62

The party was long over and all the guests had gone home. Tess was already sound asleep and only Claire and Alex were still awake thanks to their daughter. Claire sat on the bed leaning against the headboard Charlotte cradled in her arms eagerly sucking on one of her Mum's breasts. Alex stood at the end of the bed watching his wife and child with a smile on his face lost in his thoughts.

"Penny for your thoughts…" Claire got him out of his gaze and Alex looked into her deep blue eyes.

"I was just thinking what a lucky man I am. Two weeks ago I was a lonely man in a big city and here I am today with a wonderful wife and a beautiful daughter…"

"I know how you feel. It's amazing, isn't it? Two weeks ago I was about to be a single Mum trying to run a property from behind a desk…I'll be so glad when I can back out and do some real work!"

"Take it easy Claire, you've got me to help you now so you don't have to do everything on your own. And besides, it looks like Tess knows what she's doing, give her a chance to prove it."

"I can't just sit here and do nothing Alex! I will go nuts!"

"I didn't tell you to do nothing, just slow down a bit. You have a daughter now who wants your attention…" this conversation wasn't going where Alex had hoped it would. "Let's stop arguing about it now. We'll just have to see how we can work everything out, all right?" he didn't want to fall asleep with them being angry at each other so he changed the subject "Tess told me earlier today she wants to move her things to the downstairs bedroom tomorrow."

"Yeah I know" Claire said and handed Charlotte to Alex. "Have you thought about getting the rest of your stuff from Killarney over here?" They had talked about it but Alex had never really answered her about what he intended to do. He hadn't spoken to Harry ever since the day he found out Harry was not his father and the disaster with the money sure hadn't helped their relationship.
Alex just grumbled when Claire mentioned Killarney.

"You gotta talk to him at one point, Alex…he's still your Dad!"

"I don't know if he still is Claire…I've been away for so long…"

"There's only one way to find out, you know? Talk to him!"

"I never thought Claire McLeod would be the talking kind of woman…" Alex teased her.

"You know, with Tess living here I've found out that sometimes talk DOES actually help…" Claire got up from the bed and helped Alex put Charlotte to bed. They had decided to leave her crib in their bedroom for now till everything had settled down.

"She's perfect, isn't she?" Alex said and Claire could hear the love in his voice. She smiled.

"You know, I always knew you were nothing but a huge softie underneath your hard shell…" Claire said and kissed Alex. "I love you"

"I love you too Claire and I still can't believe we're married!" He pulled her closer and placed another kiss on her lips.

"Oh, that reminds me of something…" Claire slipped out of Alex's arms and went over to her dressing table and opened one of the drawers. "Where is it? I knew I had it somewhere in here…ah, there it is!" she said and turned around with a little blue paper box in her hand. She had a huge smile on her face.

"What's that?" Alex wanted to know.

"Come and have a look!" Claire told him and carefully opened the box. When Alex looked inside he saw a simple golden ring…the wedding band he had given Claire 10 years ago.

"You still have that?" He was surprised. After all she had wanted the annulment.

"I couldn't give it away…you wanna put it back where it belongs?" she asked and raised her head to look in his eyes.

"Oh yeah!" was Alex answer as he took the ring from the box and put it on Claire's left ring finger where his engagement ring was.

"This feels so good Alex…" Claire was close to tears now. Having her wedding ring back on her finger felt so right. "At least one of us is truly married now…" she laughed away the tears in her eyes.

"Mine is over at Killarney in my old room…" Alex said kissing Claire's hand. "I think I really need to go there soon…" he moved his lips from her hand to her neck and on to her lips. Then he took her in his arms. They stood there for several minutes just holding each other tight till Claire said "We should try and sleep a bit Alex, it won't be long and BOM's awake again…"

So they slipped into bed and Claire curled up in Alex's arms. She took one more look at the rings on her left hand and faded to sleep with a smile…

63

The next day was moving day for both Alex and Tess. They had cleared the downstairs bedroom the day before so Tess could move her things in there and Alex had started to unpack the boxes he had brought from Melbourne. When Tess's furniture was all out of her old room an inside the new room with Nick's and Alex's help her and Claire began to move everything else. Alex decided that the ladies were able to do that on their own and made the decision to drive over to Killarney and get his things from there. He knew he'd probably have to face Harry but as strange as it seemed he had somehow missed him. Claire had been right, Harry was his Dad. And even though he'd not been the best Dad in the world he was still the one that brought him up. And with the distance of 8 months Alex felt strong enough to face him again.

