"Jarrod good to see you." Stevie grins and hugs him then she hugs Penny and says "Hello gorgeous. How are you?" Penny smiles and says 'I'm good now we're here; Auntie Saf's car is a bomb! She's worth a mint but is as tight as." Stevie laughs and says "Really." Penny grins and says. "Sorry I sounded a bit rough didn't I?" Alex laughs and says "You're right Penny. Do you remember Jake and Leonie?" Penny moves over to them and is about to shake Jakes hand when he hugs her "G'day Penny good to see you again." Leonie hugs her too.
Jake quips "Old man I'm dying of thirst over here." Alex laughs and says "Jarrod, Saf. Would you like a beer?" Saf answers "Is the Pope a catholic!" Alex chuckles and returns swiftly with more beers. "Leo do you want another wine or something else?" Alex asks. "I think a very small wine wouldn't hurt?" Alex asks "Penny what about you?" She grins and says "I'm eighteen now Alex so I'll have wine too if that's ok?" He grins and says. "Happy birthday."
Penny is happily chatting to Hudson as he's still awake and says "Leonie he's so cute." Leonie smiles. Lights down the drive alert them the others are home. Stevie says. "Saf what have you been up to?" Saf smiles and says "Not a lot I broke my wrist in a cattle crush and it's taken a while to heal. It's almost right now so I'll look for something to do when we get back."
Alex asks "How long are you down for?" Jarrod answers. "Saf was already down in Adelaide so Penny and I flew down to check out the Uni and have a look at what type of accommodation would be best. Then we were going to drive straight through to Darwin but Saf's car is playing up so I'm not sure how long we'll be around. We've got our swags on board so will bunk outside tonight and book into the pub tomorrow if that's ok. What's the local truck stop like do they have a good mechanic? " Alex laughs and says "We've got our own mechanic, Jarrod we'll get her to have a look at it in the morning." Stevie says "I'm sure we can find some beds inside for you. We're a bit full at the moment our niece gets married tomorrow and Jake and Leonie next weekend."
Noise from the back door flows through to the living room as the group joins the family. "Hey Jarrod, Saf, Penny." Bull calls then begins to introduce everyone. Georgia walks over and sits on the arm of Alex's chair. Jarrod watches her at every step. Alex says. "Hey kitten did you have a good night?" "Had a great night Dad, Auntie Tess cooked and it was delicious." When Bull introduces Jarrod to Georgia he says "Oh my goodness you are the image of your Mother when I married her." Some in the room stop talking. Alex laughs and says "Jarrod is Stevie's ex -husband." Jarrod says "Oh I'm sorry." Everyone continues to talk. Bull introduces Lincoln to Jarrod and Saf as Georgia's partner. Jarrod is surprised as he looks older than her.
Stevie says "Adam what are you doing here?' "I missed you Auntie Stevie!" She giggles and says "You're full of it Addy." He smiles at her. Bull says. "Penny this is my cousin Adam." "Hello Adam pleased to meet you." Penny says smiling and holding out her hand. "Yes Hello." He answers. Alex quips "Adam put your tongue back in." Adam blushes. "Alex stop it."Stevie growls. Leonie says "I'm going to put these babies to bed and then myself so I'll see you all in the morning." Jakes offers to help. Leonie replies "No Jake stay and have a chat." He stands and says. " No I'll help and come back down later." She smiles at him. They all drink and chat for hours and eventually all turn in for the night.
Stevie grabs extra bacon from the freezer ready for a big breakfast the next morning while Alex makes sure Saf, Jarrod and Penny have enough bedding. Upstairs Stevie jumps into the shower, Alex joins her. She grins and says "You never miss an opportunity do you?" He reaches to kiss her and says "You wouldn't want me too." She giggles and accepts his kiss.
Early the next morning Stevie and Alex are down in the kitchen. First they sit chatting having a coffee then they begin to prepare for breakfast. "How many for breakfast Stevie?" Alex enquires. "Fourteen today Cowboy." He chuckles and says "Just as well you grabbed the extra bacon out last night." Stevie smiles and continues cutting up onions, mushrooms and tomatoes. Alex moves past her then steps back behind her, he nuzzles into her neck and says. "You smell like onions." She laughs and says "Alex you're so romantic. Just what every girl wants to hear."
