If you were to ask Kate McGregor what she wanted to be when she grew up her answer would always be the same, the best reporter for Cairns local in the city.
Her Mum would often ask her 'Why do you want to do that?' and her answer would always be the same 'So I can be on camera and tell stories, I want to write and interview famous people just like Daddy did' she smiled widely.
Now if you'd ask her, her answer would to be the best Mother to her son.
Never had she imagined she'd be twenty-seven, divorced and raising a two-year-old but that was her life now, a life she wouldn't think twice about so long as her son was happy that's all she cared about.
That was until she met him..
His chiseled jaw, blonde hair, crooked smile and insane abs had gotten her focus the first day she met him at the locker room of the local football field, when he exited in nothing but a towel around his waist.
One word she would have used immediately to describe Dylan Mulholland would be 'Cocky' he knew what he wanted and did everything in his power to get it.
When she asks him after a month of first meeting to be her pretend boyfriend for the weekend of her Ex's wedding they share a night of passion, will this be the start of something or the end?
"Good morning my little munchkin" Kate stopped next to Theo's cot holding out her arms
"Up, up" he giggled,
wrapping her arms around his small body Kate lifted her son into her arms holding him against her chest and inhaling his Peppermint and Strawberry smell of his favorite bubble bath soap he'd made a huge mess with at bath time last night.
"Are you excited to see Daddy today?" she questioned moving around the bedroom collecting his change of clothes for the day
"Daddy's coming?"
"He sure is Munchkin"
Placing him down on the floor Kate took up the empty spot in the rocking chair that sat in the corner of his room "Arms up" she gripped the bottom of his bed shirt, pulling it over his head she threw it across the room into the basket
"Goal!" Theo threw his hands up with a grin, shaking her head Kate began putting on his clean shirt, getting the rest of him dressed in clean pants, socks, shoes and his superman underwear,
reaching across for his jacket that his Aunt Nikki had made him for his birthday, a dark blue denim with embroidery on the back in his name 'Super Theodore Flynn'
"Aunt Nik's jacket?" he crossed his little fingers
"As always munchkin" Kate helped put his arms through the arm holes when the apartment door opened and closed
"Daddy's here!" he screeched running out of the bedroom.
Collecting the rest of his dirty clothes Kate pushed herself out of the rocking chair, crossing the bedroom she dropped his dirty clothes in the hamper and exited his bedroom.
Walking into the kitchen she sighed when she saw her ex-husband tickling Theo's tummy his head back giggling loudly
"You can't just walk in anymore, we talked about this" she moved past him collecting a mug from the cupboard
"I have a key, I'm technically not just walking in" Mike shrugged
"Mike.."
"Okay next time I promise to knock first"
"Thank you" she picked up the coffee pot pouring herself a mug, reaching across for Mike's regular mug she poured him one too.
After putting the milk and sugar in she turned holding out the mug "Thanks" he smiled wrapping his hand around it after he'd put Theo down who was now running into the lounge to watch his regular 8am SpongeBob episode.
Taking a seat at the kitchen table where she had a clear view of Theo she took a sip of her coffee willing the caffeine to kick in faster then normal
"You look exhausted" Mike sat across from her
"Gee thanks for that"
"I don't mean.." he sighed "if you want me to visit more to help you with bedtimes"
"And have Theo get used to you being here every night? You know why we set this routine"
"I know… I just feel like I'm missing out of him growing up"
"You're the one who left Mike not me"
Ever since their separation two years ago this conversation came up once a week and her answer was always the same and Mike's excuse well that never changed either.
When Kate found out he had an affair after a drunken night with his assistant and didn't tell her until she caught them sneaking around behind her back she kicked him out. When Theo was 9 months old she filed for a divorce.
A year later and the divorce was finalized, and Mike had Theo one day a week since he refused to take time off work Wednesdays were the only days he was free to see his son.
Pathetic right?
"Kate…"
Here we go
"I want more time with him then one day a week"
"Is this you talking or your twenty-year old assistant?" she raised an eyebrow
"Serena would like it too yes but he's my son"
"When we discussed all of this with the lawyers you said all you could give him was one day a week, what's changed now?"
"I decided to cut back on some hours that's all" he shrugged picking at the handle of his mug, knowing this was his tell tail sign he was lying she placed her own mug down on the table
"What's going on?"
"Serena wants Theo to get to know her now that.."
"That?"
"I asked her to Marry last weekend"
"Your.." her eyes betrayed her when they filled with tears "your getting re-married?"
"I was going to tell you sooner, but I just haven't found the time" reaching a hand across he placed it over hers for comfort
"I'm happy for you" she cleared her throat pulling her hand back she stood from her chair
"Kate.."
