Chapter 23. - The Aftermath -

Around ten in the morning: Sally woke up, for the first couple of seconds she felt fine, then it hit her. Sally stumbled out of bed and ran to the bathroom. After throwing up, she turned on the shower to let it get warm. Sally then dug around in her bag for some aspirin or anything that would help get rid of her splitting hood ache. She finally found the bottle and quickly swallowed two pills before jumping into the shower. Sally didn't feel any better after her shower and laid down on the bed. Hunter came in to check on her.

"I feel sick!" Sally said "I don't think it's from the hangover. I took some Advil, but it hasn't helped."

"I don't know what's wrong then." Hunter said "Sly was taking a shower when I left. I'll call him and see if he can check you out."

At the same time, Lightning woke up. Unlike Sally, he didn't have a hangover. Lightning's broken axle wasn't painful, but it was so stiff that he had problems driving around. His bladder complained about being full.

"WOW! I got to pee bad." Lightning said to himself "I don't know if I'll make it! I shouldn't have drank all that water last night."

Slowly Lightning drove to the bathroom. He got to the toilet before he couldn't hold it any longer and peed on himself. Since Lightning was alone, he didn't mind. He turned on the shower and jumped in, shuddering as the cold water hit his manhood.

"That's what you get for not doing your job." Lightning scolded his manhood "If you don't behave, no more time in Sally's pussy… and we both know we like that."

After his shower, it was still early so Lightning stretched out on the bed and watched TV.

It was only a few minutes before Sly and Tawni arrived at Sally's suite. They saw Sally lying in bed.

"You can't get sick o'sister of mine." Sly said "Your wedding is tomorrow."

"I know." Sally said hoarsely "I'm hoping I'm just hung over."

"You're very dehydrated." Sly said as he examined her "Hunter, could you please go back to our suite and get a saline bag, one that has vitamins infused in it. Sally, how much did you drink last night?"

"A lot." Hunter said "I'm surprised that she can remember anything."

Hunter headed back to their room.

"I can remember most of the evening." Sally mumbled "Everything is kinda blurry after the stripper's performance."

Sally started having dry heaves. Tawni acted quickly and put a bucket under her chin.

"What's wrong with me?" Sally asked "It's more than just a hangover."

"I think you're feeling the effects of being dehydrated and it's going to make you feel worse. That's why Tawni and I planned the Bachelor/Bachelorette parties for last night and not for tonight. Knowing that you, Lightning, and most of the wedding party would be badly hung over this morning." Sly said "You have most of the day to recover."

"I'm not that hung over." Sally started to argue "I can't stay in bed…"

"Don't argue!" Sly said sternly "Who's the doctor here?"

Hunter rolled back into the room with the fluid and Sly's medical bag.

"Hunter!" Sally said playfully "She's a doctor."

"I'm not that kind of doctor." Hunter said "I have a PhD, not a MD. As Sly puts it, I'm the brainy kind of doctor."

"I see that you're a pain in the rear fender when you want to be." Sly said with a grin "I'm going to start an I.V. The fluids will help with the nausea and the vitamins will help with the hangover."

Sly examined Sally's right front axle for a good location to start the I.V. Hunter took a piece of string and looped it over the canopy. She then tied the I.V. bag to it.

"She's got better locations on her left side." Doc said making everyone jump "I was coming to tell you that Sophie and I are going to do some sightseeing. We won't be back until tonight."

"Ok Doc." Sally said, then jumped as Sly poked her with a needle "Ouch! Sly! What are you doing?"

"Getting the I.V. started. You need to lay quiet, or you're going to get sick again." Sly said "You should start to feel better in about an hour."

"I can't, I told you… I have things to do today." Sally complained "I don't have time to lay here."

"Sally, listen to your brother." Doc demanded "Or I'll take over your care."

He leaned a little to the left and made some popping noises (AN: like someone popping their finger joints in agitation.)

"Sally, I'm sure the girls and I will do whatever needs to be done." Tawni said "The wedding coordinator is doing most of the work, so there shouldn't be that much for you to do."

"The list is on the table." Sally said "Could someone hand me the remote? I'll watch TV if I'm stuck in bed."

"I need to go rescue my parents from Charlie and his endless pile of energy." Sly said "Hunter, could you stay with Sally until I come back?"

"Sure, my love." Hunter said "I'm sure you need a crowbar to get Charlie away from your mother."

Doc stopped Sly in the hall and gave him a piece of paper with his phone number on it.

"Call me if anything changes." Doc said "Or you need my backup. Sally can be a handful when she wants to be."

"Thanks Doc." Sly said "I can handle Sally."

Doc returned to Sally's room.

"I'm just checking on you one last time." Doc said "How are you feeling?"

"I'm a little dizzy." Sally said "You and Sophia go have fun. Sly will keep an eye on me. He'll sit on me if he has to."

"Ok, Kido, Sly has my number if he needs it." Doc said "I'll see you at the rehearsal tonight."

