CH 15
They walk in together with Kate pushing a trolley. "What items do we need Kate?" Kate showed him the list.
"Ok"
"Mike can you go and see if there is any ginger beer, there were only two packs yesterday"
"Ok how many"
"Many as you can carry, i'll head down this way and around the corner" she pointed.
"Alright which aisle is it"
"fourth one on the left side"
"ok" Then they went their separate ways.
Mike walked down the aisle till he saw the ginger beer, so instead of getting the four packs that he saw, he got four ten packs and put them in the trolley. then he saw other drinks made by bundaberg. so he got two four packs of each and put them in the trolley.
Then he walked down when he saw the juices are and he remembered seeing them on the list so he got the ones that the kids and Kate like and put them in the trolley. when done he saw where the beer and wine was so he walked over there and put glass bottles of beer and bottles of wine in the trolley.
then he went looking for Kate when he saw he was walking past the cream cheese, milk and cream. so he put them in the trolley with the butter since he knew that Kate was making a cheesecake for Christmas day. Once he saw Kate so he slowly worked his way to her since the supermarket was packed.
"Mike what have you got there"
"Ginger beer and i thought kids and us can try some of these other flavors. plus I got juices, cream, cream cheese, milk, butter, wine and beer"
"Thanks Hon, can you go and get packets of vanilla biscuits, toilet paper, cranberry sauce and go to the meat department and hand them this" she passed him a fold up note.
"what is it"
"Turkey, i ordered it yesterday after explaining to the manger why i couldn't order it three weeks ago and show him my navy ID for proof that i'm in the navy"
"Ok"
"Oh he will have other meats waiting also that i ordered at the same time since they ran out"
"I notice a lot of shelves are empty already and staff busy trying to put items on the shelves"
"Yeah, now you know how crazy it can get"
"Yeah, what else is there?" Kate shows him the list.
"Ok i can get these three as well" he pointed to the last three items
"thanks hon, i'm heading down this way" she points down an aisle where the chips and sweets are
"Ok I'll look for you as soon as I get the items"
"I might find you after all you're not hard to miss," she said, smiling. Mike looks down at his uniform then at Kate and smiles.
"Your right" they move in different directions once again.
Hour later Mike and Kate were back in the car with the boot and back seat full of food and drinks. "It was crazy in there," Mike said.
"Yeah it sure is, let's go home" Kate said as Mike starts up the car
"Good idea before the ice cream melts."
Ten minutes later Mike pulled up in the garage. Kate quickly got out and ran over to the security alarm and pushed the code in then turned to Mike who was looking at her.
"They should have texted us." She walked to the boot of the car just as Mike got out.
"Yeah stange that Stewart didn't call"
"Yeah, let's get these frozen's inside first"
"Good idea"
They took bags with the frozens food inside first and had them put away. then they got everything else inside and put it away. Mike went up stairs with his sea bag while Kate put the gifts under the tree. when done she walked up stairs and down and into their bedroom when she heard the shower running.
Kate smiled so she quickly took her clothes off and walked into the bathroom closing the door behind her then stepped forward and opened the shower door and walked in closing it behind her just as Mike turned around and smiled "Are you here to wash my back"
"Maybe," she stepped forward and kissed him which became passionate. They made love while in the shower and Kate washed his back for him. then they ended up in bed where they made love before falling asleep with Kate snuggling up to his side.
An hour later Ryan opened the door to their bedroom and stuck his head in then closed the door quietly then returned back downstairs.
"Ryan did you find them?" Stewart said.
"Yep, they are having an afternoon nap" he said grinning as he walked to the fridge to get a cold drink out of it.
"Ok, all that shopping they did most tired them out" Stewart said.
"I guess it did"
An hour later Mike and Kate walk outside with drinks in hand when they hear splashing and laughter. They saw Ryan and Duncan in the pool throwing wet sponge balls at Stewart when he tried to dodge them then pick them up and throw them back in the pool.
they see MJ and the twins in a baby pool. The twins were naked and MJ was wearing swimming shorts. they were splashing the water everywhere while playing with their toys since they were sitting in blow up seats so they don't fall over in the water.
"Mum dad you are finally up" Duncan said smiling.
"Yes we are up and I can see your kids are having fun"
"They are Mike," Stewart said as he walked over to them and sat down.
"Well at least they're cooling down. How have they been?" Mike asked.
"they were great. Since it was hot and Ryan and Duncan wanted to go swimming to cool off, i let them and they told me about the paddling pool, so they helped me get it set up and as you can see the kids are enjoying themselves"
"They have always been water babies," Kate said.
"Same with Ryan and Duncan." They watch the kids enjoy themselves for the next hour till Kate goes and gets dinner on then starts making the cheesecake for tomorrow lunch.
While the base was in the fridge and the cream cheese being whipped up, Kate sorted out the decorations that she brought and started hanging them up not only on the tree but around the living room and dining room.
Later that night after they made love, Mike looked at Kate while smiling.
"I notice the new decorations Kate"
"Do you like them?"
"Yes I do"
"I hope our kids love their gifts tomorrow"
"I'm sure they will Kate" he kissed her once more then said
"Lets get some sleep knowing Ryan and Duncan will be up early" Kate laughs
"Yes they will be alright"
The next morning the whole family was up by seven thirty.
