Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

“You know what’s the most unfair thing, sometimes?” Wallace said one chilly day, a couple of days after Gregory’s 35th birthday.

The red Hornet looked up from his book. “What?” He asked curiously.

“That you get to have presents twice in a week.” His middle brother remarked. “First for your birthday, then for the holidays.”

“Well, I can hardly plan when I’m meant to be born, now can I?” Gregory said with a raised windshield. “Now, was there anything else on your mind?”

“Yeah, are we celebratin’ the holidays here or are we gonna done see Grandma up in Oregon?” Wallace continued. “Dad wasn’t exactly clear on the details.”

“I’m not sure, but it’s very likely we will travel up to Oregon to see Grandmother.” Gregory answered with a soft sigh. “She doesn’t like to travel too much, so it’s unlikely we’ll come down to Arizona. Besides, she must’ve been so lonely in the house up there since Grandfather’s passing…”

“Oi… no need to get depressin’.” Wallace grumbled.

“I know. I just can’t help thinking about it.” Gregory said.

“Ugh, you’re such a cinnamon roll that it makes me sick.” Wallace mock-complained. “Too much sugary sweetness.”

A familiar laugh erupted from behind Wallace, coming from a certain red racecar. Lightning McQueen couldn’t help it. “Hey, it’s true though! Gregory is definitely a cinnamon roll!”

“Stop it…I’m not that special.” Gregory mumbled, turning dark red as he tried to focus on his book instead of looking at anyone at all.

“Hey, c’mon, bro!” Lightning nudged Gregory playfully. “We’re just messing with you. You know we love you for who you are.”

“Yes, I know.” Gregory said with a flushed smile. “Anyways, have you seen our parents yet? I haven’t seen them today so far.”

“Probably in the bedroom.” Wallace drawled, in his usual crass way, and sipped on his coffee. “Sleepin’ or just spendin’ time together, who the sam hell knows?”

Lightning grimaced. “I’m not poking around in there.” He said, remembering the time he busted into the clinic when Doc was giving Sheriff a check up.

“Well, it’s nearly ten in the morning, so they have to get up for breakfast at some point.” Gregory said matter-of-factly. “How was your independent training session, by the way?” He addressed Lightning. “I’m surprised Father is letting you train on your own without supervision. He’s usually very adamant on keeping an eye on you.”

“Think it was somethin’ ‘bout teachin’ ‘im independence at his age.” Wallace remarked. “He ain’t wrong, tho.”

Lightning actually looked thoughtful as he considered his response. “Well… it could’ve gone better, but at least I didn’t end up in the cacti this time.” He admitted. But he did shift one of his tires uneasily.

“But isn’t it good that Lightning is learning some independence?” Gregory inquired. “You never know. Father could get a sudden patient at the clinic and might not have the time to train with Lightning at the Butte.”

“Maybe.” Wallace shrugged.

“I feel a bit uneasy about it though.” Lightning admitted. “I mean… I’ve always had him helping me and now…” He trailed off. “I mean… yeah, I didn’t have him training me for two years but… I’m just not sure if I can get used to this. This feels different.”

“Mhm.” Gregory said, a little distracted. For other people, it might seem as if he was distracted by his book. But as for him…Gregory didn’t focus on the text in his book and instead, he felt vaguely strange as he thought he saw something in his mind, like a brief flicker through time.

He has never told anyone about this, but he had discovered he was able to see certain…visions that haven't really happened yet. He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination or not, which was mainly why he never said anything about it. But there was something that made him feel uneasy, but he couldn’t place what it was. 

Gregory couldn’t stop thinking about what his grandfather had told him, before he passed away. 

“You have something you don’t even see in yourself.”

Regardless of what it was with him, Gregory couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. It was as if something was coming towards them and it didn’t feel good at all.

“Well, well, well.” Wallace suddenly drawled, shaking Gregory back to reality. “Look what the cat dragged in.” It appeared as if their parents had finally turned up; their mother looked very happy and chipper while their father seemed to still be on cloud nine, with a dazed, dreamy smile as his expression.

Maria suddenly eyed her middle son with a stern glance. “You better not express whatever idiotic idea you’ve gotten in your head, Wallace.” She warned him. “Got it?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Wallace said quickly.

Doc chuckled once he regained his senses. “I still don’t want to know how he got so gutter-brained.”

“No argument here.” Gregory said sarcastically. “Now when you are finally here, I’d like to know what the plan is for the holidays, because amazingly enough…no one seems to know and you’ve been very vague when it comes to plans.” Gregory continued and did not hold back on the sarcasm.

Doc looked down in thought before he looked back up. “Well… since my father’s passing earlier this year… Why don’t we go visit my mother? I’m sure she would like that. And I’m sure she’s missing seeing her grandkids.” He said with a slight grin. “Apparently, you three made quite an impression on her, and she’s been bugging me about when the next visit is.”

“Sounds good to me.” Gregory said and looked at his two younger brothers, who also nodded with smiles. “I know, for a fact, that we adore our grandmother as well.”

Doc laughed. “Well, I’m sure she’s gonna spoil you boys. She’s always wanted grandkids, but of us kids, apparently I was the only one to do so, so I assume anyway.”

“Aw man! So no cousins?!” Lightning whined. “That stinks!”

“Well, we can’t exactly assume that is the case until we have confirmation.” Gregory told his little brother. As far as I know, Father has an older brother and a twin sister. There’s a good chance that neither of them felt like introducing their eventual children?”

Lightning pouted. “Maybe…” He conceded. “But I wanted to know if we had any cousins…” He then smiled a bit. “I’d have loved to see their reactions to having a famous racecar in the family.”

“Oi, I’ve got a known name too.” Wallace shot back at his little brother. “Just ‘cause we’re racin’ in different circuits, that doesn’t mean ya get to hog all the glory.”

“You’re regional.” Lightning retorted. “I’m the one in the Piston Cup.”

“Now boys…” Doc warned his two bickering sons.

Maria snickered at her husband’s attempt to get the two under control. “If you two don’t stop arguing, I’m gonna make the one who argues the most clean the kitchen with a toothbrush.”

Both racecars stopped arguing right away after that threat.

“Both your racing professions are equally impressive and important.” Gregory said in a tone that clearly told that he’s sat through this argument far too many times. “No one is better than the other and I’m proud of you both. Now, can we stop having this argument every month?”

Lightning and Wallace both sighed.

“Fine…” Lightning and Wallace muttered at the same time.

“Now that we have the arguing out of the way, we need to figure out when we are leaving to visit my mother.” Doc said sternly.

“On it.” Gregory smiled as he brought out his tablet. “I might as well declare myself as the official planner for this family.” He added.

Doc chuckled. “Only when it’s not the racin’ season.”

‘Hah! Even when it’s the racing season, Greg’s always planning stuff!” Lightning laughed.

Gregory couldn’t help but blush. “I’m just trying to look out for you guys, baby brother!”

“A’right, on topic, what have you found, Gregory?” Doc asked. “When can we leave to visit?”

“Well, we have two options. Either we take a one hour flight to Portland from Phoenix. Or we could take a train from Phoenix towards Los Angeles where we exchange trains and towards Portland.” Gregory explained. “I’m leaning towards the flight option, because it’s more convenient and faster.”

“Yeah, flight sounds like it would be better.” Doc agreed. “Less stress on your engine.”

Lightning grinned. “And flights means movies! I love watching movies on the plane!”

“You’re too easily entertained, Lightnin’ bug.” Wallace chuckled.

“It’s just a one hour flight, Lightning.” Gregory said. “It’s not enough time to watch an entire movie.”

“Awww…” Lightning grumbled.

“But yes, I believe it might be better to not strain my engine.” Gregory agreed. “Bonus is that we don’t have to rush to get to Portland in time, so we can take our sweet time.”

Wallace grumbled. “I would’ve liked to take the train…” He muttered, but that got him a tire smack from Maria.

“And that was for not considering your brother’s engine condition.” She scolded him.

“That wasn’t the point!” Wallace shot back, annoyedly. “A train trip’s longer and gives us more time together! It’s not as if we’ve got many years together under the belt, now have we?”

“That’s a sweet thought, Wallace. But we are spending time together, no matter how we travel.” Gregory said kindly. “There’s plenty of good time to come.”

Doc laughed. “I should know, since I travel with the rookie to all of his races, and will be doing so again!”

“No need to be cheeky, Doc.” Maria giggled.

Doc just gave a cheeky grin to Maria.

“Can you get us a flight as soon as possible, Greg?” Lightning asked. “I mean, I could help pay for it if you want.”

“Oh, it’s fine. Got my own money. Being Lightning McQueen’s lawyer earns me a lot, even with my usual salary as Pushrod’s finest lawyer.” Gregory smiled brightly and used his fender antenna to tap on the tablet.

“And there you go again, not accepting my help.” Lightning groaned dramatically.

“Oh, ease off the speed, lil’ bro.” Wallace laughed.

Lightning grumbled, but didn’t make any more dramatic exclamations.

“So Gregory, have you booked the flight?” Doc asked, wanting to stay on topic.

“Mhm, almost. Got an American flight, the actual flight takes around 3 hours, so I guess Lightning will see at least one movie. Let’s see…five seats. Do you want Premium Economy, Business or First class? I usually travel in Business, but it’s up to you to choose.” Gregory said as he worked fast.

Wallace made to speak, but a glare from Maria made him shut his mouth.

“Whatever works for you.” Doc said. “You’re the one payin’.”

Lightning laughed. “I flew first class during the Grand Prix, and it was nice.”

“Business.” Gregory decided. “First class is very high-end, but Business is a little more comfortable. Besides, it’s not as if we’re travelling across the globe.” He said as he booked the flight. 

Doc smiled. “That works.”

Wallace gave a nudge to Gregory. “I swear, Lightnin’ Bug’s gettin’ spoiled too much.”

“Knock it off, I’ve spoiled you a little too.” Gregory remarked to him. “I clearly have a too soft spot when it comes to you two disasters.” He sighed fondly.

Doc laughed. “No one can stay away from them for long.” He agreed. “I mean, Lightnin’ came right into town and wrecked the road! Yet even after that, I couldn’t punish ‘im too hard.”

Maria’s blue gaze suddenly fixed her husband and her youngest with a glare. “What do you mean, Lightning wrecked the road?” She said sharply.

Gregory looked at his father. “You didn’t tell her?”

“He done didn’t tell her.” Wallace said and nodded importantly. “Whew, what a run! I should get myself some more coffee.”

Lightning wanted to hide in a hole, he sank down so low on his suspension, closing his eyes in embarrassment.

Doc sighed. “Well, I suppose you would’ve found out sooner or later.” He admitted before looking at Maria. “The rookie here,” he gestured at Lightning. “Came speedin’ into town, lookin’ for his driver, Mack. Somehow the two got separated durin’ the night, and he comes speedin’ in, confused and lost. Didn’t help Sheriff was havin’ an engine backfire episode either, so Lightnin’ thinks he’s bein’ shot at and panics."

Doc took a breath before letting it out. “Somehow, the kid tore up the road completely in his panic. I don’t know the exact details, just that it was a mess the next day, and the hotshot is in the impound.”

“Dad made me fix the road.” Lightning revealed, remaining so low to the ground that even the exhaust pipes sticking out from his sides were on the ground.

“Don’t worry, everything’s done.” Gregory added as he tapped more in his tablet. “He was lucky that Radiator Springs has been socially ghosted for forty years, because he’d be in hot waters if the media sniffed out the disaster and I’d be stuck in a horrible PR nightmare. Everything’s been accounted for, including his community service and he’s learnt the consequences of his actions, which is always a bonus. So, everything’s under control.” He said in a very professional tone, fitting for the lawyer of a famous racing super star. “You see, baby brother. I’ve got everything under control.” He smiled.

Maria took a deep breath before letting it out. “As long as he learned his lesson, I suppose it isn’t something we need to worry about anymore.”

“Oh, I definitely learned my lesson.” Lightning grimaced. “I’m not doing that again, no sirree!”

“Well… when do we have to leave for the flight?” Wallace asked. “I wanna go see Grandma again!”

“I believe tomorrow at noon, so we’ll get to the airport in good time. Our flight is in the evening and the drive to Phoenix takes three hours, so we will take it nice and easy.” Gregory said. “So, today we’ll be packing since I believe we will stay for a few days.”

Lightning grinned. “Awesome!” He exclaimed before zipping off to do just that.

Gregory sighed softly as he watched his youngest brother speed off. “There he goes again…we really need to cut off his sugar intake. And I think he’s been drinking from my coffee when I wasn’t looking, ‘cause there’s less in it than what I remember.”

Doc sighed. “Well, when the racin’ season comes, he’s not goin’ to be doin’ that, I can tell you that much.” He then grimaced a bit. “Last time a racer did that, the track doctors had ‘im pulled from the race.”

“I suppose caffeine has a massive effect on racecars, so it counts as cheating?” Gregory theorized. “That might make sense, given how most racecars are naturally energetic already.”

“Oh, it does.” Doc chuckled.

“Well, you certainly are energetic when we have our… fun… time.” Maria giggled with a slight blush.

“Oi! Too much info!” Wallace exclaimed.

“You’re the one with a gutter brain and you say it’s too much info for you?” Maria asked, raising a windshield.

“Mother, we’d rather not know what you and our father are up to during your “fun times”, okay?” Gregory said as he cringed. “I really don’t want to think about it and I can live without that kind of knowledge.”

“I suppose so.” Doc agreed with a sheepish chuckle. “We may have been a bit… too engaged in that kind of stuff as of late…”

“Now, we can’t just let poor Lightning pack all on his own.” Maria said as she nudged Gregory. “You’d better go do the same. Wallace, you too.” She said to both of her older boys.

“I could do that.” Gregory smiled and headed off to his apartment. 

“So, I bring my toothbrush and my charmin’ self?” Wallace joked, trying to lighten the mood.

“More than just a toothbrush.” Maria scolded Wallace lightly. “We’ll be gone for a few days, not just a last minute trip like last time.”

“T’s was just a joke.” Wallace said in his usual southern drawl. “Jeez, tough crowd these days…” He muttered to himself as he left to pack, a little annoyed that his joke fell flat. “Gotta work on my stand-up comedy a tad…”

“Boo!” Lightning exclaimed from the guest room, which he still claimed as his.

“Keep packing, Lightning!” Maria called.

“Still ain’t funny, lil’ bro.” Wallace said dryly. His little brother was 25 and he kept doing that. 

Lightning grinned from the doorway, not at all ashamed of his little stunt. He ducked back inside to resume packing.

“Rookie’s gonna need to keep that in check for the new season.” Doc admitted. “‘Specially with a new crew chief and manager for Team Hicks.”

“Gregory’s been concerned about that.” Maria told him as she started to organize for the packing. She frowned as if she was wondering if she could say something or not. “...I have reasons to believe that Gregory might be a little…clairvoyant.” She finally said. “I’m not entirely sure if that’s a thing that can happen to cars, but considering there existed magic in the world until a decade ago…I believe it is possible that some residual magic that once existed in the world might have influenced certain cars through history. Like the Oracle in Delphi in Ancient Greece.”

Doc frowned. “He… did warn me, saying he was getting a bad feeling. I’m not sure if that is just him being cautious or not, but… I will admit, this is the first I’ve heard of this new crew chief. I need to look into him at some point.”

“I’ve only heard a little.” Maria admitted. “Apparently, it was some regional racer who competed in the late fifties until the early seventies, always failing to get into the Piston Cup circuit.” She sighed. “Wasn’t too bad in the start, but then his way turned more hostile and merciless. I guess he eventually kept becoming more and more bitter with time, so one day he just straight up left. Rumors said that he was disqualified or left on his own accord. No one’s sure.”

“How do you know all this?” Doc asked.

“Wallace. He’s said that it’s usually told like some cautionary tale in the regional circuits.” Maria responded. “He learnt about it during his first few years as a regional racer. I think it was some kind of life lesson to not aim high if you don’t think you can’t handle it and to not let yourself sink into bitterness if you don’t reach higher than regional racing. That’s probably why despite not getting into the Piston Cup, Wallace is very good-natured and genuinely likes the regional races more. He isn’t someone who competes for fame or money, but for fun.”

Doc nodded. “Makes sense.” He said before looking down in thought. “When we get back, I will look into who this racer could be, but for now, we have a trip and a holiday to enjoy.” He said with a slight grin. “And I’m sure my mother’s plannin’ somethin’ big for the holidays.”

“You think she’s doing okay with being all alone in the house in Oregon?” Maria said. “Sure, she’s obviously going to be very happy to see the boys again. But otherwise, she’s all alone up there and she lost her husband not too long ago.”

“She did say she was too old to move to a new place.” Doc admitted. “And to be honest, I have to agree with her sentiments. She’s just not in the shape to make such a big move. She’s already lived a long life, and while she is still alive, how long will that be? And besides, she will want to be with my father when that time comes, I’m sure.”

“I know, I just don’t want her to feel alone and abandoned in that big house.” Maria said.

“She won’t.” Doc chuckled. “She has neighbors all around her. She’ll be fine, I’m sure. In fact, last week, she sent me an email saying she was having fun going out and about with some of the other neighbors.”

His wife smiled in relief. “That’s good to hear.” Then a thought struck her. “Oh my Ford, I sound like Gregory. Now I know where that sweet boy has gotten his motherhen tendencies from.”

Doc laughed. “I was wonderin’ where the boy got those from, because it certainly wasn’t me! In fact, I thought he got it from my own mother!”

“He might’ve gotten a motherhen-like trait fused by mine and your mother’s traits.” Maria suggested. “That wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest. But I believe Gregory will be more than capable of becoming a good parent in the future.”

Doc chuckled. “Hopefully he won’t be as protective as I have been. I swear, my tendencies have worn on Gregory a bit over the last few months since I blew my own cover to protect ‘im during that Grand Prix farce.”

“It helps that he has a milder temperament than you, Wallace and Lightning together.” Maria smirked at him. “He’s also more patient than any of you three.”

“Trust me, I know.” Doc replied with a smirk of his own. “But I suppose it comes with bein’ a racecar, the more headstrong temperament.” He added, his voice dropping a bit lower. “Not that I’ve heard you complainin’ about it…”

Maria laughed and slapped his side lightly. “Not now!” She giggled at him. “You’ve been relentless ever since we legally renewed our vows!”

“What can I say? I haven’t seen my beautiful wife in 20 years.” Doc chuckled back. “Have to make up for that lost time somehow.”

“How about you wait until we get to your mother’s place?” Maria grinned back. “And I can make it worthwhile…” She added in a low voice of her own.

“Hot damn.” Doc mumbled to himself, letting his southern accent slip out a little. For a car who was originally from Oregon, he got himself quite the southern accent after living for twenty years in an Arizonian desert town.

It certainly helped that Maria thought his accent was attractive and very hot.

“You’re gonna be fine without us?” Gregory asked his girlfriend as he met with her at Flo’s later in the day, in the late afternoon. Packing came remarkably easy for him, as he’s been out on many business trips that was sometimes required in his line of work, and he’s been done for some time now. 

“Yeah, pretty sure.” Sky said with a bright grin. “I’ve been celebratin’ the holidays with my dad for some years now, even before he went and done adopted me for good. This is the first time we’re gonna be celebratin’ with my new mom!” She said happily. 

“I’m glad you’re going to enjoy yourself.” The red Hornet said. “I’m glad that I nagged at my brothers to leave their holiday gifts for you already now. But you know the rules, no opening until Chryslermas Day.”

“I know, I know. Dad has already nagged at me ‘bout that.” The blue Mazda sighed playfully. “It’s like he ain’t trustin’ me.”

“No, I’m sure he is trusting you. Just not your patience.” Gregory said. “Racecars have a bit of a problem when it comes to patience, after all. Even natural ones, like yourself.” A thought struck him. “You’ve got something for Lightning, right?”

“Damn sure I do. But he ain’t gonna get it until he’s back here.” She grinned. “Also I’ve got one heck of a surprise for your parents once they’re back. Actually, not just from me. It’s kinda from the whole town, but I ain’t gonna say what it is yet.” Sky smirked confidently at him.

“Hm, I can’t wait to see what it is.” Gregory mused.

“You ain’t gonna ask?”

“I’m not so impatient like my brothers or even my father. Besides, since this is a joint effort from the whole town and not just you, I trust that it will be a nice surprise.” Gregory said wisely. 

Sky grinned. “Oh, he will be in shock for sure.” She chirped with a big smile. “I can’t wait to record his reaction!”

“You do that, I’m sure it will be something to remember.” Gregory smiled at her. “Now, when do you think my brothers will be done with packing? I reckon it will take them…at least another hour. Maybe two, if Lightning and Wallace are indulging in some childish games and are having a pillow fight instead of packing.” 

“Oi! Who’s havin’ a pillow fight?” Wallace’s voice piped up.

“Not us!” Lightning added with a big grin. “We’re all set, Greg! Now we just need to wait for Mom and Dad.”

“Well, there’s a first time for everything.” Gregory said and not that his younger brothers knew that, but that was an expression their father used to say a lot when Gregory was very little. Yes, he remembered that, because he had an excellent memory.

“Hey, can’t we be on time for once?” Wallace grumbled.

“I kinda have to start being on time again, what with the new racing season starting in two months.” Lightning chuckled. “Don’t wanna make Dad mad if I sleep too late on a race day.”

“Speakin’ of… Where are our parents?” Wallace asked. “They’d better not be doin’ the-”

“You finish that sentence, you’re getting soap in your mouth.” Maria said as she came up with Doc beside her.

Wallace shut his mouth. “Oops.” He covered his mouth with his front tires while Sky and Lightning laughed up a storm. “It’s like she appears every time I open my gosh darned mouth!” He hissed at them. 

“Maybe if you weren’t so crude all the time.” Gregory told him.

“Aw, c’mon. We’re all adults in ‘ere!” Wallace complained. “I mean, I’m thirty-one, for Peterbilt’s sake. There is stuff we can talk ‘bout.”

“Yes, you are correct.” Gregory said, surprising everyone. “There are adult things we can talk about…and then, there are adult things you take very childishly that we can’t talk about. So, there is a difference.”

“Check and mate, he has won again.” Lightning muttered to Sky, who snickered. 

“Anyways, are we all packed and ready for tomorrow?” Gregory said. “I’m asking, because I won’t turn around if anyone forgets something.”

“Ya sound a lot like Dad right there.” Wallace drawled. “And yeah, I done got everythin’ in my packed bag.”

Lightning grinned. “I’m all set too. Even got my phone charger.”

Doc nodded, as did Maria.

“Looks like we’re all set for tomorrow then.” Doc said with a small smile.

“So, what time’s the flight, Greg?” Lightning asked.

“6.15 tomorrow evening. So, in a bit more than twenty-four hours.” Gregory replied. “We’ll depart from Radiator Springs tomorrow at precisely noon, so we’ll arrive at Phoenix by mid-afternoon. Then, we’ll have three hours in the airport before the flight departs. So, we will all be out in good time.” He said with a smile.

“Good to know.” Doc said with a smile.

“Neat, so I can finally take a look ‘round in the taxfree shops.” Wallace said positively. “Airports are the best, they have the greatest things ya can’t buy otherwise if it ain’t overpriced.”

Lightning laughed. “I did that in London once!”

“Damn right ya did. And Doc had to drag ya out by your spoiler.” Sky laughed at the memory.

“Don’t remind me.” Lightning grumbled.

“After the whole farce, of course, I wasn’t goin’ to let you out of my sight.” Doc retorted.

“Besides, Father was already on edge, since I nearly died-” Gregory started.

“Again.” Wallace muttered under his breath.

“-and he didn’t want any of us to be separated, in case something else happened.” Gregory finished as if he wasn’t interrupted.

“Well, we’d better get some sleep so we can prepare for tomorrow’s flight.” Doc said. “I don’t want any of us to miss the flight.”

“No sweat!” Wallace said with an easy grin. “I bet we’re gonna have a great time!”

Gregory leaned towards his father. “He’s collecting fridge magnets from every airport he’s ever been to, that’s why he’s excited.” He whispered. “He probably hopes to get one from Phoenix and one from Portland.”

Doc chuckled. “As long as it’s harmless, I don’t see the issue.” He whispered back.

Lightning leaned in as well. “The fridge of our old house back in Washington State was covered in fridge magnets.” He whispered as well.

“Oi! What’s the secret?” Wallace turned to face his two brothers and father.

“Nothing~!” Lightning said cheekily as he grinned.

“It’s fine, son.” Doc chuckled.

“A’right…” Wallace said suspiciously. 

“C’mon now. We can’t be up too late.” Doc said, trying to get his rowdy boys under control.

