My take on the episode Silent Night .
Fate takes over and a few changes in timing bring about an entirely different outcome.
Stevie and Alex are my favourite characters and feature heavily in the entire story.
They more than any other characters in my opinion deserved to have their happy ending.
...
On the back road.. Christmas Day..
Marcus drives the dusty back road and stares out at the dry paddocks ahead of him.
A few days of rain is all they need.
just enough to rinse the creek and top up the dams and wash the dust and grime that has crept into their souls.
He slows as he sees someone walking up ahead and his heart flips when he realizes its Grace.
He's aware of the feeling but doesn't acknowledge it to be anything more than surprise.
Pulling the car over, she stops and looks at him through the open window.
The huge smile he had for her slips from his face when he realizes she's crying.
...
As they bump along the road he doesn't know what to say, she's not supposed to be with them at all for Christmas lunch she's supposed to be meeting Heaths family.
"Grace, Do you want to talk?" Marcus asks.
"What so you can say I told you so." She says in a voice that's barely audible.
Leaning her head down onto her arms that are folded across her knees, she tries to be brave and strong and not let the tears win.
Quickly he pulls over to the side of the road and opening his door moves around to hers.
He gently pulls her upright on the seat and whispers. "Grace."
As he wraps his arms around her, she holds him tightly and sobs.
...
Drover's Run ..The kitchen..
Stevie is in the kitchen helping Moira and Regan with dinner preparations when Alex breezes in, he hugs her and nuzzles into her neck.
Giggling she asks "Where have you been? I missed you."
"You didn't even know I was gone Stevie when I left you were snoring and drooling."
She laughs and retorts "I don't snore!"
Rubbing her belly he says. "You're like a hibernating, Mumma grizzly bear, you've dropped off to sleep twice since I got here."
Moira quips. "Perfect description Alex she does it on the supply runs too."
Stevie smiles and changing subjects asks "So where did you go?"
He glances at the other girls and Stevie knows whatever it is he's up to they're in on it.
"I went to pick up your Christmas present.' He says grinning.
Wiping her hands she turns to hug him and says "Really? Can I have it now?"
He rubs noses with her and says. "As a matter of fact you can it's just in the back porch."
Smiling she walks to the kitchen door and screams "Oh my god Tess."
...
Riley, Kate, Patrick and Taylor are breathlessly laughing as an escapee turkey runs all over the place and they give chase.
"Tess where did you come from?' Kate exclaims as she stops the chase and hugs her old boss.
Tess's eyes twinkle as she smiles and replies. "It's so good to see you Kate."
Kate glances at Riley and offers."Tess this is Riley but we have to keep going there's a Turkey on the loose."
Tess grins and says "Hi Riley please to meet you. Looks like you're busy so we'll chat later."
"Righto, nice to finally meet you too." He answers as he follows Kate inside.
"I see nothing has changed here!" Tess chuckles as she links arms with Stevie and they walk back inside.
...
Kilarney..
Marcus pulls into Kilarney and Grace slides from the passenger seat.
"I thought you might like to freshen up a bit before we head over to Drover's Grace." Marcus offers.
Grace looks so sad but smiles weakly and says. "Thank you for not saying I told you so."
He replies "He didn't deserve you Grace. Any man would be grateful to have you."
With tears trickling down her cheeks she nods at him.
...
He feels an overwhelming urge to kiss her.
Unnerved he tries to rationalize what he feels.
She didn't want him before so he'd forced himself to move on.
Why does he feel like this?
She's his friend that's all.
He's just protecting his friend.
...
Drover's Run..
"Kate it's under the table." Riley whispers.
Stealthily they sneak along and pounce from either side of the table.
Breathlessly they laugh as the turkey ducks and weaves, gobbles and high tails it out of the dining room.
They rest, puffed from running around and chat for a minute.
Kate points at the mistletoe draped down over the dining room table.
...
Riley grins as he moves towards her.
Gently he kisses her.
Neither moves wanting the kiss to continue.
Riley says softly."We've got company."
Turning Kate grins and says "Oh hello bubba. Riley this is Tess and Nick's little girl Claire."
Riley looks back at Kate and says "We'll continue this later."
