A/N: Have a holly jolly Christmas, it's the best time of the year. Well for most people. Some people are just rushing around trying to get everything organised, and thinking that just when they've gotten it all organised, something else comes up. Anyway... Claire finds out the sex of her baby in this chapter, and it's a surprise to everyone. If that's something you enjoy, then read on, and thanks for checking out my story. JusticeIsn'tEasy0083. D.
McLeod's Daughters
A Different Time, A Different Story
Chapter Twenty-Six: A McLeod…Son?
October 3rd, 2005
Fisher District Surrounds
Fisher District
Morning/Afternoon
Claire had a doctor's appointment this morning, as she reached the five-month mark of her pregnancy, she is going to find out the sex of the baby today. Vic keeps telling her that he thinks it's going to be another girl, a sister for Charlotte, but both Charlotte and Claire believe that it's going to be a boy. Despite Tess having had two girls consecutively, Claire can just tell that she thinks it's going to be a boy. After Nick and Tess had come back from their lovely honeymoon to the Hunter Valley, things had gone basically back to normal work and life wise. Claire's birthday is in two days, and she knows that Stevie is organising something for her, despite her only turning thirty-three, and telling her best-friend that she doesn't need a party, because it's not a big birthday. But Stevie was adamant that they needed to throw her one, so Claire was just letting her do it. She can't argue with both Tess and Stevie, she doesn't have the energy right now. The other big thing that happened on September 27th, Riley and Jodi got engaged on their one-year anniversary. He had planned to propose to her in private, but everyone was at the Truck Stop for Gungellan Fresh, and he just thought it would be better to do it in front of all the people who care about them the most. Jodi said yes, and now they're planning to get married in January, not wanting to wait, but also wanting Claire to be there, and not try to steal her thunder. But Claire honestly doesn't care about that. She just loves that Jodi is engaged, and that she and Riley managed to find each other. Besides, Jodi is her little sister, so she has to be there for her. The same way that she always has and always will be there for Tess. This morning, the girls had met up with Reagan, who had come over to Drovers to help them out, whilst the guys were working on Wilgul. Dave had just gone back to working as a vet, trying to start his own business, closer to home, mostly so that he didn't have to drive all the way back to Nanjemup County every day, which is about three hours there and back. Whilst they were all supportive of Dave wanting to start his own business, they also knew how difficult it was going to be. Reagan had made her boyfriend something nice this morning, as well as their 'morning delight'. It's been nice having someone in her life again. Claire was feeling nauseous when Tess found her in the kitchen, as they readied themselves to go to the doctors in Fisher. She asked her sister if Dr. Gallagher should come out here instead, but Claire was adamant they go in, as they need to pick some things up in Fisher anyway. Tess was reluctant but agreed with her sister. Tess was driving Claire to the doctors. She stopped at Wilgul on the way, picking up Vic, and leaving the girls with their father, who wished both of them good luck as he lifted his girls out of the car, and grinned. Amelia is eighteen months old today, and her sister is seven months old tomorrow.
The drive to the doctors was done with Claire and Vic arguing the entire way about the sex of the baby, and Tess refusing to get in the middle of the argument, despite the fact that she had told her sister that she also thinks she's having a boy. It's two hours to Fisher, they still have an hour to go, at which point Tess threatens to pull the car over, and make them both walk, if they keep arguing and bitching like teenagers. It had surprised both Claire and Vic, her sister sending her a sly wink in pride, as they continued on in silence. Vic then made sure that his wife and sister-in-law knew that he would be happy either way, boy or girl, that he just wants the baby happy and healthy. Claire turned to look at her husband, and they managed to somehow kiss one another, with Tess making gagging sounds, before letting out a loud shout when Claire smacked her shoulder. The two sisters giggled, with Vic loving rolling his eyes at the two of them. Jodi had wanted to come along as well, but she had been called into the fire brigade this morning, and couldn't make it in time for the appointment, so they would meet up with her in Gungellan and tell her all the news. By the time they got to the doctor's office, Tess was stroppy, and just wanted to go home. The three of them went in together, Dr. Gallagher met them in the waiting room fifteen minutes later, asking them all to come back into the room. Vic took Tess' usual spot, and Tess sat on the other side. Dr. Gallagher asked how Claire had been feeling, and how she's going with everything, before preparing the sonogram machine. It was a little wait, because the machine needed time to warm up, so Dr. Gallagher just ran some basic tests on Claire, checking her blood pressure, and the baby's heartrate, as well as Claire's. She asked her and Vic questions, and the two sisters showed the doctors recent pictures of Charlotte, Amelia, and Ivy, because Dr. Gallagher is their friend as well as their OB/GYN. A friendship born of constant visits to the clinic Tess supposes. But they all get along outside of here as well, and Susan (Gallagher's real name) has always been a supporter of theirs and has promised to come to the farm and help out if they need an extra set of hands at any time. Finally, the machine had warmed itself up again, with Susan muttering under her breath how they don't have enough funding for updated technology, before grabbing all the things they need.
