Archive of Our Own

Lando loved summer break; it was probably his favorite time of the year. He could relax, sit in his gaming chair, and play all day. He could also visit luxurious and ridiculously expensive places in Monaco.

But the best part of it all was Carlos. Always Carlos.

Lando loved it when Carlos took a direct flight from Madrid or Italy to reach him in his beloved Woking. Opening the door of his home to be greeted by Carlos' beautiful smile, pronouncing his name in that pronounced and deep accent, was his favorite feeling in the world. Lando wouldn't trade it for anything, even if Carlos' visits meant putting in a little effort during his holidays.

It wasn't too much, anyway. Lando would sometimes rearrange the furniture a bit or watch some soccer with Carlos. Occasionally, he even tried to cook something.

Lando knew they weren't exactly a couple; with careers like theirs, it was practically impossible to maintain such a commitment between them. But he also knew they were more than just friends, far from indifferent to each other.

Sometimes, Lando wished they could actually be together.

"Is that supposed to be edible?"

Lando didn't turn around, although he was dying to. He could feel Carlos' presence approaching him, leaning over his back to eventually rest his chin on his shoulder. He could feel Carlos' hot breath tickling his neck and causing tiny tickles.

Lando stopped stirring the strange mixture in the kitchen bar's bowl. He turned slightly to find Carlos' face, so close that he felt his cheeks blush a bit.

"It was supposed to be. I think I'm failing, aren't I?"

Carlos chuckled softly. Lando felt his breath hit his ear, and then Carlos stepped back a pace. "A little, yes."

Lando smiled as Carlos, unintentionally, leaned toward him once more. "It was supposed to be an omelette."

"It looks delicious," Carlos joked. His laughter filled every corner of the kitchen, and Lando wished the walls could record his laughter forever.

Lando raised an eyebrow, equally amused as Carlos at his failed attempt at diplomacy. "Liar."

Carlos raised a hand, as if raising a white flag, and the corners of his lips remained high as he looked at Lando. "They say it's the thought that counts."

Lando rolled his eyes without being able to help it, then his gaze returned to Carlos, who had been watching him all along. "Shall we order pizza instead?"

Carlos approached again the step he had taken away before, and Lando ignored the fact that their shoulders brushed, and Carlos seemed not to notice. "I like the idea."

Lando suppressed his smile. If he kept laughing at everything, Carlos would think he was a fool. Well, Lando was a fool, but at least he tried to hide it most of the time.

"But I'm not going to call to order it," he warned, setting aside the mixture of eggs and spices he didn't even know existed half an hour ago. "It's your turn to be a good friend and order it."

"Do I have to pay for it too?" Carlos asked with a raised eyebrow.

Lando didn't even hesitate. "Yes. You're the older one, right?"

Carlos sighed, but Lando saw the smile between his lips. "Okay, cabrón. It's on me."

Lando knew he wasn't the best host, he honestly never really had been. However, Carlos had never complained about him, even when, in the beginning, Lando forgot to give him blankets to cover himself at night, or when he forgot to use headphones while playing online in the early hours.

So it surprised him a bit when Carlos took his wrist with enough strength to make him turn, but equally gently not to hurt him.

"Why is there never a toothbrush of mine when I stay overnight? Every time I come, I have to bring a new one."

Lando hesitated for a second before he could formulate a response. It wasn't a difficult question and answering it shouldn't cost him as much as it was now. "I don't know."

Carlos looked at him with a raised eyebrow, obviously knowing in advance that he was lying.

"I always keep your toothbrush at my apartment," Carlos said, as if reminding Lando that he, in fact, was a good host.

"It's too personal," Lando finally admitted, at the same time Carlos released his wrist. Lando felt his skin freeze at the sudden loss. "Well, I feel like it is. Couples do things like that. My parents had their toothbrushes together in the same glass in the bathroom."

It wasn't that Lando minded the idea itself, but he knew that seeing Carlos' toothbrush next to his every morning, even when he was home alone, would only hurt him eventually.

Because they couldn't. Carlos and he simply couldn't. At least not yet.

"Oh, that makes sense— Yes, it does. I hadn't thought about it much," Carlos told him.

Lando just smiled weakly.

Carlos and he didn't usually talk much about feelings. Lando knew there was something between them, something pure and beautiful. Sometimes he wondered if Carlos knew it too.

As they entered the bedroom, they didn't speak. Lando remembered the first time Carlos had stayed overnight at his house; it had been years ago when they were teammates, and Lando still felt like an intruder among the grid of drivers. He had liked Carlos since then; he was handsome, dark-haired, and had an accent that Lando didn't always understand. It had been impossible for Lando not to think about how good Carlos looked every time the fireproof suit hung from his waist or when he was soaked in champagne after a victory.

From time to time, Lando even believed that perhaps he had been a little in love with Carlos since then.

They didn't bother to turn on the light, so Lando focused on not bumping into any furniture before he could throw himself onto the bed and sigh. Carlos joined him after a while, getting rid of his shirt and shoes.

"When are you going back to Italy?" Lando asked, not sure what topic they could discuss.

He felt Carlos flitting between the sheets beside him, then he felt his breath hit his lips. Something fluttered in his stomach at the closeness, as if it were the first time they shared such an intimate moment.

"In a couple of days. I'd like to stay with you a bit longer, even if you always try to poison me with food."

"Hey!" Lando protested, ready to move away in indignation. Carlos stopped him even before he could move, holding his jaw with his hand and resting his thumb on his lips.

Ah, one of these days Lando would die of love, really.

"I'm joking, cariño," Carlos assured him. From the tone he used, Lando knew he was smiling as he spoke. "Even if you gave me poisoned food, I would still eat it."

Lando couldn't help but smile at that. Carlos was an idiot.

"You're so cheesy."

Carlos didn't reproach him. He leaned in a bit more and kissed his mouth for a few seconds that were too short for Lando's taste.

"I am not."

Lando didn't have to rebuke him for him to kiss him again.

Probably– No, definitely, that was Lando's favorite Carlos. The midnight Carlos, the Carlos who kissed him without having to ask because he was too tired to continue with their teasing, the Carlos who felt free to touch him because there was no one around.

"If you weren't a driver, you'd probably be a romance writer or something equally cheesy, have you been told that?"

Carlos slapped his shoulder lightly as a complaint. "Don't be silly. If I weren't a driver..." He seemed to think about his words before speaking. "If I weren't a driver, I really don't know what I would do. I would like to start a family, something like that. Maybe you're right. I guess I'm a bit cheesy."

Lando closed his eyes when Carlos ran his hand through his curls, gently caressing his hair. "I'd like to be a DJ. But I'm fine being a driver; I think it's the only thing I'm good at, and I also like it," he admitted a little embarrassed.

It was the truth, anyway. Lando wasn't good at many things, nor was he a fan of many others. He didn't long to start a family, and he definitely felt too young to even think about it.

"Lando..." Carlos called him softly, stopping his caresses. Lando didn't open his eyes; he was too tired to exert himself so much. "Have you thought about what you'll do when you retire?"

Well, that definitely forced Lando to open his eyes a bit. He couldn't see Carlos in the darkness, but he really didn't care too much.

"Hmm. No. I don't know yet. I want to keep racing for a long time."

Carlos laughed a bit at that, and Lando was glad to feel it even if he couldn't see him. "Did you renew your contract already?"

Lando nodded, he knew Carlos felt it, but he also responded verbally. "Yup. A couple of days ago. Oscar renewed it with me."

"Sounds good. How long did you sign for?"

Lando bit his lip to avoid smiling too obviously. "Two more years."

"McLaren really doesn't want to let you go, huh?" Carlos teased.

"I don't want to leave either," Lando admitted.

"Of course not. They're like your family."

"Maybe." It made sense, honestly. The team gave Lando a sense of belonging that always made him happy. "Have you renewed yet?"

Carlos didn't respond immediately, so Lando closed his eyes again. He moved closer to Carlos' body, and he felt Carlos' arm fall on the curve of his waist.

