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Getting off the elevator which led to the seventeenth floor, Johnny walked towards Stella's apartment. Knocking on the door, he anxiously waited until she answered. Upon hearing the door open, she smiled brightly at him, but he was surprised to see her in her satin robe with lace on the top and bottom.

"Johnny. August isn't here, but I can call him." Stella smiled. "I know you two have to train for—"

"I'm not here for August." Johnny said as walked inside and closed the door

"Then who are you here for?" Stella asked

"You really need to ask that, pretty girl?" Johnny asked

Johnny gently pushed her against the wall, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, and passionately kissed him. "You know what I was thinking?" the brunette asked

"What?" Johnny said

"We've never had a chance to spar." Stella said as she gently pushed him off of her.

"Since we've never sparred before, I'll go easy on you." Johnny said

"You're adorable, Lawrence." Stella said, as she gently pushed him off of her

The two bowed to one another, and got into fighting position. "Ready? Aits!" Johnny said

Stella blocked Johnny's fists. Smirking, she retorted, "Don't you know you'll never win against a barrel racing cowgirl, city boy?"

"Wanna bet?" Johnny said as he swept her leg, but caught her by her waist. "Looks like you fell for me, princess."

"What can I say? You swept me off my feet, sensei." Stella laughed as she ran her hands down his body, then up his shirt. "You know, since I met you, I've wondered what it would feel like for you to touch me."

Pressing his lips to her's, and flipping her on to the floor, he untied her robe, then slipped it off her body, revealing her lace bra and panties. "Shit, you're beautiful princess." he said as he slowly unfastened her bra and tossed it to the side.

──────

𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀 and Johnny laid sound asleep in her bedroom as Ava's old radio alarm played Whitesnake's Here I Go Again, and Johnny laid there smiling. This wasn't the first time he had dreamed of Stella, in fact, he dreamt of her every night. Usually, the dreams involved more than just a simple sparring.

Stella woke up, and softly yawned as she reached over to turn off the radio alarm. Rubbing her beautiful blue eyes, she turned over on her side to find Johnny smiling. "Must be some dream." she thought to herself

Getting out of bed, she smoothed the wrinkles out of her nightgown, and wrapped her silk robe around her body. Walking into the kitchen, she prepared her morning coffee, when her phone began to vibrate. "She looked at the caller id, which read Lori 💛

"Hello?" Stella answered

"Morning sleeping beauty." Lori said. "Got any plans for today?"

"Not that I'm aware of." Stella said as she poured coffee in her coffee mug. "What are you thinking?"

"The girls are going wanting to go shopping." Lori said. "Wanna come?"

"Yeah, I could use a new wardrobe. Which mall did y'all want to go to?" Stella asked as she stirred creamer into her coffee

"Century city. Since we'll all be starting our nursing jobs soon, we can stop in the uniform shop in there." Lori said

"Sounds good. We can all meet down in the lobby at 10?" Stella said

"Sounds good." Lori said. "See you soon hon. Love you."

"Love you too." Stella said, then ended the call.

Sitting down at the table, Stella scrolled through her Snapchat feed, and sent out her morning snaps. When she was done, she heard footsteps coming down the hall. Looking up, she saw Johnny, and smiled. "Morning." she said

"Morning." Johnny said as he sat down beside her.

"Want some coffee, or something to eat?" Stella offered

"I could eat." Johnny said, as Stella smiled at him, then stood up.

"Well, unfortunately, I'm all out of bologna. August ate the last of it. Are eggs and toast ok?" Stella said as she got the eggs out

"That's fine princess." Johnny said as he stood up, grabbed a mug, and served himself some coffee

"So you were smiling in your sleep." Stella smiled. "Must have been dreaming. Was it good?"

Johnny blushed, then quickly recovered. "Oh yeah, it was a karate tournament." Liar.

"Hmm, yeah. Okay." Stella laughed. "How do you like your eggs? Scrambled or fried?"

"Scrambled." Johnny said as he added sugar to his coffee. "Anyway are you busy today?"

"Well, the girls and I are going shopping since we'll be starting our new jobs soon, and we won't get to hang out as much." Stella said as she scrambled the eggs in the pan. "But after that, I'm free. Why?"

"Want do have dinner after? Johnny asked.

"Yeah." Stella said as she added salt and pepper to the eggs.

