Drover's Run... Three days later...
"Come on Tess hurry it up we'll be late!" Nick calls from the bottom of the stairs.
'Can you help?" Tess replies sounding annoyed from the top of the stairs.
He grins and walks a few steps up and takes both the baby in his capsule and the nappy bag from her.
"Claire's already in the car with Jodi and Finn. Matt will meet us there." Nick informs her.
"Just as well we have a seven seater nowadays." Tess chuckles.
"Hmm my Ute wouldn't have gotten us far would it?"He replies.
...
Wilgul... at the same time...
Marcus rubs Grace's back as she leans over the hand basin in the bathroom.
"Well I guess this cancels out any wedding plans we may have had." Marcus offers.
Grace wipes her mouth and grinning replies. "Well it definitely cancels out me getting married in white."
He chuckles and agrees.
...
She quickly brushes her teeth and rinsing her mouth says. "They'll be close together."
"More the merrier." He says as he hugs her, kisses the top of her head then adds. "Can I tell them all today?"
She pushes back and looking up at him quips. "Have you guys got a bet going to see how many offspring you can produce or something?"
He laughs and says. "No but I should, we'd win hands down ours will be closer in age than the others."
She shakes her head and says. "Come on we'll be late for morning tea."
...
Kilarney... The old homestead...
"Kate can you hurry it up a little."Riley calls as he opens the bathroom door.
Grinning he states. "I know you like to take your time but we should have left already."
Kate is sitting on the side of the bath with a towel wrapped around her hair and one around her body.
He stands looking at her momentarily then notices she's holding something.
She holds it up for him to see and with a mixture of a smile and a few tears says. "Two fat lines Riley! Finally two fat lines."
...
His small smile dims for a second and then he beams as he rushes to her and says. "Let me see."
He stands besides her looking at the pregnancy test.
"Katie Ward you're going to be a Mummy!" He says proudly.
She laughs and standing up hugs him and enthuses. "I was starting to think it wasn't going to happen Riley."
He kisses her and says. "A baby Kate we're going to have a baby. Thank you, thank you, and thank you.'
She laughs and wipes the tears from her eyes and says. "We should frame this!"
He laughs too and says. 'No it'll be the first of many and we don't want to have them all over the walls."
"Too much?" She questions.
Kissing her again he hugs her tightly and says. "Yeah maybe just a little."
She hugs him tighter.
...
Kilarney's kitchen...
Rhonda, Moira and Liz Ryan are busy finishing the last of the food for the morning tea and lunch.
As Alex walks into the room with Xander in his arms all three women look up.
"Is everything alright?" Moira asks seeing the frown on his face.
"She's really teary this morning." He replies sounding anxious.
...
"Day six, baby blues, oh I cried all day." Liz offers.
Moira shakes her head and says. "I always got them around day eight."
Alex gives a half smile and offers. "I know what it is and I know she's ok but the timing couldn't be worse."
"It'll be fine Alex you take care of Stevie and Trinity and we'll take care of Xander and everything else." Moira offers.
Liz agrees.
...
Kilarney... mid morning...
Alex, Nick, Marcus, Matt and Riley are standing chatting to Anthony.
Liz is distracting Wil with Xander so the boys can get to know Anthony a little better.
Anthony and Dee had visited both Kilarney and Drover's Run and had coffee with Alex, Nick and their families but today is so they can meet their group of family and friends.
Anthony had actually asked if they could do this.
...
Despite the fact Alex and Stevie have a brand new baby they'd suggested everyone come to them.
Stevie can go and sleep if she feels tired plus Kilarney has more space if it rains.
A lot of the old photo albums are here and Anthony had specifically asked to see them.
...
They've set up outside as it's late in spring and the weather is warm.
Stevie is talking to Tess, Grace and Dee as they sit around the table.
Nearby Jodi, Kate, Taylor and Regan are deep in conversation.
Everyone looks quickly at the group when Jodi and Kate start squealing with excitement.
...
"What do you think is going on over there?" Nick asks.
Riley says. "I'd say Jodi's excited because Kate's pregnant."
They're all happy for him and offer congratulations.
