A/N: DISCLAIMER: Contains heavy themes. Please proceed with caution. Nick makes a big mistake, that puts him on the outs and could cost him visitation with his daughter. Tess struggles with raising Amelia, and stubbornly refused help from Claire. 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 Ten: Mistakes Were Made
May 3rd, 2004
Fisher District Surrounds
Fisher District
Afternoon
Amelia is a month old today. Things aren't great right now though. About two weeks ago, there was an incident that made everything fall apart. Tess had had to go out with the girls and muster the cattle, bring them back to the yards as they were being vaccinated again. This was going to be a two-day thing at least. So, Nick had offered to watch Amelia. He was happy to have his daughter with him, and Alex had taken a picture of Nick wearing the baby in the body carrier, whilst he was doing some work. It was a cute father/daughter moment, and Tess has that picture in her baby scrapbook that she had been making for Amelia to look back on one day. But that was also the day that things fell apart. Nick and Alex had had an emergency on Wilgul that they both had to attend to, that was too dangerous for Amelia to be near, so Nick had left her with Sally at the house. But Sally had left to help Liz, leaving the baby alone in a house for an hour. When Tess got there, she heard Amelia crying, but the door was locked. She called out for Nick, for Alex… for Sally. No answer, so she broke the door down to get inside, and found her daughter, crying in her crib, by herself with no one there, the heating wasn't on, so Amelia was cold. Tess was furious. She was putting Amelia in the car when Nick and Alex pulled up, asking what was going on. Tess angrily told him what had happened. That she had shown up here to see Amelia, but the door was locked, no one was inside, and Amelia was crying, so she broke down the door. Then she had told Nick that he needs to stay away from them, and that she no longer wants Sally around the baby. Nick was begging Tess to reconsider, saying that he thought Sally could be trusted, Tess just shook her head, and sped off, leaving Nick calling after her. He turned around to look at Alex, who was leaning against the ute, watching the scene. He just shook his head, and went over to the house, picking up the door, lamenting on how strong a new mother can be, before Nick entered behind him, pacing, asking Alex what he should do. His brother suggested just giving Tess some time to cool off, she'll come around once she's calmed down… but that was two weeks ago. Nick hasn't seen his daughter in two weeks, and it's been hitting him hard. When he shows up at Drovers, Claire and the girls tell him to leave, Vic told him that if he keeps showing up, they'll call the police, and it had caused a huge fight between Nick and Sally, and in turn, Nick, and Liz. Tess had also cut Amelia's contact with Liz because of the incident.
The call came in later that afternoon, that there had been an accident, that Nick was hurt and in hospital. Claire had been in to see him and had come home to tell Tess that she absolutely agrees that what happened was shit. But she also told Tess that it wasn't Nick's fault. He had left Amelia with Sally, temporarily. That he's a good father. Tess knows that, and Claire agreed that she would have done the same thing. So, later that afternoon, Tess made the drive into Fisher, to the hospital, with Amelia. She was nervous on the approach. When she asked for Nick's room, and the nurse pointed her in the direction, her nerves jumped up even higher. The door was closed when she got there, but as she went to knock, it opened, and a doctor greeted her, calling back to Nick that he has some visitors, before smiling at Tess and stepping aside to let her in. Nick's eyes widened when he saw Tess and Amelia enter the room. He sat himself up in the bed, immediately spouting apologies to Tess, that he was sorry for everything, that he's been such a mess, that he did what he thought was right for his daughter at the time. Tess covered his mouth with her spare hand, effectively shutting him up, before handing him his daughter. Nick held her, pressing a kiss to her forehead, looking back up at Tess, who placed the baby bag down on the chair, sitting on the edge of it. She asked Nick why he'd been trying to drive heavy equipment whilst drunk, and he looked at her. She nodded, apologising for refusing to let him see his daughter, told him that it's not his fault, that she was terrified when she heard Amelia crying, and the house cold and dark. To be honest, Nick would have done the same thing, which he admitted to Tess, and told her that he was mad at Sally and his mother as well. Tess told him that she was mad neither of them had come to her, to talk to her about what happened, or to apologise. She stood up, walking to the other side of the room, rubbing her forehead, and then let out a deep, frustrated sigh, before going back to her seat. Nick looked at her, the pain in his eyes evident. Tess told him that she wants to be able to trust him again, but she doesn't think she can trust Sally to not leave their daughter crying alone in the house, that Liz had been the reason why Sally had left her there. Nick nodded, taking a deep breath.
