Epilogue: friends + family = better life
Jim sneaked out of the bed. Kate was still asleep and he wanted to keep it that way. It was not even five thirty and he had seen her get ready within ten minutes so there was no rush to wake her. If Kate had a meeting at Navcom at 0800 they still had more than an hour before she had to go.
With a towel around his naked body he went down to the kitchen. Kate was going to be away for at least ten days and he didn't know himself if he was going to be around when she came back. It was part of their jobs and they didn't complain but as long as they were together he wanted to spoil her as much as he could.
In the kitchen he went straight to the fridge. They had had so much to eat that they had totally forgotten about his home-made dessert. Before he opened the fridge he looked around to make sure Kate hadn't secretly followed him to play the same trick he had performed the night before.
It was quiet in the house and it was highly unlikely Kate had followed him so Jim quickly took the chocolate mousse out and put two pieces on a tray. It was the best and worst breakfast he could think of but he couldn't care less. Chocolate mousse was their shared passion.
On his tiptoes Jim walked back into the bedroom. The first sunbeams were shining through the window. They highlighted Kate's beautiful hair which was spread around the pillow.
"Good morning smudge," Jim said teasingly when he crawled onto the bed.
He had put the tray down so he had his hands free but before he could touch her she wrapped her arms around him and pulled his head closer for a kiss.
"Morning sludge," she moaned, trying to hide her smile.
"Did you sleep well?" Jim asked lovingly.
Kate sat upright and smiled. "What do you think?" she asked seductively.
"You fell asleep way too fast," he teased.
"Too fast?" Kate asked questioningly.
"You totally forgot this," Jim said before he took one of the pieces of chocolate mousse and dipped his finger in it and smeared it across her face.
Kate wanted to get the other piece from the tray but Jim prevented that.
"Oh no, don't you move," Jim ordered with a smile on his face. He had dipped his finger in the chocolate already and was contemplating where he would smear it this time. "I'm the only one who can toy with chocolate mousse," he laughed.
Kate lay on her back and awaited what Jim would do to her. She would get her chance to pay him back.
"Open your mouth," Jim ordered lovingly. Kate did what he asked and he put his finger in it.
They teased and joked around with the chocolate until both bowls were empty and they were laying in each other's arms.
"You know," Kate started softly. She had little smears of chocolate all over her body and Jim was sucking on one of her ears to get rid of some chocolate. "I woke up this morning and it felt so different," she finished her sentence.
Jim showed her his chocolate covered finger and waited until she started licking it before he replied. "Different? In what way?" he asked.
Kate shrugged. "I don't know. Like I'm complete... with chocolate and all," she joked.
Jim laughed but continued more seriously: "You complete me. I love you so very much Kate McGregor."
"I love you too James Roth," Kate whispered before she snuggled deeper into his arms.
They didn't say anything else and just enjoyed each other's company like this was as it always should be.
Kate opened her eyes and was surprised to find herself in hospital. Still not completely awake she turned around in her bed and saw the little crib with her child in it. There was nothing else she could do but smile.
Quietly Kate got out of bed and looked at her beautiful child.
"I was dreaming of your daddy," she whispered before she pulled away the blanket and picked up the baby. "Actually it wasn't dream it was more of a recollection," Kate smiled, a bit embarrassed. "It was of the morning I realised you were growing inside me my beautiful. Maybe, one day I'll tell you all about it, but it's really time for your next feed," she said before she climbed back onto her bed.
Two days ago she had become the proud mother of a very healthy nipper and she hardly could take her eyes of the baby who was quietly falling asleep again.
"Come on, be a sport for mummy," Kate said while she softly stroked his little cheek. "The doctor said we could go home if you eat well. You don't want to keep your mum inside this hospital longer than necessary?"
Before Kate unbuttoned her top, so she could feed the baby, she turned on the television. Being a mother was great but it would never stop her from being interested in what happened in the rest of the world.
The news had started already and Kate just caught a glimpse of the news anchor before a reporter, out in the field, took over from her. He was standing in front of the court house and quickly pointed at it before he started talking.
"The two men, who were planning an attack on Australia, were found guilty by thejury and with that the terrorist threat has definitively stopped," he started his story. "Let's have a look at the report I made earlier today," he continued before his image faded away and was replaced by a visual timeline.
"Eight months ago two servicemen were killed in a bombing. At that time it was believed they had successfully stopped a nuclear threat," the reporter's voice was heard while pictures of Swain and Jim were shown.
"Look, that's daddy. The good looking one," Kate said softly to her little baby.