“Goodnight, I will see you all tomorrow.” Gregory said with a little wave as he headed back to his apartment.

Lightning, Maria, and Doc headed back to the apartment behind the clinic, with Wallace following suit.

The next day, Lightning got to sleep in. He was happy as could be under the blanket and cuddled into it even more with a content sigh. He loved it when he could get cozy and warm in winter.

He was about to doze back off to slumberland when a knock on his door made him groan. “Not now…” He muttered to himself.

“C’mon, Lightnin’ Bug!” Wallace called. “Big brother Gregory wants you up and about by now! It’s almost 11!”

Grumbling, Lightning threw the blanket off and stretched himself out a bit. Just to annoy his older brother, he made sure to take his sweet time. Finally done with his stretching, Lightning made his way to the door and opened it.

Wallace was looking unamused. “You sure took your time getting up.”

“What can I say?” Lightning grinned cheekily. “I’m not a morning car.”

“Except for on race days.” Wallace pointed out. “That seems to be the only time you get up early.”

“True.” Lightning grinned back. “But don’t say you haven’t done the same thing, ‘Ace’.”

“Oi, you don’t know that for sure.” Wallace retorted with a huff.

“Sure, whatever you say, ‘Ace’.” Lightning teased.

“Okay, outta your room.” Wallace grumbled. “I don’t fancy havin’ Dad after me because you didn’t get up.”

A sharp knock came onto Lightning’s bedroom door. “Lightnin’! Up and at it!” Doc called as he passed through the hallway.

“A’right, stop lazin’ ‘round and get out now.” Wallace said as he pushed the door open, getting out in the hallway.

Lightning grumbled, but left his room. Looking at the clock, Lightning grimaced. “Yikes… I didn’t think I’d sleep that late.”

“You’d sleep ‘til noon if we let you, baby bro.” Wallace chuckled.

Meanwhile, Gregory was waiting at Flo’s for his family. While he was usually patient, he was very impatient because they actually had to go somewhere and they couldn’t be late. He sipped on his coffee in a rather passively aggressive way, glaring holes at the clinic as if it had personally offended him.

“Relax, they’d be here soon ‘nough.” Sky said casually, not bothered in the slightest. For once, she had gotten herself a coffee drink…if it could be called that, since it was loaded with chocolate, milk and sugar and contained very little coffee. Nevertheless, she loved it. “I really like this chocolate latte thingy!”

“Mocha latte, dearest.” Gregory corrected her gently. “You’re gonna be fine with that kind of sugar bomb?”

“Eh, I’ll burn it off eventually.” Sky shrugged. “You’re a tad annoyed.”

“Yes, because we agreed we’d be ready to leave precisely at noon!” Gregory hissed. “I can only guess what the others are up to and that is making me very irritated. Why make rules if no one’s going to follow them? Structures exist for a reason and without it, the society will collapse and throw the world into a state of lawlessness and chaos.”

Just then, the doors to the clinic opened, and the rest of Gregory’s family came out.

“Well, it’s about time!” Gregory wasted no time in tearing them a new one. “What were you doing? Picking daisies?! Why do I bother to make plans, if you aren’t following them?!” He snapped. “Do you know what time it is? 11.50! We are supposed to leave in ten minutes! I’m at a loss for words!”

‘For being at a loss for words, he sure has a lot to say.’ Lightning thought to himself as he forced himself to listen to his older brother throwing a hissy fit at his tardiness.

“So, you ain’t gonna say nothin’ ‘bout mom and dad probably doin’ a lil’ “somethin’” before we’re s’pposed to leave?” Wallace added in a southern drawl.

“ARGH!” Gregory let out a shout of frustration. “What is wrong with you people?!”

“A’right, I’m steppin’ in now.” Sky said in her best officer voice. “Stress ain’t good for Gregory’s oil pressure and I’d be damned if anythin’ happens to my boyfriend.”

“Relax, son.” Doc said. “We didn’t get up to anythin’.” He shot Wallace a disapproving look.

“Yeah, I was just messin’ with ya.” Wallace confessed. “T’s fine, just take it easy. We’ll get there in time, big bro. Don’t worry ‘bout small things.”

“I swear, you like to push everyone’s buttons, Wallace.” Maria sighed.

“I was just kiddin’, jeez.” Wallace said. “Ain’t nobody with a lick of humor anymore.” He muttered to himself. “Anyho, we’re all packed and good. Packed bags in our trunks, so ready whenever ya are!”

“Let’s go!” Lightning exclaimed with a big grin.

“A’right, we’re gonna leave now.” Doc said. “Take care of things while we’re gone.”

“Will do!” Sky waved at him with a grin. “Me and Dad are keepin’ an eye out for everythin’!” She said. “Also Sarge has the cannons ready, just in case.”

“He wouldn’t take a no.” Sheriff explained flatly. “Not after what happened at the Prix.”

“How do cannons make it better?” Gregory retorted. “I think you guys are overreacting. No one’s dying and nothing’s gonna happen.”

“Wanna think ‘bout the Prix and say that again?” Wallace said dryly with an unimpressed stare. “Nearly gave me a fuckin’ heart attack when we saw that on live tv. Hey, Dad. Ya ain’t gonna let Greg go off on a global Prix again, right?”

Doc shot Wallace a glare. “Do not bring that up.” He growled out, his eyes hard.

“I was just askin’!” Wallace shot back. “I wanna keep ‘im safe too, ya know. I ain’t chopped liver.” He added, feeling very annoyed that no one took him seriously. “We’re goin’ or what?”

“Right.” Gregory said and looked at the townsfolk, who came to wave them off. “Be safe everyone and have a nice holiday! I assume we will be back in time for the New Years! Happy holidays!”

“Happy holidays!”

“Be safe!”

“See you soon!”

On their way to Phoenix, Gregory noticed that Wallace was very quiet with an irritated, sullen expression. 

He knew his brother better than anyone; Wallace loved to laugh and joke a lot, but he had his serious moments too and his middle brother had worked hard to become the strongest in the family, all for the purpose to protect them from unprecedented dangers. That was at least the plan before they randomly reunited with their father and Wallace went adrift, not sure what to do with himself now when he didn’t feel needed.

“Wallace.” Gregory said as he fell back to drive next to him. “I know you mean well. You have a weird sense of humor, but I appreciate everything you’re doing.”

“Glad someone does.” Wallace muttered. “Dad ain’t done nothin’ but yellin’ or reprimandin’ me since we all got together again. Guess I trained and trained for nothin’, huh?”

“I wouldn’t say that.” Gregory smiled at him. “You have done a good job looking after us and defending me when it became necessary. But you know, you are allowed to rest. You don’t have to train so hard all the time.”

“...Sarge snitched, didn’t he?”

“I don’t think he’s ever seen a car who’s not a SUV beat his boot-camp almost every time on a weekly basis before.” Gregory said. “And as far as I’ve learnt, he isn’t a car easy to impress either. You are strong, Wallace. But you don’t have to make yourself into the family’s protector and make it your only identity.”

“I ain’t someone without that.” The dark blue Dodge Dart said. “My reporter career ain’t goin’ nowhere and I sure love regional racin’, but I get sick of gettin’ no respect for it, sometimes. It’s just…some things Lightnin’ says ‘bout it that really pushes me. I know he apologized, but I can’t forget what he said five years ago, when he was bein’ a selfish brat ‘bout things.”

Gregory’s brown eyes softened at him. “His words really hurt you, didn’t they?”

“I guess.” Wallace muttered. “But everythin’s supposed to be all fine and dandy now, right? Just…actin’ as if it ain’t never happened.” He said slowly. “I’m tryin’ to let it go, I really am.”

“I know.” Gregory said softly. “I get it, you know. He said things that also hurt me, but it has always come easy for me to forgive him. That’s how I am, but that doesn’t mean that you have to be the same. Take your time and focus on yourself, for once. All I want is for you to be happy too, that’s all.”

“Damn, if everyone on this wretched planet could be like you, big bro.” Wallace gave a little laugh. “It ain’t never gonna be no wars, in that case.”

“I suppose so.” Gregory snickered. “Glad to see you smiling again, Wallace.”

Wallace laughed a bit again. “Yeah, you always did find a way to cheer me up, ya big softie.” He nudged Gregory back playfully. “I mean it. You’re just too soft, but that’s why we love ya.”

Wallace had to admit, his big brother did have some good points. He couldn’t just let his life be defined by one role. But what else could he do? That’s what he wanted to know, and possibly find out.

“After we get back… I’m thinkin’ of doin’ some explorin’... to find out what it is I can do.” Wallace said after a few moments of silence. “This way, my life isn’t defined by just bein’ the family protector.”

Despite being a little behind the schedule, they made it to Phoenix airport in good time and plenty of time to spare, since it was a regional flight. 

After getting through the passport and security check point, they were sitting close by their gate and waiting for the boarding. It wouldn’t happen for another hour, so they had some time to kill.

“Here you go.” Gregory smiled sweetly at his middle brother, offering him a milkshake he got from one of the shops in the terminal. “Thought you needed something to cheer yourself up with.”

“Banana milkshake?”

“But of course.” His older brother said. “I’d never forget your favorite.”

“Lightnin’ was right. You do spoil us too often.” Wallace laughed as he took the milkshake and began to slurp it down with gusto.

“Why wouldn’t I spoil my baby brothers? It’s my duty as the oldest brother to do such things!” Gregory laughed as well.

“You’d have better not have gotten me a magnet.” Wallace joked as he nudged Gregory again.

“Oh? You mean this one?” Gregory teased as he held up a magnet that said the word “Phoenix” on a cactus.

“Oi! Give me that!” Wallace exclaimed as he tried to get at the magnet in Gregory’s tire.

“Here you go!” Gregory said and handed it over to him. “Feeling happy yet?”

“Very happy!” Wallace grinned. “Best brother ever!”

Lightning turned around, having heard Gregory and Wallace messing around. “Hey, what’s gotten you two all excited?” He asked with a grin.

“Gregory’s just being a good big brother!” Wallace exclaimed as he held up his new magnet for his collection.

“Aw, not another one!” Lightning groaned. “How many magnets do you have now?”

“Mmmm… maybe about 100?” Wallace guessed. “I haven’t counted ‘em all.”

“You’d better not stick all those magnets on the fridge like you did back in the old house.” Maria warned. “I was getting them all over me when I tried to get something out!”

Doc laughed. “Sounds just like Wallace to do something like that.”

“I swear, you have too many of those fridge magnets.” Lightning grumbled. “I remember when I was 11 and you covered me in magnets.”

“Uh huh.” Wallace said disinterestedly and sipped on his milkshake instead. “They gave ya more character.”

“I had to go to school with two of them still stuck on me because of where they were!” Lightning grumbled. “I was called “Magnet Boy” for the day.”

“Hey, it was harmless.” Doc lightly chided his son. “But I do have to admit, I don’t think I remember Wallace having such an obsession with magnets.”

“Everyone has their happy place, whenever they feel down.” Gregory said with steel in his voice. “His “happy place” happens to be collecting silly, little fridge magnets. So, leave it.”

Gregory wasn’t usually like this, but he noticed that Wallace was socially and emotionally isolating himself more after every confrontation with their father or Lightning. Such as right now, he had gotten more closed off and guarded. Instead of answering or looking anyone in the eyes, he sipped on his milkshake.

‘He’s gotten more closed off than usual. I hope he doesn’t develop some kind of distrust of our father or Lightning. Ford knows how much damage has been done to his self esteem.’ Gregory thought to himself.

Doc wasn’t unaware of this either. He noticed how Wallace seemed to be avoiding eye contact, and it worried him. He remembered Wallace being so happy and carefree before, but now… Now he wasn’t so sure if his middle son was okay.

“You okay there, ‘Ace?” Doc asked gently.

“Peachy.” Wallace said monotonely. “Just tired.” He said. ‘I’m tired of a lot of things. Like bein’ always in trouble with you or Mom, no matter what it is. Sorry I ain’t special like Lightnin’ or chronically sick like Greg.’ He thought to himself. ‘...Greg’s still my favorite, though. He looks at me when ain’t nobody does.’

Doc frowned. “You know… I ain’t really mad at you or anythin’, right? I’m not mad at you.”

“Could’ve fooled me, the way you and mom keep scoldin’ me for everythin’.” Wallace muttered. “She wasn’t like this before, either. Used to make her laugh and now, all she does is bein’ disappointed in me.”

Doc looked down before sighing. “It may seem like that, but… you have to consider… We almost lost Gregory. It’s… hard… when parents nearly lose a child, especially one who is as sick as your older brother. It’s…” Doc trailed off, trying to figure out how to reassure his middle son he was still loved. “It’s just that… Some of your jokes don’t come off as funny because sometimes they bring back bad memories, especially for me. You have to remember, I was there, during that Grand Prix farce. If I had a choice, I would’ve blown my cover the first time a racer had their engine blow like that.”

“I make jokes ‘bout that, ‘cause it has usually worked makin’ Greg think of somethin’ else.” Wallace said. “I used to say a lot of nasty stuff ‘bout that car, all sorts of things, and it made ‘im laugh instead of bein’ sad all the time. That way, it made it easier for ‘im to forget and move on with life.” He sighed frustratedly. “I used to be the one who was s’pposed to protect ‘em, ya know. Trained my whole life for it. But then ya turn up willy nilly and suddenly, I ain’t needed no more. S’ppose everythin’s lot easier for you to do whatever connection thing you’re doin’ with Lightnin’ and Ma can look after Greg, as she always done. S’fine, I’m used to bein’ the unspecial one.”

Doc nudged Wallace. “You ain’t ‘unspecial’, as you call yourself.” He said gently. “It’s true your mother and I are busy with Gregory and Lightnin’ respectively, but that doesn’t mean we don’t care about you.”

Wallace didn’t quite believe him. He might’ve done it once, when he was still little and unaware of how harsh the real world was like. But he had gotten worn down and hardened by the years. “Sure.” He said. “I’m doin’ good by myself in regional racin’ and I’m proud of it. It just really bugs me when he says bullshit like that and drivin’ me up a wall. He knows that’s what makes me tick. Yeah, it ain’t big and special like the fuckin’ Piston Cup, but it ain’t less important either.” He scoffed bitterly. “Lightnin’ knows nothin’ of the real world.” 

Doc grimaced. “Yeah… Part of that may have been my fault.” He admitted. “I didn’t tell Lightnin’ ‘bout the dangers of the racin’ world, and for good reason. But it seems it worked against ‘im in more ways than one.”

He then sighed. “And for that, I’m sorry. I hadn’t thought Lightnin’ would take it so far. I thought shieldin’ you boys from that dark side of racin’ would be better for you, I genuinely did.”

“But that did the opposite, didn’t it?” Wallace pointed out. “Greg could’ve avoided him if he knew of the dark side of racin’.”

“Yeah.” Doc admitted. He then gave a slight chuckle. “Seems I wasn’t the best parent when it came to that. Just goes to show even the best intentions can backfire.”

“Ya did your best, y’know.” Wallace said. “You were probably better than most. At least you were tryin’ to keep everythin’ balanced and make sure all of us were happy. Ain’t your fault a total sicko went after Greg.”

“I know.” Doc said. “But I do feel like I could’ve done more, lookin’ back at it all.” He admitted. “Hindsight truly is 20/20, as they say.”

Doc’s eyes then turned hard. “I’m just hopin’ that he won’t come after your brother again. It’s bad enough he tried once, and then a second time when my father was dyin’.”

“Kinda odd he turns up after twenty years of radio silence, right?” Wallace suddenly said. “Almost as if he was just waitin’ for somethin’ to happen.”

“Yeah… and what’s more concernin’... it was at my parents’ house, in my old childhood town.” Doc said in agreement. “He can’t have found out where I lived, or that my father was dyin’. The chances of that are extremely low.”

“Yeah. It ain’t as if he has some kind of trackin’ device on Greg.” Wallace said.

Doc froze as a thought entered his mind. “There can’t be a trackin’ device, but… I don’t know how possible this is, but I’m thinkin’ there may be some way he’s been keepin’ an eye on Gregory. I saw what the String-Up Sedan was up to, thanks to Sky. He was huntin’ down your brother at the behest of him. Gregory is a high profile figure, given his reputation. Trackin’ ‘im down based on that isn’t that hard. That is one possibility, but…” Doc trailed off before he resumed speaking. “I’m gettin’ the feelin’ there may be more to this than we think.”

“Uh huh.” Wallace nodded. “Anyways,” He said and glanced at the rest of his family. “I don’t think that’s somethin’ we should think ‘bout on a holiday trip with the family.” He said and watched as Lightning laughed about something while Gregory only smiled mildly at him. “‘Sides, Grandma is waitin’ for us.”

Doc smiled as well. “Yeah, let’s go.” He said as the flight for Portland was called. “Boardin’s about to begin, anyway.”

A little while later, they were up in the air as the airplane departed from Phoenix and sailed in the air towards Oregon. 

Since it was a regional flight, it meant no in-flight entertainment systems which bored Lightning to no end. Gregory had been reading a book, but he fell asleep after a while and Doc decided no one was allowed to wake him up until it was time to land. 

Wallace had brought with himself his own tablet, so he was watching a tv show he had downloaded (as there was no wifi up in the air) with headphones on. As Lightning peeked to his side, he could tell it was some kind of gameshow Wallace was watching, but focused on general knowledge. Like Jeopardy.

“Who knew you liked Jeopardy?” Lightning quipped.

“Some people like to learn somethin’ occasionally.” Wallace snarked back at him. “Ya should try.”

“Oi! I’m not that smart!” Lightning retorted. “If anyone could do it, it’d be Dad.”

“I didn’t say ya were gonna compete, just watch.” Wallace said. “‘Sides, we all know Gregory could do it. Ain’t nobody smarter than him.”

Lightning snickered. “True. He’d probably win the whole game!”

“Mhm.” Wallace said as he kept watching the show. Lightning insisted on watching with him, surprisingly calm and quiet for once. 

The brothers had moments like this, sometimes. When they were just winding down and kept themselves calm. Gregory usually kept his little brothers in line, by putting on a children's movie for them when they were kids. But there were occasions when they watched a show together. 

Maria especially appreciated small, quiet moments like this, since she was usually very busy with maintaining a household with two, rowdy boys and one chronically ill son. She nudged her husband. “Look at them.” She whispered. “They’re so calm and quiet, it makes me almost believe they’re all angels.”

Doc smiled at the sight. “Yeah, hard to believe each of them can be a disaster in their own right.” He replied softly. “But I wouldn’t have them any other way.” He reached out with a tire and grasped hers gently. “I’m just glad all of us can be back together again.”

“I’m happy too.” Maria smiled at him. “It reminds me of old times. I wish we could’ve had a little family trip back then.”

“Yeah… Once Lightnin’ was a year old, I was considerin’ a small trip with the family, but… we all know how that turned out.” Doc sighed. “And then not even a couple of weeks later…” Doc trailed off, remembering all too well what had occurred.

“I know.” Maria sighed. “Gregory wished to go to Hawaii, I remember. But I don’t think any of us could’ve ever imagined what was going to happen to him…I just couldn’t imagine anyone doing such an awful thing to him, he’s always been so sweet.”

Doc could only nod. “He’s truly one of a kind. And yet… It's gotten ‘im into trouble more than once. Like with Axlerod. He trusted that Lemon with knowledge of his engine disability. Which may have saved his life from a fate worse than anticipated, but still…” Doc shivered a bit.

“I still have nightmares about that.” Maria told him. “Those despicable cars…they could’ve really hurt him in a worse way than I can imagine. I get especially scared when I hear that he trusted Axlerod with his condition. Ford knows I love that boy more than anything, but to trust a stranger?” Her blue eyes almost shimmered with unshed tears. “A stranger who could’ve killed him without a second thought or even remorse? I don’t understand how he could’ve been so foolish.”

“Gregory’s just that trustin’...” Doc admitted. “Worrisome, but it’s how he is and I wouldn’t have ‘im any other way.”

Doc then looked at their three boys again and smiled. “And to think, both Wallace and Lightnin’ just want to help ‘im. Those two are really somethin’.”

“I don’t think that sweetheart really understands how loved he is.” Maria said softly. 

“And those two idiotic racecars will do anythin’ to help ‘im.” Doc chuckled. “Just as you and I would.” He added as he nuzzled his wife.

Maria nuzzled him back. “You’ve always been protective over him, although for a lot of good reasons.” She said, “I brought the photo album, by the way. I thought my mother-in-law would love to see how her grandsons looked when they were little. A couple of home-recorded tapes, too. You know, when you had a “I’m going to record everything about my sons” phase.” She laughed lightly.

Doc couldn’t help but chuckle sheepishly as he blushed lightly. “Well… I hadn’t expected to become a father, since my racin’ days ended. So of course I was goin’ to take advantage of it. But I don’t regret it. I reckon we got lots of good home movies from that time.”

“We sure do!” Maria giggled. “This is going to be a lovely holiday, I just know it.”

“Same here.” Doc grinned at his wife. “And we’re spending it together as a family, the way it should be.” He added with a low voice.

Gregory slept for nearly two hours before Wallace and Lightning decided it was enough and woke him up.

“Here ya go, some water!” Lightning said as he handed over a water bottle to his brother. “You get easily dehydrated whenever you’re flying.”

“Thank you.” Gregory said. “It’s something wholesome and frankly hilarious about the fact that the youngest brother is taking care of his older brother.” He added.

“What? You took care of me for years. Can’t I do the same for you?” Lightning asked, somewhat cheekily, somewhat honestly.

“I didn’t say that. I just find it amusing.” Gregory said. “What have you and Wallace been up to during my little in-flight nap?”

“Just watched some Jeopardy on my tablet. Downloaded some seasons before we done left town.” Wallace remarked. “Lightnin’ was calm, for once. Partly ‘cause we didn’t wanna wake ya up and partly ‘cause he actually found it interestin’.”

“Well, it’s always important to learn new things. That’s one of the wonderful things in life, you never really stop learning.” Gregory said with a smile. “We are just life-long students of this world.”

“Hey! It’s not easy to get me to sit still.” Lightning retorted. “Plus, one of the categories was on Dinocars! I love learning about those.”

“Ah yes, your special interest.” Gregory laughed lightly. “I liked space more than dinocars, to be honest.”

Lightning scoffed. “Stars? Boring.”

“Hey now, I don’t say that about your dinocars.” Gregory told him, suddenly very strict. “Show a little respect.”

“Sorry!” Lightning squeaked out. “I didn’t mean it!”

“Lesson learned.” Gregory nodded. “All special interests are special, alright?”

Wallace snickered. “Still bein’ the equalizer, huh, bro?” He nudged Gregory.

“Like always.” Gregory smirked, but just his smile as he felt the plane descend. “Oh, I hate this part…I always feel woozy whenever the plane is ascending or descending.”

“It’s fine, Gregory.” Lightning said. “It just means we’re about to land.”

The red Hornet nodded. “I know, it doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

The plane came in and landed smoothly, which made Gregory feel relieved.

Soon, the entire Hudson family disembarked from the plane and emerged into the airport’s main boarding gate terminals.

“Okay, we should be good to go to my mother’s house.” Doc said as he looked around at his family. “Let’s go. She’s probably getting anxious if we delay.”

Everyone nodded and soon, they left Portland International and continued on the road to Tireson Junction. It didn’t take them especially long, just an hour or so. Lightning and Wallace shivered a little, since they were more used to the warmer climate of the south while Maria and Gregory seemed to have a bit more of a tolerance for snowy winter weather.

Eventually, the family arrived at Doc’s old childhood home. Not wanting to remain in the cold for much longer, Doc knocked on the front door.

Mary Jane Hudson opened the door and her eyes went wide in delight. “Oh! You all made it!” She exclaimed happily. “Please, come in, come in!”

She moved aside so the five cars could easily enter. Once Lightning was inside, Mary Jane shut the door and smiled at her youngest, her daughter-in-law, and her three grandkids. “I’m so happy you could come!” She beamed.

“Hello, Grandmother. I’m glad to see you again.” Gregory greeted her warmly. “We have all missed you very much.”

“Whoa, it sure is toasty in ‘ere.” Wallace remarked. “And I smell cookies? Somethin’ smells delicious, anyways.” He added, a little hopefully.

“Oh, you came at the right time, then!” Mary Jane grinned. “I just finished making homemade cookies, like you guessed!” She rubbed a tire on Wallace’s hood. “You must have a sharp nose, Wally!”

“That sure is me.” Wallace grinned proudly.

‘Wallace’s special interest…food.’ Gregory and Lightning thought in unison.

“Well, I will bring out the cookies then while you lot all get settled.” Mary Jane chuckled before heading into the kitchen.

