Kate stood in front of the mirror. The dressing rooms were dimly lit. She turned to the side examining the dress. Looking down it didn't look right. Sighing she pulled back the curtain. She lifted up the skirts and walked out in to the brighter part of the shop. The mirror was much larger and she could see the full picture of the dress she was in.

"Kate! You look beautiful" a middle aged woman behind her cried "I think this may be the dress" she clapped her hands in excitement

Nav, Bomber and Bird who had also accompanied her as her friends and bridesmaids all looked at each other. This dress was awful and did nothing for Kate

Looking in the mirror. The larger full length mirror and the brighter lights made the dress look much worse. The neck was high. Way too high and was old fashioned and lacey. It had full length sleeves, the bodice was unflattering and it had a huge hooped skirt that came out on the hips.

"oh its perfect" she rolled her eyes

"your being sarcastic again aren't you Kate" the woman

"oh what could have possibly gave the game away mum" Kate added

"Kate! Don't be so rude"

"wouldn't dream of it" Kate muttered under her breath.

The next dress another one of her mothers pics was also hideous, again with a high neck, long sleeves with a capped over sleeve at the shoulder and frills all the way down the skirt. it looked like it belonged in some dodgy budget 80's movie.

Nav poked her head round the curtain to see what was taking so long and couldn't contain her laughter. "Kate... that is..." she snorted "that is one ugly dress"

"tell me about it" Kate Sighed "can you go see if there is something from this centaury please."

Nav ducked out from under the curtain and returned 20 minuets later holding a long flowing dress. Taking it out of the covers she put it on. This one was a lot better than the others. This was a Grecian looking dress it had a short bodice that was all ruched and the skirt fell from under the bust. She walked out of the changing rooms being careful not to fall over the skirts. Being in the navy since she was 18 meant she had little practice in waring formal dresses. Standing on the pedestal to get a better look.

"so ... what do you think" she asked turning to face everyone

"ummm... its ... well its better than the last one ..." Bird began but melted in to a whisper

"I sense a but coming on here" Kate grinned

"well its not really you" Nav said cursing her self for the choice she had made. It had looked fab on the rails.

"it looks more like a sun dress or beach dress than a wedding dress." Bomber stated standing up and began leafing through the rails trying to find something.

"I think the first one since you were rude enough not to show us the last one" her mum said with a air of arrogance

"mum I am getting married in the tropics, not 18th century England" Kate stepped down and headed back to the changing room. The assistent helped her in to another dress. This one had a tight bodice with the skirt and the skirt flowed from the waist. It had ruffle detail that formed an asymmetric sleeve. She walked out to show the others. She looked in the mirror before turning to face the others. It still wasnt the 'one' but it was the best one she tried on that day.

"no. No way" Kates mum called out "That is wholly inappropriate. It is way too low cut and it shows too much"

Biting her tongue. Kate wanted to stamp her foot like a toddler. "mum I am not buying or wearing a dress like that" knowing which dress her mum was on about.

"but Katie you looked so pretty in that dress it was lovely" her mum continues

Kate turned and stalked back to the changing rooms "yeah if I was on stage in the King and I" she muttered under her breath. She returned 5 minutes later dressed in her jeans and t-shirt. Thanking the shop assistent she picked up her bag from Nav before walking out.

"so your not going to get that dress..." her mum questioned

"I shall get married in my combats and boots if you don't stop" Kate huffed

Nav and bomber stood behind Kate trying not to laugh. Knowing Kate she would just to annoy her mum and they had only met the woman 3 hours ago.

"well there is no need to be like that. There are plenty of other shops we can try" her mum responded

"mum it will have to be another day..."

"I return to Fremantle tonight and I don't know when I shall be able to come back east"

"oh. That's okay" Kate tried to sound dismayed and hide her delight. "I have more than enough help" she looked over to Bomber, Nav and Bird.

Returning home Kate dumped her Keys in the bowl by the door.

"hey" she smiled walking in to the kitchen.

Mike was stood at the hob. "how was dress shopping?" he asked

"awful. My mum wanted me to get this revolting dress. High neck long sleeves and a huge skirt and I mean huge. The skirt would have needed its own venue" she walked over to the fridge and pulled out a jug of water and poured a glass.

"well I would love to have seen you in that" mike grinned

"it was horrendous.." Kate started and realised where mikes mind was going "hey"

"so I take it you didn't find a dress then" mike asked

"no and thankfully my mother is on a plane back to Fremantle tonight so all is well." She was interrupted by her mobile ringing. "Kate McGregor..." she sighed hanging up the phone she turned to mike.

"crash sailed?" he guessed

"yeah 0600 tomorrow"

"the Navy it really has no sense of timing. How long?" mike pulled Kate in his arms.

"no idea. Guess I will when I see Knocker tomorrow at NAVCOM"

Kate sighed this was the last thing she needed why did knocker always seem to crash sail Hammersley or her for that matter. She has just over 10 weeks to get a dress for her wedding and they still had to find a venue for the ceremony. Everything they had seen so far didn't seem right or had the right vibe.

When she left the next morning Mike was still asleep. Slipping out of the bed so not to wake him. She kissed him softly on his cheek before heading to Hammersley. Knocker had bailed on her instead sending the information to Nikki who was now the XO of Hammersley. They were heading to assist with the clear up and search for missing people after the recent cyclone that had swept across the northern tip of Queensland. With this being their mission then they could be there for anything from 24 hours to several weeks. Kate just prayed that it would be a short patrol.

so hope you enjoy. I know most people think that Kate doesn't speak to family but I like the idea of this that she just tolerates her mum. please let me know what you think and enjoy.

Duckmadgirl xx