Kilarney...The living room..
Stevie opens the door and smiles.
Marcus is snoring softly on the couch and Alex is fast asleep on the rug nearby.
Picking up the monitor she moves back out into the kitchen.
Making her self a hot chocolate she moves upstairs.
...
Drover's Run...
Tess walks out to greet Nick and Claire as Nick pulls the car to a stop.
Opening the door Tess smiles at her little girl. "Hello Have you had a fun time with Daddy."
"Ali frowa." Claire replies holding up a green stem with a yellow centre and one petal remaining.
...
Tess looks at Nick for an explanation.
"She threw another tantrum and Alex gave her a flower." Nick offers.
Tess grins and asks. " Did Ali give you a flower it's very pretty."
Claire smiles and nods holding up the remnants .
Nick tries not to laugh as Tess gushes about the pretty flower.
...
"How did everything go here?" He asks.
"Yeah ok I think. Jodi is still down at the cottage so that's a good sign." Tess replies.
As they walk back to the house Nick explains his conversation with Alex.
...
" So where to from here?" Tess asks.
" We wait to see what Stevie wants and then we'll kick into action." Nick replies.
" Good, are you happy with that?" Tess states.
"Yeah I am it'll be good for all of us if it works out. Alex said they're going on holidays." Nick tells her.
...
" Oh lovely, they deserve some time and space together don't they?" Tess replies.
"Hmm yes they do and I think when they get back we might take one to before spring arrives and everything gets busy again." Nick says.
"Ooo a holiday ! Where too?" Tess gushes.
" Don't know haven't really thought about it much . Maybe Sally would let us have Harrison for a few days." Nick suggests.
Tess nods and answers." That would be nice for him and Claire."
"Yes I thought so. I might give her a ring and see what she thinks." Nick says.
...
Kilarney...Late afternoon..
Alex wakes and can hear a soft growling noise.
Blinking several times he focuses and registers it's Marcus.
He glances around the room with a mischievious look on his face.
...
Upstairs Stevie hears several loud thumps and then a crashing sound.
Leaving her magazine on the bed and Xander still fast asleep in his cot nearby she exits the room.
Initially she is concerned and guesses Marcus and Alex are having a fight but as she draws closer, laughter is heard.
Smiling to herself she quietly and slowly opens the living room door and steps inside.
...
Marcus and Alex are entwined around each other huffing and puffing from the exertion of the play fight they're in the middle off.
Stevie watches for several minutes as they roll about trying to gain the upper hand.
Intermittently one of them either yell or laugh.
...
Stevie clears her throat.
They look up.
Both smile and greet her but neither is willing to let go.
As Marcus begins to ask her a question Alex takes the opportunity to put his brother in a head lock.
...
"You sneaky bastard ." Marcus says in a strangled voice.
Alex laughs and calls." You snooze you loose MARCOS."
Stevie shakes her head and quips." Watch him Marcus he cheats. If there's an easy way he'll find it."
"Argh Cowgirl you're supposed to be on my side." Alex says with a comedic expression on his face.
...
"No I'm on my side! I'm about to make a fresh hot chocolate and you promised me a holiday." She replies.
"Oh yeah I'll just finish up here and we'll check out the Net." He answers then yelps as Marcus playfully thumps him.
"Oh Jesus Marcus you hurt my hip then." Alex groans.
Marcus immediately loosens his grip.
Alex laughs and while Marcus is off guard changes his hold on him.
...
"You bloody cheat." Marcus grumbles.
Alex laughs loudly then squeals and lets his brother go.
Marcus slides side ways and as Alex moves to sit up holding onto his crutch , Marcus flings his legs around Alex waist and squeezes as hard as he can.
"Oh Jesus you god damn cheat." Alex says breathlessly.
...
Marcus squeezes his legs tighter and laughing calls . "Aww poor baby did the squirrel get you did he? "
"That's cheating." Alex replies straining.
"Squirrel! Marcus you leave his testicles alone I may want more children." Stevie offers trying not to grin.
"Might be better if it was said with sincerity." Alex remarks.
...
"Give up?" Marcus asks tightening his legs further.
"Nooo." Alex replies clearly under strain.
"Enough! Both of you up now." Stevie demands grabbing an ear of each.
"Ow Ow Ow."
"Get up now ! The fights over, Marcus wins." Stevie orders.
...
"Time to call it quits Marcus the fun police are back." Alex says to Marcus.
Marcus gets the giggles when Alex yells as Stevie twists his ear a little harder.
Alex smiles at the sound of Marcus's chuckle.
...
Standing up the two men breath heavily trying to suck in air.
"Marcus are you having a cuppa with us?" Stevie asks.