Looking around, Doc could see his mother had decorated the interior of the house, as usual. There was a nice Christmas tree in the corner, decorated with ornaments from his own childhood. Garland was on the fireplace mantle, and a few pieces of holly were on the walls.

Doc smiled as he saw some of the ornaments he remembered making when in grade school on the tree.

“It looks rather lovely.” Gregory came up at his side. “Remember that one Christmas when Lightning was six months old? It was the last time we had candy canes in the tree, because they were gone the next day.” He chuckled a little at the memory and they all knew who the culprit was, because Wallace was sick from too much sugar the next morning.

Doc laughed. “Oh, I remember a’right. He didn’t learn his lesson either. As soon as he was recovered, he was tryin’ to do it again.”

“Oi! It wasn’t my fault! Candy Canes are so good!” Wallace whined.

Lightning came up and looked at the ornaments. He snickered as he saw one. “Wow. Who made that one?” He asked, pointing at an ornament that looked like it was covered in glue and thin paper over the glass.

“I think it looks adorable.” Maria grinned.

“That was made by my sister.” Doc chuckled. “She loved to make things look pretty and cute, even a small glass ornament wasn’t safe from her.”

“This one’s pretty neat.” Wallace said and pointed at another bauble, this was dark blue with constellations painted on it in precise detail. It was so beautifully made that it could’ve been mistaken for a professionally made one.

Doc looked at it and instantly remembered who made it. ‘Percival.’ He thought. His older brother, who was still missing and kept wandering around, never staying too long in one place. He had no idea if he’d ever see him again.

“That was my brother.” Doc revealed. “He never could stay in one place, or so I’ve heard. Then again, he was always jumpin’ at the chance to go on school trips whenever they were offered up, so I can say for certain he was a wanderer at heart.”

“Oh! Look at that one!” Maria exclaimed, making Doc look over. He blushed, remembering that one all too well. It was a mix of different colors, looking like a kaleidoscope when the light shone on it. “It’s so pretty!”

Mary Jane came in with the cookies at that point and saw what the five cars were looking at with a smile on her face. “Oh, that one there was Maddock’s.” She revealed.

“I think I like that one most of them all, it’s beautiful and eyecatching.” Gregory looked at it with a soft, gentle expression. 

Mary Jane giggled. “Oh, your father couldn’t stay still and just wanted to make his done the fastest so he could go outside and play.”

Doc blushed a bit harder. “I wasn’t exactly the most patient kid.” He admitted.

“Yes, you were always race, race, race.” Mary Jane chuckled. “Anyway, I’ve got the cookies here! I made chocolate chip, homemade snickerdoodle, and white chocolate caramel.”

She set down the plate of cookies.

“I love snickerdoodles!” Wallace lit up excitedly. “It was always my favorite of ‘em all!”

“Oi! Don’t hog them all!” Lightning exclaimed as he went for the cookies as well.

“Oh, don’t worry, boys! I’ve made more than enough for you all.” Mary Jane reassured her rowdy grandsons. “I should know, having had to raise a racecar myself.” She added, looking at Doc. “Your father was a right terror when it came to his metabolism. He ate more than anyone in the family!”

Doc blushed even redder. “Mother!” He exclaimed.

“What?” Mary Jane grinned. “You were! You would often eat twice as much as your father, sometimes more after you had a physical day in gym class!”

“So, I assume racecars need to consume a lot of calories, only to burn them in high energy activities?” Gregory concluded. “That’d explain why Wallace and Lightning are basically bottomless voids when it comes to food.”

“You look far too thin, dear.” Mary Jane said with a soft sigh. “You look as if you don’t eat enough.”

“I’m chronically ill, Grandmother. I just happen to look like this, but don’t worry, my parents and little brother make sure that I eat properly.” Gregory reassured her.

“More than you know.” Lightning quipped. “Dad and Mom actually ask him if he wants something to eat almost every time they see him.”

“Only because we want ‘im to keep his strength up.” Doc admitted.

“And I’m not a bottomless pit like Wallace.” Lightning added with a cheeky grin. “He eats way more than me, and I’m a professional racer.”

“What can I say?” Wallace grinned. “I’m more active in street races anyway, and those don’t have a set schedule for racin’ like the Piston Cup.”

“How about your little girlfriend, Gregory dear? Didn’t you tell me last time that she’s a natural racecar, although she’s a police officer?” Mary Jane asked her eldest grandson. “I hoped to meet her this time around.”

“Well, Sky is spending the holidays with her adoptive parents.” Gregory said. “It means a great deal to her.”

“Oh, I didn’t know she was adopted? I assumed she was the sheriff’s biological daughter.” His grandmother said, a little surprised.

“No, Sky’s real parents died a long time ago.” Gregory said softly. “She’s…very subdued about the details, it’s still an open wound for her. She spent a long time alone before she got adopted.” He said carefully, not wanting to lie while also not wanting to reveal that Sky spent a long time before having two parents in her life. He wasn’t entirely sure if he had the right to talk so openly about her past without permission.

“Oh, the poor dear.” Mary Jane said softly. “It must’ve been traumatizing for her.”

“Hey, she’s with Sheriff now, so she’s all good.” Lightning quipped. “He’s been a very good dad to her, if not a bit spoiling.” His grin grew cheeky. “Between you and me, I think he’s wanted a daughter to spoil and call his little princess.”

“I can confirm that, because her mother told me.” Maria snickered. “Our sheriff acts very tough and all, but everyone knows he adores his little girl.”

“Oh, that’s great!” Mary Jane cooed. “Any man who loves their little girl is a good man to marry! In fact, it’s why I married my dear Harold! He treated my little sister so well like she was his own sister!”

“Who knew the fuzz had a soft side?” Wallace joked with an unashamed grin.

Lighting reached for another snickerdoodle cookie that Wallace was holding.

“Nuh uh!” Wallace held it further away from him, refusing to fall for it again. “Get ya own, Lightnin’. Dad, get your rookie under control! He’s tryin’ to nab my snickerdoodle!”

“Lightning!” Doc scolded, making the red racecar flinch.

“Aww…” Lightning grumbled before he picked up a white chocolate caramel cookie and bit into it. His eyes went wide before he grinned and began to chow down on the cookie with gusto.

“Wow! These are so good!” He exclaimed. “New favorite cookie!”

“Thank you, dear. I’m trying something new this Christmas. By the way, what are your favorite cookies, Gregory?” Mary Jane asked.

“Unfortunately it’s a kind that’s a little hard to make.” Gregory answered. “White chocolate cookies with cranberries and it’s a tad complicated, because white chocolate is very difficult to work with, due to its low burning point, high sugar, and cocoa butter content.” He explained. 

“Oh, I could make those, dear.” Mary Jane grinned. “I made your baby brother’s new favorite cookie, didn’t I? It’s white chocolate caramel.”

“So good…” Lightning sighed as he ate yet a fourth one.

“Don’t eat too many of them, Lightning.” Gregory said. “You have to drink something between those cookies, I don’t want you to choke and you’re going to get a sugar kick if you don’t take it easy.”

“Oh, I think I have the method for that.” Mary Jane giggled before she took the plate away, making Lightning look at her.

“Hey! Give it back!” He exclaimed, trying to get at the plate of cookies.

“Nope! You’ve had enough, and believe me, I’ve had enough experience with a racecar on a sugar rush.” Mary Jane said as she put the plate back into the kitchen before she turned and locked the door to the kitchen itself. “Your father was a right terror when he had too much sugar. Always speedin’ around the house, it made your grandfather so mad.”

Doc blushed. “I wasn’t that bad!” He protested.

“Oh, yes you were.” Mary Jane said scoldingly. “In fact, I had to tell you to not come home until you were done with your racin’ around because you were so hyper!”

Doc groaned. “I swear, bein’ a racecar can have its advantages, but also disadvantages.”

“Like for instance, no caffeine or sugar before a race.” Lightning listed off. “We can’t have alcohol during the racing season, we can only intake racing fuel during a race, and fuel additives can mess with a racer’s already fast metabolism.” He knew those rules by heart, having had them drilled into his head each season.

Doc snorted. “One year, before…” He hesitated before resuming speaking. “ah… before I left Radiator Springs for a couple of seasons, one racecar tried to use a fuel additive, and it messed up his metabolism badly, enough to the point he needed to go to the hospital for treatment.”

“It sounds vaguely familiar, like something I heard on the tv news, but I didn’t pay too much attention to it.” Gregory said. “He was fine, right?” He added worriedly.

“Yes.” Doc confirmed. “But he wasn’t allowed to race that season. He did return the next season, but that was a lesson he certainly never forgot.”

Lightning grimaced. “Yeah… and each season since then, his story has been retold as a warning why fuel additives are bad for racecars.”

“Yeah, even in regional racin’ and street races, we ain’t really allowed to use fuel additives.” Wallace said. “Although in street racin’, it’s more like you ain’t got no insurance to save your life, if bad becomes worse. There ain’t really laws or rules in street racin’, per say…just that you’re racin’ at your own risk and nothin’ can protect you if you choose to do it.” 

“Well, I think that’s enough talk about this depressing subject.” Mary Jane said, clearing her throat. “So, how long are you planning on staying, Maddock?” She asked, addressing her youngest child.

“For the holidays.” Doc replied. “I figured it would be good to at least visit you again while we can.”

“We missed you!” Lightning exclaimed, already showing signs of a sugar rush.

“Here, drink water.” Gregory handed over a water bottle to him, he knew that pure water could negate the sugar effects faster than waiting it out. “You’ll feel better in no time.” He added, clearly used of being semi-parental to his youngest brother. “Yes, we have missed you very much.”

“Uh huh.” Wallace nodded. “T’s snowy down in ‘Zona, but way colder up ‘ere. Like, there ain’t a middle thing down there, we either boil in the desert summer heat or freeze in a sudden cold snap.” He remarked casually. “I moved to ‘Zona some months ago, I used to live in Texas before then and I like it pretty well. But there’s one thing that ‘Zona don’t really have and I miss it a lot.”

“What is it?” Mary Jane asked curiously.

“Brisket.” Wallace said with a dreamy grin. “Smoked brisket. Ya can’t call yourself a true Texan if ya ain’t never had brisket.” He laughed.

“Oh brother…” Gregory groaned as Lightning slurped down the water he had been given.

“Oi! It’s good!” Wallace countered, with Lightning watching while he sipped his water still, deciding to enjoy the show.

“I don’t doubt it probably is.” Gregory said a little tiredly. “But you have been nagging nonstop about brisket. If it means so much to you, how about you make it yourself?”

“Yeah, maybe I will.” Wallace countered. “How ‘bout, Dad? Your very skilled ‘n amazing street racin’ son and honorary Texan are done gonna make a brisket for the whole family!” He grinned.

Doc chuckled. “If you’re offerin’, I can’t say no.” He said with a grin.

“You’ll like Wallace’s stuff he makes, Dad.” Lightning grinned, having finished his water. “It’s some of the best!”

“Better than mine?” Maria asked coyly.

“Nope! Yours will always be the best, Mom!” Lightning said quickly with a grin.

“You know I was just joking, right Lightning?” His mom said.

“Yeah, I know.” Lightning grinned back.

“That aside, how are the sleeping arrangements? There is enough room for all of us, right? I mean, we're six cars in here.” Gregory asked. “Maybe we should’ve planned this more thoroughly…” He pondered to himself, already worried that they may have forgotten something. He couldn’t think of what they could’ve forgotten since he planned everything in precise detail, but one could never be too sure.

“Oh, there is enough room.” Mary Jane smiled. “My late husband and I had a guest room for guests, in addition to the four bedrooms already. So, if one of us doesn’t mind sharing, we can make it work.”

“Dad and Mama are gonna share anyway.” Wallace said with a shrug. “Ya know, ‘cause they’re the married couple and all.”

“Then I claim Dad’s old room!” Lightning exclaimed with a grin.

“Oi! No claimin’ dibs!” Wallace exclaimed. “I want Dad’s room!”

“Oh you two!” Mary Jane giggled.

“I know Wallace will not want to sleep in Amy’s room.” Doc chuckled. “It’s a light lavender color.”

Wallace stuck out his tongue. “Blech! Girly colors are not my thing.”

“I could take that room, in that case-”

“Oh, I think you’d sleep better in Percival’s old room, dear.” Mary Jane told him. “So you won’t get a window view of that forest. I remember you had a traumatic time last time you were here and I don’t want you to be reminded.”

“Hm, alright. That’s probably for the best.” Gregory said slowly.

“It’s fine.” Doc said. “I think Maria and I could share-” He was cut off by his own mother.

“Oh no. You two are taking the main bedroom. I can stay in Amy’s room.” Mary Jane replied.

Lightning grinned. “So Wallace and I are sharing Dad’s old room? Sweet!”

“Two racecars sharing another racecar’s room? This is just asking for disaster.” Gregory groaned. “You two better not snoop around in our father’s old room, got it?” He told his little brothers, being very strict.  

“Psh, it’s not like Dad’s got anything to hide in there.” Wallace scoffed before he leaned in towards Lightning. “We’re definitely gonna snoop.” He whispered.

“Spot on.” Lightning mumbled back.

“Do I have an agreement from you two?” Gregory asked.

“Yes, Gregory.” Both racers said as politely as they could. Complete with angelic expressions.

Gregory sighed softly, he was too fond of his little brothers and it showed. But who could blame him, since he had practically raised them along with his mother. He glanced over at the old grandfather clock and realized that they had talked long enough that it was past six in the evening. “I didn’t even realize we'd talked for so long!” He exclaimed. “Grandmother, how are our dinner plans? Do you need any help?”

“Gregory, please.” Maria sighed. “You need to take it easy.”

“I am taking it easy. Besides, it’s very impolite to not offer help if it’s needed. A true gentlecar should always be ready to lend a helping tire, no matter what.” He recited what Doc had taught him as a child, firmly.

Mary Jane smiled at that. “Seems like your father was very intent on raising you into a proper gentlecar. Your grandfather was just the same, but with Maddock…oh well, sometimes it worked and sometimes, it didn’t. Percival was the one whose mannerism was just like yours, although he was more stoic and guarded with his feelings.”

“That’s the opposite with our Greg.” Wallace remarked. “He’s always had his emotions out in the open.”

“I don’t have anything to hide, so why should I keep my emotions and intentions hidden?” Gregory said. “The only time I must do so is when I work as a lawyer.” He cleared his voice, not letting the current subject die out. “Anyways, do you need any help with dinner, Grandmother?”

“Oh, no, I do not need any extra help.” Mary Jane replied. “I appreciate the offer, but little Wally has said he would help and that’s enough for me.”

“Oi! I’m not a little Wally! I’m ‘Ace’!” Wallace protested.

“But you are my grandchild, so of course you’re my little Wally.” Mary Jane grinned.

“Aw, shucks…” Wallace said, his fenders turning a little purple from his blush. “Can’t say no to that…” He grinned bashfully.

Lightning grinned cheekily. “I didn’t think we could make you blush, ‘Ace’.” He nudged Wallace playfully.

“Oi, be quiet, lil’ racecar.” Wallace grumbled to Lightning, but with no malice in it.

“Everyone likes to feel appreciated. Wallace is no different than the rest of us.” Gregory said and looked longingly at the bookshelves that were packed with books. “Um, is it okay if I read something from the bookshelves?” He asked.

“Help yourself!” Mary Jane replied. “I don’t mind. I’d be happy if you read some of those old books! Ford knows Maddock never read any of them.”

“Don’t mind if I do…” Gregory whispered to himself and made a beeline to the bookshelves, he was so excited that he had no idea where to begin. Not for the first time since he met and unfortunately lost him, he wished that his grandfather was still alive and could converse with him about literature. He had struck him as someone who appreciated the more intellectual knowledge in life. “Oh, this one is interesting…” He mumbled to himself and got himself a book about science, A Brief History of Time. 

As Gregory was reading, Doc couldn’t help but chuckle. “Okay, Wallace. Help your grandmother with dinner while the rest of us get settled in. I think Gregory’s gonna be kept busy for a while.”

“Roger that!” Wallace grinned and zipped off to the kitchen.

“I’m gonna get set up in your old room, Dad.” LIghtning said before zipping off upstairs.

Doc looked at Maria. “Should we get settled in too?” He asked her, grinning slightly.

“You do that. I’m very content here with Gregory.” Maria said and gave him a kiss on his fender.

Doc blushed slightly before he returned the kiss. “Don’t worry, Gregory’s gonna be fine.” He reassured her, giving her a look.

“Hm, I guess it doesn’t hurt to see where we will be staying for this visit.” Maria smirked at him. “Well, my fabulous husband. Lead the way.”

Doc grinned as he gently nudged his wife up the ramp to the second floor. Maria followed him, getting a good look around the second floor for the first time. But of course, her husband didn’t let her look for too long.

Maria grinned at him and tried to play hard to get, hesitating at points before following Doc to the main bedroom.

Lightning was in Doc’s old room when he heard his parents going by. He chuckled, knowing what they were going to be up to. It was painfully obvious that his parents couldn’t keep their tires off each other since reuniting.

‘As much as I’m happy for them…I really don’t need to know any details about their private life.’ Lightning thought to himself and turned on his phone, to see if he had service here. Turns out, he had perfect service and then, he remembered that Wallace fixed it the last time they were here. 

He looked at his text messages and saw Sky sent him something. 

Sky
13.26

Look what I did! Now we’re ready for the holidays! :D 

*sent an attachment*

It was a picture of a cactus tree, which she had apparently decorated like a Christmas tree with lights, glittery garlands, colored baubles and a top star.

Lightning couldn’t help but laugh. “Sky, you lovable cactus fiend!” He chuckled. “Only you would do that.”

It turns out Sky had sent a lot of pictures while he was up in the air and then, travelling on the road to Tireson Junction. One picture was a little blurry, but he could make out of a sudden tractor stampede. 

Sky

15.02
*sent an attachment*

Tractor invasion!
Mater told Dad he wasn’t tractor tippin’
That’s true, he wasn’t. 

But I was! >:D 

He ain’t never gonna catch me

Lightning felt a big grin crossing his front bumper. ‘Typical Sky… Don’t ever change.’ He thought with amusement. ‘Boy, Sheriff is gonna have a hard time tonight. I do feel bad for Mater though, getting blamed for it.’

His phone beeped again, showing yet another one of Sky’s antics. This time, it was of the dozing Sheriff, covered in garland and holly.

Sky

17.35

*sent an attachment*

Behold!

The Holiday Sheriff!

Dad was sleeping, so I took advantage! >:D

Lightning grinned at the image of the decked out Mercury cruiser sleeping and no idea he was covered in holiday cheer.

‘Looks like Sky is gonna be just fine this time around.’ Lightning thought to himself.

Meanwhile, down in the living room, Gregory finished reading his book of choice and realized that he’s been so focused on his book that he never knew he was alone in the living room. He could hear Wallace helping their grandmother with dinner, exchanging pleasant conversation along with the radio playing music in there. He assumed that Lightning was relaxing in the bedroom he was going to share with Wallace and his parents were most likely doing the same.

So, it gave him time to sit there and think about a lot of things. He didn’t want to tell his father what he felt about coming back to Oregon, in fear of ruining the holiday mood. But he had actually been afraid and anxious to come back, especially since Dick Van Cobra appeared once again in his life and reminded him that he wasn’t a free person. Although his father knew most about his conflict with the Van Cobra clan, there were things he didn’t know. Such as the things Gregory had seen, secrets the old money clan wanted to keep quiet and that was why they had tried to kill him in the first place; to silence him before he could reveal it.

‘If only you knew the things I know. But I can’t tell anyone, because they will know that I’ve talked. I don’t know how, but they will know and if they know that I have told my family what I know…they will come back to finish the job. Or…they’ll take something I cherish more than anything in the world.’ Gregory thought to himself and he glanced over to a medium-sized photograph of his grandfather, hanging over the fireplace mantle. His stern expression looked rather impressive and a little intimidating like that. ‘I wonder what you would say about this, Grandfather.’ Gregory thought. ‘More importantly, what did you mean when you said that I have something I can’t see in myself? What is it?’

It was very annoying to figure out. It wasn’t as if he was special or something, he was just an average car who had no racing genetics or a racecar’s engine. A simple, boring lawyer. ‘Goodness, my thoughts sure are dour during this festive season.’ He thought to himself.

With a lack of idea about what he should do now, Gregory turned on the tv to see if there was anything interesting. He skimmed through the channels, as he wasn’t too interested in the news and he didn’t think that the documentaries that were currently broadcast could catch his attention. He eventually landed on some kind of movie channel and settled for what was currently being shown. But he ended up channel surfing anyways, because the movie wasn’t really that interesting either. 

‘And people ask me why I read books instead of watching TV.’ Gregory thought to himself.

A subtle movement was heard as a familiar voice spoke up. “What’re you doing, Greg?” Lightning asked from the hallway.

“I am currently being bored to death, because I have nothing to do.” Gregory said. “I suppose this is what a damsel locked in a tower feels like. So here I am, almost dying from boredom.”

Lightning laughed as he entered the room. “C’mon, Greg. That’s impossible.” He then looked around, seeing the books. “Nothing else there caught your interest?” He asked, gesturing at the books.

“Tempting, but if I don’t control myself, then I’ll read every book in the house in a matter of hours.” Gregory said. 

Lightning snickered. “You read faster than anyone else in the family. Are you sure you’re not a racer at heart?” He teased.

“Very sure.” Gregory scoffed with a smile. “Now, what are you up to?”

“C’mon, Greg. When am I ever up to something?” Lightning replied back. “You should know me better than that. I’m a racecar, not a super genius like you.”

“Lightning bug…” Gregory said slowly. “I do know you better than that. You always get up to something.”

Lightning groaned. “But this time I’m not! I swear!”

“I suppose not, but I can tell that you are a little bored as well. Is that right?” Gregory said.

“Well, kinda.”

“I don’t need to ask where our parents are and frankly, I don’t need to know.” Gregory said. “So, is there anything in particular you’d like to do?”

Lightning gave a sheepish, yet unashamed grin. “Wanna… poke around the rooms upstairs? Or find the attic? I’m sure there’s some fun stuff in the attic.”

“I didn’t know there was an attic?” Gregory said and shut down the TV. “In that case, lead on.”

Lightning grinned as he led Gregory upstairs. “I think I found the door to it, so that’s why I asked.” He explained as he and Gregory reached what had to be the door to the attic. “Here. It doesn’t have a name on it.”

Curiously, Lightning opened the door and his eyes went wide as he saw the ramp leading upwards. “Whoa… Check it out!” He exclaimed before gesturing to Gregory. “C’mon! Let’s see what’s up here!” Lightning turned on his headlights and drove up the ramp eagerly.

Gregory followed him, vaguely wary because Lightning was very energetic and he was…not. But he didn’t mind too much. That was simply how Lightning was and he wouldn’t change him for anything in the world.

“Hey! Look at this!” Lightning exclaimed as he took out a large hat once Gregory was in the attic with him. “Wonder whose this was.”

Lightning set the hat down, only to find an old photo album. “Hey! Photos! Jackpot~!” He grinned.

“Just don’t snoop too much. There might be memories our father isn’t so happy to have dragged up.” Gregory told him, but examined the attic himself. It was spacious and filled with trinkets, possessions, moving boxes and chests that most likely contained mementos of the past decades.

Lightning flipped the photo album open and grinned. “Hey! Cool! I knew Dad had a twin, but here it really shows.” He exclaimed. Sure enough, there were baby photos of their father and whom he could only assume was his twin sister. One baby Hornet was in a blue blanket, and the other baby Hornet was in a pink blanket, only because both babies were the same dark blue color. “He looks so cute here!”

“I can see that.” Gregory said with a smile, giving it a brief look before he went back to his exploration. He saw some old painting that had fallen down and put it up, letting it lean against the wall when something caught his eyes inside an open moving box without any lids. He saw something that looked like a self-made book; the covers were held together in the back with thick threads and he brought it out, opening it out of curiosity. 

He saw this was some kind of scrapbook, probably made many decades ago and most likely, long before their father was even a thought. He recognized his grandfather in an old photo, but he looked so much younger. He was together with another car, who somehow looked a little out of place.

He looked at the written notes.

“Charleston, South Carolina 8/3-1926

You are an odd one, but always remain my friend. 

I can’t imagine a life without you by my side.”

-Harold Hudson.”

Gregory saw there was another note next to it.

 

“Such public display of affection doesn't suit you, my friend. 

You shan’t worry, because I will never be far away.

-Magnus Pendragon”

Gregory frowned. “Pendragon…where have I heard of that name before?” He muttered to himself and flipped through the pages. This book seemed to be a collection of memories that mattered a lot to his grandfather. He saw his late grandfather had friends that came and went through the years, but only one that seemed to remain consistently and that was the enigmatic Magnus Pendragon.

