Disclaimer: I do not own Cobra Kai, Karate Kid, or any of its characters. I only own my OCs. Anything you may recognize belongs to its original creators and owners.

Julie remembered the feeling like someone was hitting on her head when she slowly opened her eyes. Her vision was blurry for the first few moments. She could only hear a beeping from the hospital equipment in the room. Once she was finally able to see straight, she attempted to move and felt a sharp pain in her side. "Shit…" She looked to her side and was able to grab the call button.

"Page Dr. Mills," Julie could hear a nurse from outside. "Julie Pierce is awake,"

"Where am I?" Julie asked as the nurse came over.

"You're at the Manhattan Emergency Hospital," The nurse explained.

"New York?" Julie was puzzled for a few moments. But then she remembered that she had decided to take her son on a trip to see a show for the holiday. "We were heading back to Boston when…"

"You remember?" The nurse nodded. That was a good sign. "Do you remember the accident?"

Julie tried to think about the accident. She didn't remember too many details. "I remember it being icy on the roads…bright lights…" Julie shook her head. "Not too much…"

"That's alright, considering the severity of your injuries…"

"What happened?" Julie cut off the nurse.

"Your car collided head-on with another driver," The nurse explained. "It wasn't your fault. The roads were icy and the other driver that hit you had run a red light,"

"Was the other driver hurt?" Julie asked.

"Not too badly," The nurse remembered that night.

"Where's Jack?" Julie asked after looking around the room. She didn't see him or any of his things around. "My son…was he hurt?"

The nurse frowned and then noticed the doctor walking in.

"Hello Julie, I'm Dr. Mills," The woman introduced herself. "I was the doctor that treated you when you arrived,"

"Okay, I just need to know that my son is alright," Julie wanted to see him. She was sure that he was scared out of his mind.

"Well, Julie," Dr. Mills pulled up a chair. "When you were brought in after the accident, your injuries were severe, including a head injury. We weren't sure when or if you were going to wake up."

"How long ago was the accident?" Julie got the sense it had been a while.

"Eight weeks,"

"Was Jack hurt?" Julie was fearing the worst.

"Your son was alright. He had some cuts and a broken arm, but he was fine," Dr. Mills reassured.

"Okay, is he here?" Julie asked. She was starting to get the feeling that he wasn't. "Where is he?"

"Because of your condition, we released him into the custody of his father,"

Julie was snapped out of her thoughts at the sound of a loud horn, and she slammed on her brakes, barely avoiding a collision with the truck going through the intersection. Her hand flew to her chest as she attempted to catch her breath, feeling her heart beating in her ears. "Get it together, the last thing you need is to get into another accident,"

Julie focused on the traffic light. Eventually, after what felt like hours, it finally turned green and she continued, but not before looking to make sure it was clear three times.

Julie headed towards the ramp to get on the freeway. But then she heard a loud pop. "Oh, you've got to be kidding…" She signaled and then pulled off to the side of the road. She got out of the car and went to inspect her tires and found that both her front wheel tires had blown. "Well, Merry Christmas to me…"

Julie leaned against her car as she took out her phone and attempted to find the number for roadside assistance. Eventually, she managed to find the right number and they said they would be out as soon as possible. Julie knew that could be anywhere from at least a few hours and figured she might as well get as comfortable as possible.

Julie got a blanket out of her trunk and then went to sit in the driver's seat. She turned on her flashers and then wrapped herself up in the blanket. She then took out her phone to call her husband.

"Hey Jules," Eric picked up the call.

"Hey," Julie said. "Are you busy?"

"Not at the moment," Eric answered. "You on the road?"

"Not exactly…" Julie sighed. "I've got a flat—two actually—so it looks like I might be stuck in California for Christmas,"

"Are you serious?" Eric asked.

"No, I'm kidding," Julie quipped. "I actually left the car and decided to try hitchhiking,"

"You're not funny, Jules,"

"Really?" Julie remarked. "I think I'm hilarious,"

"Are you okay?" Eric asked.

Julie sighed. "Yeah, it's just been a hard morning,"

"Did you make it to Mr. Miyagi's grave?"

"I did," Julie sighed.

"And how was that?"

"Depressing," Julie shrugged. "I don't know, I thought it might be good to go see it and talk to him. I haven't since the funeral. But I don't know…"

"I'm sure after the holidays you'll be glad you went," Eric knew the holidays were always difficult for her.

