Gungellan. Three weeks later…The local fair and market day…..
Jodi and Matt wander along with Tiana in her stroller.
It's taken them almost half an hour to get from where they parked the car to this point.
"Here we go again." Matt whispers from the corner of his mouth as old Mrs Bradshaw trundles at high speed towards them.
"Oh Jodi it's so good to see you, Daphne told me all about where you've been and what happened!"
"It's good to see you too Mrs Bradshaw and we'd love to stand and chat but we're late to meet Stevie and Dave." Jodi replies.
Mrs Bradshaw straightens up and looking around to see if ears are listening asks. " Are they together Jodi? She needs someone to help rear that sweet little boy."
Mrs Bradshaw has never been one to gossip so Jodi knows this is a genuine enquiring and heartfelt concern.
Jodi leans in close and whispers. " Yes I think they are Mrs Bradshaw but it's not public knowledge yet."
Mrs Bradshaw pats her arm and with a comforted smile offers. "Please pass on my best wishes to them both . He'll be good for her I think. He loves animals and he's a gentle, sweet man. Oh and Jodi I'll keep it under my hat until they go public you have my word on that. Some of these old fuddy duddy's are still back in the dark ages . She's too young to be alone."
Matt's smile is broad as he tips his hat at the old woman.
He's always liked her and he had a great deal of time for her late husband Cyril. A kindly old man and a brilliant farmer.
…
Under the shade of the small blue marquee Nick sits with one of his CFS counterparts chatting to locals and trying to round up more members to help with fires and emergencies.
Their stand has been strategically placed beside the animal nursery in the hope young parents might sign up to help.
Many of the volunteers were older now and new blood was needed.
Between the car and the table under the shade from the warm afternoon sun Xander Ryan sleeps stretched out on a blanket under the watchful eye of his Uncle while his Mother helps Dave nearby with the young children and animals.
Care is needed to supervise children with baby animals as they sometime squeeze a little too tight.
Many have commented throughout the morning about the little boy and how he is so much like his Father.
Phil Rakich had implied he wasn't impressed about the rumour of a romance between Dave Brewer and Stevie and her ability to rear Alex Ryan's offspring.
Nick looked concerned as Stevie fired up and basically dragged Rakich to one side and was animated as she quite obviously told him what she thought of him sticking his nose in her business .
The colour drained from Phil's smug face as her tirade continued.
Stevie snarled. " I have a video Alex made while I was trying to call emergency services Phil and if anyone else has questions about my abilities to rear my child, tell em' to come and see me and they can hear Alex's thoughts themselves!"
With his proverbial tail between his legs Phil Rakich slithered away and avoided Stevie for the rest of the day.
She'd told Nick earlier she was ready to take on the district if she needed too and it had only taken an hour for the issue to raise its ugly head in the shape of Phil Rakich.
"That's a bit harsh don't you think Stevie. Do you really think that will work?" Nick had asked.
Shrugging her shoulders and with an angry look on her face Stevie replied. "My life is none of their bloody business Nick and you know I like my privacy but I'm willing to for go that luxury if they piss off and let me to live my life my way. Time will tell if this works but even if he keeps his negative comments to himself I'll be happy."
Nick had smiled internally.
She was tough and strong again.
Alex was always proud of her and Nick was positive if he could let them know from where ever he was he'd be extremely proud of her today.
...
Three years later...
Kilarney's gardens are trimmed to perfection as a multitude of people in after five dress mill around laughing and talking to each other.
Marcus wraps his arms around Stevie and she hugs in tight.
"I think we've excelled ourselves this time Marcus." Stevie offers smiling up at him.
With a cheeky wink and a grin he replies. "I'm well and truly off the market now Stevie and you've missed the chance of a lifetime."
She hugs him again and responds. " I've already had my chance in a lifetime husband Marcus and I'm more than happy with my life just the way it is thanks."
"All those years ago I never thought I'd find my wife here Stevie."
