Consumed with grief at the loss of his brother plus watching his widow attempt to deal with a newborn had pushed Marcus well beyond the realms of rationality.
His relationship with Ingrid had spun out of control in a matter of weeks before bursting into oblivion when she'd foolishly suggested he was harbouring feelings for Stevie.
All he was doing was taking care of his sister-in- law and his nephew.
That's what families did for each other.
…..
Grace had tried talking to him but he had cut her down quickly.
"She's not sleeping Grace. What do you expect me to do abandon her? She lost her future, you know what they were like together how can she just move on?" He'd growled.
"You need to take a step back Marcus give her time and space. You don't have to be a replacement for him! Let her grieve." Grace had pleaded.
"You're jealous of the time I'm spending with her aren't you?" He'd accused.
The slap she'd delivered to his face stung but not as much as the accusation she'd hurled at him.
"You've got exactly what you wanted haven't you? He's out of the picture and you can finally get your hands on her. I hope she rejects you like you rejected me." Grace snarled before storming from the shed.
….
Marcus stood rubbing his face as he watched the cloud of dust billow down the drive.
"Where'd Grace go?" Stevie calls walking towards him with Xander snuggled into her chest.
Looking at her he sees the fatigue on her face and the dark circles under her sad eyes.
Glancing back at the drive he replies. "She just needed some advice that's all."
"Oh I thought she'd come to visit."
Smiling at her he asks. "Why do you feel like visitors?"
"No not really but I guessed if she was here I should be sociable." Stevie answered quietly.
"Right." He replies.
Her expression changes dramatically.
"What?" He asks.
"Just the way you said right." She offers as her voice trails away.
Marcus takes a moment to register.
"Stevie we're brothers there is bound to be similarities."
"Yeah I know it's just….." She doesn't finish as she turns back to the house.
"Stevie!" He calls.
She turns back.
His heart jolts.
Tears stream down her face.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you."
"Yeah I know." She replies softly readjusting her arms around her baby.
…
Kilarney …Alex's grave….
Marcus climbs up the small hill and taking his hat off stands at his brother's grave.
Silently he gathers his thoughts
He inhales, his chin quivers and his tears fall. "You weren't supposed to leave her mate….. I don't know what to do to help….. She's struggling ….real….really struggling…..she's in trouble Alex."
Unable to speak further Marcus squats down beside the grave and gives into his grief.
Time passes and he feels a hand on his shoulder.
Standing he looks around.
No one is there.
Puzzled he descends the hill and drives back to the house.
…
Drover's Run…
Regan pulls the handbrake on and climbs from the cab.
Taylor, Grace and Moira appear at the gate full of smiles.
Tess and Nick alight from the car and accept their greetings.
…
"It's so good to have you back." Moira states.
"How's she doing?" Nick asks.
Moira shakes her head sadly. "Not good at all."
"Ok we'll be back in a while." Nick replies.
…..
"Do you want to leave Claire with us?" Taylor asks.
"No thanks she's just fallen asleep plus Stevie will want to see her." Tess responds.
"Tess she's changed. Don't be surprised if she doesn't want to hold Claire." Moira explains.
"And don't expect to hold the baby." Grace adds.
"What does he sleep a lot?" Nick asks.
Regan shakes her head and replies. "No she doesn't let anyone else touch him. Ever."
…..
The road between Kilarney and Drover's Run…
"We should have come home sooner Nick." Tess comments.
"If I could have I would have Tess you know that." Nick answers sadly.
"She wouldn't take my calls after we said we couldn't be home for the funeral." Tess offers a breath away from tears.
Reaching over he takes her hand and replies sadly. "Everything will be fine once she's sees us Tess you know it will."
She squeezes his hand and wonders if all will be as he expects.
