Lightning opened his eyes. The scent of the woman lying next to him was so relaxing. He could feel the warmth of her body against his. He smiled and closed his eyes. Cruz was absolutely amazing! The woman of his dreams. The perfect little slut. But the smile faded away as he opened his eyes again. Lightning turned and stared up at the ceiling. Honestly, as much as he loved his wife… He loved Cruz in a different way. Cruz didn't betray him, Cruz was willing to please him ways Sally would never. Cruz probably would never have the health problems Sally had due to age, she was much younger and physically it showed, Cruz was more his type physically anyway!
IT hurt him. It hurt him to have his brain force these thoughts and actions onto him. Lightning rubbed his head. He loved Sally. His heart breaking. Why couldn't he just love her a little more!?
Lightning sat up. He shouldn't have done this, but… He glanced at Cruz who was sleeping so peacefully. He smiled at her.
Something about her. If Sally wasn't pregnant, he very well might had just left her for this woman. But that wasn't the only thing keeping him with his beloved Sally. They had history, they fell in love with each other for more than just sex! Plus, what would the media say if he left her? And leaving her for a younger woman? The media would make it out as a total disrespect! They would never know the entire story though. Like how Lightning had began to reserve to drinking and how Sally had the affair and how many fights and hurtful words they screamed at each other. About the affair leading to a stillborn baby. Lightning sighed. He needed to rethink his decisions right now. And catch a flight back home after taking the SUV to the nearest affiliated rental company….
Lightning showered and dressed. He opened the bathroom of the little bedroom and his eyes widened! "Fuck." He whispered.
Seeing Cruz sitting up in bed, holding a blanket over her bare chest, hair a mess, and Mater near the bedroom door. It was closed, but this was bad! Mater looked at Lightning and immediately asked, "What's going on?.."
Lightning glanced at Cruz a moment then back at his friend. Oh fuck! "I… Mater.. I just.."-"The shower in Mr. McQueen's room wasn't working and so I let him use mine." Cruz lied with a red face. Mater's brows lowered as he snapped at the young racer, "Now I knows better than that! My sister would never let anything like that happen in the house. One thing I know she loves more than anything is this place. And now you lied to me, Cruz. I thought we was family?…" He reminded. Cruz frowned and slowly looked to her love for answers. Lightning closed his eyes, took a deep breath then walked over and grabbed his suitcase. "I have a plane to catch, Mater. Come on." Beginning to head out the door. Lightning stopped and glanced back at Cruz. She wanted his touch, a kiss, anything.. But she knew he wouldn't dare with Mater along side him.
Cruz just looked down into the blankets. Lightning upside down smiled then walked out. Mater following, closing the door behind him.
Instantly bugging, "What was really happening?" "Nothing." "But Cruz was in your room, wasn't she?" "Yeah, I guess." "She was naked.?" "I don't know." "Why did you shower?" "Because it was a long night." "Were you drinking?" "No, not… I don't think so." "Think? You can't even remember?" Mater asked as he followed Lightning all the way to the SUV.
Lightning opened the back and tossed his bag in before answering, "I don't know, Mater." His tone getting more and more aggravated. Mater watched his friend shut the hatch then asked, "What about Miss Sally?" "What about her?" Lightning growled. Mater frowned and finally just asked it, "Did you sleep with Cruz?.. Like you sleep with Miss Sally?" Lightning hesitated. Not looking at his friend. Thinking. Gah, even the way Mater asked was childish! It really just pissed him off. Lightning sighed then looked at Mater answering, "I… There are things you don't understand.. It's complicated." "Does Miss Sally know?…" Mater asked quietly. Lightning swallowed nervously. Did he really want to answer that? Cat was out of the bag with Mater, right? And Mater did have this undying loyalty to the former racer and his best friend.
Lightning sighed and frowned before answering, "No…" "Are you gonna tell her?" "Um… I don't think so…" "Do you love her?.." "What do you mean by that, Mater?" "What I just done did ask. Do you love her?" Cruz? Sally? Had to be Sally. "I love Sally. I love her and would give my life for her, but… There's things you don't understand… There's… Just… Things that happen… It's complicated.." "Do you love Cruz? Like Sally?…" "I can honestly answer, no. Entirely different feeling" "is it because Miss Sally lost the baby?…" Mater asked.
That's it! Ben's baby!? "Gah! Can we not!? Sally doesn't know! Doesn't need to know! Can I trust you or not with this!?!" Lightning finally snapped. Mater shut his mouth and nodded.
