Third Person POV:

Bologna, Italy

December 2022

FIA Prize Giving Ceremony

Less than 19 hours for Hailee's birthday party

Amidst the grandeur of the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony in Bologna, Italy, Y/N stands tall and confident, the epitome of elegance in his sleek Tom Ford tuxedo. The atmosphere is electric as he steps onto the stage to accept his well-deserved Rookie of the Year award. The spotlight shines brightly upon him, highlighting his achievements and the hard work he has put into his racing career

He then gives his speech, full of gratitude

Y/N: Uh...wow! I mean...I thought I culd win Rookie Of The Year, but not like this. Third in the drivers championship,, three wins in the year...competing with drivers more experienced than me. Yes, I'm looking at you, Max. You with your fast car and good aerodynamics

The audience laughs

Y/N: Kidding...just kidding. But seriously, I couldn't have achieved any of this without the support of so many people. First and foremost, I want to thank my incredible team. Their hard work and dedication have been the driving force behind our success this season. To my engineers, mechanics, and everyone else behind the scenes, thank you for believing in me and pushing me to be the best I can be. And of course, none of this would be possible without the support of my family and friends. To my parents, thank you for instilling in me a love for racing and always encouraging me to follow my heart. To my friends, thank you for standing by me through the ups and downs of this journey. And thank you Devon Butler for talking shit all year while I get the goods.

After his speech, Y/N goes over to his table with Max and Sergio

As Y/N approaches his table, Max and Sergio greet him with congratulatory handshakes and smiles.

Max: Well done, mate. Rookie of the Year, not bad at all.

Sergio: Yeah, congrats, Y/N. You've had an impressive season.

As the evening progresses, Y/N periodically glances at his watch, his mind split between savoring the moment of his achievement and the looming anticipation of Hailee's birthday celebration. Despite the excitement of the event and the camaraderie of his fellow racers, the thought of being late to Hailee's party weighs heavily on his mind.

Each passing minute feels like an eternity as he mentally calculates the time it will take to wrap up the ceremony, make his way to the airport, and embark on the long flight back to Los Angeles. He can't shake the sense of urgency, knowing how much the celebration means to Hailee and how important it is for him to be there for her

Max: You look a little uneasy there, Y/N. Something wrong?

Y/N offers Max a smile, attempting to mask his inner turmoil with a facade of calmness.

Y/N: Nah, just eager to get back home. Got a special occasion waiting for me there, you know?

Christian Horner then comes over to the table 

Christian: Y/N...can I have a word with you?

Y/N: Sure, Mr. Horner.

Y/N nods, acknowledging Christian's request, and follows him to a quieter corner of the venue

Christian: It's just Christian, please.

Y/N: Well, Christian. What's this all about?

Christian: Well...I wanted to congratulate you on winning Rookie of the Year

Y/N: Thanks...

Christian: What you did...I don't think I ever saw a rookie do what you did. Maybe Hamilton in '07. But you...are the kind of talent we need at Red Bull.

Y/N thinks about it. Of course Red Bull were going to dominate the sport in the seasons to come and their cars are the pinnacle of motorsport engineering. But he wanted to trust the process with McLaren and value the chance they gave him

Y/N: Thanks, Christian...but these guys at McLaren gave me my big break. I think I'll stay with them for the time being.

Christian: I respect that. Well...thank you for your time anyway, Y/N.

They shake hands and Y/N returns to his table

...

Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport 

4 A.M

Y/N boards his private jet, feeling a mix of exhaustion and excitement. The cabin is spacious and luxurious, with plush leather seats and soft lighting. He sinks into his seat, letting out a sigh of relief as the plane taxis down the runway. Outside, the lights of Bologna Airport twinkle in the darkness as they ascend into the night sky.

