Tuesday 30 March:
Josh woke with a start when he realised how light it was in the room and that he hadn't heard Gail. Then, taking a deep breath, he remembered that his mum had slept in Gale's room last night. He slid out of bed and padded to the ensuite. Returning to the bedroom, he slipped into his running shorts and a sleeveless tee. Stuffing a pair of socks in his pocket, he grabbed his swimmers and a towel, putting them in his lightweight pack. Nikki was sleeping soundly. Not wanting to disturb her, he kissed her lightly on her head.
Diane was sitting on the floor in the living room playing with Gale as Josh walked in.
"Morn'n Mum," bending over to pick up Gale and giving her morning kisses.
"Morning, Josh, would you like a coffee and breakfast?"
"Just coffee, Mum, thanks. I'm going for a run and then a swim. I'll eat when I get back."
"Nikki is still sleeping; I take it."
"Yeah, we usually run together, but she was sleeping so soundly I just wanted to let her be."
Josh finished his coffee, said goodbye and went downstairs. Getting his runners from the closet, he slipped them on and left.
Forty-five minutes later, Nikki opened her eyes to a room that was bright with sunshine. Rolling over to check the time, she was surprised to see that it was almost 8:30. Wow, I guess I needed sleep, she thought. She took a shower, dressed and went on downstairs for some coffee and breakfast.
"Good morning, Luv," Diane greeted her.
"Good Morning, did you sleep okay?" then picking up Gale, "Good morning Poppet," giving her kisses. "Have you been good for Nana? Yeah? Good girl."
"Slept fine. Little peanut was up at 6:00. Is that her usual time?"
"Yeah, it is. We usually get up with her, have coffee and give her breakfast before we take off for a run. I assume that is where Josh is?"
"He left about an hour ago. He said that he was going for a swim as well."
"He's probably getting some laps in. Almost 15 years in the Navy, it's a hard routine to break."
"Keeps him trim," Diane noted.
Josh finished up his run at the pool. He went into the changing area and put on his swimmers. Coming out, he noticed that a couple of the "Cat" ladies were there.
"Good Morning, Josh," one of them purred.
"G' day ladies," then he walked to the other end of the pool and dove in, beginning his laps."
"Nikki is one lucky woman…"
Her friend snickered, "I would be afraid to leave him home alone as much as she does."
Finishing, Josh grabbed his towel, dried off and headed home.
That evening Diane made them a supper of roast pork. After dinner, they sat on the balcony, having a glass of wine and enjoying the night air.
Seeing that they were going to be away for a week, Nikki and Josh wanted to put Gale to bed before leaving for the hotel. Once she was asleep they started to gather their things, and Josh carried them down to the car.
"Now, I don't want you two worrying about anything. We will be fine. I want you just to enjoy your time away and alone together. You deserve it."
"We will Mum, thank you for doing this."
"Hush, now. That's what Nana's are for. Besides, it's such a hardship taking care of our little girl." Diane said, smiling. Then she hugged them both and their cheeks. " Now go! Have a wonderful time."
"I'm sure that we will," Nikki said as she got into the car. "I can't believe that we are actually going," she said to Josh.
Josh reached for her hand, gave it a squeeze and with a big grin, " We're going, and it's going to be fantastic. I love you."
"I love you," Nikki answered.
They were staying at the airport hotel because of the early flight. They started their vacation with a spa bath and quality time in bed.
In the morning, they boarded the plane at 6:45 for a 7 am departure. Nikki took the window, and Josh had the dreaded middle seat. Once the aircraft had reached altitude and the drinks were served, they snuggled into each other and fell asleep.
The 3-hour flight was unremarkable.
Landing in Hervey Bay they, took a transport to River Heads and then the ferry to Fraser Island. The ferry docked at the Kingfisher Resort a little after noon.
"I want to get one of the 4WD hire cars that way we can tool around at our own pace," Josh told her.
"I like that idea; sounds fun."
The hire cars were just at the end of the pier, so they headed that way. Josh got a car for the week.
