CH 25
Twenty minutes later they walk into NAVCOM and into commander Watson office
"Mike, lieutenant commander"
"Sir" Kate said
"Sit down and by the look on Mike face congratulations to you both"
"Thanks Brad, Jackie is going to be Kate doctor" Brad grin
"That is good news, As for your transfused it grated. But it has leave me and the brass one big problem and that finding a temporary CO for Hammersley."
"Sorry sir"
"Don't be, but I did suggest and the brass agree with a temporary CO" then he grin as he turn to look at Mike
"Your kidding, me"
"You know your ship and crew Mike, why not" Mike turn to Kate
"Well Mike I'm sure you will be able to keep two dads in line"
"True Kate, are you sure, I mean..."
"Any problems talk to Swain and to X, they know what it like"
"Ok if your sure" Kate smile at Mike
"I am"
"Alright only on one condition Brad" he said when he turn to his friend
"what that mike"
"went it close to the birth"
"don't worry, around the time Kate gives birth Hammersley will be in dry dock for three weeks"
"sir you might as well make it in six months time" Kate said
"why then, how far along are you"
"about eight, nine weeks with twins sir" brad raise his eyebrow
"gee mike you sure didn't waste any time" Kate giggle while she was blushing
"funny"
"Well in that case I'll make arrangements for about that time. Since it getting late I'll see you mike tomorrow since Hammersley crew got five days off"
Kate and mike stood up and walk out the door talking and laughing.
That night Mike and Kate walk into the pub to see the crew already there. Swain and the X was at the bar getting the next round of drinks. So mike walk over to the crew while Kate walk over to the bar
"Swain, X" they turn to Kate
"Hey how did it go at the hospital" Swain ask
"good, I'll be having orange juice tonight" she said grinning
"Congratulations boss" x said
"thanks but it did leave a problem on finding a temporary commandeering officer"
"they can't find one" Swain said
"no but Commander Watson did suggest to tfleet command a name and they ok it" She look at them grinning. Then they heard laughter and look over to where the crew is. Swain look at Mike then to Kate
"Your kidding me" Kate nodded. X look at swain then to Kate
"Who are you talking about"
"Mike going to be my replacement" Kate said just as swain turn around and made the drinks order. Then he turn back to Kate.
"when are you going to tell the crew" swain said
"tonight"
"Ok, we will bring the drinks over"
"sure" Kate turn around and walk over and sat down next to Mike and lean over and whisper
"X and swain knows" He turn to her
"both" she said. Mike knew she told them about the baby and Him returning back to Hammersley.
When Swain and X return the group cheered. Once they got there drinks charge notice that Kate was holding a glass of orange juice.
"boss are you ok" charge asked
"Yes why did you ask"
"your drinking orange juice" every one stop talking and turn to Kate.
"We got some news... I'm pregnant" every one cheered and congratulated them both.
"that means you will be transfused off Hammersley" RO said
"yes"
"Who going to be our new CO" Two dads asked. Kate grin as she turn to Mike
"Sir you returning back to Hammersley" duchy said
"Yes since they can't find a replacement"
"Well this dose cause for celebrations" Swain said as he pick up his drink
"A toast to Kate, Mike and the new Hammersley baby"
"Babies" Kate and Mike said at the same time Every one look at them
"I'm having twins"
"Well double congratulation" X said they all raise their drinks in to the air
"Hammersley family" charge said
"Hammersley family" every one said then they started drinking their drinks.
Kate and Mike left the pub just after midnight. Mike was drunk so Kate drove them home. Then she help mike up and into their bedroom after they been in the kitchen where he has a glass of water and cranberry juice.
On HMAS bendigo. Nikki just finish her watch so she decided to go and check on her email since it been a few days since she last check them. She walk into the room to see Buffer checking his. He turn around and smile when he saw who it was
"Hey" he said
"I came to check on my emails" Nikki said as she sat down
"Same here" then there was a binge noise.
Buffer turn to the monitor "Message from Swain" then he click to open the link while Nikki went to open a web page
"Well I be dam"
"what is it"
"Kate Pregnant"
"what" Nikki said in shock and she move her chair close to Buffer, she look at the message and grin
"Twins" Nikki said
"Yeah and mike back on Hammersley, two dads not going to like that" Nikki laugh
"We know what he was like"
"True" then Nikki notice that buffer was replying back the message
"Hey we should put on a party with the Hammersley crew the next time we are both in port"
"Good idea" Nikki thought about it and grin
"baby shower, I'll email bomber" then she move back to the other computer
"what isn't that girl thing" Nikki turn to buffer
"Yes but we can have men there... a BBQ baby shower"
"ok why not" He said grinning.
Nikki check her emails and notice one from from Bird so she check that one first and she reply back to bird but she also put bomber address in so she would get the same message. After they both send their e-mail messages and check their other messages. Buffer and Nikki went to the galley to get a brew and walk over and sat at one of the tables where they talk and planing on surprise baby shower for Kate and Mike.
Four days later Kate gave mike a kiss before he walk up onto the ship. She spoke to some of the crew and watch as Hammersley left the port for two week patrol. After they left Kate return back to her car and head to NAVCOM where she is starting her shore posting.
