Risking it all (Lando Norris)

Chapter 61

Lily

Friday morning at the Hungarian Grand Prix felt like any other race weekend, but something inside me told me it wasn't. 

I'd been to countless races with Lando, stood by his side through the highs and lows of Formula 1, and every weekend had its own unique rhythm. But today, as I stood in front of the mirror in our hotel room, brushing my hair, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was different. 

I paused, placing a hand on the counter, steadying myself as a wave of nausea swept over me.

My stomach had been off for a few days now, but I'd chalked it up to the usual pre-race nerves, the jet lag, or maybe something I'd eaten. 

I wasn't one to get sick, but the schedule this season had been relentless, and we were constantly traveling. Maybe my body was just tired from all the back and forth. 

I had barely even mentioned it to Lando, not wanting to distract him, especially not now that we were heading into the second half of the season.

But today, it felt more persistent, more than just the usual butterflies I got before his race weekends. As I stood there, staring at my reflection, the idea quietly crept into my mind. Could I be...?

I dismissed the thought, shaking my head. No, it can't be that. I hadn't even thought about the possibility lately. We'd been so busy—between Lando's races, my work, and everything else, we hadn't even discussed the idea of kids too seriously yet.

Sure, we'd made comments here and there about "one day," but it felt like something far in the future, something to talk about after this crazy chapter in our lives. But now...the idea wasn't going away.

I took a deep breath and stepped away from the mirror, pushing the thought aside for now. Today was about Lando, about supporting him through FP1 and FP2. He didn't need to know that I was feeling off—not yet. Not when he had a full day of driving ahead.

As we made our way to the paddock, the morning air felt heavier than usual. The sun was already blazing down, the humidity clinging to everything. 

Lando was his usual self, upbeat and focused, chatting about tire strategies and race setups as we walked side by side. I smiled, nodding along, but my mind was elsewhere. 

Every now and then, I'd feel a flicker of nausea, and I'd have to force myself to stay present.

The paddock was bustling with its usual energy—teams hurrying to and from the garages, the sound of engines revving, fans lining the fences. 

I loved being here, being part of this world with Lando. But today, as we entered the motorhome, I felt a little more distant, a little out of sync with everything around me.

Lando pulled me in for a quick kiss before heading off to his meetings, and I wished him luck, watching him disappear into the team's garage. 

I stood there for a moment, breathing in the familiar scent of burning rubber and gasoline, but it didn't calm me like it usually did. Instead, I felt another wave of nausea hit, and I quickly turned, making my way toward the lounge where the drivers' partners usually hung out during the practice sessions.

I found Alexandra, Leclerc's girlfriend, lounging on one of the sofas with a coffee in hand, scrolling through her phone. She looked up when I walked in, her face lighting up with a smile.

"Hey, Lily! You okay? You look a little pale," she said, sitting up straighter as I approached.

I sank down onto the sofa beside her, rubbing my temples. "I don't know. I've just been feeling a bit off lately. Nauseous, tired...I thought it was just the traveling, but it's not going away."