Johnny sat around, at his old house, with his best friends. They sat around talking and drinking a couple of beers (they truly limited themselves to just two), as they've always done in the past. Except today is different. For one they're all graduated. For two it's his wedding day, sort of, again. Which is wonderful because the memories of the first one are a little sketchy.
The minute Ava returned home from prom shopping, and told him about that dress, he knew. He knew they needed to reseal their deal. Was he sneaky and a little mischievous about the whole thing? Maybe. But that's the fun part of a surprise, and his wife's life should be full of good surprises. She deserves it.
As he thought about it, that was when Bobby pointed out "We made it, didn't we? We graduated and here we are. Our best friend is getting married, again. We made it through all the hard times, the breakups, the letdowns, the confusion, the fighting, the detentions, and the jealousy. We made it through all of that and here we are." Feeling sentimental, Dutch hugged him.
Jimmy nodded his head. "Every song ends. So you just enjoy the music until a new one begins. I don't know where we'll all be in five years, but I hope it's together." Dutch hugged him too.
Standing up, Dutch wiped at his eyes and sniffed. "OK, OK. Enough of this mushy talk." He sniffed again. "This is one of those times I'm going to be real. I don't say things like this often, but--- I love you guys. We all have siblings, except you Johnny, but all of you are my family. You're my brothers. At the end of the day, I'd get into a fight for any of you." He looked at Bobby. "You're right Bobby. We made it through to the end, as true friends. We accept each other, but we've also been there for each other--- thick and thin. That's why I know we're all best friends for life."
They saluted each other with beer. Tommy, being Tommy, said, "I was just an innocent boy, then my best friends came along." They all laughed.
But Jimmy informed him "Innocent Man? Really? You're the sneakiest of us all." Tommy high-fived him.
This only left Johnny, who hasn't spoken. "We've been friends for so long I can't remember which one of us is the worst influence." He put his beer can down and shared "Everything Dutch said is how I feel. But the truth is I don't like graduation. That means high school is over and each of us is headed in different directions. Jimmy and Tommy are going to UCLA. Dutch, you're going to Stanford. That just leaves Bobby with me at Pepperdine. And we have to start all over again. I don't like that. I don't like the five of us being split up."
So sitting in Johnny's living room, they made a pact. Even though they're all headed in different directions, "This is not a breakup," Tommy acknowledged. "This is the beginning of new opportunities. I could have a million friends, but there's only four that matter. True friendship is when we can walk in different directions, but still, be side-by-side. And that's you guys."
No matter where life takes them, they will always have each other. They'll also have the Thursday night dinners at Johnny's house, which is part of their agreement. He just hopes he remembers to tell her about that in the midst of all that's going on.
Hearing the garage door open, they began cleaning up their mess. His mother entered the house and found them straightening up things. Johnny looked at her with questioning eyes. "I just left the spa. Ava is even more beautiful than she already is," Laura bragged.
Not being able to help it, he asked "Was she surprised? It's not too overwhelming for her is it?" He hopes he did the right thing with all of this.
Smiling at him, his mom walked over and drew him in for a hug. When she released him, her words reassured his heart and calmed his nerves. "Oh no, my Baby. Surprised, yes, but in a very good way. Now let's get you all rounded up and over to Jack and Irene's." She walked out of the room to go find Sid and get him sorted out as well.
Johnny headed up to his old room, grabbed his tux bag and shoes. He also took a necklace box from the top of the bedside table. He purchased it for Ava, a few weeks ago. A classic design with a teardrop diamond pendant surrounded by a shimmering pave halo. It sits on a longer chain, that both Rachel and Dawn assure him will look stunning with her dress. Once he put the box in the bag with his tux, he left to go downstairs.
With the guy's tuxes in hand, they all loaded up into their vehicles and drove over to Jack and Irene's. They exited and started to walk inside, but Laura stopped them. "Let me go in and announce you're all here. I know you're already married but I don't think Ava wants you to see her. At least until she's walking down the aisle. Unless you're OK with that."
