Chapter 48

Jodi woke up tired. She was really glad about her late night chat with Tess and even more glad that Tess was willing to give love a chance again, albeit cautiously. Jodi had no doubt that the talk Tess and Claire had in the morning contributed to her choice of going out with Finn.

The alarm went off and Matt reached across her, trying to turn it off.

"I've got it, honey," Jodi said as she hit dismiss on the phone. "and I've got some news."

"Already? How long have you been up?" asked Matt. as he sat up next to his wife.

"Tess went on a date with Finn O'Hara yesterday. We talked when she got home. You were already asleep."

"And you wanted to meddle, it wasn't even necessary." teased Matt.

"Oh yeah, you don't know what happened before, when she took Claire to the pub. Claire meddled plenty for both of us. It looked like she had totally botched it too, but, apparently, Finn managed to turn it around and took Tess for coffee while she was in town. Coffee turned into dinner with a goodnight kiss!" gushed Jodi.

"Well, that's a development. In the entire time I've lived at Drovers with Tess, I can count the number of times she has been out with a man on one hand, and she never went on a second date," said Matt.

"I know. Nick totally broke her. Apparently, she had a real heart to heart with Claire yesterday morning and it seems to have helped her. Claire told us about it while we were searching for the ring. She said she never felt closer to her mother than she did right then. I think it really affected both of them. Claire cried just telling us about it," shared Jodi. "I think it gave Tess a new outlook."

"I hope it works out for Tess. I love her and I'd like to see her happy with someone. I'm glad she took this step forward, and that Claire and her are on the same page about it, but I've got to get moving. I'm on breakfast duty and I know you have the kids' check ups in town this morning. Meggie at 9:00 and Katie at 9:30." said Matt.

"Yup. We should make it on time as long as we leave straight after breakfast. What are your plans for the morning?"

"After the chores, I'm going to keep working on the car with Terry for a bit, then I want to go take more water measurements. We didn't make it out there yesterday between the car and the emergency ring search, so we really need to get there today." said Matt.

"I'll join you on that when I get back from town. I do love measuring at the dam with you," said Jodi with a flirtatious look on her face.

Kate slept late, way later than she normally did. Russell had turned off her alarm and let her sleep until 9am that morning. He woke her up with a cup of tea and some breakfast brought in from the pub.

'"Why did you turn off my alarm? I was going to do some research before my appointment," questioned Kate.

"Because you needed sleep. I know you thrive with big, complicated plans, and work like crazy until they are fulfilled, but you promised to let me take care of you when you need it, and I will do that. You are pregnant. You are literally growing another human being inside you. You are getting sick all the time. Those things are going to drain your energy. You need to rest," asserted Russell. "Also, how are you feeling right now? Any morning sickness?"

"Okay. I am so much more tired than normal these days. I feel fine at the moment. Thanks for the breakfast. I have enough time to eat, shower, and head to the appointment. Do you want to come to the appointment with me?" asked Kate.

"Yes I do, as long as you want me in there." said Russell.

Jodi was pleased with how well the girls got through their appointments. Meggie really was growing up. She answered all of Dr. Orlando's questions herself, instead of having her mom do it. Katie did really well, too. Katie is very shy around strangers, but she didn't hide behind Jodi at all, and she tried answering some of the questions herself. Jodi reckoned that having Meggie in there had helped Katie to push past her shyness. Both girls got totally clean bills of health.

Jodi led the girls out and stopped at the receptionist to make their check up appointments for next year.

The nurse walked past the desk and called the next patient.

"Katherine Manfredi?"

Jodi turned around and was face to face with her best friend.

"Squirt? Hi! What are you doing here? In Gungellan? At the pediatrician's?" Jodi asked, confused, as she hugged her friend.

"Stretch? Hi! I didn't expect to see you here. Um well..." Kate wasn't sure how to react as she pulled out of the hug.

"Wait! Are you pregnant?" asked Jodi as her eyes grew wide in excitement.

"Well, yes, we think so," admitted Kate.

"Squirt! That's wonderful news! But why didn't you see a doctor in Adelaide?"

"Um, well, it's a long story, actually, and I've got an appointment, so I've got to go," said Kate trying to get away from her best friend's questions and salvage the surprise she had planned out.

"Call me when you're finished. I'll stay in town so we can catch up. We can get lunch. Why didn't you tell me you were coming? How long are you staying? I'm so happy to see you! Squirt, why didn't you call me and tell me you were in town?" exclaimed Jodi.

Jodi gave Kate another huge hug.

"Oh, don't stay around on my account. I have other things I need to do today after this. I've got to get going with the nurse. I don't want to hold them up. Bye." said Kate as she rushed away with the nurse.

Russell was laughing hysterically at the scene that unfolded. His poor wife wanted so badly to surprise her friends and just couldn't catch a break.

"Sorry Kate. It looks like you got a surprise though!" teased Russell.