Chapter 27 Is it any wonder?
It was days later. Everything had gone well and Stevie couldn't suppress the constant smile on her face. Life had been hard on her, but now it was nice, very nice.
'Let's say hi to Rose', Alex said playfully to his Goddaughter, bending a bit, holding her hand. They were walking to the girl who walked up to the main house. 'Hey', Rose said softly to the little girl in front of her and shook her hand. 'She's a bit shy'. Rose kneeled down. 'That will go away. So you're Charlotte and you're staying here with Alex. I'm sure he spoils you a lot.' Charlotte nodded heavy and looked up at the tall man next to her. She gazed at the girl in front of her again. 'Yeah, I'm gonna ride the pony.' Alex smirked. 'Yes, Charlotte will get some riding lessons. We gonna visit Drovers.'
Rose smiled. Charlotte was such an adoring child and Alex was wonderful with her. The last days had gone so well. She liked her work at Killarney. Alex had helped her with a lot of things and she felt comfortable with him. She could remember her crush on him last time she visited the area, but it felt like ages ago. The whole truth about her real mother had made her grow up so quickly; she wasn't just a teenager anymore. She was dedicated to her work and wanted to be good at it. Killarney was just the right place for it.
'Alex, are you coming to my birthday party this Saturday?', Rose asked. 'I would be honored'. Alex had to smirk. Rose was just a lovely girl. Charlotte had heard the word birthday and got excited. 'You get presents?' Rose smiled down. 'Yes, well I hope so.' 'How old will you be?' Charlotte asked. It was obvious that the girl had lost her shyness. '17. You know how much that is?' Charlotte shook her head in denial. Rose showed her hands, showing her the fingers that in the end made it seventeen. 'Wow', Charlotte said impressed. 'I'm this', she showed four fingers. Alex caressed her hair softly, proud of the little girl. 'You're getting old', he said teasingly. 'No I'm not', she stated. Rose and Alex had to laugh. 'Well it won't take long till you're five'.
Rose thought it was amusing. 'I always wanted a little sister', she confessed to Alex. 'Not a kid brother?', he asked. 'Nah', she shook her head slightly and smiled. 'I know, little brothers are annoying'. 'I've got two sisters', Charlotte interrupted pointing out two fingers. 'Soo ...', Rose said impressed.
Stevie had showed up at Killarney, standing still for a moment when she saw Alex, Charlotte and Rose talking. A smile appeared on her face again, and she had stopped just to watch the view. She loved it. Alex was great with Charlotte and Rose got along so well with him. She sighed, the sun shining upon them made it even more beautiful.
'Hey Steves', Alex shouted when he saw her standing there. She smiled widely and walked to them. 'I see you have a little visitor. Hey Charlotte', she said rubbing the girls arm softly. 'Yep, we're just about to go to Drovers, aren't we Charlotte?' Charlotte nodded.
Rose looked at her mother. 'You're not here to check on me again, are you?' Rose asked, while she remembered Stevie being around on Killarney more than once this week, clearly not always just for business. 'No, no, I wanted to ask Alex something for the party.' 'Ah, the party, well I'm already invited by this young lady', Alex smirked. 'Yeah I figured that ... we kinda have to use tarpaulin for the backyard. In case it starts raining.' 'Ah I have some'. Stevie smiled at him a bit flirtatious. 'And I kinda need some help setting it up.' 'I see ..', Alex answered amused, curling up his nose, wetting his lips, while they kept gazing at each other.
Is it any wonder
that I find myself hearing your voice
whispering light on my raining?
Is it any wonder
That I find myself falling in ways
that I just can't explain?
Rose stared at the two, than bended down, seeing Charlotte's big eyes staring at the two adults. 'They're lost in their own world. Let's get to the car or otherwise you won't get near Drovers any time soon.' Charlotte didn't really know what was up, but she took Rose's hand and walked with her towards the front of the house.
'Hey', Alex said. But the sight of the two walking away, made his heart melt. 'I think some one wants to go to Drovers', Stevie said smilingly. 'I think so too!'
Please don't leave
Stay in the glow of the embers
I just need to see with my own eyes
The reason my heart feels it has to surrender
To you
Charlotte was sitting on Hopscotch and Alex was supporting her with his hand, walking little rounds. 'She has talent', Stevie said excited. 'Just like her mother', he concluded pleased, when he remembered something. 'What about I'll bring the tarpaulin in the afternoon. I'm sure we gonna have time enough to set things up.' 'Can it be early, cause we have decorations.' 'So so', Alex said impressed, that's gonna be a hell of a party you're throwing'. 'Yeah well it's gonna be a Latin party.' She had to laugh saying it. 'A what?' He had hold Charlotte still, the girl just loved sitting on the little animal, so didn't respond, just softly caressing the pony with her hand.
'A Latin party', Stevie laughed, seeing Alex' face, 'Jodi's idea'. 'Of course, I should have known.' He just smirked at her, while she was leaning against the fencing. Alex just loved this, spending time with Charlotte and Stevie. He had to pay attention for not staring at her. Stevie could be so beautiful and sweet, just standing there. It felt like the Fiona period had been a long time gone. For now he only had eyes for his two favorite girls.
He held Charlotte on his arm, while Stevie and him chatted along and entertained the girl. 'Don't you have any work to do?', Alex asked teasingly. 'Well yeah, but I thought I would spend some time with you guys'. 'Aha, I see, don't blame me when you're work isn't finished.' 'Nah, I just told Taylor to do my work', she smiled content with herself. Alex raised his eyebrows, smirking. 'Ah, so that's how you do things.' 'After all I'm the part-owner', she grinned once again, looking up at him. 'That's how things work, you should know that', she gave him a teasing smile, and a soft touch on his arm.
Is it any wonder
That the softest touch from your sweet hand
Can leave my heart a straying?
Do you ever wonder
Why this moment when I lost my breath
With no words left to say?
'Yeah I know ...', he glared at her bright eyes and for a moment he was speechless, till Charlotte started pulling at his shirt. 'Alex, Alex'. 'Uh?' Alex looked a bit puzzled. Charlotte pointed down. 'Look at the doggy'. She saw Turbo walking around them, leaving Alex and Stevie both laughing.
Have you ever wondered
Why we question ourselves
When everything we do feels so right?
Is it any wonder
That this space is the only place
I wanna be in tonight?
Some kind of wonderful
Some kind of magical
Rebecca Lavelle – Some kind of wonderful
