Something Gained

Chapter Sixty-Six

I woke up the next morning to Daniel kissing my head. I groaned at being woken up and I heard his laugh.
"Go back to sleep, I'll see you later" he whispered, I smiled. I didn't need to be told twice. I heard the door open and then click shut and I went back off to sleep.

A little while later my alarm went off and I grabbed at my phone wanting it to shut up. I sat up and stretched, it was warm in Qatar, I wasn't complaining either. I remembered Daniel had left early. I knew they had some bits to do at the track and then had a training session with Michael, I had the day to myself, I got up and got ready to go and meet Hannah to do some shopping. I felt like I hadn't seen her in forever and I couldn't wait to spend the day with her.

An hour later I was on my way down to the lobby to meet her, I was in a dress due to the heat, and some espadrille sandals on, tied up my legs, my bag and my sunglasses.
"Heyyyy" Hannah yelled seeing me coming out of the lift
"Hey bestie" I shouted giving her a hug
"Ooh don't let Lando hear you say that!" She laughed in my ear and stepped back as we walked out of the hotel
"Honestly, I don't know what I'm going to do without you. How am I going to put up with them all!! I'll be the only girl in the team" I said, throwing my arms up in the air in exaggeration
"I never thought of that" she said laughing
"Well realistically, if you break it down nicely. You keep Daniel happy by making sweet sweet love and Lando is like your brother and you three are like the three musketeers, and you keep them happy which makes everyone else happy" she said. I laughed at her comments
"I don't care. I'm still going to miss you" I said, we climbed into one of the team cars that we had arranged to take us to the shopping centre.
"I mean I will still be working until I have the baby, so we we still have to communicate for our jobs. And then when you're back in England between races I'll be there, and then when I actually have the baby you've gotta be there" she said
"Oh you know I will!" I said to her
"I wanted to thank you for being so supportive" she said, I looked over and she looked teary
"Please don't cry" I said to her
"Stupid hormones, but seriously, you're the bestest friend a girl could ask for" she said
"My two friends are having a baby together, I can't wait!" I said to her "I love you though girl, I've always got your back" I said. She smiled and I looked and saw we were at our destination. We left the car and went inside.

I walked back into my hotel room absolutely exhausted. I had spent all day shopping, I don't know how Hannah survived. I had a billion bags because I went a little crazy. I didn't even realise Daniel was sleeping in bed until I put my bags down and took off my shoes. He looked so peaceful and handsome, the low sunlight coming through the window was glazing over his tanned tattooed skin. I smiled and crawled into bed next to him, placing a soft kiss on his lips. He smiled, but seemed like he was still asleep. I picked up his arm and put it over me and he automatically pulled me into him. He was so warm and comforting.

Qualifying day. We had so busy the last couple of days, being at the track all day, the guys doing practice sessions, so much media, briefings, team stuff. We were all so busy, now we were onto the fun stuff. I sat in the garage with Hannah after bumping fists with both Lando and Daniel and telling them to be safe. They left the garage and I hoped and prayed they would get some good lap times in.

Daniel was brought back into the pits after being knocked out of Q2, of course he wasn't happy. He was his own worst critic, particularly staring in 14th for the race tomorrow. He got out the car and went straight to his race engineer, Michael went over as well. I watched Lando cruise through to Q3. I would have to leave the garage and go and do media with Daniel. When he was done talking to the team Daniel and Michael come over. I said goodbye to Hannah and the three of us left the garage.
"You okay?" I asked him. He shrugged. It was rare for him to be silent. He was always happy, always had a smile on his face, always joking, dancing or singing. I didn't like it when he was disappointed, it was alien. Not because I couldn't deal, but I only ever wanted him to do well, and be happy.
"Just remember you did what you could, you can sulk about it later, and then go again tomorrow. Tomorrow is the points" Michael said holding onto his shoulder as we stopped. Michael was the best person. He's known Daniel since they were kids, they were great friends, he knew how to help Daniel mentally, emotionally, physically. He kept him healthy and fit, while being a therapist, a support system, someone to encourage him and push him over and over again. Sometimes when I felt stuck I thought, what would Michael do. I tuned back into their conversation.
"We just have to speak to a few people and then you can go chill out and eat okay?" I said looking up at his beautiful brown eyes. He nodded and pulled my towards him and kissed my forehead. I slapped his arm playfully, "we're at work?" I said
"Does it look like I care?" He mumbled
"I'll go get your food sorted, meet you in your room when you're done" Michael said laughing

Once media was sorted for Daniel. I left him to go and sit with Michael while I headed back for Lando. Time to do it all over again, hopefully Lando was in a more positive mood.