Chapter Text
Francisca.
One name. Eight letters. And a little girl full of love and giant eyes.
Francisca came into Lando Norris’s world when he was only twenty-four years old.
Lando was married to a French man. A man who simply destroyed his life. Even after they got married, after they adopted such a beautiful little girl, the bastard disappeared into the world. Saying he had rushed into things. That it wasn’t what he wanted.
And all that was left was Lando and Francisca.
Together. Inseparable. From the very first day Lando saw her at the adoption home. He and the nameless one had decided, after many long conversations, that they would adopt a child.
Lando and his husband had visited an orphanage in London two years earlier. It was beautiful, simple, and cozy. His husband had parked the car, which was filled with gifts for the children. Lando had been excited to deliver them.
However, they needed to make the visit properly first.
As soon as Lando stepped inside the orphanage, a pink ball with black circles hit him straight in the face.
A high-pitched “NO!” was heard before he fell back onto the floor.
“Darling, are you okay?” his husband asked, worried.
“Huh?” he muttered, confused. “Yes, I’m fine.”
As soon as Lando came back to reality and focused his eyes forward, a little girl of about five years old appeared. Her brown curly hair, reaching her shoulders, was wild and poorly brushed, and her bangs fell awkwardly over her green eyes.
The little girl had a mischievous smile, but her eyes betrayed fear and regret.
“I’m sorry, mister. It was an accident.”
Lando smiled. He stood up with his husband’s help, then bent down slightly to look into her eyes.
“It’s okay, princess. What’s your name?”
“Francisca,” she replied shyly.
“Your name is so beautiful!” he praised warmly. “Do you like soccer?”
“Yes,” she agreed happily.
Lando bit his lip, holding back his excitement, and looked at the other man who was watching them in silence.
“You can go, love. I’ll talk to the principal.”
“Thank you,” Lando said gratefully. “Shall we? I want to know more about you, Francisca.” He turned back to the little girl and held out his hand.
Francisca nodded several times. She tossed the ball aside before taking Lando’s large hand.
Lando felt his heart grow warm as hope blossomed inside his chest.
It hadn’t taken long for Lando to grow attached to a child.
As much as he thought the adoption system was a little unfair, Lando was excited. He wanted to adopt everyone. All those adorable, lively children.
But Francisca simply stole all his attention.
With a pink ball covered in black dots.
Lando and Francisca sat in the orphanage garden, surrounded by trees and a beautiful fountain filled with little fish. Francisca smiled at nature with a lightness that enchanted Lando. It was as if he had found a mini version of himself — small, feminine, and with lots of hair.
Their conversation wandered through princesses, soccer, Formula 1, parents, and superheroes.
And Lando only felt himself growing more attached to that little girl.
“Did you know your name reminds me of my mother’s?”
Francisca smiled. Her eyes sparkled.
“Really? What’s your mommy’s name?”
“It’s Cisca,” he said sweetly.
“Oh.” She fell silent for a moment. “She has half of my name!”
Francisca was so smart. Lando was enchanted.
They talked for a few more minutes before his husband called him to leave.
“I have to go, sweetheart. But I promise I’ll come back, okay?” Lando said gently.
Francisca looked at him as if she believed him. Then she hugged his legs.
“Come back soon,” she replied softly.
Lando smiled, running his hand through her frizzy curls as if to say, I will.
Before leaving, he handed out the gifts to the children and said goodbye cheerfully.
And after he left…
Lando came back. Many times. Every time.
And with each visit, he grew closer to Francisca as the process moved forward.
His husband never talked much to her, which he found a little strange. But he never wanted to push. And he couldn’t fail now.
Francisca had to become his daughter. No matter what.
After many bureaucratic steps, Francisca finally came home. To their house. Her house.
Lando hadn’t decorated her room yet. He didn’t want to be cliché. Girls didn’t just like pink. After all, she liked soccer.
The two of them went out to find decorations for her room — wallpaper, paint, a bed, toys, and ornaments. Lando watched the girl bounce around like popcorn. Once again, his husband didn’t come along. He said he had too much work. Lando was starting to feel bothered.
