Alexander Station is ready for the huge day and evening.
John, Alex and Riley have the polo field in pristine condition.
They've set out the designated camping ground, stable area and the spectators' area.
The Marquee for the Ball is closer to the House to take in the beautiful gardens.
...
Father Dominic has stayed on The Station overnight and has been up bright and early to help wherever he can.
It's been a long and tiring road to get to this point but he knows it will bring in much needed funds for the continuing work he has yet to do.
From as early as five o'clock there has been a steady stream of cars and horse floats rolling through the gates as competitors arrive early to set up.
A few arrived last night and Alex had shown them through to the area designated to the polo players.
Each rider has two or three horses and they have plenty of room allocated for them.
...
Locals arrive early too and set up stalls, jumping castles and all manner of things to entertain the crowds.
It's a huge chance for many to make a bit of extra cash and having so many out of towners coming adds to the belief that it will be a fantastic day.
Greg and Jill Milton and their boys arrived several days ago and Alex and Stevie have had a great time catching up with them.
Their little boys fell in love with Alexanders dog Hawy immediately they clapped eyes on her and she plays with them as gently as she does with the Ryan boys.
As Stevie explains she was a gift from Harry they're initially shocked by the forgiveness shown by Stevie.
She explains they're still a little wary of him but Alex has learned to let his anger go which is good for him and everyone around him.
...
Regan and Dave arrive back with baby Hannah and are staying over on The Station.
Alex asked them to come so they could have a vet onsite should anything happen with the polo ponies while the match was in progress.
Stevie is thrilled to have Regan around again and the two girls have a great time catching up.
Alex is besotted with both Tess and Regan's little girls and holds them at every chance .
With Hannah in their home he has her in his arms constantly .
Stevie ribs him and says . " A little bit clucky are we Alex?"
He smiles at her and says. " No pressure Stevie but can you make the next one we have a little girl?"
She laughs and says. " Males decide the sex of a child so if we get another boy ! Not my fault."
He laughs too and says . " Oh yeah. I'll have to have a chat to Nick and Dave they've both produced girls and I'll find out what the secret is"
She grins at him.
...
By eleven thirty the place is packed as the crowds move around chatting, buying and just enjoying the stalls and attractions.
Luck had been on their side and the weather is perfect.
With the polo match due to start at one o'clock Stevie is taking the boys back to the house for an early lunch and a nap.
Even Alexander is exhausted, so Stevie convinces him to let her read him a story so he can rest a little.
Walking back to the house Alexander helps Stevie with his little brothers as they toddle along holding her hands and his too.
Hawy trails along behind them with her tail wagging.
Alexander could now quite easily say Harry but his dog is for some reason still Hawy.
...
Inside Joyce has their lunch ready and she smiles and says. "You all look exhausted."
Stevie replies. "I'll be glad when it's all over to tell you the truth Joyce I'm so tired."
Joyce smiles and replies. "It's called being a Mum Stevie. I was exhausted for years."
Stevie inhales, smiles and offers. "Yes well I thought after weaning the boys a couple of months back I'd have more energy by now."
Joyce nods and says. "Maybe you need some vitamins Stevie?"
Stevie nods and replies. "I need something Joyce that's for damn sure."
"Is Alex coming back for lunch?" Joyce asks.
Leaning on her elbow on the table Stevie replies. "I'm not sure."
...
Twenty minutes later Alex walks in the back door and Joyce meets him there with her finger to her lips.
He smiles when he sees Stevie still leaning on her elbow fast asleep.
Joyce whispers. "John's reading a story to Alexander in the living room and I've put the boys to bed."
"How long has she been asleep?" He whispers.
"Basically the minute she sat down Alex. I didn't have the heart to wake her." She replies.
...
Alex walks over and gently touches her arm.
"Stevie go upstairs and have asleep." He whispers.
She opens her eyes, blinking and looking disorientated.
"No I'm going to read a story." She offers not fully awake.
She stands and before she has a chance to move he picks her up and moves upstairs.
...
Placing her on the bed she doesn't resist but drags the pillow over and closes her eyes.
He stands smiling at her for a moment then grabs the light blanket from the end of the bed, covers her and walks back downstairs.
John has joined Joyce in the kitchen.
"Where's Alexander?" Alex asks.
"Asleep in the living room."John replies.
Alex smiles and offers. "I'll carry him up and put him with Stevie, she was asleep before I left the room."
