CH 35
That night Kate called and spoke to each of the kids then she spoke to Alice and Paul. "Kate what shall we do with the cots"
"Mike and I talk about that, keep them there they will come in handy for when Michele and Kayla babies are born, then they won't have to bring up the portable cribs with them every time they show up"
"Are you sure"
"Yes I'm sure, plus if Jane becomes pregnant again you will need them"
"thanks Kate it a good idea" they talk for few more minutes before hang up.
The day Hammersley return the crew got a week shore leave. Mike wasn't happy with his XO so when he went to see Steve Mike said "I need a new XO Steve"
"what why that mike"
"where shall I start...rude, disrespecting, disobeying orders how that for starts"
"Ok I'll see what I can do"
"thanks, here are my reports on the may days and FFV boardings" Mike past Steve the files
"thanks flying down to Sydney"
"i wish I could but if that tropical storm head down this way in the next couple of days, you would be crash sailing us"
"that true Mike, well enjoy your shore leave"
"Thanks Steve" Mike stood up and walk out of Steve office while Steve pick up the phone to make a phone call.
That night Mike called Kate and his parents letting them know that he can't make it down to Sydney. They understand since the seen the news about the storm heading south.
The next morning Mike was relaxing at home when there was a knock on the door so he went to see who it was. When he open the door he was shock to see who it was
"Ed, this is a surprise, come on in" Mike said as he let his father in law in. they both hug before Ed walk into the house with mike closing the door behind him
"It good to see you again Mike, how Kate and kids" mike grin
"they great, drink"
"brew thanks" they walk into the kitchen
"i thought you would be down in Sydney mike"
"I would love to be there Ed but Hammersley might be crash sailing in the next twenty four, forty eight hours"
"the storm, I heard about it on the news"
"Yeah. Are you here for a visit"
"to see you, I called commander Marshal he told me when Hammersley was due in port so I flew here hopping to catch you before you fly to Sydney"
"Oh why is that" mike past Ed his drink
"thanks... I got a special gift for you and Kate. But since she can't come up here cause of her being at Watson bay, I'll show you first"
"Show me what?"
"After this drink, so tell me how are my grand children"
Mike smile then he told Ed how they all doing, how they growing up fast, and what he and Kate got them for there birthday which shock Ed
"there own bed, they to young"
"Ed they three years old"
"three, I should go down and see them"
"I know they would love to see you" They talk for a few more minutes till they finish there coffee.
Then they left mike place after he close the windows and turn the alarm on. When they were out side Mike was shock to see a limo park out front of his place. They walk down to the limo where the driver open the door for them. Once in they waited for the driver to get in then he drove them to his next designation.
"where are we going Ed?"
"you will see, just relax" Mike raise his eye brows at Ed
"Relax, me"
"Kate told me you never relax unless she relaxes you and she got ways of doing it" He saw mike grin with twinkle in his eyes
"Yes she knows how to relax me like I know how to relax her as well"
"I bet you do" they talk for ten minutes till the limo slow down and turn down a drive way.
Mike look through the windscreen to see a large two story house. When the limo stop Mike turn to smiling Ed
"Why are we here"
"I'll tell you soon"
then the door open so they got out and mike look around to see that the house was about thirty meters from the fence line he see new trees planted around the front of the section with hedge growing along the fence line. He notice tear drop grass island in the middle of the large drive way so cars and trucks could come up the drive way and go one way around the large outer tear drop drive way which is in front of the house and back down towards the drive way. Mike notice flowers plants and a large bird bath in the middle of the tear drop island.
Mike turn around to see Ed looking at him "come on son"
Mike follow Ed along the drive way when he notice it also go down side of the house "Who place is this"
"all in good time"
"House sure is big" Mike said when he saw how big it is. He notice a veranda from the second story as a roof since the second story is smaller than the first story of the house
"Yes it is" Mike notice flower beds between the drive way and the house.
