CH 14
That evening when Kate arrived home with the kids. James walks outside to talk to her. "hi James"
"Hi Kate busy day at work" he said smiling
"Yeah, is everything ok"
"No Kate" Kate frond
"What's wrong James"
"Karen called the cops on Mike thinking he was a burglar"
"You're joking," Kate said in shock.
"I'm not," he told her about what he saw when he arrived home.
Kate was shocked with what Karen did. When James finishes telling Kate everything. "I can't believe she did that without knowing who he is and she should have thought before calling the cops like she did"
"I agree. I had a hard word with her about what she had done. When you hear from Mike tell him that i'm sorry"
"I know he would understand and would tell you that it's not your fault"
"Yeah. but at least you know"
"True, thanks James. I better get inside and get change then get dinner on for my kids" Jame smile
"sure have a good evening"
"You to James" Kate walks inside her place since the kids are already inside while James returns back to his place.
Few weeks later it was almost Christmas so Kate and the kids flew up to Cairns where they are spending it with Mike and Stewart since Mike invited him around for christmas.
When they arrived in Cairns, a taxi van took them to see the house for the first time. Month earlier Mike brought all new beds and other items for the kids plus each time Kate knew the dates of when Hammersley was in port for two, to three days. Kate started sending boxes that haven't been opened up since they moved to Sydney, she sent to Mike to go into their new house.
Plus the granny flat is complete, which she is happy about and they got cleaning service to go in once a week to clean the house even when Mike isn't there. Same with a pool cleaner and someone to take care of the gardens and lawns.
When they arrived at the house the boys were shocked by the size of it. "woo mum this house is twice as big as the house in sydney"
"I know, come on" they got their bags and the younger ones out of the taxi van and walked to the front door. Kate put her bags down and got keys out of her shoulder bag.
"I'll be right back" she walked around to where she could unlock the door and walk in and up to the security panel and press in the code to deactivate the alarm. She walks through the house from the diagram that Mike showed her on his last visit. She walked to the front door and unlocked it and opened it
"Come on let's put our thing away" they pick up the bags and walk inside.
MJ ran ahead then stopped and looked around while Ryan and Duncan carried the twins inside "wow this place is so cool" Duncan said.
"Yeah it is. Put your bags down and follow me" they put their bags down while Kate picked up MJ.
"Come on you there's a room full of toys for you to play with" Kate said to MJ. They walked down to the games room where they saw a baby gate set up. Kate unlocked it and opened it and walked into the games room
"Oh woo mum this is so awesome" Ryan said when he saw the pool table, dart board and couple other games. Kate walked over to a big box and put MJ on the ground.
"Open this MJ" Kate pointed to a door.
MJ managed to open the door and laugh when he saw toys in there, so he started pulling them out one by one. Ryan and Duncan walk over and place the twins on the ground, they start crawling to the toys.
"that will keep them entertained for a while. Let's go and put our bags away"
"Good idea mum and to check out the rest of this place" Ryan said.
They walk back the way they came, closing and locking the baby gate. They get their bags and follow Kate up the stairs. The boys found their bedrooms and Kate found the twins' room. She saw the portable cots set up and smiled when she saw the diapers, talcum powder, shampoo, shower gel for the kids.
after she sorted out the twins room she went next door to MJ's room since his name is on the door. Once she got his things sorted out she walked down and into the master bedroom where she smiled at the bed looking forward to seeing Mike when Hammersley returned from his patrol. She sorted out her bag.
When she walked into the bathroom she smiled when she saw that Mike also brought her favorite shampoo, shower gel, everything, including tampons. When she finishes sorting out her bags, she returns back to the games room since she knows that MJ needs to go potty and twins are due for a diaper change.
"Having fun MJ" he turns and smiles at her as she walks over to him.
"do you need potty" He nodded
"Poo, poo" he said.
"Ok come on then" she picked him up and walked to the toilet. She helped him on the toilet seat after his pants and pull ups were pulled down. When he finishes, Kate does what she normally does. She let him return back to his games while she cleaned up and washed her hands then she went to change the twins diapers since Mike got things there also.
Once they are changed into dry diapers, she leaves them behind while she takes care of the diapers that were in a plastic bag that Mike brought. Kate walks out to where the rubbish bin is and puts the bag in it then returns back inside and wash her hands then she looks around the house. When she was in the kitchen she looked to see what was there when Ryan and Duncan walked in.
"mum this place is so cool"
"Well you boys pick it"
"Yeah I'm hungary"
"Well I'll call for a taxi and we head into town for lunch and shopping"
"Shopping for what mum" Ryan asked
"food, there is nothing here"
"Good point" Kate got her phone out and made the call.
Half an hour later they were in the mall with a quad stroller with the kids in it. They went and got some lunch at a cafe. then they did some shopping while at the mall. Then afterwards when they walk towards where the taxi stand is.
"Ryan, Duncan, why don't you two head home take the kids and the bags with you and i'll go and get some groceries"
"Sure mum"
"I'll make sure I buy some cold drinks"
"That would be great" Kate passed Ryan a set of keys.
"Now you know the code to the alam"
"Yep"
"Great, put the kids in the games room on the thin mattress, since it cools in there and when they wake up they would know where they are. if you are planning on swimming take a baby monitor with you"
"We know what to do mum"
"I know, I just want to make sure"
"Ok"
"If you want to see if you can find out where the christmas tree and decorations are"
"We know where they are mum" duncan said smiling
"That's great, here is money for the fair" she passed the money to duncan.
