Between Kilarney and Drover's Run...Here's looking at you ...
All the way to Drover's Run Alex watches Stevie as she drives.
Every now and again she glances over at him and says.
...Are you right there? ...
...Or Alex you're making me uncomfortable...
He inhales, smiles and says "I haven't seen you for almost four weeks Stevie I'm just making up for lost time."
She grins and keeps watching the road.
...
Arriving at Drover's Stevie automatically pulls up and runs around to open Alex's door.
By the time she gets there he's already out and waiting for her.
As she moves to walk past he grabs her and wrapping her up in his arms kisses her sweetly and asks. "When we're finished here can we take a drive into town and get all the paper work for our wedding?"
She looks embarrassed but teases. "Jumping the gun a little aren't you! Ya haven't even asked me?"
He looks shocked but laughs. "Bloody hell how many times do I have to ask?"
She grins as she taps his face and says. "Just once more but this time everything will be right."
He smiles as she takes his hand and leads him inside.
...
Kilarney..A sleep in for Harry...
On Kilarney Nat knocks on the back door and Rhonda answers. "Good morning Nat how are you today?"
"I'm good thanks Rhonda and yourself?" He returns.
"Well I woke up this morning so it's a good day Nat!" She replies.
He nods and smiles at her then asks. "Is Stevie or Harry here?"
"Well Stevie took Alex with her over to Drover's today and Harry was supposed to help you. Isn't he already outside? I haven't seen him this morning."
"No haven't sighted anyone." Nat answers.
Frowning she replies. "Just come in Nat and I'll run upstairs and see if he's here?'
...
Drover's Run
With breakfast over and the mood joyful at the news of Alex's sight improving they all move down to the yards to begin work for the day.
As Jodi closes the back door she hears the phone and steps back in to answer it.
"Hello Drover's Run Jodi speaking." She offers.
But the line has gone dead.
Hanging up she decides if it's important they'll ring back or leave a message.
...
Down at the yards they all set up and get the sheep moving through the pens.
Alex wants to help but Stevie manages to convince him to take it easy in case strenuous exercise has an adverse affect on his sight.
He agrees but insists at smoko they'll ring the Doctor and check if he can resume his normal activities.
"Just ring at nine then Alex if you want too."Stevie offers then asks. "Did you bring your phone?"
He nods and tells her it's in the car and he'll walk up there at nine and call.
In Stevie's Ute Alex's phone rings and rings and rings.
...
"Smoko" Tess calls.
Everyone is well and truly ready for a cuppa and snack as they've all work so hard.
Stevie watches as Alex walks over to her car.
She really wanted to go with him but he'd convinced her he could see well enough to get there and back safely on his own.
...
Tess walks up beside her and handing her a cup of tea says. "It's such a relief Stevie."
Stevie glances at Tess, smiles and thanks her for the tea and then offers. "Yeah it is Tess and it really makes me appreciate him even more."
"Stevie I think there's lots of missed calls on my phone but I can't read it." Alex states as he hands the phone to her.
Frowning she looks at Tess and then Alex and says. "They're all from Kilarney Alex. Hang on and I'll dial for you."
As it begins to ring she hands it back to him.
...
"Hello Rhonda its Alex. I had missed calls ...What? When?"
Tess and Stevie wait to see what's wrong but Alex doesn't speak anymore.
Stevie places her hand on his back and he hands the phone to Stevie.
"Rhonda its Stevie..."She listens and nodding says. '"I'll bring them now."
...
Stevie hangs up.
Tess has a quizzical look on her face until Stevie says. "It's Harry Tess he's gone."
Tess frowns.
Alex says. "In his sleep Tess he didn't wake up."
Tess places her hand over her mouth and offers. "Oh god no Alex I'm so sorry."
Stevie hugs him and says. "Would you like me to tell Nick for you?"
"No I'll tell him and then will you drive me home?" Alex asks.
"Of course." She answers him.
...
Kilarney...
The next two days pass in a blur.
Alex is extremely quiet and Stevie doesn't push him she knows he'll talk when he's ready.
By the time they'd driven in on the day Harry died the police were there waiting for the doctor to sign the death certificate.
Stevie and Tess were both distressed not because of the loss of Harry but for the effect his passing had on his sons.
Because both had argued or had words with him the last time they'd seen him alive and they were racked with guilt over it.
...
On the day of the funeral Nick is extremely quiet and Tess fusses around him trying to make sure he doesn't have to think or do anything.