He knew she wouldn't want him to see her, because she'd start crying. Then it would ruin her makeup and then she'd be upset about it. He doesn't want her upset. This is a happy day, even though he's as nervous as a seal in front of sharks.
When his mother came back, she led them to a room over to the side of the grand foyer (which has now been decked out with flowers). It's there Irene met them. She marched right over to Johnny and gave him a hug. Then she put her eyes on the guys. "These nice young men must be your friends." He introduced her to them and they all shook her hand. As she led them to a large guest room, she took his arm and told him about Ava.
"She looks so pretty Johnny. What you did for her, by planning all of this, is one of the grandest gestures I've ever seen. When she realized what you had done, she was speechless. But that's not to be outdone by her father. When he understood what all of this means, well... If there's any doubt that Nick doesn't care for you, you can put that to rest." She squeezed his arm and opened a door. "This is where you will all change. Marvin will bring you a tray of finger foods, to snack on. The photographer will be here in thirty minutes." She left them to get ready.
It was now after two-thirty. Their renewal ceremony will start at five. Ava had heard the cars pulling up. Johnny was here! She had just put on her shoes when her mother-in-law entered the room. She wore a gorgeous, knee-length, beaded cocktail dress in a beige biscotti color. It compliments her blonde hair and goes great with the overall color scheme. A box is clutched tightly in her hands. Ava saw her face light up at seeing her in the wedding dress.
Laura walked over and admired her daughter-in-law. "I told myself I wasn't going to cry this early, but I don't think I can help it." Her hand went to wipe a few stray tears. "Of all the girls my son could have chosen, I am so glad he chose you to be my daughter-in-law. I couldn't imagine a more perfect one than you." She kissed Ava's cheek and wiped a few more tears away. Ava just fanned her eyes and blinked back her own tears. Holding out the box, Laura presented it to her. "This is from Johnny. He wanted you to have it. It's your something new."
Taking it in her shaky hands, she opened the box. A hand raised to her mouth. She mumbled, "It's lovely." Looking up at Laura, she told her "He's already done so much. He didn't have to buy me this too."
Laura took the box and removed the necklace. She began putting it around Ava's neck. "He loves you. Love does that, moves people to buy nice things for the one they love." With the delicate necklace in place, Ava clutched the diamond on her chest.
Her mother-in-law announced, "I'm going to go back to my son. Is there anything you'd like me to tell to him?"
She thought for a moment. "Yes. Tell him, or specifically them, that Dutch and Tommy better not make farting noises during the ceremony or I'm going to turn them over to my father and grandfather's."
Laura laughed and told her she'd relay that message. After she left, her mother and two grandmothers came in. Just like her mother-in-law, she noticed her mother wearing a tea-length dress as well. Whereas Laura's dress was a beige color, Linda's is light pink. It's an off-the-shoulder, floral, embroidered dress. It has a full, tulle pleated skirt and feminine silhouette. It fits her mother nicely.
Then Ava remembered something important. "Mother! Chase is going to behave right? I will just die if he ruins this day."
Her Grandmother Irene answered that question. "Your grandfather has already put him in his place. You don't have to worry about him or anything."
Ava released the discomforting breath she had been holding. Then it was her mom and grandmother's turn to gush over her. With her bridesmaids by her side, her mother decided it was time to make her daughter cry. "I always somehow knew Johnny would be the one to love you with all his heart. I knew he would be the man who will uplift, encourage, and love you as much as your father and I do. I thought I wouldn't get to have this day with you since you both eloped. But here we are and I just hope your marriage will continue to grow and thrive. Congrats on finding true love my dearest daughter."
Wiping the tears carefully away, she resumed fanning her face. Then Grandmama Anna Beth presented her with something old. "These were my mother's earrings. I know she'd want you to have them." She helped put the dangling diamond earrings in her ears and kissed her cheek.
Grandma Irene gave her something borrowed and blue. "This is one of my favorite bracelets. I think it will go nicely with your dress and the one Johnny gave you." She clasped the blue topaz one on Ava's arm.
