Drover's Run...Months later...

As the rain pelts down Stevie pulls the car up and unbuckling Austin runs to the house.

Kate holds the back door open and yells." Run!"

"Gosh that came down suddenly." Stevie gushes.

Kate takes Austin's coat off as Stevie removes her own.

...

"Did Grace and Regan get the last of the tack sorted?" Stevie asks.

Kate begins to walk into the house with Austin and replies. "Yeah they did and Moira and I finished the goat fence. Oh and Alex rang he wanted to know if you were still going to help him tomorrow?"

"Are you right with him for a minute I'll just ring Wilgul?" Stevie asks.

"Yep no worries I've made some yummy stew and the first bowl has your name on it." Kate replies to Stevie and talks to Austin at the same time.

...

Wilgul...

"What do ya reckon mate will you be warm enough here now?" Alex asks.

Riley grins and replies. "Warm as toast mate even without the new heater. Now that I've got my own place I might be able to bring some female company home."

Alex grins and slapping him on his back says. "Righto I've got a few things to do back at the house. I'll see you in the morning."

...

Alex spends the next hour moving furniture and rearranging things.

Finally he takes the last of the boxes and rubbish out to the dumpster.

On his way back to the house large drops of rain begin to fall.

...

Opening the back door he hears the phone.

"Wilgul Alex Ryan speaking...Hello how was your day? ... Yeah mine was really good. Riley and I got a lot of work done and finished a big project we've been working on...Yeah lots of changes ...Yes I can ... Hey listen I was wondering you know we were talking about you coming over to help tomorrow... Yeah, yeah, I still need your help but I was wondering if you'd like to come tonight instead?...I want you to stay the night Stevie...please.'

...

Wilgul...

With the rain steadily falling Alex nervously waits for Stevie and Austin to arrive.

He's moved heaven and earth to achieve all that he has in the last few months.

Initially things had been really tricky for the both of them and they'd had huge fights and misunderstandings.

They'd quarrelled over what was best for Austin.

Sometimes Alex was uncomfortable with the entire situation but having them live on Drover's was far better than not seeing them at all.

...

Stevie needed time and space and as much as he wanted to push her he had refrained himself until now.

Everything hinged on tonight.

He wanted to show her what he'd been doing for weeks but decided it was better to surprise her.

For the last couple of weeks he'd visited them on Drover's rather than them visiting Wilgul.

...

Alex sighed when he thought about the anger directed at him the first time Stevie had invited him over.

The girls were openly hostile towards him and if he was truthful he didn't blame them.

Most of it was Fiona's fault but he hadn't stepped up and diverted her wraith.

Like Stevie said. "He'd been weak."

...

Stevie slows as she pulls into Wilgul and notes she has butterflies.

"Well Austin here we are. I wonder what is so urgent that we had to come tonight."Stevie says glimpsing her son in the rear view mirror.

Pulling up as close to the house as she can she giggles when she sees Alex running out holding a huge umbrella.

"Here's Daddy. He's keen matey we haven't even turned the engine off. He must have been watching for us. Should I be nervous?' She muses.

...

Opening the door she smells his aftershave even though the wind is whipping around.

"Hi." She says.

"Hi how are you?" He asks.

"Good. I'm good.' She replies nervously.

...

"You want to hold the umbrella and I'll grab the little guy?' Alex asks.

She nods and takes the umbrella.

He opens the back door and Austin squeals with excitement as Alex greets him.

Laughing he quips. "Did you give him red cordial or something Stevie he's a little over excited."

Noting her own heart beat and feelings, she hides behind her humour. "It's the Ryan blood in him.'

Alex laughs and grabs the nappy bag and her overnight bag from the back seat as well.

...

"Where's Riley?"Stevie asks once they're inside.

"Hang on first things first." Alex checks her.

He smiles broadly at her and she grins and says. "You're up to something aren't you?"

Handing her the nappy bag but with her bag still in his hand he ushers her down the hall.

...

"Let's put Austin's things in his room shall we!"Alex suggests as she pushes open the spare room door.

Stevie's mouth drops open and she puts her hand to her face and says. "Oh Alex it's amazing!"

A beautiful old tree has been painted onto the wall and a new glider rocking chair is positioned so it appears to be under it.

Austin's cot looks like it is in the middle of a paddock with sheep and cows around it.

Six large white letters with blue stars spell out AUSTIN above the cot.

A toy box holds a variety of new toys and a book shelf has an array of children's books waiting to be read."

...

"Is this why you kept saying you'd come to us?" Stevie asks.

He smiles and admits. "I wanted to surprise you. I wanted to make it feel more like home."

"It's perfect Alex absolutely perfect." She comments as she looks around.

Opening the draws and the wardrobe she laughs when she holds up the tiniest RM Williams boots, shirts and a hat.

"Oh Alex they're just gorgeous."She offers.

...

"Come on I want to show you something else." He tells her.

Leaving Austin's bag in his new room they walk to the next room.

"I made this one for you Stevie." Alex says pushing the door open.

The room is elegant and neither feminine nor masculine.

Decorated in rich earthy colours it's stylish and definitely Stevie.

...

