Shutting the door behind her Kate lent back against it, the last 5 minuets replaying over and over in her mind. He had been the perfect gentleman. Opening the car door for her and walking her up the path to her door in case of falling drop bears or random attackers lying in wait, not that there was anywhere for them to hide on Nikki's front lawn.

That bit had all been fine. They had a lovely walk along the esplanade and even enjoyed a ice cream on the way back to the car from the little ice cream shop where they had gotten the coffee from earlier.

The embarrassing part came as they said goodnight, he had lent in to kiss her on the cheek and she had held out her to shake his. Like it was a business transaction. Of course, he hadn't anticipated anything like this and she had put her hand out with such force she ended up punching him in the ribs. She just wanted the ground to swallow her up right there and then.

He had been very understanding and thankfully second time around everything went smoothly and no injuries were sustained.

Easing her shoes from her feet as they had started to pinch and she didn't really want to wake anyone up. She crept down the hall in to her room dropping the shoes in to one of the boxes where most of her belongings currently lived. Pulling her fluffy dressing gown from the back of the door she slipped it on before heading down the hall to the girl's room.

Both girls were thankfully asleep, Aimee was lay like a little frog, half under the covers with her head hanging off the side of the bed a little too close to the bedside cabinet. Carefully Kate lifted her daughters head back on to the pillow pulling the blankets around her and kissed the top of her head. She stirred but didn't wake.

Moving over to Sovay Kate smiled. Sovay was lay in exactly the same way as her sister just a mirror image. Repeating the same process as before Kate kissed the top of Sovay's head. She couldn't help marvel that even in sleep the twins were identical all be it the mirrored each other.

After making herself a cup of tea Kate headed back in to her own room. Placing the mug on the side she pulled her dress off reaching for her cosey pyjamas.

"So how did it go" Nikki asked walking in

"bloody hell Nic" Kate said turning around "way to give me a heart attack" she said pulling her shirt quickly over her head

"sorry" Nikki said jumping on to the bed crossing her legs.

"Are we having a slumber party?" Kate asked grinning walking over to the bed and pulling back the covers.

"we can do" Nikki smiled "and then you can tell me all about tonight"

"if I tell you will you leave me alone and let me sleep" Kate sighed climbing under the covers

"yes. Now how did it go" Nikki asked

"it was good" Kate smiled with a soft sigh

"good. Is that all I get come on kit I need more deets than good" Nikki grinned

"what more do you want me to say" Kate smiled poking Nikki with her feet trying to get her off her bed. "we had a nice meal and then walked along the Esplanade with a coffee."

"and..." Nikki said her eyes like a 5-year-olds on Christmas morning

"and what he is a nice guy I suppose"

"are you going to see him again"

"Nic we work on the same base and I help with the patrol boats so chances that we will bump in to each other are highly likely don't you think"

"i meant 'see' see him like on a proper date again"

"i don't know I have only just got over this one" Kate smiled "now can I please just go to sleep I am knackered" she said jabbing Nikki with her feet again.

"fine" Nikki said climbing off the bed. "this isn't over though Kit-kat" she grinned walking to the door. "good night" she said walking out

"Night" Kate sighed

Leaning back against the pillow Kate reached for her brew sipping it. It had cooled down considerably but it was still drinkable. Sighing she was just about to settle down when her phone buzzed

'i had a really nice time tonight. We should do it again M x'

Smiling as she read the text, she waited a while before texting back 'ditto'

There was something about him that she couldn't put her finger on. She found it easy to talk to him and she had told him everything within hours of meeting him. She never let on but the second she had spotted him and his blue eyes from across the room her heart skipped a beat but she couldn't let her heart cloud her mind she had to protect her heart and protect the girls they had had too much heartbreak in their short lives.

okay so sorry its a little on the short side but i didnt want to have like 3 different things happening in the one chapter but i hope you like it