Ride or Die | Lando Norris (ENGLISH)

BONUS

•LANDO•

Our first wedding anniversary was fast approaching. My grey cells were working at full speed to come up with something special for this occasion instead of another boring dinner at a luxury restaurant. Such situations were common in our lives. In particular, Melanie has returned to work as a model for several months. I won't say that it did suit me when I was left at home alone with three children for a few days. It was pure chaos. The house was turning into a jungle where my every move could result in an attack by small gorillas who were watching all my actions. I really admired the fact that Melanie was able to cope with them on her own for these few years, while I traveled around the world, fulfilling my dreams. This was the first season I didn't participate in and it was slowly driving me crazy. I missed constant traveling, racing, and my mechanics who made me laugh with their jokes every time they went out. Of course my life wasn't all about home and kids, as I still traveled to most of the races in Europe and worked with McLaren, but still... I needed the adrenaline.

– Uncle Maxie! – Mailo shouted as the door slammed loudly in the house and Fewtrell entered.

– Hello, mate! How was the last race? Did you kick their asses? – Max asked cheerfully, ruffling his hair aggressively.

Mailo had shared my interests for some time, much to my delight and Melanie's displeasure. Mels was afraid that he would get hurt, but I believed that the apple didn't fall far from the tree, so my son must have been great at karting, which he has proven so far with his first wins.

– Yes, of course! Dad says I fucked them u...

My eyes almost popped out of their sockets when I heard the voice of my only son. In half a second I was next to him, covering his mouth with my hand.

– Mailo! You can't say words like that! Dad sometimes says things you shouldn't repeat... Especially in front of mom – I told my son seriously, to which he only rolled his eyes and ran back to his room to play on my old simulator, which I adapted to his needs some time ago. This was his new passion and honestly, it moved me incredibly.

– Not bad, Norris. Mel's second day on the business trip, and the young man talks with fucks in sentences. Great father – Fewtrell snorted mockingly, avoiding the blocks and cars lying on the floor to sit down in the large living room.

– If you had three monkeys to take care of, including one that you can't put down for a few minutes because it screams loudly, you'd be shouting f-words every five seconds too – I rolled my eyes, throwing the lying toys into the toy basket that stood next to the beige sofa. The apartment looked like one big playroom.

– Thank God Leo's a calm kid – Max muttered, nodding. I think he imagined himself in my situation.

– Daddy! Noelle is crying again! – Lorraine's voice echoed throughout the apartment. I sighed loudly. Since Melly left, Noelle has been on my radar. Even when she fell asleep, I still had to hold her in my arms. Sure it was cute in some ways, but it was damn tiring having to cook breakfast, lunch and dinner, clean up after Mailo and Lorraine, make company calls and receive guests with seven-month-old Noelle in my arms. Otherwise she would cry loudly.

After Noelle was born, we spent the first four months with family in our house outside London while our two apartments in Monaco were being renovated. We made one two-story apartment out of two apartments.

I left the living room under Max's watchful, compassionate gaze and went to Noelle's room, where Lorraine was politely drawing with crayons. Yes, I made her sit there and watch Noelle sleeping in her bed so I could sit on the couch in the living room for a while. I scooped the crying baby into my arms and returned to Max, gently rocking the little girl in my arms.