'Okay Claire are you ready to learn the sex of the baby?' she asked, squirting on the gel, and moving the wand around on the small bump Claire now had.
'Yes, squash this beef once and for all,' Claire said, looking at her husband who was just staring at the screen, entranced.
'Congratulations, Claire and Vic, you're having a boy,' Susan said, and it took a moment to sink it, before all three of them reacted, and Vic was happy about it, he hugged his wife, kissed her, and then hugged Tess and the Dr. before doing an excited dance in the room
'This is not a normal reaction, I apologise for him,' Claire said, but all three of the women just laughed at Vic's ridiculous dancing around the room, as the Dr. finished off the appointment and printed some pictures for Claire to take back and show everyone.
October 5th, 2005
Drovers Run
Fisher District
Evening/Midnight
Stevie had decided to go ahead with Claire's birthday party, which was now also a joint celebration of Riley and Jodi's engagement, and Claire and Vic learning they're having a baby boy. So, Claire had relented when Stevie had told her the new reason for the party, and Jodi was just excited to learn that she's going to be an aunt again, this time to a nephew. She and Riley had discussed it, and whilst she has made the change to legally become a McLeod, she also knows that when she gets married, she wants to take Riley's last name. He had made the choice to hyphenate both of their surnames, so they would be Jodi and Riley McLeod-Ward. So many names, but she would probably just introduce herself to people as Jodi Ward, but her children will be McLeod-Ward. Tess and Nick were dancing in the corner of the room, just swaying slowly to the music, holding each other, whilst Jodi watched the two of them, having come through together after so much happening to them, she loves that they're finally here. That the family is together, and happy. Reagan and Dave are going strong as well, and he's let Jodi (and only Jodi) in on the secret that he's going to propose to Reagan at Christmas, because the ring isn't ready yet, and won't be for another two months. He would have told Kate, but the young woman is going through some things in her own relationship at the moment. She and Will are having some… issues. They're working through them, but Dave didn't want to drop all of his relationship happiness on her, when she's going through such a shitty time. The Dwyer family are here as well, and it's the first time that they are getting to meet Axle's boyfriend Tyler, and Olivia's 'friend' (because they all know the two of them are crazy about each other) Dinah. The only person who seems put out by meeting Dinah, is Millie, who has spent most of the night ignoring the other woman or making snarky remarks about her. Jodi and Kate know what is going on, but they tell her to cool it, because her husband is here, and Olivia deserves to have someone real in her life. Millie ends up disappearing for an hour with Timmothy, both coming back dishevelled, to the hoots of Alex and Riley joking that they snuck off to have sex. Millie proudly stated that they did, just to see the look on Olivia's face, which only made her feel bad, after she quickly left the room with Dinah following behind, sending a glare in her direction. She knows that it's not fair to Olivia, her still being with Timmothy, but she's bisexual… and she's married to Timmothy. She's already made her choice because of that. Had she met Olivia two years ago, maybe things would be different. But she needs to let the woman go now. Needs to let her move on.
