Chapter 57

Jaz helped Kelly out of her car seat. She didn't know Kate that well, as she had come to Drovers shortly after Kate had left, but they had met a few times since, and Jaz really liked her. She had decided that Kate was sweet and intense and incredibly hard-working. Jaz also knew she was Jodi's closest friend in the whole world and that was all she really needed to know.

Jaz handed Kelly off to Ben and grabbed a bowl of fruit salad from the back seat. She looked at her engagement ring and smiled again.

Jaz, Ben and Kelly walked to the back garden where they heard the voices of many people talking. Jaz saw Tess as she entered the yard from the stable area.

"Hello! Where can I put this fruit salad?" asked Jaz.

"Hi Jaz! Let me take that from you." Tess noticed the ring while she grabbed the bowl. "I see Ben managed to ask you his big question! Congratulations! It's a beautiful ring. I'm thrilled for the two of you, and proud to have helped in a small way by filing your building permit request!" teased Tess.

"Thank you! I love the ring. Ben did a great job picking it out. It is the most beautiful ring I've ever seen. It even outshines this one ..." Jaz held out her right hand showing the notorious National Championship ring. Jaz had a smirk on her face.

"No! That's the missing ring! Where was it? Ben was so broken up about it," Tess exclaimed.

"I know he was broken up. I came back from driving Stevie and Claire home to Ben wandering the back garden with a metal detector at 11pm. At that point, he didn't have much choice. He just told me everything about why he needed to borrow this ring. It wasn't the proposal he planned, but it was actually beautifully romantic, and perfect anyway. We're really happy!" gushed Jaz.

"Good. You guys are a great couple. I'm glad you're finally getting married. Plus, officially joining the Halls and the McLeods! That's exciting!" added Tess.

"So, do you know what news Kate has that she wanted all of us to know?" asked Jaz.

"Well, Jodi bumped into her at the Pediatrics/Obstetrics clinic this morning, so part of the announcement is that she is expecting. Actually, she just found out today that she is having twins. I think children are something she and Russell wanted for a long time, so I'm absolutely thrilled for her." said Tess.

"That's wonderful. Motherhood wasn't something I was certain I wanted originally, but now I can't imagine my life without Kelly, or Ben for that matter. I'm sure Kate will do great. I'm very happy for her and Russell."

"So, everybody is here, and I think we're all pretty hungry, so I thought I'd let Kate and Russell make their mysterious announcement now since we are all so curious about it." Jodi said and called everyone to attention. Kate and Russell stood up and looked around at so many of their friends.

"Okay," began Kate. "So I had a whole, big, complicated plan to share all of this news but, as I'm learning, all plans seem to go out the window in motherhood. I'm not excited about that part. I really like making and following plans, but I'm learning that sometimes you just have to go with the flow. The exciting part is, as most of you already know, because I got caught by Jodi at our prenatal appointment this morning, we are expecting! But what I found out at that appointment is that we are actually having twins!" Kate smiled broadly as she officially announced the first part of the news.

"Congratulations guys!" The group roared in unison.

After the crowd settled down, Russell joined Kate in sharing another joyful announcement to the group..

"But we actually have even more good news to share." Russell grabbed Kate's hand and smiled at her before sharing more of the good news. "So, for the last several years, Kate has been working really hard to complete a teaching degree and a doctorate degree in Agricultural Sciences at the University of Adelaide. She successfully defended her thesis earlier this week and I'm super proud to announce that she is finished with everything! You can all officially refer to my wife as Dr. Manfredi!"

"Well done! Awesome work Dr. Manfredi!" The group exclaimed again.

Kate stood there beaming at her friends before continuing. "And I went back to school for that degree with the goal of getting a job as a professor of Agricultural Sciences at a University somewhere. I wanted to help young people learn advanced farming techniques and continue the traditions of cattle farming in Australia. Well, I've just been offered, and have accepted, a professorship at Higgins Agricultural University." she announced while savoring the reactions of her friends as they realized she would be much closer than she had been.

Jodi was thrilled as she heard that news. She knew Higgins was only in Fisher. She could see Kate far more often than she did now.

"You'll be so much closer. That's so wonderful!" said Jodi.

"Well. Kate failed to include one more part of the news. It's the part that I think most of you will all find most interesting." teased Russell, as he held Kate's hand and encouraged her to announce the final part of their big announcement.

"I will be in charge of a brand new program at Higgins where students will be working on an actual farm under my guidance as part of their work experience. I won't be teaching in the traditional classroom setting, but rather, running a cattle station and teaching students how to run all aspects of it." announced Kate, savoring the moment before her final big piece of news.

"Where is the farm?" asked Jodi.

"Well, that's the thing. I wanted to wait to tell everyone until I had it confirmed, but once the cat was out of the bag that we were in town, it seemed pointless to try to continue to sneak around. Within some restrictions from the university, I actually get to choose the property. It isn't close to being settled or confirmed yet, but I have an appointment with an estate agent to tour the old Kinsella's Station for suitability. From what I remember of the property, it should be exactly what the university wants. And it's exactly the location I want. If it's not Kinsella's, I will find another suitable property here in Gungellan, but I'm really hoping we can make Kinsella's happen. So, I hope you all won't mind potentially getting some new neighbors." Kate smiled, as Russell put his arm around her and beamed at his wife. This was her big moment, the one she had been working for for many years.

Russell was so proud of Kate. He had witnessed all of the hard work she had put in for years to make this dream of hers come true. He felt so lucky to be able to have helped her get there. Adding in the wonderful news about the babies, Russell couldn't see how their week could get any better.

Jodi looked at Kate, who was beaming, and couldn't believe her good luck. Her best friend was coming home to live her dreams! As she looked at Kate, Jodi remembered how far she had come from the shy timid girl she had gone to high school with. Kate had become one of the most beautiful and strong women she knew. When Kate put her mind to something, she was an absolute force, working tirelessly until she achieved what she set out to do. Jodi still felt guilty for leaving to go with Matt, and as she thought about it now, she wasn't sure that she would have been able to go if Kate hadn't already moved to Africa. When Jodi was able to return from witness protection and get back in touch with everyone, Kate had told her a little bit about what she had gone through while Jodi was gone, but Jodi had heard from Regan and Grace of how hard of a time Kate actually had, especially after Riley passed away. It hurt Jodi so much to not have been there for her friend when she so clearly needed her. She knew that she could have helped her, and it was something that still haunted Jodi, not being there for Kate then. Knowing Kate had been struggling so much and that she hadn't been there to help still brought tears to Jodi's eyes. She had vowed to always be there for Kate from that point on. They spoke on the phone or texted nearly everyday, but the thought of having her so close was beyond belief and Jodi smiled to herself as she imagined how great it would be having Kate so close again.