Arriving home Kate sighed flopping down on the sofa. She was feeling emotionally drained and exhausted from the lack of sleep from the last three days. Still processing all that had just happened it hadn't quite sunk in what had happened. She had been so worked up and had convinced herself that she was going to lose her command, commission or worse her job. yawning slightly, she smiled as Mike brought her a cup of tea over
"you okay?" he asked
"I... um I don't really know. I still can't quite believe what just happened" she said sipping her drink, curling up resting her head on his shoulder.
"well, you don't have to worry anymore." Mike smiled. "why don't you go up for a lie down. You look knackered" he said.
"I'm okay" she yawned, her eyes drooping slowly falling asleep on his arm.
Sighing softly to himself he carefully removed the cup from her hand. As he did, she fell forwards slightly landing on his lap. Pulling the throw that was on the back of the sofa carefully draping it over her shoulders
She woke several hours later. Yawning slightly, she pushed herself up looking at him.
"hey" he said softly as she lifted her head off his lap
"hey" she smiled "what time is it?" she asked giving a yawn
"just after 3" he smiled
"What why didn't you wake me. Who's getting the kids"
"calm down. Nav is getting them and dropping them round. And I didn't wake you because you needed the sleep. You were exhausted"
"how long have I been out?" she asked
"about 5 hours" he smiled "do you fancy a brew?" he asked
"please. I might just go up and get changed" she smiled
She returned downstairs just as the front door crashed open and Grace and Chirs ran in shortly followed by Nicole and Nikki
"Mummy" grace threw her arms around Kate
"hey you" Kate smiled "did you have fun with Auntie Nikki" she asked
"yeah, we had Maccas for dinner and for brekkie" she grinned dancing round the room. "can we have Maccas tonight?" she asked
"um I think you have had enough" Kate folded her arms. "go and get changed and then do your homework" she said scooping Chris up. "and what about you Mr monkey did you have fun?" she asked
Letting out a small moan Chris buried his face in to his mother's neck.
"i think someone is sleepy" she whispered kissing Chris's ear
"sorry he wouldn't sleep Last night and nursery said he refused to go down for a nap" Nikki smiled walking in.
"its fine" Kate smiled "so what's with the Maccas for dinner and breakfast?" Kate smiled
"i told you not to tell mummy" Niki laughed towards Grace "my alarm didn't go off and I over slept and I didn't want them to be late for school" she smiled
"its fine, I have done it myself just don't tell Mike" she grinned
"don't tell mike what" Mike smiled walking in from the kitchen. "do you want a brew Nik?"
"nah I am okay thanks" she smiled "so what happened do we still have our captain?"
"i am still not sure what exactly happened but yeah I am still CO of Hammersley but we are on shore leave till the new year and Marshall hauled Smith in to his office"
"that's amazing Kate. So what's happened to Smith?"
"no idea but no doubt we will find out soon enough" she sighed. "you sure you don't want a brew"
"yeah. I have a hot date with a book and a bath" Nikki smiled.
"well. have fun" Kate smiled walking to the door
"mummy so can we have Maccas for tea" Grace walked up
"no. Daddy is doing chicken pasta. Now homework please" she said walking back over to the sofa.
"when did the you put the Christmas tree up?" she asked
"umm today to be a surprise when you came home." Kate said crossing her fingers behind her back. It was a half lie. it was up today it just so happened to have been up for a extra 24 hours before that
Later that evening Kate sat curled up on the sofa. They had eventually got the kids to bed and asleep. Grace was on a high demanding mummy hugs because she had missed them staying with auntie Nikki and then Chris after having a little snooze earlier which Kate had made sure was only half a hour at the most didn't want to sleep but you could see his little Bambi eyes fighting the oncoming sleep like it was a battle.
"Drink?" Mike asked holding out a glass of wine. "i think we have earnt this don't you" he smiled as he took it "toast?" he smiled
Sipping her drink, she smiled "what shall we toast to then"
"to not letting others get us down" Kate smiled
"to not letting others get us down" Mike smiled knocking his glass against hers.
"you know I quite fancy a early night" she grinned looking up at him, her eyes having regained their sparkle they had lost in recent days
"Well then Mrs Flynn" he grinned carefully pulling her up "i think I might just have to oblige" he grinned
Slowly walking up the stairs she followed him in to the bedroom. Sitting on the end of the bed she smiled up as he walked across the room. Falling back against the bed she smiled looking up at him
"thank you for being there for me today" she whispered as he brushed the hair off her face
Sighing softy she wrapped her arm around his neck she pulled him closer just as the door crashed open and Chris walked in dragging his teddy by its leg climbing on to the bed he flopped down making sure he was in-between Mike and Kate.
Smiling softly Kate brushed her hand through his blond curls. It was annoying but she wouldn't have it another way and she knew Grace wouldn't be far behind her brother in trying to have a slumber party in her parents' bed.
" he really should be in his own bed" Mike sighed
"i know but leave him for now. I just want them close"
She watched as Grace plodded in half asleep and star fished at the end of the bed. Smiling to herself she reached for the blanket draping it over her daughter. She had been down the past couple of days and 2020 didn't help but her kids never failed to put a smile on her face.
so hope you like this. sorry it has taken me a while as i just couldnt get it to go right. i think i may have a flash forward a few days for the next chapter so it is in real(ish) time to the present day.
anyway hope you like it and let me know what you think x
