══════ஓ๑❀*̥๑ஓ══════

Flashback
— August 1987; Chicago IL

20 year olds, Missie and Johnny, sat on the couch in the living room of their Chicago apartment. Their relationship had been deteriorating in recent months, and Johnny had come to the realization that it was time for them to part ways. Despite his deep love for her and the profound impact she had had on his life, saving him and transforming him into a better person, he was unable to bring himself to end their relationship.

"John, you know how much I love you, don't you? You were my first everything—my first love, my first time, and you'll always hold that special place in my heart." Missie said, as she intertwined her hand with his.

"But we need to go our separate ways?" Johnny asked

Missie, with tears streaming down her face, nodded and buried her head in her hands. Despite his deep love for her, he recognized that it was for the best if they ended their relationship. "Johnny, I'm so sorry. I'll always love you."

"I'll always love you too." Johnny said as he pulled her in for an embrace. "So fucking much."

Once Johnny finished packing his suitcase, the two exchanged tearful glances. Missie gently touched her promise ring from Johnny, while he clutched his karate headband from her tightly.

"Kick ass in school, Missie." Johnny said

Missie gave him a watery smile and a nod in return. They gazed at each other longingly before Johnny gave her one last loving smile and exited the door. As soon as Johnny closed the door, they both collapsed against it, one on the inside and the other on the outside.

Present Day
— 30 years later; Encino, CA

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐅 the alarm on Missie's phone went off. Turning onto her back, she reached over to the nightstand, grabbed her phone, and turned it off. A fond smile spread across her face as she gazed upon the framed photo on the nightstand. It was a cherished memory of her beloved late husband, Jack, and their children, Mason and Brooke, enjoying a family vacation in Branson, Missouri back in 2012.

Missie, getting out of bed, slipped into her soft silk bathrobe and headed to the bathroom to start her morning routine. After completing her routine, she was ready for the day. Since it was her off day, she opted for a casual outfit: denim capris, manolo flats, and a light purple blouse.

Upon entering the kitchen, she brewed herself a cup of coffee. As she heard footsteps descending the stairs, her daughter, Brooke, entered the kitchen, smiled, and kissed her mother's cheek. "Morning mom," she smiled

"Good morning, sweetheart," Missie greeted as she poured herself a cup of coffee. "Would you like some breakfast?"

"No, thank you," Brooke replied with a smile as she also poured herself a cup of coffee. Although she had never been a coffee drinker, she had grown to appreciate it during her college years, especially since it became a part of her routine due to her extensive studies. "What are your plans for today?" she inquired as she joined her mother at the kitchen table.

Missie placed her coffee cup down. "I'm having lunch with your aunts, Beth, Kathy, Lana, and Ali. Afterward, I'll have my car serviced at Daniel's. What are your plans?"

"Whit, Kait, Fairy, and I are headed to the mall. Afterward, I'll have my brakes checked at Uncle Dan's." Brooke said, stirring creamer into her coffee. "Please remind me never to let my brother drive my Chevelle again," she added, earning a chuckle from her mother.

"Morning mom. Morning girl who uses all the hot water." Mason, Missie's son greeted as he strolled into the kitchen

Brooke rolled her eyes in annoyance, then threw a sugar packet at her brother. "Shut up, peabrain. It's too early to argue with you. Sometimes, I think you enjoy starting fights with me."

Missie, having learned to tune out her arguing twins, felt her phone vibrate. She got up, walked into the living room, and answered the phone. "Hello?" she replied.

"Hey hon!" Beth, Missie's best friend from Chicago said on the other line. "We still on for lunch today with Kathy, Lana, and Ali before she heads back to Denver?"

"Of course. I'll be there in 15." Missie smiled

"Okay, I'll see you soon." Beth smiled

"I'll see you then. Bye." Missie smiled as beth said her goodbyes as well, then hung up the phone.

Brooke entered the living room, retrieved her purse from the coat rack, and said to her mother, "Mom, I gotta go, but I'll meet you at Uncle Dan's?"