Shaking his hand and patting him on the back.
...
The girls look over and Jodi asks. "I wonder what's going on over there."
Kate says. "I think Riley must have told them we're expecting a baby."
"Oh my god Kate congratulations." Taylor gushes.
Jodi is teary and says. "Kate we'll be pregnant together how awesome is that!"
...
Matt grins and says. "You've timed that well."
Riley looks at him and asks. "What do you mean?"
"Jodi's pregnant too." Matt chuckles.
Again the noise lifts and this time they congratulate Matt.
...
"What's going on? Best friends pregnant at the same time!" Nick asks.
"Hey you can't talk. Brother's having children five days apart.' Riley teases.
"Yeah good on ya Nick!" Alex chuckles.
"Must be something in the water out here." Anthony states.
...
Regan, Taylor, Jodi and Kate move over to where Stevie and the other girls are.
Alex watches Stevie closely while he's chatting to the boys.
When he sees her wipe her face he moves quickly over to her.
Grace is hugging her by the time he gets there.
...
"Are you right Stevie? He asks.
Grinning through tears she says. "Another baby Alex."
"Two babies Stevie." He answers.
Stevie looks at Grace and asks. "Are you having twins?"
Grace looks at Alex and says. "What have ya got ex ray vision or something?"
...
"What are you on about Grace?" He asks.
"Well I'm pregnant but I've only just found out what makes you think I'm having twins?'Grace asks.
"Ha three!" He chuckles as he hugs her and says. "Congratulations Grace fabulous news."
Then he does the same with Jodi and Kate.
Pandemonium breaks out when he yells. "A triffecta of pregnant women. Matt, Marcus and Riley what in the hell have you all been up too?"
...
The splintered groups all join up and they laugh and chatter animatedly.
Anthony and Dee thoroughly enjoy the fun and happy atmosphere of the group.
Alex holds Stevie for a little while as she's very emotional. Once she gains control they move off again talking to their friends.
At one point Alex has Jodi's little boy Finn whom he'd nicknamed Huck in his arms and quips. "Hey Jode's if you have another boy you'll have to call him Tom."
"If you like the name so much Alex why don't you call your next one Tom?"Jodi replies.
"No if our next ones a boy I want to call him Jai."Alex answers.
...
Stevie is nearby and says. "I really like that Alex make sure you remember it. Where did you find it?"
"I fell asleep in front of the TV when you were in hospital with Rumble and when I woke up there was an old rerun of Tarzan on. The one where he has the chimp called Cheetah and the little boy called Jai."Alex explains.
"And which one are you Tarzan or the chimp?" Marcus quips.
Everyone laughs.
...
"Actually I'd be Tarzan because he's taller and smarter so the role of the chimp would suit you perfectly Marcus."Alex quips.
"Plus I'd look great in a loincloth wouldn't I Cowgirl?' Alex chuckles as he winks at Stevie.
Then he laughs and says, "Hey you're middle name is Jane! Perfect! Me Tarzan, you Jane."He adds thumping his chest.
She trifles a laugh and shaking her head, walks back towards the house as Moira has just called out to say the baby's awake.
...
Kilarney's living room...
Stevie is sitting feeding Trinity when they all come back inside to look at photos.
Nick and Alex along with Liz, Wil, Anthony and Dee huddle around looking at the albums.
Jodi and Tess join them offering up stories here and there.
...
When Claire is mentioned several times Stevie tears up.
She can't help it.
Sadness engulfs her.
Not just the blues but the absence of her friend and she knows the pain and sadness both Tess and Jodi feel.
...
She thinks about Claire and Alex and even though she has no doubt he loves her completely she still feels a pang of guilt that she has this wonderful, happy life, children and Alex's love.
They talk about Claire often but there is always an area that remains his and his alone.
Stevie wonders if he thinks about how his life might have been, if Claire had lived.
She wonders if she would have stayed on Drover's Run or wandered off to god only knows where.
How different would her life have been?
...
From a different album Dee innocently asks about a wedding photo.
Stevie hears Alex say. "Take that one out it shouldn't be there."
