Lightning tucked the twins in bed while Sally shut and locked the front door. They had gotten home very late. Lightning cracked the twins' room door then approached Sally asking "Colton still in bed?" She nodded. Lightning sighed with a yawn then looked over at all the boxes addressed to him. Sally crossed her arms asking "Are these present s you bought for the kids? I thought we agreed a SMALL Christmas." Lightning's eyes widened. "We did!" He defended. "Maybe my mom?" He suggested. Sally shrugged. So the two of them began opening one of the boxes. The first one opened and a bunch of those horrible packing peanuts spilled everywhere. Lightning chuckled as some stuck to Sally and said "I'll get the broom."
Sally snickered and as Lightning left to grab that to clean up, Sally reached in the box and pulled out a small box of baby bottles. She was quickly confused by this and as Lightning walked back in she asked him about it. "What is this?" Lightning approached and took the box of bottles answering with a laugh "Looks like baby bottles. Something you're not telling me?" He joked. Sally snickered answering "No. Who would send you baby bottles?" "Probably Cleo and her mind games.." He growled.
Sally nodded in agreement. Lightning set the bottles back down then took the paper out of the same box, reading over it read something about congrats on your baby due on such and such date. "You're probably right.. Cleo is trying to play some sick joke on us. She knows I can't even have anymore kids." Then it clocked. That date lined up with someone else though. Fear filled his eyes and Sally noticed. "What? What's wrong?" She asked. Lightning faked a nervous smile answering "Nothing.. I just.. Cleo.. Darn that.. person.." Sally's brows lowered. She was now getting a little concerned over how Lightning was acting.
"Something is wrong now. I can see it in your face." She snapped. Lightning sighed with a frown. Part of him was just about ready to admit what he found out had happen, even though he still had no true memory of any of what had happened with Cruz that night. This had to be Cleo because Cruz said she had taken care of it, PLUS Cruz wouldn't send all this stuff to HIS HOME! Where Sally was and lived too! Would she? "Urm... Just.. Cleo. She does.. Things that tear us apart constantly and this.. THIS has to be her and.. Losing you again.. For good.. That is my number one fear. I can't take anymore heart break Sal.. I can't lose you again." He admitted. Sally smiled warmly and took her husband's hands.
"Stickers I love you.. And losing you is my biggest fear too. But.. We got married again. For better or worse. And.. I am pretty sure we have been through the worst of it. No more lies or secrets and total honesty. I love you. We are not going back down any rough roads again." She assured. Lightning put on a smile that was real and yet a little nervously faked. Now he wanted to call Cruz and confirm just once more that she did take care of any little details in the matter of back up protection...
It was very early in the morning when Sally awoke alone in bed. She sat up ans brushed her hand over Lightning's side. "Hmm." She wondered where he could be sense he never woke her up. Sally got up and slipped on her slippers and robe before walking out the room and down the stairs where she saw the glimpse of a tv light in the living room along with the faint sound of it. Sally peeked in to see Lightning and Colton watching an old race of none other than Doc Hudson. "Wwoooowe.." Said Colton. "You use to race like that dad?" He asked. Lightning snickered with a nod. Colton eyed the tv with curiosity and a hint if excitement. "Bet you are way better than that guy." The child exclaimed with confidence.
Lightning chuckled correcting "No, but I wish." Sally smiled seeing this very heart warming scene before her before stepping in and playfully reminding "Shouldn't you be in bed asleep Colt." Colton and Lightning looked at Sally, immediately the little one defended "I couldn't sleep.. Daddy was watching tv." "Was he now?" Asked Sally as she sat next to her husband. "Who is that racer anyway dad?" Colton asked as they all three watched the young Doc Hudson race on the old dirt track. Lightning smiled answering "That son, is the Hudson Hornet. One of, no, THE greatest race car driver in the world. I wish you could have met him." "Where is he?" "Well... Um.." Lightning began and paused as he then glanced at Sally who gave him the go ahead.
