CH 7
Later that night when Kate walked in the door Mike was there to give her a kiss and take MJ out of her arms. "How was your day?" Mike asked.
"Busy, did the boys flight get off ok"
"Yeah it did"
"That's good, I'll go and get change then we can talk"
"Ok" Mike talks to MJ as they walk back into the kitchen while Kate went and got change. when she walks into the kitchen she smiles as she watches Mike talk and feed MJ.
"Father and son talk"
"Yep, well it's one sided at the moment"
"ok, any luck with house hunting"
"Yes, on the breakfast bar, there are five homes that the boys like"
"Ok" Kate walked over to the breakfast bar and picked up each of the sheets and read what they said and looked at each of the photos.
"Is there anyone you like Kate?"
"Yes there is one," she walks over to him and shows him.
"I thought you would like that one." Kate smiled
"How would you know?"
"Cause it has a swimming and spa pool and walk in closet," he said smiling back.
"Very funny."
"Ok i'll go and take care of the paper work tomorrow"
"OK, so care to tell me what happened with Andrew"
"We are going to Sydney to see a judge on Monday morning. Andrew is getting all the paperwork in order so we can sign them and the judge just needs the approval. Once approved it would take a couple of weeks for the red tape to go through and we get Duncan and Ryan a new birth certificate in time for us to go to family court next month"
"But i'm working Mike"
"you got Sunday and Monday off. Did the captain tell you"
"No, I haven't had a chance to talk to him. I've been busy"
"He might let you know tomorrow"
"Ok, what about your patrol?" Mike smiled.
"Six weeks shore posting with you" he said smiling.
"Six weeks"
"Yes and I'm looking forward to six weeks with you and MJ"
"Is that right?" she bends over and kisses him.
"That and other things" Mike said with a twinkle in his eye.
"I'll be looking forward to that as well." She turned around and walked to the kitchen where she went to check on dinner while Mike carried on feeding MJ.
The next day while Kate was at work, Mike went to take care of the paperwork for the new apartment townhouse. It was a five bedroom, five and half bathroom place with a swimming pool and entertainment area outside. It has a large double garage, office and games room.
Mike spoke to the real estate agent before signing the papers and handed a cheque over for the bond. then he went to the other rearleste where he handed in the tendency three week notice. when finish there he did some shopping then returned back to the apartment.
On Sunday afternoon Mike, Kate and MJ were in their hotel room in Sydney. They did some shopping and had dinner in their hotel room and had an early night.
The next morning they show up at the courthouse where they see Andrew waiting for them. "Mike, Kate it's great to see you"
"You to Andrew," Kate said as she gave him a hug.
"So this is MJ" He looked down at the five month old baby who was looking up at him.
"Yes this is him."
"They don't stay small for long," Mike said.
"No they don't, Here look these over since we still for five minutes" he gets a file out of his briefcase and passes it to Mike. Who looks over everything.
"Everything looks in order here, Kate" he passes the file for her to go over.
"Yep every thing is here" she passed it back to Andrew
"Great, I need you both to sign here" he pointed to where they sign the paper. "Ok here" he pointed to another sheet so they signed it. "Ok two more, here and here" he pointed out.
Once everything was signed. "Great it time let's go in" Kate pushes the stroller with Mike next to her as they follow Andrew down to the judge office.
When they were in his office Andrew explained everything to the judges about what happened back in ninety one, the fertility clinic, the DNA tests, everything as he showed the judge evidence including the DNA results. After going over everything. The judge asked Mike and Kate a number of questions which they both answered.
"After going over every thing that Mr Wicks has provided thanks to you two and what i was told about what happened at the fertility clinic plus the lies that Mrs white has said and what she did to you Mr Flynn. Are you going to have her charge" Mike turned to Kate who was looking at him then he turned to the judge.
"Kate and i talk about it and even though she brought the boys up as her own sons, but since she lied to number of people including Ryan and Duncan, We not going to have her charge because she already felt ashamed of herself from what she has done to number of people and word has already gotten around in the navy for what she done to me, to Stewart, family and friends. I think that punishment is enough. As for Ryan and Duncan they want nothing to do with her after they learn the truth about what happened"
"I understand they are going to family court in three weeks"
"Yes we are sir" Mike said.
"What do you want from the court"
"Whatever they decide we will go along with it"
"What about Ryan and Duncan, do you think it fair that you are taking them away from their mother Mr Flynn?" Mike looked at the judge in shock and was starting to get angry. Kate notices it and she puts her hand into his and gives it a squeeze. He turned to Kate, whom she turned to the judge.
