Risking it all (Lando Norris)

Chapter 40

Lily

The morning sun filtered softly through the curtains, casting a warm, golden hue across the bedroom. I stirred awake, the events of the previous day slowly coming back to me. Meeting Lando's entire family had been an experience—one filled with warmth, laughter, and love. 

They had welcomed me with open arms, treating me like one of their own. I should have felt elated, and part of me did, but there was a lingering tension in my chest, an unease that I couldn't quite shake.

Lando lay beside me, still asleep, his breathing steady and calm. I watched him for a moment, admiring the way the sunlight played across his face, highlighting the sharp lines of his jaw and the soft curve of his lips. 

He looked so peaceful, so content, and it made my heart ache with a confusing mix of emotions. I loved him, there was no doubt about that, but the weight of everything that had happened recently was beginning to feel overwhelming.

Yesterday had been perfect in so many ways. Seeing Lando interact with his family, especially his niece Mila, had melted my heart. He was so good with her, so natural, and it was impossible not to imagine him one day being a father. 

But that thought, instead of filling me with joy, sent a cold shiver down my spine. What if I wasn't ready for all of this? What if the pace of our relationship was too fast? The questions circled in my mind, refusing to be silenced. 

I turned over onto my back, staring up at the ceiling as my thoughts raced. Meeting Lando's family had been a big step, a significant one, and it had made everything feel so real, so immediate. The future was no longer some distant concept; it was here, staring me in the face.

I slipped out of bed quietly, careful not to wake Lando, and padded to the bathroom. The cool tiles felt good under my feet as I splashed water on my face, hoping to wash away some of the anxiety that was building up inside me. 

As I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I didn't recognise the woman looking back at me. Her eyes were wide with uncertainty, her expression strained with the weight of unspoken fears.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to steady myself. Today was supposed to be a good day. We had nothing planned, just a day to relax and enjoy each other's company. But the more I tried to push the doubts away, the more insistent they became.

What if I wasn't enough for him? Lando was so full of life, so driven, and I couldn't help but wonder if I could keep up with him. His world was fast-paced, demanding, and I wasn't sure I could handle it. 

My insecurities, which I had managed to keep at bay for so long, were now creeping to the surface, threatening to drown me in a sea of doubt.

I knew I needed to talk to him, to voice the fears that had been gnawing at me. But how could I? What if it changed everything? What if he saw me differently after I admitted how scared I was? The thought of losing him was unbearable, but so was the thought of pretending that everything was fine when it wasn't.

I heard the bed creak as Lando stirred awake, and I took a deep breath, steeling myself. I had to be honest with him, no matter how difficult it was. If we were going to make this work, we needed to be open with each other.

I walked back into the bedroom, my heart pounding in my chest. Lando was sitting up now, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. When he saw me, a smile spread across his face, but it faltered slightly when he noticed my expression.

"Morning, love," he said, his voice still thick with sleep. "You okay?"

I forced a smile, but I knew it didn't reach my eyes. "Morning. I'm fine, just... thinking."