When Stevie brought out three cakes, one for Claire's birthday, one for Riley and Jodi's engagement, and one for Claire's baby boy discovery, people were shocked. Mostly because it was so many cakes and how are they going to eat them all? Jodi made a suggestion to her mother, that Terri can sell the cut-up cake as slices in the small café at the Truck Stop, and they could donate the money to the hospital in Fisher to get them so upgraded equipment. Everyone agreed that this was a good idea, and let Kate cut the cake, because she would do it so that it would still look presentable to sell. They sang Happy Birthday to Claire, raised their glasses and congratulated Jodi and Riley on their engagement, and then did the same to congratulate Vic and Claire on their baby boy. Tess already knew the name that Claire would choose, and had made her sister something, which she gave to Claire at that moment. Opening it with Vic, the two of them looked up at her, and she nodded, smiling, before Claire stood and hugged her, whispering 'thanks, I love it, and you' in her ear. She then turned it around to show everyone, the small name plaque that Tess had had made for her nephew. It was painted a light blue colour, made on Claire's favourite wood type, and in cursive writing read Jack James McLeod-Waller. It's the same as the ones Claire had made for Ivy and Amelia. It was the best gift that Claire had received that night, Jodi had brought her sister something for herself, and for the baby, both of which Claire loved as well. One was a little farmers outfit to match with Claire's, and for Claire she had brought the book she had been mentioning wanting to read. It was a nice night, and by the time midnight came around, most people had gone home. Tyler and Axle were the last two to leave, but they were so excited to just have everyone accepting them, that they had engaged in a lot of affection displays in public. Just because they knew no one would judge them. Nick had made a point to tell them that they're all okay with them, and that they shouldn't be ashamed to be like that, because they all are, and they know that sometimes, it's off putting. So they shouldn't be worried about it. It had been a nice moment between the three, and then Alex had made it awkward by saying something stupid, and that's when Stevie decided to take her fiancé home as well. So now it's just Nick, Tess, Claire, and Vic, sitting around the table in the dining room, laughing and having the most amazing time, just talking, and joking, with Claire telling stories about her and Tess when they were little.
'How did you know what I was going to name the baby?' Claire asked her sister out of the blue as they headed upstairs to go to bed
'Claire, I know how much Jack meant to you. I knew the minute Susan told us that it's a boy, that you would want to name him after dad. I've had that plaque made up for a month Claire. Dad would be honoured that you're naming the baby after him,' Tess said, stopping at the bathroom door, hands on her sister's shoulders
'You are amazing. Do you know that? How you have time to do all these things, spend time with the girls, and with Nick, and still be an amazing sister? I envy that sometimes,' Claire said, and Tess hugged her
'Claire McLeod, you are an amazing sister. An amazing mother. An amazing wife. I can only do these things because I have all of you. I have Nick, you, Vic… the other girls… I have family around me, and so do you. All of this only works when all of our family and friends are around. I love you Claire, stop doubting yourself, because you, me, Jodi… we're the Amazing McLeod Sisters,' Tess said, then cringed and laughed at the look on Claire's face before they hugged, and parted ways to their respective bedrooms to sleep.
