𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐀 𝐗 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄!

𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐍'
𝟑𝟐. 𝐈𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐬

GIANNA HAD JUST finished her morning tea when Lando walked into the living room, a mischievous grin plastered across his face. She raised an eyebrow, setting her mug down on the coffee table.

"What's with that look?" she asked, pulling her cardigan tighter around her shoulders.

"Pack your bags, darling," he said, leaning against the doorframe. "We're going to Italy."

Her eyes widened. "Italy? When?"

"In a few hours," he said casually, as if it wasn't the most spontaneous thing he'd ever planned. "I've got a week off, and I thought we deserved a little getaway. You, me, sunshine, and pasta. Lots of pasta."

"Lando," she said, blinking in disbelief. "You're serious?"

"Dead serious," he replied, crossing the room to sit beside her. "We've been through hell the past few months. You deserve to celebrate properly, and I figured Italy would be the perfect place."

She stared at him for a moment, a mix of surprise and affection washing over her. "You're unbelievable."

"I try," he teased, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "So, what do you say? Tuscany awaits."

Gianna's face lit up with a smile, and she nodded. "Okay. Let's do it."

A FEW HOURS later, they were on a private flight heading toward Tuscany. The excitement bubbling in Gianna's chest was infectious, and Lando couldn't help but watch her with a soft smile as she gazed out the window at the rolling hills below.

When they arrived at the villa he had booked, Gianna was speechless. The house was nestled in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, surrounded by olive trees and vineyards that stretched as far as the eye could see. The air smelled of lavender and rosemary, and the golden hour sunlight bathed everything in a warm glow.

"Lando..." she murmured as she stepped out of the car, taking in the breathtaking view. "This is... perfect."

"Only the best for you," he said, taking her hand and leading her toward the villa.

The house was as charming inside as it was outside, with rustic stone walls, wooden beams, and large windows that framed the picturesque landscape. A bottle of wine and a platter of fresh cheeses and bread awaited them on the dining table.

AFTER UNPACKING and settling in, they spent the evening wandering through the nearby vineyard. Gianna couldn't stop smiling as they walked hand in hand, the golden light of the setting sun painting everything in shades of orange and pink.

Later that night, they sat on the villa's terrace, a candlelit dinner laid out before them. The stars were scattered across the sky, and the only sounds were the chirping of crickets and the occasional clink of their glasses.

"To you," Lando said, raising his glass of wine.

Gianna smiled, her cheeks flushing. "To us," she corrected, clinking her glass against his.

As they ate, Lando reached across the table and took her hand, his thumb brushing gently over her knuckles. "I know the past few months haven't been easy," he said softly. "But seeing you come out the other side... I've never been prouder of anyone in my life."

Her eyes glistened with emotion, and she squeezed his hand. "I couldn't have done it without you," she said. "You've been my rock through all of it, even when I tried to push you away."

"I wouldn't have gone anywhere," he said firmly. "Not for a second."

Gianna leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand as she gazed at him. "I love you," she whispered.

Lando smiled, his eyes warm. "I love you more, darling."

The night stretched on as they talked, laughed, and reminisced. For the first time in months, the weight of the world felt lighter, and as they eventually curled up together under a blanket on the terrace, the future felt bright once again.

THE MORNING SUN filtered through the wooden shutters of the villa, casting soft golden rays across the room. Gianna stirred awake first, the sound of birds chirping gently pulling her from sleep. She turned her head to find Lando still asleep, his hair a tousled mess and his arm draped across her waist. A soft smile touched her lips as she carefully slipped out of bed, not wanting to wake him.

Gianna made her way to the kitchen, still dressed in an oversized t-shirt of Lando's. She found fresh eggs, tomatoes, and herbs from the villa's garden and decided to make breakfast. As the aroma of sizzling eggs and bread filled the air, she heard footsteps behind her.

"Morning, darling," Lando's groggy voice came from the doorway.

She turned to see him leaning against the frame, his hair even messier than before and a sleepy grin on his face. "Morning," she replied, her smile growing. "I figured I'd make us something before we head out."

"Smells amazing," he said, stepping closer to kiss her forehead. "But you shouldn't have. You're supposed to be relaxing."

"I am relaxing," she teased, plating the food. "Cooking is therapeutic for me."

Lando grabbed two mugs and poured them both coffee before joining her at the small dining table. They ate in comfortable silence, the view of the rolling hills and vineyards spreading out before them.

AFTER BREAKFAST, they decided to explore the nearby village. The cobblestone streets were lined with quaint shops, cafes, and art galleries. Gianna stopped at a small boutique and admired handmade jewelry, eventually choosing a delicate silver bracelet that Lando insisted on buying for her.

They strolled hand in hand, stopping occasionally to take pictures or chat with friendly locals. At one point, they found a tiny gelato shop, and Lando insisted on trying three different flavors while Gianna laughed at his enthusiasm.

"You've got some on your face," she said, pointing to his chin.

"Where?" he asked, clueless, as she shook her head and wiped it off with her thumb.

"There. You're a mess," she teased, and he grinned.

By the afternoon, they had wandered into a quiet olive grove just outside the village. They found a shady spot under a large tree and sat down with a blanket they'd brought from the villa. Lando stretched out on his back, his hands behind his head, while Gianna sat cross-legged, sketching in a notebook she'd packed.

"What are you drawing?" he asked, his voice lazy and relaxed.

"Just... this," she said, gesturing to the landscape around them. "It's too beautiful not to."

Lando propped himself up on one elbow to watch her, his gaze soft. "You're pretty good at that."

