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"𝐈'𝐌 telling you this is going to work." Johnny said as he put one of Ava's old mixtapes in his Walkman, and pressed play, then placed the headphones on Stella's growing baby bump.

"What did you choose?" Stella asked

"Poison." Johnny said as he wrapped his arm around her.

The blonde wrapped his arm around her, and placed his hand on her growing baby bump, and she did the same. As Talk Dirty to Me began to play, the baby was as still as stone. It didn't like the sound of rock music at all, which was strange, considering both of its parents as well as its maternal grandmother were fans of classic rock. 

"Why isn't the baby kicking?" Stella asked

"Hey, don't worry princess." Johnny reassured. "It's probably too soon."

"Taking the Walkman headphones off her stomach, Stella said, "Maybe we can try talking to it instead?"

"What are we even supposed to say?" Johnny asked

"Whatever you want." Stella said. "I'll put on the headphones, so it can be between the two of you." she said as she put on the headphones, but didn't press play, as she really wanted to hear what her boyfriend had to say

"Hey kiddo." Johnny said as he placed his hand on Stella's baby bump. "I'm your dad. Y'know, I never thought I would have a second chance at being a dad. Your older brother Robby, when his mom had him, your grandma Laura had just died, and I was a real mess. Thankfully Robby forgave me, and we're on the right path. I promise, I'm always going to be there for you, for your mom, and for Robby. I won't make the same mistakes. I want you to know how much you're loved. By me, by your mother, by everyone. We can't wait to meet you." he said as he placed a soft kiss on her baby bump, and the baby kicked

"Johnny, it kicked." Stella smiled. "It's gonna love you more than me."

"No way. It will love you more than me." Johnny said. "I don't mind if it loves you more than me, princess."

"No, there's no way it will love me more than you." Stella smiled as she caressed Johnny's cheek. "Who wouldn't love you?"

"Well, whatever the gender, boy or girl, it will have your attitude." Johnny chuckled

"Why does everyone keep saying that?" Stella laughed as she kissed the blonde. "So my appointment is at 1, they're gonna ask us if we wanna know the gender. Are you on the same page with that?"

"Yeah, I wanna know." Johnny said. "Besides, I'm with Lori, I think it's a girl."

"I'm gonna do something I regret and go with Carter and say it's a boy." Stella said as she walked into the kitchen to prepare breakfast

"You thought about any baby names?" Johnny asked

"Not really." Stella said. "What about you?"

"Can't think of any." Johnny said as Stella gave him her glass

"Don't worry hon." Stella reassured. "We have plenty of time."

──────

The couple sat in the doctor's office waiting to be seen. Johnny sat there, looking anxious. He was trying to hide it, for Stella's sake, as he promised he would be strong for her, but in a way, he was a new father, but also not. Stella, noticing her boyfriend's nervousness, took his hands in her own.

"Honey, you alright?" Stella said

"Yeah, I'm alright." Johnny said. "I'm sorry princess, I know I promised I would be strong. I just don't want to screw anything up."

"Hey, you look at me." Stella said and Johnny turned to look at her. "You're the most amazing man I know. Sure you've made a few mistakes here and there, we all have, but that's what makes us human. That's your past, and now, you have a future. A few years from now, all that mess in the valley, it's all gonna be a blip on your radar. I promise."

Gently resting his forehead against her's, Johnny allowed a few tears to escape as he placed his hand on her baby bump, and he kissed her lips sweetly, when they heard the door open.

"Stella?" Jackie said. "We're ready for you sweetie."

After getting her current weight, vital signs, urine, and blood, which were all great, and Dr. Montgomery came in and smiled at the couple. "Hi guys." she said as she sat down in front of the couple.

"Hi, Dr. Montgomery." Stella smiled. "Hey doc." Johnny smiled

"You ready to check on your baby?" Dr. Montgomery said as she prepped the sonogram machine and placed the gel onto Stella's baby bump. The couple nodded as the ultra sound began. "The heart beat is excellent, overall it's a healthy baby. Would you two like to know the gender?" she asked

Stella looked at Johnny, who smiled and nodded. "Yes, please." Stella smiled

"It looks like the two of you are carrying a beautiful and healthy baby girl." Dr. Montgomery smiled. "Congratulations to you both."

Stella couldn't stop the tears that fell from her beautiful blue eyes. "Oh, Johnny."