"Not yet," Carlos finally said before falling silent for a few more seconds. "I'm not sure I want to renew my contract, to be honest." His voice sounded a bit tense and weak.

Lando moved his hand until he could feel Carlos' exposed skin on his well-defined abdomen, then he began to make small circles on his skin. "Are you going to leave Ferrari?"

The silence stretched again. Lando could feel the tension building in Carlos's body before he finally spoke.

"I'm thinking of retiring at the end of the season."

Carlos' words echoed unexpectedly in the room. Lando withdrew his hand from Carlos involuntarily, a bit surprised by the revelation. Carlos was still young, with his whole career ahead of him, and Lando couldn't understand why he wouldn't want to keep racing with all the talent he had.

"Why?" he asked without restraining his tone of reproach and disbelief. Carlos didn't owe him anything, yet he felt somehow betrayed.

Carlos sighed slowly and heavily. "It's complicated, Lando. I've been thinking about this for a while. You know I love racing, and I used to believe that racing was an important part of my life until I realized it was becoming my whole life. And I don't want that. I'd like... I wish I could do something else, feel like I can do what I want."

Lando didn't know what to say.

"Would you be upset if I retire?" Carlos asked him, his voice sounding anxious.

Lando took a moment, but in the end, he shook his head before continuing to caress Carlos' skin. "I would be sad. You've been here since I started racing in F1. I think I'd feel the space you leave too big."

Carlos leaned in to kiss his forehead. Lando couldn't see him yet, but the warmth of Carlos' lips against his skin conveyed everything words couldn't. It was a comforting and familiar feeling.

"I have just been thinking about it. It's not certain. Ferrari has been insisting that I renew," Carlos assured him.

Lando closed his eyes; what was the point of keeping them open if he couldn't see Carlos' face while he talked? He couldn't imagine the expression he must have had, but he also couldn't imagine what it would really mean to him if Carlos retired. And although Lando told himself that he would support Carlos in any decision he made, the reality was that he couldn't be sure because he couldn't understand it.

Lando couldn't even think of retiring at such a young age. Carlos said he didn't want racing to be his whole life, but what was wrong with that if racing was everything to someone?

Carlos sighed, almost as if he could read Lando's tangled thoughts. He moved a bit closer, and Lando allowed his head to rest on the curve of Carlos's neck.

Lando woke up abruptly when the doorbell— the damn doorbell of the front door nearly shattered his eardrums in the early morning. Even Carlos seemed puzzled.

"Were you expecting someone?" Lando half-understood Carlos because he spoke in his sleep with closed eyes, perhaps drowsy enough to believe he was still dreaming.

"No," Lando whispered then, more as a response to himself than to Carlos. He sat up slightly on the bed and looked at his phone's screen. 03:12 am. Who the fuck had decided that this was the best time for a surprise visit?

When Lando got up, Carlos made sure to steal his side of the bed. Lando walked through the darkness of his house until he decided it was impossible to reach the door without hitting his face against the wall.

He turned on the light and then opened the door.

And closed it immediately.

Was he dreaming? It had to be it, right? Why else would there be a freaking baby outside his house?

He opened the door again in milliseconds. The baby was still there, tiny and looking straight into Lando's eyes. It was wrapped in a couple of poorly placed blankets on a cardboard box, and its face had reddened in the few seconds that had passed.

Lando remained still, confused and unsure of what to do. His heart began to beat so hard that he thought it might break his ribs, was that even possible?

How had a baby ended up outside his house? Had someone... abandoned it? Was that even legal?

He didn't even have time to think of the answers when his instinct was already forcing him to crouch down and hold the tiny baby in his arms. Its skin was cold, and its little nose was red. He had never been a big fan of babies, to be honest, but he couldn't leave it to its fate.

Should he wake up Carlos, or should he solve the problem on his own? Well, the first thing he should definitely do was go back inside, right? He couldn't leave the baby outside; it would freeze to death. And Lando's conscience could never live knowing he had unintentionally killed a baby.

He couldn't help but release the breath he had been holding when he felt the baby's weak little hands grasp his shirt. Lando looked at it for a moment before sitting on the couch and picking up the landline phone. His mother had forced him to memorize the number of the nearest police station when he was a kid, and Lando had thought it was nonsense, but he couldn't be more grateful now.

He dialed the number with trembling fingers. God, the baby was the one dying of cold, and yet Lando seemed more nervous of the two.

"Good evening, how can I help you?"

Lando opened his mouth to respond when the baby furrowed its tiny eyebrows and closed its eyes tightly. He couldn't speak before the baby started crying loudly.

Lando froze. He could hear the voice of the phone calling him in the distance, maybe asking for information, Lando couldn't be sure because he couldn't hear anything or concentrate. Maybe he couldn't even breathe properly.

"Lando?" Oh, Carlos' voice. That was Carlos' voice. Lando tried to listen only to him, to keep his attention fixed on the sound.

But it was impossible.

The baby kept crying, and Lando felt a wave of helplessness. He didn't know how to calm it down, and the situation was totally overwhelming.

When he tried to move, he found the phone lying on the floor and his arms empty and trembling. He looked up to find Carlos, who had taken the baby in his arms and was holding it gently, trying to calm it down.

Carlos' whispers to the baby mixed with his own labored breathing. Lando watched as the baby's wrinkled face gradually relaxed while Carlos rocked it gently.

Lando's hands had stopped trembling, but his heart was still pounding too hard. Carlos sat down beside him, putting an arm around him. Lando had never perceived a gesture as comforting as he did then.

"Lando, cariño, I'm here," Carlos told him. "Breathe. Just breathe."

Following Carlos' advice, Lando tried to inhale deeply and then exhale slowly, focusing on his breathing instead of letting the situation overwhelm him again.

When Lando stopped feeling like he was suffocating, he noticed that the baby was still in Carlos' arms, and although there were still small sobs, it seemed calmer.

"Carlos."

Carlos smiled weakly at him, no longer seemed half asleep, and definitely didn't seem on the verge of collapse like Lando had been. "Are you okay?"

Lando nodded slowly, lacking enthusiasm, counting each breath he took. "Yes. I... There's a baby," he started. "There was a baby outside. There was a baby outside, and I thought it would freeze to death. Carlos, why was there a baby outside?"

Carlos didn't respond immediately; his eyes went to the baby's small round face before Lando found his gaze again. Carlos offered him a gesture of understanding as Lando shared his confusion and concern. "I don't know why there was a baby outside your house, but the most important thing now is to make sure she's safe and warm, okay?," Carlos gently stroked the baby's cheek as he spoke, and despite the abrupt reality, Lando found himself watching the interaction longer than necessary.

"We'll do everything we can, okay?," Carlos told him when Lando refocused. "First, we should call the authorities to report what happened and make sure the baby gets the attention she needs. Who were you on the phone with? Were you talking to the police?"

Lando looked at the phone on the floor with concern before rushing to pick it up. "Yes, I was calling the police, but..." He hesitated before continuing. "I couldn't say anything."

Carlos frowned, obviously confused. Lando noticed the moment when Carlos seemed to understand the situation. "I understand, Lando. I know this is overwhelming, unexpected, and I can also imagine how you must be feeling, but we can't do nothing. We have to call the authorities again. This baby needs help," Carlos said with more certainty than Lando had ever had in his life.

They chose to contact the authorities again, but no one answered their calls. Lando couldn't help but look at the baby with uncertainty; what were they supposed to do now? Lando had never taken care of a baby in his life, let alone one that had been left to its fate on the doorstep of a complete stranger.

Carlos' hand on his shoulder comforted him once again when the baby babbled something, and Lando's pulse quickened. "Listen, I know this is unusual and terrifying, but right now, our priority is to keep her safe and warm. We can't leave her outside in this situation. For tonight, at least, we can take care of her and make sure she's okay."

Lando nodded slowly, still with uncertainty in his eyes. They couldn't do anything else anyway. And Lando would always trust Carlos' word. Always. "Okay," he said. Then he processed the words a little better. "Wait, did you say 'she'?"

