Lightning and Sally pulled up to Minty's home. Agreeing they would spend the weekend down on Texas, talk to Minty, and think about it for the week before Sally's next appointment. They pulled up and got out the vette. Minty opened the door and and rushed over to the two of them. Lightning greeting, "Hey, Mom." Minty ran up to Sally and immediately hugged her tightly. Sally glanced at Lightning and sighed. "Good to see you, Minty." Sally said. Minty then looked at her son and hugged him tightly as she spoke, "I am so sorry… I wish you would have told me.." Lightning sighed and looked at Sally, "Yeah… It was just… Complicated.." Sally frowned.
Minty knew about the pregnancy and the loss, but not the fact that Sally had an affair and the baby wasn't even Lightning's. Minty then motioned for the two of them to come in. As they entered, Lightning asked, "Where's Chad?" "At the shop." Answered Minty as she closed the door. "He was a little upset that the two of you were coming. I don't know what's gotten into him, but ever sense I told him, he's been in some mood." Lightning nodded. He knew exactly why as he glanced at Sally. Sally already felt out of place here. Chad knew, and then Lightning was lying to his own Mother, just to protect her. It wasn't right.
Minty then asked, "So… You two said you wanted to speak about something serious. Get advice?.. Is everything okay?" Lightning nodded, "Yeah, everything is fine. Let's sit down." He suggested as motioned towards the living room. So they all sat down. Minty on the couch, Sally in the recliner across and Lightning stood as he began, "So… Sally and I have thought about adoption.. Wanted your take on it.. We want to know if it's something for us." Minty stared at Sally and Lightning both. Thinking about why they could possibly decide this. Then again, as far as Minty knew, the couple had been trying on and off for a few years now with them losing the one pregnancy she had recently.
To her, it was obvious the couple were either giving up, or told they couldn't at this point. Minty sighed and asked, "Have you two started the whole process yet?" Lightning shook his head. Minty thought a moment before continuing, "Well.. It's a lengthy one. Rewarding, but time consuming for a couples first time.. There is a home check, separate interviews.. They even speak to a few references you put on a list.. It can be expensive depending on the age of the child. What age are you looking for?" She asked. Lightning looked to Sally who cleared her throat before answering, "I don't know.. I guess I always thought we'd have our own.. So.. I don't know.. I'm sorry.." she frowned. Minty hurt hearing the way Sally answered that.
It was clear something happened. "Monty… I think if you two want to adopt, you can do it and it will be one of the best things you two ever do. But…" She paused and stared at Sally. Sally was broken and depressed. Minty then stood up, "Let's talk about this more later. Monty.. I need you a moment." She said as she walked to the front door and stepped outside. Lightning slowly got up and followed. He closed the door behind him and Minty snapped, "I honestly can't believe she is even with you! If your Father ever lay a single hand on me, I would have left him!" "Mom"-"No!" SMACK! Right across Lightning's face. Lightning stared at the floor of the porch. Ashamed. He deserved that.
Minty was furious. "After what you did.. You better be thankful and worshiping that woman!…" Lightning not dare look up. "You are a real piece of shit to raise your hand to a woman.. And over what!? What could she have done!?. I raised you better than that…" Lightning remained silent. Staring at the floor of the porch. Minty grabbing him by the collar of the shirt and snapping, "Answer me! What did she do!? What was so important to you to do that to your wife!?" "Nothing.. She didn't do anything.." He answered softly. Minty let go of her son.
Shaking her head. "I did not raise you to disrespect, hurt, or to treat any woman this way.. You make me sick. And if you want my real opinion on this adoption thing, it's no. Did you not see your wife?.. She wants her own. She wants to experience mother hood." "But she can't! Three times! Three times she's lost them. Sally can not mentally handle another loss.. It will break her!" "And it's your job as her husband to be there for that break if and when it does happen. Dammit, you're stupid. I understand that you're afraid.. But… Denying her the rights of her own body is not the way to do this." Minty explained. Lightning sighed and asked, "So I should just let her kill herself?… Let my child, take everything from her?.. It would be my fault.." He whimpered as his eyes filled with tears.
