CH 217
Over the next month crew was busy as always. After two weeks out at sea they stop off at island port so the crew could have a day of shore leave but some return cause they were on duty watch. The next day are refuel and restock Hammersley left port to carry on with it patrol. When they return back to Cairns they knew that they got five days shore leave before they got two week patrol over Christmas, new year. When Kate went to see mike after been to see Maxine, mike could tell some thing was wrong when she walk into his office
"Kate what wrong"
"It's bird"
"Here sit down" they both sat down with mike turning his chair around till he was facing her
"what wrong with bird"
"she told the crew about her up bringing. Mike she been through hell. I know I had it bad for seven years but for bird she had it for seventeen years. Her brothers and sister always pick on her, push her around, pulling her down and the name calling... my god they were bad, if she wasn't pick on at school she was at home. Her parents did nothing to stop there own kids picking on bird. She said she gets away from them when she was doing her after school jobs and training and visiting her great grand father. The amount of abuse she was getting, it was sickening. Two dads told us about what happen at her parents place about what was said."
Mike move his chair over so he could put his arm around her shoulder and she lean against him as he pull a hanky out of his pocket and pass it to her since she was crying
"Kate I've never seen you like this since you told me about your pass up bringing"
"i know... bird told me some thing which I found disturbing" Mike didn't say a thing but waited for Kate to continue. When she pulled away she turn to mike
"Bird brother Fred sexual assaulted her when she was sixteen one night when she was in bed sleeping. She said she woke up when she heard movement in her room and could smell the alcohol in the air she knew it was Fred, she turn the bed side light on as he pull the sheets and blankets off her then he was on top of her. She yelled and scream for help. No one went to see what was wrong. She manage to get him off her but he attack her again. She fort him and won. She open her door and push him hard as she could out of the room. Apparently he hit the wall full force he broke his nose and loss a tooth from it. He turn around and headed back in her room she close the door on his hand and broke all his fingers"
"Her parents didn't go to her when she scream for help" Mike said in shock
"No one did. She manage to close and lock her door. She did it every night since"
"and her brother"
"He called a taxi and went to hospital. All his fingers were broken, so was his nose. She crack three of his ribs, black eye, bruising over parts of his body. Bird told her parents the next morning about what happen, they didn't believe her till they saw Fred walk in black and blue and cast on his right hand and arm. They ask him what happen. He said he got into a fight with group of guys at a pub. They believe him over bird. Her father beat her with his belt till she was black and blue. After he finish beating her she ran out the door and down to the park. That where Mrs Wilson found her and took her home with her after bird told her what happen."
"She didn't look or sound like the type that was abuse at home"
"Cause she keep it quiet from school. Only few people new what happen. One got the police involve and she got punish again for getting the police involve when her parents said it was none of there business"
"Well she not with them any more"
"True. Two dads told the crew about how bad her family living conditions were and they the family body odder was bad"
"Bird sure isn't like that"
"that true, but bird did agree to two dads suggestion in hosing her family down and give them a hair cut"
"Two dads suggested it"
"Yes"
"Look how about we talk more about it when I get home tonight"
"Good idea" they both stood up and hug and kiss
"what are you going to do now"
"give you back your hanky and I'm going to head home and do some Christmas shopping"
"Alright" He said smiling as he watch Kate walk out of his office.
He sat down and thought about what Kate said to him about bird. He was shock with what he lean about bird and knew if the crew found out about it, Fred Bird and his family wouldn't stand a chance against any of the crew. Mike then return back to what he was doing before Kate walk into his office.
Few days later the Hammersley crew and families got together at mike and Kate pace for an early Christmas dinner. They were having a barbeque dinner while having fun at the same time. Mike went in side to get more drinks when Bird walk into the kitchen after been in the bathroom
"sir"
"bird, enjoying your self"
"Yes sir"
"Bird" he step ford putting his hand on her shoulder
"Kate told me what you told her" Bird was shock
"she told you"
"Yes, the reason why she told me cause it reminded her of her own pass with what happen to her"
"It happen to her sir"
"Yes but not by a brother, her mother boy friend... he rape her, she was fourteen at the time" Bird was shock with what mike share with her about Kate pass.
"I had no idea"
"No one dose, that is why she is can be hard at times, that rape change her and just like your parents, her mother didn't believe her"
"Did she tell the police"
"She did, her mother beat her up for it and her boy friend... did it to her again as punishment. Now you know, your not the only one who been through hell and we know that the crew would protect you cause your not only a friend, crew member but your family"
"I know I am sir, I love them a lot even two dads" mike grin
"come on let's head back out side"
"thanks for share sir"
"Your welcome bird" he open the fridge to get some beer bottles out
"Need any help sir" mike smile
"sure"
"thanks" he pass her some bottles then he notice that she was shaking a bottle up and down
"Bird"
"for two dads after what he try to do to me before" she said smiling
then she turn and walk out of the kitchen, Mike grab a few more bottle then walk out side and pass them around. He watch bird pass two dads his drink and she said some thing to Dutchy then he follow her till they were close to where mike and Kate is
"what is it bird"
"Watch two dads"
mike, Kate, Dutchy and bird watch two dads open he beer bottle to see it fizz up and squirted every where including on two dads. Every one laugh. Dutchy and bird hi five each other
"Nice going chicken legs and thanks for getting me away or other wise I would have been hit as well"
they both hug then they walk over to tease two dads, he went to chase bird around the section while holding his beer bottle in hand while making every one laugh. Every one had a great time including the kids.
