CH 2
The next night Kate arrived at mike house just before six. She knock on the door and waited. She heard foot steps and the door open to see mike standing there smiling at her
"come on in"
"thanks" Kate walk into mike house while he close the door then she follow him down to the kitchen
"nice place you got here"
"thanks, dinner almost ready"
Kate watch mike open a bottle of red wine then he pour some into two wine glasses then he put the bottle on the counter and pick up two glasses and pass one to her
"I hope you like the wine" Mike asked as Kate took a sip of it
"It nice wine, dinner smell great"
"wait till you try it" Mike said smiling as he walk over to the stove to check on dinner while Kate look around the kitchen dinning area.
She walk over to photos that on the wall. She saw one of mike and his family. She could see the resemblance between mike and his dad. Mike look like his father but he got his mother nose and smile. Kate look at the family photo when Mike walk over to her
"are you close to your family Mike"
"Yes I am, this was taken two years ago"
"you all look so happy"
"Yes we are that Paul, my dad, Alice my mum. Jo my older sister, Kelly then there me and my twin sister Michele"
"Twin" Kate said turning to mike to see him smiling at Kate
"Yeah I'm older by two minutes" Kate smile then turn back to the photo
"Jane and Kayla" mike said point out to who is who.
"any of them married?" Kate asked
"they all are, Jane got married last year"
"Ok can you tell me a bit about them" Mike smile
"sure so long as you tell me a bit about your self, dinner ready"
They turn around and walk back to the kitchen where mike dish up there dinner while he started telling Kate about his family. He told her about his dad and mum and then Kate tells him about what it was like in England from what she could remember.
Them mike tells Kate about his sisters and she tells him more about her up bringing but left sustain thing out which Mike notice but didn't press Kate into telling him.
After dinner mike made them a coffee then they walk over to the living room where they sat down next to each other and spent the next few hours talking and laughing about different things. It was after midnight when mike walk Kate to the front door. He open it for her then she walk past then stop and turn to him
"thanks for dinner and a great night Mike"
"your welcome, enjoy your shore leave"
"you to, next time I have shore leave I'll invite you around for dinner"
"i would like that" Kate step ford and kiss mike on the lips
"night Mike"
"night Kate" Mike watch Kate and she walk down to her car.
He watch her get in and then drove away. He walk back into his house closing and locking the door behind him. Then he went to take care of the dishes while smiling then he went to bed happy.
When Kate arrived back at her apartment she was also smiling as she got change and did her night routine before going to bed her self. During shore leave Kate did some shopping. She brought her self some more clothes and more furniture for her apartment which made her happy.
Mike he spent his week talking to his family on the phone when ever he returns back from patrol. When he was talking to his mum and dad he was shock with what he dad asked him
"mike tell me about Kate McGregor"
"Dad how did you know about her"
"Remember son I still got friends in the navy they told me couple weeks ago about seeing you at the navy ball. They ask around about your date and that she a midshipmen" Mike walk over to his couch and sat down
"We met on HMAS Darwin. I didn't know she was invited to the ball dad. I saw her walk into the hotel lobby alone so I offer to be her date for the evening"
"that was good of you son but there more"
"Dad"
"mike you know the navy rules"
"Yes I do, any way I'm back doing shore posting on Monday and Kate back on Darwin leaving for six week patrol"
"Mike you like her don't you" His mother asked
"i do mum, I don't know why but I do"
"that what you said about all your other girl friends mike and look what happen to them" his father said
"I know that dad but Kate different I don't know why but there some thing about her that draws me to her."
"mike you love her don't you" his mother said
"i think so mum, she came around the other night for dinner we talk about our families and what it like growing up. But I can tell she holding some thing back. Some thing she not ready to share. From what she told me, her up bring since she came to Australia wasn't a good one"
"what do you mean son" His mother asked.