"I'll pick you up at 7?" Johnny said

"Sounds perfect." Stella smiled as she pecked his lips

──────

"I almost forgot how exhausting shopping can be." Lori said as the group of best friends sat down in the food court with their food from Chick-fil-A. "The sales are so worth it though."

Amy, who was seated on the other side of Stella, opened her box of chicken tenders and Polynesian sauce, and said, "You're right. We have to go to all the stores, just in case there's a sale we don't miss."

"Yeah, I think we hit some pretty good sales." Stella said as she opened her chicken tenders. "Especially at the uniform store. Lori, those pink scrubs you got will match your stethoscope. You're gonna be the Elle Woods of nursing." 

"That's the plan." Lori smiled as she sipped her soda. "Anyway, how are you feeling about working the pediatrics unit?"

"I mean, I've heard it's daunting, but I think I will do okay." Stella said

Kara, who was seated next to Stella turned to her and said, "You'll do more than okay. You've got this."

"She's right, Stell." Lori said. "The professor wouldn't have assigned you to the pediatric unit if she didn't think you could do it."

"Okay, we'll how do y'all feel about working in the emergency room? It gets busy in the ER." Stella said

"I like fast paced." Kara said as she ate her salad

"Me too." Lori said.

Turing to Amy, Stella said, "What about you hon? You said you'll be starting a teaching job soon."

"West Valley Elementary. Second Grade." Amy said

"That's a good age." Lori said. "They're still at the age where they will give you a hug."

"I know. I'm excited." Amy smiled. Noticing her best friend's quiet demeanor, she spoke. "Stella, you haven't said much. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I just have a dinner date tonight." Stella said as she sipped her strawberry lemonade.

"Oh, with Johnny?" Lori said. "This is the second date right?"

"Yeah. He didn't say where we were going, I don't want to get too dressed up, because I'm not sure where he's taking me." Stella said.

"Why don't you wear that black velvet dress that belonged to your mom?" Lori suggested. "You always look beautiful in her dresses."

"I don't want it to be too much. I mean, this is Johnny we're talking about." Stella said

"Your mom had beautiful dresses?" Amy asked as she sipped her lemonade

"That's an understatement. She looked like Princess Diana when she wore them, even though they weren't full on ball gowns, but she was still beautiful." Lori smiled. "Mrs. Walker was a literal Angel"

"Stella, your mom sounds amazing. I wish I would have gotten the chance to meet her." Amy said as she gave her best friend a side embrace

"Thanks hon." Stella smiled as she returned the side embrace. "She really was a wonderful soul."

──────

Stella stood in front of the mirror, smoothing out the wrinkles in the black dress that once belonged to her mother, while Janette, Lori, and Kara sat on her bed reading magazines as George Jones and Tammy Wynette's My Elusive Dreams played on low. The dress itself was off the shoulder, came to just above the knee, and it perfectly defined Stella's curves.

"I don't know, what if this is too much?" Stella said

"Stella, would you stop? You look killer in that dress." Kara said. "That's the one you need to wear."

"She's right honey, you look beautiful, and if anything, you look just like your mother." Janette smiled

"Thanks grandma." Stella smiled. "Okay, so, what do we think? Is it too much?"

"You look perfect, but it's missing something. Have you thought about jewelry?" Kara asked as she set the magazine down. "Like necklace, earrings, bracelet, and so on?"

"I'm not really one for jewelry, but I do have something I would like to wear." Stella said. Walking to her jewelry box, the brunette opened the jewelry box, and pulled out a necklace that was a replica of princess Diana's ring. If there was one person that Ava loved other than her husband, children, and classic rock, it was Princess Diana. "This was my mother's."

"I remember when your father gave that to your mother." Janette smiled as she stood up and walked to her granddaughter. "When he got his first paycheck, he bought her the necklace."

"I think you should wear that one, Stell." Kara smiled. "Besides, it brings out the color of your eyes."

Nodding, the beautiful brunette put on the necklace, then smiled fondly as she thought of her mother. "Okay, now, what do we think?" Stella said

"Perfect." Lori smiled

"Well I better finish my makeup, before my date." Stella said. "I'll be in the living room in a second."

As Stella walked into her ensuite bathroom, Janette, Lori, and Kara walked into the living room and sat down on the sofa and turned on the television. While flipping through the channels, and chatting, they heard the doorbell ring.

