Russell's Cousin- Lando Norris story

Season Finale

"Oi max!" You heard being shouted from downstairs in the living room with heavy quick footsteps running down the stairs.
"What!" He shouted back
"I've got it!" Lando shouted in excitement
"Got what? The lottery? Covid? A brain?"
"The house!" Lando shouted excitedly as max came running down now.
"What house?" You said as you walked through from the kitchen after tidying up from diner. "Lan, what house are you on about?"
"You haven't said?" Max asked Lando as he stood between the two of you looking confused
"Um - Anna." Lando said
"What have you done Norris"
"I bought a house."
"Where?"
"Monaco."
"Piss off" you laughed "your not being serious. We never agreed to move"
"I thought we could move there and give max this one but use it as a second house."
"We? And what am I going to do? My office at the MTC? My friends? My family? Your family even. Why didn't you say to me before?"
"I thought it would be a nice surprise." Lando said
"Think how warm and sunny it will be there Anna, and Charlotte is there too" max followed
"You just don't get it do you" you huffed "and what are you going to do with this house now you have it?"
"Live there. With you. Come to the technology centre when I need to and yeah..it will be a new start. All the drivers live there"
"Lando I don't know what to do. This is a bit of a shock if you ask me. When were you going to move then?"
"Over Christmas." He said
You couldn't help but laugh and roll your eyes "are you stupid! Just like that your going?"
"Max can you give us some space mate?" Lando said turning to him
"Sorry, yeah of course"

"Anna can we go talk about this upstairs. Please?"
"Fine."

It had been several weeks since Mexico and your invite to Germany for the winter but on the side of work Lewis and Max were going into the final race on level points. Your conversation with lando before the final race of the year ended with screaming and shouting as usual. The past three months you had found it impossible to compromise on anything and it was draining for both you and him. The communication and trust was gone between you both. The invitation to Germany would be taken up 100% now.

Following the, questionable end of race lap that allowed max to win the championship, you had just about managed to remain civil that weekend with lando.

As you both made your way back through the paddock to the driver room you were frantically checking your watch.

"What's with you and your watch today?"
"Oh just seeing what time my flight is leaving" you said as you continued on your way.
"Flight? What? Where are you off?" Lando exclaimed trying not to make a scene.

"Anna" he shouted but you continued walking to his room

You gently closed the door behind yourself after he was in too.

"Talk to me will you, where are you going?" He asked again
"Oh did I forget to tell you, I'm off to Germany."
"Why Germany? We have markets at home"
"Oh no I'm spending Christmas there with a ... friend let's say. Like the friend you met on holiday Lan"
"I'm not following..." he said confused
"I'm over at the Schumacher's for two weeks over Christmas. I need a break."

He was silent.

"So this is what it's come to. Secrets. No trust. No communication." Lando said
"Oh yeah like that house you just bought." You said cutting him off
"I'm genuinely lost Anna." He said and you could tell he was heartbroken
"I think we need a break. We need time apart. I can't do this any longer. I apologise for wasting your time norris." You said as you packed up your things into your bag.
"Anna please, wait.."
"No, I've had enough. All you do is lie to me and act like a child. It's not a game lando. Some of us want to settle down, have a family, get engaged but for you, for you it's just a game. A game of who has money and which girl your going to snog next isn't it?"

He was silent again.

"Thought so" you said answering your own question.

—

That was the last time you had seen him these past two weeks. It was Christmas Eve and you had all just been to a small church service near where the Schumachers' lived. You had spent the past week on walks, outdoors and spending time together.

Michael was in a good place at the time with his condition and joined in too, he sat watching and you could see the light and laughter in his eyes seeing everyone so happy. Occasionally you found yourself just smiling at him and he would give a slight smile back which was reassurance he was still there. Mick took you under his arm that week with introducing you to other family members and you spent many nights sat by the fire pit outside wrapped in blankets with warm drinks. It was like the perfect Christmas film.

Also spending so much time together allowed you to relax with him without the fears of the media around speculating things. The fact was, Mick was genuinely such a lovely person with so much heart and compassion for everyone and everything. He got a call two days after you arrived of him being confirmed as the ferrari reserve driver for 2022 and he was so proud that he was following his dads footsteps even if he wasn't a main driver. He showed you Michaels old race suits, trophies and tapes of when they would go karting.

That evening, mick was sat by the tree wrapping final presents for his sister Gina when you pulled your phone out to take a photo of him,
"What are you doing?" He laughed as he looked up
"Perfect." You smiled as you turned the camera around to show him the photo.
"Aww" he laughed
"You look great! That jumper is lovely on you" you smiled
"Thank you, you look stunning" mick said and then he realised

"I'm sorry I shouldn't of said that, urm I crossed a line.." he apologised
"You didn't, it's really appreciated." You said with a warm smile.
"Well, you do" you nervously said as he scooted closer to your side allowing you to rest your head on his shoulder.
"It's a shame there's no mistletoe" you said looking up
"Why?" Mick said looking up as you placed a kiss on his cheek. A smile grew across his face. "I don't know where you stand with lando now Anna I don't want to cause anything between us."
"I've moved on. I'm not going to Monaco with him" you said as now everyone knew about his Monaco move via the media.
"Then if so can I kiss you?" Mick asked as you smiled and nodded.