Kate and Riley are standing with Marcus and Grace admiring Stevie's Ute.
"Wow it looks fantastic." Grace says.
The entire car has been completely restored inside and out.
"Stevie is going to love it." Kate says.
"Yeah she will." Riley adds.
Grace asks "Did she know it was still here?"
Marcus answers." No Alex told her we got rid of it ages ago. She was not happy that it was gone."
"What a great idea for a gift. She will be so happy." Kate says.
"What about the engine?" Grace asks.
Riley pops the bonnet "All restored too."
"I wonder what she'll get for him." Marcus says.
Kate laughs and says "I know."
They others look at her and Riley says "Well tell us?"
Kate grins and says "She's taking him back to Argentina!"
"You're kidding?" Marcus says.
Kate replies "No apparently the farm is still there and run by the same people. She's hoping Nick and Tess will go too. She asked Tess when we were out camping."
"What a brilliant present." Grace says.
They all agree the next anniversary will be full of surprises.
...
In Darwin everyone has returned to their rooms.
"Oh my goodness Bull the room you booked for us is beautiful." Jo says.
"Actually Mum sort of helped there, this is where they stayed last time. She said we'd love it." Bull says.
"So we've got a spa Bull." Jo says smiling.
Bull grins at her and says "Ok I'll get us some drinks and you get naked."
She laughs and says "What makes you think I'm going to get naked for you?"
He looks at her and says "Ok we'll head back downstairs then."
She moves towards the spa and begins to fill it.
He grins and walks over to the fridge.
...
Jake, Leonie, Clare, Dan and around 6 farm hands are almost into Darwin they've stopped for a change of drivers and to stretch their legs.
"I'm looking forward to a beer." Dan says.
"You and I both, mate." Jake adds.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the Gungellan crew. I wonder how you're Dad's going?" Dan says.
Jake replies "Well Xander rang before and he thought he looked dreadful. But when I spoke to Mum the other day she reckons he's looking much better. So I'll just have to wait and see for myself. Apparently the Doctors are really happy with how well he's healing; I reckon he'll have a limp for awhile it was a nasty break."
Dan looks at Jake and says "Sounds like it could have been worse."
Jake replies "Well it was only his leg that took the impact thank god it wasn't his neck or back. Geez he was a mess. He was covered in blood and the bone was protruding out of the skin. Anyway I don't want to talk about that. `
"Let's get this show on the road we'll make Darwin just on dark." Dan says.
They all jump back into the vehicles for the last hour of driving. Clare and Leonie are in the lead car and are carrying all of the bags, swags ect a conversation begins.
"I'm looking forward to a nice shower." Leonie says.
"Or a spa." Clare says laughing.
"Oh that would be nice do you think we've got spa rooms?"
Clare laughs and says" Knowing how Bull's and my parents think then I'd say there's a good chance we do have spas."
Both girls laugh.
"You're very lucky Clare. You have such a wonderful loving family."
Leonie states. "Yes I know I'm very lucky plus they're fun to be around. You don't mention your family much Leo. What are they like?"
Leonie looks uncomfortable. "Oh nothing like yours. Dad's too wrapped up in his work and my Mother is always concerned with what other people think."
Clare reaches over and puts her hand on Leonie's shoulder.
Clare jokes "Well my family are wrapped up in their work too."
Leonie smiles at her and says. "Yes but at least they're wrapped up in together."
Leonie continues. "I love how affectionate your family are Clare. With my family you may get a kiss on your cheek for your birthday or Xmas but that's about it. Even the men in your family are more affectionate than my Mum."
Clare laughs and says "Sorry Leonie I wasn't laughing about your Mum. I was just wondering how your parents will react when they meet Uncle Alex and Aunty Stevie they don't hold back for anyone."
Leonie grins and says "They're cute together aren't they?"
Clare laughs and says "I would have thought raunchy fitted them better."
Again the girls laugh.
Leonie says "Jake makes me feel so loved and so important. He kisses me and hugs me anywhere, any time and I love it."
Clare smiles and says "Yes it seems to be a Ryan trait. My Dad is the same with Mum. I never really thought about it much growing up because I thought every family was like that. As an adult I admire them for having the courage to express their feelings for each other. It's my parent's generation that started it. I think because some of them didn't have the love and affection that they've gone all out to make sure we do. When I was a young teenager I was a bit embarrassed by it all especially if I brought friends home but most reacted like you and Jo and just loved it which is really nice."
Clare continues "My grandfather Harry Ryan sounds like he was hard, mean and unforgiving man, he especially gave Uncle Alex a hard time and he treated Aunty Stevie very badly. Aunty Grace's Dad was quite distant and bitter and didn't have much to do with his three girls while they were growing up. Aunty Stevie was tossed out of home at 15 because she was pregnant with Rose. Uncle Marcus was reared solo by his Mum because Bryce wasn't there for him and when he was he used money as an incentive for affection. You'll see none of that in my family, everyone works for each other, everyone supports and lifts each other but if you're being a jerk someone will soon pull you down a peg or two. Thankfully that doesn't happen very often." Clare laughs.
It's almost dark by the time the Naroo crew finally pull into the resort they've dropped all the gear at the Rodeo grounds and are ready for a shower.
After check in Clare, Dan, Jake and Leonie make their way upstairs. Their rooms are near each other and they agree to meet up in an hour for drinks and to find everyone else.
Jake opens their door and stands back to let Leonie in first. "Oh my goodness Jake this is beautiful."
He grins and says "Yes it is, do we have a spa?"
Leonie laughs and calls from the next room. "Yes we do! Oh Jake its magic in here want to join me?"
He grins, throws his hat on the bed and moves towards her voice calling.
"I'm on my way."
...
An hour later everyone is showered dressed and raring to go. Leonie walks from the bathroom and Jake smiles widely as he moves towards her, gesturing for her to turn around." Wow you look amazing."
She laughs and says "Thanks you look very handsome yourself."
Jake grins and says "I do my best."
In the time Jake has been on Naroo he has filled out. He is leaner but his muscles are more prominent. He's wearing Levi's and a white short sleeved shirt, he is tanned, very tall and very handsome.
Leonie smiles at him and says. "Jake I love you."
He kisses her and says "I love you too."
...
Downstairs they don't need to look for the family they can hear them long before they reach them.
Jake moves towards them holding Leonie's hand and yells "Oi what's a man have to do to get a drink around here."
Everyone is up hugging and kissing them.
As Stevie hugs Leonie she says "Oh Leo you look stunning. God we've missed you"
Leonie couldn't smile any wider if she tried. "Thanks Stevie I've missed you too."
Leonie actually feels a little teary and bites her lip. Before she can do or say anything else Alex wraps his arms around her and hugs her tightly and says "Hey Leonie you look gorgeous. We've missed you."
And then she cries.
Stevie is beside her and says "Alex what did you do?"
He looks stunned and says. "I told her we missed her and that she looked gorgeous."
Stevie holds her.
After a while Leonie says "I'm so sorry I'm not normally so emotional. It's so nice to be greeted like you've been missed. My parents are nothing like that."
Stevie grins at her and says "Yes we can be a little overwhelming. Come on we'll head to the bathroom and you can freshen up."
As they walk Stevie says. "Leo are you pregnant?"
Leonie stops and looks at Stevie and says "Why do you think I'm pregnant?"
Stevie smiles at her and says "Just a hunch, the tears, you are a beautiful girl but at the moment you are absolutely glowing."
"Oh God Stevie I don't know?" Leonie tries to think.
Stevie grins and says "There's a chemist across the road if we're quick no-one will notice we're missing."
Leonie smiles at her.
They quickly move from the building.