"I'll get it." Lori said

"Okay dear." Janette said

Lori walked to the door, and answered it to Johnny standing outside. "Hi, you must be Johnny. I'm Lori. Stella's best friend. C'mon in." she smiled as she invited the blonde into the apartment

"Hi Lori it's nice to meet you." Johnny said.

"Hey, I'm Kara. Lori's sister and Stella's other best friend." Kara said as she extended her hand for a hand shake.

"Hi Lori and Kara. Nice to meet you." Johnny said. "Hey Janette."

"Hi hon." Janette smiled, embracing Johnny. "It's good to see you."

"It's good to see you too." Johnny smiled. "Is Stella ready?"

"She's just finishing up." Lori smiled.

"Girls, why don't you go check on her?" Janette suggested

Nodding, Lori and Kara waved to Johnny, then walked down the hall, while Janette turned to Johnny. "Can I get you anything, hon?" she asked

"I'm good, thank you though." Johnny said 

"Well, have a seat." Janette smiled, and she sat in Stella's reclining chair, while Johnny sat on the sofa. "So how's the dojo going?."

"It's going great." Johnny smiled. "They're great, hardworking kids, including August."

"Yeah, he gets that from his father. He's as stubborn as they come." Janette chuckled. "Would you believe neither him or Stella or even my own son will let me clean the gutters?"

Johnny's face lit up at the mere mention of Stella's name. Janette could see how much the blonde truly cared for her. "Johnny, if you don't mind an old woman asking, and this stays between us, how is it going between you and my granddaughter?"

"I'm crazy about her. To tell you the truth, I love her, I just don't know how to tell her that. We're not even together, we're just f-friends." Johnny said

"What's taking you two so long? Why are y'all not together? I can see how crazy you are about my granddaughter. John, you make her happy. After Ava died, she never smiled. Not once. That is until she met you. Then she talked about you non-stop. It was Johnny this and Johnny that. Johnny, you brought our Stella Blue back to life. Thank you." Janette said

Johnny was about to say something when Stella, Lori, and Kara came walking down the hall and into the living room. "Hi Johnny." Stella smiled

"Hey." Johnny smiled. "Wow, you look beautiful."

"Thank you. You look great too." Stella smiled. "You ready?"

"Yeah." Johnny smiled

Turning to her grandmother and best friends, Stella said, "Grandma, girls, we're heading out."

"Bye hon! Have the best time!" Kara smiled

"If you two do anything, remember to use protection." Janette smiled.

"Okay, good-bye grandmother!" Stella said as her face turned a dark red and Johnny laughed

──────

Stella and Johnny walked into the El Coyote Mexican restaurant hand-in-hand, and waited in line. When it was their turn, a hostess led them to their table. Johnny pulled out a chair for the beautiful brunette, while the hostess gave them their menu.

"What can I get you two started off with to drink?" the hostess said

"I'll have a margarita please." Stella smiled

"I'll have a coors banquet." Johnny said

After the hostess left, the two looked through their menus. "So August told me about his training. He's seems to be on the right path." Stella smiled as she looked though her menu. "We're proud of him. He's a good kid."

"He's a good man." Johnny said.

Stella chuckled. "Right. I meant man. He has this new girlfriend now, it's hard to keep up with all the drama."

"Right, when you're a teenager it's hard to keep up with a little..." Johnny started. Stella turned her head to see Daniel and Amanda. "Oh come on."

"You've gotta be kidding me." Daniel said

"Hi, Mr. and Mrs. LaRusso." Stella smiled, then looked at Amanda and said. "I love your earrings."

"Hi Stella, thank you!" Amanda smiled.

"Do you have any other tables?" Daniel asked the waitress

"Sorry, we're completely booked. There might be some standing room at the bar." The waitress said

Amanda whispered to Daniel. "No more."

"Will this table be okay?" The waitress asked

Daniel then looked at Johnny. "I don't know. Will it be?"

Johnny looked at Stella who gave him a sweet smile and a nod. The blonde then looked at the waitress, and said, "It'll be fine."

"Do you know each other?" The waitress asked

"Oh, they have warring karate dojos. I'll take a Cadillac margarita big glass." Amanda said as she sat down.

Daniel sat down as well. There was an awkward silence for a few moments, until the waitress came back with their drinks.