"Well, he passed away.. He died a long time ago. Way before you were born." He explained. Colton thought for a moment before asking "Are you going to die?" Lightning chuckled answering "Not anytime soon." Colton nodded and seemed satisfied with his father's answer. "Okay Daddy. I love you." He replied and hugged his father. Lightning hugged his son back then Sally jumped in with "Shouldn't you head back to bed little man? Gotta get all the sleep you can in before Santa brings all those presents." Colt nodded so Lightning stood up and picked up the boy saying "I'll tuck him back in. You don't have to wait up." Sally smiled, thanking her love before replying "I'll wait, it's fine. I like watching Doc's old races with you." That made Lightning smile a little before taking his son back to bed...
Lightning returned shortly to find Sally still watching the old races and drinking a warm cup of tea. Lightning sat down next to her, they cuddled up together and watched the old races. There wasn't much like watching Doc on screen on those old tracks. Watching him use all his old racing techniques and all the memories flooding your mind, all the old practices and lessons Doc had given Lightning himself. "You know, Doc wrote Smoky a bunch of letters about training me." Lightning randomly announced. Sally looked at Lightning with curiosity. "No, I didn't know that. You never told me that. If you did, I can't remember.." Lightning snickered with a smile as he remembered seeing that wall of letters for the first time. "I had no idea Doc wrote about me the way he did... Keeping old news articles about me and racing.. It was nice, I'll admit. Reading a few of those letters.. Doc's own words!" Lightning lit up. "But... I wish Doc were here still." Lightning said softly and meaningfully.
Sally's smile faded slightly with Lightning's. Then she kissed Lightning's cheek saying "I love you Stickers." Lightning's smile returned as he gazed at the love of his life, but it faded again thinking that Cruz might have lied and not actually taken any measures there. "What's wrong?" Sally asked again. "I..." He wanted to confess, he wanted to vent, he wanted to talk to her, but the thought of losing Sally again was so, so scary. The thought she might leave again! Sally placed a hand on his saying "You don't get up and watch old racing tapes unless something is on your mind Stickers.. What's bothering you?" She asked so kindly.
Lightning sighed and put on a smile. "Nothing baby.. Don't worry about it. Just Cleo and this party.. Got me a little worried." Sally nodded and understood that. "Well... We won't let her get between us again. I'm here and fighting with you the entire way Light. You are not alone in this stupid fight." Sally reminded and assured. Lightning smiled hearing that, but wasn't sure if Sally would still feel that way if she knew what had happened between him and Cruz again. "Come on," She said. "Let's get a little more rest in before the kids are up for good." Lightning agreed with a nod then turned off the tv and followed his wife back to bed...
Cruz's phone rang and she picked it up. "Oh.. Text." She mistaken it for a phone call. She read over the message and it was Dinico requesting her presence in Radiator Springs. "What? Why?" She wondered. It was odd she thought, but then again, she was going back to Radiator Springs this coming week anyway. She had that follow up doctor visit check up and then this party of Cleo' she was invited to. She didn't really want to go, but she needed to see Lightning really anyway. SO why not. Cruz was sent a ticket for private first class on a plane, headed to Radiator Springs and would be there by morning...
Lightning was in the office and finishing up some paper work before the holiday shut down. Cleo knocked then came in. Lightning sighed asking "Why do you bother knocking if you are just going to come in anyway?" Cleo shrugged then said "Ollie Masterson is here." "Right.. I forgot about that. Send him in.." Cleo shot a smile then turned, when she did Lightning stopped her adding "Oh. Hey, when Cruz gets here, just send her in.. Don't speak with her Cleo. Is that clear?" He asked firmly. Cleo stared at her boss then nodded a little nervously before leaving. After a few minutes, Ollie entered the room and nervously sat down. He looked so afraid. Lightning sighed then asked "What happened? Why did you take the cars?"
Ollie frowned and tried explaining "I didn't Sir.. It wasn't me, honest!.. I was set up." Lightning stared at the kid and shook his head then asked "Where are my cars?" Ollie was hurt. How was he to defend himself!? "Sir, it was Ken! I swear!.. I would never do that to you! You gotta believe me Mr. McQueen!" Ollie was desperate! Lightning stared at the kid and was already pretty sure that Ollie didn't steal the cars. "Okay." he replied. Ollie's eyes widened. "Wait, what? You believe me?" the kid asked. Lightning nodded admitting "I know what it's like when a fellow student betrays you. Ken, right?" Lightning had to be sure. Ollie nodded.
