Chapter 3

Flashback

Twelve years and five months earlier.

A lot of things happened.

Kate was promoted to lieutenant commander and took over control of the Hammersley instead of Mike. Mike got his shore posting back. Moreover, he became the CO of Cairns. Maxine was promoted to captain and commanded the Cairns and Darwin divisions. Her command post was still in Cairns. Mike and Kate could now move on in their relationship. They agreed that they didn't want to waste any more time and decided to get married within the next six months. It was the time they needed to organise the wedding and fit out their house. They wanted to start in a house they both chose.

The Hammersley has left the base the day before and Mike was looking at the latest coast guard observations. A light knock on the doorframe made him look up.

He smiled, "Hey Max".

"Hey Mike, do you like my old chair?", she said, half-sitting on his desk, her foot dangling.

He leaned back in his chair, "Perfect Max. And how's yours?"

"Great! And honestly, I'm more than happy to stay here. Firstly, it's too hot in Darwin and secondly, we can stay together", she said with a heartwarming smile.

"You hit in the bull's eye twice, Max. What about having a coffee?", he asked, standing up.

She smiled, "I never decline such an invitation", she said standing up too heading for the door.

He noticed that she was wearing white heeled pumps. "Oh, you also changed your outfit".

"Of course! As commander of both divisions, I have to be image-conscious", she grinned.

As they sipped from their cup of coffee in the officers' mess, Maxine looked at him.

"Mike, why don't you come over to my place tonight? I'll cook a good piece of meat and we can have a chat. What do you think?"

'"Hmm, that sounds great. At what time?", he said.

"Let's say 7:00", she said.

"Fine, I'll be there", he replied, putting his hand on hers.

Later that day, Mike rang Maxine's doorbell.

She opened the door, "Hey Mike! Welcome!".

"Hi Max, thanks for inviting me. I brought your favorite wine", he said offering her a bottle of Chardonnay.

"Oh Mike, you're such a charming man!", she said accepting the bottle while giving him a quick peck.

"With pleasure".

"Come in, please", she said, closing the door.

"Take a seat. Do you like a cold Chardonnay as an aperitif?", she asked him.

"Perfect Max", he said, sitting down on the couch while watching her walk to the kitchen. She was wearing a dark blue fancy T-shirt, cream trousers and silver slippers.

A minute later, she was back with the bottle, two glasses and a bowl of peanuts. She sat down next to him, filled the glasses and offered him one.

"Cheers!"

"Cheers! How's Ryan doing nowadays?", he asked after taking a sip.

"He's now sub lieutenant and posted on the Melbourne. They are actually in the Gulf", she said.

"Hmm, what is he doing?"

"He's the navigation officer's assistant. He will rotate aboard to gain as much practice as possible".

"It's good. When will he be back?", he asked.

"In four weeks", she said picking up some peanuts.

"It will be over before you realise it", Mike said, sensing a little sadness in her voice.

"Yeah, indeed. By the way, I cooked pork cutlets, carrots and potatoes and a pie for dessert. Does that suit for you?", she asked refilling the glasses.

"Perfect Max. How's it going as CO of two divisions?"

"It's pretty much the same, the only difference is that you no longer give tasks to ships but to the divisions. It has become more tactical and more diplomatic. You lose contact with the sea, but it's okay. It's fascinating", she said.

"Glad to hear it. I also mis the sea, but now I have more contact with the other ships. Another one?", Mike asked, holding the bottle.

"A little bit. I also have a bottle of red wine to drink with the cutlets", she said, standing up.

"I'll have to get started otherwise it will be takeaway", she said smiling.

"Right", Maxine said entering the living room.

Mike looked up, "Meal's ready, I guess?"

"Indeed, if you could open the bottle of wine? I'll be back in a minute", she said as she headed for her bedroom.

He opened the bottle and poured some into his glass to taste it.

"Uh-hu", he mumbled and filled both glasses.

At the same time, he heard the sounds of heels and turned around.

"I put on something else", Maxine simply said.

"Hmm, you're pretty!", he said staring at her.

Maxine had donned a dark blue summer dress attached to a shoulder by a thin strap and heeled mules.

"Well, I don't often have visitors, so I take this opportunity to dress better.

After dinner, she opened a second bottle and brought it into the living room. Mike sat down on the couch and Maxine very close to him.

"It was a very tasty dish Max. Really good and excellent wine", he said taking another sip.

