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𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐘 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐀 sun peaked through the window of Johnny's apartment. Johnny slowly opened his eyes, and found Stella fast asleep. Holding her body close to his, he placed passionate kisses along her neck and shoulder. Stella slowly opened her eyes and softly yawned and turned to find the blonde smiling at her.

"Hey." Stella smiled as she turned in Johnny's embrace. "Good morning."

"Good morning." Johnny smiled as he ran his fingers through her brunette hair and held her close to him

"Last night was... well, it was truly something, but what happens now?" Stella asked as she laid her head on his shoulder and he held her even closer

"I don't know, I mean I don't have much in the fridge. I could fry up some bologna—"

Stella laughed, then sat up on her forearms. "No, I mean, with us. You're my brother's sensei. I'm not sure how this works, especially when it comes to telling him."

"Me neither." Johnny said. "I don't wanna screw things up with August by not telling him."

"Same." Stella said as she traced gentle patterns along his chest

"Then again, you're pretty hot." Johnny said.

Stella laughed as she kissed his cheek, then said, "So are you. So what are we gonna do?"

"I don't know, I mean, it's been a while since I've been in this situation." Johnny said

Smirking, Stella ran her hand down Johnny's chest and gently retorted, "What's the matter sensei, you afraid to let your guard down?"

After hearing her phone vibrate on the nightstand, she grabbed her phone, and saw she had a message from Janette, and she got out of bed.

"Where you going? Stay with me." Johnny said.

"I'd love to, but, I have to take grandma to the doctor, then afterward, I'm taking her to lunch." Stella said as she put her clothes on

"Is Janette okay?" Johnny asked in concern

"Yeah, it's just a follow up appointment." Stella said. "They adjusted some of her blood pressure medications, and they wanted to see how she was doing on the dosage. Wanna come by my place tonight? I have a Christmas party in Malibu for the hospital, but I should be done by 10, so wanna come after that?"

"I'll be there princess." Johnny smiled

"Alright." Stella smiled as she kissed him one last time

Grabbing her purse, from the living room, she walked out the door, and to her impala and turned on the ignition, and drove back to her Sherman Oaks apartment.

──────

Later that day, Johnny sat in the restaurant, where he was meeting Ali. It was the first time in over 30 years. Looking up, he saw the blonde walking through the door. Standing up, he smiled at her as she walked to the table.

"Hi Johnny." Ali smiled

"Ali." Johnny smiled. "Hey."

"Hey." Ali smiled as the two shared an awkward embrace. "Awkward hug out of the way." she added with a laugh

"All right." Johnny said.

"Wow. This is so weird." Ali chuckled

"You look amazing." Johnny said

"Oh, thank you. So do you. God when was the last time we saw each other?" Ali asked

"Senior year." Johnny said

"Senior year." Ali said. "That must have been after the um..."

"Yeah that." Johnny awkwardly said

"Hi there. Are you two ready to order?" The waitress asked

"Um, uh... You go first." Ali said to Johnny

"Uh, sure. I'll have the, uh vegan mung dahl bowl, with spiced carrots, turmeric cauliflower, and coconut yogurt." Johnny said

"And for you ma'am?" The waitress asked Ali

"Um, I don't know what a mung dahl bowl is, so, um, I, uh... how's the cheeseburger?" Ali asked

"That's my favorite." The waitress said

"Great. I'll get that with fries." Ali smiled

"Wait. You know what? Make that two." Johnny said

"All right. You got it." The waitress said before she took their menus and walked away.

"Well there he is." Ali smiled, and the two laughed

──────

After Janette's doctor's appointment, the two women went to El Coyote, where Stella was picking at her food and Janette took notice.

"Thank you for taking me to my doctor's appointment." Janette said. No response. "Stella Blue.

Placing her fork down, Stella said, "Oh, I'm sorry grandma, did you say something?"

"I said thank you for taking me to my doctor's appointment." Janette smiled as she sipped her soda.

"You're welcome, grandma." Stella smiled

"So, are you and August happy that the tournament is back on?" Janette asked as she bit into her sandwhich

"Yeah, I mean, I kind of have my doubts because anything could happen. They have to sign these waivers stating the city isn't responsible for their injuries." Stella said

"That old sensei of Johnny's, what's his name, Kreese? Well, I met him when I picked August up from practice one day, and there's something off about him." Janette said

"Grandma, you talked to him, he could have hurt you." Stella said

"Believe me, your grandma is a tough old gal. I can handle myself." Janette said. "So what's new with you?"

