CH 20
"Mum dad" Ryan and Duncan said in shock then ran over to them giving them both a hug since they were still in the DBNU
"Surprise, happy birthday" Mike said.
"You sure are full of them, but why are you here"
"Tow a boat in so since we got a couple of hours, with crew restocking things on board, we decided to come and surprise you"
"We are happy that you are here even if it is for an hour," Duncan said.
"Same here, Maxine you heard what Ryan and Duncan said, we want you to leave this place now" Mike said. Maxine looks around then she walks back the way she came just as MJ, connor and Emma ran over to them yelling
"mummy, Daddy" while smiling.
"Ryan, Duncan, what's going on? Why did that woman say she was your son? We thought that Mr and Mrs Flynn were your parents" one of the students said.
Ryan and Duncan look at each other then to Mike and Kate. "It's up to you boys if you want to tell them," Kate said.
"thanks mum"
"We will support you whatever you decide," Mike said. Duncan and Ryan look at each other.
"We might as well," Duncan said.
"Yeah we should or otherwise they will bug us with questions"
"that true" They turn to their friends and their classmates.
"what we are going to tell you all will shock you"
"It can't be that bad," one of them said.
"It is, trust us" Duncan said.
They spent the next fifteen minutes sharing everything with their classmates. By the time they finish telling them everything including what Maxine did to Stewart thinking it was Mike, resulting in Micheal being conceived, it shocked all their classmates.
"Wow you weren't kidding when you said it would shock us" one of them said.
"No matter what Ryan, Duncan, we will support you and your family," another one said.
"We can tell from what Maxine walked in here and that you both were angry that she showed up till your parents showed up. We can see how happy you both are when they are home" another one said.
"thanks guys, we don't see mum and dad much but they are both trying to get a shore posting because of us kids, but they sure pick a great nanny cleaner to look after us" Ryan said The kids started asking questions which Ryan and Duncan were able to answer.
"Ryan, Duncan, what did your parents get you for your birthday?" one of the kids asked.
"This party, that all we asked for, it the great gift any kid could ask for but the best gift of all is for them to be here sharing this day with all of our families who are here and friends. But there was one group of friends who couldn't make it today" Duncan said
"Who is your other group of friends?" one of them asked.
"Hammersley crew that the ship mum and dad work on. We know the crew and they are an awesome bunch" Ryan said.
"Ryan, Duncan, when we return from our patrol the crew want to put on a belated birthday for you two"
"Tell the crew thanks. We will be looking forward to it" Duncan said.
"We will"
"Got time for some lunch?" Stewart asked.
"Sure we got some time," Mike said. they walk over where they greeted other family members.
After lunch Stewart and Pat went and got the boys their birthday cakes. When they returned, the kids sang happy birthday while Stewart lit the candles. When the kids finished singing, Duncan and Ryan blew out the candles which everyone cheered them on. Mike and Kate share each other's cake since Mike got Ryan cake and Kate got Duncan cake.
"Ryan your parents are amazing"
"what do you mean"
"Watch them sharing each other cakes, sharing bottles of ginger beer. Are they always like that"
"Yes they are. It shows how much they love each other. it hard that they can't show it while out on patrol but soon as they are home they act like newlyweds"
"How long have they been married for?"
"Almost eight years"
"Eight years, wow at least they are happy"
"Yes they are, even though it's hard that they haven't got a shore posting"
"True" Mike and Kate left five minutes later. They give their kids a hug before leaving to return back to Hammersley while the kids enjoy their afternoon party.
When Hammersley returns from its patrol a week later the crew and their families show up at Mike and Kate place for a belated birthday for Ryan and duncan. Everyone was enjoying themselves since it was a Saturday when they arrived. Stewart walk over to Mike who was manning the barbeque since Bomber was in the bathroom.
"Boys enjoying themselves," Stewart said.
"Yeah they are, how are you Stewart"
"I'm good, Micheal. He is looking forward to spending it with me."
"That's great to know. Any problems with Maxine"
"no, not since the boy's birthday"
"Ok"
"Mike are you ok"
"Yeah, I learned that fleet command got a new captain of Hammersley"
"That's great news so you will have your shore posting back."
"Yep, shame that there isn't any XO to replace Kate"
"Well who knows Mike, one day it will happen so for the meantime spend much time as you can with her" Mike smiled at Stewart
"Oh you don't have to worry about that." Stewart laughed then realized something.
"Mike will you be ok in coping with Maxine"
"don't worry about her, I can handle her"
"good luck"
"thanks" Everyone had a great time, kids included.
Mike and Kate spent the next three days with their kids till the day Hammersley set sail. the crew got to meet their new captain, Lieutenant Commander Steve Coburn.
When Hammersley left port, Mike returned to NAVCOM. When he walked into his office there were files on his desk, so he sat down and started reading them.
When he arrives home from work he smiles when he sees kids at the table having their dinner. "Hey dad, how was your first day?" Ryan asked.
"It was ok"
"In other words,it was tense? we understand," Duncan said.
"You boys are too smart for your own good"
"funny dad" Ryan said.
When Hammersley returned from his patrol the crew were looking forward to going to the pub, whereas Kate was looking forward to seeing her family. When she arrived home, she went to do her normal things when she returned back from her patrol.
