DNF - A Formula 1 Story (Lando Norris)

Chapter 43

"For all the things my hands have held, the best by far is you." - Andrew McMahon and the Wilderness

Lando

April

"Tell me what you need, love." I plead with Bianca who is glaring at me while she bounces on a stability ball, trying to breathe through another contraction. She's been having them sporadically for the past three hours but they are starting to become more regular. I've been trying to convince her to go to the hospital but she is claiming these are just Braxton Hicks contractions and not the real deal. Although I disagree with her assessment, I know better than to argue with her, so I'm trying to come up with another tactic on getting her to the hospital so she doesn't give birth in our bedroom.

"I need you to...ughhhhhh..." she starts to tell me but another contraction starts, this one only minutes after her last and I know that we need to leave.

"Bianca, let's just go to the hospital to make sure. Worst case scenario is that they send us home, best case is we have our baby." I beg her to listen to me. As much as I want her to have complete control over this situation, I know I need to step up and force her hand, my gut is telling me it's time. She looks up at me with exhaustion in her eyes, the last few weeks have been rough on her; having to deal with school on top of not getting much sleep.

"Please babe." I beg, taking a step towards her and grabbing her face, trying to give her any comfort I can. She sighs and relaxes into my hand and nods. Tension seeps from my body as she agrees and I jump into action going to find her shoes and our bags for the hospital. Once I have them I help her into her shoes and lead her out of the apartment and into her car.

We make it to the hospital in record time because I could tell Bianca is starting to panic, her contractions now coming in faster and more intense. The nurses in labor and delivery quickly check to see how far along she is and attach monitors onto her belly to keep track of her contractions. When they say she's already 6cm dilated and 85% effaced I'm thankful that I convinced her to come in, there's no way we aren't leaving this hospital without our baby girl because Bianca is in active labor.

Bianca is still in denial, even when they admit us and put us in a private room. I can tell she's freaking out and I'm not sure what to do to help her. Discretely I text her dad and Morgan to let them know we are here and I also text me mom to let her know. She's been staying in Monaco for the past couple of weeks waiting for this moment. Not because she's anxious to meet her newest grand daughter, although she is, but she wants to be here for Bianca in case she needs her for support.

"I'm not sure I can do this Lan. How am I supposed to be a good mom when I never had one?" She whispers once the nurses leave the room. My heart clenches in my chest as Bianca looks at me with sadness and terror in her eye. She truly thinks what she's saying and that makes my heart break for her. I tangle my hand into her hair to comfort her and press a kiss to her forehead.

"You're the best person I know, and just because you didn't have a mom doesn't mean you can't do this. I would argue it makes you more qualified to be a good mom because you know what a daughter deserves from her mother. Someone who loves fiercely and with her whole being, someone who is understanding and protective. Someone like you. Stop doubting yourself love." I urge her to listen and believe what I'm saying. She squeezes her eyes shut and tears fall from her eyes.

"What did I do to deserve you? I love you so much." She says roughly a moment later, opening her eyes and looking at me in that way that I love so much, like I'm the greatest thing she's ever seen. I can't stop myself from leaning towards her and kissing her softly.