A/N: DISCLAIMER: Contains heavy themes. Please proceed with caution. Tess gives birth to hers and Nick's baby, and things get more complicated between Nick, Sally, and Tess. Nick learns what true love is, the moment he holds his daughter in his arms. Thanks to Hot Coffee and Good Stories for your feedback on this story. I hope you're enjoying it. Have a fantastic day, thanks, and enjoy these two chapters. JusticeIsn'tEasy0083 D.
McLeod's Daughters
A Different Time, A Different Story
Chapter Nine: The Moment I Knew
April 1st, 2004
Drovers Run
Fisher District
Morning/Afternoon
Tess had been given the due date of April 3rd, but Dr. Gallagher said she could go late, or even early because it's her first pregnancy, however she really wanted Tess to at least reach the third. It's been hard because she wants the baby to be born, and she's also simultaneously scared of the baby being born. Claire is excited, everyone is excited about the pending birth. Everyone except the mother to be. She's still scared, and no one will take her fears seriously. Her maternity counsellor is the only one who takes her seriously, and she's tried to get Claire to listen to her, but her sister is stubborn, and it's been a busy time, and everything is hectic as, she understands. Nick has been around the last couple of days, just checking in on her, bringing her updates about Alex and Stevie in the city, they had gone away for a week, were due back tomorrow, but they've been missing them. Tess has taken to doing crafts to keep herself occupied until the baby comes. It keeps her mind from freaking out as well. But she's been desperate to get out of the house, and Dr. Gallagher has given her permission, and encouraged her, to do some light exercise. Claire of course, is overprotective. It's not like she'd stray far from the house. Claire gave birth in the barn, and Charlotte turned out alright. But Tess has to be in a hospital, it's safer for her. It's taken them about two hours to drive to Fisher, and that's on a good day. She has no idea what it would be if something else would happen. She has the birth plan, Nick has a copy, just in case something happens and she's with him. Both Nick and Tess have kept the name they chose to themselves for now, wanting to surprise people with it after she is born. Kate had been trying to guess, which basically means she's just been reading through all the names in the baby book, trying to guess what Nick and Tess had chosen. Since their conversation last month, they haven't really brought it up again, but Tess did the other day, just to clarify that Nick was still on the same page with regards to the names they had chosen. He had been and was even more emotional when Tess told him that she's hyphenating the last name, so the baby will be McLeod-Ryan. I mean, she is a part of both of them, she deserves to have both of her parents' names, and this will honour both families as well. With that out of the way, the only thing to do now, is have the baby and get on with their lives. Sally had selected a wedding date for herself and Nick, it's September 5th. When Claire received the save the date card, she had thought it was an April fools joke, but it wasn't. It's real. Tess can't stop looking at it, but also hates looking at it.
She had found her way out to where Claire was working with a new horse named Ronan, trying to break him in. She sat down on one of the bails of hay, just watching her sister work. It's fascinating to watch Claire do her things with the horses. Somehow, right now, Tess looks like she's an angel, glowing in the sunlight. Whenever Claire tells her that, she wants to roll her eyes. She's just calmly watching her sister training the horse, when Vic taps her on the shoulder, asking if he can speak with her at the house. Tess nods, waddling back to the house with Vic, whilst he's mumbling about how much he loves Claire, and Charlotte, and how he wants to be a part of their family, and hopes they'll be a part of his. Tess rolls her eyes, asks him to get to the point because she needs the toilet. Vic let her go first, pacing back and forth in the dining room when Tess returned, sitting down at the table. At first, Vic looked like he was about to leave, but then he turned around, and placed the small box down on the table, Tess' eyes widened, her mouth dropped open, she was smiling, looking up at Vic, asking him if this is what she thinks it is. He nodded, opening the box to reveal and simple diamond studded gold engagement ring. Tess burst up from her seat, excitedly hugging Vic, saying that she approves, that she wishes he'd done it sooner. That she and Charlotte have already said yes to him. Vic thanked her, then freaked out about how he was going to do it, because he wants it to be special, but he also wants it to be unique to them. Tess told him to not make it anything special, just for him to do it, when they're hanging out together, just spending time together as a family. He already knows that Claire is the one for him, he just wants to propose and get married as soon as they can. Tess agreed, clapping her hands, thanking him for giving this to her, and to Claire. He nodded back, quickly hiding the ring when he heard Claire coming. Tess lied, told her that Vic had helped her back to the house, because she was winded. That afternoon, Tess, Charlotte, Vic, Claire, and the Drovers girls were putting the final touches on the small garden around Meg's house, the woman had requested some new flowers, and Claire had agreed that it could use a spruce up. So, they're planting flowers, Tess is playing with Charlotte, they're all together, it's family. Vic stands up suddenly, brushing his hands off, the dirt falling to the garden. He asks Claire to stand up with him, everyone is looking at them, Claire frowns, but does as he asked. Vic takes her hands, Tess feels like this could make her go into early labour, but she's holding her breath.
