Ch72
On Christmas morning, Buffer and Nav were on watch when the radio came into life
"HMAS Hammersley, this is HMAS Childers copy over," Nav picked up the microphone
"This is Lieutenant Caetano of HMAS Hammersley, what can we do for you, HMAS Childers?"
"Hammersley, we are directed to your location, copy over," Buffer and Nav looked at each other
"Copy that, may I ask the reason? Copy over."
"Christmas surprise Hammersley, we will be reaching you in an hour. Merry Christmas. Childers out."
"Merry Christmas, Hammersley out."
"Want me to wake the boss?" Buffer asked.
"I'll do it," she stood up.
"Buffer, you have the ship," Nav walked down to Mike's cabin and knocked on the door. "Sir," Nav waited then knocked again. "Sir," she said a bit louder.
"Nav? What is it?" He asked opening the door.
"We received a call from HMAS Childers, sir. They will be meeting us in an hour."
"Did they give a reason?" Mike asked rubbing his face tiredly.
"Christmas surprise, is what they've said, sir."
"Ok, thanks for waking me, Nav. I'll be on the bridge in few minutes."
"Yes, sir," Nav walked to the bridge.
The sun was starting to rise when HMAS Childers stopped close to the Hammersley. Mike, Nav, and Buffer observed what was happening on the other boat before Buffer and Mike walked down to to the side of the boat where the HRIB stop next to it.
"Lieutenant commander Flynn."
"Dingo! What's going on, mate?"
"Christmas surprise, sir."
Buffer remove the safyu chains then crouched down as Dingo passed him a cotton sack, once he grabbed he gave it to Mike. Six bags and five chili bins filled with something was on Hammersley.
"Merry Christmas, sir!" He said as the last one was in Buffer's hands.
"You too, Dingo," the HRIB returned to Childers.
"Let's get these to the dining room, Buffer." Three trips later, everything was left into the dining room. "Now, let's see what we have here." He said opening the first can. "Leg of ham," Mike said Buffer look at the size of it then he opened another bin just as a head appeared around the corner
"Morning Buffer, sir, what is that?"
"Morning Chefo, a Christmas surprise," Chefo walked into the room looking at the opened bins
"Whoa! It looks like we are going to have a great Christmas, sir," Mike grinned.
"What's in the sacks, sir?"
"Gifts"
"Cool! I'll better go and get breakfast on," then he walked out the door again.
"Sir, this is for you," Buffer said after he spotted an envelope. He passed it to Mike who grinned when he recognized the writing then open the envelope and pulled out a letter and read what it says.
"It's from Commander Marshal, he said that all patrol boats are getting these food compliments from the Navy for Christmas, the gifts are from our families."
"That's nice."
"Let's get these gifts to my cabin. Once the crew is all up, we can give them there gifts."
"Good Idea, sir," Buffer helped Mike to take the gifts down to his cabin. Buffer returned to the bridge while Mike went to talk to Chefo. It was after nine when everyone was up and had breakfast.
Mike pick up the micophone and turn the PA system on."Now here this captain speacking, now that everyone is up, I know you want to be home for Christmas instead out on patrol and even if we are not getting back to port, I have some good news." He smile at the ones who on the bridge then said
"The good news is that we are going to have a feast, this morning just after five, eight bins containing our dinner and six Santa sacks full of gifts arrived; so, when I call your name come to the bridge and collect your gifts. The first person will be Chefo; he needs to get lunch prepared." Mike lowered the microphone back and waited.
"Merry Christmas, Chefo," Mike said passing him his gifts when he appearded on the bridge.
"Thank you, sir."
"Charge, to the bridge," Nav said reading the list in her hand.
"Sir, you forgot the Santa suit," Swain chuckled. And Mike eyed him. "I'm sorry, sir."
"It's alright, Swain. But if I was supposed to wear a Santa suit, then you should wear an elf suit Nav." Swain burst out laughing just as Charge walked onto the bridge
"Sir. Swain, are you ok, mate?"
"Yeah."
"Merry Christmas, Charge," Mike said.
