Ch 53

"DADA!" she smiled pointing at Mike

"Kate! Did you hear that?" Kate moved frowning to the seat next to Mike.

"What is it?"

"Listen! Emma?" The girl looked at him again as if she could understand every word he was saying. "Can you say, Dada?" Emma looked at Mike and pointed towards him again

"DADA!" she gurgled.

"Oh, my! Mike! She's talking!"

"Yes, she is! Here, hold this," he said giving the camera to Kate. Then he picked Emma up making her fly above his head. "DADA!" Mike grinned

"DADA!" Emma said squealing with excitement.

Mike brought her down for a hug and kiss then he lay her on her back. And tickled her, she started to laugh harder and rolled over on her hands and knees crawling away from her daddy.

"Oh, no! You don't."

Mike grabbed her leg and gently pulled her towards him. He let her go and Emma, feeling free, crawled away from him again. So, he repeated the action; they played for a good amount of time until Emma was tired.

"I'm so happy I was here to see Emma take her first steps, Kate," Mike grinned on the other side of the bed that night.

"I'm overjoyed! You got to be here for her first step and word!"

"Yes, that too. Let's get some sleep."

"What a clever idea," she grinned leaning at him and kissing Mike before turning to her side. He rolled until he had his front pressed against her back before he closed his eyes. Soon they both were peacefully asleep.

The next morning, Mike hugged tightly and kissed both Emma and Kate. He was leaving that afternoon, and it was his last chance to say goodbye before he did. Once they were out of the door and going towards their morning routine, he went to find the paints he would need for the first bedroom.

Once back, he spent another couple of hours washing the wall of both rooms. With the time he had left before getting on the plane to Cairns he managed to coat the first bedroom and one wall of the second. Then, time ran up, and he cleaned the tools and himself before departing.

The next morning, Mike smiled brightly as he walked into Steve office.

"Morning Mike, my, my… you are in such a happy mood," Steve grinned as Mike sat down

"Emma took her first steps last night!" Steve smile

"That's wonderful news."

"Yeah! Tell me about it! What's more… she even said her first word: DADA."

"Wow! That definitively would put any father in a happy mood."

"I know! Right?"

"How's Kate?"

"She's great… and we are having boys."

"Boys? I'll bet you are happy."

"I am. But to tell you the truth, they could've been two girls or one of each and I would still love them"

"Well, that's an undeniable truth."

"Speaking of truth. Did you know that Commander Johnson's wife is pregnant?" Steve looked at Mike in shock

"Pregnant? Are you sure?"

"Yup, Alice Johnson. We found her in the waiting room. Commander Johnson himself managed to be there for the checkup."

"Well, I'll be damned." He muttered, "yeah I know Alice. I was his best man at their wedding, and I'm their eldest daughter godfather. I wonder why they didn't tell me. Do you know how far long Alice is?"

"She's seven months. Now, your goddaughter, on the other hand, is due in three weeks" Mike saw the shocked look on Steve's face

"You are joking," Mike shook his head no.

"Sounds like I'll have to fly down to see them. I haven't had a chance of being posted up here."

"Well, I would try if I was you."

"Private lives aside, here are the latest reports and orders for the next six weeks," Steve changed subjects giving Mike a folder. They talked for a while before Mike left to his patrol.

Three weeks later, Childers returned to port towing a yacht, and due to the time it was, the whole crew was granted a shore leave for the night. Mike stopped to have a meeting with Steve before going home, and for some unknown reason the moment he spotted his home, he also found cars and bikes in his driveway and everywhere around the front. The music and chatter were loud enough for him to listen to it from the outside. Already knowing that there was a party of some sort in his house, he walked around finding a crowd.

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?" He yelled in his best command tone. And it was effective, everyone stopped talking and turned to him in shock.

"Kate… you better come out here!" Someone let out loud enough for her to walk outside and look at where everyone was looking. She smiled as she spotted him on the other side of the crowd and walked towards him.

"Mike! You made it!" She greeted him, and he looked at her in shock

"Kate? What's going on here?" He whispered confused looking at her.

"Do you know what day is today?"

"Friday"

"Here you go, son," his father voice startled him even more. He grabbed his daughter from Patrick's hands as his father took his briefcase out of his hands.

"DADA," she said smiling

"Hello Sweetie," he kissed her forehead before turning again towards Kate

"Kate," he mumbled. "Care to tell me why are you and the family up here having a party nonetheless?"

"Think of the date, Mike," Mike thought about it. Then he looked at Emma with wide eyes before trailing his gaze to Kate for confirmation.

"Is it today? Already?"

"Yes, Mike. The big one."

"I can't believe I forgot," he whispered, and she kissed him.

"Well, why don't you get out of your uniform? You're in time to see Emma blow out her candle," Mike smiled

"Alright, how are you feeling?"

"Hungry! Now, go! Before I rip that uniform off you mister" Kate said quietly the last part making him smile

"Yes, ma'am!" he added, giving Emma back to Kate "Apparently, I'm not dressed properly for my daughter's birthday," Mike announced loudly. "You should carry on; I'll be right back!" Everyone cheered and the music started again.

Kate walked over to her chair and sat down and Mike found her there later when he got back to the garden with a beer in his hands. He talked with her for a while before mingling around the guests. Soon, the Childers crew arrived bringing gifts for Emma. Soon after that, they got the birthday cake outside, and everyone sang happy birthday to Emma.

"Go on, blow the candle," He whispered to his daughter, as they both watched curiously the navy boat that decorated the cake along with her name and the one like a candle. Emma looked at her dad as if he went crazy when he tried to show her what to do with the candle. Then, Kate bends over.

"Mike, shall we?"

"On three," he agreed easily.

