A Honeymoon in Argentina

Tess stands impatiently searching the sky. "Oh I wish they'd hurry up." She states. "Relax Tess they'll be here soon enough." Nicks soothes. Baby Clare toddlers around their legs.

On board Stevie has her head resting on Alex's chest dozing, as his arms are draped around her, he lowers his face and drinks in the scent of her.

Alex thinks of the last time he flew this way, it was with Fiona. God he'd been so stupid thinking he was in love. He'd wanted Stevie then but wrongly thought she only wanted to be friends. So he'd led himself to believe what he felt for Fiona was love. He'd rebounded from Stevie straight into Fiona's clutches and crushed Stevie in the process.

Now when he looked back it was so obvious that Stevie was in love with him, why couldn't he see it then? Her tears when he was leaving his reception he foolishly thought were happy tears for him. He was actually watching her heart break and was too stupid to know. His heart ached about that even today when he thought about what he'd done to her.

Alex smiled as he thought about the fights they'd had, huge fights, where they didn't speak for days. He loved that about her. She was never afraid of him, she was tiny, petite even and she'd stand up to him every time, God he loved fighting with her, she challenged him, tested him, questioned him, not many people would have the courage to question him but she would.

An announcement for landing rouses Stevie from her sleep, she stretches and yawns. "Good morning Mrs Ryan." He whispers. She looks up at him and smiles pulling his face down onto her lips. "Good morning Cowboy, shame we're not in a private room." she grins. He knows exactly what she's thinking because the same thought has crossed his mind several times during their flight. "Mmm" is all he murmurs and she understands.

As they step into the warm air they hear Tess before they see her. Alex and Nick embrace as do the girls. Alex and Stevie smother baby Clare with kisses. As they move towards the car Tess speaks" How was the flight?" "Long and uncomfortable." Alex States. Stevie laughs and adds" Easier for me I just tucked up into a little ball and I had this huge soft pillow to lean on." Alex elbows her and laughs "It's alright for some."

"Righto it's 2pm here and I know you both want to sleep but we'll try to keep you awake until at least 9pm otherwise jetlag will get you. So I thought we'll do a bit of sightseeing and shopping, grab an early dinner and have you back at our place around 730 /8pm by the time you have a shower you'll be asleep easily by 9pm. Ok?" Nick asks.

Stevie replies "Alex warned me about this so I've had a little kip on the plane." "A little, you snored for hours." Alex teased. "She grinned at him and replied "Alex Ryan, I don't snore." He hugged her "No you don't snore it's more a low growl!" She elbows him in the stomach and he pretends he's hurt. Nick and Tess have moved quite away ahead of them and are chatting. Tess begins" Oh Nick it's so good to have them here."

"Yeah I agree. You know I've never seen them together like this and yet it's just right isn't it?" Nick responds. "Yeah, it's been a long time coming." "Hurry up you two!" Tess calls as she turns she giggles and nudges Nick. As he turns he witnesses a very passionate kiss between his brother and his new wife. "Whoa, bloody hell Tess."Nick whispers "Now that's a kiss!" "Well you've seen em fight, so I guess they love with as much passion." Tess laughs then yells. "Oi you two they'll hose you down in a minute." "Steady on, Tess we're on our honeymoon."Alex quips and they all laugh.

Alex and Nick are sitting having a beer when the girls turn up carrying loads of bags. "So, am I broke now?" Alex says. "It's mostly Tess's" Stevie laughs. "I just bought some boots and some Lingerie." Stevie smiles. "Right" Alex grins. "Do you girls want a beer?" Nick asks. "Love one" they both respond.

'So, lingerie Stevie?" Alex winks at her. "Can I have a look?" she rattles around and drags out cowboy boots and holds them up. She grins, he laughs. She places the boots back in the bag and Nick places the beers in front of the girls. "Thanks" Both girls offer. Tess laughs "Go on Stevie since when have you been shy. Show Alex, your other purchase" Stevie hands Alex the bag he reaches in a pulls out a very skimpy black bustier, garter and panties.

Alex grins and says. "Right Nick, grab your keys, you need to take us home NOW!" They all laugh. Tess teases" No Alex we have sightseeing to do yet!" Alex grins and says "Tess I have full intentions of sightseeing but it won't be old building or shops!" Tess grins and says "No, Alex you're not going to be anti social." "Oh I want to be very social but with my wife!" Nick is cracking up laughing "Ease up big fella; you've got plenty of time to be social!" Nick laughs.