Missie smiled warmly as she embraced her daughter. "Of course, sweetheart. Please give my love to the girls and have a wonderful time."

Brooke smiled as she returned her mother's embrace. "I will mom. I love you. Please tell the aunties I love them and I said hello."

"I love you too, hon and I will." Missie smiled and Brooke walked out the door.

"I gotta head out too." Mason said. "I'm meeting the guys at Golf N' Stuff. Love your mom."

"Have fun, love you too sweetheart." Missie smiled as Jesse walked out the door.

Missie settled on the couch, and enjoyed the silence she was always left with when her children left the house. She glanced at the mantle, admiring the numerous photographs that adorned it, capturing cherished memories of her family and friends.

After Missie graduated with honors in 1988, she was offered at the Chicago museum of art, where she met Beth. In 1990, she met her beloved husband, Jack Pearson, who lived in Canaryville. All the times Missie would visit Jack, his younger sisters Kathy and Lana, and their mother, it was like having royalty in the neighborhood, due to her family's financial status.

Missie, Kathy, and Lana immediately clicked, due to thier love of art, and next to Beth, they became Missie's closest friends in Chicago. Kathy's husband, Andy, was a firefighter, but tragically, he passed away when their daughters were still in elementary school. Lana's husband, Antonio, was stationed in Iraq, and he was killed in active duty when their daughter, Farrah, was just three years old.

Missie and Jack married in 1991, and their children, Brooklyn Ali (Brooke for short) and Mason Daniel were born in 1992.

Jack was killed in a car accident in late 2011, when the twins were 17, leaving Missie and the children devastated, especially Brooke, who was a daddy's girl.

After his death, Missie returned to the valley with her children, to be closer to her parents and Daniel, and Beth followed, as both women were offered a job at the Encino museum of art.

Kathy, her daughters Whitney Grace and Kaitlin Sophia (named after Whitney Houston, Grace Kelly, and Sophia Loren), and Lana and Farrah followed as well. Missie continued to work and raise her children as a single mother, eventually finding a balance in her life, but she never truly got over the death of beloved Jack.

As far as Johnny and Missie's high school friends go: It has been 30 years since Missie and Johnny's break up. After their break up, they cut off all contact. Missie heard from Bobby that he was working in construction and odd jobs as a handyman

Missie kept in close contact with Bobby, Tommy, Dutch, and Jimmy. Well, that is until Dutch was arrested. She didn't know what for, but Bobby, Tommy, and Jimmy, met her husband Jack, and they liked him real well, and they were also there when her twins were born.

Missie and Ali still kept in close contact, and she even introduced Ali to Beth, Kathy, and Lana and the four girls formed their own little circle. After Missie and Johnny broke up, Ali was there for Missie, and helped her through the break up, even though she was in San Diego, and Missie was in Chicago.

Missie and Jack, as well as Kathy, Lana, the twins, and the girls were there for Ali's graduation from medical school, and Ali was there for Missie, Kathy, Lana, the twins and the girls when Jack died. No questions asked.

Of course, Daniel and Missie kept in close contact for the past 30 years. She, Jack, and the twins as well as Kathy, Lana, and the girls were there when he and Amanda opened LaRusso Auto.

Missie snapped out of her thoughts and checked her phone, realizing she was running late. She got up, grabbed her phone, purse, and keys and headed out the door.

･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･

"How was your date with Leo?" Missie asked, swirling her fork in her pasta.

"I seriously need to get off these dating sites. It's always a clown." Beth rolled her eyes and shuddered at the thought of the bad date.

"Beth, it couldn't have been that bad, dear." Kathy laughed as she ate her spaghetti carbonara.

"Hon, it was bad." Beth said as she continued eating her cajun shrimp alfredo. "Anyway, enough of that, how are my nieces and nephews?"

"Brooke and Jesse are fine, attitudes and all." Missie smiled as she ate her chicken linguine.

"I can buy the attitudes, that's all you, Missie." Ali laughed as she sipped her coke, then turned to Kathy. "How are the girls? I saw on Facebook they went to New York with Brooke."

