Hey everyone! I'm back with another story on Lynda and Strip. I know I have a couple of other stories on them that I still need to work on and I'll try to get to them as soon as I can, but I can't make any promises. I also decided to write this story inspired by some writing collabs I've been doing with another Cars fan. But I hope you like it. I also decided to start with Thanksgiving since it is almost here for us, then I'll take breaks in between just so I can have some time before Christmas to finish the story.

"You sure you have to leave now? It can't wait?"

"Lyn, I'm sorry. I didn't know I would be expected to go to Florida so early. Tex just told me this a few days ago. I tried asking him many times if we could wait until after the holidays, but he said no and I had no choice but to say yes. I promise, I'll be home as soon as I can."

Lynda didn't look convinced. She knew Strip meant well with it. He wasn't trying to avoid family time with her, but somehow she felt that he would be stuck there for sometime. With Thanksgiving nearly coming close, Lynda knew he wouldn't be home in time. She tried to be as patient as possible and keep her temper mild. After all, this is what every racer's wife had signed up for. They had agreed to sacrifice everything for their husbands, work non stop to take care of them during late night hours, rush to cook them homemade meals, care for the home, and care for the family and kids. That was different for Lynda and Strip though. Lynda always wanted to be a mother. She wanted kids more than anything and she wanted to be a good mother to her kids and love them with all her heart, but because of Strip's demanding career and being in constant demand all the time to take care of him, it was just too hard to balance caring for kids and caring for Strip, let alone giving the kids constant attention while traveling 8 to 9 months on the road. So, it was just her and Strip in the end, along with their nephew Cal, who they saw every year during the holidays.

Strip approached his wife and let a gentle and loving kiss fall from his lips onto hers. "I'll be home before you know it. I won't let this go further into the holiday break. I promise."

Lynda let a small, loving smile fall onto her front and kissed her husband's lips in return. "Alright. Be safe though, please."

"I will Lyn, I will."

Just then, the horn of Strip's trailer driver sounded. "Hey Weathers, let's go! Tex and the crew are waiting for us. We have to head to Florida! The sooner we get down there and finish our preparations for the next season, the sooner we can all leave for the holidays."

"Alright Gray. I'm coming!" Strip called. He quickly glanced at Lyn and softly sighed. "I got to go, I'll see you in a few weeks."

"Alright. Be safe. I love you."

"Love you too." And Strip left Lynda sitting near the pits all alone, as he headed for his waiting trailer. Lynda watched as her husband backed into his trailer and the door to the trailer shut. A few other trailers were following behind Strip's trailer as they began to exit the Phoenix Raceway. Other crews remained behind to finish cleaning up. They were waiting until January to get ready for the next racing season, while other teams wanted to get an early start. Lynda watched the crew members before heading toward her own trailer. That one would be taking her home back to North Carolina where she would be preparing Thanksgiving dinner for a few family members and friends. While she wouldn't be alone completely, Lynda still wished she had Strip by her side.

Lynda had fallen asleep, and it seemed all too soon she was waking up. Her trailer had finally arrived in North Carolina and was backing into the driveway of the house where she and Strip had lived. They had first bought the house when they were engaged after 6 months and Strip had surprised her with it. Now it was a permanent home, one where they had made many family memories and hoped more would only follow. Lynda backed out of her trailer and headed inside. She glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall and sighed.

"I guess tonight isn't a good night to start. I'm already exhausted from traveling." Lynda softly yawned and headed toward her bedroom. She laid on her bed and began to settle in for the night, when her cell phone rang. Immediately, she answered it.

"Hello?"

"Hey Lyn. It's me. I just wanted to check and make sure you were home alright."

"Yeah. I'm alright. I just got home. It seemed too quick though. I guess this is what happens when you fall asleep for a long time."

"This is true. Are you going to start cooking for Thanksgiving dinner?"

"No. Not tonight. I'm really tired from all the traveling I did all year. I'll have to wake up early tomorrow morning to get a head start. It won't be too much to cook so that's a good thing. My aunt is bringing a small dish for dinner so that'll help me a little and a few friends will come early to help me set the table before everyone else comes."

"That's good." Strip said, his voice suddenly dropped and Lynda perked up.

"Strip? Are you still there?"

No one answered on the other side of the phone line. Concerned, Lynda quickly hung up the phone and dialed her husband's cell again. He answered after the third ring.

"Lyn! I thought something happened to you."

"I'm sorry. I tried talking to you but you didn't answer me. So I hung up and called again."

"I'm sorry dear. I just blanked out for a bit. I just feel bad that I won't be there to celebrate Thanksgiving with you and our family and friends."

"I know, but let's just hope you'll be home for Christmas. That's all we can focus on now."

"Yeah. You're right. I'm sorry, but I'd better go. I'm starting preparations early tomorrow morning. I'll let you get some rest. We both have a busy day ahead of us."

"You're right. I'll try and talk to you tomorrow. I love you."

I love you too. Goodnight Lyn."

"Night."

Strip hung up the call and Lynda laid down on her bed. She felt much better after talking to Strip. It always made her feel less lonely while he was constantly traveling on the road. It made her feel closer to him even though he wasn't beside her. Softly yawning, Lynda closed her eyes and fell asleep.

So here is the first chapter. Let me know what you think of it so far. I'm happy with how the first chapter turned out and I can't wait to continue writing it.