"Come on, stop sticking up." Mater grumbled as he messed with scraggly hair.
He had been trying to smooth it out for what felt like hours and it just kept sticking right back up.
Lightning shook his head, handing Mater his hat. "Just wear your hat, I'm sure Holly won't care either way."
"But I wanna look nice for 'er since I don't get to see 'er much…"
"I think Holly will just be glad to see you, messiness and all."
Lightning gave him a playful punch in the shoulder, Mater returning the gesture, laughing a little.
"Thanks buddy."
"Hey anything for my best friend." Lightning looked towards the entrance of Radiator Springs. "When is Holly gonna be here?"
"Round night time if I remember correctly. We're gonna have dinner at Wheel Well and then I'm gonna show 'er around the town." He glanced to the side, rubbing his hands together. "Maybe even take 'er tractor tipping if possible."
Lightning shook his head. "Alright, just remember to treat her well."
"Course!" Mater looked to Lightning. "What are you and Sally up to tonight?"
"Well, Sally and I are gonna be at Wheel Well so… we could join you."
Mater grinned. "That'd be fantastic! Of course you can join us!"
Lightning grinned. "Then it's a plan."
The Wheel Well was quiet, it was a slow night but for the couples, having their night at the old hotel, it was perfect.
Unbeknownst to them they were being watched.
"Why do you always pull me into stuff like this?" A boy whispered, as Maya Mc'Queen watched from a table, using the menu to shield her face.
"Oh quit whining Andy, you'd do the same for your brother. They've been together since I was a kid! It's high time he mans up and asks her!"
Andy sighed, shaking his head. Good thing her brother wouldn't recognize me… I haven't even met the guy yet…
They looked to the two couples. Both were having a good time just socializing and catching up.
"It's been a bit hectic for the team and myself but we're pulling through, on to something really big." Holly explained. "Apparently some big company trying out some crazy experiments."
"Yeesh." Sally cringed. "Sounds wild… Hope you guys are being careful."
"Yeah… No weird "cameras" this time?" Lightning asked, remembering what happened during the World Grand Prix.
Holly shook her head. "We don't know all the details… but we get the sinking feeling it might have something to do with genetic experiments and mutations but we can't confirm that yet until we look into one in their bases."
"Got it." Sally nodded.
Mater took Holly's hand in his. "Promise me you'll be careful…"
Holly squeezed his hand. "I'll try my best to keep that promise Mater… Took forever till we got our first date… I don't want to lose this."
"I don't want anythin' happening to ya Holly… It'd break my heart…" Mater nuzzled her a little. "I just want you safe."
Holly nuzzled him back. "Oh Mater… for you, I always do my best…"
"And you are." He smiled.
"Aww…" Maya whispered from where she and Andy were.
"Maya, Lightning's gonna be ticked if he catches ya spying."
"... Nah. Too good not to miss. Just so cute!"
Holly sighed happily, stealing a quick kiss on Mater's cheek. She giggled a little. "Still scruffy, just the way I like it."
Mater chuckled blushing a bit. "Aw shucks."
"It's true Mater… I like you just the way you are… wouldn't have you any other way."
Lightning grinned a little, giving a "I told you so look." look towards Mater.
Mater shook his head chuckling. "Thanks Holly… that means a lot ta me."
Holly smiled softly. "I know… Anyways…" She looked to Lightning and Sally. "How have you two been?"
Sally looked to Lightning. "Well… just make time for each other whenever we can… Lightning has been a bit coupled up with his racing and well… running two motels for my case is not easy…"
Lightning nodded, stealing a quick kiss on the cheek. "But we make things work. When we do got time for each other it's picture perfect… Heh, she's even showed me how to cook a few things."
"Yep, can't be the only one who cooks."
Holly giggled. "Indeed… I hope you're getting some help with the motels Sally, that's a lot of work for one person."
"I've been able to hire some other managers to help out so it's not just me anymore… Though Lightning really wishes one of them would stop making passes on me…"
Lightning cringed. "I swear that guy looks at you like that one more time…"
Mater blinked. "Which one Sally? I don't think I've noticed."
"I don't think it really matters… Lightning knows who he is and I think that's good enough… it's just a bother when I need to keep reminding him I'm in a relationship…"
"Oh wait a minute… Oh yeah he keeps saying you're open because you mentioned Francesco here and there."
Sally went a little red. "MATER!"
Lightning groaned putting his face in his hands. "Oh not the "Shorts are great," thing again! I thought you liked my jeans!"
"I do! I really do Lightning! Honest!"
Holly shook her head. "Oh dear…"
Lightning shook his head before kissing Sally on the cheek. "I love you... Even with the whole shorts thing…"
"You honestly don't wanna see Lightning in shorts. It looks weird-"
"... Wait a minute!"
Maya squeaked ducking her head down. Andy shook his head.
"... Holly… I'm startin' to think we might be-"
Holly put fingers to Mater's mouth. She leaned in whispering to him.
