Kilarney…..Mid morning…
Dressed in their best clothes Nick and Alex stand talking to their Mother.
Alex is distracted as he watches the Drover's Ute pull up at the front of the house.
Without even thinking about it he holds his breath and crosses his fingers.
Please let her be with them, he silently prayers.
His heart drops when he notices only Tess, Jodi and Kate alighting from the car.
…..
Leaving his Mother in mid -sentence Alex strides towards Tess and the girls.
"Where is she Tess?" Alex asks.
Shaking her head Tess replies. "I tried Alex but she wouldn't come with us."
"How much dirt can you get kicked in your face before you turn away." Jodi snarls at him.
He hangs his head as he shakes it.
…
Drover's Run….Along the road…
Stevie moves the mob with the help of Turbo.
On hearing a car she places her hand on the back of the saddle and lifts to view beyond the small hill.
"Great!" She whispers to herself before yelling. "Turbo come around.'
Alex's black Ute pulls slowly to a stop.
…
"Stevie!" He calls.
She stops and turning to face him remains silent.
He walks over to her and places his hand on Banjo's neck.
"Aren't you supposed to be somewhere else?" She questions.
"I'm supposed to be with you. So here I am." He tells her.
Glancing at her watch she says. "Alex the funeral is in just over an hour you need to go. You can't miss it!"
…..
"I'm going nowhere until you agree to come with me." He pushes.
Shaking her head she replies in a voice so tired and tiny. "No Alex I'm done. I can't take anymore."
"Stevie I love you and I need you. You're supposed to be by my side …please." He begs.
Her resolve teeters as she sees the sadness in him as his eyes well with tears.
"If I come it's as your friend Alex that's all." She offers.
He nods and replies. "For now I'm happy with that."
….
Ten Minutes from Kilarney…
Alex pulls the car over to the side of the road and switches it off.
"Alex! What are you doing?" Stevie asks.
"Harry was murdered Stevie."
Stunned she asks." How? Who would do that?"
...
"They found triple the heart medication he should have had in his system. His heart couldn't cope." He explains.
"Alex I'm so sorry." She offers .
He sits silently.
"Are we going now?" She asks softly.
...
"No I want to sort us out before we go any further!" He says grinning at her.
"Drive Alex ." She orders looking annoyed.
He's used the Harry news to try and influence her relationship with him and she knows it and isn't happy.
"I'm going nowhere until you answer some questions for me." He states looking at her intently.
"Can we do this later Alex? We're going to be late." Stevie growls.
He folds his arms and sits back in his seat staring straight ahead.
….
Stevie is furious but doesn't buy into his tactics so folds her arms and stares straight ahead as well.
Five minutes pass in silence.
"Oh for goodness sakes Alex drive!" She snarls.
He shakes his head but remains as he was.
"Ok what?" She asks.
…
"Do you want more children?" He asks.
"What?" She exclaims in disbelief.
"Do you want more children?" He repeats.
Exasperated she replies. "Yes of course I do!"
….
"Are ya gunna get married one day or just be a single Mother again?" He asks.
Shaking her head she yells. "We're going to miss the funeral at this rate! Alex can't we do this later?"
"Are you gunna get married?..." He begins.
She retorts. "Yes I'd like to, when I find the right person. Now can we drive?"
…..
"Do you still love me?" He asks.
She glares at him and snapping her fingers says. "I can't turn it on and off like that! I loved you yesterday and today is no different Alex. Start the car or I'm walking."
Still looking straight ahead with his arms folded across his chest he asks. "Am I the right person?"
She looks up and over at him then opens the car door and gets out.
He grins and follows her.
….
Kilarney… The Wake…
Guests mingle around drinking tea, beer or soft drink and chat about Harry Ryan.
Most only have negative stories so remain silent but now and again a funny or sweet story is heard and Nick and Alex enjoy listening.
"What's happening with Stevie?" Nick asks.
"We're fighting.' Alex replies.
"So nothings changed then!" Nick comments.
"Bite me!" Alex mutters as he walks off.
…
Tess is off to one side of the main group speaking to Stevie.
"Gee you cut it fine." Tess states.
"Yeah well Alex was playing games so that held us up." Stevie grumbles.
