A/N: It's another Christmas, and another time where everything is just so busy that nothing gets done, and just when you think you've gotten everything done, something else pops up and you get so lost in all the things that are piling up around you that you just don't have time for anything else. But, regardless of the mental breakdowns, Merry Christmas. I hope your festive season isn't as busy as mine. I just finished work for the year. I'm a teacher, and the kids are finally on school holidays for two months. This chapter has nothing to do with Christmas, but enjoy anyway. Thanks, JusticeIsn'tEasy0083. D.
McLeod's Daughters
A Different Time, A Different Story
Chapter Twenty-Five: A September Wedding
September 3rd, 2005
Drovers Run
Fisher District
Morning/Afternoon
Amelia is seventeen months old, Ivy will be six months on the fourth. Claire is entering her fourth month of pregnancy, officially the second trimester. It's been hectic over the last three months. But now they're here, they're so close to Nick and Tess' wedding, and everything is falling into place. Charlotte turned two in July, and they had a small party for her. Claire invited Peter, and he was rather well behaved, but that could have been because he brought his wife and two other daughters with him as well, so they were there to make sure that he wasn't being an idiot. But Tess wanted nothing to do with him, and neither did Alex, who still didn't trust that Peter was trying to be a father to Charlotte and had no ill intentions. But everyone remained civil, and it turned out to be a wonderful day. Since then, it's been full steam ahead on everything. Spring has just started, and that means harvesting season for most of the crops on Wilgul. Nick is looking forward to finding out whether or not making organics is going to be profitable, but thankfully, nothing has come along to knock them off the path, and they're on schedule to harvest, and ship on time this season. It's going to be a relief when they see the return for their hard work. It's fourteen days till Nick and Tess' wedding, exactly two weeks, until Drovers Run becomes a wedding venue, and Nick can finally call Tess 'wifey'. In the lead up to that, Jodi had suggested that the girls all head to Melbourne for Tess' bachelorette weekend, which had sparked interest in the girls, but Claire reminded them that they have a farm to run, and despite Jodi's insistence that Riley and the guys could take over whilst they're gone, they just decided to throw a party at Wilgul, hosted by Reagan, who had been bouncing on the balls of her feet since she arrived at Drovers, and began whispering in a corner with Claire and Stevie, looking back over at Tess, who was tempted to growl at them, because she hates surprises, especially ones that involve any of the women in her life planning a party that could include the invitation of strippers. Despite Alex pretending that he's not going to do that, Tess could see right through him, and just told Nick to remember that she's the one who gives him everything, before tucking a pair of her knickers into his pocket and sauntering off. It was a strange moment, but Tess had enjoyed seeing the look on her fiancés face when he pulled them out of his pocket in front of Alex and had to hide the blush from creeping up on his cheeks. She had heard Alex shout to him that he's whipped, and Nick shouted something back about him 'having women's underwear in his pocket from a hot girl'. Stevie had come to Tess later, smirking at her, and the two shared a knowing laugh.
In the lead up to the wedding, Tess was trying to get as much done as she could before it all goes insane. As a wedding present, Harry had offered for them to get married at Killarney, which Tess had lamented to Claire that she didn't want, but decided to just go along with to, just to appease Harry, and to prevent anything from causing an argument between the family. They're all in a good place right now, and she doesn't want to ruin that. Drovers is being changed from the wedding venue to a party venue, that they're throwing the day after the wedding for the newlywed couple. Tess is mustering with the other women, trying to get the cattle back to the homestead, before the rain comes in, but they're not having much luck, and Turbo is having some trouble keeping them on his toes. But Stevie is in denial that he's getting old, and Tess doesn't have the heart to tell her. She just wants everything to be okay in the lead up to the wedding. Nick had stayed home today, Alex, Vic, Riley, Dave, and Reagan had gone into the city for a meeting about Organics on Wilgul, and Nick had stayed home, because he wasn't feeling well, and just wanted to spend the day with his girls, despite Tess telling him that she's going to be working most of the day. He hadn't minded, and Tess was just happy that Meg could have a day off as well, because she and Terri have been having some trouble in their relationship, and she wants them to be together. They're perfect for each other. Claire met them in the yards as they returned, she's been barred from riding by Vic, now that she's pregnant, despite her attempting it when she was pregnant with Charlotte, but he's been good for her, and although she hates it, she's been doing what she's told. Mostly because she knows the risks behind it, and she doesn't want what happened to Tess, to happen to her. Tess was putting Oscar back in his stall when Jodi, Stevie, and Claire approached her, all of them giggling idiotically and grinning manically at her, before grabbing her hand, pulling her into the house, and into the living room, where Nick was sitting with the girls, Ivy in his left arm, Amelia snuggled under his right, watching the Cartoon Network. Stevie mentioned that she had taken a picture, but that she wanted Tess to see it. Claire smirked, pushing her sister into the room, before the others left, and Tess sat down on the couch, Nick smiling at her, handing her Ivy, and wrapping his now free left arm around his fiancée as the small family sat together. Amelia was almost asleep by the time the show they were watching had finished, so Nick and Tess took their kids upstairs for their respective naps, before the two of them decided to have some… afternoon fun.
