Hey readers!
Glad your still with me haha!
This one is still in the works haven't worked out an ending yet but hope you enjoy! Keep the reviews coming!
Disclaimer - I didn't create or own the characters *sad face* I also did not write or own the song "because of you"
Because of You
Chapter 1
Kate stood outside his house, the house she used to love visiting. But love had turned to spite and disappointment, every time they thought they were close something dragged them apart. By the end of 5 years it was too much, she wanted to settle down, have a family. The dream of Chief of Navy had faded. She realized that there were more important things, she had Jim Roth to thank for that. She knew deep down she was never going to marry him but he opened up a world of possibilities. She loved him for that. Maybe it was better she never got to tell him, it would have broken her. But now she needs to move on but universe just wouldn't let her. She didn't know wether it was a sign to give it another go...
She let out a deep sigh and knocked on the door, her heart started to race. Please don't be home, don't be home. She heard footsteps, the door opened. Damn it. He was home. She put on her best cheerful smile.
"Mike!"
Mike's smile turned to a blank expression. She was the last person he expected to knock on his door. The last time they spoke their words were full of hatred. They were done. What was she doing here?
Mike stepped outside the door and closed it.
"Kate, what a surprise"
Mike looked flustered, she had obviously interrupted something. She looked embarrassed.
"Umm you're busy, I should go!"
Mike reached out and grabbed her arm
"No it's ok, I just.. You were just the last person I expected that's all."
She looked at his hand around her arm. They hadn't touched each other for months, she had goose bumps. Mike could tell she was uncomfortable, he let go. Kate heard footsteps coming towards the door.
"Mike, hunnie who is it?"
Kate instantly recognised the blonde, it was Ursula, she felt sick.
"This was a mistake... I'll go"
Mike looked confused
"Ok, well nice to see you X"
Kate got back into her car and watched Ursula pull Mike back into the house. She hit her steering wheel.
"Stupid!"
The next morning
Kate's house
There was a knock at her door. Kate cautiously opened it, it was Mike.
"Kate, I umm don't know why I'm here... I just got up this morning and drove around and ended up here."
Kate let him in.
"What were you doing at my house yesterday? I thought after our last conversation you would never want to see me again"
Kate couldn't speak. All the things that she wanted to say wouldn't come out instead she needed to throw up. She ran to the bathroom, Mike went after her.
"Are you ok? Do you need me to take you to the hospital?"
He leant down and rubbed her back. There was the Mike she remembered. The caring one, the gentleman. Kate rinsed her face, he handed her a towel.
"No, I was there yesterday"
Mike looks confused. Kate looked into his eyes. This was it. Now or never
"Mike, I'm pregnant... you're the father"
Mike stood there in disbelief
"How... how far?"
"About 16 weeks, I found out late. When I was late I just assumed it was from the stress of losing... "
She trailed off, she hadn't said his name in weeks.
"Are you sure it's mine?"
Kate expression changed, she was annoyed.
"Yes Mike, I counted the days. Believe me it would be easier if it wasn't yours"
She almost spat out the words. There it was, the anger. She wanted to scream, of course she was sure. She wouldn't put someone through this if she wasn't sure. Mike looked hurt, he grabbed her hand.
"Easier yes. But Kate"
Kate shook her head, she didn't want to hear anything nice come from his mouth.
"I'm telling you because it's the right thing to do Mike, that's all. I'm giving you an opportunity to be apart of this child's life, but if you don't want to I understand too. "
Mike looked into her eyes and smiled.
"Kate of course I do! Do you really think that little of me?"
Kate took her hand back.
"Mike our past is so bumpy, how can you even think we could do this together. We couldn't even work things out. We were both so stubborn. You could never admit your feelings when I needed you to! And when you did I was getting married for God's sake!"
Kate was getting worked up, nothing had changed. She was still so angry.
"Kate please, I don't want to upset you! Can we go and sit down and talk?"
Kate's lounge room
Kate wouldn't make eye contact with Mike. His eyes always sucked her in.
"So how's Ursula?"
Mike fidgeted
"Ahh she's good, just visiting for the weekend..."
Kate held up her hands
"It's ok Mike it's none of my business! I just wanted to tell you about this and continue with our lives."
Mike let out a half hearted laugh
"Kate, you always were a straight shooter. But this is a bit different to work. We're talking about a child, our child! You can't tell me that you're not excited about this?"
She was getting annoyed again. She clenched her firsts trying to let's the anger out somewhere else
"I know Mike, of course I'm excited but I'm trying to leave emotion out of this. I don't want to bring a child up in a negative relationship. I'm going to talk to Maxine in the morning, you are welcome to come the meeting is at 8."
