___

"ABSOLUTELY not," Cameron refused.

She stood rigid in Johnny's surprisingly clean apartment. He sat around his table with a beer in hand.

Johnny stared in disbelief, "Come on, with everything I've done for you, I'm asking this one favour."

"This is a big favour. Robby and Miguel despise each other. Need I remind you one of them was in a coma and the other put them there? And if that wasn't clear, It was your son who put –" Cameron's rant was cut short.

Johnny waved his available hand up, "Okay, I get it. I just need them to make up and be friends."

"Why now? Is it because we don't have a dojo anymore? Well we hardly had one to begin with, it was just a warehouse, but still, that shouldn't be the driving factor," her eyes narrowed as she at him.

Pushing her glasses up she looked around the living room in intrigue. Yes, it was clean, but he was never known for his cleanliness. It was too clean.

Johnny shifted under her suspicion, "It's not."

She stepped closer, "Then what is?"

"Promise to keep a secret?" Johnny asked, seemingly nervous

She cocked her head to the side, "Depends, it's not illegal is it?"

"Says the one who's taken apart in more brawls than I've had beers today."

"Touché," she raised her hands in surrender.

After taking a quick gulp, Johnny confessed, "Carmen's pregnant."

Cameron reeled back in shock, "What? Wait... oh my god. Is she keeping it?"

"What the hell? Of course she is," Johnny spluttered out.

"Had to ask, especially in today's economy. Did you know it's $233,610 on average to raise a kid? Crazy." Excitement came over her. She missed the worry on Johnny's face. "But congratulations. That kid is gonna be beautiful, you know, considering how Carmen looks." She quickly added, swinging his offended expression, "And you too. You looked amazing in your day."

"Not helping."

"So does that mean I'll be an aunty?" She jumped in joy, startling him. "Oh my god, Aunty Roni. No, CJ. Nope, I think Cami would be better."

He rose from his chair, leaving the beer behind, "You have months to decide on that, Cameron, but now I need your help."

"Wait..." Cameron awkwardly patted him on the back. "We don't hug, so this is the next best thing. That or I'd buy you a pack of beer like you did for me."

"Deal. Great gift." He patted her back. "Now, I need you to convince Miguel you're busy later today."

She rapidly shook her head, "Can't."

"And why not?"

"Because I'm taking him to the movies later. It's my treat."

"Cancel that," he left no room for argument.

Her mouth gaped open, "But –"

"You'll get to be godmother," He rushed out.

The shrill scream she let out made Johnny shudder.

"Really?" She asked, then slapped a hand over her mouth.

"No, you're like my third child," Johnny watched her shoulders deflate as well as her mood. "And Godmother would obviously be your mom or even Amanda."

She glared, dropping her hand, "Fine, fuck you. That hurt my feelings."

"Yeah, whatever. Have you taken your meds today?" He smoothly asked.

"Yes. why?" She wondered aloud, still annoyed by him playing her.

"Just checking in."

Knowing the range of experiences Cameron has gone through recently, including losing All-Valley and Miguel going to Mexico and then returning and then getting back together, was a lot. He knew that and he was concerned. He loved the kid and he just wanted to know she was doing good.

She dropped the glare and huffed, "I'll help you with this plan if you let me help with names. I assume you didn't name Robby."

He raised a brow, "Your assumption is correct."

"Okay, but if this backfires, I'll tell Carmen you made me cry," she pointed at him as she backed away.

His eyes practically bulged out his head, "You wouldn't."

"Try me." She smirked, "bye, Johnny."

He shook his head, watching her leave only a small smile to appear on his face when she was out of sight.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

"CARMEN and Johnny? No way. I mean, Miguel and Robby sharing a sibling, that's gonna be hell," Lily voiced after feeling the news.

She lay across Cameron's bed as Cameron was stretching on her yoga mat on the floor.

"Unless you know they make up but that's a long shot," Cameron said, strained as she moved into a split. "I promise Johnny that I ditch Miguel so he can take them out... which is so dumb."

Lily rolled onto her stomach, sitting up on her forearms and stated, "Exactly. But you and me made up over a shake."