Stevie laughs and quips." You didn't stand a chance Marcus."
"Its my charm Stevie."
"You sure you aren't a Ryan?" She questions with a smile on her face.
His face changes . " I wish he was here."
"Me too but Nick made a fabulous Best Man."
"Yeah he did ,didn't he."
...
Stevie's eyes shift as Kate joins them.
Kate lifts her arms and hugs Stevie.
The two women share a close bond and without words acknowledge the joy and sadness of the day.
It's Stevie's first wedding since her own .
"It's official Stevie we're sisters now." Kate comments.
"Yeah we are Kate. It's been the best day and I'm so happy for you." Stevie replies hugging her again.
"What about me?" Marcus asks playfully.
Kate moves into his arms and quips" You get to hug me forever so settle down."
For only a split second Stevie's heart plunges and her face shows it.
"Stevie." Kate soothes.
Stevie chuckles and responds. " I'm fine Kate haven't the two of you got a honeymoon to start?"
Jodi arrives and hands Stevie a small baby in a pink blanket.
"Here Stevie I got her to sleep but I need to sort Kate out so my cuddle times over."
"You're going to sort me out I highly doubt that." Kate retorts.
Jodi grabs her hand and says ." Come on I want to show you something before you go."
...
Alex's Grave...The following day...
Stevie stands telling Alex all about the last few months.
"Sorry I haven't been up here for awhile, my life has become a bit hectic at the moment." She offers before repositioning her feet.
"Xander loves kindy Alex and he has loads of little friends. Dave and Marcus have just bought a new pony for him and his riding is excellent. You'd be so proud of him."
A car driving across the paddock diverts her attention momentarily.
"Here come my boys now so I'll have to be quick." She tells him as she looks down into her arms and pushes back the soft pink blanket.
Smiling she squats down and comments . " This little beauty is Xander's baby sister. I had a completely different name picked out for her but Dave convinced me there was only one name she could have."
Tears trickle down her cheeks .
She sniffs and continues." You always wanted your own little girl but we never had time for that to happen so I thought I'd introduce you to my baby Alex her name is Marion Jane Brewer. Cute huh?"
...
Dave lifts Xander from the car and directs him to go to his Mother.
Xander runs fast on long , strong legs.
His dog Hope bounds after him.
Stevie smiles and gives Dave a wave as he slowly follows Xander and the dog.
...
"Mum! Daddy said we're going to the pub for lunch and I can have a raspberry lemonade!" Xander announces excitedly.
Stevie smiles at the young boy and replies. " Ok I'm ready."
He looks at the gravestone and back at her and asks. " Did Daddy like Mazzy?"
A warmth flows through her and she responds. " Yeah he did."
She's amazed how easily he accepts that Dave is his Daddy and that the man he sees in photos and this headstone represent his Daddy as well.
She wonders how much he really understands.
Dave joins them and places a large bouquet of Kilarney roses on the grave.
Stevie hands the pink bundle to Dave and rearranges the roses.
...
"Headstone needs a good clean Stevie." Dave states.
"Yes it does I haven't been here in months." She replies.
"We'll come back out tomorrow and fix it." He offers.
She smiles at him and nods as he slides he free arm across her shoulder turning her towards the car.
Xander takes her hand and Hope runs along side him her tail wagging happily.
...
Drover's Run...
" Come on Tess hurry it up we'll be late." Nick calls up the stairs.
Appearing at the top of the stairs with a smile and a six month old baby in her arms she replies. "Husband isn't it about time you worked out with a house full of women that we take time to make ourselves beautiful."
Nick grins as she ushers his two older girls down the stairs.
"Claire hold Pippa's hand please." Tess directs.
Nick takes the baby from his wife's arms and kissing her cheek asks. "Our little Ruby gets cuter everyday doesn't she?"
"Takes after her Mother." Tess teases.
Nick grins and leaning to kiss her says . " The Ryan charm."
