Kilarney... seven am ...outside...
In the early morning, a warm breeze drifts around Alex Ryan as he strolls about the house yard.
Every now and again he stops, either leaning against a fence or sitting on a bench or step.
A narrative flows from his lips to his son.
In a thin wrap, is the pink face of the newborn shaded by his Father's large hand against the bright sunshine.
Alexander Hall Ryan's eyes are open, his expression peaceful.
...
Nearby the child's Mother sits watching them.
Delighted by the scene but not wanting to intrude.
Every part of her body hurts today but the overwhelming love she feels in her heart numbs it and makes it secondary.
A fly flits past her face; she sweeps her hand to shoo it away.
...
From the corner of his eye Alex Ryan senses movement.
In his arms the baby squirms and lets out a small squawk.
Glancing towards the house Alex smiles .
" Mummy's watching us mate. She was asleep when we left, she must have been worried, wondering where you are." He whispers.
The baby stretches,yawns and sighs.
...
Stevie rises and takes her time down the steps.
Walking so very slowly towards them.
Something in Alex hurts.
His smiles drifts with the breeze when he realizes she's in pain.
...
Her normal stride is a slow shuffle.
He feels the weight of his son in his arms .
She'd carried this weight inside her .
Again the baby stretches and Alex feels the strength in his tiny limbs .
...
With purpose he lumbers towards her, not wanting her to move any more.
Realization pushing the distance between them to a minimum.
"What are you doing out here?" He questions.
She recoils from his words.
Stung by the delivery.
" Alex ! I'm sorry I didn't mean to intrude." She replies softly.
...
He smiles, placing his arm around her shoulder and answers.
" How could you ever feel like an intruder into our lives. If it wasn't for you he wouldn't be here Stevie. I meant you look like you're in pain come inside and rest.' He offers.
She lifts her hand to move the soft cloth so she can see her baby's face.
"Isn't he just perfect Alex." She states kissing the baby's head.
...
Smiling he replies. " I may be biased but I think so."
Inhaling she sighs.
" Can we have breakfast out here Alex ? It's such a beautiful morning.' She asks.
"Whatever you want Stevie, are you ok to walk over to the table and chairs." He replies .
"No I mean here ." She replies.
...
"What on the lawn?" He questions.
She smiles and answers. " Sooner he gets used to roughing it the better."
He leans and kisses her and says . " Like I said Cowgirl whatever you want. Are you right to take him and I'll go and grab a blanket and some food."
She nods and smiles as Alex gently places the baby into her arms .
...
"Hello beautiful boy, I missed you." She coos.
Alex smiles at her then turns towards the house.
" Just some fruit and juice for me Alex please. Nothing greasy." She calls after him.
" Righto." He calls, without looking back.
She smiles watching him run to get their breakfast.
...
By the time he returns.
Stevie is lying in the dappled shade of the trees.
As he approaches, he smiles.
She's feeding the baby.
...
Spreading the blanket , he takes the baby as she gets more comfortable .
" Boy you thought of everything didn't you." She says grinning when he hands her a pillow.
Resting her arm on it he chuckles and says. " I thought you might have wanted it for the other end."
She laughs and replies. " If I'm sitting definitely but lying down I'm ok."
...
Kilarney...Ten am .. the kitchen..
"You're early Marcus." Rhonda exclaims as he walks into the kitchen.
Smiling he replies. " The harvesting is finished and there's only hay carting left to do now so it's pretty quiet. With the Lion clubs help we've finished our storm clean up."
" When do you head off to Argentina?" She asks.
"End of next week." He replies.
...
"It'll be very quiet around here." She muses.
"I guess, but it will be nice for Stevie and Alex with the new bub."He suggests.
She nods and says . "They're very good at finding their own space already."
He looks at her with a quizzical look on his face.
...
" They've had a picnic breakfast on the front lawn. "She offers.
"With the baby?" He asks.
She nods.
"I wondered where they were. I won't disturb them." He states.
...
Kilarney's lawn ...ten thirty am...
Alex wakes with Stevie nestled into his armpit and the baby asleep on his chest.
He's hot and sweaty but doesn't move.
Stevie's breathing changes and he realizes she's awake when she begins to stretch.
" Good morning again." He whispers.
...
Tilting her head to look at him she smiles and says . "Good morning... I'm hot."
"Well I've always thought so." He replies.
She pushes herself up resting on her elbow and leans to kiss him and then runs her hand over the baby and comments. "He's quite contented there isn't he?"
Alex smiles and answers. " Yeah he's hardly moved."
...
" He likes the outdoors."She comments.