"But you didn't try to kill me." Cameron pointed out. Lily nodded. "Accident or not there was so much tension between Miguel and Robby even before the school fight."

"True, besides wasn't Robby flirting with you at the bonfire?" Lily said, teasingly.

Cameron scoffed, "He was not flirting."

"Whatever you say," Lily sang.

Rolling her eyes, Cameron asked, "And what's Eli gonna think?"

She leaned to her side, stretching as she rested her body on her left leg.

"Oh he's gonna hate the idea of those two making up," Lily knew her boyfriend was going to have a fit.

Cameron switched sides and leaned on the right leg as she insinuated, "And that's where you come in. Cheering him up with your... services."

"Girl," Lily deadpanned.

Cameron sat up, and spoke pointedly, "What? I know you two get down and dirty. I knew that before you traumatised me with a but dial."

Lily gritted, "How many times must I apologise for that?"

"I only accept money and food, you know that," Cameron retorted.

"Whatever. And Eli, whenever he's mad, goes sparring."

"I know the feeling."

Lily studied her best friend, making her shuffle closer as Cameron kept stretching on her Yoga mat. She was still very worried about her, maybe because Cameron wasn't on some rampage or bullying people like she did the previous year, but she seemed calm to Lily, to everyone really.

"Hey, are you still training?" Lily blurted out.

"With weapons. Relax — it's not like that," Cameron leaned back on her hands, waving off Lily's shocked face. "It's just Sai's. They're blunt weapons. Miguel helps me. But with Johnny trying to get him and Robby in the same room without tearing into each other, he might take them off of me."

Lily chuckled.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

"SO I'm guessing the lunch didn't go as planned," Cameron noted, seeing Miguel's annoyance after he let her into his bedroom.

"What do you think?" Miguel retorted, running a hand through his hair, joining her on his bed. "And did you really have plans? Did you trick me into making up with Robby?"

She avoided his gaze when he stared at her, and explained, "I thought I was doing the right thing, Johnny said to you two are gonna need to be friends."

His face scrunched up in annoyance, "Why? We're never gonna be friends and you hate him."

"I despise him, yes. But you two —"

"What about you and Tory huh?" Cameron tensed at the mention of the girl proving his point. "You hate her and I don't like her for what she did to you. Humiliating you like that by forcing you to do drug tests."

She muttered, a tired gaze flickering over to him, "I remember Miguel."

"Good because then you remember me being in a wheelchair because of Robby," he stressed.

She winced at the memory, "Of course, I remember."

"Then you also remember him flirting with you," his remark made her crane her neck to the side to look at him in shock.

"He was not flirting with me," she repeated for the second time today.

"He was, everyone knows. And now we don't need to talk about it. We still have time to go on our date. Now can we go? I just want to spend time with my girlfriend without it getting interrupted?" He pressed, waiting for her answer.

Cameron took his hand in hers, "Mig, I'm not trying to force you into anything I just thought it would... I don't know. But I'm sorry."

He silently nodded, then sighed when he felt his phone go off.

"What now?" He mumbled, then saw a text from Johnny. "I gotta go. Apparently, he wants to apologise."

"Mig..." she leaned forward, "I'm sorry for pushing you into something you don't want to do. I should've just respected your decision. I just think Johnny means well," she tried saying without going into the truth. "I love you."

"I love you too," he forgot the message for a second as they shared a kiss. "I just want to stay with you. I don't want nothing and no one else." His words made her heart flutter. "And honestly, seeing you all apologetic is hot."

She sheepishly smiled, "Anything I do is hot."

"Yes it is," he grinned against her lips, moving his head to capture them again.

"Now the quicker you go," she reluctantly pushed him back, trying to ignore the groan he let out, "the quicker we can return to this, I promise."

"Alright," he shook his head, readying him to leave her. She laughed at his actions. "You gonna stay or..."

"Can't, I need to plan a girl's day with my Anala and Lily."

He teased, "Look at you being all social."

"Shut up and go."

"Love you," he called out as he moved to the door.

"Love you too."

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

"MONDAY I'm busy going to R. F. Kuang's book signing," Anala informed sitting across from Cameron and Lily in a cute café.

Various coffees sat on the table separating them.

