Hudson hesitated as Jackson stepped in. Chick snarled "Hey chill out Stormy boy! Kids just having some fun?" Jackson's brows lowered and he shoved Chick away "Your son touches my daughter again and he won't be able to race!?" Chick rolled his eyes and snarled "Always a temper. You know he's just a kid? Grow up. Wasn't that long ago I remember you playing with your own toy?" He glanced at Cruz. Jackson shoved Chick down and yelled "Tell your son to apologize!" Chick stood up and answered back "I think whatever he done was appropriate. Plus we are the parents. Gotta set an example. So no hitting stormy boy." Cruz walked up and grabbed Jackson's shoulder "It's not worth it. He's right. Set an example. We are the parents..". Jackson stared at Cruz. Hudson stomped over to Ashton and Jessica and snarled "But I'm not." Then punched Ashton in the nose. Ashton hit his back against the trailer and grabbed his face. Hudson stood in front of him. Everyone stared. Ashton whined "Fuck! You broke my nose man!?" He revelaed his nose. Bleeding badly. Blood all over Ashton's hands. "What is wrong with you!? Look!? There's actual blood!" Ashton cried out showing Hudson his hands!? Hudson stared.. he expected Ash to hit back or sometning? Not cry about it? "That actually hurt!" Ashton added. Hudson replied "Uh?.. I'm not even sure how to react to this?.. your just sad?." Ashton rolled his eyes and answered back "Your all crazy! You belong back in jail!? You freak!" Jackson shoved Chick and snapped "Now get going or that's you next!" Chicks brows lowered toward Jackson and replied "Oh please? You don't scare me?" He rolled his eyes. Jackson replied "You know I would have dropped you by now but my wife is right. I should set the better example. So please leave. Think Hudson made his point." Chick glanced at his son who had some tears in his eyes and was holding his bloody nose. Hudson stared at Chick.. Chick snarled toward Hudson "I ain't done with you kid...". Hudson glared at Chick and replied smartly "Bring it." Chick ordered his son next "Come on Ash. Let's get you cleaned up." Hudson slammed Ash into the trailer "Apologise!" He ordered. Ash glanced at Jessica and spoke up "Sorry.." he mumbled. Hudson glared at Ash "Now apologise to her parents!" Ash snarled back "I didn't do anything to them!" Hudson Hudson got into Ashton's face and explained "You disrespected their daughter in front of them. Now apologize!" Hudson pushed Ashton toward Jackson. Ash fell to his knees in front of Jackson. Jackson stared down at the kid. Cruz did to.. "I'm sorry!" He yelled rudely. Chick helped Ashton up. Chick walked away. Ashton followed. Jackson called out "You leave my family alone Hicks! Both of you!" Chick waved up his finger. The two left.

Hudson asked Jessica "You Okay?" Jessica giggled a little and answered "Yeah I'm fine. Can't say the same for Ash'a pride and face." Jackson faked a cough. Hudson and Jessica stared wide eyed at him. Jackson spoke up

"Hudson. Nice job." He half smiled. Hudson smiled a bit and replied "Oh.. thanks?.." Cruz hit Jackson's shoulder. He stared at her. "Don't approve violence." She scolded softly. Jackson raised a brow. Cruz hugged Jackson and added "Except maybe this one time." She smiled. Jackson smiled to now. Hudson grabbed Jessica's hand. Jackson noticed. He smiled warmly. He was realizing how much the two kids loved each other. Jackson then suggested "Hey why don't we all go to dinner? Hudson to." Cruz replied "That sounds lovely." Jessica added in "Yeah I'm starved after that race! What do you say Hud?" Hudson glanced at Jackson. Who seemed pretty cool. "Yeah. Sounds nice." Jessica squealed excited and hugged Hudson.

They went out to a more of public bar and grill. Different than what most of them were use to. They all walked up to the front podium to get seated. The man stared. Jaw dropped. He was between the kids and Storms age kinda. "Oh my gosh?.. no way? The? The Storm family here? And.. oh my gosh. Your McQueens kid? Aren't you!?" He smield. Jackson spoke up "Yeah it's us. Can we get our seats?" The man smirks widely and answered "Yes! Oh my gosh can I get all of your autographs!?" He handed out his notepad and pen to Jackson. Jackson half smiled answering "Sure." He sighed and handed it to Cruz. She hesitated but sighed it. The. Jessica. Then Hudson. Who handed it back to Jackson. Who handed it back to the man. "Thank you! Oh and a photo of you holding it for proof!?" He handed the pad back to Jackson then snapped a photo and took the pad back. "Oh my gosh thank you!" They were then seated down.