'Claire, since the first time I saw you, I knew that there was something between us, and I know that you feel the same. You have accepted me as a part of your family, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like I'm a part of one. So, with all that said…' Vic got down on one knee, Jodi let out a squeak, the others were gaping in surprise
'Vic…'
'Claire Prudence McLeod, I love you. Will you marry me?' he asked, opening the ring, looking up at Claire, who looked at Tess who was nodding
'Yes, I'll marry you,' she managed to get out, as Vic pushed the ring onto her finger, kissing her, as the girls started screaming and cheering, and running over to hug Claire, looking at her ring, whilst Tess made Charlotte laugh and clap for her mummy and Vic.
April 2nd, 2004
Fisher District Surrounds
Fisher District
Afternoon/Evening
Claire and Vic's engagement news got around quickly, mostly thanks to the girls just telling everyone that they met. Initially, Claire was worried that Tess would be mad, because she's having the baby soon, but the younger McLeod just told her that it's all exciting. It's all happening together, and she's glad that it is. Tess had immediately started planning the wedding, although Claire was adamant, they would be waiting a while, one thing at a time, Tess was full steam ahead, she wanted them married before Charlotte's first birthday. Claire to put the brakes on her sister, explaining that there are so many things that need to be done, before she can think of getting married, like for example, being an aunt. Tess didn't want Claire to put her dreams on hold because of her and begged her to reconsider her position on the subject. She didn't, simple linking arms with Tess, and telling her sister that she wants to have a special wedding, but not over the top. Just family and close friends. Tess told Claire that she isn't stealing her thunder, but she is stealing Sally's, and she's kind of okay with that. That had been what made the McLeod sisters laugh their butts off, all the way to the horse training area, where Claire is still working with Ronan. Tess sat on her bale of hay seat that Jake had made just for her, so she can watch Claire, and still be outside. She was going stir crazy in the house. Being out here is so much better than being stuck inside. Claire's ring glinted in the sun, as she sat astride Ronan, she looked at it, a smile appearing on her face, one of pure happiness, one that Tess hadn't seen for a while. If she'd had a camera, she would have taken a picture of her sister in that moment. Meg was cooking a special dinner tonight, but the engagement party would have to wait, at the request of Vic and Claire, who had wanted Tess to be there, and to have the baby there as well. Tess had been confused, but Claire told her that she wants all her family there, and her niece is the newest member of their family. She wants her to be there at her engagement party. It had seemed weird to Tess, but she understands wanting to have her family near her at a special time. Now though, she wonders how long she's going to have wait for her sister's engagement, it's up to her daughter, and she's part McLeod… which means she's going to be stubborn right off the bat. At some point, the rest of the girls joined Tess to watch Claire working with Ronan, and talking about the wedding and if Claire has thought about anything. They all hung around there for about an hour, before Claire told them to get back to work, she herself going back to work, putting Ronan back with the other horses.
