Jake is chatting to Alex and Xander.
"You're looking really good old man." Jake says.
Xander quips. "Really I thought he looked like crap."
Jake replies if you'd seen him 5 weeks ago then he looked crap."
"Hey guys I'm right here. And your Mother thinks I'm very handsome." Alex says grinning.
"Na your handsome days are passed old man you fit into the distinguished section now. I'm the handsome one." Jake boasts.
"Oh please," Xander says "I'm definitely the best looking Ryan."
Stevie has joined them and is grinning. "Come on Cowgirl settle this for us. Who's the best looking Ryan male?"
Stevie grins at them and moves over to Alex and says. "That's easy,"
Alex has a goofy look on his face knowing she'll say him.
Stevie reaches up kisses Alex and says "that would be my grandson Cody."
They all crack up laughing.
Stevie takes Jake by the arm and smiling says "Come with me Jacob."
Jake thinks I'm in trouble she hasn't called me Jacob in years.
"Leonie needs to speak to you, she's over there."
Stevie leaves him and walks back to Alex.
" What are you up to Stevie?" Alex enquires.
She grins and says. "Just watch Alex."
...
"Hey Leo what's up?" Jake asks.
Leonie says "Jake I love you. I know we've only been together for six months but I was wondering where we're headed."
Jake grins at her and says "Do we need to talk about this now and here?"
Leonie breathes deeply trying not to cry she says. "Yes we do it's really important Jake."
He holds her face and says. "I love you and I love being with you and I'd like to think we'll always be together. I can't imagine not having you around. I haven't really thought too much about this but is that enough for now?"
He smiles at her and hugs her.
She leans back, looks into his eyes and says. "Jake I'm pregnant."
He stands staring at her frozen.
She watches his face for something, anything.
Across the foyer Stevie and Alex are watching.
Stevie is grinning but Alex doesn't know what he's watching for.
Jakes mind is whizzing trying to take in what she just said pregnant, a child, and fatherhood.
Slowly a grin spreads across his face and he moves towards her and gently reaches down and kisses her, a long, slow beautiful kiss.
...
Across the foyer Stevie smiles and Alex says "Wow that was a nice kiss."
Tess has moved over to them and says "Why are you two spying?"
As Jake releases his kiss he hugs her tightly and says. "Oh Leonie, I love you."
She weeps and says "I love you too."
He moves away a little and lifting her face he wipes her tears and kisses her again.
Across the foyer there's a small crowd building.
Clare and Dan have joined the group and Jack, Jesse, Harry and Charlotte are there as well.
Nick has moved over to Tess, Stevie and Alex. "What's going on over here?"
Tess says "I'm not sure but your nephew sure knows how to kiss."
Nick watches as well.
Jake kisses Leonie softly, deeply completely as he moves away she giggles.
"Jake we seem to have attracted an audience."
He hugs her and looks in the direction she's looking.
He grins and says. "Can I tell them?"
She laughs and says "Ok."
He whispers. "Watch this,"
"We're having a baby!" He calls across the foyer.
Jake takes Leonie's hand and moves towards his family.
They engulf them half way across hugging and kissing and congratulating them.
Alex is grinning from ear to ear.
He hugs Leonie and says "Congratulations Leonie that's wonderful news I'm gunna be a Grandpa again."
"Oh congratulations Jakey you're gunna be a Daddy." Tess says hugging him.
Everyone is thrilled with the news.
Jake moves across to Stevie and Alex, laughs and says "So Dad feeling a little old are ya?"
Alex hugs him and says "No mate new babies are what life is all about. Your Mother and I only had you children so we could be grandparents isn't that right Stevie."
Stevie laughs and says." Yes something like that."
...
While everyone is celebrating Tess pulls Stevie to one side and says "Argentina is a go Stevie. Nick's been in contact and we're right to visit and or stay. Nicks booked 4 tickets the week after the wedding, so we'll fly out from Perth."
"Oh Tess thank you this will be so much fun." Stevie says.
Tess replies. "It's a fantastic idea Stevie; Alex will love it and thank you for inviting us. I've often wanted to go back but just never got around to it."
