Riley and Kate are talking about the meeting and their friends. "Oh Riley I don't know how you didn't cry when Stevie dissolved like that." Kate says still sounding sad about the whole thing. Riley looks at her and says "I know Stevie is usually so strong and when you see her like that it breaks your heart. I did get a bit teary and it took all my strength to hold it together." Then he adds "I don't know if I'll be so good when we actually leave Kate. I've had some great times here." Kate hugs him and says "Yeah me too. Even though I was twenty when I arrived, I've grown up here. You know even though I'm excited about our next steps I wish we could stay Riley." He hugs her and says "We'll come back often to visit Kate and who knows maybe one day we'll come back to live." She smiles at him. "Yeah that's a nice thought."
Grace is very excited about the new Nanny. "Marcus did you know about the Nanny?' He smiles and says "I had no idea but it's a lovely surprise. It will take a lot of pressure off you." He leans over and kisses her. "I knew about the entertainment area and I thought that was brilliant. Just think in the winter we'll actually get washing dry we'll hang it under the veranda plus the girls will have somewhere to ride their bikes they won't go stir crazy in winter being kept inside all the time." Grace smiles she loves that he thinks about housework and the children it's not just about the farm.
Nick and Tess are also talking about Stevie's reaction at Riley and Kate leaving. "Tess were you surprised Stevie reacted like that?" Nick asks. "Um, Yes and No. Stevie has a beautiful heart Nick but because she had such a tough younger life she learnt to hide her emotions. I think what we saw was just her being able to be herself with people she knows and trusts." Tess offers. "Tess I have to admit it. She just about broke my heart. Stevie is normally so tough and so strong and just listening to her sobbing made me want to walk over and hug her. Any wonder Alex doesn't want to hurt her. I'd hate to be responsible for making her cry." Nick says sadly. Tess smiles at him and reaches over to kiss him. "What was that for?" He asks. "Just for being such a sensitive and sweet man." Tess says. Nick grins and says "Just don't tell my brothers I'd never hear the end of it." They both laugh.
Over at Kilarney Stevie and Alex are tucked up in bed "How are you Stevie" Alex asks. "I'm Ok just a little tired." Alex moves his hand onto her tummy "So Cowgirl this babies a little girl? " Alex says. "Yes Alex your very own little girl." He grins at the thought" Got any names you like?" He asks." Oh I've already picked her name Alex." "Really Stevie don't I get a say?" Alex says smiling. "No you don't need a say because you'll love it and say yes that's perfect." Stevie says confidently. "Righto let me hear it." He says. Stevie smiles, breaths deeply and says "What's my favourite song?" Alex smiles and says "That's easy Georgia by Ray Charles." Stevie grins and says, "Yes that's right." "Georgia Ryan "Alex says "You're right Stevie it is perfect." "There's more Alex, our daughters name will be Georgia Clare Ryan." He smiles "Stevie that's a beautiful name." He hugs her close and kisses her. They fall asleep entwined in each other's arms.
Morning has arrived and Stevie and Alex are off overseas today. Riley is going to be very busy on Kilarney with Alex and Stevie away in the US but everyone will help so he's confident all will be well. It actually probably a good thing it will keep his mind of the wedding and his nerves. Rose has rung to speak to Stevie and Alex before they head overseas."Righto . Yes you too I love you here's Mum."Alex says as he hands the phone to Stevie."Hi Rose. Yes it's very exciting ah yes. How's your course going? Really! Oh that's wonderful. Oh, no I don't think so. No I never liked school anyway. Really. Well I'll think about it ok? Yes ok I love you too. Bye" Stevie puts the receiver down and has a thoughtful look on her face. She hears Alex call and she moves off to join him.
Stevie is asleep and Jake is snuggled in beside her. Across the Isle Alex is reading a story to Xander. From the speaker a man's voice announces they will be landing in 15 minutes and for the crew to prepare the cabin. Alex moves Xander beside him and places the little boy's seatbelt on. Stevie yawns and stretches rises and places Jake on Alex's knee." I'll be back in a minute." She says. "Oi Cowgirl." Alex calls. Stevie is standing beside him. "Can I have a kiss?" Smiling she leans down to kiss him.
As they come into land Stevie says to Alex "Rose wants me to do year 11 and 12 Maths and English online."Alex grins at her "That's great Mate you can get your leaving certificate, maybe even do other courses." She grins at him and says. "You already knew about this didn't you?"He smiles at her and says "Yes I did .It makes sense to me Rose feels guilty because you left school to have her and you often mention that you never finished high school. If you do this it will be good for the both of you. NO pressure though" Stevie smiles back at him. She needs to think about this, she hated school, she was good at it just hated the authority there and she'd rebelled, she wasn't overly fond of computers either and if she took this on it would involve both. Stevie decides to think about it and gets ready to land.
Moving from the plane Stevie has Jake and Alex has Xander they thank the crew and as they move into the lounge a short stocky bloke is holding a sign that says Alex and Stevie Ryan. As they move over to him he introduces himself "How do you do my name is Ken Davies." Alex holds his hand out and says "G'day, Ken I'm Alex Ryan and this is my wife Stevie."
As Stevie moves to shake Kens hand he says "Well you'd have to be the prettiest Stevie I've ever met." Stevie blushes and says "My name is actually Stephanie but I prefer Stevie." Ken smiles at her then says hello to the boys, Xander holds out his chubby little hand and says "Hello my name is Bull Ryan." Ken shakes the little boys hand and says "Well ain't you a cutie."
