An hour later Stevie and Alex are back downstairs getting organized for lunch when Liz arrives. "Mum's here." Alex announces. He hugs Stevie and says "Are you alright?" She giggles and says "Yes I'm feeling very relaxed." He laughs and says "Glad I could help with that." She kisses him and says "So am I." He hugs her tightly and they head to the front door he holds her hand.
Liz is impressed with everything she's seen so far. "Hi Mum." Alex calls as he opens the door. "Hello Darling it's good to see you." She responds as she kisses his cheek. He hugs her and says "It's good to see you Mum I'm glad you came." She offers "Congratulations Alex." He thanks her. "Hello Stevie. Thank you for inviting me." Stevie smiles and says "Hello Liz you're welcome." Liz moves towards Stevie and leaning in kisses her cheek and says "Congratulations on the baby and the engagement." Stevie smiles and says "Thank you. Let's go inside."
"Alex would you like to show your Mum around and I'll make us some coffee." Stevie asks. "Righto Mum come and have a look around with me." Stevie moves into the kitchen and busies herself with coffee and cake.
"Hello anyone here?"Nick calls. "I'm in the kitchen Nick." Stevie replies. Tess walks in grinning "Hello need a hand?' Stevie smiles and hugs Tess and then Nick and says "Alex is just upstairs giving Liz the grand tour. Do you what coffee or will you wait?"
Nick says "No we'll wait." The phone rings and Stevie walks over to pick it up. "Alexander Station, Stevie Hall speaking. You aren't supposed to contact us. No no how dare you." Stevie voice cracks and her body begins to tremble. She stands listening. Nick moves over beside her placing his hand on her shoulder. "Alex you're there! You heard him. Harry you're a horrible person leave us alone."She slams the phone down.
Nick says "Stevie are you alright?" Tears slip freely down her cheeks as she leans into him. Nick holds her and can feel her whole body is trembling. Alex bursts through the door and takes her from Nick. "It's alright beautiful. I'm here." She sobs into his chest he hugs her tightly. Liz quickly enters the room and asks "Is Stevie alright?"
Alex replies "She will be when Harry leaves her alone, rotten old bastard." Alex looks at Nick and says "Nick ring Bryce and tell him Harry has just abused Stevie and threatened her." Nick says "Obviously Harry got the papers!" Tess asks "What did he say this time?' Alex explains how he'd picked the phone up but as he was about to hang it back up because Stevie had already answer, he then heard Harry so he stayed on the line and heard him abuse her and threaten her.
Half an hour later they're all sitting having coffee. Stevie is very quiet. The baby monitor alerts them that Bull is awake and Stevie stands to go and get him. Tess says "Let me go Stevie." Rising she moves away quickly and returns with the little boy. Liz smiles broadly when she sees him and says "Oh my goodness Alex he is the image of you as a baby."
Alex smiles. Bull spots Stevie and reaches out for her. She stands and moves to him smiling "Hello little man you've had a big sleep." She takes him into her arms and kisses his cheek. He slides his hand down the front of her top and they all laugh when Tess says "I think he's hungry Stevie!"
She sits and loosens her shirt lying the baby across her lap she lifts her top. He makes some funny little noises, snuffling and then a delighted sound as he latches on shortly after he guzzles and gulps then quietens. Liz laughs loudly and says "Oh Alex he even feeds the same as you!" They all laugh even Stevie.
Liz is sitting listening as they all chatter and she says. "While you're all here I've got something I need to tell you." They all stop talking and look at Liz waiting for her to continue. "I've started dating again." They all look at each other and Nick says "Well that's great Mum. We worry about you being on your own." She smiles and says "Hang on you may not feel so happy when you know who it is. I want you to know because he's very important to me and as we're all just getting back on track I'd rather you knew up front."
They sit, all eyes on Liz, waiting. She looks at them all but her eyes stay on Alex when she says "I'm seeing Bryce and we have been seeing each other for a couple of months." Nick speaks first and asks "Why didn't you tell us earlier?" Liz looks at him and says "Well we wanted to see if it would work first." Stevie smiles and says "Obviously it's working!" Alex rises and moves outside. Stevie releases the baby and hands him to Tess and says "Here Bully go to Aunty Tess. I'll be back in a moment."
