CH 42

A few days later, the night before Hammersley was due to leave for patrol, June was lying on top of Jim's chest and kissing him. When they broke apart for air, "The other night when we were talking about crazy wedding ideas..."

"Yeah?"

"Well, I'll let you wear a tux without complaint so long as you do something for me."

"What's that?"

"When we have our wedding photos taken, that in some of the photos you wear your uniform."

Jim thought about it and smiled, "Sure I can do that for you."

"Thank you," bending down to kiss him passionately.

The next morning, Hammersley left for a weeks patrol, the crew was talking about their shore leave and what they did.

"MacGyver, what did you do?" Nav asked her.

"Swain and I attended a medic course at Barry General, and I had two duty watches. And as you should know, Nav, shopping for wedding and bridesmaid dresses."

"Have you found anything yet?" Spider asked.

"Yes, our dresses are being made, Spider."

"How many bridesmaids are you having?" Charge asked her.

"Four."

"Four... Who are they?" two Dads asked.

"X, and Nav, Trish and Val, that's Jim's sisters."

"Ok, so what are they like, his sisters?" Two Dads asked with a cheeky grin.

"Sorry to disappoint you Two Dads, Trish is married with three kids and Val got engaged three months ago."

Everyone chuckled when they saw the disappointed look on his face.

When they returned from their patrol the men were planning on having the buck's night that night since it was Friday. The crew had worked with Jim's men in getting in touch with Jim's family so they were there.

When MacGyver arrived home and walked inside, she could hear voices in her house so she followed the voices into the large living room and stopped short when she saw who was there. They didn't hear or see her there.

"Hello." They all turn shocked to see her in her dress white uniform and carrying her seabag and another bag with her.

"June," Val said getting up and walking over to her and hugging her. When Val steps back she looks at the pins and medals on her uniform.

"Wow! Jim wasn't joking about the medals you've got, June."

"Thanks... ahh, what's going on here? The wedding's not for another three weeks," she said looking at them and then she realizes what it is.

"Oh, No, who contacted you?"

"What do you mean June?" Jamie asked walking over to her and giving her a hug.

"I smell a rat, no, make that many rats. Hammersley and SAS rats. I knew they were up to something so did Jim." she said with a chuckle. Then she got her phone out of her pocket and called him.

"Hey… did you know your family is here... in the house…? well they are…. I smell two rats…. Hammersley and SAS…"

"Well, this weekend is the only time that everyone was available... Hen and bucks night…"

"I don't know what they have planned for us…. Ok see you when you come home…I've got to get changed… ok... love you…" then she hung up.

"He didn't know you were coming, who let you in and disabled the alarm?"

"Commander Flynn did."

Shaking her head, "I see, well if you will all excuse me while I go and do what I normally do when returning back from patrol and then we can talk."

Leaving the lounge she went upstairs.

"Well at least she was calm about it," Ben said.

"Yeah," Tom said.

When MacGyver returned she went and got herself a drink. Jamie walked into the kitchen, "I hope Commander Flynn didn't do anything wrong."

"Don't worry about it. I'm more concerned about what is going to happen tonight or tomorrow night."

"Why is that?"

SAS and Navy together... it smells like trouble to me, especially when it concerns the Hammersley crew."

"It can't be that bad."

"Worse, after they have a few too many drinks."

"I guess that could be bad."

"Very."

"Trish and Val went to try on their dresses this afternoon."

"And do they fit?"

"Yes, they do. But why's one green and the other blue?"

MacGyver chuckled. "Army green and Navy blue."

"Oh! Never thought of that."

"Me either but it's what we both wanted."

"Well, that's the only thing that matters, that you both are happy. That's the important thing."

"We are, very. We've talked about everything, where we'll be having the wedding, the guest list, food, even the cake."

"What sort of cake is it going to be?"

"Quad chocolate cake."

"Never heard of that one before."

"It's four layers of sponge cake, the bottom is dark chocolate, followed by milk chocolate, followed by caramel, and then vanilla."

"Wow! That's some cake."

"It will be, also it will be covered in buttercream with a blue and green mirror glaze icing over it and a white heart with our initials on it around each layer of the cake."

"That sure is different."

"It will be, and then there'll be the bride and groom on top with a heart-shaped arch in the background."

"I can't wait to see it."

June made herself a drink, "would you like one?"

"No thanks."

"So, how are things in Sydney?"

"Good."

They talk while returning to the living room where the rest of the family are.

"June, I hope you don't mind but we checked out your house. It's lovely." Trish said.

"Thank you."

"We saw the photos of you in your uniform on the wall in your office."

"One for each time I was promoted or received a medal. As you can see, these are important to me, they mark my career."

"We didn't see any photos of your parents," Trish noted.

"I don't know what happened to them, I guess I'll never know. I was in university when dad died, by the time everything was sorted out, someone screwed up and personal items disappeared."

"That's a shame that you lost those things that are so important," Ben said.

"The ones that are really important are what I have in the here and now and in the future, that's what's important to me."

"That's so true," Ben replied.

An hour later everyone heard a bike pull up and into the garage. June stood up, "Jim's home."

"He's still got his bike?"

"Yes and a car that he uses every now and then," she said smiling.

"Have you been on his bike?" Val asked.

"Yes, when we go up to Palm Cove for the day and the weather is fine," she answered.

"Hey..." Jim said as he walked in. June turned around and went over to him when he stepped into the room and he pulled her into his arms for a passionate kiss.

"Missed you," Jim said.

"Missed you too," then they kiss once more before greeting his family.

"Hey, this is a surprise. I hope you guys are just here to see us and have nothing to do about bucks and hen parties." They all smile.

"The grins on their faces says it all. It's the parties they're here for."

"Yeah, I'll go and get changed." He shook his head at his family before walking out of the room.

"I don't know who's planning what, but it sounds like it's going to be one hell of a weekend."

"Oh, it is."

"Well, when Jim returns we head into town to get some food and Panadol. I've got a feeling we are going to be needing them this weekend."

"Just relax and enjoy it."

"Question is, is it tonight or tomorrow night?"

"Tonight," Val answered.

"Ok, when you were contacted about the party did they say where to meet and at what time?"

" 8 o'clock at the pub on the Navy base."

"Alright. So what would you like for dinner?"

"Takeaways, you need a break, you cook for over twenty people three times a day," Jamie said.

" I'll talk to Jim and work it from there."

When Jim walked back into the living room a few minutes later June stood up and went over to him when he asked, "what's happening?"

"We're going shopping for food and Panadol for this weekend and for dinner tonight. What would you like to have?"

"It doesn't worry me, what about you guys?"

"How about pizza? Trish asked.

"Sounds good to me," Ben said.

Everyone agreed.

"Ok, well Jim do you want to stay and visit with your family or go shopping with me?"

"I'll stay."

"Alright, I'll be back in a bit," she gives him a kiss.

"June can I come and help?" Val asked.

"Sure if you like."

"Can come as well?" Trish asked.

"Of course."

They got up and walked out of the living room, then June returned, "Honey..." He turned to her, "I'll get us some ice cream," she gave him a wink before disappearing out the door.

Jim looked at his family who were grinning at him. "Ice cream?" Jamie said.

"Yes Mum, ice cream. She must have noticed there was none in the freezer."

"I see."