Sitting on the sofa in her pyjamas Kate sighed softly. She couldn't actually remember the last time she was able to have a lie in like this. Mike had sorted the kids and taken them to school whilst she was still asleep. He had also left a pot of coffee keeping warm for when she eventually came down. Leaning back she sipped her second cup of coffee enjoying the start of her first proper day off in as many months. It was nice not actually being the ship on call for once.

Hearing the door shut she looked up seeing Mike walk in.

"they go in alright" she smiled as he sat down next to her

"no problems what so ever" he smiled taking her cup out of her hands and taking a deep sip finishing what was left.

"hey" she protested taking the cup back and looking at the emptiness of it. "get your own coffee" she said playfully hitting him on the arm.

"okay I am sorry" he held up his hands in defence. "do you want another one and some breakfast?" he asked standing up walking towards the kitchen.

"Actually I thought we could go out for breakfast" she smiled

"and why would we do that. We have plenty of stuff in and I do make a mean smashed avo on toast" he smiled

"come on" she said standing herself walking toward him. "when was the last time we were able to go out and have a nice breakfast just the two of us. One that doesn't involve one of the kids having a Compleat meltdown because the beans were touching the eggs or their toast was too dark" she sighed. It was true and their hectic work schedules left little time for a day date.

"fair point" Mike grinned. He had been toying with her as he too had had the same idea. "although as much as I love the outfit" he indicated to her koala pyjamas, bunny slippers and unicorn dressing gown that had been a Mother's Day gift the previous year. "i am not entirely sure it is a suitable choice for breakfast on the boardwalk" he grinned

"well I am going to get dressed now dummy" she grinned

"Kate you did say to go out for breakfast not dinner" he grinned teasing her

"I am going to ignore that remark Flynn. I can be down and sorted in 15 minuets I'll have you know"

"willing to bet on it. 15 mins or less and I will by breakfast any thing over and breakfast is on you" he grinned

"you're on" she smiled. This was going to be easy. 25 years in the navy and being the mother of 3 meant she had got the art of getting sorted in the morning down to a fine art.

"okay 3, 2, 1 go" Mike called grinning as she ran towards the stairs.

She returned downstairs with plenty of time to spare, dressed in a pair of black jeans with a red jumper and in a pair of ankle boots with a slight heal. "see" she smiled "plenty of time to spare" she smiled walking in to the kitchen where mike was sat at the breakfast bar sipping a coffee.

"okay you win. Looks like brekkie is on me" Mike smiled placing his cup in to the sink. "lets go" he said grabbing the car keys.

It didn't take too long for them to drive in to town. The sun was shining down taking away the slight spring chill that was in the air. They were heading to a old favourite breakfast spot. It was on the boardwalk overlooking the lagoon and the coral sea beyond. When they had been dating in secret on account of them both still being on the same ship it was the perfect spot as none of the crew knew about it. Even now if Kate was in port for a few hours and it was timed with Mikes lunch break they would try and sneak away for a quick bite but since lockdown this was the first time they had actually been able to go out and get something to eat.

Taking a seat on one of the tables outside Kate reached for the menu. She knew what she fancied as she always had the same thing when they came here as did mike but with the pandemic a lot of places had reduced their menus so as to keep the amount of people needed in the kitchen space to a minimum. Thankfully her favourite was still available.

"G'day guys and what can I get you" a perky waitress walked up

"know what you want?" Mike asked looking up

"i think so" she smiled back. "can I have the sourdough eggy bread with the smashed avo topping and can I add bacon, mushrooms and grilled tomato's please" Kate smiled

"and to drink?" the waitress asked

"earl grey tea" Kate smiled back

"and you sir?" the waitress turned to Mike

"yeah I'll have the full Monty breakfast please with a double expresso" Mike closed the little menu handing it up to the waitress

"lovely that won't be long" she smiled heading back inside

Looking around it was quite quiet but then Mondays usually were as most people were in work early but it was bound to get busier around lunchtime.

"this is so nice" Kate smiled. Despite the cool breeze the sun was actually rather warm on her back

"yeah" Mike smiled "so what is the plan for after this?" he asked as their drinks were placed on the table "thanks" he looked up at the waiter that brought their drinks out.

"ah" Kate said knowing he would more than likely not like her answer. "Christmas shopping" she said pouring her tea from the pot

"Christmas shopping?" Mike questioned "its October. We haven't even had Halloween!" he protested

"Mike its just under 10 weeks to go and I am at sea almost every week between now and Christmas. I need to get the things to send to Santa and the things from us" she said " you don't want three upset children on Christmas morning because Santa didn't get them anything. You know I would have started before now but some of the things I have to get from the shop not online"

"fine so long as we are not in the shops all day" Mike sighed.

"oh and we may have to drive down to Townsville as I want to get them each a build a bear" She said

"Kate!" Mike moaned "cant you order those of the internet"

"no. One the fur has to be going the right way and two I looked their online collection is rather limited and I need to see them before getting them make sure the faces look right" she said

"seriously" Mike grinned "are the teddies for the kids or you"

"no comment" she grinned as their breakfast was brought out

"here we are" the waiter smiled "smashed avo" he asked before placing it in front of Kate "and the full Monty plate" he said placing it in front of mike. "can I get you anything else?"

"just some brown sauce" Mike smiled

"I'm good" Kate said unwrapping her cutlery

Cutting in to her toast Kate smiled taking a bite. She watched as Mike squirted the brown sauce over his bacon and added a extra dollop on the side of the plate. She couldn't stand the stuff personally and was more of a tomato sauce girl if she was having bacon like that.

She hoped they would be able to get all they needed today from Cairns and that they could get down to Townsville before the shops shut so she could get the teddies she wanted for the kids. She had a rough idea of what she was going to get. Books games and clothes were always a easy choice but she wanted a few special little bits as this year had been a bit of a pants time.

so the big 50! thank you all so much for sticking with this it means so much to me. this has been my little bit of relief from reality and the pandemic by making up some fun adventures of what our favourite family may be up to in 2020.

with the build a bear this is so me. when ever i get one i have to pull them out make sure the fur is going down. (i am OCD with soft fluffy things) and i also have to look at their face make sure its the right one.

also the tomato sauce vs brown sauce (not BBQ its more of a Smokey tomato look up HP sauce) is a big debate in the uk.

anyway enjoy and i am hoping to have part 2 up in a day or two