Ch. 47 Surprises
The Navy base.
The frigate was safely moored and the crew has left the ship. A bunch of engineers had bombarded the Chief Engineer with questions and a couple of tugboats were getting ready to tow the ship to the dry dock.
Mike was reading his own reports before sending them to HQ as we knocked at the door.
"Come in", he replied.
Nikki.
"Sir, I'm done. Anything else I could do?", she asked formally.
He shook his head, "No, Nikki. It's done. Job for the wharf now. You can go", he said.
"Okay sir. I have my reports here. Do you want to see them?", she asked putting them on his desk.
"No. It's not necessary Nikki, just send them through", he said.
"Okay sir, then uh... Then I can go, can't I?", she said hesitantly.
He nodded, "Yeah, indeed. Enjoy your shore leave and try to relax. It was a hell of an experience", he said.
"Oh yes, absolutely. Try also to relax sir", she replied before leaving.
She closed the door and left. He leaned against the backrest of his chair and listened to the sound of her footsteps becoming fainter until he heard nothing more.
Another knock did him sit up straight again. "Yes?"
The door opened and Maxine entered. "Well, darling, are you going to live here or are you coming home?", she asked.
He sagged a bit and sighed, "Max! Yeah, I'm coming. With pleasure!".
When she drove home, he sat next to her in a deep silence, his thoughts busy with the incident and the upcoming investigation.
"How was it?", she asked.
He looked at her and shrugged, "I dunno what to think anymore", he replied sullenly.
When she drove in the car park of their tower block, his behaviour was a little less icy.
"Sorry love, I know I'm too calm. I still have to deal with everything", he said.
"Never mind darling. It will be all right, you'll see", she replied giving him a bone melting smile.
When they entered the flat he took a deep breath to be permeated with the scent of the house, "Hmm, it's good to be at home. I'll have a shower. After that I'll be another man.
"Good idea. In the meantime I'll unpack your bag", she said taking his sports bag.
Thirty minutes later he returned to the living room.
"Love, you have no idea how good... wow", he said, but he stopped when he saw her.
"Do you like it?", she asked with a radiant smile.
He looked at her carefully. Maxine had also changed and she had put on a mid-thigh dark blue sleeveless dress restrained by two tiny straps. She had slipped her feet into fancy slippers with a medium heel and her hair cascaded over her shoulders.
"One word dear, amazing. Simply amazing", he said walking over to kiss her.
"Thank you. And I have a drink for you. Your favourite red wine", she said offering him a glass.
He accepted the glass and they sat down on the couch. She crossed her legs which made the dress go up a bit higher and Mike couldn't resist the urge to put his hand on her thigh.
"Cheers!", he said taking a sip.
He sighed, "Max, I think that I screwed up this time. Propellers and rudder gone and the hull is a sieve and to top it all the whole press was there. That bitch Kate smelled money and fame!", he said desperately.
"Darling, no worries. I know the whole story and I believe it'll be positive for you. I've done some research and I have documents where it's clearly indicated that there was no budget for new charts. Moreover I have copies of the new aircraft order for the admirals. They can't blame you. On the contrary, you are the hero who saved his men's life by making the right decisions. I worked things out so that you were going to give some nice interviews on tv. I guess that you'll be on your way to your fourth band!".
"Huh?"
"Yep".
"Oh Max, you're great!", he said kissing her passionately. She responded to his kiss and he started to slide the tiny straps off her shoulders...
A few hours earlier on the quay.
Nikki left the ship and looked around to see her husband. A smile appeared on her face when she recognised his impressive stature among the others and quickened her pace to rejoin him.
"Hey baby! You've made it. How are you?", he asked after kissing her.
"Ooh darling, really, you have no idea", she replied by sighing.
"Was it that bad? ", he asked frowning.
She grabbed his sleeve, "Come on, let's go home. Oh, if your duty is over for today, of course", she answered.