When they reach the back of the house Mike notice a triple large garage about ten meters from the house. Then he notice a large swimming pool it twice as big as his parents with slides and diving boards.
He stop when he saw wooden double swing set, slide, see saw, large square sand pit, jungle Jim, two tree houses with out the trees, a rope bride and rope and wooden ladder to climb up to the house.
He walk over to them and touch the rope on the swing set then he remember Kate telling him that Ed had builds wooden swing set, see saw, jungle gym when she was little and how she play for hours on them during the summer months Mike turn to Ed
"Kate told me you build a play area for her, wooden swing set, every thing."
"Yes I did, she was so happy back then"
"what happen to it cause when Kate and I came to see you and you showed us around it wasn't there but I notice Kate was looking at one area with a sad look on her face. That where her play area was"
"Yes it was"
"what did you with it all" Ed smile as he step ford putting his hand on mike shoulder
"You in the middle of it" mike look around him then back to ED
"This was all Kate?"
"rope new so is jungle Jim, sand pit. The two tree houses with out the trees are exactly the same one I build for Kate and her friends so now your kids can spend hours out side enjoying them selves and they can bring friends over as well" Mike thought about it
"This house that for Kate and me"
"For your family Mike. Take my advice when an opportunity comes take it"
"Meaning"
"when I was promoted to commander I was transferred to a shore posting, I didn't want it but I remember what Kate said to me when she was little she said she wish I had a shore posting so she could see more of me cause she miss me. Month later I was promoted and got shore posting. I didn't want it at first till I remember what Kate said. So I took it. It was the best decision of my life between that and building business I always had time for Kate and Kate she was happy to have me home more. That was till three months later" Ed look down to the ground
"the day Claire brought Kate here to Australia after your divorce" mike said
"Yes" Ed said as he look up at Mike
"you been given a second change Ed of having your family back and being a grand father"
"Yes I know and this house" he turn to the house
"Kate design it the best she could but with my architects they took Kate design and did this It her dream family home" he turn to shock mike
"Kate dream house"
"Yes come on" they walk to the back of the house where Ed use key to unlock
the door and Scruity screen. Then they walk in side to a large laundry room. Ed stop at a key pad and press some numbers then the light change from green to red.
"Big laundry room" mike said
"Yes it is"
Mike follow Ed into a door, when Ed open it he step a side so mike could take a look it was a toilet with hand rail and sink. The toilet big enough for some one in a wheel chair.
"This is a good idea" mike said then he step back so Ed could close the door.
Then they walk into a large kitchen and small dinning room. The dinning room was just off the kitchen with a breakfast bar which can hold six chairs. The kitchen was large chief kitchen with large double fridge and large double freezer. Mike walk around the kitchen seeing two dishwashers twin large deep sinks plenty of cupboards and draws. He walk over and open two large doors to see it a walk in pantry. He close the doors and look around to see six gas ring stove oven with stainless steel backing and range hood. Mike turn to Ed
"Kate design this"
"Best she could but she did say she wanted six gas ring stove, she even said what brand, range hood, fridges, dish washers"
"Kate love doing research and study a lot. She know what the best"
"Yes she dose"
"I notice the dinning area small" Ed grin
"This is big enough for six of you, this way" mike walk around the island and follow Ed to double door.
Ed slide them open "Wow, now that what I call a dinning room" Ed laugh as they walk in to see one wall got a built in china cabinet and on the ceiling got double ceiling fans with lights in the roof it self just like in the kitchen and dinning area.
But one thing that got Mike interest is the twenty five piece dinning suite. The table wide enough for two chairs each side. He took a closer look at the timber as he run his fingers over the back of the chairs
"Kate design these chairs?" mike asked
"no it was from a picture from a magazine she read when she was in hospital when she had the quads she photo copy the picture cause she love the design of the chair"
"Ok and the table"
"I remember when she was eight she wanted a big dinning room like this with twenty four chairs and long table but she wanted the table wide enough for two chairs on each end and she love cherry timber so you can see this is what she wanted" Mike lifted the table clothe to see the wood is the same as the chairs. Then he put it back down again.