Pulling up at Kilarney early Tess climbs from the car and watches as Liz walks swiftly towards Nick basically ignoring Tess.
Nick accepts his Mother's embrace and her condolences and doesn't notice her treatment of Tess.
...
Inside the house Stevie is livid with Liz's behaviour but holds her tongue for Alex's sake.
Liz had flounced in like she was lady of the manor and turned her nose up at Stevie, spoken to Alex and ignored Stevie completely.
"It's good that Mum came." Alex offers.
"Yes." Stevie replies.
"Are you alright Stevie?" Alex enquires.
"Yes." Stevie replies busying herself by helping Rhonda with food for the wake.
...
Nick, Tess and Liz walk through the door and Liz asks "Would you like a cup of tea?"
Nick replies. "Yeah that would be nice Mum thanks."
Liz turns and says. "Rhonda we need a pot of tea."
Stevie looks at Rhonda and then at Liz and says. "Please may be nice."
Rhonda whispers. "Stevie please don't you'll just make her angry."
...
Liz glares at Stevie and says. "Excuse me?"
"I said please might be nice." Stevie says deliberately a little louder than necessary.
Liz Ryan looks furious and spits. "How dare you?"
Frowning Stevie says. "No how dare you this isn't your home anymore and don't you dare come here and think you can speak to Rhonda like she's dirt beneath your feet.'
"Stevie calm down." Alex offers.
She turns to look at him and says. "Fine."
...
As she storms of outside Tess says. "I'll go after her Alex."
Nick says. "No let me Tess."
Then looking at his Mother he says. "Stevie's right this isn't your home anymore and you had no right to speak to Rhonda like that.'
Looking at Rhonda Nick asks. "Rhonda would you please make me a pot of tea while I go and bring Stevie back in."
She smiles at him and says. "Of course I will.'
...
Liz Ryan is furious.
Looking at Alex she says. "I can't see why you have her around."
Alex watches as Tess bites her lip and he can almost see the steam coming off her she is so angry until he says. "It doesn't matter what you see Mum because when I look at her I see my future wife and the Mother of my children. I'd suggest you suck it up, find your manners and treat Stevie, Tess and Rhonda with the respect they deserve or don't bother coming back here."
Liz Ryan is stunned to silence.
...
Outside Stevie has walked down to the yards trying to calm down.
She chastises herself for opening her mouth.
It's the last thing Nick and Alex need today.
"Stevie!" Nick calls.
She stops and turns as he walks swiftly towards her.
...
"I'm really sorry Nick. Once again I've opened my mouth and put my foot in it." Stevie offers.
He grins and responds. "You only said what we should have said."
She stands looking him straight in the eyes and he smiles at her.
"Stevie you might as well begin as you mean to go. Don't let her walk over you like Harry did."Nick states.
...
Stevie nods.
Nick smiles as he notices the change in her eyes.
Her heart is in her eyes you can literally see her emotions there.
Any wonder Alex reads her like he does.
Her eyes shift.
...
Nick turns and Alex is there.
"We were just taking bets on who'd take the next chunk out of Mum." Nick tells his brother.
Alex smirks and replies. "That would be me."
Nick looks back at Stevie as she asks. "I hope not on my behalf I can take care of myself?"
Alex chuckles and quips. "Yes we've all noticed that. She's going Stevie. You can relax."
"No Alex you have to let her say goodbye. There's already enough bad blood here without more." Stevie urges.
...
Liz Ryan is loading her suitcase into the boot of the car when she hears Stevie say. "Liz please don't go. You should be here for Harry and the boys and for yourself."
Liz turns and is about to unleash on Stevie but decides against it as Alex is standing nearby watching.
Instead she just glares at Stevie.
Feeling more than a little uncomfortable Stevie swallows her anger, discomfort and pride and continues.
"I won't apologize for chipping you about Rhonda because I was right and you know I was. I will however apologize for my timing. I've never been very good at holding my tongue. I want you to stay for Alex and for Nick because you all share memories of Harry. I know they aren't all good memories but I'd really like you to find the good ones and give them to the boys to hold onto."Stevie pleads.
Liz wasn't expecting this and her silence falsely gives Stevie the impression that she's still angry at her.
"Liz I know you've never thought I was good enough for Alex but I will prove you wrong about that. You and I have nothing in common other than our love for him and I think that is a brilliant foundation to start on, don't you?" Stevie offers.