He had gotten to a sensitive time era by now, the late ‘30s and the first half of the ‘40s. The Second World War. He saw an entry, a black and white photograph of his grandmother as a young woman with three children; his uncle Percival, who looked like he was old enough to understand the gravity of the situation and two small children, barely in school age. Gregory recognized his father as one of them. 

“December 1941 (I forgot the exact day)

My dearest wife and my children.

I must leave for a short time, but I will be back in due time.

Stay safe.

-H.Hudson, PFC US Army.”

On the next page, he saw his grandfather. He was older and slightly worn out with dents and scratches, but smiling with the same car he’s seen before, Magnus Pendragon who looked just as bad at him. They seemed to be in full military gear, but this car couldn’t have been in the US Army, because it looked like his design was different. So, Magnus Pendragon came from another country, then? 

The atmosphere in the photo was filled with warmth and joy, despite it being colored in black and white. They seemed to be in the middle of a large crowd in the street, with banners, flags and confetti in the air.

“London, UK. May 8th 1945

Victory day!

The Nazis are defeated and we have brought all those old money traitors to justice!

I cannot believe we actually got to see this day and we did not die.

That is what I call an unqualified success.

-Harold J. Hudson, 1st SGT. US Army”

There was also an additional commentary from Magnus Pendragon.

“I couldn’t have done it without you, Harry.

Really thought this was it at Normandie, but looks like we didn’t die!

Listening to the UK Prime Minister’s speech was really something.

Come to Pracordia someday, Harry. I will be there to meet you.

-Magnus A. R. Pendradon, T/SGT. PC Army”

Oh…so Magnus Pendragon was his Pracordian friend and judging by the commentary, it seems like he was their grandfather’s closest friend, his closest ally and his confidant. ‘It looks like the day the allied forces secured peace in 1945…it was also the day Van Cobra along with the older old money clans lost everything. But what is odd is that Grandfather called them “traitors”. Don’t tell me that they were Nazis as well…if that is the case, then I have been hovering in a greater danger than what I could possibly imagine.’ Gregory thought and closed the book. He was far from done with it, but he wanted to show this to his father and discuss this with him.

Lightning was busy messing around in another old trunk, filled with old kid’s toys from the early days. “Wow! Check this out! I never knew toys were this durable back then…” Lightning muttered to himself. He took out an old model car that was painted like the titular Bat-Mobile from the Bat-Mobile series. “Still in good condition too. Wonder if it was Dad’s.”

“When did Bat-Mobile debut, exactly?” Gregory inquired. “I can’t remember…Wallace knows these things more than what I do. Anything else you’ve found interesting?”

“I think it was around the 1940s?” Lightning muttered. “I’m not sure.” Then he grinned. “Oh! I also found an old Chemistry kit!” He exclaimed. “I think it was probably Uncle Percy’s. I also found an old fancy top hat, but it has a bunch of holes. And an old comic! I think it’s Super-Cab, but it might be a first edition, and it’s in good shape!” He picked up said comic gently.

“Well, looks like you’ve found a lot of interesting things.” Gregory smiled.

“How about you? Did you find something?”

Gregory smiled. “The best of everything. Knowledge.” He said. “Did you know that our grandfather fought in the Second World War and ended up as a First Sergeant? I found out that he was there at the D-Day, at Normandie among the allied forces.” 

Lightning’s eyes went wide. “No way… That’s so cool!” He exclaimed, bouncing in his tires. “Aw man… If only we had had more time with him, all of the stories… That would’ve been fun to hear.” He said as he settled down.

Looking back, Lightning paused as he saw something.”Hey…” He drove over to check it out. In the same box Gregory had found, there was a smaller box. Lightning was curious and took it out, opening it. His eyes went wide. “Cool! I found his old medals!”

“I agree with you. I also wish we could’ve had more time to spend with him.” Gregory said softly. “I am, of course, thankful for the information and advice he gave me before his passing and the fact that he really liked all of us. But it’s like I usually tell you and Wallace. Too much pride can turn into hubris and in this case…both Father and Grandfather were so prideful and stubborn that it turned into…this. So, I’m trying to not hold onto my pride too much.”

“I guess I need to take a lesson in that too, huh?” Lightning mused. “I mean… I have my pride yeah, but it’s not as bad as Dad’s. right?”

“I think you’re in good tires, no matter what happens. Father would never let that happen to any of us.” Gregory said with a soft smile.

“I know.” Lightning admitted sheepishly. “But I suppose Dad getting Grandpa’s temper sure made it hard to be reasonable between them.”

“Yes, but I believe it’s good that they got to reconcile before Grandfather’s passing. It’s not good to live with regrets and even more to die with regrets.” Gregory stated wisely. “A part of me wishes that he could’ve met Sky, if there was more time. I think…he would’ve appreciated it. Fate works in mysterious ways, doesn’t it?”

Lightning nodded before he grinned again. “Hey, wanna see what else there is up here? I’m sure there’s something really good up here, not just old medals and photos.”

“Sure, why not.” Gregory smiled at him.

“Okay, I think dinner is soon ready.” Mary Jane smiled at her middle grandson. He sure was a good cook himself and he was a delight to be around; he was cheerful, funny and took it very easy. “Can you fetch the others? I have no idea where they’ve gone, it’s been quiet for hours.”

“Leave it to me, Grandma!” Wallace grinned and zipped off upstairs. 

He knocked loud and hard on his parents’ temporary bedroom door. “Dinner’s ready, y’all! Better be decent!” He called out before continuing on his way, not bothering to stick around to hear his dad’s answer.

That car sure could be grumpy whenever he got caught in the act.

The dark blue Dodge Dart saw the ramp to the attic and figured that the other two must’ve gone up there to explore…without him. “Oi! Big and lil’ bros!” He yelled up to them. “Dinner’s ready, so get at ‘em!” 

Lightning and Gregory were eager to come down, having been poking around for a long while, and Lightning was starting to get really hungry.

Doc and Maria were coming down too, and it was obvious to all present what they had been up to.

“Well, it seems everyone’s here.” Mary Jane said with a warm smile. “I hope you are all ready for a special dinner, prepared by yours truly and her helper!” She gestured at Wallace.

The younger dark blue car was grinning ridiculously big, obviously proud of himself and what he had helped to achieve. “It ain’t brisket ‘cause it takes too long to make, but it’s nearly as good! I didn’t find any tater tots, so I improvised. Hope y’all likes it!”

“Oh wow!” Lightning exclaimed with a big grin. “This all looks so good!”

“Oi! Don’t go eatin’ all of it!” Wallace exclaimed. “Save some for everyone else, ya lil’ racecar!”

“It looks really delicious. You and Grandmother did a good job together.” Gregory praised his middle brother, patiently waiting for his turn. 

“Don’t go stealing all of the food, Lightning.” Maria warned the red racecar as she and Doc came in as well. “I’m sure the rest of us want to eat too.”

“I’m not that bad…” Lightning grumbled.

“Oh, you’re just as bad as I was when I was racin’.” Doc chuckled.

“And for the matter of fact, feeding young boys isn’t for the faint-hearted.” Maria added as she helped herself some salad. “Especially when they are teenagers. Thank the Manufacturer for Gregory, he was such a patient and sweethearted angel when I was nearly driven to tears from frustration."

“I just did my best.” Gregory replied. “It didn’t always work, especially when Wallace and Lightning were in school. That was one of the reasons why I decided to pick a university that was closer to home than any of the ones I was offered.”

“So that was the reason why ya ended up pickin’ Seattle University instead of Harvard or Princeton?” Wallace remarked. “Ya got more offers than those two, very fine ones. All of ‘em. He still went to Seattle.”

“Seattle University isn’t something to scoff at either.” Maria reminded him. “It’s a private university and they have a very fine law school.”

“You got an offer from Harvard?” Doc asked his eldest, very surprised. Harvard, along with Princeton, MIT, Stanford and Caltech, was one of the finest and most renowned universities in the country. They only took top students and despite his less-than-stellar health conditions, Gregory must’ve really impressed them.

“He was a valedictorian.” Lightning added. “It was nice being there at the ceremony, but I was kinda bored of all the speeches.” He grimaced at the memory.

“You were seven, Lightnin’.” Wallace drawled. “There ain’t no kid who likes bein’ all still and quiet in a fancy, proper graduation ceremony like that. Also that principal liked to drone on and on ‘bout morals and ideals.”

Doc laughed. “Good to hear the idea of speeches is still borin’.” He remarked.

“Hey, it’s still boring, even when the Commission officials give them.” Lightning remarked.

“I didn’t find it boring?” Gregory said confusedly.

“‘Cause you’re one of a kind, Greg.” Wallace said bluntly. “Anyho, he done picked Seattle Uni for reasons I don’t get. Ya could’ve left us for Harvard, no one would’ve blamed ya.”

“But I could hardly just pack up and leave!” Gregory protested. “Lightning was seven and starting school, you were thirteen and in junior high. You were still children and Mother was still struggling with bills and working double shifts at the hospital. It just didn’t feel right to leave you at your own devices. Besides, it worked in my favor that there was only an hour train commute between Firestone Falls and Seattle, so I didn’t necessarily need to live in a dorm.”

“Of course you would.” Lightning grinned cheekily.

“Why must you always be a cheeky lil’ shit?” Wallace asked his baby brother.

“It’s just part of a racecar~!” Lightning replied.

Doc chuckled. “Now boys… No need to be teasing each other.”

“Alright, Dad…” Both Wallace and Lightning said in unison.

The six cars began to eat their meals.

“Damn! This is very good!” Lightning exclaimed. “You really outdid yourself, ‘Ace!”

Doc was in agreement with Lightning. “This is definitely better than anything I could make.” He said with a grin of his own.

Maria laughed. “Which is why I took over making dinners.” She smirked at her husband.

“One time… Just one time and you never let me live it down.” Doc grumbled.

“Oh? What did Maddock do?” Mary Jane asked Maria.

Maria gave a sheepish grin. “Did you know it’s possible to burn water?”

Mary Jane laughed. “Oh! Reminds me of my late husband! He was a terrible cook himself! He was always trying to make something, but somehow, he burned ice cream instead of water!”

“Are all racecars bad cooks?” Lighting asked.

“Grandfather wasn’t a racecar, though.” Gregory reminded him. 

“But Dad is.” Lightning laughed.

“Why does everyone keep bringing that up?” Doc grumbled.

“I don’t really know.” Gregory said with a half-hearted glare at his youngest brother. 

“Sounds like Greg was the first one to break the cycle of shame, then.” Wallace joked. “He got really neat at cookin’. Everyone likes a man who can cook, apparently.” 

Lightning  grinned. “Sky will definitely love that then!” He quipped cheekily as he nudged Gregory. “Especially since she is his girlfriend!”

“Lightning!” Gregory squeaked.

“...can Sky cook, ya think?” Wallace asked the very important question.

A slight moment of silence went through the Hudson family. Doc had to admit, to his big embarrassment, that he had no idea if Sky could cook or not. Five years he’s known her and he had not the slightest idea if she could cook.

“I…honestly, I have no idea.” Doc finally said.

“I dunno.” Lightning added flatly. 

“Ain’t never seen her cookin’.” Wallace drawled.

“I can’t say, because I have personally never seen her cooking or baking.” Gregory admitted.

“I don’t know either.” Maria confessed.

“I don’t think we’ll know until we ask her.” Lightning admitted.

“Hey, it’s fine.” Wallace said. “If she doesn’t, Greg can teach ‘er!”

“Gregory is a natural teacher.” Lightning snickered.

“And I’ve told you two before that you are weirdly invested in my relationship with Miss Mercury.” Gregory said dryly. “How about you worry about your own, existing relationship instead, Lightning?”

Lightning just stuck out his tongue cheekily.

“He’s been very affectionate with Sally when not trainin’.” Doc revealed with an unashamed grin of his own.

Lightning went redder in his fenders than expected. “Dad!” He squeaked out.

Doc laughed as Maria sighed. “You don’t exactly keep it quiet when the two of you go at it!”

“All that complaining about our parents being affectionate in public and then, it turns out you’re not better than them.” Gregory said. “Hypocritical much, Lightning?”

Lightning went so red, he was sure he was going to glow now. “Aw man!” He groaned, wanting to hide in a hole now.

“So hypocritical humor ain’t helpin’.” Wallace remarked without being bothered. “Anyho, what’s happenin’ in the next few days then? Today’s the 23rd and all. I know I’m makin’ smoked brisket, but kinda unclear if it’s for tomorrow or on the 25th.”

“We could go out and do some stuff.” Maria suggested.

“What would we do?” Lightning asked, desperate to get the topic off of him.

“I don’t know.” Maria admitted.

“We could go around town.” Doc suggested. “Explore. I haven’t been here in years, so it would be nice to see what’s new and what’s remained the same.”

“Mhm.” Gregory hummed, almost absentmindedly. In all honesty, he didn’t want to go outside and he’d rather stay indoors, where it was safe. It made him realize that his latest encounter with Dick Van Cobra might as well be added into the collection of his traumatizingly life-threatening moments. What makes matters worse is that after he got his tires on that database of the String-Up Sedan and found out that he was a target ordered by Van Cobra, he understood that he was never free from their control. Axlerod was ordered by them to kill him and when he failed, a hitcar came after him at his own workplace and then, it was the whole business with the String-Up Sedan. 

He had just been lucky that the serial killer was more interested in Sky than himself, because nothing would’ve stopped him from killing him when he was out of commission and had nowhere to run.

So with all those facts in mind, it would be much safer if Gregory stayed indoors.

Doc looked at Gregory. “Do you want to come, Gregory?”

“I’d rather stay here, if it’s okay with you.” He said slowly. 

Doc raised a windshield. “Are you sure?”

Lightning looked at Gregory. “C’mon, Greg. You can’t be serious. This is a perfect chance to see what life was like for Dad when he was growing up!”

Wallace, who was a bit more observant than what Lightning was, understood why his older brother wanted to stay instead of going out. Normally, Gregory would come along. But after what happened last time…he was regressing into self-isolation and tried to keep his family away, because he was that self-sacrificing and probably believed it would be safer for them or some crap like that.

‘Well, too bad I ain’t been too much on followin’ the rules, bro.’ He thought to himself. “How ‘bout ya come with us anyways and we ain’t allowed to leave ya alone, ever.” Wallace countered. “Ya know, I get it. After what happened last time and all. ‘Sides, ya need some fresh air once in a while instead of bein’ all cooped up here, a’right?”

Lightning grinned. “No one’s gonna get to you, Greg. Not even your stalker from last time.” He said, revving his engine slightly. “If they try, they are going to have to deal with me, Wallace, Mom, and Dad.”

“Well…thank you.” Gregory said softly.

Lightning nudged Gregory. “I mean it. No one will get to you, bro. I promise.”

Doc chuckled. “I’d be more than happy to show you boys around.”

“We can do that in the morning.” Maria said with a smile. “I think we need some sleep. We’ve had a long day travelling and all that.”

“Grandmother, do you need any help with the dishes-”

“No, I’ve got it. You’re a guest here, sweetheart. So don’t forget that.” Mary Jane told Gregory kindly. “Besides, you need to be kind to your own health and you’ve had a long day. You can find your way to Percival’s old bedroom, right?”

“I-” Gregory had forgotten a little which room that was. All he knew was it used to belong to his father’s older brother and the window view didn’t show the forest.

“Maddock, be so nice and show him to his room.” Mary Jane told her son.

Doc sighed. “C’mon, Gregory. I’ll show you the way.” He said, gesturing for his son to follow him.

Gregory followed Doc up the ramp to the second floor. It didn’t take long for the two Hornets to reach the room in question. “This is it.” Doc said as he opened the door. “It’s kinda dark for the paint, but my brother took good care of it.”

“I really don’t mind.” Gregory said. “It looks comfortable enough and I don’t have to see that forest through the window. Not that there’s anything specifically bad about that forest, it just brings up bad memories for now.” He added.

Doc knew exactly what his son was referring to. “I can’t blame you.” He said, nuzzling Gregory reassuringly.

“It will be fine, in due time.” Gregory told him. “Well, see you tomorrow, I suppose. Goodnight.”

Doc smiled. “Goodnight, son.” He said before he turned and left, letting Gregory get some much needed rest.

Gregory soon found himself alone in his temporary bedroom and let out a small sigh. As much as he loved his family, it was nice to wind down a little without them. Lightning and Wallace were good little brothers, but they were so hyper, energetic and hectic while his parents were constantly worried about his safety or his health. He understood why this was an issue, of course. But he needed some alone time sometimes, to gather his thoughts for a bit.

‘Sometimes, you need to turn your back against civilization to keep being a part of it.’ He thought wisely to himself and settled down with a book to read until he felt tired enough to sleep. It didn’t take him too long either, so he soon turned off the nightstand lamp and closed his eyes to sleep.

Snow greeted the assembled Hudson family when they awoke from slumber; it had snowed during the night, so everything looked to be covered by a white blanket of fluff.

Even with Lightning and Wallace taking the chance to sleep in, Gregory still slept longer than them and he seemed happy and comfortable enough, so they left him alone for once. 

Finally, Doc groaned as he woke up, feeling his wonderful, beautiful wife still sleeping next to him. He smiled as he gazed at her peaceful, sleek form. They had really had a fun time last night, especially with her playing driver this time around.

Stretching slowly, Doc began to wonder where he would take the boys to visit today. Heck, not even he knew if some of the old haunts and places were still around, let alone open. ‘Perhaps I can show them my old school? Heh, I’m sure the boys will be wonderin’ how I made it through the icy winters up here in that old place.’

Down in the kitchen, the boys were being treated to a delicious, hearty breakfast made by their grandmother and Wallace who insisted on helping out a little. As expected, both Wallace and Lightning ate with a vigorous appetite while Gregory was a little slow-paced and took his time.

“You look a little peaky, dear. You’re not coming down with something, are you?” Mary Jane asked him.

“No, I’m fine. I’m always a little tired in the mornings.” Gregory shook his hood and smiled before he helped himself some tea. He usually drank coffee, but since he didn’t have any work to do, he figured that he could do something different for a change. “Compared to those two bottomless voids, I don’t need to eat a lot and then engage in high activity to burn off the calories.”

“They are just like your father when he was younger.” Mary Jane giggled. “Why, one year, he ate a whole turkey by himself, the result of a high speed chase between him and a local jerk jock. Your father won, of course, but he ate the whole turkey afterwards and your grandfather was so mad!” She sighed. “No one even got a bite of that turkey. But in hindsight, it was funny, seeing this little 11 year old Hornet eating a big turkey completely on his own.”

Lightning almost choked because he couldn’t help the laughter that tried to escape him.

“Oi! Don’t laugh while you’re eatin’ Lightnin’ bug!” Wallace scolded the red racecar.

“Sorry…” Lightning rasped out once he had swallowed his food. “But Dad eating a whole turkey by himself? That’s a good one!”

“And that wasn’t the only instance either.” Mary Jane grinned. “I do distinctly remember he ate half a two layer cake during a birthday party once.”

“Hah! Dad sounds like he was a right lil’ terror!” Wallace laughed.

“Maddock wasn’t allowed to go to birthday parties after that.” Mary Jane giggled. “He got an upset tank after that, but he learned his lesson.”

“I could never eat that much, not even in my wildest dreams. My younger brothers has come pretty close to something similar, though.” Gregory said. “It feels a little strange to be the only non-racecar in the family. I can’t fully relate to them, sometimes.”

“Well, Gregory, dear, it was hard for us to relate to your father, as he was the only racecar in the family.” Mary Jane replied soothingly. “So I understand the difficulties in relating to them. But it is possible to. You just have to remember, they are cars just like the rest of us. Yes, they may be good at racing and physical activities, they may have sharper instincts when it comes to family and danger, but at the end of the day, they are cars just like you and me.”

Mary Jane smiled a bit more. “Now, don’t you worry, it’s okay to be a non-racer in a family of racecars. Why, some racecars take great pride in their non-racing family members. Whenever I’ve talked to your father, he can’t stop praising you or telling stories of when you were little.”

“You know…if you had told me that, around twenty-five years ago…I probably wouldn’t have believed you. In fact, if I had known you even five years ago…I still wouldn’t have believed you.” Gregory said, reflecting on certain times in his life, when his self-esteem hit rock bottom and he questioned his life’s worth. “But I believe that now, even if it has taken me a long time. Nowadays, racing is completely dominated in the whole world and sometimes, you are being judged for what you can contribute in life. In short, I know a lot of racecars or cars coming from racing families…but there are also the bad kind of them. Old money racing families and they…are more conservative in a negative way.” He chose his words carefully, not wanting to reveal too much of what he knew, what he didn’t know and what he didn’t know yet what he didn’t know. 

Also, just because his late grandfather knew a lot of things, it didn’t mean that he told his wife about certain things or not. So, Gregory wasn’t entirely sure if his grandmother knew of the Van Cobra or if his grandfather kept away this information from his family to 100%. The latter was most likely.

“But it will be fine. I know it will be fine, eventually. Grandfather told me, before he passed…bad things aren’t to last, just like good things don't last forever and it’s important to cherish the good things in life.”

“I see.” Mary Jane said, with a calm face. “I suspected there was a reason he didn’t want Maddock to race, but he never told me.” She took a breath before sighing. “I don’t rightly know the details, but I suspect it had to do with some old friends of Harold’s that he lost durin’ the war.”

“Maybe.” Gregory simply said. He didn’t want to dwell on it too much. Partly because it was hardly a subject he felt ready to talk about and partly because this was meant to be a happy visit, so they should make some new, happier memories instead.

Finally, Doc and Maria came down.

Wallace noticed and grinned. “Well, well, well… What do we have here?” He joked. “Did you and Mom sleep well, Dad? Any… fun time?”

“Wallace!” Maria scolded him. “Ugh… I sometimes wonder how you got such a gutter brain. Your father and brothers aren’t anywhere nearly as vulgar as you can get.”

“His friends in junior and high school were a little…crass.” Gregory said. “They were actually pretty good-natured and honest, but their language left much to be desired.” 

“Hey! They’re cool! Just more foul-mouthed and it’s funny hearing it.” Wallace grinned, unashamed.

“It’s just how he is.” Lightning grinned as well.

“Well…” Doc said, clearly his throat. “We should probably eat up. I really want to show you boys ‘round the town while we’re here.”

“I’m already done.” Gregory said and it was true; he couldn’t eat more than a plate of pancakes, one cup of tea and one glass of orange juice. Not to mention he has already taken some supplementary vitamins to keep himself healthy.

“Ya ain’t gonna have somethin’ more than that?” Wallace asked. “Ya only had one servin’ of pancakes.”

“As I said before, I don’t need to eat a lot like you two do.” Gregory said patiently. “Don’t worry, I’ll be well-settled in the living room with a book until you all are ready.” He added with a smile.

Doc chuckled. “It’s fine, Wallace. It won’t take the rest of us long to eat.”

“Oh, don’t you play innocent.” Mary Jane giggled to her youngest. “I was just telling the boys about what you were up to when you were younger. I believe you remember the whole turkey you ate?”

Doc went red in the fenders at the memory of that. “Mother!”

Maria laughed. “That’s gotta be a story to tell!”

“Oh, it certainly was.” Mary Jane grinned. “Maddock came back from racin’ against a local jerk jock and he was starving. It was enough for him to eat a 12 pound turkey by himself!”

Maria almost lost it with her laughter.

“Oh, and he was only 11 at the time.” Mary Jane finished with a grin as Doc groaned.

“Hey, Lightnin’. Remember when ya were nine and ya done ate that chocolate cake Mama made? Looks like ya ain’t lookin’ so bad anymore.” Wallace remarked with a smirk. “It wasn’t any special reason why she made that, by the way. Just a recipe she saw from a cookin’ show on the TV and she figured give it a try. Too bad Lightnin’s appetite thought otherwise.” He laughed.

Mary Jane giggled as Doc felt the smirk forming on his own lips.

Lightning groaned. “And I got sick for two days afterwards.” He admitted before he grinned. “But it was so worth it!”

“Betcha Mama don’t think that.” Wallace remarked with a pointed glance at their mother who seemed less than pleased at the memory of that.

“That cake took a lot of work to get right. Ah well, at least it didn’t go to waste.” Maria sighed.

Doc grinned. “Seems I wasn’t the only one to do somethin’ like that.” He remarked as he looked at his own mother.

“Oh, I suppose not.” Mary Jane grinned back. “How about Gregory? I’ve heard a lot of mischief your two youngest have done, but so far, not a word about your eldest.”