It was just after nine o'clock, Tess and Claire were coming back from checking on the last of the animals, something that wasn't too strenuous for Tess, and because she had been bothering Claire about helping more, she had let her come along. Now they're putting things away, and Claire is talking about how she thinks Ronan is going, and when she thinks he might be ready, when she hears a crashing from the shed. She spins around and finds the feed bucket that was sitting on the top of the carrier had been knocked off the shelf. She called out to Tess, and that's when she heard her sister gasp. Claire turned the corner, seeing Tess clutching her stomach, and the side of the barn. She looked up at Claire, looking down then at the ground, and telling Claire that her water broke. Keeping calm, Claire wrapped an arm around her sister's shoulders, taking her over to the car, she told Tess to get in, she'll grab the go bag, and be right back. Tess nodded, practicing her breathing to herself, panic starting to fill her chest, making her heartbeat faster as the realisation of what is happening sets in. She hears the others coming towards the car, calling out, telling her good luck, to keep them posted, they'll see her in the morning. Tess called out for someone to get in touch with Nick, and Jodi shouted that she and Becky would do it. They ran to their horses, planning to ride to Wilgul. Maybe Nick will be able to get there in time. Claire tossed the bag in the back of the ute, and got in the driver's side, quickly speeding off down the road. Tess was uncomfortable, and she told Claire that she doesn't have anything with her, that she's scared. Claire took her hand, promising that she'll be here for her, that she doesn't have anything to be scared about. Tess started crying, and muttering about things that don't really matter, and Claire told her to calm down, her emotions are making it worse. Tess nodded, going back to the breathing. It's going to take two hours for them to get to Fisher, she has to keep herself calm for that long. Back at Drovers, Becky and Jodi were galloping as fast as they could, their horses jumping the Wilgul fence as they rode across the paddocks, seeing the lights in the distance of the house. The girls were both excited and terrified. For Tess, and the baby. When they reached the house, the girls quickly dismounted their horses, running over to the door, and banging on it. The door opened, and Alex appeared, but the girls pushed past him into the house, where Nick was standing in the kitchen looking at them panting.
'Nick… Tess… baby… ah…' Jodi said, he looked at her confused
'Jodi, breathe. Tell us what is going on?' Alex asked, hands on the young girls' shoulders
'Tess is in labour. Claire is driving her to the hospital in Fisher,' Jodi said, and Becky nodded, Nick was frozen on his spot, the words Tess is in labour rushing around his head, until Alex smacked his shoulder, and he dropped the pot he was holding, slipping over his feet as he ran into the bedroom
'How… how far apart are the ah… contractions?' Nick asked, rushing out of the room with a small bag in his hand, as he, Alex, Becky, and Jodi exited the house, running over to Alex's ute
'I don't know. Her water broke and Claire rushed her straight to the hospital,'
'Okay, thanks Jode,' Nick said, as Alex sped off, the girls waving after him, excitement filling them up as they excitedly squealed, before going back to their horses
April 3rd, 2004
Fisher General Hospital
Fisher District
Morning/Afternoon
Claire managed to get to the hospital in record time, rushing her sister inside, arguing with the on-call nurses as Tess crouched over in pain when another contraction hit her, and Claire begged them to help, explained her condition, that she needs Dr. Gallagher. The urgency of the situation didn't wash over the nurses at all really, they simply told them to sit in the waiting room. It was ludacris, but Tess wasn't dilated enough to start anything yet anyway. Still, it was stupid. Claire coached her sister through her contractions, whilst Tess sprayed an angry tirade through each bout of pain, before apologising when it had passed. Claire was just smiling and laughing at her sister. Just after one am, Dr. Gallagher arrived, and demanded that Tess be taken to Maternity, put into a room. The nurses jumped to it quick smart, Claire just following behind, telling her sister she's going to be okay, she's here, and soon her daughter will be here as well. That didn't seem to calm Tess down though, and she made a point to grip on to Claire's hand during the next contraction, just to prove a point. Finally in her hospital room, Tess was walking back and forth, as per the doctors' instructions, breathing through the contractions. It was lucky that she hadn't had a bleed yet, but Dr. Gallagher was concerned that she could, especially given where the baby was located at the last ultrasound. Keeping Tess calm was the main thing. When the doctor came back for an examination, Claire slipped out for a moment, going to call the others, and ask where Nick was, because he probably should be here. She finally found a phone, and called Meg's mobile, to find out what was going on. She explained that Beck and Jodi had ridden to Wilgul to tell Nick, and said he and Alex had left, should be there soon. Then she said that the rest of them will be there soon as well, but Vic stayed back with Charlotte, he'll come when she's awake. Claire thanked her, hanging up, just as Dr. Gallagher poked her head out, telling her that Tess is asking for her. Claire told Meg the details, then ran back to the room…. Alex was driving as fast as he could, with Nick sitting beside him, his leg shaking nervously. Alex put a hand on his brother's shoulder, telling him to calm down. He doesn't need to get there, and freak Tess out any more than she already is. He nodded, taking a deep breath… then the car broke down. Both Ryan brothers looked at each other, before gaping at the smoke coming out of it, as Alex pulled over. Nick ran his fingers through his hair.