'Nick, I don't want to keep Amelia from you anymore. You're her father, I want her to know you, I want you to be there, but I don't think… I don't think I can leave her with you at Wilgul, at least not yet. But if you want to come see her at Drovers, I'll let you. You can spend the entire day with her if you want,' Tess said, watching Amelia snoozing in her father's arms
'Thank you. I promise you, both of you, that I'll be better. My world is Amelia now, she is the most important thing, and not having her was punishment enough. She is my everything, and I'll make sure my mother and Sally know that' Nick said, and Tess nodded
'I have some…. Errands to run in town. I'm… I'll leave her here with you, and be back soon,' Tess said standing, smiling at the look on Nick's face
'We'll be here, won't be baby girl? Wave bye to mummy, she'll be back soon,' Nick said, moving Amelia's arm in a wave, silently thanking Tess, who nodded, standing, and telling them she'll be back soon, before leaving the room, Nick held his daughter tighter.
May 3rd – 4th, 2004
Fisher District Surrounds
Fisher District
Evening/Following Morning
Tess was gone an hour. In that time, Nick had just been watching his daughter sleeping, not even bothering with the TV, which he had turned over to a kid's channel. Currently, Aladdin is on TV, and he's humming along with the music, singing to his daughter, unaware that Tess had returned, and was watching him from the doorway. She cleared her throat, smiling when Nick's head shot up to look at her, chuckling when he said that they're watching Aladdin. Tess nodded, she told Nick that it's her favourite movie, the room filling with unresolved tension when Nick admitted that it was also his favourite. Tess watched Amelia sleeping, then told Nick that she should get her home. He asked Tess if she could come back tomorrow, and she promised that she would try, but if she couldn't, maybe she could get Alex to bring Amelia here with him. Nick nodded, and Tess looked at Nick for a moment, before hugging him, begging him to be alright, to not do this to himself anymore, that she was scared, and she doesn't want anything to happen to him, and neither does Amelia. Nick promised that he wouldn't be stupid anymore, and Tess kissed his cheek, before grabbing the baby bag, moving Amelia's arm to wave to him as she left. Nick sat back in his hospital bed, closing his eyes, and smiling to himself. That's when he saw that Tess had left something behind. He grabbed it, with the intention of getting the doctor to rush it out to her but saw that it had his name on it. Inside, were a bunch of pictures of Amelia, over the last two weeks he hasn't seen her, and a small story about each event that occurred, and what her 'thoughts' were that day. Nick spent the rest of the night reading them, carefully placing them on the table beside his hospital bed, except for one picture, which he fell asleep holding, as it was a solo picture of Amelia in the cowgirl outfit that Becky had brought for her. It was a sweet moment, so much so that he just dreamt of all the moments in his daughter's life that he'll get to experience. Her first word, first steps, first everything. That was the dream that made him sleep well for the first time since he's been in here, and in fact, for the first time in two weeks. Usually it's a restless sleep, but this night, he had a peaceful one. When he woke in the morning, Sally was puttering around his hospital room, she looked like she'd been crying. Nick sat up, asking her what she was doing, and she just stated that she was 'tidying'. The picture he'd been holding was on the bedside table, on top of the others.
Sally had gotten to the hospital early that morning, wanting to make sure that everything was okay for Nick to come home tomorrow, and when she got there, she saw that he was holding a picture of Amelia. She couldn't stop the tears from forming in her eyes. She had made a big mistake, and it almost cost Nick his life, and his daughter. When Liz had called her, she had been so flustered that she just… left the house, and it wasn't until she got to Killarney, that she realised she had left Amelia at the house. When she got a call three hours later from Nick, he was furious, saying that he had come home to Tess breaking down the door to get to Amelia, who was in the house, alone and crying. Sally had left Killarney immediately, arriving home to find the door off its hinges, and Alex and Nick in the kitchen. She ran inside, asking what had happened, and it was Alex who told her that she's conniving, leaving a one-month-old baby alone in a cold dark house, to spite Tess. Alex yelled at her, that Amelia is a 'little human being, who needs to be cared for', and that Sally was lucky Tess isn't suing her. Nick had been calling Drovers for hours, trying to get Tess to talk to him, when he rang for probably the fiftieth time, he heard nothing but the dial tone, meaning they had unhooked the phone. He kicked the cabinet, grabbing a beer out of the fridge, and was on his fifth one when Sally had gotten home. Nick told her that Tess won't talk to him, won't let him see his daughter, that everyone at Drovers is preventing that, and it's all her fault. She had been at a loss for what to say, so when Nick saw her now, looking at that picture, he told her that Tess had come by yesterday with Amelia. She perked up, telling him that was good, and Nick nodded, then told her what Tess had said, that he could see her… but it had to be at Drovers because she doesn't trust Sally. Bowing her head again, she nodded. She listened as Nick told her why he had done what he'd done, and how she and his mother were responsible for it. Sally tried to explain her side, that it was an honest mistake, but Nick didn't buy it. He just told her that from the moment Amelia was born, she became the most important person in his life, and Sally has to deal with that, if they're going to be together. The doctor nodded, asking Nick what was going to happen now.
