Drovers Run ...Early morning...

Outside the wind howls but the gusts have weakened .

The rain too has slowed.

Jodi waddles into the kitchen to join Tess and Claire.

Looking up Tess smiles and greets her.

" How'd you sleep?" Tess asks.

" That was the best sleep I've had in ages." Jodi replies with a relaxed smile on her face.

Tess grins back at her and states." Yeah me too. There's something so comforting about being snuggled up in bed while the rain beats down on the roof."

...

Jodi talks to her young niece then asks Tess ." Do we know if we've sustained much damage yet?"

" I have no idea they're all still out checking on the stock and buildings." Tess answers.

"Any news from Kilarney?"

" No nothing yet , they'll be out surveying the same as us." Tess responds.

...

"Did Kate go out with them?" Jodi asks.

"Yeah she did the boys tried to get her to stay home but she was adamant she be allowed to do her job as long as she's able." Tess replies.

"She's a great overseer isn't she?" Jodi states.

"Yes she is."

"She would have been good but working with Stevie she's grown and changed heaps." Jodi states.

...

" They're quite close aren't they." Tess muses.

"Hmm after you went to Argentina we all became closer."Jodi explains.

" I missed so much." Tess states sadly.

"I'm in the same boat as you now. Even though everyone welcomed me back with open arms there are times and events they've shared that I didn't and I feel a bit left out." Jodi tells her sister.

"This time next year we'll all have shared memories and the past will include us again." Tess says happily."

"My baby will be about to have its first birthday."Jodi adds with a big smile on her face.

...

"Claire will turn three next year and Xander will be running around plus Kate and Dave's baby will be here too." Tess gushes.

" Xander and Claire might not be the babies in their families." Jodi teases playfully.

Tess sighs deeply with a wistful smile on her beautiful face."I hope so Jodi we're trying already."

Jodi exclaims. "Really ? Oh Tess that's so exciting for you all."

Tess chuckles and replies." Yes it is especially with Xander around and now you and Kate with your bubs. It's definately the right time for us. I'm so clucky ."

...

Kilarney...

Alex walks back towards the house with his drizabone buttoned high around his neck and his hat pulled low.

Behind him Marcus holds the front of his collar tight around his neck.

His fingers are freezing but he'd rather that than a wet chest.

Inside the back door they remove their hats ,drag off the coats and hang them on the rack then kick off their muddy boots.

...

Opening the door between the back porch and the kitchen the warm air draws them inside and the waft of freshly baked goods invades their senses.

Stevie and Rhonda look up.

" Oh you look like drowned rats." Stevie says sympathetically.

"It's bloody freezing out there and my coats upper buttons are worn out." Marcus replies.

"Gungellan Fair is on next weekend you should be able to pick one up if the workwear truck is there. If not it'll mean a trip to Fisher." Stevie offers.

" I'm taking Grace down to Adelaide I'll grab one then."Marcus replies.

...

Alex has removed his socks, jumper and shirt and placed them in the laundry hamper and walked back into the kitchen drying his hair.

" Something smells good. " He remarks.

" We made pumpkin soup and baked fresh rolls to go with it. Thought you might need warming up. " Stevie replies smiling at him.

Wrapping his arms around her he replies." Or you could just cuddle me until I warm up."

" I could." She giggles.

...

The baby monitor releases the sounds of a waking Xander and the beginnings of his hungry cries.

" Or you could have soup while I feed your son." She quips .

" How about I grab the little guy plus a dry shirt and you dish up some soup for me?"

" Deal ." She grins as he gives her a quick kiss and moves off.

...

"Go and get some dry clothes Marcus and I'll dish up soup for you as well." Stevie tells her brother in law.

Grinning he replies." Thanks Stevie that would be great."

Quickly he moves from the room.

...

" Are you sure you'll be right this afternoon Stevie?" Rhonda asks.

" Yes no worries at all Rhonda you can go now if you'd like I'm sure the boys and I can handle a few dishes."Stevie replies.

