Something Gained

Chapter One Hundred & Fifteen

I was practically skipping around all morning, I only knew I looked so chirpy when Liam saw me and gave me a funny look. I toned it down but I was a complete contrast to how I had walked in this morning. I looked after Daniel in all his commitments this morning, and now it was race time, I settled in a seat beside Ben with our headphones on ready for the race. If I was this happy and glowy, I could only imagine how Daniel was, and I hoped it did him some good to get a good race.

Half way through the race, Daniel come in to pit and it was a good stop, but it was cut fine and when he come out of the pitlane there was a battle between him and Perez and then Daniel spun round after being hit. I gasped as I watched the car spin round and hit the barriers with force and a horrible noise as it wasn't far from where I was sitting in the garage so I heard it clearly, I stopped breathing and stared at the screen.

"Daniel, are you okay? Are you okay?" I heard through the headset over my ears, I turned to look at Michael and he was straight over with a hand on my shoulder. There was a pause of silence, before Daniel's voice finally came crackling over the radio, he didn't sound okay.

"Ow, yeah I'm okay" I heard, Michael handed me a tissue and I didn't realise I had cried until I tasted the salty water on my lips. I pulled off the headphones and Michael pulled me out of the garage, I knew he was fine, I heard him but the split second between radio messages felt like a lifetime, and the whole incident seemed to happen in slow motion.

"Breathe Alex, it's okay" I was buried in Michael's chest out the back of garage, he had me hidden away and I sobbed into his chest, I had to pull myself together. "Come on" he pulled me away and we ended up in Daniel's room.

"I don't even know why I'm upset" I cried as I sat down on the bed, Michael sat beside me hugging me again, letting me cry. Michael seemed tense himself, of course he would be worried for Daniel.

"Because you love him, nothing is wrong in that, we all do. But focus on the fact that he's okay" Michael soothed.

Daniel was sent to the medical centre after the crash to make sure he was okay, as the crash was quite a big one. It was a very very rare occurrence that Daniel had an issue like that, Perez was given a penalty as he was found at fault, but that wasn't my main concern. As soon as the door opened of Daniel's room I looked up, Michael still had his arm around me and he rubbed my back once more before leaving us to it. Daniel was here in one piece.

"Are you okay?" Daniel asked

"Me? Am I okay? You're the one that just.." I couldn't even say the words

"I'm fine, a little bruised but I'm okay" I had my arms wrapping around Daniel, almost holding on to him so that he couldn't be hurt, trying to protect him.

"I'm so sorry" I said

"What for silly?" Daniel asked, he held me at arms length and his warm honey eyes kept their gaze on mine

"For being a blubbering mess, and for being so stupid to not tell you about the job, and for not fixing it straight away. I don't know what I would of done if we hadn't sorted it and.." I started crying all over again and Daniel pulled me back into his arms

"Don't, don't ever apologise for showing your emotions, and don't even go there. We were both at fault, but the main thing is we made up, and we are okay and everything is fine" he said

"I'm just so glad you're okay" I said

"Apart from a potential loss of a championship" he said with a small laugh, although I knew it affected him. It was getting close and any mistakes now would cost him.

"You're not going to lose, you're going to win" I said

"Listen" Daniel titled my chin and wiped my tears away "I love you okay? I love you, we're okay" I nodded along with his words. "Now come on, media calls, and I can't have you standing next to me being a blubbering mess"

I laughed and nodded, grabbed my bag and cleaned myself up, sorting out my makeup with the spare in my bag and breathing a little. Daniel got changed out of his race suit and put on his McLaren t shirt and jeans. After one last tight hug, I walked with him out of the building and we headed to the media pen to speak to some journalists and do interviews. I was thankful when it was over and I could head back to the comfort of the McLaren building to hide. Daniel and I sat in his room for a while before his briefings once the race was over.

"I guess if you feel bruised they'll be no bending over the desk" I said with a chuckle, I was laid on his chest and our fingers playing together in front of us.

"Now that is stupid, it takes a lot more than that to take me out of the game" he said back, making me laugh

"Good to know" I smiled

"So come on then, tell me all about this job" he said, I looked up at him and smiled.

"It's a promotion, in Mercedes, it's double the salary. It's weird I don't know, like I've been with McLaren for three years now, I've been promoted here and I love it and I work with you and I work with Lands and I know the team and friends with everyone so it'll be weird, but in a way it's exciting and it's a new challenge, and if it was anywhere, Mercedes is a great place to go. Based in England as well again, but I think I'm getting way ahead of myself"

"I think that shows positivity though. If you want it, you're going to get it. For sure"

"Thank you"

"At least I know you're not with me for my money" he said

"Never!" I shook my head at him and he sat up and pulled me on his lap so I was facing him.

"What are you with me for?" He asked

"Apart from how hot you are?" He laughed at me "you're funny, you're caring and considerate and look after me, you treat me exactly what any girl wishes to be treated like, you push me out my comfort zone and I have fun with you, you're motivated and headstrong and so incredibly talented, we want the same things and have the same values and I just couldn't picture being with anyone else" I said, he placed his hand on my cheek and kissed me, lovingly and passionately, the ones that completely sweep you off your feet and make you giddy.

"What are you with me for?" I asked him once I finally caught my breath and could think again, he smiled and I rested my head on his chest.

"That's a very very long list" he said quietly "at first, you were this headstrong person, that knew her way around and handled people well, and I just knew instantly. You're beautiful, you're smart, you don't just settle, you push to do more everyday, I love how much you want all the good for me, the same as I want all the good for you. You're funny, you're so warming and compassionate, it's the best part of my day to see you. Whether that's waking up and you're laying next to me, or jumping out the car and you're there in the garage. You honestly make everything better, I love what I do, more than anything in the world, and yet I love you more than that" he said. I nearly melted as I tucked myself into him and smiled.