Standing Stevie leaves the room and heads upstairs quickly.
By the time she reaches the sanctuary of her room she dissolves.
Quickly she changes Trinity and offers her other breast.
The baby suckles for a few minutes then falls asleep, completely satisfied and full of milk.
...
Stevie burps her and lays her in her crib then lying on the bed sobs with her head on the pillow.
She doesn't hear the door but smells his aftershave before she feels his weight on the bed.
"Come here." He whispers softly as he touches her.
She rolls into his arms and cries.
Finally she sleeps.
...
He doesn't leave her.
Gently he moves so they can cuddle up under the blanket.
Downstairs several ask where they've gone.
Moira watches Xander and Liz and Rhonda make sure everyone is well fed.
Anthony loves looking at all the old photos and asks if he leaves markers if they could copy some off for him.
Wil and Tess both see photos they've never seen before too and Tess ask for copies of some as well.
Liz agrees to take them to Adelaide when she goes home and have them all copied for them.
...
Kilarney early afternoon.
Alex wakes and Stevie is facing him, feeding Trinity again.
Yawning he stretches and asks. "How are you?"
Tears drip down her cheeks.
Pushing up onto his side he wipes her tears then kisses her face several times.
"Ahh beautiful you're breaking my heart." He says softly.
"I'm so sorry." She sniffles then adds. " I can't help it I'm ok really I am."
...
He climbs out of bed and moves around behind her.
Sliding his arm under her neck he wraps her up tightly.
Fifteen minutes later she moves to change the baby.
'Here Stevie let me do it." He tells her.
...
With the baby back in her crib.
Alex meets Stevie at the bathroom door.
'What do you want to do now?" He asks.
Her face falls again and he reaches out and hugs her.
...
Letting her go he moves the nursing chair over near the window and dragging the doona off the bed sits in the chair and tapping his lap says . "Come here and let me hold you."
She does as she's told and he wraps her up in the doona and his arms.
Neither speaks as he gentle rocks the chair and holds her like she will break.
With the smell of his aftershave, the rocking and the warmth of the blanket, exhausted she drifts off to sleep.
...
He kisses her head and rubs her back and thinks about how far they've come.
Today was mostly enjoyable although it was difficult explaining to Dee and Anthony about Claire.
Tess had helped and Jodi did too.
It felt strange to be talking about her with his wife, son and newborn daughter there.
Even though Stevie has always been fabulous about Claire.
...
He felt like he was betraying her now.
In the beginning he felt that way about Claire but now Stevie and their children filled his every waking moment and he found when he did think of Claire it was briefly but still with great love.
He wondered if that was what time did.
Or maybe it was experience that changed things.
...
He thinks about Stevie again.
They'd dealt with so much in their short time together.
Shared so much pain and joy.
He thinks of the person he was when he first met Stevie and who she was when they met.
Remnants of that woman are still visible.
He could never have imagined the tears that she would shed would make his heart feel like it was being crushed in a vice or that her smile would make him smile without thought.
...
He longed to see her face at the end of the day.
Holding her in his arms made his cares feel lighter and any stress ease.
Watching her with their children filled him with pure joy and pride.
She loved like the ocean, consistently rolling in.
Sometimes softly and gently and other times crashing into him making him hold on tightly as life tumbled them about.
...
He moves her so that he can see her sweet face.
Smiling he pushes her hair back and leaning down he kisses her with the softest of touches and whispers.
"Stephanie Jane Ryan you are the light in my darkness."
Running his chin across her soft hair he inhales.
...
The scent of a woman, his beautiful woman, she gives him peace.
His thoughts drift around her and their life together and he ponders... Where he would he be without her loyalty, love and friendship.
Kissing the top of her head he whispers. "Where ever life takes us I pray it's together."
...
Christmas Day Kilarney...a couple of months later..
Stevie has been up since before dawn .
She's too excited to sleep Christmas is here today.
Their very first Christmas together on Kilarney.
Every year they'd all trecked over to Drover's Run but this year it was here.
...
Alex was excited too and together they scoured the internet and bought new decorations for inside and the tree and for outside as well.