It's been almost eight hours since Tess went into labour. They could be here for another eight, it just depends on what's happening. But Dr. Gallagher seems to think that things will start moving more quickly, as the contractions are coming closer together. Out in the waiting room, all the Drovers ladies had arrived, and were sitting around, their respective partners, and friends had all come as well. Two noticeably missing people: Alex and Nick. On the side of the road, Nick was trying to get cell reception. It's taken four hours for RACV to get out here and fix the car. Nick had tried calling Claire, but she's obviously got her phone off, because she's in the hospital. Nick checked his watch, it's just after five am. Alex sees a car, and flags it down, begging the driver to take his brother to Fisher General Hospital, his partner is having a baby. The guy nods but says there isn't enough room for both of them. Alex tells Nick to go, he'll be there when the car is fixed, pushing his brother to the car, and thanking the guy profusely, he just grins and nods, speeding off as soon as Nick is in the car. The farmer thanks him, and he nods, telling Nick a story about when his wife when into labour, chuckling at him when he asks Nick if it's his 'first time', and he just nods, asking if it's obvious. He didn't think this guy could drive any faster, but apparently, he could. Nick held onto the seat as they sped along… Tess had started feeling the need to push. Labour was speeding up. After one contraction had passed, she asked Claire where Nick was, and her sister told her that he's coming. He better be bloody coming… she thought to herself. Another contraction, and Dr. Gallagher announced that she's almost fully dilated. Tess shook her head, begging for Nick, wanting him to be there, telling Claire that she's scared, she can't do this. The crying doesn't help, and neither Dr. Gallagher, nor Claire can get her to calm down, they just share a look with each other before Dr. Gallagher leaves to grab some midwife nurses. Claire tries to calm Tess down. As the clock ticks over to seven am, Meg is just coming back from getting food, when she hears and then sees Nick burst through the doors, running at full speed through the hospital, spotting everyone gathered around, asking if he'd missed it. She shook her head, pointing to the room near to where they're all waiting. Sally was there as well, barely had a chance to wish him luck before he disappeared into the room… Tess had just finished another contraction when the door burst open, and Nick appeared, gaping for a moment, before Claire's voice cut through him, and he ran over to Tess, grabbing her other hand, and kissing her forehead, telling her that he's sorry he's late. Dr. Gallagher told her that she's fully dilated now, she can start pushing, grinning at Nick, who was also coaching Tess in her breathing, holding her hand, and pushing the matted hair off her forehead.