"Oh, you know, same old, same old." Stella said. "Work, then home. It never changes."

"I noticed your car was over at Johnny's this morning." Janette smirked as the waiter refilled their soda glasses then walked away

"Yeah, I was tired and he didn't want me driving back to Sherman Oaks late." Stella lied

"Stella, I might have been born at night, but it wasn't last night." Janette said.

Setting her soda glass down, Stella spoke. "Alright, fine. After congratulating him, one thing led to another and we slept together."

"Well, it's about time." Janette said as she sipped her soda

"Grandma." Stella said

"I'm sorry honey, but you don't see the looks you two give one another. Even when you were mad at him." Janette said. "So, where does this leave the two of you? Are y'all friends, or what do they call it, friends with benefits?

"Honestly, I don't know what we are. I want more from him. I've always wanted more. To be honest, he's treated me better than any of the cowboys back home could have ever dreamed of treating me. The only problem is, he doesn't fit daddy's perfect description: a rancher, and a cowboy."

"Who cares what your father thinks. I'll take care of him. It's between you and Johnny. You two need to talk it out. He's probably not good at expressing how he feels. Your grandfather was the same way. You know how mad that used to make me?" Janette said

"Yeah, I'll talk to him tonight after the party." Stella smiled. "Right now, I just want to enjoy the day with you."

──────

"This place makes me feel like I'm seventeen again. It makes me forget we have seventeen-year-olds of our own." Ali said as she and Johnny sat on a bench outside of Golf N' Stuff

"Yeah." Johnny said

"I wanna know more about Robby." Ali said

"Oh, I don't know." Johnny said

"Tell me. Come on, tell me." Ali encouraged. Johnny looked at the blonde next to him and asked, "You wanna know?" Ali replied, "Yeah, I do."

"Well, he's complicated. He's complicated. He's smart. Too smart for his own good. He's a heartbreaker." Johnny said

"Like his dad?" Ali said

"All right. You got two, right?" Johnny asked, then turned to face Ali.

"I do. I do." Ali said.

"Tell me about 'em." Johnny said

"Lucas is my oldest. He is a very talented soccer player slash writer. A very dry sense of humor. And Ava, she was on her way to becoming a ballet dancer, and then, out of nowhere, just stops, starts playing the drums and then joins a punk band. So, I guess you could say she's my rebel." Ali said

"Oh, yeah, just like her mom." Johnny said

"Mmm. More like her mom now." Ali said

"Like her mom then too." Johnny said

"Maybe. Yeah I miss them." Ali said

"Why, are they not here?" Johnny asked

"Uh, no, Greg has them this week. It's actually my first Christmas alone." Ali said, then scoffed. "And my parents are so annoying. Would it surprise you to learn that Mr. and Mrs. Mills do not approve of my situation?"

"Not at all." Johnny chuckled

"Yeah, I think they're more upset about the divorce than I am." Ali said

"Hey, silver lining, you get to ditch Schwarber." Johnny said

Ali laughed. "That's true. That's true. I forgot how cold it can get in The Valley."

Johnny wrapped his arm around Ali. The two looked into each other's eyes, and began to lean in. So many thoughts ran through his head. Including Stella. His beautiful Stella, all the times they've had and the night they previously shared.

But Ali...they hadn't shared a moment like this in over 30 years. Ali's received a text message, causing the two to pull away. "I should get it, it might be the kids." Ali said

"Yeah." Johnny awkwardly said

"Oh, shit! I completely forgot." Ali said

"What? What is it?" Johnny asked

"Ah! I promised my mom I would go to this stupid party. I really have to go. I'd much rather stay here with you." Ali said

"It's all right. Don't worry about it. I get it." Johnny said

"Do you wanna come?" Save me from the boredom?" Ali invited

"Are you sure?" Johnny asked

"Hell yeah, I'm sure." Ali smiled. "Do you have a suit?"

──────

After finishing her makeup, Stella straightened her velvet dress that once belonged to her mother. After putting on her black ballet flats, she grabbed her black clutch purse, then grabbed her phone and placed it inside.

Walking over to the dresser, she added her mother's favorite sapphire earrings and the matching necklace, she spritzed J'Adore Dior perfume on her pulse points. After closing the doors and turning off all the lights, she walked out of her apartment. Stella got on the elevator, where she was meeting her friends in the lobby.

"Well, look at you! Ready on time! That's a world record." Lori laughed

"Oh shut up." Stella smiled then embraced her best friends. "You know I'm always on time. Y'all look beautiful."

