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Flashback
— August 1987; Chicago Il

20 year olds, Missie and Johnny, sat on the couch in the living room of their Chicago apartment. In the recent months, the couple had been drifting apart. Johnny knew deep down it was time to let her go. He didn't want to. It killed him at the thought of losing her, the wonderful girl who saved him, and made him a better person, but he was holding her back.

"John, you know how much I love you, right? I'll always love you. You were my first everything. My first love, my first time, and you always will be." Missie said, as she held his hand in her own

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

Missie tearfully nodded then placed her head in her hands. as much as he loved her, and he truly loved her, he knew it was best for them to break up. "I'm so sorry Johnny. I will 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 looked at one another as their eyes were full of tears. Missie fondled with her promise ring from Johnny, and he clutched on to his karate headband from her.

"Kick ass in school, Missie." Johnny said

Missie gave him a watery smile and a yeah in return. The two looked at each other longingly, before Johnny gave her one last loving smile, and walked out the door. As soon as Johnny closed the door, both fell against it on opposite sides: Missie on the inside, and Johnny on the outside.

Present Day
— 30 years later; Encino, CA

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐅 the alarm on Missie's phone went off. Turning over on her back, she reached over to the night stand, grabbed her phone and turned it off. She smiled fondly at the picture on the nightstand, which was a framed photo of Missie, her beloved late husband Jack, with their children, Jesse and Brooke on a family vacation in Branson, Missouri in 2012.

Getting out of bed, Missie put on her silk bathrobe and walked to the bathroom to begin her morning routine. Once she was finished, she was dressed for the day. Since it was her off day, she was dressed casual, denim capris, manolo flats, and a light purple blouse.

Upon walking into the kitchen, she made herself a cup of coffee, when she heard footsteps coming down the stairs. "Morning mom." her daughter, Brooke smiled as she walked into the kitchen and kissed her mother's cheek

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

"No thank you." Brooke smiled as she also poured herself a cup of coffee. She had never been a fan of coffee, but being in college, it was something she had grown to like since she studied a lot. "What are your plans today?" she asked as she joined her mother at the kitchen table

Missie set her coffee cup down. "I'm having lunch with your aunts Beth, Kathy, and Ali, then having my car serviced at Daniel's. What about you?"

"Farrah, Soph, Britt and I are going shopping, then I'm having my brakes checked at uncle Dan's." Brooke said as she stirred creamer into her coffee. "Please remind me to never let my brother drive my chevelle again." she added, as her mother chuckled in reply.

"Morning mom. Morning girl who uses all the hot water." Jesse, 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 felt her phone vibrate. Learning to tune out her arguing twins, she got up, walked in the living room and answered the phone. "Hello?" she answered

"Hey hon!" Beth, Missie's best friend from Chicago said on the other line. "We still on for lunch today with Kathy 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 strolled into the living room, and grabbed her purse from the coat rack. "Mom, I gotta get going, but I'll meet you at uncle Dan's?" 

Missie smiled as she embraced her daughter. "Of course sweetheart. Give the girls my love and have fun."

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." Jesse 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 sat on the couch and enjoyed the silence she was always left with when her children left the house. She admired the many photos of her and her family and friends on the mantle.

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 sister Kathy, and his mother, it was like having royalty in the neighborhood, due to her family's financial status.

Kathy and Missie immediately clicked, due to thier love of art, and next to Beth, Kathy became Missie's closest friend in Chicago. Kathy's husband, Andy, was a firefighter, but passed away when her daughters were in elementary school. 

Missie and Jack married in 1991, and their children, Brooklyn Ali (Brooke for short) and Jesse Keith (in honor of Jack's favorite country singer) were born in 1994.

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 and her daughters, Farrah and Sophia (in honor of Farrah Fawcett and Sophia Loren) 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, etc.

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 and Kathy 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 and the girls were there for Ali's graduation from medical school, and Ali was there for Missie, Kathy, 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 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 as she swirled 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?" Missie 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 Jesse?" 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

Jesse

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 paid for lunch, said goodbye to her best friends and her sister in-law, and walked to the parking lot. she got in her Audi Q5, and pulled out of the parking lot and drove towards LaRusso Auto.

･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･

Arriving at the dealership, Missie got out of her car, grabbing her purse from the front seat as she did so, and met Brooke inside. Brooke smiled as she embraced her mother. "Hey mom. How was lunch with aunts Kathy, Beth, and Ali?

