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30 Years Later

𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒, Stella had been diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment, an early stage of memory loss in which independence is still possible, but the mind quietly begins to falter.

Now bedridden, her once-boundless energy stilled, her beloved Johnny gone, she was surrounded by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and lifelong friends—the family she and Johnny had built together.

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In the old Lawrence home in Austin, sunlight streamed through lace curtains, falling across Stella as she rested in her hospital bed. It had been her wish: to pass peacefully at home.

"Stella? How are you feeling in there, honey?" the nurse asked gently, laying a hand on her forehead.

"How is she?" Robby asked, stepping in with Hailey at his side.

The nurse's expression softened. "Her blood pressure's dropping. Her legs are starting to go cold."

August, Sam, and Jack entered quietly, followed by Maverick and Laynie, now married.

The nurse gave them all a kind but steady look. "Things are happening quickly now. I don't expect her to make it through the night. I think it's time to start saying your goodbyes."

The room grew heavy. Robby, August, and Jack exchanged looks. They knew Montana—away in New York at a medical conference—needed to be called.

"Thank you," Robby whispered.

Later, the family gathered in the living room. Robby sat with Hailey, their son Nathan—named for his step-grandfather—beside them.

Jack's twins with Montana, Johnny (bearing a striking resemblance to his grandfather) and Laura (named in honor of her great-grandmother), sat close to their father.

On the couches, Lori, Kara, Amy, Carter, Makayl, and Nicki sat shoulder to shoulder with August and Sam, while Maverick and Laynie kept their son Lane close.

"So... should we draw straws?" Maverick asked quietly.

"I'll go," August said after a moment, his voice steady but heavy.

"I'll go with you, honey," Sam added, rising with him.

In Stella's dreamlike state, she was no longer frail and bedridden but radiant, twenty-six again. She sat on a train, gazing out the window at endless countryside.

"I'm not ready to go yet," she murmured. "I'm waiting for someone. You know, my father always wanted to take my brother and me on a train like this. The closest we ever got was the Amtrak to Fort Worth. He used to say, 'One day, we'll ride a train where folks wear tuxedos and drink Vespers.' I didn't know what a Vesper was, but I knew I wanted one."

"A martini," a familiar masculine voice said warmly. "Gin, vodka, lillet. Shaken, never stirred. James Bond."

Stella turned, her eyes lighting up. Tommy—her favorite patient—stood there, once again seventeen, vibrant and whole.

"Yes, that's right." She smiled through tears. "Sit with me?"

Tommy sat, his grin boyish and kind. "Well, you did it, kiddo. You became the nurse you wanted to be. You built a family with Johnny. Johnny settling down... hell, I never thought I'd see the day."

Stella laughed softly, taking his hand. "I just wish I could've done more for you."

"Hey," Tommy said, squeezing her hand. "I'm happy. And you will be too."

Confused but moved, Stella tilted her head. Tommy stood, offering his hand. "Come on. Let's walk to the bar car."

Hesitant, she shook her head. "Oh, I would, but... I'm waiting for someone."

Tommy's smile was gentle. "I know. It's okay. Come on."

They walked together, moving through the swaying train. As they entered the next car, Stella stopped short.

Her brother August stood there, younger, vibrant. Beside him was Sam, glowing as she had in her youth.

Stella's face broke into a radiant smile. "August? Sam? What are you two doing here?"

August's voice came over the train's speaker, echoing with love. "I had to come, Stella. I just wanted to tell you how grateful I am for everything you did after Mom died, even when we moved to the valley. You took care of me when I was sick, soothed every fever. I always looked up to you. After she died, you became the mold that held us together. There were times I worried about you. Then you found Johnny, and I knew you'd be okay. You spent your life taking care of everyone else. Now you've earned your rest. I love you, sis."

Sam's voice followed, tender and sure. "You were always so kind to me, Stella—even through the karate drama, even after the accident. When August and I broke up for a while, you never stopped treating me like family. I've always looked up to you. After Cobra Kai won the tournament, you told me something I never forgot—it wasn't about winning, it was about loving what I do. I promise I'll take care of August. I'll see you on the other side, my sister. I love you."

Stella blinked back tears, her hands trembling.

"Stella?" Tommy's voice came gently, pulling her gaze back. "The train's moving fast. We've got to keep going."

At the airport in San Diego, Montana had just boarded the plane. She was FaceTiming with Makayl, Nicki, Jack, Robby, and August.

"Okay, I boarded. Should be there in less than a couple hours. Is everyone there?" Montana asked, voice a little shaky.

