A/N: Hey guys! Thanks for the reviews and all the readers! I really do appreciate it! Sorry for the slow updates, but I've just been busy as always. But I've made an official outline for this story, s hopefully I'll be able to write faster and have chapters up quicker! Thanks to all of you for sticking around! Anyway, on with the story! Again, thanks for reading!
Chapter 5: Some Music
Once Doc and Harley arrived back in town they notices that it was darker than usual. Smiling, Doc looked over at Harley who just looked confused.
"Where is everyone?" she asked and Doc shrugged.
"Not sure. Maybe everyone went off to bed early." he said then didn't try at all to hide the V8 Café from her view.
"What's… what's that?" she asked. Squinting her eyes, she looked over and saw an outline of a banner.
"I don't know. How about we go and find out?" Doc suggested and they both began driving over. Once they got close, the whole café suddenly burst to life. The whole town was there and they all exclaimed happily and excitedly.
"Happy Birthday, Harley!" Her eyes widened and she looked around then up to Doc.
"Birthday?" She asked in confusion. Doc was suddenly worried that they all might have gotten the date wrong.
"Um, yes. Your birthday is today, is it not?" There was a moment as Harley thought about it. Meanwhile Doc was unconsciously holding his breath.
"My birthday isn't until June 28th!" She answered and Doc exhaled and chuckled breathlessly.
"Har, it is the 28th." He said and again Harley thought.
"It is?" Her eyes suddenly widened and her expression became bright. "It is! It's me birthday!" She jumped up in excitement and everyone laughed in joy with her.
"Hit it, girls!" Flo shouted. From around the corners of the café appeared four pink cars with huge tail fins.
"Happy birthday to you!" They began to sing their own version of the Happy Birthday song into their microphones and soon, the whole town joined in. Doc sang softly beside Harley and she looked around at everyone with a big smile. Her eyes began to shine and get watery with tears.
"This is… this is awesome…" She said almost whispery. The song ended and she slowly drove up into the middle of the parking lot.
"Happy birthday, sugar!" Flo said as she met her half way.
"It's awesome! I've never had this big of a party before!" She said as she spun around to see everyone. "Thank you, everyone!" She shouted around and Doc drove up beside her. She looked up at him. "This is great... It really is." Doc looked around at all the work the town put in. The banner and signs were painted with great care and bright blue and purple paint. Streamers were strung around the gas stations and balloons were scattered around in groups of three. She looked at the singers than to Flo. "Who are they?"
"Oh, well they're my old Motarama girl!" Flo turned slightly and waved a tire at them. "They still travel around, so once they heard you're birthday was today, they gladly spun around and made it!" she laughed loudly and the others did as well. "Thank again, girls!"
"Anything for you, Flo!" one of them called out. Luigi and Guido sped over to Harley, who were now slightly smaller than her.
"We prepared foods from recipes from Italy!" Luigi proudly said.
"Provare alcuni, si deve cercare un po '!" Guido excitedly exclaimed.
"Yes, you must try some!" Luigi translated they both wore big grin.
"Okay!" Harley said and the three sped away to the food bar. Doc and Flo laughed and watched Guido and Luigi serve up several plates for her.
"She seems excited!" Flo said and Doc chuckled in agreement.
"She sure does." Doc said. Everything seemed great. Cars were talking to one another, the Motorama girls were singing with music playing in the background; everyone was having a good time.
"Well, I'm gonna go get the main course!" Flo said and was about to speed off.
"And what's that?" Doc asked and she laughed with a grin.
"Why, cake of course!" she said with a wink and drove off. Doc remained where he was and looked around. He then took a deep satisfied breath and drove over to Harley who was taking small bites of everything.
"Questo è il migliore, lo prometto!" Guido said as he pushed a small plate towards Harley.
"Guido, she can't eat everything." Luigi said and pushed the plate back.
"Ma è il migliore." Luigi sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Is it really the best dish?" Guido jumped back at the accusation.
"Cosa intendi? Ovviamente è!" this started a bilingual feud between the two that distracted them enough for Doc to pull Harley away.
"How're you like it?" He asked and she gave a slightly less excited smile than before.
"Well, it's all pretty cool! But I don't think I can eat anymore." she said and looked at all the half eaten food. "I mean it's good! It's just… a lot." Doc looked over at the two Italians that were still quarrelling amongst themselves.
"They have very different views sometimes." He said then turned back to Harley and began to drive off. "I'm sure you had some pretty good parties back at home, right?" He asked and Harley followed behind him. She glanced down at the pavement then around at everything else. Everything but Doc.
"Well… not really. Not after Jeremy moved in..." Doc stayed silent. This was the first time she had said his name around him. "He... uh…" She bit the inside of her cheek and sighed. She then looked up at him and smiled softly. "This is the best birthday ever." She quietly said. Doc gave a defeated sigh.