"Shall we go check-in and get settled? And then we can chase down some lunch. I'm starving."
"Me too."
Driving up to the Kingfisher Resort, Josh parked the car, and they walked in holding hands. Entering into the beautifully appointed lobby, Josh approached the registration desk.
"G 'day, Sir, checking in?"
"We are... Holiday. I took a villa."
The desk receptionist starts scrolling through his reservations on his computer. "Here it is, 7days, with a check-out next Wednesday."
"Yeah, that's right."
"I need to see some ID for both of you and a credit card for extras. I see that you have paid for the Villa in advance."
Nikki was wandering about the lobby, and Josh called her over to present her ID to the registration clerk.
"Okay, Mr Holiday, you're all set. Here are your key cards and a map with your villa circled. "Over there," indicating, left of the counter, "are some brochures with some of the things that you can do on the island. Have an enjoyable stay."
Nikki had already been through the pamphlets and had picked out several for them to look at later.
"Thank you…" Josh noted his name tag, " Robert."
They returned to their car, followed the map that Robert had given them, and had no difficulty finding their home for the week.
Nikki was stunned, speechless when they first walked into their villa. "HOLY HELL! Josh, this is fantastic! Check out that view from the balcony!" Then she went over to him and threw her arms around his neck and kissed deeply. "This is all so fantastic. How much did this cost?"
"Not for you to worry about. In fact, no worrying for the rest of the week. It's just you and me and this beautiful place," returning her kiss.
Then, spotting the roses, " My God, Josh! You're too much! They're beautiful. Thank you. Thank you for everything. You make me feel like a movie star."
" You are a star, and I will do anything for you, Luv, anything," they kissed again.
After sorting out their things, they searched for lunch and found a small cafe that was part of the resort.
"Josh?"
He looked at her, " Would you mind if we just hung out, maybe check out the beach for today?"
"Of course not. Anywhere I'm with you is a perfect day for me."
"You're such a sap, and I love it," Nikki said to him, grinning.
That evening after a moonlight stroll on the beach, they returned to their villa.
"Luv, make yourself comfortable on the balcony; I'll be right out," Josh tells her.
"Alright."
Josh retrieved the bottle of chilled champagne and the plate of strawberries and returned to the balcony. Pouring them each a glass, he settled next to her on the double lounge. They snuggled and talked, and then later they helped each other into bed.
Their week seemed to go by in a blink, and they were having a blast. One day they hiked to Eli Creek along the forest trails then tubed down to the beach. They took the 4WD and did a self-tour of the island. They swam in the rainwater lakes and visited the wreck of the Maheno, an ocean liner that washed ashore during a cyclone in 1935. Being Navy, they both found the wreck fascinating.
It was their last night, and they had just returned from a long sunset walk on the beach and were now getting ready for dinner. Josh had made reservations in one of the fancier restaurants for a last night romantic dinner.
Later that night, they were lying nestled together in the afterglow. Nikki was lying on her side with Josh's arm around her as she traced lazy circles on his chest. "Josh?"
"Hummm?"
"I've been thinking…"
"Again?" that earned him a light swat on his chest.
"I'm sorry, Luv, go on."
"I want a shore posting. I don't want to go back out."
"Crikey, Nikki, are you sure? I guess you would always have the option to go back if you wanted."
"Don't you want me home?" sounding a bit upset.
"Oh, Baby, no, that's not it. I want you to be happy, that's all."
"After what happened… I don't want to leave you and Gale over a job. I've been at sea for over 10 years; that's enough. I don't want to miss any more of you and Gale.
"Are you thinking of leaving the Navy?"
"No, at least not right now."
"Wow, Nikki, you know that I'll love having you home."
"You won't have to carry it all on your own anymore."
"Nikki, you know that's never been an issue."
"I know, but I feel bad."
"Well, don't," leaning over and kissing her forehead.
They settled back in and went quiet, just lying together, drifting, thinking, then…
"Josh?"
"Hummm…? He was just about asleep.
"Let's make a baby."
Josh sprang up and rolled over her. "Are you serious?"
"Of course I am."
"Another baby?…" then with a cheeky grin, " Let's start now!" as he kissed and nuzzled her neck.
"Josh, we gotta get rid of the pills first," laughing and pulling him close, " You're such a guy."
"Well, I should hope so. Can we at least practice then?"
"Practice makes perfect," pulling him down for a kiss.
In the morning, they were both in the bathroom getting ready to leave when Josh spotted the birth control pills on the bathroom shelf. Picking them up, he made a great show of tossing them in the bin. Nikki laughed and threw her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly.
" I love you, Holiday."
"I love you more, Princess."
"Not possible," as she pulled him towards the bed.
"Nikki," between kisses, "the ferry, our flight…"
" No worries, we'll make it. We can be quick…"
It was 9:50, and they were running hand in hand down the quay towards the ferry as they blasted the last call. Laughing as they were running, they just made it onto the boat lugging their bags.
Finding a spot on the rails, they watched as the ferry pulled out and their paradise retreated.
"It's a good thing we jog!" Josh said.
Nikki laughed. "Josh, thank you, this was the most incredible holiday."
"You're welcome. It was pretty fantastic. Hey, if we have a boy, maybe we should call him Fraser."
Nikki laughed, "I don't think so. Too much like that Yank TV show."
Chuckling, "Yeah, I forgot about that one."
While they were standing there nuzzling and kissing like teenagers, an elderly woman approached. " Excuse me, forgive an old lady, but you two look so happy. Are you on your honeymoon?"
Smiling, Nikki replies, " No, just on holiday."
"Oh, well, are you married?"
"We are," Josh answered.
"It's so nice to see such a happy couple. Do you have any children?"
Josh nodded, "Yup, a little girl, just turned one."
Nikki dug out her little picture book and found the most recent picture of Gale.
"Oh my! She's lovely. Look at her, her daddy's eyes and curls and mom's lovely dark hair. She's beautiful."
They both smiled proudly.
"My name is Irene. Thank you for indulging me."
"No worries, I'm Josh, and this beautiful woman is Nikki."
An hour and a half later, they were on their way to the airport and home.
Once on the plane, Josh slipped his arm around Nikki, and she leaned into him. Kissing the top of her head, he closed his eyes. They were both asleep in minutes.
Three hours later, at 5 pm, they were on the ground in Cairns. After stopping to pick up take away Chinese, they pulled into their garage 40 minutes later. They were both so anxious to see their little girl that they left their bags and their take-away in the car and hurried into the house.
"Mum?" Josh called out.
"Hey, you're home!" Diane said from the top of the stairs, and as Nikki reached her, she handed over Gale.
" Mum Mum, Mum Mum," she said, patting Nikki's cheeks.
" Got some of that for Daddy, Poppet?" Josh said, leaning in and kissing her cheeks, then going to his mother and planting a kiss on her cheek as well, followed by a hug.
"How was your trip?"
" Fantastic!" Josh said.
"Fabulous!" Nikki added. " Did you have dinner? We've got take-away Chinese."
"No, I was just thinking about what to have. Chinese sounds perfect."
" We left it in the car; I'll go and get it," Josh said, chuckling. " We were in too much of a hurry to see Gale."
Diane smiled, " I get it. I'll set the table. Eat inside or out?"
"Inside is good," Nikki answered as she followed Diane into the kitchen to help with the table.
Sitting around the table and enjoying their dinner, they talked about their trip and showed off the pictures that they had taken. They had several of the two of them with the help of bystanders.
" We saw Dingoes on the beach. It was so cool." Nikki told her.
Josh continued, " We took out some glass-bottomed kayaks. That was a blast. Saw some great fish and turtles. We enjoyed that so much we did it a couple of times."
"What else do you get up to?"
"Some hiking and swimming in the rainwater lakes. There's a wrecked ocean liner from the 1930s that we checked out. The Maheno. It was being towed to Japan when it got washed ashore during a cyclone in 1935."
"That's fascinating," Diane responded.
After dinner and the kitchen was sorted, they relaxed on the balcony a bit before it was time to get Gale to bed.
"What time is your flight tomorrow, Mum? Or are you going to stay another day?" Josh asked.
"I'm going home tomorrow, but I have an evening flight. I'll need to be at the airport for 5:00."
"Great! We get to spend a little more time together," Nikki said.
.
In the morning, Josh woke early to a quiet house. He went down to the kitchen, made himself a coffee and took it out to the balcony. He had set out to read for a bit while it was quiet, but his head had other plans. ( Nikki with shore posting… that is going to be nice, but will she be posted here or elsewhere… A baby! Wow, still wrapping my head around that one…. We're gonna need more room, maybe a house? Then there's school; it's time to start my next courses. ) The thoughts just kept on coming.
It wasn't long before his mum showed up with Gale. "G'day, Mum. Did you sleep well?" Josh asked her. "G'day, Poppet, come see daddy." Diane passed her over.
" Morn'n. Slept very well. The sleeper sofa is very comfortable. Nikki must still be sleeping?" Diane asked.
"She was when I came down. I'll go up and check on her in a bit. She has a 10:00 appointment with Dr Holmes."
"How is that going?"
"She's doing very well. I think this could well be her last appointment."
"That's great."
"Mum, Nikki has decided on a shore posting."
"Really...that's great, yes?"
" It's completely her decision. It will be nice having her home. I miss her when she's away."
"Of course you do. Is it because of what happened?"
"Mostly, I think yes. The job has its risks. God knows that I had my share of close calls. However, it's very usual for her to participate in boardings. What happened is part of that risk. I'll worry if she goes back out. I better check on her so she's not late."
" I'll get little one fed. Would you like anything special for breakfast?"
"I'll just have oatmeal and berries, thanks. Nikki will probably have the same."
Josh fixed a coffee for her, one for himself and went up to their bedroom. Nikki was out of bed and in the shower. Popping his head into the bathroom, " Hey, Good Morning, Babe."
"Hey, Josh, anything up?
"No, just checking that you were up s'all."
" K, I'll be down in a few."
"Actually, Mum is feeding Gale, so I brought you a coffee. I'll be on the balcony.
"Alright, I'll be just a few."
"No worries."
When Nikki walked out onto the balcony, she went to the rail and looked out to the harbour.
"Josh, look," she said as she picked up the binoculars. "Hammersley is leaving."
Taking the glasses from her, he watched for a moment before handing them back.
"Don't forget your 10:00 with Dr Holmes."
"I haven't."
"Do you think that you're coming up to your last one?"
"Maybe… I think so. I'm feeling much better. I'm not having anxiety any more, and there are no more dreams."
"I am so happy to hear that," reaching around her pulling her close and nuzzling her neck.
Nikki was right on time for her appointment, and Dr Holmes greeted her at her door.
"Well, how was your holiday?"
"Spectacular! I love Gale with all I have, but I didn't realise how much I've missed spending time with Josh alone. He is such a romantic. He got this beautiful villa, very private. White roses were waiting for me along with champagne and chocolate strawberries."
" Couples need that on occasion; it's important."
"After this last week, I have to agree." Nikki goes on to tell her about their trip and shows off a couple of pictures.
"Any more nightmares?"
"No, just good dreams about Josh and family. Hammersley, sometimes, but not the boarding."
"That's great to hear."
"Thank you for helping me through all of that."
"You mostly have your husband to thank. He is a wonderful caring and calming force."
"He's my rock."
"Anything else new?"
"Well, while on holiday, I made a couple of big decisions."
"Oh?"
"I want to go back to a shore posting. I don't want to be away from my family more than necessary," and then smiling, " I want another baby."
"Well, good for you on all counts. How does Josh feel about it?"
" Shore posting… he says he just wants me to be happy. Baby? Over the moon." Then laughing, " He wants to practice. He says practice makes perfect. Typical guy."
"This should be a much better experience for both of you compared to the island. You shouldn't have all of the anxieties of knowing you won't have anyone in attendance."
"Yeah, for Josh too. He was under a lot of stress, knowing that he was going to be delivering our baby. As happy as we were, there was always that fear in the background. This is going to be so different. First, it will be planned, I'll have OB in attendance, and this is the big one… an epidural!"
Dr Holmes laughed, "Natural childbirth isn't for everyone."
"Well, I did it once, and that's good enough for me." laughed Nikki.
"So… I guess that we're done here. This will be our last session unless you feel that you need more?"
"No, I'm good with that."
"Please feel free to call if you need to come back, and that's for any reason. I'll send my report to your commander, and I'm going to recommend the shore posting. Also, I will be extending your medical leave for two more weeks to give the Navy time to get a posting settled for you. Do you think that you will have to relocate?"
"I'm hoping not. We have good friends here. But if we do, that's the Navy."
" Best of luck, Nikki. Please let me know how the baby goes."
"I will. Thank you, you've truly been a help to me."
"My pleasure. Be sure to give your commander a call. Let him know that I will be forwarding my report."
"I will."
Dr Holmes hugged Nikki as she left the office.
Outside, Nikki took a deep breath and smiled. Everything was going to work out just fine. She could feel it.
Arriving at home, she found her husband, daughter and mother-in-law in the back garden. Josh and Diane were watching Gale play in her ball pit when Nikki walked up to them.
Jumping up, "Hey Luv," Josh said, giving her a quick kiss, " how was your appointment?"
"Good, she's so great. I'm going to miss talking to her."
"So does that mean you're not going back?'
"Nope, she discharged me. She'll be sending Mike her report releasing me to active duty. I told her that I wanted a shore posting, so she will recommend that in her report. And… Here's the best part... she's giving me an extra two weeks of medical leave to give the Navy time to find a posting."
"That's great!"
" I'm so happy that you are feeling better and getting a shore posting," Diane said.
"Thanks, Diane."
Gale climbed out of her balls and headed for Nikki. " Mum Mum UP!" she said, raising her arms. Nikki laughed and swung her up for a hug and kisses. Then after just a minute, " DOWN!"
"Awfully demanding now, aren't you, Poppet?" Josh said, smiling as Nikki set her down in the grass.
"Nik, I'm going in. Can I get you something to drink?" Josh asked her.
"I'm going in to change, so I'll grab something on my way back. Diane?"
"I'm good," Diane said. "It was really special getting to spend the week with her. I'm going to miss her," lamented Diane.
"When I get my four weeks holiday, we'll come down for a visit," Nikki told her.
"When do you think that will be, Babe?"
"August, unless it changes because of my new posting. We're going to have to see how it's going to work out. I could end up being transferred."
"Is that going to be a problem? If you get transferred, I mean," Diane asked.
"Well, that's the Navy," she and Josh say at the same time. Then, "I go where I'm told and as Kate says, ' learn to like it," she said with a chuckle.
" So then, when are you due back?" Josh asked.
" Well, with the extended my medical leave, three weeks.".
Josh gives her one of his megawatt smiles, "Gee, that's a shame, Babe."
"I knew that you would be broken up about it," Nikki says, grinning.
They spent the remainder of the day visiting and enjoying each other's company until it was time for Diane to go to the airport.
"Mum, would you like to get something to eat before you go?" Josh asked.
" No, it's a bit early. I'll catch something at the airport."
Josh brought her bag down to the car while Nikki carried Gale, and his mother followed. Twenty minutes later, they were arriving at the departures terminal.
"Josh, we'll say our goodbyes here. There's no need to park the car and such."
"Okay, Mum." He got out of the car to grab her suitcase. With hugs all around, they said goodbye.
"Thanks again, Mum."
"My pleasure."
Getting back into the car, "Do you want to eat out or go home?" Josh asked.
"Let's eat out. How about the pub?"
"Works for me. How about you, Poppet?"
At hearing her nickname, she responded, "DA DA!" causing her parents to laugh.