The next morning Hammersley left for it three week patrol. When bird was in the fridge she saw two legs of ham and four large frozen chickens which made her smile so she got bottle milk out for her and Kate drink since Kate look tired again. When she went and saw Kate, she was walking out of her cabin
"Here you go ma'am"
"thanks bird"
"I saw swain this morning he was in a happy mood"
"Happy mood"
"Yeah he got the cat that got the cream and peacock look" Kate laugh
"Bird that TMI"
"He not the only one ma'am"
"oh"
"Yeah RO as well, he more happier now than he was when I first was assigned here"
"He dose look happy"
"I bet charge was shock when he found out" Kate turn to bird
"what do you mean"
"RO and Amy Thorpe, you didn't know"
"Yes I did when I went to the hospital, how did you know"
"I work it out. RO received a text message at eleven twenty when we were on watch. He look sad then another text message then he smile and text some thing back. Then when you charge and RO return and you made the announcement I saw you look at RO and he gave you a slight nod. That when I put two and two together"
"Dose charge and RO know that you know"
"Yes when I spoke to them at the barbeque last night, they know that the only person whom I told was Ryan and that there secret safe with me."
"You good at keeping secrets"
"Yes ma'am. Some one added ham and whole chicken to the food list"
"what"
"Yeah it in the fridge, it for Christmas day"
"sounds like you going to be busy that day"
"so long as we don't have any may days and FFV to attend to"
"same here"
"I notice you got two dads on new year eve night watch"
"Yes and he won't be waking any one up"
"If he dose I'll have to think of some sort of revenge"
"I hope not" then swain walk up the steps smiling
"Morning ma'am, bird"
"Morning swain I hope you didn't tire Sally out to much" Bird said smiling.
Kate had a mouthful of coffee she manage to swallow it then cough "Are you alright ma'am" Swain asked Kate
"Yeah, I'm fine thanks, I better head to the bridge." then she turn and walk away when she heard
"What did you say to the captain"
"Cat the got the cream and peacock look" Bird said then turn around and walking down the stairs when bird and Kate heard
"bird you didn't tell her" Bird laugh.
Kate shook her head as she walk up the stairs to see RO at his station. Kate look at him and saw the same look as Swain, she shook her head as she walk over to him.
"Morning RO"
"Morning ma'am" then RO gave Kate the clip board so she could do her normal work before Hammersley left port in two hours.
The next two days they only had two may day calls and it was Christmas eve. Every one knows hard to be away from family for the holidays at that time of year.
On Christmas morning every one did there jobs like they always do. Bird has been busy in the galley getting lunch sorted out since she had four chickens to cook as well doing all the vegetables perpeared. When it was lunch time every one showed up for there lunch.
"Smell great bird"
"thanks swain"
Every one help them selves to the food then bird started cleaning up while every one was enjoying there lunch. Then she had her lunch alone in the junior mess. Then she went to finish doing the dishes when she notice the engines stop. Few minutes later bird just finish doing the dishes when she heard
"Bird to the bridge rush, bird to the bridge rush" she walk out of the galley and up to the bridge
"You wanted to see me ma'am"
"Yes turn around" bird turn around and her eyes widen
"Ryan" he step ford to kiss her
"Merry Christmas Jess"
"what are you doing here, where Childers" He turn to look out the window so did bird to see Childers stopping next to Hammersley. Then she turn to him
"What going on" bird asked. Ryan held on to her hands
"I got a Christmas gift for you, mike help me get this set up"
"My gift to you is at home"
"i know, but this is special gift... Jess you know that I love you and you mean every thing to me."
"Yes I love you to and you mean every thing to me to"
"Jess I want to ask you some thing" then he got down on one knee as he pulled out a box from his pocket and open it. Bird eyes widen
"Will you Jessica bird agree to become Mrs Jessica White, will marry me" Tears were flowing down her cheeks
"Yes... yes I will marry you" every one on the bridge cheered as Ryan got the ring out of the box and slip it on to her finger then he stood up and pull her in to a hug and a kiss when they heard
"Childers this is Hammersley, she said yes" Kate said
"Thank you Hammersley" they could hear cheers in the back round as the Childers crew cheered.
When they pulled apart they rested there foreheads together while smiling "I love you" Bird said
"I love you to"
then they crew gather around them to congratulated them both on there engagement. Ryan stay for few more minutes before he and bird walk off the bridge together and headed to the back of the ship.
"RO did you get it all" Kate asked
"Yes ma'am"
"Send it to NAVCOM"
"Yes ma'am, I'll do that now" then he walk off the bridge with video recorder in hand.