With her head down as she busily butters the fresh rolls Rhonda says. "In all the years I've worked here I've never enjoyed my job more than since you and Alex teamed up. Working for the two of you is much more pleasant than working for Harry ,Liz , Sandra or Fiona."

As she looks up her face reddens and her smile disappears.

Alex is standing in the doorway with Xander in one arm and a clean shirt in the other.

"Oh my goodness Alex! I'm so very sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I should keep my thoughts to myself." Rhonda gushes.

...

Alex stands stone faced for a few seconds and then he says.

"Its ok Rhonda you have a right to your opinion."He says softly.

"I didn't mean to speak badly of your parents Alex again I'm sorry. I was trying to tell Stevie how much I enjoyed working for her." Rhonda offers.

Giving her a small smile he replies. " I understand Rhonda really I do Stevie's made my life a lot happier too."

Rhonda nods.

"Wow two compliments in the one day! I'll be getting a big head soon." Stevie chuckles.

...

Marcus arrives clean and dry and takes the offered bowl of soup off Stevie.

"Just what I need to warm me up. You're the best Stevie thank you."

Stevie pretends to curtsey and quips. "Hat trick! Three compliments in a row."

Alex who has walked over to her gently nudges her with his elbow and quips. "Focus woman I'll trade a bowl of soup for my son."

She laughs and placing the steaming bowl of soup on the bench nearby takes Xander from his Father and says ."Sold for a measly bowl of soup he is such a naughty Daddy."

Xander grins at her then begins to fuss knowing his lunch is nearby.

"Typical Ryan, can't think of anything else when you're hungry." Stevie chuckles as she untucks her shirt and sits at the table.

...

After Rhonda leaves the three sit chatting.

"So you're taking Grace to the city for the weekend Marcus." Stevie says.

"Yeah Bryce wants me to have a look at an investment property for him and I thought Id take her with me." Marcus replies before biting off a big piece of bread.

Alex is leaning over his soup busily eating.

Dipping his bread into the soup he bites a small piece off and still chewing looks at Marcus and says ." Sounds serious mate, I mean an entire weekend together."

...

Marcus grins and answers. " I really like her and time goes so fast when I'm with her. Sometimes it goes way too fast so I though we could go to the movies one night maybe dinner and dancing another."

Stevie laughs. "She'd be happier with fish and chips sitting on the tail gate of the Ute."

Marcus wipes the corner of his mouth with his serviette then grinning replies." Great idea but it'll be freezing."

"She'll want to snuggle up then." Alex offers.

" You two should write a book ." Marcus chuckles.

" We could I've even got a Title for it. How to woo a country girl!" Alex suggests as he stands to grab more soup.

...

Stevie laughs and calls over too him." Yeah just pick her up in your chopper and fly her into a field of flowers."

Alex grins." Couldn't resist me after that could ya."

" Nah literally swept me off my feet." She giggles back at him.

"Is that how you too got together?" Marcus asks.

"Yeah officially and finally." Stevie answers.

" Yep she said she wanted flowers so I gave em too her." Alex explains placing the bowl on the table before giving Stevie a quick peck on the lips.

...

The phone ringing draws Alex to the office.

Returning quickly with a huge smile on his face he announces." That was Tess . Matt's driving Jodes into Fisher. She's gone into labour."

"Oh really and is everything alright?" Stevie asks .

"Yeah Tess said she started not long after the others got back from checking for damage. Matts taking her now because he doesn't want to leave anything to chance."Alex replies.

" So will Tess ring as soon as they hear?" Stevie asks.

" Yeah I told her no matter what time it happens we want to know." Alex tells her.

...

Stevie looks down at her own baby suckling at her breast.

Running her hand across his soft hair she sends up a silent prayer for her friends that everything will be perfect for them.

Marcus rises to get more soup.

" They'll be fine Stevie." Alex says.

" How did you know?" She asks.

" I thought the same." He replies winking at her.

She smiles back at him.

...