"Mommy!" Colton screamed loudly as thunder rolled in a thud like rumble. "Mama!" he screamed again as lightning flashed, followed by another rour of thunder. Sally and Francesco quickly sat up! "What is going on!?" Francesco yelped! Sally tossed the covers off and explained as she put on her robe, "The kids hate thunder storms. It's nit a big deal. But.. It is to them. I'm coming!" Sally rushed out and straight to her kids shared room. Ece was up and whimpering in tear along with Colton. Landon however, was passed out asleep.
Sally picked up Ece and sat on Colton's bed with two of the three of them cuddled up against her. Thunder rolled loudly. So Colton cuddled up into Sally's arms. She kissed his blonde head and smiled warmly assuring heher children, "Don't be scared. It's just a thunder storm. Nothing to worry about. Look, even Landon is sleeping." Colton glanced over at his little brother. Ece then mumbled "A car..." "What?" Sally had no clue what that meant. Colton looked up at his mother and explained "A car.. Daddy says that a car is in the sky racing." Sally giggled a little at that. "Is that so?" She asked with a smile. Colton and Ece nodded. It was sweet that Lightning told them that. Even though it made no sense.
Francesco stepped in quietly and whispered asking "Is everyone alright?" Ece only got closer to her mom. Sally nodded with a sigh. "Yes. Everyone is absolutely safe." She answered. Francesco smiled at his fiancee and her kids. Such a sweet little sight. "Sleep with you?.." Colton asked. Sally opened her mouth to answer but Ece spoke up and joined in with her older brother. "Me to mama?" Sally smiled. How could she say no? "I... Guess so you two. But what about baby Landon?" She asked them. Landon was still passed out asleep. Colton hummed. "Hmmmm Baby still sleepin now." Sally giggled quietly and kissed Colton's head, then Ece's. "Alright you two. Come on, go on to my room." The two rushed passes Francesco and down the hall to hide under the blankets quickly. Sally sighed and checked Landon before leaving the room.
"Sorry..." She apologized to Francesco. But he smiled back "Do not be. They are such adorable children Sally. You made very beautiful babies." Sally rolled her eyes and replied "Come on, let's go to bed." So the couple linked arms and walked into the bedroom. Ece and Colton were already in bed and ready for snuggles. Colton stared at Francesco and asked his mother curiously "Why does Fran sleep with you?" Sally and Francesco stared at each other moment. Kind of unsure how to answer that. "Because... Fran is.. Mommy's partner." Sally answered. Colton didn't understand and asked "What's a partner?" Sally sighed and tried to avoid this "Go to bed baby. I'll tell you in the morning. Sally walked over next to her son and helped him get tucked in more. But Colton wasn't done. "Why can Fran sleep over but not daddy?" Sally sighed and really had no clue what to say at first. Francesco stared at them and just knew this would not be okay with Lightning so, suggested. "I will sleep in the guest room for the remainder of my slumber my love." Sally raised a brow and asked "What? Why? You're family. You are going to be their step dad? Right?"
Francesco nodded "Only so. I think it more appropriate for me to. Sense Ece and Colton wish to share the bed with you tonight." Suddenly thunder rolled and Colton and Ece both!, Jumped close to Sally. Sally smiled and nodded. She didn't disagree after thinking about it now. So Francesco walked over and hugged Sally good night before leaving to retire in a separate room for the night. Colton looked up at his mom then asked "Is Fran my dad now?" Sally's eyes widened. She did not mean for Colton to think that? "No honey.. He's just... Your...um.." "Partner?" Ece asked. Sally kissed Ece answering "Sure. Partners in crime maybe." she joked. Then she had to ask "You guys like Fran? right?" Colton nodded with a smile answering "He's cool like daddy. And he talks funny." Ece shrugged silently. Sally snickered with a smile "Well.. He maybe around for a really long time. Fran lives here now." she said. Then more thunder. Colton sighed and mumbled into his mother "I want Daddy..." Sally frowned. She couldn't give her son that. But she missed him. And she wasn't sure she even meant what she said. Because as much as she loved Francesco, she wanted Lightning...
The following day, Cruz took a deep breath as she stood outside Mateo's room. "He probably.. Hates me.." She muttered. She almost knocked but stopped. "Come on Cruz!" She told herself. "Okay." then she reached up to knock on his door and it opened. Her eyes widened with surprise. Mateo glared at her answering "Cruz." Cruz smiled a little nervously. "Hi.." she greeted softly. Mateo looked her up and down then asked "Why are you here?" "To apologize.. And.. Explain what happened.." Mateo snickered replying "I already know. Francesco's arrogant ass told me everything." Cruz frowned feeling a little ashamed. "I'm sorry.." she muttered. Mateo nodded and asked "Why did you run? Why not come to me? I would have chose you over my brother?" Cruz shrugged quietly.