"Bye Doc." Sally choked out "Bye Sophia."

The couple left Sally's suite. Tawni got the list off the table and parked in a chair across from Sally's bed.

"Sally, there's like ten items on this list!" Tawni said "And none of them are complicated other than the rehearsal tonight."

"I know… I'm just stressing out!" Sally said "Tawni, could you go and get Lightning's lazy rear fender out of bed."

"That's not necessary." Lightning said as he saw the I.V. bag hanging from the canopy "What's going on?"

Charlie shot by Lightning squealing with glee.

"Your wife-to-be had a little too much to drink last night." Sly said following Charlie in at a dignified pace "She has a severe hangover."

"I guess this means that I win the bet." Lightning laughed "Now I need to think of something for us to do."

"It's not funny Stickers." Sally said throwing a pillow at him "I'm surprised you're not hung over."

Lightning crawled in bed with Sally.

"I didn't drink that much last night." Lightning commented "You're hot."

"That's because she's dehydrated." Sly said "The I.V. will help."

Charlie climbed up on Sly's hood and stared directly at Sally and Lightning.

"Daddy!" he squeaked "Daddy!"

Charlie pointed at Sally and babbled.

"No, that's Aunt Sally and Uncle Lightning." Sly said "Daddy's working, go play."

Hunter dumped a bag of toys on the floor. Charlie squealed happily and drove nose first into the pile.

"I've been called many things." Lightning said "That's the first time I've been called Uncle."

"Well, get used to it, you're going to be one after tomorrow."

"Well, technically I'm already one." Lightning said "Ever since Brody has been fathering kids."

"I didn't know Charlie could talk." Sally said "It makes him even more adorable."

"He can say a few words when he feels like it." Sly said "Charlie is comfortable around you if he is starting to talk. Some days he doesn't say a word and there are other days where you can't get him to shut up."

The I.V. bag was half empty and Sly looked at it.

"It'll take another half an hour for the I.V. to be complete. Just stay in bed until then." Sly said "Are you starting to feel better?"

"A little, my stomach is starting to settle down." Sally said "My hood-ache is going away too."

Charlie started making little whimpering sounds.

"Charlie is getting hungry. I'm going to get us breakfast. Do you feel that you can keep something down?" Sly asked "Can I bring you and Lightning something back?"

"Maybe some coffee. I don't know if I'm ready to eat anything." Sally said "Light do you want something?"

"Sure." Lightning said "I'm hungry, but I'm always hungry."

Sly left to get the food. Much to Hunter's surprise, Charlie grabbed a few of his toys and crawled on the bed between Sally and Lightning. He happily played with them. Soon: Sly returned.

"Sweetheart look!" Hunter quietly said and pointed to the bed "I think Charlie likes them."

Sly saw his son playing with his aunt and soon to be uncle.

"Well they do make a cute couple." Sly said "Mom and Dad are happy that Sally has finally found someone that will treat her right."

"DADDY!" Charlie cried when he saw Sly "DADDY! PLAY! ME!"

"No, not right now." Sly said "I brought us breakfast. Are you hungry?"

Charlie dropped his toys and got off the bed as quickly as his little tires could carry him. Charlie drove to the table and Sly put him in his 'highchair'. Hunter sat his food and a sippy cup of milk in front of him. Charlie ate his food making little 'yum, yum' sounds.

"The way Charlie is inhaling his food." Sally said "It makes you think that he's related to you instead of me."

"That's really funny." Lightning said as he got off the bed "So funny that I forgot to laugh."

"I think he is getting ready for a growth spurt." Sly said "That's what happened the last time he was a bottomless pit."

Lightning went over and retrieved Sally's breakfast, which was toast and orange juice. He served it to her and then joined his soon to be in-laws at the table. They were almost done eating with when Sly saw the I.V. bag was empty.

"You're done." Sly said "I'll unhook you when we get done with breakfast."

Twenty minutes later:

"How are you feeling?" Sly said as he unhooked Sally from the I.V. "You should be good for the rest of the day."

"A little better." Sally said as she hugged him "What would I do without you?"

"Be a spoiled rotten brat." Sly said playfully "Oh, wait you are one, I guess you'll be a bigger one."

Lightning laughed and Sally tossed another pillow at him. Hunter cleaned Charlie up and he headed back to his pile of toys. There was a knock at the door.

"It's open." Sally called "Come on in!"

Lance and Lilly rolled through the door. Charlie squealed happily and drove over to his grandparents

"Hi Sweetie!" Lilly said "Ewww, Charlie, you're wet."

"He must have just done it." Hunter said "He was dry when I checked him a few moments ago."

Lilly took Charlie to the bedroom to change his diaper.

"It's good you're both here." Lance said "Have you seen the news this morning?"

"No Dad, we haven't." Sally said "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. The park across the street is packed with cars." Lance said "It's crazy out there. I hope you didn't have anything planned for today."

Lightning's cell phone started ringing

"Great that's the last person I want to talk to." Lightning said as he answered "What do you want Harv? I don't have time to talk to you right now."