October 12th, 2005
Gungellan Truck Stop
Gungellan, Fisher
Morning/Afternoon
It's been a month of surprises for everyone in the Fisher District, with Claire and Vic revealing they're having a baby boy, to Nick and Tess getting married, and Riley and Jodi getting engaged. Everyone seems to be having big life changing events happening to them, including the Gungellan Truck Stop. With money from fundraising, and some grants by the government, the Truck Stop is getting an update. Most of the town is pitching in to help out. Tess and Stevie are in charge of painting with Meg, whilst Claire is on manager duty, meaning that because she's pregnant and can't be near the pain fumes, she's in charge of just bossing them all around, which Alex pointed out, she's great at. That earnt him a smack to his shoulder and a warning from Vic about Claire being pregnant and hormonal, evidenced by her almost bursting into tears after hurting Alex, and promising that she wouldn't do it again, only to do it again five minutes later when he teased her about it. Rose, Stevie's daughter was also helping out. She's been deciding what she wants to do when she graduates next year, even debating whether she wants to go to the city to attend university, despite her having a growing interest in all things Equestrian and Equine. She had expressed her desire to become a champion Horse Rider, and Dave had given her some great tips on Equestrian School, which she could do, to not only further her education, but kick start her career. Alex had even looked up some schools close to Fisher that she could attend, finding one about two hours away in the town of Galling, which is the best Equestrian School in the state. Stevie had been proud when her daughter had come up with her own plan, but they do have a deal. The deal is that Rose graduate Year Twelve first before starting her career. She has been working with Claire and Jake and the horses on the breeding business, something that she is also passionate about is being a vet, which the Equine School offers as well. Rose is honestly happy and excited for the first time in a long time, since she found out that Stevie is her mother, and not her aunt. Since she moved here. Now she's finally found some comfort, and she has good friends, who are a good influence on her at the school that she's attending. It's Fisher Highschool, but it's a good school, and she likes the area well enough. She wants to make her mother proud, and she wants to look back on her life and be proud of herself as well. But she also knows that only she can make herself that way…and she's trying to.
Since the renovations began at the Truck Stop, everyone has just been hanging out together in town. Olivia and Dinah are helping inside, with the interior, and updating everything, and because Tess used to want to own a café, she knows a thing or too about good coffee, and interiors for cafés. They had been working together to come up with something that would be nice, and wouldn't go over budget, because they do have a budget they need to stick to. It was kind a nice day for everyone to be together, bonding as they have been. It's been strange, since they haven't spent much time in town recently, most of them have been so busy working on their own properties. Claire is soaking in some sunshine (she's got all the necessary protections on, like sunscreen, and a hat), and telling them all what to do, and she's in her element, just like when she's on the farm. In her element. Liz was looking after the girls at Killarney, even Charlotte was there with her, because they didn't want to have the kids running around with the power tools, and paint as well. It's not a good combination. Dave and Reagan were standing out the front of the Truck Stop, watching the work being done, and debating on where they should put the newly updated sign when they heard the shouting. Everyone heard the shouting. It was Meg and Terri having a fight. No one could really tell what is was about, but it's a bad one. It's going to make the day seem so much longer if those two can't get their acts together and figure out what they want. Terri is so much in love with Meg, that he doesn't know what to do about it. He just wants to be with her, and Jodi has gone as far as to tell the two of them that she would be honoured to consider Terri as her stepfather. That she adores him, and in turn, Terri adores both Jodi and Meg. He's been there since Jodi was little. Meg came out of the Truck Stop, throwing a rag over her shoulder, hands on her hips, shouting that Terri can't make her choose. That's not fair, and she won't. He admitted that whilst she had been gone, he had fancied Moira Doyle, and Meg told him that she never stopped thinking about him whilst she was in Melbourne. That she just wanted to come back and be with him. Whilst everyone was pretending to not be paying attention to the couple arguing, they knew that Meg and Terri knew they would be listening. This could go one of two ways. Horribly, or perfectly.
'What do you want me to do Terri?' Meg asked, raising her hands in the air, asking him to tell her the answer wasn't the exact right thing to say
'I want you to marry me, Meg. Will you marry me?' he said, as everyone's eyes couldn't leave the event happening in front of them, Jodi made a squeak in excitement
'Yes,' the woman replied, smiling at Terri, standing in front of her, asking her to make a choice
'SHE SAID YES! WOOO!' Terri shouted, grabbing Meg, twirling her around, as everyone cheered, and clapped, and Jodi ran over to hug them.
