Sally walked back out to see Lightning waiting for her. She adjusted her dress and wiped her eyes. Lightning grabbed her and then asked, "What's wrong? Why are you crying? I thought we were just having some fun." Sally nodded answering, "We were. I'm sorry, I just.." "SShh... I'm sorry. I didn't know you would get this upset. Is this because I used the belt?" He asked. Sally giggled, "No. No, that was okay actually. I just.." Lightning held her close and replied, "It's okay. I was afraid of losing you too." That's not all it was though. It was also the fact that she was hiding what had happened with Francesco. It was eating at her, but she could hold it down. She would swallow this down for the sake of hers and Lightning's relationship...
Lightning lay next to sally. She was asleep at the moment. He held her close. Waiting for her to wake up amid another nightmare. Waiting to comfort her. His eyes were so heavy. He was so tired. The lack of sleep dragging him. Dragging him down. Doc would be scolding him. Telling him he needed sleep. That maybe he and Sally needed help. Because this was not okay.
Lightning's eyes fell heavier and heavier. He felt more and more at peace. It was quiet. He was tired. He closed his eyes. It felt good to close his eyes. To try and get some actual sleep, but Sally shifted which woke him back up. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. Glancing down at his girl. His eyes were heavy. He swallowed nervously. Why did he feel nervous? He felt anxious. Was he being watched? Lightning crawled out of the bed at the motel and walked over to the small window.
Staring outside. It was very dark out, but street lights lit up the streets and beautiful town. Sally whimpered and moved around in the bed. Lightning turned and looked at her. Watching over her, he walked back to her just as she sat up all of a sudden and screamed "Lightning!" "I'm here.." He mumbled in a groan. He sat down next to her and pulled her close. Holding her and comforting her again for another night. Sally began to cry into his arms, against his chest. Lightning knew that this couldn't continue. He was going to have to do something to help her sleep. To help them both get some good sleep...
The next day, the couple and the team or friends really, all board onto a plane to fly back home to Radiator Springs. It would be a long flight back to Arizona. Lightning and Sally could not wait to be home, to be back in their own home, to be back in their town! Sally fidgeted in her seat for hours. She looked so tired.
They both were. Lightning sighed then asked, "Do you want to take something?" Sally stared at him in shock."What? Why would I do that?" "Because you're tired and need to sleep." "I don't want to sleep... Not here anyway.. Not in front of people." "Why not?" Asked Lightning. Sally just stared without answering him. Lightning sighed. He knew why. Her nightmares. Lightning reached over and grabbed her hand in his. "Sal.. You are safe. We are safe. I would never let anything happen to you." He assured.
Sally pulled her hand away then quietly argued, "What would have happened if the corporal and Sarge hadn't had showed up? Would you have gotten into the Bolt with Mater?" She asked. Lightning frowned, "Well.. If that's what it would have taken to save you." Sally looked away rudely as if that only made her angrier. Lightning was so confused. "Look, I don't know what I'd do, Sal. It was a very stressful situation. You had a fucking gun to your head!" He reminded in a loud whisper. Sally crossed her arms. Yeah, she was angry with him for some reason. Lightning sighed, thinking.
What was she wanting him to say? "I haven't been sleeping either.." Lightning admitted. Sally looked at him with lowered brows. "What?" She asked. Lightning stared at the floor and admitted that "I can't sleep anymore. I just sit in bed.. Waiting on you to have your nightmare and then I go to sleep after I calm you down.. Sometimes I can't even sleep after that.." "Oh, Lightning... I thought I was waking you up.." "You're not. I can't sleep," he repeated.
Sally thought that she was waking him, but now, knowing that he was staying up until she woke from her nightmare.. That must be awful! He had to be so tired all of the time. And that was not healthy! He needed sleep! He was about to return home and begin another racing season. Oh god.. Another racing season. Sally felt her heartbeat harder inside of her chest. What if something happened and the car exploded!? "You have to sleep. You have to sleep so that you can be at the top of your game, Lighting." She scolded lightly.
Lightning nodded, replying, "I can't sleep unless I know you are okay. And as long as you're having these nightmares, you're not okay." Sally stared at him, into his blue and caring eyes. She smiled warmly. "We'll talk to a doctor. Together. Okay?" Lightning didn't want to, but he knew Doc would make him. So he agreed. Sally leaned over Lightning's shoulder. Resting over him. Lightning kissed her head, moved her hair out of the way then lay his head over hers. Resting. Both just resting, both so tired. So, so tired...