"You were still in love with Lightning hmm?.." He asked. Cruz sighed "I was.. It was a really confusing time for me. But Francesco"-"I know. I hate him. His need to be right triumphs any relationship we could have had. I hate the man." Cruz was a little surprised. "You should have come to me and I would have dealt with Francesco. But using me to try and forget Lightning! It was heartless of you!" Cruz stared at the ground. Both fell silent. "I don't hate you.." Mateo muttered. "It just hurt. A lot. I thought you were different. Thought we both wanted the same thing. You lied just to use me. It wasn't right." Cruz agreed and replied "I know. I am sorry.." "I forgive you." Mateo said with a warm smile. Oh how that felt so good.
"Um.. In that case.. I have a favor?" Cruz brought up. Mateo raised a brow curious. "Sally should know who she's marrying. What lengths he went to just to be right and prove a pointless.. point?" Mateo smiled and snickered "But Ofcourse. Why do you think I came here? i want to ruin my brother's wedding." Cruz stared and had to ask "Doesn't that make you just as bad as him?" Mateo rolled his eyes snapping "I am not going to do what he did. Guess I could just tell the girl? But what would Sally care? It's not like he did anything to her or her family?" Cruz sighed and frowned. "But I was involved.. Sense Lightning cheated on her with me?.. She's gonna feel even more betrayed by Francesco." Mateo nodded. "But I can not get ahold of the mayor. She is to difficult to see." he explained. Cruz shrugged suggesting "Just go to her office and say your sir name is there to see her? She'll think your Francesco."...
Sally was in her office and working. The weekend. Tomorrow was Lightning's day to get the kids. She sighed. Staring at that stupid wedding dress. "Alright.. I can't look at you anymore." She snapped and got up. She walked over and zipped the dress up and took it and looked around? Where could she put it? Then a knock. Her assistant peeked in announcing "Um Mam.. Mr Bernoulli is here to see you?" Sally stood there a moment. "Oh... Um.." She stared at the dress in her hands and sighed with an eye roll. "Alright send him in." she ordered. The assistant left. Sally hung the dress back up and stared at it a few more seconds before sitting back down at her desk. Then another knock and.. Mateo Bernoulli walked in and shut the door behind him. "I'm sorry.. I thought?"-"I am Francesco's brother.." He interrupted.
Sally nodded replying asking "Oh?. Right. Mateo? Right?" The man nodded. "Come, sit down." She motioned. Mateo sighed and shook his head explaining "No.. I don't want to take long.. I just wanted to.. Let you know I won't be attending the wedding and will never have anything to do with you or any if Francesco's family. He tore up mine. He doesn't even deserve what you are giving him. I feel so sorry for you." Sally raised a brow. Confused and concerned. "I'm sorry? What?" she asked. "Francesco seems like a nice man. He does and I know. Mama use to say he was the sweet talker. And it was always true. When we were young and got into little scuffles, I would get hurt and run to tattle. But he was Mama's prized baby boy. He could sweet talk a rat into a trap." Sally just stared. Still lost a little.
Mateo cleared his throat and sighed before now sitting down. "You can marry him if you truly love him. But as his brother... I want to let you know what he is like when he has to be right and decides he truly knows best when he doesn't most of the time." Sally still remained silent. "Francesco destroyed my wedding. He did a disgusting thing to me and Cruz. Cruz.. Cruz left me and Italy because of him." Sally stared and had to ask "Francesco?" Mateo nodded and began to explain to her what exactly he did, stepping between him and Cruz. Sally's eyes widened and her heart broke a little. She trusted Francesco.. She loved him.. or so she did...
Cruz was standing out in the top bleacher of the stadium. Looking out at the track. Her car in the distance in case she decided to take a few laps. Lightning stepped out and walked over asking "Hey, you okay?" Cruz smiled answering "Yep. Just.. Really don't want to lose my job. I love it here and racing. I am living my dream." Lightning smiled and snickered "Don't worry about Francesco. I can handle him." Cruz smiled down to Lightning warmly. "Thanks Lightning." "Anytime. Hey the guys and I are headed to lunch. Wanna come?" he invited. Cruz shrugged "I'll catch up maybe shortly." Lightning glanced at the track and replied "Maybe when I get back we can have a little race. Me and you." Cruz lit up hearing that. "Really!?" she asked.