'Aaaggh, no more… I can't do this… please,' Tess begged, but Nick caressed her face
'Tess, look at me. You can do this okay. You can do this. We're going to have a baby daughter, and she's going to be amazing. One more push Tess, you can do this,' Nick said, and Claire nodded
'Tess McLeod if you do not give birth to my niece in the next hour, I will not let you plan any of my wedding,' Claire said, as Tess' head flicked around to look at her sister, who nodded, smirking at her
'Okay… let's do this…' Tess said nodding, as Dr. Gallagher told her to push through the next contraction, with both Nick and Claire coaching her, as she pushed as hard as she could… then there was a cry…
April 3rd, 2004
Fisher General Hospital
Fisher District
Afternoon/Evening
Tess gave birth to a baby girl on April 3rd, 2004, at eight thirty-three am. When she heard the cry, then the doctor announcing that it was a girl, holding up the baby, she had to laugh. Claire smiled, tears filling her eyes, but she was watching Nick, who was just wide eyed, gaping at the small little baby, tears also in his eyes. The doctor did her things, then brought the baby back over to Tess, bonding them together, as Tess held the baby on her chest, pressing a kiss to her forehead, as her little hand opened and closed. Nick couldn't say anything, he just watched his little girl… oh my god I have a daughter… after the baby had bonded, the nurses had taken her to clean her up, then bring her back down for them to hold, and show off to their friends and family members. Tess was nursing the baby, Claire had gone to the bathroom, but came back out just as Dr. Gallagher was talking about Nick holding the baby. Nervously, he did it, but once he had that little girl in his arms, he never wanted to let her go. He had never known true love until he met his daughter. Love to infinity is how he would describe it. Claire had the camera, she took a picture of Nick and the baby, Tess was watching the two together, unable to wipe the smile off her face. After Nick, Claire got her turn to hold the baby, this time Tess took a picture. When the doctor had signed everything off, and Tess had cleaned up, she was allowed to have visitors to see the baby. Nick stayed in the room with Tess and the baby, the latter nursing the little girl, while Nick just put his finger in her tiny hand, resting his chin on the side of the bed…. In the waiting room, seeing Claire caused a ruckus, as the eldest McLeod raised her hands, calming everyone down. She announced then, that Tess has given birth to a baby girl, gave her measurements and weight, before stating that she can have visitors, but only a few at a time. There was clapping, and cheering, and Claire couldn't wipe the grin off her face, as she led Jodi, Meg, Terry, Kate, and Becky to Tess' room, poking her head around, before stepping aside to let them in, Nick and Tess smiled at them, as she moved the baby so that they could see her. Each of them got to hold the baby, Terry was by far the cutest when it came to holding her, and Claire definitely got pictures of that. Following that, it was Harry and Liz, who had been informed a couple of hours ago. Sally came in with them, smiling and trying to be happy, but feeling like she was dying on the inside.
Claire was in charge of pictures, snapping one of Harry, Liz, and the baby, and then of Sally with the baby. Tess had gone to the toilet when Sally had a photo taken of herself, Nick, and the baby, just to see how they would look all together. Vic and Charlotte came in then, and he introduced Charlotte to her little baby cousin, after which Claire spent a ridiculous amount of time, taking pictures of Charlotte 'holding' the baby. Finally, when everyone was gathered in the hospital room (it was pretty big), Tess and Nick told everyone they would announce her name. At that moment, the door burst open, and Alex literally fell into the room, glancing over at his brother, but eyes stopping on the little baby. Tess grinned, as Alex moved over to her, smiling down at the little girl, congratulating Tess, and hugging his little brother, causing chuckles to go around the room, when he pulled back, tears in his eyes when Tess asked if he wanted to hold his niece. Alex nodded, taking the baby from Tess, and making cooing sounds as Claire snapped a picture of him, then one of him and Nick together, then one of Alex, Tess, and the baby. There was chatter for a bit, everyone talking about different things, Nick was holding his daughter, just staring at her (in a non-creepy way), unable to believe that she is here. That she's real. He tuned back in just as Alex started telling the story of what happened to them on the way here, and why he was so late. They had flagged down some random guy that was going to Fisher to bring Nick in, because his ute had cracked a pipe, and he had to wait three hours for the RACV to show up, tow his car back to the truck stop, and drive him into Fisher as well. He was lucky that he got here when he did. Jodi and Becky told the story about them galloping through the fields, and jumping the Wilgul fence with their horses, which impressed Nick, as they rode to tell him about Tess being in labour. The woman in question laughed, especially at Alex's entrance into the hospital room, to which he just made a sarcastic remark, and asked Charlotte to tell her auntie to stop teasing him. Finally, after all the conversation was done, and the doctor had been back to check on Tess and the baby, Claire (and everyone else) demanded to know the name they had chosen, because it was a big secret apparently. Kate had been pulling her hair out waiting to hear the name, because she was a big believer in fate. Alex handed the baby back to Tess, who pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, and Nick nodded at her once, before Tess smiled.
