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It was the second week in January. Daniel was frantically searching for a number on his phone and pressed call.
"Mike, I think I have a problem," Daniel mumbled into the phone without even greeting his friend. Michael, his best friend and former physio, was with him in Australia. They were visiting family and friends. At the moment Daniel sat in his parents bathroom, while clutching a small stick in his hand. Michael was on a run and Daniel wouldn't have bothered him if he didn't know who else to talk to. His whole life was going to be flipped upside down and he trusts the beta the most.
"What's wrong Danny?" The beta asked worriedly.
"Could you maybe come over?" Daniel whined.
"Of course buddy. I'll be there in ten."
"Thanks."
Daniel didn't really know how to feel. He still clutched the test in his hand. Positive. Pregnant. From his ex boyfriend. The guy he thought he would grow old with. The one he wanted to mate with. The one who had been courting him for a year before asking him out. The one he still loves so much. Lando Norris. But everything came differently. Daniel blamed McLaren or more precisely Zak Brown for their break up. After the whole Piastri debacle Lando began to distance himself. They did end up spending Daniel's last heat in September together. That's when it must've happened. Lando ended their relationship after Abu Dhabi. It was a hard time. It's still hard most days. Daniel didn't really know why Lando decided that they needed to split but Daniel had to accept it. He has an inkling as to why but doesn't want to assume anything. Dan had hoped that his move to Red Bull would help him or them but Lando hadn't acknowledged it.
The thing is, Daniel wasn't showing even though it should be close to four months now. He only took the test because he was feeling a little nauseous and he noticed that he missed his last heat. Daniel was sure it was just the stress but he wanted to be sure nonetheless. Now he had the result. He was going to have a baby with the guy that didn't want to be with him anymore. Great.
There was a soft knock on the bathroom door. "Are you in there Danny Ric?" He heard the gentle voice of his best mate.
"Yeah."
The door opened and Michael stood in front of him with a worried facial expression. He scanned Daniel from head to toe and noticed that he was holding something. "What's that in your hand?"
Without saying a word, Daniel handed his former physio the stick. Michael's gaze went from confusion to surprised to shocked to soft. "Oh Dan, that isn't a problem. That's a wonderful surprise. You're going to be such a wonderful parent. It's what you always wanted. A pup of your own."
"Yeah, but not like this," Daniel sniffled. Michael understood what he meant. They had known each other for so long. They knew what the other was thinking without saying it. Daniel wanted a pup with Lando, as a couple, together, not separated.
"What are you going to do now?"
"I don't know. This is all so unreal. I think I need to nest before doing anything else," Daniel decided and stood up. He walked past Micheal and through the floor to his old room. There was still the nest from the night before but he needed a new one. One just for this occasion. He could feel Michael's gaze on him while he scurried through his room. He began to weave blankets together and build a border with pillows. He fluffed everything and flipped onto the nest, sighing. It wasn't perfect but it represented his situation perfectly.
He beckoned Michael over to join him. Having the beta near him calmed him down immensely. Mike engulfed him in his big arms. The faint, barely there scent of sandalwood and coffee surrounded him and he relaxed even more. "Everything will be okay. Maybe not today or tomorrow but it'll be okay eventually."
"Thanks Mike."
They stayed like this for a long time. Daniel was lost in his thoughts. He was happy to get to be the parent he always wanted to be, but not exactly in the way he imagined it. He was going to be a single parent. That thought was scary. Obviously he had his family and friends who will help, but there will always be something that is missing. Someone who is missing.
"You won't like to hear it, but Lando has a right to know. It's your choice what to do but he's also part of it." Michael massaged Daniel’s scalp while talking.
"I know," Daniel mumbled. "I hope he is willing to meet with me, hear me out."
"Just text him when you're both back in Monaco. I would suggest a meeting on some neutral ground?"
“That’s probably a good idea.”
“I know it’s a difficult situation,” Michael said sympathetically.
“I just miss him, us, so much. He was the first person I let close like this in such a long time. I was so hopeful that it would be different this time.”
“Max was a different story, Dan. You tried to tell each other that you were the ones when it actually was just a weird, toxic arrangement. You both grew from it and you even helped Max to get together with Charles. Max was your and Lando’s biggest cheerleader and even he was confused as to why Lando broke it off. You were so good for each other. You both were so happy.”