"Thank you, sir. Merry Christmas." Then Nav called the next person on the list, an hour later, all the gifts were gone.
Mike was in his cabin opening his Christmas gift from Kate, a photo from Emma birthday with the five of them together. Kate and Mike were sitting down with MJ on Mike's lap and David on Kate's. Emma was in between them smiling for the camera. There was also a note.
"Merry Christmas Mike, the kids and I miss you. I hope you like the gift. When Commander Marshal called to announce what the fleet command and he decided, he asked me to get you a present. For our kids, I bought a pair of stud earrings for Emma. And bath boats and toy cars for the boys. There's also a copy of the video footage from Emma's birthday; you can share it with the crew. Hopefully, it will cheer them up after being stuck out at sea on a day like today. See you next year, when you return. Be safe! Fair winds, Mike. Love Kate, Emma, MJ, and David." Mike smiled caressing the picture before he opened the next present.
By lunchtime, the crew noticed that the shutters of the kitchen were closed, but they all could smell a lot of different foods being cooked.
"What's going on here?" Mike asked with a frown.
"Ask Chefo, sir, he's the one who got the kitchen closed up," ET said. The crew opened space to allow Mike to the kitchen door.
"Chefo! Open up!" Mike yelled.
"In a minute, sir."
"Come on, Chefo! We are hungry!" Buffer added and a couple of yes were heard backing up Buffer's words.
"Quiet the lot of you! Chefo! I'm ordering..." Mike started but before he could finish the shutters and door were opened.
"Sorry, sir! Lunch is served," Chefo grinned. Mike looked at the food covering the benches
"Chefo, is this from the bins?"
"Yes, sir." He said smiling Mike turned to the crew
"Ok, let's be civilized and go one at a time! There's plenty for everyone," Mike announced moving to a side giving his crew space to enter.
"Wow! You outdid yourself, Chefo!" ET said
"Thanks!"
Everyone slowly made their way around dishing their food before walking to the dining area. There were bonbons and cans of drinks already waiting in each place of the table. While the crew remained in the dining room, Swain and Mike walked to the bridge.
"Nav, go and get your lunch. The Captain has the bridge."
"Captain has the bridge. Thanks, sir."
"What did you get for Christmas, Swain?" Mike asked as he sat in his chair
"The boys sent me surfer shorts, shirts, and socks."
"You could wear them on next shore leave."
"Yeah, I will. What about you, sir? What did your family get you?" Mike smiled
"A framed of the family from Emma's birthday. Kate also sent a copy of Emma's birthday video to share with the crew."
"That will be nice, sir."
"Yeah, I know. What about your wife? What did she send?"
Swain smiled as he managed to pull out a photo from his pocket. Mike took it and frowned until he understood that he was looking at a home pregnancy test kit with two blue lines.
"Congratulations, Swain!" Mike grinned.
"Thanks, sir. I was shocked when I saw it; we didn't talk about having any more kids since I've been hardly home, but know I'm ecstatic."
"I know what you mean; we got lucky with Emma. With the boys, it was more complex; Kate had treatment to get pregnant the second time. We planned on having two, but instead, we got three."
"My boys are close in age, like with your three. The youngest is four, and now we got another one on the way!"
"Do you know how far along is Sally?"
"Ten weeks."
"And what do you want this time, Swain? Another boy or a girl?" Swain smiled
"A daughter would be great. But you know it, sir. It's a fifty/fifty chance of either."
"Unless you have twins," Mike pointed making Swain laugh
"Twins? The three kids we got are a hand full now; I can't imagine how it's going to be if we have twins. At least Sally gets support from other navy wives."
"Really? It's good to know that she has support."
"True, sir." The door opened then, and Chefo walked in.
"Swain, Sir." He grinned passing them a can of drink.
"Thanks, Chefo!" They said almost at once.
"You are welcomed. Do save some room for dessert; there's Christmas pudding with whipped cream and hot custard," he announced before he left.
"Sir? How much exactly was in those bins?"
"A lot," Mike said grinning