"All right, a cadillac margarita. Don julio 70, extra chilled." The waitress said as she gave Daniel and Amanda their drinks.

"Thank you." Amanda smiled

"Then for this table we have a margarita, and a coors banquet." The waitress said as she gave Johnny and Stella their drinks

Daniel side glanced at Johnny's beer. "What, got something to say?"

"No, nothing, Johnny. Enjoy your coors." Daniel smirked and rolled his eyes.

"So did I tell you I had to double the classes at Cobra Kai?" Johnny asked Stella. "So many kids wanna join my dojo."

"Wow, that's wonderful." Stella smiled. "I'm so proud of you Johnny."

"I love how passionate my students are. Sure, there may not be as many, but they have heart." Daniel competed.

"Ah. Ok. So, this is happening." Amanda said.

"I'm just saying it's not the quantity, it's the quality." Daniel said.

"No, bigger is better." Johnny argued with Daniel.

"Yeah, well it was just little old me at the All Valley. So, I didn't need an army. Just the right moves." Daniel said

"Ok, are you two done comparing class sizes?" Amanda asked

"Guys, I'm sorry about Sam and August's break up. I hate that both of them had to go through that." Stella said.

"Same." Daniel said

"I remember all the dating drama in high school being boy crazy. I feel like I was with a different boy every week." Amanda said, making Johnny and Stella both laugh

"You know, why don't we push the tables together?" Stella suggested

"No, no that's not a good idea." Johnny said to Stella

"That is a great idea." Amanda said, then motioned to the waitress. "Excuse me. Would you mind if we combine our tables?"

"Yeah of course." The waitress said

As Johnny and Daniel continued reading their menus and glaring at one another, Amanda and Stella were conversing with one another. "So Stella, Sam tells me you're about to start a new job at West Valley General. How are you feeling?" Amanda asked as she sipped her margarita

"Honestly, I'm feeling okay. It's on the pediatrics unit, but I've heard that it's daunting at times, but I'm sure it will be okay." Stella said. "How are you guys doing with the dealership? You still kicking the competition?"

Amanda and Stella both laughed. "Yes." Amanda said in between laughs.

"Yeah, you made a lot of money off that illegal kick." Johnny said to Daniel.

"You're just jealous I can get my leg up that high." Daniel said as he looked at his menu.

"Oh yeah, you wanna step in the parking lot, see whose leg can go higher?" Johnny said to Daniel.

"Seriously?" Daniel said.

"Have you all decided?" The waitress said as she came back

"Yes." Stella said. "I'll have the one enchilada, one tamale and the rice and beans, but no red sauce on the top of the enchilada, a cheese sauce instead."

"The waitress went on to get Amanda's order. "Wait. You wanna write that down about the no red sauce?" Johnny said to the waitress urgently.

"I got it." The waitress said. "What can I get you?"

"I'll have the chili relleno, but with camaron instead of carnitas and extra cilantro, and no corn." Amanda said.

"Absolutely." The waitress said

"And you're sure you don't want to write that down?" Daniel asked

"Nope all good." The waitress laughed

"All right. Then I'll have the exact same thing just to make it easier, uh with corn." Daniel said

"You got it." The waitress said. "And for you?"

"Uh...I'm just gonna go with the pollo tacos." Johnny said

"Pollo tacos. Great." The waitress said. "Would you like corn tortillas or flour?"

"Hard shell. No green stuff." Johnny said which made Stella chuckle.

"I'll put your order in right now." The waitress said

"Ten-to-one, they get something wrong." Daniel said

"Well, if you'll excuse me, I have to use the powder room." Stella said as she smiled at Johnny

"Oh, I will join you." Amanda said

"Don't leave me alone." Johnny whispered to Missie

"No, you should stay. No.. honey." Daniel said.

Amanda and Stella both shook their heads as both women walked away. A few minutes passed and both women walked to the table to find Johnny and Daniel actually talking

"Hey." Stella smiled as she sat down. "Did we miss anything?"

"No." They both said in unison

"Johnny, I was going to tell you, that Robby will be going to West Valley." Amanda said as she dipped her chip in salsa.

"He is?" Johnny questioned. "How?"

"We enrolled him. That's the rule. You stay with us, you go to school." Daniel said.