“I felt so alive again with him. He made me forget all the bad things about McLaren and life in general. I felt like myself with him. I knew it wouldn’t always be easy because of our age gap and different parts in our career. But we made it work. You know, I really felt like he was my mate. I never felt this pull to anyone else like this. I never felt at home like this with any other person,” Daniel confessed. “It hurt so badly when he told me he couldn’t do this anymore. It still hurts. I think about him all the time and everything reminds me of him.”
“That’s understandable buddy. It’s only been a month. This shit takes time.”
—
They went to a doctor the day after. He confirmed the pregnancy and told him that he was right with his prediction that the fetus was about four months old. They did a lot of tests on him and an ultrasound. The doctor told him that due to his build and the stress it was likely that he wasn’t showing. It would all come in no time and he was waddling around like a penguin.
—
On his first day back in Monaco Daniel decided to visit Lando. Max told him the McLaren driver was home so he took the chance. He was sure Lando wouldn’t answer him if he would text him or call so he took the chance to surprise the alpha with his visit and news.
“What are you doing here?” Lando asked coldly as he opened the door. The young Brit looked surprised to see him, but also kind of curious.
“We need to talk,” Daniel stated and crossed his arms across his chest.
"No, we don't. As far as I remembered, I ended our relationship.”
“Believe me, I know,” Daniel said with an icy voice. “There is still something I need to tell you and it's really not something I want to announce to the public like this.”
“Is your new alpha telling you to do this? You smell differently.” Lando sniffed the air and curled his nose in displeasure. Different smell? Maybe that was because of his pregnancy.
“No, what the fuck Lando. There is no one new.” Lando didn’t seem to believe him.
“Fine, come in.” Lando let him in and guided him to the living room. “What is it you want to tell me?”
“I’m pregnant.”
“Congratulations, but why does that concern me?” Lando asked, salty. The alpha could be so dense sometimes.
“Because it’s yours too, you idiot. Why else would I tell you about it?” Daniel snapped.
“I don’t know. Maybe to rub it into my face that you finally get to live your dream? That you’re happy, while I’m not?”
“You think I’m happy? That it is my dream to raise a baby alone?” Daniel was flabbergasted.
“Why wouldn’t you be happy about having a baby? You always wanted to be a parent.” Lando wanted to know with a frown on his face.
“Because you’re not there to raise them with me. I want a big happy family, with you. I don’t want to do this alone,” Daniel mumbled, his eyes tearing up.
“What do you want me to say Daniel?” Lando asked, defeated.
“I don’t know. I just wanted to tell you that you will have a baby too. You don’t have to be involved or anything, but I thought it would only be fair that you know.”
Lando looked at him blankly.
“Think about what you want your role to be in the baby's life. I won’t bother you any more.”
Daniel stood up and was about to leave when Lando spoke up. "Dan, wait.”
Daniel turned around and looked at the slightly smaller alpha. Lando went over to him and stood in front of him. There were a lot of different emotions running through his eyes. “When did you find out?” He asked softly.
“In Australia, a week ago.”
“Why didn’t you call me?” Lando asked sadly.
“Because you broke up with me. You broke my heart. You said you couldn’t do this anymore. Would you have picked up if I called you?” Daniel accused his ex boyfriend.
“Probably not. Maybe Jon would’ve made me though,” Lando admitted.
“See,” Daniel sighed. “Look, I don’t know where we went wrong but we need to at least be on the same page about how we’re going to handle the situation with the baby.”
“How far along are you?” Lando asked.
“four-ish months, the doctor said. It probably happened during the heat in September.”
“I see,” Lando mumbled to himself, looking distant and in his own head.
“What’s on your mind?” Daniel asked gently. He could sense the insecurities and questions in Lando’s head.
“Can we sit down again? I think I owe you some explanations.” Lando asked, not able to look at Daniel. He wondered what Lando was thinking.
“Sure. I mean it’s your apartment.”
“Yeah, but I don’t want to force you to do things you don’t want to do.”
They sat back down again and were surrounded by a pondering silence. Daniel waited for Lando to start explaining.
“I’m sorry that we broke up,” Lando started.
“Why did we break up, Lando?” Daniel asked.
“I didn't want to hold you back but I was also hurt that you didn’t tell me that McLaren had sacked you.”
“I didn’t know about it until Hungary. I wanted to tell you so badly but Zak forbade it, threatened me with not letting me drive the last races if I told you. I didn’t know the whole mess with Oscar would get this big,” Daniel confessed.