"Her mother was drunk, into drugs taking men home with her for the night. Kate left with cooking cleaning, every thing. She manage to get an after school job so she could buy school uniform, book, clothes things like that" Mike said as he lean back against the couch
"Mike sounds like Kate had a bad up bringing"
"she did mum at school it was really bad for her, kids gave her hell calling her assorts of names including saying like mother like daughter, your mother is a whole and a slut and so are you. Things like that" Mike parents were shock with what mike said.
"How did Kate coupe" mike mum asked
"School teachers help out the best they can they gave her advice and encourage her to finish school. One of them pass Kate all the information about the navy she the teacher learn that her father and grand father was in the royal British navy"
"she join the navy like her family did" Mike father asked
"Yes dad she work and study hard, she received the girl dux and over all dux in her final year at school plus she top student at the navy academy"
"Really" mike father said in shock
"Yes she did. She work hard to get to where she is today and I have heard and seen her work when I was on Darwin for the two patrols. She like a hard task master and we have had couple deep throat debates while out on patrol"
"Deep throat debates, that must have been interesting" His father said
"It was dad she one women she never back down" Mike mother laugh
"Just like you mike"
"mum"
"she right son"
"you should talk Paul you were like that at Mike age" Mike smile
"Mum you did say we so much alike"
"that true. Mike we would like to meet Kate" His mother said
"I'll talk to her and see what she says"
"Ok son" his mother said.
They talk for few more minutes before they hung up the phone and thought about about his parents said. He knew all he can do is wait for Kate return from patrol to ask her about meeting his parents.
On Monday morning Mike showed up on the wharf in front of HMAS Darwin when Kate showed up with her sea bag
"sir is every thing alright" When they saulted each other since Mike was in his uniform.
"Yes it is, can I talk to you for a minute"
"sure" they walk over to a spot where they could talk quietly
"what wrong" Kate asked
"nothing. I spoke to mum and dad the other day, I told them about you" Kate look shock
"what did you tell them"
"Basic things about you, dad already knew about you before we talk"
"How"
"He still got friends in the navy. They told him about what happen at the navy ball and who you are"
"Is that why your here to tell me that"
"Yes and they want to meet you"
"what" Kate said in shock
"I said I'll talk to you about it and it up to you if you want to meet them"
"But we hardly know each other"
"Well you sure got them interested especially dad"
"Your dad"
"Yeah I told him a bit about you, that got him interested and about out two deep throat debates, that made mum laugh" He said smiling.
"Why did she find it funny?"
"Dad and I were like that. Look I'll let you think about it and call me you got my number"
"Yeah, I'll let you what I've decided when I return from my patrol"
"ok, I better get to base. Look after your self"
"i will and you to"
"Fair winds."
They saluted each other before Kate turn and walk up onto HMAS Darwin. Mike turn and walk back the way he came. Three hours later HMAS Darwin left port for it patrol.
Three weeks later the mail was deliver, the radio operator was going through the three bags of mail when he had time and past mail out to every one. Kate was walking to the galley for a brew when the radio operator saw her
"McGregor ma'am" He called her since none of the crew could think up a name for Kate.
She stop and turn around "Yes Rabbit"
"Your got mail ma'am" he past her an larger than normal size envelope to her
"thank you rabbit" then he turn and walk away.
Kate look at the envelope and turn it over, there was no return to sender address on it. So she walk down and into her cabin where she open the envelope and look in side of it then she pulled out a fold up letter and a laminated photo. She look at the photo and saw it one of her and Mike together at the navy ball. She remember seeing two photographer around the room taking photos of different couples. Then she unfolded the letter and read what it says
'Kate, I know that you getting this is a surprise. The photographer who took this photo took a number of photos of you and me together during the evening. I got copies of them all and I choice the one you got now to send to you. I hope it will make you smile seeing it. You look so happy in this photo and it my favorite. Looking forward to your return, take care, fair winds, Mike'
Kate smile at Mike jester. She folded the note up and look at the photo once more before putting it in a safe spot and letter in her sea bag. Then she walk out of her cabin a lot happier than before.
Two weeks later on a Sunday morning Mike was relaxing at home. He was putting copy photos from the navy ball into an album when there was a knock on the door so he got up from the couch and went to see who it was.