"Your honor Ryan and Duncan want nothing to do with Maxine white after all the lies she has been telling them. The day they learned the truth about what happened, it made them sick to their stomachs. They boarded a train from Canberra to Perth where they spent four days with us. They talk about what they were told and how they were feeling. They both said themselves that they want nothing to do with Maxine White and they don't want to return back to her and have nothing to do with her cause they won't trust her ever again." Kate said.
"Ryan and Duncan confronted Maxine at work about what happened years ago. They told her they want nothing to do with her and left and showed up on our door steps hours later." Mike said.
"If you both were granted guardianship of the boys, what would you both do"
"I've got a shore posting because of our son MJ. Mike served on HMAS Darwin. So one of us will be at home"
"what if you get called in to do work on one of the ships?"
"They won't your honor, not while the husband is already on a ship and we have a young kid. But if I get called in to do one patrol it because the fleet command can't find someone else. And if that happens. We have a family who can look after them. Including Stewart White. That is one thing we will not stop the boys seeing him" Kate said.
"do you agree Mr Flynn about what your wife said about Mr White"
"Yes sir. the boys said they still want to spend time with Stewart"
"Fair enough, I've heard everything I needed to hear and since it is going to be on record… I agree to sign the change of birth certificate of Duncan Micheal White It will now show as Duncan Micheal Flynn with the mother Kate Lynn McGregor and father Mike Connor Flynn… the changes of the birth certificate of Ryan Patrick White. It will now show Ryan Patrick Flynn with his mother Kate Lynn McGregor and father Mike Connor Flynn." As the judge was saying, he signed the papers then he got Mike and Kate to sign them. When done. they all stood up and shook hands. "Good luck in the family court"
"Thank you, your honor" Mike said.
"If you will excuse me I have to be in court in five minutes"
"We understand your honor," Kate said. The judge watched them walk out of his office then he went to get ready for the court.
when Mike, Kate and Andrew walk outside with Mike pushing the stroller they stop at a spot. "I'll take care of the paperwork and send you a copy of the birth certificate once every thing is done."
"Thanks Andrew"
"You're welcome, I'll be in contact"
"ok" they shook each other's hands and Kate gave him a hug before they parted ways.
Mike and Kate return back to the hotel to get their bags the left to the airport then back to Perth. The next day they both showed up for work after dropping MJ off at daycare. Mike went to talk to the captain while Kate walked over to her desk.
Three days before they flew to Cambrra they moved into their new larger place and they got new beds for Duncan and Ryan just in case they do get full custody of them plus an extra bed for the guest bedroom. When everything was done they flew to Canberra for the court case.
When they arrive in court and walk down to where the family court is being held. They saw Andrew waiting for them. "Mike, Kate"
"Andrew" Mike said, shaking his hand then Kate gave him a hug.
"Are you ready"
"Ready as we ever will be," Mike said.
"Ok let's go in" they walk into the room with Mike pushing the stroller in.
They sat at the table and talked while waiting for the judge. When it was time the judge walked out and up to his chair and sat down then they did. "Where is mr Craigs and his client Maxine white"
"don't know your honor"
"Where is Stewart White, Duncan and Ryan white, please tell me they are here"
"Yes your honor they are waiting outside till you can call them in" the judge looked at his watch. then back to Mike and Kate.
"We can not go forward in this case till Mr Craigs and his client are here."
"Your honor, I don't know why Maxine white and her lawyer aren't here when they live here in Canberra. Whereas my clients had to take time off work, and same for myself and Mr Stewart white who lives up in Cairns and I'm in Sydney, we all booked hotel and plane tickets to come here today" The judge thought about it then he opened the file in front of him and read what it said.
"Lieutenant commander Flynn"
"Yes your honor"
"It got here at your station on HMAS Darwin"
"Yes your honor, I had to take shore posting for six weeks while the ship was on patrol because of today. At present i got shore posting til HMAS Darwin returns at the end of the month"
"I know little about the navy. But answer me this lieutenant commander, did the navy have to find someone to take your place on the ship?"
"Yes sir. the lieutenant commander had to fly in from Sydney your honor"
"Who pays for the flight and any hotel stay"
"the navy sir"
"Ok… Mr Wicks care to tell me what is going on here so i can understand"
"Yes your honor. This case is something that has never ever happened before in history"
"In history, your joking right" the judge said,
"No sir, it's no joke. what you are going to hear you would find disturbing and aballing to what happened to Mike flynn."