"I'm glad it is." He said with a small smile, knowing he wouldn't be able to pry anything out of her.
"Alright everyone! Gather 'round!" Flo shouted and the music faded out. "Mater! Roll it out!" Mater came out of the café towing a cart that was carrying a big tray with a beautiful cake in the middle of it. It was iced with white cream cheese frosting. It was decorating in blue and purple frosting delicately piped on.
"I think dat this is da pertiest think I ever towed!" Mater exclaimed with a huge smile.
"Why, thank you Mater!" Flo was flattered then turned to the still arguing Italians. "But I did have help from those two!" Guido and Luigi then stopped as everyone turned to them. They turned to the crowd and smiled as if their previous feud never happened. They proudly bowed together.
"It was an honor!"
"Si, un onore!" They came over and Guido took a lighter from the side of the cart and lit the six candles that were scattered on the cake. "Esprimi un desiderio!"
"Yes, make a wish, Harley!" Luigi translated and drove up beside her. Harley stared blankly at the cake. She had been once she spotted it. "Harley? A wish, no?" Luigi again urged her and she shook her hood.
"I… I can't..." Everyone looked at her silently and Doc nudged her softly.
"And why not?" More silence. The sky was now filled with stars and she looked up and stared at them for a moment. She then closed her eyes and looked back down, opening them after she took a deep breath.
"I can't because… because there isn't anything better to wish for than this." Everyone smiled, 'awed.' and laughed. All except Doc and Flo. Doc noticed that there was something she wasn't saying and he looked over to Flo. She gave a slight nod once she made eye contact with him. She knew it as well. She shook it off and put on her classic smile.
"Alright, enough chit-chat! Haley, let's blow out some candles and have some cake!" She came over and Harley had a bright smile.
"Sounds like a plan!" She said and took a deep breath. She then exhaled and blew them out which was followed by cheers from the rest of the town.
"Fantastico!" Guido shouted and began to cut the cake. He quickly served everyone and they all enjoyed the rest of the party. The music came back on and some cars began dancing. Harley was laughing and looking around, and then Ramone drove up beside her.
"Ey, Harley, you look too still." Harley looked at him confused.
"What?" She asked and he laughed.
"Come out and dance! Come on, it'll be fun!" Ramone said and began driving off gesturing with a tire to follow. "Vamos." He said and she smiled slightly then followed him onto the dance floor. Doc then went over to Flo and they both watched the two.
"She's warming up to him." Doc said and Flo nodded.
"Mhm. She sure is." They watched them for a moment longer, but they both had a question burning in their motors. Doc finally asked it.
"What isn't she telling us…?" The air became thick and heavy and Flo sighed know that she didn't have an answer.
"I have no idea…" She replied and Doc shook his hood.
"We need to find out. Not only for her sake but for the sake of the court." More silence then Doc glanced over at Flo. "She's not too open with me. I have a feeling I know why, but regardless, she won't say much to me…" he paused for a beat and looked at her with a serious stare. "But you're a different story." She glanced down at the pavement then looked over at Doc.
"Yeah, seems so." Another beat and she lowered her chassis. "I'll talk to her; see what I can get from her." She then began to drive off to her husband and Doc stayed where he was. He had faith that she would handle it; the problem was the fact that he couldn't. He drove over to Sheriff who was talking with Sarge.
"Evening, Doc." Sarge said and Doc nodded in response.
"Hey, Doc, how's it going?" Sheriff asked and could tell that Doc was still keeping a close eye on Harley.
"I'm fine." He said and saw that Harley was laughing and smiling while she danced with Ramone.
"Doc, I sent the letter." Sheriff said and pulled Doc's attention away from the dance floor. "I saw the change you made to it." Still Doc stared him down. "… I kept it. And I sent it." Doc's features softened and Sheriff gave a nod. Doc then looked back and saw that Flo and Harley were now talking. Harley was still smiling then her and Flo began to drive off. Doc kept watching from across the café
Flo went over to Ramone and Harley with a big smile. She laughed at the low rider who was showing off his best dance moves.
"Whoo, there goes my husband!" Flo shouted and he laughed with her. "What do you think, Harley?" Flo asked and Harley giggled.
"I think he's gonna hurt himself." Ramone's right side was high and his left side was low and he spun around her and lowered himself to where both his sides were equal to the ground.
"Nah, I'm smooth as a new road!" He joked and Flo laughed.
"Alright, Mr. Smooth. Mind if I take Miss Harley off yo tires?" Ramone slowed and parked beside Harley.
"Well, I guess I'll share the little birthday girl." He said as he nudged her with a tire.
"Thanks." Flo chuckled and gestured for Harley to follow her as she turned around. Harley happily drove forwards and Ramone drove off the dance floor. Harley followed Flo over by the punch bowl and the mint green car served her a small glass.
"How's everything going, Miss Harley?" Flo asked and Harley giggled.
