Risking it all (Lando Norris)

Chapter 50

Lily

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a golden hue across the hotel room. I stirred awake, feeling the comforting warmth of Lando beside me. 

His arm was draped protectively around my waist, his breathing steady and peaceful. For a moment, I allowed myself to bask in the serenity of the morning, enjoying the rare quiet before the storm of the day ahead.

Today was the day of the third practice and qualifications—a day that always brought with it a mixture of excitement and nerves. 

I knew how much this race weekend meant to Lando. Monaco was special, not just for the prestige of the track but for the memories it held for both of us. Yet, there was always an underlying tension on days like this, a sense that everything was on the line.

I turned slightly to face him, my fingers tracing the line of his jaw. He stirred, his eyes slowly opening to meet mine. A sleepy smile spread across his face as he pulled me closer, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead.

"Morning, love," he murmured, his voice still thick with sleep.

"Morning," I whispered back, feeling a rush of affection for him. Moments like these made everything worth it—the long hours, the stress, the constant travel. Being with him, sharing these experiences, made all of it meaningful.

But we couldn't linger in bed today. There was too much to do. I reluctantly pulled away, sitting up and stretching. "We should probably get moving. Busy day ahead."

Lando groaned playfully, burying his face in the pillow for a moment before sitting up as well. "Yeah, you're right. Let's get some breakfast."

We got dressed quickly—Lando in a casual outfit since he'd be changing into his racing suit later, and me in my McLaren uniform, the same one I'd worn countless times but still felt a sense of pride in. 

As we made our way down to the hotel restaurant, the anticipation of the day ahead hung in the air between us, unspoken but palpable.

The restaurant was buzzing with energy, filled with people who were clearly there for the Grand Prix. We found a quiet table near the window, offering a stunning view of the Mediterranean. 

The sight of the calm, blue sea was a stark contrast to the adrenaline that was already starting to build within me.

As we sat down, the waiter brought us coffee, and we both started to pile our plates with food. I could tell Lando was trying to stay relaxed, but I knew him well enough to see the underlying tension in his movements.

"I can't get enough of this place" he said, taking a sip of his coffee as he looked out at the view.

I nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's beautiful..." I saw the way he was looking at the yachts that were parked in the harbours. I couldn't help but think about all the things he did for me already.

All this thinking made me want to do something for him. He is under so much stress lately that I couldn't help but notice that his mental health wasn't as good as it was. I was genuinely worried about him. 

We ate in comfortable silence for a while, both of us lost in our thoughts. I couldn't help but think about the day ahead, the pressure that came with qualifying, the fine line between success and disappointment. 

But I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on enjoying this moment with Lando. We'd face whatever came our way together, just as we always had.

As we finished our breakfast, Lando checked the time and realised it was almost time to head to the track.

"We should get going," he said, standing up and offering me his hand. I took it, smiling up at him as we left the restaurant. "Let's do this."