sorry I haven't updated over the weekend. Been so tired after all this serious work because of the virus. supposedly, things are looking up with it to. and oh how I hope so!!! is everyone staying healthy? I wanted to ask and see how all my readers are doing through this?
Sally sat near the window in her room of her Father's house. Staring outside up at the stars. Knock knock. She looked back to see her Father come in slowly. "Finally got Colton calmed down and to sleep.." "Thanks Dad.." Sally mumbled. Carson walked further into the room saying "He's pretty upset with you." "Yeah..." "He'll get over it though. Hey, you okay?" Carson asked his daughter as he sat on the bed. Sally stared at him answering "Yeah.. I will be..." she managed to smile still. Carson snickered a bit then said "It took some calls, but.. I got you an extra day on those papers.." Sally stared at her Father like a deer in headlights.
The divorce and restraining order. Then she thought about what Lightning said. That she would have to deal with him legally if something blew up again. Sally nodded. Carson then asked "Will you file them?" Sally didn't answer, but you could tell she was thinking. "Do you want to file them?" Carson asked. Sally sat down next to her Father. "I don't want to, but.. I think I need to sometimes... Lightning just... He acts like a child. More so when he's around Cruz and I can't stand it. I can't stand sharing him with her and now this. This baby that they are having is going to put her in my life permanently!. If I am to be with Lightning that is.." she vented.
Carson sighed saying "It's been a long day.. A rough one. I may like to see Lightning actually sometime. See how he is for myself. But for now..." he paused and lifted Sally's face. "Try and get some sleep honey." Sally smiled slightly as her Father kissed her forehead and stood up, stretching before heading out. "Night Dad." "Goodnight Sally." He closed the door. Sally sat on the bed still for a moment. Thinking about those papers. For now, she had extra time anyway. Nothing would change tonight, so she lay down in bed to try and get some sleep...
The following morning, Sally walked into her house and called "Lightning!... Lightning it's me!... Um.. Just me, actually.. My Dad has the kids at his house for now, but he'll be bringing them over later!.. Thought we could... Talk maybe?" Nothing. "Lightning?..." She looked in the kitchen first. Not there. Then she headed up to the bedroom. The door was closed and she hesitated. "Lightning?.." she called before slowly opening the door to see an empty room and neatly made bed. "Lightning?" He wasn't even here? He left? He left. Sally just became angry with him. That was just like this awful and new Lightning! To just run off!? No note, no text, nothing.
Part of her broke even more and it was the final straw! First thing she got back to her Dad's, she was filing those papers! She'd show him what happens when he keeps playing games and running off to whoever and wherever when things get hard!...
It had only been a few hours later. Sally was pointing and telling the delivery men where to out a few items of heavy furniture she had ordered for the house. "Yes. Yeah, right there is perfect. Thank you." Her phone began ringing and she glanced at it. Her Dad. Probably asking about bringing the kids over. She picked it up and then behind her, "Hey Beautiful." "AHH!" Sally jumped and dropped her phone! She turned quick to see Lightning. Lightning!? "What?!.. What are you doing here?! Where were you?" She snapped! Lightning shrugged answering "Well I didn't want to jusy sit around, so I went for a run then grabbed some breakfast from this rather nice little shop a few miles from here really. Did a lot of thinking and walked back here." Stupid smile on his face. Sally's jaw dropped a bit asking "So you're here?" "..Yes?.." Lightning questioned. "You're here?" Sally repeated. Lightning raised a brow answering "Yeah, I think we've established that."
"But, but... I thought you.. I.." She stumbled on her words. Lightning crossed his arms saying "You thought... You thought I just up and left? For good?" He asked, a little hurt. Sally shrugged answering "I did. I didn't see a note or anything!" "Because I was coming back. I honestly didn't think you'd be here this early. Where are the kids?" "With my Dad for now. Um.." she was still surprised he was still here. Lightning snickered and asked "Where did you think I went off to?" Sally looked at Lightning with a little pain in saying "Well... Cruz. Seems like you always run off to her." She admitted. Lightning frowned a bit then tried explaining "Well... She's having my baby Sal. I can't.. I won't just drop her and leave her alone."
"Right.. I.. Understand.." Sally whispered. Lightning could see the pain, the broken heart, her jealousy. All of it in this moment. Lightning sighed replying "I want you. I want to be with you. It was a horrible drunk mistake that"-"I already heard this story Lightning.. Please don't.." she pleaded. Lightning looked into her eyes with a sigh then nodded. She was right anyway. "Well..." he started. "Last night was rough.. I'm sorry I messed up with the kids. It was ana accident. I don't want to sound like I'm making another excuse.. I won't let anything like that happen again Sal." He tried convincing her.