"I knew it was a girl." Johnny smiled as he placed a kiss on her forehead. She'll be a spitfire. Just like her mom."

"Congratulations to you both, and I'll see you next month." Dr. Montgomery said.

"Thanks doc." Stella and Johnny both said

──────

Stella smiled at the video footage of her mother on the television. No matter what activity Ava was doing, she always did it with dignity and grace. "Hey Stella." Robby smiled, walking into the living room from his bedroom. "What are you doing?"

"Oh, hey hon." Stella smiled as she turned the tv down. "Just looking through a few things of my mom's. A few poems she wrote for August and I, photos, that sort of thing. I came across some old home movies I didn't realize we still had."

Robby smiled at the video footage of Ava on the television, and heard her speak in a gentle tone. "She certainly was beautiful. I can see why everyone around here loved her so much."

Stella smiled as she turned to face Robby. "Yeah. She was the most beautiful woman you'd ever seen." she turned the volume down, then continued. "I mean, August and I were able to say goodbye and find a balance, but it doesn't change the fact that she's not here. That's just something we're gonna have to deal with. The happiest moments will always be a little sad."

"I wish I could say I understand, but I can only empathize. I'm so sorry you and August had to go through that. Just from the stories I've heard from the both of you, she sounds like she was amazing, and she was beautiful." Robby smiled

"Yeah, she was. She made quilts for all the neighbors when they had their babies. I would have carried on the tradition, but I never learned how to sew as well as she did, as she was left handed. I can sew a button on a shirt, but not a quilt." Stella said

"I'm sure the neighbors appreciated that." Robby said

"Yeah." Stella said. "Alright, enough of the melancholy, tell me, how are things with you and Tory?"

Robby was silent, then the mood of melancholy began to surround him. "It didn't work out between us Stella." he said

"I'm so sorry sweetheart." Stella said as she pulled him in for a motherly embrace. "What happened?" she asked as they pulled away from the embrace

"Cobra Kai happened. I really tried to be a better person and to get her away from Cobra Kai, but it's got it's hooks on her." Robby said

Stella sighed as she ran a hand through her brunette hair. "I wish I knew what to say, but I don't, other than, one day, those kids will see the light, and I just hope it's not too late."

"You and me both." Robby said. "You know I'm glad my dad found you, you made him a better man. Thank you for that, Stella."

"Oh, of course." Stella said

"Oh, before I forget, your uncle Aaron and August invited me to go to Fort Worth with them. I know we'll be getting back late, so if it's too late, I'll stay at Abilene's—" Robby said

"First of all, have fun and be safe, and enjoy the food. Second of all, this is your house too. All I ask, is you give your father a call and let him know you will be late getting home and that you're safe." Stella said.

"I can do that." Robby smiled

"All right. Go get ready." Stella said as Robby walked to his room. "And be sure you wear wranglers that my uncle Aaron gave you!"

──────

It was 10:45 pm and Johnny was sitting on the couch drinking a banquet, and Stella came into the living room wearing a Miss Elaine night gown as Marie Osmond's Paper Roses played on the record player

"I still can't believe we're having a girl." Johnny said. "She's gonna be beautiful. Feisty, but beautiful. I remember the first time we met, and you mouthed off to me."

"To be fair, you called August and I immigrants." Stella laughed as she leaned into him. "You were a jackass."

"Fair enough." Johnny laughed.

As the couple continued to laugh and reminisce, Marie Osmond's Meet Me in Montana began to play, which was one of Stella's favorite songs. Stella placed her hand on her baby bump, and Johnny did the same. As the song continued to play, the couple felt their daughter swiftly kick.

"Oh my God." Stella smiled. "Did you feel that?"

"So, she doesn't like classic rock like us, she likes Marie Osmond." Johnny smiled. "That's alright princess, I love her anyway. Damn, she's got power."

"Honey, just because she kicked to Marie Osmond, it doesn't mean she doesn't like classic rock." Stella reassured. "It did give me an idea for her name."

"Yeah?" Johnny said with a quizzical look

"Montana." Stella smiled. "Montana Blue Lawrence."  

"Montana? That's a cowgirl's name right?" Johnny asked

"If you don't like it, we can change it." Stella said.

"No. It's beautiful. I like Montana Blue." Johnny said.

"Me too hon." Stella smiled. "Me too."