Lightning waited at he airport. Seated in one of the chairs with his luggage next to him. He decided to fly down to get back home quickly. It was Monday. Tomorrow Sally would find out if she were pregnant. Fuck. Lightning rubbed his eyes. SO many things didn't make sense... For one, They hadn't been having sex up until recently, but Sally would never sleep with Ben. There was no way that was right. He must be just miscalculating the dates or something. Not only that though, but now this weight thing was bothering him. It wasn't dangerously low, but losing so quickly in an unhealthy way and then he knew he would lose more once mid season came. He always did lose a few and gain it back in the late season.
What if she was pregnant? Then he guessed she just would be. Maybe a kid wouldn't be so bad. But with kids always came retirement. Every racer he has ever known on the track has a kid and only stays racing a few more years. Even Jeff. He was not ready for that! He was no where near ready to retire, but then again, between the Grand Prix and the shooting had Lightning considering. Would that be for the best after everything that has happened? "Lightning." Sally cooed. Lightning looked up and smiled before standing up and wrapping his arms around his wife. "I missed you." Sally announced. Lightning kissed the top of her head and tightened his embrace before replying, "I missed you. Love you, Sal." "Love you to. Ready to head on home?" Lightning nodded. So the couple walked out and to the car. Once both in, Sally started it up and began the drive. Lightning leaned back and asked, "How are you feeling?" Sally glanced over before answering, "Good. Tired. What about you? How are your nights going? Are you sleeping?" Sally asked. Lightning nodded, "Yeah, sure. But I was referring to the possibly being pregnant thing." "OH. Well I still feel good. I felt nautilus yesterday all day, but not sense." "Oh..." Lightning couldn't think of what to say. Sally sighed and frowned, "I know you don't want this baby, Stickers... But.. Can you try to see the good? What happened with Ben"-"Is in the past, I don't want to talk about it. Besides, I fucked up worse. If we're having a baby, fuck it, we're having a baby. There's nothing I can do to change it." Lightning explained.
That honestly just made Sally feel worse. His words had her second guessing this entire marriage in those moments. Your wife tells you she might be having your baby and you reply with if we are, fuck it, you can't change it. Dam. He was cold and heartless and not the man she married. Lightning took a deep breath. Tired and exhausted and already stressed out as it was. He looked over at Sally and instantly sat up. She had watered up eyes and he was the cause, wasn't he. "Woah, Sally.. I'm sorry. I didn't mean"-"Don't worry about it..." She whispered. Lightning placed a hand on her driving knee and replied, "I love you. I'm sorry. What-what's wrong? It was me, right? I upset you?" asking. Sally wiped her eyes then answered, "Not to much.. It's okay. You can't change how you feel about this. I don't want you to lie to me. I'll be fine. We don't have to see this the same way. I'm fine, I promise. I love you, Stickers, Kay?" Lightning just stared at her. He could feel the brick wall beginning to built between them right now. It made his chest heavy, his heart frail, made it hard to swallow. But he didn't know how to stop that wall from beginning right now, so he just sat back and let it be for now. Neither talking to one another for the next hour or so...
The couple arrived home. It was late evening by now. Sally shut off the car and asked, "You hungry?" But when she looked over, Lightning was passed out asleep. She smiled slightly staring at him. But the smile didn't last. Part of her... Part of her hated him now. She knew deep down that Lightning would be an amazing Father if he would just open his eyes to the idea a bit more. Why wouldn't he? She wondered. Because his answer of I'm just not ready was beginning to just be an excuse to her, not a reason. Sally sighed then gently shook her husband. "Lightning.. Lightning... We're home." Lightning moaned slightly and moved his head, but was still out. Sally sighed. He was so tired. Racing was taking more and more of him. He was getting older. They both were. "Lightning, wake up. We're home. I'll just make something quick tonight and you can go to bed early if you need to." Lightning opened his eyes. Blinking a few times. He pushed back his shoulders then rolled them and apologized, "Sorry.. I didn't mean to pass out." Sally giggled, "It's alright. You were tired. Come on, let's head in." Lightning nodded and the two made it inside together.
Sally walked to the kitchen and Lightning stood at the entrance of the home. Still waking up a bit. He felt miserable right now. He sighed with a frown then walked in with Sally. He leaned over o the panel of the entrance of the kitchen. Watching Sally grab a few things to fix quickly. Lightning then said, "Stop. Put it all back." "What?" Sally questioned. Lightning walked over and brushed her hair behind her ears, "I'm going to take you out to the cafe tonight." "I don't know.." "I'm taking you. You are just as tired as I am, I can see it. So put it back. we'll go out tonight then come home and go to bed. Got a long day tomorrow and I don't want us worrying about dishes and the kitchen." He explained. Sally sighed and nodded. Lightning pulled her close and kissed her lips softly. "Are we okay?" He asked quietly. Sally gazed into his eyes a moment before answering, Yeah.. Of course.." He felt like that was a lie, but he nodded. Kissing her forehead once more...