When they got home, Lando ordered food. He told her she could rest a little while watching cartoons.
Lando went into the kitchen to make some juice and found a note on the counter.
Norris’s heart skipped. He swallowed hard and picked up the note.
“Darling,
I’m sorry for not being strong enough. I thought I could have a family. But I can’t. I don’t want this for myself right now. I waited until the adoption process was finished and some time had passed so nothing would go wrong.
I’m truly sorry. I loved you very much. But I can’t be a father now.
From your love.”
Lando stood in silence, processing what he had just read.
His husband had left him. After all the plans they had made. After all those years. Now that there was a child involved. Lando loved him. Truly loved him. And suddenly, everything was gone. He had left. Cowardly. Without a trace.
Lando couldn’t cry.
There was a five-year-old in the living room waiting for him. Someone who expected to be raised with love and care. Who expected a good father and a better future.
He took a deep breath. Tears burned in his eyes, wanting to fall.
But Lando couldn’t be weak now.
He wiped his eyes, opened the fridge, made fresh juice — and the doorbell rang.
The food had arrived.
They had lunch. Rested for a few minutes. Then began setting up her room.
It turned out perfect — just as Francisca deserved.
When Francisca was asleep, after a kiss on her forehead and the little glow-in-the-dark stars they had bought that day shining on the ceiling, Lando went to bed.
In the middle of the night, he searched for his ex-husband’s contact. Blocked. On every social network.
That night, Lando cried. For a long time.
And it was like that for many weeks. Until Lando moved on. Because of Francisca.
After a year, Lando didn’t remember him. Not even his name.
Now he was a famous DJ, with godfathers worried about his daughter.
Alex and George.
Alex was a high school history teacher. George was a national model who, in his spare time, worked as a lawyer.
Alex loved Francisca, whom he affectionately nicknamed “Chiquinha.” He was the least busy godfather and always stayed with her when Lando was working.
George was busier. But he spoiled the little girl endlessly.
And now, the three men were losing their minds over the little one getting ready for her first day of school.
Francisca’s curls were perfectly defined — thanks to Uncle George. A white bow held back her bangs, and she wore heart-shaped earrings — a gift from Alex.
She carried a Spider-Man backpack and bright green eyes.
She was very excited.
Unlike her father, who was completely emotional with real tears in his eyes.
“Oh my God, I can’t handle this. My little girl is growing up,” Lando murmured.
“Daddy, I’m seven,” Francisca laughed.
“You were just a little sprout when I met you. Go back to your tiny size,” Alex pleaded.
“I can’t handle this!” George covered his eyes dramatically.
Francisca only laughed. Her dad and uncles were silly.
And she definitely loved that word.
“Daddy, we’re almost late,” she warned, oddly responsible.
“Alright, I’m going, I’m going.” He grabbed his things and, along with the other two, took Francisca to school.
London Primary School wasn’t far from home. Lando had studied there himself. It was a good school, with strong leadership and excellent teachers.
Still, Lando couldn’t help worrying.
In the car, Francisca wouldn’t stop talking about school. George explained how she should behave. Alex gave advice about being polite. While Lando simply processed the fact that his little girl was already in first grade.
Their arrival was even funnier — at least in Francisca’s opinion.
George stayed in the car, watching Alex and Lando hug the little girl while she laughed, patting their backs as if comforting them.
“Please, take care. Call me for anything, okay?” Lando repeated for the hundredth time.
“Watch out for the big kids. Respect your teachers,” Alex added.
George stepped in and dismissed the two dramatic men.
“Have fun, okay?” he smiled at his goddaughter.
Her little eyes sparkled even more.
Lando loved that.
“Yes, sweetheart. Have fun and tell us everything later,” he agreed.
More sparkle.
“We love you!” Alex shouted as she walked away waving.
Lando sighed, heart tight.
“They grow up so fast…” he sniffled.
“Let’s go, father of the year,” George teased.
That was the first time.
After many times, Lando got used to it.
