiled.

Mike joined a moment later, clapping Lewis on the back, both men lighting up at the sight of each other. Jessie stood as Lewis turned to her.

“And this must be Jessie,” he said, warm and genuine, extending his hand.

“Hi! It’s so nice to meet you,” Jessie said, her voice a touch higher than usual.

“I’ve heard great things,” Lewis grinned.

The four of them stood chatting about the food, the weather, their favorite spots in London. Lewis was effortlessly kind, funny in a quiet, observant way. When Sofia ran up mid-conversation, he bent immediately to kiss her head.

“Been painting, bug?” he asked, noting the blue on her fingers.

“I made Grammy a picture,” Sofia said proudly, and Y/N smiled as Lewis wiped her hand gently with a napkin from his pocket.

Jessie couldn’t stop smiling. They were magnetic together. Easy. Solid.

Later, Jessie wandered through the house to help Carmen carry out dessert. She passed by the kitchen just as Lewis was tying Y/N’s sandal for her, one knee on the floor.

“Don’t bend too much,” he said quietly, “You’ll make me nervous.”

“I’m not fragile,” Y/N laughed.

“You’re carrying my whole world in there. I’m allowed to worry.”

Jessie looked away quickly, her heart warm.

That Night

Back in Mike’s flat, Jessie scrolled through the pictures she’d taken, smiling faces, warm sunlight, Sofia mid-cartwheel, the corner of a photo where Lewis and Y/N were seated under a tree.

She posted a boomerang to her close friends story:

“Survived the family reunion! Mike’s family is everything 🥹💛”

Within minutes, replies started rolling in:

“WAIT IS THAT LEWIS HAMILTON???” “Excuse me ma’am why didn’t you mention THE Lewis??” “JESSIE.” “Zooming in. ZOOMING IN. IS THAT HIS WIFE???” “YOU MET THEM CASUALLY?!?!”

Jessie blinked. “What?”

She opened Safari. Typed: “Lewis Hamilton.”

And froze.

The articles. The awards. The seven world championships. The red carpets. The activism. The fame.

“Oh my God,” she whispered, hand covering her mouth.

She stared at the screen. At the same man who’d carried Sofia’s stuffed bear across the lawn. The same one who’d made sure his pregnant wife had a chair in the shade.

She looked up at Mike, who was brushing his teeth.

“Babe?”

“Mmh?”

“Your cousin is like… famous famous.”

Mike grinned at her in the mirror. “You’re just figuring that out now?”

Jessie laughed, falling back on the bed.

She liked that. That she hadn’t known. That she’d met Lewis the cousin, the husband, the dad, before she knew about the rest.

And she liked knowing it would be their little story.

-------

Check-Out Line

Sunday Night – Trader Joe’s, Upper West Side

Emmy popped her gum slowly as she wiped down the checkout lane. The rain hadn’t stopped all day, turning the automatic doors into a squeaky mess of wet footprints and broken umbrellas. She glanced at the clock overhead: 7:46 PM.

Almost there.

She could already taste the sesame noodles she planned to inhale the second she got home.

“You’re an actual angel for covering this shift,” her manager Jenna said as she walked by with a stack of wet baskets. “How’s your studying going?”

“Ask me again after Wednesday,” Emmy muttered.

The truth was, she’d only agreed to swap shifts because Anna had begged. Her best friend and fellow cashier was currently camped out on the sidewalk by the Met Museum, wrapped in a waterproof poncho and vibrating with excitement to catch a glimpse of the Lewis and Y/N Hamilton at the Gala tomorrow night.

“I need to see her dress in person,” Anna had said, borderline manic. “She’s always best dressed. Always. And Lewis is co-chair this year. If I see them kiss on the carpet, I’ll cry.”

Emmy, being a decent human and in desperate need of Anna’s Friday shift to study, had taken the L and agreed to cover Sunday night.

It was fine. Normal. Boring, even.

Until the couple walked in.

At first, Emmy didn’t pay much attention, couples came in all the time. But this pair… something was different.

They weren’t like the usual grumpy Sunday shoppers who stormed in for eggs and got mad about the line. They were laughing. They looked happy. Playfully ducking under each other’s umbrellas, sharing a hood, giggling like teenagers.

She noticed the man first, tall, hoodie up, dimples showing. The woman beside him wore a long trench coat and clutched a damp tote bag to her chest. Her bump was visible beneath a ribbed cream sweater. Pregnant. Radiant.

And deeply, joyfully in love.

Tourists, probably. No real New Yorker smiled that much in the rain.

They wandered through the aisles, pausing to debate oat milk vs. almond milk near the back wall. Emmy only caught pieces as they passed:

“—it’s just better for baking, babe.”

“You say that like you bake.”

“I could bake.”