"Yeah." She agrees thinking about Alex and his frequently used saying.
...
With their girls buckled into the car Nick and Tess have a quick conversation about the wedding yesterday before their conversation shifts to Dave and Stevie.
"Do you think she'll ever marry again Tess?"
"No they've both said the same thing Nick ."
"Been there and done that?" Nick suggests.
Tess nods and smiles at him. " They don't need the paperwork Nick they're both very happy as lovers."
Nick chuckles and quips. " We should have lived in sin too Wifey I'd like to refer to you as my Lover."
"Still can Husband." She smirks raising her eyebrow quickly.
"Yeah." He laughs as they climb into their seats.
...
The front of the Gungellan Pub.
Tiana attempts to redirect her younger sister Bridie.
"Mummy tell her to be good my legs are tired." Tiana calls to Jodi.
Stevie chuckles and quips. " Oh she is going to be fun."
Tess laughs as Bridie up ends one of the pot plants and grabs for the large frog that hops onto the window sill.
Picking the toddler up Jodi calls. " Come on lets go out to the beer garden she can play in the sandpit ."
Tess, Stevie and the group of little girls follow in indian file as Jodi leads the way.
...
Stevie cuts through into the bar and tells Dave where they're heading.
Xander is sitting up on a bar stool with his large hands grasping a glass of Raspberry lemonade.
"When he's bouncing off the walls tonight you can deal with him." Stevie warns.
"Don't worry Stevie we've already organized to take them all to the playground after dinner. He'll sleep. Wont ya mate?" Nick responds ruffling his nephews hair.
Xander laughs.
Stevie smiles at her son before turning to join the girls.
...
As Stevie reaches the door to outside a gaggle of little girls greet her as Tess ushers them through to the toilet.
Claire has Pippa's hand while Tess holds Tiana's hand as she chases a running Bridie.
"The next generation of Drover's girls." Dave chuckles.
Nick looks at him and suggest. " That includes your little one too."
Dave nods and informs him. " Stevie's teaching me to ride so I wont embarrass Mazzy when she gets older."
Matt places his hand on Dave's shoulder and remarks. "I love her name Dave that was a nice gesture."
Dave glances at him and replies. " I think it was the only name we could choose Matt, he was my best mate, Xander's Dad and she'll always love him."
Nick studies Dave's face and asks " You ok with that?"
Dave's face is blank and then a smile drifts onto his face. " She loves me Nick I know that because she's told me and I can feel it but she lost him when she was deeply in love with him and that feeling doesn't go away and I know that and I accept that."
Nick smiles at this man he once despised and without filter states. " I can finally see why Alex loved you."
...
Dave in his usual way jokes about the comment then lifting Xander from the bar stool and says . " Come on little man lets go and see where Mummy and Marion are."
Xander runs towards the door his Mother walked through earlier and with the innocence of a child calls. " Marion was my Daddy's name why does she have a boys name?'
Nick grins at a stunned Dave. " Come on Dave explain that one to him."
"Bloody Alex still giving me grief." Dave deadpans.
Nick places his hand on Dave's shoulder as they walk outside. "His family are in good hands Dave I have every faith you'll get all the answers right."
Dave feels buoyed by the comment as the last bastion falls completely away.
Nick is his friend and he feels it.
He's no Alex Ryan but neither is he.
But they share a bond of memories and love for a man who left them all too soon.
...
Xander runs back towards them calling out the answer to his question obviously solved by Stevie.
He's the image of his Father and even though he's only four he's tall and strong and has a beautiful smile and the mischeivious eyes of Alex.
"He's still with us Dave." Nick whispers.
Dave grins as he tosses the young boy into the air .
"Yeah he is Nick and every day we'll see more and more of him." Dave replies.
Nick feels a warmth whoosh through him as the expectations of Xander's growth rush at him.
Life is moving forward for all of them and they're taking Alex with them.
...
The End ...I hope you liked it? Please review...