Somebody That I Used To Know.
Chapter 3.
Kate sheepishly entered the house, hovering in the doorway, she smiled seeing Mike cradling Aria on the couch. Mike looked over feeling her presence and waved her over, placing his index finger to his mouth.
"Shh, I just got her down…"
He rose from the couch and gently placed her in the rocker, Kate took his hand and led him to the kitchen. Leaning on the bench she sighed, focusing on the floor.
"I'm sorry about before."
Mike stepped towards her and pushed the stray hairs away from her face, he rested his hands on her shoulders.
"Kate, it's okay, I can't imagine what you're trying to deal with, I just wish you'd share it with me."
Kate exhaled sharply, dropping her shoulders, she felt like a terrible person. Looking into his eyes and leaned her head on his chest.
"Ugh, why are you so understanding?"
Mike chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Kate, it took us six years to get here, and I know it hasn't been smooth sailing, pun intended. I'm not gonna let a little amnesia get in our way. I just need you to talk to me, even if it feels silly and I promise to, well, give it to you straight."
"Thanks, and you were right, Dutchy is a good friend, he gives excellent advice."
"So you guys sorted things out?'
"Yeah, he caught me freaking out in the car."
Mike's eyes widened, he grasped her shoulder worried about her confession.
"What happened?"
Kate waved her hands in the air, dismissing his concern.
"I'm okay, but you're right, I need to talk, try to let some of this frustration out. I feel like I'm letting you down, we had this life and now what do you have? A girlfriend who can't remember the good times and who is moody all the time."
"Kate, really, I don't feel you're failing me, you'll get your memory back. Look, if it makes you feel better I can tell you about some of the jerkier things I've done, our lives, like everyone else's, isn't perfect Kate, it doesn't need to be."
She wrapped her arms around him, thankful she was able to feel a little more normal.
"Thanks…"
Mike ran his hand over her cheek and gently pressed his lips against hers, they heard Aria cry and separated shaking their heads, Kate scoffed, rolling her eyes.
"Have a baby, they said…"
Picking Aria up, she kissed her chubby cheeks.
"Hey, why don't we go for a walk, get out of the house."
Mike and Kate strolled down the boardwalk with Aria in a pram, Mike wrapped his arm around Kate's shoulder, pulling her close.
"This is nice, isn't it? Feeling like a normal family."
"Yeah, till you get crash sailed…"
"Not this week, Hammersley's in for maintenance… Hey, why don't we go visit? See if it jogs anything."
She nudged him with her hip, rolling her eyes.
"Anything to be on that boat, huh?"
"Hey, just a suggestion."
"I dunno if I'm ready, maybe another time… "
Aria awoke, wiggling round in the pram she cooed for attention. They stopped at a bench and sat, Kate removed her from the pram and bounced her on her knee. She turned to Mike as she took a bottle out of the nappy bag.
"Okay, your turn to talk, I'm sure there are some things you want to get off your chest…"
"It's not like that, Kate, it's more I don't want you to think I don't want to talk about what happened, it's just I don't wanna talk about the wrong thing, I don't wanna make it worse."
"Mike, I can handle it, it just feels a little strange that's all. I think it's all these people knowing stuff about you while you have no idea about them. I remember ADFA, and my first couple of postings, I remember ANZAC and all the things I went through, and then it's blank. I think what upsets me the most is that the time that's missing seems to be the most meaningful part of my life, and I can't remember it. Like if the crew was so special you'd think my brain would want to remember it. It just feels funny I guess, I mean, I like rules, and here I am breaking them."
"We never broke the rules, Kate. I wouldn't let you do that."
"Well, we kind of did… Watson's bay?"
"Well, okay, but if we didn't do that, then we probably wouldn't be here… and while we're on that, I want you to know I wish the last memory of me wasn't me leaving you the way I did."
She chuckled, re-positioning Aria in her other arm.
"Well, I'd hope so…"
"We never really talked about it a lot, I think it was like an unspoken thing, but you deserve an apology."
"It's okay, it was so long ago, I think we're past that. But I have to admit, waking up and finding you next to me was a little weird."
"Kinda surprised you didn't kick me out."
"I think I was in shock, I mean, technically, I thought it was six years ago and I was supposed to be on ANZAC, and well, Aria, she was a big clue I'd missed something."
She chuckled thinking of the dumbfounded moment, the smile faded from her face seeing the serious look on Mike's face.
"Mike?"
He exhaled sharply, placing his hand on her arm.
"Kate, I know I'm not perfect, but I really wanna make this work…"
She was confused by his reaction, of course she knew that, running her hand over his cheek she leaned over and gently pressed her lips against his.
"Me too…"
They continued to walk down the boardwalk hand in hand, pushing the pram.