"Thank you. So do you." Kara smiled as she embraced her best friend

"You look absolutely beautiful Stella." Amy smiled as she embraced her best friend

"Thanks girls." Stella smiled as she and her best friends walked out the door. "So, are we ready?"

"If you are." Lori said. "Carter! I told you to pull up closer!"

"What?" Carter said as he got out of the car and opened the door for the girls.

"Thanks Carter!" Stella smiled as she slid into the back seat. "Thanks Carter!" Kara and Amy smiled as they slid into the back seat

"No problemo." Carter said as he closed the door, then opened the passenger door for Lori. "M'lady."

"Thank you babe." Lori smiled as she got in the passenger seat. "So, you never told us what happened last night." she said as she turned around in the passenger seat

"There's nothing to tell." Stella said

"Bullshit." Kara said as she took her compact mirror out of her purse and checked her lipstick. "You're totally different today. You have a glow about you. Either you had a sex dream about McDreamy from Grey's, or you and Johnny did the deed."

Stella remained silent as she searched for her lipstick in her purse. "No fucking way." Lori said.

"It was a spur of the moment thing." Stella said

"What was a spur of the moment thing?" Carter asked as he got in the car and drove towards Malibu

"Stella, honey, burps are spur of the moment. Not sleeping with someone." Amy said

"Okay, okay. I mean one thing led to another and it just felt right. It just felt so right." Stella said

"Hey, we're glad you finally got it out of your system, but where does it leave the two of you?" Kara asked

"After the party, we're talking about it." Stella said

──────

"Well, we've been here five minutes and I already see ten people I hate." Amanda said

"Yeah." Daniel said

"It's Christmas time all right." Amanda said

"Tradition is tradition." Daniel said. "Let's just hope Anthony doesn't get kicked out of another sleepover."

"Santa has a big 'ol bag of coal for him if he does." Amanda said. "Ok, I'll go grab a table. You grab me a drink."

"Yeah. I'm on it." Daniel said as he walked to the bar. "Merry Christmas Brett. The usual for me and Amanda. Thanks." he finished as he leaned on the bar

"Coming right up." Brett said

"Daniel with an l." Ali smiled

Daniel turned around and smiled when he saw the blonde. "Oh my God. Ali, is it really you?"

"I think so." Ali chuckled. "Wow I was hoping that I would run into you one day. It's funny that it's here though, huh?"

"Yeah, right. Right." Daniel said. "The kid from Reseda a member of the club."

"Yeah. Well, there's no more sneaking around the kitchen." Ali said, and then chuckled

"I'm sorry, I just.. You just look great." Daniel said as he was in total shock

"Aw, thank you. So do you." Ali said. "I'm so happy to see you"

"Yeah" Daniel agreed, as the two shared an embrace, then pulled away. "I just have so many questions."

"Hey watch it! I'm wearing white here, you think I want that all over me!" Johnny rudely said to the waiter carrying spaghetti

"Johnny, come here" Ali called to Johnny and motioned him over to her. "You remember Johnny Lawrence? Right?"

"How can I forget?" Daniel asked as Johnny approched the two and wrapped his arm around Ali.

"Wow guys. This is a little West Valley reunion, huh? Crazy." Ali said

"Crazy. That is definitely the word for it." Daniel said

"Yeah. That's a nice suit. Is that made of velvet? You sleep in that?" Johnny asked

"You should talk there, Scarface." Daniel said

"Ok. So I guess this is not the first time you've seen each other since high school." Ali said

"We've had a few run-ins." Johnny said

"Well, just one or two." Daniel said

──────

"Hey! I'm so glad you girls made it!" April smiled as she embraced Stella, Lori, and Kara.

"Of course. We wouldn't have missed it." Stella smiled. "Oh, before I forget, April, you remember Amy right? She was up at the hospital with us after August's accident."

"Of course." April said as she embraced Amy. "I'm so glad you could come as well. Maybe the party won't be so boring this year since you guys are here." she added as the girls walked to the bar and ordered drinks

"The parties are usually boring?" Lori asked

"Mrs. Goodwin usually monitors the parties, and we also have reps from different companies coming to these parties as well." April said. "Last year, my brother was able to sneak us all into a Christmas Party in Santa Monica."

"Noah's your brother right?" Amy asked as she sipped her rum and coke. "I remember speaking with him a few times."

"Yeah. Sometimes he can be a bit much, but he's great with the patients. Sometimes he lets his heart get in the way." April said as they took a seat at the table.