Carlos smiled tenderly at the question. Lando wished the earth would swallow him up.

…

Lando had expected the night to be worse.

Yes, maybe he had to go to the 24/7 supermarket to buy some supplies, but he preferred that to having to stay home to take care of the baby.

And well, the baby, contrary to all the prejudices Lando had made in the early hours, had remained calm for most of the night while sleeping in the comfortable space between Carlos and him.

As soon as he woke up, Lando had fled to the kitchen to try to prepare some breakfast while the baby was still sleeping with a finger in its mouth, drooling all over the mattress next to Carlos.

He wasn't surprised when Carlos eventually entered the kitchen carrying the baby with one hand; what made him furrow his brows was seeing Carlos with the phone in the other hand and a worried expression on his face. "I talked to the authorities... They say they are overwhelmed right now and can't take care of the baby immediately."

Lando stopped serving cereal on his bowl. "What?"

Carlos sighed and approached Lando, who had no choice but to try not to burst into tears of frustration. "It means we have to take care of her a little longer until the authorities can take care of her. You know we can't leave her alone in this situation. I am sure it will only be temporary."

Oh, Lando knew it. He really did. But... why them? Why him? He didn't even know how to handle a baby, god, he wasn't even sure if he liked them.

Carlos must have somehow sensed Lando's doubts, maybe with his psychic powers or something, because he didn't take long to speak again. "I understand that this is overwhelming, cariño. But we're in this together, okay? I was here when you found her, and I'm going to stay as long as necessary. We'll do this the best we can, okay? And when the authorities are ready, we'll hand her over to good hands, and everything will be fine."

Lando hesitated but eventually nodded, feeling a lump in his throat. "Yes, I... understand. It's okay."

Carlos smiled at him and put the phone aside. "Now, it's your turn to hold Chelsea while I make a real breakfast."

"Chelsea?" Lando couldn't help but ask, freezing for a moment.

Carlos' face reddened. Lando's heart skipped a beat when he understood it. Carlos had become attached in just one night.

"I thought naming her that would be a good idea... temporarily, of course. We can't keep referring to her as 'the baby,' right?"

Yes, they could. Lando wished he could tell Carlos that. Giving her a name meant closeness, familiarity. Lando wasn't ready for that; he didn't want to play house. He could barely take care of himself; how was he supposed to take care of a baby?

"Chelsea sounds good," he said instead, because Carlos looked happy.

And if Carlos was happy, Lando could convince himself that he was too.

…

Lando couldn't understand how people could have children and survive. It was impossible. Im-pos-si-ble.

They had been taking care of Chelsea for less than three days, and Lando could already feel exhaustion hitting him brutally in the face. Each night seemed longer than the previous one, and Chelsea's intermittent crying in the darkest hours of the early morning had become his new repetitive playlist.

At least, among all the bad things, a couple of good things had emerged. Watching Carlos was one of them, having him so close that their skin touched every night (despite having a tiny human barrier of separation). Lando would miss that, not Chelsea, but the moments that kept them together thanks to her. Carlos hadn't left. Lando wished he could stay with him forever, that they could run together again, and that he could wake up next to him every morning.

"Aren't you very quiet?"

Lando shifted his gaze from Bluey on the TV, realizing he hadn't been paying attention, unlike Chelsea, who blinked even less to not miss a second. Lando couldn't help but stroke one of her chubby cheeks that seemed like cotton.

"I was thinking," he replied to Carlos, who was sitting next to him on the couch. Then he adjusted Chelsea more comfortably on his lap and held her firmly. She was a bit heavy, and Lando wasn't entirely sure how much a baby so small should weigh, but he was sure Chelsea was definitely enjoying all the bottles of milk she drank throughout the day.

"Thinking that you don't understand a children's show?" Carlos teased.

Lando pouted just when Chelsea turned to look at him, so she mimicked the action immediately, and Carlos laughed.

God, that kid was going to be the death of him.

"I understand Bluey. It's a blue dog. There is not much science behind the episodes." Lando directed Chelsea's face back to the TV with his hand. She giggled briefly and then ran her drooling and disgusting finger over Lando's hand.

Lando could hear Carlos' slow sigh. "She likes you more than she likes me."

That was a lie. Carlos was glued to Chelsea like a leech. He had even searched the impossible about baby care on the internet and with various pediatrics and was the one responsible for changing her and putting her to sleep. Why would Chelsea prefer Lando when Carlos was the one who was happiest to have her around?

"It's because I'm cute. You wouldn't understand," Lando joked and smiled back when Carlos laughed.

"You are a cabrón, that's what you are."

"Maybe I'm a cute cabrón."

Carlos immediately shook his head and held his stomach when his laughter grew louder. Lando watched Chelsea divert her attention again, staring at Carlos with her mouth open and giant eyes.

The laughter that filled the room abruptly stopped when the front door swung open, and the sound of surprised voices filled the house. Lando and Carlos turned quickly to find a scene that left them speechless: it was Lando's parents, standing in the doorway, with their eyes as wide as Chelsea's when she looked at Carlos.

Oh, well. Lando had forgotten that he had given his parents the keys to his house, and they had definitely assured him they would visit during the summer break. Lando thought they had forgotten, in fact, at that moment, he wished they had.

The surprise on his parents' faces was evident. Carlos wasn't the reason, probably for his parents, just like for Carlos', it was a common scenario to find them together, perhaps laughing and drinking a bit of wine. The surprise was because of Chelsea. Lando was sure of it.

His mother was the first to regain her voice. "Why is there a baby here?" she asked, her amazement tinged with a touch of fascination as she looked at Chelsea.

Lando exchanged a glance with Carlos. They wouldn't lie to his parents, especially with the opportunity to get more help. Maybe even Lando could convince Carlos to have his parents act as babysitters for a couple of days. Honestly, Lando needed a break.

"It's a funny story, actually," Lando began, feeling a chill in his legs when his mother took Chelsea into her arms without even asking. Not that she needed permission to take her, right? Chelsea wasn't his.

"It's not," Carlos made sure to say immediately. He got up right away and stood next to Cisca as she rocked Chelsea. "Someone left her outside the other day."

Lando's mother furrowed her brows but continued to gaze at little Chelsea in her arms. It was Lando's father who eventually spoke up.

"They abandoned her?" the man asked incredulously.

Lando felt a lump forming in his throat as he recalled the situation. Hearing someone say it out loud felt surreal. How was it possible that someone had such little heart as to leave Chelsea alone in the darkness in the cold?

Carlos sighed heavily. "Yes. They rang the doorbell, and Lando found her in a box."

"Oh my God! How is that possible?" Cisca held Chelsea tighter, and Lando couldn't stop himself from getting up and snatching her from his mother, then passing her to Carlos. Chelsea just laughed at the lightning-fast change of arms. "Did you call the authorities?"

Lando nodded, but Carlos was the one who answered. "We did. Since they apparently are overwhelmed, we are taking care of her temporarily."

Adam, Lando's father, nodded in understanding. "If you need help with anything, don't hesitate to tell us."

Cisca looked at Chelsea with a loving expression. "Poor little precious baby, I can't believe someone could do this to her."

Lando couldn't believe it either, to be honest.

"Her name is Chelsea." Lando's cheeks reddened a bit when he felt his parents' surprised looks on him so suddenly. "Temporarily, of course."

Adam and Cisca exchanged a glance and then smiled understandingly. Lando sighed in relief at that.

"It's a nice temporary name," Adam commented.

Carlos also smiled. "A nice name for a cute baby." Chelsea seemed to understand at least a little because she started babbling and moving her arms with a silly smile on her puffy, sleepy face.

His parents stayed for dinner. Lando was grateful that they offered to take care of Chelsea until she fell asleep in her mother's arms again.

Lando didn't refuse when his father asked for company to go outside and smoke a bit. He hated the smell and smoke of cigarettes, but he really needed a break from everything. Carlos seemed to understand because he stayed with Cisca talking while Lando followed his father outside.

