Early the next morning people begin to wake up across The Station.

Outside the fires send smoke spiralling skyward.

The early morning peace is slowly edge out.

First by birds and then by voices.

Someone turns a car radio up and music drifts across the campsite.

...

Out on the house lawns the local Lions Club members are in full swing.

Tables and chairs are placed about and the smell of freshly cooked bacon wafts into the senses.

A few people wander up enticed by the aroma; others need something greasy to settle alcohol soaked stomachs.

The atmosphere is relaxed and very happy.

...

Marcus wakes and Grace isn't in bed.

Blinking he scratches his head trying to think clearly.

He hears her in the bathroom.

Rising he knocks and enters.

She's leaning over the hand basin dry retching.

Grabbing the glass from the vanity he leans over the bath.

Turning the tap he fills the glass and hands in to her.

Gently he rubs her back.

...

Tess has been up for over an hour and has fed Claire, changed her and put her back to sleep.

Logan is up and dressed and very hungry.

Tess grins to herself when she places Logan on the bed and he wakes Nick up.

"Arghh morning little man." Nick says with a gravelly voice.

With only one eye open he looks at Tess and says. "Morning Wifey."

She leans over and kisses him and says. "Time to get up husband breakfast is waiting."

He yawns and stretches then hugs Logan and sits up. "Right I need clothes Wifey."

Tess grins and says. "No I think you look fine without them."

He laughs and says. "That maybe but many outside wouldn't agree."

...

Alex and Stevie have been for a walk around the camp area with their boys.

Alexander has run on ahead with Hawy close behind him.

Neither Stevie or Alex are concerned when he is out of their line of sight as no one is moving vehicles this early in the morning and Alexander is very good around horses so that won't be a problem.

Plus Hawy is with him and they won't be hard to find as she'll run backwards and forwards between them and Alexander until she's feels he's safe.

Although she's not fully grown she is instinctive with him.

Their bond tight.

...

Grace rinses her mouth, Marcus hands her a towel to wipe her face.

"Are you ok now?" He asks sounding concerned as he hugs her.

She cuddles into him and replies. "I still feel a little queasy but I think once I have a cup of tea and something to eat I'll feel better.'

"Would you like me to go and get something for you?" He asks.

Letting him go she says. "No hurry up and have a shower and we'll go and have breakfast outside."

She reaches for her tooth brush.

...

Marcus turns the shower on and begins to wash.

Henry wakes shortly after; Grace places him into the shower with Marcus for a quick wash.

Fifteen minutes later they're outside sitting with Regan, Dave and Hannah when Kate and Riley join them.

Greetings are exchanged and they all sit down on the lawn and begin to chat about last night while enjoying fresh coffee and delicious toasted egg and bacon sandwiches.

...

Moving through the campground Alexander and Hawy are having a marvellous time chatting to everyone they meet.

They make quite a sight.

Alexander in his jeans, boots, western shirt and his little akubra hat.

His faithful dog trailing along either beside him or just behind him was wagging her tail at everyone.

"Hello" He calls and waves.

"Good morning." He offers further down the track.

Everyone greets him.

...

Stevie and Alex have stopped to chat to Gary Webb.

Standing for a minute Stevie is concerned that Hawy hasn't come back.

"Alex! We need to go." Stevie says concerned.

"Come up to the house Gary we won't be long." Alex states.

As they're about to move off.

Stevie says. "Alex I can hear him crying!"

...

Alexander and Hawy are having a marvellous time up until he trips over a tent peg.

Falling hard onto the ground he bites his lip and it bleeds.

He cries.

Hawy nervously hovers around him.

...

Tears stream down his face and he has blood on his hands which makes him cry more.

A lady picks him up and says. "Hey don't cry."

Her friend brings a paper serviette to them and says. "Here let's clean you up. It's not so bad."

The two women fuss over him, brushing him off and wiping his face.

One of the men that are with them wraps a piece of ice in his clean handkerchief and says. "Here you go buddy it will be cold but it will feel better soon."

With a lip that is starting to swell and a sad little face he cries. "Mummy! I want Mummy."

...

"Where'd he come from?" The woman asks.

One of the others replies. "I saw him come from that direction."

She bundles him up and begins to walk back the way he came.

He wraps his arms around her neck and sobs.

...

Rubbing his back she says. "Please don't cry I'll take care of you and we'll find your Mummy."

He leans back and looking at her as he sniffs asks. "Promise."

She smiles and him and says. "You are so very cute she will be looking for you already."

With tears still on his cheeks and a couple still running he gives her a little smile and hugs back into her.

She smiles thinking what a gorgeous little boy he is.

Turning she looks back and his dog is right behind her and is happily wagging her tail again.

A boy and his dog could anything be any cuter she thinks to herself.

...

Liz and Bryce make their way downstairs and out into the morning sunshine.

Looking around they spot Marcus, Nick and the girls and head in that direction.

Logan's face lights up and he runs into his grandmothers open arms.

She crouches down as he arrives and hugs him tightly and then kisses him before she stands up with him wrapped around her neck.

Nick smiles to himself at Logan's reaction to his grandmother and feels a little guilty that his son doesn't treat Harry that way.

Logan has more affection for Bryce than Harry and something in Nick doesn't feel right.

...

