we might be falling in love - patricio o' ward

final day in vegas

January 2nd, 2023

Astraea woke up to the warm embrace of Pato, the early morning light filtering through the curtains of their hotel room. She snuggled closer, burying her face in his chest, savoring the peaceful moment before the chaos of their last day in Vegas ensued. Pato stirred and smiled, his fingers gently tracing patterns on her back.

"Good morning, mi amor," he whispered, kissing the top of her head. "How did you sleep?"

"Like a baby," Astraea murmured, lifting her head to meet his gaze. "It's been an amazing trip, hasn't it?"

Pato nodded, his eyes reflecting the same contentment she felt. "Yeah, it has. I'm so glad we got to do this with everyone. And now, we've got even more to look forward to."

Astraea's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I know! I still can't believe I'll be a team principal next season. It's a dream come true."

"I'm so proud of you," Pato said, his voice full of admiration. "You've worked so hard for this. You're going to be incredible."

"And you'll be right there with me, continuing to kick ass with Arrow McLaren," Astraea replied, her hand resting on his cheek. "We're going to make such a great team, on and off the track."

Pato chuckled. "Yeah, we will. I can't wait to see what this season brings. And to think, we'll be doing it together."

Astraea nodded, feeling a rush of anticipation. "It's going to be a wild ride. But with you by my side, I know we can handle anything."

They shared a tender kiss, their lips lingering as they savored the connection between them. When they finally pulled away, Pato brushed a strand of hair from Astraea's face.

"We should probably start getting ready," he said softly. "The group is waiting for us for breakfast."

"Yeah, you're right," Astraea agreed, though she made no move to get up. "But can we just stay here for a little longer? I want to enjoy this moment with you."

Pato smiled, pulling her closer. "Of course, mi vida. We can stay like this as long as you want."

They lay there, wrapped in each other's arms, talking about their hopes and dreams for the future. The excitement of the upcoming IndyCar season, the thrill of new challenges, and the comfort of knowing they would face it all together.

"Do you think we’ll have time to squeeze in some adventures like this between races?" Astraea asked, her fingers tracing circles on his chest.

"Definitely," Pato assured her. "We'll make time. Besides, who says we can't turn our IndyCar travels into little adventures of their own?"

Astraea laughed. "That’s true. Every city, every track... there’s always something new to explore. And with you, everything feels like an adventure anyway."

Pato’s eyes softened as he looked at her. "I love you, you know that? More than anything."

"I love you too," Astraea whispered, her heart swelling with emotion. "And I can't wait to see what the future holds for us."

With one last lingering kiss, they finally decided to get up and get ready for the day. The excitement of the night before still hung in the air, but now it was mingled with the anticipation of what lay ahead. Together, they faced the morning, ready to meet their friends and make the most of their last day in Vegas before heading off to new adventures.

As the sun painted the Las Vegas skyline in shades of gold and pink, casting a warm glow over the city that never sleeps, the group gathered at a renowned brunch spot, ready to indulge in a culinary experience fit for royalty.