Lightning sat down on the bench on the porch. Hurting. Wanting Sally to do anything but want to have a baby this way. Minty sat next to her son tried comforting him, "Monty… Think about this.. You and Sally have been trying for years.. What is she asking for?" "One last chance.." "Doesn't she deserve that? After everything you two have been through?.." Minty asked with a smile. Lightning nodded and wiped his eyes. "I can't lose her, Mom.." "You haven't. She's here and wants to build a family with you. If this doesn't work out, I'll help the two of you through the adoption process. It'll be fine.. Go to the doctors, see what they think and if they give the two of you the okay, trust them and let Sally have this. and I know you will be happy as ever once that little one comes into this world, Mon.. Your entire outlook on life will change the moment you hold them." Lightning nodded. Just hurt and afraid…..
Lightning had headed to Chad's shop to see his brother and talk to him about some things. Mostly to explain the whole still with Sally situation.
Meanwhile, Sally stayed at the house with Minty. Helping her prepare some dinner by cleaning up some of the dishes. Minty watched her and asked, "How are doing?" Sally looked at Minty and smiled, "Good. Hopeful." "Lightning isn't here, sweetie.." Sally raised a brow, but slowly frowned before admitting, "Yeah.. I'm.. Im scared.. But.. I want this more than anything.. Lightning knows this. One, just one baby of my own. I want one more chance before we give up." Minty sighed, "Lightning is terrified of life without you. Assure him enough times and the fear will go away enough the two of you can make the decision together." "You know, Minty.. Quite frankly, I don't care anymore. I want this. Lightning knows I want this-have wanted this for years. He is not going to take that away from me." "And if it takes you away from him?.. Tell me, is it that bad or is he overthinking like he does."
Sally snickered answering, "He's overthinking. We have been to my doctor and she says it's fine. She let me go ahead with an exam and gave us the okay. I go back in two weeks to discuss treatments to help me get pregnant or to be put on birth control." "Monty?" "Yup.. He does not want me to have his baby anymore. This is stupid." Sally growled, "For years we waited because he wasn't ready then we try for years with no luck.. One bad pregnancy and he decides that's it? We're done?.. I might have made mistakes, but if he wants this, if he wants us, he's going to have to give me this one thing.." tears rolled down her face. Minty stared. She could see the pain and anger behind Sally's eyes. There was more to this, but she didn't know what and it was painful whatever it was, so she'd leave it be…..
Lightning walked into Chad's shop. "Chad?.." he called. "Back here!" He heard his brother in the back garage. Lightning followed the sound and found Chad working on an old coop. Lightning walked up and asked, "How are you doing?" Chad glared and snarled, "Good, sense I don't have some whore pulling me on a leash." "That's not fair." "It is, but whatever. How is she?" Chad asked. Lightning sighed, "Sally and I are doing well. We have been able to move past everything that happened, I'm officially retired and home and we are going to be starting a family soon." "I'd never start a family with someone like her. She's just gonna cheat again." "I slept with someone else too!" Lightning snapped loudly!
Chad stared at his brother. Crossing his arms and growling, "You know, you changed badly over the past couple of years. I don't like it. You became a drunk, put yourself in danger multiple times, nearly died, and put up with your wife sleeping with someone else and she got knocked up and apparently you are out here fucking other people to! It's disgusting! I don't like you." Chad growled. Lightning stared a moment before replying, "Please.. Just… I'm sorry.. I know I haven't been myself, but Sally and I… I love her. I forgive her and things are finally good again. I am better, I swear. I know she messed up, but I can move past it." "I think you're just gullible. Stupid to think Sally would actually love you." "Fine, be an ass. I don't care. But don't you dare do anything or say anything to her that would hurt her." Lightning warned.