Sally nodded replying "I know..Look, I'm sorry for how I acted about it really. I just.. I panicked and I was scared of losing Landon and I took out that fear and anger on you.. I know you didn't mean for it to happen really Lightning.. Anyways, about Cruz." Suddenly the movers walked up saying "Everything is where you asked Mam. Just need you to sign here." Holding up a clipboard. Sally signed it and the men left. Back to Lightning. "So about Cruz.." "What about her?" Asked Lightning.
Sally sighed answering "If we are going to do this.. And I mean be together. We have to work out a routine or plan or something." "But you said"-"Stop. I know. I can't be with you if Cruz is in the picture and that's not right of me.. It's not fair after Cleo forced this..." she mumbled. She knew Cleo didn't, but Cruz did. Cruz knew that Lightning was drunk and knew the possible consequences. Cruz could have said no, walked away and or even used some dam protection, but no. Of course not.
Lightning frowned a bit and admitted "I've actually been thinking a lot about it. One thing that needs to happen is that Cruz and the kids actually meet and talk." Sally gave Lightning a pretty disturbed glare. "What?" She asked. Lightning sighed, continuing "They need to meet. The baby is going to not just be in my life, but ours, the kids.. Colt, Landon, and Ece need to see Cruz and the two of us, getting along." "Have you even thought of how to tell the kids about the baby?" Asked Sally.
Lightning shrugged. "I have, but... It's tough. I don't know how to exactly explain that one.." "You don't really have to yet. They'll ask all of those questions evantually. Just tell them that you and Cruz are.. Having a baby." "And when Colt ask why her and not you? Because you know he is going to." Warned Lightning. Sally nodded, thinking for a moment. "Just tell him because... Because... Tell him because that is just what is happening right now. Just say that and for now, he'll drop it. Later, when he's older, you can talk to him." "Or they'll all just figure it out on their own. Eventually, they will." Said Lightning.
"I am sorry for all of this.." Lightning apologized. "And therapy." Added Sally. "I want us back in therapy, you have to get through this withdrawal and figure out the future with Cruz in it." "Right. If that's what it takes, done. I'll do anything Sally." He assured. Sally gave him a look that maybe hinted she didn't one hundred percent believe him. "But.. One question," He said. "Why therapy? We don't really need all that again.. Do we?" "I think we do and.. I think this time.. Cruz needs to come to." Sally explained. Lightning's eyes widened. "Wow.." "Wow?" Sally rasied a brow.
Lightning shrugged saying "Nothin. Just.. Wow, okay. Sunds like we got a plan." Sally nodded agreeing. "Yup. So.." She took his hands in her's. "We can do this.. Right?" She asked. Lightning smiled a little and nodded. "Yeah. We can do this." Her hands felt warm and soft. Her tender smile was so perfect. This is what he needed. To be home and around Sally and the kids and no.. "Cleo.." Lightning growled. Sally snickered and pointed out. "I don't think she'll care anymore. She has all of Radiator Springs to torment now and that new shopping mall she wants to put in." Rolling her eyes. Lightning frowned saying. "That isn't right, and you know it. We shouldn't leave Radiator Springs with her.. Not to mention the track.. That place can't be turned into a mall.. Come on.." He whined
Sally pulled her hands away saying "Why do you think I moved? This is home now. I hope you see that and stay here with me, with us." Oh that felt amazing to hear! "But Cleo is not our problem anymore. And as for the track, at the end of the day?... It's just an abandoned dir monument.." That hurt. That hurt like a gun shot to the heart. "You just said that you'd do anything Lightning.. If you mean that, you'll let the town handle Cleo alone now.. We've played our part in her game and it;s over. Do not run back to her and that town." Wow. Lightning stared at Sally. That did NOT sound like her. Leave Radiator Springs and all their ld friends to that bitch and her path of destruction?
"Come on Sal, you don't mean that.." Replied Lightning. Sally sighed and just stared at him. She did. She was serious and that surprised Lightning a lot. "Oh.. You are?" He asked. Sally nodded quietly. Lightning thought about that. Leaving the town for good? Really? As if it were nothing now. "Well.. I still have to go back and get my things together and.. I guess sell the house than." He reminded. Sally frowned. Honestly, she didn't want Lightning to go back at all. Not with Cleo there. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him. "Promise me that Cruz is never going to come between us again.. That at the end of the day you'll come back to me.." She pleaded softly to his ear.