When he open the door "mum, dad, this is a surprise" Mike let them in giving them both a hug
"We call base and they said it your day off so we decided to come and see you" Alice said
"Ok come on though, want a brew"
"Yes thanks son" Paul said
"sounds good to me" Alice said. Mike close the door and follow them down and into the kitchen where they talk while mike made them a drink
"go into the living room I'll bring drinks in there"
"ok" Alice said.
Paul and Alice walk into the living room when they saw number of photos and photo album on the coffee table. Alice walk over and look at them
"Paul" he walk over to Alice as she pick couple of the photos up and show him
"This must be Kate" Paul said looking at the photos
"Yeah, she so young and yet they look happy in each of these photos" Alice said picking up another photo of mike and Kate smiling at each other while dancing.
"I've never seen mike smile like that in any other photos. She must be really special" Paul said
"she must be, look at this one" Alice said when she pick a photo up to show Paul it was one of mike and Kate with there arms around each other posing for the photographer. Kate got her head on Mike chest as they smile for the camera.
"He dose look happy" Paul said
"Look in his eyes Paul what do you see" Alice said
"Happiness" he look at Alice
"more than that, love and notice there a sparkle there" Paul look at the photo once more
"Your right"
"you got that same spark on our wedding day and all the other photos and now our son got that sparkle in these photos." Alice said
"Here you go" Mike said
when he walk into the living room carrying a tray with three coffee mugs on them. He stop when he saw what in there hands and remember the photos.
"Mike is this Kate you been talking about" Alice said showing him one of the photos
"Ah, yes it is mum" he walk in and put the tray on the coffee table before sitting down then his parents did.
"she a beautiful young women mike" Paul said
"thanks dad"
"We can tell with these photos you do love her and that she draws her to you like a drug" Alice said
"I know mum as I said to you on the phone about her"
"We know son and we notice some thing else about each of these photos of the two of you together" Alice said
"What that mum"
"love in each of these photos that is what we can see and this one" Alice said showing mike the photo of Kate and him in each others arms posing for the photographer.
He look up to his smiling mum "there a sparkle in your eyes, I've notice it in all the other photos we seen so far. It the same sparkle that your father got on our wedding day and other photos."
"I didn't know"
"Now you do son" Paul said as he and Alice sat down not far from mike. Mike decided to show them all the photos while spending the day with them.
Week later HMAS Darwin came into port, the crew was looking ford to have some shore leave. Kate was on the bridge with the captain and other personal who are suppose to be on there. The crew smile when they notice there families on the wharf waiting for them.
Kate help a lieutenant with his close up duties since she wanted to learn more about what lieutenant jobs are. When done she went and got change and pack her sea bag before leaving the ship.
When Kate was on the wharf she was walking towards the exit when she heard behind her "Kate McGregor" Kate stop and turn around to see couple who in there late sixties walking towards her
"I'm Kate McGregor, can I help you sir, ma'am" Kate look at the older man then her eyes widen in shock
"Mr...Mrs Flynn" Kate said in shock
"Yes I'm Alice Flynn and this is Paul. We mike parents" Kate shook there hands
"It a pleasure to meet you both but may I ask why your here sir, ma'am?"
"Mike was rush to hospital yesterday" Paul said.
Kate pail and they notice "Is... is he ok what happen?"
"appendicitis, the doctors operated on his strait away... He sore but he going to be fine"
"Thank you for telling me...dose he know your here" Kate asked when she look at them both
"Yes he dose, he ask us to come here to tell you"
"Thank you. Are you going back to the hospital"
"Yes we are, we can drive you there" Paul said. Kate thought about it while looking at Mike parents
"thank you"
"come on Dear, I know Mike will be happy once he sees you" Alice said smiling, Kate recognised it as one of Mike smiles
"He told me he doesn't like sitting around and being in hospital is the worse" Kate said as they walk towards the exit following other sailors and there families.