She smiles then backing out from under the table picks Claire up and kisses her chubby cheek.
...
"Grace what are you doing here?" Stevie asks as Marcus and Grace walk in.
From behind her Marcus gestures for Stevie to let it go.
Recovering quickly Stevie says "I am so glad you're here come with me."
Stevie grabs her hand and drags her through to the living room where Tess, Alex, Kate and Regan are all sitting and chatting.
Tess stands up smiling and says. "Oh my goodness you have to be Grace you are so much a McLeod. I have to show you all the old photos you'll love em'."
Grace grins and actually feels happy to finally meet Tess and to be here on Drover's Run and not with Heath and his family.
Plus Marcus's reaction to her earlier have stirred old feelings that she'd convinced herself were long gone.
Although in turmoil she registers that this is the right time and place for her today.
Surrounded by her friends and family.
...
After a brilliant dinner and loads of laughter everyone enjoys the giving and receiving of gifts.
Alex has dressed as Santa and hands out presents while everyone laughs at his repertoire of sick and poor jokes.
Marcus is sitting with Ingrid the local vet while Kate and Riley are chatting about their gifts.
Patrick and Taylor are deep in conversation sitting of to one side of the main group and enjoying each other's company.
Grace feels so very alone and feels her eyes prick with tears.
...
"So Marcus, Grace is free now. Does that mean you'll take up the chase again?"Ingrid asks grinning at him.
Smiling he replies. "I never chased her Ingrid."
"No? You need to think about that statement a bit more Marcus." Ingrid urges.
He looks at her and replies. "Grace is just my friend Ingrid."
Ingrid smiles at his naivety and pushes. "Who are you trying to convince of that Marcus?"
...
He glances back at Grace.
His heart jolts when he sees how sad she looks.
"She's a lucky girl Marcus. Anyway I'm going to head off.' Ingrid says as she leans over and kisses his cheek and adds. "Merry Christmas Marcus and thank you for inviting me."
Grace sees the kiss and moves quickly inside and up the stairs.
...
After farewelling Ingrid,Marcus turns back and is startled that Grace has gone.
He's kept an eye on her all afternoon, making sure she alway had someone to talk too so she wouldn't feel alone.
Standing he stretches and moves off to find her.
...
Stevie grabs Alex's hand and leads him away from the others.
Pulling his fake beard down she kisses him and cautions. "Don't you ever grow a beard?"
"I'll try not to." He replies and asks "Do you want your Christmas present now Beautiful?"
Looking puzzled she replies "I thought Tess was my present."
He shakes his head and says "No your present is me. I don't have to go back the contract is finished .'
He watches as it takes a second for her to register what he's just told her "Oh Alex so I don't have to say goodbye again."
"No! I don't have to fly out tonight Stevie I'm all yours..'
He laughs as she hugs him and gushes "I can wake up with you beside me again! Oh Alex!"
...
Marcus interrupts them when he asks if they've seen Grace.
Alex tells him she went upstairs.
Marcus grins at them and moves off to find her.
...
Alex glances after Marcus then looking back at Stevie kisses her and says "So are you moving onto Kilarney today or tomorrow?'
She looks shocked and studying his face she replies. "So fast Alex."
"Well if I'm there and your here I can't hug you and kiss you ..."He explains.
Leaning into her neck he whispers something.
She softly touches his face, smiles and kisses him and asks. "Is tomorrow ok?"
"Perfect." He replies.
...
Upstairs Marcus knocks on Grace's door.
"Go away!" She calls not bothering to ask who it is.
"No I don't think I will." He replies a small grin on his face.
He listens and hears her soft footsteps on the polished floor and there she is.
Such a forlorn look on her face.
...
"Come downstairs Grace. Please don't stay up here alone." He implores her.
"I thought you were busy with Ingrid." She states and then decides she shouldn't have said that.
"Grace McLeod I think that sounds like jealousy?" He teases.
Grace feels her face flush and she says "I'm so sorry Marcus; I have no claim on you."
She watches as his facial expression changes.
Reaching out he takes her hand and as he leads her back downstairs he replies. "Well Grace my heart tells me something different."
...