The first thing Malina did when she got back to her hotel room was send a message to her husband. Sure, Bob wouldn't see it until the mission was over, but that way he could let Hangman know as well. 

But after she got that out of the way, Malina got to work laying out her setup for tomorrow. After seeing the venue, she could start to plan out some initial areas for photos. Obviously, it was going to depend on where the other photographers were stationed and what was going on to warrant photos. 

She wasn't an idiot. Mal remembered this was the tournament Mari was telling them about. But instead of texting her or Reyna, she decided to surprise them in the morning. 

She couldn't wait to see the looks on their faces. This was the last place they would expect to see her again. 

☽☆☾   ☽☆☾   ☽☆☾

The morning of the All Valley was hectic to say the least. Chaotic was the best way to describe it. 

Malina had arrived, along with the dogs, before any competitors showed up. After thinking it through during the night, she decided to keep the dogs in a back room. The coordinators told her she would have plenty of time to check on them between matches. 

Meeting the other photographers, they had all agreed to a game plan so they didn't step on each other's toes. Malina and another photographer were tasked to get some pre-tournament shots of the competitors, while the others grabbed shots of the arena and audience. 

Luckily for Mal, Reyna had come to the back with Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang. So when Mari turned and locked eyes with Mal, Reyna spun around as well. 

"Mal?!" Mari half yelled, before running to the woman. She had just enough time to put the camera down before the teenager nearly tackled her in a hug. 

Mal lets out a laugh, hugging her back. "Surprise!" Since Mari won't let go, she takes an arm away and gestures for Reyna to join in the hug. 

The yell and run from Mari was a shock to most people in the room. Many of the teens, even some of the adults, watched the mini reunion with interest. 

Hawk, Sam, and Miguel were looking on in interest as their girlfriend / best friend (respectively), and her sister (who was practically their older sister as well) greeted a woman they only just started hearing about. 

Daniel and Johnny were both smiling at the small group, both knowing well and good the troubled the Gonzalez sisters have gone through. To see them so happy was a blessing. 

Robby, Tori, hell even Kyler watched on from the Cobra Kai group. At one point, both Robby and Tori had considered Mari a friend. Or at least friend adjacent. But for Kyler, Mari had always been a sore spot. Primarily because, even before karate, she would kick his ass for his treatment of Eli and Demetri. 

Unfortunately, not all the looks were happy. John Kreese and Terry Silver watched on in veiled interest. The Cobra Kai sensis were trying to determine if they could use this development to their advantage. 

So sorry to tell them, because Malina knows literally nothing about karate, she can't possibly help Mari in any way other than moral support. So sucks to suck, Cobra Kai. Can't cheat your way to this win. 

Mari detaches herself from Mal before taking the woman's hand and dragging her over to her friends. "I want you to meet some people, then I'll let you get back to work." 

Reyna and Mal share an amused look. "Yes ma'am." 

Standing in front of the Miyagi-Fangs, Mari began the introductions. "Guys, this is Malina, the woman I told you about. From my days with Jake. Mal, this is Eli, Sam, and Miguel." 

Mal waves at the three teens before looking at Mari. "So the boyfriend and the best friends. Got it." Reyna laughs at that, Mari with a slight blush on her cheeks. 

(Okay, so Mari and Eli had just gotten back together after his whole 'Asshole Hawk' phase, so it was all new again.) 

"You can go back to work now. I don't need this anymore. Goodbye." Mari pushed the woman back towards the entrance. 

Mal stood her ground and wrapped Mari in another hug. "I do actually have to get to work, so you'll see me around all day. Catch me at breaks, I've got the dogs in another room. I'm sure they'd love to see you." 

Mari nodded. "Good luck out there. Remember, you're a badass. You've You've this." 

Reyna gave her a hug before Mal walked away. But she remembered something before she got too far. "Hey, have you been listening to the playlist I sent you?" 

Mari nodded enthusiastically, while Reyna nodded in exasperation. "Yeah, I've been listening to a few on repeat for the past few days." She grabs her phone to find her most listened to. 

"We've got Valhalla Calling by Miracle of Sound ft Peyton Parrish, Darkseid by Neoni, The Champion by Carrie Underwood, Born For This by The Score, Radioactive by Imagine Dragons, Uma Thurman by Fall Out Boy, Runaways by All Time Low, Elevate by Big Time Rush, Seize The Day by The Newsies Cast , Honey, Honey by Mamma Mia Cast , and Black Magic by Little Mix.

It's really an interesting mix you sent me. All over the place, I've got to admit." 

Malina shrugs. "I've got mixed tastes. Some days, you need Broadway, other days you need to scream at the world. Either way, they pump you up for whatever you are about to do." 

Hawk shared a look with Miguel. So that's where Mari's sudden obsession with these songs came from. 

Before they could ask any questions, however, Malina really needed to get to work. But she did hold up her camera, so Maro grabbed the boys and Sam before they all gave big smiles. 

"Go be badasses, all of you." 

☽☆☾   ☽☆☾   ☽☆☾

It was a long day of insanely talented teenagers kicking ass and taking names. 

And while Mari didn't win the girl's competition, her boyfriend Eli won the boy's. Mal wasn't privy to the bargain struck between Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Fang. She was just so incredibly proud of Mari and her friends. 

It didn't hurt that she had received a text just before the tournament started, informing her that her husband and his team were all back from their mission, safe and sound. 

And that, because of when they landed, her and Hangman were on their way to the tournament as they speak, well text. 

So Malina got to help set up what might just be her favorite surprise of all. A surprise welcome home for Reyna and Mari. 

(Let's just say, not only were Rey and Mari surprised and overjoyed, but the entire arena erupted in cheers for the small family. Mari got plenty of pictures she would soon be sending Reyna's way.)

But, as the day finally wound down, Malina headed towards the back room where she had kept the dogs for the day. And to no surprise, Bob was sitting on the floor, playing with Risky as Nala was taking a power nap. 

He looked up as Malina entered the room, quickly standing from the floor. No words were spoken as the couple found each other, wrapping their arms tightly around the other. 

Malina was breathing in Bob's scent, happy he was home safe and sound. "I'm glad you're home. You said everyone made it back, yes?" 

Bob nodded his head, though Mal more so felt it than saw it. "It was a bit dicey for a few moments but everyone came home. I'll tell you more once I know what I'm allowed to tell you." 

Malina finished packing up her stuff before clipping the leashes onto the dogs. Her and Bob each grabbed one and left the room. 

They ended up catching Mari, Reyna and Jake as they were headed to their cars as well. Mari gave Bob a hug, glad he was okay and Mal did the same with Jake. But they quickly went their separate ways, as it had been a long day for all. 

The Floyd Family went back to the hotel for the night before heading back to their condo in Fightertown to enjoy the rest of their rental. 

A vacation was desperately needed. 

And so, the California sun set the scene for the small family to have some fun. The dogs ran up and down the beach, Malina relaxed in the sun and Bob caught up on a few books he had been meaning to read. 

All in all, after such a dangerous mission, life continued on in a beautiful mess. 

It was truly, wholly, 100% a daydream. 

A reverie. 

✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈

Word count: 1,471

That's it!!! That's the end of Reverie!! At least until the Epilogue and bonus chapters, oops. 

I did warn you that I wasn't going into the tournament. But I PROMISE, it is a focus for a bonus chapter. The entire tournament will be shown. And it's LONG.

But seriously, thank you all so much for your love and support. This has honestly been so much fun to write and I'm glad to go through this journey with all of you!! 

So see you, one last time for the epilogue. Bye guys!!!