CH 36
Two days later it was a Friday night. Kate walk in side before she got wet since it been raining all day
"Hello any one home"
"mummy" Kate heard four voices and running of feet.
She stop and crouch down just as he put her bag on the ground just as her kids ran to her for hugs and kisses.
"I miss you guys so much" Kate said
"We miss you mummy" Mary said then the others said it as well.
"guest what mummy" Grace said
"no what"
"Grand dad here" Kate laugh
"I know grand dad here"
"Oh" Grace said
"they talking about me" Kate look up in shock
"dad" she stood up and step forward to hug her father
"hello Kate" he said smiling.
When they pulled apart "I didn't know you were visiting"
"Just for few days, I've Seen mike he misses you and Kids"
"I miss him as well"
"I bet you do, why don't you go and put you bag away then come and join us in the living room"
"Great idea, it good to see you again"
"You to Kate" Kate turn around and went to get her bag while Ed and kids walk into the living room.
When Kate join them few minutes later they were watching Cinderella Walt Disney cartoon movie before kids went to bed. "where did this DVD come from" Kate asked quietly as she sat down next to Ed
"I brought some DVD for kids to watch on wet days like today. I brought the ones you like as kid as well number of education DVD's for kids to learn, like maths, spelling, reading, things like that"
"Dad you spoiling them"
"just like when I spoil you" He said smiling as he put his arm around her shoulder so she could snuggled up to his side as he kiss her for heard then they watch the rest of the movie with kids, Paul and Alice.
After the movie was over Kate took them up stairs to bed. Once they were all tuck in since they were in there pj's. Kate read them a bed time story then she kiss them good night before returning back down stairs just as Alice started dishing up dinner while they all talk.
Kate spent the whole week end with her family but she misses mike not being there from what she heard on the radio during the week about the storm and that the navy sending aid supplies to area which was hit hard by the storm.
On Sunday evening after dinner Ed went into his room then return with file and I pad in hand he sat down next to Kate. "Kate I want you to sign these papers"
he slide the file and pen towards her. "Why what are they?" She said then she open the file and read what it says
"Ownership of house" She read the next two pages then she look at her father
"that right Kate so you, Mike and kids can be together"
"what house dad" Ed smile
then he turn the I pad on and press the screen then he past it to her, then he press play button. Kate look at what was playing. It was different photos of the house both in side and out including video tour of each of the rooms. Kate eyes never left the screen once till it showed her design and the architect design. Then she relies it was her dream home. When it stop she look up at him with tears in her eyes
"you had it build dad"
"Yes I did, notice this" he started it then forward to the part where he froze it like it a picture.
Kate look at it then to him "that looks like my play set that you had build for me when I was little dad"
"It is it, I had it ship to here and I added new play ares for kids"
"I know kids will love it" She said smiling
"i know they will Kate. What do you think of it"
"I love it dad, it what I always dream about having, the play area and swimming pool are bonus" she gave him a hug.
"thank you dad"
"any thing for my little girl" He pick up the pen and put it in her Hand.
Kate turn and look at the papers once again, she saw where she got to sign it. Kate sign all three pages. When done she close the file and put the pen on top then she turn and hug her father once more.
Kate stayed for couple of hours before she had to leave to drive to Watson bay. She gave Ed, Alice and Paul hugs before leaving.
The next day Ed flew up to Cairns where he went to see Steve Marshal. When Ed walk into the ball pen he look around and walk over to Steve since he saw what rank he is.
"commander Marshal" Steve turn around
"Yes sir, can I help you"
"I'm Ed McGregor, mike Flynn father in law" Steve smile as they shook hands
"I know who your are sir, retired rear admiral Edward McGregor royal British navy father of lieutenant Kate McGregor"
"that right. I know Hammersley is way up north helping out with the aid relief. Can you do some thing for me commander"
"I'll see what I can do sir what is it" Ed pulled out an envelope and past it to Steve
"Make sure Mike gets this. He knows what's in it"
"no problems sir. Have you got time for a tour of NAVCOM" Ed look at his watch then to Steve and smile
"sure give this old retired navy officer a tour" Steve smile
"This way sir" Steve showed Ed around the ball pen telling him what they do how may navy boats are under NAVCOM.