"Claire? I'll be over at Killarney to get my things from there…" he told his wife.

"Oh, ok…you want me to come with you?" Claire knew he was unsure about meeting Harry again.

"No, I'll be fine I think…" he leaned down to kiss her.

"Will you talk to him?"

Alex knew Claire was referring to Harry. "Not about our marriage…I have to know where we stand first."

"Ok…think we should do that together anyway. Just remember to stay calm, ok?"

They both hadn't talked to Harry since Alex had left, all matters with Killarney had gone over Nick. But Nick had never really told much personal things about Harry so neither Claire nor Alex knew how the old man would react.

Driving over to the place where he grew up Alex thought about whether the place had changed in any way. Since Liz had left it was only Harry and his staff living there now as far as he knew. Nick had told him that his old room had stayed untouched but since his brother was living and working on Wilgul he didn't know much about what was going on at Killarney either.

'Well, this still looks the same…' Alex thought when he pulled up in front of the house. Harry's car wasn't there so he was probably out somewhere. Alex was relieved. If Harry stayed out a bit longer he would be able to get most of his things packed without having to face him.

Alex took the first load of empty boxes he had brought with him and entered the house of his childhood. He took a deep breathe. The house smelled the same and the feeling of being home finally got him. Even though this place had never been as relaxed and comfy as Drovers Run it was still his home.

Still lost in his thoughts about his childhood and youth here Alex made his way up the stairs to his old room. He didn't really pay attention to where he was going not expecting anyone to be there so he almost fell down the stairs when someone ran into him.

He let the empty boxes slip to the floor and grabbed the handrail to steady himself. He heard a groan from the person he had run into and looked up.

"Sandra!"

"Bloody hell Alex, what are you doing here?"

"Well, I could ask you the same…this is my home after all!" Alex picked the boxes up again he had dropped down.

"Well, this is my home now, too!" Sandra said provokingly and Alex stopped in his actions.

"WHAT?" he couldn't believe what he had just heard. Killarney? Sandra's home? What the hell was going on here?
"Harry's asked me to move in here last week…"
"You and Dad?" Alex had to sit down. That was too much for him. Before his life had fallen apart he had flirted with Sandra quite heavily and he didn't wanna think about her being together with Harry now.

"You went away Alex. There've been quite a few changes since then…"

"Sure looks like it…Listen, I'll just get up to my old room and pack my things together…"

"Right, go ahead, you know the way. Harry should be home in about half an hour. I'm sure he wants to talk to you…"

Sandra walked past Alex heading downstairs while Alex finally gathered the empty boxes together and went to his room, still shaking his head over the news of Sandra and Harry. Did Nick know about this? Probably not, he would have told him for sure if he had…

Alex opened the door to his bedroom and took a look around. Nick had been right. Nothing had been changed in here, it was like he never left. The first thing he wanted to do was look for his wedding ring. Like Claire he had kept it, not being able to let go of what had happened. He had hidden it in a small wooden box under one of his floorboards along with the photos they had taken back then and the marriage-certificate. He wanted to get that out of the house before Harry got home and asked questions about it.

Alex found the box and couldn't stop himself from looking inside. On top of everything was the picture of him in his best suit and Claire in the most wonderful dress he had ever seen her in. He ran his fingers over the picture and closed the box again. There was enough time for looking at the rest of the things in there when he was back on Drovers.

Alex placed the wooden box on his bed and started filling up the paper boxes with the things he wanted to take with him. Just as he placed the first set of boxes in his car Harry pulled up in his ute. Alex quickly hid the small wooden box in the glove box and turned to his father's car.

"Harry…" he said and went over to him to shake his hand.

"Alex…" Harry said and took Alex's hand. "Nick told me you were back…" there was an uncomfortable silence after that.

Alex had figured his brother would do that. He wasn't sure how much Nick had told Harry but he was sure he hadn't said anything about the marriage.

"I…umm…I'm just here to get my things…" Alex broke the silence not really knowing what to say next.