With everyone assembled and ready, the photographer came to get them. Picture after picture was taken with her bridesmaids, both families, the whole wedding party, and the groomsmen. Now the thing about the guys is Ava has just learned to roll with it. One of them will always do something, or say something, inappropriate. It just happens.
So when Jimmy handed her a beer bottle, she didn't question it but did wonder what it was for. Little did she know, they all had beer bottles. One of the pictures with them is of them drinking a beer together. That is SO them and Johnny. Other pictures with guys included: them leaning in to give her kisses, them all holding her long train, them holding her up in the air (she threatened them if they dropped her), and her holding her dress up to show her leg with them holding a pants leg up (because they all wore "fun" socks). And she has to admit, it was all very entertaining.
But then Dutch told her "Stay right here and close your eyes. Stay turned just like that. Don't turn around, or try to peek, until we tell you to." She heard the sound of feet walking off and had no idea what was happening. Her mind was racing with thoughts until she felt something being placed in her hands. From the feel of it, she had an idea of what it is. "OK. Open your eyes," Dutch said with apprehension in his voice.
Opening her eyes, she saw what she thought it wasâ Johnny's red Cobra Kai jacket. Stroking the jacket with her fingers, she squeezed her eyes shut. All the memories of this jacket flooded her mind. It's symbolic, a part of her husband... a part of them. Even though he hasn't worn it since the tournament, she's seen him reach for it on more than one occasion.
Turning around, she looked up and saw the guys wearing theirs. They haven't worn theirs either since then. Not being able to help it one little bit, her eyes teared up again. What they did, what this means is important. So she went to each one of them and gave them a kiss on their cheek. Then she brought the jacket up to her nose and inhaled. It smelled like him.
Putting the jacket on, she remarked "All I need now is his black headband." Sneaky smiles graced the guy's faces.
"Well, about that," Bobby chimed in. He reached into his pocket and brought out the black headband. He gave it to her.
Shaking her head, she knew exactly where it should go. This time she told them "Turn around and don't peak."
Dutch wasn't having this. "What's going on?" he wants to know.
As she tied the headband around her thigh, she teased "Nothing you need to know about yet." Instead of a garter, she has a black headband. All finished she had them turn around and take the final set of pictures, which in her opinion were some of the most important.
After the pictures were taken, she took the jacket off and held it. She couldn't stand it any longer. Turning to her mother, grandmothers, and the guys, she mentioned to them "I was wrong. I don't want to wait until the ceremony to see Johnny. We're already married. I want to see him now, but..." She told her idea and they all set off to do it.
Back inside, Grandma Irene went with the guys to explain Ava's idea to Johnny. Laura loved it and helped her son into his tux jacket. His tux is different from the "normal" groom's tuxes. While the pants and bow tie are black, his jacket is all white. It's very him. The fact he'll get to see his wife before the renewal ceremony is icing on this cake.
"How are you feeling Man?" asked Bobby. If it were him, he'd be sweating bullets.
Smirking, Johnny responded "I'm not as nervous as I what I would be if this were our first wedding. But I was drunk for that one. Even though I'm sober, I feel sweaty and hot. And by hot I don't mean good looking." He flapped the sides of his tux jacket to get air circulating in there.
Then his mother sprayed his hair with hairspray. That was it. He draws the line with that stuff. "I'm not a model Mom. I'm a man. I don't need that shâ stuff." She gave him "the mom" look as she put the spray down. Sid, for once, stepped up to do "fatherly" duties. He pinned the boutonnière on. And he made the room grow absolutely silent as he shook Johnny's hand.
But old Sid wasn't done yet. He passed on these words. "You're a good husband Johnny and she's a good woman, like your mother. Hold on to her." That may have been it, but it was enough. Speechless, Johnny just smiled. He's making it harder to hate him these days. While he may not "love" the old man, he hates him a little less every time he's around.
With a final check of the room, Grandma Irene led Johnny, his family, and groomsmen to the grand foyer. Both bridesmaids, grandfathers, Anna Beth, and Linda were already there waiting. Wedding guests were now being directed to go a different way to their seats, instead of through the house. This was more important than them. Irene had her grandson-in-law stand at the bottom of the grand staircase. "Now the question is, do you want to see her immediately or do you want to be surprised?"