"So, has Dr Bowen suggested any way we could help jog your memory?"
"Just photos and stuff, familiar places, she said just be careful not to try too much, it could make it worse."
"Well, why don't I arrange a get together at the pub with the crew, we'd do that quite a lot."
She didn't know if she was ready, but she could see Mike was trying to make an effort, so she needed to as well.
"Why not, I suppose I have nothing to lose?"
Later that day Mike knocked on Dutchy's door, he answered surprised to see him.
"Boss, hi, what are you doing here?"
"Ah, I wanted to thank you for talking to Kate…"
"Oh, umm, that's okay, she just seemed a bit out of sorts, I mean, more than the amnesia. You wanna come in?"
Mike walked into the house and wandered around the lounge room, Dutchy was puzzled by his silence.
"Ah, anything else on your mind?"
He glanced at the photo of Dutchy and Kate on his bookcase and straightened the frame.
"Umm, look, I know you guys were, are, basically best friends, and I don't wanna make things weird, but has she brought up the accident?"
"Well, not specifically, why?"
Mike could see Dutchy was confused about his line of questioning.
"Oh, I'm just trying to cover all bases, Dr Bowen didn't want her to have too much information too soon."
"Okay, but she shouldn't she know what happened? It seems that the part that's stressing her the most.
"Yeah, but, I think it just needs to be handled delicately."
Dutchy folded his arms over his chest, feeling like this was more about him than Kate.
"And I can't do that?"
"No, but I think it'd be better coming from me."
"Right, so you'll tell her everything?"
Mike's eyes narrowed, sensing an undertone in his question.
"Look, I'd rather just start a fresh, the past is the past, right? She's happy, she's got everything she's always wanted, a career in the navy and a family."
Dutchy knew debating Mike's point of view wasn't going to help, but he couldn't help himself, he re-positioned the frame to its original position and took a step towards Mike.
"Mike, just skimming over the past issues isn't being real with her, you know that."
"Yeah, but I just don't want to ruin things."
"Look, I'm not going to push her, but if she wants to talk about, well, everything, I can't lie to her…"
Mike locked eyes with him for a moment then cleared his throat, breaking the silence.
"Okay, well, I think we just need to think about what's best for her."
He walked to the door and turned before opening it.
"We're having a get together for her tonight at the pub, seven o'clock, I'll see you there…".
That night Kate stood in front of her mirror checking her outfit, her hands shook as she brushed off the bottom of her dress. Mike walked up behind her and kissed her neck, she clenched her fists to stop them shaking.
"You look beautiful."
"Thanks!"
She flicked her hands in front of her, frustrated she couldn't control her nerves.
"Ugh, I didn't think this was such a big deal, but by body is telling me otherwise."
"If this is too much too soon, we can cancel."
"No, it's okay, I think I need to get out, you know rejoin the world."
He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her around to face him.
"Well, at least you already know they love you."
They arrived at the pub, the crew had gathered and were in their usual spot. Mike and Kate walked in the door, he noticed her nerves and gripped her hand.
"They love you already, there's no pressure."
2Dads was the first to notice them, he ran up to Kate and threw his arms around her. She hesitated for a moment before relaxing into his embrace.
"X! So good to see you! I thought you'd been avoiding us?!"
Kate caught Mike's eyes, he could see she needed help, he leaned in and whispered.
"2Dads."
2Dads heard Mike's whisper and tried not to look disheartened, his eyes darted to the pram, they lit up like a kid on Christmas.
"And there she is! Hammersley's baby girl!"
He removed her from the pram and cradled her in his arms, Bird ran up behind him hearing his baby talk.
"Of course she understands you, 2Dads, you're on the same maturity level!"
Kate looked her up and down and nudged Mike, looking for more help.
"She looks like a kid."
"Kate, this is Bird, she was a gap girl last year, but she loved us so much she decided to stay."
Kate could see she was desperate to hug her, she stepped forward wrapping her arms around her.
"Good to meet you, Bird."
Bird laughed as she dropped her embrace.
"I bet this is so strange, X, I just want you to know you're an amazing person, and a great XO! Hammersley's not the same without you."
"Aww, you're so sweet, thank you."
Bird turned to 2Dads and nudged him with her elbow.
"Now hand over that baby."
Charge laughed as he approached the group sipping on his beer.
"Well, you didn't need to worry about being the centre of attention. It's good to see you Kate, we're all happy you're okay..."
He could see she was trying to smile through her frustration, he handed her a glass of white wine.
"Don't tell me you don't remember your first husband."
Her jaw dropped, Charge tried to stop his laughter, but her expression was priceless.
2Dads scoffed as he stole Charge's beer and took a sip.