Ken continues "We've got a drive of about an hour and a half but I'll stop once we're out of the city and you can have a stretch it's a long tiring flight you've just been on." "Thanks Ken that would be great. Stevie rolls up into a little ball and sleeps like a baby. It's a little bit tricky for me to get comfortable on a plane." Ken smiles and thinks to himself I can see why you'd be uncomfortable even if you had three seats to spread out on. Ken feels a tugging on his trousers he looks down and Bull is pulling at them, when Bull has eye contact he says " We're going to see horsey's." Ken smiles and says "Yes we are sonny some of the best in the country."
Later that afternoon Stevie and Alex are ready to look around. "So Alex what would you like to do first look around or have a ride?" Ken asks. "Ride Daddy Ride" Xander says. They all laugh." It looks like the little fella wants to ride." Alex says. Ken says "We don't really cater for the little ones." "That's ok." Stevie says "They'll ride with us." Ken looks unconvinced but shows them down to the stables. A short time later Alex is on his horse and Jake is happily in front of him. Stevie mounts up onto a beautiful buckskin mare she leans down and says "Bull, Are you ready? our horses name is Sylvie"
Ken watches as the little boy quietly moves over towards his Mother and gently speaks to the horse "Hello Sylvie My name is Bull Ryan." The mare drops her head and the little boy pats her nose talking to her constantly then he runs his hand along her neck and Stevie takes his hand and lifts him onto the saddle. "Ready when you are Ken." Alex says. They walk out past beautiful brood mares heavy in foal. "Ken you've got some beautiful animals here." Stevie says. "Thanks Stevie we've been breeding Quarter horse for 30 years. So you would like to think we'd have some good bloodlines by now." Stevie smiles at him.
Xander says" Giddy up Sylvie Giddy up." Ken smiles and says. "Your little boy likes to ride faster. Will they be ok if we trot?" Alex laughs and says "Ken they'll be ok if we canter, they ride with us all the time at home." "Ok if you're sure." They all move the animals into a canter. Jake giggles and says " Se Se Se Se." Xander laughs and says "Giddy up Sylvie Giddy up, Faster Mummy Faster." Ken notices that these little boys sit very well. They obviously ride a lot with their parents who are also excellent riders.
After they've had a good look around they head back to the stable. Stevie stops and tells Xander to hold on tight as she dismounts. Stevie then lifts Xander down and tells him to move over near the door so she can help Alex with the little fellow. Jake holds his arms out to his Mother and she takes him into her embrace and kisses him and says "Was that fun Jakey?" Stevie hands the reins to Alex, he kisses her and she moves over to Xander and gently takes his hand. "Your little boys sit well in the saddle." Ken offers.
Alex grins and says "We've had them on horses since they could sit Ken." "It shows Alex, you and Stevie both ride well too." Stevie has joined them and says "We also fall well , Ken.' Ken looks confused and Alex laughs and says "We met riding the Rodeo circuit Ken." Ken looks impressed and says "Well that explains a lot. So did you win much?" Ken asks. Alex smiles broadly and says "We did ok. Didn't we Cowgirl." Stevie smiles at him and says. "Yes we did ok." "I'm guessing you must be getting hungry by now and be in need of a shower." Ken says then adds. "I'll show you to your room. We've given you an adjoining room with a shared bathroom. Thought that might be easiest for you with boys. Will they eat with us or would you prefer for them to have dinner first? I just need to tell the cook and he'll sort a meal for them.'
Alex says " What do you think Cowgirl?" Jake is snuggling into her chest and Xander is looking tired too. "I think we'll bath them and feed them and then have dinner ourselves if that's ok. They've had a big day." Stevie says. "That's fine. So we'll have dinner at 7pm and I'll send a meal up for the boys in say half an hour." Ken says .Stevie smiles and says "Thank you Ken that sounds wonderful." As they head towards the house Alex has Xander on his shoulders. Ken smiles to himself when he hears the older boy say "Giddy up Daddy giddy up." And the big man jumps around while his little boy roars laughing. The pretty little red head walks close by holding their baby in her arms. Ken likes them and thinks it should be an easy week having them around.
Back on Kilarney Riley has everything under control with help from Patrick and Marcus. He's a ball of nervous energy. In two weeks he'll marry Kate and then they'll fly to Western Australia for their honeymoon and find work in one of the mining towns. It's going to be really difficult leaving this life and all of their friends behind but if they want their own farm this is the quickest way to start, 2 or 3 years on big wages will find them with a great deposit for a property. Kate is equally filled with excitement and dread.
Riley knows once they start she'll be brilliant Kate is very goal orientated and saving for a property will be their goal and she will fine tune their budget and make it all achievable quickly. Riley loves that about her, Kate is focused, hard working and so damn cute , the perfect package. He smiles to himself. "What are you smiling about?" Marcus quips. Riley looks up and says " I was just thinking about everything that will happen in the next few weeks." " Oh so you're smiling because you're leaving us?" Marcus says grinning. "No I was smiling because I'm marrying Kate actually." He says grinning then adds." Plus I won't have to look at your ugly mug every morning." They both laugh. "Big moments in life are coming your way Riley." Marcus says with a more serious tone to his voice." Riley breathes deeply smiles and says "They sure are and I can't wait.'