'You need to make amends with Tess. Whatever you have to do, you do it. If she wants to yell at you, let her. She needs to be able to trust you, in order for me to have Amelia at Wilgul. Until then, I'll be going to see her at Drovers whenever I can, and you can't be mad about that,' Nick said, and Sally nodded
'What about us? What about the wedding?' Sally asked, looking up at her fiancé the ring suddenly feeling like a weight on her finger
'I'm not really concerned about that right now Sal,' Nick said
'Your mother will be expecting us to have something happening soon. She wants Amelia back in her life as well, but she knows the only way is for us to be in good with Tess, so she has… things in motion to make Tess cooperate,' Sally said, and Nick looked at her angrily asking her if she knew about the blackmail.
'Un-freaking-believable Sal. Tell my mother, that I know all about her blackmail, and how it's all bogus,' Nick said, looking at Sally directly, before pressing the call button for the doctor.
May 4th, 2004
Fisher District Surrounds
Fisher District
Afternoon
Tess wasn't able to get way to see Nick, but she had let Uncle Alex take Amelia to see her father, explaining the situation to all the girls at Drovers. They're full into shearing right now, and she just can't get away. Alex was excited to have some uncle/Niece time, telling her stories as he drove to Fisher to see his brother. To be honest, he's glad that Tess went and saw Nick, and that she took Amelia. He knows why she did what she did, and honestly, it was half deserved, but most of it was on Sally. However, he's glad things are smoothing over now, and he can't wait to see Nick now that he's getting out of hospital tomorrow. Alex pulled up in the hospital parking lot, cooing to his little niece as he put her in the pram, grabbing the baby bag Tess had given to him, throwing it over his shoulder, as well as a bag of clothes for Nick, before closing and locking the car, and pushing the pram inside. Tess had given him clear instructions, that Nick could see Amelia with Sally there, so long as Alex stayed the entire time. Alex knocked on the door, hearing Nick call out for him to come in, the biggest grin on his face when he saw Amelia. Alex explained about Tess but told him that she had let him bring Amelia out here, so he better be on his best behaviour. Nick nodded, as Alex handed him his daughter, and he kissed her forehead, the little pink headband, and the strawberries on her dress. She was beautiful. Alex asked him how he was feeling, and Nick said that he was good. He's going to be good. No more reckless, life endangering stunts. Alex nodded, telling him that Amelia is the most important thing now, and Nick nodded in agreement, just holding his daughter, as she woke up, stretching her little arms above her head, making the cutest noises, as Alex just watched his brother interacting with his niece. Dr. Martins entered the room, greeting Alex cheerfully, and looking at Nick holding the little baby. Alex explained the situation, and Dr. Martins congratulated Nick on his baby girl, he thanked the man, asking when he's going to be able to go home. Whilst Martins did his thing, Nick chatted with Alex about what's been going on a Wilgul whilst he's been in the hospital, and whether the tractor is completely stuffed now. Alex nodded, telling him they're out twenty grand now if they want to buy a new one. Nick sighed, knowing that it was his fault, and apologising to Alex, who was shocked, but accepted the apology.