A week later Kate was in her office reading a file when she heard behind her
"So this is our old boss office, nice view" Kate turn around and smile
"Nikki, buffer" she stood up and gave Nikki a hug
"hi Kate" Nikki said
"X... I mean boss"
"buffer, what are you two doing here"
"Bendigo return an hour ago, I hear double congratulations... mother to be"
"bird told you"
"and swain" buffer said Kate shook her head
"so how long are you guys in port for"
"We ship out again tomorrow, so care to join us for lunch" Kate look at her watch then the Nikki and buffer
"Why not" Kate turn around and pick her shoulder bag and hat.
Then she follow them out of her office. They walk towards the exit while talking and laughing. Commander Watson watch them walk out of the com center then he return back to what he was doing.
When Hammersley return Kate was looking ford to seeing mike since he was away for two weeks. Getting email messages from him cheers her up but she looking ford to seeing him in person. Kate was typing away on her laptop when she head
"Hey" she turn around and smile as she stood up as he step into the room. They hug and quick kiss
"Hey how did the patrol go"
"good, I just pop in before seeing Brad"
"Ok"
"I'll see you at home"
"sure, going to the pub tonight"
"Do you want to go"
"sure, at least I can find out what happened on Hammersley" mike smile
"ok we can get dinner before going to the bar"
"Why not" Mike gave her a quick kiss
"see you at home"
"sure" Then he walk out the door.
Kate turn around and sat down and look at what she written then carry on with a smile on her face.
Few hours later she walk inside their home "mike" she called out.
There was no response. So she walk up to their bedroom calling out for him. When she walk in to their bed room she smile at the site before her. Mike was in bed sleeping. So she walk over to the walk in wardrobe and got out of her uniform. Then she walk out and took the rest of her clothes off as she walk around to her side of the bed and got in to bed and snuggled up to Mike
"What took you so long" he said. Kate look up at him and smile
"traffic"
"Ah" then he lean over and gave her a passionate kiss. They made love for the next hour before getting up and having a shower together.
Two hours later after they enjoyed their dinner at a restaurant they walk into the pub to see the crew already there drinking. Kate walk over to the crew while Mike went and got them a drink.
"hi guys"
"hi boss" Swain said
"how are you feeling ma'am" duchy asked
"good, so what been happening with you lot" Kate said as she sat down.
They all talk as well taking turns in buying rounds of drinks. Kate watch as they slowly getting drunk. She notice that swain was starting to drink orange juice three hours after Mike and her arrived.
It was just before midnight when Kate and mike arrived home. Once they were in bed they both fell asleep in each other arms.
The next morning when Kate arrived at NAVCOM commander Watson walk out of his office.
"Morning lieutenant commander"
"morning sir"
"I thought you should know I have to crash sail Hammersley this morning, they leave in two hours"
"what happen sir"
"Kingston lost power half an hour ago, there was explosion in the engine room"
"any one hurt sir"
"no lucky, Hammersley going to be towing them back to port"
"how far away is Kingston sir"
"eight hours top speed. They are anchored for now"
"Thanks for telling me sir" then Kate grin
"is there something funny lieutenant commander"
"Well sir last night all of the Hammersley crew was at the pub last night. When Mike and I left. Just about all of them were drunk. So there going to be a lot suffering this morning"
"i see. Do they normal get drunk like they did last night"
"Only if they got four days off sir, if they only in port overnight. They don't get drunk. And as for crash sail it only happen three times in six years. That including this morning"
"So I'll be expecting Mike to come in with a hangover then"
"no sir"
"I hope not, I'll let you get back to work"
"yes sir" then she walk towards her office.
Later that afternoon Kate heard that Hammersley meet up with Kingston and was due to tow the boat back to Cairn soon as the double towing cables were set up between the two boats.
Kate knew that the Hammersley crew would give the Kingston crew a hard time when they get back to port.
The next morning Hammersley and Kingston slowly came into port. When they were close. A tug boat was there to take over Hammersley since Kingston was going to another part of the port where the navy inspectors was waiting to inspect the damage engine room and to find out what cause the explosion.
When mike arrived at NAVCOM he went to see commander Watson strait away since Kate wasn't in her office. When he finish talking to commander Watson he walk around and into Kate office to see her there.
"hey how bad was the damage" Kate asked
"they were lucky that the explosion didn't cause a hole in the side of the ship. If it did..." Kate nodded knowing that it would sink the boat or flooded that part of the ship.
"How was the crew"
"Which one hung over Hammersley crew or the embarrass Kingston crew" Kate laugh
"that bad"
"it was especially when bomber yelled at two dads after some smart remark and he was still hung over" Kate giggled
"Well it serves him right"
"True she told him when they both are on shore leave he will be cleaning their bathroom with a toothbrush" Kate laugh
"I bet he didn't like that"
"nope... But since Kingston is grounded, we will be taking over their patrol"
"how long"
"A month" Kate let out her breath.
"when do you leave"
"three hours, the crew are heading home to get their gear then back to help stock up the ship"
"you"
"I've already bought my bags just in case"
"when do you have to head back to Hammersley"
"now, sorry Kate"
"it's ok mike. We both know that something like this might happen"
"I know. Will you be ok"
"Yes I will be" they both hug and kiss
"i better go" He said while looking into her eyes
"i know, look after yourself and come back in one piece"
"i will" they both kiss once more before Mike walk out the door.
Kate sat down and let out her breath. She turn and look out the window to see Mike walking towards and out the main doors. Then Kate return back to work.