Nick chats to his Mother and Tess while Stevie moves outside to find Alex. "Alex are you alright?" Stevie asks running her hand across his back as she moves beside him. "Yes I think so." He replies then continues. "She sort of sprung it on me a bit." Stevie smiles and says. "I think it's kind of sweet."
He grins at her and says "My Cowgirl the hopeless romantic." He hugs her closely and continues "They deserve to be happy too don't they." She nods and says "Yes they do and it's taken a very long time for them to find happiness by what I know. Are you ready to come back inside? It's a huge day for your Mum meeting the baby, having to face me and telling you she is dating your Father! I think she's mellowed a bit Alex, Bryce must be a good influence on her."
Back inside Alex moves directly to his Mother she looks worried until he leans to hug her kisses her cheek and says "I'm happy for you Mum. When you find happiness you have to grab it with both hands." She smiles and says "Oh Alex thank you he makes me very happy. I don't expect anything from you when it comes to Bryce how you interact with him is up to you." Moving back he grins and says "I'll try to be civil." She places her hand on his face and laughs and says "What more can I ask."
As they finish lunch Tess and Nick are moving their bags upstairs while Stevie and Alex stack the dishes into the dishwasher. Liz sits playing with the baby. "Oh Stevie he is absolutely adorable." Stevie smiles and says "He's the image of Alex isn't he." Liz smiles and says "Yes he is right down to his personality."
Nick walks back into the kitchen and says "Bryce has just pulled up." Alex walks briskly to the door Stevie follows him. Alex is angry and says "Bryce you said you wouldn't let Harry hurt her. She cried Bryce he made her cry."
Stevie has heard him and gently places her hand on his arm and says. "Alex please calm down this isn't Bryce's fault. We didn't even think about the fact that Harry might ring, so how could Bryce have known?" Alex looks down at her. She smiles and says "Alex I'm alright I have you. We'll be fine." Alex feels his heart beat slow. He turns and hugs her and she says "You owe your Father an apology I think."
Alex leans back and looks at her as she grins at him. Alex smiles moves to Bryce holds out his hand and says "Sorry Bryce I'm a bit hot headed sometimes." Bryce smiles and speaks slowly shaking Alex's hand. "I'm very angry about all of this myself Alex so I've moved to place a restraining order on Harry so we should have no more trouble." Bryce moves towards Stevie hugs her and says "I'm very sorry Stevie I misjudged the fury of Harry Ryan. Are you alright? " She smiles and says "I was a shaken up earlier but I'm fine now. What are you doing here?"
Bryce smiles and says. "I came to apologize to the both of you." Stevie chuckles and says "You've driven for an hour to apologize. Are you sure it's not for a rendezvous with someone?" Bryce looks uncomfortable until Stevie giggles and says "Relax Bryce, Liz has already told us!"
Bryce looks straight at Alex. Alex grins and says "Don't expect me to suddenly start calling you Dad because it won't happen!" Bryce smiles and says "I can accept that." Alex chuckles and says "Come on Grandpa you'd best come and have a drink."
Over on Kilarney a police car pulls up. Harry Ryan appears at the door unshaven and dishevelled. "What do you want?" He challenges.
"Mr Harry Ryan?" The policeman offers. Harry sneers. "You know damn well who I am get to the point." The Senior Sergeant steps forward and says "Mr Harry Ryan I'm issuing you with a restraining order."
He hands Harry the envelope and he undoes it. "Why would I want to go anywhere near any of those ungrateful bastards or that slut my son plans to marry?" "Mr Ryan I'd be very careful if I was you about your language about and towards Miss Hall you're already in enough trouble."
Harry says "Get off my property." He walks back inside slamming the door roughly enough to crack the glass. He walks into the kitchen throwing the letter on the bench he moves in to the living room pours himself a whiskey and stands glaring at the photos on the walls. He pours another drink and another and another.
He begins to take the photos from the walls stops to look at one of Liz, Alex, Nick and himself all smiling. Placing it gently onto the floor he stomps on it again and again smashing the glass and the frame into little pieces. Again he pours a whiskey and walks back to the photo spits on it and says "I'll see you all rot in hell before you get your hands on one little piece of Kilarney."