"Kate got good taste"
"that she has, come on" Mike follow Ed in to the living room.
He couldn't believe the size of it. It was four times bigger than the one where he living now. Plus he notice it got a wet bar so he walk over and around it to see double glass door beer fridge and where the wine glasses are being keep. Mike look around from where he is then he walk over to Ed
"Kate idea" mike asked
"Yes she said that at least she or you don't have to go back and fourth to get drinks for your guests"
"Good idea"
they walk out of the living room and to a large foilar front room where mike notice the large double doors so he walk towards them and look out the window next to the door then he turn around and saw a wide staircase that leads up to the second floor as well a wide hall way
"What down here" mike asked Ed went first till he stop at a door then open it and walk in then mike did, he look around to see build in book shelves but the room was to small for it to be a library
"This is an office" Ed said
"I thought it might be" then they walk out of the room and down to another door where ed turn to mike
"Another toilet like the one you saw before"
"Ok I might have to buy signs so guest would know where they are" Ed laugh then they walk down to the next door. When they stop, Ed turn the light on before opening it
"Take a look" Mike walk in and stop
"Private cinema" mike said when he saw the screen half the normal size movie screen and thirty lazy boy chairs with cup holders in three rows.
Mike look around the room then he walk out with Ed closing the door and turning the light off. Then they walk down the the next door. Ed open it and walk in then mike did
"This is a guest bedroom and through here" he walk to a door and open it and walk in with mike behind him
"Guest bathroom" Mike saw double sink, toilet and walk in shower. Ed open another door and walk through it so mike follow Ed to see it second guest bedroom
"I'm impress"
then they walk though the door leading them back down the hall way to another door, when they walk in it was gym room what got different equipment in it
"wow, I know Kate and I love to work out when we have shore leave"
"Now you can" They walk out closing the door behind them. Then Ed walk down to another door and open it and walk in then Mike did. He stop and look around the room
"wow" Mike said when he saw pool table, dart bard up on a wall, large wet bar with eight bar stools mirror wall behind the wet bar. corner couch that can hold ten plus. Mike walk over to the pool table to see proper pool lights above the table.
"Here" Ed walk over and open another door and turn the light on. Mike look in the room to see It was another toilet. When Mike step away Ed He turn the light off and close the door and turn to mike
"shall we go up stairs"
"Why not" Mike follow Ed out and up stairs to the second story of the house.
When they stop at one door it got Connor name on the door so Mike open it and walk in. In side was large double size bedroom with pale blue wall with one wall got build in book case, large desk and a area above his desk an area for a large thirty eight inch TV and a space for DVD player done in white like the doors ceiling and edging. There was ceiling fan also and windows and french double doors that lead out on to the veranda
"Connor going to love this room"
Mike walk over to double doors and open it, it was closet then he close them and walk over to another door and open it. It was the on suite. It got large walk in shower, toilet and hand basin with draws under it plus a mirror cabinet. Mike turn to Ed.
"He going to love this when he older" Ed grin
"If he any thing like you mike he will be, shall we"
"sure" Mike follow Ed to the next room it was Patrick.
When Ed open the door, mike walk in, it same size and design and Connor but Patrick room is light green. When Mike walk in to Grace room, her was pale pink. Then when he walk into Mary room her is pale yellow. Mike notice that the kids got the same size bedrooms and bathrooms which will make them happy.
After checking out Mary room Ed walk down to the last door. He open it and step a side to let mike in when mike saw the size of it, it was two and half times bigger than the kids bedroom and the walls was peachy apricot color
Mike notice french doors and net curtains so he walk over to them and pull the curtain back to see it was a three meter wide veranda then he look up and notice he can see port from where he is but he would need to use binoculars to see a bit closer. He turn around smiling
"You can see port from there"
"Yes I can" then he walk over to a door and open it then walk in.
it was the bathroom. It was three times bigger than the kids bathroom. There his and her hand basin, toilet and a large three by four meter walk in shower with two shower heads.