Sally and Lightning both felt a sudden shake! A hard jolt! They both awoke in fear! Lightning grabbing the seat's armrests and Sally grabbing onto Lightning's shirt tightly! They glanced at each other. It was only the plane. Sally grabbed ahold of Lightning's hand and Lightning kissed the side of her cheek. "I love you." He cooed. Sally smiled a little the replied, "I love you too.." quietly. The plane had landed. The couple and friends all got off, only to be surrounded by news reporters and flashing cameras.
Well, mostly Lightning. Lightning and Sally. Lightning put his sunglasses over his eyes as Sally covered her eyes with the palm of her hand slightly. Just enough that the flashes didn't bother her anymore. They made it to their cab. Mater followed and got in with them. Some news reporters even chased after the cab as it began to drive away. Once in the clear, Mater asked "Are we going straight to Radiator Springs?"
Sally nodded answering, "Yes, Mater. We're going home." Lightning let out a sigh as he sat between his future wife and his best friend. Leaning back in his seat. "I can't wait to be home.. In our bed." He said with a smile. Sally giggled. Mater then announced, "I can't wait to just be back in my old scrap yard. I guess it is true. what they say about home. There's no place like it." Lightning agreed with, "Ain't that the truth." Sally leaned over on her fiance. Mater then leaned close to Lightning and asked "Am I your best man?.." Lightning couldn't help but chuckle. "Of course, Mater." Sally looked up at Lightning and asked, "Don't think that may cause any issues between you, Bobby and, Cal?" Lightning shook his head answering, "Nah. I'm not worried about it. They know that Mater is my best friend."...
The cab drove them out to Radiator Springs, back home. But upon arriving, they saw something unexpected. The entire town of citizens, some fans of Lightning's, his mother, his brother Chad and sister, Kristine were there. Along with Cal and Megan with Strip and Linda and tex, Bobby and Jesse and were there to welcome them back home! Mater stared and asked, "What's going on?" Sally stared out her window and answered, "I think they are here because.. Because of what happened in England."
The cab stopped and the three of them got out of the cab. The large crowd of people, family, friends, all cheered and shouted with excitement to see them home! Lightning's Mother ran to her son and hugged him tightly! Tears falling down her cheeks as she cried, "Oh Monty.. Monty, you're back, you're safe!" Lightning hugged his Mother and nodded, "Yes, Mom. I'm okay. I promised you I would come back." Minty then turned to Sally and hugged her so tightly that sally could barely breathe! "Thank you! Thank you for bringing him home to me!" She cried!
Sally pulled away then explained, "You know, it was mostly Mater here. He rescued Lightning. He stopped the bombing." Minty looked directly at Mater then hugged the man. "Thank you! Thank you, Mater!" She exclaimed! Mater shrugged it off as nothing, but it wasn't nothing." Minty disagreed, "You made sure that my son came home alive, Mater. That is everything to a Mother." Mater just smiled at the woman. minty then returned to her youngest son and hugged him tightly.
Cal, Megan, Bobby, and Jesse were next. Coming over and hugging their dearest and closest friends. Afraid they could have lost him forever. Fans asked for photos and told Lightning how thankful and happy they were to see him and even gave the couple multiple bouquets of all kinds, cards of all types, some even handwritten letters! It felt good to be wanted and loved by so many friends, family, and even strangers...
It was early morning. Lightning was already awake. Sitting in bed and waiting for Sally to wake up. Just in case she panicked again. He did think about it. What would happen once he began to leave for the season. Which was a little over a week away. He needed to get a hold of his Bolt and drive a car with the setup required again. Lightning sat in bed and stared at the window. Watching the sunlight peek inside a little more by the minute.
He was supposed to have died. It hurt. He was invited to the biggest thing in his career and yet it was nothing more than a joke. A joke that was almost deadly for him. This also reminded him that racing was not a game all the time. Though this certain situation was not due to racing or the cars. The pile-up was. He remembered the pile-up in Italy. That was one of the closest accidents he had been in that really could have been bad. Luckily no one was seriously injured. Lighting glanced at Sally. What if something did happen to him. Accidents happen. Cal was wrecked before. That was awful close to home. That could have been worse. He sighed. Thinking as he sat there. He wished he could talk to Doc about this.