That's a great question. "I want to be surprised," he announced with certainty. It's the first time he'll get to see his wife all decked out in her wedding dress. Of course, he wants to be surprised.
Irene patted his hand. She noted, "I always knew you were a romantic." After she directed him to close his eyes, she rang a bell. Out of nowhere, it seemed, Ava's favorite song began to play on the piano. Stand By Me has always been her favorite, and it's appropriate for them as a couple too. Johnny could hear Tommy whisper "Where the heck is that music coming from?" He chuckled. As soon as Ava and her father came into view, right at the very top of the stairs, Irene whispered "Open your eyes."
Slowly he opened them and lifted his head up. His mouth grew dry, his heart threatened to beat out of his chest, and a lump formed in his throat. The sunset has nothing on this moment compared to the beauty of seeing his wife. She was right. That dress was made for her. When her father kissed her cheek and she started walking towards him, down the stairs, he lost his cool.
With tears, he raced up the stairs to meet her. Taking both of her hands, he placed kisses on them. She did the same. And then it happened. On top of being surprised by everything that day, Johnny just had to throw in one more. Not caring that anyone heard, even the guys, he quoted to her "You're my sun, my moon, my guiding star. My kind of wonderful, that's what you are. I know there's only, only one like you. There's no way, they could have made two. You're all I'm living for. Your love I'll keep forevermore." The last part he sang. "You're the first, you're the last, my everything."
She fanned herself to try not to cry, but it was useless. To be fair there wasn't a dry eye in the room, even his friends were a little teary. All the women were done for. Until Chase yelled out "Kiss her Rat Face." Grandpa Jack clamped his hand over his mouth to hush him. For once, though, Chase said something worthwhile. So Johnny did just that, he kissed her. He kissed her until her insides were mush and her mascara had worked its waterproof magic. He left her breathless and it was beautiful. The photographer had captured everything, every little moment for posterity. And whistles rang out from their friends. It was amazing.
The renewal ceremony itself was lovely. It was officiated by Ava's church pastor and the vows were different from normal wedding vows. There was also no ring giving because they are already married. They just pledged to continue loving, honoring, and cherishing each other. And all the people who were there to celebrate them, which turned out to be over two hundred guests, gave roaring applause.
After many hugs, handshakes, and high-fives the majority of the guests had left. The renewal party, family, and honored friends made their way into the wedding tent. With the light ring of a bell, dinner was served. Marvin, of course, headed this up. It's like he had waited all of his life just for this moment. You could see it on his face. Each course went off without a hitch. It was perfection and a good lesson in hosting etiquette.
Once dinner was finished, the fun began. First, there were toasts. Bobby said a few words and so did Rachel. They were both sweet and sentimental. Before Bobby finished his toast, he said to the group "And now I want you to hear Johnny and Ava explain their love in their own words." Ava turned to look at Johnny. She has no idea what this is about since she doesn't recall writing anything down.
This is another surprise Johnny had for her. On a big screen, were pictures of the two of them growing up. But all of the pictures had been dubbed over with their voices. Sid had helped him with this, or rather he had the production company do it. Ava recognized the words playing. It was the very same words they had spoken out loud to their friends that one night when Jimmy said "I'm asking for a friend". She turned her head to look at him with such blinding love. He saw her and smiled back. Leaning over she kissed Johnny on the cheek.
As expected everyone laughed when Johnny could be heard saying "I know Ava's it for me. I love her in this huge let her change the radio station in my car, have the last slice of pizza, clean the toilets so she doesn't have to, sing You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling on top of a table in a karaoke bar, and take the cold side of the bed kind of love."
But then they also heard sweet sounds of "that is precious" when Johnny spoke again. This time he was declaring "IÂ love Ava because she feels like home. She's my home. I know what love is because of her. She loves me and teaches me, love. It's not always easy and sometimes very messy. We work hard at this thing called marriage every day, but I do it because I love her. I love her and want her every day, for the rest of my life."
