The managers are all sitting in the NHL boardroom for the end of month meeting. I'm sitting next to Emily who heads the HR department, my eyes take in the slide that has been presented by the Director of Finances explaining our numbers over February. My gaze moves down to my notepad where I jot down some important numbers that I should keep handy in terms of marketing and sponsorship tasks. "Callie" I look up at the sound of my name, "yeah?" the boss is looking at me with a smile. "Are your travel plans confirmed for the Grand Prix? We want to get the deal finalized with Mercedes' F1 team so that we can start planning for next season" I smile, "yeah everything is confirmed, I leave the Thursday and come back on Monday" he nods at me, "perfect, and please also enjoy the weekend, you deserve it" I roll my eyes but don't say anything as he wraps up the meeting.

——

March 2022 - Australian Grand Prix

When I step into the airport in Melbourne I swiftly shake off my jacket draping it over my arm before throwing my hair up into a bun my eyes not even going the black ink on my wrist, having come to terms with the permanent reminder of the past. I push my glasses higher onto my nose as I walk to the luggage pickup area to get my suitcase. Once i've gotten my suitcase I make my way out of the airport, I see the Grand Prix poster as I step outside to find the car that is supposed to be picking me up. Memories flash through my mind at the sight, a smile coming to my face as I remember Lexi and Jill teasing me about my geeking out when I saw the one ad my first time here. "Callie Andrews" i'm pulled out of the memory at the voice, a man is in front of me smiling, "yeah that's me" I reply, "welcome to Melbourne" I smile, "thank you" he nods and takes my suitcase leading me to a black Mercedes. He opens the back door for me and I slide into the car thanking him before he shuts the door, I sink into the leather seat sighing as my head tilts towards the window to watch the scenery.

Twenty minutes later I walk into the hotel room that the NHL arranged for me, I leave my bags by the door as I slide off my sneakers. I go over to the bottle of wine sitting on the coffee table smiling when I read the note from my boss telling me to enjoy the wine and that I should keep up the good work. My hand grabs the bottle before walking into the little kitchen where I search for the corkscrew. Minutes later I have a glass on the side table next to the couch, my legs are under me as I lean back into the cushion looking out at the view my room provides.

——

The next morning I'm at the track for my meeting with Mercedes. My dress pants and NHL crested polo seem out of place as I use my pass to get through into the team paddock area. My gaze is focused on my phone checking over my notes for the meeting, "is that Callie?" I look up and see Charles. I grin as I put away my phone, "in the flesh" he jogs over and brings me into a tight hug, "it's been a long time" I shrug, "I mean that's not true we talked on FaceTime like a month ago" he rolls his eyes, "that's not the same as seeing you in person" I laugh, "Mr Leclerc we had a pandemic, so don't even go there right now" he sighs but doesn't add anything.

"What are you even doing here?" I smile, "NHL is partnering with Mercedes next season, I'm here to seal the deal" he lifts an eyebrow impressed, "wow my friend is both gorgeous and powerful" I shove him, "oh shut up" he chuckles before kissing my temple, "it's true, I would say more but I gotta go, text me later" I nod at the Ferrari driver and watch him go towards his paddock. I spin on my heal and go to Mercedes taking out my phone to finish going over the notes.

"Well it's been a pleasure Miss Andrews, I hope that this partnership continues for years to come" I grin at the head of Mercedes' F1 team as I shake his hand, "me too, I can't wait to show you what we have planned" I say as I release my hand. He nods, "now that that's sorted go enjoy race weekend, I know that I will" I smile and leave the trailer. My phone vibrates so I grab it seeing a text from Charles.

CharlieFerrari
The season opening gala is tonight, you're coming so you better have something fancy packed in your suitcase

Callie
Don't worry, Mercedes invited me before I got here, fancy outfit did make the cut

CharlieFerrari
Great to hear, see you then

I smile and lock my phone sliding the device back into my purse as I go to check out the track before it's too busy. My steps lead me into the Mercedes garage where the techs are in front of their screens focusing on Lewis and Valtteri as they complete their first practice laps. A smile comes to my face as I take in the familiar surroundings, having forgotten how much I enjoyed being at these races. After a few seconds I shake my head of the thoughts and leave the garage then the venue to go back to the hotel and call my boss to give my update before relaxing up until I need to get ready for the gala.