About what happened in England, about his fears, about.. Thinking about writing a will. He had a lot of money, he had a lot of things that.. What if something happened to him before he and Sally got married? The chances were low. Especially for him since he was such an exceptional racer. He knew that. He knew he was too good to be wrecked, to experienced to crash. At least he was confident in that of himself. But other drivers were the problem. Rookies and loose drivers. Those people caused most, if not all the major accidents. Those two groups and the aggressive ones don't think before they act. Lightning glanced at Sally, the window. He shouldn't be thinking about death so much. And Sally.. She had a gun to her head! He could have lost her so easily.
And if the police and squad hadn't have shown up.. How would he have saved her? Suddenly, Lightning felt a hand on his and he jolted a little. Looking down, it was only Sally's hand. He looked over at her and she said, "You're shaking.." Lightning closed his eyes then took a deep breath before laying back down and cuddling up with his love. "I'm sorry." He whimpered. Sally stared into his eyes, "For what?" Lightning's eyes watered up as he answered, "That I couldn't do anything..." He broke. Lightning began to cry! "I'm sorry, I couldn't do more.." Sally nestled closely against him and let him cry as they cuddled together in bed.
Just being there for him at this moment. He was terrified of what had happened. "I am so sorry, I failed you.. I was so helpless." He cried. Sally closed her eyes, listening to him vent, comforting him with soft words, "You did not fail me, Stickers. It was one of those situations that no one ever thinks would happen..." "I could have lost you.." "I could have lost you too.. But we didn't.. We.. We survived, and we can survive more." Sally assured. Lightning breathed heavily. But he was calming down it seemed. He wiped his eyes, kissed Sally's head then sat up in bed next to her. Sally sat up too. Lightning wiped his eyes, rubbing his face with his hands. "I'm sorry." He apologized again.
Sally shook her head, "No, it's okay. It's good to cry it all out." Lightning shook his head then announced, "I think I should write a will." Sally stared at him. Silent. Silently, just.. Staring. She was a little shocked. "Lightning..." She was about to tell him all the reasons why he didn't have to do that. About how that might be a little dramatic, but.. There was always the chance of something happening on the race tracks. ".. Okay.." She muttered. Then leaned in close over his shoulder. The two sat together quietly. Sitting there and just enjoying the morning at the moment...
Sadly, they were back home. This meant back to work. Sally got dressed and headed to the motels, while Lightning called Mack and scheduled for the other Bolt ion Cali to be brought out here by tomorrow. But that meant he was going to have to find something to do to keep his mind running. He tried watching tv, but he couldn't keep still. He tried playing with his car, boring. he did this a million times it felt like and the car was set up the best it could be. He paced. Had a snack, a drink.
He could go hang out with Mater or something, but he was low on energy from the lack of sleep lately. He did not want to get out really. Not unless it was behind the wheel of a race car, which wasn't in town yet. The car he had from the Grand Prix was in shipment to California still and it was destroyed anyway. Lightning stared at the clock. Medication time anyway. he took as prescribed, then read the label. Just reading over it since he was kind of bored. He began to think about it. Taking more just to feel a little better, but he knew better than that. He put the pills up and decided to grab a notebook and a pen and practice or start writing his will. But, how were you suppose to start a will? He wondered. He never wrote one, has he? No. Because he was always that good of a racer.
Hmm. Well, he could just write about his assets and such. Which was pretty simple. Everything goes to Sally. Sally would get everything in the case that he should.. Die. Right? Well, Chad would get more use out of the race car. Of course, more than likely, the President of the Sport would battle over the thing and claim it goes back to him to be recycled down for the next rookie honestly. He couldn't do it. Write a will. It would be accepting that maybe, just maybe that he wasn't the best out there. And Lightning would never accept that.
In his eyes, he was the best. He was better than the best. He was a four-time cup champion for Chrysler's sake! Rookie of the year! Everybody's favorite driver! Everyone loved him! He was never going to crash. So he had nothing to worry about. Bbbbzzzz. BBbbbzzzz. Lightning glanced over at his phone on the table. Expecting it to be Sally, but it was Bobby. Lightning reached over, picking up the device and answering it, "Hey Bobby."
Hey man, can we talk? I know this is probably like super bad timing since you and Sally and the guys just got back home, but... I just need someone to talk to.
"No, yeah. It's fine, Bobby. You can call anytime. What's up?"
So uh... Jesse's pregnant.