"Well he's ours, so that's just as well isn't it."Alex beams.
Inhaling she nods and asks. " What would you like to do?"
" Same as we're doing now but somewhere cooler."He chuckles.
...
" I need a shower." She says.
" I should probably do some paper work."He offers.
"We could help you." She quips.
" Sounds good.' He says smiling at her.
...
Kilarney three days later Stevie and Alex's bedroom...early morning.
Alex wakes feeling uncomfortable .
Stevie is nestled under his arm with her chest pushed up against him and her leg draped across his legs.
He frowns as he slides his hand between her breasts and himself then grinning says . " Stevie wake up."
She moves a little and he watches as she grimaces and says. " Oh well that doesn't feel good."
...
He laughs and offers. " Safe to say your milks in."
She opens one eye and says . " Sorry."
" Well the little bloke will be happy that's for sure." He quips.
"Oh yuck it's all sticky." She grumbles pulling her top away from her chest.
...
Standing up he says . " Come on let's have a shower.'
Screwing up her face she says . " Yeah I'll have to change the sheets too. "
She visits the toilet first then joins him in the shower.
By the time she walks in Alex is already soaped up.
...
Climbing in she lets the warm water run over her and feels a tingling as her milk lets down.
He laughs. " You're a girl of many talents aren't you."
Looking down she covers her breasts as milk squirts freely from them.
" Don't be shy Stevie I'm impressed. I've never seen that happen before." He chuckles .
...
She lets her hands drop and he watches.
She smiles and says ." You're easily entertained aren't you?'
He moves to hug her and she pushes him back.
"They're sore Alex please be gentle." She says.
...
He smiles and reaches to touch her.
" God they're like rock." He exclaims.
She looks puzzled and says . " I would have thought you'd know about this?"
He shakes his head.
She pulls a face and is actually pleased that they are sharing something he hasn't experienced before.
...
He begins to wash her back for her and says . " I'd better get out."
" A little too much excitement for you." She chuckles.
He gives her a quick kiss and says . "I think we should shower on our own until we can...when I can.."
She laughs and says . " Spit it out Alex ,until we can have sex again and you can act on your urges."
...
Shaking his head he grins and says . " Always cut to the chase don't you? Yes until I can do what I want to do ."
She leans out of the shower and gives him a kiss and says . "Nice to know you still want me."
" I don't just want you Stevie. I want to ravish you."He whispers.
She giggles.
" You could shower with me as just my friend." She suggests.
...
Raising an eyebrow he says . "No not a good idea."
" What about if I turn the hot water off?" She quizzes.
Shaking his head he laughs and says. " The way you look no not even a cold shower would help."
She smiles as he moves from the bathroom.
...
Drover's Run five days later... five pm ...
" Come on Tess hurry up I don't want a late night!" Nick calls up the stairs.
"Have you got the nappy bag?" Tess replies.
"Yes and the baby's in her car seat and the cars running."He grumbles.
...
Running down the stairs she digs. " Ok Harry I'm ready."
He laughs and taps her on the bottom as she moves by him and says . " I'll give you bloody Harry."
"Well don't be a grumble bum and I won't call you that." She quips.
Smiling he follows her out to the car.
...
Gungellan Pub six pm...
Alex holds the door as Stevie moves through and he follows with the baby in the capsule.
It takes them a good fifteen minutes to move through to the lounge as many stop and congratulate them on the new baby.
Tess, Nick, Marcus and Grace are already there quietly chatting over drinks when Stevie and Alex finally arrive.
"Come on you two I don't want a late night." Nick calls.
...
" Shut up Nick we've been here for bloody ages it's taken us twenty minutes just to get through the bar." Alex responds grinning.
"Sweet Jesus Stevie look at your Hooters they're enormous."Grace observes.
They all laugh when Stevie bites . "Yeah thanks for that Kingston I hadn't noticed."
"Can you see your feet?" Grace teases.
...
Stevie looks straight at Marcus and says . " Can you hurry up and get her pregnant so I can torment her please?"
They all laugh and Marcus's face turns a deep red.
" Oh Marcus I'm so sorry I didn't mean to embarrass you."Stevie offers.
Marcus doesn't look at her but nods and says . " That's ok."
...
They order their meals and sit back , relax and discuss the trip to Argentina.
Tess feeds Claire in between entrée and mains then takes her into the bathroom to change her nappy.
Alexander sleeps on.
Nick explains to Alex what he has to do on his return to Argentina and they discuss the best use of time and workers.
Alex and Stevie have more knowledge of what Grace, Kate and Riley know and how best to have them help.