'I take it you're feeling better if this is any indication,' Tess said, as Nick settled her on his lap, she straddled him, smirking
'I feel much better when you're around Tess,' he said, slowly unbuttoning the shirt she was wearing, as she connected their lips in a kiss
'Good, because I don't plan on stopping, it's been too long,' she replied, and Nick moaned as Tess ground their hips together, making quick work of her shirt, and bra, before Nick's mouth found her skin
'Me neither… oh Tess… I love you,' he managed to get out, before she shut him up in the best way possible.
September 6th, 2005
Fisher District Surrounds
Fisher District
Afternoon/Evening
Alex had planned a kicking bachelor party for Nick in the city, despite the guys being hesitant to travel that far, they had been convinced when Riley showed up with a rented party bus. Jodi had been the one to question her boyfriend, but he promised that he would be good, and he'd keep the others in line, because he's the designated driver… and also because they're staying for a couple of days in the city, so they don't have to worry about drinking and driving all the way back on the same day. Nick spent most of the morning trying to convince Tess to lie to his brother, get him out of going to the city, but his fiancée was having far too much fun with Claire, torturing him. She wants him to have a good time, and she knows that she can trust him, and Nick won't do anything to sabotage his upcoming wedding, but he also knows what Alex is like. He knows what a bachelor party entails, and he's even more worried because it's in the city… he hates the city, and he hates that this is happening. Tess stops him in the middle of the driveway at Drovers Run. She had come to get the mail, and Nick had been chasing behind her, trying to get her to lie to Alex. She'd had enough of it and told him that if he didn't want to go, he would need to be the one to tell Alex, because she doesn't want to get involved, and it's his bachelor party. He deserves to have his night. Nick had been convinced, only by Vic, and Riley that it would be alright. Claire had made her husband promise to keep an eye on everyone, and Vic nodded. Just before midday, the bus that Riley had hired pulled up at Drovers Run, and the girl's said goodbye to their partners for the next couple of days, hooting and hollering when Nick pulled Tess in for a kiss, before Alex threatened to dump water on him if he didn't hurry up. To be honest, they're all either married, engaged, or dating someone, so it's not like any of them are going to be going all out and taking a girl home. Sure, some might consider it cheating to go to a strip club, but Alex and Stevie had it all worked out, and besides, those who don't want to watch, can just sit in the bar. Alex is going to have some fun, regardless of what is going on at home. Just for the night, they're going to be wild. Nick had been handed a beer by Vic the minute they got on the bus. He thanked them all for coming and thanked Alex for planning the party, against his wishes, to which his brother just smirked, winked, and raised his beer in the air, hollering about how amazing it's going to be. Nick rolled his eyes, wishing that he'd stayed back at Drovers Run with his girls, because that's his favourite place to be right now.