"Yep, it is, didn't you notice the time yet?", Pete answered showing her his watch.
She frowned and shook her head, "Office hours, of course. I shall have to get used to it when my time comes!"
"No worries, it will go faster than you think", he said putting his arm around her waist and they headed for their car.
At home, she filled the laundry basket and disappeared into the bathroom. A little later she came out of the bedroom and headed for the living room where Pete was waiting for her.
"Hey, hey, now I'm Mrs Tomasewski again", she announced.
He looked at her and whistled as he saw her dressed in a fluffy dress and high-heeled sandals, "You look great!"
She nodded, "Yeah, I wanted to feel ladylike again after these boots, DPNU and whites. Darling, I want to go out, have a drink, food, another drink or food and then a drink, whatever. I know, it's not our habit for the first night ashore, but I need a distraction and a serious talk", she said.
"Oops, that sounds serious, but... no worries, Buffer's there!", he said with a radiant smile when he stood up. "Where?"
"You know our favourite places, well", she said while grabbing her handbag.
Later, they sat on one of the terraces with a beer for him and a white wine for her.
She looked at the pine trees, "Hey, Christmas is coming? Huh, aboard you lose all contact with everyday life".
"Yes baby it's within three weeks. Do we have plans?", he asked.
Nikki shrugged, "It'll depend on what we decide now".
"Well, it's about time you start telling something baby. What's going on in that pretty head of yours?", he encouraged her.
"It's Mike darling. He became a jerk. He only thinks about his career and his image. He doesn't care about others anymore. The only thing that matters is that bloody fourth band for him. I don't know why, but it's a fact. I haven't yet told this. We were drifting and the mayday message was sent. Shortly after, a reaction came from Kate's boat. All of a sudden he said that we should refuse assistance. I took him outside to discuss his answer, then I couldn't believe my ears a second time. He was afraid to accept Kate's help. The ship and the two hundred men could go to hell, but his ego had to be saved. Luckily I was able to put some common sense into his brain and he accepted", she said.
"Jeez!", was the only thing Pete could say.
"You know Kate's story huh? Well after the last confrontation, he found out about the baby and what went wrong. Well, he didn't tell me, but it was from then it all started. The wreck was caused by old charts and in the first instance he accused our navigator and, guess what? Me too! He accused me of not having checked the charts. Okay, he quickly found out that it was an Admiralty gaffe, but he said it. I think he's fully aware that he screwed up a chance with Kate for good"
"That's hard. I really don't know what to say. It sucks!", Pete said.
Meanwhile the waiter brought their meal, spare ribs.
"Enjoy it!", he said.
"You too!"
"Darling, have you thought about Dylan's job proposal? You know, Kate's husband", she said between bites.
"Yeah, I know. I want to meet him one day. And yes, I thought about it. So what?", he asked.
"In the present situation, I'm afraid, I'll remain the executive officer forever. Dylan, on the other hand, offered me command of a ship. Okay, it's not the Navy, but it's a ship. I want to change, but only if you go too", she said.
His fork remained suspended in the air between the plate and his mouth which closed in the emptiness.
"Wow, that's direct. And what's the plan? You told me I could be a buffer aboard, but on which ship? Another I suppose, but then we'll miss each other every time", he said worried.
"No, on the same ship. It's no longer the Navy. Kate and Dylan also serve on the same ship", she replied.
"Hmm, but their home base is Melbourne which means we'll have to move", he added.
"We also moved from Cairns to Sydney. I don't think it would be a problem, no?"
"It sounds good. Then we can see the mates again. The old gang is coming together. Yeah why not?", he replied with a radiant smile.
"Is it a yes?", Nikki asked anxiously.
"Affirmative!"
"Great darling! I'll try to contact Kate. Hopefully she's still in the port".
Melbourne, a few days later.
