Chapter 20
Days passed, but they passed more slowly than Kate would have thought, although it was in her mind.
Finally it was Friday, the day the Hammersley came back. But first, she had to do something important, pay Nikki a visit. She drove to the rehab centre, talked to the doctor and waited for her friend in the waiting room. Kate swallowed when Nikki entered. Her hair was uncombed, she was pale and it looked like she hadn't slept in days. Moreover, she looked unkempt in an oversized T-shirt, a linen trousers and barefoot in slippers.
She sat down and said "Hi".
"Hey Nik, how are you?", Kate asked.
"They say, I'm fine, but I feel like shit", Nikki said, trying to calm her shaking hand.
"Tell me".
Nikki looked scared around her and then towards Kate, "I want something to drink, but I know I can't and then I'm scared".
"Scared of what?"
"Everything. The walls, a fly and they say it's normal. Fuck it Kat, it's not normal. I know myself. It restless me and I barely sleep and they keep saying it's normal. It will pass", Nikki said bouncing her crossed leg up and down.
"Nik, you're doing it for Hazel and Pete", Kate encouraged her.
"I know! But it's so damn hard!", she gritted between her teeth and wiped her eyes.
"Nik, give yourself one more week and you'll feel much better".
"I hope so, I really hope so. How's the Hammersley doing? Who's the CO now?"
Kate felt happy to hear interested questions. "Dylan is acting CO now and Ryan is the XO".
"Dylan. Of course. Obvious choice. And Ryan? Wasn't he a navigator?"
"Yes, he was, but he's ready to take the leap. They're back this afternoon after, let's say, a training patrol. I'm looking forward to hear Dylan tell me how it went".
"It can only be good. Ryan? I can't tell you", she said.
They chattered little further until Kate had to return to the base.
With mixed feelings, she entered her office, hoping for the best for Nikki. She was so lost in thought that she forgot about the Hammersley, until there was a knock at her doorframe.
"Daydreaming?", Dylan asked.
"Uh! Oh… Pfft, I was thinking about Nikki. I paid her a visit this afternoon, you see", Kate said, straightening her back.
He sat down and put his visor cap on her desk, "How's she doing?".
Kate shrugged, "Doctors say that everything develops according to the plan, but she's actually a shadow of her former self, far from the one I knew".
"The one you remembered. That's the appropriate term. She was no longer the Nikki of twelve years ago. It can only get better", he said sombrely.
"Yeah, but it hurts me when I saw her, trembling, nervous, scared of everything. Doctors are talking about a few more weeks".
"Better now than never".
Kate nodded, "indeed, but how was the patrol?"
"Good. A great training opportunity and Ryan is doing well too. He still has to get into his role, but I'm convinced it's going to get better. You can read all about it in my report", he said.
"Yes, I know, that's the official one. I wanted to hear the reality from you, but I hear that it was good, so".
"Just for your information, Duncan is in a bush camp with his class. So, I'm free and maybe could we do something together?", she asked hopefully.
A broad smile lit up his face, "This is great news. Why don't you come to my place? Then you can ride a horse".
"Riding a horse? I can't".
"Huh? You told me once that your father had a mansion with stables", he said.
"That's true, but I was still a child and the only thing I did was sit on a pony", Kate answered.
"No worries. I'll teach you", he said.
"And your neighbour?"
"He trust me. And I know you. Don't buy riding boots or trousers or whatnot. You can ride a horse with jeans and sneakers as well", he said with a wink.
Kate blushed a little and raised her hands, "Okay, I didn't know I was such an open book".
He shrugged, "I can't help it you're easy to read".
"Okay, I surrender. Good, I'll come to your place and at what time do I have to be there?"
"Very easy, drop by after work, when you're ready. After this, I'm going to go home and stop by Coles to buy some fresh stuff", Dylan said.
"Well, uhm, let's say 5:30 pm", Kate said.
"Perfect. You're welcome. Now, I'm leaving otherwise you'll be in front of a closed door", he said, standing up.
"Good, see you soon", she replied with a radiant smile as she watched him go.
Kate quickly finished the file that was still open on her desk and left her office.
At home, she had a quick shower and put on make-up and lightly perfumed. She let her hair down and put on a dress. She grabbed her toiletries, a change of clothes including jeans, T-shirt, sneakers for learning to ride and put them in a travel bag.
Kate put on a pair of heeled sandals, grabbed her handbag, her car keys and drove off.
She stopped at the liquor store to buy a bottle of wine and drove to his place.
Kate took a deep breath before ringing the doorbell. She was a little nervous. A little? A lot! The first date for more than twelve years ago and the man in question was her favourite.
She rang and a few moments later the door opened.
"Hey Kate, come in, please", Dylan invited her.
"Hi Dylan", she said as she walked in and handed him the bottle, "It's for your hospitality".
"Oh, thank you", he replied, kissing her and reading the label, "Hmm, it's a good one".
"I couldn't offer you less than that. I asked the man of the liquor store a good wine for a connoisseur, so".
"Then we are going to taste it, huh? It's still fresh, but I'll put it in the fridge to keep it cool", he said and headed for the kitchen. He came back and saw that Kate was still holding her travel bag.