"Montana..." Makayl's eyes softened. "Your mom's taken a turn. We don't think she's gonna make it through the night."

"Oh, my God." Montana pressed her hand to her mouth. "I should have never come to this conference. I told them I didn't want to go." Tears gathered quickly. "I promised Daddy I would always take care of her if something happened to him."

"No. Don't say that, all right?" Robby leaned forward, his tone protective but gentle. "You're doing exactly what Mom wanted you to do—you're taking the big leaps."

"Robby's right, honey," August added, steady as ever. "Johnny would've understood. And you have taken care of her."

"They're right, babe," Jack said softly, trying to calm her.

"You tell her I'm on my way," Montana whispered, her voice breaking. "Do you hear me? You tell my mom her little girl is on her way."

"We will, hon," Nicki said quickly, holding back her own tears.

"Ma'am, I'm going to ask you to turn off your phone," the flight attendant interrupted.

"Okay. I've got to go." Montana swiped at her face. "You tell her. Promise me."

"We will, honey," Jack reassured before the call ended.

In Stella's dream state, she and Tommy entered the bar car. A little girl version of herself sat nearby, carefully placing Band-Aids on baby dolls. Stella's smile lingered until a familiar voice broke the quiet.

"Hey, kiddo."

She turned and found Nathan and Clay at the bar, polishing glasses like they'd been there all along.

"What are you having?" Nathan asked in his calm, grounded drawl. "Limoncello?"

Stella arched a brow, regal as ever. "Aren't you fancy?"

"Now, now." Nathan chuckled, the sound warm and fatherly.

"Actually..." Stella's eyes glistened with mischief. "Could you make me a vesper?"

"Coming right up." Nathan reached for the shaker.

Clay leaned forward, his presence rugged and steady. "Your family's beautiful, kiddo."

"Thanks." Stella's smile faltered. "Montana's not here."

"We know," Nathan said gently.

"I've spent my whole life worrying about her," Stella admitted, her voice trembling with maternal sorrow. "Always wondering if I did right by her. If I was wrong to let her go to Boston with Mrs. Stafford-Smythe."

"She became the doctor she always wanted to be," Clay said, his tone gruff but certain. "You and Johnny raised her right. You taught her to follow her dreams. You did your job. Now... trust the process." He nodded at the drink. "And enjoy that vesper."

"Thank you." Stella took the glass Nathan set before her and sipped. Her lips curved into a soft smile. "Mmm."

Clay smirked faintly. "And you thought we just knew our way around ranching."

Her laughter rang out, light and graceful, drawing chuckles from both men. Nathan set his hand over hers.

"I'm proud of you and your brother," Nathan said firmly. "You two survived losing your mother, moving out to the valley, one heartbreak after another—even Johnny passing. But you built a family. Children. Grandchildren. I told you when you were a little girl, and I'll say it again: you're as tough as they come, Stella Blue. And you have earned your rest. Tommy?"

Stella's eyes shined as she hugged them both. "I love you so much."

"We love you too, kiddo," Nathan said, voice low and proud.

She and Tommy moved into the next car, where her grandmother and best friends waited.

Janette stood first, radiant as ever. "I'm so proud of you, my sweet grandbaby. I always have been."

Then Lori, with her signature sparkle, leaned forward, all heart. "I just wanted to say... you were the best friend we ever had. No—our sister. I know you're worried about Montana, Robby, the kids, but I've got them now. I promise. Rest. I'll see you on the other side, sis. We love you."

Kara, poised and elegant, reached for Stella's hand, while Amy, soulful and warm, kissed her cheek. Carter stood beside them, nodding, his quiet loyalty steady as stone. JB and Derek stood next to him.

Stella moved further down the train, hearing the voices of her son, her son-in-law, and her brother.

"Hey Mom, it's us—Robby, Jack, and August. Montana's on her way, but she wanted us to let you know she's here in spirit," Robby said.

Tommy squeezed her hand. "There's someone waiting for you."

Stella caught the familiar scent of Dior's Diorissimo and turned. Her breath caught when she saw her mother smiling.

"Mom..." Stella whispered, tears flooding. "I've missed you so much."

Ava wrapped her into an embrace. "Oh, my sweet, beautiful sweet pea. I've missed you too. But I'm proud of the nurse you became, and the family you built."

"But there was still so much I wanted to do with them," Stella sobbed.

"You will, honey. It's hard to explain, but you will." Ava touched her cheeks. "I promise."

"I just... I don't want to leave my children and grandchildren, Mama."