Alex had just come back from getting something to eat, when he entered Nick's hospital room to see Sally just going in ahead of him. Nick was holding Amelia when Sally entered the room, looking up, and holding his daughter tighter, the fear setting in of what Tess would do if she knew that Sally was here. She moved over to Nick and Amelia, cooing at the little girl, sensing that Nick was scared of what Tess would think if she knew that Sally was here, she backed off a little. Alex entered the room then, the silent conversation with his eyes, had Nick shaking his head, begging Alex not to take her, but the older Ryan brother had made a promise to Tess. Nick reluctantly let his daughter go, nodding to Alex when he apologised to Nick, grabbing the baby bag, and reminding him that he'll be back tomorrow to pick him up from the hospital, until Sally chimed in that she would be happy to pick Nick up so Alex didn't have to come all the way out here. Alex pulled a face behind Sally's head, and shrugged his shoulders, simply saying whatever, before leaving with Amelia. Nick's room phone rang then, Sally answered it, looking up at Nick, before stating that Alex isn't here, and hanging up. Nick frowned at her, and Sally just said that it was Tess, wanting to speak with Alex. He asked if Tess had asked about Amelia, but Sally just shook her head, just wanting to speak to Alex. Nick knew it was a test. He knew that the minute Sally answered the phone, Tess started asking about Alex, to make sure that he was there with them and Amelia. Sally hadn't specifically given details, but he hopes Tess doesn't think that Amelia was here without Alex. About an hour later, Sally said that she was going to the cafeteria to get something to eat, and Nick grabbed the room phone as soon as she was gone and called Drovers. Meg answered, greeting him cheerfully, asking him questions about how he was doing, and he answered them all, before casually asking if Tess was available, and could he talk to her. He could hear Meg's smirk when she handed the phone to Tess, and he told her what had happened when she called. Alex had just left with Amelia when Sally answered the phone, that he hadn't been alone with Amelia and Sally together for more than five minutes, as Alex walked in just a couple of minutes after Sally had arrived, and then taken her home. Tess chuckled on the other end of the phone, about Alex really being a stickler for the rules. But she told him that she's not mad. That it's okay, when he gets out tomorrow, he can come and see Amelia, they'll be here waiting for him whenever he's ready.
'Tess, I feel like an idiot for reacting like this,' Nick said, and she chuckled again
'Well, I won't deny that you're an idiot, but trust is a two-way street, Nick. You have to trust yourself again as well. That will come, and eventually, with a little more time, I might be able to trust Sally again. It's just going to take time,' Tess said, and Nick nodded, although she couldn't see him doing it
'So, how did the shearing go? Get it all done?' Nick asked, and Tess groaned
'Yeah, it's all done, the wool is packaged up, and ready for selling. Claire is cooking dinner tonight, and we're going over some wedding plans for her and Vic, it's been a hectic day,' Tess said, and this time it was Nick who chuckled.
May 5th, 2004
Drovers Run
Fisher District
Afternoon/Evening
Tess had set up a little 'Welcome Back from Hospital' party for Nick, and Claire had been happy to help her sister out, by babysitting Amelia, whilst Tess set everything up with the help of the girls. She had wanted to do this for Nick, as kind of an apology for her actions well, keeping his daughter from him was cruel, but Claire kept telling her that it was a punishment deserved. But that's in the past now, she wants to put it all behind them, and show that Nick can trust her, and himself again. Everything was going fine, until Alex showed up early, without Nick. Claire was holding Amelia when she saw the car pull up, and then Alex said that Sally had insisted on picking Nick up from the hospital, that he'd come over to tell her, hoping they would be a couple more hours. Tess looked from Alex to behind him, where she could see Sally's car, and her helping Nick out of it. Tess nodded to Alex, telling him it's fine, they all have to trust each other again, and this is the first step of all of that. Claire nods, singing to her niece. Charlotte turns one soon, and Vic is organising a small party for the girl, despite the fact that it's the month after their wedding, and things will be crazy around that time as well. He was determined to give the little girl everything, including adopting her as his own, since he's been raising her that way, since he and Claire got together. He told this to Tess, who asked him if he'd told it to Claire, but he hadn't, he wanted to make sure Tess would be okay with it first. The conversation was put to the side, as Nick arrived, smiling at everyone, and thanking them for coming, answering their questions about how he is. Tess is standing at the back with Claire, holding Amelia. When he finally gets to them, he's grinning, and Tess welcomes him back from the hospital, handing him the baby, which he takes on nodding from Tess, who then excused herself to get some of the food platters. When she came back out, Nick was sitting on the outdoor chair, with Alex on one side of him, and Sally on the other. Tess placed one of the food platters on the table in the centre of the small circle, and then took a seat beside Claire and Charlotte, laughing at something Terry said, before glancing over at Nick, who was just holding Amelia, asleep in his arms. He was so enamoured by that little girl, and Tess had felt guilty taking that from him for a little while, but he had to learn the lesson, that he's not indestructible.
