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flashback
— September 2003; Chicago IL

It was a quarter past 9 pm. Missie had just tucked 7 year olds Brooke and Jesse to bed, when she walked in the living room, waiting for her husband to come home, after he had gone out drinking with a few of his friends from work, which was something that had been happening often. Jack was an alcoholic and  knew that, but going out for a drink after work while she takes care of their children had to stop.

Upon sitting on the couch, Jack entered the room. Missie, who was sitting there with her legs crossed and arms folded over her chest, turned around to see him. "Hi, baby," he greeted her.

"Hi." Missie calmy replied

"Did I miss putting them down?" Jack asked, pointing towards the stairs

"Just by 30 minutes." Missie said

Jack pulled a small box out of his pocket, only to drop it on the floor. He picked it back up and put it in his pocket. "Well, I was... I was shopping." he slurred as he walked over to join his wife on the couch. "I know we haven't been on the same page lately, and we gotta get back on track, so consider this, a way-too expensive peace offering."

"I think we've been more than off track." Missie said. "How do you think we're doing so far? At parenting?"

"I..."

"Because I think we're at six, on a sliding scale one through ten." Missie said. "I'm being generous."

"Babe..."

"Seven, fine. Only because there are two of them, the thing is, I'm trying really hard to get us to a nine. because they are beautiful kids and they deserve nine-parents, and the thing is, I feel like I'm there Jack. I feel like I'm operating at a nine." Missie said

"What makes you feel that way?" Jack asked

"Because I do individualized lunches, and I do individualized tuck-ins for them both so nobody feels gypped. When you're home, and you're you, and even with Whitney, Kaitlin, and Farrah, you're way better than I am. You're a twelve when you're you, Jack. But you're getting home later and later, and when you do come home you're..." Missie said, but was cut off by her husband

Jack turned to face Missie, "Melissa, what are you saying?"

"The drinking has to stop. You have to reign it in baby, because I won't have it in my house, around our children." Missie firmly stated.

"You won't have it in your house?" Jack asked

"I won't. So if it's a problem, fix it. Be a man, and fix it, because I'm done letting you lower our score." Missie said

Missie rose and exited the room, wiping away her tears of frustration. Unbeknownst to her and Jack, little Brooke was perched at the top of the staircase, holding her favorite Barbie doll, Princess Odette from Barbie of Swan Lake, in her arms.

Jack rose from the couch and made his way to the staircase, but his heart sank when he spotted his little girl. He feared she had overheard the entire exchange between him and her mother. He fervently hoped not. Gently, he picked her up and carried her to her room, where he laid her down in bed and placed her Barbie doll on the nightstand.

"There you go. are you comfy?" Jack asked

Brooke nodded, then played with the hem of her sheets. "Daddy, are you and mommy gonna get a divorce?"

Jack felt like his heart was going to rip out of his chest. His little girl shouldn't have those worries. Ahe should worry about playing with her barbie dolls. "No. Mommy and I aren't getting divorced. I promise. Sometimes, mommies and daddies have disagreements, and they just have to work them out." Jack reassured

"Daddy, do you like me?" Brooke asked

"Of course I like you." Jack said.

"But do you love me?" Brooke asked

"Of course I love you." Jack said. "I love you more than the sun and the moon and everything thrown in together."

"Sing to me daddy." Brooke said. "Mommy always sings to me, and I like mommy's songs, but now I want a daddy song."

"It's late honey." Jack said

"Please daddy, I promise I'll go to sleep." Brooke pleaded, as she batted her beautiful blue eyes at her father.

"All right. I can't say no to my little girl." Jack said as he held the little brunette girl's hand, and began to sing Keith Whitley's I Never Go Around Mirrors

Instead of the classic lullabies, Jack would sing Keith Whitley to the twins, while Missie would sing Joni Mitchell or Marianne Faithfull to them. Once Jack saw his daughter was asleep, he kissed her temple, turned out the lamp, and walked out the door.

The next morning, Missie walked out her bedroom door, and saw Jack was asleep outside the bedroom door against the wall. "Jack? What are you doing out here?" Missie asked as he woke up

"I don't like sleeping far away from you." Jack said, as Missie took a seat beside him. "No more drinking."