“Gosh I hate Zak. Who does he think he is? Threatening his omegas like this,” Lando grumbled.
“It’s how he is. I didn’t like it either. I didn’t want to worry you with my stuff when I knew the season was so hard for you.”
“It was even harder for you,” Lando argued.
“It doesn’t matter anymore. I’ll probably never race again anyways,” Daniel said and ran a hand through his unruly curls.
“Why do you think that? You’re one of the greatest drivers ever,” Lando wondered.
“I’m tired, Lando,” Daniel told him and ran a hand over his face. “I want to focus on the baby entirely. I don’t want to miss important moments. I’m 33, I think the time has come for me to focus on other aspects in life.”
“But what about Red Bull?”
“It’s just PR. I won’t race for them, just do events. That’s totally fine with me.”
“But will that really make you happy? Racing is everything to you.”
“Things change, Lan,” The old nickname slipped past his lips before he could think about it. “I might love racing but it doesn’t make me happy anymore. I don’t know what really makes me happy anymore. You made me happy, but that’s gone now too.”
“I regret breaking up with you so much. I thought I was holding you back, that we inevitably break up anyways after you went to Red Bull. I saw what happened with Max and you.”
“So you broke up with me instead of talking or trying and fighting for our love?” Daniel asked incredulously. “You can’t compare our situation to that of Max and me. That was a completely different story. We were never in love, as much as we tried to tell ourselves that.”
“Sometimes thoughts aren’t rational Daniel. At that point in time it felt like the right decision. I know it wasn’t. I miss you so much. It’s like you’re everywhere I go. It’s like everyone is judging me for my stupid decision even though they don’t know what I have done. I feel so stupid. I hurt you badly, I know that. I hurt myself in the process as well.”
“Do you know how much I blamed myself for the end of our relationship? I thought I must’ve done something for you to hate me or that you couldn’t stand being near me.” Daniel had started to cry. It was a mix of sadness, that their relationship had ended like it did, relief that he hadn’t done anything but also because it was all so much. The pregnancy and being near Lando. Maybe they could fix this. He still loves Lando and Lando still loves him. The alpha hadn’t said it but Daniel could feel it. Sometimes love isn’t enough but he was sure if they do it right, they can make it work. He hoped Lando wanted the same.
Lando gathered him in his arms. The alpha hated to see Daniel cry. They were an unlikely pair, when they were still together. Daniel wasn’t really like the typical omega and Lando wasn’t your typical alpha. Maybe that’s why they worked so well.
Daniel could feel Lando’s body shake and heard small sobs escape the alpha. Maybe Lando was mourning what they could’ve been as well. He buried his face in the crook of Lando’s neck and inhaled the familiar scent there, earl gray and a hint of Lando’s aftershave. Lando pulled him even closer.
“I know it won’t be easy, but do you think we can try again?” Lando whispered into the silence.
“We need to be honest with each other if we really consider trying again. Communication is key and nothing is too irrelevant or too annoying to talk about,” Daniel said and pulled away so that he could look into Lando’s eyes. “Relationships are never easy and they need work. You know that, right? No chickening out because you feel like you can foresee the future.”
“Believe me I won’t make that mistake again,” Lando vowed. “I won't let you go again.”
“That’s a big promise.”
“I never thought that I could actually be with you again, so call me grotesquely optimistic, but I’m sure we can make it.”
“You’re such a weirdo,” Daniel giggled.
“You love me really,” Lando chuckled.
“Only god knows why, but I do,” Daniel pressed his nose against Lando's scent gland again. It made him relax. “Just so you know, I expect another courting.”
“Whatever you want, Danny.” Lando pressed a small kiss against his temple and Daniel melted. He had missed this so much. A big hand snaked around his middle and began to rest on his still stomach. They were on a good way.
—
It definitely wasn’t easy and they had to learn to trust each other again. They spent a lot of time together and Lando slowly began to be excited for their baby. Lando really showed how regretful he was with how he ended the relationship and tried to make everything perfect for Daniel. He got him the softest blankets and pillows he could find, as well as every snack or craving he needed. It was a bit irritating but nice at the same time.
Having Lando back in his life lifted his mood up instantly. His friends immediately noticed. They were happy for them.
—
The time flew by and at the end of May they welcomed their little girl into the world. Willow Norris-Ricciardo. They were overjoyed.
Lando asked him that day if he wanted to mate after Daniel’s next heat. Daniel was over the moon and accepted. He couldn’t wait for it.