As the sun set, it got colder. Nick and Tess went upstairs to put Amelia to bed. He changed the nappy, whilst Tess set up the crib. Nick dressed her in a sleep onesie that he picked out, cooing to her, whilst she was almost falling asleep. Tess chuckled, pressing a kiss to her forehead, as Nick tucked her into the crib, and he and Tess slowly moved out of the room. Nick closed the door to the nursey, and Tess turned around to find him leaning against the wall beside her bedroom door. She asked if he was okay, and he nodded, apologising again and telling her that he was so scared, he's definitely on the straight and narrow now. Tess nodded, he hugged her tightly, just standing on the landing, embracing each other, neither saw Sally, but she saw them, quickly leaving the room and heading back outside, her heart beating faster. It was a platonic hug… she told herself, and she knew that kicking up a stink about this wouldn't be good for the trust they're all trying to re-build. She still doesn't know why she didn't take Amelia with her to see Liz or tell Nick that she was going. Maybe a part of her was cruel enough to be that person. She's not proud of it. Taking her seat back outside, Alex announced that he was going to light the fire pit, as the temperature had dropped, whilst Claire snuggled up to Vic, who had come back from putting Charlotte to bed. Tess came out a little bit after, rugged up in a jumper, and socks with her slippers, whilst Nick appeared from the opposite direction, almost as if to throw everyone off, but Claire couldn't tell if anything had happened, because her sister has her eyes closed, a content smile on her face as she looks up at the stars. Jodi brought up Vic and Claire's wedding, and the conversation turned to talking about everything marriage, including what kind of dress Claire would be wearing, and if they're still thinking of getting married next month, where are they going to have the wedding, and all those things that they need time to think about and plan. Tess had done most of the planning, unbeknownst to Claire, she has basically planned the entire wedding, including the dress, which she's been making herself. Jodi is the only other person who knows that she has been making Claire a wedding dress. She supposes she should let Claire in on the secret if she's still going along with this insane idea of getting married in a month.
'Don't worry about the wedding, it's all organised,' Tess said, opening her eyes and looking at Claire
'What are you talking about? We haven't done anything?' Claire asked
'I know. I did it all for you. The food, the venue, the decorations… the dress,' Tess said, smiling at a gaping Claire, rushing inside to get the wedding book, handing it to Claire
'Tess, you did all of this, and you have a newborn?' Claire said, and Tess grinned, as Claire pounced on her hugging her sister and thanking her.
May 20th, 2004
Drovers Run
Fisher District
Morning/Afternoon
With Claire's wedding just a couple of weeks away, the girls at Drovers have been in full force for both planning and work mode. Claire had almost burst into tears when Tess showed her the dress she had been making for Claire, the sister had a nice moment where they went into Fisher with their daughters, and grabbed some last-minute things, for both the wedding, and for Charlotte's birthday in two months. Claire had seen some things she wanted to get, knowing that when she wanted them in July, they would most like be gone. So, they had done that, and now Tess is planning out the decorations in meticulous detail. She had told everyone that this has to be perfect for Claire and Vic, that she wants to do that for them, because Claire has done so much for her. Everyone was pitching in, and it was going to be amazing. Of course, Claire had made sure that Tess knew that she didn't care about the trappings and trimmings, as long as she gets to marry Vic, and have her happily ever after. Tess knows that is the main thing, that Claire is happy, she knows that, but she wants the day to just be memorable for them as well. Something they will look back on forever and remember. The whole event was taking over everything, including anything Sally was trying to plan for her wedding to Nick. Recently, the thing that had been eating at her, is that she knows this relationship isn't going anywhere, but there is still a part of her that can't let it go. She doesn't know why. Since giving birth last month, Tess hasn't ridden Oscar until now. She and Becky were mustering the sheep, and just being back on Oscar was amazing to Tess, who was just so carefree on the horse, and was having so much fun, just riding Oscar again, and she could tell that her horse was enjoying it as well. He had been ridden of course, but not by Tess, and she misses that. Becky was so taken aback by how much fun Tess was having just being back on Oscar that she got distracted by it and missed one of the sheep. Tess galloped off after it, calling for Becky to keep going, she'll catch up. Becky nodded, laughing as she rode off, taking the sheep back to the yard. Tess caught the stray sheep, and led it back to the homestead, the other girls saw Tess coming back, and saw what Becky was talking about, with the grin on Tess' face, as she got off the horse, excitedly throwing her hands in the air and cheering about how amazing it was to be back on the horse. Claire just rolled her eyes, playfully shoving her, and dodging the retaliation.