"You can't just stop..." Missie said, but was cut off by her husband 

Jack took his wife's hand in his own. "I can. For you and the kids, I can. I will." he sighed as his wife played with his fingers, and she looked into his beautiful brown eyes. "You know, when I was a little boy, I didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up. Adults always ask little kids that. I never had a good answer. Not until I was 27. The day that I met you. That's when I knew exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up: I wanted to be the man that made you happy." Jack said

Missie placed her hand on her husband's cheek. "Jack, you make me so happy." she smiled brightly 

"Not always. Not lately. From here on out, I'm gonna be an 11 for you, baby. No...screw that. I'm gonna be a 12 for you, from here out. I'll be an 11 for the kids, my sister, and my nieces, but you get a 12." Jack said. "Do you forgive me?"

"You slept outside our bedroom door like a labrador. of course I forgive you." Missie smiled

"Can I still give you my gift?" Jack asked

"If you insist." Missie said

Jack placed the black velvet box in Missie's dainty hand. opening the box, she saw a beautiful crescent moon necklace. "Oh, Jack." she gave him a watery smile

"Do you like it?" Jack asked

"I love it." Missie smiled as she put the necklace on. "I'll never take it off."

"It's beautiful." Jack said

"Thank you." Missie smiled as she wrapped her arms around her husband's neck.

"I love you, Melissa." Jack smiled as he gently rested his forehead against her's.

"I love you too, Jack." Missie smiled as she kissed her husband.

Jack looked towards Brooke and Mason's room. "How much longer until the kids..."

"I don't care about the kids." Missie said as she pulled her husband down on the floor with her

Brooke and Mason came out of their rooms. "Pile dive!" both twins shouted happily

Jesse jumped on top of his father, while Brooke laid on top of her mother. The children may not have had much, but what they did have, was the enduring love, of their parents, especially their father. True, he was an alcoholic, but they understood later that he was not God, he made mistakes, and he always had their best interests at heart.

___

𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐄 drove down the busy Los Angeles freeway in her chevelle to the Reseda strip mall with Mason in the passenger seat, as Fleetwood Mac's Gypsy played. Miguel was now back in Cobra Kai, after much persuasion from Missie.

"Why do we have to listen to this?" Jesse grumbled

Brooke rolled her eyes. "Because, it's my car you dingbat."

"You seriously need to update your music collection." Jesse said

Brooke rolled her eyes as she exited off the freeway. "My music collection is fine. One of the things Landon and I both have in common is our music taste."

"Yeah, yeah." Mason rolled his eyes. "Listen, I know I haven't said it, because we're always giving each other hell, but I'm happy for you. Landon seems like he's pretty chill, and he seems to treat you right. You would tell me if he doesn't treat you right, wouldn't you?"

"Of course." Brooke said.

"How do you feel about mom and Johnny?" Mason asked

"Jess, they're just friends." Brooke said as she made a left turn. "I like him, he seems to be pretty cool, a little rough around the edges and he's made mistakes in his life, but we all have. That's what makes us human."

"I have a lot of regret with dad, Brooke." Mason said

"Why?" Brooke asked as she pulled into the strip mall, and parked right next to Johnny's firebird.

"The last few months before dad died, I was awful to him. We were finally in a good place, before he died, but still." Mason said

"Jess, dad loved you. He loved us more than anything. he forgave you, and he would want you to find peace somehow." Brooke said, as she placed a consoling hand on her brother's shoulder. Mason knew this to be true, bringing his sister in for an embrace, he let his tears fall. "It's okay Mason." Brooke said, as she consoled her brother.

After Mason pulled himself together, the twins unbuckled their seatbelt, when they saw women getting out of their cars and walking up to the dojo.

"What does a cobra do?" Johnny asked as had Miguel in a head lock

"Slither!" Miguel said as he got out of Johnny's armlock

Johnny quickly activated the punching machine, which shot a ball straight at Miguel's ear. "Hey! That was totally unfair!" Miguel said in pain

"You want a fair fight? Dream on. Your enemies won't play by the rules." Johnny said

"Yeah, but my ear." Miguel whined, standing up from the floor.

"What if that baseball was your enemy's friend coming at you from behind? You have to be prepared for anything." Johnny said, then looked at Miguel's ear, ignoring the redness. "Your ear looks fine. Come on, don't be such a baby."

