How Did It End? - Lando Norris

5 Years Later

"I don't wanna go, think I'll make it worse

Everything I know brings me back to us"

Lily Lawton's POV:

It's a quiet morning in Monaco, the kind I've come to appreciate. I glance out of the window, watching the sunlight filter through the trees as Matilda giggles in the next room. I place a hand on my belly, feeling a light kick from Noah. Our family feels full, and with his arrival in just a couple of months, that sense of completeness will only deepen.

Matilda, my sweet two-year-old, has always been a mommy's girl. She's the spitting image of Elliot but with my stubbornness. Right now, she's playing dress-up with one of her dolls, her giggles mixing with the soft hum of morning sounds. It's peaceful. Audrey, who's six now, is staying with Lando this weekend, and while I miss her presence, I know she's having the time of her life with Conrad, as usual. Those two are inseparable, a bond that I am so grateful has only strengthened over the years.

Living in Monaco was a decision that made sense after everything. Elliot and I are settled here, and it's become our home. I never thought I'd move halfway across the world, but life has a funny way of surprising you. And honestly, it's been good. We're close to Lando and Lu, and co-parenting with Lando has been smoother than I ever imagined. The proximity helps—we don't have to coordinate long trips for Audrey to spend time with her dad. It's just a quick walk or drive, and she's there.

Sometimes I still think about how far we've come. Lando and I have found a way to make things work, not just for Audrey but for ourselves too. There's no bitterness left, no lingering tension. We've both moved on, but there are moments—rare ones—where I catch that look in his eyes. It's like he's remembering, just for a second, what we once had. I feel it too, occasionally, but it's not sadness. It's more of a gentle nostalgia. He was my first love, but Elliot... Elliot is my forever.

I hear the door open behind me, and Elliot walks in, his warm smile instantly calming. He wraps his arms around me, his hand resting on my belly, feeling Noah's little kicks.

"How are my girls?" he asks softly, kissing the side of my head.

"We're good," I reply, leaning back into him. "Matilda is busy being a princess, and I think Noah is practicing for a football team in here."

Elliot laughs, his hand still on my belly. "Sounds like he's ready to join the madness."

We both laugh softly, and I think of how our life has unfolded. It's calm, steady—exactly what I needed. I glance at the clock, realizing Lando will be bringing Audrey back soon. She loves her weekends with him and Conrad, and I'm glad they have this time together. Co-parenting isn't always easy, but we've found our rhythm. Lando's been great with her, with all of us, really. I even appreciate the effort Lu has made, despite everything that happened between us in the past.

Suddenly, I hear a knock at the door, followed by the sound of little footsteps. It must be Lando with Audrey. I move to the door, and there she is—my bright, energetic girl, running towards me.

"Mama!" she calls, and I bend down to scoop her up in my arms.

"How was your weekend, love?" I ask, brushing a strand of hair out of her face.

"It was so fun! We played pirates, and I made Conrad walk the plank," she giggles, her eyes sparkling.

Lando steps in behind her, carrying Conrad on his hip. I smile at him, and he returns the gesture. We've come a long way, the two of us. There's an ease between us now, something I wasn't sure we'd ever find. But here we are.

"Everything go smoothly?" I ask, standing up, still holding Audrey.

"Yeah, it was great," Lando says, his voice easy. "Audrey was the ringleader, as always."

I laugh, knowing how much my daughter loves to take charge. Lando shifts Conrad in his arms, and for a moment, we share a look—one of mutual understanding and respect. We've built something strong, something that works for us and our kids.

"Well, I'll let you get settled," Lando says, giving Audrey a kiss on the forehead. "I'll see you next weekend, yeah?"

"Yeah, Dad!" Audrey chirps, already moving towards her toys.

Lando waves goodbye and heads out the door with Conrad. I close the door behind them, feeling a sense of calm. Life is good, better than I could have ever imagined.

Lando Norris' POV:

Monaco has become home in ways I never expected. Some days I stand out on the balcony, looking over the calm waters and thinking about how life twists and turns in ways you never plan for. I can hear Conrad laughing inside, his giggles reaching me as he and Lu play one of their silly games. He's five now—full of energy and questions, just like me when I was his age.

Lu and I, we've built something steady. It's not perfect, but it's real, and we make it work. I love her, and our life here feels right. But even with all the calm and stability, there's this bittersweet tug that comes at the oddest moments—always when I least expect it. It usually happens when I'm with Audrey.

Audrey's six now, and I can't look at her without seeing Lily. It's not just her face, though she's the spitting image of her mother. It's the way she moves, the little quirks and habits she has—like how she wrinkles her nose when she's concentrating or the way she crosses her arms and stares me down when she's upset. That's all Lily. Every time Audrey does something like that, it's like I'm thrown back to when it was Lily and me, back when we were everything to each other.

I try not to dwell on it too much, but it's hard sometimes. It's not that I still have feelings for Lily in the way I used to, but there's a part of me that'll always love her. She was my first love, and that doesn't just go away. But I know that chapter of my life is over. It has been for a long time now. She's happy with Elliot, and I'm happy for her. They've built a life together, a good one, and they've got Matilda and soon-to-be Noah on the way.

But Audrey... she's a daily reminder of the life I once had with Lily. She has that same fierce attitude, the same stubborn streak that makes me laugh and drives me a little crazy. She challenges me the way Lily used to, like she's testing me just to see if I'll push back. And when I do, when we laugh it off and she gives me that little smirk, it's like seeing a ghost of Lily—just for a moment. It's not painful, exactly. More like a bittersweet nostalgia, a reminder of what once was.

Today, I dropped Audrey off after our weekend together. She and Conrad are so close now, like two peas in a pod. They always get up to mischief when they're together—partners in crime. Watching them makes me proud, seeing how well they get along. I know that's partly because of how well Lily and I have managed this co-parenting thing. It wasn't easy at first, but we've figured it out. I respect her, and she respects me. We've both moved on, but we've stayed connected for Audrey's sake, and I'm proud of how far we've come.

Lu's voice calls me back inside, breaking me out of my thoughts. I turn and see Conrad tugging on her hand, still laughing from their game. I smile as I walk back in, scooping him up into my arms, his little face lighting up as he wraps his arms around my neck.

"Everything okay?" Lu asks, her eyes soft but curious.

"Yeah," I say, glancing down at Conrad. "Just thinking."

She smiles at me, that warm, understanding smile that's become so familiar. We've come a long way, Lu and I. Our relationship is good—steady. We've built something solid for ourselves and for Conrad. But every once in a while, there's still that flicker of the past, that shadow of the life I almost had.

As I sit down with Lu and Conrad for the afternoon, I hear Audrey's voice echo in my head—her laugh, her sass, the way she calls me "Dad" in that same playful tone Lily used to use when we were younger. It pulls at me, that bittersweet feeling. But it's not regret, not anymore. It's just a reminder of where I've been and where I am now.

And honestly, where I am now is good. Audrey's happy. Conrad's happy. And I'm learning to let go of the past a little more each day. But that doesn't stop me from missing it sometimes. Because even though I've moved on, a part of me will always remember.