Liz stands looking at her and wonders about how much courage it would have taken to say all of that.
Liz doesn't say anything but reaches into the boot and pulls her suitcase back out.
Stevie steps forward and takes it from her and says. "Thank you."
Liz holds onto the bag and looking at Stevie says. "No. Thank you."
Stevie gives her a small smile before striding off with the bag.
Alex walks slowly back inside with his Mother beside him.
...
Harry's funeral is well attended and the eulogy short, simple and truthful.
Both Nick and Alex speak and Liz does as well.
Many are surprised not only by the fact she spoke but by what she said.
Harry was no angel but she painted a picture of a hard working, tough man who did things his own way and often stepped on peoples toes.
She told the congregation he was mostly a good husband and father and once you got to understand the workings of the man you could also see the love and pride in him.
She finished by praising him for his hard work and dedication to building Kilarney to what it was today and noted that he had started with nothing but had left his two sons something to be very proud off.
...
At the wake later Stevie walks up to Liz and says. "Liz what you said today was beautiful. You never glossed Harry over but told it exactly how it was. I really enjoyed how you shone a light on his strengths too. Alex was really touched by what you said and I'm sure Nick was too. You've given them some lovely memories to hold onto. Thank you."
Stevie isn't expecting any real response from Liz and is shocked when she responds. "Harry wasn't always a bad man Stevie in fact he was often very sweet and gentle. My family didn't want me to marry him because they didn't think he was good enough for me and thought he would never get anywhere in life. If I'd done the right thing by him it wouldn't have ended how it did. Always do the right thing by Alex, Stevie and never betray his trust.'
Stevie nods trying to imagine Harry being sweet.
...
Later that night after everyone has gone and Liz has retired upstairs.
Tess, Nick, Stevie and Alex are sitting talking about the day.
"It went well all things considered Alex."Nick begins.
Alex nods and says. "Yeah I still can't believe the Old bastard's gone though."
Stevie puts her hand on his arm.
He looks at her and slowly leans over to give her a small kiss. "Thanks for getting Mum to stay."
Shrugging her shoulders she replies. "She needed to say goodbye and you both needed her here."
...
Tess asks. "When is she going back?"
"Tomorrow Morning." Nick offers.
"When do you have to see the Doctor again?" Tess asks.
"Lunchtime tomorrow." Alex replies.
"Do you want me to pick you up?" Nick asks.
Alex looks at Stevie and asks. "Do you want to come with me?"
Shaking her head she replies. "No I'll move all my stuff back to Drover's."
"Why would you do that Stevie?" Alex asks sounding stunned.
"I was only here while you recuperated Alex." She replies.
Nick says. "Look Tess and I are going to get going."
Alex looks at his brother and says. "Right."
...
Walking back down the path after farewelling Tess and Nick Alex stops Stevie and says. "Please don't go back to Drover's Stevie I want you here with me."
She smiles at him and says. "I'm going back for a little while Alex because I have things I need to do and I want to pack all my belongings up."
Taking her face in his hands he pleads. "I need you with me Stevie, you can see into my heart, my soul and you ease my sadness."
She smiles and says. "Alex I feel exactly the same about you."
...
He kisses her and then holds her closely and says. "I might get Nick to drop me at the jewellers tomorrow."
She chuckles and asks. "Need a new watch do you?"
He lets her go and reaching into his pocket, pulls out her Claddagh ring.
Taking her right hand in his he slides it back onto her finger and says. "No this ring is lonely and it needs a mate for your left hand. "
...
She smiles at him and quips. "I need to practise how to say yes don't I?'
"Do you love me?"He asks.
"Yes." She sighs.
"Do you think I'm handsome?" He asks.
"Yes."She responds giggling.
"What to come up to bed?" He asks his eyes twinkling.
"Yes." She says softly then adds. "I'm ready for anymore yes's you want from me."
"Will you come and have dinner with me tomorrow night Stevie?" He asks.
"Yes." She answers.
Placing his arm around her they walk back towards the house.
"Shall I bring a bottle of expensive champagne home with me Stevie?' He enquires.
Looking up at him she replies. "Should be a memorable night Alex and the answer will be yes to everything you ask."
He stops and holds her and whispers. "I love you Stevie."
"Yes." She whispers back as his lips stop her words and invite action.
...
Is this a good place for this tale to end?. So please review and leave your thoughts