Joyce says. "No leave him there Alex I'll watch him. If you take him upstairs they'll disturb each other."
Alex nods.
...
"I'll be glad when this is over. I'm exhausted." Alex states as he sits down to eat.
"Yes Stevie said the same thing." Joyce offers.
Alex looks at her and says." We're only half way through the day and we've got this Ball tonight."
"Perhaps you need a nap too." John chuckles.
Alex laughs and says. "I'd love too but there's too much to do. We didn't roster Stevie on because of the boys that's the only reason she's upstairs snoozing."
...
Nick has set Tess up with Logan and baby Claire as the polo game is about to start.
Grace and Marcus join them with Henry, Regan and Hannah.
Alex arrives and sitting down says. "I'm so goddamn tired. I don't know how I'm going to stay awake for this Ball tonight?"
"Where's Stevie?" Tess asks.
Grinning he replies. "By the time I got back to the house she was asleep at the table leaning on her elbow."
Tess, Regan and Grace exchange looks and for once Alex picks up on it.
"What?" He asks.
"Nothing." Regan replies.
He nods and says. "Right."
...
Tess asks. "Alex isn't that Fiona over there?"
"Where?" He asks.
"Near the purple flag, red and white dress." She replies.
"Yep that's her. Bloody hell I wonder why she is here?" He muses.
"Must be a day for old girlfriends Alex I've seen four so far."Nick quips.
Alex laughs and says. "I didn't know you'd had that many girlfriends mate."
"Not mine yours." Nick laughs.
Alex looks concerned and says "Hey? What? Who did you see?"
...
"Tracy's here, Felicity, Mandy and who was the girl that was trying to marry you after a week of taking her out?"Nick asks.
"Bronwyn Gallagher!" Alex exclaims.
"Yep that's the one." Nick replies.
Dave has joined them and says. "Hey Alex what was the name of that girl that filled your car with shaving cream?"
Alex looks at him and says. "Fiona?"
"Yeah that's her I saw her before and the other Fiona is standing over on the other side of the field." Dave offers.
Marcus laughs and says. "Six ex girlfriends in one place oh Stevie is going to love this."
"Shut up Marcus."Alex grumbles.
Tess advises. "I'd give her the heads up Alex and you'd better hope they don't all turn up at the Ball as well."
...
Nick offers. "Or that there aren't more of them!"
Alex chuckles and says. "So long as they don't all turn up. Anyway I've got nothing to worry about Stevie knows about them all."
"Knowing is one thing, having to meet is something else again." Regan explains.
"I might go and see if she's awake."He offers as he moves off.
"How many could there be?" Marcus asks.
Nick replies. "Lots."
...
Back at the house the three Ryan boys are still asleep, exhausted from the last few days that have been full of activities and visitors.
Stevie has woken, washed her face to try and wake up properly and has arrived downstairs.
"Joyce I'm so sorry for falling asleep like that and leaving you to put the boys to bed." Stevie says.
Joyce smiles and responds. "Well you did warn me months ago that I'd be needed more around this time."
Alex walks in and quips. "Ah sleeping beauty is finally awake!"
She laughs and says. "I'm sorry Alex did you manage without me?"
"Yeah I did but you owe me." He says winking at her.
"Are you right with the boys Joyce? I wouldn't mind taking a look at the polo match."Stevie asks.
Alex says. "Give us a ring when they wake up Joyce and I'll come and get them.'
Joyce nods and Stevie and Alex move back out to the arena.
...
As they walk back Alex explains about the presence of the women he'd dated.
Stevie is unconcerned with the exception of Fiona Webb but as she's aware of her attendance today she'll be ready for her.
Alex feels a strange relief at her reaction but is shocked to pass another two women that he'd dated as they near the polo match but doesn't say anything.
...
"Would you like a beer Stevie?" Alex asks.
"Maybe not." She replies grinning at him.
He hugs her and gives her a short kiss and whispers. "Maybe just a coke then."
"Yes please." She replies.
"I'll meet you back there then. " He tells her.
"Righto" She replies.
He heads off in one direction and her in another.
...
Fiona Webb is standing with a large group of her friends when Stevie walks towards them.
Stevie's in an excellent mood and feels great after her small nap.
As she wander along she thinks about how nice it will be when this is all over and they can get back to their quieter life.
Sidetracked she hasn't noticed Fiona until she hears. "Yes that's her that's the bitch that broke Alex and I up."
