Shearing is a well under way and Grace and Stevie are helping with meals and smoko's for everyone it's a big job as they have 18 to cater for breakfast, lunch, dinner, morning and afternoon smoko. With Rhonda's help Stevie and Grace have made cakes, biscuits and slices and most of the deserts previously so as the actually meals are all that needs to be done daily. Moira and Meg are minding the children and babies so as the free up the girls for meals. Stevie especially wanted to do it this way as she's due to have her baby and wants to contribute somehow.
By the second week Nick is really impressed as they are way ahead of schedule and will finish on Wednesday Thursday at the latest. Morning smoko rolls around and Grace and Stevie arrive a little earlier than usual as they lift the eskies from the back Stevie says "Oh Grace can you quickly gets Alex." "Why what's the matter'?" Grace asks."My water just broke Grace quickly get Alex."Grace runs into the shearing shed and Stevie can hear her yelling "Alex! Alex! Quick Stevie needs you.' He is at her side in an instant. "Hey cowgirl it's alright I'll get the car."He tells her. "Alex I'm ok but you need to have a shower first."He looks at her amazed "A shower now?" "You stink Alex. Like sheep manure I'm not driving to town with you smelling like that."The gathered group all laugh. "
"She's right mate you could be in delivery awhile and you don't smell pretty."Nick says. Alex looks angry and says to Nick "Right, I'll have a shower and you can deliver the baby. You know how quickly she has them." "Oh I didn't think of that."Nick says.
"Alex you're wasting time, get in the shower in the shearers quarters and I'll race up and grab some of Nick's clothes for you now Go Go Go."Tess yells and continues "Nick and Marcus help Stevie into the back of car don't just stand there." The men take off in all directions.
Alex has showered and Moira has given him some of Nick's clothes. He reaches to open the car door; Tess is beside him freshly showered with a bag in her arms "Get in the back Alex I'm driving this time." Alex does as he's told and jumps into the back with Stevie.
As they head off down the road Tess says "I thought I'd come with you in case we don't make the hospital. I thought you both might like some moral support."Alex puts his hand on her shoulder and says "Thanks Tess. So what's in the bag?" Tess says "A couple of towels, a baby blanket, string, scissors and alcohol." Stevie laughs and says "Alcohol what are you two going to get drunk while I'm in labour?"Tess laughs and says I couldn't find the antiseptic so I thought alcohol."They all laugh when she adds. "I was in a hurry that was my first thought."
Over at Drover's smoko is over and they're all back in the sheds. Nick is thinking perhaps it will be Friday that they finish as now they've lost Alex and Tess. Nick smiles to himself thinking about Tess taking command. She soon sorted everyone including himself. What the hell does it matter is they don't finish until Friday by day's end they'll have a new member of their ever growing family.
Inside the sheds everyone has focused back in on the job at hand pushing to finish the clip as soon as possible. "Hey Hello There." A voice calls. Taylor glances up with everyone else and recognizes Ben Stevie's cousin. "Hey Ben, How are you? Stevie's not here." "G'day Taylor, well she's not at Kilarney because I've been there and they said she was here.""No you would have passed them on the road Alex and Tess have taken her into hospital her water broke."Nick explains. "Oh ok well I wouldn't be of any use there would I?"He laughs "No but we could sure use your help here, we're down Alex and Tess."Marcus says. "No worries glad to help."Ben says taking off his shirt.
Stevie is in labour but things are progressing well and she's very much in control of her pain and they're only ten minutes from the hospital. Alex is relaxed and is amazed by that fact. Tess says. "How are you doing Stevie?" "Hang on Tess."Alex says. Tess can here Stevie's breathing change and realizes they are getting close to the point she'll need to push.
