CH 180
During the first three weeks the crew was busy with may day calls and FFV. Kate could tell they crew needed a brake so that night she plotted a course to a knowing island that Mike some times stop off to give the crew some R and R.
The next morning when they were close to the island it was just after five. Two dads was on shift when Kate walk up the steps and onto the bridge
"Morning ma'am"
"Morning two dads, I see we reach the island"
"Yes ma'am but why" Kate smile
"crew deserve some R and R. When I was on the old Hammersley this was the first island mike brought us here for some R and R. the crew loved coming here. This is the first time in three years since we been here"
"Really, so how long is shore leave for"
"all day but the ones who on duty will have to return so every one well get a chance to go to shore"
"they would love that and we do need a brake"
"True"
When Hammersley stop not far from the island Kate smile and she push the button to drop the anchor knowing it would wake every one up.
"Wakey, wakey, wakey, if you wondering if that was the anchor then you are right we stop off Hammond island so every one can have some R and R. some of you would remember this place. So after breakfast the ones who not on duty can go to shore for some R and R. the ones who on duty this morning can go to shore this afternoon and the ones on duty this afternoon can go to shore this morning so long as your back in time to report to duty. And tonight we will have hot plate out on the boat deck. You all deserve a brake after three weeks of may day calls and FFV. That is all" Kate said over the PA system.
Kate stayed on Hammersley to do her reports while the rest of the crew enjoyed there R and R. that night when every one was back on Hammersley every one enjoyed there dinner out on the boat deck. Kate join the crew after finishing her paper work and check on couple of things.
Early the next morning the crew was relax as Hammersley set sail once again. When the three weeks were up the crew was looking ford to having four days of shore leave before leaving for a month patrol.
When Hammersley was coming into port Kate pick up her binoculars when she saw some one on the wharf. When she look through them she smile when she saw who was there. The turn to see Charge talking to two dads till Kate got his attention he walk over to Kate, she past him the binoculars as she smile.
He turn and raise them to see bomber on the wharf with Rose who was in a carry bag strap to bomber chest. Charge smile as he past the binoculars back to Kate then he return back to his work station while smiling. When Hammersley dock every one did there jobs when bomber walk up and onto the bridge
"bomber" Swain said when he saw her.
Every one turn to her "Hey how was your patrol"
"Long and tiring" Kate said just and charge walk over to bomber and Rose
"Hello sweetie" Charge said. Bomber manage to remove the baby carry bag from her chest and pass Rose to Charge. He place her against his shoulder while talking to her then he walk around the bridge so the crew could see her
"She grown" Kate said
"Yes she has"
"How are you copping" Kate asked
"Good, Hannah been a big help, in fact a month ago I suggest to her to open up a twenty four hour day care center for navy families"
"Really that a good idea by why twenty four hours"
"Well some couples one parent is out on patrol and the other at home with the kids but some of parents are on night shift at NAVCOM and they having problems finding some one to look after them"
"Ok, what did Hannah say?"
"she spoke to commander Flynn about it and he spoke to fleet command and even pass on her ideas for the center. They love the idea and gave her the green light with a some of money to find a place to get set up"
"And..."
"She did it an old back packers hostel it got ten large double size bedrooms, two showers three toilets, large kitchen and dinning area, large back yard. Since the place was up for sale she brought it and started getting the place done up, new fences, play area, every thing, including bunk beds and cots for the kids"
"sounds like she going to be busy"
"she is, if all goes well the center will be open in a month"
"How is she going to cope with all those kids" Two dad asked
"She going to be hiring help but commander Flynn would be doing the hiring, back round checks that sort of thing"
"that a good idea" Swain said
Bomber stayed on board till Charge was leaving to go home so she could go with him so he could spend time with rose while she was awake. Then he would join the crew later that night at the pub.
When Kate walk into NAVCOM mike saw her and gave her a smile which she did in return before she and her XO walk into Maxine office and mike return back to work.
Later that night mike, Kate and there kids showed up at the pub. The kids run to where the crew is while mike and Kate went to get the drinks as well ordered dinners before joining the crew. When they did and kids got there drinks they were happy.
"Emma how school" Dutchy asked
"Good. Our teacher in planing on taking us kids on a whale watch tour next month. But the going to cost Eighty dollar for each of us kids"
"that a lot of money" Charge said
"I know that is why we are selling bars of chocolates to raise the money our selves so we all can go"
"what bars of chocolate" Bird asked.
Emma pulled out a folded pieces of paper, she unfolded it and pass it to bird to read
"Three dollar a bar, wow five different bars to choice from"
"How much goes to the trip?" Two dads asked
"Seventy percent, which is two dollars and ten cents"
"How many have you sold so far" RO asked
"fifty boxes"
"fifty, how many bars in each box" charge asked when bird pass him the paper
"Twenty four, it all in there" she pointed to the paper which is in charge hands
"that a lot of chocolate Emma" Kate said Emma turn to Kate and smile
"I know that mummy I sold the whole lot to every one in NAVCOM and auntie Nikki lets me know which boats return from there patrol so I go down and meet the boat that comes in unless I'm in school or they get in late. Like last weekend Auntie Nikki brought me down to the wharf when the boats come in. I spoke to the crew and they brought bars of it. Till they were gone but I told them I'll be back with more the next day"
"Emma can we order the bars of chocolate" Bird asked"
"Yes you can so long as you got the money first"
"Great I would like order some now"
"I haven't got pen and paper" Kate pick up her shoulder bag and got a note book and pen out, then she pass it to bird
"Here you go"
"thanks ma'am"
"How many bars have you got left Emma" Swain asked
"none they all gone, daddy called Mrs Powell tonight to tell her that I need more chocolates." mike grin
"She going to deliver more tomorrow at home. She said she couldn't believe that Emma here has sold so many bars of chocolate with in the first week where the others manage to sell four, five boxes"
"How long have you been selling them Emma" Charge asked when Bird pass him note book and pen
"A week" they look at her in shock
"you done good Emma" Kate said
"thanks mummy, I did give others suggestions to go to rest homes cause grand ma said that the elderly loves chocolates"
"how many did she buy" Kate asked Emma
"Box of each"
"A box"
"Yep she said they would make great bingo prizes" Emma said smiling
"Emma who do I give the money to" Bird asked
"give it to me, I've been looking after it all" mike said
"Ok here is thirty dollars I order two bars of each" she past mike the money.