Kate got up and opened the door as a signal for him to leave. Mike sighed and walked out the door. He gave her a kiss on the cheek, something she wasn't expecting. It was still there, a feeling, her heart skipped a beat. But she couldn't do this to her child.
"I'll see you tomorrow?"
Mike nodded and left.
The next morning 0800 - Maxine's office
Maxine was sitting at her desk wondering what these 2 are doing in her office. She had so much paperwork to do.
Silence
"Cmon you 2 what is it?"
Kate cleared her throat. Here goes nothing!
"Ma'am I though you should know I'm pregnant"
Maxine stopped and looked up at Kate and smiled.
"Well that's wonderful news isn't it? Please sit Kate!"
Kate sits down and put her hand on her stomach.
"Yes Ma'am it is, but it's a little more complicated than that and that's why WE are here"
Kate glared at Mike. Maxine looked at Kate and leant back in her chair.
"WE? Mike?"
Mike sat down next to Kate.
"I'm the father"
Maxine leant on her desk and rubbed her brow. How can her best 2 leaders be so good at their job but give her so much grief.
"Right, I thought that you weren't..."
Kate interrupted.
"No were not ma'am, I'm 16 weeks so..,"
Maxine held her hand up to stop Kate.
"Ok, it's fine can't I don't need all the details. It's probably best I don't know. I'm mean you guys aren't on the same ship anyway. However Kate, I'm assuming you will be requesting a shore posting?"
"Yes Ma'am"
Maxine got up off her chair and walked around the office.
"Well actually I have a position now, basically my left hand. I've got some crew on leave so that will work nicely. If I can find a replacement for you this week you can start here next week. I'm assuming they'll be no issue with both of you working at Navcom?"
They both shook their head.
"Good now if that's all I've got work to do! Kate, I'll be in touch"
Mike and Kate walked out of Maxine's office and into Mike's office.
They sit down. Kate gets out her diary.
"Umm, so I've got some ultrasounds and things booked in if you want to come."
Mike took out his planner.
"Yeah of course Kate"
Kate took a deep breath in.
"I also wanna make things clear. You just continue on with your life and I'll get on with mine. I don't really want to know about your private life but I do care who is around my child..,"
Mike interrupted.
"Kate I get it. Ha I don't think my taste in women is that bad! I loved you didn't I?
Kate paused. Loved, he had moved on, maybe that closure was what she needed to hear.
"I guess...look I'm going to give you a key to my house. For emergencies only!
Kate handed Mike the key, she placed it in his hand and took it back.
"Emergencies Mike!"
Mike nodded and snatched the key
"Yeah, fine Kate!"
A month later
Doctors office. Kate was having an ultrasound.
"So do we want to know the sex"
At the same time Kate said yes and Mike said no. They looked at each other. The doctor laughed.
"Well I'll put the answer in the envelope along with the photos. There's a copy for you both. I'll let you get dressed and I'll see you in a few months"
Mike snatched the envelope before Kate could get it. The doctor left the room.
"Mike give it to me! I want to know!"
Mike held the envelope up high
"Why... "
Kate tried to jump for it
"You know I don't like surprises! Don't make me jump! I might shake the baby out!"
Kate jumped one more time and stumbled. Mike caught her, for a moment their eyes lock. Kate took the opportunity to snatch the envelope from him.
"Ha!"
Kate opened the envelope. She read the piece of paper and smiled.
"This makes it a lot more real."
"Hey umm Kate there is something I wanted to talk about actually. You wanna grab a bite or something?"
Kate nodded, a million things ran through her mind. She had made it very clear she didn't want to start anything, he sounded so serious.
Cafe
Mike put his hand across the table on Kate's hand
"So umm I thought that you should know..."
Kate couldn't take it, she interrupted.
"Mike c'mon, we've been through this!"
Mike removed his hand and broke eye contact.
"No, it's nothing like that Kate... umm I just wanted you to hear this from me"
Kate looked concerned, it was serious, he looked nervous.
"Ummm so Ursula and I started dating"
Kate was sort of relieved. She was expecting something worse.
"Umm ok... that's great Mike!"
She lied. She never really liked Ursula and she was sure mike would see straight through her after their second date years ago but he didn't. They probably would have continued if she didn't have to go into hiding. A little bit of her was jealous, se knew that she was the one who didn't want a relationship out of this but she couldn't help feeling the way she did. Of course she would have rathered her and Mike to this as a couple but she was now responsible for another human being and she had to do what was right for baby.
"I thought you wouldn't be that enthusiastic?"
Kate half rolled hers eyes
"Oh, why's that?"
"Well you two never really got along"
"I said it before Mike, it's your life!"
Mike avoided eye contact once again and almost whispered.
"Ok good, cos I asked her to marry me"
End Chapter 1.
Please let me know what you think :) xo