Nick thinks Marcus will be invaluable with all the paperwork he has to complete too.
...
Nick's thrilled with what he learns and says . " We might be able to wrap this up in three weeks. That will be so good if we can."
Tess's excitement builds at the thought of Nick being home sooner.
" So where are Riley and Kate tonight?" Grace asks.
"They've gone into Fisher . Riley is being fitted with a boot he'll be able to help a lot more that way."Stevie replies.
...
" Right who wants another beer?" Alex asks.
Marcus, Grace and Nick reply in the positive.
" Stevie would you like something?" He asks.
"Just a lemon squash thanks ." She replies.
Tess asks for the same .
...
Alexander stirs and Stevie lifts him from the capsule and discreetly begins to feed him.
She has worn a pretty, cotton over shirt with a lace tank top underneath.
Unless you were actually standing over her you wouldn't know she was feeding.
Except for the delightful sound of the baby as he goes from grizzly to satisfaction, once her milk has let down.
...
On the table beside them a man who is quite obviously tipsy and not a local has noticed what's going on and calls out. " Hey love do you think you could go somewhere else to do that I'm trying to eat my dinner here?"
Alex has arrived back with a tray of drinks and is about to say something when the waitress brings some of the meals.
" Alex ignore him." Stevie urges.
Alex sits as she requests and begins to cut up her steak for her, so she can easily eat while feeding the baby.
...
Placing the meal back in front of her.
Alex quietly fumes.
"Hey love did you hear me?" The drunk pushes.
Stevie stands still feeding the baby and picks her plate up and moves over to the next table.
...
" Come on then." Stevie says.
"What?" The drunk asks.
"Well if I have to eat my meal in the toilets while I feed my son, you can come and keep me company."She says with her anger controlled.
" I'm not sitting in a bloody toilet to eat." The drunk retorts.
...
'Well neither is my son so shut the hell up and mind your own business .'She growls and walks back to their table.
The drunk looks embarrassed and his fellow diners do too.
No further comment is made.
...
She sits back down and Alex asks . " Are you ok?'
"Do I look ok? " She replies.
He smiles at her, leans over and kisses her and says . "Eh you'll have to do I suppose."
She chuckles.
...
"Picked the wrong woman to tangle with didn't he." Nick chuckles.
Stevie is still annoyed but comments. " If I was uncovered then maybe I could understand..'
Looking at Marcus who is sitting opposite her she asks. " Can you see anything Marcus?"
He gets a cheeky grin on his face when he replies. " I've seen more when you're in bikini's Stevie."
Stevie's mouth drops open and then she grins and quips. " It's always the quiet ones. You have to watch the quiet ones."
They all laugh.
...
Grace and Tess move off to the toilet and Alex and Nick have gone for more drinks.
Stevie has finished feeding the baby and has him over her shoulder burping him.
"Marcus I'm really sorry about embarrassing you before about Grace." Stevie says.
He gives her a funny little grin and looking around leans in and says . " Just as you said that I was actually thinking the same thing ."
...
A loud melodic laugh escapes from her .
Marcus laughs too and explains. " In a nicer way though I was thinking about how happy the two of you are with the little guy and I was thinking how much I want that."
She smiles at him and says . "Marcus I'll keep my fingers crossed that it all works out for you."
" She is so much fun to be around and she is different to anyone I've dated before." He offers.
" Yeah they certainly broke the mould when they made her." Stevie chuckles.
...
Alex returns and places a flyer in front of Stevie.
She passes the baby to Marcus who happily takes his nephew.
Picking up the flyer she reads and then looks at Alex.
"What ya reckon?" He asks smiling broadly.
...
"I reckon we should be good to go." She chuckles.
" What is it?" Tess asks.
Stevie holds the paper up and says . "Pool comp starts next week!"
"But you've just had a baby.' Marcus offers.
...
"Marcus he'll be three weeks old by then." Stevie replies.
" So will I put our names down?" Alex asks.
She nods and says . " Yeah it's time we won our title back.'
" Title?" Marcus asks.
...
Stevie smiles and replies. "We were three time Gungellan champions ."
" Well who beat you?"Marcus asks.
" No one we were undefeated." Alex quips.
"Alex got married and Miss Fancy pants put a stop to it." Stevie explains
...
Alex looks at Stevie and says. " It was my fault too Stevie."
" Yeah but I don't like blaming you." She chuckles.
He leans over and kisses her and says . "Right I'll let them know we're in and then we'll head for home."
She nods.
...
A week later Drover's Run...
" Have you got everything Nick." Tess asks trying to be brave .
He smiles at her and says. " Almost."