"You don't find very many doctors like that nowadays." Amy said

"Hey ladies, I brought some food from the desert table." Carter said as he set the food down. "I wasn't sure what everyone wanted, so I just brought a variety."

Stella smiled as she picked up her fork, then spoke. "Thank you Carter, but we haven't even had the main course yet."

"Ah, what the hell, it's the holidays." Carter said as he began eating his cake.

"I like the way Carter thinks." April laughed as she began eating her desert

"Hey guys." Maggie said as she sat down at the table.

"Hey Maggie." the group greeted.

"Have some desert." Stella smiled. "There's plenty."

"Well, don't mind if I do. This is the only time of year, when I'm not counting those calories." Maggie said as she grabbed a piece of pie

"So, what did the reps say?" April said as she ate her pie

"Well, they'll give us a certain amount for the hybrid operating room, which will be beneficial for the doctors who need to operate in the emergency room and can't get up to the operating room." Maggie said as she bit into her pie

──────

"So, your daughter hit his car, you drew a dick on his face, your cousin set his car on fire and tried to beat him up with a baseball bat?" Ali asked

"He's playing a little loose on those details." Daniel said

"No that's basically what happened." Johnny said

Ali sighed. "Why didn't you tell me about this at lunch?"

"Lunch?" Daniel said

"Yeah, we made plans together. Spent all day together." Johnny said

"And how did that happen?" Daniel said

"He messaged me out of the blue." Ali said

"And then she friend requested me. Kinda went from there. You know how it goes, or maybe not." Johnny said

"So you finally figured out Facebook? Did you take night classes in computer literacy?" Daniel asked

"Self-taught. Many hours." Johnny said

"Ok, am I gonna have to put you two into time-out?" Ali asked

"Did you get lost on the way to the table?" Amanda asked walking up to Daniel

"I'm sorry." Daniel said grabbing his drinks and giving one to Amanda. "Honey you are not going to believe this."

"I just stepped in something didn't I?" Amanda asked

"Ali, this is my wife Amanda, Amanda this is Ali Mills-Schwarber." Daniel introduced them

"We went out in high school." Ali said

"Oh." Amanda said and then chuckled. "I cannot wait to talk to you"

"I was just thinking the same thing." Ali said. "And it's actually just Mills now, no Schwarber."

"So have the man boys filled you in on the whole mortal enemy karate dojo battle for the soul of the Valley thing?" Amanda asked as she ate an olive from her martini

"Whoa, wait. You both have karate dojos? Ali asked. "How's that going?"

──────

"Wait wait, how the hell was he dressed like a shower? What does that even look like?" Amanda laughed as she listened to Ali's story about the Halloween dance

"I know. It was so funny, and then this one comes running out dressed like a toddler in skeleton pajamas chasing after him." Ali said pointing to Johnny

"Ok, maybe we could fast forward through all this." Daniel said

"Yeah, yeah, fast forward." Johnny said.

"Oh, no, no. Then it got worse and worse until the tournament and then they pretty much they left each other alone and I thought that was that." Ali said

"Okay, so their rivalry wasn't the reason you and Daniel broke up?" Amanda asked curiously

"No that was...that was a whole other story." Ali said nervously as she sipped her wine

"Oh." Amanda said

"We don't need to go into all that." Daniel said

"No I'd like to hear this." Johnny said

"I think I need to hear this." Amanda said

"Okay, I'll tell it. I'll tell it." Ali said. "So I got into UCLA, and I ran into this guy that I knew who went there. Daniel sees me talking to my friend—"

"Your friend." Daniel said sarcastically with air quotes

"Yes, he was my friend, actually. He jumps to conclusions, well I was a little bit upset, so I probably, maybe, egged you on." Ali said

"Yeah, right. You sure you egged me on? Listen. I thought you were in love with the guy." Daniel said defensively

"I told you. Just like I told you that the brakes on Mr. Miyagi's car were gonna go. I hope that you didn't tell him that it was my fault it crashed?" Ali said

"No, of course not." Daniel said as he sipped his drink

"This is the best story I have ever heard please keep going." Johnny said to Ali

"Oh should we talk about what a bad boyfriend you were?" Ali asked Johnny

"Yes, definitely, some trample to that side of  the table please." Daniel laughed

"I guess our heads were pretty far up our asses back then." Johnny said

"Who's wasn't back in high school?" Daniel said

"Mine was so far up there I could see out my mouth." Amanda laughed. "Wait did that make sense or was that wine talking?"

