The following afternoon Mike is in his cabin on the phone to Maxine
"Maxine this is properly not the time to tell you this but I need a new Chef in two weeks."
"Why Mike?"
"Bird has been accepted to do her medic training she starts three days after we dock in ten days."
"Ok why have I not received any paperwork for this?"
"I only got told yesterday Maxine so not sure why your've not got anything yet maybe its on its way to you."
"Ok thanks Mike I will work on a replacement for you."
"Thank you."
"Mike on another note do you know why Ryan has called a family meeting when you return back to base." Mike smiles
"No Max I don't know why did he say I would know?"
"He said that he wants a family meeting and that what he has to tell me is no surprise to you."
"Sorry Max I don't know what it is about."
"Ok then Mike anyway I need to go fair winds Mike"
"Bye Maxine" he replies before hanging up the phone.
He then looks Kate
"You chicken you didn't tell her you are going to be needing a new XO soon."
"No I didn't, she didn't know about Bird, and Ryan has called a family meeting when we dock."
"Ryan still not told her?"
"I would say no, otherwise I would be getting an earful from her instead of talking to you."
"You can't hide from her Mike she is our Commanding officer"
"I know but she can be very scary when she wants to be" Kate giggles at him.
They are interrupt by a call for them both to head to the bridge.
##############################################
Ten days later Hammersley is about to dock.
"Hear there Captain speaking, all crew to muster to the boat deck in thirty minutes, that is all crew to muster on the boat deck in thirty minutes that is all." is heard as Hammersley is docking.
Thirty minutes later all the crew are on the boat deck.
"Ok crew I will keep this short and sweet for you all since we have had a longer than normal patrol with little down time. We all have four days shore leave, also this was Birds last rotation with us for now she has been accepted into her medic training which she starts in three days here in Cairns. So please enjoy your shore leave and we will see you all back here in five days time. Hammersley dismissed" Mike says to the group
"I thought you were telling them the real reason for Bird leaving?" Kate whispers to him
"Not before Maxine knows, the rumor will get to her before she gets told by those two I need to hold off till they tell her, anyway Mrs Flynn don't we have an hospital appointment to get too?"
"What about Maxine?"
"Told her we will be in later, said that you needed a check up cause you'd been unwell for the last few days." she smiles they leave Hammersley and head to the hospital.
"Lieutenant Flynn?" is called within the maternity waiting room a number of heads turn towards the two officers as she stands up.
"Follow me please" the nurse say and takes them to a room
"Have a seat the doctor will be with you shortly" she says to them before leaving the room.
"You ok?" he asks her
"Just nervous"
"It's ok we've been here before remember?"
"I know but still" he reaches for her hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. Then their doctor walks in
"Well, well, well if it is not Mike and Kate long time no see you two" says Doctor Adelle Brown.
"Adelle." Kate says they give each other hugs.
"So you two finally decided to have some more children have we?" she says with a smile on her face.
"Well we hadn't planned on it happening this soon but we do want it."
"Well that is good to hear, now don't worry up until the accident you had a great pregnancy so there is no reason why this one wont be the same as last time. Now a few questions for the two of you. How far through are you?"
"We're not sure, I still had a slight period while on patrol."
"Ok when did you figure out you were pregnant again."
"Mike figured it out after finding me making friends with the toilet, he made me do a test about two weeks ago"
"So you've had a touch of morning sickness then?"
"Yes and I am blaming your sons girlfriend for this Mike" with a very serious look on her face
"Whys that?" Adelle asks
"Shes pregnant too, and we've been sharing a cabin for the last ten weeks." the all laugh at this
"So grandparents and parents all in one year then is it?"
"Looks like it."
"Ok then we will take a look and see if we can see the little one shell we?'
"Yes please" Kate replies. Relief sounding in her voice by having the same doctor as before. Kate moves to the bed. Adelle gets the gel out.
"Ok Kate don't worry this stuff is warm now we're not that mean anymore" she says
"Thank god for that." Kate replies Mike is beside her holding her hand. Adelle moves the wands around on her lower part of her tummy. Mike and Kate watch the screen
"Right there we go, there is your little baby and going by the size I would say your about six weeks along." Adelle snaps some pictures of the baby for them. Then she passes Kate some tissues to wipe her stomach with.
"Ok you two know what to do don't you?'
"Yep sure do"
"Ok then well I expect you back in about four to six weeks depending on your patrol, any problems, fears, worries anything Kate you ring me ok. Oh and Mike you better inform your boss she'll be land locked in about eight weeks."
"God Maxine is going to love me today." he says shaking his head
"Oh yes she is. Thanks Adelle." Kate replies
"No problem you two, see you again in a few weeks." they both leave and as they get to the waiting area they run into Bird and Ryan, Adelle follows them forgetting to give Kate her script.
"What are you doing here Dad?" asks Ryan
"Snapped." Kate whispers to him
"The same reason your here I presume?" he says to Ryan
"Dad really?"
"Yes Kate is pregnant we just had it confirmed"
"WOW that is so cool, I get a little brother or sister."
"Kate you need this." Adelle passes Kate her script.
"Thanks"
"Is this your son Mike?"
"Yes it is and his partner Jessica Bird" replies Mike.
"I already know them they my patients as well."
"Good choice you two."
"Thanks anyway we need to go tell your mother, by the end of the day I am going to be hated by her." Ryan starts laughing
"Ryan?" Mike says to him.
"Sorry its just going to be interesting her reaction to all this."
"Yes it will be, we will see you later?'
"Sure will we going to tell mum after we've been here so we will see you at her office"
They say there good byes and head off to do there own thing.
"Well there goes keeping this quiet."
"Like that is going to happen Maxine is going to have a fit when she finds out it is not just a chef she needs to find but an XO as well, and the reason why. She will think there is something in the water on Hammersley, all we know need is Wilson and Jonesy to say the same thing then the Brass will be wondering what the hell I am serving you all."
"Be interesting to see you get your way out of that one."
"Yes it would be, and you will laughing the whole time too"
"Of course I would be." As they walk out of the maternity doors they run into Jonesy
"Jonesy what are you doing here?" replies Mike,
"Oh um" she says before looking down at the ground
"Jonesy it's ok you can tell us?" replies Kate
"Well I have an appointment today with my midwife." Mike shakes his head, Kate starts to laugh.
"Sir Ma'am whats so funny?"
"Private joke between us two Jonesy, how far through are you?" replies Kate
"About ten weeks"
"Ok and the reason I was not informed?" asks Mike his voice soft and caring.
"Because there were a few issues and at the start I was not going to go through with it but now I am, I was coming for a check up then I was going to ring and inform you"
"Ok that is fine Jonesy, As long as I knew before you reached twelve weeks that is all the matters. I'll let Maxine know for you."
"Thank you Sir, Ma'am"
"Hey Jonesy, is Wilson by any change pregnant as well?" asks Mike, the look Jonesy gives him is not one he was hoping to see.
"Oh god Maxine is going to fed me to the sharks" he says to himself. Kate dials Wilson's mobile.
"Thank you Jonesy you can go now." Mike says to her as Kate is on the phone to Leading Seamen Jenny Wilson.
"Poor you Mike, Maxine is going to have a field day with you. She pregnant too." says Kate trying not to laugh at him.
"Great I'm going to be dead meat by the end of today."
"Why's that dad?" replies Ryan and the came out
"Your mother is not going to be impressed when I inform her I need not one, not two but bloody four new sailors." The three can't help but laugh at the look on Mike's face
"Ok you lot we are all going right now to see her, and get this over with so I can go hide from her." this causes them all to start laughing again.