CH 218
Ryan and bird was at the back of the ship they hug and kiss once more "We got a lot to talk about when we return"
"Yes we do fair winds Ryan"
"Fair winds Jess" they kiss once more before Ryan walk down the steps and got onto the HRIB and put his life jacket on just as the HRIB return back to Childers.
Bird watches the whole time then she and Ryan wave to each other just as Childers move away. Bird then return back to the bridge where the crew waiting for her once more.
"Bird may i" Kate asked
"sure" bird show Kate her engagement ring.
It was round one carrot aquamarine with point fifty carrot round diamond on each side of the ring set in white gold with yellow gold band
"it a lovey ring bird congratulations"
"thank you ma'am"
"you better take it off"
"I know, Ryan gave me the box that it came in"
"Good idea" Bird turn and walk down the steps while smiling.
She went into her cabin where she look at the ring before taking it off and putting it in the box. Then she put it away in a safe place. Then she return back to work.
That evening at the arm forces retirement home Every one was just about to start dinner when they heard "Can I have every one attention please" they stop talking and turn to Helen
"I've received a phone call from commander Flynn from Cairns NAVCOM. You remember him when he was here with Jessica bird few weeks back" they all nodded
"Well got some wonderful news to share with you all to make your Christmas day... Jessica Bird getting married"
"To that young lad she was kissing"
"Ryan white, yes. He purpose to her on the bridge on Hammersley this afternoon, she said yes" they all cheered and clap.
"that the best Christmas news we have heard all day" one of the residents said. They all agree and it did make there day.
Few days later in the Cairns, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne news paper it reads 'Navy hero Christmas engagement surprise' Then it said 'Midshipmen Ryan white son of Cairns NAVCOM commandeering officer commander Maxine white and Stewart white of Sydney. Ryan whom on the HMAS Childers meet up with the HMAS Hammersley on Christmas afternoon where he purpose to long time girl friend Royal Australian navy hero able seamen Jessica bird VC and CV on the bridge of Hammersley in front of the whole crew before returning back to HMAS Childers.' then there a photo of bird and Ryan together in there uniforms hugging each other for a photo on the day when she received her cross of valour.
When Maxine read the article she wasn't happy with the news. When she arrived at NAVCOM, she saw the personal smiling at her and saluting her on the way to the elevators and into the ball pen
"Morning commander white"
"Morning leader"
"did you read the morning news paper this morning I bet your happy with the news"
"Yes I did read this morning paper and no I'm not happy about my son engagement" then she walk pass the leader towards her office.
He turn around and walk over to one of the junior sailors "commander white isn't in a happy mood this morning"
"Why that" bomber asked
"Her son getting engage"
"She doesn't like Ryan choice of girl friend. I suggest you keep out of her way for the next few days"
"Thanks for the tip." then bomber stood up and walk over to mike who walk in to the ball pen
"Morning sir"
"Morning bomber did you read this morning paper" Mike ask
"Yes I did and so did commander white" mike look over to Maxine office then back to bomber
"she didn't take the news well"
"Nope she been in a bad mood she she walk in here a minute ago"
"Have you seen the video of the purposely"
"Yes I did, RO sent me and Nav a copy on Christmas day, I've sent a copy to buffer, spider and Jamie, Nav sent a copy to ET"
"Ok, it looks like there going to be three wedding to attend to over the next few months"
"three"
"Yeah Ryan and bird, spider and Terri"
"Who the third sir"
"Ah got to go" then he turn and walk towards his office.
Bomber turn and walk over to her desk and sat down "Are you ok" Nav asked
"Yeah commander Flynn said three weddings, we know about Bird and Ryan white, and now Terri and spider engagement, I wounder who the third one is"
"Who knows"
"Morning" they turn and smile
"Amy how are you"
"good thanks, did you read this morning paper"
"yeah we did, commander white isn't over joy with the news" bomber said
"Oh, well I better get to work, see you two late"
"Oh my god it you" bomber said as she grabs Amy left hand to look at the ring
"what" Nav lean over to see ancient four round half a carrot diamonds each set in white gold with the setting is in part white and rest in yellow gold band.
"You and RO getting married" Nav asked
"Yes, he purpose to me when I was pregnant with Grace, I said yes. He didn't have an engagement ring but let me choice. So we look in every shop, there was nothing I like till we walk into an antique shop and look at the rings they got when I saw it. But it was old and four claws was either damage or broken. I said to Robert I love the ring but I would love to have it in white gold, he said yellow gold better. An elderly lady who serve us said why not both, and she suggested to what it is now. We agree so Robert brought the ring and we went to number of jewellery's where they said no till we spoke to an elderly gentlemen and show him the ring. He said it can but done. RO ask how much the guy said seven hundred dollars so Robert paid for it to be done. It told a month to do it. But I for got about it, but Robert didn't. He wrap it up as a Christmas gift and had it under the tree with pair of diamond earring and pendant in the same present"
"So you happy with the ring"
"Yes, Robert said he want us to have yellow gold wedding rings, I wanted white till I remember seeing in the jewellery's where we got this ring done two tone wedding rings, so I suggested it to Robert last night in an e-mail"
"that a great idea" Nav said
"Yeah I better go"
"Ok" Nav said then Amy turn and walk away.
