Gungellan Pub...
Kate and Jocelyn are sitting at one of the tables when Moira wanders in.
Paying for a beer she turns and looks around.
Kate beckons her over.
Jocelyn greets her with a happy "Hi Moira."
"Hi Jocelyn nice to see you again." Moira replies after saying hello to Kate.
….
"How has your day been?" Kate asks.
Sitting down Moira sighs deeply and replies. "I've had better."
"Why what's wrong?" Kate asks.
Moira looks thoughtful as she sips her beer then placing in back on the table replies. "I think I need a change. I'm tired of grease and customers."
Jocelyn laughs and offers. "I've spent the day poking a drenching gun down sheep's throats and getting poo on my clothing and I ache all over but this beer is the best I've ever had."
….
Kate fills Moira in on Jodi's appendicitis and Grace's sudden departure from Drover's Run.
The three women chat animatedly for over half an hour.
"If I knew I could get regular work like that I'd take it with both hands." Moira says wistfully.
Kate nods in agreeance.
…..
Drover's Run...
Nicks smile is broad as he walks into his room.
Tess is curled up asleep on their bed.
Smiling down at her he places the hot cup of tea on the dressing table and gently sits beside her.
In that place between asleep and awake Tess had heard the door and his footsteps on the timber floor.
Rolling towards him she stretches and yawns.
…
He watches and waits for her to wake properly.
Blinking she stretches and sighs. "Oh hello Husband."
Leaning over he whispers. "Hello Wifey how do you feel now?"
Reaching her arms up around his neck she giggles and responds. "We are feeling great after our nap."
Looking at her his eyes explore her face and he kisses her several times.
…..
"When are we going to share our secret?" Nick asks.
"It's too good to keep secret for long isn't it?" Tess replies softly.
"How about when Stevie and Alex get back?" He suggest.
Nodding she giggles and offers. "Or we could ring them."
He is smiling at her and let's go a small laugh and replies. "We could."
"And then you could take me to the Pub for a celebratory dinner."
"I could, couldn't I? But what about Jodi?"
"Yes you could. Jodes will be rapt when we tell her and Damon should be here soon he can look after her until we get back."
Nick wraps her up and hugs her as if she were glass.
His voice is muffled when he replies. "Your wish is my command today Wifey."
She giggles.
…..
Kilarney….
Marcus checks himself in the mirror before answering the back door.
"G'Day Dave. Sorry I'm almost ready, just gotta grab my wallet." Marcus offers.
"No she's right Marcus I've already got Riley so we're running early." Dave replies.
As they walk out the door Marcus asks. "Have you heard from Alex?"
Dave laughs and responds. "If you were in his place would you be thinking about calling home?'
"No I guess not. Although with my track record I doubt I'll ever get a serious girlfriend."
"Yeah I've given up too." Dave responds.
"No luck?"
"Nah they see me coming and they duck for cover." Dave remarks.
Marcus laughs as he opens the car door calling "G'Day Riley how are you?"
…..
The Gold Coast…Later in the evening.
"Are you alright?"
'Yep."
"Alex what's wrong? You've been really quiet since Tess and Nick's call."
"No I'm alright."
"Alex?" Stevie questions.
…..
He looks at her and she sees an expression she hasn't seen before.
He shakes his head and takes a sip of his beer.
Placing her hand on his free arm she gently rubs it and says. "Talk to me Alex. Something is bothering you and that makes me worry."
Placing the glass back onto the table he replies. "I'm the eldest Stevie."
She looks confused and frowns as she asks. "I'm not following."
"Nick's happily married and now they're having a baby."
"Ahh." She responds.
They sit silently each alone in their own thoughts.
"Are you jealous?" Stevie finally asks.
"Yes and no." He replies after a short pause.
She nods.
…
"It's not such a bad thing is it Stevie? I mean wanting to settle down, start a family?"
He watches as she digests his comment and is about to add more when she looks at him.
With her forearms resting on her knees she leans forward and holding his gaze responds. "I already have a daughter Alex."
His eyes dart across her face.
" My attempts at Motherhood weren't good."
He glares at her.
" So you don't want anymore?"He accuses.
Time passes.
….
"Say something Alex."
"When were you going to tell me?" He questions sounding angry.