Lightning hugged her close in a warm ebrace. "Of course Sally. Anything. I don't care what I have to do.. I mean there is a line obviously.. But"-"Don't ruin the moment please.." She choked up and giggled at the same time. Lightning snickered and only held her tighter. "I love you Sally. You are my wife.. I'll always come back to you as long as you let me." Sally looked up into his eyes and smiled. "Okay.. I'm trusting you.. Barely, but I am. Don' screw this up again." She warned. Lightning nodded. "I won't." He assured. And he wouldn't. He meanth that with every fiber in his body. He would not betray her or loose her again.
If he had to die for her, kill for her, or even dummp Cruz he would. Just hopefully it wouldn't come to that. So now he needed to deal with things in town and Cruz. "Oh. One more thing.." Lightning added. Sally raised a brow asking "And what's that?" Lightning stared a moment before asking "You really think I could race again?" Sally smiled with a slight snicker. "Yes. You are the great Lightning McQueen. You can handle anything." She teased and messed up his hair. Lightning shook his head and pulled away from her with a little annoyed, but playful smile on his face. But.. It made him think about it. Although, he would never be let back into racing really. Not Nascar anyway...
DING DONG... Cleo opened her door to see Jackson standing before her. She sighed asking "Well, well.. What are you doing here?" She asked. Jackson just sort of stared towards her voice answering "You know why I'm here.. PLease don't play a game with me.. You paid to give me my sight back.. Why?" "Because I.. Felt a little bad. Could say i'm looking for some redemption." Jackson snickered hearing that. "Your redemption is awaiting you in hell." "So you don't want my help or your sight back? Fine.. I tried.." "WAIT!..Wait.." JAckson called. HE couldn't see it, but oh how Cleo was smiling proudly.
"There is always a catch with you.. What is it?" He asked. Cleo cocked her head asking "Catch? What catch?" Jackson's brows lowered. "Come on Cleo. There is ALWAYS a catch. Just tell me what it is." He growled. Cleo sighed answering "Fine. IT's easy. And something I think you'll actually enjoy."...
Cruz picked up her son from her parents and began putting him onto her car when her Mother ran over calling "Cruz!... Cruz, honey, wait a second!.." Cruz looked over to see her Mother rushing over with some stuffed dragon toy and handed it to her daughter. "Miguel sure loves this thing." Cruz handed it o her son then asked "IS that all Mommy?" She nodded and watched Cruz shut Miguel's door then walk around the car.
"OH one more thing baby.." Her Mother added. "Um.. Your Father and I were talking and.. Really you have been dping really well with Miguel as his parent.." "Awe.. Thanks. Yeah, I'm really trying. And now that Racing is gonna be over for a while, I plan on doing a vacation with Miguel maybe. Maybe go to Disney?" She asked an peeked at her son. MIguel smiled widely and nodded with a cheer!
Cruz's Mother smiled a bit at that. "But anyway, Cruz listen honey. We think you are ready." "Ready for what?" Asked Cruz with slight confusion. Cruz's Mother walked around the car and gently grabbed Cruz's shoulders saying "To take full custody of Miguel. I know that we.. May disagree on your life choices.. Like having this other baby, but.. You are becoming a better Mother and Miguel should be with his Mother. We're going to court to talk to the judge about it this weekend."
Cruz's eyes widened. "You mean I.. I get Miguel? Full time?" SHe asked in disbelief! Cruz's Mother nodded with a proud smile. "Yea, as long as the judge approves." "OH MOM!" Cheered Cruz then hugged her Mother! Jumping with excitement! "THANK YOU!" She exclaimed! "Hey, don't thank me! You really have been doing well for a while. You've earned this." Replied her Mother. "And you won't regret this!' Cruz assured. Hugging her Mother again! "Thank you. Thank you, thank you!" SHe exclaimed once again! Her Mother patted her back and reminded "Now calm down, calm down. The judge still has to approve. You take care and I'll see you both this weekend."
Cruz nodded, hugging her Mom again. "Sorry, just excited. Thanks Mom." Cruz repeated then got into the car with her son. It was so good to hear that from her Mother. Nothing could be more exciting! It seemed like everything might just be looking up after all!...
With the house all set up by the end of the day, with help from hired movers and Lighting even. Sally, Lightning, the kids, and Carson all sat down at the new table for a nice, fmily dinner. Or what would hopefully be nice. It started awfully quiet. Kids digging into thier meal with Carson not speaking and Sally unsire what to start talking about. Lightning was the elephant in the room for sure.
