Risking it all (Lando Norris)

Chapter 48

Lily

I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside the window. The soft rays of the morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the bedroom. 

I stretched lazily, feeling the tension from the last few days slowly easing away. Lando was still asleep beside me, his chest rising and falling rhythmically. I couldn't help but smile as I watched him, feeling grateful for how we had made it through the rough patch. 

Our relationship wasn't perfect, but that was okay—we were stronger because of it.

Slipping out of bed quietly, I headed to the bathroom to freshen up. As I brushed my teeth, I thought about what we might do today. 

With no immediate plans, I figured we'd have another relaxing day at home. But as I walked back into the bedroom, I noticed something unusual—a small envelope placed neatly on my pillow, with my name written in Lando's familiar handwriting. Lando wasn't in bed anymore...

Curious, I picked it up and carefully opened it. Inside was a note, written with Lando's signature playful charm:

Good morning, love. Pack your bags, we're going on an adventure. Don't worry about a thing—I've got it all planned out. I'll see you downstairs. – Lando

My heart skipped a beat. What was he up to now? An adventure? Excitement bubbled up inside me as I hurriedly got dressed, my mind racing with possibilities. What kind of adventure? Where could we be going?

I quickly packed a small suitcase with essentials—comfortable clothes, swimwear, and a few other items. As I zipped up my bag, I couldn't help but smile. Lando was always full of surprises, and I loved that about him.

When I made my way downstairs, I found Lando in the kitchen, leaning against the counter with a mischievous grin on his face. He was already dressed in casual travel attire—shorts, a T-shirt, and his favourite pair of sneakers.

"You're up," he said, his eyes twinkling as he watched me approach.

"Well, someone left a mysterious note on my pillow," I teased, holding up the envelope.

Lando chuckled, pushing himself off the counter and walking over to me. He took my suitcase from my hand and set it aside, pulling me into a warm hug. "I figured it was time for a little getaway. Just the two of us."

I wrapped my arms around him, feeling a rush of affection. "You're always full of surprises, aren't you?"

He pulled back slightly, looking into my eyes. "I wanted to do something special for you. For us. We've been through a lot lately mainly because of me, and I think we deserve a break."

I nodded, touched by his thoughtfulness. "Where are we going?" His grin widened. "It's a surprise. But I promise you'll love it."

We left the house shortly after, with Lando carrying our bags to the car. As he drove, I couldn't stop my mind from wandering. 

What could he possibly have planned? The anticipation was almost too much to bear, but I knew better than to pester him with questions. He was enjoying keeping me in the dark, and I was enjoying the thrill of the unknown.

After a couple of hours on the road, we began to drive through a scenic area—lush green forests, rolling hills, and glimpses of sparkling water in the distance. 

I stared out the window, trying to piece together our destination. But it wasn't until we turned onto a narrow, tree-lined path that I finally understood.

We were heading to a lake house.

I turned to Lando, my eyes wide with realisation. "Are we staying here?"