Nick pulls the bike to a stop and quickly rearranges the yards ready for the mob that Marcus, Grace and Kate are bringing up over the rise.
"Ya ! Ya! Ya!." Marcus shouts.
Grace and Kate whistle and push the mob on.
Upstairs Tess looks out at the mob coming over the rise and smiles.
With her hand on her belly she whispers. "Nothing better Bub than coming over that rise and seeing our home nothing better."
...
Henry is awake and beginning to get grizzly waiting for his Mother.
Logan is playing with his tractor and truck on the veranda as Regan and Tess cart everything out in readiness for lunch.
Dave and Regan walk with Henry up to meet the group coming in and Tess remains back at the house.
Regan has asked if she's alright and Tess tells her she's just a bit tired.
...
Watching Harry's car leave Alex asks. "Why didn't you tell him to go away Stevie?"
Alexander stops playing with his dog and looks up at his Father.
Stevie notices and with her eyes gestures to Alex.
He looks at the little boy then back at Stevie and moves off without uttering another word.
"Doesn't Daddy like Hawy?" Alexander asks.
Stevie is shocked by his question but remains calm and replies truthfully. "Yes he does but Harry hurt Daddy's feelings a little while ago and he's still a little bit cross about it."
Alexander nods.
Stevie hopes her explanation is enough to stop any other questions.
...
Stevie reaches down and picks up the twins and begins to walk back inside.
Alexander follows her and calls. "Hawy! Hawy! Hawy!"
The puppy lopes along behind them veering off here and there along the way to wee and sniff and wee some more.
Alexander laughs and laughs at the puppies antics.
Stevie smiles listening to him.
...
Reaching the steps Stevie stops and waits for Alexander and the puppy.
Alexander climbs the steps but Hawy is too little to jump although she makes a valiant attempt.
Stevie says. "Alexander sit down here for a moment."
He flops down where his Mother tells him too and she places Cooper in between his legs and says. "Hug your Brother for a moment Bully while Mummy helps Hawy."
He does as he's told and hugs his brother tightly, kissing his head.
Cooper smiles and tries to turn around to look at his big brother.
Alexander kisses him again and says. "Coopy likes kisses Mummy."
She grins and says. "He does and you give such good kisses."
He kisses him again to show his Mummy how good he is.
Stevie lifts the puppy up and she runs straight at Alexander and Cooper.
Both boys giggle.
Stevie squats and places Blake with them he reaches for the puppy, she licks his hand and he joins in the giggling.
...
Alex walks to the door and gruffly asks. "Are you going to help me or play all day?"
She glares at him and says. "Go to hell Alex."
"Well that's an immature reply."He retorts.
"Well it's a perfect match to your question then isn't it?"She fires back.
"Why would you inflict him on us when he's caused so much pain?" He yells.
Her eyes prick with tears.
She inhales about to reply but Alexander yells. "No Daddy No!"
...
Alex looks at his son and he has tears on his cheeks as he looks at his Mother.
Stevie wipes her cheek and squats down quickly." It's alright Alexander Mummy's alright please don't cry.'
He sobs.
Hawy tries to climb on him he pushes her roughly and says. "No Daddy's cross go away Hawy."
Alex kneels beside him and says. "Don't be mean to her Bully it's not her fault."
Alexander pushes the puppy away and says. "No."
Alex places his hand on his sons face.
The little boy pushes it away too.
Stevie picks the twins up and says. "Come on Alexander we'll go for a drive in the car."
Alex places his hand on her arm.
She moves away without looking at him.
...
Late in the afternoon Matt has rested and although very sore the painkillers have kicked in enough to dull the ache in his shoulder.
Jodie has slept as well and Matt's contact has arrived to take him away.
"No Matt you can't just leave me like this." Jodie cries.
"Jodie I can't take you with me. It's a terribly life." He says sadly.
"What and you think my life will be anything without you now?" She sobs.
"I'm sorry." He offers.
She stands sobbing and yells at him. "Sorry for what Matt? Letting me fall in love with you? Letting me be shot at? Or for letting me be so scared I thought I'd wet my pants? Or for letting me feel like you'd die and I'd never have you in my life at all?"