"Hey Champ!" cried Harv "I have been bombarded with requests for interviews. You're the hottest thing on the planet. I can book you and what's her name... Danelle on a media circuit and you can promote your wedding."

"Tell the reporters I'll do some interviews after I return from my honeymoon." Lightning said "I'm not doing any interviews today."

"But you're making five million from the wedding merchandise alone!" Harv exclaimed "If you do the interviews, sales will shoot through the roof!"

"Harv, what are you talking about?" Lightning said "And what merchandise?"

"I had special merchandise made for the occasion!" Harv said "With a huge mark up!"

"YOU DID WHAT!" Lightning demanded "I didn't give you permission!"

"Well, you signed a contract." Harv exclaimed "So basically you did!"

"You know what Harv." Lightning said angrily "My contract is up at the end of the year; don't plan on me renewing it. *Lightning hung up, without giving Harv a chance to say another word.* Fucking asshole."

His phone started ringing again; it was Harv trying to call him back. Lightning angrily threw his phone against the wall, shattering it. Lilly hugged Lightning

"It's okay Lightning." She said in a motherly tone "I know how you feel and it's perfectly normal. Just let it go."

"Harv's an agent." Lance said "He's supposed to do stupid stuff like that."

"I know." Lightning said "But this is our wedding. We have tried to keep it 'normal', but somehow it's blown up into a media circus."

"I know Son." Lance said, rubbing Lightning's side "But this is L.A., media circuses are what we do best."

Sally's cell phone started ringing.

"If that's Harv, don't answer it." Lightning demanded as Sally showed him the number "Yep that's him. I would recognize that number anywhere."

Sally let it go to voice mail. Twenty seconds later: Her phone began ringing again, it was Harv. Sally shut off her phone.

"The hotel has a wonderful day spa." Lilly said "Why don't you and Sally spend the day there? You're both stressed out and need some down time."

As a mother, she saw the tension and strain pouring out of Lightning as he stood there fuming. She could also see the tension in her daughter.

"You know Mom, That's a very good idea." Sally said "It looks like we can't go anywhere today without being bombarded. Afterwards, we can relax out by the pool and have frozen cocktails."

"That sounds good." Lightning said "Thanks guys."

"No problem." Lance said "We'll see you at the rehearsal."

Side by side, Sally and Lightning headed to the spa.

"Now I understand where you get your cool hood." Lightning said "If that was my parents… aka my mother. She would go "momma bear' on Harv."

"Bella doesn't freak out over everything, she's just excitable." Sally said "You weren't kidding when you said you're just like her."

Lightning chuckled and kissed Sally on the fender.

COMMENTS:

Guest 2

Hahahaha! That was funny with the sudden police prank booting Sally to enjoy that kinky dance show. Very spunky with the milk guns and some kinky presents for the bride to be.- I knew you would enjoy it!

Shame with Lightning's bad axle they the lads couldn't go paint balling for the occasion. Some funny jokes and games throughout Lightning's bachelor party here.- I had a pile of them, so I've been look for a place to use them

This sort of thing obviously isn't Mater's style but he seems to of loved it.- Mater has lived his entire life in Radiator Springs, so he hasn't been exposed to this kinda lifestyle.

Sly's toast was touching. He's calling Lightning his brother already. Whether you're an Irish, Welsh, English, or Scotsman your nationality doesn't really explain your drinking ability. Lightning would have more fun drinking when his Dad's around by the sound of it.- Both Lightning and Riley are competitive by nature, so all most everything they do together turns in to a comp.

Uh-oh! Sally's lost the bet here. Lightning will be burning rubber with victory. Sly's a good doctor maintaining Lightning's health. Keep this up- Sly can see that Sally loves Lightning and Lightning loves Sally. Besides Sly's a doctor, he's taken an oath.

MontyMcQueen95? It appears we're the only ones here. IrishScottDragonGirl had more readers from her previous stories. Where they've all gone no idea but all that matters is she's got who appreciate her stories. I'd like more readers to be attracted but you can only wait- Quality over quantity, I always say. The place where I work isn't back to full staff, so I'm working a lot of extra hours and don't have a lot of time right now. In the coming months, I'm hopeful things get back to normal.

MontyMcQueen95

Finally! Bravo! Thank you! You should update more often, it's the best way to earn readers- I can't right now. Hopefully soon though.

Readers love a responsible author who's constantly updating. Keep it up!- Every other Sunday is my posting day.

If you don't update soon then I'll stop reading. I'm sorry but I kinda lost it during the long waits. I forgot everything about the story with no updates and reading other stories make me forget it and I must start reading it again to remember everytime a new chap arrives.- If you want to know what happens, read the ordinal story.

I do not own Cars or any of its characters. PIXAR AND DISNEY CLAIM THAT RIGHT. READING ENJOYMENT ONLY

Please read and review! I need criticism and encouragements! Rated M for language and sex.