Kilarney..
"You're bloody late. We've got an early start in the morning. " Harry grumbles.
" Ease up old man, you conned us in to coming home to help just be glad we're here." Alex retorts.
Nick grabs a glass from the bar and pours himself a glass of whiskey.
" Alex?" Nick questions holding up the decanter.
Alex nods and slumps down into the chair throwing his leg across the arm.
...
Harry glares at him until he moves his leg.
" Where have you been?" Harry asks.
" Drovers." Nick replies.
Harry grins and asks. " Making any headway with Tess?"
Alex exhales a half laugh and quips." She'll be too old to even have babies Harry by the time he gets around to even dating her so you can kiss your Ryan empire goodbye."
...
" Just because I'm a little more selective than you." Nick retorts.
Harry looks annoyed and offers. " He's dating Claire McLeod nothing wrong with his taste anymore."
Alex grins and asks." Whatya mean anymore?"
Harry changes subjects but it's not lost on Alex.
...
Nick jabbers away and during the conversation mentions the appearance of Stevie Hall back on Drovers Run.
" Trash I don't know why Claire has anything to do with her she's just trouble." Harry remarks.
" You don't even know her Old Man how can you say that? " Alex rebuffs him.
Harry shifts in his seat and pointing at Alex growls " Stay away from her and never bring her here. "
" Might be a bit tricky Old Man she's Claire's friend too."Alex huffs.
...
Drovers Run.. Late the following day..
Alex notes the strange car parked out the front but doesn't know it.
" Hello"He calls softly as he kicks his boots off at the back door.
With the huge bunch of roses in his hand he creeps through looking for Claire deciding to surprise her.
Hearing voices in the living room he pushes the door open.
" Hi." He offers.
Claire turns and her face reddens.
" Alex! You're early." She gushes .
Alex glares as Peter stands with Charlotte in his arms.
...
"Well this looks bloody cosy." Alex snarls.
" It's not what you think Alex." Claire begins.
Claire stands looking at him and then back at Peter.
" And what is it that I think?" Alex questions.
" It's all innocent Alex. Peter wants to be involved in Charlottes life." Claire offers.
...
She sees the anger in him and hears the bitterness in his voice when he asks.'Yeah and how's Peter's wife feel about that?"
" She doesn't know I'm here." Peter answers smuggly.
Claire looks hurt.
" Lying to her again ya bastard." Alex pushes.
" Alex!" Claire cautions.
" Get out of this house and our lives." Alex snarls.
" She doesn't know I'm here because I left her." Peter offers looking straight at Claire.
...
"Ya slimy bastard get out!" Alex yells.
Without moving Peter holds Claire's gaze and says ." I want another chance Claire I love you and I want us to be a family ."
Alex throws the flowers onto the floor and says." Get out before I throw you out you scumbag. You didn't want her remember! I'm taking care of Claire and Charlotte now so rack off!"
He begins to move forward.
Peter hands the baby to Claire ready for trouble.
...
" Alex stop!"Claire states.
Alex looks at her and says. "Me or him Claire make your choice now."
"Don't give me ultimatums Alex. You need to give me time to work this out. Peter is her Father." Claire warns.
"He's just a sperm donor Claire , I've been her Father from day one."Alex says confidently.
" No Alex you can't force me to choose. " Claire states.
"Ya just did Claire." Alex says sadly then adds . "It should have been easy if you were in love with me! Was I just a convenient Daddy?"
" Alex please don't do this. It's not like that." Claire asks.
Shaking his head he replies ." The only thing Ive done was to love you Claire but I guess it wasn't enough."
As he turns he kicks the flowers across the floor and punches the door on his way out .
...