"I'm going to that on Tuesday with my mom," Cameron stated, going through her calendar.

A smirk tugged at Lily's lips, "Are you going with anyone 'Nala?"

Anala nodded, "I invited Sam."

The best friends exchanged a knowing look.

"Shocking," Lily remarked.

Anala squinted her eyes at them, "I detect sarcasm."

"Your detection is correct. So is she coming with you?" Lily pressed.

Taking a sip of her latte, Anala eventually said, "I don't think so. Since Mr and Mrs LaRusso's big argument, we haven't been talking much." She then lowered her voice, "I don't think she wants to talk to me."

Seeing the doubt flash across her face, Cameron cut in, "Give her time. She'll talk when she's ready."

Lily turned to her,  "You're oddly getting along with her."

Cameron innocently shrugged, "Building bridges and such."

"I'm proud of you," Lily playfully nudged.

"Yeah yeah. Now what about Wednesday?"

Lily shook her head, "Can't I have a date night with Eli."

"And my mom, dad and I are going to see some of my family," Anala added.

Cameron suggested, "Friday?"

"Umm..." Lily started to check.

As did Anala, "Wait..."

"Friday's good," they both agreed.

Cameron smiled, "Friday it is."

Shortly after, Cameron decided to make her way back to her boyfriend's apartment wondering what insane plan Johnny had for Miguel and Robby this time.

But when she finally approached, her eyes doubled in size and her mouth gaped open when she saw Miguel and Robby fighting at the edge of the first-floor balcony.

She was frozen, dragged kicking and screaming back into the memories she wanted to forget. Memories of the junior year fight she had nightmares about. It was the reason Miguel was in a coma, why Robby had gone to juvie. The source of part of her terror and why she inflicted it onto so many others.

She hardly heard their revolution and celebration of their new sibling when Johnny joined them and blurted it out.

"Roni?!" Miguel's voice broke her out of her trance.

She snapped her gaze away, only then feeling a tear trickle down her cheek making her hastily wipe it away.

His feet carried him down the stairs and over to her.

"Hey, hey, I know those tears aren't because of the baby because Johnny told me that you already know." He tried to lighten the mood, moving her away from prying eyes. His face was slightly bruised. "Amor, nothing happened. Well, apart from me and Robby almost killing each other again."

"I saw, I just thought," she stammered, "I didn't think you'd push him off the balcony. It just made me think of when you fell."

"I mean, it would make us even if he did," Robby's voice reached him as the couple. His nose was slightly bloodied. But his smile was bright. He was going to be a big brother. "I guess I could give him that."

Miguel shook his head in amusement.

That shocked her once again. They were getting along. Relating to each other. It was all so weird.

"Yeah, there's nothing to worry about James," Johnny cautiously approached. "My plan worked."

"You two being big brothers, god help the baby if it's a girl," Cameron commented, making them all laugh. "Congratulations though."

"Thanks," the boys said.

"And I guess it's time to expand your family tree," Her comments really lightened the mood.

"So food?" Johnny had brought the food from the restaurant to them, seeing that he knew he would like it so much.

Cameron was still unsure about staying since she was a little shaken up. She remained outside, reassuring Miguel and Johnny who returned to the Diaz residence.

Robby thought he would make the effort and join her for a breather.

"Hey," He approached her, and she leaned against the wall.

She mustered up a smile, "Hey, did you enjoy getting that out of your system?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I did," he admitted. It was long overdue.

"Good. And can I just say how much I'm glad you got rid of that fuck ass bob," She expressed, drawing a small laugh from Robby.

"Yeah, you've said," he rocked on his heels as he shrugged it off.

"Sorry."

"It's fine."

"No, I'm sorry," she repeated, with genuinity to her tone, leaving him to believe she wasn't talking about the sly dig.

"For what?"

She took a moment to respond, and when she did she turned her body to face him, "For starters, I said your life was going to shit at prom. I shouldn't have," she noted the change of his demeanour. He stiffened slightly. "That was cruel. I was just angry and you didn't start shit. And I'm sorry for not telling my cousin to back off when it came to you. Before the school fight you were always nice to me."

Robby winced, "Well I didn't make things better. You know, texting you after shaving... you know."