The shop bell rang, announcing the arrival of several women, carrying mats in their hands, walking in to the dojo, followed by Brooke and Mason. "Ah, shit." Johnny said

"What's going on?" Miguel questioned as Brooke and Mason stood beside him, and the three looked around confused

"I had to sublet the dojo for a few hours, just until we get more students." Johnny said

"By the way, Mason this is Miguel and Johnny, and Miguel and Johnny this is my twin bother, Jesse." Brooke smiled

"Nice to meet you." Mason said, extending his hand for a handshake

"You too man." Miguel said

"You as well." Johnny said

Johnny led the three to his office, and after a while, the women left, Brooke and Miguel walked out into the dojo, while Johnny and Mason stayed behind in his office.

"Listen Mason, I know I'm not your dad, I'll never be the man your father was. I want you to know, that I'll always have your's, Miguel's, and Brooke's best interests at heart." Johnny said

"I know. I don't know what all my mom has told you, but sometimes I wish I could turn back time." Mason said as he ran a hand through his blonde hair

"Talk to me man." Johnny said

"My dad was an alcoholic. He quit for 12 years, then he started again. then he quit again. Near the end of his life, he went to A.A, and it was around that time that I was scouted by a football coach from Pittsburgh College. When the football coach came by, as I didn't really want to go. I was only going along with it, just to appease my parents." Mason said

Flashback
— Chicago IL; April 2011

Missie and Jack sat in the living room with the football coach, and Mason sat in the reclining chair, or slouching. "Now, I'm here to tell you, kid, that with that arm and my guidance, you could be on your way to joining the great tradition of Pennsylvania-grown quarterbacks: Joe Montana..." the football coach started

"He went to notre dame." Mason rudely stated

Missie and Jack turned their heads. They raised their son better than this. "Mason." she warned

"What?" Mason shrugged. "Well, he did."

"It's all right. Don't worry about it. What kid doesn't want to play QB for the Irish, right?"  the football coach said

As the conversation went on, Mason grew bored. Truth is, he didn't want to go to Pittsburgh. He was only going because of his father. The father he idolized.

"You will be taking a lot of snaps next year." the coach said

"Well, am I gonna start?" Mason asked rudely

"Excuse me, coach. Our son seems to have forgotten his manners." Jack said as he and Missie held hands and looked at their son in disappointment

After the coach left, Missie stood in the foyer looking absolutely disgusted with Mason, while Jack was trying not to blow a fuse. Jack turned around to look at his son. "Get out of my sight." he said

"Fine." Mason said. "Don't have to tell me twice."

"Get...back here." Jack said firmly, as his son was about to walk away. Mason turned around and stood in front of his father. "That man... he takes time out of his day, he comes to our home, he sits at our table, and he offers you, a c-plus student at best..."

"You and mom invited him, not me." Mason interrupted

"A full ride to a good college!" Jack finished

"Dad, we can do better." Mason argued

"Jesse Keith, that is not the point." Missie interjected

Jack walked up to his son. "Do you have... any idea how lucky you are to get an opportunity like that?" Jack asked

Mason snickered. "It's not luck. It's talent."

Mussie scoffed and glanced at her husband. The couple would not have an arrogant son. They just wouldn't. "Okay. You get your ass upstairs, and you write him an apology letter. Now." Jack sternly said

"Why? Because you've been apologizing to the world lately?" Mason asked

"Jesse Keith, that's enough. I won't have a disrespectful son." Missie said firmly. "You know it's part of his 12-"

Mason rolled his eyes at his mother. "His 12 steps. I know that."

"Do you have something you want to say to me?" Jack stepped closer to his son. "Do you... have something... you want to say to me?"

"Nope." Mason said

"Go do what your father said." Missie said. "And don't you ever roll your eyes at me again."

"It was embarrassing to watch you behave just like you did." Jack said

"I know the feeling well." Mason said

____

"Before he died, we were in a really good place. Brooke was there when she and mom got the news that he died, I wasn't. I was off at a party." Mason said. "It still haunts me."

"Kid, life's too short to hold on to regrets. Trust me, I know. Now, I didn't know your dad, but I think he would want you to find a way to find peace." Johnny said

Mason gave a nod to Johnny and stood up and the two of them shook hands. "Thanks Johnny. It felt good to talk to someone."

"Anytime man." Johnny said. "I'll always have your back."