Kate woke up and stared for a moment at the pale sunlight that could barely penetrate the curtains while listening to the faint snoring of Dylan lying next to her. A smile appeared on her face. She slipped out of the bed, grabbed some underwear and padded to the bathroom. A little later she came back and shook his shoulder gently, "Darling, it's your turn", she said softly several times.
"Huh?", he mumbled.
"Good morning!", she said and left the bedroom.
She walked to the living room and looked around.
A floor lamp or two would make it cosier and one or more paintings.
Next she padded to the French door and looked outside. She frowned slightly.
Our car, that ugly pick-up of him is just a monster. I don't like it. I'll talk to him to see if we can buy another one. Something nicer, a Holden or something like that?
Hey! What am I doing? I'm busy having luxury ideas again. A car, paintings, floor lamps. It's been ages. Before this, I was already happy to have a good life.
It means I'm on the right track again.
She turned and went inside to turn on the radio. A song filled the living room, nine-million bicycles of Katie Melua. It touched her so much that tears appeared in her eyes.
Oh no! Here we go again. That's the third time since we delivered that frigate.
She walked quickly to the kitchen to grab a tissue.
Then she set the table and started to prepare breakfast.
Our last day, so a nice breakfast, bacon and eggs. They say that some women get sick with the smell. I'll find out right away.
She heated the butterfat, broke the eggs in the frying pan and put the bacon aside. Immediately a tasty smell filled the kitchen. She leaned over and sniffed.
No, I don't feel sick. On the contrary, I'm getting more and more hungry. It's good. If it's only my hormones that aren't cooperating and I have to use a couple boxes of tissues, then I can live with that.
A few minutes later, Dylan entered. "Honey, it smells good", he said, walking over to kiss her.
"Take a seat darling, the eggs are ready", she said.
"Nice", he answered and sat down. Kate divided the portion on the two plates and also sat down.
"What's that?", he asked, widening his eyes.
She held a little brown bear sitting on the table.
"Hello! I'm Bear. And who are you?", she asked with a high-pitched voice.
"Huh?"
"I'm Bear and you big buddy?", she repeated.
"Kate, what?..."
"Your turn now", she said smiling while pushing the bear in front of him.
He grabbed the toy with his big hand.
"Aw, you hurt me! You're squeezing me.", she said still in her high-pitched voice.
He looked at her baffled.
"Darling, you'd better practise a bit", she said tenderly.
"Honey are you telling me we are going to get a very young passenger?", he asked.
"Yes and for some time", she replied.
"I'm afraid that I won't be able to follow you", he answered confused.
"Darling,... I'm pregnant", she said.
"Pregnant? With my child?", he answered quite surprised.
"No, with that of Father Christmas. Obviously you! Dolt!", she said rolling her eyes.
"Really?", he asked in disbelief.
"Do I look like a liar?"
"Jeez honey, it's fantastic!", he exclaimed and stood up. He walked around the table, took her hand and invited her to stand up. Then he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her up.
"That's really great! How long have you known about this?", he asked.
"I was late and went to the gynaecologist and he confirmed to me. It also explains why I get so emotional about the stupidest things", she said.
He put her down again.
"Have you also been sick?", he asked.
"Thank goodness no", Kate answered.
"Come eat because I'm starving"
"Okay, that's great", he repeated returning to his chair.
"How are we going to plan this?"
"Let's finish our second bedroom first. Then we have another eight months to furnish it", she said between bites.
"Right, but then we'll need a captain because you can't keep on doing this. We've already had some candidates, but none of them were good enough for you", he said.
"It's true, but the whole company depends of that function. He or she will have to be more than good before I entrust my ship to him or her", she said fiercely.
They continued chatting and while they were busy doing the dishes, the phone rang. He walked to the phone and picked up.
"Mulholland speaking".
"Hi, you're talking to Nikki Caetano. Do you remember me? I was with you when...", Nikki started to tell, but he interrupted her.
"Yes of course, I remember you. What can I do for you?", he replied.
"Well, last time, you offered to make me a captain on one of your ships and you also had a job of buffer for my husband. Are these still vacant?", she asked.
