How Did It End? - Lando Norris

Part 16 - we're together

"It's happening again

How did it end?"

Lando Norris' POV:

Sailing around Porto Cervo again, just like two years ago, felt like a dream—a dream that I'd thought I'd lost somewhere between all those months of racing, heartbreak, and uncertainty. Yet here we were, Lily and I, back on my boat, cutting through the calm waters under the blazing Italian sun. The way the light danced across the waves, the gentle sway of the boat, and the sound of Lily's laughter echoing against the quiet—I hadn't realized how much I'd missed this.

The days blurred together in the best way possible. Our mornings started slow, with coffee on the deck as the sun climbed higher in the sky. We'd sail to hidden coves, drop anchor, and dive into the crystal-clear water. Lily would float on her back, her hair fanning out around her, a smile on her face that made my chest tighten. It was like the sea had washed away all the heaviness between us, leaving behind just this—us, as we were meant to be.

Evenings were our time to unwind, watching the sunset melt into the horizon, painting the sky with shades of pink and gold. We'd have dinners on deck, sometimes laughing until our stomachs hurt, other times sitting in comfortable silence, soaking in the peace. The weight I'd carried for so long, the pressure, the doubts—they all seemed to dissolve with each passing wave.

There was a sense of freedom in knowing that this time, we weren't running away from anything. We were just...being, enjoying each other's company, without the pressure of the past or the uncertainty of the future hanging over us. It was a quiet, gentle kind of happiness, and it felt like we were rewriting our story, page by page, under the warm Italian sun.

One afternoon, as we drifted near the coastline, Lily lay beside me, resting her head on my shoulder. I looked over at her, the way the sunlight kissed her cheeks, the peaceful look in her eyes, and I couldn't help but feel that we'd finally found our way back to each other—back to the place where we truly belonged.

Lily Lawton's POV:

The time on the boat had been everything I needed. But as we started our journey back to London, I realized I wasn't just ready to return to the city—I was ready to move forward with Lando by my side, completely and openly. So, while we were flying back, I turned to Lando with an idea that had been brewing in my mind for days.

"Lando," I started, playing with the hem of his sweatshirt that I'd borrowed, "I've been thinking... maybe we should tell our parents. About us. I think it's time."

He glanced at me, a little surprised, but his expression quickly softened into one of pure joy. I could see the relief in his eyes, like he'd been waiting for this, hoping for it. His hand found mine, squeezing gently.

"You mean it? You want to tell them?" he asked, and I nodded, feeling a sense of certainty settle inside me.

"Yeah, I do. I think... I think it's time for them to know that we're together. And I want them to be a part of this, too, if you're ready."

He didn't even hesitate. His smile widened, and he pulled me into a hug, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "You have no idea how happy that makes me, Lily."

The moment we landed, Lando took out his phone, a new energy in his step, and called his mom to arrange a dinner with my parents. It was such a simple request, and she didn't think much of it—just two families catching up, especially since our dads were good friends. But I knew that the dinner meant so much more for both of us.

Lando Norris' POV:

The night of the dinner arrived quicker than I thought it would. My nerves buzzed with excitement and anticipation as I stood in my parents' living room, helping set the table. My mom bustled around, making sure everything was perfect, while Lily chatted with my dad, Flo and Oliver, who'd arrived with his wife. It felt surreal, seeing everyone together like this, as if the past few years had folded in on themselves and brought us right back to where we started—except this time, everything was different.