"Playing? Right! Too much information Stevie!" Tess teases.
Stevie grins at her friend and replies. "Get your mind out of the gutter Tess I meant mind games Tess."
"What kind of mind games?" Tess inquires.
….
Stevie is about to answer when Sandra walk towards them.
'Thank you for coming today." Sandra states.
Neither girl knows what to say so they both comment about the service.
"Yes it was beautiful Harry would have loved it." Sandra offers.
Stevie and Tess exchange looks.
...
Alex joins them as Sandra invites the girls to a garden party.
"Kinsella's a garden party? You have to be kidding its just dirt and weeds." Alex scoffs.
"No Alex I'm holding it here on Kilarney." Sandra explains smiling at him.
"Like hell you are !You're an ex Mrs Ryan, if anyone holds a garden party here it will be Tess or Stevie." Alex explodes.
Stevie glares at him.
Tess tries not to laugh.
...
A couple of hours later everyone has left and only Liz Ryan and the Drover's girls remain.
Stevie still isn't talking to Alex and he finds it upsetting but also amusing.
The discussion is about Sandra and her hair brained idea for a garden party.
Everyone offers comments about the situation.
Stevie sits silently taking it all in.
Nick commemts about Sandra's mean and revengeful attitude and Liz warns her boys not to trust her.
...
"I think we can handle Sandra Mum."Alex replies.
"Well you'll be safe enough Alex, so long as you sleep with her again." Stevie remarks.
Liz glares at him.
"It was a long time ago Mum and an accident." Alex defends.
"Pffft an accident! Oops I just slipped my.." Stevie begins.
Tess almost laughs but warns. " Stevie!"
...
Standing up Stevie says. "Right lets go home."
"You'll have to wait for Alex Stevie, we're all in Utes." Jodi replies.
Across the table Alex smiles.
…
Liz Ryan decides to go as well and after hugging her son's bids everyone goodbye.
Alex walks them all out.
Stevie sits with her arms folded across her chest.
Hearing the back door she looks up and is shocked to see Nat walk into the room.
….
"Oh Stevie I thought everyone was out the front." He offers nervously.
"What are you doing in here Nat?" She asks.
"I was just going to drop these off Stevie that's all." He replies.
She moves forward and takes a handful of photos from him.
….
Flipping through them she looks up at him and says. "You're very good at this Nat you should take up photography professionally."
He smiles at her and asks. "Really? Do you think I'm that good?'
She smiles at him and replies. "Yes I do."
He looks at her and says. 'I'm glad he's gone Stevie. He was a bully, a mean and nasty bully."
"Yeah he was but they still loved him." She answers.
"Yes I know , that's why I brought those. I thought they'd like them." He offers.
….
Looking back at the photos she pushes some to one side. "And the ones of me?"
"You've always been kind to me Stevie. I'm not as smart or as quick witted as some but you never made fun of me." He replies.
She smiles at him.
…..
"He loves you. It's easy to see in the way he looks at you." Nat remarks pointing to a few photos he has taken of Stevie and Alex together.
"I know he does." She replies.
"Don't be too hard on him. He's a good guy." Nat explains
She steps forward and placing one hand on his shoulder softly kisses his cheek and says. "Treat em' mean and keep em' keen."
He laughs.
…..
By the time Alex walks back into the house Nat has gone back to his room.
Stopping to look at the photos on the bench Alex smiles to himself.
"They're from Nat." Stevie offers.
"So he was the one that took the photos of Harry!" Alex muses.
"Yes he said he didn't have the courage to physically fight him so he thought he could protect me that way." Stevie answers.
Alex nods and takes a few steps towards her.
She backs away.
...
"Come on Stevie haven't you punished me enough?" He growls.
"Is that what you think I'm doing punishing you? "She snaps.
"Well aren't ya?" He snarls.
" You are unbelievable Ryan ! Not everything is about you!" She yells.
" I never said it was!" He shouts.
She stands defiantly glaring at him.
"Take me home!" She demands.
"Not until we work this out!" He snaps.
She turns and without another word storms out of the house.
...
"That went well." Alex grumbles under his breath.
Anger and frustration ripples through him as he contemplates his next move.