Last night they'd all met up on Drover's for dinner then travelled into Gungellan for carols by candle light.
Xander, Claire and William had loved the singing and the visit from Santa and finally as it had gotten dark the candles.
By the time they were over Xander was asleep cuddled into Riley's shoulder.
...
Later when they'd driven home he'd woken long enough to be excited about the pretty lights on Kilarney's homestead.
'You guys have done such a beautiful job decorating the house."Stevie had told them.
'It looks magical." Kate offered.
Alex had smiled pleased with his efforts too.
Riley had laughed and quipped " It was fun putting them up but we've gotta take all the buggers down."
...
Stevie and Alex had been more excited about Xander and Trinity's presents than they were.
Rose was spending her first White Christmas in London and had sent amazing photos of the decorations and lights.
Stevie's favourite photo was the one of Rose wearing all the gear they'd posted to her for Christmas .
She'd asked her roommate to take the photo of her wearing the clothing and surrounded by all the Christmas treats from home and holding the photo of Alex , Stevie , Xander and Trinity with Santa .
Somehow it made her feel like they were together.
...
"Moira you right to watch the children for an hour or so?"Alex asks.
Moira nods and says . " All good."
"Close your eyes Stevie it's time for your present." He tells her.
Walking her away from the house she asks. "Where are we going?"
"Just here for now. Ok open your eyes."He says and she can telling he's smiling.
...
'Oh my god Alex." She gushes moving forward .
Riley grins and hands her the reins of an Chestnut Australian Stock Horse.
Stevie pats the mare and runs her hand down her legs and back speaking softly to her .
Grinning she asks . 'Is she mine Alex?"
He nods and says. " If I get a kiss she is.'
...
After the kiss she asks. 'What's her name?"
"Wingara Juliet."Riley offers.
"What is she 14.3 ?"
"14.4" He replies.
...
"Come on time for you and I to go for a ride Cowgirl." Alex says as he mounts up.
Riley holds the horse while Stevie climbs aboard.
"Thanks Riley."Stevie says as she takes control .
'Where are we going Alex?" Stevie asks.
"To get the rest of your present." He tells her.
...
As they ride out across the paddock Kate pulls up in the Ute. ' Did she suspect anything?"
Shaking his head Riley replies. "No she was too shocked with the horse. How are you Rose ?"
Rose grins and says " I'm fantastic Riley and it's so nice to see blue skies, London is so grey at this time of the year.'
Kate hooks arms with her and says . " Come on let's go and introduce you to your baby sister."
...
Stevie is expecting everyone at midday but Alex changed it to ten o'clock so everyone will be there when they arrive back from their ride.
Uncle Wil, Bryce, Liz, Anthony and Dee arrive together.
Meg, Terry, Jodi , Matt and Finn are next followed by Nick , Tess, Claire and Jack.
Marcus , Grace and William are running a little late and Patrick, Taylor, Regan and Dave arrive just as they spot Stevie and Alex riding across the paddock.
...
"Oh Alex they're early." Stevie states sounding alarmed.
"Stevie relax I've taken care of everything."He replies grinning mischievously.
"Are they the rest of my present?" She asks.
"No but I want them to be here when you get it." He explains.
...
They tie the horse up and walk towards their family and friends.
Greetings are exchanged .
Marcus , Grace and William arrive and Moira, Riley and Kate walk out.
"Moira where are the children?" Stevie asks sounding a little uneasy.
...
"I left them in the house." Moira offers.
"What on their own?"Stevie asks sounding mildly annoyed.
"Yeah. What's the problem?' Moira say grinning.
"Moira!" Stevie exclaims.
...
She makes to move back to the house and spots Xander running down the path and behind him Rose with Trinity in her arms.
Stevie runs grabbing Xander on her way back to Rose.
Alex inhales and smiling slowly walks towards his family.
Stevie turns to him and hugging him says . " Thank you Alex this is perfect."
...
Rose hugs him and says . "Hello Dad!"
He laughs and replies . 'Hello daughter how was your flight?"
"First class, free alcohol! It was awesome thank you."Rose grins.
" Alcohol?" Stevie exclaims.
