*trigger warning, this chapter will mention death and loss of a loved one

if you don't feel comfortable reading this chapter, as it's topics are triggering, i will put a summary off all important details in the authors note at the end ❤️*

THEA and Lando hasn't spoken for a while. Thea could understand why he was angry, but also at the same time didn't think he was being mature.

This was a big opportunity for Thea, and it could help skyrocket her career. Yes of course, it was awkward because she might be working for Lando's team's closet rival, but surely he could see past that and be happy for her?

She supposed the fact she would miss his birthday was another kick in the back. Birthdays had always really been something the two celebrated in their own special way. After her mother's passing, Thea began to resent her birthday, dreading the day she would become a year older. But Lando helped her enjoy the celebrations again, helping her remember that it was her day, and she did the same for him in return.

She was conflicted about the situation, on one hand sympathising with Lando, the next minute resenting him for being immature.

She had been sent more details about the interview a couple of days after her and Lando's interaction, including the hotel she'd be staying in, the flight that had been booked in her her, her time of appointment etc.

She and Nia checked out the hotel, and it was pristine. Definitely within Ferrari's budget.

Thea felt as though she would be out of place in a hotel of that class, and Nia (who needed some maternity clothes anyway) suggested that they go shopping.

In need of a break, Thea agreed.

The pair were currently sat in a small café, dozens of bags between them, taking about their general lives and jobs. Nia's situation with the baby had been sorted with Red Bull, they would hold off the announcement of her signing, and get Dennis Hauger, another Red Bull Junior to fill in for her in the year. When she felt comfortable, she could return to racing with the team.

Thea was impressed with Red Bull's sympathy, but was relieved that Nia didn't have to make a life changing decision this early on in her career.

Suddenly, Thea's phone rang on the table, and she saw the contact name.

Thea frowned, John didn't usually call with his personal number. She answered the phone, her voice weary. "Hey, Johnn are you okay?"

She could hear John's shaky sigh from the other side of the line. "Thea, it's you're Grandmother. We had to transfer her to the hospital, honey it's really not good. I think you should come down." his voice cracked slight at the end of his sentence, and Thea began to panic.

"John what happened?"

Nia could see she was getting distressed, and called over a waiter getting the bill sorted so they could go. She grabbed a hold of Thea's hand squeezing it, and Thea nodded frantically, grabbing her bags and walking to Nia's car. She practically threw the bags in the boot before running to the passenger seat as she listen to John talk.

"Thea she had a fall, and she couldn't get back up, she was in a lot of pain. She still is. I think you should get here soon.

Thea rested her head against the car window as Nia started up the car, "John is she gonna' be okay?" she said half sobbing.

John took another shaky breath, his heart breaking at the sound of Thea's cries. "Sweetheart I don't know."

Thea winced, "Where is she?"

"I'll message you the address alright? Oh Thea I'm so sorry."

Thea's phone pinged not long after, John having messaged her the address for the hospital. She informed Nia through cries and sobs.

She couldn't believe that this was happening. Too many things had happened this year, and it was all mounting up inside of her, and this was the breaking point.

If anything happens to her Nana, she wouldn't have anyone. Of course she would have her friends, but she wouldn't have any blood family left. Her Nana was all she had.

When Nia pulled up to the hospital, the car park was packed. Thea let out an exasperated sigh at the sight of the full spaces. Nia pulled up to the entrance, up beside the curb, "Go on in, I'll find a space and call some peopl, just go."

Without a word Thea jumped from the car, and hurried into the hospital and straight to the front desk. The woman sat behind it smiled at the approaching girl, but her expression dropped when she saw she was crying.

"Is Jean Harper here? Please?" Thea begged desperately as she reached the desk.

"Yea I think so, brought in about a half an hour ago. She went to the fifth floor, the elevator is just down the corridor and first on the right." the woman said kindly and hastily, knowing that the girl before her was in a hurry.