"I am glad I went," Julie wasn't denying that. She just thought it might be better than it was. "But right now, I wish I would have waited," Julie sighed. "I guess I'll have to FaceTime you and Liam on Christmas morning,"

"What if Liam and I came to you?" Eric suggested.

"And have Christmas in a hotel?" Julie scoffed. "Come on, Eric…"

"Jules, it doesn't matter where we have it," Eric stated. "I mean, Liam isn't seven. He won't care that much. And we could always hold off on presents until we all get back home,"

"I don't want you guys postponing the holiday for me," Julie said.

"We aren't," Eric reassured. "All that matters is that we are together," The holidays were hard enough on Julie after the accident. He wasn't going to let her be alone for it.

Julie sighed, knowing that in the end, this was not an argument she could win. "Well, I guess I'll have to keep you updated and let you know when I find a hotel," If she could find one on short notice on December 23rd that could fit the three of them.

"Sounds great," Eric said. "Well, I will finish up at work, and then Liam and I will probably head your way shortly after that,"

"Okay," Julie said. "Love you,"

"Love you too," Eric reciprocated before hanging up the call.

It took some time. Julie had waited for what felt like at least a couple of hours before someone finally came to tow her car in. Julie had hoped it wouldn't take long, but once they took a look at her car, they noticed that there was a problem with her engine, on top of the flats.

"How long is this going to take?" Julie groaned.

"At least a couple hours," The man told her. "I can't tell you until I start working, so I would get comfortable,"

Julie sighed and then went to go sit in the waiting area. I always thought the holidays were always miserable. But this one will have to be at the top of the list… Julie sat in the waiting area with a few other adults for a few minutes. She watched the large clock on the wall. Though she knew by watching it hadn't been more than five minutes, it felt like hours. She got up from the couch and went to walk around and stretch her legs.

"Julie?" She heard a familiar voice and stopped right before she reached a vending machine. She turned around and recognized the man instantly.

"Daniel?" Julie smiled slightly as he came up to her and gave her a short hug. "Wow, it has been a long time,"

"It has," Daniel couldn't believe how long it had been. "How are you?"

"Doing good," Julie nodded. "At least, better than I was the first time we met," They had run into each other the first time at Mr. Miyagi's funeral. Julie had known who he was right away. Mr. Miyagi had always talked about Daniel like he was his own son. As it turned out, it had been like that with Daniel after Mr. Miyagi had spent that time with her. But when they met for the first time, it had not been great circumstances; for Julie, for more than one reason.

"That is good," Daniel knew what she meant. "What are you doing here?"

"Here?" Julie asked. "Specifically? I mean, I'm sure one can assume it is car related,"

Daniel laughed. "Well, yeah…"

"I was actually in town for some work," Julie explained. "I'm a Nurse Practitioner now," Back when they had met the first time, it had been before Julie met her husband or went back to school. "I was heading home, but then I got two flats,"

"Oh geez…" Daniel sighed. "Well, that shouldn't be too long, right?"

"Except, there is also something my engine," Julie sighed. "I'm starting to think that someone doesn't want me to go home for Christmas this year," Not that Julie ultimately cared about getting back there. She had never cared for the holidays as much as she did before the car accident, but going through them without Eric and Liam, sounded much more miserable.

"You still up in Boston?" Daniel asked.

"No," Julie shook her head. "Colorado," She answered. "My husband, my stepson, and I moved there when I got into school," It was just as cold as Boston, so it felt similar in some ways. "I will say, I am liking that the temperature here isn't in the teens," It was still pretty cold outside for California, but it wasn't anything like it was in Colorado.

"Well, why don't I go find out how long it will be for your car," Daniel offered.

"That'd be great," Julie said. "And let me know if it is even worth waiting for or I should let you sell me a new car,"

"Well, I could do that anyways," Daniel quipped. That was his job. "I'll be right back,"

Julie went back to the waiting area and tapped her foot, waiting for Daniel to come miraculously tell her that the car was fixed. But when he returned, she noticed he didn't seem thrilled. "You look like you are bringing me some bad news,"

Daniel sighed. "I am with coffee,"

Julie took the cup. "Soften the blow, huh?" She appreciated the gesture.