Ed even got see what Steve dose when he had to talk to a captain on a patrol boat. Steve interduce Ed some some of the officers till one of them asked
"sir are you related to lieutenant Kate McGregor"
"Why do you ask, how do you know the lieutenant" Ed asked with his hands behind his back.
"Well lieutenant McGregor I know I heard that she sleeping with some lieutenant commander so she could climb the ranks"
"that enough lieutenant, I'll deal with your later" Steve said in command tone
"commander if I may"
"of course sir" Ed turn to the lieutenant
"what make you think that lieutenant McGregor sleeping with lieutenant commander, have you got prof" Ed raise his eyebrows while keeping his cool
"sir others who was in lieutenant class during ADFA as well at Watson bay have seen lieutenant McGregor and the lieutenant commander together on weekends and when she was at Watson bay he was her instructor. That is why she called princess perfect"
"Now you listen to me lieutenant" Ed said with angry look on his face and in command tone
"You have no right in spreading rumors or talk about other officers private lives with out knowing all the facts, am clear" Ed said yelling at him which shock every one in the ball pen
"In fact lieutenant Kate McGregor is in fact my daughter whom you do not have total respect for. As for the lieutenant commander she sleeping with you know him very well lieutenant"
"I do sir" he said as he swallow
"Yes you dam well lucky that my daughter isn't here or you would be dealing with her wraith and as for the lieutenant commander... he captain of Hammersley, lieutenant commander Mike Flynn who also happens to be my daughter husband, my son in law. You dam well lucky you don't have his wraith as well." Ed said yelling in command tone
"mighty mike Flynn your son in law sir"
"Yes he is. You think my temper is bad you haven't seen Kate and knowing my daughter like I do cause of what you said today she which I agree with her will have you scrubbing every toilet here at NAVCOM with a tooth brush for what you said about her and her husband with out knowing all the facts. And for the record lieutenant Mike was Kate instructor at Watson bay. But while there a commander who was marking all of Kate paper work, not mike cause of there relationship... next time get your fax strait before you start spreading rumors which could cost career of the two best officers that this navy has seen in years, under stood lieutenant" Ed said yelling at the lieutenant
"Yes sir" lieutenant said
"lieutenant wood I want to see you in my office this afternoon" Steve said
"Yes sir" then he turn and walk away.
Ed let out his breath and turn to Steve "sorry about that, but that boy got on the wrong side of me" Steve grin
"As you said you glad that lieutenant McGregor and mike not here" Ed smile
"that lieutenant wouldn't stand a change especially against Kate. She got a temper and half on her she get that from me and her grand parents"
"I have meet your daughter once sir but I haven't seen her temper only from what Mike told me and what I've heard from other instructors" Ed grin
"I know she told me" Steve showed Ed around as well talk some more before Ed had to leave.
After both men shook hands Ed left to head to the air port and fly back to England.
Few days later mike was just about to walk into NAVCOM when a junior sailor saw him so he quickly walk over to him "Lieutenant commander Flynn sir" mike turn and saluted the sailor
"Yes leader"
"Sir there some thing you should know it about lieutenant woods sir"
"what about him, look I got to go and see commander marshal"
"sir you want to hear this, it about you and lieutenant McGregor"
"Kate" Mike frond
"Yes sir" the leader told mike about Ed stopping by and what happen in the ball pen. When the leader finish telling him he could see Mike didn't look happy at all
"Is this true"
"Yes sir I'll tell you this sir, if your wife is any thing like her father, god help any crew that she serve with. They won't stand a chance against her and from what I've heard she one hell of a task master and she never back down from an argument"
"that true, I better get in there"
"Yes sir, oh your father in law gave commander Marshal an envelope to give to you"
"thank you leader" they saluted each other then mike walk into NAVCOM.