Stevie says "I'm so excited Tess and this time I won't be pregnant and you won't have a toddler, we can get up to so much more mischief and shopping. Gosh all we've done this year is look forward to holidays."
Both girls laugh.
Tess says "Stevie we've worked so hard for so many years. We deserve lots of holidays."
Stevie links arms with Tess as they move back to the group and says. "Yes we do my friend yes we do."
...
Jodie and Matt are snuggled up on the couch watching a DVD.
"Geez its quiet here at the moment isn't it." Matt says.
"Yeah it is nice though." Jodie replies.
Matt laughs and says. "You don't realize how many people are coming and going until they go away on holidays."
Jodie breathes deeply and says. "What will we do a few years down the track when the kids are married and have families? This is a big house but not that big."
Matt looks at her and says. "I don't know Jodes. I hadn't really thought about it. We should though. Perhaps at the next family meeting we should discuss it."
Jodie laughs and says. "Maybe we need to start building granny flats?"
Matt grins, kisses her and says. "With two rocking chairs on the front porch."
She hugs him and says "I must be getting old because that actually sounds nice."
They both laugh.
...
Lincoln is sitting at the computer chatting to Georgia on Skype. They've discussed anything and everything and he's yawning.
She laughs and says "Oh you poor old man am I keeping you awake?"
He laughs and responds "You've been away to long; you've forgotten the early mornings and hard work that happens on a farm."
She smiles at him and says" I miss you and the farm Lincoln."
He grins and says "Well I've got a surprise for you!"
Georgia claps her hands and says "Great I love surprises. What is it?"
He smiles and says. "Your folks are back at the end of the week and I'm coming to Adelaide for a few days."
"Oh wow I can't wait. I miss you so much." She says.
"Yeah me too. Are you allowed away from school?" He asks.
"Yes but you need my parent's permission for me to stay out overnight though." Georgia says grinning.
He laughs and says. "Well I don't know if I want to be responsible for your wellbeing over night."
Georgia grins and says" I'm sure you'll change your mind after you get to hug and kiss me."
He laughs and says" I'm sure you're right. Now I'm going to have a shower and go to sleep and you best finish your homework Girlie. If you don't get good grades your Mum and Dad won't be happy and we want to keep them happy."
"Ok sweet dreams." She says kissing her hand and placing it on the screen he does the same and the screen goes blank.
God he misses her.
...
Grace and Marcus are lying in bed reading and chatting.
They discussed the day's work, the children, the holiday makers and just about everything else when Grace sighs and says "I never thought I'd see the day that I'd have a gorgeous man beside me in my bed and I'd be reading a book."
Marcus looks at her grins and turns the light out.
She giggles and says "Oh hello."
...
In Darwin things are winding down they've had a great night celebrating. Jack and Jessie are very impressed with how well the news of Jake and Leonie's pregnancy has been received.
Bull and Jo are deep in conversation with Charlotte and Harry.
Stevie and Alex are about to head upstairs and so are Tess and Nick everyone had said good night and are on their way to bed.
Clare and Dan have left already as have Leonie and Jake.
" Alex! Stevie! Can Jess and I have a word?" Jack calls.
Tess and Nick move on.
"Yeah no worries what's up?"Alex asks.
Jack looks at Jessie and she says. "Please don't take this the wrong way but we're concerned about Leonie's placement and the pregnancy and her safety."
Alex looks at Stevie and responds. "I'm sure you would be, what do you want from us?"
Jack says "Oh no Alex that's not what we meant. We're just after some advice. It's seems like all of the women in your family rode while they were pregnant and Leonie is an experienced rider. We just want to know how long she should ride? We'll take good care of her don't worry about that."
Stevie grins and says" She'll know herself. I rode until I was eight months pregnant but I probably should have stopped a month or so before that. But we were young and building the farms and trying to do it all ourselves. Leonie and Jake don't have that pressure. We're not sure how far she is yet." Stevie says.
" How much more of the placement is there?"Alex asks.
Jack replies "Another two months."
Alex says "She'll be right even if she's already a couple of months along she'll be fine for another two."
Stevie grins at him and says "Alex you've learnt a lot."
They all laugh.
...