"Wow."
No, not wow. I.. Kids? We are not ready for that, right?
"Um.. I don't think I can tell you that."
But we're not. Jesse and I just got married not that long ago. A baby? That's the thing that ruins drivers. I mean look at Jeff!
"Jeff is a great racer with a great family."
But he's not us. He's not like us anymore. He's lost his touch. The kid thing made him go soft. I can't risk that...
"Trust me, Bobby, you're not going soft."
But I don't have kids. At least.. I didn't.. Jesse and I never wanted kids. Not anytime soon.
"Now hold on, you said you want kids one day. To.. Carry on the Bobby Swift legacy or something."
Sure, yeah, I did. But.. Jesse doesn't.
"Really? Women like that exist?"
What do you mean?
"Nothing. Um.. So she's getting an abortion?"
No, nothing has been decided yet.
"Okay."
But we should, right?
"Woah, I... That is not my choice there, Bobby. I will not say a thing about that either. Sally is already wanting to start trying."
Well, you could just have mine.
".. Funny..."
I don't know man. I use to want all that, but... Jesse didn't, so I didn't, and then.. That stupid little piss stick is changing everything.
"How? She's barely pregnant, right?"
Pregnant is pregnant. She's sick, she's moody, she's-
-"Jesse is always moody."
Well, yeah, but..
"..."
We aren't ready to be parents.
"It's a big decision..."
... Yeah.. What about you? What did you tell Sally?
"Hmm? Oh. Uh.. I told her we need to wait until we're married.."
Good idea.
"You need to be talking to Jesse, not me."
I know and I have. We have talked about the options we have. It's either we have the baby or an abortion. I do not want someone out there with my DNA and kid.
"... (Honestly, that pissed Lightning off, but he held his tongue because it was Bobby.) You need to talk with Jesse more, not me."
Sure, I just.. I needed someone to tell and talk about it with. And Cal is a no-go in this! Especially since he and Meg have been having trouble.
"Do you know about that?"
Not really. I know they've been seen in different fertility clinics is all. I asked Cal about it a few weeks ago while you were away, but.. He just blew it off, changed the conversation topic and I never brought it up again.
"Oh..."
BUT YOU ARE ENGAGED NOW!
".. Yea.."
Don't sound so excited about it there.
"No, I am! I am glad. I want to marry Sally. She's my best friend. I don't want anyone else."
I'm happy for you. Oh, I bet you got some of the good stuff after you proposed, huh?
"What?" Lightning chuckled.
I bet she gave you something special that night, huh?
"Honestly, I can't remember right now."
You don't remember if you had sex after proposing?
"No, I do. We did, I just..."
Are you okay? It was a lot that happened to you guys on that trip.
"Yeah. Sally and I are..." He paused. Thinking about lying, but this was Bobby. One of Lightning's very good and very close friends. "We're okay, but.. I can't sleep. I haven't been sleeping well. Neither of us has. I almost lost her, Bobby. I watched some guy pull a gun on her! And I.. I stood there, frozen... I couldn't do anything to save her. My job is to protect her and now I'm about to run off racing and leave her behind again and leave her alone while she can't sleep, Bobby! Sally made us an appointment with some doctor, but I know the drill, I know how this works.. He's going to give us medications, he's going to suggest therapy, and then I have to go through countless drug test on tracks and probably take more experimental drugs and my head is going to get all foggy again and I'm going to be a mess again and I don't want that. I don't want Sally taking anything that makes her feel like I do!"
... Talk to her about it.
"What is there to talk about? We need the help, she needs to sleep."
Drug her.
"Excuse me!?"
No, I mean. Man, just.. Fix her a drink and slip some of your pills into it. Not a full one. Just.. Something to help her relax. get roofies and slip her a little at night.
"Are you crazy!?"
Yes, but it works and it'll be out of her system by the time she wakes up. You want her to sleep well? Right? Every woman I know who has ever taken or been slipped one, say they black out, pass out and never know what happened.
"And they wake up sick, you idiot."
Like you never drugged a girl to get lucky.
"I... No. I never had to."
Really?
"... (there was college.. But it was one time and it was only for experimental purposes really!) No..."
MMhmm. I'm not saying slip her an entire dosage of something. Just.. A little. Help her sleep.
"Okay."
Okay... I'm glad you're safe, man. Glad you're home. That way I can kick your ass on the race track later.