"Thought so, Nick said you're staying at Drovers now."

"Did he also tell you about Claire and the baby?"

"Yes…umm…congratulations Alex…"

"Thanks." Silence again. Then Harry motioned to the house with his head and Alex nodded. They walked inside without a word and sat down in the living room.

"Harry, you're home!" When Sandra walked over to Harry and kissed him Alex could clearly see that he felt very uncomfortable. He looked at Alex and then turned to Sandra.

"Sandra, Alex and I need to talk…alone!"

Sandra moved away from him with a not very happy expression on her face. This was her territory now and she didn't wanna give that up. But after a look in Harry's face she knew this was not the time to prove anything and left.

The room was filled with silence again, neither of the two men wanted to make the first move. Finally Harry asked. "Where've you been?"

"Melbourne…" was Alex's short answer.

"Did you meet him?" Harry was referring to Bryce.

"Yes, I did…"
"Was he the reason you stayed there so long?"

"Listen Harry…I know it's not easy for you because this is just as hard as it is for me. Yes, I've met Bryce in Melbourne, quite frequently. But he was not the reason I stayed there. I…I had to find out who I was…plus I couldn't find a job here thanks to you so what should I have done?" Alex hadn't wanted to bring that topic up but he couldn't help it.

Harry looked embarrassed much to Alex's surprise.

"I know…it was a mistake Alex, sorry…"
Harry Ryan was apologizing? That was something new!

"It's ok. I think I needed it to get to know who I really am…"

"You know Alex, I've tried to cross you out of my head as my son but I couldn't…"
"I know Dad…even though you've been a lousy father at times you're still my Dad, I know that now…"

After their revelations to each other silence filled the room again till Harry got up and asked Alex "You need a hand to pack?" They both knew there were still some things that needed to be cleared but for now everything important was solved.

"Nah, I think I can manage…" Alex said with a smirk and got back to his room…

64

"WHAT?"

Alex was back on Drovers with the first load of his things and had just told Claire about Sandra living on Killarney.

"Harry and Sandra? I didn't even know they…you know…Sandra?" Claire looked at him questioning.

"I take it you didn't know about it then…"

"No! I didn't have a clue! I don't think anybody did!"

"I can understand why Harry wants her but what the heck does she see in him? He's…OLD!"

"All Sandra wants it money and power Alex, it's always been like that…"

"Claire!"

"It's true!"

Tess walked into the room and asked "What's wrong?"

"Alex ran into Sandra at Killarney!"

"What about it?" Tess was confused "Probably making business with Harry…"

"See, even Tess doesn't know!"

"Know what?"

"Sandra's living at Killarney now!" Claire still wasn't over the news.

"WHAT?" Tess was just as shocked as Claire.

They went on unpacking Alex's things to get more free boxes so he could get the rest of his stuff moved.
When Nick walked in a couple minutes later the other three jumped on him if he knew anything about Harry and Sandra. He had had the closest connection to Killarney in all those months, if he didn't know they were sure nobody knew.

Nick was as surprised as the others when he heard about Sandra and Harry. He was also probably the most hurt that his father hadn't told him. After all the work he'd put into Killarney while Alex was away he thought that Harry could at least have told him! He was really mad at Harry now…

A few minutes later the phone rang and Alex jumped up to get it. Charlotte was sleeping and they were all enjoying the moments of peace for a change. The little girl sure knew how to run everybody in the house off their feet.

When he came back he had the speaker covered with one hand and whispered to Claire "Harry asks if you would mind to bring the baby over later when we get the rest of my things…"

Claire rolled her eyes and sighed "Do we have to?"

"We'll have to get it over with at one point, too many people know by now. Why not now?"

"She's only 2 days old Alex…"
"I know, he can't kill us when we have her with us." Alex smirked.

Claire sighed again. She knew Alex was right. "Ok, ok, but I'm not giving any guarantee she'll behave"

Alex smiled and left the room again to tell Harry they'd be coming over later.

2 hours later Claire and Alex pulled up at Killarney with Charlotte and a couple of empty boxes in the backseat. They had taken the Merc since Alex's car didn't have a backseat for Charlotte's car seat. They hoped they could get Alex's remaining things in here.

