Before the Now [LANDO NORRIS]

56.

I've given her 6 months.

Six whole months since Abigail walked out of that door, and although I sent messages and attempted phone calls within the first few weeks, her radio silence told me that if I was to ever get her back, then I needed to give her the space in which she requested.

With everyday that passed, the echoing notion of her confession weighed heavily on me. I didn't understand at what point she fell out of love with me, at first I didn't believe her, but with every day that we don't speak, I feel the truth of it burying me alive.

Lily has been keeping me updated on her progresses back home. Although the two of them never really seemed to sort out their differences, they shared similar friend groups and she would let me know when she saw her out and about. Apparently, she had taken up art. Something that I find absolutely fascinating, that she is drawing with absolute feeling. Lily has been trying to get a hold of some of her work for me to see, but so far unsuccessful.

"How much longer do you think I should give her?" I ask Lily as I settle the phone wedged between my shoulder and ear.

Something clangs on her end of the line, followed by some mumbled curses, which makes me chuckle. "I'm not sure. Six months seems like long enough, but then again, I can't really say what's on Abi's mind, I don't even know where she is on the whole dating front"

"You make it sound like what we had was casual" I comment, pulling at the pasta in my bowl.

"It'd only been a few months, I'm not saying it's casual, I'm just...owe dammit" she bursts.

"Are you okay?" I chuckle, "what happened?"

More clanging comes through the speaker, "my mum is bringing her new husband over and I'm attempting a roast chicken"

"Oh god, you're finally meeting him" I comment, remembering from one of our previous discussions we had on her mums rather out there dating history. "What is this, husband number..."

"Five" she scoffs. "I don't even know why I'm trying, he'll be out of here by next week and the next one will be waiting to join the queue."

Even though she jokes, I know that this affects Lily more than she lets on. "Do you think maybe that's why you don't believe in love?"

"Who said I don't believe in love?" She queries.

"I guess I can just tell" I remark, standing up from the couch, sliding my bowl across the coffee table before heading down the hall into my bedroom. My eyes catch sight of my carry on suitcase and it sparks an idea. "Should I come there?"

"What?" She chuckles.

"I'm serious. I've given her 6 months, should I just turn up?" I shutter.

"You're insane" she teases. "Wait, you're not joking are you?" I hear all background noise subside.

"I'm not, I just, I need to know" I comment.

"You're welcome to stay here, if you need" Lily offers.

"Thank you, I'll probably take you up on that" I agree.

"You're actually coming here?" Tapping the phone off speaker I pull it back to my ear.

"Flights booked. I'll see you tomorrow morning" I inform her.

"Lando you're more insane than I thought" she mocks.

I shrug my shoulders, "I have to do something, Lil. I'm going insane just sitting here"

"I understand, well I'll make up the spare room for you" she suggests.

"A couch will be just fine" I inform her. "Turn your camera on, I want to see this master chef attempt"

She chuckles as I hear the clicking of the phone, pulling it from my ear, I set it up on my dresser as I pull the bag from the closet.

Lily pops up on the screen, her hair in a messy bun as she settles the phone against the back of her kitchen, sitting so I can see the stove.

"Barely master chef" she comments, stirring what I presume is vegetables in the pot.

"Are you following a recipe at least?" I ask as I start to pull shirts and shorts from my drawers, settling them by the bag.

Her eyes widen as if she's just been caught red handed, "kind of just winging it"

I shake my head in a chuckle.

"Hey, go easy on me, at least I'm trying" she moans, pouting toward the camera.

"I think your mum is incredibly lucky to have you" I inform her, halting what I was doing so I can show her how serious I am.

Lily's face softens, "Thankyou"

Nodding my head, I pick up my shirts and roll them into a tight roll, before lining them inside my suitcase.

"How long are you staying for anyway?" She asks, returning to the stove.

"I only bought a one way ticket" I confess.

She shakes her head in a chuckle, "probably for the best, not sure how long it will take you to crack the shell on that girl"

I push down the tension I feel when Lily makes a negative comment about Abi. I knew she didn't mean it in a malicious way.

"Well I'm there to see you as well" I comment, trying to lighten the tone.

"Of course you are" she sasses, tilting her head in disbelief at me.

"Nah, I'm serious. We're friends aren't we?" I question.

Her eyes dart away from the camera, "yeah, we're friends Lando"

Her comment unsettles me, but she ends up hanging up pretty quickly after the alarm to the oven goes off.

I finish packing the suitcase, pulling it toward the kitchen and settling it beside the island bench. I'm expecting Max and Pietra around here at some point tonight and I'm guessing it will be a late night. Usually is when those two are involved lately.

I contemplate telling Abigail that I'm coming down. I don't know how well she will do with a surprise, but I also know that once I'm there, it's a little harder to get rid of me.