October 19th, 2005
Fisher District Surrounds
Fisher District
Afternoon/Evening
Tess was spending the night at Wilgul, and it was driving Claire insane. She had been so lost without Tess the last time she'd stayed at Wilgul, that she'd driven over there and stayed with her, but she promised that she wouldn't do that this time, and she's been occupying herself with paperwork, but the phone is staring at her, whispering for her to call her sister. Jodi comes in then, asking Claire if they could hang out tonight, watch a movie, as Riley is at Killarney working and won't be back till late. Claire agreed, linking her arm with Jodi's as they made their way through the house, to the living room. She let Jodi pick the movie, making a joke about it being some ridiculous chick flick before she saw the title and that it was a horror movie. Jodi smirked at her when Claire apologised for jumping to the wrong conclusion and promises that she's working on it. Jodi just smiled at her, and the two settled into watch the movie…. At Wilgul, Tess, Alex, Dave, Reagan, Nick, and Vic were working on getting all the seeds planted for the next cropping season, and making sure the vegetation was under control. The organic animals they had brought for the farm were making themselves known, and with Nick carrying Ivy on his chest in the carrier, he wasn't much able to help with heavy lifting. So, Tess did all the heavy lifting, whilst Nick unabashedly stared at her, and she winked at him, making him blush for being caught just watching her. Alex had made a joke about his brother being whipped, but he too is whipped, and he knows that he can't keep using that excuse. So, he jokingly whistles at Tess, Nick punches his shoulder, Alex threatens to hurt him, Nick points to his daughter, and Alex softens, but reminds Nick that he can't always be carrying his daughter. By the end of the afternoon, they were all tired, dirty, and ready to call it quits. Reagan and Dave had needed a hand to keep Wilgul moving, and because Dave is back working now, it's been a struggle. So, Tess had offered to come over and help, spend some time with her cousin, get to know her, and much to both their surprises, they get along great. Tess asks Reagan how her relationship with Dave is going, and carefully admits that she and Dave used to date a long time ago. Reagan chuckled, linking her arm with Tess' as they headed back into the Wilgul cottage, and told her that she knows. She had asked Dave, and he'd told her. That she's not mad, they didn't know each other then. Tess made a joke about some ridiculous thing Dave did, and the two women bonded over that, whilst Regan admitted that she loves him, and that she hasn't loved anyone like that in a long time. Tess hugs her, both of them chuckling as they watch their respective partners trying to manoeuvre around one another with chicken wire.
Dave and Reagan were happy to have Nick and Tess (and the girls) staying with them for the night and told them as much when Tess came back from having put Ivy to bed. Amelia was getting a bath from Nick, and Dave had been chatting to Reagan about future plans, which Tess knew about Dave's plans for a proposal. He had come to her, for some reason, and asked her permission, like he owed her something, and when she had told him that he didn't, he apologised. She had been okay with it, Reagan is her family, and she would protect her the same way she protects Claire, she told this much to Dave. But she had given her blessing for him to ask, not that he needed it. Nick was oblivious to the whole thing, but had mentioned it to Dave off handedly, asking him if he's been thinking about it. Tess had made it clear that she hadn't told him anything and left it up to Dave. So now her and Nick know about his plans to propose, and they're kind of involved. Sort of. Tess is the one who tries to talk Dave out of doing something stupid that would jeopardise the future proposal, like pretending that he doesn't even want to get married, or have a family, and convinced him to just act like he's been acting all relationship. If he lets on that something is going on, it will ruin the surprise. That is why, when he brings it up tonight, and Reagan mentions that she could see herself getting married 'one day', she looks right at Dave, almost a smirk appearing on her face, as if she knows that something is happening. To be honest, she doesn't know exactly what's going on, but she had seen something on the desk in the office, about a purchase for over the thousand-dollar limit, and it was for a jeweller in the city. It might not be what she thinks (or hopes) it is, but she's not letting on that she knows anything. Nick and Dave offered to cook dinner, whilst Tess put Amelia to bed, and made sure to clean up a little, so they didn't leave Dave and Reagan with too much of a mess in the morning. Whilst their partners cooked, Reagan and Tess flicked through the TV channels, trying to settle on something to watch. There are some horror films playing at the moment, so they settled on one of those, and sat back to watch it whilst the guys cooked. For Tess, it was strange to see Nick and Dave getting along, because they never got along well when Tess was dating him. Now it's like nothing ever happened. It's a strange thing to be witness to, but it's also a good thing.
