Chapter 19
‘Okay, so feel free to see what this bad boy can do,’ Stella giggled, the sight of Logan sitting in the driver’s seat of her new VP Tesla proving too good to not take a photo of. ‘Don’t worry, I won’t show this to any of your drag racing friends!’
Logan rolled his eyes.
‘How about my Daddy friends?’ Logan grunted.
‘Oh, they’re seeing this!’ Stella giggled. ‘And I’ll even take a paddling for it!’
‘Hmph. You’d better believe that,’ Logan growled. ‘There’s no way this can make me feel like I do in a real car…’
But Logan very quickly changed his mind over the Tesla, rapidly realizing that when it came to acceleration, electric cars were no slouches.
‘Holy shit, that was insane,’ Logan laughed, pulling the Tesla up as they drove into the The Dog Den parking lot. ‘Now, about that surprise.’
Stella had a feeling she knew what was coming.
The closer they had gotten to the general direction of The Dog Den, the stronger the feeling had grown.
Stella didn’t know precisely what Logan had in store, but she could have taken a guess at this point.
‘Hmmmm. Anything you want to tell me?’ Stella said, smiling as the pair of them got out of the Tesla and made their way inside The Dog Den.
Logan chuckled and put his arm around Stella.
‘Well you know that money I won for the drag race?’ Logan said, his voice full of pride.
‘Yeah?’
‘Well, it’s no longer my money,’ Logan said, beaming with pride. ‘It’s The Dog Den’s money now.’
‘Wow! Are you serious, Daddy?’ Stella said, taken aback. ‘I was expecting a donation and a dog adoption. But this…’
‘You don’t think it’s sensible, right?’ Logan said.
‘Well… yeah… I mean… actually, no. I love it!’ Stella said, her heart pounding in her chest. ‘You’re an incredible person, Daddy. I didn’t know if you’d change, but deep down you’ve always been this wonderful, kindhearted Daddy. Don’t ever change! Ever-ever-ever!’
‘I promise you that this is forever,’ Logan said, sincerity in his every word.
The pair of them embraced and with the sound of excited dogs barking from the playroom, Logan even gave Stella’s butt a quick spank.
But it wasn’t the time or the place to get too frisky.
It was time to have some fun with the dogs!
As Stella played catch and hide with a young spaniel called Flip, she paused and took a moment to consider how lucky she was that Logan walked back into her life when he did.
Logan was a one-of-a-kind Daddy.
Not only was he donating the race winnings, but Logan had also told Stella that he was beginning work at The Dog Den as an official employee starting on Monday.
Stella loved how Logan had found his happy place.
Together, the pair of them were both in a brilliant place in their lives. Maybe it was timing that had finally aligned perfectly, but as far as Stella could see, there was no reason why her and Logan wouldn’t be together forever.
The pair of them had both grown and changed, while at the same time stayed true to what made them such special individuals too.
Stella knew this was a moment to be cherished.
The sight of Logan romping around the playroom with a pack of English sheepdogs chasing after him was pretty much one of the most wholesome things Stella had ever seen in her life.
And the best thing of all was that from now on, this would be Logan’s life every day.
Stella felt happy for Logan.
It had been a long journey for Logan to reach this point, but now he was here it was clear that Logan would have no reason to look elsewhere in life for thrills and excitement.
Logan had it all, and Stella was proud to be a big part of that package.
But if Stella thought that Logan was done with the surprises for the day, then it was time to think again…
‘Hey, darling, come over here,’ Logan said, beckoning Stella over toward her. ‘We’ve got something to say to you.’
‘We?’ Stella replied, suddenly seeing the adorably chunky Sweetie padding over toward Logan.
‘Yep. Here’s the thing,’ Logan said. ‘You know how I don’t do impulsive stuff anymore?’
‘Uh-huh…’
‘Well, not quite,’ Logan laughed. ‘Sweetie asked really nicely if she could come to live with us on a trial basis. She even promised not to slobber over your plant-based cookbooks! So?’
Stella giggled and squealed with delight.
Logan had changed but he still clearly had his impulsive side working underneath the surface too. And Stella was okay with that. In fact, as far as the idea of giving Sweetie a trial run at the apartment was concerned, Stella was delighted!
‘Well it looks like I’m cooking dinner for three tonight!’ Stella laughed, playfully cuddling Sweetie. ‘And I couldn’t be happier about it. I think you’re going to love it with us, Sweetie. I think we all are.’
When it came to the evening, it was very much time to celebrate. After all, it’s not very often you declare your true love, get a major promotion, and adopt a dog all on the same day.
For Stella, it had been a momentous day in her life.
Suddenly everything felt like it was truly coming together for her in a way that hadn’t always seemed possible. Her professional life was on track, her love life was soaring, and she had just welcomed a wonderful dog into her family too.
Speaking of wonderful dogs…
‘Sweetie! Leave Lilah alone!’ Stella laughed, the sight of Sweetie excitedly demanding to play with Lilah making everyone chuckle.
The whole gang was at Blue Rock Bar, a cocktail bar on the beach front that happily catered to dogs, healthy snack lovers, and those who wanted a drink with a little more kick too.
Stella could see that Lilah and Nicki were having a fun time talking to Leo and Eddie, and she couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for them. Whatever happened in the romantic lives of her close friends though, Stella was safe and secure in her own relationship with Logan.
‘Hey, what do you think?’ Stella said, taking a drink from Logan and motioning over toward the flirty antics of Lilah, Nicki, Leo and Eddie. ‘Could be something there…’
‘Maybe,’ Logan laughed. ‘But that’s their business! Let’s focus on us. It’s been quite a ride, but we got there in the end, kid.’
‘I know. You’ve made me so happy,’ Stella said, staring into Logan’s soulful eyes. ‘I heard the police caught up with Cole and arrested him?’
‘Yup,’ Logan said, a serious look on his face.
‘Cole is going to be going away for quite some time. I hope he uses that time wisely too. It’s not too late for him to turn his life around, but he has to want to change.
That’s something that I’ve learned recently.
Change doesn’t just happen, you have to make it happen. Right?’
Stella nodded in agreement.
It felt so good to see Logan comfortable and at ease with himself.
Logan was still a fun loving and outgoing Daddy, but Stella sensed on a deep level that Logan had an inner belief in himself now that meant his wild days of ups and downs were behind him.
‘Hey, I think Sweetie might be trying to tell us something?’ Stella giggled, the sight of Sweetie nudging her big, super-cute face into the middle of their cuddle making both Stella and Logan laugh.
‘I think it might be time for an evening walk on the beach,’ Logan said, taking Stella’s hand in his.
As the three of them stepped out of the Blue Rock Bar outdoor area and onto the sand together, there was a feeling of perfect harmony.
Everything had worked out as it should, and their lives had been enhanced in the most perfect way.
Stella had fought for her dream job and found true love and her Forever Daddy in Logan.
Logan had realized that it was time to change up for good and settle down with his one true babygirl too.
And not forgetting Sweetie of course, the big dog with a heart of gold – and now the proud owner of two doting human parents!
As the sun began to set on Blue Rock, Stella realized that while her life was complete in so many ways, the good times were only just beginning.