Lightning chuckled "Yeah. Anyways, I'll save you a seat. Flo's diner." "K!" Cruz replied. Lightning left then with the other workers, his employees. Cruz let put a deep breath. Staring out at the track. It probably wasn't maybe 30 minutes and she heard footsteps. "Lightning?" She muttered and looked down. Immediately a little worried. "Francesco?.. What are you doing here?" Francesco stepped up on the bleachers and began making his way up to Cruz. "Well Mateo came to see me. Says you two were conspiring to tell Sally?" Cruz stood up and stood up for herself. "Yeah! So what!? Sally needs to know!" Francesco glared and snapped "Than you can say good bye to racing." Cruz crossed her arms and snickered proudly saying "Lightning won't let that happen. He isn't afraid of you."
Francesco snickered glaring and snarling back "He should be." Cruz just glared at Francesco back. "So you talked to him and my brother? Even thiugh I warned you?" The italian asked. Cruz smiled "Yes. Because no one is scared of you. You can't touch me or my career." Francesco glanced down then replied "It's a long way down when you fall.. When your career falls down. It often hits hard.." He steppes closer. Cruz couldn't step back. "Wait stop!" she screamed and grabbed Francesco's arms. Francesco yanked his arms away which lead to Cruz loosing her balance and falling from the top of the stadium bleacher! Cruz felt like the seconds became minutes! As her view of Francesco staring down at her became further and further. There was nothing to grab onto to stop the fall..
THUD....
Lightning and his team returned. Everyone entered the Academy exeexcept for Lightning. "I'm gonna go see if Cruz is still out back." he let the others know. He walked around the building and noticed her car still there. But she wasn't in the ble-"CRUZ!" he yelled loudly as he noticed her on the ground behind the bleachers! He ran so fast that he ran in place at first even! Lightning got to her and fell to his knees as he skid to a stop next to her. Immediately calling to her, "Cruz! Cruz!" He yelled. But she didn't answer. "No, no, no! Don't you dare!" He brushed her hair from ger face and put a few fingers under her nose as he kay his ear to her chest. She was still breathing! "Yes! okay! Hold on Cruz." he said with such fear! he grabbed out his phone quickly dialing 911.
What is your emergency?
"Yes, I'm at Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy in the back of it! A young woman is unconscious! I think she fell!?" He glanced up at the top of the bleachers! They were just temporary. They hadn't finished getting the fence or wall built around them!? "Stay with me Cruz!.. I'm so sorry!.." Lay his head on her shoulder. Feeling helpless and so clueless as to what could have happened!..
Hours at the hospital passed before the doctor came out to Lightning. Lightning stood up asking "How is she? Is she okay!?" The man nodded answering "Just unconscious at the moment. She took a hard hit to her head on the fall down. She has to wear a brace a few weeks but she'll be fine. She just has to wake up." Lightning thought about it a moment and asked nervously "Will she wake up?" The doctor sighed answering "Her chances are good. I wouldn't worry. Usually between three to seven days. Give her time, be patient." Lightning nodded and thanked the doctor. Then Jethro and Celia rushed over yelling "Mr McQueen! Mr McQueen!" Lightning stared at them curious and shooshed them as they reached his presence. "What is it?" He asked.
Jethro and Celia glanced at each other before one of them, Celia, answered "The academy was broken into." "What!?" Lightning yiped quietly! Jethro nodded. Lightning sighed and rubbed his eyes. This day couldn't get much worse. "What did they take? The cars?" Lightning asked. Jethro shook his head and Celia answered "No.. Just the security tapes and wiped out the computers." Lightning's brows lowered. "What?.." He muttered. Jethro and Celia just stared. "This... This was no accident.." Lightning growled. Celia raised a brow. "You think someone wanted Cruz dead? Jethro asked. Lightning looked furious as he answered "I know someone wanted her quiet. Didn't want her talking to me about something.." Jethro and Celia glanced at each other. And Celia had to ask "Does that mean your next?" "What if they come back to finish the job?" Jethro added in asking.
Lightning was so furious. He knew this was definitely no accident. But would anyone be that cruel? That horrible? To Cruz?! "Then I'll just have to get to them first." he growled. Jethro and Celia were clueless. "You should talk to the police." Celia stated. Lightning nodded answering "And I will. But there's no evidence. Unless Cruz wakes up?.. There's no proof she didn't just fall." Which was true. To many people had been in those bleachers to find any one person's dna that hadn't been there. Lightning then left without another word. He knew who had to of done this. And he wouldn't let them get away with it. Let alone be around his family.