Every one ordered bars of chocolate from Emma which made her happy. Every one had a great evening talking, laughing, eating and drinking. Mike, Swain and there families left since it was almost kids bed time. Later that night mike and Kate made passionate love which they both miss before falling asleep in each others arms.
The next morning Mrs Powell showed up the the boxes of chocolates. When Emma walk into the kitchen she smile at her teacher
"Hello Mrs Powell" she turn to Emma
"Hello Emma here the boxes of chocolates you asked for" When Emma saw the boxes she look at her teacher
"Mrs Powell have you got any more" Mrs Powell look at Emma in shock which make Kate laugh
"Ah yes at home why"
"Cause I got a big order to fill"
"how big"
"Mummy how many more do I need" Mrs Powell turn to Kate
"At least five boxes of each" Mrs Powell had to sit down
"Your joking"
"Nope" Emma said Mrs Powell turn to Kate
"she not joking, another patrol boat as well Hammersley return from there patrol yesterday"
"when do you need them by"
"soon cause we don't know when we going to have our shore leave canceled" Kate said
"Ok, I'll go home and get them. I'll be right back" Kate show Mrs Powell to the door then she return
"where is the other list Emma"
"daddy got it"
"Ok let's get these orders sorted out shall we" Emma grin.
When Mrs Powell return with more boxes she notice cars, SUV and motor bikes in the drive way. She got out of her car when the front door open and she heard
"Mrs Powell here who want to help bring the boxes in side" Then she saw four people walk out side with Emma in front
"Mrs Powell this is uncle Dylan, auntie Jessica, uncle Leo and uncle Robert"
"Ma'am" they all said
She walk around the back of her SUV and open the door then she past them the boxes then they walk back in side. Mrs Powell close the door
"thank you for your help" She said before they walk back to the house carrying the boxes in there arms
"come in side, daddy got the money for you"
"Ok"
She follow Emma in side the house and into the kitchen area where charge was opening the boxes while Kate was going through the list putting bars together and passing them to one of the crew was was taping the bars together then passing it to another person who was writing on one of the bars. Mrs Powell watch them work as a team when mike walk into the kitchen and stop next to her
"Jane, here the money" she turn to Mike
"thanks mike, your daughter is amazing" she said when mike past her the money
"yes she is"
"the way she and the others going there will be enough for the trip next month"
"she looking ford to seeing the whales, she seen dolphins but not the whales"
"Well the whole class is looking ford to it"
"Is there many parents going"
"I've spoken to some of them, they don't know if they can get the day off and others they just making excuses in why they not attending any of there child actives or help out"
"sounds like you got no extra help"
"I have two mothers said they can make it, one not sure cause of the price, she a solo mum with a part time job. But I said to all the parents that enough bars of chocolate sold they wouldn't have to pay for the trip."
"that a good idea, how far away is the goal target"
"We quater way there so far from what I work out last night, we got three more weeks of selling many as we can"
"Knowing Emma she would sweet talk any crew in to buying the chocolate" Jane laugh
"she good at that, I've seen her do it"
"Same here"
"Uncle Leo put that ice back in the cup" Emma said in a command tone.
Every one turn to two dads to see he was just about to put it down the back of bird top.
"Two dads" bird said when she saw what he was just about to do, he put it back in the glass while smiling at bird
"If you put any ice down my back you would regret it" Bird said then she turn around and return back to what she was doing then the others did.
"I've never seen her act that way before" Jane said
"she gets that from both Kate and me and crew have seen her talk to them like that if they are in trouble. She manly do it to two dads as you seen"
"Two dads that an odd name"
"Cause of his last name"
"Ok" then they heard squealing causing every one to jump.
They turn to see bird pulling out her top "Two dads" she said yelling at him when the ice hit the floor.
She pick the two pieces up and chase him out side with them "Uncle Leo in trouble now" Emma said
"Yes he is" Kate said
They carry on working when they heard two dads screaming from out side
"Bird get off me...AHHHH"
"that serve you right, you heard what Emma said now you can suffer"
"AH get off me" Mike walk out to the back door
"Bird let two dads go"
"Yes sir...two dads if you do that to me again it going to be a lot worse next time" Emma walk over to see bird getting up from being on top of two dads since he was lying face down on the ground. then two dads got up and started jumping up and down while putting his hands down his pants
"Uncle Leo get you hands out of your pants" Emma said laughing
"What going on mike" Kate asked mike turn to every one
"Bird put ice down two dads pant and got him on the ground with his arms pin behind his back" they all laugh just as bird walk back in side
"Way to go bird" Dutchy said
"Thanks" When two dads walk back in side MJ and David laugh
"Uncle Leo did you wet your self" MJ said laughing.
Then the crew laugh "Very funny and no"
"It serves you right" Emma said
"Mike I better get going" Mike walk over to Jane
"thanks for dropping the boxes off"
"no problem, if Emma needs any more, call me"
"Will do" Mike walk Jane to the front door then he return back into the kitchen just as the last of orders were done.
Then they all sat out side having drinks while Mike made some phone calls.