AN: Belated merry christmas to all my readers and happy new year to every one. Enjoy this chapter

Chapter 63

Patrick and Michele dropped Kate home before going to their own, taking the kids with them. Kate gratefully walked home, got changed and started with a house cleaning before finally taking a bath.

When she was ready, she went to the supermarket for groceries, returning home with four bags full of stuff, she stored everything in place and then, took a cab to her in-laws' place where she spent the rest of the day.

When it was time to head home, Emma gave Michele and Patrick a hug and kiss before Patrick put her in her car seat while Kate moved the sleeping boys.

"Mum, dad, thanks for looking after them," Kate said hugging them.

"Anytime, Kate, you know that."

"Yes, I know."

"Drive carefully."

"I will, dad," Kate got into her wagon and waved at them. When Kate arrived home, she put the kids to bed then she sorted their bags before going to bed.

The next morning after dropping the kids off at the daycare, she drove to the base headquarters to find news about her future posting. She felt relieved when she was told that for the following months she would be working on shore, and smiled gladly when she was told that she had a week before she was due to start her post. Then, she returned home to continue with her daily activities.

When Hammersley touched port, the crew was avoiding Mike; the XO had made a mistake during a boarding that ended up with two injured in his crew, what made Mike even angrier was the fact that the XO was not willing to take any responsibility from his actions. The moment Steve was told about that, he started the search for a new XO. He also called Kate to let her know that Hammersley was due to return to Cairns.

"Sir, how bad was Mike mood?" Kate asked Steve when he called her

"Very bad. I also spoke with Leader Dixon; he said that the crew was keeping their distances from Mike and the Lieutenant."

"That doesn't sound good. I know for sure it's awful when the CO and XO are at each other's throats. And from what you told me about the boarding, the XO broke at least five rules."

"Yes, I know. The good news for his crew is that I already have a replacement," Steve told her.

"Hopefully the lieutenant would do better" Kate smiled

"If not, you might have to look for another one, sir."

"I hope not."

"Well, sir, thanks for the call. I'll see if we can make it there for the weekend. I know that would cheer him up."

"You are welcomed, Lieutenant."

Later that afternoon, Steve turned around when Mike's voice reached him. He looked around and saw the staff looking towards the double doors just as an angry Mike walked through with the Lieutenant behind him.

"Mike"

"Steve," Mike hissed.

"Lieutenant, my office. Now!" They walked into Steve's office where they sat down to talk. Yelling was heard from the outside for a couple of minutes. Around ten minutes later, the Lieutenant walked out of Steve's office with a sours expression.

"I've got you a new XO, Mike. He starts on Monday."

"I hope he's better than Lieutenant Scott."

"It the best I can do, Mike." Mike rubbed his face.

"I know. Thanks, Steve"

"On a personal note, I called your wife," Mike smiled brightly.

"Yes, on an even better news," Steve grinned. "Your family will be here tonight."

"Thank you, Steve. You have no idea how much this means to me."

"You are welcomed. Kate told me that you would get a lot of TLC over the weekend." Steve wriggled his eyebrows. "She plans to have you back to your cowboy days by the next patrol." Mike laughed

"I can't believe she told you that!"

"She said I should mention that to make you laugh."

"Well, she's right about that. Any hopes of transferring her here?"

"Nothing, Mike." He sighed, they talked for a while longer before Mike left a little calmer than before.

That night, Kate walked off the plane carrying the twins while a stewardess was carrying Emma when they walked into the terminal with the other passengers.

"Daddy!" Emma yelled, Kate turned around towards the Emma. She was pointing her finger and jumping up and down on the flight attendant arms. She followed the finger and smiled when she noticed him walking towards them.

"Mike!"

"Steve told me," he whispered. "I can take her from you ma'am," He told the flight attendant who looked at her before giving Emma to Mike.

"Daddy! Miss you," Emma told him.

"I missed you, sweetie," he answered her kissing her cheek.

"Thanks for your help," Kate said to the flight attendant, who answered her before walking away.

Mike turned to Kate and kissed her. "I missed you too, we all have."

