daughter into her arms.
4 MONTHS LATER
"Claire, you're due for another contraction any minute now," Tess exclaimed as she drove down the road, Claire looked at her and rolled her eyes. Tess gave her a towel, as she kept driving down the road,
"What is this?" Claire asked snatching it and frowning,
"In case you want to bite on it," Tess said in a matter of factly tone,
"Tess this is stupid," Claire groaned,
"No its not Claire, we have to make sure we get you to hospital in time," Tess exclaimed rather agitated,
"Tess, were only going to birthing classes," Claire stated putting the towel in the back seat,
"Fine!" Tess exclaimed rolling her eyes as they entered Gungellan.
Tess stood with Claire in her arms, as Bella Ferguson the nurse, explained about birthing techniques. Claire frowned, before standing up,
"This is ridiculous," she protested pushing Tess's hands out the way,
"Claire," Tess whispered trying not to make a scene,
"What's ridiculous about it?" Bella asked seeing the two sister's bicker,
"It just feels wrong," Claire said pouting slightly,
"It won't went your giving birth trust me," Bella exclaimed as she finished the class and the mothers and fathers started to leave. Claire and Tess hurried out the room, only to be stopped by one of the fellow mother's,
"Claire, is Marty coming down for the birth?" Christine the woman asked, Claire glared at Tess, unable to believe that rumour was still going around,
"No, Marty's not the father," Claire stated as Felicity walked over to them from school, "Marty's the father of Felicity only, not this one" Claire exclaimed patting her stomach lightly, but frowned as Christine walked over to her husband, "I sound like a slut," Claire whispered to Tess as the three of them walked to the car, Tess sniggered, getting into the car.
Nick pulled up at Drover's, spotting Alex sneaking out of the house he got out and walked over to Alex,
"Alex?" Nick exclaimed coming up behind Alex, Alex jumped in fright and turned,
"Ah Nick! Don't do that," he exclaimed facing his brother,
"What are you doing?" Nick asked frowning,
"Surprising Claire," Alex beamed as they began to walk to Nicks Ute, Nick nodded slowly confused, "Got a night out for Claire, I'm gonna ask her," Alex added leaning on Nick's Ute,
"Yeah?" Nick smiled as Alex nodded eagerly, "Good on ya', she'll love it you know," Nick exclaimed getting into his Ute,
"Yeah, so you and Tess official yet?" Alex asked as Nick shut the door with a thud,
"Yeah, why else would I be here," Nick smiled broadly, before Tess and Claire pulled into the shed, Alex smiled running over to the car, Nick got out of the Ute and followed. Claire struggled out of the car, as Alex ran up too her, and took her into his arms,
"You missed me I'm guessing," Claire smiled up at him as he held her tightly,
"Yeah I've got a surprise for you," he stated as Tess and Nick shared a quick kiss,
"Oh Alex I hate surprises," Claire exclaimed as she walked back to the house with Alex, watching Felicity run ahead of her,
"You won't hate this one, I've got a present for you," he smiled kissing her head lightly, before making their way into the house,
"Really?" Claire smiled excitedly, before seeing the picnic basket on the table, she smiled back up at Alex, "A picnic?" she asked as Tess and Nick walked in, Alex nodded before Felicity walked back in from her room,
"Alex can I go for a ride with you?" Felicity asked opening the fridge,
"No not today Flick, sorry," he answered lightly,
"Oh okay, what about you auntie Tess?" she smiled at Tess who had Nick's arms around her,
"Yeah sure," Tess answered giving Felicity a comforting smile before looking at Alex and Claire,
"So where are you two off too?" Nick asked as he too looked at the couple,
"It's a secret," Alex exclaimed taking the picnic off the table,
"Alright I suppose I'll see you tomorrow," Claire said frowning slightly at Tess, before walking over to her and hugging her. Alex took Claire in his arms and left, leaving Tess, Nick and Felicity bewildered.
Claire looked up at Alex across the basket and smiled as she took the glass of water from him, he smiled broadly glancing at the velvet box that sat near his knee,
"So Alex where's my present?" she asked with a raised eyebrow, he quickly hide the box,
"The present?" he asked pretending to forget about it,
"You promised me a present, or was that just to get me out here?" she asked smiling,
"Well there is one thing I wanted to ask," he said trying hard to hide the nervous feeling in the pit of his gut,
"Yeah what's that?" she asked looking over the rolling hills and stars, Alex moving the basket out of the way and shuffling over to Claire, held the small box tightly, as he looked into Claire's eyes,
"Claire there are no words to describe what I feel for you," he smiled, "when I hold you in my arms, it's amazing," Alex flicked open the box with his thumb, Claire looked at him curiously, "Will you marry me?" he exclaimed holding out the diamond ring that sat prominent in the velvet box, Claire's hands shot to her mouth in shock as Alex looked at her desperately,
"Yes!" She beamed brightly, Alex hugged her tightly the sealed it with a kiss. He took the ring out and slowly put it on her finger, it was prefect. Claire admired the ring as she rested her head on Alex as they lay down in each other's arms,
"Sweet dreams McLeod," Alex grinned overlooking the ring on Claire's finger,
"Night Ryan," she giggled before falling blissfully asleep.