Lightning snickered and rolled his eyes. Not sure how well Mater could keep this secret. Mater cautiously walked closer to his friend. Placing a hand on Lightning's shoulder before assuring, "We're best buds. You can talk to me about anything."
Lightning's brows lowered then he shoved Mater's hand away. "Not anything." "Try me." Mater replied. Lightning stared at his friend. Not sure he wanted to try that or not. "Fine… You want to know? I think I'm in love with… With… Someone else… I can't resist her! I can't say no! I know better! I know I shouldn't! I don't want to! I want Sally, I love Sally! Sally and I are trying to start our family! This is not okay and it never would have happened if Sally hadn't had been a god dam back stabbing, whore and hadn't have slept…." he stopped. Catching himself before revealing that dirty little secret. Mater raised a brow and asked, "If she hadn't… McQueen…What happened between you and Sally?…"
Lightning stared at his friend with a frown before answering, "Nothing.. She didn't do anything.. I'm the problem.." Looking away. But you know, Lightning was starting to really feel the pain of keeping Sally's affair quiet.
Everyone thinking the baby she lost was his, everyone always being nice and trying to ask about the future because of that baby she lost. Not realizing it's just a huge reminder of how when he needed her most, she did sleep with someone else due to stress. And he did forgive her, but… That didn't make the pain and heart brake go away. At times, he had to pretend it was fine around her. But it would be a lie to say that Lightning was never putting on a show for Sally….
Lightning returned home. Walking in the front door. The place was quiet. "Sal?… Carson?.." Immediately he began to worry.
Closing the door and dropping his things, he rushed to the living room. No one. Lightning took off to the bedroom, swinging the door open! "Sal!?" He called! Carson shouting, "Bathroom!"
Lightning walked over and gently pushed the door open. Seeing Sally puking her guts out again. He sighed. Carson was sitting on the tub and holding her hair back. Sally vomiting hard. Lightning knelt down and scooted closer to her. "Hey… Hey, you okay?" Sally wiped her mouth with her baggy sweater sleeve then looked at him with tears in her eyes. She jumped at him and wrapped her arms around him. Crying! Lightning held her in his arms. Confused and concerned.
He looked at Carson with fear in his eyes. Carson smiled warmly and explained, "She's fine. Just emotional." Lightning rubbed his hands over her back and asked, "What's wrong? Are y-Are you?.." he asked. Sally just cried over his shoulder.
Fuck. She was a complete mess! "Sally?" He questioned. Sally cousins speak through her tears and gasping breaths between cries.
What the fuck!? Lightning sighed and just held her. Comforting her. Confused as fuck. Worried about these emotions overcoming his wife. Carson stood up and flushed the toilet, "I'll be right back. Give you two a minute." He said as he walked out around the couple on the floor. Once alone, Lightning pulled or pushed Sally away gently and looking into her teary red eyes asked, "Are you gonna be okay?" Sally nodded, calming down and wiping her eyes. "I missed you so much.." She finally spoke with a whimper. Lightning felt horrible. Fuck. What had he done with Cruz!? Fuck! "Sal…" He began. That's it. If she wasn't pregnant, he needed to come clean. Needed her to know. That this… What they have… What they had… This wasn't working. He loved her, but seeing Cruz reminded him how much he really didn't want this anymore.
"I love you." He cooed. Oh he did. He loved her with all of his heart. But this was such a fake happiness. Such a show. Such a shit show.
They had good moments, he was obsessed with her sexually, but he obsessed with every woman. She was no different anymore. "Sal…" He called.
Wiping her eyes. Looking into her eyes. Oh come on. He loved her more than that! She was his. His beautiful Sally! She made a mistake just like he had! He had to forgive her and could never leave her! They were trying to start a family. Fuck! He messed up badly! "Sally… I…" He should be honest. He should tell her what he had done and try to get the two of them past this. Sally wiped her eyes again and sniffled before speaking, "I went to the doctor. I was so sick.. I'm still sick." "Is it the injections? The hormones?" Lightning asked. Sally giggled a little. Kind of weird. Kind of creeped Lightning out. Dam. Was she okay? Sally took his hands in hers and continued, "I'm pregnant. I… I actually am." She announced. Lightning's eyes widened. "What?" He questioned. No way he heard that right. "The doctor confirmed it?" He asked.