Mason went out in the main dojo with Brooke and Miguel to converse with them, and Johnny watched through the window of his office. He failed Robby, but he wouldn't fail these three. No way. No how.

･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･

Johnny and Miguel began training again, while Brooke and Mason sat on the bench and watched and Miguel was punching black gloves that Johnny wore. "What's the way of the fist?" Johnny asked

"Strike hard," Miguel said as he did a round kick

"There's only one reason to hit someone. To inflict pain. Striking hard is about giving it your all." Johnny stated.

Brooke and Mason furrowed their eyebrows at the statement. They were taught by their mother, Daniel, and even Mr. Miyagi, that the secret to karate lies in the mind and heart, not in the hands. They were also taught that karate is for self defense only.

The bell above the door rang, making Brooke, Mason, and Miguel turn their heads, while Johnny just groaned in annoyance. "What the hell?" Johnny muttered. "No yoga till five. No matter how bad you need it." Johnny said, annoyed.

Brooke and Mason saw aisha standing awkwardly in the doorway. "Aisha!" Brooke exclaimed happily as she ran over and embraced her close friend. "Hi!"

"Hey Brooke." Aisha smiled. "You and Jess take karate here?"

"No, it's not our thing." Brooke said. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm actually here for karate." Aisha said, then looked at Johnny. "It said there was supposed to be a session today."

"I appreciate you coming in, but there are no girls in Cobra Kai." Johnny said. Brooke looked at Johnny with her brow raised, while Miguel and Jesse looked at him strangely.

"Why not?" Aisha asked

This statement truly pissed Brooke off. When Bobby, Tommy, and Jimmy would visit Missie and Jack in Chicago, and Kathy and Lana would come over with Whitney, Kaitlin, and Farrah, they would play fight with the twins and the girls, and teach them moves. On several occasions, Brooke kicked their asses. However, Whitney, Kaitlin, and Farrah were always too afraid they were going to break a nail, or even mess up their hair, but they still loved their uncles anyway.

"Same reason there aren't women in the army. Doesn't make sense." Johnny said

Brooke scoffed and rolled her eyes in annoyance. "All right blondie, let's go have a little chat. Aisha, excuse us for like 2 minutes."

Johnny, Brooke, Mason, and Miguel walked into the office, and she slammed the door and folded her arms over her chest. "If I were you, I would watch what I said. She's pissed." Mason said

"Don't give me that sexist bullshit. I'm just saying women aren't meant to fight. They have tiny hollow bones." Johnny said

Brooke scoffed and rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Tiny hollow bones? are you fucking kidding me? I kicked uncles Bobby, Jimmy, and Tommy's asses on several occasions so—"

"She's not lying." Mason said as he grabbed a beer from Johnny's mini fridge. "Besides aren't you desperate for new students?"

"Yes, but this isn't a knitting class. This is a dojo." Johnny said

"The kids at school call her names and make fun of her–" Miguel said

"That's what happens when you eat an entire box of twinkies everyday." Johnny said

Brooke rolled her eyes, then scoffed. "Are you done? Just because someone is overweight doesn't mean they eat an entire box of twinkies everyday."

"Her dad is Isaiah Robinson, hall of fame lineman for the chargers." Miguel said

"Yeah, so you're saying it's genetic? Her love of twinkies comes from her dad?" Johnny sarcastically asked

"What? No! I'm saying her family is loaded, and she's a paying customer." Miguel said

"But you don't need the money, right?" Brooke asked

Johnny nodded as he, Brooke, Mason, and Miguel walked into the dojo. "Ok, take off your shoes. Hop on the mat." the blonde said. "Okay, after further review, I've decided to allow female students." he said making Aisha smile. "But if you wanna be in Cobra Kai, you can't act like a girl."

"What do you mean? how do girls act?" Aisha asked.

"Don't give me that. You know, all emotional, loud, complain-y. Never letting you finish a sentence." Johnny said.

Brooke folded her arms over her chest. "Excuse you?"

"All right, apart from you kiddo." Johnny said

"That description fits you well." Mason said

"Shut the fuck up, stupid." Brooke said as she rolled her eyes in annoyance and flipped her brother off and Mason laughed

"I know a few guys..." Aisha started

"Quiet!" Johnny shouted, making Brooke and Aisha jump slightly

"My student tells me you've been harassed at school." Johnny said

"Yeah. Mostly online. I—I get mean texts and e-mails sent to me. makes me not wanna go." Aisha said as Brooke and Miguel looked at her with sympathy.