"Don't acknowledge you're being watched… it'll catch them off guard. I'll check it out."
Holly got up. "I'll be right back, I need to freshen up a little."
"Alright, see you when you get back."
Holly nodded walking off… Mater followed after her. He was curious to what was going on too. Holly walked quietly to where Maya and Andy were before tapping them on the shoulders.
"May I help you?" she asked as they turned around.
"Uh…. Yeah where'd you buy that jacket?" Maya asked trying to act "cool". "It's cute."
Andy lowered his head. "She made me do it." He whispered.
"Uh huh… What's really going on?"
Maya looked around quickly. "Look…" She lowered her voice. "I've known Sally since I was a little girl, Lightning's been with her since I was a kid. I just wanna help him finally grow a spine and ask her to marry him! If you had a big brother like him, you'd do the same."
"She said we were goin' out to eat…" Andy mumbled. "She didn't tell me THIS was on the menu!"
"Traitor."
"I see…" Holly said as she made notes. She looked over to Lightning and Sally… and noticed something. Lightning currently had his hand one of his pockets… and it looked like he was holding something in it. She looked more carefully to see there was a bit of a bulge in it.
"Interesting…"
"What?" Maya asked looking over. "What's interesting?"
"I just noticed Lightning has his hand in his pocket and is holding on to something in it. There's a bulge that says something is in it."
"... Awww!" Maya squealed louder than she intended to. "Then he might actually-MMPH!"
Andy had covered her mouth. "I love you but I don't want your brother killing me for being an accessory to this!"
Holly shook her head before pulling out her purse, giving the two cash.
"You two go buy yourself a meal so you don't stand out so much. It'll look more casual if you have a purpose for being here."
"T-Thank you." Maya said taking the money. Andy nodded, before they headed inside to order.
"You're gonna embarrass him aren't you?"
"No! … I just wanna see him happy!"
Oh yeah… THIS is TOTALLY not gonna be a disaster… For US.
Holly and Mater went back to the table.
"Sorry I took so long, needed some air." Holly explained, keeping her tone very relaxed.
"Oh it's fine." Sally smiled. "We were just talking."
"Yeah could've swore I heard something…" Lightning said looking around but didn't spot who he thought it was. … I got a weird feeling about this...
"If you think something was in the bushes I checked." Mater said. "There were some kids playing hide and seek, nothing harmful."
"Ah probably tourist kids… Well that's a relief."
Mater nodded. "Yerp… cute youngin's though… wish there were more around here. They're rather fun to play with."
"Maybe one day… After all… Some of us gotta settle down eventually…" Lightning shrugged a bit, glancing to Sally out of the corner of his eye. Goodness she's gorgeous...
"That's true…" Mater sighed wistfully looking to Holly, holding one of her hands. "Just some of us got other things to do before any settlin' happens."
"Oh Mater…" Holly blushed lightly squeezing his hand. "You're sweet…"
"Well… Maybe one of us will sometime soon…" Lightning said looking to Sally for a moment. I… I can't do it…
There was a quick tap on Lightning's shoulder. "Hey I need twenty bucks."
Lightning knew that voice anywhere
You gotta be kidding.
He looked to see who had tapped him and lo and behold it was who he thought it was.
"Maya… Why are you here?" he asked in an annoyed tone. Of all times!
"Oh so suddenly I can't go on a date!?" She asked in mock offense.
"I didn't say- Wait… DATE?!"
"Yep. With my boyfriend." She pointed over to Andy who looked sheepish.
"Uh… Hi?"
Lightning blinked. "How old are you again…?"
"Fifteen Lightning… Fifteen."
Lightning shook his head. "Okay, okay… why do you need twenty bucks? Did mom not give you fun money?"
"My date offered to pay but his mom got cheap on him." She shrugged. "So we're flat out broke. C'mon help your little sis out. Please?"
Lightning cocked an eyebrow. "Uh-huh… Hm…"
Holly gave a questioning look. I thought I gave her cash…
Maya put both her hands together. "Pretty please?" She caught Holly's eye and winked quickly. I don't really need the money… But I do need what he's got in his pocket… Hehehe…
"Maya it's gonna take more than that to-"
Maya gave a kicked puppy look. "You don't like me anymore… Is that it? Like that time you missed that big riding show I was in? You know… The blue ribbon I finally won?"
Sally looked to Lightning, giving a questioning look. Lightning was turning redder than his shirt.
"I didn't miss that! I was there!" He sighed. "Ugh… emotional black mail…" he dug in his pocket, pulling out twenty dollars. "It works."
"Actually I need one more thing….. Just a quick favor big brother? I really wanna see something but I can't tell if it's what I'm thinking… Can you stand up real quick?"
Lightning sighed. Just do as she says then you can get back to your date. "Alright, alright."
He stood up, hands free from his pockets. "So?" he asked, giving a shrug.
"Oh just…" She hugged him quickly before pulling back pocketing something quickly. "Just needed to borrow something! Bye!" She ran off back to her table.
