Risking it all (Lando Norris)

Chapter 36

Lily

Waking up in Lando's bed felt like a dream. The sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room, and I could feel his breath gently brushing against the back of my neck. 

He was still asleep, his arm draped over my waist, holding me close as if he was afraid I might disappear. The steady rise and fall of his chest was comforting, a reminder that he was here, that we were here together, in this moment.

I carefully turned in his arms so I could see his face. Even in sleep, he was beautiful—his features relaxed, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips. I wondered what he was dreaming about, and a part of me hoped that it was about us, about the life we were building together.

Not wanting to wake him just yet, I gently slipped out from under his arm, careful not to disturb him. I padded over to the bathroom, quickly freshening up and pulling on one of his oversized t-shirts and a pair of shorts. 

It was one of those mornings where everything felt right, and I wanted to start the day by doing something nice for him.

Quietly, I made my way downstairs to the kitchen. The house was still, save for the soft hum of the refrigerator and the birds chirping outside. I could hear the distant rumble of traffic from the street, but it was muted, almost like a background lullaby. 

As I started gathering ingredients to make breakfast, I couldn't help but smile. I was living with Lando now. The thought made my heart race with excitement. It felt like a new beginning, a step into a future that was filled with endless possibilities.

I decided to make something simple but hearty—scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, and some fresh fruit on the side. The smell of sizzling bacon soon filled the kitchen, and I hummed softly to myself as I worked, flipping the eggs in the pan and slicing up strawberries and bananas. 

This was what I wanted—to take care of him, to build a life with him, to share these quiet, intimate moments together.

Just as I was finishing up, I heard footsteps coming down the stairs. I turned around, expecting to see Lando, but instead, I heard him speaking quietly on the phone. His voice was soft, almost reverent, and it made me pause, curiosity piqued.

"I asked her, Mum," I heard him say, and my heart skipped a beat. He was talking about me. "She said yes. She's moving in."

I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. The way he talked about me, the joy in his voice, it was all so incredibly sweet. But I didn't want to interrupt, not just yet. So I stayed where I was, hidden behind the wall in the hallway, listening in on the conversation.

"She's amazing, Mum. I'm so lucky. I don't know how I got so lucky," he continued, and I could hear the sincerity in his voice. "She's been taking care of me, making sure I'm okay... I can't wait for you to see us together here, really. I think you'll love her or well us even more than you already do."

My heart swelled with emotion, and I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to contain the fluttering feeling inside. Hearing him talk about me like that, it was overwhelming in the best possible way. I'd never felt so cherished, so loved.

There was a pause, and I imagined his mum was speaking on the other end, probably saying something sweet or teasing him in that affectionate way she always did. Lando chuckled softly, and I could picture the smile on his face.

"Yeah, she's perfect. Honestly, I couldn't ask for anyone better. She's everything I didn't know I needed," he said, and I felt a tear slip down my cheek. I wiped it away quickly, not wanting him to see me crying if he happened to walk in.