"They're fine. After New York, they went to Aspen. I swear these girls always on the go. What about Ava and Lucas? Are they okay?" Kathy asked

Ali sighed as she set her fork down. "That's actually what I wanted to talk to you girls about. Greg and I are separated. The good news is, it's nobody's fault."

"Well, at least I know I don't have to kick his ass." Beth said

"What's going to happen with Ava and Lucas? Better yet, how are they taking it?" Lana asked in concern.

"Well, Greg will have them on the weekends, and I will have them during the week. But, they're taking it better than I expected they would." Ali said

"Well, you know we're always here for you no matter what." Kathy said

"I know." Ali said. "So what are you girls doing this afternoon?"

"Well, I gotta head up to North Hollywood to mom's. She hurt her back, and she needs some of the new furniture moved." Beth said

"You want me to send Mason?" Missie asked as she took a sip of her cherry coke.

"Sure." Beth said, and Missie took out her phone to send her son a text

Mason

Your aunt Beth is heading up to
North Hollywood to help
Mama C move furniture.
Will you please help them out?

Sure. Not a problem.
The guys and I will head up that way.

Missie placed her phone back in her phone and looked at her best friend. "He's heading up that way. His friends are going as well." she said as she pulled her credit card out of her wallet

"All right." Beth said. "And lunch is on me."

"Hey, it's on me." Ali smiled

"Nope." Missie laughed. "You got it last time you were here. it's on me, sis."

Missie bid farewell to her best friends and her sisters-in-law, paid for lunch, and headed to the parking lot. She entered her Audi Q5, exited the parking lot, and drove towards LaRusso Auto.

･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･

Arriving at the dealership, Missie got out of her car, retrieving her purse from the front seat. She then entered the dealership and met Brooke inside. Brooke greeted her with a warm embrace. "Hey Mom, how was lunch with the aunties?"

Missie smiled and returned her daughter's embrace. "Hi, sweetheart. It was wonderful. Just like the good old days. How was shopping with the girls?"

"Fun as always. We hit almost every store on Rodeo Drive." Brooke smiled and missie smiled as she kissed her daughter's head, then walked to Amanda's office. "Hey aunt Amanda." Brooke smiled

"Hey sweetie." Amanda smiled as she embraced the younger brunette

"Hey Amanda." Missie smiled as she embraced her best friend

"Hey hon." Amanda smiled as she retured her best friend's embrace. "How have you two been?"

"Fine." Missie and Brooke replied

"I'm gonna go grab a cup of coffee." Brooke said. "I'll see you both in a few."

"Okay sweetie." Missie smiled

Missie and Amanda, still laughing and chatting, entered Amanda's office. Brooke shook her head and headed to the coffee room, where they served coffee. After getting herself a cup, she made her way to the waiting area to take a seat. Her phone vibrated, and it was a message from Whitney.

Whitney 👯‍♀️ 🌺

Hey babes, you left one of your bags
in my car. Are you still at uncle Dan's?
If you are, I can drop it off there.

Yes. I'm at the dealership
waiting to see what they say about my brakes.
That will be fine. You can drop it off here.

Okay! 😘 I will be by there in a few.
I hope it's nothing serious! 🙁
Loves you!

Me too!😔
Loves you too!

"Johnny?" Daniel said. Johnny turned around and gave Daniel a fake smile. "Johnny Lawrence! I knew it was you!" Daniel said happily rushing over to give him a hug. "Holy...how the hell are you?" he asked letting him go.

"Hey man." Johnny said

"Oh my God, look at you. You still got those golden locks, eh? God, this is crazy. how you been?" Daniel asked

"Great, man. Thanks, I've been great." Johnny said with a fake smile

"That's great. Hey, Anoush, come here! Louie, get over here! I want you to meet somebody." Daniel said as he called Anoush and Louie over

"I gotta go." Johnny said, but Daniel stopped him and pulled him back

"No, no, no. This is Johnny. He and I go way back. right, buddy? This guy was the toughest guy in my school. When I first moved here from Jersey, he and I...we got into it a little bit. This guy really had it in for me." Daniel explained.