"It's not very courteous of me! Give me your bag. Where do you want it? I prepared the guest room, or….?", he asked hesitantly, suddenly realising the awkwardness of the question.
"Seriously?", Kate simply asked.
"Yeah, that's obvious. I put your bag in the bedroom. Get settled and meanwhile I'll prepare a good glass of Chardonnay with something to nibble", he said, heading for his bedroom, followed by Kate.
He put the bag on the bed and went back to the kitchen to open the bottle of wine. He took two glasses, a jar of olives and headed for to the terrace. Shortly after, Kate appeared.
"I found some empty space in your wardrobe where to store my things", she said, sitting down in the rocking chair that became her favourite chair.
"Sounds good to me. I have a good wine for you", he said, pouring her a glass.
He saw that she was barefoot and that indicated that she felt at ease with him.
They gave a toast, "Cheers!"
"How was your two weeks?", he asked after tasting the wine.
"Busy and good. I'm convinced that I have already achieved something. I visited all the departments and I saw the majority of the CO's and XO's. I'm starting to get an idea of the kind of crews I have in the running. Robert is doing well with the radio equipment and Becca taught our cook how to cook in a decent way. She also increased the quality of the products, which made me tell her that I was going to make her an officer", Kate said.
"Sounds good to me. Looks like you and Rebecca have become friends, right?", he asked.
"Absolutely! I met her in Sydney and invited her to my house. We chattered all evening. When she left, I knew I had a new close friend. She has changed and not a tiny little bit", she said.
"We've all changed, but you're still the same", he said.
"Come on, flatterer!"
"That's true. How about a good meal?", he asked.
"I don't say no. What do you have in mind?"
"Honey chicken nuggets, grilled pine nuts and fried potatoes", Dylan said.
"Great! Can I help you?"
"Yes, with setting the table", he said, smiling.
"Right, let's start. I'm hungry", Kate said, standing up.
When the table was set, she headed for the kitchen where he was standing in front of the stove, cooking the nuggets.
Kate, remember what Becca said. You like the guy and it seems like he likes you too, but he needs a clear signal. Moreover, you're the commanding officer and that could put you at a disadvantage. So, this weekend, it's up to you to tell him that you want to move on with him.
Hmm.
Don't do hmm, do it!
She went up to him and wrapped her arm around his waist, "That smells good".
"Well, it should be", he replied, kissing the top of her head, making her smile.
In turn he also wrapped his arm around her.
"It'll be ready in a minute", he said.
"Great! I can wait and in this position it's not going to be an effort", she said.
"I do believe you and I wish it has lasted longer", he said, smiling.
"We can repeat it on the couch after dinner with coffee and a movie, huh?"
"Certainly! Yes, it's ready", he said.
After dinner, they settled on the couch and he wrapped his arm around her, "What do you want to see?", he asked.
"No horror and nothing too cheesy with dying children or whatnot, because then I'm crying my eyes out", Kate said.
He scrolled through Netflix, "Hmm, I've got the "Fflight of the Phoenix" remake her. Have already you seen it?"
"A remake? Nope, I didn't see it", Kate said, snuggling up to him.
He hesitated, "Hmm, Kate, have you found a house for you and Duncan yet?"
"Uh, no in fact".
"You've been busy for Rebecca and Robert and you forget yourself?", he asked her, tapping his fingers on her shoulder.
"Uh, maybe I didn't have time for that?", she tried.
He chuckled, "Nice try, but you feel at ease here, don't you?"
"Uh-hu".
"And why not move here? There's enough room for three", he asked.
"Huh? And why are you asking that?", she asked looking at him with wide eyes.
He chuckled again, "Because you feel at ease here and I like having you here too and…"
"And what?", she challenged him.
"And because I love you. I want to move on with you", he blurted out and watched her face anxiously to see some reaction.
A radiant smile appeared on her face and she turned around to kneel on the couch. Kate changed position, sat astride his lap and they kissed passionately again. As their hands roamed their bodies, she felt something awaken beneath her.
"Dylan, darling, you once said that I had to replace the batteries, but do I have to replace yours too?", she asked with a cheeky smile.
"How dare you! For God's sake, no! They're still loaded!", he said pushing her gently aside and standing up. He lifted her off the couch and carried her into the bedroom, "This movie can wait, I know a better activity!", he said with a smile.
He set her down by the bed and she started to unbutton his shirt as he unzipped her dress. They got rid of the shirt, trousers dress and looked at each other for a while. He smiled.
"What?"
"Luckily you picked the right drawer for your underwear", he said, seeing her lacy undies.
"Since I stopped sailing, I have nothing else", Kate replied, raising her eyebrows.
"That's good, but for this activity, we don't need it", he said, unhooking her bra.
Their underwear fell on the floor, she wrapped her arms around him and they kissed wildly.
"Oh Dylan, it's been so long! I can't wait any longer!", she panted.
He laid her down on the bed and they lost themselves in each other. The earth could stop spinning, they were finally reunited and alone in the world….
To be continued
