Love 4 Apex | Lando Norris x OC x Franco Colapinto

🏎 30 - Unspoken Goodbyes

Lando's plane touched down in Portugal, and as he stepped off, the weight of São Paulo's race and the emotional whirlwind of seeing Rose with Franco seemed to ease, replaced by a focused calm. He was here for Magui. This wasn't the kind of responsibility that came with trophies or cheers, but somehow, it felt just as important.

When he finally reached her place around 10 a.m., Magui opened the door, looking a bit tired yet relieved, her smile hesitant. There was something vulnerable in her eyes, a blend of relief and uncertainty, as though she hadn't fully believed he'd come.

"You're really here," she whispered, her voice soft, almost disbelieving.

"Surprised to see me?" he teased, raising an eyebrow. "Thought I'd leave you hanging?"

Magui rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Well, you are known for being unpredictable," she quipped, crossing her arms, though her tone was warm.

Lando chuckled, nudging her shoulder lightly as he stepped inside. "Unpredictable, sure. But not unreliable," he replied, his voice gentle but steady. He paused, letting his gaze soften as he looked at her. "Now, what's a guy gotta do to get a proper welcome around here?"

Her smile grew, and she swatted his arm playfully. "Get inside first, Norris," she laughed, but he could see her shoulders relax, the tension in her eyes easing just a little. They settled into the morning with coffee brewing in the background and quiet laughter filling the room, the lightness between them lifting some of the weight they both carried.

As the coffee brewed, filling the air with its rich aroma, Magui poured herself a mug, taking a long, grateful sip, while Lando smirked, reaching for the carton of milk in her fridge instead.

She raised an eyebrow, smirking as she watched him pour a glass. "Still just milk for you?" she teased. "I'd have thought a few sleepless nights and jet lag would've turned you into a coffee drinker by now."

Lando grinned, pouring himself a glass of milk and taking a sip. "What can I say? Coffee's just not my style. But someone's gotta keep you from falling asleep on me."

Magui laughed, raising her mug. "Good thing one of us has taste, then. You'd be lost without me and my coffee."

He chuckled, nudging her lightly. "Fine, fine. You fuel up on coffee, I'll stick to milk. Balance in all things, right?"

They shared a laugh, easing into each other's presence. As they settled on the couch, Magui set her mug down and turned to him, her expression softening. Gently, Lando reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering just a moment longer than usual.

Her eyes met his, warm and open. With a small, tender smile, she leaned in, her lips brushing his, soft and tentative. He responded by drawing her closer, letting the kiss deepen, their connection unfolding naturally in the quiet of the morning.

When they finally pulled back, she smiled, her cheeks flushed. "Well," she murmured, her voice soft and playful, "I think you earned that 'proper welcome,' Norris."

Lando chuckled, his thumb brushing lightly over her cheek. "Guess milk's not the only reason to come here," he whispered with a grin, feeling something lighter, hopeful, drift between them.

They sat close for a moment, the warmth between them quiet and steady, but then Lando's expression grew a little more serious, his gaze softening as he looked at her.

"Magui... we should probably talk about..." he said gently, his tone both reassuring and careful. His gaze lingered on her belly, and for a moment, he looked like he was deep in thought. There was a quiet intensity in his eyes, almost as if he was trying to understand what lay ahead, both for him and for her.

Magui's smile faded just slightly, and she placed a hand on his arm, squeezing it with a tender understanding. "We will, Lando," she replied, her voice calm, almost comforting. "But right now, you need rest. You just flew halfway across the world, and I can see the jetlag in your eyes."

He shook his head, a stubborn smile forming as he leaned back, refusing to break eye contact. "I'm fine, really," he insisted. "I actually slept on the plane, believe it or not. This... us talking... feels more important right now."

She looked at him, her expression conflicted, as if she were trying to gather her thoughts. After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice quieter. "Alright. I just... I don't even know where to start, honestly." She held his gaze, weighing his words, and finally let out a breath, her voice soft. "I've been thinking about it for days, actually. Trying to make sense of everything."

Lando waited, his eyes gentle and encouraging.

Magui bit her lip, her voice steady but filled with hesitation. "I've been going over it all in my head, trying to picture what life would look like if I kept the baby... and what it would mean if I didn't." She paused, looking down at her hands, a trace of guilt flickering across her face. "But the truth is, Lando... I don't think I can give up everything I've worked for. My career is just taking off, and if I step away now... I might lose everything I've built."

She looked up, her eyes searching his face, hoping he'd understand. "Everything I've worked for is finally coming together—modeling contracts, campaigns, the kind of opportunities I've dreamed about for years. It's all happening right now. And if I step away, even just for a while... I could lose it all."

Lando nodded slowly, his gaze steady and understanding. "I get it, Magui. You've put everything into reaching this point... I can see why stepping away would feel impossible."

She looked down, a mixture of relief and sadness crossing her face. "It's not that I don't want to be a mother someday," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But right now... it feels like I'd be giving up a part of myself that I've only just started to realize."

Lando reached for her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "It sounds like you've really thought this through. And whatever you decide, I'll support you. This is your life, your dream, and you have every right to hold onto it."

A tear slipped down her cheek, and she quickly brushed it away, a small smile returning to her face. "Thank you, Lando. I just... needed to hear that it was okay to feel this way."

He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "It's more than okay, Magui. You're allowed to protect what you've worked so hard for. And I'll be here, no matter what." He paused, then added softly, "To be honest with you... I don't think I'm ready for it either. So please, don't feel like you have to carry this guilt alone."

They sat there, wrapped in quiet understanding, and for the first time in days, Magui felt a sense of peace. She didn't have all the answers, but knowing she had his support made the weight of her decision just a little easier to bear.

As they continued talking, Magui outlined what the doctor had explained about the medical process. It would take weeks, with multiple steps and follow-up appointments. The reality of it settled heavily between them, and the timeline felt daunting—something that would require both patience and resilience. Lando listened intently, his hand never leaving hers, a steady source of reassurance. But as the details unfolded, a shadow of worry crossed his face.

In two weeks, he would have to be back in Las Vegas, preparing for the next race. The knowledge tugged at him, a reminder that he couldn't be there for every step, couldn't be physically present to support her through the entirety of it. He squeezed her hand again, his eyes filled with a quiet promise to stay by her side in every way he could, even from afar.

Yet, as they sat in the silence that followed, a strange feeling crept over him. Knowing he was about to lose his child—even a child he'd never expected, one he hadn't planned for—was unsettling in a way he hadn't anticipated. It felt like he was letting go of something precious before he'd even held it, a choice that left a lingering ache, even if he knew it was what they both needed right now.

Lando brushed a gentle thumb over Magui's hand, offering her a reassuring smile, though a quiet ache remained within him, lingering and unspoken. The final decision was made. And as they sat in the soft stillness of the morning, the weight of it drifted gently, like a shadow between them.