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You can finally read the next chapter. I did it, it's online. I hadn't had the time to finish this earlier but the next part is already in progress.
Have fun reading this part. Please R+R.

Thanks: to my alltime favourite beta, Isi. I can't thank you enough for spending your time at my work. It was nice to meet you in person. Beside of that I want to thank all the people who already read this story and reviewed in person or on this homepage.

Disclaimer: Not mine.

6. One Last Time

Alex arrived at Killarney. He couldn't believe this would be the last time he would come home to Killarney. From now on he would be a guest here.

He had only moved out once after he found out the truth about Nick's accident. He had done that out of anger and had come back after he had sorted out the problems between him und Harry. After he had moved back in, he had planned to stay on Killarney forever, to keep the farm going when Harry would die one day, to raise his children here and to get burried here someday. But that wouldn't happen anymore. He changed this plans in a few seconds yesterday without a doubt. Deep insinde Alex knew that he wanted to be at Claire's side no matter where that side would be. "I'm going to move in on Drovers Run." Alex thought.

Alex got out of his ute. He already felt like a guest, only a guest. This wasn't home to him anymore although he had only spend one night at Drovers Run he had bond to it immediatly after his talk with Claire last night. Alex was in a hurry. He wanted to start the work on his new room as a suprise for Claire when she would be back from her appointment.

Alex supposed Harry would be in his study now. He normally did some paperwork at this time of the day. So Alex entered the house, greeted his mother who was in the kitchen and went into Harry's study. As he had supposed Harry was sitting behind his desk and checked the order for animal food.

"Hey dad." Alex greeted his father and came straight to the point then. "I have to talk to you. As you know Claire and I have plans. I'm going to move in on Drovers Run. So I want to leave Killarney as soon as possible today."
"I've seen this coming since you and Claire informed us yesterday about your engagement." Harry shortly answered.
"I will make everything ready for the devolution of my work and my duties today."
"There's no reason to hurry. I already have prepared the papers. You just have to sign them." Harry took a folder from his desk and handed it over to Alex. "In this folder is everything you have to sign." Harry explained. "You know, you could still work on Killarney if you want to. Otherwise I will inform Jake that he will do your part of the work from now on. Beside of that Liz and I agreed that you will get the money of your fund. It's a start for your family." Harry answered with a smile on his face. It was obvious once more: Harry was happy to be a grandfather soon.
"Thanks dad." Alex shortly answered because he was touched by his father's words. He couldn't find the right words. He had never thought that his father could be so generous. One baby could change everything, particuarly Harry Ryan. Long before when Alex lied about the fatherhood it already changed himself. He hadn't been this happy for a long time. "I will sign the papers now and pack my stuff then. After that I will go back to Drovers Run and do some work at the house. It needs some fixing. Do you mind if I take some material from Killarney to do that work?" Alex started again after he had got grip of himself again.
"Sure you can take some materials. Anything else I can do for you? Otherwise I would leave you now. I have an appointment in Gungellan and have to go now. You can leave the folder on the table when you are done." Harry answered
"No dad, nothing else. See you, dad" Alex said.
"See you, my son." Harry said proudly and left the room.

Alex opened the folder and started to sign the papers. After he had finished that he went into his old room and put his stuff into boxes.
Liz entered his room while he packed his stuff. "May I help you?" Liz asked.
"Sure. Grab a box and put some clothes in it." Alex answered.
So Liz started to help him with the packing. After a while she had an old teddy bear of Alex in her hands. When she noticed the teddy bear a tear came by her eye and rolled down her cheek. She was overwhelmed by memories and emotions she combined to this teddy bear.
Alex noticed the teddy bear and his mothers reaction. He could only imagine what she combined to the teddy bear.
"Look what I found, Alex. Mr Spock is still alive. Haven't seen him for a long time." Liz started after she got grip of herself again. "Do you remember the Gungellan-Fair when you got it. Harry won him at the lottery and gave it to you. You and Harry were so happy that day. I wished your relationship would have stayed that way forever but it changed. You know, this time you made him happy." Liz told Alex and was once more overwhelmed by her feelings. Tear after tear rolled down her cheeks.
Alex went to his mother and hugged her. He hadn't seen this coming and didn't know what to say. So he just stood in front of his mother and hugged her.
After some time Liz got calmer and started to talk again. "And you are happy too. I can see it in your face."
Alex was touched by his mothers words. After all she knew him very well.
After Alex and Liz were back to normaly they started to pack again.

3 hours later Alex' things were packed in boxes and loaded up on his ute. He said his good bye to Liz and drove off to Drovers Run. His new life would start now.

To be continued ...