Following the video, Johnny stood up with a microphone. "I'm not the best speaker but I love my wife. I've loved her for a long time. She's everything to me. Everything you heard me say on that video is true. But there are some things I'd like to add."
He turned to look at Ava. Then he got emotional. "Babe before I knew you and I first saw you, time stopped. It stood still. Just ask Tommy he was there." Tommy shook his head in agreement. "You don't find love. It finds you. I found you that summer day when you walked outside to get the mail. The thing is you didn't just get the mail. You got me too. And when I got my ass in gear and spoke to you, I fell in love with you. You're everything I ever wanted but never knew I needed. If someone were to ask me what my greatest achievement was, they'd probably expect me to say winning the All-Valley two years in a row. But that's wrong. My greatest achievement is you. I get to spend my life with an awesome babe like you every day. You're my best friend. You're my home. And I get to call you mine forever."
Tears streaming down her face, she kissed his knuckles. Then she stood up and took the microphone. Wiping her eyes, and catching her breath, she spoke. "Whew. Pardon my shaky voice and tears. I mean how can I follow that?" The group laughed. "Johnny, the day I met you I thought who is this adorkable, shy boy with gorgeous blonde hair. But then I got to know you and realized you're not shy at all." More laughter rang out because it's true.
He grabbed her free hand and held it. "The day I met you I also found my missing piece. I love you. I will love you now, I will love tomorrow, I will love you for the rest of my life. No matter what life puts me through, or puts us through, I will be here by your side. Because without you, without my missing piece, I'm just not me. I knew the second you spoke to me there was something about you I needed. But it wasn't something about you it was just you. I needed you and I still do."
Wiping her eyes with her grandmother's handkerchief, she felt moved to do something. He sang to her on the stairs, she can sing to him now. "When the night has come. And the land is dark. And the moon is the only light we'll see. No, I won't be afraid, no, I won't be afraid. Just as long as you stand, stand by me." Although it all came out with a shaky voice.
And as if in a movie, the song began to play. Johnny took her hand and led her to the dance floor, where they danced together. They were followed by other couples. But for them, they were lost in their own world of love.
"Johnny, everything you did to put all this together is incredible. The love that went into this is everything. That's one of the reasons why I love your love the most. Everything I said I meant, every word." She laid her head on his chest, as he spun her around.
Letting out a sigh of contentment, he responded. "I know. I know you love me you show me every day. But I also love you and that's why I wanted to do this. You do so much for people. I wanted to do something special for you. There's another thing. Tomorrow morning we leave for two weeks in Spain. We're finally going. And Grandpa Jack gave us an envelope of cash to spend. I told him not to, but he wouldn't listen."
That sounds like her grandfather. "So what you're saying is, I have to go home and pack for two weeks."
He chuckled. "Nope. Rachel, Dawn, and your mother already took care of that. When we get home all you have to do is hold me till morning comes. Better yet just hold me now wife."
Stopping mid-dance and glancing up at him, with his gorgeous toothy smile, she admitted "I'll hold you until the end of time, Johnny Lawrence. I'll hold you now, tomorrow, and forever."
As she laid her head back on his chest, and he twirled her around the floor, everything came into focus. This is his life, his family, his friends, and most of all his wife. In his arms is pure love. It took years to find her and get her back. He'll spend the rest of his life loving and holding her, with all his heart.
**Author's Note**
That's it. That's the end of Hold Me Now. Thank you all for reading and going on this journey with me. Be on the lookout for the final part of Johnny and Ava's story called In The Name Of Love. It will start with college and go through their life. You can expect it to be as long as this one. It won't ascribe closely to the story Cobra Kai sets forth, but some things may be similar (but probably not). It will come your way shortly after I map out all the details. In the meantime, I hope you will enjoy my other story called The Look Of Faith with Bobby Brown (and all the OG Cobra's). It's the third in my "Look" series. If you haven't read Look Of Love, then I encourage you to read it first (so you're not confused with details). Hugs to you all!