“With oat milk? Doubt it.”

Then they were gone.

Emmy blinked herself out of the moment.

“Hey, Em,” Jenna called from behind the dairy cooler. “Can you check the back for more cookie dough? Couple in aisle six is asking.”

“Copy.”

Emmy trotted to the stockroom, grateful for the moment of quiet. She found one lonely roll of chocolate chip cookie dough in the backup fridge and padded back into the store, water squeaking under her shoes.

She found them, same couple, now in a lighthearted argument about birthday cakes.

“I’m just saying, ice cream cake is clearly superior,” the woman was saying, loading a pint of Jeni’s into their basket.

“Because your bias is clouding your judgment,” the man teased. “Just because your childhood birthday cake was frozen doesn’t mean—”

“Hi,” Emmy interrupted gently. “You asked for this?”

She held out the cookie dough. The woman gasped.

“You found it?! Oh my god, thank you! You’re saving my whole night.”

The man snorted. “Told you someone would come through.”

“You have to settle something,” the woman said suddenly, turning to Emmy. “Cake or ice cream?”

Emmy blinked. “Like… in general?”

“Specifically, birthday dessert. What’s better?”

Emmy grinned. “Ice cream. Duh.”

The woman gasped and clutched her chest. “YES. Finally. Someone gets it. You don’t know how long I’ve waited to win this.”

The man grinned. “This is betrayal.”

“She’s objective,” the woman shot back, triumphant.

“I’m gonna remember this when I eat the whole cookie dough roll by myself,” he mumbled.

They all laughed.

Emmy handed over the cookie dough and returned to her register, cheeks warm.

A few minutes later, as the store was winding down and music from the speakers switched to the mellow end-of-day playlist, the couple made their way to checkout.

Emmy raised a brow at their basket.

“Strawberries, sparkling water, oat milk, cookie dough, and like… four pints of ice cream. That’s a dinner of champions.”

“We’re a classy household,” the man said seriously.

“She’s pregnant,” the woman added, rubbing her belly. “It’s legally required.”

The man handed over a credit card, still laughing about their almond milk debate. Emmy glanced at the name on the screen as the machine processed the transaction.

L. Hamilton.

Weird. That name sounded… familiar.

Really familiar.

But she couldn’t place it. Not while bagging organic strawberries and vanilla bean pints and trying not to get distracted by how utterly normal they were. They were the kind of couple you’d want to hang out with. Go to a trivia night with. Babysit their kid for free just because you liked them.

“Good luck with the cookie dough,” she said as they walked toward the exit.

“Thanks,” the man smiled, reaching back to grab his wife’s hand. “Have a good night.”

And then they were gone.

Friday – Back Room, Trader Joe’s

“You’re never going to believe this,” Anna said, nearly knocking over her coffee as she threw her phone on the breakroom table. “I SAW THEM. I saw them. And she waved at me.”

Emmy blinked. “Who?”

“Y/N. Hamilton. At the Met. They were perfection. She wore custom Harris Reed, Lewis was in this white suit with the cape, I’ll show you.”

She swiped through her camera roll and shoved her phone into Emmy’s hands.

There they were.

Lewis and Y/N Hamilton. Walking the Met steps. Stunning. Regal. Grinning at each other like the world wasn’t even watching.

Emmy’s stomach dropped.

She stared.

And then she blinked.

Twice.

No.

Wait.

“Wait,” Emmy whispered. “Wait, wait, What’s his name again?”

Anna narrowed her eyes. “Lewis Hamilton. Like… the Lewis Hamilton? F1 driver. Activist. Style god. Husband of my dreams. The moment. Why?”

Emmy’s face went pale. “They came into the store.”

Anna froze. “What?”

“Last Sunday. It was raining. I thought they were just, God, he was wearing a hoodie, she was buying cookie dough. Anna, they were arguing about oat milk. I sided with her.”

Anna looked like she was going to faint.

“You met them?”

“I checked them out. I gave them the last roll of cookie dough. She made me pick between cake and ice cream.”

Anna screamed. Like… actually screamed.

“You lived my dream, and you didn’t even know?!”

“I thought he looked familiar! I just didn’t think he would be at Trader Joe’s!”

Anna slid to the floor dramatically. “You talked to her. You agreed with her. You saw them hold hands in public.”

Emmy laughed helplessly, hands over her face. “I told her ice cream was better than cake. I think I helped her win an argument.”

Anna wheezed. “You changed history.”

Later That Night

Emmy posted a story of her Chinese takeout on Instagram. She captioned it:

“Thinking about that time I unknowingly sided with Y/N Hamilton in a dessert debate. @ the universe: thanks.”

The replies came in fast:

“WAIT YOU MET THEM?” “IS THIS THE COOKIE DOUGH STORY” “You’re basically part of the Met Gala lore now.” “Plot twist of the year.”