Lightning sighed and thought for a minute. "Go on, get outta here.. I'll deal with Ken later.. Do you know where Ken might have taken the cars?" Ollie shook his head. Lightning sighed once more then dismissed Ollie. As Ollie left down the hall, he bumped straight into Cruz! "Oomph.." His eyed widened. "Miss Ramirez!.. I'm so sorry, so sorry. Sorry.. I.. Ran into you." Said Ollie. Cruz smiled kindly replying "It's okay, I'm fine." Ollie awkwardly smiled then walked away as Cruz entered Lightning's office. Ollie stopped and was a little curious. Cruz was back here? Was she going to teach again?
"Cruz.." Lightning said as he stood up. Cruz turned a little red as she walked over to the desk. She brushed her short hair behind her ear and asked "Did you.. Pretend to be Dinico to get me back here to meet with you? Because.. You didn't have to do that." Lightning frowned a bit before admitting "I did.. Sorry.. Um.. Please, sit down." Cruz sat as did Lightning on his side of the desk. Lightning decided to just come out with it and ask. "Cruz, are you pregnant?" Cruz's eyes widened, her face turned pale! "What?!.. No!.. No, I already told you I.. I took.. extra.. pre um.. um.. Not pregnant that I know of." Lightning grew suspicious. "Because I received at least four boxes of baby registry junk with the baby's arrival date lining up with.. Well, you." Cruz swallowed hard then replied. "Well it wasn't me." "I know that much. You wouldn't send that stuff straight to my house. You're smarter than that. I think it was Cleo." Lightning announced.
Cruz frowned then asked "Why? What is she planning?" Lightning shrugged. "I wish I knew. She is holding the tape of.. Us.. Against me, but I'm tired of and I'm done with it. She reveals that video and she loses the only thing keeping her safe." "What does that mean?" Asked Cruz. Lightning stared a moment at her before answering firmly. "It means I will do whatever it takes to protect my friends and family." Cruz stared at Lightning with those big brown eyes of hers all glossed over. She frowned and knew that now was the time to be honest. "Well, urm.. Sense I am here... I guess I should be a little more honest with you." "You're pregnant?" Asked Lightning. Cruz shook her head and explained "No, um.. I HOPE NOT!.. Truth is, I don't know yet.. I.. I have to get tested this week." Lightning sighed saying "You won't be though." "Well, I could be." Cruz corrected. "But you won't be." Lightning replied. Cruz's brows lowered as she now had to ask. "Are you pushing me to get an abortion if I am ?" Lightning shook his head answering "You can't be pregnant Cruz. Not with MY child." Cruz just stared at him, jaw dropped. "What are you saying?!" She snapped!
Lightning frowned a bit then explained. "Sally is my wife, my family. I will do anything for her and to keep her from finding out about a drunken mistake." Cruz's brows lowered once again. "SO?!" She sighed again continuing. "You are a mistake Cruz. A mistake that should have never happened." Cruz's heart sank. She became super angry. "Maybe I should just go tell Sally myself!" She snapped! Lightning stood up and asked "You really think you could do that to me?" He asked in such a deep and scary way. Was he threatening her? She wondered. She looked so hurt by that. Cruz shook her head and muttered "No.. No, I couldn't.." Lightning snickered a bit at her reaction and answer. He knew she couldn't. "What if I am though Lightning? What then?" Cruz asked softly. Lightning sat back down as he thought about that. His answer was simple. "You won't be." Cruz was afraid of him. She stood up and warned. "Lightning.. .. You.. You've changed sense Cleo.. You should watch yourself..." Lightning ignored that though. "I.. Cleo is making me to go the party.." Cruz added. Lightning snickered with a shake of his head. "Of course she is." He growled. He then stood up and walked to the door. "You can leave now Cruz.." Cruz frowned and walked towards the door. As she stepped near Lightning, he grabbed her arm tightly! Making Cruz jump a bit and whine "Let go!" Lightning just wanted to make something clear to Cruz. "You stay away from Sally at the party. Understand?" His grip tightened.
Cruz was filled with fear. She had no words, just nodded. Lightning let her go and she left quickly! Ollie hid behind the hall doors, breathing a bit heavily. Crap.. What did he just overhear!?