"Wow three Hammersley weddings" Bomber said making Nav laugh
"Yeah question is when will it happen"
"Who knows bomber"
On new years eve bird and two dads was on night watch, bird went to get them a drink, while away two dads stood up and turn to see bird hasn't return he look at his watch and pick up the microphone and turn the PA system on
"Wacky, wacky, wacky, it thirty seconds to midnight" He said smiling then he turn to look out at sea then he look at his watch as he listen for when bird returns
"Ten seconds to midnight...five, four, three, two...AH bird what did you just put down my pants" Every one heard
"now here this, bird speaking, two dads still hasn't listen as for what I put down his pants... itching power, happy new year every one... two dads stop scratching your balls" Every one laugh as they roll over and went back to sleep.
Kate who was still up recorded what happen and send it to Mike knowing he would get a good laugh out of it. When finish she went up to the bridge as she heard two dads and bird talking
"bird it itchy"
"don't scratch it, it will last for a few minutes... ma'am" Bird said when she saw Kate walk up onto the bridge
"bird, two dads... how many times have I told you not to wake every one up unless it important"
"sorry ma'am but it new year"
"still you still haven't listen have you"
"no ma'am"
"I'm off to bed, good night"
"night ma'am" Bird said
"night ma'am" Kate turn and walk off the bridge when she heard
"Two dads stop scratching your balls or do I have to tie your hands behind you back" Kate smile as she return back to her cabin.
When Hammersley return back to Cairns the crew was looking ford to having few days off. As they were coming into port, Kate pick up her binoculars to see who was on the wharf which made her smile. Then she got her phone out and send a text message to mike.
Once Hammersley was dock. Kate smile and waited when every one heard foot steps and then they saw Emma. MJ and David running up the steps and into Kate arms for a hug then they saw mike and other guests showing up.
The crew was shock when they saw Amy give charge a hug and she pass Grace to him then she turn and walk over to Robert she wrap her arms around his neck and gave him a passionate kiss
"Why to go RO" two dads said as every one cheer RO and Amy on. When they broke apart he look at Amy in shock
"I thought we were keeping it a secret"
"bomber saw the ring"he lifted her hand to see she wearing the engagement ring. Then he relies bomber would of spread the word.
He turn to the grinning crew "Congratulations RO"
"thanks Dutchy" then the others step ford to congratulated him as well.
Half an hour later every one walk off Hammersley and headed either home or to the pub to celebrate double engagement. That night at the pub the crew and there families enjoyed them selves. The guys already started talking about bucks night for Ryan, spider and RO while the women talk about hens night.
Over the next few days, every one enjoyed there shore leave.
The day Hammersley left port for a month patrol, Bird showed up at Kate cabin with two cups of coffee
"Here you go ma'am"
"thanks bird, you look as I feel"
"Yeah I spent three days with Ryan, it was great spending time with him but... man I feel tired, we were at it most of the night and this morning. At least he could sleep in since I had to be here early"
"i know what you mean"
"Swain and RO got that look this morning, men" Bird said shaking her head while sipping her drink
"True"
"I better go and help swain with the med kits"
"alright, thanks for the coffee bird" Bird turn and walk down the steps while Kate return back to her cabin.
Hour later Hammersley left port for it month patrol. Later that night bird walk into the junior mess to see RO still eating his dinner
"Are you ok" Bird asked as she sat down
"Yeah"
"Miss Amy and Grace already" RO smile
"Yes... it the wedding"
"what about it, have you set a date"
"It the financial side of it."
"You want to give what Amy wants"
"It's what we both want we both know weddings aren't cheap. We wrote down list of guests we want to invite, the prices of every thing"
"I know what you mean, Ryan and I did a lot of research our selves. Money no problems but Ryan said he want to pay for his half"
"Amy the same"
"Ryan talk to Terri yesterday, they planing on a small wedding but a lot of people would of miss out on there wedding since they paying for there as well"
"Who won't be there"
"Hammersley crew"
"what" RO was shock. Bird nodded then she started eating her dinner while thinking then she smile by the time RO finish her dinner.
"I know of a way that can solve every one problems at once" she turn to RO
"you do"
"Yes, I'll send an E-mail to Terri and Ryan you can send one to Amy, how about a triple wedding, then the Hammersley crew and all our families can be together at once. It will save money problems as well timing at the same time"
"you think it will work"
"Yes plus you can ask Amy about if it ok to have it down in Melbourne"
"Why down there"
"RO how would you, Amy and Grace like to come and join me down there when we return back from our next patrol. There some people who I would love for you both to meet. I've already asked Buffer, spider and Terri, they said they can make it since Melbourne will be in port for three weeks and Childers will be in port as well. We all can make a weekend of it and I know a great place for a wedding and reception and great places for the wedding photos"
"I'll ask Amy"
"Great" bird said smiling. Not knowing that two dads heard the whole thing as he turn and walk away grinning.