Tess tossed over kicking Nick, he sat up,
"Tess! Sit still!" he exclaimed rather annoyed,
"Sorry," she replied quietly before tossing again, Nick rolled his eyes as he lay back down,
"What's up?" He asked gazing up at the dark ceiling,
"I'm worried about Claire, I just get the feeling something isn't right," Tess stated sitting up, Nick followed suit sitting up and taking Tess into his arms,
"Tess don't worry, she's with Alex," Nick smiled broadly, Tess side glanced with curiousity,
"Do you know something I don't?" she asked gazing into his dimly lit eyes,
"Maybe," he smiled broadly,
"well spit it out," Tess exclaimed excitedly turning to Nick, he paused and thought whether he should tell her or not, "Nick tell me what's going on, or I'll go and find out myself," she exclaimed tossing back the doona,
"Okay, okay! Alex is proposing to Claire," Nick stated defeated, but excited for his brother, "Act surprised okay?" he asked looking at Tess' face light up as she pulled the doona back over her,
"Oh Nick! That's so romantic," she gushed with her hands to her mouth,
"Yeah, you should see the ring," Nick answered laying back down,
"I can't wait, I hope Claire says yes," Tess said excitedly sinking back into her pillow,
"She will there crazy about each other," Nick stated smiling at Tess, "There soul mates," he added looking on as Tess eventually fell into a peaceful sleep, he soon followed.
The soft sound of the tree's rustling and the distant cow's mooing could be heard as Claire awoke to a sharp pain, looking down she gasped, waking Alex up,
"Claire what's wrong?" he asked sitting up, rubbing his eyes,
"My water just broke," she exclaimed looking at the damp blanket, before returning her glance to Alex's shocked face,
"I'll go back and get help yeah?" Alex asked standing up in shock, Claire looked up holding her stomach, cringing slightly,
"Alex," she breathed as the beginning of her contractions started, but Alex had already got into the Ute and left. Claire moaned clutching her stomach she stood up and began to walk over to the closest tree, breathing hard she looked up, seeing the initials of the past owners of Drovers Run, sighing again grasping at the tree, she didn't want to do this over again!
Alex sped down the driveway spotting Tess at the house; he came to an abrupt stop. Tess turned away from what she was doing to see Alex running up to her,
"Alex where's Claire?" she asked slightly worried,
"She's having the baby," he exclaimed breathless,
"What! Where is she?" Tess asked running to Alex's Ute,
"I'll take you," Alex stated running after her,
"Wait," Tess exclaimed holding her hand up as she stopped running, Alex frowned, "Meg!" Tess called as she saw Meg walking with Jodi from the cottage,
"What is it Tess?" Meg asked walking quickly over to the flustered pair,
"Claire's in labour!" Tess yelled opening the door to Alex's Ute,
"Alright, we'll follow you," Meg answered running towards the Ute, Jodi following.
Claire lent on the tree, groaning in agony,
"Ah Alex, where are you," she screamed as another contraction began. The sound of Claire's breathing was so over powered by two Utes, Claire breathed a sigh of relief as Alex and Tess came running over,
"Claire!" Tess called running to her side,
"Uh Tess, get it out!" Claire groaned as Meg and Jodi ran up,
""Well come on lets get you to the hospital," Tess exclaimed helping Claire stand up right,
"Claire are you okay?" Jodi asked wide eyed,
"No!" Claire snapped as she struggled to walk with the overwhelming pain that filled her body, Jodi stood back and watched as they fussed over Claire, she panted in pain,
"Uoh Tess, I can't do it," Claire said dropping to into Alex's arms, Tess looked at Meg, her expression showing how scared she was,
"What do we do?" Alex asked stroking Claire's head as she breathed heavily into his chest,
"Claire how long between contractions?" Meg asked as Claire raised her head,
"How am I meant to know!" she snapped resting her head back on Alex's chest, Meg looked at Tess and rolled her eyes slightly.
6 HOURS LATER
Jodi sat watching from the Ute as Tess, Alex and Meg hovered over an exhausted Claire. The sun was now blistering down through the tree's,
"Come on Claire, you're nearly there," Meg exclaimed as Claire rested between her contractions,
"I can't," she sighed exhausted, Alex continued to stroke her face,
"Yes you can Claire," Alex exclaimed kissing her head, Tess looked up at Alex frightened, Claire groaned again as her body overwhelmed her with the pain again,
"Ahhh, Alex I hate you!" she screamed grabbing at his shirt to compensate for the pain,
"Good Claire, one more," Meg exclaimed smiling at Alex and Tess,
"I can't…. I can't do it," she breathed slumping into Alex and Tess,
"Come on Claire, last push," Tess said rubbing Claire's back,
"I can't," she breathed again, before another contraction began, she gritted her teeth and gave one last push, Alex held her arms as she shook,
"Good Claire," Meg exclaimed as she too rubbed Claire's back as her breathing began to increase,
"Come on Claire," Alex exclaimed smiling as she looked into his eye's, Tess watched intently with Jodi as the sound of a baby's cry soon over powered the distance calls from the cow's, they all smiled as Meg wrapped the baby up,
"It's a girl," Meg exclaimed as Jodi ran up to them,
"Uh Claire, she's gorgeous," Tess and Jodi gushed as Claire took her baby into her arms, Alex put his arm around Claire as she sat up, overlooking her daughter,
"Alex look," Claire smiled up at him, he looked back at her,
"Bloody good job McLeod," he exclaimed kissing her head lightly, before the four of them made their way home.