A third picture was shown of a jungle village before the reporter continued.
"Almost three weeks after the bombing five scientists were murdered in a small village on the Eliki islands. They had been working on a formula to produce a toxic powder. A sixth person was able to escape. The woman, Alicia M., took the formula with her and later on was picked up by an Australian warship."
Kate nodded. She knew all too well what had happened next. She kept on listening while she rearranged the pillows so she could lay back a bit more comfortably.
"Meanwhile back in Australia a terrorist sleeper cell was trying to get the formula back. The two men, Mehmet O. and Phil S., who are found guilty today picked up Alicia who had returned home. They forced her to reproduce the toxic powder before they brutally killed her," the reporter explained.
Kate decided not to listen while the reporter told everyone how she had been captured and used as a lab rat.
"Now Jared, these men are very dangerous and they'll be going to jail for a long time. Do we know what the toxic powder would have done if it was released here in Australia?" the news anchor asked.
"The only person they were able to infect with the powder has survived but we know she's lucky. At the lab where the powder was produced they found some left over powder which was sent off to forensics to be tested. It seriously dehydrates the human body which can harm bodily functions. The woman who was saved after a horrendous twenty-four-hour ordeal, had the simple luck of not being given enough of the powder," Jared explained.
Kate felt a cold chill going down her spine. She had been in hospital for a week to make sure everything was fine. She had been lucky. Because she was healthy and in a good shape her body hadn't reacted as Mehmet and Phil would have liked to.
"Is the terrorist threat all over now?" the news anchor wanted to know.
Jared laughed as if he was asked a very silly question. "The threat with the formula is, but terrorists are always present. We should always look out, but as it has been proven again, Australia is well protected by our defence forces," Jared answered.
Kate shook her head. The reporter was right but knowing that the threat was on-going was a little bit more frightening now she had a little person to take care of. She looked down and saw the baby drinking peacefully. Kate planted a soft kiss on its head and cuddled him until someone softly cleared his throat.
"Can I come in?" Dutchy asked. He walked in with flowers in his hand and a little present for the baby. "Oh I'm sorry," he quickly added when he saw Kate's unbuttoned shirt.
Kate looked up and smiled. "It's OK," she said. "You look good Midshipman Mulholland," she added formally.
"You too mama McGregor," Dutchy teased.
They both laughed. No one had called her that yet; mummy, but she was very proud of it.
While Kate turned off the television Dutchy didn't know what he should do; come closer or wait from a distance until Kate finished feeding her baby. He felt a bit ashamed that he was blatantly watching what was going on in Kate's side of the room.
"You can come closer you know," Kate said when she saw him still standing, unmoving.
"Are you sure?" he asked a bit hesitant. "I mean you're…" he sighed and pointed at her without finishing his sentence.
Kate pointed at the chair next to her bed. "Come on. Sit down. I won't bite and he's only biting me," she encouraged Dutchy.
It was enough for Dutchy to start moving although he still looked a bit uncomfortable as he sat down.
"You look good with a little one in your arms," Dutchy declared proudly. "You've got a name for him yet?" he asked.
Kate looked at the little guy in her arms and shrugged. "The only thing I know for sure is that I want to use his dad's name; James," she answered without taking her eyes of her son. "But you know. He isn't the man I lost. This is a totally new life and I want him to have his own name. James Roth junior sounds so…" Kate said trying to find the right word to describe what she was feeling.
"James Dylan," Dutchy teased.
Kate looked up in shock and shook her head in disbelieve. "Oh God, not you too," she exclaimed.
Dutchy looked bewildered.
"After his godfather I presume," Kate tried to enlighten him. "You're not the first one to try that trick. If it's up to Mike his name is going to be James Michael Roth," Kate explained laughingly.
Dutchy grinned. He hadn't even thought about becoming a godfather. He just wanted to tease her a bit.
"When did Mike come to visit? I didn't see the Hammersley when I visited Navcom earlier today," Dutchy asked.
"Yesterday. Together with many other of the sailors. Can you believe it? Doctor Howard had to kick them out," Kate laughed, remembering the scene when the man, who had served with all the sailors who were present, told them all to leave, even the captain. Doctor Howard must have felt really good telling Mike what to do. "Well you know how rowdy the Hammersley crew can be," Kate started to explain.
Dutchy nodded. "So they sailed out this morning?" he asked as if Kate would know the answer.
Kate shrugged. "Don't know but if they weren't in port where else would they be?" she replied.
"About the name," Dutchy started to defend himself. "I said it as a joke."