"Yeah well, you did move in on my girl." Johnny said

"Well, she actually wasn't your girl anymore, was she?" Daniel said with a cheeky grin. Johnny glared at him. Johnny wasn't talking about Ali and Daniel knew it.

"I wasn't talking about Ali and you know it." Johnny spat

"I'll admit that was my fault for what happened in school, all right. That's all water under the bridge." Daniel dismissed, waving his hand.

"Wait a minute, he dated Brooke and Mason's mother?" Louie asked Daniel, who nodded his head in reply

Hearing Missie was a mother felt like a stab to the chest, just the thought of her being happy with someone else. He wanted children with her, but that was just never meant to be. He knows that her children must adore her.

"Is this the karate guy, the guy from the tournament?" Anoush asked Daniel

"Oh, this is the guy who's ass you kicked?" Louie asked

"Uh, listen, it was a really close match. But if you wanna get technical... I kicked his face." Daniel said making both him and the guys laugh. "I'm just busting your chops." Daniel said

"It was an illegal kick." Johnny said

"Oh, illegal? Really? Come on. What about that elbow to my knee?" Daniel asked

"Yeah, I got a warning. You got the win." Johnny said taking a threatening step forward

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! No fighting in the showroom, guys." Anoush said

"All right back to work." Daniel said

"Nice meeting you." Anoush said and he went back to helping customers

"Enough reminiscing, right? So, what brings you in? you're looking for a new ride?" Daniel asked

"He wants his car towed to a different body shop." the receptionist, Tammy said walking up to Daniel

"Oh no, Johnny. We got the best prices in town. That crook at Cole's on Van Nuys, he'll try to screw you over. Tammy, let me see the estimate. A pontiac?" he looked at Johnny and he nodded his head "Firebird?" Daniel asked.

"Yeah." Johnny said

"Wow, someone did a real number on this thing. maybe it's time for an upgrade. Why don't we walk the lot? I'll give you a deal on a certified pre-owned..." Daniel started

"I just want my car." Johnny sighed in annoyance

"All right, all right. You got it, all right? Let me see how low I can get this repair. Friends and family... my own personal code. You know what? It's on the house." Daniel said

"No way. I don't want your charity." Johnny said

"No, you'd be doing me a favor. Our guys aren't used to working on a car like this. They could use the practice. you could use the repairs. This is a win-win." Daniel said

"I said I'll handle it." Johnny said

"All right. okay, but it's... John, it's gonna cost more than the car is worth. Listen, don't worry about it. it's my pleasure, all right?" Daniel said

"All right." Johnny said

"Okay. Just hang here a second. I got something for you. one minute." Daniel said, then walked away to get something

"Brooke Pearson?" the mechanic said.

Brooke gave the mechanic a bright smile as she stood up. "Yes?"

Johnny turned his head, and he saw Brooke's smile. It was Missie's smile. Johnny knew that smile like the back of his hand. He kept every thing Missie ever gave to him, including the black headband for karate.

"Your car's ready." the mechanic said. "Your brakes are fine."

"Last time I'm ever letting Mason drive my car." Brooke laughed, making the mechanic laugh as well

That was it. Johnny put the pieces of the puzzle together. Brooke and Mason? Missie's smile on that beautiful girl's face. Brooke is Missie's daughter and Mason is her son.

"How much do I owe you?" Brooke asked

"Come on up to the window and we'll get you taken care of." the mechanic said.

･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･

Johnny, his face flushed with anger, stormed out of the door, the bonsai tree Daniel had given him clutched tightly in his hand. In a moment of frustration, he threw it to the ground. As he looked up, his eyes widened in disbelief. There, standing before him, was the one person he had never imagined he would see again—the one person who had brought his life to a sense of completeness and purpose. It was Missie Gray. She gracefully made her way towards her car, and Brooke walked beside her.