Back at Drovers Run, the ladies were preparing for their own party. It was more subdued than the bachelor party that Alex was throwing, but Tess preferred it that way. Claire is pregnant, so it's not like they can do much else anyway. Harry was going with the guys to the city, and against the advice of both Meg, and Becky, Tess had invited Liz and Sandra to her bachelorette party, telling the women that she doesn't want any egos or upset feelings at her wedding, she just wants everyone to be there, and celebrate her and Nick getting married. It had been enough to convince the ladies to be on their best behaviours. Liz arrived with a flourish, looking amazing, and complimenting everyone on their outfits. She went upstairs to find her granddaughters, and giggled when she heard Tess talking to Ivy as she changed her outfit. Tess smiled as she turned to see Liz, thanking her for coming, and handing Ivy to her when she was changed. Liz held the precious little girl in her arms, cooing at her, and asking Tess if she's ready. When the blonde woman shook her head, Liz told her to go and get dressed, she'll watch the girls. Since Liz had come back to Fisher, since Tess had given her the ultimatum, she's been different. Don't get her wrong, she's still the same Liz, but there is something different about the woman now, and she's been amazing with Tess and the girls. About half an hour later, Tess returned to the nursery, dressed, and done up, with Liz telling her she looks beautiful, before handing Ivy back to her and picking up Amelia. The four ladies headed back downstairs, meeting the others in the dining room, where Kate and Olivia were setting up some games. Claire hugged her sister, and Liz, whilst Charlotte was showing off her pretty dress that Peter had brought for her birthday. Tess smiled, nodding to her sister. It's been difficult, with Peter wanting to be a part of his daughter's life, but Claire wasn't going to stop him, and it's been… good… so far anyway. Ivy made a sound when the music started, that Tess knew meant she would start crying, and quickly ushered her out of the room, and back upstairs. She put her daughter down in the cot, and pressed a kiss to her forehead, grabbing the baby monitor, and closing the door. Amelia and Charlotte would no doubt entertain each other for a while, before their bedtimes as well, then later in the evening it's the adult's time. Tess returns from putting Ivy down, and finds Kate wrapping toilet paper around Jodi, laughing when Claire tells her what they're doing.
'Okay, it's time for the wedding dress judging competition. In the left corner we have Kate and Jodi, and in the right corner, we have Claire and Becky. I am your MC for the evening, my name is Olivia. Okay, let's see a hand raised for the winners,' Olivia said, grinning at Tess who was shaking her head, accepting the glass of champagne from Meg
'I don't know if Claire's dress on Becky is going to hold up,' Meg said, when the young women twirled and had to grab her chest as the toilet paper was falling down
'Oh, come on Meg. It's bog roll. Give me a break,' Claire said, rolling her eyes at Kate, when the woman made a smart comment, as Jodi twirled around, no hands needed
'Well, they're both very creative,' Tess said, quickly choosing her sister, because she knows what pregnant, hormonal Claire is like, and she doesn't want that right now.
September 15th, 2005
Fisher District Surrounds
Fisher District
Morning/Afternoon
Two days before the wedding of Nick and Tess and the youngest Ryan brother has himself in a bit of a pickle. By that, he means that he was fixing the fence in the north paddock with his idiot big brother, who let go of the fencing before it was in place, and it struck Nick on the side of his face, causing a rather large gash down his cheek, which was clearly visible and not very easy to hide… especially from a pregnant Claire McLeod, who came over to drop some things off for the wedding, and saw Nick's face. She gasped so loud, that Alex could hear it from the other side of the street, and he quickly moved over to Claire to try and calm the waters. Stevie had come with Claire as well, and was trying to convince her that it's going to be okay, that they can fix Nick's face, making a joke about something else to try and calm the waters, but Claire was fixated on it, and when she found out what had happened, she went after Alex, pushing against his shoulders, scolding him for not protecting his brother before the most important day of his life. Alex rolled his eyes, and argued with Claire, which wasn't a good idea, considering Claire McLeod's tenacity, which is only worse when she's pregnant. Nick managed to convince the eldest McLeod sister that everything would be okay for the wedding, and that Stevie and the girls have already figured out a way to cover everything up, so that it can't be seen in the pictures. Claire wasn't convinced, but let it go. Nick and Tess (well it was Tess' idea, she's been paranoid about signs and doomsday and all those things) had decided to spend the week before the wedding apart. So Nick hasn't seen his fiancée in five days, Liz has been bringing the girls to see him here at Killarney, where he's been staying with Alex, who was thrilled to have his little brother back living with him, as they haven't been since they both got into relationships. But it's been the most torturous time for Nick. Talking on the phone with Tess isn't the same as crawling into bed beside her, and just holding his fiancée in his arms. But they've got two more days, before they can see each other again, and then for the rest of their lives. Even though he had tried to sneak onto Drovers to see Tess, the women had stopped him at every turn. Claire was there, or Kate, Olivia, Becky… they were all there. Stevie had even threatened to run him over if he came near the gate again before the wedding. It was mental. Tess had conceded, and had dropped the girls off at Killarney, kissing him once, before forcing herself to get back in the ute and head back to Drovers. That was the last time he'd kissed Tess… he can't wait for their wedding day.
