Chapter 3: Kate + engagement ring ≠ marriage

A week went by and Jim was still away. He had sent a couple of e-mails and they had even managed a phone call but Kate had made her mind up and wanted to tell him the news about the pregnancy while they were face to face.

Kate finally started to get the nausea more under control and whether it was because of the pills she was still taking or the morning sickness being over she didn't know. She didn't care either. Whatever it was it kept Swain off her back and she didn't have to find an excuse to give either Mike or Maxine as to why she was still feeling crook.

One of the things Kate did to help get rid of the nausea was drinking peppermint tea. She made herself a few cups during the day instead of coffee. She had done some reading about caffeine and knew she shouldn't drink too much of it. She had wanted to cut back on her coffee intake anyway and as long as she hadn't been able to talk to Jim about what he wanted to do about the pregnancy she decided to take good care of her body and baby.

Kate walked out on deck with a fresh cup of tea. She had been the officer of the watch since the early hours of the day and was ready for some fresh air before she took a nap. It was very likely they would be sailing soon and there wouldn't be much time to get some rest then.

With most of the crew still to arrive it was nice and quiet and Kate hoped she could sit on her favourite spot on the back deck. They were still in port and it might look strange for her to sit there but she didn't care. That spot helped her clear her mind and think straight.

Kate closed the latch on the door and walked towards the stern when she saw Jim walking towards her. It was an unexpected but pleasant surprise and without even realising it she started to smile. Finally she saw him face to face and if she could get him to come to her cabin, for example, she could finally tell him the news.

"Just the woman I wanted to see," Jim said. He had already spotted Kate a few seconds earlier. This would save him a lot of time trying to find her. The Hammersley wasn't too big but finding one person without raising too much suspicion was harder than it looked.

"Rubbish," she mocked. "I'll bet you're here for some terrorist related reason," she threw back at him.

Jim couldn't deny that. He had brought all his gear along and Kate was smart enough to know it had to be work related but that wasn't the reason he wanted to see her.

"I need to talk to you," he said while he walked back a bit so they would be a bit more secluded. When he had thought about his plan he had thought they would be doing this in her cabin. They could still go there but he was too excited to wait any longer.

Kate followed Jim. A second ago she wanted to tell him about the baby she was carrying but he sounded so serious. "Hmm, well now I am curious," she said trying to sound nonchalant.

Jim didn't only sound serious he looked it as well and when he put down his bag Kate started to get a little bit worried.

"What is it?" she said a lot more demanding.

Jim didn't respond and took his time to plant his feet firmly on the ground. He was going to do something he had never done before in his life, the least he could do was to make sure he wouldn't fall or trip.

He wanted to hold Kate's hands but she was still holding her cup so without asking her he grabbed it and placed it behind her. Now he was ready.

"Kate," he started slowly. "When I was younger my grandmother said to me once; one day you'll find a woman that you're willing to change your life for."

What was this? Was he softening her up to break bad news? Had he found a woman, another woman, he wanted to change everything for?

Kate didn't want to look at him but Jim kept staring straight into her eyes while he got something from his pocket.

"She gave me this before she died," Jim said, unravelling the handkerchief.

This started to look a lot like those sentimental moments in a movie just before someone was about to pop the question. Was Jim going to do that?

"It's her engagement ring," Jim continued. "I want to give it to you."

He was popping the question! Kate realised she was holding her breath and tried to release the air but she didn't know how to.

"I know this might seem to be a bit out of the blue."

Kate wanted to say something but that was hard while she was trying to focus on her breathing so she did what she knew would assure him she was fine; she smiled.

"I love you with all my heart and I want to marry you," Jim finally said the words.

"I uhm, I wasn't uhm expecting this," Kate stammered. There were so many things she wanted to say but nothing sensible came out of her mouth right now.

"I know what I want Kate and it's you," he stated before placing the ring in her hand.

Wow! Those words were like a cherry on a cake. Someone wanted her! Not a thing or a job but her!

"You think about it," Jim said while he closed her fingers around the ring.

"I will," Kate answers, looking at the ring. "Think about it," she added as if he might think she was already accepting his proposal.

This felt so weird and so good at the same time. Still, before she could answer his question she wanted to think about it thoroughly.

Jim hadn't expected any other answer from Kate. He knew she needed time and he was willing to give it to her. Glad he didn't get a right down negative either he pulled Kate into a passionate embrace. At that moment he felt like the luckiest man in the world.

Jim noticed how the kiss relaxed Kate. She even intensified it by putting her own hand on the short of his neck but then she froze again. She had seen something or someone. Still kissing her Jim turned around to see Madelaine Cruise arriving.

And I thought the navy had a bad sense of timing, Jim thought.