"Ready?" Alex asked Claire. She nodded and got out of the car. Claire had breastfed her daughter just before they had left so she hoped the little girl would be asleep for a while now.

Harry had heard the car pull up and was now walking through the front door.

"Claire! So good to see you! How are you?"

Harry had reached her now and Claire took the hand he offered her while Alex was getting BOM.

"I'm fine Harry, thanks for asking. A little tired but I guess that's normal…"

"And this is my granddaughter?" Harry then turned to Alex who was carrying Charlotte in her seat.

"Sshh Dad, she just fell asleep. We should go inside so you can have a proper look, ok?" Alex said and walked inside the house.

Sandra was waiting for them inside. She looked like she didn't feel very comfortable.

"Alex, Claire…" she greeted them and while Alex only nodded Claire managed to press a "Sandra…" through her teeth.

"Can I get you something to drink?" Sandra asked trying to be a good hostess and left after Claire and Alex had told her what they wanted.

There was certainly a lot of tension in the room but Harry didn't realize it. He was looking at Charlotte lost in his thoughts.

"She's beautiful Claire…" he said.

"Thanks Harry."

"Only telling the truth. So, when are you two going to get married and make this all legal?" Harry looked up at Claire and Alex.

"Dad…" Alex started "there's something we need to tell you…"
"Alex! Don't tell me you've decided to have one of those modern relationships where you decide to be together but don't want to marry. You've got to think of our reputation!"

"Calm down Dad, that's not what we were going to tell you. Let me finish, ok?" Harry only waved Alex off.

"It is true that Claire and I won't get married but…well, there is a reason to that…Dad, Claire and I are already married!" Alex had said that and then ducked his head expecting his father to explode at the news.

But unlike Liz, Harry stayed amazingly calm. Alex could see it boiling inside of him but also saw that Harry was doing his best to keep his emotions under control.

"Well, this is sure a surprise…" he finally said "When? Why didn't we all get invited?"

"Nobody was invited Harry…it happened 10 years ago…" Claire said.

"10 years ago? Why?"

So Alex and Claire told Harry the story of what had happened back then. Halfway through Sandra had come back and was now standing in the door totally shocked. Claire and Alex? Married?

After Harry and Sandra knew the basics of the circumstances Claire and Alex had gotten married in and about the annulment that had never taken place Harry got up and said "Sandra, get us champagne! This is great news! Finally Killarney and Drovers Run will become one!"

No need to say neither Claire nor Alex were happy about Harry's comment but since they both hadn't really talked about what would happen next they just kept it at that and were thankful Harry didn't make a scene like Liz had done…

65

"I'm sorry Claire…you know…for Dad's comment about uniting the properties. I should have said something…" Claire and Alex were on their way back to Drovers, the Merc filled with boxes containing the rest of Alex's belongings. His old room was completely empty now except for the furniture.

"It's ok Alex, I could have said something myself but I thought it was better to keep the peace for now. I'm just glad he didn't freak out like your mother did!" Claire turned around in her seat to take a look at BOM who was once again sound asleep in her car seat. Claire smiled.
"Think she likes driving, she fell asleep the minute we drove off…"

"It might also be the fact that you just fed her and changed her nappy…" Alex teased Claire.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. I'm glad she's asleep…?"

Alex got serious now "Claire?"

"Yeah?"

"You know…we haven't actually talked about what we're going to do now…I mean work wise. We have Charlotte now and I don't have a job right now…I know you probably don't wanna stop working but…maybe we should split your chores between us till Charlotte's a bit better to handle?" He took a quick look at Claire to see her reaction.

"Alex…" Claire said "I don't think it'll work that way…maybe you could ask Harry if you could come back to Killarney…"
"I'm not sure I want to work there when Sandra's always around…"

"And what about our training business? I had to give that up when you left but I'd really like to get it back up and running…and you'll get over Sandra!"

"Come on Claire, you wouldn't work together with her for a single minute…"

Claire laughed. Alex was right, she'd kill herself rather than working with Sandra Kinsella!

"Just talk to Harry, ok?"

"Yeah, yeah, I will…about the horse training…once I've sold my apartment I'll have some money we could put into that…"

Claire smiled. "Shall we make it a deal then? You ask Harry if he needs you and once you've got your money we try and start reviving that business of ours…after all we still have a contract!"

