Chapter 10.
'Just two more days', Jodi spoke, sighing content and with anticipation to have her husband with her again. She gazed around, her eyes falling over the paddocks at the horizon. Stevie stretched and stared at her, seeing how she just held on to her swollen belly and enjoyed the rays of sun on her face. Obviously in her dreamland already having Matt with her. Stevie had to smile weakly, holding the carrots she had jut pulled out of the soil.

Brushing the back of her hand against her nose, leaving dirt on her face she stretched her back further, feeling the strain lightly fade away. 'You know Jodes, you could help me getting out tonight's dinner.'

Jodi suddenly stared to her left, looking at her friend. 'Oh sorry, I bet you must get really sick of me.'

'Why that?', Stevie asked, her hand resting shortly on her lower back. She took a few steps to look at Xander who slept peacefully in his buggy, his little hat far over his face, which made her grin.

'You know, me and Matt, you and Alex, I mean I'm already whining after not having him with me for a week or so, while you had to miss ...', her voice dropped. Miss Alex for the rest of your life. Jodi swallowed, feeling bad and selfish now.

Stevie brushed a lock of hair out of her face, straightened her back again. She breathed in deeply, seeing how Jodi now stared at her. 'Just promise you never let go off Matt', she said, pinching her friend's shoulder weakly. 'I better get these inside', she shortly showed Jodi the bunch of carrots and lettuce. 'You take Xander with you?'

Jodi only nodded, feeling still as bad. She followed later on, checking on Xander who seemed to have woken up. 'Hey little one, you think we can arrange something for your mommy, make her smile?'

***

Marcus wrapped his arms around Ingrid's waist, pulling her close to him; the bright smiley look on her face when she looked at him was always breath taking. 'So you're finished for today?', he asked hopeful.

She nodded pleased; 'yes I am, but I promised I would have dinner at Drovers so I'm only here shortly, wondered if you wanna get along with me.' Ingrid stood half on her toes, trying to even get closer to him. She loved his smile, suddenly now fading a bit as he glanced away.

'About that, maybe we shouldn't be spending so much time at Drovers', he just let out. Marcus felt his steady breathing through his nose, remembering Regan's words earlier this day. Now distracted when he felt how Ingrid's fingers pulled at the collar of his shirt.

'Why that?', Ingrid asked, with a weak concerned look on her face, frowning softly.

'I know you love it there, but it's not the most ideal place, surely not your room, and I'm not sure for how long your bed will keep up', he now smirked, seeing how she showed a naughty look in return.

'So what do you suggest?', Ingrid asked, now glancing at his chest, her fingers still fiddling with the green fabric.

Marcus looked at her, waiting for a moment to answer her question; 'Here, you can move back to Killarney.'

'Wow', she let out; 'you want me to move in with you?' Her eyes gazed at him, unsure, impressed but surely not sure. It would be so fast and of course there was still a bit of a problem with moving to Killarney; she would end up being seen as Killarney's personal vet. Somehow people didn't bother her living at Drovers.

'Yeah', he calmly spoke, but inside he was rather nervous. Marcus now glanced over her, towards the trees standing in line next to the entrance. 'It would make it easier for all of us ... and we would have a more stable bed', he smirked for a moment; 'more space, more privacy. Grace wouldn't be confronted with us every day.'

Ingrid now narrowed her eyes and stared up at him; 'is this about Grace?'

He looked at her, suddenly searching for more in her worried eyes. 'No, it would be positive for her, no doubt, but I really wouldn't mind having you here.'

'You want me really living with you, taking yet that other step, or you just want to give Grace a break', Ingrid asked suspicious.

'Both, really I want you here'.

She moved unsteady in his embrace; 'I don't know if that's really what you want Marcus.'

He frowned at her, weakly agitated; 'of course I want that. You obviously aren't jumping of joy.'

Ingrid moved back, feeling his hands now slip to her hips. She stared at him; 'I think it's fast. I've just returned. I wanna take things slow and I kinda like it on Drovers, after everything that happened.'

'You are safe, Paul can't harm you anymore. We can do whatever we wanna do Ingrid', he told her, chancing his tone in his voice, rather caring and hoping this conversation wouldn't end up in an argument.

She breathed out, taking a moment, her flat hands strolling a bit down his chest. 'I wanna be with you, of course I want to. I need a bit more time. I guess I can stay more nights at Killarney, if that's what you suggest?'

He brushed his fingers back over her left cheek. Exploring the beauty of his girlfriend's face, pure beauty. 'I don't want us to fight over this, just know that I would really like you to move in with me, but if you're not ready yet. I'm fine with it.'

Ingrid leaned into his hand, his thumb feeling a bit rough on her skin, obviously the marks of his work on the farm. She took in a deep breath as she had closed her eyes. Opening them again she pressed her lips into a smile. 'Thanks', she quietly spoke stretching out her arms and wrapping them around his waist. Her head rested on his chest and he just held her.