"Let's just hope that our kids are more evolved than we were." Ali said

──────

"This party wasn't so bad." Stella said as she, April, Lori, Kara, Amy and Carter left the country club

"Yeah, it was definitely better than last year's." April smiled as the valet brought her car around. "I'm so glad you guys got to come."

"Us too." Amy smiled as she put her phone back in her clutch purse.

"Wanna head back to my place for some drinks?" Stella said

"I'm in!" Kara said as Carter opened the door. "April, you coming?"

"Yeah, of course." April said

"Alright, I'll text you the address." Stella smiled as she slid into the backseat.

"Okay! See you soon."

──────

"I'm so glad I got to meet you." Ali said to Amanda as they embraced

"You too" Amanda said. "Johnny."

Johnny and Amanda embraced, then she left to pay for the dinner and grab her jacket. "Ah, your wife paying the bills, huh?" Johnny asked

"Says the guy who grew up eating free lunches here." Daniel said

"Ok, you guys really like fighting each other." Ali said

"He's instigating. I'm just defending myself, as usual" Daniel said

"She knows first hand that's bullshit" Johnny said

Ali scoffed. "This is exactly the problem. You say one thing, and then you say the opposite. You both think there's only one side to the story."

"I know." Johnny said. "There's two"

"No, there's three. There's your side, and your side, and then there is the truth. And the truth is, you guys are more alike than you want to admit and maybe, you recognize parts of yourselves in each other, and maybe you don't always like what you see." Ali said

"I guess it's possible, some small part of all of this is my fault." Johnny said

"Yeah. Me too." Daniel said

"Point Mills." Ali said. "Winner."

"Well since the match is over and we have a new champ, I guess that means it's time for me to go." Daniel said, and shared another hug with Ali

"This was...I don't even know what it was, but all I know is I had a really great time." Daniel said

"I did too." Ali smiled. "I'm so happy I got to see you. And Amanda, don't screw that up."

"I won't. Ali, I—I just wanted to say...the way things ended with us..." Daniel started

"We were so young, and the good times, far outweighed the bad. That is how I will always remember it." Ali said.

"Me too. Me too." Daniel said

Johnny and Ali walked out together, and Johnny himself was unaware that Amanda told her about Stella. "So what are you driving these days?" Ali asked as they waited for the valet to grab his car

"A '93 Dodge Caravan" Johnny answered honestly

"All right, fine. Don't tell me." Ali teased. "So, Amanda told me you've been seeing a young lady by the name of Stella Walker."

"So that's what you and Amanda snuck off to talk about." Johnny said

"Well, that and other things." Ali said. "I knew her name sounded familiar. Back in the early 90's, her mom was a patient of mine, and the reason I went into pediatric surgery, and I even named my daughter after her. I wish I would have kept in contact with her."

"Oh, I didn't know that." Johnny said.

"Well, I only saw her mother one time. I remember how gentle and kind she was, and even her husband Nathan. If Stella is anything like her mother, you've got a good one." Ali said

"She's amazing." Johnny smiled fondly as he thought about his beautiful Stella.

"You really like her." Ali said

"Just...I don't know. Still trying to figure it out." Johnny said

"Well if she's cool enough to make Johnny Lawrence speechless, you better figure it out quick." Ali said.

"I know." Johnny said. "Like I told you, I always screw these things up."

"Well you didn't screw it up today." Ali said with a smile

"Yeah?" Johnny asked with a soft smile

"Thanks for making me feel like a kid again." Ali smiled

"We had our own little time machine" Johnny said

"Sometimes it's good to visit the past, to know where you are now. But you can't live in the past." Ali said

"No. We have to live for today." Johnny said

"And the future. Whatever that might bring." Ali smiled

"Well, I know you're gonna be happy." Johnny told Ali

"I know you'll be happy too." Ali smiled. "I have faith in you."

Johnny and Ali embraced each other and held each other tight, smiling in each other's embrace. The two of them needed the closure and they finally got it. "I needed this." Johnny said

"I did too." Ali said

Johnny and Ali pulled away from the embrace, when the valet brought up Johnny's '93 Dodge Caravan and Ali chuckled. "Oh, my God! You weren't kidding!" she said  

"Can I give you a lift?" Johnny asked

"I gotta go find my parents. But, I will always be there for you. You know that right?" Ali said

"Yeah. Me too." Johnny said

"Ok, so get out of here. You have a future to find." Ali said

"Yeah. I do." Johnny said, as he walked to his dodge caravan as he knew where he needed to go: Sherman Oaks to tell his beautiful brunette he is madly in love with her.