'Are you guys going to come over here and watch this with us? Or are you chickens?' Reagan asked, noticing the two of them hovering by the door, but not entering the room
'We're cooking. We need to be close to the kitchen in case something… ah goes wrong,' Dave said, looking at Nick who nodded at him, smirking at Tess
'Oh, we just thought you weren't coming in here because you're scared. But okay,' Reagan said, as she and Tess chuckled at the spluttering sounds coming from the boys
'Nope, just… cooking,' Dave said, then disappeared with a squeak and a laugh from Nick.
October 26th, 2005
Fisher District Surrounds
Fisher District
Morning/Afternoon
Gungellan Fresh was due to give an important talk at the Farmers Guild, which was happening in Fisher, but there had been behind the scenes talk about ousting Claire from the council, because of her "condition", which had infuriated all the other council members, who threatened to excuse the one who suggested it. All of this, said in front of Claire and Vic, who was furious that they would consider doing this to anyone. Just because Claire is a woman. They need more women on the council board, and it's ridiculous that all the 'old white men' are the ones running it, when it should be equal, especially because Drovers Run is owned and run by women. Tess had been avoiding the confrontation, but when Millie and Becky put their hands up to be nominated for Dwyer Farm, and Reagan for Wilgul, Tess and Claire (and the other women) backed them up, as well as most of the men in the room. They were unanimously voted onto the council to sit beside Claire, who was grinning proudly, and sending dirty looks to the person who had wanted her gone from the council because she's pregnant. The sexism in this industry and in this room is ridiculous. They're farmers, they should be working together to make sure they're all getting the best for their respective properties. Not fighting against one another, because of their gender. Despite the meeting going to a heavy place, it was a good meeting, and things were organised. Gungellan Fresh is hosting another fundraiser for the pre-Christmas season, so that the Truck Stop can get some more donations to make up for the renovations that have taken over for the last couple of months. Tess was making sure that everything was in order with the books for Gungellan Fresh when she heard the shouting start. Meg and Terri had gotten engaged not too long ago, and they've been fighting ever since. Jodi is worried, and has expressed her concern to her sisters, both of whom have been trying to stay out of the problems, but they can't help but feeling sympathy for Jodi. She just wants to make sure that Jodi knows they're there for her. But for right now, they need to get other things done, and that means getting back to Drovers Run, and getting their work done for the day. With Gungellan Fresh on the books now, and making money, they're going to be able to focus less on making it profitable, and more on just making sure that it's running smoothly. Nick and Alex had suggested hiring Timmothy Dwyer, and he's been attending their meetings for the last two weeks.
Stevie had suggested they use some of the money they had raised to rent an office space in Gungellan, so they had a legitimate office they could use for business affairs, and save them all having to travel hours every day for a meeting. Tess reminded her that they would still have to travel, but Stevie was adamant that her idea was good, and started discussing it with Claire, and Alex. Despite the money that Vic has put into Drovers, and their green status, they don't have money to just be throwing into anything and everything. It was after two pm in the afternoon when they got back to the farm, Tess decided to go straight to work, leaving the others to discuss the idea, knowing that they wouldn't listen to her being logic about it anyway. She met up with Olivia, Kate, and Becky at the pens, and told them that she's taking over for the time being, knowing that Claire and the others would be talking for probably hours about this. It's like when she was pregnant with Amelia, and somehow Sally ended up working for them for a time before she and Nick broke up. She doesn't know how it happened, and honestly, Claire doesn't really know either, it was kind of just a spur of the moment thing. They didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, and Nick was struggling to hold everything together at that point. Tess is half surprised that he and Sally didn't just run off to the city and elope to be honest. Her emotions seem to overtake her though, but she vents her frustrations with the situation by rebuilding the fence in the west paddock, listening to Becky as she discusses some wedding ideas with Kate. They've almost been engaged for a year, but they wanted to wait until everything has settled down before they get married, though Becky admitted she had been thinking about it. Olivia was telling the girls that she's thinking about making things official with Dinah, but she doesn't know if she should take the leap. Kate and Tess, both told her that she should, excited and pumping her up, whilst Becky was a little more subdued. Don't get her wrong, she's extremely happy for Olivia and Dinah, but she's worried about the Olivia/Millie situation. Tess tells Olivia not to wait too long to tell Dinah how she really feels, because she waited too long to tell Nick of her true feelings, and he ended up almost marrying someone else. Kate added that it also had to do with Liz, and Tess nodded. She was right. There wasn't anything else that they could really say to the woman, she had to think about it for herself, but Becky went back to asking about Kate's relationship with William and how they've been getting along. Tess worked in silence, listening to the conversations around her whilst she worked.