"The boys sure have grown up."

"Yes, they have."

"Come on, let's get your bags and go home," she nodded, and they walked towards the bag. "That one." She pointed, lowering Emma to the floor, he grabbed the suitcase.

"That's it?" He asked surprised.

"Yeah, the kids have all outgrown everything they have."

"So tomorrow we go shopping."

"That's part of the plan, yes," she grinned.

"That's great."

An hour later, they were home. Kate saw how much Mike managed to get done in the boys' bedrooms when she put them to bed. With the babies set, they had dinner while helping Emma who was already learning how to feed herself. Finally, when Emma too was in bed, they found themselves on the couch cozily together.

"I love what you did to the boy' rooms."

"I knew you would."

"But when?"

"Well I was advanced on them, but when Steve mentioned you were coming, I got everything else settled. Along with the stroller and car seats."

"I was going to ask you about that."

"How are mum and dad?"

"Good! They loved looking after the kids while I was on patrol."

"Steve told me about that. Do you know why your name was brought up for the temporary replacement when you are still not due to patrol?"

"Yeah, there was no other Lieutenant available. I was the last resort."

"And what did you feel about it?"

"I was shocked. But I understand the situation."

"So? Do you think Emma would be asleep by now?" he asked huskily as he started kissing her neck. She groaned.

"Yes, it doesn't take her long. Especially when she's that hyper."

"Yeah, she was very hyperactive."

"That happens every time we get here," she kissed him, and she hummed

"Steve mentioned something about TLC," Kate smiled

"Yes, you going to get plenty of it from kids during the day," he pouted. "And from me at night," she grinned mischievously before she kissed him and started undoing the buttons of his shirt.

"McGregor TLC, I'm looking forward to living your plans Mrs. Flynn" Kate giggled before kissing him as he lay him down on the couch.

The next day, they spent the day shopping for their kids. They had lunch in town and returned home late in the afternoon with the kids already asleep.

Which worked perfectly for them, they cleaned the clothes and relaxed as they waited for them to be dried making the most of the sunlight that remained.

"What would you like for dinner tonight?" Mike asked her

"Chicken stir fry."

"Would Emma eat it?" Kate smiled

"Yes, she loves it."

That night, Kate grinned as she recorded Mike bathing the kids. The boys waved arms and legs soaking Mike.

"Emma was like that at their age," Kate said. He turned to her

"And now MJ and David are doing the same," he allowed them to play in the water for a while longer before he got them ready for bed. They drifted to sleep immediately, so Kate went downstairs to make them something to drink while Mike cleaned the mess in the bathroom.

"Kate," he whispered tiredly when he joined her in the living room.

"I don't know how you manage to bath all three of them and get them dress for bed" Kate smiled tenderly

"One at a time Mike, there's no other way," Mike embraced her.

"You are amazing, you've done a wonderful job raising them."

"Thanks, Mike," she said blushing

"What time's your flight tomorrow?"

"At night, around six."

"Oh, and am I going to be getting any more of your TLC tonight?" Kate laughed before she kissed him.

"Of course."

"I can't wait! "

Kate got up and around ten minutes passed before Mike frowned and went looking for her. He searched the kids' rooms first, but she wasn't there. Then, he noticed the light was on in their room, he walked in and heard some noises coming from the bathroom. Grinning, he strolled there finding Kate seating in the bathtub surrounded by lit candles covered only by bubble bath and a smile. He gulped.

"It took you too long, Cowboy." It took him seconds to get rid of his clothes and stepping in; he leaned against Kate with his head against her shoulder.

"This feels strange," he said making her frown.

"What does?"

"We are in a bubble bath," Kate laughed

"Yes, it is," Kate started massaging his shoulders. "It should help you relax."

"Oh, I will relax alright," he moved and turned facing her. In a swift movement, he kissed her.

"You know? There are some things we haven't done in a long time," he grinned, moving to seat on the other end. Kate moved, seating on top of him.

"I know what you mean," Kate whispered before she captured his lips. They made love in the tub and once more before they fell asleep embraced tightly.