Chapter 13 Wait It Out
It had been 3 months since Kate had seen Mike and thankfully he would be home for Alexia's first birthday and she had other surprises for Mike and the crew. Kate waited at the docks as she looked on waiting for Hammersley to come into sight and when Hammersley did she couldn't wait to see Mike, she put Alexia down on the ground and now she could stand, Mike, Bomber, Buffer, and Nav looked onto the dock where they saw Alexia standing by Kate smiles bursting onto there faces. Its was a magical sight.
One by one the crew disembarked with there gear waiting for there taxies so they could head to Kate's place, Mike walked over to Kate picking up Alexia, he couldn't believe she was walking already but that wasn't all she could do, Mike held Alexia as they walked over to Bomber, Nav and Buffer when she said "dad" in a soft sweet voice Mike was bewildered as she said it again.
"Hey Buffer did you hear that ?" asked Mike.
"Yes I did sir, congratulations Sir" Buffer replied.
"How long ago did she start talking" asked Bomber.
"About a month ago, I was so happy when she said her first word" replied Kate.
They made there way back to Kate's place, it seemed Kate's place was sort of becoming the debriefing pub and Kate was prepared, she ended up buying another fridge for the beer and wine.
Mike laughed at the sight of the fridge "well that definitely makes a statement" said Mike.
"Well, considering we've had the crew here since I've have this stupid shore posting it seemed a good idea at the time" laughed Kate.
In three days Alexia would be one, and that would mark in three months Kate would return to Hammersley, Kate was so happy she would return and she was lucky enough to have Alexia with her.
Kate and Nav stood in the kitchen listening to the laughs of the crew and the tiny giggles out of Alexia as Spider and Bomber entertained her.
"So three months until you return" said Nav.
"Yeah I know its gone so fast, I mean not so long ago Alexia was just this tiny little person and now look at her, I have the opportunity to see my daughter grow up and I get to do the job I love and not mention I'm on the same ship with Mike" Kate replied smiling and thinking about the past couple of months " I never imagined my life would turn out like this I'm married to Mike, have a beautiful daughter and I sail around Australia what more could I possibly want" Kate thought to her self.
As the sun started to descend over the hills and mountains surrounding Kate and Mike's place the crew headed off to hit the local bars, Alexia was in bed and Mike and Kate were just about to sit down to watch a movie when the phone rang and there was only one person it could be as Kate picked up the phone to answer it " Kate McGregor speaking" answered Kate.
"Ah lieutenant its Commander Marshall, can you put Mike on" replied Marshall, Kate handed Mike the phone annoyed.
"Mike Flynn speaking, yes Sir, but we have just come back from a 3 month patrol, can't spicy donger I mean lieutenant Commander Curry take it, yes Sir I understand that Sir , but, yes Sir got it Sir" Mike hung up the phone digging into the couch pissed off and annoyed.
Kate laid her head on his shoulder " what now, cant you have just one day off" Kate said annoyed.
"Some idiot millionaire has crashed his boat into a reef and there sinking and because he has mate's in the navy high up we have been tasked to answer this may day" Mike said steaming into their room having to repack his gear.
"Just think when Alexia and I are on the ship you aren't going to have worry about saying good bye every time" replied Kate in a soothing voice, as she walked to the phone to let the crew know what was going on, Mike followed closely behind.
They drove to Hammersley Mike silent and upset most of the way there, he got out of the car to say goodbye kissing Kate and hugging her not knowing how long he would be gone for.
It was a 3 day round trip for Hammersley and the sooner that got home the sooner they all could be with there families. They steered into port, docking as all the sailors stepped off with presents in there hands, it was Alexia's first birthday, and for a 1 year old the crew was surprised to see her unwrap her first present with the help from Kate.
Many photos were taken and one stood out from the rest Mike Kate and Alexia all together smiling, Mike looked at the photos.
"She has your smile, Kate " Mike stated the crew swarming to get a look, she was beautiful.
As the three months went by in a blur Kate's return to Hammersley was highly anticipated like a new movie being released the crew couldn't wait to have Kate back and there new sailor on board, in 2 days they would set sail on Kate's first patrol in just over a year. Mike stared at Kate as she tried on her new uniform as Mike walked up behind her.
"You know you are going to be the sexiest woman onboard Hammersley when they see you" Mike laughed as Kate slapped him on the arm. I took Kate 2 hours to get both Alexia's and her own gear ready, everything was starting to come together.
Kate sat on the edge of her bed staring at a photo of her and Mike back at ADFA, taken two days before they were split up, Kate thought back to the night she left Mike standing on the foot path alone, tears running down his face, shattered to bits as she watched him slowly fade away. Only to be reunited 10 years later and the start of something beautiful, not realising Mike was standing in front of her she had tears running down her face.
"Hey you ok?" asked Mike.
"Yeah… I was just thinking about the past" replied Kate still thinking what she had put Mike through, leaping up to hug him she never wanted to put him though that again, Mike noticed the photo Kate was holding hugging back harder as he realised what she was thinking about.
As the sun slowly rose and started to shine, a new day was upon them. Mike popped down to the shops while Kate was still in bed, he returned with two photo's and two photo frames, he placed the photos of him and Kate at ADFA in the frame, it reminded him of the good times and the bad times this would be a comfort to Kate having something unprofessional while they were professional on the ship, he placed it in her bag and went to play with Alexia.
In 24 hours they would set sail to there unknown destination.
Mike and Kate sat on the deck as they watched Alexia play with her toys, they were going to miss being able to relax in each others arms but at the same time they were excited about having Alexia with them, something that wouldn't be aloud under other circumstances, and Mike had a little present for Kate, he handed her a tiny box the had the initial of the navy, Kate looked at Mike.
"You didn't" as she opened the box.
"I did" he replied as she held in her hands a pair of dog tags that read…..
RAN 0419343
Alexia Mackenzie Flynn
Dob: 04-3-2010
Blood type: b pos
Kate smiled at the sight of the dog tags, Mike pulled out another two boxes "I had another two made, one for you and one for me" added Mike as Kate stared down at the tiny tags.
Mike and Kate walked onto Hammersley saluting as Alexia followed close behind, Buffer and Spider walked over to Kate and Mike.
" Sir, Ma'am we have something you might want to see" said Buffer as they walked down to Mike's quarters, Spider opened the door to see an extra bed in his cabin.
"Surprise Sir we thought this would be the best place and we had some help from Commander Marshall" Spider said as Kate walked in, it was the perfect size for Alexia, she placed her stuff on Mike's rack.
"We will leave you to it" Buffer said as he walked down the corridor, Kate was astounded at what the boys had done and that they had managed to pull it off.
Later on they all headed to the galley for dinner and Bomber was making her special, Kate was very happy as she slipped in to get Alexia's food that Bomber had prepared earlier as she headed back to Mike's cabin she sat in his rack, she finished feeding Alexia and put her to bed when Mike walked in.
"How is she" asked Mike.
"Yeah she's good I'm surprised she hasn't been sick yet she ate double tonight" replied Kate.
Mike slid behind Kate letting her rest on him while Alexia slowly started to drift off to sleep and soon enough she was sound asleep, Kate slowly stood up reluctantly not wanting to leave the comfort of Mike and knowing what she was about to do was against regulations, she kissed Mike goodnight and headed up to the bridge for her watch.