'Tess, it's getting late. We're going to head back in,' Becky said, pulling off her gloves, and grabbing the bags at her feet
'Okay, I'll be in soon. I want to get this fence finished,' she replied, not seeing the looks on the faces of the three women, as they turned to reluctantly leave her working alone
'Is she okay?' Olivia asked the other two as they headed back to the horses
'I don't know. This Gungellan Fresh thing is stressful. I heard that Stevie suggested renting an office space, and that they completely ignored Tess' ideas. So I don't know what's going on,' Becky said, having heard from Jake, who was at the meeting, and called her whilst the others were on the way back to Drovers.
October 30th, 2005
Drovers Run
Fisher District
Afternoon/Evening
Reagan and Dave had come over to Drovers Run, having been invited by Claire and Stevie (of course) to celebrate Reagan's birthday with everyone. They had thrown her a small party, just their close friends, and family members. Tess was upstairs, putting the girls to bed, whilst the party went on downstairs. She's kind of glad that her girls sleep through loud noises, because she knows that the lot downstairs, are anything but quiet. Especially when Alex Ryan is here, and when he has alcohol. Tess is reading a story to Amelia, whispering silently, and softly singing some of the words, when she's interrupted by Nick coming into the room, asking if she's okay. Amelia calls for her father to come over, and he does, taking Tess' spot, kissing his little girl, and blowing raspberries for her, as she giggles and tries to get her mother to play. Tess shakes her head, almost angrily telling her to get back in bed, and go to sleep. She tucks the girl back in, kisses her forehead, and pulls Nick out of the room. They're standing just outside the door arguing about him coming up here, and waking her up, when she's meant to be going to bed, and Nick tries to calm her down, but he's kind of tipsy, and he isn't thinking straight, and it comes out kind of condescendingly to his wife, who threatens to push him down the stairs if he's not more careful. Claire usually turns to her when she needs something, but lately, she's been turning more to Stevie, and Tess has been wondering if she's done something wrong, or offended her sister in some way, even going as far as to ask Jodi, but the youngest McLeod doesn't even know what is going on with Claire. Tess watches Nick sulk back down the stairs, dashing into the bathroom, washing her face, before drying off, and looking at herself in the mirror. She's tired. She looks it, and she feels it. It's been over a month since she and Nick got married, and it's like they haven't even been able to enjoy it. It's been work, and Gungellan Fresh, and with Claire pregnant, they're a hand down again… it's just been hard, and she shouldn't complain, because she's always complaining. Tess heads back downstairs, slipping into the room, where Stevie, Dave, Reagan, and Becky are still playing a drunk game of twister, the others watching and laughing, especially when Dave falls, and goes out. Claire watches her sister, she's worried about Tess, and they've been so busy with everything else, and she's been working with Stevie on the office space thing, that she hasn't had a chance to just hang out with Tess. It's been a long month, and it's only going to get longer. Summer is coming, and so is the fire season, and apparently this year is meant to be worse than the last. They can't afford anymore fires, and they can't afford anymore pain. Becky ends up winning Twister, as the night begins to wind to a close… or as Alex puts it… is just kicking off.
A/N: For all the hype of the season, I've just uploaded two chapters that have nothing to do with Christmas at all. That's not the reason I'm uploading, I was just bored, and decided to do something. See ya again when I'm next uploading stories, and thanks for reading. D.