I Care ~ Lando Norris

Chapter 15: Mclaren Family

I chuckle, resting my head on Lando's shoulder. "Come on, let's get some sleep" I say. Lando spread his arms, "come on" he said and then pulled me towards him so I could lie down comfortably. "Goodnight Lan"

"Goodnight Bella"

Lando's presence felt comforting. As the night progressed, the initial tension and drama of the evening began to fade into the background.

In the quietude of the moment, Lando's voice broke the silence. "Bella, I never got the chance to properly thank you for being there. You really saved me tonight."

I smiled, "Hey, that's what friends are for, right?"

Lando nodded, his eyes reflecting gratitude. As we lay there in companionable silence, the exhaustion of the day began to catch up with both of us. The events of the race, the emotional turmoil with Carlos, and the unexpected movie night had taken their toll.

Lando's breathing steadied, and I could tell he was on the brink of sleep. The rhythmic rise and fall of his chest matched the quietude of the hotel room. The comforting sounds of his gentle snores served as a lullaby, and I found myself drifting into a peaceful slumber.

•••

The morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a soft glow on the room. Lando stirred, waking from the shared respite of the night. His eyes met mine, and we exchanged a silent understanding of the events that had brought us to this moment.

"Morning, Bella," Lando greeted, a genuine smile playing on his lips.

"Morning, Lan," I replied, returning the smile.

It was a Monday. A post-race day marked by reviews, analyses, and preparations for the next challenge on the circuit.

Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Lando glanced at the clock. "Race day aftermath, huh?" he mused, a mix of weariness and determination in his voice.

I nodded, recognizing the familiar routine of the racing calendar. "Another day in the circus."

As we prepared for the day ahead, the camaraderie formed in the quiet moments of the night lingered between us. The events of the previous day, the emotional rollercoaster, and the unexpected connection formed the backdrop of the mundane tasks that awaited us.

In the paddock, the atmosphere hummed with a mix of excitement and routine. The buzz of conversations, the distant roar of engines being tested, and the scent of fuel in the air—the racing world had reawakened.

Lando immersed himself in team meetings, debriefs, and preparations for the upcoming races. I moved through the paddock, observing the intricate dance of mechanics, engineers, and drivers, each playing their part in the symphony of Formula 1.

As the day unfolded, Lando and I found a moment to reconvene. The shared glances and unspoken understanding remained, a silent acknowledgment of the bond forged in the quietude of the hotel room.

"Ready for the next one?" Lando asked, a spark of determination in his eyes.

"Always," I replied, mirroring his resolve. "And I'll be there, cheering you on from the sidelines."

"If you're going to do that I think you need some McLaren merch. Don't you think?" He grins.

"Give me some and I'll wear it for you."

The day progressed in a whirlwind of activities. Media interviews, sponsor engagements, and team commitments filled the hours, each ticking away in the relentless countdown to the next race.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, signaling the end of the day, Lando and I found a moment of reprieve. We retreated to a quiet corner of the paddock, away from the hustle and bustle.

"Thanks again, Bella," Lando said, sincerity coloring his words. "For being there when I needed it the most."

I smiled, "Anytime, Lando. We're in this together."

Lando's grin widened as he handed me a neatly folded McLaren team shirt and cap. "There you go, part of the team now," he teased.

I laughed, appreciating the gesture. "Alright, let's make it official." With a playful twirl, I slipped into the McLaren gear, earning a thumbs-up from Lando.

"Now you're ready for the next race," he declared, the camaraderie blending seamlessly with the team spirit.

As the evening settled in, casting a golden hue over the paddock, Lando and I found ourselves in a quiet corner. The day's demands had subsided, and the racing world transitioned from the chaos of preparations to a momentary calm.

"Something on your mind?" Lando asked, his eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and genuine concern.

I hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I was thinking about that movie night. It was unexpected but nice, you know?"

Lando nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah, it was. Sometimes the unexpected moments become the most memorable."

"By the way," Lando began, "there's a team dinner tonight. Fancy joining?"

I considered the invitation, thinking about what the others would think of I showed up.

"Sure, I'd love to," I replied with a smile.

As we made our way to the team dinner, surrounded by the familiar faces of the McLaren crew, it became apparent that the unexpected twists and turns of the racing world could lead to not only triumphs on the track but also the forging of genuine connections off it.

The night unfolded with laughter, stories, and shared camaraderie. Amidst the clinking of glasses and the backdrop of racing anecdotes, Lando and I found ourselves immersed in the warmth of the McLaren family.

As the evening drew to a close, Lando walked me back to my hotel, the racing circuit's vibrant energy still pulsating in the air.

"Thanks for tonight, Lan," I said, genuinely grateful for the camaraderie that had transformed a post-race Monday into an unexpected celebration.

"Anytime, Bella," he replied, his gaze holding a promise of more shared moments to come. "We've got a lot more races ahead, and I'm glad to have you on this journey with me."

We said each other goodnight, and with that I closed the door behind me.