That afternoon, Nick was finishing up with jobs, and entered the Killarney house to see his mother colouring with Amelia. Ivy was having her nap in the nursery, and it was a quiet house. Despite the fact that Amelia was also meant to be napping, he's surprised that she's as calm as she is. Liz looks up when she sees her son enter the house, pointing to Amelia, who grins and holds up the colouring pages, showing her father what she and grandma had been doing. Nick sat down on the other side of his daughter, and just watched the interaction happening in front of him. Amelia looks so much like Tess it's almost like she has a twin, who is much younger than her. But the one thing about Amelia that is like him, is her eyes. She definitely has his eyes. Alex enters the house then, with Riley following close behind. They're whispering, and when they see Nick, both of them stop talking immediately, causing Nick to raise an eyebrow and ask them what is going on. Alex tries to deflect, but he's shit at it, and ends up telling some random story about a troll under the bridge, which transitions into him trying to escape the situation by claiming that he needs to go and see Vic, who is at Wilgul today, working with Dave and Reagan. Nick stands up, ushering Riley and his idiot brother in the study, closing the door, before asking what is going on. Riley and Alex share a look, before the farm hand tells the younger Ryan brother that the caterer cancelled last minute, and that the photographer is stuck in Sydney, and might not make it in time for the ceremony. Nick asked how it was possible, because the wedding is in two days, and it doesn't take that long to get here from Sydney, but Alex just explained that the photographer is shooting another wedding in Sydney, and it's been pushed until tomorrow, so she might not be available for the seventeenth anymore. Nick sighs and asks if Tess knows about this. Riley and Alex share another look, frustrating Nick, who grabs the phone off the desk, and dials Drovers number. Alex and Riley beg Nick to not tell Tess, that they're handling it, and making sure that everything is going to work, but Nick rolls his eyes, telling them that she needs to know. Despite the fact that everything had been going well [too well] at this point, he knew that something was bound to happen that would make everything come undone. Unsurprisingly, it was Claire who answered the phone, asking Nick what he wanted.
'Claire, we have a problem,' Nick said, and Claire sighed
'You know, your brother can't keep a secret to save his damn life. I know about the caterer and the photographer. We're working on it, and you tell Alex Marion Ryan that I'll be having some words with him. I told him not to worry you about this,' Claire said, and Nick chuckled relaying the message to Alex, full name, and all.
'How is Tess handling everything?' he asked, and he could hear the smirk in Claire's reply.
'She's fine. I haven't told her that anything is wrong, and it's going to stay that way. Becky is coming to pick up the girls after dinner. Only two more days Nick,' Claire said, and he swore he heard Tess' voice in the background, before Claire quickly said bye and hung up.
