Kilarney…
Alex stands with his arm draped across Stevie's shoulder as they wave goodbye to Becky and Jake.
With more than a little annoyance in her voice Stevie questions. "Why did you say we'd go down to their place in a fortnights time Alex? You didn't even asked me if I wanted too!"
Pulling her around to face him he says. "Hey! Hey! What's with all the aggression?"
She looks round nervously and says. "I just want some peace and quiet Alex. We're just rolling from one drama to the next and I just want peace."
…
"Hey! Look at me." He orders.
She looks at him.
"Now kiss me." He demands.
A small smile appears on her face and she does as she's told.
Hugging her he says. "Get Jodi sorted and then when you come home we'll get online and plan a holiday.'
"A holiday? Can we afford the time away from the farm?" She asks.
…..
He looks at her and says. "With all that we've been through no one would begrudge us time out Cowgirl and the farm can wait."
"Really?" She asks.
He nods then turning her to face the house says. "Come on let's get you sorted. Are you taking Xander or leaving him with me?"
"Would you mind if I left him with you? It'll only be for a couple of hours." She asks.
"So long as you feed him before you go we'll be right." He answers.
….
Drover's Run…
While Jodi is upstairs settling Slade, Tess has cleared the house.
She's sent Nick over to Kilarney with Claire on board and then chatted to Matt.
He's dumbfounded as to why Jodi has reacted the way she has and he's spoken to Tess about his concerns.
Terry and Meg are down at the cottage and Moira is spending a little time with them having a cuppa and a chat.
Taylor has gone for a ride with Grace to check on the river crossing and the trees they planted out there.
All are fully aware that Tess is trying to fix this dreadful situation with Jodi and are steering clear.
….
Stevie and Kate have driven over together as Kate will spend another night with Dave on Kilarney before returning to Drover's for work in the morning.
"Ya right Kate?" Stevie asks as she pulls the handbrake on.
"Yeah I guess so. You?" Kate asks.
Stevie grins and says. "It's just Jodi Kate nothing to be scared of."
Kate laughs and follows her friend inside.
…
Jodi arrives downstairs and is confronted with Tess, Kate and Stevie.
"Where is everyone?" Jodi asks.
"They all ran away because they're frightened of you." Stevie quips.
Jodi glares at her.
"Settle." Stevie comments.
…..
Jodi walks over to the bench and grabs herself a cup and asks the others if they'd like tea.
Jodi is quiet as they settle down at the table.
Tess has placed biscuits and cake on it.
Small talk about babies, feeding and maternity bras changes the feeling in the room.
The four old friends relax into their old ways easily.
…..
"Right Jodi we've fluffed around the subject long enough. What's wrong?" Stevie asks.
"None of your business." Jodi snipes.
Frowning Stevie replies. "Yeah well I'm making it my business because as it is now, you're stressed which isn't good for you and Slade and the rest of Drover's are walking around on egg shells."
Jodi doesn't replies but glares at her.
"Come on Stretch it's us. Nothing can be that bad that you can't share it with your friends." Kate adds.
…..
"Meg didn't mean to upset you Jodi." Stevie offers.
"You don't even know what she said do you?" Jodi growls.
"Well no, not the specifics that's none of my business really is it?" Stevie replies.
"She said she wished Claire was still here and that she'd gotten to be happy with Alex." Jodi snaps.
…..
Instantly Jodi regrets her delivery as she briefly sees the hurt on Stevie's face before she puts her poker face on.
"Why would you tell her that?" Kate exclaims stunned by the coldness of the delivery.
"Everyone has a right to their opinion Jodi." Stevie replies evenly.
"That's not what Meg meant Jodi and if you'd waited for her to explain you'd know that!" Tess states.
…..
"Relax girls I'm alright this is about Jodi not me." Stevie offers.
"Stevie I'm sorry that came out wrong." Jodi apologises.
"Forget it Jodi I'll live, I've had worse things that that said to me. So you're angry at Meg because of me?" Stevie asks.
"Yes and no." Jodi replies.
"Look we're getting nowhere Jodi cut to the chase for crying out loud." Stevie grumbles.
…..
Jodi looks at the three of them expectantly waiting for answers.
Her freinds .
Her best friends.
They know almost everything about her.
She's grown so used to keeping everything to herself over the last couple of years and she doesn't really know where to start.
Kate reaches out and touches her hand. "Stretch it's us."
….
Again Jodi searches their faces.
"If Claire hadn't died you wouldn't have Alex and if Anna hadn't died I wouldn't have Matt." Jodi begins.
"Is that it?" Kate asks sounding surprised.
Jodi looks at Kate then back at Stevie and replies. "She made me feel guilty for having Matt and being happy but I was angry for you."
…
"And?" Stevie offers.
"What do you mean?" Jodi asks.
"Jodi you and your Mum have always been super close you can't tell me you've carried on like you have simply because she said that. Do you realize how silly and petty that sounds?" Stevie asks.
"I defended you before Claire. Claire was my sister." Jodi replies softly her chin quivering and her eyes welling with tears .
"Oh Jodes." Tess gushes her eyes glassy too.
….