He referred to what he did to Eli, formerly Hawk.

She nodded in acknowledgement, "Yeah. That sucked."

"Cobra Kai makes you do sucky things."

"It brings out the worst in you. If I never joined we could've been friends I think. Maybe," her mouth twisted up in uncertainty.

Robby's eyes darted over her before he argued, "Well, um. I wasn't really trying to be your friend."

A small gasp escaped her, "What? Mean."

"No. I...uh, was flirting with you." he awkwardly laughed. She was stunned but recovered quickly. "Yeah I told Miguel before we started fighting and that really got him going," she stared at him slightly perplexed, "What? You're a pretty girl."

That she wouldn't deny.

"Wait, didn't you say at Moon's party that you weren't flirting with me?" She accused, recalling parts of that drunken night.

He innocently smiled, "I lied. I found you annoying then."

"Understood," she huffed out.

"And for what it's worth, at All-Valley you were amazing," he complimented. "Both times."

Cameron's tongue swiped over her teeth at the mention of the competition as the disappointment she felt washed over her once again. He also there was much more about that day that impacted her.

"Yeah, but it didn't work out," was all she could say. "I was distracted with a lot. I mean you were there, the whole drug test," she noticed him scrunch up his face. "What?"

"I'm sorry — I didn't cause that," he quickly explained, noticing her raise a brow. "I didn't even know you were on medication. Even if I did know, I wouldn't do that." Cameron gingerly nodded, although she didn't say anything. "For what it's worth, you didn't win, not because you weren't dangerous, you know that. Maybe you're not supposed to be a dangerous fighter, just a dangerous and unpredictable opponent," Robby gave her something to think about.

She slowly nodded, "Huh, maybe you're right."

"Now let's eat before your boyfriend gets mad."

Cameron laughed as they went inside.

They quickly dug into the meal Johnny had prepared for them.

"Wow. You weren't kidding about these breadsticks, Dad," Robby said between bites.

He and Miguel were on either side of Cameron.

"I wouldn't lie to you...three times in the same day," Johnny spoke, remaining stood up as he chewed his food.

Cameron gestured to the pile in front of them, "I'm taking some of these home."

"Not if I eat them all first," Robby teased.

"No," Cameron whined, shooting him a warning look.

Johnny glanced between them, and asked, "Am I gonna need to worry about you guys fighting too... again?"

Cameron shrugged, "As long as he doesn't use my markers."

"Wasn't thinking about using them," Robby countered.

She rolled her eyes, "Sure."

Miguel implored Robby, "Just say you won't man."

Noting how serious the couple was, Robby caved, "Fine I won't."

"Good," Cameron said triumphantly, amusing the room.

Carmen entered the home, sporting her work uniform. She was shocked to see them all enjoying each other's company.

"Hi," she dragged out as the door shut behind her.

"Hi Carmen," Cameron said absentmindedly.

"Hi, Mrs Diaz," Robby hid his nerves well. Miguel looked between them cheekily, "I hope it's cool that I'm here."

"It's very cool." Carmen said, with a nod, "You're welcome anytime here, Robby." she gently touched his shoulder. She then kissed the side of Cameron's head, before doing the same with her son. "Hola Amor."

Miguel smiled, "Hola."

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

"YOU know you're gonna have to make it up to me. Another date," Miguel's arm draped across Cameron's shoulder as they strolled up to her house. She had a bag of the remaining breadsticks that the rest of the family agreed for her to take so her mom could try them. "I mean it," she giggled as he peppered kisses over her face. "No interruptions and no – who is that coming out of your house?" Cameron's head snapped in that direction, her face screwed up when her mom hugged a tall fair-skinned guy. His hair was shoulder length and his smile seemed kind from the distance they were standing at. "He literally looks like a white version of your dad but with hair."

"What the hell?"

"Roni, wait – and she's gone," he chased after her, stopping just in front of the startled tall guy.

From this close-up, he had dashing looks and a big build.

He could squash them if he wanted.

"Who are you and why did you hug my mom outside our home?" Cameron blurted. 

He let out a small laugh, "You must be Cameron, Alexis' daughter," he introduced, "I'm Evan Marin-Smith."

