Book Five: Chapter 3

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Roger drove up to the hot dog diner's drive-through window and rolled down the window to place their order. The aroma of sizzling hot dogs and onions wafted into the truck, tempting the Cerberus in the back seat to lick their lips.

"Welcome to the Happy Hot Dog Diner! What can I get for you?" The speaker emitted a cheerful voice.

Roger cast a glance back at the three-headed Cerberus in the back seat before returning his attention to the speaker. "Three chili dogs and a large order of fries, please," he said.

"Got it! That'll be ready in just a few minutes. Please pull up to the next window."

As Roger approached the next window, he couldn't help but smile at the sight of the Cerberus wagging their tails and licking their chops in anticipation. "You girls really like your hot dogs, don't you?" he joked.

Katina, Labda, and Cilla all barked at the same time, swiveling their heads to inspect the bag of hot dogs through the window.

Roger paid for their lunch and handed the bag of hot dogs back to the Cerberus in the back seat. "Enjoy, girls," he said with a grin.

The Cerberus eagerly dug into their chili dogs as they drove away from the diner, bits of onion and chili sauce falling onto the truck floor. Roger rolled his eyes but couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm.

"Hey, you gonna eat that?" Labda inquired, her gaze drawn to Roger's untouched hot dog.

Roger chuckled as he shook his head. "Nah, I'm good. You can have it."

Roger later parked the police truck on the beach at Lake Michigan. He gazed out over the glistening water, watching the waves come and go. The sun was shining brightly, and the sound of the water and distant seagulls created a peaceful atmosphere.

The beach near Lake Michigan was breathtaking, with crystal clear waters gleaming in the sun. The sand was soft and warm underfoot, and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore was a soothing melody that filled the air.

As far as the eye could see, there were people lounging on beach chairs or playing in the water, and the atmosphere was relaxed and carefree. The sky was a deep shade of blue, and the sun shone brightly overhead, casting a warm glow over everything.

The beach was lined with palm trees, their fronds swaying gently in the breeze, and there were colorful umbrellas set up along the shore, providing shade for those who needed it. The water was a gorgeous shade of turquoise, and small waves lapped at the shore, making a gentle, rhythmic sound.

Roger sat on the truck's hood, feeling the sun on his face and the gentle breeze on his skin. Katina, Labda, and Cilla sat next to him, taking in the tranquillity.

"This is a nice break," Katina said, closing her eyes and leaning back. "I could use more days like this."

"Agreed," Cilla said. "We work hard, and it's nice to take a break."

Labda nodded in agreement. "It's also important to take care of ourselves."

Roger smiled as he gazed out over the water. "I couldn't agree with you more. It's easy to become engrossed in work and forget to take a breather."

They sat quietly for a few moments, taking in the peaceful surroundings. The sound of the water and the seagulls provided a relaxing backdrop.

"What a lovely day," Katina said, leaning against Roger's shoulder.

Roger opened his eyes and smiled. "Yeah, it really is."

Labda nudged Cilla. "So, when are you going to pop the question?"

Cilla's cheeks turned bright red. "What? I'm not going to propose to him first!"

"Why not?" Katina asked. "We've been together for a while now."

Roger creased his brow. "Wait, what are you guys talking about?"

Cilla let out a sigh. "Wedding, Roger. We're considering getting married."

Roger's eyes widened in shock. "Oh, uh, I'm not sure about that. I mean, can monsters and humans even marry?"

Labda smiled. "Anything is possible in New Olympus."

Roger shook his head. "I don't know. It just seems like a big step. I mean, we're all cops. What if it doesn't work out?"

Katina put her hand on his arm. "Don't be concerned, Roger. No matter what, we'll always be there for each other."

Cilla grinned. "And who knows what else? Perhaps our marriage will serve as a model for others to follow."

Roger couldn't stop laughing. "I guess you have a valid point there."

The gathering went silent as they watched the waves lap against the coast. The sun began to set, illuminating the sky in bright orange and pink hues.

Katina stretched her arms above her head and yawned. "Well, as much as I hate to say it, I think we should probably get back to work."

Labda sighed. "Why can't we just stay here forever?"

Cilla stretched her arms up. "Come on, we have a city to safeguard."

Roger couldn't help but be thankful for his partners as they climbed back into the police truck. Through thick and thin, they were always there for him. And perhaps a future together wasn't such a crazy concept after all.

Roger's radio crackled to life while he was traveling, and he heard Chief Rosetta's voice. "This is Rosetta, Roger. A disturbance has been reported at the railway yard. You and your team should investigate."

Roger checked his watch. They had just settled in to enjoy the gorgeous day at the beach with only a few hours till the conclusion of their shift. But duty called, and he knew they had no choice but to respond.

"Copy that, Chief," Roger said into the radio. He turned to face his colleague. "OK, folks, we've got a call. Let's go investigate."

Katina sighed. "But it's such a beautiful day," she grumbled.

"I know, I know," Roger murmured, placing her hand on the back. "But we can't ignore our responsibilities."

Cerberus women nodded their heads in accord.

"Let's get this over with," said Labda.






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