"Yes, of course, they still are. Interested?", he replied.
"Yes, absolutely", Nikki answered enthusiastically.
"Well then, you're both hired. Just let me know when you can start in order to come and sign the contract", he said.
"Really? Oh that's great! Thanks a lot. We can now send our resignation and as soon as we know our notice period, I'll let you know, okay?", she said.
"That's fine. We'll get back to you soon", he said and they ended the call.
"Honey! I hired a captain for you", he said out loud.
"What!", Kate replied from the kitchen.
"Dylan, that's not what we agreed. You were dealing with the enlisted men and the NCO's and I was dealing with officers. Why on earth did you decide without talking to me?", she ranted at him as she stepped out of the kitchen.
"Because, honey, there was no need for an interview. This is the profile what we're looking for", he said convinced.
"Nevertheless, I wanted to see that person first, especially a captain!".
"Well, if she can take care for a million dollar warship and two hundred men, she can also manage a merchant vessel with twenty sailors", he said deadpan.
"And who is that famous wonder woman?", Kate sneered.
"Nikki Caetano. Are you convinced now?", he said knowing he won the battle.
"Nikki?", Kate repeated baffled. Her anger melted like snow in a microwave oven. "Did she resign from the Navy?"
"Now she will do it, after hearing she'll become our captain and Pete a buffer aboard".
"Oh? Well, of course I didn't need to have a chat. It's Nikki. I...I know her capabilities.
It's okay... No, it...it's perfect. Did...did she say anything ... more?", Kate stammered confused.
"No, they will send their resignation and she will let us know what their notice period will be", he replied.
"Hmm, okay. Okay, okay. I'm going to call her today", Kate replied ill-at-ease.
"And keep your hormones under control for the coming weeks", he said wryly.
Kate grumbled something and went back to the kitchen.
A few minutes later she padded to him, "Sorry darling, I can't help it. It's beyond me. Emotions! They cause you more troubles than anything else", she said guilty.
"Don't worry about it. It will pass", he soothed, rubbing her back.
"I hope so!", Kate replied rolling her eyes.
"I also have to tell Dad before we sail", she mused.
"Indeed, otherwise he'll not appreciate it!", he replied.
Half an hour later, the doorbell rang.
Kate looked at her watch, "Hmm it's a bit early", she mumbled as she made her way to the door.
When she opened it, she saw Charlie and Harpie on the doorstep.
"Hey! What a surprise. Come in, what brings you here?", she asked stepping aside to let them in.
"We've got some news", said Harpie as they entered.
Dylan came to them, "Hey Harp, Charlie. Good morning".
"Dylan, I've some news. I'll become Mrs Harper", she announced solemnly.
"Really? You, the confirmed bachelor!", he exclaimed.
Yep, now you're baffled huh?", Charlie replied with a grin.
Dylan rubbed his chin, "Yes, that's the right description. Congratulations you two!" he said giving his sister a hug.
"Too bad mate, I'm going to be your brother-in-law", grinned Harpie, shaking Dylan's hand.
"This is wonderful news! Congratulations!", said Kate, embracing Charlie and Harpie.
"Thanks Kate, but you don't have to cry for that", Charlie answered seeing tears on her cheeks.
"Oh, don't pay attention to that. My hormones are playing tricks on me nowadays", Kate answered, wiping away her tears.
"Hey, do you mean you're pregnant?", Charlie concluded.
"Yes, indeed", replied Kate with a radiant smile.
Harpie looked at one and then to the other, "Love, what?", he stammered.
"Should I draw a picture?", Charlie said deadpan.
"Congratulations Kate, Dylan. It's just great!", he said.
Dylan looked at his watch, "Hmm, maybe still a bit too early, but I think that it's time to celebrate this! It's a morning of surprises. We still have a bottle of champagne in the fridge"
"Juice for me!", Kate said quickly.
To be continued