Two Years Later

The sun was setting over the Mediterranean, casting a golden glow over the terrace of their home in Monaco. The sound of gentle waves in the distance mingled with the laughter of a child playing in the garden. Gianna stood by the open kitchen window, her eyes following the tiny figure running in circles on the grass below. Their son, Luca, with his mop of soft brown curls and sparkling green eyes, was chasing a small toy car Lando had given him.

Gianna smiled softly, wiping her hands on a towel and turning to the dining table, where the remnants of an early dinner sat. Her music career had slowed down intentionally, giving her more time to focus on her family. She still wrote songs and performed occasionally, but her priorities had shifted—Luca and Lando were her world now.

She heard the familiar sound of the front door opening and closing, followed by Lando's voice calling out, "I'm home!"

"In the kitchen," Gianna replied, her smile widening.

Moments later, Lando appeared, dressed casually but still carrying the same easy charm that had captivated her years ago. His eyes lit up when he saw her, and he crossed the room to kiss her cheek.

"How was your day, darling?" he asked, leaning against the counter.

"Good," she said. "Luca's been a bundle of energy. He's been running around for hours."

"Sounds like his mother," Lando teased with a wink.

Gianna rolled her eyes but laughed. "And how was yours, champion?"

Lando grinned. He had recently won his second Formula 1 World Championship, solidifying his place as one of the greats in the sport. Though the racing world still demanded much of his time, he always made sure to prioritize his family.

"Tiring," he admitted, "but worth it. I'm just glad to be back home."

At that moment, Luca came barreling into the kitchen, holding his toy car in one hand and a leaf in the other. "Dad!" he shouted excitedly.

Lando scooped him up effortlessly, spinning him around as Luca giggled uncontrollably. "Hey, buddy! Were you being good for Mum today?"

Luca nodded enthusiastically. "Mummy said we can go to the beach tomorrow!"

"Did she now?" Lando asked, glancing at Gianna with a playful smirk.

"It was his bribe for finishing all his broccoli," Gianna confessed, crossing her arms.

"Well, I guess I better join you two," Lando said, setting Luca down. "Make it a family day."

LATER THAT EVENING, after Luca had fallen asleep in his room, Gianna and Lando sat on the terrace, a bottle of wine between them. The stars were bright above, and the warm summer breeze carried the scent of the sea.

"Two years," Lando said softly, reaching for her hand. "It feels like a lifetime and yet like it's all gone by in a blink."

Gianna nodded, her eyes misting as she looked at him. "Sometimes I think back to everything we went through—how close I came to losing you, to losing myself. And now... look at us."

"We've been through a lot," Lando admitted, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "But I wouldn't change a thing. It all brought us here."

Gianna leaned her head on his shoulder, her heart full. "Here is pretty perfect."

"And it's only the beginning," Lando whispered, placing a kiss on her temple.

As they sat together, looking out over the quiet, shimmering waters of Monaco, Gianna couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Life had tested them, but it had also rewarded them in ways she could never have imagined.

Their journey wasn't perfect, but it was theirs. And with Lando by her side, she knew they could face anything the future held.

MAX AND PIETRA had tied the knot a year after Gianna and Lando's wedding. Their ceremony was a stunning vineyard celebration in the south of France, surrounded by close friends and family. Max had always been the life of the party, and their wedding was no exception—his jokes during the vows left everyone laughing through tears. Pietra, radiant in a sleek satin gown, had made Max promise to dance the entire night with her, and he gladly obliged.

Now, they were living their best lives in Monaco, where they had found the perfect seaside home. Married life suited them; Pietra continued her work in fashion while Max thrived as a content creator and partner in Lando's brand, Quadrant. Their lives were a balance of adventures and quiet evenings with their two adopted rescue dogs, whom Max claimed were his "practice for fatherhood."

Meanwhile, Callum had finally popped the question to Dua, his longtime girlfriend, during a weekend getaway to Lake Como. The engagement had been a long time coming, and Gianna couldn't have been happier for her friend. Callum was the perfect mix of confident and grounded, and his relationship with Dua had always been strong. Their wedding was on the horizon, and Gianna was already brainstorming ways to include music in the ceremony—though Callum kept teasing her about stealing the spotlight.

As for Aurelia, life had taken her across the world. She had fallen in love with a marine biologist from Sydney, and after months of long-distance dating, she made the bold decision to move to Australia to be with him. It had been bittersweet for the group to say goodbye, but Aurelia's happiness was undeniable. She often sent photos of her life by the ocean, the sunsets, and her new circle of friends. She'd also promised Gianna a permanent guest room in Sydney whenever she and Lando wanted to visit.

Despite their different paths, the tight-knit group stayed connected. They shared milestones, celebrated victories, and supported each other through challenges. Gianna often joked that no matter where they were in the world, their little family always found its way back together. And she wouldn't have it any other way.

#AUTHORSNOTE

It really ended...

J