She looks up at him glassy eyed and says . " I don't want you to go."
A step removes the space between them and his arms enfold her .
...
Kissing her head he whispers. "I don't want to leave you either but it's only for a little while Tess.'
He feels her nod and knows she's crying.
They stand without comment for a few minutes just enjoying each other's arms.
" Come on now! You're as tough as Stevie and she got through it." He offers trying to rally her spirit.
...
He takes her hand and leads her up onto the widows walk.
Standing behind her he whispers. " We're home Tess just another month and we won't leave here ever again ok?"
She nods still teary.
"When I get back we'll use some of the money we've made to give the place a coat of paint inside and out and we'll put a new hot water service in too."Nick offers.
Turning towards him she laughs and says . " Don't you like cold showers?"
...
"Oi!" Alex calls from behind them.
Still in each other's arms the turn to his voice.
" What have you done with my nephew?" Tess asks seeing neither Stevie or Alex have the baby.
Alex laughs and replies. " We didn't even get out of the car before Taylor snaffled him."
...
Stevie sees the look on Tess's face and knows she upset about Nick's departure tomorrow.
Holding up her arms the two women embrace .
" We're on the home stretch now Tess . In a few short weeks we'll have both the Ryan's in the same country as us." Stevie states.
Tess hugs her tightly and moving back replies. " I have to let him go first."
...
"See I knew this would happen McLeod you've gone soft." Stevie teases.
Tess grins at her and says . " Well I suppose if you can do it I should be able to do it easily."
Stevie grins at her and quips. " There she is! That's the Tess McLeod I know and love."
Tess nods.
...
The four stand enjoying the view for a little longer then Alex says . "Got some good news for all of us. Stevie's cousin Ben is coming to give us a hand while the others are away and Stevie spoke to Regan and she's in between jobs at the moment so she'll be here to help around Drover's too."
Nick asks. " Do you really think you need the extras Alex ? If I'd known you'd be short staffed I wouldn't have agreed to take the others."
"Stop thinking about money all the time Nick . I did this as back up and I thought it would make you worry less, knowing Tess had sufficient help."Alex remarks.
Tess takes Alex's arm and walks back towards the exit and says . " Thank you Alex I appreciate it and take no notice of Harry back there he's turning in to a grump before my very eyes."
" Wifey!" Nick warns playfully from behind them .
They all enjoy the joke.
...
Gungellan Pub the following night...
Stevie feeds the baby and Alex grabs some drinks for them.
" There you go one lemon squash and we're registered to play . The comp starts in half an hour."Alex says smiling as he sits beside her.
Inhaling deeply she smiles and says . " It feels like old times Alex .'
"Yeah but we've got the little fella with us now too."Alex comments.
...
Looking down at the baby she runs her free hand across his head.
Alex watches her and wonders what she's thinking.
Looking up she asks . " What?"
" I was wondering what you were thinking about?" He replies.
...
Again she inhales and answers . ' I was thinking I have Alex Ryan's son."
His lips are on hers quickly, delivered with great tenderness.
With her hand on his face she says. " Some days I have to pinch myself Alex because I can't believe how happy I am.'
He kisses her again.
...
"Stevie are you right there?" Ben's voice booms from behind them.
She laughs and says . " I'm more than alright Ben. You all settled in over on Drover's?"
" Yeah it's a hardship being surrounded by beautiful women, but I'll cope."He replies.
Tess, Taylor, Moira and Regan are all with him.
...
" Tess what are you doing here?' Stevie asks.
" We're the cheer squad Stevie. Thought it was about time we shook this place up again." Tess chuckles.
" Plus we thought you'd play better if you had a few extra baby sitters." Moira offers.
Stevie smiles and placing her hand on Moira's arm says . " Thank you."
...
Moira leans down and whispers. " Plus it's a nice distraction from the others flying out."
" How is she?" Stevie asks.
"She's a McLeod so she'll do it easily with a little support from her friends." Moira replies.
Stevie smiles and nods.
...
Half an hour later...
" Come on Cowgirl , hand him over to Moira. We've got a pool game to win."Alex says holding out his hand to Stevie.
Taking his hand she smiles and says. " Yeah we're gunna rule the world."
He laughs and says . " Well give it a damn good shake at the very least!"
With their pool cues in hand Stevie whispers. " Would you like to kiss me or check out my cleavage?'
...
He leans to kiss her and grinning says . " I see your cleavage and it's very, very nice but if you want to win this don't distract me."
She laughs as she moves to take her shot.
He taps her on the bottom.
Turning back she gives him her best smile, he returns it with a wink.
...
...