There was a joyful reunion between Jessica and her father. They'd barely arrived home when the little girl was out of the car, throwing the front door open and jumping into her father's waiting arms.
"DADDY! I'M HOME! I'VE MISSED YOU!"
Robert saw the missile approaching and moved the chessboard out of the way in time. Philip came in, accompanied by Gregory and Amelia. They were all amused at the sight of Jessica hugging Mike and talking at the same time. Mike held the child close to him; he missed her and was grateful she had returned.
Robert stood up preparing to introduce himself to Philip who got in first:
"Hello there, I'm Philip McGregor, Kate's father." He extended a warm handshake to the surprised Robert, who returned the handshake and said formally, "Robert Dixon, RO of HMAS Kingston. I'm pleased to meet you."
Mike put in, "Robert served on the Hammersley with Kate." This made Philip's smile broader. Mike said, "You've arrived just in time. Robert has been taking me down in chess, not to mention making me exercise. Ever thought of being a PT instructor, Robert?"
"No sir, I like being a radio operator," he said seriously, until he saw the smiles of the others and realised it was a joke.
Jessica was still on Mike's lap, with her arms about his neck. Gregory said, "We'll give your friend Rebecca a break. Amelia is the chef tonight and you are welcome too, Robert."
Robert thanked Gregory but demurred, saying he was waiting for Bomber to return and they'd go back to his place, after he cleaned and tidied the spare room for Philip to stay.
Next morning.
Mike was preparing to go to his physio appointment. He had made an appointment with his counsellor as well. He'd promised Jessica a ride in his "magic chair" and Robert offered to take over from Gregory to take Mike to his appointments. He also challenged Philip to a game of chess. "I'm running out of worthy opponents," he said. Mike rolled his eyes.
Bomber cooked breakfast for everyone, and thought she'd call in on Nikki one last time before returning to Sydney.
The physio had changed his routine to include some hydrotherapy. This would assist with regaining muscle strength and offer some support in standing and walking.
When Mike emerged from both sessions with physio and therapist, he felt better in himself. He wheeled himself out to where Robert was waiting and said to him, "Your advice is paying off. The physio said I had been trying too hard in sessions, because of my fears, and the counsellor said pretty much the same thing. He said I have finally faced the thing which scared me most; the possible loss of my career. He said it was time to look toward my family, and show them I am prepared to go on; and accept the changes, and not give it to self-pity and self-absorption. Live life to the full, focus on what you still have to offer, he said. And after hearing everyone's stories, I think I should do that."
Robert said, "That's the best way. You're way ahead of where my father was, sir. I only wish he'd gone for help, instead of denying he had a problem."
When they arrived back at Mike's, Bomber had prepared lunch. Philip introduced himself and Jessica to her, and Bomber said to Jessica, "You're your Mum all over, you know that?"
"Yes, and I can sing too," she replied. Bomber smiled at her.
Over lunch, Bomber said, "Sir, I miss the old gang more than I realise. I've been looking at requesting a post back to Patrol boats."
Mike said, "Would you consider a shore posting?" He knew full well why Bomber wanted to come back to Cairns. Bomber said she would. Mike promised her he would raise it with Cmdr. Marshall when he came down shortly. Robert asked Philip to his place to play chess and Bomber asked if she could take Jessica to Nikki's, while Cmdr. Marshall was with Mike.
When Steve Marshall turned up, he was surprised by Mike's first comment.
"Steve, I'd like to come into NAVCOM tomorrow for a few hours. I was talking it over with my counsellor and he supports the idea. He thinks going back to work for a few hours a day in the office will be good for me. He has sent a report to the Brass recommending it. It will be after lunch as I have my physio in the morning."
Steve quickly overcame his surprise. "Sir, that's great news. There are ramp entries into NAVCOM as you know. I'll make sure your office is ready. One thing sir, you'll have a new PA. I sent Knowly on leave then transferred her well away from here. She witnessed your accident and it traumatised her."
"That's a shame," said Mike. "She's a good kid. Where did you transfer her?"
"She's gone to HMAS Creswell. Should be an easy posting for her."
Mike agreed. "Jervis Bay. Beautiful down there. Steve, Bomber Brown has been here with Robert as you know, she's requesting a posting back here. Look into it for me if you could. Also find out when Diamantina is back in port."
Steve made a note and they looked at the day's signals. Mike noted that Hammersley was due to return in a week. Kingston would be coming out of dry dock next month, which would be after Nikki's maternity leave ended. He wondered if Nikki would be returning as CO of Kingston. That would be a discussion they would have to have soon. The twins were nearly twelve months old, or already twelve months old. He wasn't sure.