Miguel said without thinking, "Sound rich."

"Miguel," Cameron nudged him.

"Sorry, I'm Miguel," Miguel greeted, sticking his hand out, and receiving a nice firm shake.

"Cameron's boyfriend. Your mom told me," Evan's eyes dragged back over to Cameron, once he let go of Miguel's hand. "Nice to meet both of you."

"Mom!" Cameron yelled as she strode past him and reached for her keys.

Evan and Miguel stood awkwardly, then exchanged a nod and went their separate ways.

"I'll leave you two to catch up, love you bye," Miguel squeaked out as she disappeared into her house.

Cameron let the door slam behind her, catching her mom's attention.

Alexis was wearing a nice co-ord, her locs were down and her face was glowing, creating some unease in Cameron's stomach.

"Mom, who was the white version of dad I met a minute ago?" she rushed out, settling the bag of breadsticks on the kitchen table, that also held up a bottle of wine and two unfinished glasses.

Alexis avoided the question by asking, "Hey, Cami how was your day?"

Folding her arms, Cameron took a second to answer, "Miguel and Robby made up after almost throwing each other off the apartment complex building." She then repeated, "Who was the white version of dad I met a minute ago?"

"Evan Marin-Smith," Alexis responded, earning a deadpanned expression.

"I know he's the one with the rich-sounding name."

Alexis fiddled with her hands as she began to explain, "He's someone I met in group therapy. He lost his wife around the same time I lost your dad." she admitted, knowing how this all looked to her daughter. "We... actually came up with a list of things we never got to do with our spouses and we're trying to complete it." She gestured to the wine on the table. "I know it might look messed up but it's completely innocent and I would never date anyone so soon after your dad. I can't even imagine doing that." The feeling didn't sit right with her, she still wore her wedding ring. She couldn't bear to take it off, only to wash dishes and shower. Not being able to stand the silence, she softly asked her daughter, "Honey?"

"Well... um," Cameron swallowed the knot in her throat. She thought it would be worse. She thought the dread gripping her would be harder to process. But the reality was nicer, although she was scared, only for a moment. "No, I get it. If you're comfortable being around him, and this is a way of healing and processing your feelings then I'll support it. Even though he looks like a white version of Dad."

Alexis choked out a chuckle, "He does not. Stop saying that"

"Miguel's words, not mine," Cameron murmured.

"Okay, whatever."

"But you do know it's natural to develop feelings when you're constantly around someone," Cameron carried on.

"Friendship. Platonic," Alexis reiterated.

"Whatever you say." Cameron then asked, "Is he rich?"

"Cameron Nia James," Alexis scolded.

Cameron pressed, "Is that a yes?"

"No."

"He's broke?" the gasp that escaped Cameron, made her mom laugh.

"No, he owns shares in Google," Alexis confessed rather quietly. "Don't repeat that he told me in confidence."

"Well, he's welcome to come around and share his wealth any time."

"Cameron."

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

a/n:

i know in the show carmen quickly welcomed robby into her home, but that boy almost killed her son. i know it was an accident but i'm shocked she wasn't slightly reserved about it. also, the fact this woman is pregnant by a man who's the most unstable man ever... wouldn't she consider her options? i don't like how she isn't given much agency. after the year she's had with miguel and lowkey being in debt from his medical bills, surely she wouldn't want added pressure by keeping a kid. besides it would've been better to show robby and miguel coming together as brothers naturally no? netflix shows throw in pregnancy as a plaster for angst.

i guess it was tricky trying to navigate how i would want cameron to view robby from this moment on. she has her reservations for sure, especially since she is miguel's girlfriend and one of eli's best friends. last season she and robby literally fought so she is mostly advocating for peace because of the baby and for carmen's peace -- not wanting to stress out a pregnant woman.

speaking of mums... i wanted to introduce someone who would understand alexis' feelings. a fellow widower would get that more than anything. once again, i would like to remind everyone that it has been a bit over year since blake passed away. it's still very fresh. but in the world of cobra kai, everything moves at a mile a minute. so her moving on wouldn't be out of the ordinary, i just wouldn't write it in a season where her daughter is bargaining with her feelings.