"Can I go ahead and get your drinks?" The man asked. Jackson answered "Sure. Water for my wife here. I'll

take your most popular beer." The man wrote down and nodded "and for you mam and Mr McQueen?" The man asked. Jessica answered "Soda." Hudson then answered "I'll have soda as well." The man nodded with a smile and left. "Hudson. Jessica tells me your taking your dads shop." Jackson spoke up. Hudson nodded. "Everything okay with your father?" Cruz then asked. Hudson bobbed his head answering "I think age is just kinda getting to him. He says he wants to spend time with mom. And he can't keep running the shop." Jessica spoke up "Yeah means he will be my sponsor now." Jackson smirked "Oh that should go well." Cruz hit his shoulder. Jackson glared. Hudson replied "Well Jessica is already talking about a new design for the car. It's actually pretty neat. She's super smart." Jackson smiled a bit hearing that from Hudson. Jessica blushed and smiled. Cruz spoke up "I'd say you are to. Just went through a bit of a spell. Don't worry. No one holds that against you." Hudson frowned a bit. Thinking. "Yeah well... that's the past. I don't plan on ever going back to anything like that." Jackson nodded. Jessica then mentioned "Hudson found him a house. He's buying an old farm house out in town." Jackson and Cruz gave a curious look to Hudson. "A farm house? Isn't that a little big for you?" Cruz asked. Hudson answered nervously "Well yes.. but ok thining more for the future.?..". Jackson raised a brow and sighed. Looking at Jessica and Hudson.

Cruz spoke up "I think that's smart and kinda sweet." Jackson stared at his wife. Maybe it was a little.

Jessica asked her parents "How's Sky? And the cutest little niece ever!?" She smiled. Cruz answered "Doing well. Although she's not to impressed with her new boss being someone she use to babysit?" Hudson chuckled a bit. "I'll go easy on her." He replied. Jessica stood up as drinks came "I gotta run to the ladies room." She ran off. They all got their drinks. Sipping a little bit. Cruz spoke up to Hudson. "Hey. We are so happy that the two of you seem so happy. Aren't they just adorable Jackson?" Jackson half smiled a bit and answered "Sure. Really I am happy that Jessica is happy. She obviously likes you. Although I don't see it entirely. You're a good kid. Just got a little messed up along the way." Hudson frowned and stared into his soda. Cruz hit Jackson's shoulder. Jackson glared then continued. "Which is fine. Believe me. I understand that. Takes a strong woman to love a man whose made some big mistakes." He glanced at his wife. Cruz smiled. Hudson replied "I think Jessica is the strongest woman I know." Jackson nodded. Jessica came back. "When d we order because I am starved!" She explained. Hudson smiled at her. Jackson couldn't help but stare a bit. He sighed. Thinking. He defiantly approves of Hudson and he wasn't all hat bad a kid at all.

They all went home. Jessica to her place in the city. Hudson to his new house. It was ran down and needed work. But was safe and clean enough to stay in still. Hudson began his first few days at the shop Well. The weeks past. Christmas was coming. Jessica would stay over in town during the weekends. Radiator springs began to get ready for Christmas. Hudson helped decorate. He enjoyed keeping busy and organized. Kinda reminded a lot of people of how his mother use to do when she was young. Between keeping up his fathers well.. now his business. And helping the town. And remodeling his home. Then Jessica on the weekends staying with him usually. Jackson really began to be impressed with the kid. He was doing really well.And Hudson felt normal.

Jackson was sitting in the living room. Watching some tv. He heard Cruz growl from the kitchen then a loud thud. "Babe you alright!?" He asked loudly. Cruz walked into the room and leaned on the door way answering "Its the oven. Again." She was annoyed. Jackson chuckled a bit "Is it not turning on again?" He asked. Cruz snarled "Its not funny? I need a new one Jackson." Jackson smiled and stood up "I've told you we will get one Okay? Let me see if I can get it going again first Okay?" He walked up to Cruz and began to walk into the kitchen but Cruz blocked him glaring. "No. I want a new one. It's Christmas so they will have some cheaper ones if that's your issue?" Jackson chuckled answering "Money is obviously not a problem Cruz. I just hate shopping for things. You know that?" Cruz rolled her eyes and snarled "Well if you want anymore food cooked your going to buy one!" Jackson smiled. Gazing into his wife's eyes. "What?" Cruz asked. "Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked again. Jackson answered still smiling "You're cute when you're mad." Cruz glared. Jackson sighed and continued "Fine. I'll go pick up your gift early. I got you one a month ago. Just been waiting for Christmas." Cruz's eyes widened "Wait!! You got me a new oven a month ago!? You've been making me use this old thing for a month!?" Jackson laughed a little bit and answered "Yeah.. sorry. Thought I should wait for Christmas?" Cruz hit his shoulder. "You are unbelievable." She snickered. Jackson replied "You know you love me." He winked. Cruz rolled her eyes "Go get my oven please." She walked away. Jackson answered "Alright. Be back shortly."