"I'll be honest with you, son," Adam said, exhaling a puff of smoke. "I never expected to come for a visit and find a baby in the living room."

Lando sighed and looked at the stars in the night sky. "I never expected to find her at our doorstep, dad. It's... overwhelming."

Adam nodded understandingly. "But you're doing the right thing by taking care of her for now, you know, right? No one should leave a baby alone at night, especially in these conditions."

Lando nodded, infinitely grateful for his father's support. "I know. But I still can't believe someone could do this to a baby. Especially one as tiny as Chelsea..."

His father nodded sadly. "Life can be incredibly tough and cruel at times. But at least now, Chelsea is in a safe place and surrounded by love."

Lando shivered. Maybe it was starting to get too cold, and he should have worn a sweater.

"Have you thought about what you'll do when the summer break ends?"

The question lingered in Lando's ears for a moment. The truth was, he and Carlos hadn't even had time to think about that. The summer break was about to end, and they would soon have to go back to racing.

"Truth be told, dad, we haven't had time to think about it," Lando admitted with regret as he played with his own fingers.

Adam seemed to ponder for a moment before speaking. "If you wish, we could take care of Chelsea for a while, at least until you find a more permanent solution. We're retired and have the time, and she's part of the family now."

Temporarily. Lando wanted to correct his father, but he couldn't do it when he saw the tiny smile on his face. Lando didn't understand what kind of supernatural spells Chelsea cast to make them attached to her in a matter of moments.

"Are you sure?"

Adam smiled affectionately. "I'm sure. Besides, your mother and I can help you with some advice on baby care. We raised four of you, remember?"

Lando was about to respond when Carlos appeared at the door, holding the ugliest sweater Lando had ever seen in his hands. Without a word, he approached Lando and put the sweater over his shoulders, hugging him to give him warmth.

"It's freezing out here, and you didn't even go out dressed warmly," Carlos scolded him with his usual concern.

Lando rolled his eyes, but he still snuggled closer to Carlos.

Adam extinguished his cigarette before speaking again. "We should go inside," he said, leaving Lando and Carlos outside.

Lando sighed, and when Carlos did the same, he couldn't help but laugh. He smiled when Carlos kissed his freezing lips.

"My parents said they could take care of her when we go back to racing."

Lando's words caught Carlos's attention because Lando could hear him hurrying to finish brushing his teeth and return to the bedroom.

"They said that?"

Lando nodded as best he could, his head resting on his hand, and his elbow on the mattress. Chelsea was beside him, playing with Lando's free hand and babbling a bit.

"That would be nice. They could travel with us and go to the paddock with Chelsea. I'm sure everyone would love her," Carlos said with a smile.

Lando raised one of his eyebrows and complained when Chelsea bit his finger. "Actually, I was thinking that they could stay here in Woking with her."

Carlos seemed hesitant about the idea. "I am not sure, Lando," he eventually admitted. "I mean, I trust your parents, but taking care of a baby is a big responsibility."

Lando sighed and gently stroked Chelsea's hair. "I know, but think about this, how will we take care of her while we're on the track? I'm sure my parents already love her more than me anyway."

Carlos nodded slowly, perhaps starting to understand the logic behind the idea. "You're right. We want what's best for Chelsea, and if your parents are willing to do it, it might be the best for her."

Lando smiled when Carlos leaned in to give him a soft kiss, and then he fell onto the other side of Chelsea on the bed. Carlos also gave Chelsea a gentle kiss on her forehead. Lando felt a strange feeling in his stomach as he looked at them together.

...

Carlos seemed to miss Chelsea a bit. Lando could tell by his gaze, the way he seemed sleep-deprived even on race days, and how he was always glued to his phone, looking at one of the many pictures he had taken of her.

Lando didn't feel the same way.

He was happy that the summer break had ended and they were back to racing almost weekly. He tried not to think too much about Chelsea and only allowed himself to do so when Carlos visited him in his hotel room and insisted on having a video call with his parents just to see Chelsea's chubby cheeks. She seemed to be growing quickly, and Carlos made sure to remind Lando of that every chance he got.

"Do you think it's normal for babies to grow so fast?"

Lando took a sip of water before answering. They were in Carlos' drivers' room. Truth be told, no one from the Ferrari garage usually bothered Lando whenever he sneaked in there anyway.

"I don't know. My niece didn't seem to grow so fast. Maybe it's just your paternal instinct or something," he joked.

"Of course not, cabrón," Carlos argued, but he had a smile on his lips as he spoke. "I feel like we haven't seen her in a long time."

"We talked to her yesterday. She just babbled things before falling asleep on my mom's phone."

Lando didn't even hear the door open when he realized that Charles was already next to them. "Who?"

"It's rude to eavesdrop on other people's conversations, you know?" Lando complained. Still, he went to sit next to Carlos to give Charles some space.

"It's rude to barge into other teams' garages, did you know that?" Charles retorted. "Now, tell me, I also want to know what you are talking about."

Lando looked at Carlos. So far, no one knew about the Chelsea incident, and they had not really discussed whether they wanted to tell their friends or not. Lando felt Carlos take his hand and squeeze it gently.

"It is a bit complicated," Carlos said.

Lando sighed at that. He let his head fall onto Carlos' shoulder and then looked at Charles, who seemed confused.

"Everything with you guys is complicated. I used to think that winning a championship was the most complicated thing in my life."

"That's Max's fault, not ours."

Charles rolled his eyes. "Seriously though. What's so secret that I can't know? Or rather, who?"

"Chelsea," Lando said then, laughing at Charles's persistence.

"Chelsea?"

Carlos interrupted at that moment, a little tense, and Lando could feel it in his voice. "She is a baby."

Charles' eyes widened so much that Lando could have sworn they almost popped out of his face.

"A baby?" Charles asked, astonished. He lowered his voice to a whisper before continuing. "Do you guys have a baby? Since when are you dating?"

The question made Lando's chest ache a bit. "We're not dating," he corrected when he realized Carlos had no intention of speaking. "And it is not our baby. It is... I don't know how to explain it."

Charles seemed more confused than ever. "What does that mean?"

Lando shot a glance at Carlos, who finally sighed and began to tell the story of Chelsea, from the moment Lando found her at the door to their decision to leave her in the care of his parents while they went back to racing. Charles listened in silence, processing the information.

"Wow," was all he said at the end. "That is... I can't believe it. How long will you have to take care of her?"

Lando hesitated.

"The will get in touch with us as soon as they have space available to take care of her," Carlos' voice still sounded tense. Lando bit his lip before taking Carlos' hand in his, even though he felt Charles' gaze on them.

Charles leaned in at that moment, and his voice became a whisper again. "And can I see her?"

Lando rolled his eyes, but Carlos pulled out his phone immediately. Lando could almost feel Charles melting in front of them as he looked at Chelsea.

"You should bring her to watch a race one day. I'm sure she'd charm everyone here, and it might boost the spirits a bit."

"Wouldn't that be a bit risky?" Lando asked.

"Why would it be?" Charles asked back. "The press wouldn't be so heartless as to attack such a cute baby."

Lando hadn't been able to stop thinking about what Charles had said in recent weeks.

Recently, Carlos had a DNF in a race due to a mechanical issue, and Lando somehow knew that could be a perfect opportunity to bring Chelsea to the paddock. After all, Charles was right; someone as cute as Chelsea would surely lift everyone's spirits, especially Carlos, who seemed to miss her in every sigh.

Finally, during the weekend of the next race, and after Lando secretly talked to his parents, they brought Chelsea to their hotel one day before race day.

Carlos had rushed over after Lando asked him to come to his room due to an emergency. When he entered, he found Lando holding Chelsea in his arms.

"Lando!" Carlos complained, but the huge smile on his face betrayed his excitement. "I thought something had happened to you, idiot."

When Carlos was close enough to Lando, Chelsea reached out her arms to him to be picked up, something Carlos didn't refuse. Lando stretched a bit when he could finally stop holding her.