Carson sipped his drink and finally looked at Lightning asking "So.. You two are.. Working things out?.." Lightning glanced at Sally then back to Carson answering "Yeah. Hoping so." "Don't hope. Do. Please.. I'm sick of the back and fourth myself really. These kids need stability Lightning." "Yeah.. I agree." said Lightning. Carson snickered then asked "How are the medications? I'm sure Sally has told you that I'm the laywer sueing for most of the people affected by that E something drug." Lightning looked at Sally before answering "No, uh.. No, she never told me, but.. That's.. Good..Might get Nascar shut down for a while though.. Until they found drugs they could use again.." Lightning explained.
Carson shrugged saying "Well, they shouldn't be pushing drugs into racers." "Right, but.. Gonna put a lot of drivers out of a job. A lot of rookies won't get hired back like that." "And that's a bad thing?" Carson asked. Lightning sighed and shook his head mumbling. "No.. Guess it's not exactly.." I mean, sure. Racing could do something to make it safer for racers rather than just safer cars.
Sally cleared her throat asking "Now that we all live here and.. Closer together. Think you'll visit the kids more Dad?" Lightning and Carson looked at each other a moment before Carson answered that with "Sure. Long as Lightning is okay with that to. He is the... Man.. Of the house I guess.." He guesses. Of course. Lightning snickered replying "You just stop by anytime. Sally is the man-woman.. Of the house. She'd in charge, not me." carson chuckled saying "Got you on a leash. Probably a good thing." He joked. Lightning didn't disagree with that comment exactly.
"What are you going to do for work around here anyway Lightning" Carson asked. Lightning aighed answering "I.. Haven't really though about it yet really. I mean first I got to take care of a few things back in Radiator Springs and move my stuff here and then I'll look into something." "Racing?" "NO, not racing. I mean.. I would love to, but.. Think Sally needs me here more than anywhere else." He reminded. Sally smiled saying "OH don't worry about that. I think you should try getting back into racing really. Once you are off that medication." She added.
Carson sighed asking "Are you going to rehab opr trying to quit at home?" Lightning began to answer, but Carson continued "I ask because if you choose to at home, the kids are going to get to see very bad part of that withdrawal.. I wouldn't think that you two would want that." Ligtning thought about that. He and Sally looked at each other for a moment. "I'm.. Sure it won't be that bad.." Sally assured.
Carson shrugged saying "A few people in the suit I'm doing are in that process right now. It's a rough one." Sally glared saying "It's not THAT bad Dad." "It is really though. Don't beat around the bush for him Sally." He scolded then turned to Lightning saying "You are looking at severe depression, confusion and inability to think clearly, anxiety constantly, cravings of nicotine, agitaion, severe paranoia, insomnia, loss of appetite, memory problems, changes in personality all over again and even seizures." "DAD! Stop." Sally snapped.
Carson's brows lowered. "I'm just telling him the truth. You are hiding him from it and that's worst. I am looking out for you and the kids! They shouldn't see Lightning like that!" "DAD! I can handle this!' "NO! You can't! You think you are the strongest woman on earth! But you are not!' "DAD! I can"-"He's right." Lightning muttered. Sally and Carson looked at him. "I am?" Asked Carson. Then he cleared his throat saying. "I am. Of course I am." Sally shot a glare towards her Father then grabbed Lightning's hand over the table saying "I can take care of you. We got this together." She assurered.
Lightning sort of smiled, but shook his head replying. "Sometimes being in it together, means being apart. Your Dad is right. Kids don't need to see me going through that. It'd be better if I waited to move in once I was out of rehab." "lightning.. NO.. I can help. I can handle this." Sally argued softly. The kids were staring silently at this point. Lightning sighed answering "I know. BUt it's my choice here, right? I don't want you to have to deal with that either.." He wiped his face with the napkin then stood up saying "I'm full.. Kind of tired. It's good seeing you Carson and thanks for taking care of Sally. I'm just gonna get a motel for the night and I'll come over tomorrow Sal. Talk about this.. Stuf and see you three kiddos." He smiled at his kids.
Colton opped down and wlaked over to his Dad asking "You promise you are coming back here?" Lightning nodded saying "Promise." Colton and Lightning hugged, then the twins got down and hugged their Dad. Sally stood up saying "I'll walk you out and you can just take my car.. You kids stay with Grandpa."
