Thankyou guys for all your reviews it means a lot. Thankyou to Kessiebabes for helping me with some ideas. I'm going to try to update every 1-2 days. J
Chapter 8 The Promise
Kate had just under 3 weeks to tell her crew she would be leaving, and still she didn't know what to say, she had a wedding to plan, as well as a baby on the way. Kate passed Nikki on her way to their cabin as she pulled her in, " Nav I have a question for you" whispered Kate.
"What is it, is something wrong ?" replied Nav.
"No nothing's wrong, I wanted to know will you be my bridesmaid?" asked Kate.
Nikki stood there in stock not knowing what to say, " yes of course I will silly" replied Nav as she jumped around the cabin.
Kate walked up to the bridge happier than normal smiling as she looked over at Mike he smiled back making her even happier, Kate walked over to Mike " Sir I was thinking the crew have been out here for 5 weeks straight, there's an island near by so how about some R and R for the crew, give them a short break what do think?"
Mike stood there thinking when he looked at Kate " yeah why not they deserve it , but they only have 6 hours because we need to be back in port by 1900 hours".
Kate nodded in reply "thanks sir".
"Ah Kate will you be going ashore ?" Mike asked
"No not this time" replied Kate throwing a smile his way.
Mike and Kate stood on the bridge looking onto the beach, the crew getting some much needed R and R, there was no-one on the bridge bar Kate and Mike giving them opportunity to talk to each other.
"I asked Nikki to be my bridesmaid, she accepted of course" said Kate as Mike laughed.
"And well were going to have to tell the crew that I'm leaving at some point we only have 2 weeks left on patrol" Kate continued when Mike spoke up. "Well when we get back to port we will take everyone out to dinner and then tell them, but we have to tell Navcom first that you need ashore posting" Mike replied and they left it at there.
3 weeks flew by for Kate, she never though she would be leaving Hammersley this early, what would the crew think, as Kate steered Hammersley into port a tear running down her cheek as she held Nikki's hand, Buffer approached Kate giving her a hug the rest of the crew wondering what was going on when Mike spoke over the pa system.
"Do you hear there captain speaking" everyone listening to Mike as they stopped what they were doing. " All personnel are required to assemble on deck immediately, that is all".
Mike put down the radio as everyone made there way to onto the deck as Mike and Kate stood in front of the crew, Mike speaking first.
"Everyone I have some news, this was the XO's last patrol for now, as she will be taking a shore posting for a short while" said Mike.
The crew stood there stunned Spider being the first to speak " Ma'am why ?"
"Because I'm pregnant" said Kate.
The crew let out a cheer congratulating Kate.
"Ok guys we will see you all tonight at the pub" Mike yelled over the top of his sailors.
Mike and Kate headed to Navcom to talk to Marshall, and Kate wasn't looking forward to it, as they sat in Marshall's office waiting when he finally came in.
"So what can I do for you Mike?" asked Marshall.
"Sir I need to discuss a shore posting with you" replied Kate.
"Why" replied Marshall as a puzzled look swept his face.
"Sir I'm pregnant" replied Kate as she sat there waiting for Marshalls reaction.
"Great, this is all I need right now, yeah I suppose we could sort out a shore posting but once you have this child are you willing to go back to Hammersley?" replied Marshall.
"Yes sir, I don't really have a choice do I" replied Kate.
"Not at the moment we don't have anyone to replace you, I'm sorry Kate" replied Marshall sincerely.
Kate walked out of Marshalls office disappointed she would have to miss part of her child's life, but at the same time she was slightly happy she would be able to return to Hammersley.
Kate was silent on the drive home, Mike breaking it at last "Look its not the outcome we were hoping for but we can make it work".
"How I have no family" replied Kate as she stared down at her stomach
"Look Commander Marshall has given you a shore posting for the next year and that is going to give you some time to sort everything out" replied Mike as he tried to reassure Kate that everything was going to be ok ," look my family could help they looked after my sisters son when they had to go over seas and he was only 2 years old, so mum and dad will most definitely help" Mike added.
They arrived at the pub the sound of there sailors could be recognised anywhere, they walked through the doors and headed over to there table and ordered there drinks Mike having a beer and Kate a coke.
When all the sailors gathered around the table nav raised her glass.
"To the Co and X" yelled Nav.
Mike and Kate stood up as Mike was first to speak.
"Everyone we have some other news" said Mike as Kate raised her hand to show her ring as everyone started to catch on yelling and screaming. As the celebrations kicked off Mike walked over to Buffer with another beer.
"Congratulations sir" said Buffer.
"Thanks Buff" replied Mike as he looked over at Kate.
Kate, Nikki, and Bomber separated themselves from the rest of the crew,
"So how long are you on a shore posting for" asked Nav.
"Marshall has given me a year but I have to return to the Hammersley after that" replied Kate.
"But what about bub ?" asked Bomber.
"Were working on that" replied Kate.
It had just hit eleven and Kate was almost falling asleep on Mike's shoulder. Mike and Buffer carried Kate to the car, she was fast asleep until they got to Kate's apartment, as she stumbled up to the house and into bed when she asked Mike "promise me everything is going to be alright, I mean are we doing the right thing bringing a child into our hectic lives?" said Kate as she got into bed.
"I promise everything is going to be ok, we will get through this and I promise you wont be alone" Mike replied as they snuggled up to one another, Kate falling fast asleep almost immediately.
Chapter 9 : Kate has a check up at the doctors will mike make it or not and is it a boy or a girl?