September 17th, 2005
Wedding Day/Ceremony
Drovers Run
Fisher District
Morning/Afternoon
Tess was woken up by her sister at five am. Despite Claire claiming that she needed her beauty sleep, the woman had woken her up, telling her that they needed to start getting things ready for eleven o'clock. That is the time that the wedding begins, meaning that they have six hours to get Tess looking amazing. Not that she needs to try hard, she looks beautiful always, but today she wanted to look her wedding best. The entire homestead was a bustle of people arriving, and things being set up, and Meg making sure that people and things were where they were supposed to be. Tess, Claire, and Jodi were upstairs, the three sisters just sitting together, watching Charlotte, Amelia, and Ivy, dressed in their pretty wedding dressed, just watching the TV together, cartoons playing in front of them. Tess' hair and makeup was done, she was just waiting to get into her dress. At nine am, Meg knocked on the door, asking if they're all done getting ready, and stopping in her tracks when she saw Tess, in her wedding dress, small veil on her head, and a white flower crown holding it in place. Claire, Stevie, Jodi, Becky, and Kate the bridesmaids, in their lilac purple dressed, with the girls, Charlotte and Amelia as the flower girls, in a white dress with lilac ribbon belt, and Ivy in a similar outfit as well. The girls stood together, having some champagne, before hearing the commotion from outside, and looking out the window to see the guests had begun to arrive. Tess knew that the girls would have to leave her soon, they would have to go downstairs, and put the final things in place, before she makes her grand entrance. Harry had offered to walk her down the aisle, and Tess had agreed to let him. He's going to be her father-in-law, and she never really got to know Jack the way that Claire did. Besides, her sister is her matron-of-honour, so she has an important role in the wedding anyway. Tess chuckled as the two of the three youngest Drovers ladies, Charlotte, and Amelia, began twirling in their dresses, as Stevie came to collect them, and bring them downstairs. Tess kissed all of the girls on their foreheads, and waved to them as Aunt Stevie took them downstairs. Claire went back up to see her sister, poking her head around the door, and making a joke as she entered the room, pulling her into a hug, and whispering how proud of her she is, and that she and Nick have come so far. They have all come so far. Tess thanked Claire for everything, which caused Claire to demand that Tess not make them both cry, after which they laughed, trying to break the tension in the room.
Everyone was seated, and ready downstairs. Nick and Alex were standing at the altar, and neither could deny that Drovers looked amazing, decorated for the wedding that Tess had envisioned. Everyone looked dapper in their suits, and Alex was on his best behaviour, mostly because he's afraid of the pregnant Claire McLeod, and of his own fiancé, who had threatened him numerous times if he makes a scene today. But Nick knows that his brother is going to be okay. He's been waiting for this day for as long as everyone else has. In the front row, Liz was smiling proudly at her sons. She never imagined that this day would come, she had imagined that it would be happening at Killarney, and that it would be Nick and Sally, but after that fell apart, and after Tess got pregnant with Amelia, her vision of her son's life changed. She couldn't see anyone other than Tess. There is a hushing noise that comes, and then music begins. The bridesmaids begin their descent down the aisle, starting with Claire, Charlotte, and Amelia. Nick grins at his daughter as she holds onto her aunt's hand, mostly so she doesn't just run off. But both the girls are well behaved, and when they get to the top of the aisle, they're ushered into seats by Terri and Meg. After Claire, comes Jodi, Becky, and Kate. Each of them taking their positions before they're asked by the officiant asks them all to rise. The music changes, and then Tess appears, a vision in white, her arm linked with Harry's. When they reach the aisle, Nick's grin has widened, almost impossibly, and he's fighting the tears. Alex is failing that, and tearfully announces that Tess looks beautiful, before Riley rolls his eyes, handing the man a tissue. He thinks Tess looks beautiful too, but he's not going to cry about it. Harry and Tess walk up the aisle, and when they reach the others, Harry hugs her, whispers 'welcome to the family' in her ear and goes to take his seat beside Liz. Nick takes Tess' hands, as they stand together in front of the officiant. Claire is also struggling to hold it together, but she's better than Alex. Since they met, this is the moment they have all been waiting for. Tess has been through so much, and she and Nick got so lost to each other, before coming together again, and now they're finally here. The officiant asks everyone to be seated and begins the ceremony. She asks Nick to go first with his vows, which he pretends to have forgotten, Tess giving him a dangerous look, before he smirks and pulls the small white paper out of his pocket.
'Teresa McLeod. You asked me once, before we were together, if I remembered the first time I saw you, and what you looked like. I lied to that day Tess. I told you that I didn't remember, but I did. I do. I have thought about that moment so much since then. You had your hair in pigtails, one either side of your head, with pink bows. You had on a shirt that had strawberries on it and matching pink shorts. Your eyes were the most beautiful colour, and I remember thinking it matched the crayon you had in your hand. I wanted to go over and talk to you, but I got distracted by dad calling for me and Alex to go home. I asked about you in the car, and dad told me that your name was Tess. I remember thinking that was a beautiful name, and how beautiful you were. I want to be your friend. I tried to convince my parents to let me go to Drovers everyday to play with you, much to their annoyance. When I learned that Ruth had left and taken you with her, I felt like something had been taken from my life, despite neither of us knowing each other that well then. Claire would talk about you, and I would imagine what you looked like as you got older, wondering if you ever thought about me. As we got older, Claire stopped talking about you, but I never forgot that one day, when I was seven. Now, here we are. You came back and everything changed. It got better. Claire's life got better, and so did mine. You have given me so much Tess. Two beautiful daughters, and the most amazing woman that I could ever imagine loving. That memory that I have of you when you were five, it doesn't stack up to the memories that we have made here, together. Things were screwed up for a long time, but they got better, and I wouldn't change anything, because it led us here. I love you Tess McLeod, and I always will,' Nick said, so tempted to kiss Tess in that moment, chuckling a little when the officiant had to compose herself slightly to ask Tess to give her vows.