Lightning snickered at that. "Okay, Bobby. You can try. Hey, call me if you need to talk."
Same man. You call anytime.
"Thanks.. Bye."
Bye.
Lightning hung up the phone and set it down. Drugging Sally to help her sleep, huh? It would be a lie to say he never thought about it. But that was crazy! He would never do such a thing! No sooner did Lightning's phone start buzzing again. Bbbzzz. BBbbzzzz. He picked it up and saw it was his agent. He sighed. Though, Miranda seemed to be one of the better ones. So he answered, "Hey."
Hey there superstar!
"Please don't call me that.."
What's wrong? Is that whining I hear?
"What is this about?"
Well, I want you to do a few interviews. Three to be exact. Sally can do one with you and then I have a magazine that wants an article about you in the Grand Prix and wants a photoshoot with you and Sally because HEY! You are engaged! Congratulations!
"Thanks.. But.. I don't think I want to get into details about what happened in England."
That's fine. Just give them a story, answer a few of their questions and that's all. People are interested in you and I am going to have your spoon feeding them!
"Excuse me?"
You are the biggest thing right now, Lightning! You almost died! You were in the middle of this horrible crime, you asked your girlfriend to marry you and you are the sexiest racer out there right now! There are so many photos of you with Sally and even Francesco at these locations with celebrities! You have made yourself even more famous just by being there! And you just crushed the hearts of thousands of women and young girls by proposing! Taking yourself off-market permanently! Everyone wants to be you!
"Okay."
Are you okay?
"Yeah."
Okay. Well, that's not even the best part!
"Okay."
I got you an offer to play as a guest star on Law and Order!
"The crime show?"
Yes! They want you to play, wait for it.. A businessman from a rich family whose son is kidnapped and held for ransom, you agree to pay the ransom and meet up when the cops show up, leading the kidnappers to take off with your son and the cops arrest you, an investigation begins and you try to get involved constantly, putting your son at risk and the investigation that could lead to the arrest of the gang that took your son.
"What? No. No, I'm not an actor.. Besides, it sounds like a horrible roll."
Well, maybe a different role? Do you want a bad guy role? I'm sure I can ask.
"No. No, tv rolls at all. I.. I just got back and I want to relax before the season starts..."
Relax?! Lightning, you are the most famous and recognizable face in the world! You have to do these interviews and I need you and Sally to do a photo shoot.
"No."
No? But.. You're Lightning McQueen. If ever a good time to eat up the press' attention, it's now. Everyone wants to see you and hear from you everywhere. You realize that the google search for your name has increased by twenty percent! That is A LOT!
"... I'm tired."
We're all tired! We've all been working Lightning! You knew when you went on this trip that you would come back with little to no time before the race season. I'm thinking we give you a new paint job too. Hey! Ever think about growing out the beard? Enough to make the women squirm?
"I don't do beards."
Okay.. I guess we could do a no-shave November thing this year... Glasses? I could get you fake glasses. Give you that sexy nerd look.
"Miranda.. Please stop. I'm tired and I don't want to be seen right now.."
You're hiding?
"No, I just... I just..."
No. No disappearing on me, Lightning. I need you. The fans need you. So you put on a smile, get dressed up, and get yourself out there! I need an image to show, Lightning. This is the biggest time of your career here! You thought you were famous back in your rookie year? Oh, this is huge! Think about the guest star appearance, please..
"I... I'll think about it." Lie.
Great! Sorry for being so rude to you. But we have a huge opportunity here, Lightning. We can not just let this go to waste!
"Yeah, I.. Understand.."
Great! And oh! There's more. I got you a brand offer.
"Brand?"
Yup. Well, contract offer. You want to increase your income by $770 thousand per year! .. give or take..
"How?"
Drive a Ford.
"Wait, like.. Stop driving the Bolt?"
Yes, sort of. Just the engine.. And the body.. The car... You would be driving the ford brand instead of Chevrolet. The contract is for five years. You get three hundred dollars per hour from the moment the car is on the speedway, up until Mack pulls out of the arena. That's minimum, what? Three days, so twenty-one thousand per week!? And that's for track time. I'm sure we can make a deal where you make more bank for photos posed with the car and events where the car is viewed.
"Wow. Um.. I'd have to talk to my team and Sally about that.."
What!? This is a lot of money we're talking about! And just to drive a new brand!
