38

The next morning Tess woke up from a loud knock on her door. She turned around in bed and took a look at the radio clock on the bedside table. 7 am…who the hell was knocking at that time. She pulled the covers over her and closed her eyes again. But there was that knock again followed by a male voice…

"Tess? Are you ready to go? We wanted to have breakfast early, remember?"

Tess was awake in a heartbeat. Nick! After Claire's phone call last night she had unset the alarm clock since there was no need to get up early now but she had completely forgotten about Nick!

"Bugger! Bugger, bugger, bugger…"she muttered as she got out of bed and looked for her bathrobe since she was only wearing knickers and a top.

"Tess? Are you ok? Open the door please!" Nick sounded worried now.

"Nick, umm, hold on…" Tess shouted. She had finally found the bathrobe and wrapped it around her. Now she slowly opened the door and gave Nick an excusing look.

"Morning Nick…"

"Tess? What's up? Why aren't you dressed yet? I thought you were desperate to find your sister and wanted to get out to that pony club as soon as possible?"

"Nick…umm…Claire called last night, so…"

"When? Why didn't you tell me? There was no need to get up that early and you didn't tell me? Tess!" Tess could tell Nick wasn't pleased at all.

"Would you come in please? There's no need to discuss this here where everybody can hear us…" she said and pulled Nick inside her room and closed the door.

"Sit down, I'll make you a cup of tea, ok?" Tess looked at him begging he wouldn't be too mad. But Nick just nodded and sat down in the chair beside the window.

"So…Claire called last night…" He said while Tess went to fix the tea.

"Yes she did but when we finished talking it was way after midnight and I simply didn't want to wake you. But I do admit that I forgot our breakfast appointment for today and unset the alarm clock…" Tess was finished with the tea and walked over to Nick with two cups in her hands. "Are you mad at me now?" She asked carefully and looked at him like a puppy. Nick couldn't help but laugh. A guilty Tess was just too sweet!

"No, I'm not mad at you but you will have to tell me now what Claire told you! Fair's fair!" He took a small sip from the tea but burned his lips on the hot fluid. "Damn, that's hot…"

"It's tea Nick! It's supposed to be hot…"

"Yeah, yeah, I know...about Claire now. Has she found Alex? And where is she?"

"Yes, Claire found Alex but I really don't know any details yet other than she's with him now. We're meeting her for a late breakfast at 10…"

"You mean we don't have to be anywhere till 10 and we're her in your room having a cuppa at 7 am when we could still be sound asleep? Tess, I really don't know how you can make up for that one…"

2 ½ hours later Nick and Tess were on their way to have breakfast with Claire. Tess roughly knew the area so it didn't take them long to find the place.

"Nice area…" Nick said as he had a look around. "Guess my brother didn't have it all that bad then…"

They knocked on the apartment door even though they were 10 minutes early. Claire opened and was clearly in a hurry.

"You're early!" was all she said then walked away again leaving Nick and Tess alone, standing in the doorway.

"At least Claire hasn't changed a bit since she left home…" Nick was amused and shook his head smiling as they made their way inside.

"That's a nice place…and oh…do I smell coffee here? Claire?" Tess said and went looking for the kitchen. "Where are you, my favourite sister of all?"

"I'm your only sister and since you're here early you might as well help me with this!" Tess followed Claire's voice and found her in the kitchen handling a pan that had something in it that looked like bacon.

"A little dark there…" she said and went over to Claire to give her a hug. She hadn't seen her sister for almost 2 weeks so Claire would have to live with it.

"Not my fault it's burned, I had to open the door…" Claire said and hugged Tess back. She had really missed her little sister. They had become so close these past months during Claire's pregnancy.

"Come on Claire, I'll get that out to that lovely table on the balcony that you set up and you go and say hello to Nick…"

Claire nodded and left the kitchen to find Nick who had already gone outside on the balcony. She gave him a hug "Good to see you mate! Sorry for all the stress you had with Tess because of me…"

"That's ok, you know, you really had everybody worried…"

"I know, I know…" Tess came outside and had the bacon on a plate. She had cut off the blackest bits so it really looked eatable now. Toast and eggs were already waiting to be eaten so they all sat down.