"Yes Mike always been like that since he was little. There are so many stories I can tell you about what mike was like when he was growing up" Alice said smiling
"I bet there is Mrs Flynn"
"Call me Alice"
"Yes ma'am I mean Alice"
"How was your patrol Kate" Paul asked
"long but we all keep busy with may day calls and exercise training during the patrol"
"Have you done any boarding Kate" Paul asked
"Yes sir I have" they talk till they walk to where the car park is.
Then they got into the car and Paul drove them to the hospital. Alice share couple of stories about Mike when he was little making Kate smile. When they arrived at the hospital. They got out and close the doors, Paul lock the car then they headed to the entrance of the hospital while still talking.
When they walk down and into mike room he was reading a news paper. He put it down when his parents walk into the room "mum dad, your back so soon, did you talk to Kate" Mike asked
"Yes we told her" Alice said
"How did she take the news"
"what don't you ask her your self" Paul said.
Kate walk into the room holding her hat in her hands in front of her. Paul and Alice saw the look on mike Face, he went from shock to happy look when Kate walk into the room
"Kate"
"Mike how are you feeling" Kate asked as she stop at the end of the bed
"I'm fine" Kate raise her eye brows at him
"fine"
"Well a lot sore but I'm fine" Kate then smile as she walk around to the side of the bed.
Mike reach out holding on to her hands while looking at her "Rain check about dinner tomorrow night" Mike said, making Kate smile even wider
"Rain check"
"So what stories has my mother told you on the way here"
"what sort of boy you were like when you were little, the trouble you got in to"
"Like what" Mike was starting to worry
"bugs in your sisters beds, whoopy cushion on your dad favorite chair" Mike turn to grinning Paul and Alice
"mum you told Kate those stories"
"Yes so she would know what you were like when you were little" Mike close his eyes while shaking his head then open them and turn to smiling Kate.
"Your parents invited me around to there place tomorrow for lunch"
"That is good of them..." then he turn to his grinning parents
"Oh no your not"
"what son" Paul said grinning
"Please no"
"Ok I promise I won't" Paul said
"mum"
"I won't I promise" mike let out his breath then turn to Kate
"Are you worried about them showing movie reals and photos about you when you were younger"
"Yes" Kate smile at Mike
"Kate why are you smiling"
"Well you parents keep there promise not to show me, but your sisters aren't here" Mike groan as he lean back against his pillows looking at his parents
"I can't win can i"
"sorry son, she is right." Paul said
"I'm looking forward seeing all those cute baby photos of you mike" Kate said smiling He turn to Kate
"I'm never going to hear the end of it am i"
"Nope, give up while you got the chance"
"your right. One day i'll get you back for this Kate." They all stayed for couple of hours before Paul, Alice and Kate left so mike could get some rest.
Paul drop Kate off at her apartment before he and his wife headed home.
The next morning Kate went to the hospital to spent an hour with Mike. She brought him couple of books to read since he going to be in hospital for couple of weeks.
Then she drove to Mike parents place since Alice gave Kate a piece of paper with the address on it when Paul and her drop Kate off at her apartment the day before.
When she pulled up out side the place, Kate saw it was a two story home. She got out of her car closing and locking it then she walk up the path to the veranda then to the front door where she push the buzzer and waited.
Few seconds later the door open "Kate you made it come on in" Alice said smiling
"thank you" Kate said walking into the house.
Alice close the door then turn to Kate "did you go and see mike this morning" Alice asked as Kate follow her
"Yes it did, I gave him a book to read so he won't be board" Alice laugh
"I'm sure he will appreciate the book"
"He dose" they walk into the kitchen dinning area to see Paul in the kitchen cooking over the stove, he turn around and smile at Kate which she did in return
"morning Kate"
"morning Paul, need any help with any thing"
"We good thanks, sit down" Kate sat down at the breakfast bar while talking to Alice and Paul.
After lunch Alice brought out the family photos. She showed Kate ones with Mike in it. Kate smile at the photos and ask questions about some of the photos. Kate enjoyed her afternoon with Paul and Alice. Kate got to meet Mike twin sister Michele and her three kids.