"How long are you going to be mum"
"depends on how busy it is at the supermarket"
"Ok" Kate helps Ryan and Duncan with the bags and kids. She gave the driver the address before stepping back and watching the taxi van leave. then she got into another taxi and headed to the supermarket.
Two hours later The taxi dropped Kate and the bags of food and drinks off in front of the house. She texts Ryan to let him know that she is five minutes away. Ryan opened the door when the taxi pulled up.
"woo mum you sure you got enough food"
"very funny Ryan, where duncan"
"Potty"
"Ok, are the twins awake"
"Yep and diaper change"
"Ok let's get these things inside"
"Ok" Kate thanked the driver before he left since Kate put bags just inside the door since Ryan took one load into the kitchen.
Kate walks inside just as Duncan walks in "Wow mum you sure got a lot of food here"
"Very funny" They took the bag into the kitchen then Ryan and Duncan went to get the last of the bags then help put things away while talking to Kate.
"Mum you were away for a long time"
"the supermarket was very busy"
"Ok there are only two ginger beer packs" Duncan said.
"That's all I can get, I'll head back tomorrow morning to get some more"
"Ok"
That night after the younger ones were in bed sleeping. Kate turned to the boys who were playing video games. "Ryan, Duncan, where the christmas decorations"
"Why mum"
"Cause i want to start decorating the house"
"We can help, what do you think about Duncan"
"Let's go and get them" they turned the game and TV off then the three of them went to get the boxes of decorations.
They started decorating the living room as well as putting a tree up. When they finished, the boys put the lights up on the outside of the house since there was still daylight. When finished Kate looked around the living room
"There's something missing," Kate said.
"Presents," the boys said at the same time.
"funny and no. I'm not sure what it is. but it will come to me"
"I'm sure it will mum"
The next morning they heard a car pull up outside, So Kate went to see who it was. When she opened the front door she smiled when she recognized the person.
"Morning Kate"
"Morning Stewart this is a surprise" they hug.
"Yeah, how have the kids been"
"Great, come on in" Kate let Stewart in and closed the door behind her.
"Stewart are you ok"
"Can we talk"
"Sure, this way" they walk down and into the study where Kate closes the door then turns to Stewart.
"What's wrong"
"Things are hard and i won't be able to buy the kids a gift this year"
"I heard on the radio yesterday about the lay off. They sure pick a great time to do it"
"Yeah, I thought you would like to know"
"Ok and I'm sure that my kids will understand. Anyway, I think the best gift is spending time with Ryan and Duncan"
"that is true"
"what about your apartment"
"If i don't find a job by the end of February, i'll be in trouble"
"I see, I hope you can find a job before that happens"
"yeah. I'm sorry for putting all of this on you Kate"
"It's ok, you needed someone to talk to"
"Yeah"
"Come on, cheer up and i know that my kids will cheer you up" Kate said smiling.
"Yes they will alright" they walk out of the study and down and into the kitchen seeing MJ, Ryan and Duncan finishing their breakfast.
"Kids while i'm away i got someone to look after you five"
"Mum, we don't want a babysitter, we can take care of ourselves" Duncan said.
"I know that, but since I'm going to be out all day you will need someone to keep an eye on you five"
"Who is it?" Ryan asked.
"This person's baby sits before they even change their smelly diapers"
"Oh is she hot?" Duncan asked, making Kate laugh.
"Well she is a he duncan"
"bummer" Kate shook her head at him.
"Do you think he can handle us mum?" Ryan asked.
"Yes he can"
"We shall see," Ryan said smiling.
"What is his name?" Duncan asked.
"Turn around and you can see" MJ, Ryan and Duncan turn around and smile when they see who is standing there smiling at them
"Dad," Ryan and Duncan said as they got up and ran over to him for a hug.
"surprise"
Kate cleaned MJ up and got him out of his high chair and put him on the floor where he walked as quickly as he could over to them. Stewart bent down and picked MJ up.
"Hello MJ you have grown up"
"Uncle"
"Yes Uncle Stewart"
"Dad your our babysitter" Ryan asked.
"Yep sure am"
Half an hour later Kate left using Mike's car to finish the shopping while Stewart spent time with the kids. Kate went and brought all the Christmas gifts. Even decorations that she saw when she walked past a store when she saw the items which made her smile so she brought some. When she finishes shopping she just returns back to the car and puts the gifts in the boot when her phone rings. She got it out of her purse and smiled when she saw Mike's phone number.
"Mike, miss you sailor"
"Kate, I miss you and our kids, did you make it up here ok"
"Yep, kids love the house"
"that good"
"where are you"
"On my way to see Steve then head on home why?"
"I can meet you at NAVCOM, I just finished buying christmas gifts"
"Ok, how long will you be?"
"Ten, fifteen minutes depends on the traffic"
"Ok see you when you arrive"
"See you soon" then they both hung up.
Kate got into Mike's car and drove to NAVCOM where she waited in a parking spot outside. She texts Mike to let him know where she is. Ten minutes later Kate got out of the car when she saw Mike walking towards her carrying his briefcase and sea bag. He smiled at her just as he got closer.
"Waiting long"
"About ten minutes." Mike put his briefcase and sea bag in the boot when he saw the bags with wrap up gifts in it. He closes the boot then he steps forward wrapping his arms around Kate wasit then kisses her passionately just as she wraps her arm around his shoulders and neck. When they broke for air.
"I miss you Kate"
"I miss you Mike" they kiss once more.
"Let's get out of here," Mike said.
"good idea" Mike got into the driver seat and Kate got into the passenger seat.
"What were your plans after buying Christmas gifts?"
"Shopping for food"
"Ok, shopping it is." Mike started the car up and he drove to the supermarket.