"Your car isn't in great shape, it is going to take a while,"

"How long?"

"It could take all day, it could take a few days," Daniel wished he had better news.

"That car has been through a lot," Julie knew she shouldn't be surprised. "I guess I should have been expecting it,"

"If I'm being honest, it might be easier to buy a new car," Daniel admitted.

"Coming from a car salesman," Julie remarked.

"Honestly Julie," Daniel said seriously. "I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it," At least not to her.

"I can't," Eric had been trying to convince Julie to get a new car for a long time. Julie knew realistically she should. That car probably wouldn't hold it together for much longer. And somehow, she just couldn't part with it; not after everything.

"Alright, I guess I'll try and see if I can find a place to stay," Julie took out her phone. "Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll find something," Julie knew with it being so close to Christmas, it would probably take a miracle. But she would have to try. She didn't have much of a choice, other than sleeping on the floor of a car dealership.

Before Daniel could reply, his phone started ringing. He took it out and saw that Amanda was calling him. "I will be right back," He went into his office and answered the phone.

"Hey, so when are you coming home?" Amanda asked.

"Hopefully soon," Daniel said.

"I just wanted to tell you before you do get home, we do have a guest," Amanda said.

"We do?" Daniel asked.

"Long story," Amanda sighed as she explained the story of how Anthony ran into the Cobra Kai's at the mall and how he managed to get away without getting hurt because his new friend Jack jumped in. "So, he brought him here and he isn't doing too well,"

"What happened?"

"Well, he's got a fever," Amanda wasn't sure exactly. "And he doesn't have anywhere to go,"

"What about his family?" Daniel asked.

"He didn't tell me much, but it doesn't look like he has any that we can call," Amanda said. "And I don't want to get social services involved," Amanda knew that wouldn't help. This kid was running from something. She had a feeling that might have to do with it. "Especially not while he is this sick,"

"No, he should stay there," Daniel agreed. There was no reason the kid couldn't stay there until they could figure out something.

"I just wanted to let you know what was going on," Amanda said.

"Thanks, Amanda," Daniel said and then suddenly got another idea. "Well, since you called, I kind of need to ask how you would feel about having a few more guests for the holiday?"

"Oh, please don't tell me your mother is coming,"

"Oh no," Daniel chuckled slightly. "I actually ran into Julie, she was an old friend of Mr. Miyagi's. She's at the dealership right now with some car trouble. And with it being so close to Christmas, it is going to be impossible for her to find a place to stay,"

"So you want to invite her to stay?" Amanda asked.

"I mean, you shouldn't be alone during the holidays," Daniel said.

"I guess I should get another guest room set up," Amanda said.

"Make that two," Daniel bit his lip for a moment. "If she's staying through the holidays, her husband and stepson could join her,"

Amanda sighed. "You just have to promise me there won't be any karate wars starting in my living room this time,"

"I can most likely promise that," Daniel said. He could promise that he and Julie wouldn't start anything. But he couldn't promise it from anyone else.

"Alright," Amanda said. "I'll go make up the guest rooms, just get home when you can,"

"I will," Daniel said. "I love you,"

After hanging up the call, he left his office and went back over to the waiting area where he had left Julie. She was just getting off a call and she didn't seem thrilled. "No luck?" Daniel asked her.

"Nothing," Julie shook her head. "I'm not surprised, but I guess I'll just keep trying,"

"No need," Daniel said. "We have extra room at my house," He explained. "You could stay through the holidays, tell your husband to come down and meet you,"

"Daniel, that is really nice of you, but…"

"I insist," Daniel said. "I mean, like they said, your car could take a while. We have the room. There is no reason you couldn't stay and invite your family up. After all, any friend of Mr. Miyagi's is family to me," Mr. Miyagi had been family to Daniel and he was sure it was the same for Julie.

Julie smiled slightly. "I'm just going to let Eric know,"

"Okay, I'm just going to lock up my office and then we can get out of here," Daniel said.

Julie nodded as she pulled out her phone to call her husband. When she had been thinking she would need a Christmas miracle right about now, this hadn't been what she was expecting. But somehow, maybe it was what she needed.

A/N: Happy new years with a new chapter! So, it looks like that Amanda wasn't the only one inviting people to stay for the holidays. Daniel ran into Julie who was in a jam and invited her and her new family for Christmas.

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