"So Claire…"Nick said while they were filling their plates, "I think you owe us a story…"

So in the next hour Claire told them both what had happened since she had left Drovers almost 2 weeks ago, how she had found Alex and what she knew about his life here. She also told them about Bryce and about Liz being in Melbourne now which got her rolling eyes from Tess. She finished by telling them "So this is it. And on Saturday we'll drive back home…"

39

"Thank you Ma'am...yes I will, byebye!" Alex hung up the phone and was relieved. That conversation had taken a long time and his head was buzzing now and he felt a headache coming. He desperately needed a cup of coffee now and some fresh air. So he got up and waked to the other end of the building where he knew he'd find a coffee machine and a balcony. When he stepped out on the balcony with his coffee in his hand he breathed in. 'Not like home but still better than the air inside…' he thought and took a sip from the warm, dark fluid in the mug he was holding. His thoughts drifted off to Claire as he looked out over the city in the direction where his apartment was. Tess and Nick were probably already there and having breakfast with Claire. When he had woken up this morning Claire had still been in his arms and he had had a feeling of contentment that he had never had before. He knew he loved her, he always had ever since they got together those 10 years ago. Back then he had always told Claire he wanted to marry her because of the baby but deep down inside he had known that he wanted to do it because she was the only woman that cold truly make him happy. And today, all those years later the feeling was still as strong as it had been then. Alex knew he had to ask Claire again to be his wife. But he wasn't sure if she'd say yes or not. She was pregnant again just like 10 years ago but that was only a minor reason for him to propose. Most of all he just never wanted to be separated from Claire again. They had been apart for 8 months and although Alex knew it had been his decision to leave he had never felt so lonely in his whole life. More than once there had been moments when he had just wanted to call Claire and tell her about something that had happened. Like he had always done at home. He had missed talking to her, he had even missed their constant fights and teasing each other. That's when he had realized that even after all this time he still loved her. But would she say yes?

Alex sighed and drank the last of his coffee to go back inside. On his desk he found a note that Bryce had called and he knew he owed his father a call. And he also knew there was an other call to make…his mother. Bryce was easier so he called him first.

"Redstaff and Associates, how can I help you?" Ashley answered the phone as usual. Alex had met her a few times and had talked to her on the phone quite often and every time it was bugging him that he couldn't tell her he was her brother.

"Hi this is Alex Ryan, Bryce called me a few minutes ago…"

"Ah, yes, he's expecting your call, I'll put you right through…"

Alex heard the familiar music that always played when he was phoning Bryce in his office.

"Alex?"

"Yeah. You called? What's up? Everything all right?"

"Yes. Actually I just wanted to hear if Claire found you on Saturday…"

"Yes, she did…"

"Good. She was here on Friday and I told her you'd be at the pony club on Saturday. I thought it was better if you two met on neutral ground…"

Alex smiled. Bryce was right, the pony club had been better than his apartment of even at work.

"Thank you for helping her. She did find me and is staying with me now…"

"Are you happy son?" Alex could hear the worry in Bryce's voice. Even though their relationship wasn't perfect he still knew Bryce cared about him. If only he could meet his sisters, too…

"Yes, I am. Umm Bryce…I will be going back home on Saturday…"

"I know. I figured you would go back once you had everything sorted with Claire but it's quicker than I thought …"

"Well, it's not exactly sorted yet but…you probably saw that she's pregnant…"

"It's kind of hard to miss…is it yours?"

"Yes it is, that's one of the reasons I have to go back so quickly. Claire wants to have the baby at home and I want to be with her…"

"I understand that Alex. I hope you'll come back here and show me my grandchild though! Will I get to see you before you leave? I know it's your birthday Thursday and I had hoped we could have lunch together…"
"Sure, I would like that. But could I maybe bring Claire? I would really like you to meet her. Meet her properly that is…"

"Great idea!"

They talked about the details for Thursday's lunch and when Alex hung up he was relieved that Bryce wasn't too unhappy about him going back home. They had only just gotten to know each other a little better and now Alex would leave again.

He sighed. He really didn't want to phone up his mother now so he went back to sort through the folders. There was still a lot to be finished and fixed so he could leave at the end of the week…

40

"So Claire, when will Alex be home?" Tess and Claire were in the kitchen. They had just put the remains of their breakfast away and Nick had followed them with the plates.

"Yeah, when's that brother of mine going to show up? He knows we're here, right?"
"Of course he knows Nick! And no, I don't exactly know when he'll be home, I guess round 6, that's when he came yesterday. But he said he has a lot to do at work so he can leave so I don't know. He promised to call when he's finished."

"So Claire, what have you planned for the rest of the day? Anything in particular?" Tess put her arm around Claire.

"Nothing really. I still need to buy something for Alex's birthday present but that shouldn't take all that long. I was shopping yesterday but my feet were killing me so…Plus I still had to recover from the meeting with Liz!"