After their breakup in 1987, he foolishly clung to the hope that she would leave Chicago and return to the valley. However, when a year passed and then two, Johnny realized she wasn't coming back. This realization shattered his world, leading to the complete downfall of his life.

Johnny squandered his twenties in a haze of excessive drinking and partying, far from the responsible life he should have led. He slept around trying to get over his heartbreak, but no girl he found seemed to fill the void that was in his heart. In his thirties, he continued to party even as everyone around him seemed to mature and grow. Amidst this chaos, he met a girl and began dating her, convincing himself that he had finally moved on from Missie.  He knew it was foolish to still be in love with her, but he couldn't help it. She was the embodiment of salvation, offering him the support and guidance he desperately needed.

Now, Johnny was alone, drinking away his days as he hopped from job to job and hid away in his cramped apartment in Reseda. "Missie?" he called out.

Missie turned around, her radiant blue eyes sparkling in the California sun. Brooke turned around too, her bright blue eyes identical to her mother's.

Missie and Johnny stood there in silence, gazing at each other. Nothing had changed in 30 years. Well, Johnny certainly had, he looked rough, but Missie, she was as beautiful as ever. She had aged gracefully over the past three decades. There were only a few wrinkles and frown lines on her face. She was still the girl he had fallen in love with all those years ago, and he was still deeply in love with her.

Missie smiled a bright smile. "Johnny, what are you doing here?"

Johnny shrugged his shoulders. "My car was towed here."

Concerned, Brooke asked, "Did you get into an accident? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Johnny reassured her. "No, I didn't have an accident. LaRusso's kid and her friends accidentally hit my car."

Missie introduced Johnny to Brooke, saying, "Johnny, this is my daughter, Brooke. Brooke, this is Johnny Lawrence."

Johnny extended his hand for a handshake, and Brooke shook it warmly. "Nice to meet you," he said.

"Hi Johnny. It's a pleasure to meet you too," Brooke replied, then turned to her mother. "Well, I should probably go check on Mason and make sure he didn't hurt himself while moving furniture for Mama C, so I'll see you later."

"Be careful driving up to North Hollywood," Missie said as she embraced her daughter. "Please let me know when you get there please."

Brooke smiled and returned her mother's embrace. "I will, Mom," she said. Then, she turned to Johnny. "Johnny, it was lovely meeting you. Take care."

After Brooke walked away, Missie turned to her ex, feeling a pang of nostalgia for her 17-year-old self. "Wow, she's beautiful. She looks just like you," Johnny remarked.

"Thank you," Missie smiled. "You know, I'm off work today, but it feels like I've been working a twelve-hour shift. Would you like to join me for a cup of coffee?"

"Sure." Johnny smiled.

If you drive around
Back in our old hometown
I wonder, do you think of me?

Johnny couldn't help but admire Missie as they drove to the diner in her car. It was foolish of him to let her go. Every night for the past 30 years, he laid in bed and thought about her.

'I wonder if she thinks about me, the way I think about her?' Johnny thought to himself, then he saw the beautiful wedding band set on her ring finger. 'No. she's happily married. She probably forgot all about me.'

However, that was far from the truth. Yes, she was happily married with an adoring family, and yes, she loved her beloved husband with all her heart and soul., but after his death, Missie didn't understand why, but she found herself thinking about Johnny.

When you drive by a school
Do you remember two fools?
I wonder, do you think of me?

Johnny, despite his rough exterior, always treated her like a princess. He had a kind interior, but he didn't want others to see that side of him. He even kept their photostrip from their first date at Golf N' Stuff. Sometimes, she would look at it and see those two smiling 17-year-old kids. But at the end of the day, they were just two kids in love.

And remember the park
Where you struck the spark
To a fire that's still burnin'
Oh, in my heart

Missie, with a soft smile, pulled into the coffee shop diner. As she unbuckled her seatbelt, got out of the car, and locked it, she caught Johnny's eye. They entered the coffee shop, placed their coffee orders, and settled into a booth, engaging in conversation even as their drinks arrived.

"So tell me what's been happening with you?" Johnny said.

