Wilgul a month later...

Alex has settled into his new home and although it's nowhere near as grand as Kilarney.

He likes it.

Riley came to work with him and despite a few hiccups initially the place is beginning to change.

After the dust settled and he knew how much money he actually had they'd begun renovations.

...

A flat pack kitchen went in easily then they ripped out the bathroom and updated it.

Closing in the back veranda has given them extra space to stack wood for the fire and to hang clothes if the weathers bad.

With a new hot water service installed and after Alex had the painters in the place looks bright and smells fresh.

...

Outside they've cleared around the house and re-fenced it and had a couple of truck loads of crushed rock delivered.

In the winter the drive here is a slushy, muddy pit and Alex wants that sorted before the rains come.

"We might have a poker night Riley it's been awhile."Alex says.

"Yeah well who are you going to ask?"Riley asks.

...

"Do you reckon the Drover's girls might come over?" Alex asks.

"I doubt it. You're public enemy number one."Riley chuckles.

A knocking at the door gains a. "Doors open Come in!"

"That'd be right!" A man's voice calls.

Alex's face lights up as he stands. "Brewer! God you're a sight for sore eyes."

...

Dave Brewer accepts his handshake and hug.

"How are you Riley?" Dave asks.

"Yeah I'm good thanks mate and yourself? How's Patrick going?"Riley offers.

'I'm good thanks and you can ask him yourself he's just in the loo."Dave answers.

Alex rubs his hands together and says. "Poker night Riley we've got four to play."

...

Wilguls dining room table...

With cigars burning in the ashtrays and beer flowing Alex feels better than he has in months.

He hasn't laughed so much in a long time.

As the night rolls on the conversation turns serious.

Patrick innocently asks about Stevie and Rose.

...

"Rose passed away last year Pat. She was killed in a car accident in Greece."Alex explains.

"Oh sorry Alex I didn't know. How's Stevie?" He asks.

Dave frowns at his brother trying to deter his questioning.

"I don't know Pat she doesn't talk to me anymore." Alex answers.

...

"Shit! What happened? You were best mates!" Pat pushes.

"Pat change the subject." Dave warns.

"No he's right Dave." Alex says.

Then looking at Patrick he offers. "I let my wife push her out of my life Pat. I'll regret it till the day I die because she was my best friend and she brought out everything that was good in me."

...

"Yeah thanks for that Big Fella make me feel loved and wanted." Dave chips trying to lighten the mood.

Alex grins at him and replies. "She's in a league of her own as far as friends go Dave, you know that.'

"Maybe you should have married her instead of Fiona!" Pat states.

"Patrick!" Dave cautions.

"Yeah maybe. I don't even know where she lives now."Alex offers.

...

The phone ringing breaks the mood.

Alex rises to answer. "Hello Wilgul Alex Ryan speaking."

"Hang on, say again..." He asks.

Looking at the others he yells. "Shut up."

They stop laughing and look at him.

...

With one finger in his ear and his other hand holding the phone he says. "Who is it? Stevie! What's wrong? Of course I can ... where? Stevie? Stevie!"

"Riley where does she live? Something's wrong. She'd tried to ring Drover's but no one answered so she rang here.. She was talking and she said she was sick and then the line went dead."Alex explains.

"The girls are all out on a muster for the next couple of days. What about Austin?"Riley asks.

"Who's Austin?" Alex questions.

"Long story and not mine to tell, let's go" Riley orders.

...

The Hospital waiting room...

Riley sits with a baby boy asleep on his lap.

Dave and Patrick are asleep sitting in the chairs nearby as Alex is paces backwards and forwards nervously.

"Alex Ryan?" The doctor questions as he walks out.

"That's me. Can I see her?" Alex says hurrying over to the doctor.

...

"Miss Hall is very weak but has been asking for you. "The doctor says.

"Is everything ok? Will she be alright?" Alex asks.

"Yes she will. If she'd taken better care of herself this wouldn't have happened at all. She's malnourished and has Mastitis."The doctor offers.

"Mastitis!' He says as he looks over at the sleeping baby.

...

"So the little fellow's hers?" Alex questions.

Frowning the Doctor states. "You're listed as next of kin on her paperwork I would have thought you'd be aware of these things."

Alex nods and asks. "Can I see her?"

"Soon but I need to speak with you first about her care. I need to know she'll have proper nutrition. She's in a weakened state . Nursing Mothers need lots of nourishment."The Doctor explains.

"Yeah yeah whatever she needs I'll make sure she gets it. Can I see her now?"Alex pushes.

The doctor warns. "I don't think you realize how serious this is!"

Alex looks at him and says. "Of course I do, I'm a farmer."

