Thank you for the responce so far. huge sorry to those that found the last chapter confusing. I have now tweaked the ending so it makes a little more sense. please continue to review I love to hear what your thinking.
The crew of Hammersley had been on shore leave for over a week. There had been issues with one of her engines so she had been taken off duty for emergency maintenance but it was taking longer than anticipated. Not that the crew were complaining considering in the last 6 months they had spent most of it at sea because of Commander White.
Kate was lay stretched out on the sofa. At 14 weeks she now had a little bump just beginning to show. She knew it wouldn't be long before some of the crew figured it out if they hadn't already and before the brass grounded her on shore because of the health and safety of allowing her being at sea whilst pregnant.
Hearing the front door open she pushed her self up right "hi" she smiled as Mike walked in to the lounge
"hi" he smiled walking round to the sofa "these came in for you today" he handed her a bag containing several pairs of neatly pressed and folded white trousers and blouses for her shore uniform.
"brilliant my others were just starting to get a little too tight" she smiled resting the bag against the side of the sofa
"and as requested" he handed her a second paper bag. In this one was 2 jars of Cadbury's chocolate caramel spread and several large bags of vegemite bagel crisps.
"did I tell you I love you" she leaned in kissing him.
Pulling open one of the bags of crisps she inhaled the savoury sent of the vegemite. She opened the jar of chocolate spread and scooped the spread on the crisp. Swooning as she bit in to it. "what" she half laughed at mikes reaction
"nothing" he shook his head "that is just one unusual combination"
"its nice" she protested
"even though you cant stand vegemite and protested every time I ate it"
"well... I ... ummm..." Kate tried to think of a way out of this. "its the baby, it must have inherited your weird tastes in food"
"well I don't mix vegemite crisps and chocolate spread, that is just plain weird"
"well the baby must be confused mixing up our favourite things." She resorted "there there don't listen to daddy he's just being mean" she bowed her head whispering in to her bump
"still doesn't explain the chocolate spread"
"duh its chocolate" Kate said as if it was obvious
Mike laughed and shook his head. He should have known better that to stand between his wife and chocolate
"so any news on my replacement yet" she asked putting the things down on the coffee table in front of them
"fleet command are still looking. I did put Nikki's name forward but it looks like they want someone with more command experience and experanced of the patrol boats"
"I hope your name isn't up there" Kate joked looking at mikes serious face hers soon fell. "really your name is on the list. Please tell me that the brass are not serious"
"I don't know its just chatter I heard at the moment but I shall be pushing to stay ashore." He wrapped his arm over her shoulders pulling her close "I don't want to miss one second of this" he kissed the top of her head.
She could tell mike was upset at the prospect of being Kates replacement on Hammersley. It was tough. He didn't want the ship anymore he was happy to be on the shore and allow Kate to be brilliant.
"I have found something that may make you smile" she grinned. Pulling the laptop off the table in front of her. Logging on to twitter she searched for the HMS Pembroke, the ship that Maxine was serving on. There were several pictures on the feed of things that the crew had been doing whilst on deployment. Including welcoming Maxine on to the ship. In almost every picture Maxine was in she was soaked to the skin because off the rain and looking most displeased with the sailor taking the picture.
As soon as he saw the pictures he laughed out loud. "that's funny" he smiled "it also explains the emails I have been getting from her"
"saying what?" Kate asked
"Well she has sent over 500 emails since I sent her over. In face the first 50 were sent before she even boarded the plane to the uk. All of which saying she hates me and why did I send her to this hell hole"
"right" Kate nodded
"she wasnt best pleased when I emailed her back saying I thought hell was hot and not cold"
"that is bad" she grinned "well it looks like she is having a whale of a time." Kate laughed
"well its her own fault, I did give her enough warnings about victimising the Hammersley's crew and she chose to ignore them. There was a post at one of the other 2 bases that are on the south coast of England which is slightly warmer but I thought Scotland would be more appropriate."
"have you been reading my book on cruel evil and unusual punishments by any chance?" Kate asked smiling
"maybe" mike grinned reminded of the old days of Hammersley when he was CO and Kate was the X she would come up with all sorts of Cruel punishments especially for 2-dads and spider. And most of them involved a toothbrush and the toilets.
That night Kate lay awake for what seemed like ages. The repairs of Hammersley had been completed and she was to sail for 4 weeks on patrol in the north. This would more than likely be her last patrol for a while. She would be almost 20 weeks when she returned and her pregnancy would be clear for all to see. Rolling over she looked at mike who was sound asleep snoring. She just hoped that the brass would allow him to stay at NAVCOM.
The following morning Kate arrived on Hammersley. Mike had come with her and she had asked all crew to be assembled on the deck. She had to tell them before they sailed otherwise there would be all sorts of rumours going round the ship.
"thank you everyone I know its early but I needed you all here as I wanted to tell you that this will be my last patrol for a while"
"why ma'am" bird piped up "and why is Captain Flynn on board?"
" Duh Captain Flynn has got her Knocked up possibly before the wedding and hears me thinking you were the medic Birdy" 2 dads called from the other end of the line.
"thank you 2 dads that is not how I would have put it" Kate called trying not to look mike in the eye because she knew she would loose it and start laughing "yes I am pregnant. Fleet command are still trying to find my replacement."
"congratulations Ma'am , Sir" buffer smiled at each in turn
"this is so exciting" bird bounced over hugging Kate "congratulations"
"thank you bird" Kate smiled "right we're due to cast off soon. Nav bring the ship to specials please"
"aye ma'am" Nav smiled walking towards the bridge.
Kate walked over to mike who was still laughing. "stop it. Its not funny" she hit him on his arm
"it is a little" mike managed to stop for a little. "I best be off more meetings at NAVCOM" he walked over the gangway "see you in 4 weeks. Fair winds Kate"
"Sir" she saluted walking towards the bridge. the day was tinged with sadness. She loved being at sea on Hammersley but she was excited for the next chapter of her life and she couldn't wait to meet the new little life growing inside her