"I'm legal Mum remember." Rose explains.
" Bugger." Stevie chuckles.
...
The day rolls on with presents unwrapped and way too much food and alcohol consumed.
Children play with new toys .
Everyone relaxes .
They play cricket and everyone joins in.
...
In the afternoon a lot swim while others laze around and chat or sleep off Christmas lunch.
All the children sleep.
Alex is standing talking to Uncle Wil and Anthony when Stevie and Rose climb from the pool and walk towards them.
"Boy she's built like her Mother isn't she!" Anthony states.
...
"Mate don't even go there that's my wife and my daughter you're talking about." Alex cautions.
Anthony looks at him and says . ' Step daughter."
Alex warns . " She's my wife's daughter therefore she is my daughter end of story.'
'Sorry Alex I didn't mean anything by it." Anthony apologizes.
Alex walks off.
...
"A little bit of advice Anthony. Alex is very protective of his family and he's not the sort of man who will warn you twice." Wil offers.
Anthony nods and asks. " Would you like another beer?'
"No I'm drinking whisky and coke thanks."Wil responds.
Anthony moves of to get some drinks and Moira walks passed.
...
'Moira !" Wil calls.
She smiles and asks . " Are you enjoying yourself Wil?'
'I can't remember the last time I enjoyed Christmas so much Moira. What about yourself?" Wil answers.
" I love Christmas and with this crew it's always fun but I'm off to Adelaide for a couple of weeks tomorrow to spend time with my own family."She replies.
...
" Oh! I was hoping you'd be back for the New Years Eve Ball at the country club Liz tells me it's a great night.' He replies sadly.
She smiles and says . "I think I'd like to bring in the new year dancing with you!"
His face lights up and he says . " Really ?"
She nods and says. " I'll have to buy a ball gown.'
" We could meet up and I could take you shopping.' Wil offers.
...
"We'll see." Moira replies and walks over to Regan, Stevie, Tess and Taylor.
"What are you grinning about Moira?" Tess asks.
Glancing back towards Wil who is now talking to Marcus and Matt.
She replies. " I've just been asked out to the Country Clubs New Years Eve Ball."
...
"Oh my goodness Moira was it Wil? I hope you said yes?"Taylor asks.
Moira chuckles and responds with . " Yes it was and yes I did."
" We'll have to start calling her Aunty Moira soon Stevie." Tess teases.
" Come on Aunty Moira you can give me a had dragging all the food out so people can eat ." Stevie chuckles.
" Hey you can tease all you want Stevie but I get to drive in a Vantage V12 and who knows he might even let me drive it!"
Stevie pretends to look shocked and says . " Moira Doyle now that is just downright meanness!"
They both laugh.
...
Kilarney after midnight..
Alex is already in bed as Stevie climbs in.
" That was the best Christmas day I can ever remember." Alex sighs.
'It was so much more fun with the children wasn't it?" Stevie answers.
"Yeah it was plus for the first time we had both of my actual parents, my two brothers and all of our children and friends together in the one place."He adds.
" Plus your Uncle Wil and Anthony and Dee."Stevie offers.
...
" Imagine what it will be like next year Stevie they'll be at least three more children plus ours will be a year older and more into it." Alex muses.
"Thank you for today Alex. I mean everything was just perfect. To have Rose here with Xander and Trinity was the best. My new horse is just so fantastic." Stevie says.
Rolling over he says . " You haven't said thank you yet."
" Yes I did.' She retorts.
...
He kisses her and in between kisses says. ' No you didn't."
Grabbing the doona she pulls it up over them and says . "Mr Ryan I've got another present for you."
"Have ya!" He laughs as he pushes the blanket higher over them.
She squeals and exclaims . 'Mr Ryan you are not to grab the merchandise please be patient.'
" Patient I've had you touching me up all day and then swanning around in bikini's. You're lucky I didn't ravish you out on the lawn by the pool!" He exclaims.
She giggles and says softly .'I think you should ravish me now then ."
"Hmmm I think I should too. Merry Christmas Stephanie.'
"Merry Christmas Alexander."
...