"Yeah, but I've driven chevy since I started racing. I know how she works, how she runs, and when something is wrong. It's not as easy as just driving a different brand, Miranda."
Hmm... Well.. Talk to Sally. I'm sure she'll want you to. It's a lot of money.
"Yeah.."
Oh! And tell Sally to call me when she has the chance. I want to talk about her wedding plans and planning. I want to see if she will let me leak it to the public from time to time.
"I doubt it, but I'll let her know you want to talk to her."
Thanks, I'll check in with you later. Bye.
Miranda hung up quickly. Lightning set the phone down and let out a sigh. He was famous. And today.. Today was one of those days where he wished he wasn't. And that was a lot of money. Just to drive a new brand. It would mean a different car. Not just a new body with new specs and tuning and safety features. An entirely new setup, new steering wheel, new dash, new engine, which meant he'd have to break her in. New sound, new vibrations, new mileage, the works. Or rather, a lot of work.
He would talk to Sally about all of this. Plus, he sort of had an idea... He sort of wanted her to come to his races. Like.. Travel with him. A lot. Like Megen did for Cal. Lightning kind of wanted Sally to quit her work and travel the world with him, racing. He wanted her to stick by his side forever, physically...
Lightning walked into the kitchen and leaned on the doorway. Watching his future wife make dinner. Mixing whatever she was in a bowl. He just gazed as he watched. Sally was a beautiful woman. Lightning felt beyond lucky to have found someone like her. He was happy. he was happy and done. he would never need another woman his entire life. Sally caught a glimpse of him in the corner of her eyes and asked, "You just gonna stand there and watch me all creepy like?"
Lightning smirked, "I like to watch." "mhm." sally smiled. Lightning continued to watch and took this time to talk about the coming race season. "I have to leave soon.." She didn't reply. "Back to work." He chuckled. Sally glanced at him for barely a second then back to preparing dinner. Lightning sighed. Sally heard and asked, "Do you want to go back?" Lightning's eyes widened! "Of course! Why wouldn't I?" "Well.. After what happened in England, it's okay to be scared. To maybe want to.. Retire?" She brought that evil word up. Lightning's brows lowered as he defended, "No. I'm nowhere near that age and I'm a champion. A champion with a lot more wins to come." "Mhhm." "I am!' Lightning shouted.
Sally giggled and stared at him, replying, "I know that, Lightning. Calm down. I was only asking because of the way you are bringing it up. You don't sound like you want to go." "I don't want to go without you.." He whimpered. Sally thought that was pretty adorable. Lightning continued, "I have an offer from Ford." "Ford?" "They want to drive with them now. Offering me around twenty grand per week during the season." Sally's jaw dropped! "To drive a brand?!" She asked in shock! Lightning nodded. Sally shook her head. She just couldn't believe it! "You said yes, right?" She asked. Lightning shrugged, "I never answered. I just heard about the offer today. Miranda told me." "You should say yes. That is a lot of money." "Money we don't need." He reminded.
Sally shrugged. "Money is money. Still nice to have it." She joked, sort of. Lightning thought about it then asked, "Money aside, do you think I should? Change brands?" sally sighed. "Well, what do Rusty and Dusty say about it?" She asked. Lightning shrugged again, answering, "No clue." "Talk to them." "Yeah.. Guess I should do that first." He admitted and agreed. Sally continued to prep and make dinner. Lightning watched. Trying to think of how on earth he was about to ask her this next thing.
"So... Sally..." Grabbing her attention. "We make.. Plenty of money. The motels did fine without you hovering over them like you usually do. The town doesn't need you. They can get a new attorney, you know?" sally stared at him with confusion. "What are you talking about?" She asked. Lightning sighed and came closer. "I'd like you to quit working and start traveling with me to the races." "Every weekend?" "Yeah, why not? It'll be fun." He assured with a cute smile. Sally shook her head, answering, "I can't quit work." "Why not?" "Because." "Because, why?" He asked.
Sally sighed, "Because I like to work. I always have and always will. It's my thing." Lightning thought for a moment. He wanted her to, but he wasn't sure how to convince her to do so. Sally then came up with an idea. She looked at her future husband and said, "I'll quit my jobs. All of them. When, and I mean WHEN you put a baby in me." Lightning's brows lowered. "Excuse me? Why do we have to have a baby for you to quit working so much?" "Because at that point, our baby will need all my attention. More than work ever did. And if I want to be a good mother, I'll have to make that sacrifice. So that's the deal. You want me to quit and start traveling with you? Put a baby in me." She said firmly.