Well, after graduating in '88, I began working at the Chicago Art Museum, where I met my best friend, Beth. In '90, I met my husband, Jack. We got married in '91, and then we had Brooke and Mason in '92. Missie said as she stirred creamer into her coffee.

"Does your husband work with you as well?" Johnny asked as he set his coffee cup down

"Jack passed away six years ago. He was killed in a car accident." Missie said

"Shit, I don't know what to say. I'm so sorry." Johnny said.

"Thank you." Missie said. "After he passed, the kids and I left Chicago as I was offered a position here, and I would be closer to mom and dad. My sisters in-law, Kathy and Lana work at the museum with Beth and I. My nieces, Kathy's daughters, Whitney and Kaitlin, and Lana's daughter Farrah, are designers in Bel Air, and Brooke is a Human Resorces Specialist, while Mason works for a luxury real estate company in Beverly Hills. So what are you up to these days? Are you married? Do you have kids?"

"I'm not as successful as you." Johnny said, looking down at the table, then looked at the beautiful woman in front of him, and Missie folded her arms on the table and gave him a look, urging him to go on. "I don't have an adoring family like you do. Not one that cares about me anyway. Now I live in Reseda, I got fired yesterday. I worked a few odd jobs, including construction. As far as being married is concerned, I was never married. I mean I dated other girls sure, but, I wasn't sure how to get over you."

Missie deeply sighed as Johnny continued. She had heard from Bobby that his life had gone down hill, but she didn't realize just how bad. "After we broke up, I partied through most of my 20s. All of them actually. And my 30s." he said

"Well..." Missie said and then she chuckled sadly

"Next thing I knew this girl I was dating got pregnant, I gave up on him the day he was born. I didn't know the first thing about being a dad, I was unprepared, so eventually I screwed everything up. Pretty sure I screwed up every meaningful relationship I've ever had. But the one relationship I didn't screw up, or at least I think I didn't was with you." Johnny said

"You didn't." Missie said. "Johnny..."

"I want to apologize." Johnny said

Missie furrowed her brows in confusion. "Johnny Lawrence, apologize?"

"Yeah. I was stupid to let you go. I know we drifted apart. I should have fought harder for you. I made a promise before the tournament, and I broke it." Johnny said

"Johnny, couples drift apart." Missie said. "I forgave you years ago."

"Also I want to apologize for breaking your radio." Johnny said

"You, you did break and mess up my radio didn't you? You also threw it on the ground then you ran it over with your motorcycle." Missie said

"I didn't run it over. Dutch ran it over. I just threw it." Johnny said

Missie smiled as the two got up from the booth and Johnny left cash for the tip as well as the coffee before she spoke. "Nah, I saw you run it over. Either way, I still have the radio you bought for me."

The two walked out of the coffee shop, their laughter echoing through the streets. For the first time in six long years, Missie's heart was no longer burdened by grief, but it was overflowing with a newfound sense of happiness.

"I know this is asking for a lot, but I was wondering about something." Johnny said as he got in the car.

"What's that?" Missie asked as she got in the driver side and put on her seatbelt

"You think maybe we could be friends again?" Johnny asked

"I would love that Johnny." Missie smiled

"The art museum, can anyone, stop by?" Johnny asked

"Of course. It's a public place." Missie said as she drove towards reseda. The drive to Reseda was in comfortable silence. Missie reached Johnny's apartment, she put the car in park and turned to him. "All right, here you are."

"Thank you Missie. For everything." Johnny smiled

"You're welcome." Missie smiled

"Your husband, Jack, he was a very lucky man." Johnny said. "I'm glad he took care of you. That's all I ever wanted."

"I struck gold twice." Missie smiled. "First with you. Then with him." Missie took out a piece of paper and wrote down her number. "Call me if you need anything, okay?"

"I will." Johnny said as he embraced the brunette one last time. "Bye Missie."

"Bye Johnny." Missie smiled as she returned the blonde's embrace

I don't know if you would
But I'd go back, if I could
I wonder, do you think of me?
I still love you
Do you think of me?