Chapter 8.
Jodi looked at her friend, with sympathy. 'You miss him, don't you?' Stevie looked up at her. Her brown eyes telling her enough, the slight nod with her face. Of course she missed him.

'Sorry that I wasn't there, there for you', Jodi quietly exclaimed. 'I've missed so much.'

She saw how Stevie smiled gently at her, obviously not needing the words to tell her it was okay. 'You know when we talked, just before I left. I really made a wish for you there, that you two would sort things out', a small smile played on her lips; 'I don't even know how you two got together.'

Stevie lowered her gaze for a moment. Her lips curling up to the memory which appeared in her mind. 'Just then, just when you had left. I guess you and Matt gave us the last needed kick. Why be so stubborn when you just want to be together?' Talking about it, she seemed rather serene. Her fingers still playing with her ring. 'He told me to meet him later on. He took me away in his chopper to fields full with canola', she now grinned; 'to tell me he loved me'.

'You're kidding', Jodi let out amused and surprised at the same time, seeing how telling this made Stevie's eyes lit up. 'Since when did Alex Ryan become a romantic? The most romantic thing I can remember Alex ever doing was bringing his laundry over for Tess to wash and iron it. Can't remember him doing anything romantic when he was with Claire either, apart from turning Drovers into a mess'.

Jodi chuckled, feeling how Stevie hit her leg.

'Alex had his very romantic ways', she let out forcefully, smiling though. Jodi looked at her in disbelieve. 'No really, I wished you would have seen what he had planned to propose me. He just wanted it to be perfect, both dressed up, rowing in a boat over the water to have a romantic dinner during the sun setting in the sky and than popping the question. Well that all didn't happen; in the end we ended up in the mud.' Jodi laughed, big eyes staring at Stevie who now giggled too; 'really that was the most romantic thing of all. And during our honeymoon, our sort of wedding night; candles everywhere. He always wanted everything to be perfect.'

She smiled, just the memory that warmed her heart.

'God impressive. I guess with the right woman ...', Jodi smiled, reaching out to squeeze her hand.

Stevie smiled thankfully; 'and you? I've missed heaps between you and Matt, obviously ...', she grinned, referring towards Jodi's swollen belly.

'Well we did marry, not too much of a fancy wedding, but it was perfect anyway', a dreamy look appeared on the McLeod's face. 'Yes, it was perfect.' She sighed, clearly, her lower arm circling around her belly again.

'You do miss him too don't you? When is he coming?', Stevie asked.

'Not sure, he is rounding up some stuff. He says he'll be here soon ...', her voice trailed off. Jodi couldn't remember feeling like this before. Bloody pregnancy hormones made her almost cry.

'Ask him to come home, as soon as possible. He will understand', Stevie spoke as she leaned forwards and rested her hand onto Jodi's lower arm. Jodi breathed in as Stevie pressed out a supportive and understanding smile.

'Can I? Can I really ask him that?', Jodi said quietly.

'Yes you can and believe me, you need him with you ...', she swallowed hard, her eyes dropping to spot the sheets and to fight the upcoming tears. The memory and feelings suddenly so vividly in her mind.

'I'm sorry Stevie.'

Stevie brushed her hair wildly back, licked her lips quickly and rolled her eyes up to win the battle. Sniffing and looking at the ceiling shortly. A moment later she showed Jodi a smile, breathing out; 'you two will be fine. Just enjoy every bit okay?' Jodi nodded to her friend's words. 'In the meantime, what on earth am I going to do with Russ?' She looked meaningful into Jodi's eyes.

The blonde McLeod showed a smile; 'Some wise woman once told me you can't be told what to do. It has to come from you, just follow your heart.'

Touched Stevie showed her a soft, tender smile; 'thanks. Sometimes you need to get reminded of your own advice.' She pinched her friend's arm softly. 'And wise woman, well we surely came a long way. What ever happened to the good old days you called me a slave driver?' She grinned now.

'Well, that depends if you gonna ask me to help you clean the troughs', Jodi chuckled.

'I bet you have better things to do', Stevie spoke. Both knowing she was referring to Matt.