Chad's brows lowered, "Like telling her how apparently you've slept with someone else?" Lightning frowned, "Yeah.. Look… I know you don't like her because of what she did.. But please… I love her." "That ain't love." "It is. It's because I love her that I can forgive her. Now please.. Just be nice. Please." Lightning pleaded. Chad glared at his brother. He hated Sally for what she did. And honestly, Sally was lucky that Minty had no clue about it. Chad only scoffed, "I can't promise anything." Lightning sighed. This was bad. If Chad didn't watch it, Minty would catch on and then things could really get messy….
Lightning returned to the house. Finding his mother in the kitchen fixing some plates. He walked in and asked, "Where's Sally?" "Bedroom. She needed some space. She was pretty upset after speaking with her alone." Minty answered. Lightning's brows lowered, "Why? What did you do?" "I didn't do anything. She started venting a little and she sort of just upset herself. Monty…" Minty said with a pause, "Sally needs a baby." "What? That isn't how thi"-She thinks her body is a failure!" Minty snapped.
Continuing, "and she's defected and broken and that she has failed at being a woman and a wife, Monty. This is the one thing she has wanted and she wants it with you. Now, I remember the first time she had told me about you two trying. Years ago.. The years of her body failing her over and over and over.. Monty.. This is a pain you could never understand.. When your father and I began trying and weren't getting anywhere.. It broke us… And it took a long time to heal from that.. Sally needs a baby.. Her body, her mind, her heart needs this. It's all she wants and I guarantee you, it's all she will ask for." Lightning stared at his mother.
Sally needed a baby? Minty sighed and shook her head, "Talk with your wife. Ask her how she feels about it. How she feels about the risk. Which, by the way, she told me what the doctor said. You are stupid and it seems to me, a little selfish… Go talk to her. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes." Lightning thought for a moment then looked towards the stairs. Yeah, maybe he should talk to her…
Lightning walked into the bedroom and found her sitting on the bed. He walked in and sat down beside her. "Come here.." He coaxed as he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close against him. "Talk to me.. Tell me what you want, Sally.. What you really want…" Sally sighed and quietly answered, "I want a baby.. I want to try one more time.." "And the risk?.." "I know the risk.. I could lose the baby.. If that happens, I swear I'll never ask again. I'll be done. I won't bring it up again, Lightning." Her eyes teared up as she looked up at him. Lightning sighed and kissed her forehead. "I love you, Sally.." He cooed.
She only whimpered into his chest. Lightning wrapping his arms around her. His heart hurt, his stomach turning at the thought of something happening again. Sally only pleaded, "Please.. Please be on board with me on this.. I want to do this.. I want to try one last time before giving this up.. I want this more than anything.. Please don't take this away.." She cried. Beginning to cry into his chest. Oh that cry, that plead hurt him. Hurt him good. Lightning could feel a lump in his throat as he swallowed. Tears quietly running down his face. The guilt that he already took it away from her for years.. He couldn't do that again to her. "Sally… I don't want anything to happen.. I don't want you to get hurt." He explained.
Sally sniffled replying, "I'm already hurt if I don't try one more time.. It's not fair.. It's not fair that I can't have this.." she cried. Lightning sighed. He knew what he needed to do. He knew what he should do. Knock knock. "Dinner is ready whenever you two want to come down." Minty announced from outside the bedroom door. Lightning sniffled a bit as he took a breath before replying, "Yeah.." His voice cracking a bit. Lightning cleared his throat and repeated, "Yeah… We'll be out in a minute.." "Take your time. I'll put your plates away." Minty replied before leaving. Lightning pulled Sally even closer. Holding her tightly.
Sally pleading in a whisper and cry. "Please.. Stickers.. I'm sorry I messed up.. I'm sorry I cheated.. Please.." "Ssshhh… Its alright.. Don't think you're a failure or something.. Please.. You're not, Sal.. I think you're perfect. I just.. I'm scared.." He admitted. Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes as he held her, "I'm scared something will happen.. Even if I don't lose you… If you.. If we.. Lost this one.. Its not you, it's me.. I'm sorry.. I'm not strong enough for this.. I want to be.. I want to give you all the children you could want, but.. I'm scared you will get hurt.." Sally calmed down. Hearing him be honest helped. Hearing him explain that it wasn't her, but him. "Stickers.. I love you.. I feel like I can do this though.. I can do this. I want this.." "I know…" Lightning replied with a sigh. Fuck. Could he really deny her at this point?….