Alex puts the garments back in the bag and hands them back to Stevie. She smiles at him as she puts her hand on his face. He leans in quickly brushing her lips with his own she responds and he kisses her deeply and reaches for her. "Hello you're not alone." Tess laughs. Stevie looks embarrassed as she sits back "Sorry" She says. Alex just looks pissed off. Nick laughs and punches his brother in the arm. "Come on I want to show you something." They stand and walk away. Nick calls over his shoulder. "Meet you at the cafe in an hour Tess" "Ok." Tess responds.

Nick leads Alex down several laneways and brings him out near the water's edge. "So what are we looking at?" Alex asks. "Nothing." Nick says, "I just wanted to talk to you, to catch up." "Well couldn't we have done that with the girls?" Alex asks. Nick laughs then says "Alex, if you could keep your eyes and hands off your wife long enough we could have!"

"Oh." Alex laughs "Sorry." Nick laughs too. "You don't have to apologize Alex. I just wanted to say sorry for not being your best man, not coming to your wedding." Nick says sadly. "Hey it's all good." Alex replies grabbing his brother in a big bear hug. " I was really hurt at first but Stevie put me straight on that" . Nick hugs him back and says "It's great to have you both here Alex." " Yeah it's great to be here and especially with Stevie. I want to give her the best honeymoon. Something we'll remember for the rest of our lives." He smiles.

"So, how are you and Tess doing Nick?" "Brilliant, Alex I couldn't be happier if I tried." Nick smiles. "Tess just makes everything perfect you know. We're hoping to be home in a couple of months. Tess is really missing Drovers and I've kept her away long enough.

Baby Clare needs to grow up in Australia with her aunties and uncles near her." "That's great news Nick. I know Stevie misses having Tess around." " Yeah I'm actually looking forward to coming home too. Putting some of the things we've learnt here into practice on Drovers and Kilarney." " Sounds Great !" Alex enthuses."

"What about Wilgul?" Alex asks. "Well, I've thought about that too. I've got something I want to ask you about." Nick looks at Alex then continues. "As much as I love Kilarney, I was really happy on Drovers before we left and I'd like to go back there when we return. I assume Stevie will move into Kilarney with you?" Nick waits as Alex acknowledges yes.

"So that leaves Marcus and Wilgul." Nick states. "Right." Alex says looking puzzled. "Well, I don't know Marcus very well but he seems like a nice guy and a very good farmer and he's really good at Agri business." Nick offers." And?" Alex questions. "I think we should ask him to take on Wilgul?" "Oh, Ok I guess." Alex states. "Just think about it Alex. I thought it frees up Kilarney for you and Stevie and your large brood of children!" Nick laughs as he nudges his brother. "What makes you think we'll have a large brood of children?" Alex says. "Mate you can't keep your hands off her!"They both laugh.

"So, you're Happy?" Nick asks. "Mate, you have no idea." Alex begins. "Stevie is everything I could want in a wife, a partner, and a lover." "Well, I only met Fiona briefly but she was so wrong for you Alex." Nick laments. "Yeah, I know." Alex says sadly. "I wasted so much time with her and I crushed Stevie's heart. " Alex says sadly. "I will try my hardest to never ever, hurt her again. No one has ever loved me like she does. She sacrificed her own happiness for me."

"Yeah, I know." Nick offers. "We could all see it years ago. I remember the first time I met her, I thought you too must have had a fling or something because the chemistry between you was electric. But when I quizzed you, your reply was no we're "Just mates". You were going out with Clare then and when you said "Just Mates" I was very surprised."

"Yeah and I thought I was a ladies'man, Nick! I knew jack shit about women. Not that I know much now." He laughs. "Bloody Hell Alex. I saw you kiss Stevie at the airport and I'm telling you now. I think you've learnt what women want!" he laughed. Alex laughs too. "Yeah, but it's so easy with Stevie." Alex muses.

"When I'm near her my heart aches, she looks up at me, I just have to kiss her and once I begin, she responds and I just want more. Every fibre of my body wants more." Alex states. Nick laughs "Bloody hell mate you've got it bad." Alex laughs "Yeah I guess I have. But I thought it would just be like that the first few months but it's actually gotten more intense as time goes by." Alex continues, "You know when I take her in my arms I can actually feel her relax. I've never had that affect on a woman." Nick smiles and says "I'd say you're in love Alex." "Yeah I think you're right."

Alex smiles and says "There's so much more though Nick. I'm a hot head with a volatile temper!" "No really?" Nick teases as he stares at his brother. Alex grins and continues "I can be at my most angry and she'll run her hand down my face or place her hand on my chest and I feel calmer. I can actually feel myself calm down. What is that?" Nick laughs "Yes but the big question is can you calm her down?" They both laugh. "I'm still working on that." Alex replies. Nick says "Righto lets go and find a beer and then our women." They walk towards the markets.