CH 4
"Are you sure you brought enough clothes for the kids Robert?"
"For now…"
She saw his left hand and smile "I see Cindy brought you a wedding ring."
Robert looked down at it then looked back up to his grandmother in law. "Yes, Cindy pick out her engagement ring, there a wedding ring that went with it but she going to use it as an eternity ring."
"I see, how much did it cost you."
"It not the price it is seeing Cindy happy."
"OK, is it a big ring."
"No, it small and simple style."
"Oh, why not bigger?"
"It what she wants and I'm happy because she is happy."
"Ok" they talked until Cindy returned and sat down putting her purse and handbag down in between the shopping bags.
"What were you two talking about?"
"Clothes for the children" Robert said.
"Ah, ok" Cindy noticed that her grandmother was looking at her left hand.
"Do you want a closer look gran" she looked up to Cindy and smiled.
"May I?" Cindy smiled and moved her left hand across the table so her grandmother could look at the rings better.
Cindy was wearing a three millimeter wide yellow gold wedding band with one carat round diamond set in yellow gold with three smaller diamonds set in a scallop setting on each side of the ring with three millimeter yellow gold band. Then she saw the entity wedding ring which is the same as the engagement ring but got seven small diamonds set in a scallop setting with three millimeter wide yellow gold bands.
"Is this what you wanted Cindy?"
"Yes grandma, it is what I wanted plus, I can wear two out of the three rings while at work."
"Why not all three?"
"It might rip the gloves we wear."
"Oh good point."
They talked while enjoying lunch, then they did more shopping before leaving to head home since Cindy's grandmother was feeling a bit tired and needed a nap and Cindy was on the afternoon shift.
Three days later Cindy had three days off before her next shift change. Plus it was also the day of the decommissioning ceremony. Cindy, her grandmother and children were there for it. Cindy was wearing her uniform.
They watched what was happening as well as listening to the speeches. When it was over everyone mixed and mingled. Robert walked over to them just as his son ran towards Robert who crouched down to pick him up in his arms then stepped forward to give Cindy a kiss.
"I'm proud of you leading seamen Robert Dixon" Cindy said since he and three others had been promoted.
"Thanks Cindy."
"I'm also proud of you Robert," Cindy's grandmother said.
"Thanks."
"Cindy" she turned and smiled.
"Kate how is the arm?"
"Getting better thanks."
"That's good. Lieutenant Kate McGregor, this is my grandmother Mary Ross."
"Hi it nice to meet you Mrs Ross."
"You to lieutenant" they shook hands.
"Have you decided to stay or go?" Cindy asked.
"I've decided to stay." Cindy grinned.
"I bet lieutenant commander Flynn is happy that you're staying."
"He is."
"Ah ha" Then Mike walked over to them.
"Ro, Cindy, X."
"Sir" they all said at the same time.
"Lieutenant commander Mike Flynn this is my grandmother Mary Ross"
"Nice to meet you ma'am" they shook hands.
"You to lieutenant commander, you must be happy to have the lieutenant here staying" Mike and Kate looked at each other and smiled.
"Yes they look happy alright grandma, tweet, tweet" Cindy said smiling while her grandmother laughed causing Mike and Kate to look at them.
Then one of the twins woke up, so Cindy walked around the pram to see who was awake, then picked the baby up and put her against her shoulder after putting a cotton sheet over her shoulder first.
"Hello sweetie enjoy your sleep" the baby yawned then looked around.
"You have got a beautiful daughter there RO" Kate said.
"She takes after her mother" RO said.
"And her father" Cindy said.
"How old are the twins?" mike asked.
"Nine months," Robert said.
"Want to hold her Kate?"
"Are you sure."
"Yeah, go for it" Cindy passes her daughter over to Kate then moves the cloth over and onto her shoulder.
"What are your children's names?" Mike asked.
"This is Benjamin Robert James Dixon" RO said.
"Kate is holding Grace Elizabeth Cindy Dixon and the one who is starting to wake up is Alexandra Dave Trent Dixon" Cindy said.
"Unusual names," Kate said.
"Ben is named after his father who died when dad was two years old and James is my dad's name," Cindy said.
"Ok"
"Grace is grandma's middle name, Elizabeth is my mum's name."