The doctor looks disgusted and says. "She's a human being not a piece of livestock Mr Ryan."

Alex looks back at him and snarls. "I meant I've dealt with mastitis and I understand about correct diet. Are you going to check her little boy? Because as a farmer I'd be keeping a close eye on the calf as well."

"Yes of course, bring him through and we'll do that now." The doctor urges backing down after Alex's clipped response.

...

Stevie's hospital room..

Opening the door Alex walks in with the baby in his arms.

Stevie opens her eyes but her face remains blank.

Alex smiles at her and says. "You look better already."

She nods and reaches up for the baby.

...

"The Doctor's checked him out and he's fine." Alex offers but gets no reply.

The baby begins to grizzle and fuss.

Rolling slowly onto her side she begins to feed him.

Alex smiles watching them together and listening to the funny little noises the baby makes.

Stevie cups the baby's head in her hand and gentle rubs his soft hair.

"The Doctors signing the release papers Stevie and then we'll take you to Wilgul to recuperate." He explains.

She looks at him then back to the baby.

...

'You should have asked for help sooner Stevie." He says.

"I want nothing from you."She answers.

"Where's his Father? Why isn't he helping?" Alex snaps.

"I don't owe you any explanations Alex." She answers in a hostile tone.

...

Wilgul...the following morning...

While Stevie sleeps Dave, Patrick, Riley and Alex entertain the baby.

Filling up the bath Alex bathes the little boy and dries and dresses him.

Dave and Patrick offer to help Riley around the farm so Alex can stay and look after Stevie and her little boy.

He lays the baby on a blanket on the floor and prepares a hot breakfast for her.

...

Stevie wakes, yawns, stretches and looks around the room.

It's obviously Alex's room by the items she can see.

Plus the pillows smell like him.

Slowly she sits up and steadies herself as she feels a little woozy.

...

She picks up a photo frame from the side of the bed and is shocked to see it's a photo of her.

Quietly she places it back down and inspects the other items close by.

Everything is connected to her in one way or another.

...

Her foot touches something and leaning down she picks up a magazine from under the bed.

As she straightens up her head spins and she steadies herself again.

When the giddiness dissipates she glances at the magazine.

Smiling she whispers. " Playboy Alex really! You're such a bloke."

She drops it onto the floor and using her foot pushes it back under the bed.

"Probably an entire library under there knowing you." She chuckles to herself.

...

Picking up a velvet box she opens it knowing it will be empty.

It's the box that held Claire's engagement ring.

Running her finger over the empty base she smiles and says softly. "He's a sentimental bugger Claire."

...

In the kitchen Alex has the oven on and Stevie's breakfast warming.

Stevie stands steadying herself against the door jamb and can't help but smile.

Alex has placed Austin in a woollen jumper and has tied the arms around the back of the chair as he has no high chair for him.

It's quite firm and effective as the baby sits happily gabbling to Alex while mouthing a crust of toast.

...

"Oh Hey." Alex says as he stands and helps her into the room then to sit down.

"I've got your breakfast ready." He says as he quickly puts the plate in front of her.

At the sight of his Mother the baby begins to grizzles.

Stevie reaches over and unties him then puts him to the breast.

...

Alex has decided he won't speak unless spoken too.

All attempts so far have been met with hostility.

Stevie uses the fork and slowly devours the meal.

"Thank you. " She offers.

"No worries."He replies then asks. "Cuppa tea?"

She nods. "Yeah ta."

...

"He smells nice." Stevie offers.

"I bathed him." He answers.

She nods.

"Where are the boys?" She asks.

"Working." He replies.

Again she nods.

...

"You've renovated." She offers.

Looking around the room he replies. "Wilgul is a beautiful old homestead but it needed a freshen up. Riley and I have done most of the work ourselves. It's been good for me because its stops me from thinking too much."

"You've done a really good job Alex. It's very cheery although very white."She says smiling at him.

He sighs and answers. "I chose white because it was clean looking and because that's how my life is at this point in time. Sterile and devoid of colour."

She looks uncomfortable and the conversation finishes there.

...

Over the next few days everyone gets into a steady rhythm.

Dave and Patrick were only going to stay for one night but have stretched it out so they can help.

The brothers share a room and Riley has his own.

Stevie and the baby sleep in Alex's room.

He sleeps on the couch.

There's a fourth bedroom but its full of boxes that are yet to be unpacked.

The four men fuss over her and the baby and she gains strength not just from the food they bring her but from their friendship and laughter.

...

Day three...Wilgul dinner time...

Seated around the table they discuss the day's work and what is to be done tomorrow.

Alex purchased a selection of baby clothes and furniture the day after Stevie arrived.