She glanced at him, a playful smirk on her lips. "Is there anything I can't do?"

"Not that I've seen," he replied, grinning.

AS THE DAY turned to evening, they returned to the villa for dinner. This time, Lando took the reins, grilling meat and vegetables on the terrace while Gianna sat nearby with a glass of wine.

AFTER DINNER, they retreated to the terrace of the villa, where the soft glow of string lights wrapped around the wooden beams cast a warm ambiance. The evening air was crisp but comfortable, carrying the faint scent of lavender and olive trees. Inside, Gianna had left the stereo playing, a soothing melody of classic jazz filtering through the open doors.

Gianna leaned against the railing, her glass of wine in hand, gazing at the stars beginning to dot the night sky. Lando came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder.

"Beautiful night," he murmured.

"Yeah," she agreed softly, resting her hands on his.

For a moment, they stood there in silence, the music creating a serene atmosphere. Then, a thought crossed her mind, and she turned around to face him, setting her glass down on the table behind her.

"Dance with me," she said suddenly, her eyes sparkling.

Lando blinked, a small smile playing on his lips. "Here? Now?"

"Why not?" she said with a shrug, reaching for his hand. "It's perfect."

He didn't need much convincing. He set his own glass down and let her lead him to the center of the terrace, beneath the glow of the lights. The music was soft and slow, the kind that wrapped around you like a warm blanket.

Gianna placed her hands on his shoulders, and Lando's hands instinctively found her waist. They began to sway gently, the world around them fading into the background.

"You're full of surprises, aren't you?" he teased, his voice low.

"I like to keep things interesting," she replied with a smirk, resting her head against his chest.

They moved together in an easy rhythm, their bodies perfectly in sync. Lando's hand slid up to her back, holding her a little closer as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

"I don't think I've ever danced under string lights before," he said softly.

"First time for everything," she whispered, her eyes closed as she let the music and the moment wash over her.

As the song drew to an end, Gianna pulled back slightly to look up at him. Her eyes met his, and there was a quiet intensity in his gaze that made her heart skip a beat.

"I love you," he said, his voice barely more than a whisper.

Her lips curved into a tender smile. "I love you too," she replied.

For a moment, they just stood there, the music transitioning into another soft tune, the lights above them casting a golden glow over their faces. Then, Lando leaned down, brushing his lips against hers in a kiss that was as gentle as the night itself.

As they pulled apart, Gianna rested her forehead against his, a soft laugh escaping her. "We should do this more often."

"Agreed," he said, his smile widening. "Every night if you want."

And with that, they continued to sway under the lights, the rest of the world forgotten, if only for a little while.

AS GIANNA stepped into the warm shower, letting the water wash away the day's excitement, Lando sat on the edge of the bed, phone pressed to his ear. The room was dimly lit, and the soft hum of the shower filled the background as he ran a hand through his hair, trying to steady his thoughts.

"Mate, I don't know," Lando muttered, his voice low to avoid being overheard. "I've been thinking about it for a while, and I want to. I just don't know if now is the right time."

Max's voice crackled on the other end, filled with his usual blend of practicality and encouragement. "Well, do you think she's ready? Or is it more about you not feeling ready to ask?"

Lando exhaled, leaning back against the headboard. "It's not me—I know I'm ready. I want to spend my life with her, Max. But after everything she's been through... I don't want to overwhelm her. She's just starting to feel like herself again, you know?"

Max was quiet for a moment, then spoke thoughtfully. "I get that. But if you're sure about her, and you've seen how strong she's been, don't underestimate her. Gianna doesn't strike me as someone who runs away from love or commitment."

Lando smiled softly, imagining Gianna's laugh and the way her eyes lit up when she was happy. "She doesn't," he admitted. "She's been through hell, and she's still the most amazing person I've ever met."

"Then what's stopping you?" Max asked, his tone almost teasing.

"I just don't want to make her feel pressured. Like, what if she's not in the right headspace yet? What if she thinks I'm rushing things because of everything that happened?"

Max sighed. "Lando, you're not rushing things. You've been together for a while now, and you're both in a good place. If it feels right to you, it probably will to her too. Just follow your gut. And hey, worst case, you wait a little longer. It's not a race."

Lando chuckled at that, nodding even though Max couldn't see him. "You're right. As always."

"Of course I am," Max replied, his tone light. "But seriously, don't overthink it. You know her better than anyone. You'll know when the moment's right."

The sound of the shower turning off caught Lando's attention, and he glanced toward the bathroom door. "She's out of the shower. I better go before she catches me talking about this."

Max laughed. "Good luck, mate. Let me know what you decide."

"Will do. Thanks, Max," Lando said, ending the call and slipping his phone onto the nightstand just as Gianna emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, her hair damp and cascading over her shoulders.

"Who were you talking to?" she asked, a curious smile on her face.

"Just Max," Lando replied casually, standing up to meet her. He reached out to tuck a wet strand of hair behind her ear. "How was your shower?"

"Perfect," she said with a contented sigh, leaning into his touch.

Lando smiled, pulling her into a gentle hug. As he held her close, the thought lingered in his mind—whether it was on this trip or somewhere down the line, he was certain. He wanted to spend forever with her.

#AUTHORSNOTE

This story is almost to it's end, there may be 5 or more parts, but there is nothing more for them, they deserve a happy end.

Don't worry, I'm working on a new fanfic of Lando, I think you guys will also like that.

Thanks for reading and don't be a silent reader, I love to read your thoughts.

J