"I understand and your youngest?" Mike asked
"Alex is granddad's middle name, Dave is friend of Robert and mine from school, he died from Cancer after Ben was born. We grew up together. As for Trent, that Robert grandfather's name on his mother side who I was able to find and got in contact with him. He passed away four months ago from cancer, but he got to meet and held onto his great grandchildren before he passed away."
"I remember you asked for time off about then RO it was not long after your father passed away."
"It was sir" then a couple of the crew walked over and talk to them. Nav was one of them, she got to hold Alex while talking to him and the others there.
"So what are you plans now" Cindy asked.
"We are going to the pub to celebrate the decommissioning of Hammersley" Mike said.
"Cindy and I would like for you all to come around to our new house" said Robert.
"Today" ET asked.
"Yes, so there would be a double celebration, the decommissioning of Hammersley and housewarming party roll into one" Cindy said.
"Your families can come as well," Robert said.
"Is there anything you would like for us to bring" Swain asked.
"Food and drinks, Robert will text you all the address."
"OK what food to bring" Chefo asked.
"We have got a large barbeque which hasn't been used yet if that will help." Cindy said.
"That's great, I can bring some beer and sausages" Chefo said. Then the others thought about what to bring as well. They all talked about who is going to bring what.
"Robert I'm go ahead and get bread, drinks, snacks and salads" Cindy said.
"Are you going to take us home first?"
"I shall call for a taxi."
"Ok" she passed him her car keys.
"I'm heading off now, see you all later" Cindy said.
"Ok" they all said, Cindy kissed Robert which they all gave them a hard time about it. Cindy walked few steps away then stop and turned to them.
"Hey guys, I'll even get some crabs for the barbeque," she said grinning. Causing them all to laugh.
She turns and walks away hearing them laughing and joking around about crabs. Cindy called for a taxi, so when she reached the checkpoint that entered the base, a taxi showed up. She got in and gave the driver the address then they were on their way.
Robert, his grandmother in law and children left a few minutes later for home since he needed to get changed and start getting everything set up. He already told everyone his address before leaving.
When he and the family arrived home, he changed the twins diapers then he took them outside and put them in the play pen and put the mosquito net over it. Mary looked after Ben who was playing in his sand pit while Robert went and got changed then he went and turned some music on then he got the portable tables out from the garage and got them set up.
He heard the buzz coming from inside so he walked inside and up to the intercom. "Hello?"
"RO, it Charge, I thought you gave me the wrong address."
"No you have got the right address" he pressed a button which caused a buzzing noise for a few seconds "come on up."
"Ok, boss and the X are just behind me."
"I can see them."
"Ok."
Robert watches from the small TV screen charge driving up the driveway with Mike behind him. Robert saw Kate in the passenger seat. When they drive past the gates, he presses the button to close them, then he walks back outside and over to the driveway when the two cars stop.
"RO is this your new house; how can you afford it" charge asked.
"It is a gift from Cindy grandmother."
"Really" Mike said.
"Yes sir."
"It a beautiful home RO" Kate said getting out of the car.
"Thanks X."
He helped them with the bags of food and drinks and took them inside where they sorted out what is what when they heard a buzz. Robert walks over to the TV then walk outside "Cindy is back and looks like she has bought half of the store with her" Robert said as he walked outside.
Cindy got out of the taxi van "Cindy what did you buy."
"Food and drinks."
"I can see that" the driver opened the boot of the van just as Kate walked over to them.
"Need any help?"
"Thanks Kate," Cindy said.
They pick up bags just as Mike and Charge showed up and help carry the bags inside. Robert buzzed the gate open since the taxi was close to the gate. Then he helps sort things out. Once everything was sorted and Cindy was changed, they walked outside with Charge and Mike carried a large chiller bin between them full of ice and cold drinks. They put it down then sat down with Kate and Cindy who were talking to her grandmother since the table got snacks on them.
They talked for ten minutes when they heard the buzzing sound. Cindy went to see who it was and let them in. In half an hour, every one showed up and the party was in full swing. Cindy got the barbeque fired up and started cooking the meat and the vegetarian kebabs that she made up inside. She was turning the meat over when Robert walked over to her.
"Everything ok" Cindy asked.
"Yeah, where the crabs you were going to get?"