Hearing a motorbike he runs onto the veranda and watches helplessly as Stevie roars past.
"Damn!" He yells as he hits the veranda post angrily.
Movement catches his attention.
" Nat why didn't you stop her!"Alex questions.
...
With the wheelbarrow full of manure for the garden Nat stops and looking at Alex says."I didn't know I had too!"
Alex looks at him and softening slightly offers. "Thank you for the photos Nat they're awesome."
Nat smiles and offers." I'm glad you liked them."
Alex is distracted as he hears the bike shifting gears in the distance.
...
"She's really nice." Nat offers.
"Yeah she is!"Alex agrees looking back at Nat.
Softly Nat says." Don't break her spirit."
Half listening Alex focuses on Nat and questions." Her spirit?"
Nat nods and suggests." If she was a wild horse you wouldn't force your will because you'd break it's spirit. Everything that drew your attention to it in the first place you want to keep ,including it's spirit."
Alex smiles at him and replies."Lead mare."
Nat nods and replies." Now you're thinking."
Alex smiles to himself and shaking Nat's hand says." Thank you for helping me keep her safe."
Nat looks embarrassed and nodding at the barrow says." I'd better put this on the garden."
Alex nods then asks." Do you have more photos of Stevie?"
" Yes I do, I have photos of everyone and landscapes too, would you like to see them?" Nat asks.
"Yeah I would." Alex replies.
...
Drovers Run...
Nick and Tess have woken from a nap as dusk slowly falls.
Stretching Nick sighs." I think I feel more tired than before our nap."
" Come on I'm starving let's get something to eat." Tess suggests as she climbs from their bed.
Walking into the kitchen they find a parcel, an envelope and twelve long stemmed roses on the kitchen table.
Picking up the card Nick reads aloud. " Stevie love Alex."
Tess smiles and says." I wonder what's in the parcel?"
...
"Stevie!" Nick calls from the bottom of the stairs.
He hears the door then she appears on the landing.
" Parcel here for you."
"Oh ok." She states .
...
In the kitchen Tess is excited for Stevie and smiles at her friend when she appears.
"They're from Alex."Tess gushes.
"I didn't see him." Stevie offers.
"No we didn't either we just found them." Nick adds.
...
Sitting down she opens the envelope and draws out the letter.
Several sniffs indicate it's a beautiful letter.
Wiping her cheeks she picks up the parcel and unwraps it.
Rubbing her thumb across the photo she smiles then turns it to Tess.
"Oh my goodness Stevie that is the best photo I've ever seen of the two of you together" Tess gushes as she takes in the photo.
...
Alex and Stevie are sitting on a hay bale drinking beer.
Both are dirty as it's the end of the day.
A myriad of spectacular colours paint the sky as the sun sets behind them.
They're both laughing but looking at each other.
It captures them perfectly.
...
"Even though I look happy in this photo, it's the colours behind us that truly express how I feel when you are with me. I'm sorry for being a jerk but sometimes I just can't help myself. I can't guarantee I won't do it again but I can guarantee I'll do everything I can to make you feel like this everyday. I love you and I miss us." Stevie reads .
Picking up the roses she inhales their scent.
The phone ringing draws Nick to it as Tess and Stevie discuss the photo, flower and letter.
" Stevie it's Alex." Nick announces handing her the phone.
...
" Hello...Yes I did .It's beautiful."She sniffs.
She listens and sniffs a few times more.
" Yes." She says softly.
Looking up at the doorway her chin trembles.
...
He's leaning against the door jamb smiling at her.
"Hey!" He offers.
"Hey!" She replies softly.
Holding up a six pack he asks. " Could I interest you in a beer?"
She smiles, wipes the tears from her cheeks and nods.
...
Outside they sit on the bench and begin again.
Apologies are given and received and several kisses are shared.
"I guess I'd better get going." Alex says as he begins to stand.
"Alex! Please don't go." Stevie whispers.
Stopping he holds out his hand.
She takes it and he pulls her to her feet.
...
On tip toes she kisses him and says. " Let's go to bed and enjoy the remains of the day."
Wrapping her up in his arms he grins and replies. " I couldn't think of anything I'd rather do."
Twisting from his arms she takes his hand and they walk back into the house.