CH 223
Ryan was just about to change the chanel when they saw a reporter out side of the Melbourne RSL.
"Today over eight hundred war vets and club members arrived today to met and listen to arm forces youngest hero Able Seamen Jessica Bird" then it showed Jessica in her uniform with all her metals including the Victoria cross.
"she here to share number of stories of what she has done while serving on HMAS Hammersley which is up in Cairns. As well answer a number of questions. We also know that she engage to midshipmen Ryan White" then it show a photo of him in his uniform
"He is the son of commander Maxine White who is the CO of NAVCOM up in Cairns." then the women put her hand to her ear and her face look shock
"I just learn that the whole crew of HMAS Hammersley as well formal crew members are also here today. Two of the members...commander Mike Flynn who is second in command of Cairns NAVCOM and lieutenant commander Kate McGregor who is his wife and the captain of HMAS Hammersley" then she listen again in her ear piece
"Both commander Flynn and lieutenant McGregor also hero's, they also received the cross of valour. So it a great honor to have them here also"
Then the reporter turn around to the car park when every one saw people in uniforms getting out of the cars and vans
"It looks like the HMAS Hammersley crew are here, lets see if we can ask them some questions" It show the reporter and cameramen heading towards them
"Excuse me can I ask you all a question" mike turn around
"what is the question ma'am"
"Your commander Flynn"
"Yes ma'am your question"
"Can I ask why are you all here"
"We are here to support a valuable crew member able seamen Jessica Bird ma'am"
"that is good of you all being here, dose she knows your here to support her"
"No she doesn't ma'am"
"sounds like she is in for a surprise, thank you commander Flynn for answering my questions"
"your welcome ma'am" the he turn and follow the crew in side the building as the reporter turn to the Camera
"Able Seamen Bird is one lucky young lady. I'll keep you up to date on what happening here today" Then it show the reporter again
"I was able to get in side to listen to able seamen bird and Hammersley crew. They all share number of stories and pranks that happen on Hammersley which cause every one to laugh. Able Seamen bird gave every one advice on sharing war time stories to grand children and great grand children just like her great grand father retired navy warrant officer Donald Murphy share his war time stories wit her. With his stories he share with her, made her decided to join the navy and be like him a war hero. And that is what she became just like him. And she gave every one some personal advice which I'm not going to mention but from what I could see with the people there it touch home with some of them. At the end of questions and sharing stories with every one, one member... leader Leo kosvo Myers, crew call him two dads, he provided photos to share with every one. With some of the photos that was shown, some of the crew said a few comments about them which had every one including me in fits of laughter...there was two photos of crew members before and after some one died there hair red. One of the crew members said" she look down at her note book
"May day, may day, may day this is red velvet" then she laugh for few seconds
"sorry but it turn out that the may day call and boat name is true and so was the timing. There was number of funny comments that went with each of the photos. I manage to talk to some of the people after wards and they all said that able seamen bird is like her great grand father, a true hero and he would be proud of her for what she has done for her self. A lot of them said it was an honor to meet not only able seamen bird but the whole crew who is like one big happy... crazy family and the crew of the HMAS Hammersley has got the highest record in drug busts, FFV which stands for foreign fishing vessel, attending may days, help aid not just here in Australia but on other island. They took down number of wanted me and women than any other patrol boat has ever had and five years ago it was HMAS Hammersley who stop a barge full of toxin water from going over into international waters, as well took down Ray Walsmen who was wanted by the Samaru island government. And of course last year teariest attack that almost happen up north which result a number of crew members received number of awards for what they did in stopping the teariest attack from happening." she look down at her note book then back to the camera once again
"Able Seamen bird said that she not the only hero, every one in the past, present and future who are in the arms forces, they are hero's, we are all hero's cause of the work we do... it doesn't matter what rank we are or how many metals we received, it the job we all love doing" the report said from what she read from her note book.
"I spoke to some of the war vets about what Jessica bird said, they all in agreeing that every one who serve during the wars or help protecting Australia, they are the hero's. I've also found out that the Hammersley crew are leaving tomorrow to head back to Cairns since they are due to leave next Tuesday for there patrol but they could ending up been crash sail at any time. That is why they leaving tomorrow just in case. I wish the best of the up coming wedding of Jessica bird and Ryan white, this is Jane Olson channel nine news" then it show back the the news station where there was more talk about about Hammersley crew has done.