"How is Mum?" Nick asked.

"Her usual self…I wish Alex would talk to her…"

They all left the kitchen and sat down on the balcony again.

"So he hasn't talked to Liz yet?" Tess asked.

"No. But I hope I can talk him into it. Even though Liz is the way she is she'll be the only grandmother this little fella here will ever know and I don't want Alex to ruin that…"

Claire got a surprised look from Nick. She didn't know what Tess had told him about the baby but it was obvious he hadn't known that Alex was the father of her baby. Claire laughed. "I thought Tess told you! Yes, Alex is the father of my baby!"

"No, Tess didn't tell me but I had a feeling he could be when you went to find him. But it's good to know now…" He got up and hugged Claire. "Congrats to you two then. I hope Alex is happy about it…"

"Oh, he is. We both are..." For a brief moment Claire thought about the other time when she had been pregnant with Alex's child and was glad that everything had gone well so far.

"Ok Claire…" Tess broke Claire's thoughts "What is that birthday present you're talking about?"

Claire smiled. "Well, I wanted it to be something special, you know? So…I will have one of the ultrasound pictures framed for Alex. He hasn't seen them yet…"

"You took them with you?" Tess was surprised. She hadn't known Claire would be so sentimental to take the pictures with her everywhere she went. After all she had only planned to be away for a day.

"Only my favourite 2…Ok, shall we get that frame now? Or we'll be sitting here all day and I will have to go tomorrow…You can help me pick it out!"

Just then the phone rang…

Claire jumped up as quickly as she could to search for the phone. "That'll be Alex. He called the same time yesterday…Ah, there you are!" She had finally found the phone and answered it with "Can't live half a day without talking to me Ryan, can ya?"

"Get away Claire…I just wanna know if everything's ok with you…"

"Yeah, yeah, you sound like a broken record Alex. You can team up with Tess, she sounds the same…I'm pregnant, not a kid!"

"Come on Claire, we care about you…The reason I'm calling is that Bryce invited us to have lunch with him on Thursday…and I kinda already said yes…are you mad?" Alex asked carefully.

Claire laughed. Alex had changed from protective father to little boy in a second.

"No Alex, it's ok. I wanted to thank him anyway."
"Good…" Claire could have sworn she heard some huge rocks fall somewhere…

"Umm…Alex, did you call your mother yet? You know she's waiting…"
"I know, I know, but it's not that easy. She's been lying to me all my life…"
"And there's nothing you can change about that! Come on, talk to her…"
"Ok, I will call her later…"
"Call her now…"

"But what if she wants to meet me? I can't do that! Not alone…"

"You know what? Since Tess and Nick are here why don't you ask Liz if she wants to go out for dinner with all of us tonight? That way you won't have to be alone with her and it'll be neutral ground…" Alex smiled. Bryce had used that term as well…

"Ok Claire, I promise I'll call her when we've hung up…"

They talked for another couple of minutes before Claire finally put the phone down and turned around, only to look in her sister's not very happy face…

"Why do I have to have dinner with Liz Ryan?"

"What's wrong about that? Come on, do it for Alex…"

"She doesn't like me Claire…"
"That's stupid Tess" Nick then said "Why should Mum not like you? You're a great person and she knows that…I'm fine with going out to dinner. I haven't seen Mum for quite a while…" he turned around and went back outside.

Claire went over to her still unhappy sister and put an arm around her. "I know Liz is not exactly fond of you but you won't be alone with her, I promise! Come on, do it for Alex..."

"Ok, ok, I will go out but I didn't bring anything to wear for going out properly…we'll have to extend that shopping trip…"
Claire rolled her eyes. It wasn't like she had been shopping all day yesterday! But she was glad that Tess had agreed to come to dinner with them. 'You owe me big time Alex…" she thought before she said "Right, let's go then or we won't be back in time for Alex to come home…"

41

Alex looked at the phone in his hands and at the piece of paper on his desk. His lunch break was almost over and if he really wanted to invite his mother to have dinner with him and the others he would have to call her now. With a deep sigh Alex finally started dialling the number that his mother had written down for him and waited for her to pick up the phone.

"Hello?" he finally heard her say but he couldn't say anything at first.

"Hello?" he heard again and finally said "Mum…"

"Alex? Is that you?" he could hear the excitement in his mother's voice.

"Yes Mum it's me…" He said carefully.

"Oh Alex…it's so good to hear your voice…how are you?"

