Drovers Run...midday..
"Ok Stevie it's time to get dressed." Tess announces.
Inhaling deeply Stevie replies." It's come around fast. Is everything alright on Kilarney?"
"Yes all under control it looks beautiful . Alex even made a Just Married sign for your tent." Tess comments.
Stevie giggles and questions." Did anyone say anything about us spending our first night in a tent?"
" No of course not."Tess answers.
" Tess?"
Tess laughs and replies." Everyone that matters thinks it's romantic and sweet."
"So my future in laws don't approve."Stevie questions.
"Bryce thinks you should have let him pay for a limo and a five star hotel. Liz thinks you could have a least stayed at the country club while Ashleigh thinks the entire idea of a garden wedding is just common." Tess admits.
Stevie smiles and replies." Oh good common as muck that suits us doesn't it."
Tess hugs her and laughing answers ." Yes we're all as common as muck and as happy as."
...
Tess picks Stevie's wedding dress up and runs her hand across the lace.
"This dress is just gorgeous Stevie but I really thought you'd go with the white one with the purple insert." Tess comments.
" Yeah I know but every thing else I liked was vintage and the other one wouldn't have fit with the theme. But I love this one too and Alex will never expect lace." Stevie replies holding her arms out for the dress.
Tess carefully slides it over her friends arms and guides the dress over her head , hair and shoulders.
"Is Alex ok?" Stevie asks.
."Yeah he's nervous but that's to be expected." Tess replies as she does up the zipper.
...
"Wow Stevie just Wow!" Tess exclaims stepping back.
Stevie face shines ." Yeah?"
Tess slowly nods and replies." Yeah."
Stevie exhales as she turns to the mirror rubbing her hands down her sides. " It makes my waist look tiny doesn't it?"
"It's perfect you look like you've been poured into it . The sweetheart neckline and the cap sleeves are just stunning plus your figure helps with the look." Tess adds then chuckles.
"It's not too tarty." Stevie asks.
Tess drops her smile and replies." Not even close to tarty Stevie. Elegant and timeless are more fitting."
" Ok he sure won't be expecting elegant." Stevie remarks.
...
Kilarney..
Calming music drifts across Kilarney as Alex and Nick walk around the garden while guests begin to arrive.
Alex smiles and remarks." She's certainly got her own style."
" I love it all Alex." Nick comments as they walk past old wooden wine barrels, hay bales and the occasional picnic tables and umbrellas.
Wind chimes and tasteful ornaments hang from the trees while bunting flags flip flop on the breeze between them and across the front of band marquee.
Lights are strung through the trees for later on in the evening and it all looks classy and earthy.
The two stop and read the signs nailed to the tree.
" Ceremony, Food, Mad Dog's Bar, Photobooth, Men's , Ladies, Band." Nick reads .
"The signs were easy to make just old bits of wood and leftover paint. " Alex muses.
...
" When we sat around here sticking lace doilies around old jam jars I thought the tables were going to look trashy but they look bloody fantastic don't they?" Nick questions.
" Once the girls put them all together with the flowers, ribbons, old books and old photos it all came together, even Mum's impressed." Alex comments.
"Yeah and did ya see the old bit of tin she painted with" Take me !" Nick asks.
" Homemade jams and chutney for guests to take home, great idea isn't it?" Alex agrees.
Marcus, Dave and Riley join them closely followed by Nat and Mad Dog.
" The place looks awesome Alex I reckon we're in for a top night. Not sure the string quartet fits though." Dave states.
Alex chuckles and replies." Stevie organized the music Dave do you really think we'll be dancing to orchestra music?"
Dave grins and asks." Are they ACDC disguised?"
" Yeah something like that." Alex chuckles.
...
Kilarney inside..
Ashleigh sticks close to her Father not wanting Liz Ryan anywhere near him.
" Elizabeth would you like a Whiskey? " Bryce asks.
" Yes thank you but just a small one ." Liz replies.
Looking at his daughter Bryce suggests." Ashleigh can you go and see if your brothers need anything please."
" I hardly think they need me chasing after them, they're big enough and ugly enough to look after themselves." Ashleigh replies.