Sally nodded. Lightning stared at her. Holy shit. He kind of figured, but.. Hearing it!? "Fuck." He muttered. Sally wiped her eyes and sniffled, "Fuck?… What-what's that? What's wrong? I thought you wanted this?" She asked as she began crying again.
Lightning quickly corrected, "Yea! No, no, no, no, no! I didn't mean it like fuck, but.. Fuck.. Like… Wow, I… Fuck!" He shouted with a smile and pulled her close, hugging her! "You're pregnant!" He exclaimed and chuckled a bit in disbelief! "Oh gosh… I… How-I mean.. Is everything okay? You're still sick? Is the baby?.." "The baby is fine. My doctor says everything is going well. Just the estrogen is higher than she'd like and so she's limited the injections." "But I thought yours was too low to keep the baby?" "Yeah, well.. Now it's too high." "So… Are you safe? Can we do this? Is the baby okay? Do we need to worry? Wha-what are the chances?…" He began to ask, but stopped.
Sally hugged her husband tightly before answering, "We're having a baby… More tests later next week… For now, I'm just enjoying this miserable pain and sickness and joy.. We're going to be parents, Lightning. I'm going to do everything to keep this one.. Please… I can't… Don't let me lose this one… I can't go through that again…" She begged her husband as she began to cry again. Lightning's heart hurt hearing that.
There wasn't much he could do!? Make her rest a lot, take her meds, not let her work. Eat. Bout it. That and hope. He could hope. Lightning gripped Sally's sweater as he hugged her, his hands rubbing up into her hair. "I won't let anything happen to you two.. I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to watch over you, alright.." He assured firmly. She was his main concern. His world. His wife and his child. He had to protect them. Even from himself sometimes. Though ecstatic, he was absolutely terrified!…..
Lightning quietly closed the bedroom door after getting Sally to calm down and sleep. Lightning walked out to the kitchen where Carson was making himself some coffee. Lightning opened the fridge, grabbed a water and asked, "Was she this sick the entire time you've been here?"
Carson turned and stared at Lightning before answering, "No. she's actually doing better. I'd say maybe… Once a day she gets really sick, but that's about it. It was about every… thirty minutes. The medications her doctor gave her are helping. You are gonna have to take care of her and learn the medication schedules, doctor visits. That sort of thing here." "What's she taking?" "Every morning and night she has to take nausea medication, after she eats her first meal of the day, she takes her vitamins and hormone medication as well as her antidepressants. And every other night she takes her injection. On top of that, sense the estrogen was higher this time, her doctor wants weekly blood test so she can adjust the injection as needed. Sense you guys live out in the middle of nowhere, it takes an extra three days for results.. So she'll need to go the the clinic for a blood draw every Monday, and urine every other Monday."
Seemed like a lot. Lightning mumbled, "Um.." but Carson continued, "And sense the pregnancy is considered high risk, she has to see the specialist once every two weeks. Her doctor once a month for now. But she did explain once Sally is about six or seven months, she'll need to see the specialist once a week and her two times a month. The doctor went ahead and prescribed some very strong nausea medication for the car rides sense you two live so far out. In case the drives get bad.." Carson finished.
Lightning was a bit overwhelmed here. It was a lot to take in. So many medications, the injection, blood tests, urine tests, specialist, normal doctor, so much could go wrong! It shouldn't be this hard and this scary to have a baby! Should it!?
Lightning thought a moment then asked, "Is she… Is Sally really okay? It's just this seems like a lot.. The last one didn't seem to need so much.." Carson sighed and explained, "Sally wasn't as sick this early in the last one, but.. The her doctor wants to take every precautions. Sally made it very clear that she can't lose this one.. She can't…" Carson frowned and thought about what could happen if she did though. Sally would never be the same. She barely was now! Carson could see the huge change in his daughter. It was as if losing pregnancy after pregnancy and then getting to hold that last one… It made her slightly obsessed and insane when it came to anything to do with a baby. Plus, her hormones were all jacked up. If Sally loses this one.. Carson stared at Lightning. He just knew his daughter would lose more than the baby. She'd lose Lightning.
The two of them would never make it through this much. Neither were strong enough. "Lightning…" Carson grabbed his son in laws attention. "Thank you. For taking the hit and keeping Sally's image good.. I've heard a lot of people talking between the city and news… No one knows about Ben, the affair.. You saying the baby was yours… You protected her when she didn't deserve that. Thank you.. Just… Please keep protecting her.. Please…" He begged quietly.
