Fisher Hospital….
"Righto what would you like to do now?" Alex asks as he ushers Stevie outside.
Repositioning Xander on her hip she replies. "It's almost lunchtime lets grab some food and we'll go to the Botanic Gardens."
"Ok sounds good. Here give him to me."
Handing the little boy to his Father Stevie straightens her clothing and readjusts her hair.
Alex stands smiling at her.
"What?" She questions smiling back at him.
Shaking his head he replies. "You look so good Cowgirl, I can't help but smile."
Her smile widens at the comment and she answers. "I feel good too. Our baby is growing well, that awful morning sickness has finally stopped and I'm in town with my two most favourite boys."
Taking her hand he kisses the back of it and says. "Lead the way , I'm starving."
…
Fisher Botanical Gardens …twenty minutes later…
With her shoes off Stevie sits eating her salad roll, across from her Alex has Xander in between his legs feeding him pieces of his chicken roll.
The heat of the Sun is minimal as the soft breeze makes the leaves dance above them.
"Your phones ringing." Alex calls above the delighted squeals of Xander.
A Mother duck and her babies are making their way towards a small pond and Xander has spotted them.
Leaning forward Stevie grabs the phone and glancing at the screen answers. "Tess! Is everything alright? Oh good. Where? What now?"
Stevie looks around the immediate area then waves.
….
"How did you know we were here?" Stevie asks as Tess, Nick and their boys arrive.
"We didn't we just spotted you when we came through the gates. Nick suggested a day out and I thought this would be a great spot for the boys to explore."
Xander tries to get up but Alex holds him still and growls." Ah Ah no you don't lunch first."
The little boys lip drops.
Nick chuckles and quips." He's dropped the lip you're in trouble now."
Xander begins to cry then arches his back in an attempt to escape.
Alex holds on.
Xander screams and kicks his legs.
…..
Nick and Tess sit down and unwrap their lunches.
Harrison plonks himself down beside Stevie and whispers. "He's naughty."
Stevie tries not to smile at the comment and replies. "He is a little but he's excited to see you and Ollie and wants to play."
Harrison takes his sandwich from Tess then holding it up to Xander says. "I'm going to eat my sandwich where's yours."
Mid scream Xander stops and with sobbing breathes holds up the mangled piece of bread squashed in his fist.
Harrison stands up and breaking off some of his bread says. "Want some of mine."
Xander takes it and although still upset puts the sandwich to his mouth.
"Definitely a Ryan offer him food and he'll do anything." Tess chuckles.
"That was such a kind thing to do Harrison Thank you." Stevie cooes as the little boy sits back beside her.
Harrison grins up at her.
Wrapping her arm around him she kisses the top of his head.
He leans into her embrace.
…..
"You guys alright again?" Alex questions.
Tess smiles as Nick nods and responds. "Yes I've learned my lessons and know who I should consider first."
Alex nods.
"Why are you in Fisher today anyway?" Nick asks.
"Obstetricians appointment." Alex answers
"Everything ok?" Tess asks.
Stevie places her hand on her belly and answers. "Everything is perfect and as it should be for six months."
"Do we know if it's a boy or a girl?" Nick enquires.
"No we want it to be a surprise." Alex answers.
Stevie smiles at him then adds. "We've got one of each so a surprise is the best way to go isn't it?"
Alex grins at her and nods.
…
The old Homestead… Killarney...
Regan finishes hanging the washing on the line and begins to walk back to the house.
Glancing up she notes the twin cab Ute pulling in and behind it Dave.
"Greg what are you doing here? How did you find me?" Regan questions.
As she's about to answer a tiny baby's cry is heard as Dave joins them.
"I'll grab him." Dave announces before Regan has a chance to introduce him.
"Who's he?" Greg asks.
"None of your business. Why are you here?"
"I thought you'd be happy to see me." He answers.
"Well you're wrong. I've moved on and I'm very happy. "She snarls.
Dave appears at the back door and announces. "He needs a nappy change and he wants his Mum."
"You've got a baby?"
"Yes I do. Now go away and leave me alone."
Dave arrives in time to hear Greg questions. "Is it mine?"
Moving beside Regan Dave slides his arm across her shoulder and states. "You heard her mate she said to leave her alone."
"So it's yours?" Greg growls at Dave.
Dave moves to place the baby in Regan's arms and says. "You take him inside and get him sorted and Ill farewell your friend."
Regan smiles at Dave and kissing his cheek replies." He was a friend but not anymore. Lunch will be ready in about 15 minutes."
"Great I'm starving." Dave replies as he watches her move inside.
Greg watches her too.
"Righto matey time for you to go away and never come back." Dave suggests.
"So she's your girlfriend?"
"We live together mate that's all you need to know." Dave answers.
Greg turns as if to walk back over to his car.
…
Drovers Run…
Pulling the Ute to a stop Jodi undoes her seat belt says.
"You get lunch started and Ill unload the Ute."
Grace gets out and responds. "Cold meat and salad ok for you?"
"Yes no onions though thanks." Jodi calls back.
Reaching back into the car Jodi answers the two way to Regan's frantic calls.
"Grace come back Regan needs us. Run!"
…
Kilarney. The old Homestead….Sometime later...
"What in the hell happened?" Grace snarls at Regan
"My ex came calling and Dave was showing him back to his car when he thumped him." Regan sobs.
Grace shakes her head and pushes. "You are nothing but trouble you know that."
"That's enough Grace you're wrong." Jodi snaps.
Grace shakes her head.
"The baby isn't Dave's Grace. Dave has only helped her in a tricky situation. He's just been a friend to Regan nothing more." Jodi explains.
…..
Grace glares at Regan and questions. "Is that the truth?"
Regan nods and answers. "Greg likes to use his fists and not only on heroic Vets."
Despite the seriousness of the situation Dave quips. "Heroic Yeah I could be called heroic. I got a couple of punches in too."
Through her tears Regan smiles and responds. "My hero."
Dave smirks as Jodi attempts to clean him up and grumbles "Keep still."
"What he used to hit you?" Grace questions.
"Just once and I left. I'm no body's punching bag." Regan replies.
"So the kid is Greg's?" Grace asks.
"Yes he is but he'll never know that because I want him nowhere near me or my child." Regan answers.
"His birth certificate reads Zachary David McLeod …Father David Brewer ...Mother Regan McLeod." Jodi adds .
"You did that for Regan ?"Grace questions .
Dave answers. "Yes I wanted to help her protect her child."
Grace nods but says no more.
...