Everyone is on their way to Drover's Run. All the cars are loaded with food, drinks and gifts. As they pull in doors are opened and children spill into the house. Men with armfuls of gifts, women with bowls and trays of food wind their way backwards and forwards between the house and the cars. Eventually it's all unloaded and they settle for some drinks before lunch. Alex is standing leaning against the veranda post when young Harrison walks out." Hey matey How are you?' Harrison grins and says. "Hi Uncle Alex I'm well thanks." Alex walks over to him and picks him up and hugs him. "I've missed you mate, where's your beautiful Mum." Sally laughs and says "I'm here Alex I see you're as smooth as ever."
He grins as he kisses her cheek still holding Harrison. "Sally I just appreciate a pretty face and speak my mind." Stevie has joined them Sally hugs her. "Stevie how are you?" "I'm great thanks Sally and yourself?"" Yeah we've had a good year." Stevie turns to Alex and says "Oh My goodness Alex who is this handsome young man?" Alex smiles and says. "Stevie this is my nephew Harrison." Harry is thoroughly enjoying the attention. Stevie pretends she is shocked and says "Oh no Alex your nephew Harry is only little." She reaches for Harrison and he wraps his arms around her, she hugs him tightly and says "Oh Harry I've missed you so much." He hugs her tightly and says. "I missed you too." Sally is touched by the love directed at her little boy. "So are you coming riding with us while you're here?"Stevie asks. Harrison looks at his Mother. "Yes he will, he's with Nick and Tess for 5 weeks." Alex is thrilled "Five weeks Sal that's awesome are you staying too." "No," she replies "I think I need a break this year plus Harrison needs to get to know his sisters and his cousins and they're all a little older now and will remember him. I've had him at riding lessons since he was 3yrs old but he needs to ride everyday with all of you. He belongs on the land he's not a city kid that's so obvious already." Alex moves and hugs her. "Sally it will be so good having him here Thank you."She smiles and thinks to herself her little boy is very lucky to belong to this family.
Oh I'm stuffed."Riley says. Kate grins and says. "Anyone would think you hadn't eaten for days." He chuckles and says "Must be the country air."Everyone laughs. "So how's the West going?"Stevie asks. "Well the money is brilliant but the heat is relentless, highs of 46 degrees day after day October till April overnight lows of 28 degrees 80% humidity and snakes, mozzies, midges'. I'm glad we've only got one more year."He says.
Nick says "Really only one more year and you'll have your deposit." Riley grins at Kate and says. "Yes so my accountant tells me." "We've saved so hard it's been tough but we want to get back over this way. We only go out to dinner once a month we've halved our beer intake and no magazines ect. We thought we'd be there for three years but Riley landed a brilliant job and we'll be home much faster."
Matt asks "Your driving haul packs aren't you Riley?" "Yeah and we work 3 weeks on one off 12 hour days I'm on around $60 an hour but we live in the camps so we don't pay for rent and foods supplied. It's only beer we have to buy. Kate landed a ripper job in admin and we have just saved every cent we could. We even debated about not coming for Christmas to save the flight money but thought you'd never forgive us if we didn't come home. Plus now we're here I realize just how tired I am, so I'm glad we did."
Tess grins and says "You're right we wouldn't have forgiven you if you didn't come."They all agree. Alex arrives with Georgia in his arms passing her to Stevie he leans to kiss her and says "The boys are both asleep beautiful." Stevie looks shocked "What Xander too."Alex nods and says "Yes mam." Georgia is pulling at Stevie's top."Alex laughs and says "Stevie I think she wants her Christmas dinner."
Stevie laughs and loosens her clothing lifting her top Georgia latches on and suckles vigorously. Stevie feels the tingling as her milk lets down. Everyone around the table laughs as the baby snuffles and guzzles noisily but instantly begins to cough. Georgia lets go of Stevie's nipple and milk squirts across the table. Stevie is mortified and blushes. Quickly she drops her top as the baby has left her breast bare. All the men in the room that are fathers pay no attention to the coughing baby and continue talking as their wives have had similar experiences.
Riley is stunned as he's sitting directly opposite Stevie. Not only has he seen her full breast but has almost been shot in the process. As the baby stops coughing and the room quietens. Riley quips "Stevie that was impressive almost a direct hit." Referring to the milk that shot across the table. Everyone cracks up laughing except Stevie. She stands and leaves the room without uttering a word. Kate stares at Riley and says "Oh well done Riley just couldn't resist could you. For once could you not make comment?" She stands to go and find Stevie.
Kate finds Stevie sitting out on the veranda. She's feeding the baby as Kate approaches Stevie turns and Kate sees she has tears rolling down her face. "Oh Stevie please don't cry."Kate says sitting on the arm of the chair with her arm around her friend. "It was just a little bit of milk, no one was injured." Stevie laughs and wipes her eyes. "It wasn't the milk Kate it was my breast he saw my breast the baby let go. It was only brief because I flicked my top down but he looked stunned."
Kate laughs and says. "What Riley?" Stevie looks at her and says "I'm so sorry Kate."Kate hugs her and says "Stevie why would you apologize he'll think all his Christmas's have come at once." Stevie laughs. "Oh Kate I'm so embarrassed, How am I going to face him? He's one of my best friends." Kate laughs and says. "Well I'm one of your best friends and I've seen you completely naked." Stevie laughs and says "I've missed you Kate." Kate grins at her and says "And you missed Riley too literally" They both laugh. "Stevie you worked as a topless waitress why are you so embarrassed?" Kate enquires. Stevie looks at her friend and says "Kate that was a job I didn't know anyone plus I was ten years younger, I didn't have any self respect. I'm not that person anymore. Riley is my friend and I care about him and I respect him. It's just different Kate." Kate pulls her arm tighter around Stevie's shoulder and Stevie leans on her. "Now you have self esteem and it's just been dented. We are so much alike my friend so confidant and yet so insecure "Kate says.
"How's all of your study going?"Kate asks changing the subject. Stevie smiles and says "I've passed yr 11 and 12 maths and English Kate." "Oh well done Stevie, so what's next?"Kate asks. "I'm not sure I also did a computer course at the local community centre so now I understand more of the office and business work." "So are you glad you did it?"Kate asks. "Yes I am I never realized how much it bothered me plus Rose is thrilled because she felt guilty that I didn't finish high school because I had her so it's a win win situation."
Stevie glances towards the door as Kate follows her gaze a golf club with a white flag attached is waving in the doorway. Riley peeps around the corner and says "Is it safe to come out." Georgia has finished feeding and Stevie quickly does up her bra and straightens her clothing. "Yes I guess so."Stevie says. Riley can see she's been crying and says "Sorry Stevie I didn't mean to make fun and I wouldn't have if I'd known you'd get so upset." Kate says "It wasn't the comment it was what you saw that upset her." Stevie blushes trust Kate to be brutally honest about it. Riley has blushed too but is grinning. "Well I'll erase that from my memory shall I?" Stevie grins at him and says "Yes that would be nice."He hugs her and says "So we're even Stevie."
She looks at him puzzled and Kate looks puzzled too. "Well you've seen me in my underwear."He quips. Stevie looks at him for a moment and then she laughs "Oh yeah I'd forgotten about that. Oh god that was funny you were so embarrassed." Kate laughs and says "Would you like to fill me in here."They retell the story about Jodie and Riley losing the horse and falling down the embankment. How they had to use their clothing as a rope to lower themselves down the cliff and Stevie was at the bottom with the missing horse laughing when she saw them in their underwear.