Missie smiled as she returned her daughter's embrace. "Hi sweetheart. It was great. Just like old times. 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 continued laughing and conversing as the two walked into Amanda's office. Brooke shook her head and walked towards the show room, where they served coffee. After she got herself a cup of coffee, she walked to the waiting area to sit down. She felt her phone vibrate and it was a message from Farrah

Farrah 👯‍♀️ 🌺

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 Jesse'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 Jesse drive my car." Brooke laughed, making the mechanic laugh as well

That was it. Johnny put the pieces of the puzzle together. Brooke and Jesse? Missie's smile on that beautiful girl's face. Brooke is Missie's daughter and Jesse 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 angrily walked out the door carrying the bonsai tree that Daniel gave him, and he threw it on the ground. Looking up, he saw the one person he never thought he would see again, the one person who made his life complete, and gave it meaning and purpose. Missie Gray. She walked to her car, and Brooke walked next to her.

After their break up back in 1987, he tried to keep it together, foolishly holding onto the idea that she would leave Chicago and come back to the valley. But when a month turned into a year and a year turned into two, Johnny realized she wasn't coming back, and that he had made a mistake, and that's when his life completely fell apart.

Johnny spent the rest of his 20s drinking and partying way more than he should've. He slept around trying to get over his heartbreak, but no girl he found seemed to fill the void that was in his heart. He partied even more in his 30s while everyone around him seemed to grow up. Soon after, he met a girl and started dating her, telling himself he had moved on from Missie. He knew it was foolish to still be in love with her, but he couldn't help it. She saved him, in every way a person could be saved.

Now, Johnny was alone, drinking away his days as he jumped between jobs and hid away in his crappy apartment in reseda. "Missie?" Johnny said

Missie turned around, her beautiful blue eyes sparkling in the California sun, and Brooke turned around as well, her bright blue eyes were identical to her mother's.

Missie and Johnny stood there in silence, as they looked at one another. Nothing had changed in 30 years. Well, Johnny sure had, he looked rough, but Missie, she was as beautiful as ever. She had aged well in the last 30 years. She had minimal wrinkles, and frown lines. She was indeed the girl he fell in love with all those years ago, and was still deeply in love with.

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

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

"Did you get into an accident? Are you all right?" Brooke asked in concern

"Yeah, I'm good." Johnny said. "No, I didn't get into an accident. LaRusso's kid and her group of friends ran into my car and they hit it."

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

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

"Hi Johnny. It's a pleasure to meet you as well." Brooke smiled, then turned to her mother. "Well, I better go make sure Jess didn't hurt himself moving furniture for Mama C, so I'll are you later."

"Be careful heading up to North Hollywood." Missie said as she embraced her daughter. "Let me know when you get there please."

Brooke smiled as she returned her mother's embrace. "I will ma." she smiled, then turned to Johnny. "Johnny, it was so nice to meet you. Take care of yourself."

After Brooke walked away, Missie turned to her ex, and she couldn't help but feel like that 17-year-old girl again. "Wow, she's beautiful. She looks just like you." Johnny smiled

"Thank you." Missie smiled. "You know, I'm off work today, but I feel like I have worked a twelve hour shift. Would you like to grab a cup of coffee with me?"

"Sure." Johnny smiled.

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

The two got in Missie's car, and drove to the diner, Johnny couldn't help but admire her. It was stupid 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 of 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 always treated her like a princess, even though he was rough on the exterior, he had a kind interior, he just didn't want other people to see that side. Ahe even kept their photostrip from their first date to Golf N' Stuff. Sometimes, she would look at it, and see those two smiling 17 year old kids. But that's all they were at the end of the day: 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 pulled into the coffee shop diner and smiled softly over at Johnny as she unbuckled her seatbelt, got out of the car and locked it in the process. The two walked into the coffee shop, ordered their coffee and sat down in the booth and began conversing, even when their coffee was brought to the table.

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

"Well, after I graduated in '88, I started working at the Chicago art museum where I met my best friend, Beth. Then in '90, I met my husband, Jack. In '91 we were married, and then I had Brooke and Jesse in 94." 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 sister in-law, Kathy works at the museum with Beth and I. My nieces, Kathy's daughters, Farrah and Sophia, are designers in Bel Air, and Brooke is a Human Resorces Specialist, while Jesse is is in buisness as well. 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, laughing. For once in six years, Missie's heart was no longer heavy with grief, but it was full of something else: 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?