Her gut churns as she answers. "I figured once we were serious I'd tell you."
"Just let me fall in love with you then throw that at me." He snarls.
She inhales sharply.
The anger in his words leaving her unsure if she should go on.
…..
"I thought we were mates Stevie. I thought you trusted me. This tells me you don't." He accuses.
Standing he walks across to the balcony.
Despite her anger at his reaction the tender part of her heart that holds everything connected to Rose crumples.
"She doesn't even know I'm her Mother. She thinks I'm her aunt. What would she say if I had another child but kept it? ." She offers her voice barely a whisper as she walks from the room.
…..
He takes in what she has divulged and turns to comment.
The room is empty.
In surprise he scans the immediate area then moves to their room.
Stevie has her suitcase on the bed and is throwing her belongings into it.
"What are you doing?" He questions.
Wiping her tears with the back of her hand, she sniffs and in a barely audible voice replies. "Packing to go home."
He inhales and stepping towards her replies. "But we've still got five days of our holiday left?"
She looks at him.
He gives her a small smile as he turns his head in a questioning fashion.
…..
"I wanted to tell you ages ago but I thought… I thought….I thought you wouldn't want to be my friend or this. Us. " She confesses.
"I have worries and doubts too Stevie and I've got way more dirty laundry than you and yet you're still my friend." He suggests.
"Yes but not a child. A little piece of yourself running around." She states.
"Well none that we know about." He quips.
"Yet." She responds without thought.
He looks shocked.
She bites her lip holding back a small smile despite the tears on her cheeks.
The sickening feeling in her stomach eases as she realizes he's not as angry as she first thought
…
"And how will you feel if somewhere down the track a little person with my DNA turns up?" He asks.
"Can't we just enjoy dating for a while Alex before we start talking about getting me pregnant?" She questions.
"As much as that idea fills me with anticipation I meant if I've fathered a child somewhere else." He answers grinning at her.
"Truthfully?"
He nods looking serious.
She fidgets about nervously and looking him straight in the eye explains. " I've daydreamed about us for a long time Alex . Having Rose with me and giving her a brother or a sister. I know how much you want to be a Father and I want it to be me that gives that to you. If that's already happened I'd be ok with that. But I truly hope it's me."
He smiles and opening his arms he remarks. "Me too."
She walks into his embrace.
...
"We need to tell Rose soon." He states.
" No Michelle wants to wait."
" For what?"
" I'm not sure it was always supposed to be once I'd saved enough money."
" In the future money won't be a problem." He suggests.
She looks at him." Rose isn't your responsibility Alex."
"You and your happiness is my responsibility Stevie and I take my responsibilities very seriously."
Hugging his waist tightly she begins to cry again and whispers. "Id never change my life so Rose wasn't in it but at the same time I'm sad that the experience of parenthood won't be a first we'll share."
"That's ok Stevie I'll give you a boy and that will be a first for both of us." He jokes.
She squeezes in tight and in between sobs answers. "I can't wait."
Kissing the top of her head he whispers. "Me either. Now tell me all about your pregnancy and Rose's birth I want to know every detail so when she knows I'll know as much about her as you do."
She looks up at him.
He smiles and wiping the tears off her face waits for information.
…
Gungellan Pub...
Nick smiles as he lets go of Moira's hand.
"Welcome aboard Moira." Tess gushes as her smile lights her eyes.
Moira chuckles as Jocelyn and Kate congratulate her on her new job.
"Drinks are on me!" Moira offers.
"Get in line Moira its champagne for the new Bub first, then we'll toast your new job as a Drover's girl. Why don't you join us for dinner?" Nick asks.
"Well I'll shout the third round as I'm officially a casual Drover's girl now." Jocelyn quips.
"Dining with the boss already Moira." Kate teases.
Moira laughs and feels her heart lift.
….
Gungellan Pub …Car park….
As Dave, Marcus and Riley make their way into the pub a figure steps from the shadows.
Holding his frame steady Leo peers through the window.
With no sign of Stevie he assumes she's either with Alex or Jodi as they're both missing.
He moves quietly back down the street keeping close to the shadows of the fences and trees.
"I'm in no hurry Stevie so don't fret. I can wait. We will be seeing each other again very soon." He remarks as he closes the door on his car and starts the engine.
…