"And who sent you these messages?" Johnny questioned.

"Well, they're mostly anonymous. These kids create fake accounts, and they tell me things like I'm ugly and that I should kill myself." Aisha said.

Johnny gave her a look of disbelief. "Oh my God. What a bunch of pussies! Back in my day, if you wanted to tease someone, you did it to their face. There was honor, respect. These geeks hiding behind their computers, what a bunch of spineless losers. You're not afraid of these losers, are you?"

Aisha shook her head. "No."

"You gonna take shit from these losers?" Johnny asked again

"No." Aisha said sternly.

"Good, because when I'm done with you, you're gonna be sending a message back. Only it's not gonna be with your keyboard. It's gonna be with your fists." Johnny said putting his hands in a fist motion making the kids smile at Johnny

"Ok, let's see what you got, Ms. Robinson." Johnny said. "Face me. Bow. Face each other. Bow." They did as they were told. "Mr. Diaz, show her everything you've learned."

"Wait, wait. I don't think this is right, sensei." Miguel said, looking at Johnny

"You don't think what's right?" Johnny asked, confused

"She's a girl. I'm not gonna..." Miguel said

"And? I thought you said women were equal to men." Johnny said

"I did say that. I didn't mean like that. I meant.." Miguel started, but was cut off by Johnny

"Then show her women are equal, and give her everything you've got." Johnny said

"Wait. I just wanna remind everyone this is my first day." Aisha said looking at Johnny and Miguel

"Your enemies don't care what day it is. They prey on weakness. If you wanna beat them, you gotta conquer your fears and jump face first into the fire." Johnny said sternly. "Are you ready, Ms. Robinson?"

"I guess." Aisha said

"Are you ready Mr. Diaz?" Johnny asked

"Fight!" Johnny shouted. "Don't just stand there. Fight!"

Brooke felt her phone vibrate inside her purse. After unzipping her purse, she reached inside and grabbed her phone, to find a message from Landon.

Landon ❤️

We still on for Friday night at
Golf N' Stuff?

Still as planned 😘.
Diner after for burgers
and funnel cakes?

Sure thing 😘

･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･

Later on, Johnny was closing up the dojo. "Hey, I'm going next door. Would you like me to grab you two anything?" Johnny asked the twins

"Oh we'll come with you." Brooke said as she put her purse strap over her shoulder, and Johnny nodded.

"Hey, I'm sorry about the tiny hollow bones comment." Johnny said

"Well, someone had to put you in your place." Brooke  said.

"Yeah, you have your mom's attitude." Johnny said. "I can't tell you how many times she told me off."

"You should see Brooke when she's really pissed." Mason said

"Nah thanks. Don't think I want to." Johnny laughed

The three walked out of the dojo and down the street to the mini mart, where Johnny held the door open for the two. Brooke grabbed a cherry coke for herself and for her mother, and Jesse grabbed a regular coke and some snacks

"You got any red spray paint?" Daniel asked the cashier

"Keep it in the back. Otherwise, the kids will steal it." the cashier replied

"I got a little art project. Big canvas, right on ventura boulevard." Daniel said

"Watch him for me will you?" the cashier asked Daniel looking at Johnny.

"Yeah, no problem." Daniel replied

Brooke and Mason walked towards Johnny, and stood next to him, and looked at Daniel. "Hi uncle Dan." Brooke smiled

"Hey uncle Dan." Mason smiled

"Hey kiddos." Daniel said

"What are you doing here?" Johnny asked

"Oh, just checking the neighborhood. I was actually considering opening up a dealership on this side of town, but now I don't, know man. The rent seems to be going crazy out of control. Frankly, I don't know how to afford it, small business like yours. More power to you." Daniel said as he shook his head in fake disbelief, then turned to the cashier. "You know, on second thought, I don't need the paint. I'm sorry. I'll just take the gum here, and put that guy's beer and my niece and nephew's snacks and drinks on my tab. Looks like that guy's had a rough day."

Brooke, Mason, and Johnny left the mini mart. After saying goodbye to Johnny, the Pearson twins got in the chevelle and headed home.