the IT girl

A Day at the Beach

The warm sun glistened over the crystal-clear water, casting a golden hue across the sand. Lando and Lily decided to spend a quiet day at the beach, a much-needed retreat from the bustling energy of their lives. Gemma skipped along the sand ahead of them, her small beach bucket in hand as she eagerly hunted for seashells.

Lily adjusted her wide-brimmed straw hat, her black bikini showing off her growing baby bump. She walked barefoot along the sand, the gentle waves tickling her toes. Lando carried their beach bag, a towel draped over his shoulder and sunglasses perched on his nose.

"Gemma, don't go too far!" Lily called out as their daughter darted toward the shoreline.

"I won't, Mama!" Gemma shouted back, already crouching down to inspect a shell.

Lando set the bag down under a large umbrella he'd set up earlier, spreading out a colorful blanket for them to sit on. "This is perfect," he said, glancing over at Lily as she lowered herself onto the blanket.

She smiled, running a hand over her bump. "I've been looking forward to this all week. Just the three of us and some peace and quiet."

Lando leaned over to kiss her cheek. "Anything for you."

Gemma soon returned, clutching a handful of shells. "Mama, look! I found the prettiest ones!"

"Oh, those are beautiful, Gem," Lily said, admiring her daughter's treasures.

"Can I build a castle?" Gemma asked excitedly.

"Of course," Lando said, ruffling her hair. "I'll help you."

While Lando and Gemma got to work on a sandcastle, Lily leaned back against the beach chair, enjoying the feel of the sun on her skin. She rested her hands on her bump, smiling softly as she felt a light kick.

"How's the little one doing?" Lando asked, glancing over his shoulder.

"Active," Lily replied, laughing lightly. "I think they're going to be a racer like you, always moving."

Lando grinned. "Another Norris on the grid in 20 years?"

"Maybe," Lily teased.

After finishing the sandcastle—complete with a moat and decorated with Gemma's shells—Lando picked up their daughter and ran toward the water.

"Daddy, no!" Gemma shrieked, giggling as Lando swung her around before gently placing her in the shallow waves.

The two splashed and laughed while Lily watched, her heart full.

"Come on, Mama!" Gemma called out.

"Go ahead," Lando added, motioning for Lily to join them.

Lily got up carefully, making her way to the water's edge. The cool waves lapped at her ankles as she walked into the shallows, where Gemma was busy trying to splash Lando.

"Alright, alright," Lily said, laughing as she stepped closer. "But no splashing me too much!"

"Oh, no promises!" Lando said with a cheeky grin before pretending to splash water toward her, only to miss on purpose.

After some time in the water, the family returned to their spot under the umbrella. Lando stretched out on the blanket, Gemma curled up next to him with her head resting on his arm.

Lily sat beside them, her hand absentmindedly stroking her bump. She looked out at the horizon, the calm waves shimmering under the afternoon sun.

"I love days like this," she said softly.

"Me too," Lando replied, his voice equally gentle. "No interviews, no races, no stress. Just us."

Gemma yawned, her eyes fluttering closed. "I like the beach," she mumbled sleepily.

Lando chuckled, adjusting her sunhat to shield her face from the sun. "I think someone's had too much fun."

Lily leaned over to kiss Gemma's forehead. "She's been so excited about today. I'm glad we came."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, enjoying the peaceful sound of the waves.

As the sun began to set, casting the beach in hues of pink and orange, Lando helped pack up their things. He carried Gemma, who was fast asleep, while Lily walked beside him, holding her sandals in one hand and their beach bag in the other.

"This was perfect," Lily said as they reached the car.

"Let's make it a tradition," Lando suggested. "Every year, a beach day for the whole family."

Lily smiled, leaning her head against his shoulder. "I'd love that."

As they drove home, Gemma still sound asleep in the backseat,

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