The school rides were fun, filled with music — Sabrina Carpenter and Tate McRae blasting through the Bluetooth.
There were jokes, silly conversations, and radiant smiles. Sometimes with Alex and George. Sometimes with just one of them. Sometimes just the two of them.
Francisca loved going to school.
And Lando loved her more than anything.
Until one day, Lando was at home.
Working on remixes. His job depended on nights, and when he wasn’t working, Lando streamed games on Twitch to raise money.
It wasn’t much. But one DJ night paid for the entire month. So Lando couldn’t complain.
Working on remixes helped with that — the better they were, the higher his fee.
While Lando focused on that, his phone rang. Once. Twice. Three times. But obviously he didn’t hear it. His ears were covered by loud headphones and his attention was fully on the DJ table.
That is, until not-so-delicate hands yanked the device off his head.
“Oh, you idiot!” George snapped, sounding angry. “Your daughter’s school is calling!”
“What?” Lando blinked. “Oh, sorry. Okay.” He grabbed the phone and answered.
George rolled his eyes, but he was worried.
“Hello. Is this Mr. Norris?” a gentle voice sounded.
A male voice.
“Uh, yes,” he replied, his chest starting to tighten. “Did something happen?”
“Yes, um… your daughter fell during physical education. I’m Professor Piastri,” he explained.
“But is she okay? Was it serious?” Lando stood up abruptly, almost knocking over the DJ table.
George reacted quickly, steadying it. Growing even more concerned at his friend’s reaction.
“It wasn’t serious. But she’s never gotten hurt before, you know? So I think she’s scared. Crying a lot,” the teacher sighed. “Could you come here?”
“Of course. I’m on my way,” he answered anxiously.
“Alright.” Piastri hung up.
“What happened?”
“She fell in P.E. It doesn’t seem serious, but he said my little girl is crying a lot,” Lando said sadly. “Are you coming with me?”
“Of course. Let’s go.”
They grabbed the car keys and rushed to London Primary.
When they arrived, Lando ran inside while George locked the car. He didn’t want to waste time.
He found the office with his heart racing and eyes watery. Being a first-time father wasn’t easy.
There, little Francisca was sitting in a chair, her eyes red and huge from crying. Lando saw nothing else but her.
“Daddy!” she cried, running to him.
He knelt and picked her up like she was made of glass, holding her tightly but gently. Francisca buried her face in his neck, sobbing hard.
Lando looked down and saw the bandage and gauze on her knee. He sighed in relief. He stroked her back, kissing her cheek, forehead, shoulder — even her tears.
Comfort was more important than anything else. At least that was what Dona Cisca had taught him when he said he wanted to be a father.
He hugged. He kissed.
He said it would be okay.
That he loved her.
That he would take care of her.
Francisca nodded, clinging to him.
“Come here, sweetheart.” Lando lifted her in his arms.
She was calmer now, wiping her nose and eyes with her sleeve. Then she turned toward a figure who had been standing there the entire time.
And Lando hadn’t noticed — because if he had, he definitely wouldn’t have looked away.
Francisca looked at him with a peaceful expression and a silly smile.
“Daddy, this is Professor Piastri. He’s the one who bandaged me. And he comforted me while you weren’t here.”
Professor Piastri was beautiful. No — beautiful wasn’t the word. He was much more than that. Simply wonderful. His hair was a little long, falling in waves. His parted fringe had a strand resting softly against his freckled forehead. His eyes were honey-brown, and his smile was like a bunny’s. Cute. Professor Piastri was, without a doubt, cute and wonderful.
“Ah. Yes.” He extended his hand. “Oscar Piastri — or Professor Piastri to parents and children.”
Lando swallowed. His heart pounded. The hand holding his daughter grew sweaty as he extended the other to shake Oscar’s hand. His cheeks warmed instantly.
Oh, how pathetic.
“Professor Piastri is my favorite teacher, Daddy!”
Professor Piastri smiled shyly. Lando blinked and smiled back in agreement.
Professor Oscar Piastri was his favorite teacher from now on, too.