"Chelsea is what happened. I... I asked my parents to bring her. I thought you missed her a bit, and—"

"Of course I missed her, Lando. You should have told me you were going to bring her. But I really missed her. Isn't that right, princesa? Did you miss me too?" Carlos shifted his attention to Chelsea. She giggled foolishly at Carlos' sweet way of speaking to her.

Lando smiled unconsciously. He dropped onto the bed and then turned off the TV, tired of listening to the same cartoon for hours.

"Stay here. I had to change her diapers twice in a row," Lando complained without meaning it.

Lando already knew Carlos would have to decline. Before a race, they had to be completely focused, and Ferrari surely wouldn't be happy to hear that one of their drivers had spent the night awake because of a baby. That's why he was surprised when Carlos didn't hesitate for a second to respond. "Of course, I will stay."

Carlos smiled and approached the bed, sitting next to Lando. Chelsea was still in his arms, and she had started to drool on her own finger.

"Carlos, I... well, I was joking," admitted Lando. "My parents already left. But I can ask someone from my team to take care of her tonight."

Carlos shook his head and removed Chelsea's finger from her mouth. Then he started to stroke her head, and Chelsea narrowed her eyes, pleased with the gesture.

"No, it is really okay if I stay. She can stay here too. If she needs anything during the night, I can get up."

Lando hesitated for a moment, looking at Carlos and then at Chelsea, who seemed quite comfortable.

Finally, Lando nodded with a smile. "Okay. But you have to promise that you won't crash tomorrow even if you wake up tired."

Carlos let out a warm laugh at that. "I promise, cariño. Chelsea is the witness, ¿verdad, corazón?" he asked Chelsea, who just laughed in response.

Lando's heart skipped a beat. He had never heard Carlos give a Spanish nickname to anyone other than him. It was a small gesture, but it definitely meant a lot and confirmed all the affection Carlos had for Chelsea.

He buried his face in the pillow beneath him and continued to watch Carlos play with Chelsea for a while longer.

Honestly, it hadn't been that bad. Almost as if she knew the next day was important, Chelsea had barely woken up a couple of times during the night. Despite it all, Lando could only remember getting up once.

Carlos had been the one to take Chelsea after they had breakfast and had to leave with their teams. Lando hadn't argued, but the truth was that after spending a whole day with her, he kinda missed her a bit. Just a tiny bit.

He arrived at the paddock a little before noon. He was walking with Oscar when he noticed people gathered around someone. He couldn't resist the curiosity and peeked to see what was happening.

Carlos was in the center, Chelsea was in his arms, and she was looking at all the interviewers, who seemed to adore her, with a smile. Lando couldn't help but smile at Carlos when he caught his eye, but his face paled when Chelsea also saw him and raised her arms to him to be picked up. And despite everything, he couldn't deny anything to that little girl, so he felt a wave of nervousness as he approached Carlos and took Chelsea in his arms.

"Lando, it's a pleasure to meet you," one of the journalists began.

"The pleasure is mine," Lando replied, trying to stay calm as he held Chelsea. The journalist continued with some questions related to the race and then decided to change the focus.

"Well, can anyone tell us who this adorable child is who has done nothing but brighten up the paddock?"

Lando looked at Carlos immediately after the journalist asked that question. They hadn't thought about what they would say if someone outside their inner circle asked about her, so he hadn't expected Carlos to already have a story in mind.

"This princesita here is Chelsea... my niece," Carlos replied with a kind smile as he gently stroked Chelsea's head.

Lando was taken aback for a moment, but he decided to go along with it. It wasn't a bad story, and it was definitely believable. "Yes... Chelsea is a special guest in the paddock today. It seems she's very comfortable here while she's a star."

The cameras started clicking, and the questions continued in that direction for a while. When everyone seemed satisfied, Lando could finally leave with Carlos.

They were just arriving at the entrance to McLaren's hospitality when Charles ran to intercept them and took Chelsea from Lando's arms.

"My god, she is so beautiful. Hello, Chelsea, I've been dying to meet you." Charles seemed absolutely delighted with little Chelsea as they exchanged smiles and affectionate words. Chelsea definitely seemed to enjoy the attention and love everyone was giving her.

Carlos chuckled softly as he watched the scene. "You can be Chelsea's official number one fan."

Charles smiled broadly. "I'll be delighted to be her number one fan. Chelsea, I promise I'll be the most fun uncle you can have."

Lando bit his lip. He felt like Chelsea had already spent so much time with them that he sometimes forgot that she would eventually have to leave.

"Why didn't anyone tell us we had such adorable visitors today?" George's voice asked, making its way alongside Alex to reach Chelsea.

Carlos smiled as he introduced Chelsea. "Guys, meet Chelsea, the new sensation of the Formula 1 paddock."

George and Alex were delighted, and Chelsea, already used to the attention, smiled back at them with her baby charm.

The afternoon passed with laughter and lively conversations between McLaren and Ferrari's hospitality, with Chelsea at the center of all the attention. It was evident that Lando had made the right decision because her presence brightened the atmosphere.

Chelsea had been so good for them that Lando ended up bathed in champagne when he finished in second place. To their pleasant surprise, Carlos had also achieved an incredible result, winning the race without any difficulty.

The return to the hotel was quiet and filled with satisfaction. Carlos and Lando settled Chelsea in her temporary crib and allowed themselves to sigh.

Lando fell onto the bed with a sigh of relief and closed his eyes for a moment. The excitement and adrenaline of the race had been exhausting, but it had been worth it. He snuggled against Carlos's chest when he felt him lie down beside him.

"I'm glad Chelsea joined us today," Carlos said softly. Chelsea was already asleep, and they didn't want to wake her.

"Yeah, me too."

"I think she brought us luck," Carlos whispered as he gently stroked Lando's hair.

Lando nodded with a tired smile. "She definitely did."

Carlos remained silent for a moment. Lando just stayed still, too comfortable to try to move.

"Lando..." Carlos called him, softly and gently, as if he didn't want anyone to ever find them.

Lando sighed softly. His eyes were closed, and he felt Carlos' heartbeat under his skin. "Hmm?"

"The season is almost over."

"I know."

Carlos' voice was a warm whisper in the quiet hotel room. "And after that, we'll have to make a decision about Chelsea."

Lando nodded slowly. They hadn't received any updates about being able to pick up Chelsea, but it was inevitable. "Yes, I know."

"I... well, I've been thinking about the end of my contract again. The truth is, I've already talked to the team," Carlos began. Lando felt a lump in his throat as Carlos' steady heartbeat began to waver as he spoke. "I won't renew. I'm going to retire at the end of the season. I think it is the best thing for me, it is what I really want to do. If Chelsea is still with us by then, I could take care of her."

Carlos' words left Lando silent for a moment. Somehow, Lando knew, he knew that Carlos had been pondering this for some time, since they talked the night he found Chelsea, and...

Oh, Chelsea. Had she been the trigger for Carlos's final decision? Was it Chelsea's fault?

Lando sat up immediately and moved away from Carlos. He felt overwhelmed. He knew he wasn't thinking clearly, but anger had started to build up inside his chest. It was unfair. It was fucking unfair.

"Lando, what's wrong?" Carlos asked.

"Do you really think it's the best? Quitting Formula 1?" Lando said with a tone of voice that showed his disagreement. " "You still have your whole career ahead of you. Did you really think it through? And it's because of Chelsea, right? She is the reason you want to retire?"

Carlos sighed, trying to find the right words. "It is not just because of Chelsea, Lando. I've been thinking about this for a long time. I want to explore other opportunities in my life, and yes, having Chelsea with us may have helped me think better about this decision. But I no longer want to keep racing, I can't."

Lando was frustrated, he felt his cheeks starting to heat up and his eyes stinging. "So, it is because of Chelsea. I can't believe you are making this decision because of a baby who isn't even yours."