Thea gave her a "thank you" before hurting towards the elevator, aggressively pressing the button for the doors to open. When they did, she hurried inside, jabbed the "5" button and waited for the elevator to arrive at its destination.

The elevator ride felt like years. She didn't know how long 25 seconds could take when you were in such a compromising situation.

When the doors finally opened, she sprinted out, her vision blurred by tears. She reached the small desk, and desperately asked the woman behind it about her Grandmother.

"Jean Harper? She's just been taken in for a few tests, she'll be back in her bed in about half an hour." She pointed at a few comfy armchairs to her right, "You wait over there until she comes back in if you like."

"Thank you."

Thea sank down into the chair, her mind racing. She couldn't loose her Grandmother. She'd already lost her mother, and if her Grandmother was gone...

Nia walked around her corner, her pregnant stomach making a few nurses worry she was there to deliver, wondering why she was wondering around the hospital.

She spotted Thea hunched over in a chair, rested her head in her hands. She walked over and sat down on the chair next to her. She threw an arm around her best friend and rubbed her shoulder. "I rang Max okay? He's gonna be here soon," she hes i stared slightly. "I also called Lando. I know-"

"Nia it's okay, I don't care he should be here." Thea said, knowing Nia would have rambled on. "I need him here."

Nia pulled Thea towards her, giving her a large hug. All Thea could do was cry.

LANDO dreaded to think the amount of violations to the highway code he committed as he drove to the hospital. He parked as close as he could to the hospital door, and spirited out, trying to avoid the rain that was now falling rapidly by covering his head with his large McLaren jacket.

He approached the front desk, and asked the woman if she could direct him to where Thea James or Jean Harper was. She told him, "Fifth floor, there's three of them up there."

He thanked her before headed to the elevator, and up to the fifth floor. When the doors opened, he stepped out, wondering around the corridor before he spotted Nia and Max, sat either side of Thea, who was gripping onto Max's hand for dear life, and had her head resting in Nia's shoulder.

Thea looked up when she heard the sound of footsteps, and saw Lando stood before her, looking at her with a sorrow look.

Without a word, she let go of Max and Nia, and stood up, walking towards Lando, and fell into his arms.

She forgot everything they had fought about, she forgot about Ferrari, the job, everything. She just stood there, with her arms gripping his shirt, one of his hands on the back of her head, the other on her back.

He placed his chin on top of her head as she sobbed into his shirt. He let out a deep breath as his own eyes began to water.

She didn't need this. She really didn't need this.

DESPITE what the Doctor had told them, it was another hour before they heard anything. Nia and Max had sat down next to each other, and Lando and Thea had moved to a small (slightly uncomfy) sofa, her head hurried in his chest as he stroked her hair softly in comfort.

When the Doctor approached the group of four, Lando poked at Thea's side to notify her that there was someone approaching. She shot up and met the Doctor halfway, the three following her. "Is she okay?"

"Are you Miss. Thea James, Jean's granddaughter?" he asked politely for confirmation.

Thea nodded. "Yeah. Is she okay?" she repeated.

The Doctor smiled at her. "She's gonna' be alright."

Thea let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, wiping her tears away with her hands.

"She's sleeping at the moment, exhausted bless her, but yes, she's all okay. Tests took longer than we expected, but all she's got is a few bruises. Nothing to be concerned about. We'll have to keep her here for a few weeks, just until she gets back on her feet, but she'll be okay." The Doctor said handing Thea a slip of paper, which had the room that Jean was staying in printed on, and some other important things.

"Thank you." she said, so quietly it was almost undetectable. She was still in shock about what had happened, even if she knew everything was okay.

The Doctor gave her a smile and a nod before heading off, to tend to another patient. Thea turned back to Lando, and fell back against him, sighing.

Lando placed a kiss to the top of her head, thankful that everything was okay.

-

IM SORRY

okay summary for people who didn't read :

thea's grandmother was taken into hospital, but is all okay! lando turned up at the hospital to offer thea some comfort, and their argument is partly forgotten ❤️