From the Past - Lando Norris

Forty-One: Finally

My heart is beating out of my chest, my throat is gone from cheering, and I haven't taken my eyes off the race since it started, "Come on Lando," I whisper under my breath as I watch the race with the engineers. Oz is in 13th place from a collision he had with Carlos. His front wing was replaced and he was caught behind a safety car. I can feel the frustration through the screen. The two are so different on and off the track. I swear their cars are magnets. I felt bad for Logan after he crashed during his home race. That's something you never want to see. Magnussen has been a menace on the track and received a ten-second time penalty.

When Max hit the cone in the middle of the track I had a good feeling about this race. I lean on my legs as I hold my breath not believing what I'm seeing. There are three laps left and no one has said anything in a long time. Today might be the day Lando wins his first Formula One race. Miami might become my favorite place in the world in a couple of minutes. There is nothing I want more than to see him happy. I widen my eyes on the last lap and the entire garage is standing ready to go crazy. Anything can happen in racing and nobody wants to celebrate too early.

"Fifteen times Lando Norris has stood on the podium but never on the top step until now. It's a landmark day for Lando. Lando Norris wins for the first time in Formula One. It's a victory in Miami for Norris and McLaren. The British Drivers dream is realized," Crofty announces as the entire garage starts freaking out. Tears spring to my eyes as I hug the engineers. I've never seen the McLaren team so lively before. I immediately grab my camera as everyone rushes out to be front row for when he pulls into his victory spot. The fans are going crazy as the tv's replay Lando's win over and over again. His car pulls into the spot and he stands on top. I take photos as he holds up a number one. His entire body is vibrating as the guys congratulate him.

He takes his helmet off and runs over to his team jumping into their arms. I snap more shots of him in the air his smile contagious. He hugs each member of the team for the past six years of struggling with the car. Today is a day that will never be forgotten. When he's placed on his feet again he starts looking around frantically and I continue taking photos of him. When he sees me his eyes light up and his eyes become watery. A team member takes my camera and I run over to him, "My wings," he whispers in my ear. He picks me up spinning me around as I giggle, "I am so proud of you," I whisper. He pulls away and I can see the tears in his eyes, "You were amazing today."

He doesn't say anything and I freeze as he leans in. His lips move frantically against mine in front of all the fans and the team. My hand cups his face as he leans down my back bending slightly as emotions run high. He pulls away slightly looking at me, "I love you," he whispers wrapping me in a hug again. The fans go crazy and I can hear the confusion from the team but he doesn't care.

"I love you too," I whisper. Oscar walks past us smiling and cuts in hugging his friend. Lando has to go to the debrief room so he gives me one last hug as I follow Oscar back inside.

The Australian looks down at me carrying his helmet, "That was quite the show," he teases as I nod my head touching my lips. I've never been kissed like that before. It makes me excited for his next win.

"Congrats on the fastest lap," I tell him as he smiles and goes to get cleaned up for interviews. I watch the TV and the screen shows our kiss. I feel some of the team looking at me. I opt to pretend that I'm going into the back room to download the photos onto my laptop. I change my camera card and walk out for the champagne celebration. Zac Brown and Andrea Stella are too happy about the win to care about the kiss right now. I squeeze in and get good photos of Lando on the top step for the first time. "God Save the King," starts playing and I can see the stress leaving his shoulders as he shuts his eyes and smiles up to the sky.

After hundreds of interviews and hundreds of congratulations, Lando walks into his accommodation room where I'm editing photos of him. I get up and tackle him in a hug, "You only date winners, huh?" He smirks.

I feel a shiver run down my spine as I see the confidence radiating off of him, "The whole world knows we are together now," I tell him.

"You think so?" He whispers leaning forward, "Good. I want the world to know you're mine," he tells me walking me into the wall. I stare up at him looking at his Adam's apple bobbing as he takes in my appearance. I lightly bite my lip as his smirk causes my pulse to quicken, "I want to see you in that dress I bought you when we went home," he whispers.

"I didn't pack it," I tell him playing with the hair on the back of his neck.

He smiles leaning his forehead against mine, "I did."

He slams his lips against mine, his hands moving to my thighs as he picks me up pressing me further into the wall. A guttural sound leaves my throat as his hips grind into mine. My hands rest on the side of his neck as our mouths move feverishly against each other. Something about Miami makes us inseparable and now even more so. A knock at the door makes us separate. I watch as Lando turns his head. I kiss his neck as he calls out to the person behind the door. He squeezes my thighs telling me to stop as I kiss behind his ear. He turns back to me giving me a look as he lets me stand on my own two feet.

His managers need him in more interviews. But tonight he's all mine.