It had been two months since Alice returned to her home in Burleigh Heads, Queensland. The serenity of the beach and the routine of her life had allowed her to heal and regain her sense of self. Yet, through it all, she and Lewis had stayed in contact. Their conversations were light, filled with jokes and casual banter, and his kindness had been a constant reminder that good things still existed.

As the Australian Grand Prix approached, Lewis's voice on the phone carried a hint of hope. "So... will you be at the race?" he asked, trying to sound casual but failing to hide the anticipation in his tone.

Alice smiled, leaning against the railing of her porch as the ocean breeze swept her hair back. "Well," she teased, "Daniel also invited me, you know. Seems like everyone's keen to have me there."

There was a beat of silence on the other end before Lewis's soft chuckle came through. "Guess that means I'll have some competition, then," he replied playfully, but the warmth in his voice betrayed his excitement.

She laughed, the sound light and free. "You’ll see me there, Hamilton. Don’t worry," she said, her heart swelling slightly at the thought of seeing him again.

As the days inched closer to the race, Alice couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation herself. It had been refreshing to rebuild a friendship with Lewis, someone who never pushed too hard or demanded too much. He’d been patient, letting her heal on her terms while offering his steady, kind presence. His kind smile had become something she looked forward to, and she couldn’t deny that life had felt a little brighter with him in it.

It was Quali Day, and Alice found herself surprisingly anxious. She wasn’t even the one racing, yet her nerves felt on edge, especially for Lewis. As the session progressed, Q3 didn’t go as planned for him. The disappointment was evident in his posture as he climbed out of the car, shaking his head lightly.

But as he walked toward the paddock, there she was—Alice, standing with a soft, encouraging smile. Without hesitation, she gave his helmet a gentle pat, the small gesture oddly comforting. “It’s okay,” she said quietly. “It’s just quali. You’ll make it count tomorrow.”

Her words brought a small smile to his lips. “You really think so?” he asked, his voice tinged with doubt.

“I know so,” she replied confidently. “You’re Lewis Hamilton. The race is where you shine.”

Her unwavering faith in him soothed the disappointment gnawing at his chest. “Thanks,” he said, his voice softer now. “You’re not bad at this pep-talk thing, you know.”

Alice laughed lightly. “What can I say? I’ve had a bit of practice cheering people up.”

As they walked back toward the garage, Daniel caught sight of them and grinned. “Oi, mate, don’t hog all the encouragement,” he teased, pulling Alice into a quick side hug. “Save some for me tomorrow.”

Alice rolled her eyes playfully. “Don’t worry, Danny Ric. I’ve got enough positivity for everyone.”

Charles and Lando passed by shortly after, exchanging knowing looks when they saw Alice and Lewis chatting so casually. “Someone’s got a secret weapon this weekend,” Lando joked, nudging Charles.

Lewis just smirked, waving them off. But as they walked back to the team area, he felt a flicker of warmth in his chest. Alice’s presence felt steady, grounding, and he realized just how much it meant to have her there.

---

Later that evening, as Alice and Emily sat in the hospitality area chatting with Carmen and Charlotte, Lewis came by, his race suit unzipped halfway. “You sticking around for the race tomorrow?” he asked casually, though the hope in his eyes betrayed him.

“Of course,” Alice replied, smiling. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Lewis nodded, satisfied, and for the first time all day, the frustration of Q3 seemed to melt away. He had something—someone—worth racing for.

The night before the race, Lewis ignored Toto's stern advice about getting enough rest. Instead, he stayed on a video call with Alice, her face softly illuminated on his phone screen.

“Lew, you really need to sleep,” she said, her tone firm but affectionate, as she lay on her couch in Australia.

“I don’t,” he replied stubbornly, lying sideways on his bed, his hand propped against his head. His voice was light but insistent, the hint of a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

“Oh, you absolutely do,” Alice countered, narrowing her eyes at him through the screen.

Lewis chuckled, shaking his head slightly. “I’ll sleep when the race is over. Right now, this is better.”

Alice sighed dramatically, but her smile betrayed her frustration. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

“I’ve been told,” he teased, his grin widening. But as they continued talking, the playful banter faded into something softer, more comforting. The call stretched late into the night, their connection deepening with each passing moment.

---

Race day was intense. Alice sat in the hospitality area, her nerves frazzled. When George and Zhou collided, leaving George out of the race, her heart nearly stopped. She gripped the edge of her chair, the sound of metal against metal replaying in her mind. For the first time, she truly understood what the other girls felt waiting for their partners to come through unscathed. Watching it on TV didn’t make it any easier.

Emily placed a reassuring hand on Alice’s shoulder, but it did little to calm her. She only exhaled once Lewis made it through the chaos unscathed.

The restart felt like a second chance—a shot at redemption for Lewis. And he didn’t waste it. He pushed harder than ever, maneuvering with precision and grit, and when he crossed the finish line in P1, the entire paddock erupted into cheers.

Alice jumped to her feet, tears brimming in her eyes as pride and relief coursed through her. “He did it!” she exclaimed, her voice breaking with emotion.

Charles claimed P2, his bright grin lighting up the podium celebrations, while Daniel secured P3, beaming like it was his first time up there. Max, George, and Zhou, unfortunately, retired from the race, leaving the rest of the field to fight it out.

The celebrations were in full swing in the paddock. Lewis, drenched in champagne and beaming with pride, made his way over to Alice. The crowd seemed to fade as he approached her, his eyes locked on hers.

“You were amazing,” she said, barely able to contain her excitement as she threw her arms around him.

Lewis hugged her back tightly, his heart pounding—not just from the race but from what he was about to do. He pulled back slightly, looking down at her with a nervous but determined smile.

“Alice,” he began, his voice steady despite the chaos around them.

“Yeah?” she asked, her cheeks still flushed from cheering so hard.

He took a deep breath, his hand brushing the back of his neck. “Would you go on a vacation with me? Just us. Somewhere quiet, somewhere far from all this?”

Alice blinked, taken aback for a moment, but then her lips curved into a wide smile. “A vacation?”

“Yes,” he said, his tone soft but insistent. “You deserve a break. And I’d like to spend it with you.”

Alice felt her heart swell. This wasn’t just about the race or the celebration. It was about him—about them—and the unspoken bond they’d built over the past months.

She nodded, her smile radiant. “I’d love to.”

Lewis’s grin widened, and for a moment, everything else—the cameras, the fans, the chaos—faded away. It was just them, standing there amidst the noise, ready to embark on a new chapter.