Inside the cabin, Y/N's mind is buzzing with thoughts of the past few days – the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony, his speech, the offer from Christian Horner. But amidst it all, his focus is on one thing: getting back to Hailee in time for her birthday party. He checks his watch again, calculating the hours left until they touch down in Los Angeles

His tuxedo, once pristine and perfectly tailored, now bears the signs of wear from the long evening. The tie hangs loosely around his neck, and the top button of his shirt is undone, allowing him to breathe more freely. Despite the relaxed appearance, there's still an air of elegance and sophistication about him, a reminder of the prestigious event he just attended

...

19 hours later...

Los Angeles International Airport

The jet touches down on the runway at LAX, smoothly transitioning from the skies to solid ground. Y/N feels a slight jolt as the wheels make contact with the tarmac, a gentle reminder of the journey's end. Despite the unexpected detour through Heathrow Airport, the flight has been relatively smooth, and he's grateful to finally be back on home soil.

As the jet makes its way toward the terminal, Y/N peers out of the window, taking in the familiar sights of Los Angeles. The city lights twinkle below, a sprawling metropolis that never seems to sleep.

Once the jet comes to a stop and the engines power down, Y/N gathers his belongings and prepares to disembark. He feels a surge of anticipation at the thought of reuniting with Hailee and celebrating her birthday. Despite the long journey and the challenges he's faced along the way, he's eager to be by her side and make the most of the occasion

Feeling the effects of the long flight and perhaps indulging a bit too much in the whiskey during the journey, Y/N reaches for a bottle of aspirin from his carry-on bag. With a slight headache beginning to form, he knows that a couple of aspirin will help relief the discomfort and allow him to fully enjoy the celebration ahead

He then spots Ray standing by a black Cadillac SUV

Y/N: Hey Ray. Good to see you.

Ray: Y/N, how was the flight?

Y/N: Long, but I made it. 

Ray opens the door to the SUV

Ray: Let's get you to that party.

As Y/N settles into the comfortable interior of the Cadillac, he feels a sense of relaxation wash over him. With Ray at the wheel, he knows he's in good hands for the journey ahead. As they pull out of the hangar and onto the road, Y/N looks forward to the warmth of home and the joy of celebrating Hailee's birthday with loved ones

As Ray drives Y/N to Hailee's party, Y/N drifts in and out of sleep in the backseat of the Cadillac. The gentle hum of the engine and the smooth motion of the car put him in a peaceful state, despite the fatigue from the long flight

Finally, the Cadillac pulls up to the entrance of the venue where Hailee's party is being held. Y/N blinks awake, rubbing his eyes as he steps out of the car, feeling a renewed sense of energy at the prospect of joining the festivities.

As Y/N steps out of the Cadillac, Ray hands him a Louis Vuitton leather bag with a knowing smile. Y/N accepts it with gratitude, recognizing that the gesture came from Donna

Ray: Mrs. Paulsen-Specter thought you might appreciate a change of clothes after your flight.

Y/N: That's great, Ray. Thank you. Would you take my luggage back to my place?

Ray nods in agreement and drives off

As Y/N starts to walk towards the venue of the party, paparazzi, waiting outside, spot him and start taking pictures. The flash of the cameras catches Y/N off guard, but he quickly composes himself, flashing a polite smile for the photographers as he continues toward the party

He approaches the door and notices the bouncer there

Bouncer: Name.

Y/N: Specter. Y/N Specter.

As Y/N makes his way through the crowd, he spots Griffin across the room, engaged in conversation with a group of guests. Griffin's expression registers surprise when he notices Y/N approaching, his eyes widening in disbelief.

Griffin: Y/N? I thought you were still in Italy for the FIA ceremony. What happened? Did you decide to ditch the party?

Y/N chuckles, shaking his head as he reaches Griffin's side.

Y/N: Nah, couldn't miss Hailee's party, could I? Besides, I couldn't resist the urge to come back and celebrate with everyone.

Griffin nods, impressed by Y/N's dedication.

Griffin: Well, glad you could make it, mate. Hailee will be thrilled to see you here

Y/N: I'll talk to her in a minute. Let me just talk to some other guests

Y/N then walks away to find another guests

He then sees Tom and Zendaya talking to Timmothee

Y/N approaches the group where the three are engaged in conversation, exchanging greetings as he joins them.