“Even when he did mischief as a child, they were pretty tame in comparison.” Doc admitted. “He painted himself once dark blue when he was four, so he looked like a mini-me with brown eyes. To be fair, he didn’t really understand why painting himself is generally a bad idea.”

“Why is it a bad idea?” Lightning asked.

“Paint that’s meant for walls or furniture usually contains chemicals that’s harmful for children, especially if digested.” Doc explained and as a doctor for many years, he has seen a lot of cases like that. “Yoru mother had a slight overreaction, but it was pretty justified. He was fine, though. I just had to bathe him more than once, because the color got hard to get off.”

“Anythin’ else he did as a kid? We’ve never heard ‘im do anythin’ wrong ever in his life.” Wallace asked.

“Hm…he had a habit of wandering off if left unattended.” Maria said after a moment of thought. “Gregory saw something that interested him, he went to look at it and most of the time, he forgot to tell us. We were once in a museum, just the three of us. That was before you were born, Wallace, and he wandered off at some point without telling us. We had to call security and we looked for him for two hours until we found him inside the gift shop, looking at science-themed toys.” She laughed a little at the memory. “I guess the shiny and colorful shapes were what attracted his attention. Your father nearly had a heart attack, because he jumped to the worst conclusions and thought someone kidnapped his precious little boy.” She smirked at her husband.

Doc blushed. “I wasn’t… I… Well…” He tried to defend himself but found he couldn’t even find the right words to say to do so. So, he just settled for sighing and letting that little secret be aired. “I will admit, I probably did overreact that day. But I was a new father, what else was I supposed to do?”

“Especially when his little boy was such a cute sweetheart.” Maria giggled. “Almost half the hospital fell in love with that little darling. Not that he understood it, of course. He just thought everyone was nice and Brian gave him a lollipop every time we brought him over.” Maria suddenly remembered. “Oh, I have a picture of him, actually! He was three years old.” She went to the hallway, where she had put her luggage and found her photo album, removed a picture and went back to the kitchen.

“Here he is.” She showed her mother-in-law. “Isn’t he cute?” She smiled brightly.

The picture was in color, but slightly faded as it was taken in the late 1970s. It showed a little and very adorable Hornet in cherry red color and big, brown eyes. He was holding a hilariously big, swirly lollipop with his wheels and looked as if he tried to figure out how to eat it.

“Oh, he is so adorable!” Mary Jane squealed with delight. “He’s the spittin’ image of his father when he was that young, aside from the color and eye color of course.” Mary Jane dug around and pulled out an old album she had on her as well. “Here!” She said as she flipped it open to show a three year old Doc, covered in frosting and grinning widely. Aside from the missing grille, the paint color and eye color being different, Gregory did indeed look like Doc for the most part.

“Mother!” Doc groaned as he saw that very image. “Do you have to show everyone images of me as a kid?”

“Oh, hush.” Mary Jane scolded her son. “It’s your missus! Of course I’m going to show her every one of the baby photos I can!”

“And you’re one to talk.” Maria smirked at her husband. “I thought it was a new father thing to show off pictures of your son to all your co-workers at the hospital, but no. Let me tell you he got worse when Wallace and then Lightning came along. Couldn’t wipe off that stupid, proud smirk of his face for months.” She laughed. “You should’ve heard him yap on and on about his three boys and all that jazz. He only took it easier when Brian threatened to sedate him with a syringe.”

Doc grimaced. “Even after years of working as a doctor, I still hate needles…”

“Wait, Dad’s scared of needles?” Lightning asked, completely surprised.

“That’s a long story I do not want to-” Doc began, but his own mother cut him off.

“Oh, it’s not that long of a story.” Mary Jane said. “You just never liked them.” She grinned at Maria. “Why, even when he was a baby, whenever someone had to prick or poke him with a needle, Maddock would cry his lungs out.”

Doc blushed even more, his dark blue paint starting to turn purple. “Mother!”

“What? You were always the only one who would start crying and screaming whenever someone mentioned flu shots or oil/fluid checks.” Mary Jane giggled. “In fact, one time Maddock wound up driving away from a school checkup at full speed because he was so scared of the needle to do an oil check.” She added to Maria, who couldn’t help but laugh.

“That explains why only Brian Wheels could give him his shots.” Maria grinned.

Wallace tried his best to not laugh at his dad, but he couldn’t help but to let out a snort.

“Yeah, go ahead and laugh.” Doc grumbled. “I know it sounds funny.”

“It’s kinda funny, Dad.” Wallace snickered and grinned widely. “A doctor bein’ scared of needles.”

“I know it’s ironic, but that is the case.” Doc admitted. “But that’s part of why I picked the job to go into, to try and overcome my fear of needles. I’d like to say it worked but… I still won’t go near them if I can help it.”

“Everyone’s ‘fraid of somethin’.” Wallace shrugged. “Sure, I found it funny and ironic, but who am I to judge? I’m ‘fraid of demolition derbys.” He admitted. “I was only there ‘cause the newspaper got a hot tip and they sent me in as undercover, to take them pictures for the articles and so. Nearly died for it, tho. Anyways, the boss told me to not do it again now when we know what’s really goin’ on at those things.”

Doc froze before he looked at his son. “Wallace, doing that once is one thing, but I seriously hope you don’t do it again. I…” Doc trailed as he recalled Smokey’s words about it. “I don’t want any of you boys getting involved in those. It’s bad enough they exist, and most cars don’t really care really, but when racecars get involved… that’s when the Commission has to step in.”

“Yeah, one of the reasons why my boss told me to never do that again, not even for a job, was ‘cause I got a concussion from it.” Wallace said as he winced from the memory. “I didn’t even notice until I was back in the office, he was yellin’ at me for disgradin’ my safety for a job and then I kinda blacked out. Then I woke up at the hospital. Bossman didn’t really like my joke ‘bout internal bleedin’, though. I said it’s where the blood is supposed to be…ya get it?” He said and his smile fell when he saw his father’s expression. “No? Darn, no one likes that joke…”

Doc sighed. “Wallace, I know you mean well, but you need to think about when a joke is appropriate or not.” He said. “I can imagine how your boss felt, but for me, if I was in his place? I’d have grounded you and made sure you didn’t go anywhere without someone at your side at all times.”

“I already know that, ‘cause they called on Greg and he spent at least an hour throwin’ a hissy fit.” Wallace said with a groan, he didn’t like that memory too much.

“Well, at least someone tries to keep you out of trouble.” Doc sighed.

“Aw, c’mon. It wasn’t as if I planned it!” Wallace groaned. “‘Sides, I got some really neat, exclusive pics for the newspaper and we exposed ‘em all! We blew that case wide open, y’all!” He grinned. “All thanks to yours truly!”

Lightning grimaced. “Geez… I knew those things were bad, but to nearly lose one of my brothers to one? I’m glad Gregory yelled at you for it.”

“Yean, it wasn’t fun. But totally worth it.”

“Glad to see you learnt your lesson at all.” Maria said irritatedly. “When was this? This is the first time I’m hearing about this! You think it’s fun for your parents to hear that you almost died for your job in a demolition derby?”

“Uh…sometime in 2005? So Lightnin’ was in his first Piston Cup, but it was some month before he got lost. Ya know, when he was bein’ a brat at the time.”

Lightning grimaced again. “Okay, no need to remind me of that, thank you.” He said before looking at Wallace. “But seriously?! You didn’t think about how that would affect me if you hadn’t made it out?! I know I was a brat, but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t miss you!”

“Yeah, yeah. I know, lil’ bro.” Wallace said and rubbed Lightning’s hood. “Sure, ya were bein’ a pain in the aft, but I know ya. That agent of yours was just putin’ weird, toxic stuff in ya head and it took Dad throwin’ ya into a cactus to teach ya a lesson in humility.”

Lightning sighed. “And I am grateful he did. I’d be worse than Chick Hicks if I hadn’t been forced down to Radiator Springs by my own actions.”

Doc smiled. “Glad to do it, kiddo.” He said as he playfully nudged Lightning.

“Looks like you know how to keep those boys of yours in line.” Mary Jane grinned at Doc.

“Please. Maria does most of that.” Doc replied back. “I handle Lightnin’ most of the time, but when he gets beyond even my ability to handle, Maria knows exactly what to do to get ‘im in line.”

“Gregory was more successful than me in keeping those two in line, although I suspect it has more to do with the boys being worried about his oil pressure.” Maria admitted. 

“Oi! We’re not gonna be bad little brothers!” Wallace protested. “We’d never do anythin’ to make Greg mad at us!”

“Like he could remain mad at us for long.” Lightning snarked back. “Greg’s just too good to remain mad at us, no matter what we do.”

“I may have not known him for a long time, but he sure is such a sweetheart.” Mary Jane said softly. “Why, I think he even managed to melt your grandfather’s heart a little by just being himself. He became very fond of Gregory by the time he passed.” She gave a little sigh. 

“We wouldn’t have him any other way.” Doc chuckled. “He’s just that sweet.”

“Sheriff said Greg’s like marshmallow fluff!” Lightning quipped with a cheeky grin.

“I was thinkin’ more like a fluffy lil’ ball of light.” Wallace remarked.

“Meh… whatever he is, Greg’s an absolute cinnamon roll!” Lightning grinned some more. “He’s too sweet to ignore for long!”

Doc laughed. “Now boys! I think your older brother’s embarrassed enough with all the praises you’ve been giving him!”

“Anyway, let’s finish breakfast.” Lightning said. “I wanna see Dad’s old hometown here!”

After everyone had eaten, it was time to head out to explore Tireson Junction. It wasn’t that big a town, only 1000 residents, but it was still large enough to have its own post office, schools, and even a small hospital and whatever else was needed for a town to survive.

Doc was more than excited to show his family around town, and it clearly showed in his body language as he was acting like a little car at times.

He was eagerly pointing out the houses of his old friends when he had been growing up, and that wasn’t even the town proper yet. But upon reaching the town itself, he didn’t hesitate to point out the local hotspots to hang out.

“Hey! It’s the old candy shop I used to go to!” Doc exclaimed. “I didn’t think they were still around, let alone open.” Sure enough the candy shop, Tireson Sweets, was still operating and open. “I wonder if the owner is still runnin’ it. Mr. Jackwheels was always good to us kids, handin’ out candy whenever he saw us.”

“Oooh! Can we go in and get some? Please, please, please?” Lightning begged.

Doc wanted to say no, but as this was his family’s first time visiting, he decided it was okay for this one time.

“Okay.” Doc gave in. “We’ll go and check it out.” He said with an amused smile.

“YES!” Lighting exclaimed before he zipped over to the candy shop.

Doc entered after Lightning, who was now browsing the selection of sweets. “Wow! Look at all of these! I don’t know what to get!”

“Don’t get too many sweets, kid.” Doc chuckled as Lightning began to pick out some candies.

Maria entered with the rest of their kids behind her. “Oh, this is a cute little shop!” She exclaimed. “Mom and Pop owned! I haven’t seen one in years!”

“Oh, the old charm here is so inviting!” Gregory exclaimed as he looked at all the old-style sweets and candies.

Lightning was already content with what he had found. “Oh man, I can’t believe we missed out on this! I can’t wait to try these! They all look so good!”

“You new here, son?” An older voice asked as Lightning turned. There, behind him, was an old 1930s Roadster, grinning from fender to fender. “I didn’t think the newer generations would be excited to see an old shop like mine.”

“Hey, my dad’s the reason I’m here.” Lightning grinned back. “We’re actually here visiting for the holidays.”

“Is that so? And who would your daddy… be…?” The car trailed off as he looked Lightning over carefully, even seeing his blue eyes. “Say… aren’t you that Piston racer, Lighting something?”

“Uh… It’s… Lightning.” Lightning corrected gently. “Lightning McQueen.”

“Ah! That’s why you looked so familiar!” The car grinned. “I’m William Jackwheels, the owner of this fine little establishment.”

“Cool! Nice to meet you!” Lightning chirped, showing his good manners Gregory had instilled into him.

“You mentioned you were here with your father?” Mr. Jackwheels asked.

“Yeah.” Lightning said. “He’s over there.”

The store owner looked over at where Lightning was gesturing to, and his jaw dropped before he grinned widely. “Well, if it isn’t little Madhouse Maddock!” He exclaimed with a grin.

Doc turned and saw the store owner, whom he had known since being a baby, was addressing him. For a long while. Doc was silent before he spoke. “What the… How are you still here, you old coot?!” Doc exclaimed, feeling a grin cross his front bumper.

“Father! Such language!” Gregory exclaimed, nearly aghast. 

Wallace grinned. “Tsk tsk. Such manners, Dad.” He scoffed playfully. “Watch ya language, for gosh sake!”

Mr. Jackwheels just let out a bellowing laugh. “Still the same, eh, Maddock?” He teased. “You’d come in here with your lil’ posse of friends and make a madhouse out of my little shop!”

Doc blushed. “We were just kids! What kid wouldn’t love candy and sweets?” He protested, trying to defend himself.

“Yes, but then you lot would get all hyped up on sugar and go speedin’ around outside at the park just close by! And you were the worst of the lot, always goin’ at top speed before bein’ exhausted hours later!” Mr. Jackwheels laughed jovially.

“Who knew Dad was such a menace as a kid?” Lightning grinned cheekily.

“Oh, he was a menace alright.” Mr. Jackwheels laughed. “I take it this is the rest of your lil’ family? Nice bunch, especially the red Hornet. He your eldest?”

Doc nodded. “Yes. They wanted to come visit my mother for the holidays.”

Mr. Jackwheels grinned. “Good to hear you came back.”

“Ah, yes. My name is Gregory Hudson. It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.” The red Hornet said and introduced himself politely. “It’s a rather charming shop you are keeping, I like it very much.” He said and smiled as he looked around the interior. It looked like something he had only seen in his historical fiction books.

“Oh, aren’t you the polite one!” Mr. Jackwheels grinned. “It seems you did good by these three boys, Maddock! I’ve never met such polite young ones in a long time!”

“I tried my best.” Doc said with a light blush.

“Oh, these boys were a handful growing up.” Maria giggled. “I’m Maria, Maddock’s wife.”

“He certainly scored a beauty.” The older car remarked playfully.

“And I’m Wallace, but I like to go by ‘Ace’.” Wallace finished.

“Hah! I can see it in your body language, boy! Ever the confident, cocky one, this boy was!” Mr. Jackwheels gestured to Doc. “He knew what he wanted and wouldn’t stop ‘til he got it!”

Doc blushed a bit more. “Well… I…”

“Oh, don’t worry! Have some fun browsing! And anything you get, consider it on the house!” Mr. Jackwheels grinned. “I love it when I see cars who are polite, not those nosy, stuck up cars who come in and act all rude.”

“Oh, those are just terrible. I have met a lot of such people at the law agency and it takes my entire self control to not snap back at them.” Gregory said as he browsed around. He liked how the candies were kept in big glass jars with a note that told him which kind of candy he was looking at. 

“Maybe Sky would appreciate some candy we could bring back home to her in Arizona.” He suggested to Lightning. “Also remember your limit, Lightning.” He added, suddenly very strict. “I can’t have you overfeed yourself on candy so close to Christmas, of all days!”

“Aw, c’mon!” Lightning whined.

“Lightning.” Gregory said, unimpressed with a flat glare.

“Fiiiine.” The red racecar groaned childishly. It was very clear which parent he took after the most and that wasn’t his mother.

“Hooo boy! I didn’t think you’d father a Piston racer, Maddock.” Mr. Jackwheels grinned at Doc. “Got some lil’ secret to that?”

“Not really.” Doc replied, trying to downplay himself. “I’m just lucky like that, I suppose. I’m just a modest town doctor. My wife was a Piston racer for a season, but me? I-”

“Don’t downplay yourself, Dad!” Wallace piped up. “You were a Piston racer too!”

Doc groaned. “Wallace!”

“Hah! That would explain the racin’ around after you got on a sugar rush.” Mr. Jackwheels laughed. “The hotshot sure takes after you, Madhouse.”

“Well, we can’t all be as fabulous as my father, can we?” Gregory said calmly as he sent a mischievous little smirk to his father. 

“Hah! Is that what he called himself during his Piston run? Sounds just like him! Cocky and full of himself!” Mr. Jackwheels laughed.

“Yes, that was my racin’ name.” Doc admitted. “Made a real impression when I reached North Carolina, especially on my old crew chief.”

“Yes, because apparently he didn’t just call himself Hudson Hornet.” Gregory added sarcastically. “But he called himself the Fabulous Hudson Hornet.” He repeated Smokey’s words and wished the orange Hudson truck could’ve been here to say it himself. 

“Hahahaha!” The old Roadster couldn’t help the jolly laugh that escaped him. “Oh wow! Ford, that’s some arrogance right there!”

“What else was I going to call myself?” Doc defended himself. “I certainly wasn’t going with my first name.”

“I dunno, Madhouse sounds kinda rad.” Wallace drawled in his usual southern accent. “And ‘ere I was just goin’ by Ace.” He turned to look at Gregory, who was looking at a shelf with glass jars filled with colorful hard candies in various bright colors. “Hey, Greg! If ya were a racecar, what would’ve ya name been?”

“I don’t know?” Gregory said. “Racing has always been a foreign concept for me, as the only non-racer in the family. But maybe something like…Scarlet.”

“Really? Goin’ after ya own color?” Wallace said flatly. “Lame.”

Lightning laughed. “Good thing I was named “lightning”! He joked. “Because I’m fast, like lightning!”

“You were also born during a thunderstorm, as lightning flashed.” Maria grinned.

“Greg didn’t like it.” Wallace remarked. “He’s never liked thunderstorms.”

“Well, it’s good to see you came back, and with your family, Maddock.” Mr. Jackwheels grinned. “As I said, any candy your boys want is on the house, just for an old customer’s memories.”

“On the house? Surely you cannot?” Gregory said, a little startled. “Wouldn’t this reflect badly for your business? My conscience couldn’t take that.”

“Oi, would it kill ya to not worry ‘bout others all the time?” Wallace told his older brother. “Try to not be the selfless, noble one for once. Treat yaself. You almost never do that.”

Doc chuckled. “Gregory won’t take no for an answer.” He replied. “Just let him do this. If he wants to pay for everyone, it’s his choice.”

“He’s never been doing anything for ‘imself…” Wallace grumbled. “He’s too pure for this world.”

“Stop that. No one is completely pure.” Gregory scoffed, but he was blushing hard. “Now, how about we make an excellent gift for Sky? A box full of assorted kinds of candy.”

“Heck yeah!” Lightning cheered. “She’s gonna love it!”

“Only if you don’t eat all of it, Lightnin’!” Wallace added. “We need to keep ya away from sweets, I swear!”

“I wouldn’t do that!” Lightning protested. “I’m not that mean!”

“Alright, enough now. Let’s see…we’re going to get hard candies, chocolate, candy canes, soft candy and lollipops.” Gregory instructed his brothers. “I saw some lovely tin boxes to store the candy in, so we’ll make it a wonderful gift from us all to our favorite junior officer back home.”

“Ah, I love to hear about appreciating the law enforcement.” Mr. Jackwheels chuckled. “I just know she’ll enjoy it!”

“Especially since Greg is the one dating her.” Lightning smirked. “She's my best friend too, to boot. And a natural racer, but she decided to become the best police officer in the south. She seems to think that's the closest thing of a hero she can become.”

“She certainly has a very heroic spirit, doesn't she?” Gregory said softly and thought of that girl who caught his heart by her cheerfulness, her courage, her wicked humor, her sharp cleverness and how just and righteous she was.

“Oh ho! So she’s your girlfriend, is she?” Mr. Jackwheels grinned. “That’s quite a catch! Better make this somethin’ special for her then!”

“Oh, I intend on it, sir.” Gregory smiled bashfully. “She is…very special to me. There is truly no one else in the world like her.” He added.

Doc chuckled. “Well, better hurry up then. I still have more I want to show you around here.”

After thirty minutes, the brothers managed to wrap up their candy shopping; not only had they fixed a nice tin box filled with assorted candies of all kinds, but they had also bought a large heap of candy for themselves and it was more than enough to last through the entire holidays. 

Gregory, being the kind, selfless soul as he was, insisted on paying for all of them. Which also included his own parents’ candy shopping and he refused to take a no.

Wallace decided to buy a couple of old-fashioned root beer bottles, being very intrigued as he had never tasted the soda before.

Finally, the family was done shopping and said goodbye to the store owner.

“You’d better come back again, you hear?” Mr Jackwheels said as the family left. “I hope to tell those young ones of yours about ol’ Madhouse Maddock!”

Doc groaned as he left. “I swear, he just called me that because I was the one who caused ‘im the most trouble.”

“C’mon! Madhouse Maddock? Who wouldn’t love that name?” Wallace grinned. “Sounds downright menacin’ when you think about it!”

“And I did not want to be seen as menacin’!” Doc retorted. “Besides, this tour has just gotten started. I have more to show you kids.”

Lightning grinned. “If the other places are as good as this candy store, I’m in!”

“Not to mention I wanna see if they have a diner here!” Wallace chuckled.

“You and your foodie tendencies…” Maria sighed, amused.

Doc grinned as he led his family further into town. While the old candy shop was still in operation, a few other places Doc had used to hang out were either gone or bought out with new stores in their places. The old diner was gone, in its place a big fat parking lot for a shady looking hotel that had not been there when Doc had been in town as a kid.

“Aw man! That stinks!” Wallace complained.

Gregory gave the shady looking hotel a cautious look, suspicious of its look, and he genuinely hoped it was not what he suspected it could be. “Um…are there any libraries in town? Or something else that might be fun to visit?” He asked, wanting to move on 

“No libraries, but I do want to show you where I went to school.” Doc said, eying the shady hotel with suspicion as well. “It should be down this road.” And he started heading down the opposite road away from that creepy hotel.

Sure enough, the group reached where Doc had gone to school: Tireson Junction High School. It was an older brick building, with two stories and it wasn’t that large compared to later high schools.

“There it is.” Doc said. “My old high school.” He smiled mirthlessly. “Ol’ place could withstand high winds and anything that nature could throw at it, save for the cold winters. It was like an icebox inside there during the winter months.”

“You went to school with no heat?” Lightning asked, surprised.

“Kid, I grew up in the 1930s and 40s.” Doc retorted. “Most schools that were as old as mine didn’t have heat back then.”

“When was it built?” Wallace asked.

“I think during the 1890s.” Doc replied. “I never paid attention to the history of the place. I just knew it was really cold there during the winters.”

“I don't think we appreciate modern wonders such as central heating enough.” Gregory said wisely. “I'm very glad that we didn't have to get through that as children.”

“Yeah, tell me about it.” Lightning agreed.

“Well, I certainly don’t miss it either.” Doc chuckled. “In fact, I’m wonderin’ if Mrs. Crankshaft is still there.” He then looked at his eldest son. “And yes, that was her actual name.” He clarified. “She was… quite the… well… back then they said strict, but she was just downright mean now that I look back on it.”

“How about we don't find out if she's there or not.” Maria remarked. “I'm not fond of having my children around someone my own husband feared.”

“I didn’t fear her. I just didn’t like her nasty attitude.” Doc retorted.

“Then all the more reason to not have her around my boys. Especially someone as sweet as our Gregory.” Maria said stubbornly.

“Fine.” Doc sighed. “Besides, I’d hate to meet her again anyway. I swear she’d probably give me an F for just bein’ outside her office, even though I wasn’t her student.”

Lightning snickered. “Reminds me of “Mr. Fail”, as we called him. He failed any student who rubbed him the wrong way. I was lucky I never had him for any of my classes, but no one could stop talking about him.”

"Ain't nothin’ worse than Mr. Pratchett, though.” Wallace remarked. “I swear, he had somethin’ out for Gregory! He always had somethin’ against non-racers, always shamin’ ‘em and so on.”

“Pratchett the Prat was a conservative race-ist.” Lightning growled. “He kept going on about “Blanks” stealing jobs and all that. He kept looking at Gregory as if he was something shameful to exist.”

“Lightning, Wallace. I thought we agreed to never speak about that again?!” Gregory hissed at them.

Wallace shrugged, not regretting it at all. “Forgot.”

Doc chuckled. “Well, no matter what generation you are, it seems there will always be bad teachers.”

“Well, any place else to show us?” Maria asked.

“Actually, there is one more place.” Doc said with a small smile. “It ain’t much, but it’s where a lot of us went to hang out.” He gestured for the rest of them to follow him.

The last place Doc wanted to show his family was the local ice rink, an outdoor place that was open in the winter.

“The local ice rink.” Doc said as he saw it. A smile was on his front bumper. “This was the place to be in winter, old cars, young cars, you name it. Anyone who came here wouldn’t leave until hours into the night.”

