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𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀 sat in the living room in the company of Abilene and Janette. As Janette turned on the radio, Abilene brought a cup of unsweetened iced tea and brought it to her.

"All right hon, it's a disgrace in this house, but I made unsweetened iced tea, but I'll allow it for one special reason, you're carrying my great-granddaughter." Abilene laughed as she gave the tea to Stella

"Thanks grams." Stella laughed and smiled as she gently took the tea glass and gently pressed it to her lips and took a sip. Feeling the cool sensation hit her throat, it was rather soothing on the hot Texas day.

"You're welcome honey." Abilene said as she drank her sweet tea.

"So, how our great-granddaughter?" Janette asked. "More importantly, how are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling all right, and little Montana here is doing great. She loves music. Johnny was afraid she wasn't going to like classic rock, but she does." Stella smiled. "She loves Poison."

"Just like Ava." Abilene smiled. "I remember walking in the house and it would be blaring."

"I remember when they first started dating, Nathan told me how he didn't think they were going to work, because their music tastes were so different." Janette smiled. "I told him if he could see past that, then they could get though anything as opposites really do attract."

"My husband was a fan of The Rolling Stones and the Beatles." Abilene said. "I guess that's where Ava got her love of rock from. No matter how hard I tried to turn her to country, she just wouldn't have it."

"Well, our children, they know what they want. They have a will of their own." Janette smiled.

As the two women sat there conversing, the radio began to play Paper Roses. "Hey grandma, can you turn it up?" Stella asked Janette

As the song continued, Stella caressed her baby bump, and softly sang along to the tune, when she felt her daughter swiftly kick. Grabbing her two grandmother's hands, Stella placed their hands on the baby bump, and her daughter swiftly kicked again.

"Oh that's quite a kick there." Abilene said

"Yeah, she gets the kicks from her father." Stella smiled. "He's already said he's gonna teach her self defense as soon as she learns to walk."

"I can see that." Janette smiled. "I'm glad things are going well for him and Robby."

"Me too." Stella smiled as she sipped her iced tea. "After his mother died, he was just so distraught, and I think it was just too much, as he wasn't prepared and ready to be a dad, but I'm glad he's stepping up now."

"Robby has spoke a little bit about his mother." Janette said as she sipped her iced tea. "I wonder if she might have made things harder between Robby and Johnny? Sometimes if you have issues with your significant other, you should never involve the child. That's what my father always said."

"I agree." Abilene said. "But Robby seems happy here, both him and Johnny. Maybe getting them away from that whole karate mess was good for the both of them."

"Oh, don't even get me started on the karate war." Stella laughed

"That bad huh?" Abilene said as she got up and refilled their tea glasses

"It's a long story." Stella said

"Well, we've got time to hear it honey." Abilene said

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Johnny and Nathan placed the saddles on the wall. After an afternoon of horseback riding, which Johnny actually found peaceful, the two men rode back towards the ranch.

"Nathan, can I ask you a question?" Johnny said as he hung his saddle on the wall

"Sure." Nathan said as he also hung his saddle and horse reins on the wall

"I've been thinking about this a lot, but, I would like your blessing to marry Stella." Johnny said

Nathan smiled as he turned to his friend, then placed his hand on his shoulder. "I was serious when I said I couldn't stand you at first."

"Yeah, I didn't make the best first impression." Johnny said

"I know you're gonna make my Stella Blue happy. You already do. Promise me, you'll take good care of her, and my granddaughter, and even my grandson, Robby, he will be my grandson after all." Nathan said

"I promise." Johnny said, then remembered a ring. "Shit."

"What?" Nathan said.

"I can't propose to her after all. I don't have a ring." Johnny said

"I've got you covered." Nathan said, as he pulled a ring off a chain around his neck. "This was her mother's wedding ring."

Johnny carefully examined the ring. It was similar to princess Diana's, but instead of the band being silver, it was gold. "Nathan, are you sure—"

"Johnny, you make my daughter happy. That's all Ava and I ever wanted for our daughter." Nathan said.  "You know what you have to do. Go do it."

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Stella decided to get out of the house and sit down on the rope swing, and caress her baby bump. Looking up, she saw Johnny walking up to her.

Getting down on one knee and placing his hand in her's Johnny spoke. "I love you Stella Walker. I always have."

"I love you too." Stella smiled

Johnny pulled the ring out of his pocket, the ring Stella instantly recognized and spoke. "Your father gave this to me to give to you. Stella, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I'll follow you where ever you go, even to the ends of the earth. Stella Blue Walker, will you marry me?"

Stella smiled at the blonde, as the tears fell from her eyes, and held her hand down to him, for him to place the ring on her finger. "Of course I will." the beautiful brunette said

The blonde gave a watery smiled as he placed the ring on her finger, standing up, she placed her lips on his, then gently rested her forehead against his. "I love you, Stella." Johnny smiled. "I promise you, I'll never leave you. I'll walk through this world with you, through the ups and the downs."

"I know honey." Stella smiled as she placed her hand on his cheek. "I love you too, and I will gladly walk through any world with you."