"They didn't have any in so I got crab sticks, it is the closest I could to getting crab, plus there is crab meat in the seafood salad that I made up."
"Ok."
"Looks like everyone enjoying themselves."
"Yes they are, it was a great idea on having the double party here."
"Yes it is and grandma is enjoying herself" Robert turn to see Mary talking to Nav and Kate.
"Yeah she is" Robert turns back to Cindy.
Spider walk over to them "Great party RO."
"Thanks."
"CanI have one of those, whatever they are, they're great" Spider said pointing to crab stick.
"Sure," Cindy said using the tongs to pick one up and put it on his plate.
"Thanks" then he walk over to where the salads are.
"Only if he knows what it is" Cindy said with a giggle.
"True" Everyone enjoyed themselves.
An hour later everyone heard "Can I have everyone's attention please" Everyone turned to Mike. "On behalf of everyone here I would like to thank RO and Cindy for having the joint decommissioning party here as well as a housewarming party in one" Everyone clapped.
"Plus, for RO keeping a secret about his family. We know that you are a private person Robert but thank you for letting everyone know about your family and now we know why you don't join us at the pub when we have shore leave. You were spending it with your family. So, raise your classes to RO and Cindy, thank you for putting on this party."
"Here, here" some of them said.
"Thank you, sir. Your right about me being a private person. Cindy has been telling me for months that I should let you all know. But I didn't want to." He turned to Cindy and smiled at her then turned to everyone "but Cindy is right about letting you all know about my family. So now you know."
"I'm pleased you all know now about me and our family. I know all about all of you, Robert tells me. Buffer, Spider, you both look terrible dressing up as women, big wigs and all" the crew laugh remembering what happened. "But I know that some of you finish your rotations on Hammersley and move on. Wherever you are posting to, I wish you all the best. Plus to Chefo, congrats on getting engaged, and I wish you and your fiancé many years of happiness."
"Thanks Cindy," Chefo said.
"And for Kate McGregor, I'm pleased you going to be staying and being the XO on the new Hammersley, Mike you must be happy that she staying."
"Yes I am."
"Well at least you won't have to go through any more XO's." the crew laughed.
"No I don't."
"I wish you all the very best wherever you are or going because your there for each other and Thor there with you always" they all clap.
"Now eat, drink there is plenty left. Oh since I couldn't get any crabs," everyone laugh "I bought crab sticks for the barbeque and crab meat for the seafood salad" Cindy said smiling.
"What does crab sticks look like" spider asked?
"It is the red and white long round sticks, you ate four of them Spider."
"OH" he said in shock while everyone laughed.
"Now everyone enjoy yourselves" Ro said then the music started.
Everyone enjoyed themselves, having a wonderful time. It was late by the time the last guest left and Cindy and Robert got to bed after a long day.
The next day Robert took the children to daycare then returned home so he could spend the day with Cindy and her grandmother. Two days later Cindy and Robert took Mary to the airport since she was flying back to Sydney.
"It is a shame you have to leave grandma" Cindy said.
"I know dear but I know you will keep in contact."
"We will grandma."
"I'm pleased that you are happy Cindy and I'm proud of you" she said holding onto Cindy's hands.
"I know you are grandma" they both hug, then she turns to Robert.
"You look after them Robert."
"I'll do the best I can Mary."
"I know you will" they both hug and she kisses him on the cheek.
"I love you both so much."
"We love you Grandma," Cindy said. Then they heard over the announcement over loud speaker that the flight to Sydney that is now boarding.
"That's me" she hugged them both before she walked to the double doors then stopped and turned to see Cindy and Robert in each other's arms, she waved to them as they did in return. She turns and follows the other passengers onto the plane. Cindy and Robert walk over to a window and watched until the plane departed.
Then they walked back the way they came. "Cindy are you happy that Mary found you?"
"Yes, I am and I'm happy that she stayed as long as she could. She really needed to get away, I could tell how stressed out she was."
"She doesn't look it the time she was here."
"No, it's like a big weight has been lifted off her shoulders and she was able to relax and spend time with me and children. Plus, she knows that I would never ask her once for money."
"That's true, you have worked too hard to get to where you are today."
"I know you too. She told me she is proud of you for what you done for yourself and getting promoted."
"She also told me that."
"Let's go home."
"Sounds good to me."