Alex agreed and was glad he had something to look forward to. Right now he was happy with playing Dad for a little while till he found the courage to ask Harry for a job. If only Claire would take some time off as well but he'd bet once this week was over and Claire had fully recovered from the birth she'd be back out doing her work again.

Back on Drovers Charlotte was put straight to bed by her parents while Tess, Jodi and Becky unloaded the Merc. Meg was in the kitchen preparing dinner.

"Alex? Where do we put all this stuff? It won't all fit in the master bedroom, that's for sure!" Tess asked as she entered the nursery.

"Sshh Tess, she's just fallen asleep again and I'd like to keep it that way!" Claire whispered.

"Just put them in your old room, I will unpack them tomorrow…" Alex said and Claire nodded in agreement.

So the girls put all the boxes with Alex's things in Tess's former bedroom and just when they were finished Meg called them all to dinner.

While eating Claire and Alex had to tell everybody what had happened at Killarney and how Harry had reacted to the news about their marriage. They also filled them in on the fact that Sandra was now living on Killarney. Like earlier today that news left a lot of people really surprised. They all wondered if there would be a wedding on Killarney soon.

Then Tess started to talk about how unfair it was that she was never invited to her sister's wedding.

"You know, it's not fair what you did 10 years ago…you could have at least had a party for everyone!"

"That was our original plan Tess but you know how that ended…and besides you wouldn't have been invited then anyway…remember, I hadn't seen you in over 10 years!"

"I know Claire but I still would have liked to see you in a wedding dress…"

"Oh, I can help you with that…" Alex said and got up. He left the dining room and came back a few minutes later with the wooden box that had been in the glove box the whole day. He opened the box and handed the picture of Claire and him on their wedding day to Tess.

"You still have that?" Claire was really surprised. "I thought you would have burned it after I made you sign the papers…"

"I couldn't Claire, I just couldn't" Alex said and their eyes locked when he took Claire's hand.

"That's a nice dress Claire but still not a real wedding dress…" Tess said looking up from the picture in her hand. She passed it on so Meg, Jodi and Becky could see it, too.

"It's a dress Tess, what more do you want?"

"I just wish I could have been at my sister's wedding…now you're married and nobody had fun!"

"I'm sorry Tess but I can't change that now…and to be honest I don't want to change it. I'm glad Alex and I are still married, it makes so many things so much easier…"

Suddenly Jodi had an idea "Why don't you guys remarry? I mean, renew your vows or something. After all you haven't really been together all those years…"
"You know what Jodi, that is a great idea!" Tess said and had a huge smile on her face.

"Oh no no no no!" Claire said, "I'm not doing that! I'm glad we had a small wedding then and I don't want another one…"

"Oh come on Claire! If you don't wanna do it for yourself do it for me…for all of us here! We would really like to see you walk down that aisle, right girls?"

As everybody around them including Alex nodded, Claire punched him "Hey, you're supposed to be on my side here, Ryan!"

"Come on Claire, I'd love to see you walk down that aisle again…this time with our family and friends present!"

"But I hate things like that!"

"Claire…" Tess took her sister's hand. "You can have the wedding you want to have…simple and only family and friends but please, PLEASE do it! For me?" She looked at Claire like a puppy which made Claire laugh.

"Ok, ok, but you have to organize everything! I have enough to do with BOM and work! You wanted it, you take care of it!" she said and got up, accidentally throwing Alex's wooden box to the floor. The wedding ring fell out and rolled over the floor till it stopped at Claire's left foot. She picked it up and smiled at Alex. "Shall I put it back where it belongs?" she said and the smile on her face got even broader.
"Go right ahead McLeod…" Alex said and offered Claire his left hand.

Claire slipped the simple golden ring on Alex's ring finger and kissed his hand like he had done with hers. Their gazes locked and they became completely oblivious of the world around them. Alex pulled Claire in for a long kiss and whispered "I love you Claire!" against her lips.
"I love you two Alex!" Claire replied.

Then the cheering and whistling and loud clapping brought them back to reality.

They all sat back down and started talking about what needed to be done for the wedding and how long it would take. They argued about the date till Claire said that if she had to go through with this she at least wanted to look good on her wedding day so they finally agreed on a date 10 weeks later…