Directly Stevie answers. "Tess contractions are closer and strro."She says no more as another contraction takes her breath and concentration. 'We're here I'll get a nurse" Tess yells as she runs off. She's back quickly with a couple of orderlies and a gurney. Alex helps Stevie on to it gently, then he grabs Tess hugs her kisses her check and says "Thank you so much Tess."She smiles and says "Stop the chatter Alex and go and meet your little girl."He grins and moves off with Stevie.
With Bens help they move through the pens quickly and Moira has come out to take Tess's place as the little ones have their afternoon sleep and Meg minds them. By the end of the day. They are back on track and Nick is very pleased."Thanks everyone that was an awesome day's work. Ben and Moira thanks for chipping in that was fantastic. I think we need beer."Everyone agrees.
Stevie is panting trying to hold off pushing the Doctor has arrived and is very pleased with her progress. Alex is attentive to Stevie and he feels so in control and is still amazed. "Now Stevie on your next contraction I'd like you to push."The Doctor says. Alex kisses Stevie's forehead and says "Here we go beautiful. You're doing a brilliant job." Stevie smiles at him and says "I love you Alex." He has his hand on her tummy and he feels it tightening and says "Ok Cowgirl you're up."
The Doctor is amazed and these two and how they interact with each other. As the contraction builds Stevie bears down with all she's got and she feels the baby move. As the contraction lesson Alex feels her tummy loosen her breathing changes and he kisses her again. "Great work Steve's."She smiles at him as he wipes her forehead. He places a tiny piece of ice on her tongue.
"Righto here we go again." Alex says feeling her tummy tighten. Stevie moans with the pain, and at its peak she, bears down with all she's got, pushes and moans again. The Doctor says "You are doing very well Stevie." Alex again places a small amount of ice on her tongue and kisses her. "She's almost here beautiful, we can hug her soon."Alex whispers. "Here we go cowgirl." He says again.
As the pain rips through her body Stevie listens to Alex soothing, urging her on. Their little girl is almost here they'll finally get to see her. Stevie bears down, draws in some more breath and pushes with all she's got the burning sensation is intense and she feels incredible pain and then the baby's head is born . This is the part she hates the most, it's uncomfortable and she prayers for the next contraction so she can move the baby into the world. She doesn't have to wait long, there it is, Alex knows it too and he encourages her, whispers I love you, kisses her forehead. "Push Stevie Push you're doing a brilliant job."Alex says. "Stevie, I need you to stop pushing"' The Doctor says. She doesn't listen but then she hears him Alex "Stevie you have to listen, please Stevie listen, pant don't push."Alex pleads; she listens and begins to pant. "That's it Stevie well done I know it's hard beautiful but you can push again soon."He tells her.
The doctor quickly says push and Alex repeats it "Push Cowgirl push give it all you've got Stevie."She listens and pushes hard, bears down with all she has left and there it is the whoosh and the pain is gone. She is exhausted.
She hears a tiny cry. Alex is kissing her oh Stevie she's beautiful like you. Stevie reaches up to touch Alex's face he kisses her deeply lovingly. Quickly the baby is checked and wrapped and handed to Stevie. Alex has his arm around her shoulders "Oh Alex she's a blonde."He smiles and says "Yes she is, Steves but she's got that red tinge." Stevie laughs and says "Oh yeah, she's tiny Alex." The doctor laughs and says "I bet she's around 7lb she's not really tiny." Alex reaches over and shakes his hand and says "Thank you that was a lot less stressful for me."The Doctor laughs and says "I think you sell yourself short Alex. You were in control the entire time and Stevie was listening to you not me. If you were going to deliver this little one on your own again it would have been a breeze."
Stevie says "Alex take her." The baby lets out a little cry. Alex laughs as he takes her from Stevie and says. "She sounds like a kitten Stevie. Oh my goodness she's so little, my little Kitten."Alex says then continues "How are you beautiful?" Stevie grins and says "I feel really good Alex." Alex lifts the baby kisses her and says "Stevie she is so soft and she has the cutest lips." He grins as he hands the baby back to Stevie and says "I'll just go and get Tess."