The couple waited in the doctor's office. Waiting to be seen. Lightning sighed and glanced at Sally. She took his hand and squeezed tightly. She was nervous? Why would she be nervous? He thought she wanted this? Lightning leaned over and kissed her cheek. "You okay?" He asked. Sally nodded, but she looked incredibly scared. "McQueen." Called a nurse. Lightning stood up then Sally. Making their way to the back, they followed the nurse to a small private room. The nurse looked over the chart and asked, "Just the pregnancy test today?" Sally nodded. The nurse then handed Sally a cup and instructed her what to do with it. Sally smiled at Lightning a little then walked out and to the bathroom alone. Lightning waited with the nurse who asked, "How long have the two of you been trying now?" Lightning thought a moment before answering, "ON and off for the past few months." The nurse nodded then explained, "Need to be more consistent with these type of things at your two's ages." Lightning just glared. How dare this lady refer to him as-Sally came back in and handed the cup of urine to the nurse. She smiled and whisked away with it. Sally sat back down with Lighting and sighed out of nervousness. Lightning held her hand tightly.
It was a few minutes.. Ten. Minutes went by. Sally felt so sick to her stomach. Lightning then had to ask, "Why are we doing this here anyway instead of buying a test form the store?" Sally shrugged admitting, "I'd rather a doctor tell me the news then find out alone in the bathroom." "It I'd be there." "Would you be?" She asked. Ouch. That hurt like a dagger. Lightning opened his mouth to reply but then the doctor came in. The couple looked up instantly at him. The man sat on his little swivel stool and asked, "Any other symptoms besides sore breasts?" Sally shrugged answering, "I've been tired and feel a little nauseous the past two days a little.." "Last period?" "Months ago. It's still messed up from the birth control." She explained. The doctor sighed and nodded before answering, "Well, for now it's negative. But you say you still haven't had your period?" He asked.
Sally shook her head but then corrected, "I did about two month ago , it was light and a little painful and before that it came back as normal up until recently." "Well, more sex can impact that. You two been trying?" "A little..." Sally muttered. The doctor nodded and asked, "How long? In weeks or months?" Lightning answered for them with, "we were trying for about a month straight and then it fell into here and there for the past few weeks." The doctor nodded then thinking a moment before answering, "Well, here's what I'd like to do. Sally, I want to get you in for a pelvic exam and then if everything checks out, let's give it a consistent three months of trying and see what happens." Sally looked at Lightning. ordering what he would do there. "Sally, withhold from sexual activity for the rest of the week and I'll set you up with an appointment next Wednesday." Sally nodded and thanked the doctor then the couple left.
Once at the car. Sally asked, "What are we going to do?..." Lightning shrugged answering, "I guess no sex for two weeks." "He said until next week, after the appointment." "I leave Wednesdays most of the time." "So you're leaving tomorrow already?" Sally whined. Lightning frowned explaining, "I have to be there to practice and qualify." Sally's eyes filled with tears. Lightning sighed and added, "You could always come with me." "I can't. Who would have the motels? Court?" "We work to much to make this work." Lightning growled. Sally's heart sank. "What does that mean?" She yelped. Lightning snapped! "EXACTLY WHAT IT MEANS! This marriage is getting side railed by our jobs!" "I can't help it!" "Actually, I can't! You can! Three jobs!? Why!?" Lightning yelled. Sally frowned. She didn't know how to answer that. "Even if I had one job, you are the one always gone! If you would retire than we would be home together every night!" Sally shouted!
Lightning only scoffed, "Are you kidding!? why can't you be more like Meg!?" "EXCUSE ME!?" "YOU HEARD ME!" "Well, I'm sorry I don't follow my husband around and come to his every call and whisper and treat you like a freaking GOD! Maybe if you treated me more like you should, I'd be happier!" "If I treated you like you treat me, you'd leave! I treat you way better than you deserve!" "WHAT!? ARE YOU KIDDING!?" "No! You lie all the time! Hide things all of the time and I let it go! You go behind my back and sneak around when I say no! You don't deserve to be treated better! You need to be taught how to act!" "Like I'm some kind of animal? what is wrong with you!?" Sally screamed! Lightning angry laughed answering, "YOU! You drive me fucking crazy anymore!" "Oh!? I'm the problem!?" "Pretty much!" "Fuck..." Sally whimpered. Lightning then continued, "Fuck is right! What the fuck are we doing?..." He sighed. Sally frowned and muttered, "Let's just go home.." Then she started the car and drove them home...
