Something Gained

Chapter Seventy-Two

I was so excited for Hannah. She had come running into my office first thing this morning to tell me all about the scan, she had already spoken to Zak and arranged things, she was having a little baby. I didn't realise it would push me further up, race weeks were certainly going to be busy. I wasn't handling a whole lot of people as such, all teams apart from the mechanics and engineers. But it also wasn't just at the track, I had to communicate with the teams back at the factory and make sure it was all done. Hannah would handle what she could when she was there but once she left, it would all be on me. But it was exciting.
After the meeting I had organised a team dinner for everyone to attend, to celebrate Hannah and Liam.

Daniel had got ready and gone to see Michael so I was left to finish off getting dressed. Seeing Hannah and Liam so happy made me wonder if that would be me one day. I wasn't the typical girly girl that used to imagine her dream wedding, and the thought of children used to scare me so I had never paid much attention to those kinds of things. Seeing Hannah having a baby made me excited for her, and it stirred something in me, would that be one day? Daniel walking into my life changed my thoughts on those matters, it made me want them. I knew, with his career it wouldn't be a thing for a while and to be honest I was okay with that, I loved my job and I loved being at the track every week or every other week, I loved travelling, it would be ten times harder to try and do that pregnant or with a baby. But I wondered if he actually ever thought of it, if it would ever happen? I sighed, I don't know why I was getting worked up over it. Daniel was the most open person to those closest to him, all I had to do was ask. But the fear that he didn't want the same things was a little daunting. I stood up after putting my shoes on and smoothed down my jeans. I walked to my bedroom door and opened it up to see Lando standing in the hallway, I gave him what I thought was a strong smile.
"What's wrong?" Lando asked straight away
"What? Nothing I'm good" I muttered
"You're not?" He pushed
"It's fine, I just, I'm happy for Hannah but it's made me think?" I whispered as we walked towards the lift
"You want that?" Lando said looking at me
"No no, not now. Not right now no, but at some point?" I said, Lando let out a breathe
"So what's the problem?" He asked
"I don't know if he will ever want that" I sighed as the lift opens
"Are you crazy?" Lando said. I looked at him. "100%. You've seen what he's like with his niece and nephew, there ain't no way he doesn't want that himself" Lando said as he nudged my shoulder playfully
"That's true" I shrugged
"But tell him what's on your mind, you'll see" he said "but honestly I would not worry. Not right now of course not, but one day" Lando said as the doors open
"You're right, of course you're right" which only made Lando smirk, he loved being right, I rolled my eyes and we stepped out into the lobby where a lot of the team were gathered. I looked around and laid eyes on Michael and Jon but no Daniel. Lando and I walked over to them and chatted. I turned to Michael.
"Where is he?" I asked
"I don't know, I thought he was with you?" Michael answered
"No he told me he was going to see you" I said
"No he didn't?" Michael said. The four of us looked around at each other in pure confusion. The team was leaving for the restaurant and Daniel still was no where. We left anyway as this was a dinner I had organised and I wasn't letting any of them down, particularly Hannah and Liam.

We took our seats at the table in the restaurant, Hannah was one side of me, Lando the other. Michael sat opposite Lando, leaving the seat in front of me vacant, incase Daniel actually decided to turn up. I was deep in conversation with Lando when I saw him walking through the restaurant.
"Sorry I'm late" he announced before sitting down next to Michael. He beamed at me and I raised my eyebrows. Michael was also looking at him
"Well?" I said
"Well what?" He asked
"I'd like to let you know that you're never later under my watch, and you've also lied so spill" I said bluntly
"Okay I'm sorry that was necessary, but I'll show you later okay?" He said. I huffed at him. "Alex honestly you'll love it, please?" He said, he took my hand on top of the table and rubbed his thumb across the back, I sighed and he winked at Michael
"Woah woah, do you know something about this?" I asked Michael, that was far to suspicious
"Of course he does" Daniel laughed
"So you both lied to me, brilliant thank you" I said
"I didn't mean to he-" Michael started speaking
"Nope. This is why I always preferred Lando and Jon more, they don't lie" I said sitting back in my chair winding them up. Lando put his arm round the back of my chair
"Best side to be on to be honest" Lando smirked, Daniel rolled his eyes and laughed before taking a sip of the drink in front of him.

We ordered food and all chatted. A few team members swapping seats and mingling with each other. We had all signed a card and got something small for Hannah, but I had already planned a bigger send off in Abu Dhabi which was to remain a surprise. She thanked everyone for the gift and the card that was signed with well wishes from the entire team, she hugged me and hid behind me trying to contain her emotions. Bless her.