And just like when he had been a kid, there were cars out on the ice rink and having fun.

“Oooh, that looks like fun!” Lightning exclaimed.

“And the racin’ season is two months away.” Doc reminded his youngest. “I don’t want you gettin’ hurt with just two months to go, kiddo.”

“Aw man…” Lightning pouted.

“Looks like Dad’s bein’ the crew chief right now.” Wallace laughed.

“Spoilsport.” Lightning grumbled to Doc.

“Who knew you had such a charming childhood home?” Maria grinned to her husband.

Doc chuckled. “Yeah, it wasn’t big, it didn’t have much, but it was home.”

“It’s too bad about the local diner.” Wallace sighed. “I really wanted to try it.”

“Well, we have some time left here.” Doc said. “Let’s make the most of it, okay? I know my mother wants to have a nice dinner with us before we leave tomorrow.”

“Hey! Can we have a snowball fight?” Lightning asked eagerly. “It could be two verses two! Greg can be the referee for it!”

“As long as I'm not directly involved in the snowball fight, then I don't mind.” Gregory said.

“But who will be on which team?” Maria asked.

“Why not me and Mama against the Lightnin’ bug and our dad?” Wallace grinned.

“You sure?” Lightning asked, a bit skeptical. “Dad and I have that bond, remember?”

“Yeah, but that will make this more fun!” Wallace grinned even more. “You two have to build it up, outside of racin’!”

Doc frowned. “I don’t know…”

“What? Are you worried about us getting the upper tire?” Maria smirked at her husband.

“No, of course not!” Doc retorted. “I just don’t think it’s fair.”

“Who said it had to be fair?” Maria grinned, throwing a snowball at Doc.

Doc reversed quickly, causing the snowball to hit Lightning instead.

“Hey!” Lightning exclaimed before he grinned. “Oh, it’s on, Mom!” He retorted before making a snowball and throwing it at his own mother.

Maria yelped in laughter as she barely avoided the snowball, causing it to hit Wallace instead.

“You’re in for it, Lightnin’ Bug!” Wallace laughed as he threw a snowball at Lightning, who ducked behind their father. Doc got a snowball to the face as a result.

“I see the teams are established…” Doc grumbled before he shook the snow off and smirked. “It’s on!”

The two teams went at it, throwing snowballs at each other for the fun of it. Squeals of laughter erupted from the four cars having fun, with Gregory watching and smiling the whole time, calling out if someone got hit or not.

Eventually, the family of five began to get tired from being in the cold and from throwing snowballs at each other.

“Okay… I think that’s enough…” Lightning panted after Wallace had hit him with a particularly large snowball. “I can’t do this anymore.”

“I’m freezing my tires off…” Wallace agreed.

“We’ve been out here for hours…” Maria said. “I think we should head back to your father’s house.”

Doc nodded in agreement. “Yeah. But that was the most fun I’ve had in years.” He added with a chuckle.

“Also may I add that you made a slight miscalculation earlier, Father?” Gregory added. “Since today's the 24th, we're leaving the day after tomorrow, not tomorrow. I think you're still a little tired after our very busy day yesterday.” He snickered a little.

Doc chuckled. “I suppose I am.” He admitted sheepishly.

“So even our dad can make mistakes.” Wallace snickered.

“I never said I was perfect.” Doc retorted.

“Just as you weren’t a goody two shoes as a kid.” Lightning quipped.

Doc groaned. “I suppose my mother’s goin’ to be tellin’ those stories again…”

“I wonder what else you did that got you into trouble.” Wallace remarked, having fun teasing their father about his childhood antics.

“Let’s go back to the house first.” Doc said. “I think we could all use some warmin’ up, your older brother especially.”

“I'm fine.” Gregory protested, ignoring how he was nearly completely frozen from the winter chill and not moving so much compared to his family.

“Don’t try to fool me, son.” Doc said as he looked at his eldest. “I can see you shiverin’ all the way from over here.”

Lightning chuckled. “C’mon. Let’s get back.”

Doc led the little group back to his childhood home, making sure to nudge Gregory to enter the house first. “You get in there and by the fire, son. And I won’t take no for an answer. You’re getting warmed up first.”

“Is this really necessary, Father?” Gregory protested.

“With your immune system issues, yes, it is.” Doc replied before he finally got Gregory into the house. “Now, are we going to do this the hard way, or the easy way?

Gregory sighed before he headed into the house to settle in by the fire and warm up.

‘He’s always so worried to a point it gets overbearing.’ Gregory thought to himself, but he did as his father told him because it was never a good idea to disobey him.

The rest of the family followed Gregory inside, with Maria bringing up the rear and shutting the door.

“Brrrr!” Lightning shivered. “Wow… I forgot how cold it can get this far north.” He remarked.

“What did you expect?” Wallace grinned back as he nudged his cold baby brother.

“Hey! Your tire is like ice!” Lightning exclaimed as he jumped away from Wallace’s touch.

Wallace grinned. “Is the Lightnin’ Bug afraid of the big, bad, Abominable Ace?” He teased as he tried to touch Lightning with his cold tire again.

“Nope! You’re not touching me with that icy tire!” Lightning retorted as he darted behind Doc.

“Boys…” Doc growled at his two younger sons.

“Instead of bickering, come and warm yourselves by the fire instead.” Gregory told his little brothers. “Also Grandmother seems to have made hot chocolate in the kitchen, so we'll all be warm and toasty in no time.”

Lightning and Wallace were quick to join Gregory by the fire at the mention of hot chocolate, showing they were thinking with their stomachs instead of their heads.

Doc chuckled. “C’mon, Maria. Let’s join them.” He said as he and his wife made their way to the fire as well.

“I hope you boys and girl are ready for some hot chocolate!” Mary Jane called from the kitchen. “You all must be freezing after being out for so long!”

“Well, we did see the old candy shop Dad used to go to.” Lightning grinned. “And then we saw his old school, and then had a snowball fight for hours.”

“Sounds like you had a busy day!” Mary Jane laughed as she came in with the hot chocolate for her son, daughter-in-law, and three grandsons.

“Tell me about it.” Doc chuckled. “I haven’t had that much fun in years.”

Everyone was now enjoying the hot chocolate, with Mary Jane joining them.

“So, poor Mr. Jackwheels is still working there?” Mary Jane asked. “I swear, whenever I went in there with your brother Percival, he would always complain and say you enjoyed making his store a madhouse.”

“He still thinks of me as that.” Doc confirmed. “When he saw me again, he called me that exact nickname.”

“How could Dad not use that as his racing name? That was an awesome nickname!” Wallace joked.

“I found the owner delightful and his store was wonderful. I never see candy stores like that anymore.” Gregory said with a smile.

“Everyone likes ya, Greg.” Wallace scoffed. “Gotta be crazy to not like ya.”

Gregory blushed. “Oh, knock that off. I'm not perfect and it doesn't harm to show some manners. A true gentlecar should always be polite and courteous.”

“Alright, who taught you all that gentlecar stuff? Lightning asked.

“Father did.” Gregory said simply.

Lightning glanced at Doc. “Wow, who knew you tried to pass off as such an old fashioned gentlecar?” He joked. “And yet you were a terror as a kid, according to Grandma and a few others.”

Doc blushed. “I never tried to be perfect.” He defended himself. “Smokey, my old crew chief, was the one who made sure using manners stuck.”

“Oh? I suppose I owe this Smokey a big thank you then.” Mary Jane giggled. “Sounds like he really didn’t take any of your lip.”

“Every time I mouthed off, I was given laps to run, and I would end up in thorn bushes as a result.” Doc admitted. “One time he left me there for a few hours because I had the audacity to argue with him and I said a few things that I shouldn’t have said.”

“Well, serves you right!” Mary Jane scolded her son. “I certainly didn’t raise you to be rude or vulgar! And I certainly won’t forget how you lied and said you were over at a friend’s house when you were actually racing while underage!”

Doc groaned. “Mother, please! Is this really the time to be scoldin’ me?”

“Oh, I think so!” Mary Jane said sternly. “What other trouble you got into, I do not know, but I do hope your old crew chief kept you in line!”

“He did plenty of that.” Doc admitted. He grimaced before sighing. “If these things are gonna get out, I’d rather tell them than have others repeat it for me.” Doc then gave a slight chuckle. “One time, I was doin’ some trainin’, one of my ol’ racin’ buddies, River Scott, managed to mess up one of my turns by jumpin’ out and scarin’ me. I literally slammed on my brakes and after that, we got into a scuffle.”

Doc couldn’t believe he was telling his own mother about some of his racing days. “Smokey wasn’t happy with the two of us. River got the worse punishment of the two of us, but I certainly didn’t get away with it either. I had to help Smokey clean out his garage while River had to work on gettin’ the track clean for the next race.”

Gregory snickered a little, having met his father's old racing buddies and he was reminded of how he cleaned out the former reigning poker Master, Midnight, despite never having played the game before.

“At least you learned your lesson I hope.” Mary Jane sighed.

“If only it was that simple, Mother.” Doc admitted sheepishly. “I only learned to not fight with River when ‘round Smokey.”

“The more I hear about this Smokey, the more I feel like I simply must meet him.” Maria laughed. “I'd love to hear more of my husband's racing days and I doubt he's willing to tell anything that puts him in a rather unflattering light.” She added with a cheeky smirk.

Doc gave a sheepish chuckle. “Well, when the racin’ season ends, I plan to take the boys down to Thomasville, for a visit. My old crew has been wantin’ to meet you as well.”

“Oh, then I am in!” Maria grinned.

Lightning laughed. “Gregory defeated another one of Dad’s racing buddies in Poker!” He grinned. “Just hearing Midnight, that’s the one Gregory beat, swearing, saying Dad taught Greg the game, was hilarious!”

“Okay, now I have to meet them!” Maria giggled. “They sound like a real colorful bunch to be around!”

“Oh, they are.” Lightning agreed with a grin. “You’ll like them”

“River has hinted about a trip to Radiator Springs as well, if he and the others manage to nag enough at Smokey to do it.” Gregory told them. “They might've gotten interested when I told them about the little dirt racetrack we have there.”

Lightning grinned. “Hah! I’d like to see some of them make that turn!” He laughed.

“Lightning, have you forgotten they are seasoned dirt track racers?” Gregory said. “You really don't think they might figure out how it works faster than you wiped out on your first try?” He scoffed. “My point is that you should never underestimate seasoned racers. Look at our father, he's a doctor and most wouldn't believe he's a racecar on the looks only.”

Lightning had the decency to look sheepish, given by the grin on his front bumper.

Doc laughed. “Gregory’s right! In fact, it’s what caused most of my opponents to underestimate me! They thought I was just a mere cityboy who was tryin’ to slum it out with the big boys. They learned the hard way that I wasn't a ‘cityboy’!”

He then gave a look to Lightning. “He’s also right in that the others will figure it out quickly. At least, Lou and River will, not sure about Midnight, given he likes to let his mind wander sometimes.”

“Yeah, I need to remember they are way older than me, and from the early days of the Piston circuit.” Lightning admitted sheepishly. 

“I still can't believe our dad was right there and he done shaped racin’ history.” Wallace grinned, obviously proud of his dad. “Like, they were there at the start, the early days of the Piston Cup and all! There's somethin’ amazin’ and unbelievable ‘bout it. I can't wait to hear all ‘bout it!” He said excitedly.

“Oh? My little baby Maddock shaped racing history?” Mary Jane asked before her smile grew wider. “That’s so amazing!”

“Mother, please! What I did was nothin’ special. I just knew what I wanted and I would do anythin’ to get it.” Doc replied, trying to, once again, downplay his importance. “I didn’t do anythin’ noteworthy, honestly!”

“Psh, so your little flip over another car I pulled once wasn’t special?” Lightning grinned cheekily. “I did it when you were… ah… gone for a while, during one of my races once.” His grin grew wider. “The press had a field day with that one! Claimed they hadn’t seen anything like it since the 1980s!”

“Father, you are one of the most famous and prominent racers of the century. You, among others, have shaped the path of Piston Cup racing, you have influenced so much that modern racing is what it is today!” Gregory told him. “And you still have the record of wins per season. They renamed the Piston Cup after you! How could you not believe that all you have done is important and historically significant?” His eldest son finished, wearing a bright and genuine smile that clearly told them how proud he was of his father.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Gregory is right!” Mary Jane scolded her youngest. “Clearly you need to take more pride in your achievements! How many cars can say they shaped history in such a profound way? You, young man, need to shape up and take more pride in what you’ve done!”

“But-” Doc began, but his mother wouldn’t let him speak.

“Oh no! I will not have my own son downplaying his achievements, no matter what they are!” Mary Jane continued, scolding Doc. “I do not want to hear you trying to downplay what you have done, you hear me?”

Everyone else snickered at the fact the most famous racer in history, the Fabulous Hudson Hornet, was being scolded by his own mother.

“I for one, am proud of you, but you need to take more pride in what you have done.” Mary Jane finished. “I will be watching this year’s Piston Cup, and if I hear you downplay yourself even once, I will be sure to correct that for you.”

Doc blushed. He knew all too well that when his mother said she would do something, she would do it.

“Oh, so it's like whenever Greg is downplayin’ himself ‘cause he doesn't think he's just as important or successful as the rest of us?” Wallace remarked. “I know it's ‘cause he’s the only non-racer in the family.”

“And you promised to not tell anyone!” Gregory hissed at him.

“Guess I lied.” Wallace said with a smirk. “C’mon, bro. Ya ain't less worth than us, just ‘cause ya can't race! I dunno who put that crap in ya head.”

“That's not important.” Gregory deflected. ‘But…I already know who put those toxic things in my head. No matter if there was radio silence from that clan or not…I was never free from their power over me.’ He thought to himself with a frown.

“Oh, it just shows how you and your father are more alike than you know!” Mary Jane grinned with a giggle. “He downplays his importance to racing and you downplay your importance as well! Both of you are clearly stubborn and won’t admit what you two have done is incredible!”

Both Doc and Gregory blushed this time.

“C’mon, Dad! Don’t dismiss your achievements!” Lightning pleaded. “I mean, how many cars can say they shaped racing history? Not many! And I’m your son! That means I have a lot to live up to! But how can I do that if you downplay what you’ve done?”

“I'm a little worried about that, actually.” Gregory admitted and looked at his father. “Once it comes out that you're alive and Lightning is your son, there will be pressure on him. He might get compared to you and your past achievements.” He voiced his concerns.

Lightning looked at Doc in shock. “Wait, wait, wait! You want to reveal our relationship?!” he asked, surprised.

Doc looked at Lightning and nodded. “Yes.” He confirmed. “But there is a good reason for it.” Doc took a breath before speaking again. “Do you know of the ‘54 Protocol?”

Lightning blinked before he looked down in thought. “I… did hear about it in passing when Junior started racing. Apparently it had something to do with his dad and his death. Said something about the Commission taking him under their wing upon his old man’s death.”

“That’s part of it.” Doc replied. “There are… protections… that kick in when a racecar is revealed to have had a kid, especially when that kid is also a racecar.”

Lightning looked up at Doc. “And why do you want to have these protections in place? I thought we were just fine as racer and crew chief.”

“Kid… it has to do with Gregory’s stalker.” Doc replied slowly.

“Father, don't!” Gregory suddenly exclaimed. “You promised! You wouldn't say a thing unless I felt ready for it!”

“Wait a hot sec now.” Wallace said with steel in his voice. “Dad, ya just said that the Commission can protect a racecar’s kid, who's also a racecar, if necessary, a’right? But Greg ain't a racecar! Don't tell me that protection ain't extendin’ to him, ‘cause Imma track ‘em down and kick their ass! Cause I ain't puttin’ up with this discrimination no more!”

Doc glared at Wallace. “If you’d let me finish, I was going to say more.” He said seriously before sighing and returning to the conversation at hand. “Look, kiddo. Gregory’s stalker… hasn’t quit on him. But, before Wallace interrupted me, I was goin’ to say, while these protections are primarily for racecars and their racin’ offspring, a clause that was added in 1992 extends that protection to any non-racin’ offspring as well.”

Doc then took a breath before letting it out. “I want to invoke those protections, mostly for Gregory’s sake. It’s clear his stalker won’t let up, even years later. But, by havin’ our relationship as father and son known, it will kick in those protections. Plus… if your brother comes to one of your races, it will become evident there is a familial relationship between you two. I want to make it known we are father and son, because when that relationship between you and Gregory comes out, it will be known he is also my son.”

Lightning looked down. “And with that known… it may discourage his stalker.” Lightning mused, showing that he did indeed have the brains of his father, at least when he wanted to use them.

“Assumin’ the asshat stalker has brains ‘nough to give it up.” Wallace scoffed viciously. “Still think I should teach ‘im a lesson.”

“If it doesn’t deter Gregory’s stalker, it will at least bring who it is to light.” Doc revealed. “Apparently, the Commission has its own investigation team for missin’ racers, the ‘54 Team. Ironic that it’s named for the year I had my crash.”

Lightning frowned. “But why? What’s so bad about Gregory’s stalker? The rest of you seem to know, but why not me? Why can’t I know? It’s not as if I’m unaffected by this guy! I mean, I know someone poisoned Gregory’s engine for reasons of jealously, but to hear this guy won’t quit, even years later? What is it that I’m missing?!” His temper was starting to show now and he was starting to get slightly anxious. “Why can’t I be in the know?! I’m just as affected-”

“Lightning, believe me when I say it's too dangerous for you to know right now.” Gregory told him. “Please, don't do anything stupid. They are not someone you should mess with, it can end badly.” He practically begged him, because he couldn't bear to think that they would poison Lightning's engine as well. It would shatter his little brother to never be able to race ever again.

Lightning frowned. He had the feeling Gregory was speaking from personal experience, and if his brother was speaking from personal experience… ‘Okay, Greg… You win this time, but I promise, if this stalker comes after you again, I will be going to the press about it.’ Finally, Lightning sighed and spoke up. “Okay, you win, Greg. I won’t push any further.” He said, but he knew he would if he had to.

“Don’t worry about it, kiddo.” Doc said reassuringly. “I’m also hopin’ the big reveal will throw off some of your competition, particularly Chick Hicks. He has a new crew chief this year, one we know little about. If this works, it could get you some serious points.”

Lightning grinned. “So psyche them out? Sweet!”

“That’s also why I pushed us to get the bond between us built up.” Doc continued. “It’s going to become clear to more experienced racers what we have. And no more hidin’ your stripe. I want to make it known under every possible circumstance that you are indeed my son.”

“Hey, ya think it'd help if Mama showed up to Lightnin’s race or somethin'?” Wallace asked. “Cause Lightnin' got her stripe, in Dad’s color. Might as well confirm it all in one go.” He suggested.

Doc grinned. “That doesn’t sound like a bad idea.” He agreed. “If she’s willing to, of course.”

“Would I miss it? I’d love to see how Chick Hicks reacts, especially after what he did to The King during his last race.” Maria grinned as well.

Doc chuckled. “Put that green punk in his place, eh?”

“Wouldn’t you know it?” Maria purred.

“So, when will this reveal take place?” Lightning asked.

“Preferrably by the first race’s end.” Doc replied. “But if it doesn’t work the first time, I’m sure it will sink in by the third race, especially if your mother shows up to all three.”

“Then after the press settles down, then I can invite Gregory to one of my races?” Lightning asked.

“I didn’t say you couldn’t.” Doc replied with a smirk of his own.

“Then we have the whole plan in exact details now? Good.” Gregory said as he tapped on his tablet with his fender antenna. “Let's see, the first Piston Cup race is always in February-”

“Hold up.” Wallace said. “Lightnin’ needs to qualify first, right? I think that's how it goes, anyways.”

Doc chuckled. “You’d be right. Kid does need to qualify, but that won’t be a problem, given who he is.”

“Nah, gotcha.” Wallace said. “Just gotta remind him.”

“Okay, that in mind…I think qualifying is in the first week of the new year.” Gregory said. “Harv will give me the full schedule later, he's been working overtime on this. Then, the Piston Cup races are every two weeks, giving plenty of time for the participants to train, rest and travel between races.” He rambled on.

“Can ya not work when you're supposed to relax on your vaca?” Wallace rolled his eyes, amused at his brother’s workaholic antics. “Can someone confiscate that tablet from him, will ya?”

“Of course, that means that the first two races are in February and the third will be in March-” Gregory continued, sinking into his work again.

Lightning was quick to grab the tablet. “No more working, bro!” He exclaimed as he snagged it from Gregory’s tire. “I will hang onto this!”

“Hey!” Gregory exclaimed. “Give me back that! Father, tell him off! He can't take my things!” He shouted angrily, his voice nearly gone high-pitched.

Doc chuckled. “No, he’s actually right. You do need to not be working durin’ vacation time. Even I know not to work durin’ my time off.”

“What?!” Gregory shrieked, his voice finally hit that high pitch note in total indignation. “Mother, tell him he can't do this to me!” He turned to his last resort.

“I do agree Lightning shouldn’t take your stuff like that, but again, aren’t we here on vacation? You work so hard.” Maria said before looking at Lightning. “And you, young man, don’t need to just snatch your brother’s stuff.”

Lightning frowned. “But he works too much!”

“Yes, he does, but that is no reason to take his tablet like that.” Maria said in a scolding tone. “Now give it back to him.”

Lightning grumbled, but did as he was told. “Fine…”

“Stop giving him ideas.” Gregory scolded Wallace. “Our baby brother is easily impressionable and he feeds off your unhinged racecar energy. You ought to be ashamed.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Wallace shrugged, not the slightest ashamed at all.

“Anyway, we have a plan in place.” Doc said. “So we just need to wait to put it into action.”

“Oh, I really hope that nasty Chick Hicks gets the shock of his life.” Mary Jane giggled.

“The press will certainly be havin’ a field day.” Doc chuckled.

“Psh, it’s not like I can’t handle the press.” Lightning scoffed.

“This isn’t about handlin’ the press, kiddo.” Doc said seriously. “This is about somethin’ we haven’t revealed comin’ to light. Everyone’s goin’ to be surprised, but the press the most. They’ll be like vultures once that news gets out.”

Lightning grimaced. “Yikes. Yeah, we have to plan for that.”

“Don’t worry.” Doc said reassuringly. “Gregory’s goin’ to probably figure that out.”

“Me and Harv are working hard on it with the PR team.” Gregory confirmed. “It's going to be one of the worse media storms, if not the worst. He took the whole thing surprisingly easy…although he fainted.” He snickered a little at the memory. “So Harv, while being a little vain, takes this very seriously. Although we might not be able to avoid a full-blown media storm about this, we can probably weather this out.” He fixed his youngest brother with a stern look. “This means that once this is out in the open…you need to keep your mouth shut unless I say so. And definitely don't talk to the press.”

Lightning grimaced. “Yeah, I know, I know. I certainly didn’t talk about when I supposedly lost Dad. I know better now. I’m not that immature rookie anymore.”

“Kid, he’s tellin’ you that for a reason.” Doc said, agreeing with Gregory. “What I suggest you do is just say you can’t speak about it at this current time.”

“Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.” Lightning agreed.

“So, ‘nough of depressin’ stuff!” Wallace exclaimed with a wide grin. “We all should bond a little, since it's Christmas tomorrow! I'm open for ideas, so hit it!”

“Oh! Why don’t we do some baking tomorrow?” Maria suggested. “I want to learn all the secret recipes you have!” She said as she looked at Mary Jane.

“Oh, that would be lovely!” Mary Jane giggled.

“Oi! What about the rest of us?” Wallace whined.

“If it's fine with you…I'd like to visit Grandfather’s grave tomorrow.” Gregory spoke up. “I thought about putting a wreath and lighting a grave candle. Because…no one should be alone on Christmas.”

Lightning nudged Gregory. “I hope you don’t mind if I come with you.” He said. “I’m not about to let you go alone in this cold weather.”

“I can help with the cooking!” Wallace grinned.

“Then I guess I’ll just find something to do by myself.” Doc said with a small chuckle.

“Or you could come with me and Lightning. I think I will be in very safe company with two racecars.” Gregory suggested.

Doc smiled. “I don’t see why not then.” He said as he rubbed a tire on Gregory’s hood. “It may be fun.”

“I think that sounds like a lovely idea.” Mary Jane agreed. “It will certainly be better than just sitting around here, and I know you wouldn’t do well with staying still. Why, even your youngest can’t stay still for long! He’s even tapping a tire as we speak!”

Lightning looked down, surprised she had caught him doing that. He looked back up, giving a sheepish grin.

“Lightning has always been very hyperactive.” Gregory said fondly. “I can't tell if that's just his personal quirk or if it's a racecar thing.”

“It’s probably both.” Doc chuckled.

