Rise Up

Chapter 45: Part of the Family

Once back in Italy after the weekend in the USA, everything looked great.

The intrusion at the guys' dinner has been the best thing I've ever done probably, as it allowed me to clear the situation with Lando. We decided together to retry again, this time in a good and healthy way, where the both of us have to work, to open up with the other, to be completely honest and to give something reciprocally.

It wasn't hard deciding it as after that night, spent entirely in his hotel room enjoying each other's presence, was difficult ignoring him. The morning after, before our flight, we had a long serious talk in front of a romantic breakfast in bed, gently offered by the hotel room service- everything is easier in front of a good coffee and some delicious pancakes!

We took separate ways at the airport, as he needed to head home for a few meetings with the team at the MTC, but with the promise to see each other again soon, in just a few days, for a special event.

Lando would come in Italy to finally meet my parents as my boyfriend. We postpone this day way too many times, now it's just perfect, to show him how much I'm trying too this time.

While waiting for Lando at the airport in Florence, my mind started gazing though our little memories together, focusing on the good feeling and on the things we've learnt with the bad ones, as Hannah suggested on our last session- her help was fundamental to help me to not be swallowed by my own emotions. We both agreed that I needed to refresh myself before jumping another time in this relationship, so as now I'm in a good place with everything, it's a good temps.

"Here you are! How was the flight?-"

"Oh, less talking and more kisses!"

"Lan, we're still in the airport! Let's go to the car, it's just outside this door, c'mon. We're already risking enough being here together."

While helping him with the bag, I heard his loud grunt that made me laugh a bit. As soon as we put the luggage in the back, he basically run to the passenger seat, jumping in it in a millisecond.

"Now give me my kiss!"

"You're such a kid." I said smiling even more than him and grabbing gently his face. He was quicker than me though, pulling me in for a wild kiss.

"Wow, while waiting for you I didn't think I would be assaulted like this but ok."

His cheeks turned red immediately hearing my words, pecking once again my lips.

"I don't understand a thing."

"Just once?" My attempt of getting a reaction from him didn't take long.

"Hey! Stop teasing me."

"Sorry, sorry. What do you not understand?"

"You're taking me to your parents to present me officially as your boyfriend but we're still hiding from the world."

I knew this moment was coming since we started dating. Lando often took out this topic while we were together, above all after that embarrassing conversation with our media managers. But talking about this, before meeting my family, wasn't really in my plans.

"We're not hiding."

"Oh really? But if I can't even look at you for longer than three seconds when in public otherwise you would break up with me instantly."

"That's not true!"

"I'm glad to call you back my girl, but I'd like to do it in the light. Normal dates, hangout with our friends, walking hand in hand also in the paddock. And not wearing my hood up, dark sunglasses and exiting from the back door every damn time I want to see my girl."