Lightning woke up early in the morning. Seeing Sally asleep in his childhood bed. He smiled seeing her so peaceful. But his smile faded. He messed up keeping her from having children so many years ago.. For so long.. And now she was older.. Her body weaker.. She needed medical aid just to hold a pregnancy. It was.. Scary. He was absolutely terrified. Lightning slowly sat up. He felt hot again. "Chrysler." He growled as he grabbed his head. He felt hot and dizzy. Lightning stood up slowly and grabbed his meds. Walking to the bathroom, he grabbed onto the sink as he almost fell.
His body growing weaker and weaker by the second. His body throbbing to his heart beat. BADUM.. BADUM. .. BADUM.. Lightning quickly took the pills with some water from the sink. He already began to feel like the air was thickening, someone was sitting on his chest. He attempted to walk to the bed. The dizziness. He felt pain in his chest, in his stomach. Oh no. He was going down. "Fuck.." he muttered and dropped to his knees then slamming forward onto his hands. His heart throbbing painfully through his entire body, his head pounding in pain, the air, his vision beginning to fade. "Shit.." He whispered. "Come on.. Come on.. Stop.." He growled quietly. No! He would not accept this!
Lightning closed his eyes tightly and fought the feeling of the impending doom over him. He was stronger than this! He could fight this! Grabbing his chest as it hurt. It hurt so much! Suddenly he felt her arms around his neck, his head resting over her shoulder as she pulled him close. Lightning fell onto his hip, wrapping his arms around his wife. "It hurts.." Lightning mumbled. Sally just held him close, "I know.. I know, I'm sorry.. Did you take your medications?" "Yea.." Fuck it hurt in his chest. Sally pulled away announcing, "I'll grab the cuff." But Lightning grabbed her arm, stopping her. Sally looked at him with confusion.
Lightning breathing shallow like, he looked at her and assured, "I can deal with this.. I got it.. Just give me a second…" Sally stared. Watching him seem like he was struggling to breathe. Lightning felt so hot though. The dizziness making him nauseas. "Lightning.." "Give me a second! I can do this!" He shouted! Sally sat there in front of him. Watching him try to control his breathing. Watching him close his eyes and try to focus. Trying not to be so dizzy. "Stickers.." Sally cooed. Lightning stared at her. HIs eyes looked desperate. Sally frowned and caressed the side of his face with her palm. Lightning nodded, "I'm okay.. Just hot…" He admitted then laid on the floor as it was cold.
It felt really good on the cold floor. Lightning lay on his back, his chest heavy, his vision faint in and out with the beat of his heart. Sally sitting next to him. Trying to sit as he asked, but prepared to call for help at any second. Lightning closed his eyes and barely muttered, "I'm tired... I'm just.. Gonna rest for a moment.. I'm sorry.." Feeling himself fade further. He was going to sleep. Yeah, sleep.. Sleep sounded really good.….
Sally walked downstairs early the following morning. Grabbing some water before heading towards the stairs where she stopped seeing Chad about mid way down. Glaring at her. Sally sighed and looked down as he walked by her. As she started up the stairs, Chad turned and asked, "How could you?" Sally froze. Chad shaking his head and continuing, "How could you do that to Monty? I know better than anyone that sometimes he's an ass and a lot to handle, but.. What you did… When you did it.. What kind of person does that?"
