Drover's Run...Stevie's Room..
Alex knocks and quietly opens the door.
Stevie is lying face down on the bed and doesn't utter a word.
"Stevie!" He calls softly as he sits beside her on the bed.
Placing his hand on her back he realizes she's crying by the way she's breathing.
Damn!
...
"Hey... Come here.' He offers his voice low as he gently rolls her towards him.
He wraps his arms around her and whispers. "I'm so sorry Stevie I got carried away because I was so excited about us and I just didn't think."
Tears drizzle down her cheeks when she looks at him and says. "I'm excited about us too Alex. God knows I've daydreamt, wished and prayed about it for long enough, but it has to be solid between us before you announce it to the world."
He nods and gives her a tiny kiss.
Rising he grabs a tissue and hands it too her.
She wipes her cheeks and blows her nose.
"Are you still angry with me?" He ventures.
Shaking her head she replies. "No but I'm angry with myself."
He frowns and asks. "Why?
"I've turned into a god damn sook!" She replies.
Smiling he offers. "That's ok because I like it."
"What? I thought you liked me because I'm strong and independent?"She questions.
"I do but I really like seeing this side of you as well because no one else does. I like the soft girly side of you Stevie. I know more about you than anyone else and that's how it should be. Don't you think?" He explains.
"Really?" She quizzes.
He nods, leans down and kisses her and says. "I'll go and let you get some sleep and I'll see you tomorrow night."
As he begins to straighten she grabs the front of his shirt and draws him back down to kiss him, holding nothing back.
"Ok I'll see you tomorrow." She quips still holding his shirt.
He chuckles and says. "You don't want me to go do you?"
She kisses him again.
...
Tess and Nick are in their room and Nick says. "Well there's no yelling Tess so I think it's safe to go to sleep."
Tess asks. "Did you know he felt like that about her?"
"Sort of but not the marriage part that was a shock to me as well."Nick offers.
"I can see where he's coming from!" Tess says.
Yawning Nick nods and says "Yeah I can too but I think you're right it has to be different to Fiona. Stevie deserves to be romanced she's waited long enough for him to get his act together..."
Tess chuckles and says." It should be interesting to see what he'll do for her."
"How long until they're engaged?" He asks.
"Six months." Tess offers.
"Nah I reckon two. She wants it as much as he does." Nick states.
...
Alex rolls to one side of the bed dragging air into his lungs. "Oh Bunny you are sensational."
She laughs and flicks him.
"All these years, all those women and there you were right under my nose. Sensational!" He says again.
She laughs.
He snuggles into her and says. "Sweet dreams Bunny."
Inhaling she replies. "Hmm you too Pooky bear."
He laughs loudly and begs. "That's a dreadful nickname please find another one!"
...
Late Morning later in the month...
Pulling the Ute up beside the bowser Stevie puts the hand brake on.
Grabbing her wallet from the consol she climbs out.
"Morning Stevie." Moira chirps
"Morning Moira." Stevie replies.
"How's the wrist going?" Moira asks.
Looking at it Stevie replies. "Yeah not too bad I had the cast off yesterday so it feels a bit weird and look how pale it is."
Moira smiles and nods.
"Is our order ready?" Stevie asks.
"Sure is so once we've fuelled up just back in and we'll load you up." She replies then adds. "Oh and there's a letter there for you too."
"For me? Funny it didn't go to the post office? "
"Yeah, it was under the door this morning." Moira replies as she hangs up the bowser.
...
"We've got a big wind storm coming Tess." Nick offers.
"When?" Tess asks.
"Overnight so we need to get the girls back in to help secure the house." He replies.
"They'll be back for lunch Nick so it's all good." She replies.
"What about Stevie?"He asks.
"She's just doing the supply run and she'll be back too."Tess answers.
...
With the Ute loaded up Stevie farewell's Moira and grabbing the letter opens it.
Good morning! Ask Moira for number one.
Alex x
Quickly she walks inside and Moira is grinning broadly as she hands over another note and a box of chocolates.
Farewelling Moira she returns to the car.
Opens the card and reads.
Drive to the post office and ask Glenn for number two.
...
Back in the car Stevie sits the box from the post office beside her and opens the next card.