"I'm fine Mum. How are you? I hear you're living in Melbourne now…"

"Yes I am, there was nothing really left to keep me in Fisher and I still have quite a few friends here. Alex, can I see you?"

"Mum…"

"Alex please! I haven't seen you for so long. I know I hurt you but please forgive me. I thought I was doing the right thing…"

"It's ok Mum. I think I've learned to live with it. I've met Bryce…"

"I know, he told me…"

"Listen Mum, Claire had a great idea. Why don't we all go out for dinner tonight?"

"Oh Alex, really? That would be so nice…"

"Nick and Tess are in town, too. I'll book a table for all of us…" Alex could hear his mother breathing in when he mentioned Tess's name but she didn't say anything. It looked like she was keeping quiet for once in her life. He told his mother where he'd book and they agreed to meet there at 8.

After finishing the phone call Alex sighed. That was done. Now he only needed to go home on time to prepare for the evening.

When he entered his apartment shortly after 6 he could already hear Tess's voice as he opened the door. He smiled. He had missed her energy and chattiness. They had more than once gotten on his nerves when they had been together shortly after Tess had come home but now he was glad to hear her voice.

"Honey, I'm home!" He shouted as he closed the door.

"Oh stop it Ryan…" was Claire's answer from the balcony. "Come out here and say hello to your brother and my sister…"

So he just dropped his briefcase on the floor and joined the others outside. Tess jumped up and gave him a huge hug and he could see Nick's surprised face.

"It's so good to see you Alex. You look great!" Tess said after she had gotten away from him. Nick still hadn't said a word. Finally he pulled himself together. "Hey, who are you and what have you done to my brother?" He said smiling while looking up and down at Alex's appearance.
"Why, what's wrong with me?" Alex asked confused.

"Look at you Alex, you're wearing a suit and tie, proper shoes, you have a really nice haircut and you're shaved!"

Alex laughed "Well, what did you expect? I'm working for and insurance company, don't think they'd like it if I showed up in jeans and unshaved…" He walked over to his brother "Come on Nick, I haven't seen you in ages! I want a proper hello…" and he pulled Nick up and they hugged. "You don't look too bad yourself little bro. Good to see you!"

They all sat down again and Alex asked "So, what have you done all day?"

Claire rolled her eyes "More shopping! My feet are killing me!"

"We got a gorgeous dress for Claire for tonight…" Tess started.

"More dresses? You turning into a girly girl now Claire?" Alex just had to tease her.

"Oh shut up Alex, it wasn't really my choice going shopping with those two here…" Claire pointed to Nick and Tess with her head. "But at least I also got my birthday present for you…"

"Talking about my birthday…has she told you about the birthday party on Thursday? I reckon you'll still be in town then so you're invited of course…"Alex said to Nick and Tess.

"Yes, Claire told us and yes, we'll still be here…" Nick said.

"Alex, I've told our siblings that we'll be driving home on Saturday and of course Tess insisted on coming with me…"
"Don't think I'll ever let you drive anywhere without me till that baby is born! You scared me enough!"

"Let me finish Tess! Where was I…ah, yes, Tess said she'd come with me so I thought why don't we all drive home by car? The four of us together. You and me can take your car and Nick and Tess can take the Merc. That way we could also get more of your stuff moved right away…" Claire looked at Alex. She didn't really know how Alex would react to their idea.

"Sounds like you've made a lot of plans today…but it's a good idea. Otherwise I would have had to come back and drive the car home alone…"

"See Claire, it WAS a good thing Nick and I came down here then…" Tess said.

"Don't think we'll really agree on that Tess…" Claire said to her sister. Then she remembered something. "Oh Alex, I forgot to ask you if you called Liz?"

He sighed. "Claire…"
"Don't tell me you didn't call her and I bought that dress for nothing…" Alex laughed "No Claire, I did call her. We'll be meeting her at the restaurant at 8…"
"8? Jeez Alex, couldn't you say that earlier? We all still need to get ready and there's only 1 bathroom here!" Tess jumped up and ran inside.

"Not everybody needs as much time as you Tess…" was Claire's comment to that which got her a huge laugh from the boys.

'God I've missed this!' Alex thought as he looked at Claire and his brother. He finally sat down next to Claire and put his arm around her.

"Hey McLeod, I haven't had my welcome home kiss yet…" he said with a wink.

"And you think you deserve it…" Claire moved closer to Alex and their faces were only a few centimetres apart now.

"Yes I do…" Alex said and closed the last gap between them as he gently touched Claire's lips with his. They both completely forgot about Nick who was still on the balcony with them…