Sitting on the bed Kate looked over at the huge clock out in the hall. She could just about see the time. It was just after 1pm. Leaning back against her pillow she sighed it felt like she had been waiting a age for them to sign her discharge papers. All she wanted to do was go home.

"it's only been 10 minuets" Mike smiled reaching over

"i just want to go home" she sighed

At that moment Dr Jones returned smiling

"sorry Kate" she smiled "its a bit hectic today. So, you are free to go home so long as you have someone with you overnight?" she said

"she will do doc" Mike smiled reaching over resting his hand on Kates

"good" Dr Jones smiled "now take it easy for a few days and I would like you to take these." she said passing her several leaflets on counselling and pregnancy loss charities. "it can help some couples to talk especially with what happened to you"

"thanks doctor" Mike smiled

"I'll leave you too it and I have left my number on that leaflet as well in case you want to talk"

Smiling politely Kate took the leaflets folding them up shoving them in to the bag.

"and we will send an appointment through for a couple of weeks so we can make sure everything is okay" Dr jones said.

Arriving home Mike dropped Kates's bag in the hall. She had put on what the girls had brought mainly because she didn't have anything else. She had left the tutu in the bag. As much as she needed cheering up she didn't fancy walking out in public.

Sitting on the sofa she sighed curling up. Rested her head on the arm of the sofas.

"you okay" Mike asked standing behind the sofa

"fine" she said softly pulling her knees up curling up in to a tighter ball.

"sure?" he said looking at her he could see that there was something she was hiding

"yes" she sighed rolling her eyes

"do you want any lunch?" he asked pulling some things from the fridge.

"no thanks" she said

"Kate you really need to eat something. You don't want o faint again"

"Mike I am not hungry" she sighed

"i could do some soup and cheese bread" he said

"Soup I am not an invalid" she said getting up walking towards her room

Flinging open the wardrobe she pulled out her uniform tossing it on to the bed. Peeling her leggings and top off she began pulling on her uniform.

"Kate what are you doing" Mike sighed walking in after her

"going in to work. I can't just sit on the sofa if you are going to be like that" she snapped scraping her hair back in to a bun securing it with pins.

"Kate you just got out of hospital. You heard the doctor you need to take it easy for a few days." Mike said taking her shirt from her

"i need to get back, I had a mountain of stuff to do and Knocker has more than likely just tripled what I had to do"

"Kate..." Mike paused "i spoke to Marshall he has okayed medical leave for a couple of weeks. Its fine he understands and he is going to have a word with Maxine, tell her to back off a bit"

"Mike I am not a invalid. It was a miscarriage. I don't need any leave I am fine" she said pulling her shirt back from him.

"really "Mike asked looking at her. Despite what she said and was outwardly showing she had sorrow and pain behind the eyes.

"I..." she paused "no" she said as he wrapped his arms around her.

"it's okay" Mike soothed.

"maybe this is meant to be a sign" she said pulling away

"what do you mean" Mike said softly

"we haven't even been together 6 months and this. Maybe its fate trying to tell is that it won't work" she looked up catching his eyes which made her melt on the inside which only made everything harder.

"You heard Doctor Jones; it is one of those things no one knows why they happen they just do." Mike said wrapping her up in his arms "i love you. I fell in love with you the moment I first saw you, I love being with you and the girls" he said

"really" she whispered

"of course," he said lifting her chin so she was looking into his eyes. "i was going to wait, take you out to a nice restaurant, a walk along the beach. Something a bit more romantic than this ..." he paused

"what?" Kate looked up, watching as he pulled out a small box from his pocket.

"Kate McGregor, will you Marry me?" he asked opening the ring box

Looking down at the ring, it was a simple white gold band with 3 stones, s square set deep blue sapphire with 2 smaller square diamonds on each side. Running her hand across his hand she was speechless watching as he pulled the ring from the velvet pad.

"Yes" she whispered "I will" she smiled as he slid the ring on to her finger

Closing the gap between them he wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her close. "I love you" he whispered teasing her in to a kiss. "why don't you put those cosy bunny rabbit pyjamas that you have hidden in the back of the draw on and I will go make us a drink to celebrate" he smiled.

"okay" she smiled feeling slightly embarrassed, the bunny pyjamas had been a Mother's Day present from the girls along with a matching pair of bunny slippers.

Watching as he walked out, she sat on the end of the bed she looked at the ring now sat on her left hand. She felt happy she truly loved Mike but part of her still felt sad and empty.

Pulling the pyjamas on she stuffed her feet in the bunny slippers which she pulled out of the back of the cupboard. Heading back in to the Livingroom she smiled as she sat on the sofa pulling her knees up, she looked up as Mike walked over

"so, I thought we could have a celebratory hot chocolate, given the fact the girls will be home soon" he said placing the 2 hot chocolates on the coffee table before sitting next to her. Holding his arm out she scooted over nestling in to his arm. Taking her hand, their fingers interlocked.

"so I also had a thought. Why don't we go away for a few days? You, me and the girls. It will give you a chance to rest"

"what about the ship? What if Hammersley is crash sailed?" she asked

"well Hammersley is due in for a service which means she is grounded for 2 weeks at least"

"you have thought of everything? And what about the girls, they have school?"

"I know but a week won't hurt and we can always do some school work with them" he smiled.

"they will love that. Let's go away on holiday for a week but you still have to do school work" she grinned "so where did you have in mind?"

"I thought we could go down to Philip Island, see the koalas and the world-famous penguin parade, maybe go to the chocolate factory" he smiled

"sounds perfect. The girls will love that" she said looking up, teasing him in to a kiss. "let's do it" she smiled as there was a knock at the door and the girls came crashing through.

Watching as the girls ran in she looked down at her ring maybe she could be happy again and even though she had lost something that was a part of them she still had the girls who Mike adored and they also loved him. This break would be just what they needed a chance to relax and destress but also come to terms with what had happened. It would be the start of the rest of their lives together as a family.

so hope you enjoy. the next chapter will be the last and will be a flash forward. anyway let me know what you think