When Ryan and Duncan arrived home from school Kate was in the kitchen when they walked in talking and joking till they saw who was in the kitchen with a smile on her face "Mum your home" Duncan said as they walked around the breakfast bar to give Kate a hug.
"Yep for two nights, so how has school been"
"Good, we got exams coming up next week so thanks for the snack mum we got to go and study"
"I know about the exams, here your drinks." She got them a bottle of creaming soda each
"Thanks mum" they said, taking drinks in one hand and plate in the other as they walked out the kitchen talking about teenage stuff.
When Stewart walks into the kitchen with the kids, he notices three plates with biscuits and chop up banana and grapes on a plate plus a glass of orange juice next to the plate. He helped the kids up on the chairs at the breakfast bar where they started eating their snack.
"I wonder if Ryan or Duncan got you kids your afternoon snack" Stewart said to the kids as he started unpacking the grocery bags.
"It wasn't them" they turn to the voice
"Mummy your home" MJ said. Kate stepped forward to give the three of them a hug.
"Yes I'm home for three days, have you kids been good"
"Yes," they all said.
"That's great" then she turned to Stewart.
"Kate i forgot that Hammersley was due in today"
"now you know"
"Yeah, where Ryan and Duncan"
"studying since they have an exam coming up next week"
"Ah true, it's hard to believe that it's that time of year for them"
"True, the question will be what do they want to do when they finish high school"
"Ryan is taking an interest in joining the navy but my guess is that Mike had some thing to do with it since he introduced both boys to Jessica bird" Kate laugh
"Mike playing matchmaker, who ever knew"
"True"
"what about Duncan?"
"He might as well, but we shall see"
"True"
Later that night Mike walks inside to see Stewart getting ready to dish up dinner with Ryan and Duncan's help. "Something smells good"
"Kate cooks tonight"
"Ah, where is Kate"
"In the games room with the kids' dad, she teaches them how to read," Duncan said.
"Ok, i'll go and get changed after i say hello to Kate" he said grinning as he turned and walked away.
"I wonder how long the kiss is going to be," Ryan said, making Stewart laugh.
"Who knows Ryan, after all they can hold their breath a long time" Stewart said.
"True"
That night Mike and Kate made passionate love like they do every time Kate has shore leave. During the day while Mike was at work, Kate had a couple appointments in town and she did some shopping as well.
The morning Hammersley left for patrol, the crew talked and laughed about different things. "Swain how was your shore leave?" Kate asked.
"It was great X" Swain said grinning then said. "How was yours?" Kate smiled
"It was short but great. But there are still no replacements"
"Your joking, the navy hasn't got a permit XO" dutchy said.
"No they haven't, Mike has been trying and there is no one"
"don't worry X one day, hopefully soon you will have your shore posting back" Steve said.
"thank sir" they talk about other things as they head north.
A few weeks later it was Ryan and Duncan's last day at high school and also their graduation day. Hammersley was in port and Mike got the day off so he and Kate could be at their son's graduation. They both are proud of their sons passing their exams. That night they all went out to dinner to celebrate.
"Duncan, Ryan, care to tell us what your plans are?" Mike asked.
"I've been accepted into the navy, i leave next year to navy college" Ryan said.
"That's great news Ryan" Mike said.
"what about you duncan" Kate asked
"I'm joining up as well"
"We are both proud of you boys" Kate said smiling at them.
"Thanks mum," Duncan said.
Two days later Hammersley crew had a pre Christmas dinner at Mike and Kate place since they were going to be out on patrol over christmas, New Year. Bomber and bird showed up to Mike place early in the morning to help out with the cooking and getting things set up for the pre christmas dinner.
That night everyone showed up including families. They had it outside where a portable table and chairs were set up. Everyone was talking, laughing while enjoying the drinks and snacks that had been on hand since they arrived that afternoon.
When the main food came out, they were all shocked when they saw cut up baked ham and turkey with stuffing. baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, baby carrots, peas, beans, gravy, cranberry sauce. Everyone helped themselves to the food when it was ready.
Then over an hour later deserts started coming out. There was pavlova with cream and different fruits on each of the pavlova. There were six different home made cheese cakes, brandy snaps, chocolate eclairs, fruit salad and ice cream. Everyone enjoyed their desserts, some even went back for seconds.
Later Mike and Kate started off the evening with a dance then Swain and Sally joined in, the others started joining in. It was late by the time Mike and Kate got into bed after a busy long day they had.
Two days later Hammersley left port for a month-long patrol. Mike and other family members won't be seeing the crew till next year. On Christmas day Mike's parents spent Christmas with Mike and the kids.
Stewart is spending Christmas with his son since Maxine is working on Christmas day and with his sister and her family. Mike gave Stewart a few days off and Maxine signed papers saying that she gave Stewart the ok to take Micheal with him for five day when he was spending it in Brisbane with his family.
After new years when Hammersley returned back from it's patrol the crew was looking forward to a week shore leave. Kate was looking forward to spending her leave with her kids. Ryan and Duncan flew down to Sydney the day before Hammersley left for its patrol.
Mike and Kate took the boys to the airport and gave them both a hug. "you do the best you can." Mike said.
"We will dad"
"We love you both so much" Kate said, hugging them both at the same time.
"We love you to mum" Mike and Kate watch their sons walk towards the plane and watch the plane leave. "Our sons are growing up fast Mike"
"Yeah i know, let's go home" they turn around and walk the way they came while holding hands.
