"now is not the time Grace" Kate sighed.
"But I am telling the truth" Grace wailed
"I know poppet but it is way past your bedtime" Kate said softly "we can talk before I go to work tomorrow. Now come on, into bed" she said lifting the doona for Grace to crawl under. "now close your eyes and go to sleep" she whispered kissing Graces blond hair
"okay mummy" Grace yawned
"Night, Night" Kate whispered pulling the bedroom door shut behind her.
Walking along the landing Kate headed in to hers and mikes room. She felt exhausted and mentally drained. Changing in to her pyjamas she curled up under the covers hoping that tomorrow would bring a better and brighter day. At least she would be at sea when they couldn't actually see the news first hand and she could escape it, however it was a double-edged sword. She missed the children and even more so of late with everything hanging over them.
Being in the navy she was used to coming face to face with the enemy, she had on ANZAC and on Hammersley on numerous occasions but in every occasion, it was a enemy that they could see and she knew what she was fighting against. This virus was a hidden enemy that they couldn't predict or see. It was going to be tough for boarding's not knowing whether they were going to contract the virus or not.
Sliding in next to her Mike could see her mind was still going in to overdrive and over thinking everything. Resting his head on the pillow he felt Kate scoot across resting her head on his shoulder. Lifting his arm, he wrapped it around her holding her close.
"you okay?" he whispered in to the darkness resting his chin on her head
"I will be" she smiled softly closing her eyes trying to sleep and block out the ifs and buts that were buzzing round her brain.
The alarm went off at 5:30 on the dot, and slowly Kate opened her eyes. The sun had risen warm and bright and everything seemed better. Pushing herself up she looked up at Mike who had sat up.
"you feeling better this morning?" he smiled.
"yeah" she smiled back.
"sure?" he grinned "i mean I can always stand Hammersley down" he whispered snaking his arm across her waist pulling her close nipping at her neck.
Leaning in to him she smiled "really I am fine. I just let everything get inside of my head yesterday, but clearing my mind and having a good rest. I am feeling better" she smiled
"good" he smiled "well good that you are feeling better, not so good you rejected the chance to stay here" he laughed
"I want to go to sea actually, I think it will be good" she smiled. Looking over at the alarm clock, she sighed "I am going for a shower" she said "and then I need a chat with Grace, she confessed it was her that ordered all that of amazon, although I do suspect she had help but we shall see"
Walking over to the en-suite she switched on the shower waiting for the water to warm up. Standing under the faucet she felt the water wash over her. It was still worrying not knowing what they could encounter especially as there were lots of reports of suffers being asymptomatic and not showing any signs, they were infected so could pass it on, especially as the ice boat owners wouldn't care about the fishermen they were sending out. But she also knew she had to put on a brave face as if she was worried then it would make her children even more worried.
When she stepped out Mike had gone downstairs. Pulling her shore uniform out of the wardrobe. Thankfully it was free of cat hairs and paint stains. She had all her other things packed and ready. Pulling her uniform on she headed downstairs. All three of the children were downstairs sat around the table actually eating their breakfast and getting along.
"did I wake up in a parallel universe" she grinned walking in taking a cup of fresh coffee from Mike.
"I have no idea but for some reason they all got up no problem this morning. And even got dressed without starting world war three" Mike smiled.
"well let's hope it can continue when I am at sea" she smiled "Gracie shall we have that chat now?" Kate said looking at her 6-year-old
"okay mummy" Grace said sadly knowing her mum would more than likely blow her top.
Leading Grace in to the play room as it was away from the others Kate sat down on the sofa.
"so." she sighed "why did you order all those snacks from amazon?" Kate asked
"i don't know" Grace said tearfully
"well you must you ordered them" Kate frowned
"I didn't mean to order so many I thought it was one pack of each" she said. Wrapping her arms around Kates neck tears running down her cheeks
"Gracie," Kate sighed "what you did was wrong, I hope you understand that"
"i do mummy" Grace sniffed
"and you lied to me and your dad"
"it was Nicole's idea to lie and blame Chris. She said you wouldn't get cross at Chris because he is a baby"
"did she" Kate replied "well I shall have a few words with her."
"does that mean I can watch cartoons?" Grace grinned
"no sweetie your still grounded. Till the end of time" Kate smiled grinning
"but..." Grace gasped "sorry mummy"
"right go finish your breakfast" Kate sighed watching as Grace jumped down
"thought you could do with a fresh one" Mike walked in handing her a cup
"thanks" she smiled sipping the drink. "so, we have a pair of criminal masterminds on our hands. Grace and Nicole were in it together."
"I'll will speak to her later" Mike smiled
"thanks. Remember when Nicole stole all those Barbies from nursery."
"no" he grinned
"yeah she was about Chris' age and she must have stolen about 50 hid them in with her own dolls. Her key worker called me in they had caught her putting two in to her bag one afternoon when the other kids had their nap. When I looked in her toy box there were a fair few Barbie, I know she didn't own"
"i don't know where they get it from" Mike grinned
"well we are a nation descended from convicts" Kate grinned looking at the clock. "I best go." she smiled standing up to leave.
Saying goodbye was hard. This was a scheduled patrol so she would be at sea for at least 2 weeks and despite the possible odd return to base she wouldn't be able to come home just in case of any chance of spreading or contracting the virus.
Arriving on the dock she smiled as she saw Niki waiting at the gangway.
"Ma'am I hear we are getting a new buffer, Jonesy just left"
"yes that's right." Kate forced a smile
"so who is our new Buffer then because they haven't arrived yet and we sail in 30 minuets" Nikki replied concerned
Looking up the quay she smiled as a bike came speeding up alongside. As the figure got off Nikki took a step forward as it was a familiar looking figure.
"Pete!" she exclaimed running over the gangway launching herself in to his arms
"Nikki Catano well the old gang is almost back together" he smiled
Kate smiled as she followed suit walking over. "okay welcomes can wait. We need to get ready to sail. Nikki can you close specials. Buff I guess you won't need the grand welcome tour" she grinned
"i think I can find my way around the old girl"
"damn and I had my speech all prepared" Kate grinned "you're in the same cabin and I shall see you on the bridge in 20" she said turning walking on to the ship.
"Yes Ma'am" Buffer smiled taking the ship in. He loved the patrol boats as it was a tight net community and you always knew there was someone to have your back. Taking a deep breath, he walked over the gangway and it was like he had never left.
so chapter 22. hope you like this and sorry it wasnt up sooner, I had wanted to get it up yesterday (30th) but was distracted by watching the Space X live launch. hope you like this and please let me know what you think. anyway I also wanted to add this because of Kate struggling a tad in these few chapters. if you are struggling reach out and talk to some one.
huge love and stay safe xxx