Ryan then change channel to see what else was on then he turn it off and turn to Jessica "what are you thinking about"
She turn to him "Want to go for a walk"
"Why not"
She lean over and gave him a kiss then they got up and put there shoes and socks on then they grab there cell phone, keys and wallets, purse before leaving to go for there walk. Ryan held on to Jessica hand when they were out side of the hotel, they walk along the street looking through different windows while talking about different things till they came across a bar and restaurant
"Jess are you hungry" she turn to him and smile
"Why are you"
"Yeah I am so want to check this place out"
"Why not, I could do with a drink" then they walk into the pub and look around as they walk over to the restaurant part is
"Hi can I help you" A women asked
"do we have to have reservations for here ma'am" Ryan asked
"nope so table for two"
"Yes please"
"Follow me" They follow the women to a table
"Here you go"
"thank you ma'am" they both said as they sat down
"Very well mannered, so what would you like to drink?"
"Beer thank" Ryan said
"Same here thanks"
"you don't look eighteen, I need some sort of ID" Ryan and Jessica got there ID out and show the women
"Well I be dam I should of reconsigned you ma'am. You look different out of uniform" Ryan laugh
"sorry yes she dose ma'am" The women look at Ryan and raise an eye brows at him
"Jess is my fiancee" Then the women laugh
"Well congrats to you both, I'll go and get your beers while you look at the menu"
"thank you ma'am" Bird said as the women turn and walk over to the bar to get there drinks.
Jessica turn to Ryan and gave him the wide eye look knowing that he in trouble
"Sorry Jess I couldn't help it"
"Ryan" she said in not happy tone
"Well it true" he flick his eye brows at her. She shook her head then she put her hand into his
"next time don't"
"Why not"
"Cause next time you will get into trouble with me when we get home" He smile
"Oh"
"tooth brush" His face drop
"Oh that trouble"
"Yes, lets see what they got here" she use her free hand to move the menus that was on the table around so both her and Ryan could see what there.
They stayed for over an hour before leaving after Ryan paid for there meals and drinks. They walk back to the hotel with there arms around each other. When they return back to there rooms, they went and did there night routine before getting in to bed where they kiss and made love before falling asleep in each other arms.
The next morning Ryan and Jessica left early to go to the cemetery since she brought some artificial flowers the day before. Ryan held on to Jessica hand when they walk into the cemetery. They walk down to where her great grand parents are buried. When she stop, so did Ryan. He look at what Jessica was looking at. She let go of his hand and step ford and place the flowers in the pot next to the others then she return back to Ryan side.
"Now you know where they are Ryan"
He put his arm around her shoulder and she put hers around his waist as she lean against his shoulder. She look down at the head stone for a few minutes then she turn to Ryan
"Lets head back"
"do you want to be alone for a few minutes"
"no,not this time"
"alright" They turn and walk the way they came.
Ryan called for a taxi when they stop at the entrance to the cemetery. When they return back to the hotel they went and meet up with the others for breakfast before returning back to there rooms to get there bags before leaving the hotel together.
Few hours late Ryan and Jessica walk into there house "Home sweet home" Jessica said
"It sure is"
They went to sort out there bags and then they went grocery shopping then return home where they both clean the house up together as well get dinner on. Later that nigh they went to bed early since Childers was leaving the next morning for a month patrol.
Over the next week Bird spent few hours looking on the internet for her wedding dress and brides maid dresses since it the only chance she will have since she was leaving in a week for a month patrol.
She spent some of the day looking on line and found what she was looking for so she order her wedding dress, vail and head piece on line then she look for brides maid dresses till she found the ones she like and order it since she knew her brides maids sizes.
Then she look for wedding cake toppers. When she found five she like she sent the links in an e-mail to Ryan for him to look at and decided on which one for the wedding cake. When done she check some other sites out before signing off and turning her computer off.
Then she went to get her sea bag sorted out as well making sure her lap top, cell phone and camera battery was fully charge just in case. Then she did some other things before going to bed for the night since she got to be on Hammersley early in the morning.