"Theo's SpongeBob will be finished in five, I need to get dressed for work" she emptied her coffee down the sink moving quickly past the kitchen table before he could grab her hand to stop her.
Entering the bedroom, she closed the door behind her and leant her head against it trying to hold back the tears, but they were already running down her cheeks.
She always knew eventually one of them would move on possibly get married again or have more kids but the fact that it was only a year after their divorced was finalized hurt her more then anything.
Sure, she'd gone on dates since the divorce but nothing series, she always thought Mike was her one since they'd been together since High School but after Twelve years sometimes people tend to drift away.
Pushing off from the door she entered her ensuite and turned on the shower, holding her hand under the water waiting till it was the perfect temperature before stripping out of her clothes she moved into the stall closing the glass door behind her she held her head back as the warm water streamed down her back, grabbing the soap she began washing her body.
Closing her eyes, she heard the bedroom door open, and footsteps stop near the bathroom
"Katie.." his voice travelled from the bedroom
"I'm fine"
"I'm sorry.. I know this all feels to fast that our divorce was only finalized a year ago"
Turning around in the shower to look at the bathroom door she could see his form, his back to her while his face was staring at unmade bed she washed the soap suds off her body "I just wish you'd had told me sooner"
"After everything I did, I wasn't sure how you'd take it"
Watching him with a sigh she turned off the water and stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around herself "I'm not mad" she walked past him into the bedroom
"But you are upset"
"Is it your who wants more time with Theo or is it her?" she stopped turning to face him "because if it's her the answer is no, Theo is your son he is our son not hers. He dosen't care about her Mike he cares about his Daddy"
"I know, I know but this was my idea not her's I want to spend more time with him before he grows up and starts to resent me"
"Okay.." she nodded slowly
"Okay?"
"We do a trial you take him for today and then he can stay the weekend and we'll go from there"
"Thank you Katie" he stepped forward placing a kiss on her cheek "thank you" he repeated
"Daddy I ready!" Theo called from the lounge
"I better go"
"Mmhmm" she hummed crossing her arms quickly to stop her towel from slipping that had come loose
"Thanks Kate" he smiled kissing her forehead before he stepped back and exited the bedroom
"Bye Mummy" Theo yelled
"Bye munchkin, I'll see you tonight" she called back to him, the front door closing in response Mike and Theo's voices echoing down the stairs and out of the apartment complex.
Walking through the office and hour later with her regular Ice latte in her free hand Kate dropped her handbag on her desk and lifted her takeaway cup to her lips pausing when she spotted her cameraman Lucas walking towards her
"Morning sexy" he winked "you ready for today?"
"First of all your lucky I know your gay or I'd take offence to that sexy comment, secondly interviewing a bunch of jocks who have their heads in the clouds totally I'm excited" she rolled her eyes sarcastically
"It won't be all bad"
"If their not thinking about football their thinking about sex"
"Well as a man I can assure you we all do that" he laughed
"Get outta here" she pushed him in the shoulder
"I'll meet you down at the work car, we're ready to go in ten" he winked walking towards the elevator.
Shaking her head, she picked up her handbag again, reaching across for her notepad and favorite pen she shoved them into her handbag.
Taking a large swig on her drink she placed it on her desk and ran towards the elevator almost tripping when her heel came loose, catching her footing she leant down to tie up the buckle a chill running up her spine when she felt a pair of eyes on her.
Arising to stand she looked around but didn't see anyone, jumping when the elevator dinged, she changed her mind and headed towards the stairs instead walking down the stairs she paused when the door opened, looking up behind her she placed a hand over her beating heart
"Nik you scared the shit outta me"
"Sorry" she laughed "I saw you come through here and wanted to catch you before you left"
"You were watching me?"
"No, I just came out of the bathroom and spotted you" she looked at her in confusion "everything okay?"
"Fine, ah what's up?" she shook her head
"I kinda got roped into doing this article for Smith and I was hoping you'd take a look at it when I'm done? Proofread it?"
"Um.." Kate looked down at her watch "I'm out most the day at this meet and greet with the player but are you going to have it finished today?"
"Yes"
"Okay just leave it on my desk and I'll take it home with me is that okay?"
"You're the best!"
"Aren't I always" she smiled
"Love you!" Nikki called after her
"I know!" she laughed continuing down the stairs.
Exiting out the side of the building she walked towards the work car where Lucas was loading the last of the supplies
"You took the stairs?" he raised an eyebrow
"I don't have a body like this from taking the elevator, I think your forget I had a kid"
"Baby you look sexy as always"
"Just shut up and finish already" she hit his arm walking around the van she opened the passenger door and jumped in.
Welcome! So lately I've been doing original stories with Sea Patrol characters well this is another one. I hope you enjoy! Xx