Jackson drove over to the home store. He walked back to the appliance department. Talked with someone. Then stood there waiting. He heard a familiar voice laughing and chatting. Jackson walked an isle over. It was Hudson. Chatting with some other guy around his age. Probably someone he went to school with. Jackson began to walk away. But then he heard them speak about Jessica.. he stopped and kinda ease dropped.

Hudson chuckled a bit and spoke "I can't believe your married?" He said. The kid smiled and replied "Yeah well what about you and Jessica? That leading anywhere?"

Hudson answered "I hope so soon actually. I got the old farm house right out on the edge of town. Actually working on a new fence right now." The other kid nodded "So you gonna purpose for Christmas?" He asked. Hudson answered "Nah.. I mean I'd love to. I know Jessica would absolutely love it. I even had this kinda cute idea. But. Kinda held back a bit." "Awe what's holding you back? Y'all two have always been perfect for each other?" Hudson chuckled answering "Well for one. No ring. Two.. her dad.. I don't wanna push it. And honestly I shouldn't ask her without making sure he's okay with it. I mean I know he is. But.. I don't know." His friend nodded and continued "Youre scared of Jackson Storm aren't you?" Hudson glared and answered "I don't know if I'd say scared but.. maybe a little.. intimidated?..". Jackson rolled his eyes. Hudson continued "I want to but. I don't think Jackson will think it's the right time. He always says how she's not ready for things.. I don't know. Maybe he's right.. maybe we won't be ready?..". His friend sighed. Jackson thought about it.. he did control a lot of Jessica's decisions.. he began to think maybe it was he who wasn't ready.. "look. I married Delannie because I loved her, because I felt like it was time and besides she has a smokin bod. If you love her and want to marry her why not? Who cares what her old man says man?" Hudson shook his head "I do." He said firmly. Jackson's eyes widened. He noticed the employee coming to find him. Jackson walked away. Now thinking a bit. He got the oven. It'd be delivered tomorrow and set up. He walked out to his car.

He sat there a minute. He grabbed out his phone and texted Jessica.

Dad

Hey Jessica. How are things in the city. Hope you're staying safe

Jessica

Yes dad. Always. Things are good. And don't worry I will be home for the holidays!

Dad

That's great! Listen I want to ask you something about Hudson.

Jessica

Okay? Sup?.. am I in trouble?

Dad

No. I don't think so? Let me ask this. Do you see yourself with Hudson in the far future? Do you really want to be with him in the long run? His children? His parents?

Jessica

Short answer is yes. But I know you'll say I'm not ready for that? So why are you asking me this?

Dad

Jessica I always say that. So this time let me ask you how you feel?

Jessica

Um.. are you okay?

Dad

Yes. Your.. mom got me curious to ask you.

Jessica

Okay. Well. I feel like he is the one that's gonna stick around dad. I love him. But don't worry. I won't rush into anything again. Not without you. Guess if I learned anything it's that I really should listen to you and mom more often.

Dad

True. Love you! Thanks

Jessica

Love you to. See you in a few days!

Jackson set his phone down. Taking a deep breath. Maybe she was ready. As long as Hudson meant what he overheard. Jackson noticed Hudson walking out. Pushing a kart of wood for a fence. He had his dads truck and began to pack it up.

Alright Jackson is starting to think maybe he should let the two get married. Hudson was a good and nice young man. And obviously had grown up a lot. Jessica was stubborn. But she had grown up. Maybe Jackson had been holding her back a bit..

1. Jackson goes to Hudson makes an excuse to come over and get some one on one time with the boy and give Hudson his blessing and an old ring that was somewhat special to Jackson. (His mother's ring. the only thing Jackson truly had left from her. Amy would have loved for one of her granddaughters to have it.)

Or...

2.Talk to Lightning about his feelings a bit about their kids. See if Lightning thinks their ready for that or not. Kinda get his off his chest with Hudson's father.