His Lucky Charm

Family Time

Strip and Lynda made it to California the following day. Strip and Lynda ended up going to the airport cause their celebrity of a daughter was arriving back in the US.

Strip was about to throw a fit if he had to wait for another delay, but then when he saw a girl wearing a monochromatic outfit, with a McLaren cap all was good.

Lynda squealed and ran over to her hugging her baby girl. Strip stood up as he watched the girls just be so happy to see each other again.

Lily pulled from her mother's embraces and pretty much tackled Strip. Strip hugged her and lifted her off the ground.

"How's my future F1 champ?" He said as he kissed her head.

"Very good! How's my future 8 time champion of a dad doing?" She said with a smile.

"Ahhh I wouldn't say that, but I'm doing very well now that my little girl is here at home." Lynda motioned to the two to pose.

She pulled out her camera and took a picture. The two smiled the exact same way. Lynda pointed it out, which got a laugh from Lily. Strip didn't think their smile looked alike at all.

Eventually got into the car and got back to the track. "Oh also, I'm going to be in the box suite with Tex for this race." Lynda said as he sat next to strip in the car.

"Oh? Want a better view of the track?" He said as he tapped on the wheel.

"That and air conditioning. The girls will be with me too." Lynda said with a chuckle.

"Finally air conditioning... when I tell y'all that Brazil is hot, it is HOT! And to add to the heat, humidity." Lily said being dramatic.

"Sounds like fun." Strip said as he turned to where their motorhome was. "No. No it wasn't"

Eventually, Sarah made her way to the motorhome. Strip hugged her and welcomed her in. The family was all together (almost). They were just wondering where Tex was.

As Lynda was about to call him, he arrived with beer and wine. "And the weathers family is allll back!" He put the drinks on the counter as the girls hugged him.

The group just laughed the night away. Drinking, dancing and smiling. Strip sat on the couch half asleep. He was tired from the busy day they all had. He slept against Tex, and Tex didn't dare to wake him.

"Oh did you guys hear that the Rusteze rookie has been missing? He never got here to Cali. His trailers here but he isn't." Tex said.

"That's weird." Strip mumbled a bit. He had a feeling the rookie was going to be fine, but he couldn't help but worry.

A bit later everyone was passed out, except Lynda and Tex. She was tidying everything up and was chatting with Tex.

Sarah and Lily decided to go for a walk outside. Tex helped a half asleep Strip to his bed. Lynda just looked outside at the stadium.

Eventually Tex came back over and sat next to her. She sipped on a drink. "Think if he loses out on his 8th, think he'll go again next year?" Tex asked.

"Yeah. He really wants to race Sarah. And she might be getting a spot next year so. We'll see." She said as she looked over at him.

Tex looked at her. "It's crazy."

"What is?"

"How the only thing around that hasn't changed in these 30 years with you guys, is you two. Still very much in love, still fighting for titles... nothing changed except the scenery."

Lynda chuckled. But teared up a bit. "It's crazy 30 years have gone by." She wiped her tears a bit.

"It is." He grabbed his drink and clinked it with hers. "Here's to 30 more."

She just smiled and clinked.

"To 30 more."

The following day, Lightning was officially declared missing. Lightnings trailer arrived in California, but McQueen wasn't there?

Strip was in an interview when he heard. "How the hell does the driver go missing... without the trailer." He said with an eyebrow raised.

No one knew. It was strange, but it made things easier in a way. If he didn't show up, Strip just had to race Chick.

Actually he hated that more. He rather deal with the rookie.

Eventually he went to do a photo shoot. It was a photo op with all of his piston cups. He wore a suit as all seven trophy's were around him.

Lynda was there watching him. He looked at her and winked. She just smiled a bit at that as the camera shutter went off.

"Who knows, Mr. The King, you might get an 8th." The photographer said.

Strip just chuckled. "We'll see, We'll see."

He found himself actually worried about where the new rookie was. But something told him it was gonna be alright.

Strip stood to the side, put his hands in his pockets, and just looked at the ceiling.

He glanced at Lynda and then whispered to the photographer. "Do you have any dresses on set?"

They all looked at him weird. "For... you?"

"No. Just answer the question." He said with a chuckle.

"We do-"

"Good. Lynda." He looked at her. He smiled a bit as he saw her eyes light up. "Wanna take some pictures with me, Sunshine?"

"Of course!"

"Alright. Can you guys do your magic? Granted you won't need too much cause she's perfect." He said as he looked at the shoot coordinator.

What why?" The set director asked surprised

"Cause she's the reason why I got these 7 piston cups. So, can you work your magic?"

"Oh- of course."

Strip walked over to her and kissed her cheek. She was nearly bouncing up and down. "I'm so excited!"

"Good. Now go get ready and then come back and smile with me." He kissed her forehead. She nodded as she walked off with a stylist.

Eventually she's came back, and she was in a blue dress and heels. She looked nervous, she wasn't used to this attention on her. "Whatcha think?" She asked as she walked over to him.

The people on set were preparing the set for two people. He just kissed her cheek. "Lovely."

As he had such a loving look the photographer took a photo. Lynda blushed a little. "Thank you hun."

"You're welcome, Sunshine".