…. Wait…
Lightning dug his hands back into his pockets… a look of terror crossing his eyes.
"Eh… you okay buddy?" Mater asked, tilting his head.
"He might be worried because I got his little secret right here!" Maya called standing on a chair waving something clenched in her hand. "Really bro you didn't expect this?"
Lightning turned bright red. "Maya… You got five seconds to give that back right now!"
"Hmm…" She looked at it… A little black box flipping the lid open. "Oooh… This is a good one… Hm… Should I Andy?"
"I think if you wanna live to see OUR wedding, you better!" The plane mechanid hissed.
"... He has to catch it first." And so… She took off running.
"WHY YOU!" Lightning chased after her at top speed.
Sally was rather baffled and was turning a shade of red herself. "What do they mean by weddings? Why even bring that up at their age?"
Holly shrugged playing dumb. "I have no idea."
"HA!" Maya sped up trying to keep ahead of her brother. "Give it up! Go ask her already!"
"How do you expect me to do it without that?!" Lightning went full speed, tackling her to the ground, wrenching the box out of her hands. "HA!"
Maya smirked and held up her hand. The ring on her ring finger. "Really brother? I'll give it back… If you actually go back and ask her… Not any of this: "Sorry my sister was being a pest and stole my wallet." crud I know you're probably planning."
Lightning glared at her. "Uggggh, cut me a break will ya?"
"You okay buddy?" Mater called out.
Lightning looked to see the others could see him and Maya as they currently were… Sally included.
"Just… peachy." He grabbed Maya's hand, slipping the ring off. "And you missy, aren't wearing something like this till you're an adult, capiche?"
"Capiche dearest big brother… Besides, Andy's scared you'll kill him after this. Thinks he's an accessory." She hummed in thought. "Wonder why."
"We'll talk about your boyfriend later…" Lightning got up, dusting himself off before rushing back to the table. "I… can sort of explain…"
Mater eyed the box Lightning behind his back. "That's a mighty fancy box buddy."
Lightning went a little red. "Uh… Y-Yeah it is…" He cleared his throat looking to Sally. "Sal… Can… I ask you something?"
Sally nodded. "Sure, anything."
It's now… or never… He thought getting on one knee, taking her hand in his. "Sally…. I've known you for a long time now… When we first met I couldn't take my eyes off you… Even if I was a jerk back then… You helped me see that living in the fast lane isn't all there is… Whenever I'm with you… I feel calm.. Happy. Like nothing else matters." He took a deep breath, opening the box, presenting it to her.
Inside was a gold ring with a blue topaz in the center. "Wh-What I'm trying to say is… Sally Carrera…" Lightning looked her in the eye. "Will you marry me?"
Sally gasped. "Stickers…" She smiled. "Yes… YES!" She jumped out of her seat, throwing her arms around, laughing. "Most definitely yes!"
Lightning laughed, hugging her back. "Oh Sally… Thank you…" He slipped the ring onto her finger. "Perfect.. Just like you."
Sally giggled, before kissing him.
"N'awww." Mater said, laughing a little. "That's so sweet!"
"Very sweet." Holly smiled laying her head on his shoulder. "I'm happy for them." So this is what all the chaos was about...
Mater laid his head against hers. "You and me both… took Lightning long enough…" Though guess I'm no better…
"I suppose so…" She nuzzled him a little. I don't mind waiting….
Andy smiled, hugging Maya as they watched. "Guess your crazy scheme worked Maya…"
"Yep… Even if he may want my head on a spit later… Worth it." She giggled. "Just glad for him."
Lightning looked over and shook his head before looking to Sally. "How about we take a nice long trip? … Far away from any distractions."
"You mean it?" Sally asked. "Where?"
"Well, fellow racer of mine told me about this great place, the biggest National Park in the country. Ever hear of Piston Peak?"
Sally nodded. "I have, one of the most beautiful places in the world."
"Sure sounds fancy." Mater commented.
"Yeah it is… My friend Dusty told me he wound up training there at the firefighting base for awhile, but he's seen the lodge. It's pretty amazing from what I heard… And I think we'll need a place to go to relax…" Lightning said before whispering in Sally's ear.
"And… They host weddings there…"
Sally giggled. "It sounds wonderful…"
"It is." Holly chimed in. "Siddley has been there a few times, he wants to take Finn and I there some time if we ever get a vacation. Be a good place to relax for awhile."
"Shoot I'd like to see it someday." Mater said hugging Holly. "Would be nice to get away from it all for awhile."
Holly giggled. "If I ever get that vacation you're invited then, couldn't imagine a better vacation without you."
Mater chuckled. "Then it's a plan."
Holly nodded. "For now…" she looked to Lightning and Sally. "There's other plans to be made."
"Yep."
Sally sighed happily laying her head on Lightning's shoulder. "I'm so happy right now…"
"You and me both Sally…" Lightning kissed her head.
"You and me both."