Carlos got up at that moment too, his voice starting to rise in anger, and his eyebrows furrowing. "Lando, what the fuck? Of course, it's not just because of Chelsea. How the hell am I supposed to keep wanting to race in a sport where I can't even be in a public relationship with the person I love?" he said with a tone of voice full of anger.

Chelsea had started crying, and Lando felt pathetic for having the same response to frustration as a two-month-old baby.

The argument had gotten out of control, and Chelsea was paying the price.

"This is not going anywhere," Carlos muttered, his voice full of frustration as he tried to calm Chelsea, whom he had taken into his arms in a vain attempt to soothe her.

Lando realized what they were doing and felt a knot in his stomach. Chelsea wasn't to blame, and it was stupidly childish of Lando to want to blame her. "Carlos, I'm sorry. We shouldn't be fighting like this."

Carlos nodded, but his expression remained tense. "I need some time to think, Lando."

And, without saying another word, Carlos left the room with Chelsea in his arms, leaving Lando alone.

…

The news of Carlos' impending retirement dominated Formula 1 headlines in the following week. Fans and the media were clearly surprised by the decision, and speculation about who would replace him at Ferrari was on everyone's lips. Lando, on the other hand, felt a rollercoaster of emotions every time he heard someone talk about Carlos around him. He felt anger, sadness, and confusion, and didn't know how to handle it.

He had been foolish to blame Chelsea, and he really didn't know how he was going to make amends because Carlos seemed to be distancing himself from Lando every time he tried to talk to him.

Lando returned his gaze to the interviewer when Carlos' name came up. He had been so distracted that he couldn't even remember the last question he had been asked.

"Sorry? Could you repeat the question?"

The interviewer smiled knowingly, as if he knew something Lando didn't. "How would you describe your relationship with Carlos? The last time you looked as close to his niece as you are to him."

Lando raised one eyebrow. He couldn't help but think of Chelsea for a moment; she was still with Carlos, and since Carlos wasn't approaching him, he hadn't had the chance to see her.

"We are good friends," he replied, trying to keep his tone steady and firm.

"Good friends?"

"That's what I said." Lando's voice was beginning to sound defensive. What on earth did this guy really want? "Sorry, but what do you really want to know?"

The interviewer contained his smile, and Lando felt a chill when the man showed him an article open on his phone.

Was it some kind of sick joke or something?

It was a stupid article that had just been posted. And it had a photo that left Lando speechless. It was him and Carlos, outside their house in Woking, sharing a frozen kiss.

Lando paled as he saw the image. They had captured an intimate moment between him and Carlos and turned it into a sensationalist headline. Rage and disbelief swirled in his mind as he stared at the phone screen.

"What the fuck...? Where did you get this?" Lando could barely articulate his words, feeling suddenly exposed.

The reporter smiled maliciously. "It seems that your relationship with Carlos is causing quite a stir on social media and among fans. Do you have any comment on that?"

Lando felt like he was choking, maybe he actually was. He also felt a tightness in his chest, as if the air had suddenly become dense. He couldn't say anything more; he simply walked away from there and ran out of the place, ignoring the interviewer's questions and the curious looks of those in the paddock.

He ran to his driver's room, overwhelmed by anxiety and panic. He closed the door behind him and collapsed into a chair, trying to control his breathing. His hands were trembling, and tears began to well up in his eyes.

He felt as if an immense pressure was consuming him from the inside, and his heart was pounding furiously.

Tears streamed down his cheeks uncontrollably.

His mind was filled with turbulent and terrifying thoughts. He felt humiliated and vulnerable, so vulnerable.

It was unfair. How dare they—? How could they be so cruel to expose someone like this? And Carlos... Oh, Carlos. What would he do if Carlos thought it was all Lando's fault? The truth was, he had every right to think that; the photo had been taken outside his house.

Lando's hands were shaking violently as he grabbed his head. He felt like he was falling apart inside, as if his mind were in total chaos. The feeling of vulnerability and shame was overwhelming, and he didn't know how to confront it.

The room seemed to spin around him, and the truth was, he felt trapped in a nightmare. He closed his eyes tightly, trying to block out the outside world and find some calm in the midst of the storm raging inside him.

He didn't even notice the new presence beside him until he felt two arms taking hold of him and pulling him closer.

It was Carlos. Of course, it was him.

"Hey, Lando, I'm here. I'm with you," Carlos said, his voice softer than Lando had ever heard it. He began to stroke Lando's back gently. "Breathe, cariño. Breathe, please."

Lando clung to Carlos as if he could disappear at any moment. It hadn't been that long since they had last spoken, but Lando felt like it had been an eternity.

He tried to follow Carlos' words and regain control of his breathing, but it was difficult. The feeling of tightness in his chest didn't seem to let up.

Slowly, Lando began to regain control of his breathing. The waves of panic started to subside, though he still felt weak and vulnerable.

Finally, when he dared to look at Carlos, he swallowed the lump in his throat. "I am so sorry."

Carlos tried to smile sweetly, but his face twisted into a somewhat sad expression. "You do not have to apologize. I came as soon as I saw the interview... I didn't know either."

Lando wiped the last traces of tears from his cheeks with the back of his hand. "It's my fault, isn't it?"

"Lando, no. Not at all. Something like this could never be your fault. They had no right."

"This is bullshit."

Carlos actually smiled genuinely at that. Lando felt the air around him soften.

"It is. But at least we're together, right? If you think about it, it means we won't have to hide anymore..."

"It also means that our—" Lando hesitated. He changed what he was going to say in an instant. "—my career is ruined forever."

Carlos smacked his forehead, and Lando couldn't help but pout. "Of course not. McLaren loves you, how could they not, Lando? Yes, maybe all of this is a headache for your team now, but eventually, it will cease. And I'm sure they won't let you go. McLaren wants you with them as much as you want to continue being their driver."

Lando shook his head slightly, trying to clear his thoughts a bit. His eyes still burned, and his face must have been terribly swollen.

"Aren't you mad anymore?"

Carlos looked at him for a moment before averting his gaze. "I never was. Well, maybe a little. I was when you tried to blame Chelsea for my decision to retire," he began, turning his gaze back to Lando. "I've always tried to understand you, but I didn't understand how you could blame her for something I decided. But eventually, I did. And I want you to know that I also regret it; I regret pulling away and not letting you get closer. Despite everything, as soon as I saw the interview, I didn't even think before running to you. I will always go to you, Lando."

Lando snuggled closer to Carlos without being able to help himself. "I'm so sorry for what I said about Chelsea, it was a mistake. And I appreciate so much that you're always there for me. You're the most important person in my life," he said sincerely.

"Oh, so who's the cheesy one now?"

Lando was about to protest when Carlos smiled and leaned in to give him a gentle kiss on the lips. It was a kiss full of love and promises. Lando savored every second of it.

"Te amo," Carlos whispered.

Lando bit his lip to suppress his smile. "I love you too," he replied, but something was missing. Lando wasn't sure what. He scanned the room quickly before he noticed it. Oh, someone was missing. Someone small and cheerful. "Where's Chelsea?"

Carlos stroked one of Lando's curls before answering. "With Charles."

Lando nodded and got up, feeling calmer after the emotional storm he had experienced. He took Carlos' hand and squeezed it affectionately.

"Let's go find our—" he stopped short when he realized what he was about to say. He felt his cheeks warm a bit and cleared his throat before speaking again. "Let's go get Chelsea."

He felt Carlos give his hand a squeeze. Lando could have passed out at that moment. "Does this mean we're dating now?"

Lando couldn't help but laugh. "Maybe."

When he finally stepped out into the garage, he almost let go of Carlos's hand out of pure instinct, but the Spaniard didn't let him. Zack was already waiting for him with a raised eyebrow and crossed arms. Lando knew he was going to have to deal with his team before he could have Carlos and Chelsea all to himself.

He ignored the cameras and flashes around him and made sure to kiss Carlos passionately before having to separate from him.

Lando had finished fifth in the drivers' championship, while Carlos had secured third place, which was actually perfect.