He turns her and kisses her, initially she holds her hands away from him as she has onions on them but as his kiss deepens she forgets that and wraps her arms around him. He releases the kiss but continues to hold her. "You've put onion on my clothes Cowgirl." She chuckles and says "Well it's your own fault; you can't kiss me like that and expect me not to hug you." He smiles broadly and then repeats the kiss.
"Any chance we'll get breakfast today?" Jake quips. Alex and Stevie glance over and Jake is standing with one of the babies in his arms and Lincoln has the other. Both men are grinning. "Well if your Mother would leave me alone you might." Stevie laughs and says "Do the math Jakey. Dad's cooking bacon, I'm cutting up onions. I haven't moved. Where's your frying pan Alex?" They all laugh.
Over on Drover's Run breakfast is finished and everyone is busy with final preparations for the wedding tomorrow. Nick finds Tess in the vegetable garden. "Tess what's wrong?" Nick asks. "What makes you think something is wrong Nick?" Tess responds. He laughs and says. "You always come out here when you're worried or angry." He moves and hugs her and she says "Nick I feel sick to my stomach. I want tomorrow to be perfect for Clare; I hope it all goes smoothly." Nick says "Tess it's going to be a beautiful day. You've worked so hard making sure that it will be."
Breakfast is finished on Kilarney and everyone is sitting chatting when Kate and Riley arrive. Riley has some work to do and is waiting on Alex. Georgia answers the ringing phone "Kilarney, Georgia Ryan speaking Hi Uncle Nick." She laughs and says. "Yes it's full on over here too, people everywhere. Oh Ok I'll get her bye. Mum Uncle Nick's on the phone for you." Georgia hands the phone to her Mother and moves over to wrap her arms around her Father's neck. "Hey Kitten Do you think you could show Penny around the place today Jarrod and Saf have to get the car repaired." Alex asks. "Yeah no worries." Georgia looks at Penny and says" Penny do you ride?" Penny says "A little we used to ride but I haven't for a couple of years." Alex looks at Georgia and says "Saddle up Saltbush he's bombproof."
Stevie says. "I have to head over to Drover's for a couple of hours you'll all be able to cope without me won't you?" Everyone says yes or nods. Alex pulls her into his lap and says "No I won't be alright." She laughs and says. "Tough" She kisses him briefly and stands. He looks around the room and says "See that spousal abuse." Everyone laughs. Stevie looks at Kate and says. "Want to come with me?" "Yeah the boys are right John's watching them."
Outside Kate says "What are we doing at Drover's." Stevie grins and says. "Nick rang Tess is a bit stressed out so we're taking her out for a ride. Here's my phone want to give Jodes a ring she might get the horses in for us?" Kate replies. "Sounds like a fun morning. Can I ring John and let him know where I'll be?" Stevie says "No worries."
Georgia and Penny move down to the stables. Georgia says "This is a bit weird isn't it?" Penny smiles and says "what do you mean?' Georgia answers "Your Dad and my Mum were married once." Penny laughs "The first time I met Stevie I decided I wasn't going to like her. Your family were in Darwin where I live and they were staying at the casino. You're Mum and Dad we're dressed up so beautifully and I thought your Mum looked snooty." Georgia cracks up laughing and says "Stevie snooty never."
Penny laughs too and says "I know that now. But she walked over and Dad introduced us, she made a comment about how gorgeous my Mum must have been because I was beautiful. When she mentioned Mum I cried and she hugged me." Georgia says "Isn't Saf your Mum?" "Penny says. " No Mum and my younger brother and sister were killed in a car accident a few years ago. Saf is Mum's sister." Georgia stops and says "Penny I'm so sorry. I don't know what I'd do if that happened to me."
"It was really difficult at first but Dad's been awesome and I've got Aunty Saf too."Penny replies. Georgia offers "I suppose it's pretty cool that Mum and Jarrod are still friends." Penny says " Yes it is and Alex as well Dad reckons he's a great bloke plus they didn't know that Stevie and Saf knew each other from Marcus Newham college they were roommates." Georgia says "I'll have to ask Mum about that I'm guessing they would have had a great time together." They both laugh.