Nick came over again that afternoon, Stevie was talking to Claire, raising an eyebrow when she saw the ute pull up, and Nick get out with a small bag. The two women just watched as Nick enter the homestead, each sharing a look with one another, a silent conversation between the two, before chuckling and going back to work. Inside the house, Tess was dancing around the kitchen with Amelia, singing a children's song, and entertaining Meg and Jodi, who were peeling the potatoes for dinner tonight. None of them saw Nick until he asked if he was 'interrupting anything', causing all three of the women to flinch slightly, and for Tess to smack his arm, and tell him off. Amelia just made a squeak as if to justify what her mother said, before Nick took her from Tess, telling her that he's sorry for startling her, and her mummy is overreacting… all of this said in a baby voice, with Tess raising an eyebrow at him, arms crossed. He gave her a cheeky grin, before handing her the little bag, and telling her to open it, whilst he spoke to Amelia. Tess pulled out a small baby headband, with horseshoes on it. She put it on Amelia, who used that opportunity, to stretch her little arms above her head, before snuggling into her father, and taking a nap. Meg took a picture. Jodi was so enamoured by the scene in front of her, that she suddenly yelped in pain, when she accidentally cut herself, rushing to the bathroom sink to rinse her hand. Tess grabbed bandages, but the cut wasn't too bad. Tess had been so busy with work, and planning Claire's wedding, and making her dress, that she hadn't had much time to do anything else lately, and she knows that she's asking a lot of people, but she needs a break as well. The phone rang, Tess pressed a quick kiss to Amelia's forehead, before running to answer it. She groaned when she heard Harry's voice, but quickly put on a fake happy voice to talk to him. Nick appeared in the study, when he heard banging, and looked at Tess, who just mouthed the word 'Harry' at him, and he nodded, understanding immediately. His parents had been over to see him, and Liz had apologised to Nick for her involvement in the situation, but she hadn't apologised to Tess, so she hasn't seen Amelia. He hates everything about this situation, the whole blackmail thing, he wants it to be over. He doesn't know how to bring it up to Tess, and he doesn't know how to fix everything. He just needs a sign.
'Harry, listen to me very carefully: WE ARE NOT NOW, NOR WILL WE EVER BE SELLING DROVERS! I don't care what you hear, or see, or what lie, or piece of blackmail Liz has, it's bogus, and we're done putting up with it,' Tess said, angrily as Nick sat down in front of the desk, still cradling Amelia
'Do you want me to talk to him?' Nick whispered, Tess shook her head
'If you want to see Amelia Harry, then you and Liz need to change. You need to be better, and stop scheming, and lying and hurting us. It's a surprise that Nick turned out to be the man that he is, considering his mother. Yes, I just said that, and Liz knows why. When you're ready to become better people, you can see your granddaughter. Until then, goodbye Harry,' Tess said, hanging up the phone, before slumping down into the chair
'I'm sorry Tess. I know you want them to be involved in Amelia's life,' Nick said in a whisper, Tess just shrugged, and smiled when Amelia made a sound, before snuggling back to Nick again.