When he walk out of the bathroom he walk over to double doors and open them in side was walk in closet he turn the light on when he saw where the switch is then he walk in and look around the room seeing on one side there four by six rows of draws that vertical against the wall and a log poll going from one side down to the end for clothes like long dresses.
Then Mike turn to the other side where he saw three long roes of cubbyhole holes for shoes and handing rack for items like pants, shirts, jackets, skirts, things like that. Plus he notice coat hangers on both polls. The room was three and half meters wide and five meters long. He turn to Ed who looking at him
"big enough for you and Kate" mike smile
"plenty room Ed. Kate sure knows what she wanted"
"Yes she dose" Mike walk out turning the light off and closing the door.
"It amazing but it it going to take a lot to keep clean and the lawns and garden, every thing..."
"don't think about it Mike, it all taken care of"
"Meaning" Ed smile
"You don't have to worry about the swimming pool, gardens, lawns or house cleaning. It already been taken care of, the only things you and Kate have to do is cooking, dishes, washing, making beds, changing sheets. There will be cleaners coming in here twice a week to do the rest. But the main important thing is family" mike was shock
"I don't know what to say"
"Lets go back to your place and talk about it over lunch and I got papers for you and Kate to sign. You can sign today and when I fly down to Sydney I'll get Kate to sign the owner ship papers. Once done then you can move in"
"Ok" they walk out of the bedroom while talking more about the house.
Ed spent the day with mike before leaving to his hotel for the night.
The next morning Mike received the crash sail message so he went and got change and left the house with his sea bag knowing that he will be away for two weeks.
When Ed flew down to Sydney Paul greeted him at the air port. "Ed"
"Paul" they shook hands
"how was your flight"
"Great, I saw mike couple days ago"
"How is he"
"He good misses Kate and kids"
"i bet he dose" they walk over to where Ed got his bags then they walk towards the exit talking.
"dose Kate know your here"
"No it a surprise" Ed said smiling
"Ah I don't know if she will be home this weekend"
"I know what going on Mike told me"
"Ok"
"How grand kids, I hear they balls of energy" Paul laugh
"Yes they are, they spending all day in day care now that they are getting older plus they learning while there which is what Mike and Kate wanted to happen"
"Kate was like that when she was there age, she always learning new things every day"
"We were wounder where they get that from. Cause Mike all he was interested was boats and ships" Ed smile
"We know that kids are like both mike and Kate"
"True" they talk till Paul pull up out side the garage.
Then they got out. Ed got his bags from the boot of the car then they walk in side laughing. That how Alice greeted them
"Ed it good to see you again" they hug
"You to Alice"
"Come in guest room already set up"
"thank you"
"Paul why don't you make us a drink I'll show Ed the guest bedroom"
"Yes dear"
Alice showed Ed his room why they talk then they walk into the kitchen where Paul pass Ed and Alice there drinks then they walk out side to have them while talking about grand kids.
That afternoon Ed heard running and giggling from out side since he walk out of the toilet. He walk out side to see Alice talking to the kids when she hug them. Ed couldn't believe how much they have grown.
"Kids there some one to see you" "Alice said. They look around till they saw Ed.
They smile "Grand dad" they said yelling as they ran over to him which shock not only him but Paul and Alice.
He crouch down to give them all a hug "My oh my you kids have grown up so much since I last saw you. How do you know I'm your grand father"
"mummy always show us picture of you, she said that your our grand father" Ed smile
"Well she right, so" he stood up
"Care to tell me what you all did today"
they walk over and sat in chairs that around the table. Kids manage to get up in the chairs and sat down. They tell Alice, Ed and Paul about what they did at day care center which made them smile.