Drover's to Hospital ...turbulent times ahead...
Stevie's life had changed instantly.
With her scream for Nick to help the entire house had woken.
Within two weeks Alex had numerous tests done, surgery and his body had been loaded with anti biotic.
Stevie knew more than she wanted to know about absences on the brain.
Initially they'd all thought it was the bough hitting him on the night of the storm that had been responsible for the blindness.
Nick had been fantastic and Tess and the girls too.
Arriving at the hospital Nick had advised Stevie to take her new ring from her right hand and place it on her left finger so everyone naturally thought it was an engagement ring and as such Stevie had full access to Alex as he went through the hospital system.
...
Kilarney ...A portion of discomfort for everyone...
Alex's life had changed dramatically too .
For the first time in his adult life he'd lost his independence.
Now in the third week he was back on Kilarney still sightless and he had begged Stevie to come with him.
Harry Ryan was slightly sympathetic to his son, but not so with her being there too.
They'd been told the sight would come back once the swelling had gone down in the brain but as yet nothing.
Alex had convinced himself this was it!
His life would be spent in a dull dark metal grey with only slight shadows.
He grew impatient with himself, Harry and sometimes Stevie.
But she never wavered.
...
"Right Alex it's time to get up we've got a lot of work to do today." Stevie said.
"Yeah great Stevie and what am I supposed to do?" He grumbled.
"Get out of this room and this house and get some sunshine and fresh air for starters and keep me company for seconds." She retorted deciding enough was enough.
He mumbled something and she ignored him.
Gathering up his clothes she laid them on the bed and walking to his side of the bed pulled the doona back.
"Hey what are you doing?"He yelped.
"Get out of the bed Alex now." She scolded him.
...
Tears slide down her face as she watched him but she held her voice firm not wanting him to know how difficult this was for her too.
As he stands she takes his arm and leads him into the bathroom.
"You can do this on your own tomorrow morning. In the middle of the night you manage to get here without a light so tomorrow you're on your own." She explains.
"What so you're not going to help me?" He accuses.
"That's exactly what I'm doing Alex. What if your sight doesn't come back? Are you going to sit around and do nothing? Because I sure as hell don't want a husband that's happy to sit on his duff all day while I do the work."She retorts then adds. "The sooner you stop feeling sorry for yourself the better off we'll both be."
"As if you'll marry me now?" He growls.
She's extremely quiet and he knows he's hurt her feelings but he's frustrated about his life.
Just when he thought he had it all under control it had all disappeared.
...
Week four and he's made loads of progress.
He actually gets Stevie to help set his clothing up the night before and he's beginning to move around the kitchen with Rhonda offering up directions too.
Harry Ryan almost sneers watching him stumbling about.
How in the hell can he run a farm like this.
Stevie speaks to Alex about all aspects of the farm and between them they're doing a great job of running Kilarney.
Harry is unimpressed with having two people to do one job.
...
Stevie arrives in the kitchen and greets everyone then turning to Harry says. "I've organized for Nat and the boys to unload the stock when it arrives and Nick is coming over to help."
"Why where are you going to be?" Harry asks his dislike of her clear.
"Alex and I are going riding." She replies.
"Riding?" Harry quips. "What are you trying to kill him? He can't even make a cup of coffee and you're going to stick him on a horse. You're more of a fool than I thought you were."
"Don't speak to her like that Harry." Alex warns.
"Stevie I don't think I'm ready to ride horses."Alex offers.
Placing her hand on his shoulder she offers confidently. "Alex I would never put you in harm's way. You are more than ready for this and I will be with you every step. Blind or not your life has to be full of experience and adventure. I will not watch you shrivel up from boredom."
...
Rhonda smiles while listening to Stevie.
Thank god Alex has her around.
She pushes him and makes him feel needed and important.
Most of all she doesn't let him feel sorry for himself.
...
Outside Stevie has the horses ready and offers. "Here are your reins and there's your stirrup if you end up facing the other way I'll let you know."
