Ch 69

When the Hammersley returned from the month-long patrol, the crew was looking forward to the two weeks shore leave they had finally been granted.

The moment he finished with his duties on board, Mike went to see Steve with his latest reports.

"Mike," Steve greeted him pointed him to the chair. "How was Lieutenant Adams?"

"He was ok, Steve. He still has lots to learn," Steve grinned

"So, he's staying?"

"For now," Mike answered.

"Alright, I suppose you are going to fly to Sydney for your leave," Mike grinned.

"Yes, I can't wait to see them. Still is going to be hard not being there for Emma's birthday."

"I know, things like that always are, Mike."

"Yeah."

Later, Mike walked into his house. He frowned, there was music coming from the living room, and when he walked to the living room to check what was going on, he found a guy sitting on the couch with his head lowered, looking to the screen of his laptop.

"Hello?" He asked, and the guy turn around and grinned. "Brad!" He stood up

"Mike! When did you get in?" They walked towards each other and hug.

"We reached port a few hours ago. But I had to stop at Navcom for routine stuff before I could come. How about you?"

"I'm good."

"How long have you been here?"

"A couple of weeks. I've been to five of job interviews," Brad grimaced. "Four of them called back because they already got someone else."

"Sorry to hear that, but there's still one more to hope for, right?"

"True."

"I'll better move," he grinned, moving his duffel bag to his shoulder. Brad nodded, and Mike turned around and went upstairs to sort his things.

"I left the mail on the kitchen counter," Brad announced when he heard Mike coming back downstairs.

"Thanks!" Mike grabbed the mail, started a pot of coffee, and after sorting out the bills, he grabbed a package from his old friend Maxine White. Opening the box, he took out a school photo of his godchildren, Ryan and Terry White. After looking at it for a while, he grabbed the note that came with it and smiled.

"It's hard to believe that they are now thirteen years old, call me some time Mike. Love, Maxine," Mike read it before he placed back both in the box. Getting a mug of coffee, he walked outside and found Brad smiling while talking on the phone.

"By the look on your face it seems you got good news," Mike said once Brad lowered the phone.

"It might be, Mike. They want me to go for another interview."

"Good luck, there's coffee in the pot."

"Thanks. Hey, when do you leave for Sydney?"

"In half an hour."

"Does Kate know?"

"Yes, I sent her an e-mail a few days ago."

"Do you miss them?"

"Immensely. It's frustrating that no posts are opening here."

"What about you transferring there?"

"No...it can't be."

"It can't be? Have you tried?" Brad frowned, Mike huffed.

"Before Kate and I meet, I received a strange letter."

"How strange?"

"It was from me," Brad looked at Mike confused

"What do you mean?"

"In the letter, I mention Kate, Watson bay, and a bunch of dates. It was strange, Kate and I bumped into each other at Watson bay a day before I became her instructor. That date appeared in the letter, and it recommended that we get together. When we talked about this, we decided to get to know each other slowly."

"That is strange."

"Yeah, this house was part of the note too."

"Wow, and Kate knows about this magical letter?"

"Yes," Mike chuckled. "She also received a letter, and those are the real reasons why we took the chance to know each other without crossing any boundaries."

"Sounds like one of those love stories you only read about," Mike grinned.

"You are not wrong there. We even exchanged letters during the time we were overseas."

"And know you are married for almost three years now. And with three great kids."

"The only bad thing in the whole history is the way we are living."

"Yeah, you are right. I guess only now that Hannah and I got a little taste of what you two must feel."

"Well, if you look for some advice on that," Mike grinned. "Just think about the times you get to be together. Those days when you get to spent it with the kids during the day and enjoying your adult time in the night," Brad laughed

"Oh, yeah! I know what you mean, I can hardly wait to get home this weekend." Mike laughed.

"Then you will know how Kate and I feel," he checked his watch. "I'll better get going; my cab will be here in a few minutes."

"Are you all packed?"

"Yup, my bag is by the door."