Lightning saw fear in Carson's eyes. Carson was scared? Carson was worried and fearing the worst with Sally's health. Lightning just nodded answering, "I'll take care of her.. I'm not leaving or anything. I'll make sure she is okay, no matter what happens to the baby, alright?" "And.. Sally is the main concern… If something… If you have to make the hard decision here.. Sally's life comes first?.. Right?" Carson asked softly. Lightning didn't think of that. But.. Sally would kill him. Sally would hate him the rest of his life if he had to make a choice like that. But… It was his Sally's life!… Lightning sighed and answered, "Sally's life comes first.. She'll hate me forever, but if something like that should happen, Sally comes first. But I won't lose either of them. I'll take care of her and the baby. She'll be okay." He assured.
The sad truth was thought that this was pretty well out of Lightning's hands. He could help Sally take it easy, take her medications… But that was about it….
Sally sat up in bed. It was dark. She glanced at the clock on the bed side table. 9:02pm. She slipped out of bed and made her way through the hall and stopped when she could hear her Father and Husband talking. Listening to their conversation.
Lightning was speaking saying, "I could always go back and coach, only leaving the night before and coming back the following morning, but… Even if Sally's health could allow that… I don't think I want that anymore." "Well.. Did you ever go to school for anything other than racing?" Carson asked.
Lightning shrugged, "Automotive engineering was part of it, but no. And as much as I enjoy working on vehicles.. It's not really my thing." "Sounds like it may need to be your thing temporarily." "Nah… I'm going to have to learn how to run the motels properly so Sally doesn't need to worry about them while she's pregnant." "Hmm." "Honestly, if it were up to me? I'd just hire someone to manage the motels and do like most people who own them do, but I know Sally wants to be more hands on running the businesses." "Maybe that's the best thing to do. Not necessarily for you, but for her. As much as she thinks she can handle anything and everything.. Sally can't. And that baby, this pregnancy needs to come first." "Yeah, I know.." Lightning replied softly with a sigh.
Carson thought a moment before continuing, "As for you.. You have to think of something. And if you stay home with Sally all of the time, the two of you will be at each others throats in no time." "I don't know. We've been doing pretty well." "Not what Sally told me. She was relieved to get you out of the house for a while." "Yeah, such great timing." Lightning growled.
Carson sighed and asked, "What if I taught you how to run the motels?" "Seriously?" "I taught Sally how to run a business. Not necessarily hotel, but.. I can teach you." Carson assured. Lightning stared at the man a moment. Not sure that would go well. Carson sat back and knew the truth. Between knowing Lightning and what Sally had told him this last week. "Maybe you two could move in with me for a bit. You could coach on weekends and then Sally wouldn't be alone." The man suggested. Lightning raised a brow and asked, "You really think Sally would be on board with that?" "I don't know. I know she's independent, but this last week may have taught her that she's going to need more help than she thinks." "Yeah, maybe…" "Would that be something you would consider? At least until after the baby? Or even during the first couple of months after? I could help the two of you." Carson assured.
Lightning sighed. Leave Radiator Springs? For months? But he could go back to coaching… Seeing Cruz. The idea going through his mind that he could possibly still be with his wife, but be the woman he really couldn't keep away from on the weekends sounded great.
He could have the best of both worlds here! He missed Cruz… Missed being with her. She was so amazing and young and beautiful and her laugh, her smile. Fuck! "Lightning?" Carson muttered. Lightning looked at Carson and finally answered, "Um.. Probably not." "The baby is due in January? February? That's around off season, right? So it should work out fine. The two of you could move back into your home in December. After the cup." Carson explained.
Didn't sound to bad, but.. Sally could never leave the motels. Carson frowned and admitted, "I'm afraid that something is going to happen.. I know you can take care of my daughter. I trust you, Lightning… But this… This is a huge responsibility and a lot on your shoulders.. The timing… Isn't the best.. And if I can be honest… It's way too soon. After what Sally did to you?… Your health problems? You really think this was the best time for this?" "No, I don't." Lightning admitted. "Of course not.. But.. Sally wants this. She needs this.. I.. I kind of want this too. I've moved on from… I forgave Sally, alright. Things are.. Things are better." Carson could tell Lightning was either hiding something or not telling the full truth. The man sighed and nodded, "Good.. I'm glad.." He replied. Not wanting pick at this to much.