"No one was going to believe that, Charge."
Charge snatched the beer back and sculled the rest.
"Hey, I'm pretty sure she believed it for a second. Sorry, X, just had to try that one, c'mon lets go sit."
Kate watched on as the crew chatted and laughed, they seemed like a lovable bunch, people that would make a great crew, and family. She flinched as Dutchy appeared beside her.
"Hey! You not drinking?"
He nodded towards her still full glass of wine, picking it up she took a sip and cringed.
"Did wine always taste like this?"
He chuckled and handed her his whiskey, she took a sip and smiled.
"Better..."
"That's funny, you hated whiskey."
She shrugged and took another sip.
"Well, I guess things change..."
He glanced over to Mike, giving him a nod.
"I guess so... Umm, so did you sort things out with Mike?"
"Yeah... it's a start, thanks for being my sound board."
"Don't need to thank me, there what friends are for."
She took another sip taking him in, she could tell he had a softer side, one that had to perhaps be coerced out, but something told her it was worth the effort. He cleared hi throat, bringing her out of her mind.
"So, anything seem familiar?"
She shook her head, looking back over to the crew.
"Not really, but they seem great. I can't wait to get to know all of you guys all over again."
A couple of hours later Kate had settled in and felt more at ease with the group, Mike walked around with the pram trying to soothe a grizzling Aria.
"I'm going to take her home…"
Kate placed the glass down and rose from her seat.
"Oh, I'll come too."
"No, stay you're having a good time, it's fine!"
She looked back at the crew chatting amongst themselves, she didn't know if she was ready to socialise by herself. Mike could see her hesitation and gripped her hand.
"Nothing to be worried about, they love you, remember."
2Dads returned from the bar holding a tray of shots.
"Boss, where you going?"
"To be a responsible parent…"
"Oh, that means Kate's off the hook tonight…"
He placed the tray of shots down and wiggled one in front of her face.
"We'll keep her safe, Boss."
Kate rolled her eyes and snatched it from his grip.
"I can look after myself that you very much."
"Oh, there's a bit of the old Kate McGregor we know and love!"
Mike chuckled and gave her another kiss.
"Call me if you want to come home."
Charge pat him on the back while giving Aria a goofy wave, trying to distract her.
"Nah, boss, we'll get an Uber, all good! Promise to bring her home in one piece."
Mike took Aria from the pram and waved her hand to everyone.
"Bye Hammersley family!"
They waved back as Mike exited the pub. 2Dads plonked himself beside Kate, taking a shot.
"It's still kinda hard to believe you can't remember us, I mean I'm pretty unforgettable."
Bird scoffed, shaking her head, positioning herself on Kate's other side.
"Yeah, but not in the way you think, 2Dads."
2Dads looked over to Kate, making sure he hadn't offended her.
"Oh, sorry, X, you okay talking about it all?"
She downed another shot and nodded, trying to convince herself she was.
"Yeah, gotta talk about it sometime, hey?"
"Man, it must have been so strange waking up and having a baby, little own finding out you're dating your Boss and he's the baby daddy, actually that was a shock of all of us."
Kate could feel her cheeks start to burn, 2Dads noticed the red hue that covered her face and gave her a friendly nudge.
"Hey, don't be embarrassed, we were all super impressed you guys manged to keep it on the down low for that long."
His kind words didn't help, she wasn't sure how much the crew knew, but she felt uncomfortable talking about it so openly.
"We didn't break any rules."
They all laughed at her quick defence, Dutchy placed a hand on her knee trying to comfort her.
"Kate, it's fine you know what, even if you did we wouldn't say anything."
She looked down at his hand still on her knee, he quickly snatched it away hoping he didn't make her feel more uncomfortable. 2Dads placed another whiskey and coke in front of her.
"Lets just say old Kate was a little bit of a mystery, I mean, you didn't tell anyone that Jim proposed…"
The crew froze at his comment, Dutchy's eyes widened and kicked 2Dads foot. 2Dads slowly placed his beer back on the table, realising he may have revealed something she didn't know. Kate didn't understand the bewildered looks on everyone's faces, she turned to face 2Dads.
"Who's Jim, and who did he propose to?"
2Dads darted round the group looking for help, no one dared say a thing.
"Umm, he, umm… this probably isn't pub talk, Kate. I just gotta use the little boss room."
2Dads bolted to the bathroom, afraid of the can of worms he had opened. The others chatted amongst themselves hoping to change the subject, Kate turned to Dutchy, still wanting answers.
"Dutchy, what is 2Dads talking about?"
"Maybe we should call it a night…"
"No, Dutchy! C'mon, you're supposed to be my friend, who is Jim?"
End of Chapter 3.