The atmosphere in the paddock had changed since Lando and Carlos no longer had to hide their relationship. In a way, it was a relief for Lando because Carlos could be more affectionate in public, and although there were some criticisms and curious looks, they also received a lot of support and love from fans and colleagues for the remainder of the season.

Lando allowed himself to embrace Carlos even when they were still in the paddock. They knew they had to deal with media attention after achieving such good results, but at least Lando didn't mind too much. He wanted to assume that Carlos didn't mind either because, after all, he was officially retired now.

The only thing that had bothered Lando a bit was not seeing Carlos' family with him. It wasn't a genuine feeling, but his family had come to congratulate both of them on their achievements and smother Chelsea with kisses. Carlos had assured him it was fine, that he had asked them not to come; at the time, Lando didn't understand why, but right now, standing in front of the Sainz's door in Madrid, holding Chelsea in his arms, he understood it. Carlos wanted his parents to meet Chelsea in an intimate moment, not in front of thousands of cameras and reporters.

"Ready, cabrón?"

Lando swallowed hard at the question. Chelsea must have sensed the tension in him because she hurriedly ran her sticky hands all over Lando's face, trying to lift the corners of his lips.

"What if they don't like her?" he asked genuinely nervous. He knew it was practically impossible for anyone not to love Chelsea and her gigantic eyes, but the doubt and concern were always in a little corner inside his chest.

"What are you talking about? They'll love her as much as they love you," Carlos said, giving Lando a kiss on the forehead before looking at him. "Maybe even a little more."

Lando hesitated at that. "What if they don't like me anymore?" It wasn't something he had thought too much about, but this would be the first time he would see Carlos' family with them officially dating.

Carlos smiled and gently caressed Lando's cheek. "Lando, that's not going to happen. They know how much you mean to me, and they will also love what we have together. Trust me."

With those comforting words, Lando felt a little calmer as Carlos rang the doorbell. He knew Carlos had keys, but somehow he appreciated that he took the time to ring the doorbell; it gave Lando a little more time to mentally prepare himself.

The door opened shortly after, and a wave of emotions washed over Lando when he saw Carlos's family greeting them with enthusiasm. To be honest, Lando had expected only Carlos' parents to be there. He must have known that everyone would be there. Carlos' parents, his sister, and her husband welcomed them with warm smiles and affectionate hugs.

"Oh, Carlos, Lando, you're finally here!" Carlos' mother exclaimed with joy. "And look at the precious little one you brought with you!"

Carlos hugged them and then looked at Lando, inviting him to join the conversation. "Mom, dad, this is Chelsea."

"She is so adorable," Carlos' sister, Blanca, said as she carefully stroked Chelsea's cheek. "Is she something like your daughter?"

Lando almost choked on the question. Chelsea squirmed in distress at that moment, and only settled down when Carlos moved a bit closer to Lando and her.

Carlos, with a friendly smile, answered his sister's question. "No, no, it's just that Lando and I take care of her together. She... was left outside Lando's house one day."

The momentary confusion on the faces of Carlos's family didn't go unnoticed by Lando. To be honest, he couldn't help but feel a little surprised that Carlos's family wasn't aware of the media news, especially considering their prominence in the world of Formula 1.

He felt uncomfortable at the thought that they might think Chelsea was like their daughter. However, before that feeling could intensify, Carlos skillfully redirected the conversation elsewhere, talking about how they had spent the day and sharing funny anecdotes about Chelsea.

Lando gradually relaxed as they shared stories and laughed together. As they entered the Sainz's house, the initial tension dissipated, and the afternoon was filled with laughter and heartfelt moments with Chelsea at the center of it all.

She was very cute. Lando hadn't really taken the time before to just look at her. She had huge, brown eyes like Carlos', and her hair was curly and dark, like his. She had a smile that made her eyes disappear, and she clenched her hands into fists when she got excited. Somehow identical to the two of them, and Lando's stomach fluttered a little at the realization.

She was perfect.

…

The next day, they returned to Carlos's apartment.

While Chelsea slept in her crib (yes, her crib. The crib that Lando's parents had ended up buying for Chelsea. Temporary.), Lando and Carlos relaxed on the couch for a while. However, they began to notice that Chelsea was tossing and turning in her sleep and occasionally coughing softly but persistently.

Carlos looked at Lando with concern. "Do you think Chelsea might be getting sick?"

Lando furrowed his brow as he watched the little one. "I'm not sure, but it sounds like she might have a bit of congestion. Maybe we should call a doctor just to be sure."

It turns out Chelsea hated doctors.

When the doctor arrived and tried to examine her, the little one began to cry inconsolably, testing everyone's patience in the room.

Carlos and Lando tried to comfort her, but Chelsea wouldn't calm down. The doctor finally assured them that Chelsea seemed to have a mild respiratory infection and that, with the right treatment, she would be fine. He prescribed medication and gave them some guidelines for caring for her at home.

The next day, while Carlos was busy changing Chelsea's diaper, Lando's phone rang. It was a call from Silvertone, but it was an unknown number.

Lando hesitated, but ultimately answered the call. It was the authorities; social services were concerned about Chelsea's well-being and wanted to make sure she was receiving proper care.

Lando, aware that the situation was more complex than it seemed, decided to put the call on speakerphone and rushed into the room. Carlos had already finished cleaning Chelsea, and he was leaving short kisses on her tiny, round nose.

Carlos didn't question it when Lando flopped onto the bed, resting his head on Carlos's legs, and asked for Chelsea.

After a long and detailed conversation, the social worker informed them that they had found temporary shelter that could accommodate Chelsea while she recovered.

Lando felt a bit bad hearing that. Chelsea, on top of his chest, had started to doze off with the lull of his racing heartbeat.

Carlos thanked them for their concern through the phone's speaker while he stroked Lando's hair, but he explained that they preferred to take care of Chelsea at home and were willing to follow all medical instructions.

Finally, social services accepted their explanation and agreed to give them a little more time to care for the little one.

While Chelsea slept soundly, Lando remained silent for a moment, contemplating the situation. Carlos must have noticed the pensive expression on Lando's face because he didn't hesitate to start playing with every curl of his hair.

"What are you thinking, cariño?" Carlos asked softly.

Lando sighed before responding, carefully not to wake Chelsea. Her weight on his chest made breathing a bit difficult, but the sensation, rather than bothering Lando, comforted him. "I started thinking about what the social worker said about finding a place for Chelsea while she recovers. What if...?" He took a long breath before continuing. "Do you think someone will adopt her when they take her away?"

Carlos looked at Lando seriously before answering. "Yes." And he sounded sad.

Lando felt torn. On one hand, he knew he wasn't ready to be a parent yet, and adopting a baby was something he never planned, but on the other hand, he had grown attached to Chelsea and didn't want her to be far away from them. "I don't want them to take her away. But I don't think I'm ready to take care of her forever," he admitted sadly. Tears had already started to escape him, and Carlos didn't hesitate to wipe them away immediately.

"It's okay," Carlos said, but his voice sounded a bit choked. "We knew taking care of her would be temporary. What's important is that we're here for her now, for as long as she needs us."

Lando nodded and closed his eyes tightly. If he concentrated hard enough, he could feel Chelsea's gentle breathing against his skin. He knew they had to do what was best for her, even if it meant having to say goodbye.

Chelsea half-woke up at that moment. Lando helped her roll over to his side, and Carlos took the opportunity to lie down next to them, with Chelsea in the middle.

As Lando and Carlos gently surrounded Chelsea, the little one opened her eyes and looked at them with curiosity. Her tiny hands clung to their fingers, and Lando felt a warm and comforting feeling of love and connection.

Lando looked at Carlos in the dimly lit room, illuminated only by the soft moonlight streaming through the window. There was a serene silence in the room, only broken by Chelsea's calm breathing and her nonsensical babbling.

Lando gently stroked Chelsea's hair as he thought about how much his life had changed in such a short time. He hadn't planned on becoming a parent, but he had found a special connection with Chelsea that had deeply moved him. He realized that he had grown to love her as if she were his own daughter.