May 23rd, 2004
Drovers Run
Fisher District
Afternoon/Evening
Nick and Alex had been helping the girls with building a pergola outside for Claire and Vic's wedding. Well Alex was helping, Nick was putting things together, because he had Amelia in the baby carrier, and couldn't really lift heavy things, whilst he was bouncing around the yard with his daughter. Alex had laughed, told him that he's such a 'girl dad' to which Nick had threatened to revoke his 'cool uncle' status and give it to Vic, which had made Alex try and prove that he was the cooler uncle, leading to a fun showdown between the two men, both trying to compete for the title of Coolest Uncle, whilst both Charlotte and Amelia couldn't care less. The competition ended, when Harry and Liz unexpectedly showed up at Drovers, announcing themselves like they'd been invited, and holding plates of food. Nick rolled his eyes, moving inside to see Tess. She had just gotten off the phone when Nick told her what was happening. She sighed, and Nick took Amelia out of the carrier, holding her in his arms. If they're going to do this, they're doing it together. Tess smiled, Nick had dressed her today, and he's chosen a pair of pink leggings, and a t-shirt that had a strawberry on it, that said 'Berry Cool', that Jodi had given to her. Nick carried Amelia outside, both Liz and Harry were smiling, saying how wonderful their son looked holding his daughter. Tess appeared then, putting a small hat on Amelia's head, before turning to greet Liz and Harry. Nick knows that Harry and Tess had come to somewhat of a truce. He really wanted to know his granddaughter, and to be honest, it has mellowed him. Nick reluctantly let his father hold Amelia, Liz had gone inside to put the food down, and had come back out to see Harry holding their granddaughter. She had been selfish, and cruel, and completely out of line. She could see how happy Nick was with Tess, and now with Amelia, and she had done everything in her power to destroy her son's happiness, because she was raised to care more about value of money and power, over family. But since she and Harry had been divorced, and Amelia had been born, and she had been cut out, she has seen the importance of family, and happiness, and she wants Nick to have real love… a real love that he has with Tess. What Liz hadn't liked about Tess, was how independent, and carefree, and outspoken she was. She has always been a country girl. Liz can see that, and she's not worried about name stature anymore. She just wants her son to be happy.
Liz had been hiding away inside since she and Harry arrived, and Claire found her, flipping through a baby book that Tess had been keeping, with pictures, and dates and everything inside. This was the room that Tess was using as a makeshift craft room, for the time being. Liz looked up when she sensed someone was there, and smiled at Claire, who just entered the room, sitting opposite her, and putting her two cents in. Liz smiled as Claire told her stories about Amelia, and how Nick and Tess have been coping with everything, and that she is partially, if not fully responsible for this situation that she has created, out of jealousy. Liz looked up at Claire, gaping at her, telling her that she isn't jealous. Claire scoffed then, leaning forward on her arms, and telling Liz that she is jealous. She's jealous that Tess loves her 'baby boy'. She's jealous, because of how amazing Tess is, and she felt like she would be replaced, so she did everything she could to make Tess miserable, to the point where when they were finally happy, she tore them apart, out of jealousy. Liz sat back, thinking to herself, and realising that she had been jealous. Her son was so enamoured by the sudden appearance of Jack McLeod's long-lost daughter, Tess was very much a city girl when she arrived, but she is completely country now. She broke down and admitted to Claire that she's right. She didn't want to lose her baby to Tess because she was jealous. Claire pointed out that Sally is also from the city, and what would be the chances of Sally hanging around here full time. It is more likely that she and Nick would end up moving to the city, whereas Nick and Tess… they would stay here. They're country people. Sally is a city person. After that, Claire left Liz on her own, then the woman decided to go outside. Harry was still holding Amelia, so Liz went straight over to where Tess was standing, and asked if she could speak with her. It was like the entire world around them went silent, the birds, the animals, everything. Tess was polite, like she always is, and told Liz that she could have a moment, standing in front of her, telling her to talk. Liz scuttled her way around an apology, still holding on to that last shred of pride. Claire was about to step in, but Tess bet her too it.
'Liz, things have been hard for Nick, and for me… and for Sally. It wasn't an ideal situation, but we're all adults. Nick shouldn't have to be with Sally, because you think I'm not good enough for him,' Tess said, and Nick's head whipped around to look at them
'What?' he asked, moving over to stand beside Tess
'I was jealous of you Tess. I wanted better for my son, but I realise… there is no better, because he's never been happier than when he's talking about you, or with you, and I know, I ruined that. On pride, and… jealousy and stature. Tess, when you first arrived, I'll admit I was put off with how city you were, but I knew being Jack McLeod's daughter, that you were all country at heart, and you've proven that. I know that an apology is long overdue, and I know that it won't be better in one day, but I am sorry. For those things I said to you, for what happened with Sally and Amelia, I never wanted that little girl left alone… I want my son to be happy… and I want to know my granddaughter. On your terms,' Liz said, everyone was watching, holding their breath, waiting for anything to happen
'Thank you, Liz,' Tess said, and the woman nodded, Tess motioned for Harry to come over, and he handed Amelia to her grandmother, Nick wary, but Tess smiling as she kissed her daughter's forehead, nodding to Liz, who had tears in her eyes… and a genuine smile on her face.
A/N: Next Chapter: A wedding is happening on Drovers Run, but will everything go smoothly? You'll have to tune in for the next chapter to find out. Thank you for reading, and I'll see you soon. D.