I wake up early and make my way to the kitchen. I cook breakfast for Johnny and I.

When I finish cooking the food I walk to the twins room and I hear them laughing. I open the bedroom door and pick them up. I place them on my hips. I walk into the kitchen and place them in their chairs. I make the girls two slices of toast with jam on it. I cut the crust off and watch the girls put the toast into their mouths.

Johnny walks into the kitchen wearing his boxers and no shirt.

I really didn't want to see my brother half naked this morning.

I cross my arms. "Johnny, you could have at least put a shirt on this morning."

He looks down and then shrugs. "What's for breakfast?"

"You're not getting anything you dress appropriately."

"Buzz kill."

I stick my tongue out at him and he walks away.

When he returns he's wearing a t-shirt. "Can I have breakfast now?"

"Sure," I place the bacon and eggs on the table.

He piles good onto his plate. "This looks good, sis. Are you going to work today?"

I shake my head. "I have an appointment to go to. Can you look after the girls for an hour or two?"

Johnny nods. "I'd be honoured to look after them."

I kiss his cheek. "Thanks, Johnny."

***

After breakfast I pick up the girls and I carry them to the bedroom. I look at the cupboard full of clothes. "What do you want to wear today?"

Gracie walks over and she points to a pink dress.

I pull it off the rack and put it on the bed. I turn towards Sophie and she points to shorts and a t-shirt. I change Sophie first and then she walks into the hall.

Gracie stands in front of me and I change her into her pinks dress. I brush her hair and put it in a small ponytail. I kiss her cheek. "You look beautiful, my little angel. Uncle Johnny is in the lounge room with Sophie."

Gracie walks out of the room and I walk into the bathroom and have a shower.

After my shower I put on a pair of sweatpants and singlet. I put my hair up in a ponytail and walk to the lounge room. I look at Johnny. "I'll be back in two hours. I'll bring something home for lunch." I pick up my handbag and walk to the door. "Do you chicken for lunch?"

"Yeah, that'll be fine. You should go before you're late."

I look at the clock. "I'm going to be late." I run out of the house and climb into my car.

***

I park my car in front of Mason's Gym and Gun range. I step out of my car and make my way over to Mason's Gym. I enter the gym and make my way over to the mat where my trainer Mason is waiting for me.

He smiles. "Hey, Laken." He puts on a serious face. "You're late. Do you know that means?"

I nod. "Laps. How many?"

He crosses his arms. "Don't ask just do."

I drop my bag on the floor and I start running around the gym.

A few guys boxing turn towards me and they watch as I run around the gym.

One of the guys climbs out of the ring and he starts running beside me. "Hey, baby. Do you want to get lunch when you're done?"

I shake my head. "I have a hot date waiting for me at home."

His face falls. "Really?"

I nod. "My twins are who I have a date with."

He smiles. "Would you consider a date though?"

I shrug. "If the girls can come then I'll book in a date with you." I speed up and he slows down.

He walks over to his friends and shakes his head.

One of the guys slaps his back.

Mason blows his whistle. "That's enough laps for now. Laken, today we're not going to use the safety gear. I want you to feel how it is when you get into an actual fight."

I nod. "Alright,"

He looks at the guys in the ring. "Does any of those guys the same height and weight of the guy that I'm training you for?"

"Yes, the one that's leaning over the ropes. He's about to hi-five a friend."

Mason yells. "TYLER! Get over here."

Tyler steps out of the ring and he walks over to me. He stands in front of me and smiles. "Hey, sweetheart I'm Tyler."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm not here for you to sweet talk me. I'm here to train. After I've finished training then you can..." I'm cut off when he throws a fist at me. I move out of the way and I punch his stomach.

He hunches over holding onto his stomach. He looks at Mason. "What have you taught this girl?"

As he continues to talk he doesn't see my fist head towards his face. His face turns to the side and he spits out blood. His face turns red and a vein pulses in his neck.

He's getting mad. Well this fight is going to get more interesting.

Mason blows the whistle. "Take a break." He moves over to Tyler and whispers something to him.

I pick up my water bottle and drink from it.

The guy from earlier walks over to me. "How long have you been training with him?"

I look him in the eyes and say. "A couple of days."

He shakes his head. "It looks like you've been doing it for years. Mason hasn't trained any of us like that."

"The guys and you have different styles when it comes to fighting. Mason has taught me his way which is Survival mode. You know his father was a MMA Fighter?"

He nods. "Yeah, I know. He was also in Army and I heard he's a CIA Operative hiding in plain sight."

"If he was he's doing a bang up job."

"Laken, here. You have five minutes with him in the ring and then we'll spend the other at the gun range." I put my bottle down and walk over boxing ring. I climb into the ring.

Tyler is standing on the other side and he has one of the guys whispering in his ear.

Mason stands in front of me. "Don't be threatened by him. He's soon going to find out what you've learned from me. Just do everything I've trained you to. Why do you do that you'll leave here without a single bruise?"

I touch his strong arm and whisper. "I've got this."

A small bell rings and I walk into the middle of the ring.

Tyler smirks. "You're going down, princess." He takes his eyes off me. "Especially for that cheap shot you gave me earlier..." He didn't see my fist flying into his face for the second.

"You talk too much, Ty."

He moves towards me and throws his fist. I step away from him.

I kick him in the stomach and he falls to the ground holding his stomach.

Tyler looks at Mason. "You didn't say we could use Mixed Martial Arts."

Mason stands over him. "There wasn't any rules of how she could take you down." He looks at me. "It's time for the gun range." I want to see if you can hit the new marks I put in place for you. You seem to be flying through everything I've taught. I don't know if that's a good thing or not."

I smile. "How about next month we have a friendly competition?"

Mason nods. "What do you have in mind?"

"We put in two thousand dollars each. Winner takes the lot. We compete in MMA and on the gun range."

Mason shakes my hand. "Deal."

***