She protested about the expense.

He reassured her it was ok and when she was ready to go home he'd load them up and take them to her place.

...

She'd resisted until he agreed she could pay him back once she was back on her feet.

So Austin happily sits in the high chair making a mess as everyone chats around him.

"The girls are back Stevie." Riley says.

Alex straightens and everyone in the room is aware of it.

"How did the muster go?" Stevie asks.

...

Riley is chewing and takes a little while to answer. "Yeah Kate said it was really good. They picked up a few strays just inside the National Park. So they were pretty happy about that."

"I bet they were. Whenever you find them, they're always lovely and fat." Stevie chuckles.

"Grace wanted to know if you're coming over there to recuperate." Riley tells her.

Alex stops eating and puts his cutlery down.

Standing he puts his plate on the bench and walks into the living room.

...

Dave watches him.

Rising he follows.

He places his hand on Stevie's shoulder on the way passed saying. "I'll have a chat to him."

She reaches up and touches his hand.

...

Alex is leaning on the mantelpiece gazing into the fire when Dave arrives.

"Lose your appetite Big Fella."Dave asks.

"Yeah." Alex answers gruffly.

"Thought you might like a beer." Dave suggests holding up a stubby.

...

Alex sighs deeply and takes the offered beverage.

"Cheers.' Dave suggests.

"I've got nothing to be cheerful about Brewer." Alex replies.

Dave looks at him and says. "Three days ago she wasn't even talking to you. I think you have a lot to be cheerful about."

...

Alex studies his friends face, then grinning says. "To hope."

Dave smiles and says. "I'll drink to that."

"Do you think you could give us a bit of space?" Alex asks.

"Sure we'll head into the pub for a couple of hours. " Dave replies.

"Thanks." Alex answers.

...

Alex washes the dishes and finishes cleaning up while Stevie feeds the baby.

Walking back into the living room after settling him in his cot Stevie sits on the couch.

"We need to talk Alex." She says.

Standing by the fire he sighs deeply and replies. "I know... but I'm afraid if we do we'll just fight and it's been so nice having you both here and ..."

She watches as his sadness takes his voice.

...

Swallowing hard she says. "Alex I'm sorry I was so angry at you the night I came to Kilarney." She offers.

"You didn't say anything I didn't deserve Stevie." He answers.

"Yes but I blamed you for things I shouldn't have. I was angry at you for things you did and things you didn't do." She tells him.

He watches her face then says. "Grief does funny things to you doesn't it?"

...

For an instant her eyes tear up but she breathes through it.

"I need to tell you something Alex and I hope you can forgive me for keeping it from you..."She begins.

Alex cuts her off and says. "He's mine isn't he?"

He watches as she swallows then nods.

"Yes he is."She replies quietly.

...

Alex Ryan sits dead still as she confirms to him something he thought he'd never hear.

"How did you know?" She asks surprise in her voice.

He rises and retrieves a photo album from the side board.

Sitting beside her he places the open book onto her lap and points.

...

She lifts the book and studies.

"Oh my god is that Liz and you?" She exclaims.

"Yes."

"You're around the same age as Austin."

"Yes I am."

"He's the image of you isn't he?" She concedes.

"Yes he is." He agrees.

...

She looks up at him searching his face.

Waiting for the anger.

"So the one time we?..." He begins.

"Yes. As Rose left me, he began." She says in a hushed tone.

"Fate." He whispers.

She inhales and tearfully answers. "Yes."

Neither moves as the sadness hangs in the air between them.

...

"Is there any chance you'll let me be involved in his life Stevie?" He asks almost too scared to hear her reply.

She shifts uncomfortably and wipes tears from her face.

He wants to hold her.

In a time before he wouldn't have hesitated but that time has passed.

So he waits.

Waits for her moves and her words to direct his path.

...

Softly and with anguish he can feel deep in his heart she begins. "Alex I've thought about this a lot and we both have so much pain still left to deal with and I wonder if I can risk my heart to what may come?"

He looks at her and says. "I'm so sorry for hurting you Stevie and if I could take it back I would."

"I accused you of not being there for me when I needed you the most. When I got home and went through all the lovely things you'd kept for me and I read your letter. I realized at the absolute lowest point in my life you came to me, held me and loved me, giving me your child. A beautiful precious gift Alex."She whispers unable to speak any louder.

It's not a yes but it isn't a no either and for now that's enough.

...

He moves closer to her.

Raising his arm across the back of the chair.

She leans into him.

He lets his arm fall softly across her shoulder.

...

Kissing her head he's unable to speak.

She turns into his chest and hugs him tightly.

Locked together in grief, pain and the past.

Silently hope arrives.

...

...