The next morning bird showed up on Hammersley early she went to sort her sea bag out since she showed up in her DPNU uniform. She went to do her normal duties when the crew started showing up. She walk down to Kate cabin when she saw Kate opening her cabin door
"morning ma'am" Kate turn to bird
"morning bird" Kate said as she walk into her cabin and put her sea bag on the bed and brief case on her desk then she turn to see bird passing her a traveling cup
"thanks bird"
"your welcome, ma'am"
"Your in a good mood this morning"
"Ryan had roses delivered to me this morning" Kate smile
"Roses, that was romantic of him"
"It was since it valentines day" Kate laugh
"I know what you mean, Mike got me breakfast in bed, he was planing on buying me roses but they would be dead by the time we return"
"I think Ryan relies that, that why his ones are artificial, last longer" Kate laugh
"Good idea"
"I better to to the ward room, swain would be there by now"
"alright" Bird turn and walk out of Kate cabin and down to the ward room.
Three hours later Hammersley left for it month patrol while at NAVCOM Mike was going over the rosters to find out when the best time for the triple wedding. When he work out the best and only time when Melbourne, Childers, Huon, Hammersley and bendigo are in port for four days or more.
When he got the dates he wrote it on a sheet of paper with a note then he went to send the fax to Hammersley then he return back to work.
RO was in Com cen when the fax arrive, when he saw his and bird name on it and the message, he read it and smile then he walk out of com cen and down to the Galley where bird is getting lunch sorted when he walk in
"Bird this fax came for us" she turn to RO
"Us who from"
"commander Flynn" he held onto it since bird hands were covered in flour.
She read what it said and smile "I'll let Ryan know"
"I'll let spider know"
"Ok ask him if the twenty second is ok with him and Terri, you can ask Amy and I'll ask Ryan"
"that a Monday"
"i from the message we be back in cairns on the twenty first and we got a week off but Childers and Melbourne leaves on the twenty sixth. If we have the wedding on the twenty second it would give us few days down in Melbourne and even attend the Anzac dawn parade"
"Good idea I'll talk to Amy about it"
"ok now I better get this done"
"sure" then he turn and walk out of the galley leaving bird to finish getting lunch sorted out.
Over the next month bird and RO e-mail Amy spider and Terri about the dates, bird even e-mail Melbourne birth, marriage and death at the court house about marriage license details. She explain every thing in the e-mail so the person could read and under stand where she and the others are and the timing for shore leave.
When Hammersley return back from it patrol they were looking for to a week off. When bird arrived home she got started in making phone calls for the wedding bookings as well called the Wilson about the wedding date.
"Jessica that a Monday" Mrs Wilson said
"I know it the only time we all have got, Hammersley arrived in port on the twenty first and we all will be flying down for the wedding It the only chance we all have since Hammersley, Bendigo, Childers, Huon and Melbourne will be in port at the same time"
"Who on the other ships" bird smile
"Ryan on Childers. ET on Bendigo, Jamie on Huon...spider and buffer on Melbourne"
"Are they in the wedding party"
"Yes well except for buffer, he will be escorting the captain down the isle"
"Who the captain" Bird smile
"Kate McGregor, I've ask commander Flynn to walk me down the isle"
"that was good of you to ask him"
"I know" then bird heard in the back round
"Dam those blood neighbors" Mr Wilson said
"what is it dear" She ask when she move the phone away
"Dam bird family, I caught the daughter going through our mail again"
"Again what are they looking for"
"Hell should I know, who are you talking to"
"Jessica"
"Jessica bird" He asked raising his eye brows
"Yes they got a date set for the wedding, I said we will be there"
"that great"
"Mrs Wilson"
"Oh sorry dear" She the relies bird was still on the phone
"how long has my family been going though your mail"
"about two weeks now, I don't know what they are looking for"
"I do, they looking for the wedding invitation so they would know where and when the wedding is"
"I'm please you called to tell us"
"Well I'm glad I called to and not sent it to you..." then she smile
"I just had a great idea, if my family what to know where and when the wedding going to be, I'll give it to them"
"what are you talking about" Mrs Wilson asked
"I'll send you a fake wedding invitation it would show the same date but different location"
"where would you send them"
"I'll tell you about it the next time I call"
"ok" they talk for few more minutes before hanging up. Then bird called two dads while grinning.