“Oh, it’s definitely a racecar thing.” Mary Jane grinned. “Maddock could never sit still and was always wiggling around in some way. Why, whenever school picture day came, Maddock was always twitching so much, they had to do at least two tries to get a good picture of him!”

“Mother!” Doc groaned.

“Hey, at least I know where I get it from then!” Lightning joked cheekily.

“I used to thank the Manufacturer for giving us Gregory.” Maria giggled. “And if Wallace was a terror, Lightning was a nightmare. Both of them were hyperactive, three tantrums from left to right and so mischievous that I nearly cried. But Gregory was such a little angel from the bat. A little curious about everything and he had a habit to follow Doc around. Even when he was going to work. Otherwise, he was so calm. All the time.”

“Mother!” Gregory blushed.

“You had to be the goody-two-shoes even as a kid, huh?” Lightning quipped to Gregory.

“Oil, it's not as if I could control it as a baby, now can I?” Gregory glared half-heartedly. “You were a terror to raise. No wonder Mother cried sometimes, because you and Wallace drove her up to a wall.”

“They made you cry sometimes too. Especially when they decided to be terrors around your finals in your senior year in high school.” Maria reminded him before she looked at her husband. “Your two youngest drove him into tears, because they thought it'd be funny to mess with his term paper. He nearly had a full panic attack too. I've already reprimanded and punished them, but still. I still think they were way out of line there.”

Doc looked at Lightning and Wallace. “I see.” He said, his gaze turning a bit hard. “And just when I thought I had heard everythin’, I find out about that? Just what were you two thinkin’ back then?”

“Yeah, I guess we weren't thinkin’-” Wallace started.

“Shocking.” Doc said sarcastically. 

“I was eight…” Lightning mumbled and looked down at the floor. “I got mad cause I thought his stupid school was more important than me…”

“I just wanted to joke and lighten the mood ‘cause he was really agitated ‘bout everythin’. Didn't expect that to backfire that much.” Wallace said sheepishly.

“While Lightning’s motives are somewhat understandable, Wallace, your motives were not exactly funny.” Doc said sternly.

Lightning grimaced. “Yeah, we really messed up back then.”

“I hope you two didn’t do that again.” Doc sighed. “Because that was really mean.”

“Trust us, we done learnt our lesson.” Wallace said. “As I said, we weren't thinkin' at the time. Lightnin’ was eight and I was fourteen. We were immature kids.”

“As long as you did, that’s all that counts.” Doc sighed again. “You two really were terrors, weren’t you?”

“And you were too.” Mary Jane said sternly. “Don’t think I have forgotten when you took Percival’s text book and hid it in your father’s study! He was in a panic looking for it, just before a major final!”

“Mother!” Doc groaned.

“And let’s not forget when you and your twin sister removed your paint colors one time and swapped classes multiple times!” Mary Jane continued. “I’m surprised you both passed that year, given how many times you screwed with each other’s classwork!”

“Luck?” Gregory suggested mildly.

“As your grandfather used to say, sheer dumb luck.” Mary Jane said with a snicker. “It's such a pity you didn't get to meet earlier, you really hit it off like two peas in a pod.”

“Wait, ain't it like forbidden to have favorites?” Wallace asked.

“Parents aren't supposed to have favorites, but grandparents apparently can.” Mary Jane responded. “Maybe he only got to know you for a limited time, but I understood pretty quickly that Gregory became his favorite.”

“Gregory is everyone's favorite.” Lightning said bluntly. “That's not exactly news of the decade.”

“Somehow that nerd just wins everyone over.” Wallace snickered. “He’s just that pure and innocent.”

“And sweet as a cinnamon roll!” Lightning added with a grin.

Doc couldn’t help but laugh. It had been a long while since he had actually, like really, laughed.

“I am not a cinnamon roll!” Gregory protested, blushing an even darker red color.

“Oh, yes, you are!” Both Lightning and Wallace quipped as one, both grinning at him.

“Hey, Lightnin’? Remember when we done dressed ‘im up as a DisneWheels princess for Halloween and he just owned it? He just stalked out with nose in the air and bein’ all proud of it!”

“I don't have any problems with my masculinity. Besides, pink used to be a boy's color in the start of the 20th century.” Gregory said.

Lightning outright laughed. “Oh geez! That was the best Halloween prank we ever pulled!” He couldn’t keep a straight face. “Everyone said it was pretty cool how he just strutted around without a care in the world, despite the frilly outfit! It even impressed some of the hard-ass teachers!”

Doc could only sigh. “You two really were terrors.”

“What? It was funny!” Lightning grinned. “And it made everyone’s day, even Gregory’s!”

“I will admit, it was a fun experience.” Gregory chuckled.

“You even acted like the princess you were dressed up as!” Lightning added with a laugh. “It was a riot!”

“I even have a couple of photos with you three that Halloween.” Maria laughed. “I think the best part was that according to Wallace, there was a car from a class above Gregory who called him “a gay priss”. Guess what your eldest did?”

Doc didn't get to guess, because his youngest took over. “He tapped on his hood with his sparkly stick and said “Bibbidy boppity boo, you are a troll and you won't get a girl to prom”.” He said before he broke down into laughter.

“He just owned it! That was the sweetest “screw you” I've ever seen!” Wallace laughed. 

Doc, much to his surprise and dismay, found he couldn’t keep his laughter in either. “What is it with you boys and your antics?” He laughed. “All of you are just terrors when the three of you are together!”

Even Maria and Mary Jane couldn’t keep in their laughter.

“Oh, I just have to hear more stories about your antics!” Mary Jane giggled. “This is the most I have laughed in ages!”

Lightning managed to regain some control over his laughter. “W-Well… I was dressed as Bat-mobile, so I managed to sneak up and put a troll nose on the car who made fun of Gregory, which made the ‘screw you’ even better!”

“Didn’t you put it on his rear end?” Wallace snickered. “It looked like a big-”

Lightning lost it, falling to his undercarriage. “I-It did!” He howled in his laughter. “N-Not even h-his girlfriend w-wanted t-to… to be with him!” He cried, hitting the floor with a tire in his laughter.

“You two are so immature. And I had it under control.” Gregory scoffed, but smiled. “Besides, I owned that princess outfit. Not to mention we got our Halloween buckets filled with candy and I got complimented at school for my “bravery” to dress up in a dress.”

“Hey, you can’t blame Lightnin’ for bein’ the immature kid he was.” Wallace grinned. “‘Sides, it was funny seein’ the bully get mocked for his ‘troll-”

“He g-got mocked… for… a… a troll dick!” Lightning howled in laughter.

“Lightning!” Gregory exclaimed, but he was hiding his smile poorly.

“What can I say? The punk deserved it.” Wallace grinned. “Besides, it fit his costume perfectly.”

“Oh, you boys are a hoot!” Mary Jane laughed, almost to the point of tears. “I remember when Maddock was only 10, he was told to dress up as a mad doctor by some older cars, but he instead dressed as a pirate, just to get them to shut up.”

“That was part of the reason I didn’t like to mention my full first name.” Doc admitted. “Kids would say I was ‘goin’ to become a mad doctor’ or somethin’, like one of those horror film doctors.”

“Just because of your name? That's really cliche and unoriginal.” Gregory remarked, very unimpressed. “Just as unoriginal as the time Lightning tried to prank me and put a frog in my bed. Not only did that prank fail spectacularly, but I pitied the frog so much that I kept him in an aquarium.” He continued and smiled a little. “I named him Kermit. He was a good frog.”

Doc laughed. “Is that so? You really are one of a kind, son! Even takin’ a frog as a pet!”

“It was a cold autumn, he would've died on his own. What else was I supposed to do?” Gregory retorted with a smile. 

“I swear, he's such a DisneWheels princess, but like…a guy.” Wallace muttered to Lightning who nodded in agreement.

“Oh, you three are such a riot!” Mary Jane grinned. “I’m so glad you came to visit me during the holidays!”

“We're happy we came too-oh, stop it you two!” Gregory started before he turned around and snapped at his two younger brothers, who cackled like hyenas at his poor choice of words. “Grow up!”

“Sorry… Sorry…” Lightning rasped out, feeling exhausted from so much laughing. “Whew! I haven’t laughed that hard in ages!”

“Same here…” Wallace agreed, feeling his sides aching from his laughing fits. “I’m gonna have sore sides tomorrow, but it was so worth it!”

Maria sighed as she shook her hood. “You boys… No wonder I was so exhausted most of the time! Your antics wore down on me, literally!”

“I did my best to help out, though.” Gregory said. “It's not as if I meant to cause any trouble…”

“We know, son.” Doc reassured Gregory. “We know. But you have to admit, your brothers are a tireful to handle, even as adults.”

“Hey!” Both racers exclaimed at once.

“I know. But…I wouldn't have it any other way.” Gregory flashed a bright smile, full of warmth and fondness. “Everyday I've spent with them is an adventure itself. I'm glad that I'm a part of their lives.”

‘I would die for you!’ Both Wallace and Lightning thought in unison, clearly touched by how much Gregory loved and cared for them. Even with their dumb pranks and immature shenanigans.

Doc chuckled. “You really are too kind, even for these two.”

Lightning gave a grin before his fuel tank rumbled, indicating he was hungry. Said racecar gave a sheepish grin. “I… guess I need something to eat…” He admitted sheepishly.

“Oh, that's not a problem. Dinner should be done now.” Mary Jane smiled. “While you were out and having fun, I had something in the oven. A long roast, if you may, and I thought we could have something nice since it's Christmas Eve and everything.”

“Yum!” Wallace grinned. “‘sides, Imma need all the energy I need ‘cause I'm gettin’ up tomorrow to prepare the brisket for the Christmas dinner! It's gonna take ‘round fourteen hours and all!”

“Fourteen hours?!” Lightning exclaimed. 

“Yeah, ‘cause not only is it gonna be on the grill for that long, but I gotta baste it, spritz it and tend to the fire. It's a slow roast, Lightnin’. But not only that…a real Texan smoked brisket is pure art.” Wallace said with clear passion in his voice. He took great pride in his Texan cooking.

Doc couldn’t help but grin. “Ever the foodie, and yet you know how to cook too? Somehow that’s fittin’ for ya, son.”

“Yeah, Lightnin’ is the one who can't cook to save his life!” Wallace laughed. “Sure, it took me so much hard work to learn to cook, but Lightnin’...hoo boy, it just doesn't work with ‘im. Everythin’ he makes becomes some purple goop that poisons us all!” He cackled a little. “No hard feelin’s, bro.”

“Oh dear! It looks like we have two cars who can’t cook in the kitchen!” Mary Jane giggled.

Doc grumbled as Lightning groaned.

“Oh, it’s not a bad thing, Maddock.” Mary Jane reassured her son. “It just means you didn’t take to cooking well.”

“I find it a little endearing that Father and Lightning are so alike.” Gregory smiled.

“Oh, they definitely are.” Maria grinned. “At least Doc’s attempt at cooking didn’t result in purple goop.”

“Hey! That was one time!” Lightning retorted. “That was supposed to be jelly that Wallace made! I didn’t do much, really!”

“Oh no, you made a mess of the kitchen more than once.” Maria pointed out. “Once when you were 8, once when you were 11, and once when you were 16.”

“But the purple goop only happened once!” Lightning protested.

“Lightning, everyone's good at something and everyone's bad at something. Your weakest link happens to be cooking and it's fine.” Gregory said calmly. “No need to be so worked up about it.”

Lightning grumbled, but he didn’t refute his brother’s words. “I guess…”

“Hey, let’s ignore the bad stuff and focus on the fun that is coming!” Wallace suggested. “Imma want to try Grandma’s roast!”

“Oh, you boys and your appetites!” Mary Jane laughed as she went to get the food from the kitchen.

“Imma go help Grandma with the food!” Wallace exclaimed before darting off to do just that. “Can’t have ‘er do it all by herself!”

“Arent you the helpful one this time ‘round?” Doc said with a chuckle.

“Mama always says to help ‘round when it's needed.” Wallace said without a beat and grinned. “Looks like I can be of some use, a’right?” He quipped before he zipped off to the kitchen. 

“He’s just eager because there’s food involved.” Doc sighed, amused nonetheless.

“Hey, if it gets him to help, I’m not complaining.” Maria grinned.

“He’d better not start eating the food before we can get some.” Lightning grumbled.

“Like you and the cake?” Maria asked, raising a windshield.

“That was one time!” Lightning groaned.

“We never forget in this family, baby brother.” Gregory smirked at him. “Like Mater once told me, just roll with it.” He said with a light laugh and thought about how he missed the tow truck and his crazy tall tales.

“Mater means well, but his ‘tales’ can get quite exaggerated.” Doc grumbled.

“I know that perfectly well.” Gregory said.

“Then why do you keep encouraging him?” Lightning groaned.

“Because he tells his stories so well and with so much spirit, I couldn't possibly denounce his tall tales, no matter how untrue and greatly exaggerated they may be.” Gregory said. “Besides…I've become very fond of him since we first met. Not to mention he helped save my life at the World Grand Prix scam. He didn't know me at all, but he showed kindness to a mere stranger. I couldn't look past that. Mater is truly one of a kind, isn't he?”

Lightning grinned. “Definitely!” He agreed eagerly. “In fact, he’s the first one who called me his best friend when I was first in Radiator Springs. How could I dislike a guy who didn’t see only a famous Piston Cup racer? He’s just too kind to be mean to.”

Doc laughed. “He truly is. In fact, I’ve never seen him outright say he hates someone! That’s just how kind-hearted he is!”

“...he once told me that he hopes Axelrod never gets out.” Gregory told them. “I think…that's the closest thing Mater has ever come to hate someone. Because that car was willing to kill me, just because I knew too much.”

“That shows how loyal Mater is.” Doc reassured Gregory. “He will do anythin’ for his friends.”

“Then I suppose I feel very honored to be Mater's friend.” Gregory smiled.

Doc could only roll his eyes, but he was smiling nonetheless.

“Well, we have some time to enjoy ourselves before the season begins.” Maria grinned. “I’d hate to see my baby boy not do well.” She added as she rubbed a tire on Lightning’s hood. “After all, four Piston Cups isn’t something to sniff at. And aiming for a fifth? You are one determined boy, aren’t you?”

“Mom!” Lightning exclaimed, blushing.

“What? I’m proud of you!” Maria grinned.

“No need to make me blush though…” Lightning grumbled.

“Oh, don’t be so embarrassed, Lightning.” Gregory chuckled. “You, like Father, should be proud of what you have accomplished.”

“I am.” Lightning retorted. “It’s Dad who needs to take more pride in his achievements.”

“We are not goin’ there.” Doc retorted, trying to get the subject dropped so he didn’t have to hear it all over again. “What I did was-”

“Food!” Wallace called out. “Everythin’ is ready, so up and at ‘em!”

“Literally saved by the bell…” Doc muttered to himself, a little relieved. “We’re comin'.” He called back, but he didn't miss the snort his youngest son let out. “Hey, get your head outta the gutter, rookie.” He strictly reprimanded him.

Everyone was soon situated with some good food and were eagerly talking and eating it up.

“Wow! This is delicious!” Maria exclaimed. “I have to know how you make it!” She said to Mary Jane, who grinned.

“Oh, I’d be happy to give you the recipe before you leave.” She said before leaning in conspiratorially. “If anything, you may have a very happy husband on your tires.”

Maria grinned. “Oooh, is that so?” She smirked.

“Oi! We can hear you two talkin’ over here!” Wallace piped up, ruining the mood for the two females.

“I really should bring Sky to Oregon sometime, she'd love to meet you.” Gregory said with a smile. “I miss her very much, it feels strange to not hear her usual laugh every morning. And the way she tries to nick from the sheriff’s coffee.” He added with a little laugh.

“She ain’t gettin’ a sip while Sheriff’s around.” Doc snorted. He then looked at Lightning. “And speaking of, you’re goin’ back on your racin’ season diet as of tomorrow.”

Lightning couldn’t help the grin that crossed his front bumper. “I know.” He said cheekily.

“Oh? Racers need a special diet?” Mary Jane asked, curious.

“Only high calorie foods.” Doc replied easily. “As well as naturally sweet foods and no alcohol or caffeine for the season.”

Lightning smirked. “The one period of the year a racecar gets to literally eat anything they want, within reason of course.”

“Of course, most of those calories get burned off durin’ racin’ itself, so it’s no problem.” Doc chuckled.

“That would explain why you were eating so much when you were a kid.” Mary Jane giggled at Doc. “And to think, I was always concerned you had something wrong with you when you ate twice as much as everyone else!”

“Mother…” Doc groaned.

“So that means no coffee from my cup, lil’ bro.” Wallace teased Lightning.

“I know, I know.” Lightning replied.

Doc chuckled. “I mean it, kiddo. No more caffeine or sugar from now on.”

“I’ve done this for five years now, Dad.” Lightning snarked back. “I know what to expect.

“I suppose today and tomorrow are the last days Lightning can have sweets, but after that, he's cut off.” Gregory said wisely.

“Don’t need him to be on a sugar or caffeine crash durin’ the season.” Doc confirmed. “The sugar and caffeine might be a good energy boost for a while, but then the crash hits and the racer can become lethargic, which is a disaster waiting to happen at high speeds.”

Lightning grimaced. “Yeah, and I don’t think we need to talk about what can happen with that.” He added. Then he grinned. “Which is why I’m gonna take advantage of these last two days before I’m cut off and eat as much candy as I want!.”

“And then you'll fall asleep in front of the TV, when we're watching a holiday movie together. Just like every year.” Gregory said as their mother nodded importantly. “It's basically a family tradition by now “ Gregory told his father. “Lightning always eats as much candy as he can during the holidays and then, he'll have a sugar crash along with being comfortable with us when we're watching a holiday movie on the TV together. He's always the first one to fall asleep.”

Doc chuckled. “Well, I saw that a few times before when he was in Radiator Springs with me, though he was always with Sally when that happened.”

“Hey!” Lightning pouted.

“We’re just teasing you, lil’ bro.” Wallace grinned.

“Well, we’d better make sure he gets all the good stuff before the racing season starts!” Mary Jane grinned.

“Please don’t give him too much.” Gregory groaned. “He doesn’t need to be sick before the qualifiers.”

“Oi! I can handle myself just fine!” Lightning grumbled.

“I know, Lightning Bug.” Gregory said with a smile. “We're just looking after you so you won't get sick before the qualifiers or get a sugar crash so bad that you literally crash. It's my job not only as your big brother, but as your lawyer to make sure you're staying safe and sound.”

“I know.” Lightning sighed. “I know that. I doubt Dad would let me race if I was on a sugar rush anyway.”

Doc just gave a smirk that said it all.

“Oh, don’t you worry.” Mary Jane grinned. “Tonight and tomorrow you can have all the candy you want, within reason of course.”

“How ‘bout you, Greg? Ain't gonna eat any candy?” Wallace asked his older brother. “Ya have been eatin’ less candy than what ya usually do, right?”

“Just a little.” Gregory said honestly. “To be honest, I've been feeling off when I eat sweets recently.”

That got Doc’s attention. “You’ve felt… off?” He asked, concerned. “How so?”

“I'm not really sure.” Gregory said. “I've started to get more tired after I eat too many sweets, then I've gotten more irritable and I drink more water than I usually do.”

Doc frowned. Now he was starting to get a bit worried. “Then I would refrain from anythin’ sweet for a while. See how you feel when you don’t have anythin’ sugary. I want to run a few tests when we get back as well, just to make sure it’s nothin’ serious.”

“Not more tests…” Gregory sighed heavily. “I'm so tired of all these medical tests. I just want to be normal for a second or at least pretend I have a normal life for once.”

“Son, I want to make sure it’s nothin’ serious, that’s all.” Doc said gently. “I know you don’t like them, but medical tests are needed for your health. I don’t want to have another scare regardin’ your health.”

“Gregory, I know you are tired of all these medical tests. You've gone through those more than half your life. But you need to remember they are meant to help you.” Maria told her eldest son. “It's better to be safe than sorry, right?”

“Yes, I know. But I can't change my feelings about them. I've spent more time in a hospital than my actual childhood bedroom.” Gregory said. “Although maybe I should be happy that Doctor Wheels has looked after me for so long.”

“Maybe ya have a discount at the hospital now?” Wallace tried to lighten the mood a little and he knows that he succeeded this time when his older brother snorted a little. 

“You silly, silly racecar.” Gregory finally smiled a little. “It's fine, I know it's gonna be fine.”

“We’ll see.” Doc said at last. “But for now, let’s just enjoy the rest of the holidays here. I don’t want to bring in any more depressin’ stuff if we can help it.”

“You kind of started it when you went into “doctor mode” and “overprotective dad” at the same time.” Lightning pointed out. “Greg could sneeze and you'd get the first aid kit right away.” He laughed a little.

Doc rolled his eyes. “Very funny, rookie.” He snarked back. “But you can’t blame me when most of his life, I’ve been havin’ to keep him from gettin’ into trouble.”

“C’mon! I know you would definitely do that.” Lightning snickered. “You did it for me a couple of times too!”

Maria giggled. “It seems you haven’t changed one bit, Maddock.” She grinned at her husband.

Doc gave his wife a half-hearted glare. “And I had really hoped that no one would find out my full name. Sheriff’s gonna be merciless if this comes out.”

“As if Samuel can complain.” Maria snorted. “Besides, your name is very unique and strong. Not as common and generic as Maria.” She remarked.

Doc just gave her a sly smirk before he dove in and kissed her on the lips. He pulled away with a grin. “And that’s what I think of your name.” he purred.

“We're eating!” Wallace and Lightning complained at the same time while Gregory just continued as if that wasn't news for him.

“Oh please, grow up. They're married.” Gregory scoffed. “They can do whatever they want.”

Doc chuckled as Maria blushed slightly at his reaction to her words.

“Ugh… I think I may have lost my appetite.” Lightning grumbled.

“No, you haven't. Eat up and I don't want to see a single thing left on your plate.” Gregory told him strictly and frowned when his younger brothers whined. “Don't complain! You know what I've said so many times, we don't waste food in this family.”

Lightning did resume eating his dinner, as did Wallace.

Doc could only chuckle some more at the antics of his three boys. “Sounds like Gregory has been a real parent to Lightnin’ and Wallace.”

“Oh, you know it.” Maria replied with a smile of her own. “But I wouldn’t have him any other way. He’s just that kind a car.”

Mary Jane smiled as well. “Oh, I bet he was at all of Lightning Bug’s races for school!”

Maria laughed. “Every single one!” She confirmed. “I wanted to go to some of his races, but my shifts at the hospital wouldn’t allow for it, so Gregory was the one who was always going!”

“I was responsible for taking photos and videos with the camcorder.” Gregory smiled. “I did the same at Wallace’s races too!”

“Oh! Do you have some of those videos with you?” Mary Jane asked suddenly. “I want to see Lightning Bug’s first race. I’m sure he did so well, given who his daddy is.”

Lightning blushed so red, he was sure he would actually light up like a lightning bug. “Grandma!” He squeaked out.

“What? It’s a grandparent’s job to embarrass their grandchild!” Mary Jane smiled warmly.

“Just roll with it, baby brother. And I don't know.” Gregory replied. “I know Mother brought some photo albums and home videos with her, but I don't know which ones they are. We could watch some after dinner?” He then suggested.

“That’s a great idea!” Maria exclaimed. “Oh, I think I have one of Lightning’s races here. It definitely was labeled as such.”

“Oh! I will get the sweets then!” Mary Jane said. “Why don’t we finish dinner, and then we can watch some of them!”

Doc smiled. “I’d like to see this myself.”

“Oh, Gregory. I have some savory snacks too, so you don't have to worry about your sugar intake.” Mary Jane told her eldest grandson kindly.

“Oh, thank you. That was really considerate of you.” Gregory said.

After everyone had finished eating, they all assembled in the main living room where the TV was with the old VCR. Wallace and Lightning had plates piled with sweets while Gregory had the savory snacks instead.

Maria grinned as she inserted the tape carefully. “Okay, this is when Lightning had an after school race when he was 11, so it was from 1997.”

Maria joined the rest of the family as the tape began to play. 

Sure enough, there was a little red Dodge Viper hybrid, sitting at the starting line with several other young cars, all about the same age as him.

 

The small pack of young cars took off at the sound of a whistle, and little Lightning was easy to recognize. He raced ahead of another car who was about a year older than him, easily passing him by. The tape showed the view adjusting to zoom in on Lightning, who was now reaching the front of the little pack of young cars.

“Oh, look at him go! He’s so cute too!” Mary Jane cooed.

“I remember this race!” Lightning exclaimed. “Boy, it sure feels like a long time ago.” He grabbed a piece of candy and popped it into his mouth. “I do remember I came in second place for this one, but only because another kid did a draft off of me.”