Lightning looked away. That wasn't going to happen. Not right now. But then Sally added, "I think I'm going to stop taking my birth control." That caught his attention! "What? Why?" He snarled. Sally raised a brow and explained. "It can take some time for my body to adjust once I stop taking it. And it will have to adjust before we get pregnant. And you said once we're married." "I said let's wait to talk about it until after we were married." He corrected. Sally's brows lowered. "Well, it's my body and my choice. It's going to make my hormones all wacky for a while. I'll need time to adjust, Lightning." "Please, wait until we're married. I want us to be married first." "We will be. Just because I stop taking it, doesn't mean we will start trying." "But I know the risk. I don't want to use condoms again.." he whined.
Sally couldn't help but giggle hearing him gripe about that. "It's not funny." He growled. Sally apologized as she finished dinner up. Lightning leaned on the counter and tried convincing her otherwise. "Look, you don't want to make yourself... Do too much to yourself right now. You already can't sleep. If you stop taking your birth control, it may make it worse. Maybe we should get these nightmares under control first." Sally stared at him. He was right. Her hormones could mess with her, especially at first. "I never thought about that.." She admitted.
Lightning smiled, "See? I'm not being mean, I'm looking out for you. I don't mind if you stop taking it, just wait. Wait until we get this.. Thing, under control, and then let's talk about it again, okay?' He asked. Sally stared at him a moment. Unsure of his intentions, but he was right. and she should talk to the doctor first before making drastic changes in her body. "yeah, okay. I think you're right. I'll talk to my doctor about it first to." "God, glad I could help." Lightning replied proudly, then walked over and kissed sally on the side of her face softly. Then Sally announced dinner was done and grabbed plates, fixing them up for the two of them. Handing Lighting his as she took hers, they sat at their table together.
Having a light conversation about events. Lightning started with, "Bobby called." sally began to eat and asked, "What for?" "Well, I know he won't care if I tell you. Jesse is pregnant." Sally stared. "Jesse?" She asked. Lighting nodded. Chewing as he answered, "Yup. She's getting an abortion more than likely." Sally shook her head. "How awful.." She mumbled. Sally stared across the table at Lightning. Watching him enjoy his meal, but she was thinking. She remembered they had a conversation once.
When he thought she was pregnant. He wanted an abortion. "Lightning." She began, "What if we did get pregnant before we were technically trying?" Lightning stared. He knew it. This was a trap. Sally shrugged and continued. "With it being so close to when we.. Might start trying.. We would never have to have a conversation about whether or not we keep the baby, right?" Lightning stared at Sally with silence. Sally glared at him and asked again, "Right?"
Lightning cleared his throat before answering, "I'm not ready. I'm not ready for a baby right now." "So you would seriously want an abortion? Even though we will start trying less than a year from now?" "Wait, hold on. First off, we don't have a set date for the wedding. Second, we will TALK about having a baby or trying to have a baby after we're married. Not start trying that night!" "Why not? We're not getting any younger, Lightning." Lightning sighed and stared down at his plate. "I'm not ready," he repeated. "I have to make this look good. I have an image to watch and having a baby before we're married or right after we get married looks.. Weird. I'm still racing and I'd like to have a kid when I'm not racing, but I know that's a little unfair to you, so I'm willing to do that before, but not yet. I'm just not ready and you pushing me is not helping at all. Can't we just wait until we're married to even talk about this?" He asked again.
Sally became so angry! "Are you kidding me?" She snarled. "An image to watch?! What image, Lightning? The sexy, young, bachelor that girls drool over? Because I have news for you, that image is over!" She yelled, "You are getting married and you know what? If anything, people will expect you to have a baby! That's what people do! They get married and have a family. We are getting married and we will have a family. You will not rob me of that."
Lighting quickly defended, "I'm not robbing you of anything! Calm down! I love you and I'm going to give you a baby, okay? I just want to wait until we're married before we do anything like that.. Stop taking birth control." Sally stared at him. Well, they stared at each other. Neither sure what the hell to say next. Sally sighed and finally broke the silence with, "Okay. You're right. I'm sorry." Then sipping her water. Lightning stared. Watching him sip the drink, set it down, and begin eating again. He knew he upset her, but at least she agreed to wait. He just didn't want that part of life yet...