"Good. He should never have dropped out." Johnny said

"Finally, something we agree on. Robby's too smart for that." Daniel said

"All right, here is your two chile rellenos, your one enchilada and tamale and chicken tacos." The waitress said

"Thank you." Johnny said

"Well, looks good to me." Daniel said

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I hate to be a bother, but I asked for no red sauce." Stella said politely

"Oh. Sorry, let me take that right back." The waitress said in a sheepish tone

Stella smiled sweetly at her as the waitress walked away. "I knew there'd be something wrong. Why not write it down?" Daniel said. "It's a rookie mistake."

"White belt." Johnny said with a laugh, which made Daniel laugh as well. Amanda and Stella shared a look then Stella looked at Daniel then back at Johnny.

──────

"He smeared blueberry pie on my shirt!" Johnny laughed

"That's because you put it on my chair, you're leaving out some details." Daniel said

"I wish I would have been there to see that." Stella laughed. "Should we order another round?"

"I don't know, last time I went four rounds with LaRusso I caught a foot to my face." Johnny laughed

Salsa music began to play, and Amanda's face lit up as she heard the music. "I love salsa night!" she said as she placed her napkin on the table

"May I have this dance?" Daniel said

"You may." Amanda smiled 

As Daniel and Amanda walked to the dance floor, Stella stood up from the table. "You know I'm not one for salsa dancing, can we go to the look out?"

"We can go anywhere you want princess." Johnny smiled

After paying for their food, Stella waved to Amanda, who gave her a thumbs up and she and Johnny left the  restaurant.

──────

"I figured you would be one for dancing." Johnny said as he and Stella sat on the hood of his challenger.

"I am, just not salsa dancing. Now, Kara, she and Lori love salsa dancing." Stella said. "What about you?"

"Nah, I'm not much of a dancer. I was never taught. I always stepped on toes, so I just never danced, except at the country club when I was forced to." Johnny said

"I can teach you if you want." Stella said.

"Right now?" Johnny said

"If you want." Stella said as she took her phone out of her bag, turned on her favorite Keith Whitley song, When You Say Nothing At All.

It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word you can light up the dark
Try as I may I could never explain, what I hear when you don't say a thing

Johnny stood up and wrapped his arm around Stella's waist, and took her dainty hand in his own. "I like the feel of your hand in mine." Johnny softly smiled

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me, there's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me, the touch of your hand says you'll catch me wherever I fall. You say it best, when you say nothing at all

"I like it too." Stella smiled. "Rule number one. Focus on me, okay?

Johnny nodded as they began to dance, only for him to step on her feet. "Damn it. Sorry princess." he said

"It's alright." Stella smiled. "Look, when you fight, do you look down?"

"No." Johnny smiled

"No. You look into their eyes." Stella said. "Just look at me." Johnny looked into her beautiful blue eyes. The two were dancing, and moving in perfect rhythm of each other.

All day long I can hear people talking out loud
But when you hold me near, you drown out the crowd
Old Mr. Webster could never define, what's being said between your heart and mine

Johnny pulled Stella's body closer to his, and rested his forehead against her's. "I love you, Stella."  Johnny thought to himself 

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me. A touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall. Yeah, you say it best when you say nothing at all

──────

"Johnny, I had a wonderful time. I always do with you." Stella smiled as Johnny walked her to the door

"I enjoyed it as well princess. I always enjoy myself as well with you. You start your new job in the morning right?" Johnny said as he took her hands in his.

"Yeah. I have to be there at 7:45 for my orientation." Stella smiled. "It's not so nerve racking since Lori and Kara will be working in the Emergency Room."

"You've got this princess. You're the most badass nurse I know." Johnny smiled

"Thanks hon." Stella smiled. "Well, when I get off tomorrow, wanna head over to Sal's? I've grown fond of their burgers."

"Oh you have huh? Sure. You know I'll do anything for you. I'll pick you up." Johnny said

"Great." Stella smiled. "I'll call you when I get off."

"Sounds like a plan. Thanks for the dancing lesson by the way."

"No problem. I enjoyed it." Stella laughed and he laughed as well. Johnny wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in for a passionate kiss. "I'll see you tomorrow, Johnny."

"Alright. Goodnight, gorgeous." Johnny smiled

"Night hon." Stella smiled as she gave him one last kiss, before walking into her apartment.

You say it best when you say nothing at all