"One...Two...three!" they blew out the candle, and everyone cheered. They straighten up as claps took over.

"Well, on behalf of Kate and Emma, I thank you all for being here. I know some of you came from Sydney to help celebrate Emma first birthday. And we appreciate it."

"Yes, thank you all for coming." Kate started before looking down, "And someone got her eye on the cake!" they all laughed as Emma grabbed a handful of cake. "There's plenty of food and drink, do enjoy yourselves!"

"Mike, do you want to sit down and grab Emma? I need to cut the cake."

"Sure," he grabbed Emma and found a place to seat while Kate started to cut the cake.

"Charge?" Kate called over when he was close enough.

"Yup?"

"Can you give this to Emma?" Kate pushed a plate with cake towards him. He smiled

"Sure!"

"Thanks," he walked away, and Michelle joined Kate to help her with the cake. Once the cake was cut and placed on several plates, people could grab. Kate picked two plates and walked towards Mike. "Here, this one is for you," she said placing both plates on the table before seating.

"Thanks"

"Where's Emma?"

"Over there with other kids," Kate looked over and smiled when she spotted Emma playing around on the floor next to other kids.

"How did you get up here?" Mike asked

"Flying," she grinned.

"Smartass! You know what I meant," he added savoring the cake.

"I flew up with your parents on Monday."

"Cool, and when do you need to get back to Sydney?" Kate smile grew bigger.

"Next year. Along with the holidays, I'm also on maternity leave," Mike turned to Kate as she took a bite of her piece

"Why so soon?"

"Mike, the first class doesn't start until the second week of January. Then I get my leave, don't forget that Dr. Knight did want me to have an early leave and bed rest if possible until they are born."

"Oh, geez. How am I going to look after you and Emma while I'm still bound to get back to the sea?" He asked himself worriedly, she grabbed his hand and gave it a light squeeze.

"Hannah and Brad are going to, don't worry."

"But what about Brad's work?"

"He was made redundant last week. He walks away with thirty thousand in redundancy pay."

"What? Why?"

"Cutbacks," she grimaced. "Sadly, it happens all the time."

"Oh" then others walk over and talk to them. There was heaps of finger party food and drinks for everyone.

As the afternoon winded out, Mike took a sleeping Emma to her room before getting back outside. Most of their guests with kids were already leaving. Tired kids were carried with the help of others and then, only a bunch of the remained for the barbeque dinner.

When Mike was finally able to get to their room, Kate was already in bed. Smiling he walked to his bedside and opened the drawer, he turned around and gave Kate a gift.

"What's this?"

"Kate, gift. Gift, Kate." He mocked an introduction to which Kate rolled her eyes. "Just open it," he said as got rid of all his clothes except his underwear.

"Mike!" She said as she opened the little box.

"It's for Emma," he grinned. She looked at the small heart-shaped blue topaz mounted on gold stud earrings. Along with a lighter pair of plain gold studs.

"Mike, she doesn't even have her ears pierced!" She chuckled.

"I know, and I was thinking we could get them pierced as our Christmas present from us. Those gold ones she will be able to wear."

"Mike...are you sure?"

"Yes, I am. When I spoke to mum about what to get Emma, I was in Sydney, and I found those already. So I told her that I was getting earrings, and so she and dad got her a jeweler box," Kate smiled

"Mike, you are spoiling her."

"I know, and I'll do the same with these two," He covered her stomach with his hand.

"I know you will" she leaned forward and kissed him. Then she closed the box and placed it on her bedside drawer before moving to lie down. Mike followed her example and turned his lights off before rolling towards her.

The next morning, Hannah and her family, Michele, Patrick, joined Kate and Emma on the wharf. They all gave Mike hugs and wished him fair winds before Kate kissed him.

"You know this will be our first Christmas and new year apart?"

"I know, I love you."

"I love you too," he said giving them one last kiss and hugs before walking up to the Childers.

Kate couldn't help but notice that the wharf was filled with people waving to husbands, wives, girlfriends, boyfriends or fiancées. All of them knowing they wouldn't be seeing them before the new year. She knew she shared the sad face and then, she had an idea.

"Excuse me!" Kate called out, and the crowd turned towards her. "I know we will be apart from our loved ones for Christmas this year; so, I was thinking of inviting you all to Mike's and my place for Christmas. You are all most welcomed."

"Thank you, so much." A woman said getting closer to Kate. "My husband was transferred just two months ago, and I don't know many people here."

"Well, if you have me, I, too, accept your invitation, ma'am. Is there anything I can bring to help?" Another woman said. Then one by one most of the others accepted Kate invite. They talked exchanging opinions and phone numbers before they all started to walk away talking to each other. Only Kate and her family remained.

"Kate, you did a good thing inviting them around."

"I know. When I saw the sad looks on their faces, I couldn't help it."

"So, we should return home and get started" Kate smiled

"Sure, but after I've been to Hungry Jacks."

"Kate! You ate six bacons, four hash browns, six grilled tomatoes and three helpings of eggs! Are you sure you are still hungry?" Patrick asked with widened eyes.

"Yep"

Fifteen minutes later, Michele, Patrick, Emma, and Kate were at Hungry Jacks. Emma was drinking her juice while Patrick and Michele had a coffee. Kate was eating pancakes with butter and maple syrup, hash browns, three big brekky wraps and having apple juice. She patted her stomach when she finished.

"That's much better," she grinned gratefully.

"Do you want to head home or go into town?" Michele asked

"We need to do some shopping."

"I'll call Hannah to let her know."

"Ok, mum" Kate said as she managed to stand up, "I'll meet you outside." She added as she picked her bag and tray up, and after discarding her trash, she went to the toilets. Soon, she was back at the car with her waiting family and Patrick drove them to town.