“Draftin’ at such a young age isn’t exactly a good idea.” Doc said, his racing past coming to mind. “Most racecars don’t learn how to do it until they are in the regional races. It’s, in fact, recommended that cars younger than 17 don’t learn it because they are still growin’.”

“Hey, let me hold that for you, so you can congratulate your brother!” An unfamiliar car said and took over holding the camcorder. A cherry red Hornet, looking as if he was in his early twenties, rushed down to the track now when the race was done and he embraced a very embarrassed 11 year old Lightning, who just got his little silver trophy. 

“Oh…” Gregory said as he suddenly remembered. “Henry. I wonder how he's doing now…” He mumbled.

“Henry?” Doc asked.

“That was my best friend in Seattle University, the first true friend I had in a long time.” Gregory told his father. “He was studying medical science while I studied law. I haven't seen him in a long time…”

“Well, I’m glad you made a friend at least.” Doc chuckled. The image showed little Lightning being nuzzled by Gregory, trying to wiggle away.

“Ew! I don’t wanna be nuzzled!” Little Lightning’s voice whined loudly over the camera.

“He is so cute at that age!” Mary Jane grinned. “He looks so much like you, Maria dear!”

“He sure does.” Maria smiled.

The video had now changed into another one. This time, the timestamp showed January 15th 1980 and the camera view was a little wobbly, given that someone was fiddling with it.

 

“How the heck does this thing work again…aha, got it!” Doc's voice came through, sounding slightly younger at the time. The camera panned over to a very little, adorable toddler Hornet in cherry red and brown eyes. He was on a carpet in a living room, building a tower with toy blocks. “Gregory! Gregory, my darling! Wanna say hi to daddy?” 

 

The toddler Hornet looked at the camcorder. “Daddy!” He chirped happily and waved. “Daddy camera!” He chirped again.

 

“Say hi, son!” Doc’s voice said as Gregory waved at the camera. Little Gregory slowly began to drive over to where his father was recording him.

 

“Daddy!” Gregory’s little voice chirped. “Camera?” He reached up his little tires, making Doc’s voice chuckle. “Wanna see!”

 

“I wouldn’t - Hey, what are you-” The camera view moved back and forth as if it was being tugged on before it stabilized and showed little Gregory peering at the camera up close. “Gregory!” Doc’s voice exclaimed.

 

The camera rolled to show Doc approaching Gregory. “I need that back.”

 

“No! Camera mine!” Gregory’s little voice chirped back.

 

“C’mon, son, please give it back.” Doc’s voice said.

 

“No! Mine!” Gregory chirped happily as he took the camera and stuffed it into his toy box. The image showed a bunch of toys around the camera.

 

“For the love of…” Doc’s voice grumbled as the camera was picked up out of the toy box.

 

“Daddy play with me now!” Gregory chirped again, obviously proud of what he did a second ago. “Daddy play!”

 

“A’right come here, you little-” Doc set the camera down on a table and took chase after his toddler son, who squeaked and zipped off in the hallway.

Maria laughed. “I don't think anyone loved Gregory so much as my husband. He kept abusing the camera and camcorder at every second around our eldest.”

Mary Jane laughed. “I can see why! He was such a cute little tyke!”

Doc blushed. “He was my first son, how could I not want to record every moment?” He replied, feeling embarrassed.

“I think it’s sweet you wanted to preserve as many memories as you could.” His own mother reassured him.

“Gregory, darling. Wanna say hi?” 

 

The camera displayed the date of May 2nd 1977 and showed a little red baby Hornet with brown eyes, only a few months old, and sucking on a pacifier.

 

“Doc, he's a baby. He can't say hi yet.” Maria, keeping her baby son wrapped in a bundle, laughed.

 

“That was a rhetorical question, dear.” Doc said, unbothered. “Gregory, my sweetheart. Say hi to daddy!” He said in a softer tone. 

 

Baby Gregory looked at him, curiously, and tried to reach to him with his tiny tires. He tried to make noises and dropped his pacifier on the floor. 

 

Then he started to wail.

 

“I got it.” Maria said as Doc, behind the camera, started to stammer out in panic. “I'll wash this, so hold him for a moment. You wanted to bond with him, right?”

 

“But he's so tiny, what if I hold him wrong?!” Doc exclaimed. “What if I crush him or hold him too tight?”

 

“Doc, I say that in the kindest way possible.” Maria said. “You're the most overbearing father in the world, you'd never let anything happen to your precious little treasure. Not even if it's yourself.” She said with a laugh. “Now hold him while I wash this.”

 

Doc was forced to put the camera on the nearby table as Maria handed off little Gregory to Doc, who was looking quite nervous. The camera showed Doc giving a nervous laugh as he held his baby son.

 

“You’re… quite the small one, son.” Doc said with a nervous grin, shown on the camera.

 

Baby Gregory had stopped crying the moment his father held him and he looked up at him with big, brown eyes. Then he cooed and giggled like babies do when they're happy and content.

 

Doc couldn’t help the genuine smile that crossed his front bumper. “Yes, I’m your father, little one.” He chuckled, feeling less nervous now. “You’re goin’ to be a real looker when you get older.”

“Aww, he already knew who his daddy was!” Mary Jane cooed. “Looks like you've always been your father’s son, through and through.” She told Gregory, who had gone very red since the home videos with him started.

“I-I didn't know we had those…” He mumbled, blushing terribly as he looked away.

“Well, blame your father then.” Maria grinned. “He was always with the camcorder in tire when you were a baby.”

Now it was Doc’s turn to blush. “I may have gone a bit crazy with the video recording back then…” He admitted.

“You want to know what he said back then?” Maria said with a cheeky grin. “Gregory was his dream come true, because he never thought he'd have a child to love, let alone three. So you three boys really are his greatest treasures.” She smiled brightly like sunshine.

Doc blushed even redder. “Well… when I was racin’, I had tunnel vision somethin’ fierce and didn’t think of settlin’ down. Then after my crash… I assumed no one would want a has-been racer as a spouse so…” He admitted. “So… when I had my first kid, of course I was ecstatic. I had dreamt of havin’ children, but never thought it would really happen.”

Lightning grinned cheekily as Wallace laughed.

“Hahaha! I knew Dad was proud of us, but that’s a bit much!” Wallace grinned.

“Well…I'm glad that I got you as my father and no one else.” Gregory said softly, always being the more emotional one than his younger brothers. He has always worn his heart out in his tires, after all. “I believe I'm truly blessed.” He added.

Now Doc was blushing so much, all he could do was groan and hope to hide in a hole somewhere. He literally had nothing to say, he was that embarrassed!

Lightning couldn’t help but laugh. “Looks like Dad’s so embarrassed, he can’t say anything!”

“Guess we’re all lucky to have our dad, in that case.” Wallace grinned. “Can’t imagine havin’ any other dad than him.”

“Oh, don’t keep embarrassin’ him, boys!” Mary Jane scolded her grandsons lightly. “He doesn’t need to be embarrassed anymore.”

“We aren’t doing that either. At least I don’t.” Gregory said. “Believe me, I don’t think I’d be here if it wasn’t for him. I fell dangerously ill once, so badly that it damaged my engine for the rest of my life and if he wasn’t there at the right time…I probably wouldn’t have been here at all.” Gregory said softly. “That’s why I think we’re lucky to have him.”

“Uh huh. But I still think Dad can loosen up once in a while too.” Wallace remarked. “Like lettin’ me go off to Wingnut City by myself-”

“Ain’t happening.” Doc said sternly. “I don’t want any of my boys off on their own after what happened in London.”

“Dang it.” His middle son groaned.

Lightning snickered. “Looks like you’re stuck with us.” He teased his middle brother.

“Yahoo.” Wallace said flatly.

“Why do you want to go there so badly?” Gregory asked.

“Wingnut got way more things to do, like there’s a smaller race track over there, there’s a great pizza place that’s conjoined with an arcade and so on. And let’s not forget the movie rentin’ place! They’ve got great snacks there and shaved ice drinks!” 

Doc grunted. “You’re just tryin’ to get me to say you can go, aren’t you?” He asked Wallace with a look.

“Only if it’s workin’-”

“It ain’t workin’, son.”

“Dang it again.”

Lightning laughed some more. “I tried that with Gregory to get him to move to Radiator Springs!” He snickered.

“Wallace, what are you doing?” Gregory’s voice came from the video. He was older now, seemingly around fifteen. The year was March 23rd 1991 as displayed on the video.

 

“I’m recording! Welcome back to the Ace of Spaces show! This time, we’ve got our guest star in his natural habitat! Future star lawyer Gregory Hudson, how are you doing?” Wallace, most likely 11 years old, said behind the camcorder.

 

“How many times have I told you, do not bother me when I am doing schoolwork!” Gregory said as he turned to face Wallace and shove the camcorder out of his face with a tire.

 

“Come oooooon! All you gotta do is to answer some questions. Like that guy you were at sleepover last weekend! Who was that?” Wallace said with a grin in his voice.

 

“I don't have to tell you anything.” Gregory scoffed pompously. “We had a study session and I spent the night because it was getting late. Besides, our mothers knew each other, so it was fine.” He sniffed. “Now, can I get back to work?”

 

“I know you kissed him at school!” Wallace laughed.

 

Gregory responded by throwing a pillow at the camera, “GET OUT!” Gregory yelled at him. “And not a word to Mother, got it?!”

 

“Awww! You’re no fun!” Wallace whined. “You’re a spoilsport, you know that, Greg?”

 

“Oh, go bother Lightning. He needs someone to play with.” Gregory snorted.

 

“Bwother?” A small voice piped up, causing the camcorder to turn to a four-year old Lightning, who was a little bitty racecar. His big blue eyes were fixed on Wallace and Gregory, looking somewhat watery. “Figtwing bad! No figtwing!” He almost whimpered.

“Oh! Look at little Lightning!” Mary Jane cooed. “He’s so cute!”

Said racecar blushed. “I wasn’t that cute…” He protested, trying to hide his own embarrassment.

“Yes, you absolutely were.” Gregory said with a beat. “Trust me, I almost practically raised you.”

Lightning somehow managed to burrow under a blanket, hiding his red front bumper from view.

“Why does Lightning like being with you so much, big bro?” Wallace asked on the camera. Four year old Lightning was happy and content with being on Gregory’s roof. “I don't remember if you were ever that close with him before…well, just before.”

 

“I think it's because I remind him of that someone and he clings to me, on a subconscious level. Another victory for the placebo effect, I assume.”

 

“Uh, place what?” Wallace asked confusedly.

 

The teenaged Gregory sighed. “Oh, never mind.” He said.

Mary Jane did notice something a bit strange. “Say, why aren’t you in these later videos, Maddock?” She asked her youngest son. “I assumed you’d be the one recording everything, but it’s mostly been your sons doing it.”

Doc froze; he had not been expecting his mother to ask that question.

Wallace and Gregory shared a panicked glance; they had forgotten that one video on that tape. And they were pretty damn sure their father had not said a word about that day to their grandmother.

Luckily, Maria had a good cover story, even if it was one she came up with on the fly. “He was pulling long shifts at the hospital, so he was almost never home by the time Lightning was around two years old.”

Mary Jane gave a scolding look to her youngest. “No matter what career you go into, you always seem to be hyperfocused on it, don’t you?”

Doc gave a nervous, yet sheepish grin. “I guess I do get tunnel vision sometimes.”

“But to think, you worked so much you weren’t around anymore! I hope you didn’t push yourself too hard!” His mother scolded him.

Doc winced, knowing he was in for her tongue lashing on being a bad husband for “working so much”, but it was far better than her knowing the truth.

The next video was playing and this time, it was a younger Gregory again. The date showed it was sometime in October 1987 and he was rehearsing in another language.

“Ah…I borrowed the camcorder a bit for schoolwork.” Gregory said. “This is when I took extracurricular subjects, like French, Old Latin and Greek.”

“Watcha doing?!” A seven year old Wallace shouted happily as he burst into the room.

 

“Go out! I'm practicing my Latin!” Gregory, almost eleven years old, snapped at him.

 

But after Wallace, a baby Lightning crawled into the room and looked around himself in awe. He most likely never spent any time in Gregory’s room.

 

“Can you two go out, you're ruining my Latin assignment!” Gregory told them. “This is going to be handed in tomorrow! Mr Jones wants this to be perfect!”

 

“Why do you get to study Latin? Or all the other languages? I thought only junior high students got to do that. Dad said so.”

 

“Because apparently I'm the prodigy student of Firestone, so all the teachers have high expectations of me and I won’t bring dishonor to this family by failing. Now, get out!”

 

“Bwada!” Little Lightning chirped from where he was on the ground. “Bwada! Pway!”

 

“Alright, that's it!” Gregory finally snapped. He began to shove Wallace outside his room, then he picked up Lightning and placed him outside as well while he ignored his little brothers’ shouts, wails and protests. “I don't have time!” He told them firmly and closed the door.

Lightning peeked out from under the blanket. “That was mean, Greg.” He said as he moved out from under the blanket enough to look at his older brother. “I just wanted to play with you that day.”

“Listen, I'm not proud of that time either. It really displayed me at my worst.” Gregory said; he was embarrassed and ashamed of how he was at the time. “I know it's not an excuse, but that was nearly a year after my…engine failure and I missed so much school because I was recovering in the hospital. So, I pressured myself to achieve nothing else than the best results to make up for lost time. I suppose…I was trying to be less of a burden for the family. It's not as if my time in rehab was cheap.”

Gregory knew that his parents were unaware of the fact that Gregory knew that his hospital stay and recovery had a big, negative impact on their economy. That was why his almost-eleven-years-old self had felt so much guilt and then tried to make up for it by studying like a man possessed. He didn't want to cause more trouble for a family who already did everything for him.

“Well, now I know where your eldest gets his work ethic and drive.” Mary Jane grinned. “He’s just like you, always work, work, work!”

“More like he felt guilty ‘bout the money Mama and Dad spent to save his life and then, at his rehab. Lemme tell ya, that ain't was cheap.” Wallace said seriously. “Yeah, I saw the bills. Kinda makes sense now why I couldn't go to that summer race camp I wanted to at the time.” He added. “I don't think too much ‘bout it, I had fun on the beach with the family.”

“Well, I’m glad things worked out in the end.” Mary Jane said with a smile. “But really, Maddock! Shame on you for working so much!”

Doc shot Maria a look that said both “Thanks” and “You owe me for this.”

Maria giggled. “What can I say? He just wanted to make sure Gregory had the best care possible.”

“Hey, at least we’re having fun with these videos, right?” Lightning chuckled.

“I guess…” Gregory said, still feeling from the guilt of how much his parents struggled for his sake.

“Wallace, don't run around so much!” Maria was shown in the video. The setting was in a green park, as the date display told them that it was July 23rd 1987. They seemed to be having a summer picnic in the park. 

 

Gregory, who looked a little peaky, adjusted the camcorder so it was showing everyone instead of having someone behind the camcorder.

 

Maria was feeding baby Lightning a bottle while Doc was unpacking something from a smaller bag.

 

“Alright, this bottle has magnesium pills and the other is your usual medication, son.” He told an attentive Gregory. “You need to-Wallace!” He called out as his middle son was running around in the grassy field. “Wallace, stay close to us, I told ya!”

 

“Just let him.” Maria told her husband patiently. “Look around you, the whole place is packed with families. Nothing bad is gonna happen.” And she was right, because the background showed they weren't the only family having a picnic in the park. There were other cars in the background, playing around with footballs, frisbees or kites in the air.

 

Baby babbling could be heard as the camera showed a baby red racecar, giggling as Maria picked him up and put him on Doc’s hood, surprising the Hornet. Baby Lightning giggled as he wiggled his little tires around while on Doc’s hood, his dark blue stripe showing clearly in the video.

 

Maria laughed. “Looks like Lightning wants to be with his daddy!” She grinned.

 

Doc smiled and chuckled as Lightning stuck out his tongue and spit before giggling himself, just like any young car his age would do.

 

Gregory, who still looked a little tired and peaky, smiled softly at the whole scene. In fact, he looked rather sickly and weak compared to the previous videos. 

 

“Here, I brought some orange and carrot juice for you.” Maria said as she dug into the picnic basket, getting out a bottle with yellow-orange-like contents. “We need to boost up your body with vitamins.”

 

“I'm fine, I'm just a little tired.” Young Gregory protested mildly. “It's the first time I've left the hospital, after all.”

 

“Yes, but you still need to build up your strength again.” Doc said seriously, making baby Lightning blink his big blue eyes in confusion. “I don’t want to have you go back there so soon after your release.”

 

“I know. I just don't want to miss out any time with you, that's all.” Gregory said. “I won't forget how important family time is anymore.” He smiled his usual kind and gentle smile. That was the Gregory everyone knew and loved.

 

Doc chuckled. “You always look on the bright side of things, don’t you son?” He grinned. Baby Lightning giggled and wiggled his little tires again, he wanted to be with Gregory now.

 

Doc gently set Lightning down on the grass, only for little Lightning to start crawling! Doc’s face lit up upon seeing this. “Maria!” He exclaimed excitedly. “Lightning’s crawling!”

 

“Oh, my little Lightning bug!” Maria squealed. “He's crawling!”

 

Baby Lightning didn’t understand why his parents were so happy, but he loved hearing the praises, so he kept crawling along towards Gregory, a big grin on his little face as he babbled as all young baby cars did.

 

“Are you coming to me?” Gregory said, surprised. “N-not that I don't mind, but you had better options and I was so sure that Father would be a better option considering you share the-”

 

“Gregory, you're rambling and he doesn't understand what you're saying anyways.” Doc chuckled a little. “Just let it happen.”

 

Gregory gave a nervous laugh as baby Lightning crawled over to him and begged to be picked up. “Aa! Aa!” He cooed.

 

The little red Hornet carefully picked up his littlest sibling and set him on his hood gently. Baby Lightning grinned, wiggling his little tires as he giggled excitedly.

 

“Looks like Lightning likes you.” Doc chuckled. “He’s made himself comfy.”

 

“He could’ve picked you, Father!” Gregory whined.

 

“Yes, he could've. He could've picked your mother too but he chose you.” Doc said with a smile. “You're important too in his life, don't forget that.”

 

“Ba! Ba!” Baby Lightning said, trying to get Gregory’s attention.

“Oh, You were so cute back then, Lightning bug!” Mary Jane cooed to the red racecar.

Lightning groaned as he burrowed under the blanket again, hiding his blush. “I’m never gonna hear the end of it…” He groaned.

“Aw, don't be like that, Lightning.” Gregory comforted him. “At least we're keeping this in the family. It could've been worse.”

Wallace flashed Lightning a shit-eating smirk. “Yeah, we could've done told Mater ‘bout this! I bet he would've loved this!”

“Oh no!” Lightning exclaimed as he darted out from under the blanket. “It’s bad enough he knows my childhood nickname now! I don’t need this getting out either!”

“Gotcha outta the blanket!” Wallace laughed. “Of course we ain't showin’ Mater this. Some things are just meant to stay in the family.” He added with a reassuring smirk.

Lightning grumbled something about “middle brothers meddling too much” to himself, which only made Wallace laugh harder.

“You know your brother doesn’t mean anything by it, right?” Doc chuckled as well.

“Yeah, I know, I know!” Lightning groaned.

The tape finally went dark, showing it was at the end.

“Wow, that was one long tape.” Wallace grinned. “But so full of fond memories!”

Lightning grinned as well. “Yeah, it was cute seeing Gregory as a baby! Who knew he had Dad around his lil’ tire?”

“We have video tapes with Wallace as a baby too, but I think they're somewhere in the moving boxes from Washington.” Maria said. “As I said, Doc was really trigger happy with his camera and camcorder around you three. He kept boasting about his “three boys” at the hospital and Brian, along with a couple more of our colleagues, got so sick of him that they threatened to shove a syringe where the sun doesn't shine!” At the last part, Maria burst into laughter.

Doc actually flinched at the reminder of that threat.

“He just had to rope in the other two as well…” Doc muttered.

“Dave and Roger were tired of your constant bragging too, dear.” Maria reminded him. 

“They didn’t have to threaten to shove a needle there…” Doc grumbled. The mere idea made him shiver. “But I guess I did get carried away with my boasting…”

Lightning actually flinched as well, having gotten a cactus spine there once himself. “Yeah… that isn’t fun…” He grimaced.

Gregory leaned towards him. “Something I should know about, baby brother?” He whispered with a knowing smirk. He did not miss out on his little brother's reaction and he was clever enough to figure out the reason.

“Second year I lived in Radiator Springs, I went into the cacti patch and… got a spine… you know where…” Lightning whispered back. “Hurt… like… hell…”

“I take it as Father had to take care of it, right?” Gregory muttered, making sure Wallace didn't hear a word of this.

“Don't remind me…I thought I was gonna die from shame. He just told me to stop being a baby and keep still.” Lightning muttered back, completely mortified by the memory. “Now it makes sense why he was unphased. He was my dad this whole time.”

“Oh, it couldn’t have been that bad.” Gregory whispered again.

“You’d think, but…” Lightning grimaced. “Yeah… it was wedged in there good…”

“Oh, you lived, you whiny lil’ racecar.” Gregory snickered to his baby brother.

“Yeah, but I learned my lesson that day; don’t race with low air pressure in my tires.” Lightning muttered.

Gregory looked unimpressed at him. “You ditched getting new tires again?” He said flatly, referring to his baby brother’s race before he got lost.

“I ditched getting new tires again…” Lightning said ashamedly. “Trust me, I really learnt my lesson cause Dad nagged at me about that for at least two hours.”

“Ouch, you got the lecture treatment.” Gregory winced. “I've been there. Not fun.”

“I never want to do that again.” Lightning admitted. “I had to learn that the hard way, twice.”

“Oi! What are you two talkin’ about?” Wallace asked.

“Memories.” Gregory said smoothly. “Do you remember the time we ambushed our father on his birthday? Surprised him and everything.”

“Haha, I remember that!” Wallace laughed. “Just a pity we didn't record it with the camcorder! We waited in the hall closet, all of us. Lemme tell ya, it wasn't easy gettin’ Lightnin’ to not say a peep. And just as he passed by, we jumped all out, scared the daylights outta ‘im and ambushed ‘im with hugs! Me and Lightnin’ climbed on ‘im and Greg stayed on the floor, huggin’ ‘im. We made Dad late for work, but it was worth it!”

Lightning didn’t remember that day, but he laughed all the same. “I bet he was mad!”

“Oh, not as mad as you’d think!” Wallace grinned. “He was laughin’ the whole time, tryin’ to get all three of us off!”

Doc overheard that and chuckled. “Everyone was wonderin’ why I was late, and when I told them, they couldn’t help but tease me for it.”

“It makes me wonder…you had no idea what was happenin’, with the connection and all?” Wallace pointed out.

“Lightnin’ wasn't old enough to comprehend complex emotions at the time, so I suspected nothin’.” Doc answered. “But I got a little worried when I couldn't see any of my three boys when I was gonna say goodbye for the day.”

“And then we ambushed ya!” Wallace laughed. “It was funny, watchin’ ya tryin’ to find us.”

Doc chuckled. “I suppose so. But you boys really did worry me.”

“Hey, it wasn’t like we could go far, anyway.” Lightning grinned. “I was apparently just a baby, Wallace was only 4, and Gregory was only 10 or 11.”

“Oi, I was six!” Wallace corrected him. “Forgot how old I am?”

“Kinda.” Lightning stuck out his tongue and blew a raspberry.

“Okay, boys.” Doc said. “I think it’s time for all of you to get to bed. It’s late.”

“Oh, good…I'm getting tired.” Gregory said, trying to suppress a yawn. He looked very tired and a little peaky. “Tomorrow's Christmas Day, after all…”

Lightning yawned as well. “I could sleep like a rock…” He admitted, sleepiness in his voice.

Doc chuckled before a yawn escaped him as well, which was kinda funny because he and Lightning yawned right after each other.

“Oh, you two are so much alike, aren’t you?” Mary Jane giggled at the two racecars.

“Hah! You don’t know half of it, Grandma.” Wallace grinned. “Both of these racecars like purrin’ when happy.”

“Oh! That’s so cute!” Doc’s mother cooed as both Doc and Lightning shot Wallace glares.

“Alright, how about we all get to bed now? It's getting late and aren't you getting up tomorrow early, Wallace?” Gregory said, looking at his middle brother.

“Oh yeah, imma make that brisket for y'all!” Wallace grinned. “Fourteen hours of real Texan cookin’!”

And just like that, another day ended as the family went to their respective rooms to sleep and the next time they'd wake up…the joy and cheer of the season would greet them.