Alexander has his head on the strangers shoulder and his long legs wrapped around her waist.

She hums as she walks along and he listens.

Walking quickly towards her are a very tall man and a small red headed women carrying two little boys.

By the worried looks on their faces she rightly assumes she's found Mummy and a very handsome Daddy.

The dog has run to them and is wagging her tail enthusiastically

"Hello." She calls. "I think we're looking for you."

She stops and says. "My names Marcie and this little fellow has a bit of a fat lip."

Stevie places Cooper onto the ground and takes Alexander from her.

He cries and says. "Mummy I fell over."

She hugs him and kisses him numerous times.

...

Alex introduces himself, Stevie and their three boys.

Marcie laughs when the dog runs to her wagging her tail as if waiting for a pat. "And who is this beautiful girl?"

Alexander turns and says. "That's Hawy."

Marcie squats down and rubbing the dogs head says. "Hello Hawy pleased to meet you."

Alexander says. "Shake Hawy."

The dog holds up her paw and Marcie shakes it.

Stevie and Alex look at each other and then at Alexander and Stevie asks. "Who taught her that?"

Alexander replies. "Harry did."

They laugh.

Alexander tries to smile but his lip hurts.

...

Alex's thank Marcie for taking care of Alexander.

"Come down to the house Marcie and we'll wash your shirt you've got blood on it." Stevie offers.

Marcie glances at her shoulder and says. "Oh that would be great this is my favourite shirt. I'll just grab another one."

She runs back to her campsite and returns quickly.

"She moves like Grace." Stevie notes.

Alex grins and says. "Yep"

Looking up at him she says. "I meant her style of running."

He chuckles.

...

Alex walks over to the family with the three boys and Hawy while Stevie takes Marcie inside.

"Oh Alexander what happened?" Liz asks offering the comfort of her arms.

He runs to her and climbs onto her lap and she hugs him then looking at his face. "I fell over Grandma but Marcie helped me."

"Who's Marcie?" Liz asks.

"A nice lady who helped me and she sings pretty songs."He replies.

...

Regan asks Alex. "Who's Marcie?"

"Just a woman who helped Alexander when he fell over." Alex replies.

"What's her last name?" Regan asks.

"I don't know." Alex replies.

"How old is she?" Regan pushes.

Alex laughs and says. "Bloody hell Regan I didn't give her the third degree."

Standing she asks. "Where is she Alex?"

"Inside with Stevie." He replies as she rushes off.

...

Marcie has rinsed her shirt off and Stevie hands her a plastic bag to put it in and they begin to walk back outside.

"So did you enjoy the weekend?' Stevie asks.

"Yeah we had a great time. My brother is one of the Polo players. "Marcie replies.

"Scary sport isn't it?" Stevie offers.

"Yeah I guess."Marcie replies.

"So do you ride?' Stevie asks.

"Yes I don't play Polo though I prefer cross country riding." She replies.

"My kind of riding." Stevie states.

"It'd be cool riding around here."Marcie muses.

...

"Yeah we have an annual cross country race that runs through several properties it's a great days riding." Stevie offers.

"What sort of horses do you have?"She asks.

"Alex and I breed quarter horses and my brother and sister in law have Welsh and Australian ponies on their property." Stevie offers.

"So I guess Alexander has a pony?" Marcie asks.

Stevie smiles and says. "Yes he does."

"He's a sweet little boy."Marcie offers.

"Yeah he is." Stevie agrees.

...

Regan appears in the doorway.

Thinking to herself smart move Regan how do you ask a stranger about their parents.

"Hey Regan what's up?"Stevie asks.

"Oh Alex was just telling us about Alexander hurting himself and he said his rescuer sang pretty songs. Thought I might learn some new songs to sing to Hannah."Regan offers even thinking herself how lame that sounds.

Stevie gives her a weird look and says. "I've got heaps of children's CDs and DVD's Regan take some of them with you."

Regan smiles and says. "Oh ok."

Then looking at Marcie says. "Hi I'm Regan McLeod, I'm a new Mother and I still have baby brain."

Stevie laughs loudly.

...

Marcie shakes her hand and says "Pleased to meet you Regan I'm Marcie Kingston."

Stevie's expression changes as she looks at Regan.

Regan smiles broadly and states. "My Mother's maiden name was Kingston."

Marcie smiles at her and says. "Mine was Lucas."

Regan asks. "Oh so your married name is Kingston?'

"Yes and no. My husband was killed in a car accident last year."Marcie offers.

"Oh I'm sorry I shouldn't have pried into your business." Regan confesses.

"It's ok we were separated anyway he was a womaniser and a drunk."Marcie offers.

...

Regan asks a few more questions but the ones she's thrilled about are the fact that Marcie was adopted and she's a year older than Grace.

Regan doesn't know how to broach the subject so she asks. "Have you had breakfast yet Marcie come and join us."

Marcie grins and says. "I wouldn't mind a coffee."

As they walk outside Tess spots them and says to Grace. "Who's this Grace she looks like you?'

"I have no idea Tess. No she doesn't." Grace states.

Stevie introduces her to the group and when she gets to Marcus, Marcie says "Oh my God whose little boy is that?"

Marcus frowns and says. "He's mine and Grace's why?"

"He looks like my son when he was younger." Marcie replies.

Regan smiles.

...

...