Don't open the box but take it with you to the pub and ask Jane for number three and directions to number four and five and six.
She chuckles and putting the Ute in gear drives to the pub.
"Hi Stevie." Jane calls as Stevie walks in with the box under her arm.
"Hi Jane have you got number three and can you tell me where to find four, five and six?" Stevie asks.
Jane laughs and reaching back opens the fridge and pulls out an ice bucket with champagne in it.
"There you go that's number three and you'll find four and five out in the beer garden."
"What about six?" Stevie asks.
"No idea." Jane replies.
...
Grinning Stevie grabs the bucket and walks outside.
Alex smiles as she walks towards him.
"So are you four or five?" She quips.
He kisses her and says. "I'm four and the flowers are five."
"Where's six?" She asks.
"Hang on you're getting ahead of yourself Stevie you haven't opened two!"He explains.
...
Drover's Run
Kate and Jodie unload the Ute.
"That winds picking up squirt." Jodi offers.
"Yeah I reckon we've got a storm coming look at those black clouds.
Jodi agrees and the two work quickly and head in for lunch.
...
"Tess!" Nick calls.
"I'm in the laundry Nick."She replies.
"The girls are back. I've just check the weather site and we've definitely got trouble coming our way. Oh and Alex rang and he's taking Stevie for lunch at the pub but he'll come back with her as he's already got the boys securing Kilarney." He tells her.
...
Gungellan Pub..
Alex watches as Stevie opens the cardboard box and smiles as her face lights up as she removes the jewellery box.
"Oh Alex it's beautiful." She gushes.
Leaning over she kisses him.
Looking back at the box she lifts the lid and there is another card.
Stevie in the years to come I plan on filling this with every beautiful piece of jewellery I can find.
You have your watch and now you have another piece.
I wanted to buy an engagement ring but I know you want us to take our time.
This is an Irish Claddagh ring.
The heart represents love, the hands friendship and the crown loyalty.
I'd like you to wear it on your right hand with the point of the heart towards your wrist; this indicates you are in a relationship and that your heart has been captured.
I love you Alex.
...
She smiles at him and is a little teary as he holds up the ring and slides it onto her finger.
He leans over and kisses her and whispers. "Do you feel special yet?"
She laughs.
Wiping her face she replies. "Very special Alex thank you it's beautiful."
"Right time for lunch and then back to Drover's because there's a storm coming." He states.
"I thought it was looking a bit nasty over that way." She points.
He nods and tells her about his conversation with Nick earlier.
"Aren't you going back to Kilarney Alex? I think you should if something goes wrong Harry will blame you if you aren't there." She warns.
"He'll be right the farm hands are there." He grumbles.
"Alex just ring him and talk to him."She urges.
"I don't want to talk to him Stevie I want to talk to you."He returns.
Her mouth opens in shock and she stares at him.
"What's wrong? " He asks.
"I remember! I remember what you said at the pub. What you whispered outside!"
He looks uncomfortable but states. "I don't know what you're talking about."
She grins and teases. "You said I should be kissing you not Leo!"
He looks at the ground and says. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that Stevie I was engaged and it was wrong."
"It was true though." She pushes.
He nods and asks. "Can we drop the subject Stevie? It's not one of my proudest moments."
She laughs and says. "No it wasn't was it?"
As the waitress brings their meals Stevie says. 'Oh yum my favourite."
Alex smiles.
...
Drover's Run...
By the time the two Utes pull back into Drover's Run the wind has really picked up.
Alex helps Stevie unload the Ute and Nick joins them.
"What's left to do Nick?" Alex asks above the noise of the wind.
"Tess and the girls are just moving the pot plants around the house and we're done."Nick replies then asks. "What about Kilarney?"
"It's all good I spoke to the boys before we left the pub and they're all done too. Just a wait and see game now." Alex replies.
"It's big Alex really big come and have a look at the weather site." Nick tells him.
"Is the generator fuelled up?" Stevie asks.
Nick nods and says. "Yes I did that before. Come on let's get inside."
As they run across the yard each hope that the storm that is barrelling down on them doesn't cause too much damage and that everyone stays safe.
...