☆.｡.:* BABY STEPS .｡.:*☆
act four — fate brought us back together
(🕯👶🏼✨☁️)

authors note: not long left until the end </3

the next few days after the announcement posts, things were crazy for both thea and lando, lando in particular, as he was the more known of the pair and the fact that he was a formula one driver with a lot of followers; but even during the hectic couple of days, they had each other. they had each other to fall back on if things got too much in one way or another, they had each other's limitless support and they had also shared a few romantic moments together.

but they both knew that the little bubble that they had formed since announcing that thea was pregnant would have to be broken sooner than later, the formula one calendar demanding more races, this time the drivers travelling to monaco. lando knew that as soon as he shown on up on the thursday for media, mass amounts of questions would be thrown at him, each most likely to direct towards the miscarriage and the new pregnancy.

lando could tell that thea was still feeling fragile and vulnerable and he could tell that leaving her on her own could be bad for her; but at least if she was with him, he'd be able to reassure her at anytime or anyplace if she needed it. so after talking with andreas and zac, lando had figured out a solution that would benefit them both.

"how do you feel about coming to monaco with me?" lando asked spontaneously as they sat on the couch, bodies intertwined as best as they could with a baby bump in the middle, lando packing thea and louis a suitcase when packing his own, the trio of the travel equipment sat by the front door.

"to the race that you're travelling to in a couple of hours?" thea raised her eyebrows at the sudden question, a smile growing on her face as she watched him nod in response. "i'd love to."

monaco would always be one of the parents favourite holiday destinations, even if it was just for a race, along with croatia and dubai. monte carlo especially, they loved every single thing about it. the sunny weather and the walks you could take around the circuit, the stunning beaches with a sea as clear as glass and the harbour where yachts could be rented for family days out on the sea.

luckily the flight went smoothly, louis sleeping nearly the entire time which thea and lando were sure that the mclaren team members were thankful for, meaning that they could catch up on the sleep that had missed out on from spending time with their own families. thea and lando spending majority of the flight talking about their baby girl and contenders for godparents, lando agreeing with thea about mason being one of her godfathers.

thea had told lando what had happened the night when she stayed over at bens with mason, clearing up any speculations that he may have had and lando was relived to hear the truth that came out of her mouth, the truth being that no romantic feelings were shared between any of them and that they strictly saw each other as siblings.

"remember, you don't have to answer any questions that you don't feel comfortable with and i'm going to be with you the whole time, only if you want me to be."

"stay with me, please." thea told him as quietly as she could with her mask restricting the sound, everybody in the paddock and garages having to still wear masks to prevent another spread of corona, to keep their conversation hidden from any microphones and the netflix cameras. "does it ever scare you?"

"what do you mean, love?" lando replied in the same as her, his hand on her back light as he let her walk in front of him for a moment, him quickly turning to wave at some fans that called his name.

"louis growing up." the blonde clarified, a feeling of reminiscence taking over her body as she thought about her little boy that was currently being looked after in the paddock by daniel ricciardo. "it feels like it was only yesterday that we held him for the first time and now he's gonna be three in a couple of months."

"it's gone by so quickly and it is scary how quickly he's growing up." the mclaren driver shook his head slightly, imagining what his sons future were to look like, him hoping that louis took after him in racing but he could never force that upon him. "he asked me the other day for a car like daddy's."

"he admires you, you know." thea looked up at him, linking her freshly tanned arms with his as her heavy bump caused her to waddle slightly as lando acted as a support for her, him doing this for her during every pregnancy.

"he shouldn't, i'm a bad person." lando let out a small sigh, his choice of words not a way of gaining sympathy or pity but thea couldn't help but feel a small sense of sadness for him.

"you're not a bad person, you just did some questionable things." she reassured him, trying to tell him that he could change from what he did and indirectly telling him that he has a chance to make things even better between them. "but you're an amazing dad to him and our girls, no matter what you tell yourself."

"you really think so?"

"i know so, even if me and you weren't talking and we hated each other, i could never talk badly about your parenting."

"i'm so tempted to say something right now but i really don't want to ruin the moment."

"soon." she sent him a warm smile, one in which he returned as he repeated those three words in his head. "say it when it's right for you."

"i think natalie pinkham wants you." lando had spotted the brunette woman from over thea's shoulder, her catching his eye as she gestured to thea after a slight wave to him just before hearing a spaniard from the opposite direction. "you go and talk to her, carlos is calling me over."

"how are you and lando doing, darling?" the sky sports presenter greeted her with a motherly hug, something that thea had craved for so long since her own mother had left surrey, even if it was only a few days ago.

"we're good, making some progress."

"good progress?" natalie asked softly, her voice hopeful as she had always adored them together, even before they were a couple, earning a nod and a smile in return making natalie clap happily. "that's amazing, love. although i could never excuse his actions, i'm glad the two of you are working things through."

"yeah me too, he's slowly building up that trust again and it sounds so cliche but i can't stay away from him."

"he's your person."

"he really is."

"and he's also coming back so i think he wants you." natalie rounded up the conversation to an end so that their talk could stay somewhat private between them both, the presenter pulling the blonde into another hug. "i'll properly catch up with you later, darling, give louis my love."

"i will do, he's with daniel at the minute but i'll bring him round later so you can see him." thea waved as natalie walked back over to ted so that they could film a segment.

"you look happy." lando told her his observation based on the beaming smile on her face. "what were you talking about?"

"she just was asking about us and louis, that's all." thea shook her head slightly, not letting anything slip about the details of their chat before changing the topic in an act to prevent any further questions. "i've had an idea and i think you'll like it."

"oh yeah, what's your idea?"

"if you win this weekend, i'll let you take me on a date." thea told as a proposition, the deal making a wide smile grow across his face as thea giggled softly.

"then fate shall decide."