Risking it all (Lando Norris)

Chapter 42

Lily 

The morning sunlight crept into the room, casting a warm, golden hue over everything. I woke up with a flutter of excitement in my chest, but when I turned to look at Lando, I noticed the tension in his features. 

His usually relaxed expression was slightly strained, and there was a nervous energy about him that I hadn't seen before.

"Morning, love," I said softly, brushing my fingers through his hair. He looked over at me, and though he tried to smile, I could see the worry in his eyes.

"Morning," he replied, his voice a little too light, too forced.

I chuckled softly, leaning in to kiss his cheek. "Are you nervous about today?"

Lando sighed, running a hand through his hair as he sat up. "A little. I mean, I know it'll be fine, but...meeting your parents? That's a pretty big deal."

I reached out and took his hand, squeezing it gently. "They're going to love you, Lando. Trust me. They've been dying to meet you since the day I told them about us."

He smiled at that, a little more genuine this time. "I just want to make a good impression. I want them to see how much you mean to me."

"They will," I reassured him. "Just be yourself. That's more than enough."

Lando seemed to relax a bit at my words, and we spent a few more minutes in bed, talking and enjoying the quiet before the day began in earnest. But as we got ready, I could still see the nervous energy in his movements, the way he kept adjusting his shirt, checking his reflection in the mirror.

"Lando," I said, stepping up behind him and wrapping my arms around his waist. "You're perfect, okay? My parents are going to love you. Just breathe."

He chuckled, turning around in my arms to face me. "I know, I know. I'm just...I want everything to go smoothly."

I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him softly. "It will. Now, let's get going before we're late."

We finished getting ready, and before long, we were on the road, heading toward my parents' house. The drive was filled with light conversation, mostly me trying to distract Lando from his nerves. 

He asked me a few questions about my family—what they were like, what they enjoyed—and I could tell he was genuinely interested in making a connection with them.

When we finally arrived at my parents' house, the familiar sight of the cozy two-story home brought a wave of nostalgia over me. 

The house was nestled in a quiet, tree-lined neighbourhood, the kind of place where everyone knew each other. It was a stark contrast to the fast-paced world Lando and I were usually in, and I hoped the calm environment would help ease his nerves.

As we walked up to the front door, Lando took a deep breath, and I squeezed his hand reassuringly before ringing the doorbell.

A few moments later, the door swung open to reveal my mother, Elena, her face lighting up with a warm smile. "Lily! Lando! It's so good to see you both."

"Hi, Mum," I greeted her, stepping forward to give her a hug. Lando followed suit, a polite smile on his face.

"And this must be Lando," my mother said, her eyes twinkling as she looked him over. "I've heard so much about you."

"All good things, I hope," Lando replied with a grin, his nervousness melting away slightly under my mother's warm gaze.

"Only the best," she assured him, stepping aside to let us in. "Come in, come in. Liam's just in the living room. He's been looking forward to meeting you."