He places her bag on the bed and asks. "Do you like it?"

She surprised that she feels hurt by the fact he's made her a room of her own.

Even though she knows that's what she told him.

...

"I want space Alex please don't crowd me or push me."She'd said to him months ago.

He'd done everything she asked of him.

She loved him, there was no question about that but even though her heart had been ready, her mind wasn't.

And now this.

...

"Yes it's lovely thank you." She replies.

He looks at her and asks. "What's wrong?"

Glancing at him she answers. "Nothing. It's a nice room."

"Nice? Just nice?" He questions.

...

"Come on let's have a cuppa."She offers wanting to change subjects.

"You don't like it do you? Please don't lie to me Stevie. I can change it if you like." He tells her.

She feels awful after all his hard work she's upset him.

Placing her hand on his arm she says. "Alex I'm sorry it's just that I wasn't expecting my own room that's all."

...

"I can put his cot in your room if you like."He offers.

She looks at him and tries not to grin.

He's misunderstood about the solo room.

"No it's a beautiful room Alex and I love it. Thank you." She smiles.

...

They walk slowly back towards the living room and he stops at his door.

She stops and looks back.

"I changed my room as well you can have this one instead if you like."He explains.

She walks back and he pushes the door open and grins as she gushes. 'Oh my god Alex it's exquisite.'

...

A king sized wooden bed dressed in the palest of lemon and white is in the centre of the room and the pillows and doona are so big and fluffy they look like massive clouds.

A fire in the ornate stone fire place crackles in a beckoning fashion.

All the furniture is new and of the highest quality wood.

The textures and colours drawing you in to come and rest or play.

...

Everything about the room smacks of luxury.

On the end of the bed is a large decorative box.

Stevie walks over and reads the tag "Stevie."

Looking at him she asks. "Is this for me?"

...

"Well you're Stevie so I guess it's yours." He grins.

She smiles at him.

He shifts Austin into his other arm and watches her.

She lifts the lid and folds back the tissue paper.

...

Looking back at him she grins and says. 'A new dressing gown and ugg boots."

He smiles when she giggles.

Picking up the card she reads.

I'd like you to stay in this room with me.

I don't want to be apart any more.

Please add colour to my life.

I love you Alex xxx

...

Wilgul early the following morning...

Austin Ryan wakes in his room and talks to the sheep, cows and horses that hang from the mobile above his cot.

In the kitchen his Father flicks the kettle on and walks down the hall in his under wear.

Opening the door Alex smiles listening to his son.

...

"Good morning little man. You're a happy boy today." Alex whispers.

" Da, da, da .' Austin says kicking wildly as his Father reaches for him.

Alex kisses his cheek and says. "Mummy's still asleep so it's just you and I for breakfast."

...

In the kitchen Alex makes himself a coffee and some cereal for the baby.

"Da, da, da." Austin says as Alex tries to put the cereal in his mouth.

"Come on mate eat something." Alex urges.

Austin begins to grizzle.

Wiping the babies face and hands Alex lifts him from the high chair.

...

Stevie wakes and stretches, smiles and sighs.

She leans on her elbow and looks at the fireplace.

A delightful memory from last night brings a smile to her face.

Looking up she grins as Alex opens the door.

...

"We're about to have a shower and I was wondering if you'd like to join us?" Alex asks.

Bouncing out of bed she grabs her robe and ugg boots and says. "Our first shower together as a family."

He laughs and says. "We're not taking a photo of that are we?"

She laughs too and pushing him out the door says. "No of course not."

...

As she strips off to get under the water she asks. 'Where's Riley?"

"He's at his own place." Alex answers.

"His own place?" She questions,

"Yeah we converted part of the shed so he's got his own place now." Alex replies.

...

"So the house is ours?" She questions.

"Yes it is and that's why I needed you to come and help me today."He answers.

'Help do what?" She quizzes.

"Begin our life as a family." He answers as he steps into the shower with Austin in his arms.

...

Smiling she stretches and kisses him. "Our life as a family. Took us a long time to get here."

"Hmmm but we're here and I couldn't be happier."He tells her.

"Me either I've got my two Ryan men under the one roof." She says with a hint of sadness in her voice.

...

"Stevie?"

"Yeah?"

He slides his arm around her and kisses her sweetly. "I think she'd be happy for us."

She nods.

...

He hugs her again then says. "We need to talk about you changing your name?"

He's trying to cheer her so she plays the game.

"But I like Stevie." She teases knowing exactly what he's talking about.

"Ok we'll talk about it later." He says pretending to be sad.

...

"Let's just be lovers for now."

He looks at her and grinning says. "You wanna live in sin?"

"I don't care Alex so long as it's with you."

He smiles at her and asks. "What would you like to do today?'

She leans in and whispers to him.

...

He laughs loudly.

Looking at Austin he says. "Well Mummy's decided you need a baby brother or sister. It's a tough job but someone has to do it!"

Stevie flicks him and quips. "You said you wanted colour in your life maybe we will get pink this time around?"

"She's a hard woman Austin now she's choosing colours, work, work, work."

They both laugh.

...

The end...Hope you enjoyed it

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