Stevie hears the tut, tutting from the group nearby and looking up spots Fiona with a snide look on her face.
Stevie's face lights up with a huge smile as she moves into Fiona's group.
She glimpses Fiona's triumphant look briefly before she comments. "Fiona! Nice to see you and your friends. How are you all?"
...
They stand looking at her some without remorse some offering a greeting of sorts.
"I couldn't help but overhear your comment Fiona and I'm afraid you've got it wrong. I didn't break you and Alex up because as I was already three months pregnant with his child before you even met him, I don't think I was the problem. See ya!" Stevie states before she turns and begins to walk away.
Fiona's face glows with embarrassment and anger.
Stevie stops and turns back and says. "Oh you did get one thing right Fiona. I'm a bitch but I'm miles away from being as big a bitch as you."
With a huge smile on her face Stevie turns and walks over to join her family.
Fiona fumes and her friends don't know where to look.
...
Stevie doesn't move more than a hundred metres when she hears. "Stevie! Stevie Hall!"
Turning she watches as Tracy walks towards her.
She smiles and says. "G'Day Trace how are you? It's been a long time."
"Yeah I'm good thanks Stevie and yeah it must be about seven or eight years since we've seen each other. What are you doing here? I would have thought Polo was a little high brow for you? Tracy offers.
Stevie refrains from telling the truth but laughs and says. "I know I'm more a rodeo and concert sort of girl but my husband thought it would be fun so here we are. What about you?'
"I'm dating a bloke and his brother plays polo but I actually received a private invitation from some shelter in Adelaide. We all thought why not come out and hob knob with the rich and famous maybe meet the owners apparently they are dripping in money! That would be nice wouldn't it! Not to have to worry about money.' Tracy explains.
Stevie laughs loudly at her comments but rather than enlighten her asks. "Well I have to keep moving Tracy; we're going to the Ball later are you?"
"Yeah we are. I'll see you there and you can introduce me to your husband." Tracy calls as Stevie walks away.
"Hey Stevie! Do you ever see Alex Ryan?" Tracy yells after her.
Walking backwards Stevie replies. "Yeah he's here somewhere I saw him before."
Turning back she chuckles to herself.
...
Stevie arrives back at the family and Alex is already there and says. "Where'd you get too?"
She tells him about the conversation with Fiona and Tracy.
He laughs and says. "Why didn't you tell them straight up Stevie?"
"Little bit of cat and mouse is way more fun Alex." She offers.
He grins and leaning over kisses her then whispers. "How are you?"
She leans back and grinning at him says. "I have you so I couldn't be better."
"Great answer." He quips.
...
Father Dominic joins the group and says. " Oh my dear friends this is all going so very well."
Nick grins and replies. "I've never seen so many people at any event we've had in the district before."
Tess agrees.
"So do you think we can do it again next year?" Dominic asks.
Alex looks at Stevie and grinning replies. "Oh I don't know Dominic can we think about this?'
Dominic smiles and says "Of course my friends I only ask because so many are already asking if it will become a regular event?"
Stevie smiles and says. "I fell asleep eating my lunch today Father I was so very tired."
He nods and offers. "Yes I understand. I am weary myself."
Alex explains. "We'll let you know at the Ball tonight ok?"
Father Dominic nods.
...
Harry Ryan has chatted to several of Alex's ex girlfriends and each has asked after him.
Harry has told them that Alex is married and that he has three little boys and that he is doing very well for himself.
Some also ask after Nick and Harry brags accordingly about Nick and his family and their farm too.
Smiling to himself he refrains from telling the ex girlfriends the property that they've all gushed about is actually Alex's the massive home and the extensive gardens.
Everything about Alexander Station is impressive even the driveway which is extremely long and winds its way through an avenue of beautiful trees and shrubs that are both floral and fragrant.
...
Each of the women are attending the Ball as Harry made sure they had invitations to both the polo match and the Ball and he can't wait for them to hear who their hosts are.
He almost laughs out loud when he pictures their faces.
They'd passed Alex up for whatever reason.
Stevie had stuck by him and even though Harry didn't think she was right for Alex she had well and truly proven him wrong and he's quite happy to eat humble pie.
Rubbing the noses of the could have been Mrs Ryan's into the immense wealth off his son's and their wives is the most fun Harry has had in a very long time.
He's thoroughly enjoyed the day and cannot wait for the Ball tonight.
...