He grins at her attempt at humour.
"Ok that was easy enough. Now what?" He asks.
"I know you won't like it but I've put a lead rope on him just until you get used to the sensation. I've tried riding around with my eyes closed Alex and its pretty freaky." She offers.
He feels stupid and really doesn't want to do this but he knows it's all been so very hard on her too and she has tried to keep him involved in everything she does.
Plus Harry's being negative about it and he'll do anything to prove him wrong.
...
She's right the movement of the horse without sight feels really strange at first but after half an hour he's feeling comfortable.
"Right Stevie let's give a trot a go." He states.
She searches his face and asks. "Are you sure Alex because I thought we'd just walk today?"
"No come on I want to go faster."He pushes.
"I don't know Alex I think we should take it slow for a while."She replies.
"We trot or you take me back." He argues.
"But Alex..."She begins.
He pulls the reins up and growls. "Take me back now!"
"No it's ok if you think you're ready."She says softly.
He kicks the horse into a trot she's right with him.
"Faster Stevie." He yells.
"No Alex."She calls.
Ignoring her he yells for the horse to move faster.
As they quickly glide into a canter, she watches as he loses balance.
Before she can pull them up he slides over and flips off onto the ground.
Although the ground is soft he hits hard.
In one swift movement she stops and swings down beside him.
"Oh God Alex are you alright?"She exclaims.
Sitting up he snarls. "I'm bloody fantastic Stevie what do you think."
Even though she's furious, concern takes over as she helps him to his feet.
He pushes her away and says. "I can stand on my own I'm not a bloody baby."
...
She doesn't say a word.
He feels her hand giving him the reins and her other hand guides his to the stirrup.
Mounting up she turns them for home.
A couple of times he tries to engage her in conversation.
Nothing.
...
Nat, Nick and the boys have just finished unloading the cattle when Stevie and Alex ride in.
Nick can see something is horribly wrong.
Alex is covered in mud and grass and Stevie has tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Stevie what's wrong?"Nick asks.
She shakes her head and just looks so sad.
Dismounting her horse she moves around to help Alex off.
Then without another word moves off to unsaddle the horses.
...
Nick walks Alex back to the house but brushed his clothing off and asks. "What happened Alex?"
"She took me riding I made the horse canter. She only wanted to walk. I fell off and she hasn't spoken since."Alex tells Nick.
Walking into the house Harry asks. "What in the bloody hell happened to you?"
"I fell off my horse." Alex answers.
Harry is furious and rants and raves about Stevie being irresponsible.
...
Before Alex can say it was his own fault.
Harry starts yelling at Stevie who is already in tears and has just walked through the door.
She doesn't defend herself but walks over to Alex stands on her tip toes, kisses his cheek and whispers. "I'm sorry.
As she walks away he naturally looks down at his hand even though he can't see what's in it.
He feels the crown, the hands and the heart of her Claddagh ring.
"Stevie!" He yells but she's gone.
...
"She's gone Alex." Nick tells him.
"Good riddance we're better off without her." Harry smirks.
Nick glares at him.
"Nick take me to Drover's Run please?" Alex asks.
Nick shakes his head and says. "No Alex she needs some time alone.'
Alex growls. "I need to fix this Nick."
Alex is shocked when Nick yells. "No you need to treat her properly Alex all you do is hurt her and make her cry, she's bloody miserable. You're a jerk and she deserves someone who'll appreciate her and that sure as hell isn't you."
Harry snarls. "I think you're better off without her."
Alex listens as Nick yells. "Shut the hell up Harry she was your best chance for this bloody farm and for Alex. You're always sprouting about Kilarney and your legacy. You're dead in the water the pair of you without her. Personally I hope she doesn't come back because the two of you deserve to be miserable together. I'm going home."
Nick walks off.
Alex hears the back door slam and then he hears Harry walk away and the office door close.
Alone he stands in darkness and the silence closes in on him.
...