Sorry for the double post! The next chapter is ready now.
CHAPTER FOUR
So that’s why Sally had been so giddy lately! She had been carrying a surprise for him all along! What a relief that was, and McQueen couldn’t have been more ecstatic about it.
“How long have you been keeping this?!” he blurted.
“Oh, about three and a half weeks.”
He exclaimed with thrill, “Three and-! Sally!”
“I know, I should have told you sooner. I wanted to wait a bit though, just to be sure. Honestly, I’m glad you brought it up. I couldn’t figure out how to tell you myself! I’m sorry…” she trailed off with a sigh.
“Sorry? Sal, I want this!”
“Yes, but it couldn’t have come at a worse time,” she said quietly while her eyes dropped to the floor between them.
McQueen’s smile fell as he took in her statement. There was no more than two weeks before he would have to be off on the road with Mack and company. It was hard enough not seeing Sally through those months, but it would be even more difficult this time when she really needed his support. At least this way he would be around when the baby was to be born.
“Sally, I know my racing can get in the way sometimes but we’re going to make this work, OK?” he encouraged and kissed her lightly on the lips.
She smiled softly, “OK, Stickers.”
“Now let’s pick out some furniture for the baby’s room! Oh, wait! Maybe we should spread the news first? There’s too much to do! What do you think?”
She laughed at his childish excitement, “Whatever you want.”
“Alright, let’s go out then. I think I know someone who is going to be one happy tow truck…”
A few weeks brought the day of McQueen’s embark. He had stayed in town as long as possible and he couldn’t wait one day more if he wanted to make the first race. The rest of the team had already boarded their separate transport but McQueen hesitated outside of Mack for his final goodbyes.
“Mater, you’ll take good care of Sally, won’t you?”
“Sure thing, pal! Ya know, I hear them pregnant ladies stall mighty easy. But that’s what I got mah tow cable for!” he chuckled and winked at Sally.
Sally rolled her eyes and pulled a half grin. Her eyes landed on McQueen and he could see that she looked ready to cry. Even after all these years, she still had that glint of liquid on her windshield when he left for the new season. He almost wished she would just let the tears fall like Red did. But being Sally she never would, it was some kind of pride thing.
“Well, I guess this is goodbye for a while,” she said timidly as she hung back with sadness.
“Just for a while, Sally, not forever, never forever,” he told her gently.
She gasped and blinked her eyes at his heartfelt words. More tears brimmed the edge of her windshield but she managed to say, “I love you, Stickers.”
“I love you too. Now, how about a good luck kiss?” he asked.
She kissed him promptly then added, “And one for your baby?”
He breathed a short laugh and kissed her back, “Of course.”
I don't think I've ever used so many "!" marks in my whole life. <img src="//pixarplanet-forums.s3.dualstack.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/original/2X/4/4d009dd141f26b0a611a818d8d3d4fc9f50168cf.gif" width="15" height="15" alt="8D" title="Chuckle"/> Well, I thought this was a sweet one but what really matters is what you guys thought! Let me know. :smiley: