4 June
LT Commander Lucy Gonzalves walked into Mike's office for her post-deployment debrief.
"Commander," she said, saluting.
Returning her salute, "Nice run Lucy, have a seat."
"Thank you, Sir."
"I've gone over your report; it seems that everything went well even with the mayday call."
"I'm not sure that we would have been so lucky as to beat that storm were it not for LT Holiday. Where ever did you find her, and may I ask why she is being wasted on a shore posting."
"Nikki was my Nav on Hammersley for five years. I only saw her miscalculate once in all of that time. She is a perfectionist. Unfortunately, her last outing with Hammersley went sideways, and she ended up a hostage of some drug runners."
"I heard about that, Sir. They let her go by setting her adrift in their life raft. Lucky that they didn't kill her."
"It is. The mongrels had her for over five hours… one of the crew attempted to…well..."
"My God, how horrible."
"Needless to say, there are some PTSD issues that she's been working through. Her counsellor thought it would be best for her to remain on shore, at least for the present. We, unfortunately, had to use her for your run."
"I see, well, all I saw was a very professional officer who worked well with a crew that was unknown to her. I am putting in a commendation for her performance. I'm not sure that LT Markey would have been able to pull off navigating that passage."
"Thank you, Lucy. Shall I tell her?"
"With respect, Sir, I would like to talk to her."
"She's off the next four days; she'll be back on Monday."
"I'll see her then unless we're crash sailed."
"I think you're safe. Kingston is up next."
8 July Saturday
Nikki had been feeling "off" for a little over a week, and her period was late. When she woke, she decided that it was time to use the test that she had squirrelled away in the bathroom closet. Slipping out of bed while Josh was still sleeping soundly, she went to use the loo. Following the directions carefully, she sat on the commode lid to wait the three minutes for the results. The alarm on her watch beeped; she took a deep breath, looked at the result and smiled. She was pregnant. (We're having a baby!)
Placing the test on the closed commode lid, she left the bathroom and slipped back into bed. It was 5:15 am.
At 6:15, Gale began to babble. Josh rolled out of bed and padded into the bathroom. Still half asleep, he reached to raise the lid on the commode when he came up short. (what the…) then he realised what he was looking at and broke into a big grin. He quickly returned to the bedroom and Nikki, who was feigning sleep. Josh crawled back into bed and pulled her to him. Rolling and facing him, she smiled, then he kissed her deeply, holding her close. " We're having a baby!" he exclaimed.
"Yup! We're having a baby." She pulled him close for another kiss.
Gale was getting impatient, "stay right here, don't move. I'll be right back!" Josh said as he left to tend to Gale after popping back into the loo.
"Good morning, little Poppet! Big news! You're going to be a big sister!" picking her up from her cot and showering her with kisses.
Once she was changed, he returned to their bed with Gale.
"How are you feeling, Luv?"
"I've been feeling a bit off, and I'm late, so I took the test. I feel a bit nauseous."
Kissing her forehead, "can I get you anything?"
"Mint tea and an English with jam, no butter?"
"You've got it. Do you want me to take Gale?"
"No, leave her here."
"Okay, be right back."
He returned 10 minutes later with Nikki's tea and English and a brew for himself. He got her settled and brought the rocker over close to the bed. Gale was happily munching on an English herself.
The tea and muffin were doing the trick, and Nikki started to feel better. Josh stood, put his cup on the tray.
"I'll just bring this down and come right back for Poppet".
"I'm glad that it's Saturday, and I can lounge in bed."
Josh bent and placed a kiss on her forehead. He came back a few minutes later and scooped up Gale, and with another kiss, both of them went back downstairs. Nikki rolled over, feeling so very happy.
All day Josh couldn't stop smiling. This pregnancy would be so different without the stress of being alone on the island, and he was excited to be a dad again.
"When should we tell people?" Josh asked her.
"It's going to be hard, but I think that we should wait until the first ultrasound."
"Hey, how about we get a couple of copies of the ultrasound and use them as announcements...maybe in a card?"
"I really like that idea."
"So I guess it's our little/big secret for now."
"I kind of like it that way, just us," Nikki said. "Monday, I'll call Dr Brennan's office and make our first appointment."
Josh just continued to smile.
"I'm going to have to tell Mike on Monday, though, when I go back. No more crash sails."
"I'm good with that."
They spent a leisurely day, took Gale to the pool, and had an easy supper of take-away. That evening they gave Gale her bath together and put her down for the night. Returning to the living room, Josh sat at the piano and started picking out a melody.
"Nikki," he called. "Come sit. I've been working on something and today seems to be the perfect day to give it to you."
Smiling, she went over to the piano bench, put her arms around him, kissed him, then sat next to him as he started to play and then sing:
"Dancing in the dark
Middle of the night
Taking your heart
And holding it tight
Emotional touch
Touching my skin
And asking you to do
What you've been doing
All over again…
It's a beautiful thing
Don't think I can keep it all in
I've just gotta let you know
What it is that won't let me go
It's your love
It just does something to me
It sends a shock right through me
I can't get enough
And if you wonder
About the spell I'm under…
It's your love.
Better than I was
More than I am
And all of this happened
By taking your hand
And who I am now
Is who I wanted to be
And that we're together
I'm stronger than ever
I'm happy and free…
It's a beautiful thing
Can't keep it all in
And if you ask why I've changed
All I gotta do is say your sweet name…
If you wonder about the spell I'm under…
It's your love
*Tim McGraw*
Josh finishes, turning to Nikki; he pulls her to him and kisses her. She had been quietly crying. He's holding her close, " Stupid, pregs hormones," she says, chuckles, and kisses her again.
"Josh Holiday, take me to bed."
"As you wish, my princess," scooping her up in his arms and carrying her upstairs. Later as they lay in each other's arms, Josh is tracing small circles on her tummy, then he leaned down and kisses her stomach, "Hello baby, it's your Daddy, and I can't wait to meet you." Nikki caresses his curls and thinks about how much she loves him.
Monday morning rolls around, and Nikki is off to NAVCOM. She salutes Mike when she sees him and heads directly to her office. Once she's settled, she goes to seek him out to get that day's work.
Knocking on his office door, then saluting, "Good morning, Commander."
"Nikki, come in. Have a seat. So, I hear that your outing with Bendigo went well. LT Commander Gonzalves was quite impressed. She's probably going to stop by."
"Sir, wasn't anything that I haven't done a hundred times. It was fun to get back out there for a bit."
"Would you be interested in being a regular sub when needed?"
"Well, I might be, Sir, ahh Mike, but...well… I'm pregnant. Just found out this weekend."
Mike jumped up and rounded his desk, going to her and giving her a big bear hug. "Regs be damned! Congratulations to you and Josh!"
"You are the first to know, even before our families. Please keep it between us for now. You can tell Kate, of course."
"Are you telling the Blakes?"
"Not until after the first ultrasound visit, then we are going to tell everyone."
"Top secret, need to know, no problem. How are you feeling?"
" Mostly good. Some nausea in the mornings and I'm fairly tired all of the time."
"Well, take whatever time you need, breaks as you need them."
"Thank you. So, what have you got for me?"
"Some reports from Kingston and some that came over email from Hammersley. Nothing urgent, take your time."
"Okay, I'll just get on them then. Thank you, Sir." She picked up the stack of files and returned to her desk.
It was after 8:00, and it was time to call Dr Brennan to make an appointment.
"Okay, Mrs Holiday, we can see you on Friday. Can you come in at 10:00?"
"Sure, that will be fine."
"Okay, we need you to drink a quart of water right before you come in to prepare for your ultrasound."
"Alright. Anything else?"
"No, just be prepared to spend around 40 - 45 mins with us. I'll email some information to you so that you can set up online access with us. Also, there are some forms we would like to have completed before your visit."
"Okay. I'll see you Friday then."
Then she called Josh, " Hi Luv," he answered.
"Hi, I have an appointment with Dr Brennan on Friday at 10. It sounds like there will be an ultrasound. Will you be coming?"
"Yeah, I wouldn't miss it. That is unless you would rather…"
"Of course not! You're a part of this all the way, mister."
"Good. Shall I ask Emma to watch Gale for us?"
"That would be good."
"Alright, I'll do that today. How are you feeling?"
"Not too bad, actually feeling a bit hungry right now. I'm going to go and get a decaf and croissant in a moment."
"Sounds good."
"I'll call later? Love you, Poppa 2.0."
"I love you, Princess."
Emma was thrilled to be asked to stay with Gale. Josh just told her that it was a doctor's appointment but not the particulars. He thought that they might tell her when they got back.
At 10:00, LT Commander Gonsolves knocked on Nikki's door.
Rising from her desk, Nikki saluted and welcomed the LT Commander. "Ma'am, it's nice to see you. I enjoyed our time out."
"Lieutenant, It was a pleasure having you on the boat. I was very impressed with how you handled some challenging navigation. The crew really liked you."
"Thank you, Ma'am."
"I've put you in for a commendation for your excellence."
"Thank you, just doing my job, Ma'am."
"Well, it's appreciated. Hammersley was lucky to have you."
The LT Commander left, and Nikki sat momentarily stunned. She texted Josh, *You'll never guess… LT Commander Gonsalves just left my office. She's put in a commendation for my time on Bendigo!"
Josh gets right back to her, * ACE! So proud… I'm married to the best navigator in RAN! ️*
14 July Friday
They were sitting in the waiting area of Dr Brennan's office when a medical assistant called Nikki's name.
"Nicole?"
They both stood. "Just Mrs Holiday for now…" the assistant held up a small specimen container. " She'll just be a minute."
Josh smiled and nodded while Nikki followed her in. She returned a moment later, "repeat pregnancy test," she said.
"Oh, guess this is all new, huh? Like first-timers," he chuckled.
At 10:10, they were called into the exam room. "Nicole, I'm Natalie, Dr Brennan's nurse. Can you tell me your full name and date of birth?"
"Nicole Marie Holiday, 10 January 1985." Josh was standing close by and holding her hand.
"Great, scale, please. We'll get your height and measure your belly; then I'll take your blood pressure."
A few minutes later, Dr Brennan came in to begin the first prenatal visit. " Nikki, it's so good to see you. You must be Mr Holiday?"
Smiling and extending his hand, "Josh, please."
"Pleased to meet you. So, Nikki, you are most definitely pregnant. Let's see how far along you are, and later we'll get an ultrasound that will confirm everything. Did you drink the water? "
"I did."
Following the physical exam, Natalie brought in the ultrasound. She dimmed the lights and applied the gel to Nikki's stomach, and they watched in awe as Dr Brennan moved the probe.
"There, that little seed in the middle of the screen," Dr Brennan pointed, " is your baby and...there! There is the heart beating."
They were speechless. "My God, Josh, our baby!"
He leaned over and kissed her head. "This is amazing. I know we don't see much, but could we have some copies? We want to use them as announcements for our family."
"Of course! How many do you need?"
" 4 ?" Nikki replied. "One for each of us and one for each set of parents."
Dr Brennan looked to Natalie… " absolutely."
"Okay, Nikki, get dressed and meet me in my office, and we'll go over a few things," and she walked out.
"I'll be back in 5 to show you to her office," Natalie told them.
"Come in, have a seat," indicating the chairs in front of her desk. " Natalie will be in shortly with your pictures. So… your baby is about 8 weeks, and everything looks good. Your due date is 17 February, a week either way. Now I will see you once a month until 28 weeks, then every 2 weeks until 36 weeks, then weekly. We will give you a handout with everything on it, so you don't have to remember all of this. Nikki, one cup of caffeinated coffee or beverage a day. No alcohol and no smoking, not that I think that you do. Here's a prescription for prenatal vitamins. And no more ships."
"The Navy will restrict me after 12 weeks anyway, but I am currently in a shore posting, so that will not be a problem."
"Good. How's the morning sickness and fatigue?"
"I'm nauseous a lot of the time, but I haven't been vomiting. I am fairly tired."
" Dry biscuits, toast, mint tea…" Dr Brennan suggested.
"Yeah, that 's pretty much what I have been doing."
"Now, usually at this point, I tell fathers that if they want to be in the delivery, they must attend birth classes. Josh, I think that you've already passed that class," she smiles. "Natalie, Mr Holiday, Josh, delivered their first baby in very adverse conditions, on an island with no medical support and in a raging storm. I'm marking in the record that Josh is cleared for the delivery."
"Wow! Did you have any experience with birthing? " Natalie asks.
"Ahh, no. Puppies once," laughing, "There wasn't any internet instruction either. Had to go on instinct."
Josh and Nikki laughed, "We're not wanting to repeat that again," Nikki said.
Josh added, "I am totally a spectator this time!"
Dr Brennan laughed. "Lastly, a birthing plan. How and where do you wish your baby to be born?"
Josh and Nikki looked confused, and Dr Brennan smiled. "Hospital or home birth? If you prefer a home birth, I have a midwife that I work with, and she will take over your care. I am always available should the need arise. You don't need to decide right now."
Nikki jumps in, "Ahhh, no home births if I can help it. Did the whole 'natural' thing once, and that was quite enough, thank you. I would like an epidural and as soon as it's possible!" chuckling.
Josh and Dr Brennan laughed along with her.
"Okay then, I think that covers everything, any questions?" as she stood from behind her desk.
"Thank you, Dr Brennan," Josh said, extending his hand.
"I look forward to taking care of both of you. Nikki, see you in a month, call with any problems."
"I will, thank you."
"My pleasure."
They were all smiles as they left the office with the next month's appointment and copies of their first sonogram.
"Let's stop and get cards so we can get them in the post straight away," Nikki suggested.
"Can't wait for those phone calls!" Josh said.
18 July
Diane went to get the daily post, and as she walked back into the house, she shuffled through what little there was. Now that most everything was done online, there was mostly junk mail. Then she stopped halfway to the door. (This looks like a card from Josh and Nikki ) Opening the envelope, she is momentarily stunned, then rushes into the house.
"Jimmy!" she yells, "Jimmy! Where are you!"
He had been on the back patio, worried something was wrong; he rushed into the house. "Diane! What is it!"
With tears, she hands the card and the photo to her husband. "Josh and Nikki are having a baby!"
James smiles, "That's wonderful! Shall we call them?"
"I don't know if I can stand to wait, but Nikki will still be at work. We should wait until she'll be home. I'm so happy for them."
He pulls her in for a hug, "I am too."
" We'll have to check with them about notifying the girls."
"Definitely their call," he says.
The Caetano's, 19 July
As with Diane, Sophia went to pick up the post. Flipping through, she came across the card envelope. ( hmm, wonder what this is? It isn't anyone's birthday or such ) as she turned the envelope over and back, she walked into the house, tapping in against the rest of the mail. Tearing it open, she stopped dead in her tracks. There was a card announcing a baby, opening it, the picture from the sonogram fell out. She picked it up then looked at the inside of the card... *Josh and Nikki Holiday announce the future arrival of baby Holiday on or about 17 February. Save the date ( with a winking face)* and let out a shriek.
"OH MY GOD!" and she ran to call Dom, who was at work.
October: 5 months
Nikki has been feeling much better; her "morning" sickness has subsided. She still gets tired and usually takes a short nap after her day at NAVCOM before having dinner. She's had to start wearing maternity things. Mike had ordered her some uniforms as well.
They started preparing Gale for the new arrival, explaining a tiny baby was growing in mummy's tummy. They bought her a baby of her own to take care of, baby buggy and all. Nikki had been feeling the baby for a few weeks, but Josh finally felt it for the first time around mid-October, just before they went for the 5 month sonogram.
" How have things been going?'' Dr Brennan asks as she walks into the exam room.
" Better now that the morning sickness has eased up. I need a nap after work. Otherwise, good," Nikki answered as she sat on the exam table with Josh standing at her shoulder.
"Are you feeling the baby?"
"Yeah, and Josh felt it for the first time a couple of nights ago."
Dr Brennan finished her exam and pronounced that everything looked to be right on schedule.
"Now, would you two like to find out what you're having or do you want to be surprised? You're scheduled for the 5-month ultrasound."
Nikki looked up at Josh, and he leaned over and placed a kiss on her forehead. "We would very much like to know," Nikki said for the both of them.
"Okay, great! Natalie will be in with the machine in a moment."
Ten minutes later, the ultrasound was ready to go. Natalie spread a generous amount of gel on Nikki's tummy and turned down the lights. Picking up the probe, Dr Brennan began moving it over Nikki's belly while Josh was sitting next to her with his arm around her shoulders, holding her hand.
"There," she pointed to the screen. "There's your baby looking quite healthy. Do you have any boy names picked out?"
Josh's face lit up, "We're having a boy?"
"You're having a boy. Congratulations."
Nikki is looking up at her husband with a great smile and tears in her eyes.
The appointment finished up, and Dr Brennan said she would see her in a month.
They reached their car, and Josh couldn't hold it in any longer and pulled her to him, kissing her deeply.
Once again, they had asked for four copies of the sonogram. "Shall we stop for some ' It's a Boy' cards on the way home?" Josh asked.
"Absolutely!"
Nikki was so excited that she called Mike and asked for the rest of the day off, which he happily granted.
"Mike, We're having a boy!" she exclaimed. "You're the first to know."
"Wow, I'm honoured," he laughed. "Congratulations. You know I have to tell Kate."
"Just as long as you don't tell the parents."
"No worries there. So, seeing that it's Friday, I'll see you Monday then."
"Yes, Sir. You will."
Nikki finished her call just as Josh pulled into Target. Helping her out of the car, she doesn't actually need help yet, but she lets him, they walk hand in hand into the store.
After cruising the baby section and Nikki picking out their first baby boy outfit, they went to the greeting cards and chose two to send to their parents.
"Josh, I think that there is a book store right down the road from here."
"What are you looking for?"
"I read online about books that are available to help explain the baby to toddlers. I would like to see if we can find one."
"That sounds good."
The book store was just where Nikki thought it was, The Book Bin. Josh parked, and they went in. As they entered the shop, they were greeted by a saleswoman. After explaining what they were looking for, she showed them several books to choose from.
"Josh," Nikki called to him as he was looking at one himself. "I think I like this one."
He put down the book he was looking at and sat next to her on the reading couch. Together they looked through the book that Nikki had found... What's in Your Tummy Mummy? By Sam Lloyd.
" I like it. It's perfect," Josh told her.
Josh pulled into their garage then asked Nikki if she wanted to tell Emma when they collected Gale.
"Yeah, sure. Why not?" Nikki replied with a great grin.
" Nikki, Josh! How did your appointment go? Fine, I'm sure." Emma greeted them.
"Mum- Mum! Dada!" Gale came running. "Up!" as she raised her hands in the air in front of Josh. Josh grabbed her up and gave her a little toss in the air making her giggle.
"Would you two like some lemonade?"
Josh looked to Nikki… " Love some, thank you," Nikki answered as they followed Emma to the back garden with Schatzi following right behind them.
"I'll be back in a jiff with your drinks. Would you like some milk, Gale?" She answered with a nodding head.
"What do we say?" Nikki asks her.
"Please…"
"Good girl," Josh says.
Once they were all settled with their drinks, Nikki looked at Emma, "So, the office visit went great. Everything is progressing fine. We had our second ultrasound today… We're having a boy."
"Oh my! That's wonderful! One of each!" she laughed.
Nikki told her about their shopping trip and the new outfit that she bought for the baby. Then she pulled out the picture from the sonogram.
"Look! You can see his foot! How amazing!" Emma exclaimed.
"It's a shame we weren't able to have the same thing with Gale," Josh laments.
"But, you had the experience of delivering your own baby. That is so special."
"It was, but scary, terrifying," Josh told her.
"You would have never known," Nikki added. " He was amazing and so supportive, all the while taking care of things."
"You've got a good one there, Nikki. Don't ever let him go."
"Works both ways, Emma," Josh says. "She's amazing."
Walking home, Gale started to fall asleep on Josh's shoulder. "Looks like someone is ready for sleepy time," Nikki says.
Getting home, they brought her up to her cot and settled her in.
Josh took Nikki by the hand and led her to their bedroom, where he kissed her deeply. "How about a little of this then some sleepy time for us?"
"Definitely, some more of that!"
After a very pleasant make-out session, they cuddled and fell asleep.
Nikki had been awake for a while looking at the baby names book when
Josh woke from his nap spooning Nikki with his hand on her gently rounding tummy. Leaning into her, he kissed her shoulders, her sundress giving him access while tenderly caressing her baby bump.
" You are so beautiful." Then, "Our baby boy," as he continued to nuzzle her.
"Our baby boy..." she repeats. "I've been looking through the baby name book."
"Have you come up with anything?"
"Well, there are a few that I like. Ummm… Lucas James Holiday, or Ethan James. Logan, Nathan, Aiden, Jeffrey, Markus and Nicholas."
"Those all sound pretty good. You want James as his middle name?"
" I like the way it sounds, and it honours your father. But the one name I keep coming back to is Joshua James Holiday." Nikki rolled onto her back, and Josh leaned over her on his elbow, leaning in for a kiss.
"Well, you didn't need a book for that one. Sounds like a good name to me," he chuckles. "Has a nice ring to it. You sure haven't wasted any time naming the little bub."
"I want to start thinking of him as a little human and not just the 'baby'. We didn't have that luxury with Gale."
"No, we sure didn't...Joshua James, I like it, just as long as he doesn't get called 'junior'."
"What about JJ ?"
"I don't know... when he gets older might sound a little...little kiddish, we'll just have to see how things play out. Maybe just Jay? So, should we include his name in the cards? We can write something like 'meet Joshua James Holiday' along with his sonogram picture."
"I think that is perfect. This is all kinds of fun!" Nikki said with enthusiasm.
They put the cards in the post the next day.
Diane and James were the first to call.
"Nikki Luv! You're having a boy! How exciting!" Diane exclaimed.
"Yup, we're having a boy," grinning as she talked to Diane.
"Of course we love his name, two of my favourites," said with a chuckle. " How are you feeling?"
"Good now that the morning sickness is over. Just a bit tired. I have to nap when I get home from work."
"Is Josh there?"
"You just missed him. He went off to the store for a few things. Would you like him to call you when he returns?"
"That would be great."
They chatted for a few more minutes when James got on the phone. Not much for talking on the phone, he congratulated her on their baby boy and that he felt honoured that they would be using his name. Then he gave the phone back to Diane. They talked for a few more minutes before saying goodbye.
Josh got home twenty minutes later carrying two bags of groceries.
"Hey Babe," he said when he saw her. "Anything new and exciting?"
"You missed the call from your mum and dad," Nikki told him.
"I'll call them in a bit. Poppet sleeping?"
"No, she's playing."
Josh found her on the floor in the living room playing with her blocks. He sat down with her and built block towers for her to knock down, which had her giggling.
The following day Nikki's mum and dad called. They are over the moon and extremely excited about their news.
"Now I can start buying little boy things!" Sophia said. "I can't wait to tell your brothers. When do you think we might see you again? Are you feeling okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, Mum. I'm hoping for some time off at Christmas. You know that you are always welcome here."
"Thank you, sweetheart; maybe we'll take you up on that."
"You don't need to wait for an invitation; you are always welcome. We all get so caught up in our day to day stuff. Come anytime."
They chatted for a bit longer, and then they said their goodbyes.
Finished with her phone call, Nikki went in search of Josh. She found him asleep in his lounge chair on the balcony, with Gale sleeping on his chest, her thumb in her mouth. Nikki smiled and felt completely filled with love for her husband and little girl. Settling into her lounge chair, she joined them in a nap.
November 13
Nikki's sixth-month appointment earlier in the month pronounced that the pregnancy was going well and on track. She has the week off and is "nesting" and a bit manic.
Waking early, she took care of Gale while letting Josh sleep. At 8:00, she decided that he had been sleeping long enough as she wanted to get started on changing the linens. Climbing into bed with him, she woke him gently, and that's where the "nice" ended, and the "crazies" began.
"Were you planning on getting up anytime soon?"
"I'm sorry, didn't realise that I had slept so late."
"Well, I thought I would let you sleep a bit, but I want to get started on the linens."
"Huh?"
"You know, change the beds? Freshen the towels?..."
"Nah, you don't have to do that. I change the bed on Thursdays when I do the laundry."
"What, so everything has to be done according to a schedule, or you don't do it?"
"What? No, I just have a routine, that's all."
" Well, can you get your ass out of bed and break your precious routine? The bathrooms need to be done."
"Nik, I did the bathrooms two days ago. There are only two of us."
"So that's an excuse for a dirty bath?"
"Nikki, what's going on?"
"What's going on? I have all of this work to get done, and you're still in bed."
He swings his legs over the side of the bed, rubbing his face with his hands. Now he's getting miffed, and he heads to the bathroom. "Look, I'll do the bathrooms, okay?"
"And the lawn, it needs mowing. It's starting to look like a cattle ranch."
"Alright, Nikki, I'm going for a run. I'll take care of everything when I get back," he calls from the bathroom.
"Sure, that's just fantastic. Go for a run…". Now she's steaming.
Coming out of the loo, he grabs a pair of board shorts, a tee-shirt and socks. "Nikki, I'm going before I say something I'll regret. I'll be back."
"Yeah, great! Don't let the door slam you in the ass on the way out!"
Josh puts on his tennies and just stands for a moment in the foyer and decides he needs more than a run and grabs his car keys. Pulling out of the garage, he heads for Palm Cove. *What the hell…* he says to himself. (What's got into her...I've become her whipping post overnight)
After about fifteen minutes into the drive, he needs to talk to somebody and calls Chris. Chris should be around. Hammersley is in port for the week.
" Hey, Hi Josh, what's up?"
" Hey mate, gotta minute?"
"Sure, what can I do you for?"
"Nikki's what's up. I didn't even have my eyes open, and she lit into me, jumped down my throat, going on about how I needed to get up and clean the bathrooms and cut the grass. Jeez, Chris, I'm going to school, and I think I do a good job keeping the house. And all the while, I'm looking after Gale. That's my job as a Dad, and it's no biggie... but what the hell?"
"Do you want to come over? Where are you now?"
"On my way to Palm Cove. I need a bit of a breather. Gonna run on the beach."
"Good Mate. Listen, it's the pregnancy hormones and such. She's getting bigger and feeling less attractive. All normal, mate, trust me. It will pass. She'll be all apologies when you get home."
"She didn't act like this the last time."
"You were stranded on an island, mate. Lot's of other stuff to worry about."
"Yeah, I guess."
"No worries, mate, she'll be all apologies when you get home. It'll pass."
"Thanks for the talk, Chris. It's just we never fight."
"No worries."
Ten minutes later, he pulled into the car park at their favourite beach. Grabbing the towel he keeps in his car, he headed for the beach. (Crickey) he mumbles, (Last time we were here, we were walking the beach holding hands and making out under the trees.) Shaking his head, he tossed his towel down in the shade of a palm tree and removed his shirt, which joined the towel and took off down the beach for a run.
Eight kilometres later, he was mellowed out and hoped that things would be calmer when he got home. Then he kicked off his shoes and socks and dove into the surf to do some laps. After 25, he walked out of the water. Unbeknown to him, he had been the subject of interest of two young blonds lounging on their blanket not too far from his shoes.
"Hey handsome, wanna share a beer with us?" one of them called out.
"A bit early, isn't it?" he replied. Then shaking his head, he flashed his ring finger. "Sorry ladies, already taken," he picked up his shoes and socks and started on his way.
" Hey, come on, a good looking guy like you… don't you want to have some fun?"
Josh had already had a day, and he was becoming pissed off; he kept on walking without acknowledging them. "Bugger off," he said under his breath.
After showering off under the outdoor shower, he sat on a nearby bench to dry off before getting back into his car. He sat there thinking about Nikki and what Chris had said. (I'll get her some flowers and ice cream) Then chuckling to himself, (we can eat ice cream, and then I'll cut the grass.)
There was a pretty good florist in Palm Cove, and he went to see what he could get. He left the florist with a large bouquet of frangipani and pink roses and set off for home. Arriving in Cairns, he stopped at a small grocery and got her favourite ice cream and some for himself. Ten minutes later, he was pulling into the garage.
Gale was napping, and Nikki was sitting at the top of the foyer stairs hoping that he would be home soon. She was feeling terrible about how she treated Josh…(I was horrible, Josh doesn't deserve that. He's so good. Why the hell did I act that way, say those things…)
She heard the garage door open and anxiously waited for him to come into the house.
Josh walked into the foyer from the garage and went to the stairs, looked up and saw Nikki sitting there. Nikki saw the flowers and started to cry. Rushing up the stairs, he put down the flowers and pulled her to him.
"Hey, Hey, shhh, it's okay," he said gently.
"No, it's not... You didn't deserve that... I was awful to you'' sobbing "You are so good..., treat me so well... and...and... I treated you like crap for no reason. You couldn't be a more perfect husband," she said through tears.
" Shhh, Baby, it's over, Okay? I love you. I know that you didn't mean it."
Breath hitching, "I love you so much."
Josh laughed, "I love you more."
Smiling now, " Not possible."
Still holding her close, he kissed her and then gave her the flowers.
"Josh, they're so beautiful...I don't deserve them."
" Yeah, you do. You're the mother of our children. You have the burden of doing all the work. You deserve even more."
Making her cry again, "Stupid hormones." she said.
Josh laughed and thought about what Chris had said. "I bought us some ice cream. Where's Gale?"
"Napping."
"Let's go out to the balcony and pig out; then I'll cut the grass."
"No, no cutting the grass today. Let's just eat ice cream and relax until Gale wakes up."
"That's a good plan."