Happy Harry has gone...Smug Harry returns...
Tess is as happy as she's ever felt in her entire life.
In just under an hour Nick will be safely back in her arms and she's never going to let him go anywhere ever again.
She stands in the hallway looking at the large wedding photo on the wall .
Alex, Stevie, herself and Nick they all looked so happy.
Tess smiles thinking about the lead up to the wedding and the huge fight Alex and Stevie had but looking at the picture you would never know.
...
Looking at herself and Nick she can almost see the love they felt for each other that day.
Reaching up she touches his face in the photo. " Oh Husband I love you."
" I hope you heard what he replied because I didn't." Stevie quips.
Tess turns and smiles at her friend and says. "I did actually and he also said tell your friend to get a move on or you'll be late."
Stevie smiles and asks. " Are you sure you want me to come with you Tess wouldn't you prefer to be on your own with him."
" Stevie! Alex will be there so you can keep him busy while I'm kissing my husband." Tess states.
Stevie asks. "Is Harry going to be there too?"
Tess nods and Stevie says. "Great my day just got so much better."
They both laugh as they head out to the car.
...
As the plane prepares for landing Alex says . "Here you go mate; home."
Nick smiles and says . " I just want to hold Tess in my arms and never let her go again."
Alex quips . " I don't know about you letting her go but I know sure as a duck quacks she won't be letting you out of her sight ever again."
Nick looks over at his brother and asks. "So when do I get to meet Fiona?"
Alex looks at him and replies. " I want to speak to Stevie first and then I'll fly to Melbourne ."
Nick grins.
Alex smiles as he looks back out the window.
He's so looking forward to seeing Stevie but is dreading catching up with Fiona but it's been an emotional couple of weeks and he's sure once he sees her again everything will be ok.
...
" Kate can you pass me a swab please." Dave asks.
Bending Kate unwraps it and hands it too him.
"So do you want a lift over to Kilarney this afternoon?" Dave asks.
" Ahh I don't know Dave are you going to drive me back tonight and give me a goodnight kiss?" Kate says jokingly, shocking herself as the last syllable leaves her lips.
He looks surprised and then grins at her and replies. "I think I could manage that."
She blushes.
He grins and says. "Kate you just blushed that's so cute."
" I have to go and get ready." She says her heart pounding.
As she walks away he calls. " Make sure you wear strawberry lip gloss it's my favourite."
She feels her face burn , her breath quicken and her heart doing the cha cha in her chest.
Oh god was he serious or just playing.
She feels sick.
...
As the plane taxi's to a stop the girls stand watching.
" I thought Harry was going to be here?" Stevie states.
" They're ten minutes early Stevie." Tess offers.
Tess moves forward her smile bright as Nick comes into view around the back of the plane.
Alex chuckles as he walks passed them locked in a passionate welcome home kiss.
"Hey Stevie! Where's my welcome home kiss?" Alex calls cheekily.
" No kiss for you Ryan but you can have a hug!" She calls back.
He laughs and drops the bags he's carrying and runs at her picking her up and spinning around.
" Ah the conquering hero returns." She giggles.
" How do you feel?" She asks.
He looks into her eyes and he so wants to kiss her.
She smiles up at him and he's certain she feels the same.
Temptation draws him towards her .
" What in the hell are you doing?" Fiona growls.
Alex turns with Stevie still in his arms and says " Fi ! What are you doing here?'
" Well if you put her down I'll tell you!" She snarls.
...
Tess and Nick have walked up to them.
As Alex puts Stevie back onto the ground Tess grabs Stevie's discarded crutches for her.
Fiona is glaring at Stevie and you could cut the air with a knife.
Harry is standing off to one side grinning watching the show.
Tess moves straight over to Alex and hugs him and says . " Alex thank you for bringing him home to me."
He hugs her back and says. " You're welcome Tess."
Nick has taken Stevie into his embrace saying loudly. "I heard you never gave up hope that I was alright unlike some."
Stevie almost laughs knowing Nick means Fiona .
It's a direct dig whether she knows it or not.
...
Nick moves over to his Father and hugs him and says. " Good to see you Dad."
"Good to see you too son. We've organized a little party for you on Kilarney." Harry offers.
" Oh good what time is that?" Nick asks.
" Now ." Harry replies.
Nick looks straight at Alex knowing he wanted this time to spend with Stevie.
Fiona is mauling him and he looks uncomfortable.
Stevie has started to hobble back over to the car.
" Stevie wait up." Alex calls.
Running over to her he says . " I need to speak to you privately Stevie."
She looks at him and he can feel the sadness in her eyes and he knows she's trying to cover it up when she quips. " I don't think Miss Fancy pants is going to let that happen Alex. Might be time to end our friendship because she isn't going to let it continue or if she does it won't be for long."
" Stevie ." He says with a warm, softness in his voice. "Nothing or no one will ever come between us because I feel you here."
He points to his heart and she wants to kiss him, regardless of the fact that she can feel Fiona's eyes boring into them.
She nods holding back tears and continues onto the car.
...
Many from the district turn out to welcome Nick home.
Some ask Alex about his engagement, Fiona gushes about their whirlwind romance.
She sticks to him like glue and he feels smothered.
An hour into the festivities Stevie walks over to Harry. " Thanks for inviting me Harry I'm off home now."
Harry looks at her and says " I thought you'd have more back bone."
Stevie looks puzzled and says " Sorry?"
Harry glances around to make sure no one is nearby and then nodding towards Alex and Fiona he says. " You're in love with him aren't you. I thought you'd fight for him."
Her face goes twenty shades of red.
Through clenched teeth she growls . " I knew you were up to something. You set him up didn't you? I bet you invited her here hoping I'd react. Well your wrong Harry I wouldn't do anything to cause him pain."
She curses as she tries to move quickly away from him.
He smiles watching her run away knowing Alex will follow leaving Fiona high and dry.
...
Kate is standing chatting to Jodi, Rob and a couple of other locals when Dave joins them.
Handing Kate a glass of champagne he states. "There you go Kate some champagne it even has strawberries in it. Hope you like strawberries. It's my favourite flavour."
He winks at her.
Without losing eye contact she sips and then licks her lips and says." Very yummy."
He chuckles.
Jodi has a puzzled look on her face.
She thinks she just witnessed something but she isn't sure what it is.
...
" Stevie where are you going mate?" Alex calls.
Fiona firmly holds his arm.
" Away from here as fast as I can!" She calls back.
Alex moves to run after her and Fiona pulls him back.
Looking at her she states. " Let her go this is our day."
Frowning he peels her hand off his arm and says " No it isn't it's Nicks day."
...
" Stevie wait up." He calls watching her throw her crutches into the tray of the Ute.
Stopping but not turning she stands head down.
" Why are you leaving Stevie I wanted to talk to you?" Alex states.
" I've got work to do. I need to get back."She says softly.
Reaching out he places his hand on her shoulder and says. " Stevie what's wrong?"
Shaking her head she replies. " Nothing Alex."
"Stevie?" He pleads.
He feels great sadness when she finally looks at him.
He's seen her cry before and he knows she's close to that know.
Softly she says. " I can't tell you how but Harry is trying to split you and Fiona up."
He looks angry and says " Why would you say that Stevie? She's everything he'd want in a daughter in law!"
She looks exhausted and he can tell she's at breaking point when she whispers. " Alex search your heart and if you truly love her get her as far away from here, as quickly as you can."
Without giving him the chance to respond she climbs into her car and drives off.
...
Two chapters to go :) Are you enjoying the story so far?