He can't answer.
"I'm coming with you." She states.
"No you're not I won't let you." He growls.
She stares at him and says. "If it wasn't for me you'd be dead! They know who I am now. If you love me you have no choice but to take me, otherwise they'll come for me."
Matt looks at the police officer and he says. "She's right Matt they'll get her to get to you."
"What about the Ryan's?" Matt asks.
"No he never knew they were involved." He replies.
...
Riley arrives back mid afternoon and walking into the kitchen yells. "Hello!"
The place is completely quiet so he assumes they must be out working.
Placing the items Alex requested on the bench he moves back outside.
...
Alex shakes Matt's hand and then hugs Jodie tightly and says. "Keep your head down Jodes you're way to beautiful to lose."
She hits him and quips. "Now you tell me!"
"What?" He asks.
"That I'm beautiful." She growls.
He hugs her again and says. "I've always thought you were a hottie Jodes."
She laughs and says. "I had the biggest crush on you when I was younger Alex and I never thought you'd even noticed me."
He looks shocked and asks. "You're joking?"
Matt takes her arm and says. "Too late Alex."
Alex smiles and says. "Yeah the one I've got is more than a handful anyway."
"Speaking off where is she I want to say goodbye?" Jodie asks.
"Um I'm not sure." He replies.
Jodie studies him and says. "You've had a fight haven't you?"
He says. "Yeah and she took off again."
"You idiot Alex what are you doing? One of these days she'll take off and you won't find her. Most women would have run a mile from you and all of your baggage but she hangs in there and puts up with everything that comes with you and tries to smooth it out. What could you possibly fight about Alex? She adores you, she's given you three big, strong, healthy sons that are gorgeous and you've got this amazing house and a fabulous farm. As cute as you are I would have given up years ago. What did you fight about?" Jodie scolds.
He stands looking at her then says. "Harry."
She closes her eyes and shakes her head and says. "Harry raised you and even though he's an arsehole she doesn't want you to severe your relationship with him completely because she knows deep down you actually care about the old bastard! God knows if I was in her place I'd cut him off without a second thought after what he did to her. But no she will put up with just about anything if she thinks it will ultimately make you happy. You do not deserve her Alex because you don't appreciate her. The way she looks and with her beautiful heart surely she could find someone who would."
He looks shocked.
"I've left a letter for Tess, Stevie and Kate please pass them on." She asks.
" Yeah of course I can ." He replies.
" Thank you for everything Alex and give Stevie my love ." She says before giving him one last hug.
...
Tess hangs up the phone and walking back into the dining room says. "That was Alex wanting to know if we'd seen Stevie."
Nick shakes his head and says. "I wonder what he did to upset her this time."
Marcus asks. "Why do you think he's at fault?"
Dave replies. "Because she'll fight him every time but if he hurts her too much she'll run."
"What he hits her? Marcus asks.
The others laugh and Regan offers. "If he did she'd hit him right back. No he must have said something that really upset her. So she'll take off until one or both of them cool down."
...
It's after midnight when Stevie pulls up in front of the house.
Alex is there to greet her.
"Stevie I've been so worried about you. I'm so glad you're home. I'm sorry for the way I reacted before." He states as soon as she opens the door.
She looks at him and says. "I'm only back to get some clothes Alex."
He looks stunned and asks. "Where are you going?"
She shrugs and replies. "I'm not sure yet but I've rung Jill. The boys and I will stay there for a few days until I've had time to think."
"Stevie don't do this. We can work through this." He pleads.
"No we can't Alex you told me that last time and all we did was put bandaids over it. I'm sorry but it's not about just you and me we have children and its hurting them and I won't stand by and let them become you and Harry."She says without emotion in her voice.
"I'm not bloody Harry!" He growls.
"No? The man that couldn't see his little boys laughing and having fun with a brand new puppy because he was too angry about something else looked a hell of a lot like Harry Ryan to me."She offers.
