The DILF (Sebastian Vettel)

29. Surprise, surprise!

Seb gently stroked Savannah's cheek with his index finger, smiling as she sighed in her sleep.   He didn't want to wake her up.  She looked happy.    Once she woke she'd begin stressing out and getting upset again.    He wished he could take all her stress away from her, but that was impossible. Her bastard of an ex had a lot to answer for.

Just over a month had passed since she'd received the letter from the court informing her that a date had been set for a preliminary hearing into Christian's application for parental responsibility.

Later that day they would be flying to the U.K. for two reasons. The first reason was the launch of the W15, the car he and George would be driving when the new season kicked off in March. The second reason was the court hearing which was four days after the launch.

The family lawyer that Savannah's parents had found had assured them that nothing would be decided at that hearing. It was just to read the application out, give Savannah a chance to contest Christian's claim, set a date for the next stage and give Savannah a chance to enter any evidence that she felt relevant.

Seb had been trying to persuade her to submit the photos of her injuries, but she was certain that if she did that Max would end up having to talk about what he'd seen as he was the only witness,  and she was adamant she didn't want to put him through that.

Seb could see her point,  but surely that would be better than risking Christian getting his hands on the kids. He knew there was no reason for the kids to be taken away from Savannah, she was a fantastic mother, but God knows what dirty tricks Christian would resort to.

"I don't want to go," Savannah murmured. "I want to stay here with you in this bed forever." She opened her eyes and looked at him. He could see tears already pooling in them.

"I know mein Engel, I know. I wish that too, but we have to. Mother and Father will be here in a couple of hours."

They'd decided not to take the kids to the U.K. with them in case Christian tried anything. Norbert and Heike were only too happy to come and have them for a week or so. "It will be nice to see your mum and dad, and Jack too. And I'm sure we'll see Joel and Daisy." She sighed and sat up.

"I know. I just really, really don't want to see him. I'm scared Seb." He put his arms around her and held her tightly as her tears fell, wetting his bare chest.

"Shhh, it's ok my love. It's ok. I will not let him hurt you ever again. If he lays so much as a finger on you I will rip his fucking head off."

Savannah sobbed a little more. She knew Seb would protect her but that's why she was so scared. What if Christian hurt him? She'd couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to him.

"Why don't you have a soak in the tub? I'll get up and get the kids ready for school. I can drop them off, and then when I get back we can have some of my apple pancakes. How does that sound?"

"Ok," she conceded quietly. Seb kissed her softly. 

"Everything will be ok mein Engel.   I swear to you I will do everything in my power to make sure that man gets nowhere near you or the kids."

Savannah smiled, although it was forced.   She knew that Seb meant every word he said, but what if his everything wasn't enough? What if Christian got parental rights? She'd have to move back to the U.K. and then she'd always be at risk.   More importantly what if he hurt the kids? He'd never laid a finger on them before but it didn't mean he wouldn't. 

She climbed out of bed and headed into the bathroom.   She put the plug in the bath and turned the tap on.   She guessed that all she could do was trust the judge.   Hopefully he or she would see straight through Christian and his bullshit.