'When my mother took me from Drovers, I remember seeing you as we drove by. You and Alex were helping Harry in the fields, and I begged my mother to let me stay with Claire. I begged her every day, to bring me back, to let me see my sister and my father. I held onto the memories that I had made when I was still at Drovers, seeing you, your silly shirt, your curly hair, and I wondered, and dreamed and imagined life if Ruth hadn't taken me away. It was always Claire, but sometimes, you would pop up in my imaginations, and I would wonder whatever happened to you. But I have to agree, there was something missing. It was Claire, and Jack, and Drovers Run. But it was also you. For some reason, that day that I saw you when I was sick, stuck with me, and I didn't understand it for a long time. When I moved back here, when I found my sister, I also found you, and I began to understand why you were so present in my mind. I wasn't just coming back to my sister, back to my home. I was coming back to you. I didn't know you, but I knew you. It's always been you, Nick. I have imagined my life so many times, and I can honestly say, that this moment is beyond any imaginations that I've had. Thank you for loving me, and for being an amazing father to our girls, and for always being here when I need you. I love you,' Tess said, folding the paper, and handing it back to Claire, each of them taking the respective rings from their wedding party leaders
'Ladies and gentlemen, with these rings, and the sharing of vows, I would like to pronounce Nick and Tess… husband and wife. Nick, you may kiss your bride,' the officiant said, and Nick grinned, grabbing Tess' hands, and pulling her close to him, softly moving a strand of hair to back behind her ear.
'Finally… wifey' he said, chuckling as he kissed Tess, everyone was cheering, and hooting, laughing when Amelia ran over to her parents, hugging Tess and Nick's legs, as they broke the kiss, and Nick bent down to pick up his daughter, he and Tess pressing a kiss to either side of her face, as they laughed.
September 17th, 2005
Wedding Reception
Drovers Run
Fisher District
Afternoon/Evening
The reception was a hit. They found a caterer, who was local, and willing to do the wedding on short notice. Most of the food was made anyway, they just had to heat it, and cook. The photographer had managed to get here from her Sydney wedding, and whilst the others were off taking pictures, everyone else was mingling, and chatting, and just having a good time. When the wedding party returned, it was Terri, taking over at MC, who introduced them all into the reception. Claire, and Alex, Stevie and Vic, Jodi and Riley, Becky and Jake, Kate, and Dave. Then Terri asked everyone to raise their glasses to the newlywed couple, introducing Nick and Tess McLeod-Ryan for the first time as husband and wife. The wedding table was beautifully decorated, just the way that Tess had wanted it to be, and she and Nick sat down together, at the small table, just big enough for four people. Ivy was on Tess' left, and Amelia, on Nick's right, but it was a beautiful moment, and the photographer was getting some beautiful pictures. Claire watched her sister, as they went onto have lunch, smiling at the beautiful woman she has become. To be honest, when Tess was gone, she had convinced herself that she wouldn't ever see her again, and she had made herself okay with that. But when Tess came back, everything changed. She had wanted to accept her sister, she had wanted to go back to how it was when they were little, but they hadn't seen each other in twenty years. They had grown up into adults. They didn't know each other as teenagers. It was difficult for Claire to let her sister back into her life, but she's glad that she did. Because now they're here. Claire is proud of her sister, marrying the man that she loves, and having a family with him. Things have changed so much, like Tess said in her vows. She was missing something, and Claire was missing something as well. It was Tess. She had tried to locate her sister once when she was eighteen. Even deigning to go to the city to try and locate Tess, but she called Ruth, and the woman told her that Tess was away at Uni, she wouldn't be home. Claire hated Ruth with a passion, and refused to believe her, but eventually, after calling a few times to try and talk to Tess, gave up. There was no way that Tess was away at uni because she was fifteen at that point. Claire went to the city once, with Jack, and she found the address of the apartment that Ruth and Tess were living in. She had gone up to knock on the door but saw her sister coming back with two other young girls and ran to hide behind a bush. She should've knocked, but she didn't. Claire felt herself getting emotional, Vic's comforting hand on her back, sensing her distress, and letting her come to him when she's ready. Claire watched Tess happily chatting with Reagan for a few more moments, a vision in her wedding dress, before turning back to Vic, pressing a kiss to his lips, and engaging in the conversation at the wedding party table. It wasn't a great conversation, but she knows that anything she can use to distract her from other things, is going to be beneficial to her, and she doesn't want Tess worrying about her whilst she's on her honeymoon. That is her time with Nick and the girls. They're all going to be fine for the week.
