Something Gained

Chapter Eighty-Eight

Dan spent 10 days in isolation, I had to move my stuff out of the hotel room with him. I ended up staying in Michael's room for the time being which wasn't too bad, it was like having a sleepover, we weren't leaving Bahrain as the first race was here so it was easy for him to isolate, he wasn't well at all and the team doctor kept checking on him, but otherwise none of us could see him obviously, we all returned multiple negative tests which was good. I dealt with so much from the media over it, having to release statements and all sorts, but thankfully his 10 days ended on the Monday of the first race, he was feeling a lot better as well, sleeping majority of the time. So when he finally returned a negative test I practically flew back into the room, we had a couple of days before we had to begin at the track and I was planning on making sure I was with Daniel where I could.

"I missed you bubs" Daniel sighed as I snuggled into him in bed
"I missed you to" I said to him, I couldn't physically get any closer to him if I tried, I was pressed against his chest, arms around each other, legs twisted together. "How are you feeling?"
"Still not 100%, but so much better. Once I eat proper food, and get some air, sun and exercise I'll be good" he said, I nodded before looking up at him, I put my hand on his chin, clutching at his jaw to direct him to me. I pressed my lips against his, it felt like such a long time ago that we had actually kissed, or cuddled or been even near each other. He licked my lip which made me heat up the kiss, I was suddenly so overwhelmed by wanting him, needing him. I flicked my hair to the side as I climbed on top of him, running my hands through his hair. He groaned and pushed his hips up into me
"Exercise?" I mumbled against his lips
"Mhm" he mumbled back and nodded, his hands gripped at my waist, pushing me down against his lap, groaning quietly in the process.

"We haven't done that in a while" Daniel chuckled in my ear, we were very hot and very sweaty, my back was pressed up against the front of him and I was tracing the tattoos on his forearm while it was wrapped around the front of me. It was true, we had been busy and back and forth between places, lots of commitments and the launch, then me being ill, and then him being ill we hadn't done anything of that sort, and I missed the closeness, not that wasn't an issue.
"At least I know you haven't been getting to close to Michael" he mumbled
"Don't be silly. Do you feel tired?" I asked him, I wasn't sure how the virus had affected him
"Yeah, but it's fine" he said
"I can make you some food, a coffee? What do you want?" I asked him
"I just want you" he mumbled, placing a soft kiss on my bare shoulder, I smiled
"As much as I love that, you need to eat. You've got to get your strength up"
"For what exactly?" He chuckled with a teasing tone to his voice
"Stop it, for your job you plum" I laughed at him.
"Do you know what time of year it is?" He asked
"Erm early? Spring? Start of the season?" I questioned
"No! It will be one year!" Daniel said. I turned in his arms and locked eyes with him
"Well one year since I first charmed you"
"You mean I charmed you" he winked, I laughed "one year since we did that for the first time" he chuckled
"Is that going to be our official anniversary then?" I laughed
"Why not? Let's celebrate, what are you doing later?" He asked
"You" I winked
"Alex Walker" he laughed
"Nothing" I smiled
"Good, let's go for a walk, where we first walked?" He asked
"Sounds perfect, you're such a softie" I kissed his check
"Only for you bubs" he smiled
"Don't you think it's weird how in one year we've met, got together, moved in"
"Fallen in love, had fun" he continued listing "but no I don't, sometimes that's just what happens, when you find the right person" he kissed my forehead and I smiled
"I love you"
"I love you" he answered back
"Have you realised yet you have back to back races here and in Saudi and then we go to Australia?" I asked him, he nodded and smiled so wide
"Yesssss! I'm excited!" He said
"What's your plan?" I asked him
"We're gonna fly straight there, go to Perth for the week we're off and then go over to Melbourne" he said, "mum, dad and Michelle are already coming to the race" he looked so happy, I was happy for him. There hasn't been an Australian race for two years, and I knew he was going to be the happiest person, I'm not sure how he could get happier but he would.
"I know, you forget I know what guests are attending the races" I smirked
"Sometimes it's annoying to have you be so high up"
"Why?"
"Because I wouldn't be able to keep a secret from you" he smiled
"Secrets are bad anyway" I chuckled
"That's true" he smiled. "Now do you want a shower first?" He asked, I nodded and slid out of bed.

I walked into the paddock on a sunny Friday morning, Lando, Dan, Michael, Jon, Sophie and Ben were all with me. It was like a new group. I let Sophie and Ben take the lead, speaking to the drivers and sorting out what was going on for the day, while I walked with Michael and Jon.
"They're good, trained them well" Michael smiled
"Yeah but the time will come when I won't be needed"
I sighed, the thought did upset me in a way. I had spent two years by Lando's side, and the second year alongside Daniel as well. Although I had so much more to do, I wasn't even sure what it exactly meant for the relationship I had with certain people, of course I would still be around every race week, I would still be in the garage, but those short walks to the media pen, the little huddles under an umbrella in the rain psyching them both up, the hugs in a quiet corner comforting them, the late night McDonald's runs.
"You'll always be their number one Alex, promise you that" Jon said, nudging my shoulder
"And they'll always need you. Dan loves you, you live with him and your part of the crew with us and our friends"
"And you've guided Lando so well through the important years in his career, he loves you as well" Jon said
"You guys are pretty great to you know" I winked, they both laughed, I walked between them and they both put their arms around me and hugged
"Maybe we could be the new Daniel and Lando" Michael said
"Probably could, for sure" I smiled

"Alex, can we check something?" Ben asked as we all ended up in my office, I nodded and both him and Sophie sat down opposite me. It was busy, first race of the new season, yesterdays media day was crazy and both Ben and Sophie did so so so well handling things, they asked questions here and there but I didn't mind at all, that's what I was here for.