Bryce looks at her sternly and states." Ashleigh go and see if your brothers are alright."
In a huff she leaves the room.
...
Bryce hands Liz the glass and offers." To our sons happiness."
Liz looks at him.
" What?" He asks.
" Do you really think she'll make him happy? She probably just wants his money." Liz remarks.
" He's already given her half of his part of the farm." Bryce says softly as he sips his beverage.
" What! I knew it." Liz exclaims.
" She turned him down Liz." He explains.
" Oh really? Well that's a surprise." Liz Ryan remarks.
" Is it? They're in love like we were once. Do you remember Elizabeth?" He asks softly.
The hard expression on her face softens and she looks at him and responds." Yes I remember. You were all I could think about."
He smiles at her and suggests." We need to give them the chance to make this work Elizabeth don't we? "
She looks at him closely and replies." She's not good enough for him."
...
" Where she comes from and what's in her past has no bearing on today or their future Elizabeth. She loves him with a passion that you don't see every day. I never saw him very much with Claire but with Stevie he's grown and changed and it's because she makes him feel secure. Whatever you have against her you need to let it go or you'll lose him Elizabeth. He'll choose the woman he loves and his daughter over his Mother every time. Let it go." Bryce explains softly before placing his hand on her arm.
She smiles back at him and replies." I'll try but it won't be easy."
" I know it won't but if you want to see our grandchildren grow you need to have their Mother onside."Bryce states.
"They? She's not pregnant is she? " Liz gushes looking alarmed.
Bryce replies." No but a little birdy told me they're trying. You know they lost a bub a few months back?"
Liz looks stunned and replies ." No I didn't know that. He never said."
" I knew something was wrong because they were both so very sad but he never said anything until recently." Bryce says.
" I didn't notice they were sad. Why didn't he say something?"Liz questions.
" Now why wouldn't he tell you something so important?" Bryce asks.
" I don't know ." Liz replies flabbergasted by the news.
" Maybe you need to fix your lines of communications Elizabeth. Stevie has been helping me get my act together. " He chuckles.
"You like her?"
" Yes I do. I think she's going to be great fun as a daughter in law. Marcus likes her too. And she's wary of Ashleigh with good reason. She's smart and beautiful and not afraid to speak her mind, I find her refreshingly honest." Bryce states.
...
Drovers Run..
" Mum are you ready?" Rose calls as she knocks on Stevies door.
" Yes I am come in Rose." Stevie calls back.
" Oh wow you look so beautiful ." Rose exclaims.
Stevie beams and asks." Do you think Alex will think so?"
Rose smiles and nods." Why don't you try it out on Benny and Tom they've just arrived."
Stevie walks out onto the landing.
" Wait Stevie ." Tess calls running after her.
Stevie looks at Tess.
"You forgot this." Tess says as she fixes a small run of daisies into Stevie's hair.
...
"Tom! Ben! Here comes Mum!" Rose calls running down the stairs.
Ben walks to the base of the stairs closely followed by Tom, Kate, Jodi and Grace.
"Tess what have you done with my cousin?" Ben teases.
Stevie grins and quips." I scrub up ok don't I?"
Ben smiles and replies." Aw I suppose you'll pass."
...
Reaching the bottom of the stairs he hugs her and says." You look fantastic Stevie."
Tom steps forward and states." She looks gorgeous Ben absolutely breathtaking."
Stevie laughs and says." I'm walking with him he knows bigger words than you."
Ben laughs and follows as Tom offers his arm and leads Stevie out to the car.
...
" Did Michelle come Tom?" Stevie asks.
"Yes she drove me up but she's gone over to Kilarney." Tom replies.
"At least she's here." Stevie replies.
" Despite what's happened Stevie she still loves you and wouldn't miss your special day And neither would I." Tom replies.
...
Ben opens the door and the girls help Stevie into the car.
Stevie inhales as the door closes beside her.
No turning back now.
Today she becomes Mrs Ryan.
Her stomach churns but her heart thumps happily.
"I'm coming Alex I'm on my way."She whispers.
...