Stevie felt her hands tighten on the steering wheel as Wilgul came into view. The last time she had been on the property it had been with Kane. Now she was moving in with her children and Luke. And from the way Alex was talking he would be around too.
She wondered if memories would cloud the happiness she wanted to feel. But then the memories on Wilgul were good ones. And more good ones would be made.
She pulled the car up alongside the truck and stared at the house. It was smaller than the house at Camelot but it would do. Especially since it looked like her eldest daughter wouldn't need her own room.
"So, we're here," Rose said. "This looks nice."
Stevie nodded. "This is Wilgul. It's a lot nicer than when Nick first got it. He put hours into this place."
Rose opened her door. "Are you going to be okay?"
"I think so."
"Kane lived here before you left. Are the memories going to hurt?"
"No," Stevie whispered. "I'm going to make new ones. With you and Alex."
Rose smiled and Stevie felt her lips curl up. She nodded. She was going to be okay.
She got out of the car and walked over to Alex. He handed her Kana and leaned back into the truck to get Kaleb out.
"Thanks for bringing me here, Alex."
Alex squeezed her shoulder. "Well, let's get you inside and then go over to Drovers. Do you want to bring the kids or just go by yourself?"
"I think we'll leave the kids with Rose and Luke and head over together."
"Alright."
Stevie carried Kana towards the house. She had always liked Wilgul. It was homey place with its porch around the whole house. Pushing opened the front door she smiled. Someone had left a huge bunch of flowers on the table in the front hall. The windows sparkled and the curtains fluttered in the breeze.
"What do you think, Kana?" she asked her baby as she walked through the house. "Where shall we put you?"
"I'll set up a playpen in the main room and she can stay there while we unpack." Alex came in with the playpen in one hand and a diaper bag in the other. "Come on, Kaleb. Let's get your sister settled and then go get those dogs out."
"Hardy and Dagger?" Kaleb bounced in Alex's arms. "Mommy, we get Turbo out."
Stevie nodded. "He'll like that."
"I'll get Rose and Luke to put the horses in a yard." Alex leaned in and kissed her cheek.
Stevie touched his face and watched him walk away, the usually swagger in his step. She wondered if he even knew he did it. Probably not. He had walked like that since she knew him, it was a habit now.
Later, after eating something and bringing in the bags, Stevie walked outside to the truck with Alex. Pausing by the truck she took a minute to take in the place. It wasn't grand or noteworthy. But it was a good place. It needed work and that was something she was no stranger to. And it was something she needed at this moment. Maybe hard work would ease the guilt she felt now that she was back. What had she been thinking when she left? This place was her home. No other town, no other group of people could replace the ones she had found here.
"Stevie, are you alright?" Alex cupped her cheek and brushed some hair from her cheek.
Stevie nodded. "Yes, I am. Let's go see Tess."
Alex kissed her softly and helped her into the truck. Stevie winced a little as she settled in. The bruises were still there and some of her ribs still hurt.
But she would set it all aside to help her friend. Her own pains were nothing compared to the pain Tess must be feeling. Stevie knew all too well the pain of losing someone she loved. Yet, there was hope in the world. Beside sat her hope. Hope came in so many forms and her hope was in the hands of the man who drove the truck.