Early the next morning Stevie and Alex are sitting at the Doctors. "Are you nervous Stevie?" Alex asks. "No more excited than anything. I think I'm about 12 weeks so it will be good to know a date." "What about you?" Stevie asks." No I'm just rapt our family is growing." He smiles at her. Stevie is called and Alex goes with her their Doctor checks her abdomen, checks the urine sample and then says he'd like her to have an ultra sound." Is there something wrong?" Alex asks looking concerned. "No I just think this pregnancy is a lot further along than Stevie thinks."
Sometime later they are in the ultra sound room and are very excited watching their baby on screen. "Here's the heartbeat" the nurse tells them. Stevie and Alex grin at each other. "Did you want to know the sex?"The nurse asks. "Well we sort of already know it's a boy." Alex offers. Stevie says "Am I far enough along to know yet?' "Oh yes plus the baby is front on and it's quite obvious." The nurse points out the front of the screen. Alex laughs." Definitely a boy, Cowgirl." Stevie smiles.
Back in the Doctors room they are given the results. The doctor begins "Well Stevie, you are way ahead of where you thought you were." Stevie looks shocked well I thought I was about 12 weeks but the baby 's ultra sound looked more formed." She offers." I'd say by this you're about 18 weeks." The Doctor says. Stevie is stunned and says. "Eighteen weeks but I've felt no real movement just bubbles." "I'd say you have a very, laid back baby on board." They all laugh. "Did you want to know the sex?"The Doctor asks. "The nurse already told us plus we saw the ultra sound and he was face on." Alex offers. The Doctor smiles and adds" Yes, it's definitely boy. And judging by the measurements he's going to be a big boy." Alex kisses Stevie. She smiles at him. "Are you still breast feeding Stevie?" The Doctor asks. "Yes I am." She replies. "Well you may want to think about weaning your little boy because this little fellow is going to take a lot out of your body. Your iron levels are already a bit low so you need to get onto that. And get as much rest as you can."The Doctor adds.
Stevie and Alex are driving home and Alex notices Stevie is very quiet. "Are you alright, beautiful." She glances over at him with tears in her eyes. Alex pulls over quickly and puts his arms around her and says, "Stevie what's wrong? Why are you crying?" She leans into him and says "I don't know why I'm crying Alex. Maybe I'm in shock. I'm 18 weeks pregnant and I thought I was only 12. I don't have a huge tummy and yet they're saying this baby is going to be big. He's not moving much. I should have told you sooner Alex." She rambles. Alex gazes at her and then kisses her, she responds as she always does he kisses her deeply, she hears nothing, sees nothing, just him, and time stands still. When he moves away he looks at her and smiles. "Are you ok now?" She smiles at him and says "Almost." So he kisses her again. "Now?" She laughs and says "Yes I'm ok now." "Stevie we are going to have two boys 16 months apart Wow. You are awesome." He says. She smiles at him as he continues. "In the space of two years you have turned my life upside down Stevie. I never dreamed I could be this happy. At each milestone, I think I couldn't be happier and then you make me happier than I was before. I'm going to be the father of three." He grins to himself. Stevie loves that he's included Rose ...a father of three.
Back at Kilarney Stevie is happily reunited with Xander and Alex has left her inside chatting to Moira while he searches for Riley eventually he finds him and Patrick down at the shearing sheds. "Riley. Can I have a word with you?" Alex says."Yeah, no worries." Riley responds. "How much do you know about Quarter Horses?"Alex asks. "Oh a fair bit I'd love to own one but they're a bit too expensive for me." Riley says."I want to buy Stevie one and I've found one online and she looks perfect but I want your opinion. I have wanted to get into quarter horse bloodlines for years. Would you be happy working with them? "Alex asks. Riley has a huge grin on his face "Mate I'd love it when do we start?" "Well, come with me now and have a look but you can't let on to Stevie. If you think it's the right one I'll get you and Patrick to go and pick her up today. There's actually a brood mare in foal with a filly at foot so if you like that one ask the guy to hold her and we'll grab her tomorrow."Alex says.