"We shall see, go on." Mike and Kate listen to what Andrew told the judge, everything from what Maxine did right up till Mike and Kate received the DNA results.
When Andrew finished talking he sat down and picked up the glass and took a mouth full of water. The judge looks at the three of them in disabeleaf from what he heard and read when Andrew showed him the letter from the clinic, the DNA results, one from Janet and Brian when they put in there letter on how Kate was selling eggs to the couple. They waited for the judge to talk.
"Let me ask Mr Stewart White some questions, bring him him" They waited till Stewart walked in and up onto the chair.
The judge asked Stewart a number of questions which he was able to answer. Then he was asked to sit two chairs behind Mike and Kate then it was Ryan next then Duncan. When the judge finished asking Duncan questions.
"You can join your brother"
"Your honor, I would like to ask Duncan one question"
"Ok one question.'' Andrew looked at duncan.
"Duncan, do you know where Maxine white is"
"She is on holiday" Mike and Kate look at each other in shock then turn to Duncan.
"Duncan, when did she leave and who is looking after you?" the judge asked.
"She left last week for a three week holiday. Ryan called dad to tell him what mum had done and she knew about this court case today. Dad couldn't come but Auntie Mary, that uncle … i mean dad" he said smiling at Mike. "sister, she flew out that same day and she has been looking after Ryan and me since"
"Duncan who is paying for the food while Maxine White is on holiday?"
"she left a letter and hundred dollars for us to buy food and for us to look after ourselves and to go to school"
"Have you got the letter with you?" the judge asked.
Duncan pulls it out of his pocket and passes it to the security guard who passes it to the judge. He opens it and reads what it says. Then he passes it back to the guard who passes it back to Duncan.
"Has Maxine White left you and your brother only for a night before?" Andrew asked.
"Many times and about three, four times when we return home from seeing dad or been at dad and… mum place in Perth. We had to take a taxi home and those times when she is not home when we get home, our neighbor looks after us till she comes home which is the next day or the day after"
"I've read the testimony from Mr and Mrs Davidson. That will be all you can go and sit next to your brother" Duncan walked over and sat down next to Ryan. "After what I heard it my decision that Mike and Kate Flynn granted full custody of their biological sons and Mr Stewart White as Mr Flynn said himself you can still see the boys"
"Thank you, your honor," Stewart said smiling.
"and Mr White since you have been paying child support for these boys who are not your own, Maxine white will have to reimburse you the full amount" Stewart was shocked with that news.
"Since Maxine white or even her lawyer isn't here since she would rather go away on holiday than trying to fight for the boys, it gives me an insight into what sort of mother she is. If she loves Ryan and Duncan then she would have been here to fight for them. But from what I've heard today, she is not a responsible, loving mother. I can tell from your boys' faces that you both are happy with the news. I wish you two boys, Mike and Kate Flynn and Stewart White all the best for the future. As for this case it is now closed" he bangs the hammer.
He watches Mike and Kate stand up just as the boy walks around the chairs and hugs them. Then Kate picks up MJ in her arms as they make a fuse of him just as Stewart walks over to them and shake Mike hand and hug and pat each other on the back then they go back to talking to each other and shake Andrew hand before they all laugh as they walk out of the courtroom.
"Where do you boys want to go now?" Mike asked.
"Go and pack our things and see if we can get on the same flight as you" Ryan said.
"We can do that," Kate said.
"Ok why not, and after that lunch"
"Sounds like a plan," Stewart said. They walk over and get into two taxis and head to Maxine place.
When they arrived and walked inside. Kate took care of MJ who needed his diaper change and was hungry so she breastfeed him since her breasts were full while Mike and Stewart helped the boys to pack everything up while talking. When finished they called for a taxi and taxi van where they headed to courier headquarters where Mike paid to have the bigger stuff sent to Perth.
Once everything was done they went to a cafe for lunch. Then Stewart headed to the airport and Flynn's family headed to the boys' school to get things sorted out there then head to the airport themselves.
When they walk into the new house Ryan and Duncan love it straight away. Once the boys were in their bedroom Mike took care of his and Kate's things while Kate took care of MJ and his bag. then she called and ordered pizza for dinner knowing the boys would be hungry.
Later that night while in bed after making passionate love. Mike looking down at Kate. "Kate are you ok"
"Yes I am, you"
"Yeah I am. You know it's going to take a while for us and the boys to get into a routine"
"true, that and ground rules"
"True we can work it out together"
"Yes we can Mike. I love you" Mike kissed her.
"I love you to Kate" they kiss once more.