"Only the best things for you Mike", she said her head resting on his shoulder.

"Yeah, it's good to have a close friend", he said.

"It's true", she said looking at him, their noses almost touching. She moved closer to him, her mouth slightly open. He responded by kissing her. They smiled and kissed again more passionately.

He started to caress her body up to her breasts and then he came back to the reality.

"Max, can we do this? I'm with Kate", he asked.

"No worries, Mike. You're not doing anything wrong. I'm not a stranger you know. I'm your son's mother. So, it's natural", she said, wrapping her arm around him.

"Yeah, that sound logica….", he mumbled before his voice was muffled by her kiss.

The next morning, he entered the kitchen and took a mug of coffee from the hands of Maxine who was wearing a dressing gown. "Here you go, Mike. Usually I drink a coffee and eat a bit before having a shower".

"Thanks Max, for the coffee and for the dressing gown. I didn't know you had one for men", he said.

She shrugged smiling, "I already have that one for a long time. I thought you knew".

He nodded, "Yeah, apparently. Good coffee by the way. Do you have a toast?"

"Your wish", she replied, offering him a plate with fresh warm toasts.

"Splendid. Oh, it was really fun last night", he said, grabbing the pot of vegemite .

She walked over and put her hand on his bare chest, "It doesn't have to be a one-night stand, you know. We're friends, and friends can have fun, right?", she asked with sparkling eyes.

"Friends?", he repeated and nodded, "Yeah, indeed, friends and having fun. It could work".

She kissed him, "Deal!"

"Right, and when do we have our next date?"

"The day after Hammersley goes on patrol, at 7 pm?", she said smiling broadly.

"Perfect!"

Five months later.

Kate and Mike married. He wore his white ceremonial uniform and Kate wore an elegant dress in light, airy chiffon that gave the impression that she was floating instead of walking. The dress had short sleeves, a boat neckline and the skirt was made of several layers of fabric on two levels. The first part stopped above the knee and the second, discreetly connected to the first by invisible fasteners, went down to the ankles. Kate had chosen the model for its practicality because by detaching the bottom of the dress, she could still use it as a cocktail dress.

She was on cloud nine. After so many years, she had finally married the man she loved. Nothing could go wrong anymore. A real home with a family and the house with a garden loomed ahead.

The party was in full swing. His family, the crew, people from other ships, some from Navcom and friends outside the Navy were invited. They finished the barbecue and the dance floor was busy. However, it was starting to look more and more like a big drinking contest.

Mike stood at the bar, waiting for another glass of champagne as someone touched his arm. He turned around and saw Maxine in her long blue halter neck dress.

"Hey Max!", he said joyously. "Do you want another drink?"

"Hey Mike. Yes please", she replied smiling at him.

"Here you go", he said, offering her the glass.

"Thanks, it's a bit noisy here, huh. Shall we go?", she asked, motioning to the adjacent room.

They headed for the room and he turned around to her.

"Mike, I haven't had the opportunity to congratulate you yet. You, the confirmed bachelor, have finally settled down", she said.

"Thanks Max and yes, I think it's about time. Now is the right time to start a new adventure", he said.

"And uh…the exiting, current….adventure? It's over, I guess?", she asked.

He smiled at her, "You'll never change, huh, Max? "

She shrugged, "Well, I'm still your son's mother. Can we still be….friends?".

He took a deep breath and leaned closer to her, "Let's say that the current adventure is still going on, if you catch my drift", he replied.

"I like to hear that Mike. I love you!", she said and she kissed him.

Kate was still in a very good mood. She was slightly drunk, not only with wine and champagne, but also with happiness. She went from guest to guest to chat. On the dance floor, the music had changed. The rhythms of popular music had given way to the softer tunes of the slow dancing and the spotlights lit up a deep blue.

Kate rushed to her table and told Bomber, who curiously wondered why she was in such a hurry, "I'm going to get my husband to slow dance on Red Sails In The Sunset", she giggled and rushed inside, knowing he had gone to bar to get a drink.

Bomber, who was far from sober, glared at the DJ and stood up.

"I'd better go to the cloakroom before some random stupid bloke thinks he needs to dance with me!", she mumbled, trying to walk straight with her heels to the ladies' lavatory.

As Kate entered the room, she heard, "I like to hear that Mike. I love you!" and saw Maxine and Mike kissing passionately.

Bomber who was a few meters behind Kate saw it too and remained rooted to the spot.

To be continued