Alex moves back inside to Stevie and Xander and finds them in the kitchen. " Hey Beautiful what are you doing?" He asks as he nuzzles into her neck. She giggles and says."Just getting our lunch ready." She glances down as Xander grabs her leg. "He's going to walk soon Alex." She states then continues" He's moving around so quickly holding onto things and he walks holding the tiniest bit of your finger. Don't you little man?" She picks him up and cuddles him kissing his chubby soft cheeks. She steps away from Alex and tells him to squat down and call Xander. They do this for a while trying to encourage the little fellow to walk on his own but he shows no interest. Stevie rises and grabs their sandwiches and moves to the table. Alex helps with their drinks and then says "Stevie look ." She turns to him and he gestures towards the bench. Xander is standing without holding onto anything. Alex squats down and calls his son. The little boy grins and steps but falls. Alex quickly stands him up and holds his arms close to the little fellow. "Come on Bull come to Daddy. Come on." Alex pulls funny faces at the child and he giggles and moves towards his Father. "One ,two three, four." Stevie counts before he topples and Alex grabs him." Good boy." Alex says smiling." Want to do that again?"He asks grinning. They repeat the process and Bull takes up to six steps at a time. Stevie cheers him on and Alex encourages the child into his arms. They play for a few minutes and then Stevie picks him up saying" Oh you're a clever boy Bull. " She kisses him and he snuggles into her neck. " Alex hugs them both and says "He's tired Stevie." She smiles and says" He's not the only one." She places Xander in his high chair, they sit to eat their lunch
Later in the afternoon Stevie has just finished putting Xander down for his nap when Alex calls for her."Stevie, where are you mate?"She quickly closes Xander's door and moves toward the top of the stairs. "Alex I'm here." she calls. When he sees her he grins. "I've got a surprise for you." "Really." She says. "Oh yeah, really. A big surprise." She chuckles at him. As she reaches him he hugs her kisses her and then says close your eyes. He leads her outside and down towards the stables. Eventually he says."Open your eyes Stevie." When she does she sees Riley standing with the most beautiful Chestnut Quarter Horse. Stevie looks shocked and says "Oh my God she's beautiful."Stevie moves towards her and gently pats her and talks to her. "Aren't you going to ride her?"Alex says grinning."Are we allowed to?"Stevie asks. Alex grins and says "Well she yours if you want her."Stevie is stunned. "Really Alex""Really Stevie"
She grins at him and walks towards him she stands on tippy toes and he reaches down and accepts her kiss. "Oh Alex she's beautiful. Thank you." Riley has already saddled the new mare and he offers the reins to Stevie. Stevie mounts up and takes the mare through her paces and as she does Alex and Riley watch her. "Mate it's like they were made for each other."Riley quips. "Yes they are quite the team. Stevie has always had exceptional riding skills but together they move like liquid. Perfect."Alex says. "Mate you have a good eye for horse flesh."Riley states. "Yes I do and the next one we buy will be yours Riley."Alex says. Riley looks stunned. "I don't understand Alex.'' "Well it's like this Riley you work so hard on our behalf and you've always taken great care of Stevie and I appreciate that. Plus how can I let you ride just an ordinary mount when you're running a Quarter Horse Stud farm it just wouldn't look right."Alex says. Riley just smiles and shakes Alex's hand.
"Hey how was the brood mare?"Alex asks. "Oh she's yours, way too good to pass up and I managed to knock a few dollars off them and they'll be here in about an hour." Riley says. "Bloody hell mate you even managed transport in the price. See always looking out for us" Alex laughs. Stevie rides back up to them. "So how'd she feel?"Riley asks. Stevie grins and says "Try her yourself."Riley smiles and mounts up as he's riding around Stevie stands and watches; Alex wraps his arms around her. "Are you happy Cowgirl?" she turns and kisses him deeply, passionately and when she stops he says "I take it that's a yes." He hugs her closer.