Last, but not least, the final chapter for this story. Hope you enjoy the read.

Chapter 32 – The finale

Three weeks later on patrol:

Kate starts feeling unwell every morning, throwing up everything she just ate or drank. At first she thinks that she may come down with the flu or a stomach bug. But when it goes on for more then a week and even Mike notices that she has lost weight and looks pale, Kate decides to talk to Bird. Checking her over, Bird finds nothing wrong with her. No raised temperature or any other signs for a sickness. Thinking of only one other possibility she opens a cupboard and hands the X a pregnancy test. With a slight smile, Bird tells her "It's just a simple test, Ma'am. Easy to do."

"Hm, easy for you to say Bird. You have nothing to lose. But if I'm with child, I have to give this all up. And I don't know, if I would be ready for this yet."

Bird lays a hand on her shoulder and means "I'm sure you'll be doing the right thing, Ma'am. And I'm also sure that the boss will help you through it all. No matter what the test says." Kate looks at the package and mumbles, before leaving "I hope you are right Bird."

Going to her cabin and locking the door behind her, Kate unpacks the test and starts to read the instructions. She does it more than once, just to be sure she has it right. Only then does she walk into her bathroom, starting the test. When she is done, she zips her trousers and with the test in hand, starts moving up and down her cabin. During her impatient pacing, she goes through all kind of scenarios in her inner mind. And she has a gnawing fear building too, because this is something that would be beyond her control. Which would be a problem in itself, as she loves to be in control of everything in her life. After seemingly endless minutes, the two bars are glowing blue, confirming her suspicion. She is with child now. With the stick still in her hand, Kate goes up to the CO's cabin.

Once there she knocks softly on the door. He opens it for her and she moves in, while he closes it behind her. Not really knowing how to tell him, Kate just holds the stick out to him, wanting him to speak first. A bit shocked, Mike takes it from her slightly shaking hand and seeing the two blue stripes on the stick that say "pregnant", his face turns into a massive grin, even his eyes gleam for joy. He jumps up from his deskchair and takes Kate into his strong arms, whirling her around a few times, till she claps on his shoulder and shouts "Stop! Stop, I'm getting dizzy." Mike does as he is being told and looking her in the eyes, he says softly "Kate, you couldn't have given me better news than this. You are with child, our child. God, I'm so happy for us both. I'm really looking forward to show our little one the ropes." Hearing those words from him, makes Kate happy too. She throws her arms around him and whispers in his ear "Thank you Mike. I feared you would not like it, because I remember how you told me once that you don't want to have kids. I'm really glad that you changed your mind, sailor. I love you Mike." He murmurs back "I love you too, Kate."

Hours later back at home base:

Back in Cairns, Kate informs Maxine of her situation, as she knows about her relation with Mike. "Ma'am, I have to tell you something important, that could change my life forever." Pausing a moment, Kate continues "I'm with child, Ma'am. And before you ask, yes, Mike is the father." Letting this sink in, Maxine then replies "Thank you for telling me this Kate. You are allowed to still fulfill your duties aboard Hammersley as her XO, but only on light duties. No boardings or other straining activities that could endanger the child growing inside of you. Is that understood, Kate?" Kate is not too happy about this, but she agrees on the terms. Maxine then tells her "When you reach the fourth month you'll have to leave the ship, as you are no longer allowed to be at sea from this point. But there is the possibility for you to go back into officer's training, so that your promotion to Lieutenant Commander can be finalised. Afterwards you'll start working here as my 2IC. How does that sound Kate?"

Before she can answer, Mike walks into the room and just answers in her stead "That sounds wonderful Maxine. It's long overdue that she gets promoted. And I think, I can sleep way better knowing that she is safe here on land, away from any possible danger." Knowningly smiling at him, Maxine gets up from her chair and says "Congratulations Mike. I never thought I'd see the day, but you proved me wrong. I'm sure you'll make a wonderful and loving father. Just promise me to not make the same mistake as Stuart did. Don't leave Kate alone with your child for too long."

Smiling assuredly to her, he replies "Don't you worry, Max. I won't make that mistake. But you know the Navy and her sense of timing. It's way off. And I'll go where I'm being send to as I've once sworn an oath and I'm holding onto that till the day I die."

Kate, who has gotten up to by now, comes up to him and says pleadingly while holding onto his arm "Don't talk about dying Mike. I nearly lost you twice, because of the dangerous job we are doing. Both times I got you back, but I'not sure if you'd be this lucky a third time. I don't want to lose you, especially now. So promise me to be extra careful from the time I have to take my shoreposting. Will you do this for me Mike?" Putting a finger under her chin to make her look up at him, he answers "Of course Kate. I promise to be extra careful from now on. And you can be sure that I keep to that promise. I want to see our child growing up, raising him or her together with you. Seeing it's first steps, hearing the first word and all other beautiful things that only a child can give you. I wouldn't be able to do all those nice things from up there", he pauses and points with a finger heavenward. Then he goes on "So you are stuck with me Kate McGregor."

He halts again and before Kate or Maxine realize what he is doing, he is already down on one knee and holds a blue jewellery case out to Kate. He opens the box and reveals a shiny gold band with a single blue gemstone, surrounded by two tiny sparkling diamonds, sitting in its velvet pouch. Both Kate and Maxine are speechless. Kate is the first to find her voice. "Are you serious Mike?" To prove to her that he really means it, Mike goes on "I was never more serious with anything else in my life Kate. You are my life. You are my sunshine on a rainy day, you are my rock, my safe harbour. You are the love of my life Kate and I would love nothing more then to spend the rest of my days with you by my side. Will you marry me Kate McGregor?"

Kate has tears streaming down her face, but she smiles and answers "Yes. Yes Mike Flynn. I'll marry you." Putting the ring on Kate's finger and kissing it, Mike gets up and takes her into his arms "You have just made me the happiest man alive Kate. Let's celebrate the engagement." Now Maxine speaks up "Hold it you two! First of all. Congratulations to the engagement. I wish you both all the luck in the world. – Secondly, Mike. You keep your posting as CO of Hammersley for the unseen future. The brass has finally seen reason and have decided to keep you there as long as possible. And last but not least, we have to prepare your wedding and of course, when it's the time, the christening of your child." Seeing their eager, slightly red faces, Maxine smiles and shooes them out of her office "Off you two. Go have your fun. We'll see each other next time you'll return back to home port. Goodbye you lovebirds." With big smiling faces, Mike and Kate leave Maxine's office, holding hands and not caring about the looks they get from other personal.

Four month later:

Mike and Kate are married for two month now. The whole Hammersley crew, his parents and Maxine as well as Mike's old fatherly friend Steve Marshall were in attendance. Now in her fourth month of pregnancy, Kate takes on her job at NavCom and finally gets her promotion to Lieutenant Commander, since she has successfully finished her further officer's training. Like Mike she now wears the POW (Prinicipal Warfare Officer) badge on her uniform. As for Mike, nothing changes for him. He stays on as CO on the Hammersley for the unseen future, a fact which couldn't make him feel more content. He has everything he ever wished for in his life: he is married to the woman he loves more then anything, she is pregnant with their first child and to top it all, he is finally allowed to stay on as CO on his beloved ship, serving with his best mates, his second family away from home.

THE E N D