Sally walked Lightning outside. It was dark and quiet out as they walked over to Sally's car. "You sure I can take your's?" Lightning asked. Sally nodded saying "You're coming back tomorrow. We'll be fine.. Are you okay? My Dad didn't scare you, did he?" She asked. Lightning shook his head, but that was a little bit of a lie. It did scare Lightning some. Thinking about going through all that. Carson was right though, the kids shouldn't see Lightning going through that here and Sally didn't need that sort of stress to deal with him.
"I'll be okay. Maybe everything can be normal again.." He said and faked a smile. Sally sighed and hugged her husbnad. "I'm with you through every step. SOon as you are done with rheab, we can start therapy." "Same doctor as last time?" Lightning asked. Sally shurgged answering "I doubt it. He's probably all booked up by now. I'll find a good one though. One that will understand your rehab and us maybe.." "Yeah.. Maybe.." Mumbled Lightinng. He kissed her cheek and said, "I'll see you tomorrow Sally." Sally crossed her arms calling "Night.."
Oh how she wished she kissed him before handing him her keys and watching him go. Even though it was just one night, she would miss him so...
Lightning sat in the motel room. Tapping his foot up and down as he sat on the end of the bed. Thinking, overthinking. Rehab would be tough. It was a tough choice, but Carson was right. The kids didn't need to see all that. Tapping hit foot fast. Up and down. he stared down at leg loeg and stopped. thinking. He wasn't even lowering the dose of his meds for more than a few days and he already craved that edge off. That high he had before. That was a bad idea though and he wouldn't go out buying anything to take in replace or to fill that feeling.
Tapping his foot fats, up and down, up and down. He stopped and stood up. Pacing. He was already anxious. Badly. Scared. was this the drugs? Was he someone else and maybe personality change would really be himself returning to.. Himself? Did that even make sense? Probably not. Lightning stopped, thinking. Standing there and thinking. He didn't need to go out and buy more drugs to calm this feeling. Just.. Take more of what he already had. He grabbed his bag and opened up the through them. E. etc. The right amount would give him a lifted spirit if you will. And that wouldn't really hurt him? RIght?...
Ligthtning grabbed a cup of offee. Drinking it then pouriong the alcohal into the mug. Was it hot? It was so hot. His face was red. HIs geart beating. The room spinning. Badum, badum, badum. Way to hot. Skin inflamed! Lightning stumbled to the bathroom. He looked in the mirror. His reflection laughed at him. Why was he laughing at himself? Wow.. His face was red. As red as the race car he use to drive. Badum, badum. Lightning looked at the ub, the shower. He stumbled towards it, falling to his knees onto the bathroom floor hard, Thud, THUD, THUD!
Repeating. The sounds of water running. Water running? "Lightning?" Was that Sally's voice? Lightning turned sharp and nothing. No one was there. It was so hot in here. Why was he hearing things now? The shower was running. He needed to feel that cold water. He stmbled up and into the souwer. Standin under the water and feeling it hit his body. Clothes were on. Was he dreaming? Wit.. HE got high and was at Cruz's. Right? No. Crap. He stood there. The water feeling numb as if it wasn't even on.
Black.
Lightning opened his eyes.. He was soaking wet and on the bed. When did he get into bed? And he was wet? What the heck happened? The fan.. He could hear it so loudly. Water.. He needed water.. Now. He felt so hot! Was he sweating?
Black.
Down the halls.. He stopped and heard a woman's voice, "Are you okay?.." Her voice echoing. "Are you okay? Are you okay? HElo? HEllo?" Her voice weird and echo ish. Lightning held onto the wall and suddenly vomitted all over the hall floor. "Wowwowowowowow... Let me call help. help.." Her voice. A stranger, a no body. The hallway was spinning. Was this all over that dam drug? Stop spinning. Lightning grabbed his head. So hot.. Water.. He needed water..
Black.
He sat in the pool, under water. Sitting on the bottom. Feeling the water ariound him and blowing bubbles from his mouth as he exhaled. So peaceful. Perfectly quiet. SO quiet. Just the sound of being underwater. His hair moving gently with the water and wave of it. SUddenly a splash above and Sally swam by him. SHe was beautiful as she swam over to him. Her hair long and flowing. SHe seemed younger. Was he younger? She was wearing an odd ornage one piece with big yellow floweres all over it.
She swam up to him and grabbed his face, kissing him underneathe the water, Kissing him so passionately as if they could breathe underwater. The kiss was amazing, their bodies feeling weightless in the bottom of the pool. Lightning grabbed her face as they continued to kiss passionatly! Hungry for each other's love! Feeling no regret, no painh, no affairs.. So perfect and together.. Like things should be.