"You'll never leave them, sweetheart." Ava kissed her forehead. "You'll see."

Together they walked until they reached the caboose. Stella hesitated.

"No. I told Tommy I'm waiting for someone."

Then Montana's voice broke through, soft and tearful. "Mom. It's me. Your little girl. I'm here. I love you so much. Thank you—for always being there, for pushing me through when Dad died and I wanted to quit medical school. You made sure I finished. You always made sure Robby and I followed our dreams. It's okay now, Mom. You can go. We'll be okay."

Stella felt a sigh of relief and looked at her mother. "Okay. I'm ready."

Ava opened the door to the Caboose car, and the two women walked inside. Turning to her mother, who had a proud smile on her face Stella spoke. "This is quite sad, isn't it? The end?"

"Sweetheart, the way I see it, if something makes you sad when it ends, it must have been pretty wonderful when it was happening. So much of the world is sad, because everything ends, and everything dies. But if you step back, and look at the whole picture, if you're brave enough to allow yourself the gift of a really wide perspective. If you do that, you'll see the end is not sad. It's just the start of the next incredibly beautiful thing." Ava said.

"I like that." Stella smiled

"The most important thing you learned about your life is that you lived it. Because you, my sweet angel, are my peace. Now it's time to go and find your's. You'll see me again soon. I promise." Ava smiled. "I love you, my baby blue."

With grace and acceptance, Stella walked into the caboose, laid down on the familiar bed from her valley apartment, and let herself find peace at last.

Turning to her side, Stella smiled at the sight of her one true love—the man she had been reunited with in the afterlife. Johnny. He looked just as he had at eighteen, golden hair, sharp jawline, beautiful blue eyes, and that cocky edge in his grin that had once made half the valley swoon.

"Hey," she whispered softly.

Johnny's hand slid onto her leg, rough but gentle. "Hey. I've missed you." His eyes—brighter than she remembered—burned with pure adoration, the kind of love that never dimmed, not even with time or death.

"I've missed you more," Stella said, holding his hand tightly. Her eyes traced his face, still boyish yet full of the man she knew. "You look so... different."

Johnny smirked, his trademark swagger slipping through. "Told you—you would've liked me better if you met me back in the '80s."

Stella laughed, shaking her head. "I love you just the way you are. You were hot when I met you, and you're hot now."

That made Johnny chuckle, the sound low and boyish. Their laughter softened into quiet, and she sighed with wonder. "It's quite a thing, isn't it? Us? Meeting in the apartment complex that day?"

Johnny leaned closer, his eyes locked on hers. "I don't know... When the world puts something that obvious in front of you, you don't just walk away. I knew I had to make you mine."

"Even if it took a while," Stella teased, her smile mischievous.

"You had to bring that up?" Johnny shot back, smirking.

They both laughed again, but Stella's expression sobered. "You really think the kids will be okay?"

Johnny's swagger dropped, replaced with a softness reserved only for her. He reached up, his thumb brushing her cheek like she was the most precious thing he'd ever touched. "The kids'll be fine. They're just like their mother. Tough. Strong. They'll carry us with them. You ready?"

Her tears shimmered, but she smiled. "Yeah. I'm ready now."

Johnny leaned in, his forehead resting against hers. His voice, steady and certain, carried all the weight of his love. "I love you, Stella Blue Lawrence. My happy ending. My peace."

Stella's heart swelled as she pressed her lips to his. "I love you too, John Lawrence. My karate champion."

And in that kiss, fierce yet tender, they finally found the forever they'd been waiting for.

Love comes when we least expect it, and often with the one we least expect.

A young barrel racer and nurse from Texas never dreamed she would fall head over heels for Johnny Lawrence. The Valley's heartbreaker back in the day. And Johnny—once a man down on his luck, carrying too many regrets—never dreamed he would find a purpose again.

But in Stella, he did.

In her laughter, in her fire, in her gentle heart, Johnny discovered a love so true he never wanted to let go. And he didn't.

Because in the end, it was always them.
Her smile. His swagger. Their fire. Their forever.

And so, hand in hand, Johnny and Stella lay side by side, their fingers laced as if they'd never let go again. In each other, they had found the peace they had spent a lifetime searching for—together, for always

Author's Note:

This is the end of the The Bluest Eyes in Texas. If you have been here from the very beginning, thank you so much for all of your votes. I loved writing this story for you guys so much.

Dedicated to the beautiful Sharon Tate.
(January 24, 1943 — August 9, 1969)

Also, here is a spin off to the Bluest Eyes in Texas, if you would like to give it a read.