Chapter 24
Three weeks later, Mike was called into NAVCOM when he learned that he was going to be at the HMAS Melbourne for three weeks. An hour later he was flown by helicopter to it, and the helicopter took the Captain back to Cairns. Mike spent the remaining three weeks on the frigate before it returned to Darwin and after reached port, he flew back to Cairns.
"Kate," he said with widened eyes when he found her waiting for him at the Cairns airport.
"Surprise!" They hugged and kissed
"When did you get in?" he said
"I arrived yesterday," she grinned.
"Did you have any issues finding the key?"
"Not at all, we should get out of here."
"Sure"
They wrapped their arms around each other's waists and walked over to where the bags were. Mike picked his up, and they walked out of the terminal.
"I drove your car here, I hope you don't mind," she grinned.
"Not at all. How long can you stay here?"
"Until next year," she added sadly.
"Kate, what's wrong?" she sighed.
"I've been transferred."
"Really, where?"
"Afghanistan, for a three-month tour," Mike let out a breath
"When"
"February, I'm on HMAS Anzac"
"We can do this, Kate." He said giving her hand a light squeeze.
"I know, but for now I want to spend as much time as I can with you before I need to go."
"Hey, while I was in Darwin, I met my parents, and they are looking forward to meeting you," she turned to him.
"Are they?"
"Yes, they are going to love you to bits, trust me." He put his hand into hers and brought it to his lips.
"What do you want to do when we get to your place?" Kate asked. She notices Mike smirking.
"You could wash my back for me," Kate laughed.
"What about my back?"
"I could wash it for you."
"We shall see."
Half an hour later they were in Mike's shower washing each other's back passionately. They spent the next hours in bed kissing and making love.
Later that evening, they went out to dinner and to the pub for a couple of drinks. Mike noticed some of the Hammersley crew and waved at them.
"Hey X, you are back!" One of them said finding him at the bar.
"Yes, I'm back."
"Are you returning to Hammersley?"
"I don't know yet. Leader Pete Tomaszewski, this is sub-lieutenant Kate McGregor."
"Ma'am, they call me Buffer."
"Nice to meet you, Buffer," they shook hands
"Care to join us X, ma'am?" Mike turned to Kate
"Kate?"
"Sure"
"Go with Buffer he will introduce you to them, I'm sure. I'll get us our drinks."
"Ok" Kate followed buffer out side
"Sub-Lieutenant McGregor, this is the Hammersley crew, well some of it."
"Hi," Kate said. The crew greeted her and introduced themselves as they picked their drinks.
"How long have you known Lieutenant Flynn, ma'am?"
"Ten months, we've met at Watson Bay. It's Lieutenant Commander actually." They were shocked by the news.
"What?" Mike asked as he reached them a few seconds later.
"Congrats, sir. On your promotion…" Buffer said.
"Thank you, Buffer!"
"When did that happened, sir?"
"Before I was assigned to Watson Bay, in a tour overseas."
"Nice, are you returning to us, sir?"
"I don't know."
They talked and laughed as they disclosed histories about Mike to Kate. They stood at the bar for almost three hours before they returned to his place.
The next morning, with Christmas so close, they went shopping. Once they returned, they sorted everything out and started on Christmas decorations.
"Can you get that, Kate?" Mike asked when they heard a knock on the door. She nodded while he finished placing the last decors.
"Hello?" An older couple look at Kate.
"Hi, you must be Kate, Michael told us much about you." The woman told her, Kate looked confused.
"Ah, okay… and you are?"
"Oh! I'm sorry, I'm Michelle, and this is Patrick. We are Michael's parents." Kate blushed, and her eyes widened.
"Come on in," she remembered her manners, as she bent over to pick their suitcases.
"Thank you."
"Mum, Dad! You made it," Michael said as they entered the living room.
"Yes, we have," Patrick said Kate, lowered their suitcase in the floor while Mike hugged his parents.
"Let me make some drinks for you," Kate said as she turned around and walk towards the kitchen.
"Mike this place is beautiful," Michele said while looking around
"Thanks, mum, I knew you would love it. I'll give you both a tour later."
"That would be lovely, son," Patrick said while looking around the large living room
"Well, Kate is beautiful…" his mother smiled, "and young."
"She's twenty-four mom." She raised her eyebrow.
"really? She doesn't look older than twenty."
"I know," he grinned.
"And you care about her?" Michelle asked.
"I love her, mum. She's one amazing woman."
"Does she feel the same?"
"Yes. She's very special. Just wait until you get to know her and you will find out yourselves."
"I will."
"We are looking forward to doing that, son."
"Are Hannah and Brad coming?"
"Yes, but they are staying in a hotel with the kids. They will join us tonight for a barbecue." Patrick said.
"They want to see you, Michael. It's been two years since the last time you saw them."
"I know, I've been busy."
"We know."
Kate entered the room then, carrying a tray that she lowered on the coffee table. Picking two mugs, she passed them to Mike parents and then, she gave one to Mike before getting hers.
"Sorry, I didn't know how you like your drinks," Kate said as they poured milk and sugar into their mugs.
"It's alright, Kate. Care to tell us a bit more about yourself?"
"Mum," Mike warned.
"it's okay," Kate sat down with a smile.
"I was born in England and moved here when I was nine. I worked and studied; I finished schools as the top of the class. Then joined the navy when I was seventeen."
"What about your family?"
"My father passed away a few months ago; he had cancer."
"Sorry to hear that," his mom said, "any other family members?"
"Mom." Mike said
"No, I'm an only child."
"And your mother?" Michelle asked, and Kate swallowed hard, her hand started to shake. Mike noticed this and took her cup from her hands.
"Excuse me," she said standing and walking outside.
"Mike? Did I say something wrong?" His mother asked concerned.
"No, it's not you, mum. She had a difficult upbringing." He smiled sadly.
"What do you mean?" Patrick asked, Mike, sat with his elbows on his knees and rubbed his face tiredly.
"Michael?"
"She should be the one telling you if she feels like," he grimaced.
"Do you know how bad was it, son?" He nodded.
"On a scale of ten… nine."
"Was it that bad?" Michelle asked in shock
"Yes, but she came out, and that's what it matters," Mike told them.
"The guilty party is in prison and had been for a long time. The day it was all solved was also the last time she saw her mother."
"She must be very brave then."
"That she is. As I said she came through, and now she's concentrating on her career."
"What about family?"
"Well, if it happens then it happens, mum." Mike looked out to see Kate looking at him. He smiled at her, and she walked back.
"Sorry."
"It's okay, Kate. Michael told us about how hard was your past. We don't know many details, but for what we gather you are a very brave young woman."
"I heard," she smiled.
"Then, don't feel pressured to tell us," Kate nodded.
They ended up changing themes quickly and talking for the next hour until Mike stood up.
"Dad, will you help me with the barbeque?"
"Sure."
"Then, I'll show you your room," Kate said.
"Please, it's the first time we are here," Michelle added.
Kate picked their suitcases, and they walked towards one of the bedrooms. While Michelle looked around, Kate placed the bags on the floor.
"Do you need anything else, Mrs. Flynn?"
"Yes, for you to call me Michelle." She smiled.
"Ok, Michelle, the bathroom is through this door," Kate pointed out to a partly open door then she turned to Michele.
"Relax, Kate. Everything is perfect; we only need to make some salads for the barbeque," Kate relaxed a Little.
"Lettuce and pasta salad are done. The only thing that needs to be cook is the potatoes"
"Then let me help you with that."
Kate took a deep breath, as Michelle walked out of the room. Then she walked out too and showed her the way to the kitchen.