Sally looked at Chad and frowned. "I'm sorry.." She muttered, "It was stupid… But"-"No buts. Only a whore would do something like that. You didn't just betray him, you know? You betrayed our entire family. You're just lucky I'm the only one who knows what you did." Chad growled. Sally stared down at him, staring at his mean glaring eyes, but then his expression changed to one of widened eyes and a straight face. Sally looked up at the top of the steps to see Lightning. Staring down at his brother he growled, "I warned you." Chad's brows lowered, "Yeah, well.. I didn't promise anything." Then he turned and left.
Sally sighed and apologized, "I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to be the reason you and Chad are"-"Stop. You're not. He's just protective and is holding a grudge right now. He'll get over it." Lightning assured. Sally walked up to the top of the steps and asked, "How are you feeling after last night?" Lightning sighed and shrugged, "I'm making it through. The mediations and rest helped. I"ll be alright." He smiled. Sally smiled back in return. Leaning in and kissing the side of his face. "I love you, Lightning." "I love you." He replied back softly. Gazing into her teal eyes. Things were so much better and speaking with his Mother opened his eyes a bit.
He knew what Sally wanted and he knew he'd have to support her no matter what she decided. He had to be her husband. Lightning took her hands in his. Happy and feeling their love grow back better than ever. They could do this. Sally could do this. They were going to be just fine……
Sally walked downstairs to the living room in search of Lightning. Who seemed to be no where. Sally walked around to find Minty on the couch. Looking at some photo book. She looked up at Sally and asked, "What you lookin for?" "Lightning." "He left with Chad while you were asleep." "Oh…" Sally muttered. Minty stared at the woman. Seeing her still wearing her pajamas which was just some lounge pants and what seemed to be one of Lightning's old shirts with her hair up in a bun.
Minty shut the book and patted the couch. "Sit down, girl." Sally stared a moment. Hesitant, but sat down slowly beside her mother in law. Minty sighed and asked, "Did you have a long night? You look tired." "Um.." Sally mumbled, "Sort of.. I did have a hard time sleeping." She admitted. Minty nodded then asked, "Did you and Monty talk much about this adoption thing?" "Yeah, he really thinks it the best option for us." "Have you two talked about other options?" "Not really. He's.. Sort of set on any option that involves not getting me pregnant though." Sally snickered. Minty sighed, "He's scared. He's never been through something like this. And he's dramatic.." She admitted.
Minty thought a moment. As she was thinking, Sally asked, "How did you know?.. That.. How did you know adopting was the way to go?" Minty shrugged, "I didn't. My husband did. But fostering, I fell in love with the kids. I guess.. The first one we ever adopted was Barbara.. I don't know how to put it.. We just fell in love with her. But.. What you and Monty are looking to do.. It's not fostering and falling in love with a kid, it's.. It's adopting a baby. I'm guessing that's the age you want.. Adopting your baby. I can tell it's not what you want.." "No, but.. I would probably wind up losing it.. I can't hold a pregnancy.. I know Lightning is scared, but he's also trying to protect me.. He's right..
The best option would be to adopt.." Sally frowned. Minty stared at Sally. Not sure what she could say to cheer her up. "You and Monty will need to decide this for yourselves.. I'll support whatever you two decide, Sally.. I'm glad you two felt you could speak with me about this.. I'm proud that you two feel that close to me.. But I can't say which is best or what to do, or give advice to either side. You and Monty have different ideas on how to approach something, but.. You both want the same thing in the end, right?.. A family? Together?" Sally stared at Minty. Slowly nodding. Minty smiled, "It'll work itself out. Things like this usually do." Minty assured.
Sally didn't know about that though. Lightning was driven by fear and hard headed in this scenario. But he said he'd agree that in the end, it was Sally's choice. But what if she made the wrong one? What if Lightning was right? What if she lost the baby or worse, something happened to her?.. Lightning would never forgive himself. He'd go back to drinking and depression and he'd destroy himself. Sally couldn't let that happen. She frowned. Tears filling her eyes. "I'm gonna take a shower.." She whispered to Minty before rushing off. Minty watching her go. She sighed. She saw it. Both Sally and Lightning loves each other, but would destroy each other to protect each other. It was madness, but not her place to stop it….