Ch 43
Later that afternoon, Mike and Kate walked along the navy wharf with Mike pushing the stroller. They could see Hammersley towing the Childer back to port. They stopped observing as the two boats got closer.
On the Hammersley, the captain picked his binoculars and looked around, smiling he gave them to his XO.
"We got guests, X," the X frowned and grabbed the binoculars.
"Well I'll be damned," he muttered before turning to his CO.
"Childer, this is Hammersley," the Captain said through the comm.
"This is Lieutenant Commander Thomson, go ahead John."
"We got guests on the wharf, take a look."
"I'll be damned! Mighty Mike a family man!" came back followed by a laugh in the background.
"Yeah who would ever think that day would come. I wonder who's the lucky woman," John said
"Lieutenant Kate McGregor," His XO told him
"Do you know her, X?"
"Only by reputation, sir. Her ADFA nickname is princess perfect and she a bloody hard taskmaster. I've been told she's someone you don't want to piss off, sir. She's capable of have you cleaning toilets with a toothbrush." The X said, loud enough that was picked by the mic and heard on Childer.
"Lieutenant Commander Adams, this is Lieutenant Lee. I know her, sir. We went through ADFA together, and your XO is right. I've seen her argue with two instructors while doing courses; she acted more like a Commander than a sub Lieutenant, sir" The XO of Hammersley said
"Sounds like she got a bit of a temper."
"Yes, sir. As far as I know, no one has managed to top her marks."
"Really? That's interesting, do you know how they met?"
"He was her instructor, he was one of the instructors I've mentioned before, sir." the XO and CO on Childer turned to each other with raised eyebrows while listening to the conversation between XO and CO.
"That would have been interesting to watch," the XO said grinning
"Yeah, agreed. Well, after learning all these soap opera details we better get back to work." The CO of Hammersley said. "Childer, see you on the wharf."
"Copy that Hammersley, thanks for the tow."
"No worries, Hammersley out."
Completely oblivious to the chat in the boats, Kate and Mike watched the boats dock. The crew walk out as quickly as they could, and Mike waved at them as they waved at him. Soon they were surrounded by the crews of both boats.
"Sir, this is a surprise."
"Thank you, Charge."
"Ma'am! It's good to see you again."
"You too, Charge."
"Everyone! This is Emma Kathrine Flynn"
"Sir, can I hold her?"
"Sure thing, Buffer." Grabbing Emma carefully, Buffer showed Emma to the crew members so they could see how she looked like. Mike turned when he spotted the CO and X walking towards the group. They stopped by Emma and grinned before they reached Mike.
"Our new Sailor is beautiful, Mike."
"Who knows, maybe you are right and she does join," Mike shrugged.
"If she does, God help the Navy," they all laughed, Mike introduced Kate to the CO's and XO's and they were talking until someone called Mike.
"Yeah?" Mike answered loudly trying to identify the source.
"Ah, sir. Emma needs changing," Charge said holding Emma away from him making all of them laugh.
"I'll take care of that, Charge," Mike said grabbing his daughter. The crews looked amazed at Mike seating on the ground with Emma on his arms and changing her diaper.
"Geez, Emma! What has mummy been feeding you?" he said out loud making his spectators laugh as they watch Mike change Emma dirty diaper
"Well, I'll bet that now she's clean you all want to hold her again, right?"
"Yes, sir." They said at once.
"I'll hold her, Mike," John said stepping forth and carefully taking Emma.
Mike picked the things he took out and once everything was cleaned he stood up. "You are natural, Mike."
"Thanks, John."
"Who would ever though Mighty Mike would be a diaper changing father," a lead seamen joked.
"That's enough, Leader!" Kate said in a commanding tone while looking at him
"Lieutenant McGregor, if you were leader Simpson XO, what would you do with him?" John asked curiously.
"Well, first he would need to apologize to the Lieutenant Commander. Then, to make sure he learned his lesson, I would have him cleaning loos with a toothbrush every day for the remaining of his rotation."
"I guess the rumor mill was right."
"Yeah. Mike, you got one hell of a good woman. It's a shame she's not a commander," Mike grinned proudly.
"One day she will be. And Leader, no matter what the rumor mill says about me, you have no right to say what you said. Is that clear, Leader?"
"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir."
"Good. Now, if you will excuse us, Emma is due for her feed." Mike said as Charge pass Emma to Kate whom put her in the stroller.
"Now since Challenger is out of action for a while, you are welcome to our place on the thirty-first to help bring the new year."