Jodi swipes at her tears and says. "I grew up with her and didn't even know we were sisters. Claire's heart was Drover's and I had a small part of that and I gave it away to Grace and the girls. And then I defended you over her Stevie, I'm an awful sister. Don't you see?"
"Aww Jodes." Stevie sniffles and moves over to her.
Tess has Jodi on her feet and is crying with her.
Kate and Stevie join the cuddle.
….
"I thought you hated group hugs?" Jodi asks a short time later looking at Stevie.
Wiping the tears off her cheeks Stevie grins and says. "You caught me on a bad day."
"Plus the pregnancy hormones." Kate chuckles wiping her face.
Jodi looks at Stevie.
Tess and Stevie are looking at Kate.
….
"Pregnancy hormones? Are you pregnant Stevie?" Jodi asks a smile returning to her face.
Stevie grins and bites her lip before holding up her crossed fingers and replying. "No."
Jodi wraps her arms around her neck and says. "Oh congratulations Stevie I wasn't here for all the excitement of Xander but Kate told me about it."
"Yes Kate's good at filling you in isn't she?" Stevie replies.
"I'm sorry Stevie I didn't even think." Kate replies sadly.
Stevie smiles and says. "It's alright Kate really it is. You knew and so did Tess it's only fair that Jodi should share my good news as well."
…..
Kilarney…. The living Room…..
Marcus is stretched out on the couch while Alex and Nick sit chatting about Becky and Jake's visit.
"So are we heading down in one car or two?" Nick asks.
"Two. Stevie and I are going on holidays so we'll continue on after we visit them." Alex replies.
Marcus raises his head and asks. "Since when?"
"Since this afternoon when Stevie gets back and we work out where we're going." Alex answers.
…..
"So why now?" Nick asks.
Alex grins and replies. ´Stevie's pregnant Nick."
Nick smiles and asks. "Really? Congratulations. How far is she?"
"Thanks Nick we're not sure she's only done the home test but we think about six or seven weeks." Alex replies smiling broadly.
"So is Tess." Nick replies.
"Hey? You're kidding? How far is she?" Alex asks thrilled with his brother's news.
"We're not sure we've only done the home pregnancy test too. Tess thinks around seven weeks give or take a week." Nick replies.
…
"So why a holiday?" Marcus asks sitting up.
"She's really teary and more than a little stressed. We've been through a lot in the last six months and she needs some time out." Alex replies.
"Fair enough." Marcus replies as he stands and leaves the room.
"Hey Marcus can you grab some beers and chips when you come back." Alex calls after him.
"No beer for me Marcus thanks." Nick yells.
…
"Whadya gone soft?" Alex asks.
"No I just promised Tess I wouldn't drink when I have Claire in the car." Nick responds.
"Fair enough." Alex answers.
Marcus returns with two beers and a coke and a bag of chips.
….
Handing Nick the coke Marcus looks at Claire and says. "She's a barrel of fun isn't she?"
Nick looks down at his sleeping daughter and replies. "She's not getting much sleep at home at the moment, Slade wakes every one up."
"Yeah he's loud isn't he?" Alex remarks.
"Hmm yeah he is actually I wanted to talk to you about that." Nick replies.
….
Drover's Run...The cottage..
A soft knock on the back door draws Terry from his seat.
Meg and Moira are just clearing the table of dishes when they stop.
"Jodes what are you doing knocking you know you're always welcome here." Terry offers happily.
...
"I'll go." Moira whispers as she grabs her jacket.
Meg looks worried but nods.
"Everything will be fine Meg relax." Moira smiles before switching to a louder voice.
"Right thanks for Morning Tea Meg I've got some errands I need to do . You'll have to give me the recipe for those biscuits I love them."
Terry ushers Jodi into the kitchen and they both farewell Moira.
...
"Is everything alright?" Meg asks Jodi unsure of what else to say.
Jodi shakes her head as her eyes well with tears.
For a split second the two women stand looking at each other.
Meg holds her arms up.
Jodi runs into them.
...
Kilarney...
Claire Ryan arches her back and squeals with anger.
She was having a lovely cuddle with her Uncle Alex and her Daddy made her let him go.
Alex tries not to grin as his brother wrestles the little girl into her car seat.
As Nick closes the car door the sound of her screaming is lessened.
...
"That's the third tantrum this week. She likes to get her own way." Nick says sounding frustrated.
"What can I say mate. Girls love me." Alex quips.
Nick shakes his head at him.
"Can I say goodbye and see if I can calm her down a bit. It'll be stressful driving home listening to that." Alex asks.
"Yeah alright but don't let her out ." Nick cautions.
...
The noise lifts and Alex bends into the car.
Claire hugs his neck and he chats to her.
She doesn't stop but quietens down.
"Uncle Alex will come and see you after ok? Mummy misses you and she needs cuddles." He soothes.
...
Finally unhooking her arms he backs out and grabs a flower from the garden and hands it too her.
The crying stops.
Nick laughs ." Great she's not even at school and already she's getting flowers off boys."
Alex chuckles.' You'd better get used to it mate she's gunna be a heart breaker."
Nick smiles ." Yeah she is isn't she."
As Nick drives away Alex thinks about the new baby Stevie is carrying.
He hopes it's a girl.