When he walk into the ball pen he walk into Steve office "hi Mike how was your patrol"
"It was ok, I heard that my father in law was here" mike said as he sat down
"Yes, he ask me to give you this"
Steve open a draw and got the envelope out then close the draw as he lean ford to give it to mike. Mike open it and pull out folded paper, he unfolded it and look at it and smile then he folded it up again then he tip the envelope up side down.
Then two keys fell into his hand then he look into the envelope and pull piece of paper out and read what it said. Then he put the folded paper back in the envelope then pit the piece of paper and keys in his pocket
"Every thing ok mike"
"Yes it keys to new house"
"New house"
"Yes Ed build a house for Kate, kids and me."
"Really that great isn't it"
"It would be if Kate and kids were here Steve"
"you know that there no postings and she on top of the list"
"I know. Care to tell me about what happen to lieutenant wood. I was told he reprimanded from Ed in front of every one"
"and from me" Steve told mike about what happen.
It happen just like what the leader told mike before hand but Steve told mike about the chat he had with the lieutenant after Ed left.
"Well Ed is right about one thing Steve"
"what that"
"Kate is a hard task master" Steve grin
"I've heard and seen what her father is like and he a retired rear admiral"
"Kate like him in so many ways" Mike said smiling
They talk for the next half an hour before mike left to head home where he made phone calls as well type up letter to the owner of the house letting him know that he moving.
Once done and he check all his mail he left to go and see the owner giving him the letter in person then he went to the pub where the crew is where he join them in having drinks as well having dinner there. That night when he return home he called Kate while in bed him self knowing she would be either studying or in bed.
He spoke to her for ten minutes before hanging up then he put the phone on his draws and turn off the light before closing his eyes picturing Kate looking at him with a smile on her face as he falls asleep.
The next morning Mike went in to town to a cafe for breakfast then he brought some lunch to take home with him. Few minutes after he arrived home a truck and four guys showed up to start packing every thing for Mike while he went and started on the bedroom while the others started packing things up into boxes.
It took all day to pack every thing up and taken out of the house. Then the movers followed Mike to the new house. When they arrived they were shock to the size of it.
Mike walk around to the back of the house so he could get in that way and also to turn the alarm off. Once done he walk to the front of the house and unlock the door to let the guys in. First he show them which room is which so they started unloading every thing.
Once every thing was unloaded it was getting dark so mike thank the guys and sign some papers before they left. After they left Mike left to go into town to get some groceries then return home with the groceries and dinner. He put groceries away first while the coffee was being made since he got the coffee machine out from one of the boxes that got 'kitchen' written on it.
Once the groceries were away he started eating dinner and having a beer. When He finish having dinner he started unpacking the 'kitchen' boxes first since he going to need some of the items in the morning.
He found one of the boxes that got the coffee mugs in it so he was able to make his self a cup of coffee when the coffee was made. He spent two hours in the kitchen before he decided to go to bed since it was getting late and he was up early that morning.
So he made sure every thing was lock up tight before he walk up stairs to where the second alarm box is. He punch in the code to activate the alarm down stairs then he walk down and into his bedroom turning lights off along the way. He went and had a shower and craw into bed turning the light off and went to sleep.
The next day Mike spent it unpacking boxes as well putting a load of washing through the washing machine. Plus he went around to the other house since the house owner was looking though the house before he give Mike the bond back and as well a rental letter just in case he need to rent some place else.
Telling the owner what sort of guy mike is how he keep the place clean, no damages and rent paid on time. The owner was happy that the house look like it was before mike move in few years ago.