"Thank you, sir," they all said
"We will see you then," Mike pushed the stroller with Kate next to him while listening to both CO's giving their crew orders to return to their boats.
"Well, now both crews know how you are like when it comes to discipline."
"Yes, I only wonder if Lieutenant Smith's going to take my lead on what to do with Leader Simpson?"
"He might, Kate, you'll never know," Kate turned to him to see him smiling at her.
"You know? The tone you used with leader Simpson? Well..." Kate turned to Mike with a frown.
"Well, what Mike?" His eyes twinkled, and he flicked his eyebrows at her,
"Mike!" she slapped his arm lightly as she laughed
"You shouldn't hit a superior officer, Kate."
"Mike, you are my husband, and you are not in uniform."
"I know. However, when we get home I'm going to punish you."
"Are you now? And what punishment should I expect?"
"I'll think of something," He said as they reached his car. Kate shook her head at him.
Later that night, Kate was in bed early due to Emma feeding pattern, she woke up and rolled over when Mike got into bed and frowned when she noticed it was after nine.
"Why are you in bed so early?"
"Your punishment," Kate rolled on to her back while still looking at Mike
"My punishment."
"Yes," he said smiling
"What is my punishment going to be, sailor?"
"This," Mike disappeared under cover
"Mike!" She started laughing while trying to kick her legs.
Mike was partly lying across her lower legs while tickling the bottom of her feet knowing how ticklish she was. Kate managed to move the covers and partly rolled over to her side on an angle and started tickling Mike back taking advantage of knowing his ticklish spots. Mike moved away from Kate until he was back on his side of the bed and his head sticking out from under cover
"That was mean, Kate."
"All's fair love and war, Mike."
"Is that right?" He moved until he was lying on top of her
"Yes, that's right."
"Your punishment isn't over yet."
"Oh?" She said smiling. He bent down and kissed her, they were removing each other's clothes and making love until they heard Emma crying through the baby monitor.
"I'll better go," Kate said getting out of the bed and grabbing a robe as she walked out of their room.
"I'll be waiting for your return! I'm not finished with you, Kate!" He said loud enough for her to hear, Kate shook her head as she walked further away.
"Now, for the rest of your punishment," he said as she entered the room again half an hour later. She chuckled and lowered her robe to the floor, and he pulled her to the bed before kissing her.
They made love slowly and passionately. By the time Emma woke up again Kate was snuggling to Mike's side. Mike watched her slowly getting up and repeating the process of grabbing the robe and walking away.
Two days later, Mike and Kate were busy getting everything set up outside before the crew started to show up for the party. Emma was with them in her portable crib with a mosquito net over the crib. It was a hot day with a cool breeze, and they were finally ready to relax once they finished the last details. Mike walked over to Kate and pulled her into his arms kissing her.
"Hey, looking forward to tonight?" Mike asked
"Yes, you?" He nodded
"It's hard to believe that almost a year ago I proposed to you and that we got married and had Emma within twelve months!" Kate smiled
"That is so true, who knows what going to happen with the next twelve months!" They turned when they heard Emma waking up and looking at them.
"Kate? Have you thought what you are going to do when you return to work? What if you get posted on a frigate?" He said looking at her.
"Well, mum and dad said they don't mind looking after Emma when she's not in daycare. I think that will extend if I'm on a frigate. However, Commander Johnson said that the only time it would happen is if they can't get anyone else and it will be only for a fill."
"You would be teaching then?"
"That or working at NAVCOM in Sydney."
Emma started to cry, Kate walked to the crib and moving the net away she picked Emma. There was a knock on the door as she was placing the net back.
"I'll be upstairs," Kate said
"I'll get the door."
When Kate walked outside carrying Emma who was now sleep after her feed. There were already some crew members there.
"Hi, happy new year."
"You too ma'am, may I?"
"Of course, Buffer," She carefully passed Emma to him. Kate watched as each of the presents started to talk to Emma and Mike walked to her with an orange juice glass that he offered her.
"Thanks, Mike." He sat down between her and Charge, and they talked for a few minutes before the doorbell rang again.
"I'll get it," Kate said standing and walking away. Within an hour, the whole crew and their families arrived. Mike showed Emma's room to everyone who wanted to see it.
"Sir, you've done a great job on it," his XO said
"Thanks, X"
Later that night everyone counted down to bring the new year in and chorused a loud 'Happy New Year' as the fireworks started over the harbor. At the end of the count, Mike and Kate kissed before turning to watch the fireworks. It was after four when they finally went to bed for a few hours of sleep.