Mulga Downs...Early the following morning..
Stevie is sitting feeding Nash while Alex barefoot and bare chested picks up two mugs and places one in front of Stevie.
Bending down he plants a soft supple kiss on her lips.
She smiles at him when he asks ." I thought we could have a picnic today with the bubs maybe go to the park . What do you think?"
" I'd love to Alex but we have a new fence that we have to finish today so I'm tied up until lunchtime at least."Stevie answers.
" I could help and you'd be finished quicker." He offers.
She gives him a sweet understanding smile and asks. " We don't want to get into the bad books with Nick Alex if you start shirking your work on Kilarney it won't be good."
Alex laughs and says. " Leave it with me ."
...
Grabbing his phone he rings Kilarney. "Nick ! Good morning . Stevie's place yeah it did. Hey listen what do you have planned for this morning? Right ...listen I was wondering if you'd mind if I gave Stevie a hand with some fencing and then at lunchtime we were going to take the twins for a paddle down at the creek and thought you and Tess might like to join us? Yeah oh that's great. Yeah hang on I'll ask."
Placing his hand over his phone he asks. " Do you need anything at the shops Nick has to do a supply run and then they were going for a swim down at the river. He said they'd love to come over."
Smiling Stevie offers." I feel a cold beer coming on."
" Beer mate bring cold beer."Alex tells Nick.
" And their swags we might camp out . The twins haven't been camping yet, tonight is supposed to be clear."Stevie suggests.
Alex relays the message.
...
Drover's Run..
" Where are you going with that?" Claire asks as Tess struggles through with the camping box.
"Camping!" Tess replies.
" With Nick! You won't need all of that! He'll just take a swag."Claire offers.
" No we're going with Stevie and Alex on Mulga Downs ." Tess replies.
"Oh." Claire states.
...
" Come too ! Charlotte would love it!" Tess exclaims voicing her idea.
" No I don't think so Tess they invited you not me and besides it'll be nice for Peter and I to have a night to ourselves."Claire suggests.
"Claire it would take one phone call and I'm sure they'd be happy for you to join us they're your friends." Tess offers.
Shaking her head Claire replies " No they need time and space to build their relationship Tess without me around. I'm the ex girlfriend remember?"
Tess laughs and quips." It's a little town Claire if we didn't go anywhere an ex boyfriend might be we'd never go anywhere."
Claire laughs and says." That applies to you more than me."
Tess laughs and says "If you change your mind Alex will probably have his sat phone ."
...
Mulga Downs ..
Alex hangs up the phone and offers . "They'll be here around eleven."
" I'm really excited about this Alex , it's been so long since I've had something to look forward too and in two days you've made me look forward to dinner at the pub and now a picnic lunch." Stevie grins.
" I'm hoping you're looking forward to more than that." He grins at her.
She laughs.
He kisses her again.
...
" Should have taken my advice and worn braces Hall." Grace teases from the doorway.
Alex straightens up and says. " Good morning Grace isn't it a beautiful day!"
" Well from where I'm standing it couldn't get much better." Grace remarks.
Alex looks at Stevie and she tries not to laugh ." Put your shirt on Alex she's starting to salivate."
He picks up his shirt and glancing at Grace then back at Stevie whispers loudly."She's not rabid is she?"
Stevie shrugs as she sits the baby up and replies. " I have no idea, she runs wild."
...
The three are laughing when Ben walks into the kitchen and changes the mood when he asks." What's he doing here?"
" Ben!" Stevie growls.
Ben shakes his head and ignoring Alex's morning greeting glares at Stevie and states." He'll just break your heart again Stevie when he runs off back to her !"
Stevie stands and handing the baby to Grace says " Outside now Ben."
...
Alex feels uncomfortable as he already knows Grace doesn't approve of his relationship with Stevie and now Ben has voiced his disapproval.
" I'm not the most popular person at the moment am I ?" Alex quips.
" We don't trust you ! She has no choice because she's in love with you . Even though her head is sounding alarms her heart wants you. If you hurt her again I will come looking for you and castrate you." Grace warns.
Raising his eyebrows Alex grins and says. "Right."
...
Ben and Stevie walk inside .
Stevie takes Nash into the nursery to change him.
Ben holds his hand out and says . "Sorry about that you're a guest here and I was rude."
Alex takes his hand and says ." I won't hurt her Ben. I promise I'll try so very hard not too."
" They're just words Alex. She needs actions not words. Words won't keep her warm at night or hold her when she cries or help her rear these children. Show her, don't fill her with empty words like you did last time." Ben cautions.
Alex nods ...