'We would like you all to officially meet our daughter, Amelia Claire McLeod-Ryan,' Tess said, looking at Alex, who was surprised, they had chosen a name he had picked, Tess just nodded at him, and he let out a sob, telling the others to shut up when they teased him
'Amelia, that's beautiful,' Meg said, then asked for Nick and Tess to get a photo with Amelia between them
'Okay ladies and gentlemen, I'm afraid that I'm going to have to ask you all to leave now. Tess needs to rest, and so does the baby. Claire and Nick can stay, but the rest of you… vamoose,' Dr. Gallagher said, as everyone started filing out, saying goodbye to Tess and the baby. When it was just Tess, Nick and Amelia, the new mother looked down at her baby, then back up at Nick.
'It was then, I knew…' she whispered, knowing he would get it, surprising the man who was about to respond when Claire re-entered the room
April 5th, 2004
Drovers Run
Fisher District
Morning/Afternoon
Tess woke up this morning feeling like hell warmed over. It's four am, Amelia needs feeding but her limbs hurt, and she feels like she can't breathe. It's been two days since Tess has been home with Amelia, and this is the first morning she's woken up feeling like this. She sat up too quickly, made herself dizzy, before bolting into the bathroom to throw up. She definitely has something, but her priority is her daughter right now. The house was empty, but there was a note on the changing table, from Claire, explaining that they might have to be out overnight if they can't get all the cattle back today. The note said that Claire would call later. Tess groaned, picking up her daughter, soothing her as she sat down in the rocking chair, nursing Amelia as she fed. Her head was stuffy, and she felt like she couldn't keep her head up. But she had to keep going for Amelia. Sitting in the chair feeding her daughter, she felt like she needed to go back to bed, to sleep. Perhaps it was just the early hour, and she knows that this is her responsibility, and she can't expect everyone to just drop everything and come and help her, that's not how anything works, and that's not how Claire did it. Her sister was amazing. If she can be half the mother that Claire is, then she'll have done something right. When Amelia was fed and burped, Tess put her back in her crib, grabbing the baby monitor, hoping she could go back to bed for a few hours, and wake up feeling better. That wasn't the case though. When she was woken again by Amelia crying at six, she felt even worse. She picked up her daughter and went downstairs. There is a small basinet in the kitchen, so that she can watch the baby whilst she cleans up, because there wouldn't have been any time for Meg to do it before they left this morning. Tess put Amelia in the basinet, kissing her forehead, before stumbling over to the sink, flicking on the tap. Tess is humming out loud, trying to keep Amelia calm whilst she washes the dishes, giving herself enough time to try and put everything away then go back to bed for another couple of hours. She didn't hear the car pull up, but Amelia started crying, and she called over to her daughter that it was okay, but she turned too fast, and the dizziness hit her, and she collapsed, dropping the plate, it shattered a loudly… Nick heard a crashing and a thump from the kitchen, running through the house, to find Tess on the ground and Amelia crying. He grabbed his daughter, then went over to Tess, she was burning up, and her pulse was racing. Amelia had stopped crying, Nick kissed her forehead, putting her back in the basinet, before going back over to Tess. He managed to wake her up, but when she shook her head, he lifted her, carrying her up the stairs, and putting her back in her bed, quickly going back downstairs.