Steve was just leaving when Bomber returned with Jessica. "Sorry sir, I hope I'm not interrupting anything. She wants to be with her Daddy."
Jessica looked up, "Hello, Uncle Steve! I'm coming for a ride in Daddy's "magic chair". Steve ruffled the child's hair, and said to Bomber, "The Boss has me looking for a posting up here for you."
"Thank you, sir."
When Philip returned after defeating Robert in a well-contested chess game, he heard Jessica's little voice singing, then Mike's joining in. He smiled to himself as he walked in. The two continued singing, and Philip joined them.
When they stopped, Philip said, "Katie never mentioned you could sing, lad."
Mike smiled. "I didn't know either." Philip laughed and he said, "Young Robert knows his way around a chessboard. But he couldn't beat me."
Philip's mention of Kate reminded Mike that he wanted to email her. He asked Philip to make him a coffee, and with Jessica on his lap, he turned to his computer. Dear Kate, he began, I want to let you know what's happening here at home. I had my usual physio and I went to the counsellor afterward. Both of them said I'd been trying too hard to walk again, and I putting too much pressure on myself. I admitted my fear of losing my Navy career, and he said that fear was holding me back as well. Robert and I had a long talk about other things I could do. As he pointed out, I still have a brain and hands that work. I do get frustrated Kate, but now that I faced my fears, I don't feel so stressed and scared. The counsellor made me realise that I was becoming very self-focussed, and giving in to self-pity. He told me to stop looking at myself as a burden and look at what I can still offer. I have decided to return to work at NAVCOM for a few hours each afternoon on the recommendation of my counsellor. He thinks it is a positive move for me. I am actually looking forward to it! Kate, there has been some valuable lessons learnt since my accident. You and Jessica mean more to me than any career. To lose either of you is something I cannot bear to think about.
If I do end up medically discharged, I still have you and Jessica, as well as your dad and my parents, and of course our Hammersley family. Robert has been researching options for me outside the Navy and there are quite a few. I am still determined to walk again, but if I don't or it takes me longer to walk again, I won't be feeling sorry for myself and driving everyone away. Robert has made me see that. I feel somehow that now I have changed my outlook these gruelling physio sessions are working. I won't give up Kate, and we will make a life in or out of Navy, just as long as I have you and Jess. I see that Hammersley is returning in a week; I can't wait to see you.
All my love,
Mike.
HMAS Hammersley.
Last Dog Watch.
The RHIBs had returned after their last routine patrol for the day. Kate and David went over the reports of each patrol; they were satisfied with the results, and planned tomorrow's evolutions, which would be the last before returning to port. David asked, "Looking forward to going home, Ma'am?"
"Yes, X, I am. Dad and Jessica are back home, and I'm looking forward to having some 'mum' time with her."
"And himself?"
"Himself too." Kate was aware she was hungry, and she said, "I hear you gave Cookie your mother's recipe for Irish Stew. I think I'll go try some."
David grinned from ear to ear. "I think you'll like it, Ma'am, if Cookie has followed the recipe to the letter."
They both collected their servings as well as soda bread and went to the officers' mess.
Later, in her cabin, Kate was checking her emails and saw the email from Mike.
She thought he was sounding better, and she sent her reply before returning to the bridge.
Cairns.
Mike, with Jessica on his lap, headed toward Buffer and Nikki's place. He wanted to see if there was any interest in a visit to the pub. Charge was more than agreeable, and together they went to the wharf to await Swaino's return. Turning to Mike, Charge said, "That was something else, seeing Chloe again. Hasn't she grown up? She's going to turn heads, one day. Mark my words."
Mike said, "That she will. It was Robert's idea to bring her up here. Charge, I want to thank you and Amy for coming over to see me. I'm honestly blown away by how the old gang mustered around me."
Charge looked Mike in the eye. "Want to really thank me? And the rest of us?"
"Yes. I do," Mike answered.
"Then do all you can to make a life for you and your family. Don't quit, don't give up on yourself. You still have plenty to offer. There's more to life than the Navy mate. You can replace the Navy. But Kate and your little one here? They are irreplaceable. Besides, you've worried Kate enough, with thinking that you were lost to her twice before."
"I'm going to make it up to Kate, Charge, you'll see," said Mike, as he ruffled his little girl's hair and kissed her on top of the head.
