You don't need to explain what the butterfly effect is to Lando Norris because with one single change of events, the love of his life forgot all about him and their 3 year relationship.
3 years;
36 months;
156 weeks;
1095 days;
26,280 hours;
All gon...
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It is so good to see her glow. To see her enjoying my company, holding my hand, and my fans even talking to her.
My heart jumped when she said she just knew about the hazelnut coffees. I know I shouldn't get my hopes up, but it gave me hope.
"Shall I order for us?" She asks as we put our stuff down at a table. "A flat white for you, right?"
She looks as confused as I look shocked, "Y— yeah. A flat white is perfect."
Aurora smiles, nods quickly, and then turns around to walk to the counter.
She looks good, as beautiful as she did the day I met her. Maybe even more beautiful now. I sit down and look at her ordering our coffees.
Don't get your hopes up.
Her smile is wide when she comes back, almost skipping with both coffees, but smart enough to know not to do so.
"Here's your coffee," she says, putting it down gently.
"Thank you," I smile back. "You seem in a very good mood."
"I just... it feels good to be here."
"I'm glad."
"Lando," she grabs my hand, and I raise my eyebrows, hearing my entire name.
"Yeah?"
She smiles, and the worries ease, "I feel so conflicted about everything."
"Tell me."
"The miscarriage... I didn't know I was pregnant. I don't even know if I knew before the accident... My parents keeping it from me feels like a betrayal and a form of protection at once. I just— I don't know. I am so grateful for your patience. I know I've hurt you."
"Aurora," I say, squeezing her hand. "All your feelings are valid. Take the time to figure them out. You've— we had a big accident, and you're still recovering."
"Thank you, Lan."
I nod and smile at her, getting my hopes up. My heart is not ready to break more than it already has.
"I think this is a pretty good date."
"Is this a date?" I ask, somewhat confused.
"Oh, no, sorry... It doesn't have to be."
"I would love this to be a date, Rora."
She smiles and nods, "So, when are those shit shows starting again?"
"The last weekend of August. So, we've got a little time for us. It's the Dutch Grand Prix."
"That's close by... Are you good there?"
"Very good. It's basically a second home race for me."
"I thought the Belgium one was your second home race. Since... Belgium roots have and all."
I chuckle, my heart warming up, "How do you know about that?"
"You told me," she says with a laugh, almost as if I had told her after the accident.
"I did... before the accident. Not after."
"I am sure you did."
"I am sure I did not."
"Oh... I guess I just knew it then."
"This is good, love. It's good to remember those little things."
Aurora smiles and takes a sip from her drink. Her eyes don't leave me.
"Is there something wrong?" I ask, and she shakes her head.
"Nothing is going on."
"Have you spoken to Caitlin recently?" I try to change the subject a bit. Hoping that hearing a familiar name will recall some memories with them.
"We've been texting a bit. She's giving me my time, but as soon as I am back in Belgium, Caitlin and I will meet up for some coffee."
"That sounds like a good idea."
Aurora nods, "I hope it unlocks even more memories."
"Little steps, Rora. Don't get ahead of yourself."
༻✿༺
Hand in hand, we walk back to the apartment. I tell her little tails about previous walks here because we used to walk here almost every weekend. She listens carefully, a smile playing on her lips the entire time.
"Do Carmen and George live close by?"
"Yeah, just a block or two away from us. Why?"
She shrugs, "I'm just asking. Maybe we can have them over for dinner if they have time."
"Sure. I will ask George if he's in London or Brackley." I grab my phone with my free hand, not wanting to let go of hers, and text George.
I know there's a group chat with the four of us, but in the past few weeks, Aurora barely used her phone, and she definitely stayed away from social media. The photo album was already very confronting, I can't even start to imagine how it would feel seeing papparazi pictures, or pictures taken by fans.
George is quick to respond, and I show Aurora the text. She smiles widely, "Can you do the groceries? You knew better what they like to eat."
"Sure, no problem. Although Carmen and George are not picky eaters, so how about a steak, some vegetables, and a very good wine?"
"That will work."
༻✿༺
Around seven, the doorbell rings, and Aurora is quick on her feet to open the door.
"Hi, welcome in!"
"Thank you," I hear George reply. "You look good."
"And thank you for inviting us," Carmen says, hugging Aurora before turning to me and hugging me, too.
"Of course," Aurora and I say at the same time, and we all laugh as we make our way to the living room.
"How are you doing, Aurora?" Carmen asks, taking a seat next to her on the couch.
"It surely has been a roller coaster. I still don't know how to handle everything, but little things are coming back to me."
"Oh, really?! That's so good! What kind of things?"
Aurora laughs softly, looking at me momentarily before returning her gaze to Carmen. "Lando's coffee order, knowing they have hazelnut coffees there as well, and my favorite color being orange because Lando drives in orange."
"That's so good," George says. "If I had known this could've been the moment to convert you into a Mercedes girl, I really should've taken it."
"You wouldn't have succeeded, mate," I say with a proud smile as I watch her glow.