"Give my love to Kate and the kids. And say hi to your sister if you happen to see her before I do." Mike laughed.

"Will do."

Mike walked to the front, and the moment he grabbed his duffel bag, the taxi stopped in the driveway.

A few hours later, he was lowering his bag on the bed and sorted his things before getting to the kitchen. When Kate arrived home with the kids, she first let Emma go out o the stroller and she immediately walked towards her toys. Then, she lowered the boys into the rug.

"Okay, mommy will be right back."

She walked to her bedroom removing her shirt. The moment she entered the room, she was pushed to the bed then she quickly rolled onto her back when the man lay on top of her kissing her then pulled back smiling.

"Mike," she said breathlessly.

"I've missed you, Kate." She grinned wrapping her arms and legs around him, pulling him down for a kiss.

"I've missed you more, Mike."

"Two weeks off, can you imagine all the things we can do while I'm here?" He wriggled his eyebrows and Kate grinned.

"Well," she bit her lower lip. "How about going out there and spend time with the kids while I get changed. Then I can start dinner."

"I have better plans. Why don't I go to play with the kids and once you are ready I've just finishing making the mustard sauce to our dinner?"

"Our dinner? You've cooked?"

"Yup, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beans, butter bean, and carrots since I notice the corn beef in the slow cooker"

"You've been busy, sailor," Kate whispered against his lips before she kissed him. "Go! Spend some time with the kids"

"Yes, ma'am!"

After going through her routine, Kate walked out and found Mike on the floor with the kids. She smiled at the view, feeling observed Mike raised his eyes towards her.

"I'll go and dish up dinner," she told him before disappearing towards the kitchen.

Later that night, with the kids already in bed. Kate grabbed Mike's hand and pulled him to their bedroom. She stopped at the foot of the bed where Kate started undoing the buttons on his shirt while they kissed. Feeling like he was to slow, he moved to pull her shirt out of her pants.

The next morning found them curled together with smiles on their faces.

When Kate arrived at her classroom, the Commodore noticed the spring on her walk and the joyous mood in which she was. He had a hunch of what it could be so when he returned to his office he made a call, and when he hung the phone, he too was smiling.

"So, Mighty Mike is the responsible of that smile on your face, Lt McGregor," he muttered to himself, "Young love."

With Kate at work and the kids at the daycare, Mike took the time to visit his family for the day; while Kate was at work and kids at daycare. Mike went to see his parents during the day. He managed to schedule a date with Hannah for lunch on his fourth day in Sydney.

"Mike! You've made it!" Hannah grinned as she stood up to greet him with a hug

"Hey Hannah, nice cafe you picked," he grinned. "How are the kids?"

"Good. Yours?" They both sat down

"Perfect. What is it?" Mike frowned.

"Nothing." She shook her head. "I spoke to Brad last night and God I miss him," Mike smiled softly and gave her hand a little squeeze.

"That's exactly how it is for me every time," he told her with a reassuring smile.

"I'll never know how you to manage."

"We found our way," he smiled. "And we keep in contact."

"Speaking of contact, Brad called with great news."

"Did he?"

"Yes, he got the job," Mike smiled

"That's great news! So, you will be moving up to Cairns?"

"Yeah, mum and dad will be looking after the kids while I'm up there help Brad look for a house."

"Well, you guys are more than welcome to stay at my place."

"Thanks, Mike."

"But?" He asked since Hannah blushed.

"Brad's going to book a hotel for us for the weekend. We are playing to move there with the kids after the New year."

"Why are you waiting?"

"Well, the kids have a few weeks of school. It will be a waste of time moving them from one school and into the other. Plus, we might find a house that need to fix rooms and bathrooms before moving in, and we still need to put our house for sale."

"It makes sense. So, have you told mom and dad?"

"No, not yet. But I'll be seeing them this afternoon."

"Ok"

They enjoyed lunch, and finally, he walked Hannah to her car. They exchanged a hug before they both drove away. Over the weekend, Mike and Kate took their kids to the beach and went shopping. And soon, Mike was due to return to Cairns.