Liz, Nick, Tess, Terry, Meg, Jodie and Kate are flat out moving Stevie and Alex's things to Kilarney.
Liz organized for the house to be cleaned from top to bottom and removed all the things that didn't need to be there.
Nick organized for painters to come in and decorate one of the rooms so it's identical to the nursery on Wilgul.
Tess flitters about putting everything in place in the nursery including a baby monitor, breast pump and anything else she thinks might be necessary.
The crib is in Stevie and Alex's room as Tess knows they want the baby in with them.
Downstairs Liz is moving heaven and earth to make the place look like she'd imagine Stevie would like it.
When they finish they all sit and have a beer.
"So do you think she'll like it?" Nick asks.
Tess says "Well it feels like Stevie don't you think."
They all agree.
...
Finally Stevie and the baby can go home and Alex has bought a new car.
As they walk out Stevie is surprised by the car "Alex can we afford this?"
He grins and says "We got a great deal Steve's I sold my Ute and the Harley."
Stevie looks sad and says "Oh Alex you didn't, not your Harley."
"It's alright Cowgirl I'll get another one sometime we needed a safe car for the baby."
As he straps the baby into his capsule Stevie says "Looks like our life is changing already Alex."
He replies. "Yes and all of it for the better."
He reaches for her and kisses her.
...
As they turn into Kilarney, Stevie says "Alex I thought we were going home."
He looks at her and says "This is home now Cowgirl."
Alex's heart sinks as he sees how sad she looks.
As he pulls up out the front all their friends come out to welcome them home.
There is much chatter and hugging and Stevie's spirits lift.
Liz hugs her and says. "Welcome to your new home with your new baby. You'll make it yours quickly and fill it with love."
Stevie cries.
Walking in the front door Stevie is stunned the room is clean and fresh and their belongings make it look homely.
"Surprise they all yell."
Stevie smiles and says "You've all been busy haven't you?"
Tess laughs and says "Quick Stevie come upstairs I want to show you something."
Tess pushes open the nursery door. Stevie walks in and its beautiful and identical to the one Alex decorated for their baby on Wilgul again Stevie cries and Tess hugs her and cries too.
"Oh Tess its beautiful Thank you."
Tess laughs and says "Stevie it was Liz and Nick who organized most of it I just folded baby clothes and stuff and I bought the breast pump."
They both laugh then Tess says "Does it feel a bit better a bit more like home?"
Stevie says "Yes it does thank you. I'm so lucky aren't I Tess, because I have all of you."
Alex joins them and slides his arms around Stevie and says "What do you think Steve's?"
She breathes deeply and says. "It's beautiful Alex I love it."
Tess says she'll see them downstairs. Alex says "One more room Stevie."
He leads her to his room and opens the door it's been freshly painted and is bright and airy with the crib beside their bed and a beautiful big comfy chair near the window for sitting to feed the baby.
She hugs him tightly and says. "Alex do you think we can be happy here?"
He kisses her and says "As long as we're together I'll be happy."
...
Everyone has left and Stevie moves into the kitchen.
'Oh Hello Rhonda are you still here? " Rhonda smiles and says "Mrs Ryan has asked me to work longer in the afternoons for a few weeks until you settle in with the baby."
Stevie smiles at her and says. "Well that's a bloody long day for you Rhonda."
Rhonda likes Stevie always has, she's down to earth, friendly, honest and fair.
Stevie says. "What about tomorrow I come and give you a hand and we do a casserole or something I can heat up for us later in the evening and you can finish earlier and get home to your family?"
Rhonda smiles at her and says "I can go one better. I'll use the slow cooker and it will be cooking all afternoon and you won't have to heat it up."
Stevie grins and hugs her and says "Perfect Rhonda thank you so much."
"You're welcome Stevie."
"Would you like to meet our little boy?" Stevie asks.
"Yes I'd love too. Oh hang on I have a gift." Rhonda hands Stevie a parcel and as she opens she sighs and says "Oh Rhonda it's beautiful did you knit it yourself?"
Rhonda smiles and says. "Yes I did so you like it?'
"I love it Rhonda thank you."
...
Stevie and Rhonda head upstairs and walk into the bedroom Alex is sitting by the window with Alexander in his arms.
Stevie laughs and says" I was wondering where you were?"
She walks over to him and kisses him. "Hi Rhonda How are you?"
Rhonda replies "I'm great thanks Alex. Welcome home. I've come to meet your family."
Alex jumps up and says "Here take a seat. This is Alexander James Hall Ryan."
He places the baby in her arms.
"Oh isn't he sweet" Rhonda coos.
"Oh Alex look what Rhonda made for the baby."Stevie says.
"Hey very cute. Thanks Rhonda." Alex says as he reaches up to take the little jacket from Stevie.
"Best present they've received so far because it's been made with love. Wow it's soft."
Rhonda is quite chuffed at the young couple's response to her handy work.
She knows they'll be much more pleasant to work for as well.
...
Days tick by into weeks and Stevie and Alex get into a natural rhythm with their baby.
Alex works out on the farm in the mornings and comes in around lunchtime and then some days Stevie goes back out with him with the baby in the capsule.
Rhonda happily prepares casseroles and stews in the slow cooker so all is ready on their return.
Anything she does for them is greatly appreciated and they tell her so often.
She's coming to work earlier and leaving later simply because work is a pleasure.
...
Tess and Nick are coming over for dinner tonight with their little boy Jack so Rhonda is organizing a roast for them all.
Tess's pregnancy was easy but her birth was difficult and long and finally she was given a c-section.
Her recovery is taking a little longer than they expected but she has Meg and Liz helping out.
Nick has been wonderful and fusses over her and their little boy.
Tess feels guilty as she's unable to help but Nick continually reassures her that everything is fine and her health and recovery are far more important than the farm.
Tess is happy to finally be going out and especially over to Alex and Stevie as they all get along so well and she can compare notes on the babies.
...
Stevie hasn't worked with Alex today as she has stayed to help Rhonda with dinner preparations.
Alexander is due for a feed and Stevie hopes he'll wake so she can feed them before Tess and Nick arrive.
Stevie is standing in the kitchen chatting to Rhonda when Alex calls" Stevie where are you mate?"
She grins and replies "I'm in the kitchen Alex."
He smiles as he walks into the room and says "G'day Rhonda."
"Hello Alex" Rhonda replies and smiles as he wraps his arms around Stevie nuzzling into her neck.
Alex says "Oh I've missed you today."
Stevie giggles and says. "You've only been gone 4 hours Alex."
He turns her to him and says. "Yeah well it was about three hours too long."
He kisses her deeply.
Releasing her Stevie giggles and says. "Go and have a shower Alex."
He grins and says "If you come with me we could save water."
Rhonda laughs and Stevie blushes and says "Alex be good."
He hugs her and says "I'm trying to be good but you won't let me."
She laughs and says "Sorry Rhonda I'll take him upstairs before he gets carried away."
...
Upstairs Alex has showered while Stevie feeds the baby.
Alex walks over to her as she's sitting by the window.
"Oh god Stevie I know you're feeding but your breasts look so good."
She smiles at him and says "It's been awhile Alex."
He laughs and says "Yes it has six weeks and four days."
Sounding hurt she asks"And how many hours?"
He looks sad and says "Stevie I didn't mean it like that, I'm sorry. The little fellow is six weeks and four days old."
"I miss us too Alex." She says.
He smiles and says "Sometime soon you'll feel right about it all and I'll be here waiting and until then I can kiss you and hug you and dream."
Leaning down he kisses her and says "I'd better get dressed in case you get ideas."
She smiles after him.