Carlos gently squeezed Lando's free hand in a silent gesture of support. He knew that Carlos was also going through an emotionally intense moment; he was the one who had grown attached first, like love at first sight. Moreover, Lando knew how much Carlos longed to start a family.

Despite everything, they couldn't keep her. It wasn't fair to Carlos or to her, because Lando did love Chelsea, but he knew he couldn't care for her as she deserved.

…

They returned to Woking a couple of weeks before the new season began.

Not even three days had passed since Chelsea had been taken away, amidst the girl's kicking and giant tears, when Lando realized it was race week. The tension and stress of Formula 1 had temporarily faded during their time together with Chelsea, but now they returned with force.

Carlos accompanied Lando to the paddock on race day, not as a driver, but as emotional support. It was strange for Lando to be on the grid himself, but in a way, it was also a relief. Carlos had wanted to retire, and Lando could finally understand and respect his decision.

As he prepared for the race, Lando tried to focus on his job as a driver, but his mind kept wandering to Chelsea and her beautiful brown eyes.

The roar of the engines, the smell of fuel, and the roar of the crowd reminded him that he was in his element, but he felt like something —someone was missing.

Carlos remained close the entire time, offering words of encouragement and support while respecting Lando's space as he concentrated on his pre-race routine.

The minutes leading up to the start were a mix of emotions for Lando. He was eager to compete but also worried about what was happening with Chelsea.

When the race time approached, Lando got into his race car, trying to temporarily block out his worries and focus on the race ahead. The checkered flag dropped, and the competition began. Unfortunately, after leading the race for a couple of laps, his engine began to fail, and he ended up with a DNF even before leaving the pits.

Frustration and disappointment overwhelmed Lando as he was forced to abandon the race due to mechanical issues. He got out of his car with a downcast face and a sense of helplessness. Carlos was there to support him, but even his presence couldn't completely alleviate the bitter taste of defeat.

Journalists swarmed around them, eager for answers about what had happened. However, both Lando and Carlos were too concerned about Chelsea to focus on race-related questions. Lando simply couldn't respond with the same passion he used to have in post-race interviews.

"I am sorry about your DNF," Charles said eventually, after the race was over and Lando and Carlos remained in the McLaren garage.

Lando nodded with a somber expression. "Thank you. It's been a complicated few days."

Carlos placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, conveying silent support.

"Did something happen?" Charles asked with genuine curiosity and concern. "Did something happen to Chelsea?"

Lando heard Carlos take a deep breath, trying to find the right words to respond. "Chelsea is no longer with us. Social services took her away."

Charles, and the rest of the team who had been listening in, fell silent, shocked by the news. Lando, feeling a lump in his throat, couldn't prevent tears from welling up in his eyes and eventually spilling down his cheeks as he struggled to maintain composure in front of his team.

"Oh... I am so sorry to hear that," Charles said, moving closer to Lando and Carlos, offering understanding and empathy in his embrace. "Guys, I'm really sorry for what you're going through. If you need to talk or anything else, you know I'll be here for you."

...

The floor in Woking was always clean, no one woke Lando up in the middle of the night crying, and he hadn't had to change anyone's diaper in a long time.

But Lando wasn't happy.

And somehow, Carlos knew. Carlos always knew everything about Lando.

"Hey, Lando, I know you miss Chelsea as much as I do. What happened is not your fault or mine. It was tough circumstances and making such a big decision as taking care of a baby is not something to be taken lightly."

Lando sighed, feeling the weight of guilt. "Yeah, I know that. But it's just that... I feel bad. I feel bad for not feeling ready to take care of her permanently, and also for letting them take her when she didn't want to go."

Lando stared at Carlos, who remained silent, his eyes seeking refuge in the warmth and understanding he found in him. The weight he had been carrying in his chest for days began to slowly dissipate as he spoke.

"It's just that when I saw Chelsea crying as they took her away... I couldn't help but feel like we were abandoning her," Lando confessed, his voice trembling slightly.

Carlos hugged him tightly, pulling him into his chest. "I know, cariño. The truth is, I felt that way too. But don't forget that we did the best we could in that moment. But now... well, now, if you want it and you're sure, we can do our best to bring her back into our lives."

Lando felt his heart stop. He nodded, clinging to Carlos as if his life depended on it. His chest ached, but this time, Lando wasn't sure what it meant.

He missed Chelsea, and he wanted her back. He knew that he might never feel ready and capable enough to care for her permanently, but he was willing to try if it was for her and Carlos.

Carlos gently stroked his hair. "We're going to do this right this time, Lando. Together, as a family. How does that sound?"

Lando smiled, feeling lighter than he had in days. "Yes, together. I really like how that sounds," he admitted with flushed cheeks.

Carlos also smiled and leaned in to kiss Lando.

Lando realized that despite the challenges they had faced, his love for Carlos and his determination to give Chelsea a happy life together were stronger than ever. He felt grateful to have Carlos by his side, supporting him every step of the way.

Both knew it wouldn't be easy, that raising Chelsea would require time, effort, and patience. But they were willing to face any challenges that came their way. The prospect of having Chelsea back in their lives filled them with joy and excitement.

…

The day Chelsea returned to them, Lando felt like he could die, and he would die happy.

It was a wave of excitement and happiness that filled his heart.

Chelsea also seemed happy, as if she had really missed them. When they hugged her, she held onto them tightly.

They had to wait for several months, so long that the season was about to end. In order to adopt Chelsea, Lando and Carlos had to go through a rigorous adoption process that involved thousands of steps and assessments. They had to take a couple of courses, which Lando managed to complete despite spending weeks traveling.

The truth was that it was a long and challenging process, but Lando and Carlos were determined to meet all the requirements to provide Chelsea with a home filled with love and care. Finally, when every step was completed, and their ability to take care of her was proven, they were allowed to officially adopt Chelsea and become her family.

Carlos' and Lando's families shared the pride and happiness of seeing Chelsea find a loving home. Their friends from the paddock, fellow drivers, and team members also shared their well-wishes and celebrated this unique moment in their lives.

The fact that Chelsea's adoption became headline news was no surprise, considering the popularity of Lando and Carlos in the world of Formula 1 and beyond. However, instead of hiding the truth or keeping their story secret, Lando and Carlos chose to share their experience and their love for Chelsea in an honest interview before the season ended.

The interview room was well-lit, with cameras and microphones ready to capture every word and expression. Lando and Carlos entered with Chelsea in their arms, who looked delighted once again with so much attention in Carlos's arms as she curiously observed her surroundings.

"Lando, Carlos, welcome! We're excited to have you here today. And, of course, what a lovely surprise to see Chelsea with you!"

Lando smiled and glanced at Chelsea for a moment before answering. "Thank you for having us. And yes, we couldn't leave Chelsea out of this important interview. She's a fundamental part of our story."

"Exactly, we can't be separated from her," Carlos said, and even though the interviewer laughed, thinking it was a joke, Lando couldn't help but feel touched.

"Can you share how you came to the decision to adopt Chelsea?" The interviewer continued to ask questions about their life as new parents, their experiences, and the message they wanted to convey to those considering adoption. While Lando and Carlos shared their stories and advice, Chelsea watched with curiosity, oblivious to the media attention surrounding them but knowing in her heart that she was loved and cherished by the two men who were now her fathers.

...

Lando loved the summer break, it was probably his favorite time of the year. He could stay up all night listening to cries, lounge on the couch and watch Bluey all day, and visit silly places with people in costumes that made babies laugh.

Best of all were Chelsea and Carlos. Always them.

Lando knew he loved them, and even though he didn't quite understand why, he knew he had no doubts about it.

The love he felt for Chelsea and Carlos was something that transcended words and doubts. It was a deep and genuine feeling that filled his heart with every smile, every laugh, and every shared moment. He knew that no matter what challenges they faced along the way, they would always be together, facing them as a united family. It was a comforting feeling that reminded him that, amidst life's ups and downs, he would always have Chelsea and Carlos by his side.