Kate was Sat on the Bridge of HMAS Hammersley. She was a lieutenant commander and CO of Hammersley and a lot had changed in the last 8 years. She was married to a now Captain Mike Flynn and the proud mother to 8 year old twin girls.

Ciera and Alannah-grace were both mini versions of their mother in more ways than one. Ciera was more feisty and knew her own mind. Where as Alannah was more reserved. Both had long blond hair, but had their fathers steel blue eyes. It had been touch and go with both girls, born 10 weeks early and Alannah had been particularly unwell for several weeks and doctors didn't know if she would survive.

She turned to Lieutenant Mallard, the new navigation officer on the ship.

"how long till we reach port Duckie" she asked

"4 hours boss" he called inputting the details in to the navigation system

It had taken her a while to get used to be called boss. To begin with when ever anyone addressed her as boss she would look around for Mike. She was always the X.

"very good" she smiled. 4 hours would mean they would be in port by that evening and she would be able to make valentines night with Mike.

Mike was stood over the hob in the kitchen, he was trying to prepare the dinner for that evening but so far everything seemed to be going wrong. The Kitchen looked like a bomb had hit it. There were toys everywhere. The twins had both magically come down with a stomach bug, although Mike suspected this was in fact a lie based on the fact Kate was due home that evening.

"Ciera come and tidy away your toys please" mike called

"but they are not mine" Ciera wined

"well they are not mine" Alannah appeared next to her sister.

"yes they are" Ciera argued back.

"look I don't care whose they are just put them away" he sighed

"daddy" both girls protested

"look do you want to go and see mummy when she arrives back in port?"

"yes" both girls sulked

"well tidy up please"

4 hours later Hammersley returned in to port. Kate looked out the window, performing the last few checks. She could see Mike stood on the dock with the twins. One on each side and from the sulky looks on the girls faces, they had just had a major argument. Rolling her eyes, why her twins had to fight like cat and dog was beyond her. The funny thing was they wouldn't do anything with out the other.

It was a further hour before Kate walked over the gangway having completed all the checks she had to.

"MUMMY!" Alannah and Ciera ran towards Kate, pushing and shoving trying to get in first and get the biggest hug.

"hey" Kate defused the situation by hugging them each in turn kissing the tops of each of their heads.

"that's not fair. You hugged Ciera for longer than me" Alannah protested

"no she didn't and its probably because she loves me the bestest"

"I love you BOTH the SAME" Kate sighed it was a constant battle

"but you love me more don't you mommy" Ciera asked sweetly

Kate looked over to Mike who was stood back and laughing

"anytime you want to step in Flynn feel free "Kate laughed

"but you were handling that so well" he walked over. "welcome home" he kissed her.

Looking at her watch she sighed "I have a meeting with NAVCOM so I guess I shall see you at home"

She bent down and gave each of the girls a kiss. "be good" she warned. Both Alannah and Ciera looked at her with sweet angelic faces as if to say "what us"

It was past 7 when Kate eventually arrived home. The house was unusually quiet which was a worrying sign. She walked through in to the open plan living room. She could see that the dinning table had been laid with candles and rose pettles.

"happy valentines day Kate" Mike appeared presenting her with a dozen red roses

"wow" Kate was taken aback "I feel so bad I forgot" she cringed

"and I thought it was suppose to be the guy who forgot things like this"

"hey" she hit him on the arm "I have been at sea for 4 weeks in case you forgot"

"I'm only teasing" caught her hand. "come on sit down, dinner's almost ready"

"it smells great" Kate sat at the table

Mike joined her carrying a large plate of spaghetti and meatballs. Placing it in the middle of the table he passed her a large jewellery box.

"Mike?" she was shocked not expecting anything else.

"open it" he smiled

Inside was a white gold locket on a chain. The face of the locket had been embossed with a anchor and set in the points of the anchor were each of their birthstones and that of the twins. Opening the actual locket mike had chosen the pictures well. There was their wedding portrait, a picture of each of the girls. The finial picture was a family portrait with the 4 of them on the forecastle of Hammersley

"Mike is beautiful. Now I do feel really bad I forgot" she leaned over the table to kiss him.

They were interrupted by a crash and a wail from the Twins room.

Mike made to go.

"I'll go" she smiled walking round the table "no rest for the wicked eh"