The Unstoppable series - Part 4 - FINAL Part
"Champion. Wife. Woman who loved too deeply - and almost lost everything."
In the final chapter of this story, Miriell and Toto are finally free to be together-no masks, no lies, no fear. Under the flash...
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Austria, Christmas
POV Toto
The trip to Austria passed quickly. Rosa came with us, and her excitement was boundless — she couldn't wait to see her grandmother and Benedict. Miriell, although she loved our secluded life in the Bieszczady, was also happy to spend the holidays with my family. She adored my mother Teresa, and she got along wonderfully with my children. There was something about that which warmed my heart — the simple joy of seeing the people I love getting along so well.
Our house in the Alps welcomed us with a winter landscape, snow crunching under our boots and the fireplace already crackling warmly. My mother greeted us with hot borscht and homemade bread. She hugged us all, but with Miriell, her affection multiplied tenfold. I laughed watching her practically force-feed Miriell, and Miriell, familiar with the battle, didn't even try to resist.
We spent the following days mostly outdoors. Rosa and Benedict, both passionate skiers, naturally dragged us to the slopes. Miriell — who just a year ago insisted skiing wasn't for her — now handled herself impressively. She had the same determination she showed on the racetrack: once she set her mind to something, she wouldn't rest until she mastered it.
"Look at her, Dad," Rosa said as Miriell glided gracefully down the slope. "Last year she was like Bambi on ice, and now? Like she was born here."
"I wouldn't be surprised if she signed up for the Alpine World Cup next year," Ben added with a laugh.
I stood beside them, watching Miriell with pure pride. It made me happy to see that she could enjoy life outside of racing.
We spent Christmas in a warm, family atmosphere — Teresa prepared all the traditional dishes, and all of us, even me, helped in the kitchen. Miriell, though never much into cooking, learned how to make perfect Austrian Kaiserschmarrn under my mother's watchful eye.
But one evening, I decided to reserve just for the two of us.
"Bundle up, but bring something elegant too," I told Miriell that afternoon.
"Okay..." she replied, eyeing me suspiciously. "What are you planning?"
"You'll see."
As soon as the sun set, I took her to one of my favorite restaurants in the mountains. It was small and intimate, a wooden cabin on the edge of the forest, with large windows overlooking snow-covered peaks. The candlelight reflected in her eyes as she looked around in awe.
"This place is beautiful, Toto," she said, squeezing my hand.
"I know. But not as beautiful as you."
She rolled her eyes, but the soft smile on her lips gave her away — my words had made her happy.
We spent the evening enjoying exquisite food, wine, and conversation. We didn't talk about racing, or pressure, or anything tied to our everyday lives. It was just us — here and now.
"You know," she said quietly as we walked back home, "I think this might be my favorite Christmas."
"Because it's in Austria?"
"No. Because it's with you."
I felt my heart grow even warmer, despite the freezing air around us. I squeezed her hand tighter and kissed her on the temple.