Ryan and Duncan wanted to open their gifts straight away but Mike told them. "Wait till Stewart gets here"
"When does he come dad?" Ryan asked.
"when he gets here, so for now eat your breakfast" Kate said.
When Stewart arrived just after ten, the boys looked forward to opening their gifts. so they all walked into the living room and sat down on the floor. Mike started giving out gifts to every one plus have his and Kate set a side since Kate was recording everything. When they are all given out.
Stewart took over recording so Kate can be with Mike when it comes to opening the younger ones' gifts. MJ loves his pool floaters after Kate blew them up and put them on his arms, plus he loves his swim shorts. With the twins they love their new toys.
Kate got Ryan and Duncan a camera with a zoom lens, each with three sim cards. They love their gifts. Kate got Mike a bottle of old spice after shaving plus a year's supply of shaving cream and deodorant which he loves. Mike got Kate her favorite perfume and spa voucher, which she loves.
Ryan and Duncan got Stewart a coffee mug with a photo of the three of them from last christmas. He loved their gift. Kate got Stewart a voucher from a men's department store which is on behalf of Kate and the family. They had a wonderful day, lunch included.
Over the next few days the family spent time together. They went to the zoo, the mall, and the park spending the days together as a family. After the new year Kate was called into fleet command.
"Kate, do you know what's going on"
"Sorry Mike I don't. I'll have to fly back to Sydney to get my uniform"
"Ok, I still got two more days before Hammersley set sail"
"Alright"
Kate managed to get a flight to Sydney then to Cambrra then back to Cairns on the same day. She knew she was going to be tired by the time she returned but at least she would know what was going on. It was after eleven when she walked in the door still wearing her uniform plus carrying a small bag with her.
Mike walked over to her and gave her a kiss. "Kate what's wrong"
"Mike i've been posted back to perth"
"Perth why"
"I've been transferred to Newcasle as a warfare officer. I leave next week"
"Kate what about our kids"
"I spoke to commodore Samon about it. He didn't know about our kids. plus there was no other lieutenant opening available."
"What are we going to do Kate"
"I've been thinking about that on the plane back here and I got an idea which will keep a lot of people happy but it will depend"
"what that"
"On you and Stewart"
"Stewart, what do you mean?"
"We hired him as cleaner and the nanny. At least he can spend time with the boys and he can live in the granny flat" Mike thought about what Kate said.
"you want the kids here"
"Yeah, you can spend time with them and when I do get a posting here, we can be a family again"
"Let's go to bed and we can talk to the boys tomorrow"
"Ok" he kissed her once more before they headed to their bedroom turning the lights off along the way.
The next morning Kate told Ryan and Patrick about the situation and the idea for them to move here"
"Mum who is going to look after us?" Ryan asked.
"Well I talked to Mike about that last night. We both agree on one person"
"Who" Kate looked at Mike who was looking at her then she turned to the boys
"Stewart"
"Dad" the boys said at the same time
"Yes so what do you boys think"
"Yes," they said at the same time.
"I'll give Stewart a call," Mike said as he walked into the office where he called Stewart.
When Stewart arrived Kate filled him in on the situation which he understood. "so why am i here"
"Kate and I are talking and we are offering you a job"
"Job doing what"
"cleaner and the nanny. If you do accept it you can live in the granny flat above the garage"
"you guys want me to live here and look after your kids"
"That's up to you Stewart, think about it" Kate said.
"Do the boys know"
"Yes they do and they hope that you will take the job offer" Mike said.
"I'll go and talk to the boys if that is ok with you"
"go for it." Mike and Kate watch Stewart walk outside to where Ryan and Duncan are. He talks to them for an hour.
When he returned back inside Mike saw him "How did the talk go?"
"Good and I accept the job offer Mike"
"That's great," he said grinning.
When Kate returned from the toilet she saw the look on Mike and Stewart's face and knew he agreed to the job offer. They talk for the next hour then Stewart leaves to return back to his apartment to start packing after Mike showed him the flat and gave him a set of keys as well for him to put in his own security code before leaving.
Mike and Kate spent the day with the kids since Mike was leaving the next morning for his patrol while Stewart started moving into the flat and also gave the landlord manager written notice.
The next day Hammersley left port for its patrol while Kate and kids return back to Sydney so they can start packing and Kate hands in her notice, notifying day care and the high school. It took three days to get the things packed and moved to Cairns plus the furniture was given away to charity.
Once everything was done and the cleaners had been in to clean the house and Kate gave the gardener and lawn mowing guy her notice which they understand since they take care of other properties that the customers are in the navy and have been given short notice.
When done and the agent pleased with the state of the house, he signed the papers and gave Kate a copy before leaving and they got into the taxi van and headed to the airport. Kate sold her minivan the day before. When they arrived home that afternoon, Stewart was there waiting for them. He helped carry bags inside.
"Everything sorted Kate"
"Yep, i'll put my bags away then i'm going to go and head into town"
"Ok what for?" Kate smiled
"minivan for you and Mike to use when you take the kids somewhere"
"Good point," Kate smiled as she took her bags up stairs while Stewart talked to the boys about sorting out their bags.