——

"There she is" I turn to Charles seeing a smile on his face, "here I am you goof" he laughs before taking my hand squeezing it. "You look amazing Cal" I blush, "thanks, you clean up pretty well yourself" he grins. The driver holds out his arm, "shall we?" I nod hooking my hand in his elbow, he pulls us forward into the ballroom holding the gala. My eyes widen at the full room, lights strung high up along the ceiling, "wow Formula 1 knows how to throw a party" he chuckles, "yeah it's pretty amazing" I smile over at Charles, "thanks for walking in with me, nothing like showing up to an event like this alone" he pulls me closer, "anytime Cal, what are friends for" he exclaims as we walk further into the room. "Where did you even find this outfit?" he asks while peering down at my emerald two piece dress, I shrug a small smile on my face, "your girlfriend might've helped me out" I reply he rolls his eyes smiling, "why am I not surprised" I laugh looking down at the silky material happily.

Hours later I stand up from the Mercedes table needing to get some fresh air. "Callie?" I freeze hearing the Australian accent I used to hear almost daily. My train of thought gets jumbled not sure what I should do my teeth catching my lip. I finally decide to get it over with so I turn around my eyes landing on Daniel. My breath catches seeing him all dressed up in a suit, his hair still a mess of curls as my gaze locks with his. "Daniel" I say hoping that my voice doesn't convey how nervous I am, he tilts his head to the side telling me that we should go somewhere to talk, I nod once understanding. I turn back towards where I walked in at the beginning of the evening and urge my feet to go forwards knowing that Daniel is following my lead.

When we get out of the dark ballroom the race car driver's hand comes to my waist bringing me to a stop. The skin where my skirt and top don't quite meet tingles at his touch. I turn to Daniel making his hand fall away from me, "how are you?" he asks I look away from his brown eyes, "I'm really good, enjoying my job, how about you?" I reply looking back up at him, "I'm pretty good, McLaren has treated me well" I realize that I forgot about his move from Renault, a vague memory of seeing the news a few years back coming to the front of my mind. "Why are you here Callie?" I look up at the Australian, "I mean I can leave if you want me to" I joke going to turn towards the exit, "fuck no I don't want that" he exclaims stepping forward placing both of his hands on my hips. My eyes look into his my breath caught in my throat at the tone of his voice, "the NHL asked me to come to finalize a deal for next season, that's why I'm here" I say softly answering his initial question. 

We stand there in silence for a few seconds, Daniel hangs his head while his hands stay on my hips, "I'm so sorry about what I did before Cal" he mumbles. I watch the race car driver deflate in front of my eyes, "you still think about what happened?" I ask, he shakes his head as he lifts it to look at me, "yes, losing you was the worst thing that has ever happened to me, I don't think I ever stopped hoping that we would find each other again". Daniel's face blurs as tears well up in my eyes his hopeful statement hitting me harder than expected, I feel his hand caress my cheek gently, "don't cry Cal" my hand slides over his, "I didn't think I would" I say letting out a laugh, he chuckles while gently catching the tears under my eyes. My hand moves to rest on his chest, "what have we done to get here?" I tell the Australian, he sighs dropping his hand to grab my free one, "we took what we had for granted" he replies and we fall into another silence, the gala long forgotten. 

I look down at our interlaced hands feeling a tug at my heartstrings, "I never stopped loving you Daniel, I tried to stop but it was so hard and the pandemic had me locked down in New York alone my thoughts the only thing to keep me occupied" he squeezes my hand before releasing it to turn my am slightly, his finger finding the tattoo on my wrist. "God I still love you so much Callie, this hell virus really hit it home for me, it made me determined to find you and try to make everything right between us" he chokes out. I look back up at the driver to see his eyes glazed over with tears, my hand finds his again, "well what do we do now?" I ask, he clears his throat shaking his head, "I was hoping you had an answer" I let out a laugh looking into his dark eyes once i've calmed down. "I'll tell you what hotshot, text me when this weekend is over and we can see where we end up" he pulls me flush to his chest a hand resting on the skin of my lower back, "I like the sound of that gorgeous" my hand moves up to his shoulder, "no cheating this time" I add, he cradles my face with his hand, "deal" he mumbles before pulling me in for a kiss. The weight on my shoulders lifts as I relax into Daniel's familiar hold, my anxious thoughts disappearing into the background as I live in the moment ready for whatever is to come in this relationship, this year, next year and in the many years to come.

A/N GUYS IT'S DONE ASHFODJGrnSJO!!! I hope the ending made up for all the not so good parts of this fic <3 THANK YOU for sticking around with me love you guys! :)