Claire had made sure that everything was set in place in time for her sister and Nick to leave on their honeymoon. She had never imagined being this close to the Ryan's in her life, and she knows that their father would probably be having a coronary at Harry Ryan being this close to Drovers Run, but she couldn't deny how happy it had made her sister. Alex had come over, slightly tipsy, and told her that they're 'related by marriage' now. Claire had promised to castrate him, but he had just grinned that stupid grin and sauntered off to find Stevie. Meg and Terri had disappeared as well, and when Claire went into the toilet, she heard them fighting. She knows that it's been hard for the two of them, with Meg leaving, and then coming back and Terri trying to move on from her, but then having to deal with her return… she doesn't know if they're going to be forever, but he hates the thought of it. Meg and Terri seem great together. As the afternoon faded into evening, the outdoor heaters were brought out to fight against the chill that had come over, but the alcohol was flowing, and the dancing was getting worse, and people were beginning to wind down. Nick and Tess would be leaving for their honeymoon tonight. They had gone upstairs to get changed, their bags already in the car. The girls were sleeping, in their car seats when Claire went out to meet up with her sister. They had changed their honeymoon plans. They couldn't leave the country and go on their overseas honeymoon with the girls, so they had decided to change their honeymoon, so that they would be able to take the girls with them, as kind of like a family holiday in a way. Their first one altogether. They're going to the Hutner Valley for a weeklong honeymoon/holiday. Liz and Harry had offered to pay for it, changing the old plans for the new ones without any hesitation. Alex had offered to drive them to the airport, but Nick decided that he would just drive them there. It's an eleven-hour drive, but he and Tess can sub out. The guests gathered at the driveway gate, waiting for Nick and Tess to hug them, thank them for coming, and say their goodbyes. Everyone was excited, cheering when they came out of the house, before Tess begged them not to wake the girls, she's hoping they'll sleep the entire way there. Nick and Tess made their rounds, each of them stopping to have mini conversations with different people. Claire hugged her sister tight, making her promise that she would come back. Tess whispered that she would always come back home. Claire nodded, promising to take it easy whilst she's gone, and that she loves them all. It was the longest goodbye, with Nick carefully prying the two sisters away from each other and guiding his wife into the car. Nick was driving first, Tess hung out the window, waving to everyone, blowing kisses to her sisters, and friends, and when she couldn't see them anymore, she returned back to her seat, sniffling slightly, as Nick asked her if she's okay. She nodded, she's happy. But their vows had been deeper than she had expected, and the emotional toll of the day had caught up with her. Tess settled back into her seat, as they approached the entrance to Drovers Run. She looked back at the sign as Nick pulled out onto the road, seeing her name, Claire's name, and Jodi's names together, as the owners of the property, and smiling. Drovers Run will always be where she truly belongs.
'I love you,' Tess said, smiling at her now husband
'I love you too,' Nick replied, turning his head to look at her
'Nick, watch the road, the girls are in the car,' Tess said, chuckling at Nick's reply
'Okay… wifey…' he said, turning to look back at the road.
A/N: Nick and Tess are finally married. The next chapter talks a little bit about their honeymoon, and I think also touches a little on Claire's pregnancy. It's been so long since I wrote this, I genuinely can't remember. But enjoy anyway. D.