Emmy just smiled.

She wasn’t one for celebrity hype. But she had to admit…

That couple?

They were something special.

-------

Crayons and Confetti

Tuesday mornings were usually calm in Room 12.

The kids filed in, still half-asleep, clutching water bottles and teddy bears and the remains of toast handed off at the curb. Ms. Elise greeted each of them by name as they shuffled to their cubbies.

“Good morning, Callie. New sparkly shoes?”

“Hi, Mateo! Yes, your dinosaur shirt is very cool.”

And then came Sofia.

Tiny, wide-eyed, with two curly pigtails and a pink glittery backpack that was nearly the size of her. She always arrived a few minutes early, walking in hand-in-hand with her mom.

“Morning, Sofia,” Ms. Elise smiled.

“Hi Ms. E!” Sofia beamed, skipping to her cubby.

“Hi there,” her mom added, looking as effortlessly cool as always in black trousers and an oversized blazer, hair swept back into a low bun. She gave a warm nod. “She packed her own lunch today, so if there’s a yogurt explosion, we accept full responsibility.”

“I’ll prepare the paper towels,” Ms. Elise joked.

Y/N grinned and bent to kiss her daughter’s head. “Love you, bug.”

“Love you too, Mama!”

And just like that, she was out the door.

Later that morning, Ms. Elise led the class through their weekly "Family Portrait" activity, simple enough: draw your family however you see them. Stick figures welcome. Crayon chaos encouraged.

She walked through the room, pausing to admire the masterpieces.

Mateo drew himself and his abuela flying in a spaceship.

Callie drew four moms (which tracked with her impressive imagination and love of glitter).

Sofia was focused. Tongue sticking out slightly in concentration.

“You working hard, Sof?” Ms. Elise asked gently, kneeling beside her.

Sofia looked up, eyes shining. “I’m drawing my family.”

“I can’t wait to see.”

Sofia smiled proudly, then went back to coloring.

It wasn’t until cleanup time that Ms. Elise picked up the drawing again.

At first glance, it was simple: five figures in crayon.

Two big ones, a man with dark curls, a woman with long lashes and earrings. Two small ones, one with pigtails, one clearly a baby (mid-scribble). And behind them…

A race car.

Red. With flames. And the word “GOOOOOO!” scribbled above it.

Ms. Elise smiled. “Tell me about this one.”

Sofia pointed at each figure. “That’s me, that’s my little brother Leo, that’s Mama, and that’s Daddy.”

“And what’s this?” she asked, gesturing to the car.

“That’s Daddy’s job,” Sofia said cheerfully.

Ms. Elise blinked. “Oh? He’s a race car driver?”

“Mhm! He goes really fast. But he always stops for us.”

There was something so proud in her voice. So sure.

Ms. Elise laughed softly. “That’s very sweet.”

Sofia leaned in like she was sharing a secret. “He always says we’re his best trophy. Even better than the shiny ones.”

That afternoon, Ms. Elise went to file Sofia’s drawing in the take-home folder.

As she double-checked the emergency contact forms (standard protocol), she paused.

Father: Lewis Hamilton.

Her eyes widened.

Oh.

She blinked again.

That Lewis Hamilton?

She picked up the crayon drawing again.

Two adults. A baby. A race car.

And a little girl who believed, no, knew that love came before speed.

The next day, Sofia brought in banana bread for the class (homemade, carefully labeled nut-free in gold handwriting). Her mom handed Ms. Elise the container, looking slightly flushed.

“Sorry it’s a bit uneven,” Y/N said. “She insisted on cutting the slices herself. And we may have sampled one.”

“They’ll love it,” Ms. Elise assured her.

“Oh, and Lewis is picking her up today,” Y/N added, checking her watch. “He has a late call tomorrow, so he swapped with me.”

Sure enough, at 3:04 PM, a matte black SUV pulled up in the car line.

The door opened.

And there he was.

In a hoodie, sunglasses, and sneakers, waving like any other dad.

When Sofia ran to him, he scooped her up with ease, kissing her cheek as she giggled.

“Did you eat all your lunch?”

“Yes! And Ms. E let us have extra story time!”

“Sounds like a great day, bug.”

Before he turned, he caught Ms. Elise’s eye and gave a warm nod.

“Thanks for taking care of her.”

“Of course,” she said, smiling softly.

And then they were gone.

That Friday, the kids’ drawings went home.

Ms. Elise slipped Sofia’s into her folder carefully, fingers lingering for a moment.

Some families wore matching shirts.

Some families yelled or whispered or forgot things at drop-off.

And some families moved at 200 miles per hour… …but always stopped, exactly where they were needed.

-------

The end.

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