One step at a time — Jordin Sparks

KARATE SEEMED TO BLEND FAMILIES PRETTY well because Larusso's had invited Cynthia's family, Miguel's family, Johnny, and Theo over for dinner. The teens all prayed that this would be a cordial dinner, where nobody fought and things went smoothly. However, peace never seemed to be in the cards for them.

"So, how's business?" Carmen questioned to lighten the slightly tense air.

"The business is the best it's been in years, especially thanks to Simon here taking the reigns a bit. He's been fitting right in." Daniel answered, reaching over to pat Simon lightly on the shoulder. "The place should practically be on autopilot by the time Sam takes over."

Cynthia was ecstatic her father had taken a job and didn't let his pride get in the way.

"Happy to help." The Sari man said with a slight smile and humble nod.

"You're gonna take over the dealership?" Miguel asked with a smile from across the table, taking Cynthia's hand into his as he did. "That's awesome."

"Nah, nah, nah, it's just an inside joke. When Sam was little, she used to walk around like she owned the place." Daniel explained with a smile.

"I remember the days I used to walk around dads place, it was so fun seeing all the cars and watching the people so happy about buying them." The Sari girl smiled lightly, looking down towards her plate.

It was a bittersweet feeling for Simon working in the auto industry again, he wanted nothing more than to have his business back but, he knew he was barely standing on two feet.

"I totally get that, I used to love it too." Sam smiled brightly at her friend, giving her a reassuring nod. "But I don't think that i'd be happy running the business."

"She can do what she wants. If she decides to go to school nearby, get her MBA. USC, UCLA, i'm just saying... it's all icing on the cake..." Daniel spoke, the Larusso girl practically slumping in her chair.

"So..." Amanda said aloud to change the subject. "Theo, how's school going?"

"My grades are a lot better since getting back but uh..." he looked down in defeat, feeling absolutely terrible about himself. "I don't think i'll get accepted anywhere, and even if I did, i'm not good enough to get a scholarship."

The table went absolutely silent for a moment, everyone looking awkwardly at each other.

"Tuition is just so expensive." Carmen said as she clicked her tongue. "Miguel is thinking Stanford but it's so much, we also wanted to check on Santa Monica so he can save money and live at home."

As the conversation went on, Cynthia realized she didn't have much of a plan at all, and it scared her.

"Yeah." Theo laughed and nodded awkwardly. "Maybe I can do something like that."

... and Theo felt just as helpless as she did.

PENELOPE STRETCHED OUTWARDS WITH A SMILE as she jumped up from the couch after half a bottle of wine. She felt as if nobody in the world would understand that she loved her daughter but, loved herself even more. What was worse was, she was feeling bad that she didn't feel bad about it.

The silent sound of the ocean nearby, and the quietness calmed her, more than she had been in years.

"Ms. Penelope, breakfast is ready. Would you like to take it here, or with Mr. Silver?" The chef asked with a polite smile.

"I'll sit with him outside." Penelope got up to her feet and slid them into her house slippers, tying her robe comfortably closed.

The woman headed in the direction of the balcony, and was there within a few moments. She smiled brightly upon seeing Terry there, listening to Japanese radio as he looked through the paper. She appreciated calm afternoons such as this one, where she didn't need to take care of someone else, and all the taking care of was done to her.

"Hi, honey." She spoke lightly, pressing a light kiss against his cheek before she sat down at the edge of the table. "How was your morning."

"It's been... interesting. Do you remember my old friend that came to visit a few days ago?" He asked, looking up towards her as he set his newspaper down, she simply nodded allowing him to continue. "He's been calling, trying to get me to go back to karate, and it's bringing back memories."

"I know how you feel, coming back from our little vacation world has been tough." Penelope blew hair away from her face as the chef placed breakfast in front of them both.

"I assume lunch with your daughter didn't go very well." Terry sat up straighter, hearing the woman out completely. "Kreese was telling me about her, seems like a great girl."

"She is, she just doesn't understand the situation i'm in." The woman shrugged.

"We'll get her to understand, honey. I promise. No matter the cost."

BIANCA HESITANTLY OPENED THE APARTMENT door, it was fairly late, nobody else was home, and if Cynthia or Simon were coming back they wouldn't be knocking. A part of her figured she should anyways and when it swung open, Johnny was on the other side. She went to close it on him but, the man stopped it in its tracks and gently pushed it open again.

"Listen, I just need you to hear me out for a minute." The blonde man spoke, "can I come in?"

"I'll listen but, you're staying in the door." The Sari woman said plainly, simply staring at him.

"Fine, I just want to let you know that I know i'm an idiot and I messed up. You're the best thing thats happened to me in a long time and I should have told you she came to visit." Johnny sighed slightly, a look of complete guilt on his face.

"and?" Bianca raised a brow.

"It's the worst mistake I could have made when it comes to us, but, i'm sorry." The blonde said, taking her hands into his. "Is there any way that I can fix this?"

"It's going to take a hell of a lot more than an apology to make me forget but, I do forgive you." The Sari woman smiled lightly, pulling the man into her, the adults enveloping themselves into a hug. "Is there something you want to ask me?"

"No—..."Johnny paused and thought as he seen the look on the short woman's face before he realized exactly what she wanted. "Do you want to go steady, B?"

It was an awfully cringe worthy way to ask but, Bianca smiled anyways.

"Yes, yes I do."

CYNTHIA DECIDED TO TRAIN WITH THE WREST of Eagle fang while it was taught by Daniel. Although she had no plans of doing karate anymore, she wanted to make sure things went smoothly, and she already knew Daniel didn't plan to teach any sparing. The lesson of the week was actually an odd one, the students had been at the koi pond all week, trying to catch one of them by hand.

After days of frustration, Cynthia just wanted to jump in and grab one like a bear in the wild.

"You look really cute when you're mad." Miguel joked as he lightly shoulder bumped his girlfriend, the two kneeling side by side over the pond.

"This." The Sari girl gestured to herself. "Is not cute, not at all. This is pure rage."

She huffed, and blew strands of hair away from her face.

"and don't bump me." She shouldered him back, and in return the boy laughed, knowing he was bothering her.

"Or what?" Miguel bumped her again, however, it was as she was about to get up for some gatorade, and the girl stumbled back, and into the pond.

"I'm gonna kill y— wait, are you thinking what i'm thinking?" She looked towards her boyfriend with a bright smile, pointing her head towards the fish that were swimming in a circle.

It was as if the two communicated through glances, and within seconds, the Diaz boy was jumping into the pond along with her.

"Everyone! Get in!" He instructed, as him and the Sari girl began to follow the same motions as the fish, walking in a circle.

Everyone else filed in behind and did the same, and before long, they were all doing it.

"It's working, they're going under the board!" Hawk shouted, almost happily.

"Hermosa." Miguel whispered, pointing his head towards two fish that were swimming side by side.

The couple nodded at each other before jumping forward and catching the Koi in their hands. They bumped heads but, the two were just happy to win the small contest set for them. Even if they had no clue what this had to do with karate.

"Good job, guys!" Theo clapped and cheered for his two friends, and everyone followed suit behind him.

"Looks like we have our winners!" Daniel concluded.

... the couple was just happy they wok together.

AUTHORS NOTE —
I tried to give multiple povs in this one so let me know if we are into that or not.

Opinions on Penelope and Silver? How do we think this will go?

Hope you enjoyed!