Yawning Kate dropped her bag in the hall. They had returned 2 days ago but had to remain on the ship until they had their test results come back proving that they were clear of the virus. They had found the Loch-down anchored off the reef in full party mode. There were 20 or more people onboard all completely plastered. The excuse that they gave was that they didn't think the lockdown and social distancing applied 400 km out at sea.

To top it all off when the revellers found out that the police were involved and possibly looking at prosecution for flouting the rules one of them turned round claiming he was infected with the virus in the hopes he would be let go. It didn't work and all were handed over to the police as soon as the tests came back clear.

Walking down the long hall towards the kitchen, she was surprised at A) how tidy everything was and B) how quiet it was. She had been expecting to return to the house being a tip or the children squabbling or both. She was pleased it wasn't any of those. Heading in to the Kitchen she leant against the door. Watching Grace and Chris sat at the table together working on something she rested her head against the frame sighing at the sweet sight she was witnessing.

Looking up Grace saw Kate standing at the door watching.

"Mummy!" she cried jumping down from the table running over launching herself at Kate.

"Hey" Kate smiled managing to catch Grace before they both went flying.

"Mummy, mummy, mummy" Grace sang dancing round and round Kate.

Not wanting to be left out Chris pushed himself down from the table.

"Mommy" he called running over wrapping his hands around her leg

"hello you" she smiled lifting Chris in to her arms. "and what have you been up to" she grinned not realising he had paint all over his hands until he smacked his hands against her cheeks. Feeling they were wet which was never a good sign with a toddler.

"Chris" she gasped looking at her epaulets, shirt and trousers. "oh, you little monster" she said grinning as she held him out carrying him in to the kitchen as he giggled. Placing him on the counter next to the sink before he could place any more paint hand-prints on her uniform. Grabbing a cloth, she began wiping at his hands.

"you are a mucky pup" she smiled as he had somehow managed to get paint on the back of his head, in his hair, up his nose and somehow in his ear. Wiping at everything she sighed how could he get so mucky just painting a picture.

"Mummy!" Grace called running up behind Kate giggling placing both hands on Kate's bottom.

Even without looking she knew what Grace had done she heard the paint squelch as her hands it the fabric. Looking round she could see 2 huge red handprints.

"Grace!" Kate said turning to look at her daughter.

Giggling nervously Grace started backing away slowly. Unsure of her mother's reaction

"come here you little monster" Kate laughed dashing after her as Grace ran out in to the garden screaming with laughter.

"What's going on?" Mike asked walking in watching as Grace ran round the garden.

"well our darling children seem to think my uniform is an art canvas" she said turning pointing to the large handprints on her bottom.

Covering his mouth Mike tried not to laugh. Looking at Kate up and down.

"Its not funny" she said hitting him softly on the arm. "you best hope that this comes out in the wash Flynn" she said heading in to the hall pulling a pair of leggings and a t-shirt from her bag. Before heading in to the utility room.

Lifting Chris from the side Mike followed Kate in to the utility room. "Kate I am sure it will be fine. Its washable paint"

"that means nothing. don't you remember Nicoles uniforms she was always covered in paint and the damn stuff wouldn't wash out. Especially the pink and red paint" Kate said looking at him feeling the water that was coming out of the tap.

Pulling her uniform off filled the sink with some warm water. Carefully unpinning her medal ribbon bar and her epaulets she submerged her shirt in the water. The latter would have to be washed by hand. "why did you leave them unattended with paint? Have you seen the state of the table?" she said pulling the clothes she had pulled from her sea bag.

"I went to get the washing in. I was gone for 5 minuets" he said closing the gap.

"well this best come out; I can hardly go in to NAVCOM with 2 pink hand prints on my bottom." she said turning to look at him.

"well I don't know" Mike said grinning looking at her

"Stop it" she said hitting him playfully. "this is serious. Anyway, where is Nicole?" Kate asked

"in her room. Doing her school work I hope" he sighed

"right well I am going to grab a shower because Chris has got paint all in my hair" Kate said

"oh and Kate" Mike grinned "you have" he pointed to his own cheeks indicating she had something on her face.

"yeah thanks for that I hadn't noticed" she grinned sarcastically

Heading upstairs she poked her head round Nicoles door.

"Mum" Nicole threw herself from her bed hugging her mum tightly. Pulling back" why have you got paint on your face?" she asked

"don't ask" Kate smiled "how are you" she asked twisting a strand of her daughters' hair round her finger.

"okay." Nicole "are you okay mummy?" Nicole asked

"well apart from being covered in paint I am fine." Kate said kissing Nicoles head "now I am going to get a shower. You get on with your school work" Kate pointed at the desk

"yes mum" Nicole sighed

Heading in to her own room Kate pulled out a pair of fluffy pyjamas. In the last few days, it had grown rather cold and the weather had turned. There was a storm brewing she could feel it. Turning the shower on she waited till the steam began to fill the room before standing under the water.

Thankfully when she returned downstairs the paint had all been cleaned away and there was no sign of it on the table. She could hear the washing machine on which could only mean Mike had put her whites in to wash through. She just hoped getting them in to soak early combined with a hot wash and a ton of vanish if he had remembered to put that in, then the paint wouldn't show.

so the idea for the paint came from a interview I watched with the Duchess of Cambridge about pictures of Prince Louis where she released a insta vs reality shot of the prince and then said that she also got covered in paint. hope you enjoy and let me know what you think.