When Tess woke up again, it was almost two pm. She opened her eyes to a knock on the door, then Nick poking his head around the crack. She sat up quickly, asking about Amelia. He entered the room, sitting on the edge of her bed, telling her that she's fine, he fed her, and put her to bed, and he's been here, tidying things up, and puttering around the yard. Tess burst into tears, apologising but Nick stopped her. He asked her why she didn't call him when she woke up not feeling well, that he was so scared when he came her and found her passed out on the floor. Tess apologised for scaring him, and admitted that she's not like Claire, to which Nick said 'good'. Tess looked at him, almost offended, and he told her that she doesn't need to be like Claire. She needs to be like Tess. When Amelia started fussing again, Tess got up, she felt much better than she had earlier. Both parents went into the nursery, Tess picked up her daughter, kissing her forehead, apologising for scaring both her and daddy. Nick smiled, as soon as Amelia was in her mother's arms, she stopped fussing. Nick asked Tess if she wanted to go for a walk with Amelia, and she nodded, looking down at the baby, who just made a noise which the parents took as a good thing. Nick held Amelia whilst Tess had a quick shower and got dressed, and when she got downstairs, Nick had Amelia all snuggled up in the pram, and had packed some food for them. Tess pushed the pram. She wasn't sure where they were going, but it was a nice day for a walk. Whilst they walked, Tess mentioned to Nick that she and Claire were meant to be going to the Agricultural show next week, and asked if he would be okay with having Amelia. The man nodded, saying that of course he would, and Tess nodded. Since they got home from the hospital, she's been with Amelia every day, it's going to be hard to not see her for three days, and even harder to leave her with Nick at Wilgul. Although Tess was feeling better, she was still stuffy, and groaned as the chilly April air hit her, wrapping her coat further around herself. These days, she doesn't really care how she looks, she works on a farm. It's dirty work, and she enjoys it. By this time, if she's caring about how she looks, she's being ridiculous. Nick walked beside her, talking about Wilgul and the organic crops they're planting. Tess asked him if he needed a hand with any of it, to let her know, and he nodded, but Alex has been great with helping them out whilst Tess has been resting from the hospital.
'Nick, I'm sorry for scaring you. I was just… trying to be super mum I guess, like Claire,' Tess said, as they reached the windmill
'Tess, you are a super mum, and Claire is your sister. She loves you, and Amelia loves you. But this is our child. You can't raise her like Claire raises Charlotte. We have to find what works for us and Amelia. You can still be super mum, but not if you're not taking care of yourself as well,' Nick said, as they sat down on the edge of the bathtub.
'I know. I think I got a bug from the hospital, and I've been looking after Amelia and not myself. I promise to look after myself as well,' Tess said, smiling down at her baby girl
'If you ever need me to watch Amelia so you can have some you time, I'd be happy to. It doesn't make you a bad mother Tess. It makes you, you,' Nick said, and she thanked him, laughing when Amelia made a noise in agreeance with her father, and Nick reiterated the point
April 10th, 2004
Fisher District Surrounds
Fisher District
Morning/Afternoon
It was the first time that Tess had taken Amelia out of Drovers since she was born a week ago. They're in town for the Agricultural Show, which Gungellan Fresh has a feature in. Because Nick was also attending, it was easier for Tess to just bring the baby, but also because Claire had wanted to bring Charlotte, and didn't want to her to be left out. When Tess reminded her sister that Amelia is a week old, Claire nodded, picking up her niece and making cooing sounds at her, before walking around the room, singing softly to her, ignoring Tess saying that she needs to sleep if they're going to make it all the way to Fisher. Now they're here, Amelia is asleep, Charlotte is asleep, and they're in the middle of listening to some guy talking about the benefit of Cattle Markings. Honestly, Tess thinks it's barbaric, to mark cattle, but also sees the necessity of it. He finished his speech, and up next it was Gungellan Fresh. Nick and Alex were giving the presentation this time, because Claire was sick of talking to a 'thick bunch of idiots who don't understand real farming'. She didn't want the trouble, so Alex and Nick said they'd do it, prove that it's not just because they're men. But of course, the minute they started talking, everyone in the room was enthralled by what they were saying, despite it being Claire's idea. Alex made sure to note that constantly, to tell everyone that it's not his idea, it's Claire's. Amelia made a noise, waking up, her little eyes opening to see her mother smiling at her, then she started crying. Tess quickly excused herself, Claire nodding, as she pushed the pram out of the room, missing the worried look on Nick's face. Tess found a nice, secluded spot where she could feed Amelia, the two of them just sitting together, Tess humming whilst the baby had her food. When Amelia was fed and burped, Tess put her back in the pram, and went back into the convention hall, where Alex was now showing the slides, they had made to show profiting from Gungellan Fresh. Tess had just sat down, when there was a chatter in the room, she looked up at the screen to see the picture of herself, Amelia, and Nick from when she was born, and when the boys realised, Alex just grinned and said 'that little baby girl is my niece, and she's one of the most beautiful little girls in the world. My brother is a father, and I'm an uncle,'. Tess rolled her eyes, but people were clapping, and she could see people looking at her. Nick was grinning as well, as the next slide came up, and the talk continued, Tess looked at Claire, who just nodded in understanding. Alex had done that on purpose. Any chance he gets, he loves to show people pictures of Amelia, and talk about her. Probably more than Tess and Nick do.