Sally leaned against the wall. Remaining unseen and unheard. Thinking of what her Father and Lightning had spoke of. He even thought of a way to coach again but primarily be home with her. And he didn't think this was the right time? Why didn't he say so before? Never the less, this was happening now. And from the conversation she heard, it seemed like Lightning was just trying to find something for work again. Discussing his recent failures with Carson.
Sally thought about it. Telling him to go back to coaching. It could be good for him. And like he said, if he left the night before, returned the morning after. That wasn't too bad. Sure, he'd be tired from the trip. But his health was the biggest concern for her. What if he had one of his episodes while gone? It had been a while and he had been doing good not to have one. At least, as far as she had known, he hadn't been having any.
Carson sighed and continued, "Well. Let's do this for now. Tomorrow, I'll go to the motel with you and maybe Sally. Show me what she wants, I'll see how you do things and I'll get you caught up with how it runs and works for you. That way she can relax and know that you can run the motels in her absence, hmm?" Lightning thought a moment before nodding, "Yeah. Yeah, I'd really appreciate that, Carson, thank you." "You're welcome. I'm sure it can't be that bad." Carson said with a smile. Surely Sally wasn't that particular and surely Lightning wouldn't be that difficult to train, right?….
Lightning crawled into bed next to his wife. Quietly. Careful not to wake her. Cuddling up against her when he heard, "Hey." She whispered.
Lightning sat up and stared at her. "You're awake? Or did I wake you? I didn't mean to." He replied. Sally rolled over, facing him and looking up at him with a smile, "No, you didn't. I've been up for a while. Just laying here." "Oh. Is everything alright?" "Yeah, just couldn't get back to sleep." She admitted.
Lightning smiled down at her. She was absolutely beautiful. What the fuck was he doing with Cruz? Lightning gently crawled over his wife, looking down at her a moment before leaning in and kissing the top of her forehead, then resting his against hers as he cooed, "I love you. I love you so much." He kind of whimpered a bit in tone. Sally could tell something was wrong. "Stickers?" She questioned. Lightning sighed then kissed her lips softly before rising up, staring down at his wife. "What's wrong?" Sally asked. Lightning gazed down into her beautiful eyes. "Nothing is wrong. I'm sorry. I don't ever want to leave like that again though." "Was the trip bad?" "Not really." "You sure?" She asked. Lightning shrugged answering, "I just missed you to much.." He then leaned in and kissed her lips again.
Sally moaned slightly into his mouth before their kiss broke. The two gazing into one another's eyes. "I love you too, Stickers." Sally finally replied. Lightning hated himself. He hated himself so badly for letting himself fall for someone else.
He hated that he slept with Cruz. Regretted it so much. He hated that he let himself sink so low. He was such an asshole for this. He and Sally were trying-WERE starting a family!
It was time he put his foot down on this! Sally and the baby, his family came first! No more temptations, no more lies or anything. Sally and only Sally! It would be easy. He loved her with all of his heart. He wanted her. He wanted this. Lightning's eyes traced down her body. First her breasts as he sat up on his knees above her. His hands tracing her sides and lifting her shirt up by the sides of it as his eyes traced her naval, her lower abdomen. There was really a baby in there, huh? His thumbs brushed her skin on either sides. Sally inhaled suddenly from the sensation. Lightning snickered, glancing up at her then back down. They were doing this. They were really doing this. Lightning looked into his wife's eyes. Staring down at her. "What?" Asked Sally.
Lightning smiled, "Nothing. You better promise to take care of yourself first. You have to come first in this." "The baby comes first, Lightning. Our baby." Lightning hesitated saying anything further. He knew how badly she wanted this.
Probably enough to give her life! He sighed and leaned into her face, "Okay.. But you both are gonna be healthy. Both of you will be okay and our baby is going to make it through this, alright." "How do you know?.. The last one didn't…" She reminded of their miscarriage.
Lightning sighed before answering, "I think this one has more you in him." "Me? And him, huh?" She asked with a giggle. Lightning nodded answering, "Yeah, he is definitely gonna be as stubborn and independent and annoyingly hard headed as you." "What if it's a girl?" "Then I'll be a dead man." He joked. Sally snickered. Smiling up at him. Don't know why. But the idea of her carrying his child and creating a life inside her suddenly made this woman so much more attractive. Lightning was falling hard all over again for his wife. This moment he decided he was done. He was done looking for happiness anywhere else and was determined to make a life here with his wife and keep it….