Mike suggested that he talk to Steve about tenants since navy personal and there families transferred there and finding it hard to find a place with land lord that understanding if the family has to leave with only a few days notice of transferred. The owner agree with mike idea.
The next morning he plan on finish sorting out the kitchen after he had breakfast when he received phone call from NAVCOM to let him know that Hammersley been crash sail so Mike quickly finish his breakfast then clean up before going up stairs to get change and pack his sea bag.
He knew that the crew won't be happy since they all got two weeks shore leave and now it been canceled. When Mike walk into the ball pen he walk over and into Steve office
"Steve what going what Hammersley been crash sailed?"
"Kingston towing Bendigo back to port" Steve pass mike a file
"bendigo was fired a pond when they went to board a boat that called in a may day, it turn out to be a trap. There all the information about the boat, every thing that I could get from bendigo before lost all communication with them when they were fired a pond. They activated there emergency beacon few minutes later. I sent Kingston to there location they arrived at three am this morning. Bendigo was shot up bad and there was number of wounded, it all in the file"
"dose the feds know?" mike asked
"Yes they do" Steve said in not happy tone.
Mike look up to him "Steve, don't tell me they know about this boat and not tell you about it"
"Yes they been after those guys for months, they involve with drug trafficking and they knew that there are weapons on board"
"Who the lead agent"
"Gregg Murphy"
"Murphy no wounder you didn't know, he would tell you need to know bases"
"I know that Mike, I'm waiting to hear from fleet command about what we going to do"
"Alright I'll go and let the crew know. How long are we going to be on patrol for?"
"till Bendigo fix and back out at sea. Don't worry Mike, when Bendigo leaves for it patrol I promise you and your crew two weeks no crash sail shore leave"
"You better Steve, we all ready had our shore leave cut short twice in a row"
"I know that mike" they talk for few more minutes before Mike left to go to Hammersley.
When they left to take over Bendigo patrol Mike informs the crew why they were crash sailed so they would under stand and he contacted the cleaning company that Ed got sorted out for mike to let them know how long he out on patrol for and ask them to clean out his fridge since by the time he return all the food he brought would be rotten by then. Lucky the staff under stands since they also do other homes for single lieutenant commanders who out on patrol.
Hammersley was out on patrol for six weeks, they stop off at an island port for the night to refuel and restock before carrying on with there patrol and plus give most of the crew night off shore leave which made them happy.
While the crew was enjoying there night off Mike use the computer from coms room to check his e-mail and reply back to his sisters, parents and Kate. Kate was checking her e-mail when there was a bing to let her know that she got new e-mail so she check her in box to see one from mike so she open it and read what it says.
She smile when she read what he wrote so she reply back to his e-mail letting him know what she going to do to him the next time he comes down to Sydney for a visit then she send it back to him.
Mike was just about to sign off when he saw Kate send him a e-mail so he open it up and read what it said. He eye brows raise as his smile gotten even bigger. When he finish reading what she said he reply back to her then he decided to wait to find out if she replies back to him.
When Kate saw they he sent her a new message she open it and read what it said which made her grin so she reply back to him then send it and waited to see what he dose.
When Mike received Kate message he open her e-mail and read what she put. Mike was shock then reply back to her and to let her know that he got to sign off since the crew was returning from there night off shore leave then he sent it to her then sign off.
When Kate open his last message she grin and knew all she can do is wait for him to visit but didn't know when.
When Hammersley return back to Cains the crew was happy to be back except for mike who was having problems with his XO. now that Bendigo repairs were done and the wounded crew got the all clear to full time work.
When Mike went to see Steve he handed him all the paper work from the past six weeks as well giving Steve a warning about his XO that he might be asking for a new one and reasons why behind it.
When they finish talking Mike left NAVCOM to return home which he was looking ford to long hot shower and big bed to sleep in with out crew member waking him up all hours of the day and night plus he not looking ford to facing the boxes that still needed unpacking but he knew he got two weeks to do it since Steve keep his promise.