"I know," Kate said. She was done feeding little James so she took him off her breast and put him down in her lap. "Hey Dutchy, do you want to hold him?" she asked enthusiastically.
A big smile spread across Dutchy's face and eagerly he nodded. "Sure," he said proudly.
Kate handed her son to the strong man but eyed him like a hawk. "Watch his head," she warned him. "Yes, support him like that," she said as she pointed out how he should handle James.
"Hello James dot dot dot Roth," Dutchy said to the little guy when he finally finished fidgeting. "Has your mummy showed you your navy uniform already?" Dutchy asked the bundle in his arms.
"Yes, thank you very much," Kate laughed. "You could have warned me it was made from one of my uniforms. I actually got into trouble because of that," Kate protested, even though she had forgiven everyone already.
"I think that's the first time your mummy actually got in trouble. You know James, your mummy is known as 'Princess Perfect' and she hardly does anything wrong," Dutchy continued as if he was alone with James in the room and they could have a long man-talk.
"About the available godfather position," Kate started seriously, ignoring Dutchy jabber. "I uhm… Dylan, I…" she started to stutter.
Dutchy looked up very quickly and softly muttered "Dylan?" underneath his breath.
"I know Jim liked you. He uhm… he respected you and talked highly about you," Kate continued. "We've been friends for a long time and… well… I don't know… would you like to be James' godfather?" she asked him.
Dutchy didn't know how to react to that question. He was honoured and would love to take on that job but what did she want him to do? Be like a dad to James? He couldn't do that.
"Why me?" he asked. "I mean, I'm going to be really busy during the next year until I've finished my officer training and I don't know where they'll place me after that. Of course I want to help you out in any way I can but what do you expect from me if I would be his godfather?" he asked her.
"I asked you because I know what Jim thought of you. He would agree with my choice. I want you to be in James' life; to be a person he could turn to for advice. There comes a day when he'll need a man to talk to. I seriously hope there will be many to pick from but I want to make sure there's at least one," Kate explained.
Dutchy smiled and nodded. "In that case I'll be honoured," he said.
"Kate," Dutchy said after a long pause. "Who's helping you? Do you get enough support?" he asked seriously.
Kate nodded vehemently. "His grandparents are an enormous help. They've been helping me since we returned and we've become very close. Malcolm and Terry are like parents to me. They're going to take care of James when I'm off on the Hammersley in a little while," Kate answered.
"That's true. You finally got your promotion," Dutchy smiled. "Congratulations," he added.
"Thank you," Kate said. "Mike will finally take his desk job as soon as I'm ready to sail again," she added.
Kate looked at James and wanted to take him back in her arms. She wasn't ready to sail yet. Not by far. "Can I have my son back?" she asked.
Dutchy handed James and was still standing when Malcolm and Terry followed by doctor Howard entered the room.
"Good afternoon," Doctor Howard said. "How are mother and son doing today?" he asked.
Kate looked at him and smiled. "Very well. He just finished his afternoon meal and wants to know if he can take his mother home," she joked.
Doctor Howard shook his head and sighed. "I'll check your blood pressure and heart rate. I'll need to weigh James and see if he's gained weight before I'll make any judgement on whether you can take your son home," he answered. He turned around to the three other people in the room and wanted to shoo them out. "We need some privacy," he said.
Dutchy picked up his bag and bent forward to say goodbye to Kate and James. "We'll be in touch. I've got some other meetings to go to before I'm due back at Watson's Bay. You can call me anytime you like," he said before he kissed James on his little head.
"Thank you," Kate replied before she kissed Dutchy and said goodbye.
"We'll wait outside," Malcolm said a bit irritated.
When Doctor Howard was finished and agreed for Kate to go home the Roth's came back into the room. They helped Kate pack the remaining stuff she had in the room. Before she knew it Kate was on her way home with James in a carrier. Malcolm had run ahead so he could get the car so Kate didn't have to walk far with James.
"You're going to have a wonderful life with your mummy," Terry said to her grandson while they waited.
Kate laughed before she looked at her mother-in-law. "If you've got the formula to an easy life could you write it down for me?" she asked.
Terry patted her at her shoulder and shook her head. "You don't need a formula. You've got it in you and you've got great friends and colleagues to help you out. Dylan is a very nice man. Believe in yourself," she encouraged.
Kate smiled and felt tears press at the back of her eyes. "I'm so glad you're here as well. You and Malcolm are so good to us. Maybe the formula to an easy life is having people like you around," she stated.
"To family!" Terry exclaimed.
"Yes. To family and good friends. They'll help you get through hard times," Kate said proudly.