When they broke for lunch, Nick and Alex were standing by the food stands, talking with some guys, who when they saw Tess approaching with Amelia, winked at Nick, before coming over to see the baby. Claire glaring at them made them change course, sending a quick 'congratulations' to Tess, who just nodded at the strangers, before she went over, smacking Alex' arm, telling him that he's an idiot. Alex pulled out another picture of Amelia, just showing it to Tess, asking her to say that she wouldn't want everyone to see that picture. Tess handed Nick the baby bag, told him she's going to the bathroom, and walked away from Alex, who bent down to baby talk to Amelia, only to be scolded by Nick because she's asleep. The uncle didn't seem to mind, which didn't help when he woke Amelia up, and she started crying. Nick shook his head at Alex, leaning down to pick up his daughter, holding her and moving side to side, hoping to comfort her. Alex apologised, Amelia just stared up at him, but her tears had stopped. Nick was still rocking the baby back and forth when Tess returned, looking at Nick, confused as to why he was holding the baby, when she was sleeping soundly. He just looked at Alex, and Tess rolled her eyes, threatening to make Alex change the next ten nappies if he keeps waking up the baby. Alex took his niece from her father, and held her in his arms, telling Tess that he would happily do that, just to spend time with his beautiful girl. Nick crossed his arms, and Alex made baby talk about how her daddy was 'so serious and unfunny' before putting her back in the pram, where she immediately went back to sleep, and Alex raised his hands in the air, showing that he had fixed the problem. Tess took the baby bag back from Nick, reminding him that their next presentation is at two o'clock, to meet back at the room, whilst she and Claire went off to look at some of the other presenters that were here today, and Nick watched after them like a kicked puppy. Alex patted his shoulder, nodded the direction of the Gungellan Fresh booth, as they both grabbed their things and headed over there. Several people came over to talk to them, but most of them just wanted to see more pictures of Nick and Amelia, rather than talk about the business, which Alex admitted after the third lot of people left, was an oversight now, showing the picture. Nick just looked at him, the look on his face just saying, 'you reckon?'. Tess was asked questions about the baby as she and Claire went along as well, trying to get information about the different businesses here today. Claire had Charlotte with her, she was in her pram, playing with her favourite stuffed toys, and no one took them seriously because they're women and they have children with them.
'This is ridiculous. I don't know whether or not Alex is fully to blame, or if all the men here are just misogynistic assholes,' Tess said, whispering the last word, as Claire chuckled
'I think it's the second one. They can't stand a strong, independent woman, and they can't stand that woman being a mother at the same time. It's also one hundred percent Uncle Alex' fault, isn't it Charlotte,' Claire asked, and her daughter laughed, causing the others too as well
'You tell him that Charlotte won't you,' Tess said as they approached Gungellan Fresh, after a throng of women had left, all giving Tess the stink eye
'Wow, a bunch of jealous teenagers fawning all over you. Who would have thought you were a cradle robber Alex?' Claire asked, taking her seat, leaning over to talk to Charlotte.
A/N: Next Chapter: Nick struggles with his relationships with Sally and Tess, and makes a mistake that might cost him his visitation right with his daughter. Thanks for reading. See you next time. D.