Georgia is home a week earlier so she can meet her new nephew. Jake and Leonie fly in the day after tomorrow and the other kids a few days after that.
Everyone is gearing up for autumn as Easter marks the end of the good weather colder night and days are coming and the work has been about getting firewood ready and all the jobs that have to be done before the ice and rains of winter.
Dan is still here as he has found excuses to stay on much to his Mum and Dad's dismay.
Jessie has rung Tess for a chat "Hello Jessie yes we're great thanks and you? Oh lovely. Yes their all well. Rose had the baby so Alex and Stevie are thrilled. Yes, yes that's right."
Tess laughs. "Yes he is. Yes that's right Clare. Apparently they met in Adelaide but she had to rush off and he didn't get her name and he turned up at Kilarney as planned we had a family BBQ and Fireworks .Yes exactly no Jessie it's like Stevie and Alex. " Tess giggles.
"Yes Nick and I were quite shocked, yes she's always been our quiet one."
Tess laughs loudly "I know yes exactly. You should come for Easter? Well your family is here and you know you'd be more than welcome. Yes I know farm commitments. Yes I know. Just talk to Jack, we'd love to see you again. Yes exactly. Righto Bye."
...
Clare finds Stella brushing down the horses.
"Stella How are you?' Clare asks.
"I'm good thanks Clare."
Clare hugs her and says "Really Stella. Are you all right. I'm sorry I've been distracted and I should have been here for you."
" No seriously Clare I am really good, things happen for a reason and you have to learn from life and move forward. I was too young to be a mother and even though I was sad at the decision I had to make it was taken out of my hands which was a good thing because I don't have to live with so much guilt. When I have a child I want the father to be there and I want to it to be a happy occasion." Stella says.
Clare responds. "I'm glad Stella. I was so worried for you."
"Well you don't have to worry Clare. I'm all good plus I'm on the pill now. So it will be my choice when I have a child. Thank you for being there for me it meant a lot." Stella says smiling.
"So have you met Cody yet?" Stella asks
"I have he's gorgeous." Clare's says smiling.
"Well you'll be next Clare. I hear that Dan is pretty keen on you. Engagement, marriage, babies." Stella teases.
Clare pushes Stella and laughs "He's pretty dam hot he'd make cute babies."
Stella laughs and says "Clare Ryan I'm shocked I thought you were the quiet one"
They both laugh as they walk towards the house.
...
Easter holidays arrive and almost everyone is home for the school holidays. Farm life slows as the families take time with the children.
Kate, Jaz and Grace can relax as they don't have classes with the kids and with more people around the work is done quicker plus with a lot of farm work slows crops are either replanted or harvested.
Ewes will start lambing soon plus some of the cattle will calve although most are timed for the warmer months and the mares are due to foal but they will be stabled so weather conditions aren't an issue.
Stevie stretches and yawns and rolls over and snuggles into Alex. "Hmmm Good morning beautiful." He whispers as he pulls her into him.
Stevie smiles as he pushes his chest against hers and says "Alex you are going to wear me out."
He moves his head back and looks into her eyes smiles and says "Well I'm doing my best."
His lips are upon hers quickly, softly, completely. She responds as she always does. Alex is smiling on the inside and thinking got ya cowgirl. He deepens the kiss and she is gone, she hears nothing, sees nothing, just him, strong, gorgeous him and his soft lips and his safe arms.
Sometime later Alex rises and enters the shower he smiles as he leaves their bed. Stevie is curled up sleeping peacefully. God she's beautiful.
...
Moving into the shower Alex reflects on the last few months. Rose has given them their first grandchild, Xander is engaged and Jake is bringing a partner with him today.
Darwin with Stevie was fantastic they laughed and loved and enjoyed each other.
What could be better than being married to your best friend? He smiles to himself and then he hears Stevie come into the bathroom she moves into the shower with him.
"Hello Again." He says as he smiles at her.
She says nothing but reaches up for a kiss he leans towards her and accepts.
She pushes her bare breasts against his chest as she kisses him.
He moves back and says. "Who's wearing who out?"
She grins and moves to leave the shower. He laughs and grabs her and kisses her and says "You can't start something if you can't finish."
She giggles and says "Oh I can finish."
...
Half an hour later Stevie and Alex are in the kitchen about to prepare their breakfast. Stevie is standing at the bench and Alex turns her to him and kisses her then nuzzles into her neck.
"God you smell good." He says she giggles.
He loves the way she giggles and she has the cutest laugh.
He kisses her again then whispers "Want to go back upstairs."
She giggles and he kisses her, she responds to his touch, his kiss "Oh god I love you Stevie."
She kisses him softly, deeply, her tongue teases him, leaves him wanting her, she runs her hands under his shirt and his skin tingles and he responds and moans "Oh god."
She kisses him again deeply, deeply.
...
"Steady on you two."
Jake is standing at the door with Leonie he has a huge grin on his face.
Alex continues to hold Stevie. "Mate when did you sneak in?"
Stevie is grinning and moves to stand in front of Alex she waits for a moment then moves towards Jake and embraces him.
"Oh it's so good to see you Jake. How did you get here? We thought you were flying in at 5pm tonight." Stevie says.
Alex has joined them and has grabbed Jake and hugged him as he moves back he ruffles his hair "Good to see you son."
Jake smiles and says "It's good to be home. Mum, Dad this is Leonie. Leonie this is Stevie and Alex. Stevie reaches out her hand and says "Nice to meet you finally Leonie."
Alex smiles at her and offers his hand and says "G'day Leonie." Alex moves over to stand behind Stevie with his arms around her.
"So I see your still mauling my Mother." Jake says.
Alex responds "Mate like I've told you before the greatest thing a man can do for his children is to love their Mother. I'm just looking after you kids."
They all laugh.
"So why are you early, and how did you get here?"Alex asks.
"We flew to Adelaide and caught the train to Leonie's friends house stayed there the night, grabbed Leonie's car and drove up early. I have a nephew that's waiting to meet me," Jake says.
"Do you want coffee?" Stevie asks.
"Yes please but I'll take Leonie upstairs first and then we'll come and have breakfast with you." Jake says smiling.
As Jake leads Leonie away Alex grabs Stevie and his lips are upon hers quickly, completely and she responds.
"See I told you." Jake says.
Stevie and Alex move apart and look at Jake, Leonie is grinning beside him ".
Alex grins and says "Oh bugger off will ya. Can't a man get some privacy?"
Stevie giggles and flicks Alex and Jake smiles and moves to take Leonie upstairs.
Alex pokes his head round the corner to make sure they've gone.
Stevie is standing grinning at him when he walks back in. "So Alex that could have been embarrassing for you."
"I'm going to stay away from you." He grins.
She moves towards him grinning "Oh why Alex? Don't you want to hug me, kiss me go upstairs with me now?"
He laughs as he moves away from her and whispers 'Stevie they'll be back in a minute for breakfast, you need to leave me alone, at least until I finish cooking."
Stevie laughs and keeps moving towards him and says "Come on Alex I thought you were made of tougher stuff. So if I run my hands up your back or kiss you, breakfast won't get cooked."
He grins at her and says" You're a bad woman Stevie Ryan. One kiss and then you help with breakfast."
She grins as he moves towards her.
He leans to kiss her and she lets him, wrapping her arms around his waist, she runs her hands under his shirt onto his bare skin and at the same time teases him with her tongue."
He moves away and laughs. "Stevie you are going to get yourself in all sorts of trouble if you keep that up."
She just grins at him and moves to help with breakfast.