"Why are you calling me 'Miss?' It sounds funny!" Flo laughed then served herself a glass of punch.
"It's just polite. Now, how's the party?" Flo asked sweetly and Harley smiled up at her brightly.
"It's great, and your husband is pretty funny too!" She said and took a sip as she looked over at the blue and purple Impala.
"He's certainly is a character, Flo can tell you that straight up!" Harley again giggled at her third person speech she did from time to time. "But really, Harley, what was your birthday's like back home?" Harley's bright expression quickly faded. Her natural silvery-gray paint seemed to dull even. As if a spotlight that was on her vanished. Her green eyes found their way to the tires marks that had long stained the pavement.
"Um… different." She quietly said.
"What was that, sweetheart?" Flo carefully asked.
"Um…" Harley cleared her throat and glanced up. "They were different…" She paused and her eyes darted around, avoiding eye contact with Flo. "Mama used to make a little cake and sing to me…" She had the slightest smile as she remembered her mother. But it soon faded as her chassis lowered on her tires. "Jeremy… He, uh, he said that he was too busy… and that birthday parties were a… a waste of time…" Flo's expression saddened as she listened to her.
"My only wish would be that… that Jeremy… that he…" She took a deep breath and looked straight down at her hood. "That he would… would have never met my mom…" There was much silence as Flo looked over at the small car next to her that was now shivering slightly.
"Hey, it's okay." She said and softly nudged her fender. "Let's not think about that no more. Come on, it's a party!" Flo said and Harley looked up at her with a little more hope. Her brightness somewhat coming back to her. "How about a present?" Harley lifted herself up.
"A present?" She smiled and Flo began to drive off. Harley slowly followed her and they met up with Doc. "Doc, we got that present for Harley in the back." She then looked over at Harley. "You stay here and I'll be back." She then drove off and Harley smiled up at Doc then drove up beside him. Doc smiled warmly, but didn't say anything. He knew she was a hard case to crack and that she wasn't going to say much. It would take time and he was willing to wait. Flo came back pushing a box neatly wrapped in a ribbon tied into a bow and was followed by the rest of the townsfolk.
"Alright! We have a gift here from all of Radiator Springs!" Flo announced and again the music died down. "Mkay, here you go, Harley. Hope you like it." Everyone gathered around her and she looked at them with a happy smile.
"Thank you guys…" She said in a hushed voice and untied the ribbon by pulling at it with her tire. The box fell open and revealed a little radio. She gasped at it and pulled it close to her. It was good as new with a bright blue paint job with vivid purple pinstripes. The back had a bumper sticker that read "Taillights for High Sights! RS!" and the bottom had tiny wheels installed. "It's beautiful." Harley said and started to turn it on.
"If it needs anymore fixing, I can do it later." Doc said as he peered around her and at the radio.
"I think I got it." Harley said as she spun a dial around. There was static then a song could be heard though it. While she tried to find the right frequency, Doc began to explain you did what to contribute with the gift.
"Har, Ramone did the paint job and fixed-"
"Yeah! I fixed up every last dent, even the tiny ones. And put a classic purple pin stripe design to make it look oh so nice!" Ramone butted in then Guido and Luigi pushed through.
"And Luigi and Guido put little tires on it to make it easier to move around!" Luigi said and Guido nodded.
"Lizzie let me pick out a bumper sticker and we put it on da back there!" Mater said and Lizzie looked slightly confuse.
"Do what?" Lizzie asked and Doc shook his hood but chuckled and had a slight smile on his face.
"You guys are awesome. Thank you, everyone!" Harley said and yawned.
"Well, it's getting pretty late-" Doc again was cut off but a burst of music from the little radio.
"Oklahoma City looks so, so pretty! You'll see Amarillo! Gallop, New Mexico!" Everyone cheered and Harley looked up excitedly at Doc.
"I got it!" She shouted and she jumped up. "One more dance! Please!" She beggared and Doc chuckled.
"Alright, alright. You go have one more dance, then it's off to bed." She nodded and started to drive off she then braked and backed up.
"Come on! Come dance, Doc!" She said with hopeful eyes. Everyone's gazes fell onto Doc and he looked around slightly nervously.
"Uh." He cleared his throat. "Sorry, Har, I don't dance." Everyone continued to look expectantly at him and they glanced between him and Harley.
"Doc, everyone dances!" He still didn't budge and Harley's expression turned into a slight frown. "Please, Doc… one dance?" Her voice grew more sincere and the music continued on. Doc sighed and looked at the pavement then looked back up at Harley with the classic small smile of his.
"Alright. One dance." Harley jumped up happily and the others cheered. Harley sped out to the dance floor and Doc slowly followed. Ramone laughed at the old Hudson Hornet and the young Cadillac and turned up the music. One song ended, another one started and one dance turned into two then three. Dance after dance, song after song. Doc looked fondly at Harley and she beamed a bright smile as the party continued on.