He looks angry and shaking his head asks. "What do you want from me Stevie? He hurt you? Yet you want me to bring him into my home and have a beer with him!"
"If you weren't so bloody angry Alex you're judgement wouldn't be so clouded. Didn't you listen to him today? He bought the dog as a peace offering. He asked to hold Cooper and you ignored the request when the baby crawled over to him, he could have picked him up but he didn't because he recognized you were uncomfortable. When you asked why a puppy he gave you a memory with a beautiful kind thought with it but you didn't hear that did you? Because you were too angry. I don't want you to drink beer with him I just want you to acknowledge it wasn't all bad. Your son likes Harry god only knows why but he does and you made him cry today and push that dear little puppy away because of your anger he's not even three Alex and your anger is influencing him already. I won't sit by and let that fester in him like it did in you."
He inhales and exhales and with a guarded tone he offers. "Have you forgotten he came here and fired bullets into our home and hurt you? Why do I have to like him? Why do you keep pushing me? Why can't I deal with it all in my own time and in my own way? I can't do what you want Stevie? I can't! Don't you think I've tried? If you leave me Stevie they'll be no reason to come back because I can't change who I am. You keep pushing Harry on me if you'd stop doing that we'd be ok. I know you think deep inside I care about him and that's partly true. A year ago I would have been happy to see him dead but now I don't want that but neither do I want him in or near my home and I sure as hell don't want him near my wife or my children. The question is why do you want that?'
She looks at him and says. "He didn't want us together and when we happened he was so full of anger he did crazy things that surprised all of us. That all happened because of me Alex! I caused it so I have to fix it."
"What about me Stevie? Every time you push him on me it hurts me! I just want to love you and our boys. I have no room for Harry Ryan and I'm tired of being angry Stevie.' He whispers his voice dry, his words heartfelt, and his eyes moist.
He takes a step forward she rushes into his arms. "Alex I'm sorry I just want to make things right. I want you to be happy."
"Then stay with me Stevie please don't go. I only want you and the boys. We don't owe Harry anything and we sure as hell don't need him to make us happy please let it go."He begs.
...
They stand together for a few minutes without words finally Stevie asks. " Is Jodie still here?"
" No they've gone Stevie." He replies softly knowing she'll be upset.
She buries her face in his chest and he holds her tightly.
A minute later he says softly. " She said to give you her love and she told me I was an idiot for not appreciating you."
Through her tears she laughs.
" Oh and did you know she used to have a crush on me?" He asks.
She laughs and says . " Yes I did."
" I wish someone had told me."He quips.
"How did you get the reputation you have when women so close to you liked you and you didn't pick up on it?" She quizzes.
" Luck." He replies.
She shakes her head and says . " We'll have to go and see Tess and Kate in the morning Alex.'
" Yeah it's going to be difficult for them ." He offers.
"Yes especially for Kate." She adds.
...
Opening the car door Alex grins at Alexander asleep in his car seat with the pup draped across his lap.
He moves the pup and it stretches and yawns. Gently he picks her up and places her outside the car and waits for her to pee.
With Alexander in his arms he flips the puppy into the space between himself and his little boy and walks them upstairs.
Lying him on the bed he removes his socks and shoes then slips his shirt and jeans off.
Covering him up with the doona he places the pup beside him on the bed.
She spins a couple of times and curls up beside the little boy.
Alex leans over and kisses his son.
Patting the little dog he moves back downstairs.
...
Stevie has Blake in his cot by the time Alex brings Cooper in.
They work together and strip off his shoes and socks and his shirt and pants.
Stevie quickly changes his nappy and he doesn't even wake.
Covering him up they retire to their room.
...
" Alex do we know when we'll see Jodie again?" Stevie asks as they climb into bed.
" I think that's it Stevie . I don't think she can resume her life now ." He offers.
" But once the court case is over can't she come home?"
" I really don't know Stevie." He replies.
Turning her back to him she closes her eyes holding back tears.
She's missed seeing her friend because of a stupid fight.
Alex wraps himself around her and says . " If she can come back Stevie you know she will."
She nods as tears slip down her cheeks.
...