Honey Curls (Daniel Ricciardo)

THE TANGLING OF FATES

The Heathrow Airport was particularly busy that Friday evening. COVID restrictions weren't as severe as a few months prior and people were desperate for a sense of normality again; for many, it seemed, that translated as travelling.

Teresa adjusted her hold on a sleeping Lucas, fixing his face mask, before gripping the handle of her trolley. It was always a challenge to navigate an airport with a child.

She had argued with Daniel that it was best if Michael picked them up from the airport – despite his face being on TV quite a lot, he grabbed a lot less attention than the Aussie driver – but now she somehow regretted it; she was sure she could easily find Daniel in a crowd, Michael not so much.

She scanned the crowd once again, spotting a bright blue sweatshirt that caught her attention. Michael was on the phone, donned in one of the Silverstone merch jerseys that Daniel had released.

Teresa smirked before making her way towards him; it was like Daniel knew she wouldn't find Michael otherwise.

"Tess!" – he exclaimed, watching her approach. He gave her a quick side hug, looking at the sleeping toddler – "Flying makes him sleepy?"

Teresa nodded – "Yes. But I take my sleeping kid over the other screaming kids any day." – she was rubbing her temples, her eyes tired.

Michael grabbed her trolley, heading for the exit – "Let's go, then. You need to rest and I bet Daniel is chewing on his nails with anxiety."

She smiled in gratitude, following him.

Teresa was so tired, she paid no attention during the car trip. At one point, she felt her eyes grow heavy and fell asleep.

"Tess?" – Michael gently shook her awake – "We are at the hotel."

Teresa rubbed her eyes and stretched as best as she could inside the car, before getting out to pick up Lucas. The toddler was snoring softly, wrapped in his favorite blanket, a plushy Kangaroo – that Grace and Joe had sent from Australia – in his hand.

He didn't flinch when she picked him up and snuggled closer to her. Teresa followed Michael through the hallways to the elevator. She was so sleepy that she took no notice of neither the floor nor the room number.

It took only seconds for Daniel to open the door. His face lighted up at the sight of them.

"Well, package delivered." – Michael joked, earning a mock slap from Teresa – "I'm going to sleep, folks."

Teresa took finally the time to look at Daniel. He was wearing a pair of shorts and a baggy t-shirt, nothing out of ordinary for him, but the soft, loving smile he was giving her and the spark in his eyes turned her insides to mush.

Later, she would blame her groggy brain for her actions, but the truth is she didn't think twice before stepping into his arms and hugging him with her free arm, always careful of not waking the sleeping toddler.

His arms circled her and she laid her head on his chest, his scent engulfing her and soothing an ache that had been building in her chest ever since Barcelona.

"I missed you so much, Dan." – Teresa whispered, her eyes closed. He tightened his hold on her shoulders before kissing the side of her head.

"Me too, honey."

His hands were caressing her hair and she felt all the tension and anxiety leave her shoulders.

That night, Teresa reached an alarming epiphany. She was many miles away from her little corner in the Monchique hills, but Daniel's embrace felt like coming home.