Y/N: Hey, guys! How's it going?

Tom: Y/N! Good to see you, mate. Didn't think you'd make it back in time for the party.

Zendaya: Yeah, we were just talking about that.

Timothée: Hey, Y/N. Italy treating you well?

Y/N: Italy was amazing, but I couldn't miss Hailee's big night. How about you guys?

Zendaya: Well...your friend here just gave me this earlier today.

She shows Y/N a beautiful engagement ring on her left hand, but Y/N wasn't surprised. He knew Tom wanted to ask Zendaya to marry him

Y/N: Huh...I see Tom finally mustered the courage to ask you.

Y/N gives Tom a knowing look, acknowledging his friend's milestone moment

Zendaya: You knew?

Y/N: I kinda found out...accidentally. It's a long story. But...I wish you guys all the best. Now, if you'll excuse-

Zendaya cuts him off

Zendaya: Just wait till you hear the best part.

Y/N: Do tell.

Tom: We chose you and Hailee to be best man and maid of honor

Y/N's eyes widen in surprise, and a genuine smile spreads across his face.

Y/N: Really? Wow, guys, I'm honored. Thank you. Have you...settled on a date yet?

Tom: Not yet, mate. We're still working out the details, but we'll let you and Hailee know as soon as we have everything sorted.

Y/N nods, understandingly.

Y/N: Sounds good. Just let us know what you need help with.

Zendaya: We definitely will. Thanks, Y/N.

With a smile, Y/N offers his congratulations once again before excusing himself to continue mingling with the other guests

After that, Y/N approaches the table where his parents are seated with Pete and Cheri, offering a warm smile.

Y/N: Hey, everyone. Mind if I join you?

Donna: Hey, sweetheart. How was Italy?

Y/N kisses Donna and Cheri's cheeks before sitting down

Y/N: Italy was great. The FIA Prize Giving Ceremony was amazing. But I'm glad to be back.

Harvey: You made it just in time for the party.

Y/N: Wouldn't miss it for the world. Where is she?

Cheri: She's mingling with the guests. She'll be thrilled to see you.

Y/N: I can't wait to see her too.

Pete: So, how's the racing going?

Y/N: On hold till March. Still, I'll have to prepare for the pre-season

Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of the birthday girl, Hailee, who makes her way over to their table with a smile on her face

Hailee: Y/N! I thought you were still in Italy.

Y/N: Surprise! I couldn't miss your birthday, Haiz.

Hailee beams with delight, giving Y/N a warm hug

Hailee: Y/N, why are you still wearing a tux?

Y/N: Oh, I came from the airport and didn't have time to change. Plus, I thought I'd add some class to the party.

Hailee chuckles, shaking her head affectionately.

Hailee: Well, you certainly do add class, but you should get changed into something more comfortable. Let's make sure you have a good time tonight.

Y/N nods, acknowledging her suggestion.

Y/N: You're right. I'll get changed.

After a couple of minutes, Y/N returns to the party after changing into a more comfortable attire, a stylish knitted green henley shirt and tailored trousers. He looks refreshed and ready to enjoy the evening

As he returns to the festivities, he spots Hailee across the room and makes his way towards her with a confident stride

Hailee: Why are you so smiley tonight? 

Y/N: You thought I was gonna be the only surprise tonight? Well, think again, Miss. 

Y/N gives Donna a nod of confirmation, signaling something 

Y/N: I was thinking in Italy...on how much I love you. But I was also thinking how good a friend you are, a good partner...so in my eyes, you're the best

And just as Y/N says that, Hailee's eyes widen in surprise

https://youtu.be/An05IjJn2CY

Tina Turner emerges onto the stage, belting out the iconic lyrics to "Simply the Best." She looks at Y/N, her expression a mixture of astonishment and joy.

Hailee: You did all this?

Y/N smiles warmly, taking Hailee's hand in his.