"No thanks, Grace and I are going to the pub for a meal and a game of pool.' Marcus replies.
Alex looks at Stevie and says . " We should go Stevie we haven't played pool in ages."
...
Stevie frowns and replies . " Your brother is taking his girlfriend out on a date Alex. I hardly think they want us tagging along."
"No come with us that would be great fun we can play doubles." Marcus suggests.
"Really?" Stevie asks.
"Yeah it'll be nice to spend time together and Grace and I can help with Xander while we all play." Marcus suggests.
Stevie smiles and replies." You're on Marcus ."
"Right I'd better go and have a shower and a shave. We'll meet you there at six." Marcus states.
...
Gungellan Pub ...Six o'clock Sunday Night..
Stevie pushes the door open and the warmth and noise of the bar lounge invites her in.
Alex follows her with Xander in one arm and a nappy bag slung over his other shoulder.
With pool cues tucked under her arm Stevie holds the door back for them.
...
"Over there Cowgirl near the pool table." Alex directs .
Looking up at him she quips." One of the many advantages of having a tall husband. I can't even see the tables."
He smiles and taking her hand leads her across the pub.
As they go, friendly greetings wash over them and many comment on how quickly their baby is growing.
...
Reaching the table Alex drops the nappy bag onto the floor and gently slides it under the table with his foot.
While Stevie stands the pool cues against the wall.
A serene look drifts onto her face, followed by a contented smile.
This is how their life is supposed to be.
Just as she'd imagined it.
Purposely she touches her still flat belly as if to caress her unborn child.
...
"I feel it too Beautiful. We're married and have our little boy with us and you're carrying our new bub. This is what makes a man rich Cowgirl." He says softly .
Smiling back at him she stretches up on tip toes.
One hand slides around his neck and the other around Xander.
The kiss is tender and perfect without the slightest hint of anything more than love and adoration.
...
Parting they look into each others faces .
Another kiss is nurtured.
Soft and loving.
"Oi get a room Hall people are staring." Grace calls from across the room.
Those nearby laugh when Alex quips ." That's because I've got the hottest missus in the district and they're all jealous."
...
As Grace and Marcus join them Xander gets excited.
Grace grins at him and clapping her hands together says . " Come on then."
Alex hands the baby to her.
...
"Right who wants a beer." Marcus asks.
"I'll have a shandy thanks." Stevie replies.
Marcus looks concerned.
Reading his thoughts she responds. "It's half strength Marcus."
"She's right Marcus. She knows I love the taste of beer so she's getting ready in case I feel the urge to kiss her." Alex offers.
Marcus shakes his head and moves off to the bar.
...
Drover's Run...
"Its totally up to you Tess. Drover's isn't mine its yours." Nick states.
"Well technically its Regan, Grace, Jaz and Stevie's too." Tess replies.
Knowing him as well as she does Tess asks. "Something is on your mind Nick would you like to talk about it?"
He rubs his face with his hand and replies. "There are too many owners already we should be trying to buy the others out not giving away more."
...
Tess looks shocked by his admission and questions. " But Jodi's family Nick . What's wrong with sharing with your family?"
"Nothing but when it comes time to make decisions it's too complicated. Regan and Jaz have no interest in the farm other than holidays from time to time. They can have holidays without owning any of it. We all do the work and they reap the benefits ." He advises.
She studies his face and with careful thought replies. " You're right in one way but if we were to suggest a buy out they may feel slighted and I don't want to upset them . It's all so nice as it is. They don't gain any money from the farm Nick."
"Yes they do, each improvement we make increases the value of the farm therefore over the years they will become wealthier without lifting a finger." Nick remarks.
...
"Grace is here now and she's a very hard worker. Stevie worked her arse off to make so many improvements while we were gone. Drover's run went from strength to strength under her guidance" Tess defends.
"I meant Regan and Jaz not the others Tess." He counters.
"Stevie owns a bigger stake than Grace , Regan and Jaz put together I hardly think their share matters that much." Tess argues.
'Do want you want Tess but make sure you hold the controlling share." Nick states.
...
"So are you going to try and buy Bryce out?" Tess asks feeling annoyed.
"Not at the moment we cant afford it ." Nick responds.
"What about Marcus?" Tess questions.
"He's a good guy , a hard worker and a quick business mind. He's an asset that's for sure." Nick explains.
...
"Nick Ryan don't you dare talk like that ! You sound like bloody Harry. An asset ! My aunties armpit smells better than the stench that's oozing out of you at the moment. Marcus is family not an asset!" Tess fires.
Nick frowns and replies. " It's just business Tess."
"No Nick its not. My entire life I longed to have family around me. I have it now and don't you dare cheapen it with business." Tess snaps .
Turning she storms off.
...