Y/N: For you, my love. Because you truly are simply the best.

Hailee's heart swells with emotion as she gazes at Y/N, overwhelmed by the thoughtful gesture and the love shining in his eyes. She pulls him into a tight embrace, her heart bursting with happiness.

Hailee: Thank you, Y/N. This is...amazing. I love you.

Y/N: I love you too, Haiz. Always.

As Tina Turner's powerful voice fills the room, Y/N and Hailee share a tender moment on the dance floor, swaying to the music surrounded by friends and family. The twinkling lights and soft glow of the venue add to the romantic atmosphere, casting a magical aura over the celebration.

Y/N: You deserve every bit of this, Haiz. Happy birthday.

Y/N smiles, holding her close as they dance together, lost in the moment and the sweet melody of Tina Turner's timeless hit. In that instant, surrounded by loved ones and immersed in each other's embrace, they feel like they're in their own little world of happiness and love

Hailee's eyes glisten with tears of happiness as she rests her head on Y/N's shoulder, feeling overwhelmed by the love and effort he's put into making her birthday unforgettable.

Hailee: I couldn't have asked for anything more. This is perfect.

...

The Next Morning...

Y/N and Hailee's Villa, Beverly Hills

The warm rays of sunlight filter through the curtains of Y/N and Hailee's bedroom, gently nudging them awake. Y/N stretches lazily, feeling content and refreshed after the previous night's festivities. He turns to see Hailee still peacefully asleep beside him, her features softened in the morning light.

Y/N leans over to press a soft kiss to Hailee's forehead, eliciting a sleepy smile from her. She stirs slightly, blinking her eyes open to greet the new day

Y/N: Don't get up. I'll make us breakfast.

He gets up and leaves their bedroom

A couple of minutes later, Hailee finally gets up and heads downstairs. She pets the dogs and makes her way to the kitchen. As she arrives, Hailee spots car keys on the kitchen table, adorned with the unmistakable Autobots emblem. She looks up at Y/N, her expression a mix of disbelief and excitement.

Hailee: Are these...?

Y/N nods

Y/N: I wanted to give you something special, something that reflects your incredible talent and the amazing journey you've had. So I got you a 1977 Camaro. You know...because you were in Bumblebee

Hailee's heart swells with emotion as she reaches for the keys, her eyes brimming with tears of joy.

Hailee: Y/N, this is...beyond amazing. Thank you so much

Y/N: Come on, let's go outside. There's more.

Intrigued, Hailee followed Y/N out to the driveway, where the sleek silhouette of a car awaited them. As they drew closer, Hailee's eyes widened in surprise and delight at the sight of the adorable Jack Russell terrier puppy sitting on the driver's seat

Y/N: Bumblebee and Conan.

Hailee: Conan...that's-

Y/N: Charlie's dog in Bumblebee.

The puppy, its fluffy coat a mix of brown and white, yipped excitedly, its tail wagging furiously as it caught sight of its new owner

Hailee: You...really did your homework, huh?

Y/N: I did...you wanna take Conan to meet his siblings?

Hailee picks up the puppy and takes him inside so he could get along with Maximus, Martini and Brando

Once inside, Hailee carefully introduced Conan to Maximus, Martini, and Brando, her other beloved furry companions. The older dogs, curious and eager to welcome their new sibling, sniffed and nudged Conan gently, their tails wagging in greeting.

Conan, for his part, seemed unfazed by the attention, wagging his tail in return as he sniffed and explored his new surroundings. Hailee watched with delight as her furry family bonded and interacted, her heart swelling with love for each and every one of them

Hailee gently opened the door leading to the backyard, allowing Maximus, Martini, Brando, and Conan to scamper outside into the sunshine. With excited barks and wagging tails, the four dogs bounded across the grass, their playful energy contagious as they explored their spacious domain

Y/N: We're building something here...something special

Hailee nods, appeciating Y/N's efforts and the dedication to their relationship and teasing him about their future

Hailee: There are a couple of things missing, don't you think?